Kindergarten Opening! Director Kim Han? (1)

Gnomes, who are like distant relatives of dwarves, are much smaller than their distant kin. However, gnomes proudly claim that they are much slimmer and cuter in comparison.

Gnomes are lively, active, and possess a keen sense of humor, as evidenced by the conversation between a gnome race illusionist and the demon follower Tiamat, where they excel in making realistic jokes.

‘So, you’re Tiamat, huh? Are you evil? You are? Then how about switching sides? We could use an evil comrade over here.’

Additionally, gnomes love nature and are skilled in farming and livestock breeding, possessing innate talent and resistance to magic.

―From the Academy’s ‘Communication with Other Races’ class.

God gave Lee Hyo-ju a brilliant mind, cool-headed judgment, a prickly personality, and good companions, but left out just one thing: a chest(?).

―Rebound legion, just Arun.

After the sparring with Naruan, the gazes of the mages working within the mansion subtly changed.

Previously, all the female mages’ eyes were focused on Hazel and Naruan, while the male mages’ eyes were focused on Mae Young-ryeong and Naruan (huh?).

But after the sparring, the back of my head felt prickly.

I thought it might be because I hit Naruan without blinking, but that doesn’t seem to be it. It’s not murderous intent. It’s more like… yeah, the gaze of middle and high schoolers looking at a celebrity? Huh?

Anyway, it’s already been three days since the sparring with Naruan.

Today, I was waiting for the group in the library on the third floor since morning. It’s kind of like a personal interview?

I needed to clarify the whereabouts of Naruan, Hazel, and Mae Young-ryeong, and if the three of them joined, I could consider founding a legion.

The creation of a legion does not require any special qualifications. However, it must have at least five members.

Additionally, anyone who leaves a legion cannot join another for a year. Within two years of its creation, a legion must excavate at least one relic or have an achievement discussed.

Once a legion is successfully established and completes its first achievement mission, it only needs to record activities of external value, such as excavating relics, exploring dungeons, or producing research results every two years.

Then it is successfully maintained and receives subsidies from the authorities.

At first glance, these conditions may not seem significant, but considering that the most raids and backstabbing occur during the first achievement mission, one must always be cautious when joining a legion.

This fact was informed in advance, and starting today, I decided to conduct personal interviews one by one. The first agent to visit will be…

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

“Did you call for me? Ah! Am I first?”

“Yes. Have a seat.”

When I told her to sit on the chair opposite the long and sturdy-looking desk, she gracefully smoothed her skirt to avoid creases and sat down modestly.

She placed her hands neatly on her lap and sat with her back straight, showing no signs of disarray.

“What are your thoughts?”

“I’m fine with it. But doesn’t Kim Han dislike me?”

“Why do you think that?”

“You speak very bluntly, and although you helped me avoid getting hurt last time, you also threw me, and you told me not to do anything…”

Ah… this woman is a bit strange.

If she saw how I act towards other representatives, she would surely know that it’s more about being annoyed than disliking or hating them.

However, she was very serious at the moment. In other words, she really felt that way…

‘Ah! Real order!’

Mae Young-ryeong, the Medical Phoenix of the Sacred Medicine Sect.

I don’t know what kind of organization the Sacred Medicine Sect is, but if I interpret it as something like a hospital, then the Medical Phoenix, in other words, is like the precious gem of a martial arts sect that appears in martial arts novels.

“No. It’s just that actions as absurd as before are annoying and irritating. We haven’t even formed a relationship to hate or like each other, so what… Anyway, tell me about yourself.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes, you! I need to know about you to introduce you to the right ‘transmitted’ skills and at least advise you on training methods!”

“Ah! Yes!”

With a bright smile, she began explaining even before entering the ‘Battlefield of the Gods.’

As the story progressed, all I could do was sigh, feeling like my chest might burst.

The place where Mae Young-ryeong was born and raised, the Sacred Medicine Sect, was like a general hospital if compared to Earth. Various types of patients would visit, or they would even make house calls.

Throughout the conversation, phrases like ‘It was good,’ and ‘I was happy,’ came up countless times.

However, as Mae Young-ryeong’s story progressed, I couldn’t shake off an inexplicable uneasy feeling. To put it harshly, it felt a bit eerie?

I couldn’t focus on Mae Young-ryeong’s words as I was pondering what that feeling was, and only after a long time did I find the point I thought was strange.

“But before entering the ‘Battlefield of the Gods,’ the Sacred Medicine Sect? Did something happen to your family?”

“Huh? No.”

Then it doesn’t seem to be a problem with the sect.

“Then did someone close to you have a terminal illness? Or was it your own body?”

“No way. Our Sacred Medicine Sect even treats severed meridians!”

This is really strange.

Mae Young-ryeong was happy the whole time she was speaking. Everyone treated her well, and above all, she said there were no obstacles around her.

She was living a truly uneventful, no, a happy life.

So it’s strange.

“Why did you enter the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’?”

“Pardon? Well, because I made a contract.”

“Then what wish did you make when you entered?”

“Pardon? Well… that is… um…? Huh?”

Mae Young-ryeong didn’t know why she entered here.

Even the fool Arun entered with a wish he wanted. In his case, it was the power to save his tribe from crisis.

Lee Hyo-ju, though it’s unknown, surely has one, as do all the representatives.

There were even those who were forcibly chosen as representatives from the dimension of their previous lives. But even those guys made a wish and participated in the ‘Battlefield of the Gods.’

There’s a famous saying among the representatives in the ‘Battlefield of the Gods.’

“No one who is satisfied with their life and feels happiness becomes a representative.”

People who do not feel satisfaction in reality. In other words, those who crave and desire something. Among them, those who are the most selfish or have a strong purpose to achieve something are often chosen as representatives.

Because they will struggle to win and make effort.

However, Mae Young-ryeong still couldn’t recall the wish she made when she contracted with her god, Genesis. Like a humanoid with a tangled program.

Her facial expression wasn’t one of distress but rather blankly staring into space, repeating, ‘Huh? Huh?’

After behaving strangely like that for a while, tears suddenly flowed down Mae Young-ryeong’s eyes.

“Huh? Why… are there tears…?”

“It’s fine, you’ll remember later. Stop it.”

“Ah! Right.”

Agreeing so quickly is definitely not normal. This woman is really strange.

Was it the God of Birth and Life, Genesis? There will be a chance to talk separately with her later.

“To summarize, you learned and mastered the healing art called medicine, right? And you also have the power of the God of Birth and Life, Genesis?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

In that case, she might surpass a priest in healing. The power of Genesis, indeed.

Learning separate healing skills seems foolish, and with a divine stat, there’s nothing suitable to learn.

“I’ve been thinking, you have one registration card, right?”

“Yes. When I entered Exorsus, the guard captain gave it to me.”

“Right. Take that and go here.”

As I spoke, I took out parchment and began drawing a map. The place where the Adventure Guild and Exploration Guild are located.

There were notably many inns and taverns there. So, there was a shop that stood out even more, the fortune teller’s house. It’s where Mae Young-ryeong should go.

“Go here and find a woman named Mushu. Her full name is Scaramouche. It’s a fairly large fortune-telling house, so there should be someone to guide you. Tell them you’re there to see Mushu.”

“Yes.”

Mae Young-ryeong carefully folded the map and put it in her bosom, listening attentively to my story, making me think that what happened just now was my imagination, as she seemed perfectly normal.

No, this is beyond normal. She appears to be a very modest and virtuous woman.

“Phew… Anyway, the guides will lead you to the room where Scaramouche is staying. Once the guide leaves, tell Scaramouche this: you want to be ‘taught’ the ‘Tale of the Stars.’ And then hand over that registration card.”

“‘Tale of the Stars.’ It sounds romantic somehow.”

“…Yeah. Wait a moment, then go out with the little… no, with Naruan. No, go out with Lee Hyo-ju as well. I feel uneasy sending just the two of you.”

“Yes, understood.”

As Mae Young-ryeong left the study, I stared intently at her retreating figure, pondering what Genesis might have done, but no particular examples came to mind.

Then suddenly, the question arose from my past life: ‘Why wasn’t she known?’

An astonishing healing ability.

Whether for an individual or a group, her healing ability would be remarkable. After all, Genesis, the God of Birth and Life, is an incredible god.

Yet, not once had I ever heard of her. Even Naruan, with much lower stats, was known, but she, with her outstanding abilities, was completely unknown.

It’s not like she surrendered or died either.

Because if the God of Birth and Life, Genesis, had appeared on the Day of Remembrance, it would have been a big issue.

My thoughts couldn’t continue. A knock, as if to break down the door, was heard.

A knock that unmistakably identified who it was.

“Come in, Naruan.”

“Yes!”

She responds well. Every time. A sigh escaped my mouth, wondering when I could raise her to be useful.

Perhaps due to the gnome racial trait, Naruan is always cheerful. ‘Too’ cheerful.

“Sit… oh, you’re already sitting.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. What are you going to do?”

“Huh? About what?”

“About the legion.”

“Ah! Am I with Kim Han?”

“…Yeah.”

As I answered, pressing my throbbing forehead at Naruan’s casual way of stretching out names, she nodded vigorously.

It’s probably a good thing she doesn’t have a tail. If she did, it might have been wagging like a propeller.

“What does the legion do?”

“Huh? Isn’t it about living with Kim Han?”

Ah… there’s no plan. It’s frustrating. If it weren’t for the promise with the Creator, I would really…

“What were you doing when I explained about the legion?!”

“M-me? I listened well!”

When I glared at Naruan, who defiantly raised her head, she quickly lowered it and fidgeted with her fingers.

“I-I think I heard it?”

“What?!”

“I-I might have heard it.”

A sigh escaped me at her continued response. Should I just crash into the Creator’s line and everything?

Come to think of it, I don’t really need to go this far. I could just gather the previous legion members and proceed.

“S-sorry…”

I couldn’t find any trace of the Battle Puppet in the dejected Naruan apologizing to me.

In her previous life, the Battle Puppet never apologized to anyone. Not even to the representatives or those around her who died fighting her.

Yet now, she apologizes and feels sorry for me so easily. And…

‘Is she relying on me?’

Lee Hyo-ju does, and so does Arun. Naruan is the same. Probably Mae Young-ryeong too…

Thinking about it makes me regret whether leading them from the start was the right thing to do.

“I’m sorry… Kim Han…”

Before I knew it, Naruan had come around the desk, shaking my arm and apologizing, her eyes brimming with tears.

Nodding and gesturing with my chin for her to take a seat, she wiped her tears with her sleeve, making her apricot-colored hair sway.

“Phew… really. Listen carefully this time, Naruan. The legion is…”

After about 30 minutes of explanation, Naruan finally made a gesture indicating she understood. Whether she truly understood or was just pretending was unclear to me.

“I want to do it! I will do it!”

She still raised her right hand high and shouted that she would do it. It was unclear what exactly she intended to do here, but she insisted loudly that she would.

“Ah, alright. Quiet down.”

“Okay!”

“You… Phew… Never mind. First… Ah, my head. Go and bring Lee Hyo-ju.”

“Lee Hyo-ju? Ah! Freeze tag? Got it! Boss!”

Boss… She called me boss.

As she ran out with a ‘thud thud thud,’ she shouted Lee Hyo-ju’s name loudly in the hallway.

Ah… really, Mors, you perverted bastard.

A moment later, Naruan returned with Lee Hyo-ju, shrugging her shoulders as if seeking praise from me. When I briefly said she did well, she beamed brightly.

“Naruan, have you ever learned anything like martial arts? Or any special skills or martial arts? Divine power, you’re a force user. Yeah, you must have learned how to handle force, right? Then what about force accumulation techniques?”

Shake, shake, shake, shake.

Wow… really, Mors, you damn perverted bastard.

‘How did someone like her become someone like this?’

Before the regression, when I remember facing off against her, Naruan, despite her small stature, had a certain presence.

It was more of a lonely warrior vibe than intimidation? Honestly, at first, I thought she was a guy. Does Naruan have to experience death to become stronger?

I have no idea. I’ve never led anyone before, so I don’t know where to start or what to say.

So, every time the number of chicks increases around me, my frustration grows.

“Alright, Naruan, listen carefully. No, Lee Hyo-ju, you listen carefully.”

“Yes.”

“No! I’ll listen carefully!”

After glaring at Naruan, who was shouting so loudly that her voice echoed, I began to speak seriously.

“Phew… If you go south from the central square, you’ll find a place where different races, including the Spirit Mage Guild, gather. So, you’ll see the largest building on the southwest street of Exorsus, which is the Spirit Mage Guild building. It’s huge, and since many different races come and go, you’ll find it easily. Opposite that building, there’s a very famous restaurant. Have you heard of it?”

“No.”

“…No.”

“Right. It’s a restaurant called ‘Sea Story.’ Follow the wall of the Sea Story restaurant building into a slightly wider alley. If you keep going in that direction, you’ll come across a flower shop called ‘Halatus.’ This flower shop is quite large for a flower shop, so you should be able to find it. Go into Halatus and look for a flower called ‘Black Butterfly.’”

“Black Butterfly? Is it a black butterfly?”

“…Black Butterfly? Does it mean black butterfly?”

“Yeah, that’s roughly what it means. Then they’ll probably say they don’t have such a flower. At that point, say this exactly: ‘If Black Butterfly is too afraid to come out, I’ll go to the “Lady’s Room” to learn the “Last Smile.”’”

“Last Smile, Lady’s Room.”

“…Last Smile! Lady’s Room!”

“Alright. Then they will probably come out no matter what. Just be prepared mentally because they might suddenly attack. Anyway, since you’re representatives, you can’t kill a transcendent, nor can they kill you. As for the backlash, well, they’ll deal with it themselves.”

“Ah… okay.”

“Yes!”

Naruan looked back and forth between me and Lee Hyo-ju, and when Lee Hyo-ju answered, Naruan mimicked her exactly. Ah, I really should send her to kindergarten.

If only there were no ‘settings,’ I would have asked the Black Butterfly and the Lady of the Night to kill her once in a while, but since that’s impossible, I have to watch this for four years.

“…Anyway, so I gave Naruan’s registration card to the Black Butterfly, and Naruan, you have your registration card, right?”

Naruan, who had been talking with Lee Hyo-ju the whole time, was startled when the question came to her and began to pull out various things from her pocket.

How can so much fit in that small pocket of hers? Well, she even pulls out a scythe bigger than her body from those pants pockets.

There are really a lot of things. Leftover bread, gold coins, silver coins, glass beads(?), small jewels, her weapon, the giant scythe, gold pieces, grimy underwear… underwear?

After a long while, Naruan found a yellow paper and ran to me with both hands raised as if she had discovered a treasure.

“You’re not supposed to give that to me… Ha… Please clean that up. And Naruan! You need to wash your underwear!”

“Hmph!”

“Anyway, hand over Naruan’s registration card and ask to be taught the ‘Black Butterfly Dance.’ Naruan, what do you say?”

“Huh? Black Butter?”

“…Forget it. Just follow Lee Hyo-ju well.”

“Yes!”

“Put all that back and go to Mae Young-ryeong. Wash your underwear. If you put it in the laundry basket that each room has, the staff will wash it for you!”

“Got it!”

The sight of Naruan running off was truly, genuinely full of excitement.

And I seriously began to contemplate whether I should really quit.

“This Mors, that perverted bastard!”

But I didn’t know, not until I first met Mors.

That the pervert was actually a goddess.