Three Days Before the Project Presentation.
On a day when the spring breeze blew warmly, Kim Minseo walked toward Hanul’s Taesangwan….a hall once known as Saintess Chris’s sanctuary….with a fluttering heart.
What began as a casual visit to the sanctuary had unexpectedly captured her heart.
‘The number of people has definitely decreased since the weekend… But I never thought I’d find myself coming back even on a weekday.’
Kim Minseo felt grateful for having chosen a company with relatively flexible working hours.
Initially, it was to secure more time for gaming, but she had never felt this energized before. She had rushed through her morning tasks and ran here in one breath.
The entrance to the sanctuary, now her third visit, felt familiar.
A space filled with nostalgic medieval fantasy-style music.
-♬
Kim Minseo beamed at the saintess on the screen.
“Hello, Saintess!”
-…!
Saintess Chris’s expression shifted to one of delight.
A familiar voice greeted Kim Minseo warmly.
-“Welcome, Warrior Kim Minseo. The saintess is very pleased to see you again. It seems you have safely completed your day’s work.”
“Kee-hee! I gathered all my focus to finish early because I wanted to see you. If I worked like this all the time, my salary would probably double.”
-The saintess hopes that Warrior Kim Minseo takes care of herself.
“Kee-hee…! Okay, okay.”
-Also, I would like you to look at the [Book of Adventures].
“?”
Kim Minseo opened the book on her desk. Originally, the book only contained rules for navigating <Saintess Chris’s Sanctuary>. But now, it had a new section: a record of her recent adventures.
『This adventure began with the visit of the great magician, Kim Minseo, the first warrior. She journeyed with the saintess toward the Ashen Fortress…』
Their adventures were written as if they were part of a story.
『…And with the help of Knight Park Chulsoo and Bard Choi Woohyung, they successfully obtained the second Holy Grail.』
With an elated voice, Kim Minseo exclaimed,
“Wow! This is… really amazing.”
-“Hearing that makes the saintess very happy. Adventures gain true value when they are recorded.”
“Kee-hee, at this rate, I’ll have to come every day for more adventures. I’m already looking forward to meeting you, Saintess.”
Chris’s expression shifted to one of pride.
-“The saintess cannot hide her joy at Warrior Kim Minseo’s enthusiasm. In truth, the saintess also eagerly awaited your return.”
“R-Really?”
-“Warrior Kim Minseo was the very first among all warriors to find me. The saintess is deeply grateful. To show her appreciation, the saintess has prepared a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
-“Yes. Please check behind the desk where the [Book of Adventures] was placed.”
“?”
Kim Minseo looked behind her computer desk. There, she found a small box of cookies. On a pink sheet of stationery was written in round, neat handwriting:
‘To the Great Magician Warrior Kim Minseo – From Saintess Chris’.
‘Oh, did the saintess write this herself? Her handwriting is so cute. I should laminate it for safekeeping later.’
Kim Minseo hugged the cookie box and stationery tightly to her chest.
“Hee-hee, kee-hee… Thank you so much.”
“It’s a Secret from the Other Warriors.”
Chris’s face changed to a ‘winking expression.’
Kim Minseo scratched her head shyly. She hadn’t realized how happy it could make her to be remembered and awaited by someone—even if that someone was a mysterious saintess on a screen. It felt like she truly was someone special.
For example, like the hero she had always wanted to become in RPG games.
“…!”
‘What’s this feeling? It’s like my heart is melting… This is so weird. I feel like buying the saintess all the delicious things I can find. I wonder if she’d accept pocket money or something…??
Darn it, she’s just beyond a screen.’
The thought of not being able to meet the saintess in person saddened her. A ticklish warmth spread through her chest.
-“I’m glad Warrior Kim Minseo seems happy.”
Saintess Chris’s face, observing Kim Minseo, also changed to a ‘proud expression.’ Beneath her face, the golden chalice emoticon had increased to two, a result of Sunday’s adventure alongside the two others who had joined Kim Minseo.
“By the way, hasn’t Mr. Park or Woohyung arrived yet?”
-“No, they haven’t. You’re the first, Warrior Kim Minseo.”
“Oh… I see.”
Kim Minseo felt a twinge of disappointment. There was no one to reminisce with about their adventure at the Golden Temple, which was even harder than the Ashen Fortress. The two men, who originally had no reason to be connected to her, had somehow become reliable comrades.
‘I thought Mr. Park and Woohyung said they were free on weekdays…?’
Just then, the sanctuary’s doors swung open. Park Chulsoo entered, looking livelier than usual despite his naturally warm demeanor. He strode in carrying a large paper bag.
“Ah, Ms. Kim! You’re here already?”
“Mr. Park! You came again today.”
“Of course! I couldn’t stop thinking about yesterday’s adventure. It was too exciting to resist. Don’t you agree?”
“Kee-hee, of course! By the way, what’s in the bag?”
“Oh, we’re adventurers—we need food and drinks to fuel our journeys! I stopped to grab some snacks for everyone, which is why I’m a bit late.”
Chris’s face changed to a ‘happy expression.’
-“Welcome, Warrior Park Chulsoo. It’s good to see you again.”
“Hello, Saintess! Let’s have another grand adventure today!”
-“Yes, the saintess is delighted by your enthusiasm, Warrior Park Chulsoo. She eagerly anticipates the feats of the kingdom’s greatest knight.”
“Ha-ha-ha! This—this makes a man’s heart race! I really do feel like a proper hero!”
Park Chulsoo downed a gulp of water to calm his pounding heart. Ever since losing his job, it had been a long time since he’d felt this kind of passion.
And then the sanctuary’s doors opened again. This time, Choi Woohyung entered, slinging a large guitar case over his back. True to his word, he had brought his guitar.
“!”
“!”
-!
As all three pairs of eyes focused on him, Choi Woohyung, looking a bit sheepish, spoke.
“I’m here. Seems like everyone got here before me.”
“Mr. Choi! Isn’t this a little too late?”
“Kee-hee, says the guy who just got here himself.”
“Well, I was late because I was bringing food for the party!”
Choi Woohyung gave a bashful chuckle and walked toward the screen to bow in front of Chris.
“Hello, Saintess.”
-Hello, Warrior Choi Woohyung. The saintess eagerly looks forward to hearing the music of the kingdom’s greatest bard.
“Ha-ha… The kingdom’s greatest, huh.”
And thus began their third adventure together.
*
The third Holy Grail was hidden deep within the Shadow Forest, in the Lizardman Kingdom.
However, the third adventure of the hero party proved even harder than the second. What began as a lighthearted journey quickly turned into a desperate struggle.
As soon as the three heroes entered the Shadow Forest, they were ambushed by Lizardman champions brainwashed by a dark sorcerer.
The bard, Choi Woohyung, expended all his mana to carry the saintess, Chris, and run.
Meanwhile, the wizard, Kim Minseo, and the knight, Park Chulsoo, stood their ground to fend off the attackers. But the enemies were overwhelming.
It was truly a life-or-death situation.
Kim Minseo carefully rolled her dice.
“Ugh, a three on the six-sided die.”
“Three plus three makes six, so isn’t that a success?”
“No, I mean it’s just three in total…”
“Minseo, you really have bad luck with dice.”
“Quiet.”
Chris’s expression shifted to one of despair.
-…Wizard Kim Minseo, the hero, has failed to cast the exploration spell.
The saintess urgently looked around.
The Lizardman hunters had crept dangerously close.
The sound of their webbed feet splashing on the ground grew louder.
If they threw their harpoons now, the group would be helpless. The elite Lizardman hunters’ arm muscles twitched as they prepared to strike.
It was too late to dodge. The saintess debated whether to use the divine miracle, which could only be invoked once a day.
“If you use that now, today’s quest…”
“…will be a failure.”
As the mood grew more somber, Park Chulsoo boldly exclaimed:
“I’ll take care of this!”
“!”
“!”
He stepped forward alone and rolled the dice with determination.
–Rattle.
“A 19 on the twenty-sided die! Nice!”
Chris’s expression turned to one of astonishment.
-Knight Park Chulsoo’s sword flashed like lightning! The saintess was speechless.
The knight soared as if taking flight and struck down the lead Lizardman elite hunter with a single, decisive blow. The Lizardmen cried out, “Who are you?” and “Are you a servant blessed by the gods?”
Park Chulsoo chuckled at their words.
“Haha! If the gods were watching over me, I wouldn’t have been fired from my job! I’m just an ordinary guy!”
But he didn’t stop there. His comrades were at their limits, and he knew he had to step up.
“I’ll stay and fight. I’ll use my last body activation skill!”
“Uh, isn’t that a stack-eating jackpot or a health loss…?”
“All or nothing!”
Park Chulsoo didn’t hesitate.
-Lol
“An 18 on the twenty-sided die! Awesome!”
-The saint saw the legendary ‘Mana Awakening’, which only the best knights occasionally manifest, envelop the body of the knight Park Chulsoo… You gain an additional 3 turns of action, and the Awakening is within reach… if you believe in your luck, you will reach it.
Park Chulsoo declared curiously again.
“There is no hesitation in the path of a man, I will cut you all down!”
-Knight Park Chulsoo The warrior was in a trance. You instinctively knew that if you made the next three dice rolls with great success, you would reach a much higher level.
You knew you were walking the same path that so many mythical warriors had walked.
the path of countless mythical warriors…!
But if you fail… only a futile death.
-The Warlock realizes this, and he reveals himself in person to slay the knight himself. The lone knight, Park Chul.
Enemies gathered around Soo like a cloud. The saint could only clasp her trembling hands together and pray.
There was no way out now.
“…”
Park Chulsoo silently rolled the dice.
-Lol
“Twenty-sided eighteen!”
“Wow…!”
“Oh!”
-Lol
“A 19 on the twenty-sided die!! Incredible!”
“Huh…?”
“Wow…?”
-Groan
“A 20 on the twenty-sided die!! Perfect!!”
“Wow!!”
“No, mister, what’s your rhyme?!”
-Knight Park Chulsoo The blue mana spewed out of your sword like lava. It wasn’t just mana, though.
It was a miracle of your courage and your own choices. A state of mind that those who wield the sword hope for… You have reached the level of a Sword Master.
“!”
-Congratulations. You have risen to the absolute, blue knight, to defend your comrades. The Warlock can only tremble at the sight of your blue sword, raised arrogantly.
The remaining enemies are no match for you. The end of today’s adventure is yours to choose. The saintess awaits your decision.
Park Chulsoo chuckled and said.
“I will……!”
That day.
In the [Book of Adventures] a knight’s legend was recorded.
『Knight Park Chulsoo slayed the warlock and took back the blue sword. He reached out his hand and asked the Lizardmen to befriend him, and they, who worshiped the mighty warrior, chose him as the new protector of their kingdom…』
The legend of the Blue Knight was that he was a fierce and caring man.
*
After their third adventure came to an end,
the three heroes sat around a (fake) campfire.
They were munching on bread and snacks that Park Chulsoo had bought while chatting casually.
In the middle of chewing on her bread, Kim Minseo suddenly burst out laughing to herself.
“Pfft…!”
“?”
“?”
-?
“But don’t you think it’s funny if you really think about it?”
“What is?”
“Suddenly barging in as a group of four, stealing their treasure, and then having the Lizardmen appoint an older guy as their guardian because he’s stronger than them? The way they changed their attitude so quickly…! Pfft…!”
“Ah, that’s called romance! Romance! Kim, you just don’t understand the charm.”
-The saint believes this too is a marvelous tale of adventure.
“See? Even the saintess agrees!”
“Pfft…”
“Ahem.”
Park Chulsoo, who had been basking in the thrill of becoming the hero of a legend just moments ago, cleared his throat awkwardly under their amused glances.
Seeing this, Kim Minseo and Choi Woo-hyung chuckled quietly. They couldn’t deny it, though.
“You were really cool today, mister.”
“Yeah, just like a hero straight out of a martial arts novel.”
-The saint also believes that today’s true protagonist was undoubtedly Sir Park Chulsoo.
“Hmph…”
Park Chulsoo merely shrugged, but he couldn’t hide the smile creeping onto his face.
Choi Woo-hyung suddenly pulled out a digital camera from his bag and stood up.
“…Um, how about we take a picture together?”
“A picture?”
“A picture?”
-A picture… you say?
Choi Woo-hyung scratched his cheek and explained.
“Well, I actually have this hobby of writing journals on foreign blogs. I used to post about things that happened over the weekend, but people started saying, ‘Don’t lie!’ So I thought maybe I should upload some proof… Oh, but I’ll blur out the faces, of course.”
“You had a hobby like that?”
“Well, it kind of carried over from when I used to post reviews of foreign pop songs…”
-The saint thinks that’s a wonderful hobby. Sir Choi Woo-hyung, you’re truly a bard.
“I did quit being a singer a long time ago, though.”
Kim Minseo, still giggling, walked over to Park Chulsoo and slung an arm around his shoulders. Then, she made a peace sign with her fingers.
“Aw, it’s not like it’s a crime or anything. Why bother blurring the faces? Just post it! Come on, mister, make a peace sign too!”
“Goodness, you’re really insistent, aren’t you?”
“Does that mean you’re not taking the picture, mister?”
“…”
Park Chulsoo shyly made a peace sign with one hand. The bravery he had displayed earlier felt like a lie. Kim Minseo laughed so hard at his bashful expression that she could hardly breathe.
Just as Choi Woo-hyung was about to take the picture, he paused and looked at Chris.
“What about you, saintess?”
-Huh?
“Is it okay if your face is in the photo?”
Chris’s face shifted into a brightly smiling expression.
-Adventures must be recorded. Please include me as well.
“All right then! Here we go! One, two…!”
–Click!
In the picture:
A cheerful office lady beamed.
A shy middle-aged man sat quietly.
And the saintess smiled warmly at the camera.
Day Four.
New adventurers joined the group.
-The saintess saw the maze passageway close. This path was a trap.
A pair of high school siblings couldn’t hide their disappointment.
“See, I told you we should’ve gone left!”
“Whatever! Now I have to cast magic, so give me one of your mana potions!”
“Ugh, seriously!!”
Kim Minseo, chuckling, stepped in to mediate the squabbling teenagers.
“Now, now, don’t fight. I’ll take the lead this time.”
“Unnie!”
“Noona!”
Day Five.
A middle-aged woman peeled an apple and handed it to Park Chulsoo.
“Goodness, you’re still young. Don’t let yourself get so down.”
“Haha, well… it’s a bit embarrassing. I’ve just been lazing around without a job.”
“My husband made one mistake, drank too much, and ended up hanging himself. Compared to that, seeing you out here, getting your mind together with all these young people… it’s admirable, really.”
“…Thank you.”
The two sat on cushions, watching the lively group from the sidelines.
By now, the party had grown to more than seven members, turning the game into a delightful chaos.
The younger sister of the high school siblings grinned widely.
“Oh, oh! It’s Chris’s turn! Saintess, sing us a song!”
“The saintess must sing a song!”
Chris’s face shifted into a bashful expression.
“She’s embarrassed! Ooh, and yet she always makes us do stuff!”
Seizing the moment, Choi Woohyung picked up an acoustic guitar and started to play. The intro to a famous ballad filled the dimly lit room with soothing melody.
Kim Minseo giggled as she switched her digital camera to video mode, wanting to capture this moment for posterity.
Chris hesitated for a moment. Finally, her face changed to a smiling expression, and she began to sing. Her voice, unlike her usual mature tone, was surprisingly youthful and sweet.
“Waaah!”
“The saintess has such a beautiful voice!”
“She’s really good at singing!”
And so, yet another adventure came to a close.
The pages of the [Book of Adventures] grew thicker,
and the golden goblet emojis increased to six.
Before they knew it, the heroes were approaching their final adventure.
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