You Will Be Blessed If You Do Good Deeds¿

"Do you remember the dungeon where we got caught up during basic training?"
There was no way I could forget that.
Wasn’t that the world from the previous life that Orbis forcibly connected to Earth?

Han Jae-young spoke in a calm voice.
"The last time I contacted Yoo Han-ul was about three months ago. He said he was going back to the castle with the statue and would bring the Golden Drake’s heart."
"............"

The timing of the communication cut-off was similar.
I sank into thought.
‘Now that I think about it… Yoo Han-ul did say he was bidding on the Golden Drake's heart.’

That was also the reason he rushed out of the New York Embassy.
The materials needed to be a powerful mana battery for those who had been turned into statues by the selfish wish of a powerful mage.
Did he go to deliver that and end up missing?

‘Foolishly, who’s going to recognize that anyway?’
Was he being a hero, or was he just foolish?
Back then, when we were deciding whether to kill the mage, Count Burk, to save the villagers who had been turned into statues, I was the one who suggested we shouldn't kill him.

And honestly, the reason I said that wasn’t out of goodwill.
It was just a lie to make the mage lower his guard so I could completely finish him off. I couldn’t say it that directly, so I pretended to be all noble about saving the people turned into statues.
But Yoo Han-ul didn’t stop at just saying such empty words like me.

Without a word to me, he went into the dungeon alone and disappeared.
Maybe "hero" and "fool" are synonyms after all.
‘The Golden Drake's heart wasn’t even that necessary. I already infused the mage’s mana into the barrier, so it would hold up for years.’
When the mage’s soul was destroyed and his mana burst out, I managed to absorb some of it. However, because of physical limitations, the rest of the mana was used to maintain the barrier.

In the end, the Golden Drake’s heart wouldn’t have been needed; Yoo Han-ul got lost doing something pointless.
Lost in thought, I suddenly had a question and asked.
“Wait a minute, going back to the dungeon with the statue means... Yoo Han-ul left for New York again?”

The entrance to the dungeon near the castle where the statues were located was in New York.
Of course, theoretically, there could be multiple entrances to that dimension.
Considering Orbis' purpose, there could easily be hundreds of them scattered across Earth.

However, finding a new entrance would take time, and even if they found one, they couldn't be sure of where it would lead.
That’s why I put off searching for my backup, didn’t I?
So, returning to that castle, entering through New York would be the most logical approach, but…

“I was wondering about that too, so I asked him through a message. I asked if he was leaving again after just returning to New York and if he had informed the government.”
Right, the government wouldn’t be happy about Yoo Han-ul leaving again.
It hadn’t even been a few months since I returned after going missing, and though it wasn’t publicly known, there had been an unfortunate incident involving Layla Lopez.

It didn’t make sense that Yoo Han-ul, an S-rank Hunter, would leave so soon after such events.
Naturally, the government would try to stop him.
Of course, I’d ignore such things, but Yoo Han-ul’s personality was different from mine.

“So, what did he reply?”
“He said he’d take care of it himself, and after that, there was no contact. At the time, I thought it was just because he was busy.”
“Any exit records?”

“The government says there’s no record of his departure.”
Yoo Han-ul didn’t need to hide his identity and sneak off, so it meant he must have entered a domestic dungeon.
‘After all, Yoo Han-ul has the advantage when it comes to gathering information.’

Doesn’t the system act like a guide?
It even helped me with the forced companion invitation, so if I asked it to find an entrance to a dungeon, it would have certainly helped.
“I’m not sure if it’s fortunate or unfortunate that he went missing here. In fact, since it happened here, the government is more worried.”

“I’d imagine so.”
From the government’s perspective, it would be concerning that such a powerful dungeon exists within the country, capable of making someone as strong as Yoo Han-ul go missing.
It’s already been over three months, which likely means the dungeon exploration failed. If that’s the case, a Dungeon Break is probably imminent.

It’s like a time bomb ticking somewhere in South Korea.
“So, should we start by figuring out which dungeon Yoo Han-ul entered?”
“The last GPS signal was lost in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. We’re searching through dungeons from there.”

“…Of course, he had to go to a high-density dungeon area.”
The Sokcho area, with its many dungeons like Cheongdae Mountain, Jubo Mountain, and Taebong Mountain, wasn’t exactly a secret.
To search through all those dungeons to find where Yoo Han-ul might have gone...

“Let’s put personal feelings aside... but from the government’s perspective, this is a huge problem.”
It was practically a nightmare.
It hadn’t been long since Yoo Han-ul and I returned after going missing, and now his disappearance had happened.

Yoo Han-ul’s significance in this country was incomparable to mine.
Unlike me, with a few rumors about being a hero, Yoo Han-ul had actually fought directly with S-rank monsters in front of countless cameras.
“So, here’s the crux of the matter.”

Han Jae-young handed me a document. The paper was filled with mundane things like confidentiality agreements.
“The government has secretly requested HP Guild’s cooperation in the investigation of Yoo Han-ul’s disappearance. I’m sure they’ve asked other S-rank hunters too. You’re included, Jeong Da-on Hunter.”
“Why me?”

I raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve only been awakened for half a year, and I’m just a burden to everyone.”
“...Is that because of what you said a few months ago? Are you still holding a grudge?”

Demons tend to remember grudges for a long time.
“...That was half a joke.”
“Joke, huh... That sounds like a lie. So, of course, you’ll be joining the search party, right? After all, Yoo Han-ul helped save us when we were lost.”

“No.”
“Excuse me?”
Han Jae-young looked at me as though he hadn’t heard me correctly.

“What did you just say?”
“I don’t see a reasonable reason to join the search party.”
“Eh?”

Is this really that surprising?
I explained one by one to the shocked Han Jae-young.
“If there’s a monster strong enough to make Yoo Han-ul fail the dungeon exploration... It’d be impossible for an ordinary group to deal with it.”

I know Han Jae-young is a strong fairy-blooded hunter.
But after experiencing Yoo Han-ul’s power firsthand, I realized that his strength is on a whole different level.
‘Did he get some hero buff or something? It’s so annoying.’

Why is it that in the human world, the Demon King can’t descend, but a white whale can wreak havoc?
Anyway, if Yoo Han-ul disappeared, even if a bunch of other S-rank hunters gather, there’s no guarantee they can handle the monster that defeated him.
“I don’t think me joining the search will be any help. It could even put my life at risk.”

Of course, if I pushed myself, I might manage.
But why should I?
Good deeds will be rewarded? Quest is in progress.
Good deeds? What?

I glanced at the system message that appeared in my mind and sneered.
“Besides, it seems like it’s been a while since he went missing, so his chances of survival are pretty low. You want me to stake my life on a chance like that?”
The contact had been lost over three months ago.

If it was just a day or two, maybe, but too much time had passed.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than .net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
“I’m not sure if investing new resources to find Yoo Han-ul, whose survival chances are uncertain, is a rational decision.”

There’s always opportunity cost in the world.
“Well.”
Han Jae-young clicked his tongue.

“Jeong Da-on, I really can’t figure you out. I thought you were an angel, but now you seem like a demon.”
Wasn’t she a fairy, though?
I joked, but Han Jae-young’s eyes were filled with doubt.

He never expected me to act so uncooperatively.
“You’re out saving people you don’t even know, but you’re calculating when it comes to Yoo Han-ul?”
“Of course, I have to calculate. I could die, you know? You should think about it too, not just as a guild leader.”

“I didn’t bring personal feelings into it... Did you?”
Han Jae-young stared at me with disbelief.
“When we were missing, and Yoo Han-ul saved us, was that just a personal favor?”

“Of course. Did you think Yoo Han-ul helped us thinking he’d get something in return?”
Han Jae-young looked stunned.
Yoo Han-ul didn’t go into the dungeon to help me or Han Jae-young.

And the foolish hero probably didn’t expect any reward for his help.
If he expected something in return for his favor, that wasn’t really a favor anymore.
“And by the way, when Yoo Han-ul went missing during the Gwanghwamun Dungeon Break, you didn’t even care.”

When Yoo Han-ul suddenly disappeared after rushing out to save the children, Han Jae-young wasn’t shaken.
Bringing it up, Han Jae-young frowned.
“At that time, there were many civilians and apprentice hunters in the office that needed protection. I couldn’t act.”

“Now you’re still responsible for many guild members. Can you just jump into a dangerous mission like this?”
“…Jeong Da-on, what exactly are you trying to say? If you’re criticizing my judgment at the time…”
“It’s not a criticism. I’m saying that judgment was probably the rational one.”

How many people would risk their lives to save others?
One out of a hundred? One out of a thousand?
And you can’t force someone to sacrifice their life for others.

In that sense, Han Jae-young’s actions may not have been righteous, but no one could fault him.
‘...The system will probably judge the same.’
Han Jae-young sighed quietly.

“...So, you really aren’t going to join the search?”
His sharp gaze seemed to be probing my sincerity.
“If Yoo Han-ul stays missing, won’t you be at a loss too?”

“Me?”
“If the national hero disappears, people will start to place even harsher expectations and judgment on Jeong Da-on, who’s just starting to rise.”
Han Jae-young seemed convinced that I had some kind of ulterior motive for my behavior.

“When that happens, just using flashy magic in front of cameras won’t impress anyone.”
Well, I have been acting a bit conspicuously in front of Han Jae-young.
His attempt to pull me in by playing on my potential loss was clever, but it wasn’t going to work.

“I don’t really see it as a risk. Actually, with the rival out of the picture, I think it’s more of a blessing.”
“...Did you two fight enough to want to kill each other behind my back? I thought you were friendly, despite the subtle differences.”
“See, you should have believed me when I said we weren’t close.”

“I didn’t expect this level... well, fine.”
Han Jae-young picked up the documents on the desk with a perplexed look.
“I really don’t understand what you’re thinking, Jeong Da-on, but I’ll tell them you won’t join the search party.”

“Right, go ahead. It’s the weekend tomorrow, and I’m going to rest.”
“…Alright, then. Could you please leave?”
I didn’t hesitate.

When I left the guild leader’s office, the door slammed shut.
By the way, I didn’t close it.
From inside, I could hear a deliberate "Whoops, it was the wind," but I didn’t pay it any mind.

Whether Han Jae-young was angry or not, it was none of my concern.
What I needed to focus on now.
The negotiations I needed to have weren’t with the government or Han Jae-young...

“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
The system requests assistance from Jeong Da-on regarding Yoo Han-ul.
Quest: SAVE THE WORLD is in progress.
Quest: Good deeds will be rewarded? is ongoing.
User, Jeong Da-on, is receiving the favor of most social members.
Helping the weak is considered a socially just action.
 
“I’ve already given a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why I won’t join the search.”

I said this to Han Jae-young, but in truth, I was speaking to the system.
“I was given a favor, not a debt.”
I gave the system a sidelong glance.

In reality, I had known all along that Yoo Han-ul was still alive.
There was no way he could die that easily.
Besides, the system had been sending messages asking for help.

However…
‘Given the system’s urgency, this doesn’t seem like a minor trouble.’
If Yoo Han-ul had gotten involved in something related to Orbis in the world of his past life, I would need to investigate.

So, while responding to Han Jae-young’s words and entering the search party seemed like a waste of my efforts, the system clearly seemed desperate.
“Where there’s a take, there has to be a give.”
I wasn’t about to work for free in a situation like this.

A hero might sacrifice themselves to save others, but not me.
And I wasn’t some foolish hero; I was a crafty devil.
Whatever I could gain, I would make sure to get.

I smiled at the system.
“Then tell me, you stupid collective intelligence. What will you give me if I save your sleeping hero?”