Instead of the cute Manul Pallas's cat, Choi Ji-won appeared before my eyes.
"Uh... um..."
Her sword was sheathed, but I knew it could be drawn at any moment.
I had considered the possibility that Choi Ji-won might seek me out.
If so many people returned to the plaza, even an idiot would sense something unusual and naturally become curious about the person behind it.
But I didn't expect her to act so quickly.
Think carefully.
In this situation, if I try to play dumb and ask, "Why are you here...?", there's a high chance Choi Ji-won might think, "He's hiding something. I should knock him out." and strike me from behind.
Let's consider how she found me in the first place.
She must have learned of my appearance and location from the survivors in the plaza and then tracked me down here. Otherwise, she couldn't have found me so quickly.
That means she knows I sent them, and I need to figure out why she hasn't attacked me.
"...Hello?"
This means I don't need to start the conversation.
It's better to just answer her questions directly. This increases my chances of not having to restart the loop.
"Reason."
"Pardon?"
"Why did you send the people to the plaza?"
True to form, Choi Ji-won went straight to the point.
If I played hard to get now, I'd probably end up in a fistfight with her.
"You're guarding the plaza, aren't you?"
I had to be bold.
"What?"
Choi Ji-won's face contorted, but I couldn't back down. I had to be assertive.
"From the moment I woke up in the plaza, I could tell that you were the strongest there."
It's undeniable.
She must have felt that I was a bit strong too. When I was cutting the grass in the plaza, I felt an intense gaze on the back of my head. It's obvious whose gaze that was.
"I thought that someone as strong as you, practicing swordsmanship in the plaza, must be there to protect the people. I just moved the weak ones to a safer place."
"Is there a problem with that?"
Choi Ji-won hesitated, clearly taken aback.
She probably expected to find me with ill intentions, but instead found a good citizen.
She must be quite flustered right now. She probably just wanted to end the conversation quickly.
"...Food."
"Pardon?"
"How did you know I was planning to distribute food?"
Oops.
I left the plaza on the morning of the second day.
Choi Ji-won started distributing food on the afternoon of the second day. I shouldn't have known this information.
Stay calm. Just answer naturally.
"I thought that if you decided to protect the people, you'd naturally provide food as well."
"Hmm."
Choi Ji-won pondered my answer.
So far, the flow of the conversation was okay. It didn't abruptly end, and Choi Ji-won was leading the topics.
I just had to wear the 'good person' mask I had worn before to learn swordsmanship from her.
The testimonials of the people I saved would breathe life into my façade.
Technically, in this loop, I was genuinely a good person.
"Alright. I understand your intentions."
After some thought, Choi Ji-won nodded.
Her ponytail swayed with the movement, capturing my attention.
"But you have to take responsibility."
"Pardon? Me take responsibility?"
Sure, Choi Ji-won is pretty and has a nice figure, but her personality is...
"There are too many people in the plaza now. It's difficult for me to gather food alone. I need your help."
Ah, I see.
She meant taking responsibility for the people I brought to the plaza.
"You must have some food stored. Show me."
Choi Ji-won stood there, arms crossed, looking at me. "...Alright, let's go."
The food I obtained after hunting the mutant goblin wasn't a small amount that would last just a day or two. I had diligently gathered and buried it under a large tree. Somehow, either through her special power or some deduction, she seemed to have noticed it.
It feels like I might lose all the hard-earned food in a heartbeat, but that's okay.
"By the way, may I ask your name? Ah, I'm Kim Jun-ho."
"...Choi Ji-won."
Regardless of the method, I seem to have been recruited as an ally of Choi Ji-won in this loop.
I get close to Choi Ji-won in this loop.
And I intend to gather every piece of information about her.
Let's see, Choi Ji-won. I'm looking forward to the day when you'll reveal your cards.
"...You have a grass allergy?"
"Yeah. My skin swells when it touches."
"...Then use the path you made."
I tried to subtly change the way I addressed her, but Choi Ji-won didn't react.
I've been speaking politely to her since it was our first meeting in every loop, and because I saw her as a benefactor who taught me swordsmanship.
But now it's time to transition to an equal relationship. Starting to speak informally is the beginning.
Choi Ji-won and I, laden with food, headed towards the plaza.
During times like this, I can really feel the benefits of my increased physical abilities after leveling up. My arms even seem to have developed some muscle tone.
Of course, compared to Choi Ji-won next to me, it's not much.
She has noticeable muscles on her arms, calluses on her palms, but considering all that, she's still incredibly strong.
In the Tower, judging someone solely by their appearance is a mistake. You never know what kind of overpowered abilities they might have.
"...We're here."
Choi Ji-won murmured softly.
As she said, we could now see inside the plaza...
"...Wow."
Instantly, I understood why Choi Ji-won had come looking for me.
In the past, there were around 10 members in the plaza during an entire day.
Now, there were about 30 people.
The difference was palpable.
Moreover, all these people were like young birds that had fled from a harsh reality.
If the consumption of food and space required is tripled... Oh, crap.
"For now, let's distribute the food."
"Shall we?"
Choi Ji-won and I quickly went around the plaza, distributing food.
What seemed like a lot while carrying turned out to be only enough for two meals per person once distributed.
After the process, Choi Ji-won, seemingly unfazed, picked up her sword again.
Exhausted, I plopped down beside her.
Looking closely, she was swinging her sword in the same posture and trajectory every time. The speed was significantly slower than usual.
Is she consciously practicing the same move slowly? If I ever get to practice swordsmanship, I should try imitating her.
"Um... Ji-won?"
"Just call me Choi Ji-won."
This time, at least, she responded.
So, being a good person + helping her = she at least responds coldly! Seems to be the equation here.
"So, Choi Ji-won, why are you sustaining this plaza?"
From the perspective of the creator of the Tower, having people living in the plaza like this is distinctly abnormal.
It's hard to find food here. The goblins in the grass provide nothing of value.
Although it's safe, the thick grass makes coming and going very difficult.
It's literally a starting point.
Those who are too scared to move, due to hunger and thirst, would normally leave the plaza. But because Choi Ji-won is procuring food, it's become a complete safe zone.
"You could've... easily obtained the golden orb."
I managed to get one by just hunting a single mutant.
If it's Choi Ji-won, she would've wiped out every mutant in sight.
I was curious about the reason she chose to stay with the weak rather than moving on to the next stage.
Without answering, Choi Ji-won continued her sword practice.
Just when I thought she was ignoring me as usual and was about to doze off...
"I was taught that way."
While swinging her sword, Choi Ji-won spoke.
"That it's the duty of the strong. Even if you can't save everyone in a crisis, you should at least save the weak in front of you."
"I'm just doing as I was taught."
Choi Ji-won's eyes looked somewhat sad as she said this. "...I see."
Choi Ji-won seemed to have a story behind her.
Even her occasional violent tendencies towards others might be due to some backstory.
I began to feel a bit of compassion for her.
But then, I thought, 'How many times have I had to redo because of her?' and pulled myself together.
Everyone in the world has their own story. Even I have one.
Given this situation, what decision should the rational and clear-headed regressor Kim Jun-ho make?
I need to think again.
That look in her eyes seemed to be reminiscing about the past.
Maybe a family member. Or perhaps a fellow disciple. Or even a master.
I'm not sure who it was, but one thing is certain.
The person who told her those words is either dead or, for some reason, she can't see them anymore.
And the traces of that person are still deeply embedded in Choi Ji-won's heart.
Judging by such a warm story, that person must have been incredibly kind.
"Hmm."
Come to think of it, whenever I put on the facade of a good person, Choi Ji-won doesn't act particularly hostile towards me.
She teaches me sword techniques and even shares the reason she's protecting the plaza.
"...Bingo."
Choi Ji-won, you must be seeing someone else in me when I pretend to be kind.
It feels like the pieces of the puzzle in my head are coming together.
I've become clear on what I need to achieve in this loop.
The day I get to know about that certain 'someone' from Choi Ji-won's past...
Will be the day I get a hold over Choi Ji-won.