Transmigrated into the Gacha Game I Abandoned for 10 Years

Before Kim Hyunwoo could even think, Elena, who had kicked the door open and entered, stood in front of him with very confused emotions.

Right then, there was a ring placed inside a small box on his desk.

A Proposal Ring that reflected everything like a mirror.

Upon seeing it, Elena felt an overwhelming, sticky emotion without even realizing it.

“……”

Of course, Kim Hyunwoo said nothing.

Elena didn’t know who that Proposal Ring was for.

However, that made Elena feel a deep sense of despair.

At least, she could easily guess that Kim Hyunwoo would not use that item on her.

Of course, the relationship between Elena and Kim Hyunwoo was not that bad.

In fact, among the heroes in Lartania right now, Kim Hyunwoo was spending the most time with Elena.

Excluding the time she spent training, Elena was almost always helping Kim Hyunwoo with administration or reporting to him.

However, despite this, the fact that she and Kim Hyunwoo had not become that close made Elena feel an upsurge of sticky emotions.

Of course, she knew that this behavior was wrong.

However, upon seeing the sign, Elena couldn’t help but feel an irresistible urge to run up to it without even realizing it.

However,

“Are you worried about what’s outside? Don’t mind that. It’s not about the ring; it’s about the merchant who brought this ring.”

Following that, Elena asked without realizing,

“…The merchant…?”

“Yes.”

“…What do you mean?”

Elena looked puzzled, unable to understand.

Although she knew it was strange for her to be curious about this, her growing curiosity had already led her to ask.

“So what happened is-”

Kim Hyunwoo explained to Elena a plausible reason for buying the Proposal Ring.

Of course, he couldn’t talk about the quest, so he said he bought the ring to meet with the Blue Merchant.

“-That’s how it happened. After all, there aren’t many ways to meet the Blue Merchant.”

“I see.”

After Kim Hyunwoo’s awkward explanation, Elena nodded as if she finally understood, speaking with a bit of embarrassment.

“…I’m sorry, seeing that suddenly made me a bit anxious, so I rushed to ask.”

“I guess that could happen…”

Kim Hyunwoo, understanding her words, sighed and responded while Elena slightly turned her gaze away.

Elena, glancing at him, then looked at the small box and spoke.

“But…may I ask just one thing?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Well, even though you said you bought it to meet the Blue Merchant, you did buy a Proposal Ring, right?”

Kim Hyunwoo nodded at Elena, who asked, recalling what he had said.

“Well…when you get down to it, yes.”

“So, are you planning to use the Proposal Ring?”

Elena asked, squinting her eyes slightly, and after a moment of consideration, Kim Hyunwoo answered.

“…Well, I did buy it after all, so I suppose I should use it? This ring did cost quite a bit, after all.”

Even the cheapest item sold by the Blue Merchant involved 10,000 Red Stones, so it would be a waste not to use it.

“Then, who are you planning to use it on?”

Elena asked, following Kim Hyunwoo’s words.

In fact, Elena had been pondering whether to ask that question.

Because the thought that maybe it was time to stop asking questions had been growing in her mind.

But contrary to her rational thought, her emotions made her blurt out what was on her mind, and although Elena belatedly made a regretful expression, Kim Hyunwoo spoke leisurely, as if he hadn’t felt much.

“Um…I haven’t decided yet.”

“Is that so?”

“But well…I plan to use it within about half a year.”

“What!? Within half a year?”

“…Huh? Why are you so surprised?”

“No, it’s just…don’t you have someone in mind…or not?”

Kim Hyunwoo nodded at Elena’s question, who was thinking of Shadra and the other heroes within Lartania’s territory that came to mind.

“Well, there isn’t anyone, right?”

“Then how do you plan to use it…?”

Kim Hyunwoo pondered upon Elena’s question.

‘Truthfully, I don’t really want to use the magic ring, if I’m being honest.’

He knew that depending on how the Proposal Ring was used, it could become a significant power in Lartania.

And he could actually use it right now.

‘Considering Elena’s affection is at Level 4, if I develop the relationship well, I could use the Proposal Ring…’

Kim Hyunwoo glanced at Elena.

Her expression grew serious, as if she was deeply pondering something.

Seeing that, Kim Hyunwoo sighed shortly, thinking, ‘As expected’.

‘It’s difficult to use it on a hero in such a situation, after all.’

Kim Hyunwoo was not recruiting any more heroes, having already recruited Elena and Lani.

The reason was that no hero who visited the tavern after Lani had caught Kim Hyunwoo’s fancy.

Of course, he could recruit and discard heroes, but that was not Kim Hyunwoo’s style; he preferred to choose heroes to develop and nurture, leading to this endless waiting.

Thus, in the current situation with only one hero, if Kim Hyunwoo were to give the Proposal Ring to Elena after carefully planning, there would be no side effects from the magic.

However, the reason Kim Hyunwoo decisively chose not to use the ring was because of the situation.

‘…Ultimately, the point is to block all those, including demons, who invade the middle world, which means it’s essential to bring in other heroes besides Elena.’

Even if Elena is bound to become stronger later, numbers hold an absolute advantage in any world.

And to strengthen the recruited heroes, it is imperative to increase their affection. From his position, needing to raise affection for this and that hero, the Proposal Ring became something that should not be used.

After all, the Proposal Ring could only restrict Kim Hyunwoo’s actions and cause discord among the heroes.

And if he were to give a Proposal Ring to everyone whose affection he raises, he knew well the kind of situation that would create.

Moreover, this Proposal Ring also had an expiration date.

Of course, he was aware of Arteil’s setting that a special power binds the lord and the hero, but the setting that this ‘special power’ evaporates if not used within half a year made the Proposal Ring effectively a time-limited item.

This meant, Kim Hyunwoo had to use the ring within half a year.

‘…Well, might as well use it reluctantly.’

Therefore, holding the ring, Kim Hyunwoo shrugged his shoulders slightly and answered, then asked,

“Ah, by the way, is the carriage still outside?”

“What? Oh, the carriage? Yes, it should still be there.”

Kim Hyunwoo, seeing Elena respond a beat late as if deep in thought, covered his eyes with an embarrassed expression.

“…Somehow, I thought it would still be there.”

“…Should I get rid of it?”

“Yes, take the carriage to the Lord’s castle warehouse, and remove the sign to dispose of it.”

Elena nodded in understanding and left the office, following Kim Hyunwoo’s answer, who sighed deeply while covering his eyes.

“…Half a year…”

Elena, murmuring to herself unknowingly,

“…What are you doing here?”

“Hmm-hmm-”

“I have some business to attend to.”

As soon as she left the office, Elena instinctively realized, seeing Shadra and River waiting as if they had been expecting her.

That River and Shadra present here had overheard her conversation with Kim Hyunwoo.

And,

‘Half a year-’

‘Half a year…’

‘Half a year…’

The realization that everyone here had unified their goal, all because of “half a year”.

“……”

Thus, when Elena, River, and Shadra began to exchange tense glances, starting a subtle battle of nerves,

outside of Lartania’s domain,

“…Half a year?”

“Half a year…”

Rin and Merilda were looking down at the territory with expressions mixed with equal parts gloom and hope.

More precisely, they were staring intently at the Ring on the desk of the Lord’s office that Kim Hyunwoo had yet to put away.

Half a year.

It was a time frame that could be considered long, but also short.

However, Merilda and Rin did not attribute any particular meaning to the time frame of half a year themselves.

That’s because there were only two things that were important to Merilda and Rin right away.

One was that Kim Hyunwoo had bought a Proposal Ring.

The other was that Merilda and Rin truly wanted to become the owner of that Ring.

Thus, in the current situation, Merilda and Rin were not so much reflecting on the half-year time frame as they were seeking the fastest way to reach their predetermined goal.

After all, they had no other options from the beginning.

That’s why.

“Loriel.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Is everything we talked about last time prepared?”

“Yes.”

“Then, let’s proceed right away.”

“I will prepare as instructed.”

“Giral.”

“What is it, Boss?”

“Do you remember what we decided to do last time?”

“…Ah, the thing Ryu suggested?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“…That?”

“Let’s do it.”

“…Understood.”

Merilda and Rin steeled their resolve.

…While looking at the Ring.