Chapter 45: Preparing for Takeoff |
The woman set down the meal with a gentle touch and retreated with modest steps. Her movements were distinctly different from before. The food laid out on the table consisted only of a vegetable salad, toasted bread, cream stew, and a meat pie. Honestly, even though I'd ordered the A-course, it was a bit of a stretch to call it a course meal. Still, I remembered it being cheaper than the other options and quite tasty.
It certainly wasn't an atmosphere for cheerful conversation. Nevertheless, hunger is the best sauce, so An Hyeon, who had been licking his lips, was the first to pick up his spoon. I also scooped up a large spoonful of the cream stew, from which white steam was rising, and put it in my mouth. A savory and clean flavor filled my mouth, and it felt as if it melted right on my tongue.
"Oh... this is really good! It feels like it's melting in my mouth."
As An Hyeon made a fuss, An Sol also picked up a piece of bread and carefully took a bite. Soon, her eyes widened in surprise, and she began to chew faster. Watching them both eat so earnestly, I felt a sense of satisfaction. However, one person still hadn't touched their food.
Yu-jeong wasn't a huge eater normally (let's exclude alcohol), but she definitely wasn't one to pick at her food. Yet now, she was just listlessly stirring her food with her chopsticks, barely eating. Her eyes were blank and her gaze unfocused; it seemed she was deeply shocked. Being the direct target of a mana release filled with killing intent at such close range, she must have felt something on a completely different level from the others.
Having had a similar experience in the past, I could somewhat understand how Yu-jeong was feeling. Humiliation. Contempt. Self-loathing. Helplessness. A foul feeling only those who have experienced it can know. This time, since I had orchestrated the situation to some extent, I felt a little sorry. Being overwhelmed by mana was proof that your skills were inferior to your opponent's.
But it was a necessary process. I believed all these experiences would become flesh and blood for them. No one knew how many similar situations they would face in the future.
We were now proper Users who had entered the vast world of Hall Plain. We weren't just competing against other new Users, but against countless existing ones as well. In that sense, the kids were still like chicks. Newly hatched chicks, at that.
They didn't know what it meant to be hungry yet. They didn't know how to be cautious, nor could they distinguish when to step forward and when to hold back. Simply put, they lacked a sense of desperation. Of course, I was partly to blame for this. They had been playing freely within my protection ever since the Rite of Passage.
Right now, there was a literal Maginot Line. The act of killing other Users, PK, was that final line. On the Northern Continent, there was still an unspoken tendency to avoid killing other established Users. For now, at least. That was why Vagrants were currently ostracized by everyone.
However, once the First Alliance War broke out, the situation would completely reverse. Even without indiscriminate PK like in the very late stages, the lines between ally and enemy would become clearly drawn. Furthermore, it would become commonplace for yesterday's enemy to become today's ally, and yesterday's ally to become today's enemy. They had to survive in such a turbulent Hall Plain.
For the sake of survival, I planned to teach the kids survival skills. To do that, I first needed to tighten their lax minds. That was why I had brought them to <The Modest Lady>, an inn in Mul where I believed they could learn a lot.
After finishing our meal, I rented two double rooms. Counting my remaining gold, I had a total of 6 gold and 40 silver, including the weekly allowance I had received (+1000 gold). The meal and a week's stay cost 20 silver per room, so I paid a total of 40 silver.
After having them go to their assigned rooms and briefly unpack, I immediately gathered them in the room An Hyeon and I were sharing. An Hyeon was repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fists. His face was full of excited anticipation, as if he was itching to get out of the city as soon as possible. Yu-jeong's expression was still somber, and Sol was cautiously watching her older sister.
The clueless Hyeon swung his arms around and spoke up.
"Hyeong. So, are the four of us going to be working together in Mul from now on? Hunting monsters, exploring dungeons and caves, finding treasure."
I sighed inwardly. Why had I been sighing so much since meeting these kids? I stared intently at An Hyeon, who was excited as if on a picnic. I had no intention of heading out immediately. But before that, An Hyeon also seemed to be in desperate need of some mental conditioning. Despite my unusual reaction, An Hyeon didn't stop talking.
"Then let's make a clan first. What should we name it? Honestly, a name like Golden Lion is so lame..."
"We can't."
"Other... Huh? You're not making one? Why?"
"It's not that we won't, it's that we can't."
I put a hand to my head and, this time, sighed openly. An Hyeon was enthusiastic when it came to combat training, but he could often be seen dozing off during lessons on Hall Plain's history or lore. If he had paid attention, he wouldn't be suggesting we make a clan right now. An Hyeon finally looked at my face and shut his mouth.
After a slight pause, I began to speak in a low voice.
"The four of us currently lack the qualifications to form an official clan."
"Qualifications...? I thought I heard you could make a clan with just one person."
The qualifications aren't about the number of members. He only memorized the easy parts. I clicked my tongue inwardly and continued. I intended to clear up any misunderstandings right here and now. If he showed this kind of ignorance after becoming a more experienced User, I wouldn't be so lenient.
A clan can be simply defined as a gathering of Users with similar goals.
Furthermore, an official clan wasn't something just anyone could create. In each city, residents who had received oracles from the angels, not Users, managed all clan-related matters at the Clan Registry. As such, while the process was fair, it was also incredibly strict.
In that case, there was only one path available to us. We had to build a track record of achievements. Of course, accumulating great accomplishments would be even better, but that involved influencing the main stream of Hall Plain, which was a distant goal for now.
Unlike great accomplishments, achievements have a much broader scope.
Caravans and expedition parties must report their results after completing any mission. This reporting is done by visiting the temple in each city and detailing the completed task. After reviewing the report, if a temple official deems it important, they will either form their own inspection team or request a representative clan to verify the facts.
Every step of that process could be considered part of our track record. Reporting which monsters appeared in what location, discovering a dungeon or cave, detailing the exploration—every minor detail had the potential to contribute to our achievements.
Once you believe you've built up a sufficient track record, you can apply for the establishment of an official clan, a process that naturally includes a review. Countless applications are submitted daily, but the fact that the number of approvals in a month can be counted on one hand shows just how stringent the review process is. And for that reason, the power of clans that have successfully become official cannot be underestimated.
"Hoh..."
As I calmly explained these facts, An Hyeon let out a "Hoh..." with a fascinated expression. *What's with the 'Hoh'?* Just looking at Sol, it seemed she already knew all this. Seeing An Hyeon finally nod in understanding, I took a step closer to the kids. When all three of them focused their attention on me, I turned my gaze to Yu-jeong and spoke.
"So, how does it feel to take your first steps into Hall Plain?"
"...Not very pleasant."
Yu-jeong answered in a subdued voice. I nodded once or twice and continued.
"Are you frustrated?"
"...I feel wronged. And frustrated."
Yu-jeong answered my question immediately. It showed just how keenly she had realized her own powerlessness moments ago. Of course, considering that her opponent would one day grow strong enough to rival my current self, there was a significant handicap. Still, believing the effect was just as significant, I spoke with more force.
"I've always told you, haven't I? Hall Plain is a world full of variables. You never know what might happen or where. What do you think would have happened if that woman had been a Vagrant?"
My blunt words left them all speechless. But I wasn't finished.
"Stay on guard. Excessive tension is poison, but in Hall Plain, you must always be tense. We're not on a picnic, and we're not here on a treasure hunt. We are here to survive and return to Earth. Do you all understand?"
A solemn silence fell over An Hyeon, An Sol, and Lee Yu-jeong. An Hyeon hung his head with a stung expression, while Yu-jeong and Sol looked dejected.
"It's enough that you feel frustrated. But there's nothing to feel wronged about. It just means you're that weak. If you feel wronged, then train and get stronger. If you don't want to feel that kind of humiliation again, grit your teeth and steel your mind."
I looked at their faces for a moment. It seemed they were all starting to realize their current standing, at least a little. And that meant it was time to unveil the first part of my plan to make them grow.
I opened my mouth, my voice a little softer now.
============================ Author's Note ============================
1. Edited content related to Clan Ranks.