Dew for the Damned. (Prologue)

*Click*

As Seyong turn the lights on, I can't help but survey my surrounding...

"So this is your room... It looks so much different than the one at the ship, I guess one word to describe it is... Childish?"

As the day change Seyong brought us to his room for our briefing. His bedroom only has the bare minimum to call a room as if most of the stuff has been taken out. The bed in his room doesn't fit his height and is shaped like a ship while I could see box of toys and decorations around that kids would like. I could see old posters that has lose its radiance, they are people I recognized like Jin-Yeon who seem younger, Hwang-So, and other who seem to be part of they call the Hero of the Coalition.

(If that's so...)

I look around and see Cheo who actually look much cooler and who he calls his dad-

(Hmm?)

Seeing someone who looked like if Yoo-Gisa grew his hair out, and has a more visible facial feature, I quickly recognize who could be Yoo-Ah's dad.

(So that's what he looked like. He looks more foreign to me despite having black hair-)

"The hell is with this room!? Are you sure this is your room and not a baby!?"

Yoo-Ah breaks shouts out her thoughts which Seyong simply reply with,

"I already moved all the stuff I used back when I get elected as prince, this is simply the hand me downs I left for those younger relatives. Besides, don't look at my room so intently!"

He then pulls out a map container twice his size and continue saying:

"Usually, I shouldn't bring a girl to a man's private room but all other rooms at the mansion is still being reorganized with all my relatives moving in, and all the usable rooms are being used for other to sleep-"

"Then why are we even here!? We could do it on the ship then!"

"Argh! Shut up, I won't let YOU see my current room!"

"Then just do it on the bridge, Doofus!"

"Shut the fuck up! Didn't you see the hail out there, you daft excuse of a staff!"

Seyong looks at me before shaking his head shouting:

"Enough of my reasoning, just bear with it!"

He pulls out a paper map and spread it on the floor, compared to the map technology I've seen so far that shows all 3 dimension, it feels a bit weird seeing it on paper like this. Seyong starts to open pocket attacthed to the container and spread out some blocks like toys and starts placing it at the map. Cities, landmarks, and terrain are spread about easily with his magic before he then points at the giant block at the coast saying:

"This is the map of the northern Silla, and that is where we will be heading."

"Hum! Even so, what's the point of pulling out such a wide range? It's not like we're going to be defending the land!"

"No, you're wrong, if that was the case the Navy and Army wouldn't even need to be nothered to hire Hunters and Adventurers alike if that's the case. While the majority of troops and ships are stationed there, there're still small gaps monster can go through. This is what those hunter chumps at the meeting will definitely relay. What I'm here to inform you about is what we will do in this operation."

"Hum? But isn't that decided by the joint HQ? Our job is simply do what we're told are we not!?"

"If that was the case, do you think I would actually call you two for this strategy? But most of all, is like hell I take command with those green horns! They're too far stuck up their ass to listen to those beneath them. On paper they sound ideal but on the field they would spell disaster!

This is the problem when they appoint a foreigner who doesn't even read about the land they're suppose to defend! So what if they're from Heaven and from some of the best academy in the Confederaion? If they can't even differentiate between name of the cities and land surrounding the port, what's the point!? I thought the Baratai Master seem capable but that's clearly not the case!"

(Hmm? Are they perhaps from the Turquoise tutle academy? And I don't think Han-Woo would be that terrible right?)

Hearing Seyong scorn at our soon to be allies and I can't help but ask,

"Say, Seyong, where do you found out about this?"

"By speaking to them directly of course. Since I'm one of the newly rising star alongside you, they seem eager to meet with us. They're apparently newly appointed substitutes for the Hunter and Adventurer Guildmasters while he's busy at the Monster King island. Problem is they decided to sent out 2 student who's fresh from their entrance ceremony from some prestigious academy. So what if they're some elite 10 or whatnot!"

*Slam*

"This is not some stupid event where they can just sent their kids on vacation! People's livelihood are at stakes here! I'll never forget their sneer while I'm expressing my concerns. Especially that half bird harpie!"

Seyong smash his fist toward the floor, destroying the tile as I see the irritation seem to burn his face red.

"I see..."

(Harpie... Harp... I wonder if it's Gangyi? But, from what Seyong describe they seem to be quite the troublesome bunch. At least let's hope it is someone from Qiyue's friend so maybe I can reason with them. And it seems many things happened while I'm still unconscious).

"Hum! I suppose that is concerning! But what are we suppose to do!? I mean, there's not much we can do if they're from Heaven."

Yoo-Ah chimes in seemingly agreeing with his point, Seyong points at the port saying:

"Simple really, we would definitely be told to be at some certain points, we would just DISOBEY them and station ourselves at a much more strategical location. Believe it or not, the port is actually not the ideal place to defend that place."

Both me and Yoo-Ah rear our head toward the map as we await Seyong as he then explains,

"There are actually natural defense points we can go. While the torrents and wind would push monsters toward the port, what's stopping them from just swimming away after they got out of the waves."

"Ah!"

"Oh..."

Seyong drags his fingers to the coast beside the port which seem to be some steep canyon that seperate the ocean and the low lands.

"This canyon will be the main defense point. Contrary to many would believe, the port's job is not to hold the monsters but as shooting platforms to thin the herd before they could reach the canyon coast. That's where we come in, we will be the one to stop any monster to drop into the canyon and get drag by the stream which will lead to the major rivers!"

Seyong places a long block, forming a wall at the coast canyon and then places a tall round block and continue saying:

Knowing Elder Hwang-So nim, he would definitely there fortifying the canyons as we speak. If need be, he would be the one we take orders from."

"Hum! Hum! Agreed! Hwang-So gramps been the one to deal with the yearly monster invasion, so his command would be best!"

"So... Both of us will be there to stop the monsters?"

Seyong shakes his head replying:

"No, that'll be you."

"Eh..!?"

"What do you mean, eh? I may have close combat skill but that's against humans, also let's not forget I'm still a mage none the less. I'll be firing my magic from afar."

(Wait, so what's that whole stunt of him rushing forward and grabbing those monster by the neck all the time during our dungeon dives!?)

"Hum! I knew it! This is your true purpose recruting, Sova!"

Yoo-Ah quickly stand pointing at Seyong for his but Seyong shrug off Yoo-Ah accusation easily saying:

"So what's your problem? Sova clearly demonstrate he-is capable with his close combat, what's so wrong about doing what you're best at? Or perhaps you don't even know such a simple thing miss adventurer staff."

"Urree! Hum!"

Yoo-Ah folds her arms and turn away hiding behind me. I look back at the map with a concerned feeling asking:

"So, we won't be together?"

*Twitch*

Seyong reacts from my question and frowns a bit before answering:

"Technically I would still be on the same place, just on the rear. Don't worry, I'll still be watching you and suppprting you."

I nod feeling relieved replying:

"Really? That's great to hear!"

Seyong scracthes his head and turns around as I hear him whisper,

"(Fuck, is that really real?)"

"Hey I can hear you, and of course it is! It's only been last night, how can you doubt it?"

*Slam*

"Fucking Dammit! Anyways! I'll continue to relay our strategy when we areive at the coast! That's it for tonight, dismissed!"

Seeing Seyong scrambled and and starts packing his things while Yoo-Ah looks at him with suspicion and then looks at me for a while before turning away again shouting:

"Hum! I guess I should visit his mom for that recipe I missed, Sova are you following!?"

"Huh? Sure I guess? It's about some time we cook together."

"Cook together... Hum."

Yoo-Ah softly mutters and nod her head with a beet red face, pressing her fingers together hearing me say that.

(What's that about?)

***********************************

Remembering the events that night, I await as the new passengers climb onboard. Following my greeting, The moon swordman looks a bit hesitant before he then bow his head with the girl in tow shouting:

"I'm sorry for my actions! Please believe that none of that is personal!"

"So asking for forgiveness immediately huh? If you know it's so bad, why bother even taking the request in the first place? It's not personal was it?"

"Huh? That's..."

"What? Did the ocean wash away your conscience? Veteran Hunter groups like you would never be in dire need of cash, if it wasn't personal reasons? What is considered personal? Did you think frogs like you would ever get a cut from behind the clouds? Keep dreaming."

"Uuuh..."

The beast-Kin he carry on his arms starts to pout as she listens and I can't help but let out a baffled,

"Huh?"

Seeing Seyong starts chastising our guest despite what he said just now, I wish to ask him but as the other guest climb aboard and notice us, he smirks at the older beast-kin and the shark tattooed man saying:

"So, how does it feel? To be saved by those you tried to murder?"

(Seyoooonnngggg!!!)