The discussion and the search

As Jang Ki-Jun finished introducing himself, Chun Woo-Moon started his introduction.

"I'm Chun Woo-Moon, and I'm staying here as a guest for the time being."

"Yes, I know. I heard it all from the mayor and elder Dan. And we're here exactly because of that. First of all, I'm the person who will go with you to 'that thing' and secondly, we came to discuss about the preparation."

Seeing the timing was right, the mayor took charge of the conversation and continued.

"Yesterday, I went to physician Jang's place to hear the result of your diagnosis and I met Ki-Jun there. After explaining the situation to him, he decided to accept and come."

"Well, I wanted to know more about 'that thing' too. It kind of gives out a strange energy, so it was bothering me."

"After that, we discussed for what to prepare for and decided that it was better for us that are more familiar with the area and it's ecosystem to prepare things, and we want you to be with us so we can teach you about those things and why we are preparing it."

"And this way, you two can get more familiar with each other. Isn't it awkward to go on such a mission with someone you don't know and aren't familiar with?"

They were talking in tern like they had prepared the speech and were just acting it out, but fortunately or unfortunately because of the disciples of physician Jang that he met yesterday, Chun Woo-Moon didn't find it strange or funny and thought of it as something that was normal in this village. Like it's villagers characteristic. Kind and talkative people who complete the other person's sentence.

But it was something he liked and thought of it as their charm. If only there wasn't the strange stares these villagers gave him he would have lived here the rest of his life.

"I understand. Thank you for your consideration."

"Then, in the mean time, I have somethings I want to say to you in private. If it's no problem, I want some of your time after this discussion is over. It's so that we can become more familiar as well, so I seek your cooperation."

Jang Ki-Jun said after thinking about it for a long time.

As it was now, he would only be distracted by Chun Woo-Moon's beauty during the mission. He thought of taking his distance from him till the mission was over, but that would make thing's even more awkward between them during the mission and the possibility of them encountering dangerous situations that in normal circumstances were of no problem or danger, would increase even more.

'I have to get close to him during the preparation time so I wouldn't be distracted. If I get used to him and his face it's no problem. And this way I can even give instructions and explanation about the mission more naturally. What should I talk about? The plan to follow during the search? Why we are preparing those things? Or....'

As his thoughts were following in a strange direction, Chun Woo-Moon answered.

"Of course, I have no problem. I appreciate your concerns about my selfish request. Since I have heard that most people don't want to go near there."

'I am sincerely thankful, not only is he helping me, but now with this I may be able to understand why he hate me. It may be a clue about my past self or my lost memory.'

Unfortunately for Jang Ki-Jun, Chun Woo-Moon was still misunderstanding his actions and behaviors.

The discussion about the plan continued even after that and an hour passed before anyone realized. They discussed about their free time, the time needed to prepare, when or how to teach Chun Woo-Moon about the ecosystem and characteristic of this area and so on.

"Look at how much time has passed. We better excuse ourselves here. Then see you both later."

"Yes, see you later."

Old man Dan and the mayor beaded their farewells, making Chun Woo-Moon and Jang Ki-Jun alone. The air around was awkward and none of them tried to star the conversation.

Jang Ki-Jun didn't know how to bring it up, and as for Chun Woo-Moon, since he thought that Jang Ki-Jun hated him and they have history with each other he couldn't speak freely.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Jang Ki-Jun started speaking.

"F-first of all, although it's an embarrassing topic to speak of, I want to talk about my impression of you and how we can improve it. Since it involves our teamwork and synergy with each other."

"Okay. Since I'm curious about that as well."

"Where should I even start from? Ah, well, whatever. Let me just be honest! You are too beautiful, so it's distractive! I can't focus on what I'm doing and it will be a problem if we went into the forest to search like this! It's too dangerous!"

"HMM?"

At the unexpected declaration, Chun Woo-Moon let out a strange and confused sound. But Jang Ki-Jun continued to speak with passion without regard to how Chun Woo-Moon felt.

"But more than that, your movement are refined and your attitude is so cool! Like I'm looking at a piece of art. Your face, your movement, your attitude and behavior! Everything! They gather your attention and steal your eyes that you can't help but look and focus on it!"

'Isn't this going in a strange direction?'

"Anyway, when I'm with you, I can't focus on anything but you! It's terrible! Horrific! We have to do something about it as soon as possible!"

As confused as he was, Chun Woo-Moon tried to take the initiative this time and started speaking.

"Um, let's calm down first. Are you praising me right now, right? Not swearing? Don't you hate me?"

"What? Hate? Why would I? And what swearing? Of course I'm praising you."

"Well, you were talking so passionately, that for a second, I thought I had angered you without knowing. And besides, You were frowning and avoiding me since the moment came in the house and looked at me, so I thought you hate me or I did something wrong without knowing. I even thought what you wanted to talk about was about settling grudges so they don't get in the way of your mission."

"What? No! I was just holding myself back from staring so you won't feel uncomfortable! Even elder Dan had said that when someone stares at you, you fell uncomfortable, so I should watch out. He said you were like that yesterday all the time."

'More importantly, how can you let someone who you think hates you and holds a grudge against you in the house, serve them and even listen to them? Why would you even remain alone with someone like that? Is he just naive?'

"If it wasn't that, then it's a relief."

"Why did you even agree to be alone with me, If you thought like that? What if I had attacked you?"

"Well, I wanted to know the reason for your behavior, and it's true that if we want this mission to be over safely, we have to resolve the grudges and discuss about the search. Plus, I'm quite confident in my skill to protect myself."

'Though It's all just something I just made up, 90% of it are the truth.'

"Sigh, is that so? Then, let's get to the main topic. What did you think of the things I just said? And the solution?"

"Well, first, Thank you for the praise and I'm very surprised that you saw me that way. I think you're exaggerating though."

"No, I'm not! Not just me but everyone sees you that way. I can guaranty it and even bet my life for it! How can you be unaware of it?"

"Okay, okay. But as for the solution, I don't know. We just have to discus it and exchange ideas about it."

"Well, certainly. That's the only thing we can do now. Ah, and about the second reason I wanted to be alone, it's that I wanted to talk about this place and teach you about it, like we talked about earlier. It's to increase our chances of survival, so you can't skip it~"

Jang Ki-Jun said while smiling broadly and crossing his arms. He even seemed a little proud. It's like he suddenly got excited.

"Of course, I know. That's what I want. Bring it on."

The sessions after that was hell for Jang Ki-Jun. Right. For Jang Ki-Jun, not for Chun Woo-Moon.

Chun Woo-Moon learned quickly and his memorization was even more amazing. If Jang Ki-Jun taught him one thing, he learned ten things and would ask questions about a hundred more things. And it was even tougher for him to teach THAT Chun Woo-Moon, which he had a problem dealing with even in normal times. Like he had said previously, it was hard for someone to focus on what they are doing in front of him. And if that person was even diligent and smart to the point of learning things instantly and came to question about things you haven't even thought of and didn't know?

HELL!!

That was the only proper and fitting word to describe it.

And the solution they come up with so that Jang Ki-Jun wouldn't be distracted was...

"Let's just make you get used to it. There's no other solutions."

And this was the result of them discussing for two days and not reaching any conclusion. They even went to ask old man Dan about it and the result was the same.

What a hard life.

This is why they say that being a beauty is a sin.

And just like that, seven days passed and the day for the search began.

The mayor and old man Dan were standing at the entrance leading to the beginning of the forest near the village.

"Are you guys ready?"

"Have you prepared everything?"

At that Chun Woo-Moon and Jang Ki-Jun answered with enthusiasm.

"YES!!"

"Then, good luck and safe travels, boys."

And after that, they walked toward the forest. Jang Ki-Jun seemed nervous and at the same time excited as it was like he was going out for an adventure. A dangerous one at that. He looked at Chun Woo-Moon and sweared.

"Damn it. At least change your expression a little. Even if you don't feel anything!"

"Why should I? That would exhaust me. And we have a long way to go."

Which Chun Woo-Moon answered while tilting his head. And that was a critical hit.

'Damn. That's cute. Even though he has no intension by doing it. Ahh, suddenly all the excitement died down. Even my nervousness flew away and I kind of feel at ease.... NO! I shouldn't feel at ease! Damn it!'

Jang Ki-Jun spend nearly all the past days with him, so he kind of understood Chun Woo-Moon and had developed some resistance to him but it wasn't something that completely blocked that beauty. No, it was impossible to block no matter how much resistance he had.

"Anyway, just don't let your guard down even if your not nervous."

"Okay."

Chun Woo-Moon nodded his head. He looked ahead. The forest's entry was just ahead and they were getting closer.

It was the start of the mission.