Chapter 341 |
"He said the scale would get bigger..."
As someone who knew the future to some extent, I could accept it calmly. But to simply dismiss it like that, that my brother's expression was far too grave.
"Hoo... Soohyun. To be honest, I debated a lot whether I should even bring this up with you. In a way, it could be seen as me trying to justify my actions, and in another, it might sound like I'm making excuses... You might not understand, but that's the situation I'm in right now."
Uncharacteristically, he was beating around the bush. But I thought I could vaguely understand his reasoning, his feelings for bringing this up now. A bitter taste suddenly rose in my throat.
"But I still thought it would be best to tell you in advance. Even if it means you might be disappointed in me, and in the people you've met until now..."
"I won't be disappointed."
I cut him off firmly, interrupting his low-toned words. My answer must have been unexpected, as I saw his eyes widen.
After barely swallowing the nausea rising from within, I managed to speak again.
"I know very well what kind of world the Hall Plain is... how it works. So I'll say it again. No one will be disappointed."
He called my name, then suddenly clamped his mouth shut and began to gaze at me intently. I met his stare head-on without avoiding it.
I felt a sudden urge to laugh. Disappointment in the Hall Plain? I had transcended such feelings long ago. The very act of having such emotions as a 'User' was proof that something was fundamentally wrong. It was all I could do to survive and take care of my precious people; thinking about anything else felt like a luxury.
I knew all too well that the Hall Plain was not a beautiful place. Perhaps even better than he did.
A quiet silence flowed for a while. His gaze was ambiguous and complex; at a glance, he seemed proud, but I could also sense a hint of loneliness.
Finally, he let out a long breath.
"When... did you grow up so much?"
He said 'when,' not 'now.' For some reason, the difference in that single word pierced my heart.
"Hearing you say that makes me feel much more at ease. Thank you. And I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
"Right... Then I should start the story again... Are you aware that the Golden Lion clan requested support a while ago?"
The sound of his fingers tapping the table started again. It was a habit of his when he was deep in thought. Though he said he felt more at ease, his face clearly read, "How on earth should I explain this?"
"Yeah. I heard the details, and honestly, it was a little ridiculous."
"I bet. The East and South will probably make an official announcement soon as well."
"An official announcement? What are they going to announce?"
"We plan to sever the Warp Gate with Barbara within the week. The remaining cities in the North have agreed to join us."
"Even the North?"
He didn't specify what the official statement would be, but his answer was enough for me to deduce the situation.
Cutting off the Warp Gate wasn't surprising news. But the fact that the North was participating was definitely an exception.
After he finished speaking, he seemed to be observing my reaction for a moment. But since I had already made up my mind, I deliberately maintained a composed expression and adopted an attentive posture, signaling for him to continue.
"And..."
Tap, tap, tap.
Just then, the Block Field he had deployed vibrated lightly. I turned my head to see a waitress standing awkwardly, having brought the food we ordered.
"Originally, you know. I don't know how it was in the South, but in the East, there was an opinion to just let the invaders go. The idea was that if they came purely for revenge, there was no need to cause an unnecessary conflict."
"But thanks to you, we learned their true intentions, and it seems everyone's thinking has changed a bit. They've decided they can't just sit back and take it. So, a while ago, we scrapped our original plan and came up with a new operation."
"The fact that the spies are gone must have played a part, too."
I nodded calmly. Then, for the sake of the waitress who was still waiting anxiously, I gave my brother a subtle glance.
"An operation. I'm looking forward to it."
"The operation's name is New World."
"New World?"
"Yes. It means we're going to show a new world to those bastards from the Western Continent who invaded the North."
Receiving my signal, my brother glanced to the side before continuing in a low voice.
"We've decided not to let a single one of the invaders return. We've all agreed to wipe them out. Every last one of them."
"Originally, I hoped you wouldn't participate... but I suppose that's not possible, is it?"
"Anyway, think about it carefully. You guys are Free Mercenaries, so you have no obligations. And if you do make up your mind, I hope you'll tell me first."
"Hoo."
My mind was so full of thoughts that I put down the report and was holding and sank into my desk chair. It was complicated. I had been reviewing the reports submitted by the clan members, but perhaps due to yesterday's conversation with my brother, I couldn't focus at all.
"Soohyun. Are you very frustrated?"
Just as I let out a dry laugh at the silly thought and was about to close my eyes, a lovely voice flowed into my ear from in front of me. I lifted my head, which I had been about to lower, and looked forward. A woman with elegant features, sitting demurely on the sofa, came into view.
Blue eyes and blue hair. It was Jung Ha-yeon.
"It seems I came at a bad time for you, Soohyun."
"It's just a little complicated. It's not because of you, Ha-yeon."
"Aww, what a shame. I was hoping to use this chance to set up a regular tea time just for the two of us, but I guess I'll have to put that on hold for now."
"Hahaha. No. Tea time with you is more than relaxing enough for me."
I let out an awkward laugh at Jung Ha-yeon's words, which were clearly laced with personal interest. (In truth, I had completely forgotten she was there. Of course, I didn't voice this fact.) I was about to take a sip of the tea she had brought me when I realized it had gone cold and downed it in one gulp.
"Heehee. That's a relief. But... what is it that's making you sigh so deeply, Soohyun? Is it an equipment issue?"
Jung Ha-yeon walked over to my side with soft steps and leaned her head in gently to ask. I shook my head from side to side instead of answering. She then looked at the pile of reports on my desk before suddenly turning her body slowly in the opposite direction. After a moment's hesitation, she began to slowly lower her bottom onto my lap. I chuckled inwardly and shifted my legs slightly so she could sit comfortably.
"Eum."
"Eung..."
As we both let out subtle moans, a very slight pressure spread across my thighs, and I felt her light blue hair tickling my neck. Jung Ha-yeon's body gave off a fresh, cool scent, like clear water. Inhaling her fragrance as it gently wafted into my nostrils, I carefully stroked her stomach.
"It looks like there are a lot of requests... Eung! Ah, nobody... no, surprisingly, there aren't many overlapping items, are there?"
"Indeed. A silver lining in a dark cloud."
Jung Ha-yeon flinched for a moment but soon replied in a composed voice. However, judging by the slight break in her words and the faint trembling of her body, I could guess what was on her mind.
"Old Man Lee Man-seong requested an appraisal of the jewels in the warehouse... and Shin Jae-ryong requested the new Liatris's Wooden Staff he acquired. He's an excellent priest, so I think that's a good choice."
"Yes. But I saw you requested something too, Ha-yeon."
As I whispered softly in her ear, Jung Ha-yeon giggled as if it tickled and nodded her head.
"Yes. I also requested the Nephronepis' Mirror I recently obtained. I wanted to try using it... Huh?"
It was then. Jung Ha-yeon's gaze, which had been scanning the reports, came to a sudden halt on one particular entry. Following her line of sight, I saw an equipment request form that was overwhelmingly packed with text compared to the others.
Equipment Request Form (Clan Member: Im Han-na)
1. Brilliant Flash: Laura Phyllis
2. Clothes: Made from Yggdrasil's Leaves
3. Rhiza Boots
4. Twilight Priestess (Rare Class, Medium Of Twilight)
5. Five Cardinal Colors - Black: Northern Winter Tights
(Note: The right arm portion is partially torn off. Aside from that part, there are no issues with its physical function. It originally had an effect that increased Strength (+2, Strength 90 limit), but since it also has a binding function, the effect cannot be expected until it is unbound.)
"Han-na... She's surprisingly greedy, isn't she?"
"What do you think, Ha-yeon?"
"Me? Hmm~. Personally, I'd like to approve it. Han-na is a good person and she's skilled. What about you, Soohyun?"
"I don't know... I'm not sure yet. The other things are one thing, but I wonder if she can even wear the leaf clothes or the Northern Winter Tights..."
I replied, recalling Im Han-na's user information. I was just thinking of her large chest, which surpassed even Go Yeon-ju's, and the words slipped out as a pure expression of concern. However, when I came to my senses, I realized Jung Ha-yeon was giving me a sharp look. I immediately cleared my throat a couple of times and decided to quickly change the subject.
"Putting that aside, the real problem is the Twilight Priestess. The other equipment can be lent out, but it's difficult to do that with a Rare Class."
"That's right. Once you learn it, it's permanent. Anyway, I trust you'll make a good decision, Soohyun."
If the woman sitting on my lap had been Go Yeon-ju, she would have seized the opportunity to tease me relentlessly. But Jung Ha-yeon, with her calm personality, simply offered a gentle smile and played along. I breathed an inward sigh of relief.
"Yes. I'll have to think about it a little more and have a separate talk with User Im Han-na."
After that, I savored Jung Ha-yeon's scent for a while before gently lifting the hand I had on her. It was a signal for her to get up. For a moment, she showed a hint of disappointment, but thankfully, she obediently complied.
"That was nice."
Still, a trace of regret must have remained, as I heard her mutter faintly to herself. Of course, it was a mutter meant entirely for me to hear.
"Me too. But I have to finish this by today. I can't drag it out any longer..."
"My head understands, but why does my heart feel like you're being so cold?"
Jung Ha-yeon kept complaining as if she was upset that I didn't understand her feelings, but I was well aware that her displays of affection had been increasing recently. And I knew the reason why.
"We can do it again when we have another chance."
"I wonder when that will be~... You're going to be very busy from now on."
I shrugged. Then, picking up the report again and lowering my gaze, I said casually.
"Tonight."
".........What?"
A moment of silence. I heard Jung Ha-yeon's flustered voice, but I kept my eyes on the report and continued.
"I told you, didn't I? I plan to finish this even if I have to stay up all night. I'll be in the office through the early morning."
The baby unicorn had been feeling particularly lonely lately. Perhaps because it was sensitive to emotions, its once-sparkling eyes were downcast and sullen, and its tail, which was always wagging, now hung limp.
The baby unicorn was hurt. The humans used to coo over how pretty and cute it was, sucking up to it all the time, but as time went on, they stopped playing with it. Of course, it understood that the humans had been busy lately. But even so, the fact that they hadn't included it when they all gathered to have fun came as a huge shock to the still-young unicorn.
After that, there were times when people looked for the baby unicorn, but the little one's heart had already been deeply wounded. So it often hid in corners on purpose so they couldn't find it. Of course, even then, if they had found it, it wouldn't have been against letting them win after a little while.
"Kkyu..."
The baby unicorn couldn't overcome its sudden sorrow and let out a pathetic cry.
Humans are mean.
With that thought, the baby unicorn trudged down the empty hallway in the dead of night.
The place the baby unicorn was heading to was where it could feel a primordial energy. An energy that was firm yet gentle, hot yet pure and cleansing, without a single speck of corruption.
The thought of sleeping in its master's arms tonight for the first time in a while made its slow steps begin to quicken.
Finally arriving in front of the place where the energy was emanating, the baby unicorn paused.
The door was always firmly shut, so it had been preparing to tap on it with its horn, but for some reason, today it was slightly ajar. A faint light leaking through the crack illuminated the dark hallway just a little.
The energy was definitely flowing from inside. But it felt not one presence, but two.
The baby unicorn hesitated for a moment but then approached the door with a determined look. It gently pushed its horn into the crack and carefully pushed the door open.
Creek...
The door opened slightly, and the scene inside came into the baby unicorn's view.
As expected, there were two people inside. One was, of course, its master, who held the primordial energy, and the other was a human woman who smelled of water.
Just as it was about to run over and demand affection, the baby unicorn paused again at the faint, hot wind it suddenly felt.
Its master was sitting in a chair. And the human woman who smelled of water was kneeling in front of him.
Is she being scolded?
The baby unicorn tilted its head. Then it looked more closely at the situation inside.
The human woman who smelled of water was acting strange. She had taken off the top she always wore so cumbersomely and was kneeling before its master, slowly moving her head up and down. At a glance, it looked like she was holding something in her mouth, but her hair was in the way, so it was hard to see.
It was then. The human woman swept her hair behind her ear with one hand, then puckered her lips and slowly sucked on what she was holding. Her tongue immediately darted out, obscuring it again, but in that fleeting moment, the identity of what was hidden by her hair was revealed.
And though it was only for an instant, the baby unicorn was able to identify what it was.
In the end, the young female unicorn couldn't overcome the sudden feeling of shame that filled its heart and lifted its right foreleg to cover its eyes.
"Kiyu!"
With a short scream that echoed through the quiet hallway.