This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 591

“So? Are you thinking about stepping in, Chae-rim?”

“If that’s the only way, then so be it.”

Though it was a genuinely unfortunate situation, the fact that I was stuck managing that woman’s reception remained unchanged.

If worse comes to worst, I guess I have no choice but to resort to such measures.

That was precisely the intention behind my words.

No sooner had I spoken than a smile that seemed to probe at my side appeared on the other person’s face.

“Really? Are you sure that’s okay?”

Was this a piece of advice or a warning?

One thing was certain: blindly charging in would bring nothing but trouble, as my earlier thoughts hinted.

Considering that the woman in question might have caught wind of Dogun’s abilities, not to mention Miss Almighty as well, I was even more cautious.

If something were to happen to Dogun while I was absent — having made that decision to join the expedition team likely to be formed soon to resolve this situation — would I ever be able to forgive myself?

Honestly speaking, I couldn’t say I had a strong conviction about it.

That’s why I hesitated in responding to the Association Chairman’s question.

Someone might think that I was using Dogun as an excuse, or that I was merely scared, but even if that were the case, there was nothing I could do about it.

There’s nothing more horrifying than leaving the safety of a loved one in someone else’s hands, only for things to go wrong.

So, even if it seemed overly frustrating, I couldn’t help it.

It was much better to take a few verbal jabs than to rush in and then regret it later.

Honestly, I had already done enough serving people under the name of a hero.

So, isn’t it okay to be a little selfish now?

Surely everyone would understand that much.

The problem, of course, was that if I didn’t step in directly, I would have to ask someone else to take care of the situation…

Who would be a good choice?

If I were to make a request, who should I ask?

To be honest, many faces came to mind.

Some of them even had personal debts to me.

While enough candidates popped into my head, the reason I couldn’t pick one was that this wasn’t a matter to take lightly.

If everything went smoothly, just being on the list would bring unmatched honor, but that’s just how life goes.

What appears flawless in planning can fall apart in execution when unexpected variables pop up at unexpected times.

If such a troublesome operation occurs on our home ground, then how much worse would it be in the Heogye, home court of the Another Ones?

No matter how best we deployed our forces and plans, we would surely face some kind of difficult situation.

And considering that such difficulties would take place right where the Another Ones thrive, the trouble would likely go beyond simple complications.

Even though saying this now feels pointless with nothing decided, someone might lose their life, after all.

The chances of that happening were high; how could I make such a request carelessly?

“Don’t you think you might want to reconsider going yourself?”

“…”

“If you’re not going, then we need to send someone else…”

“…”

“Thinking of sending someone other than you makes it even more daunting because this is such a hazardous mission, and thus it’s tough to pick anyone.”

I couldn’t retort to such a comment that seemed to see right through my thoughts; I simply had no grounds for it.

If even one part of their words was incorrect, I might have had room to respond, but with no discrepancies, how could I?

So, I had no choice but to keep silent, but perhaps they expected that.

“Well, it’s not something that needs a hasty decision.”

With a sound like deflation, those words followed.

A voice that sounded like they were just giving a light pass.

Did I happen to hear that because I was in such a vulnerable position?

My face flushed uncontrollably.

It was so warm I felt as if I were pressing my face up close to a campfire.

However… that said, I had no intention of rejecting the chance offered after such a long wait.

After all, it was clear that this wasn’t an easy decision to make.

“Then… shall we say our discussion ends here? Regardless, everyone is likely waiting eagerly for us to finish and return…”

Thus, we returned to the meeting room with my counterpart.

Unlike the big ambitions I had harbored upon exiting, not a single solid decision was made.

And perhaps because nothing concrete had been settled, the ensuing discussions dragged on painfully.

Thinking back, it was entirely understandable.

If we had reached any decision, that might’ve carried weight, but in the absence of any agreement, all the gathered folks could do was engage in armchair debates.

I figured this state would continue for a while…

After hastily wrapping up the emergency meeting, when I returned to my workplace…

For some reason, the secretary wasn’t in her usual spot, but was rather standing around, making me wonder if something else had arisen in the brief time.

When I asked what was going on, her somewhat awkward reply was that a guest had come, and she had taken them into the room.

Normally, if the host were absent, it would be typical to say that they were unavailable for a meeting.

So why did she choose to take someone without the host into the room?

Perhaps someone of such importance arrived that she couldn’t send them away?

But, I certainly didn’t have any appointments scheduled today, did I?

Curiosity leading the way, I immediately opened the door and entered the room.

The first thing that caught my eye was a somewhat familiar brown head.

What else could it be?

The important guest taking up space was none other than Yoonseo.

Judging by how stiffly she wore her somewhat awkward suit, it seemed she had dashed here the moment her tasks were done for the day.

But why on earth…?

Although she had asked to meet, it still seemed odd for her to come all this way after a long, tiring day.

What could the reason be for not taking a break and instead coming to this far-off Association building?

As I cautiously sat down across from Yoonseo, my heart was half-curious and half-worried.

Had she perhaps deemed that there was no reason to hesitate anymore and decided to dive right into the topic?

“Sister.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Upon swiftly responding to Yoonseo’s call as I sank into the couch, she gazed at me for a moment before finally speaking.

“Did you see the announcement?”

By “announcement,” she certainly meant the matter regarding the lecture.

And upon hearing that, I began to understand why Yoonseo felt compelled to come here.

After all, the reason we involved resources for the Heogye expedition was to restore Dogun’s left arm.

We had gotten ourselves sufficiently anxious, thinking that leaving things to others wouldn’t lead to a satisfactory outcome, so she had resolved to take action herself.

However, with the sudden declaration from the World Hero Association to eradicate the Another Ones completely, I was sure Yoonseo must be feeling quite bewildered.

And thus, she had come rushing in here.

“I… saw it. Thanks to that, I just got pulled into a meeting at this hour.”

I answered with certainty, knowing that was likely the reason behind her rush here.

“Then, you can probably guess what I’m about to say.”

“…?”

“I… want to participate in that.”

“…!”