Chapter 346 |
The garden shrubs, which had been scorched by the intense afternoon sun, finally began to cool as the dim twilight settled in.
Gazing at the garden through a first-floor window, I calmly surveyed my surroundings.
Today was the day before our departure for Monica. The clan members were all gathered in the first-floor lobby or out in the garden, conducting their final checks—making physical preparations and maintaining their equipment.
"Han-byeol. Should I explain it one more time?"
"No, it's okay now. I've memorized everything."
My gaze shifted toward the voices, and I saw Kim Han-byeol and the old man chatting quietly at a table in the lobby. Four or five heavy-looking pouches lay on the table, and the old man, his face full of concern, was personally arranging them for her.
"I see. That's a relief. In any case, make sure you remember what I told you... And I hope you'll use these pouches without hesitation. Understood?"
"Yes. I'll always be will be very useful
"Don't mention it."
As I watched the heartwarming scene before me, someone spoke to me from the other side.
"You know, human emotions are a strange thing."
The voice belonged to Ahn Hyeon. When I turned, my eyes fell upon the neatly arranged Aura Spear Master's Spear, the Great Sun, and the Helm of Courage. Ahn Hyeon was sitting on the floor, gazing down at them with a distant look in his eyes. I glanced at Ahn Sol, who was fiddling with something behind him, before speaking in a low voice.
"Human emotions are strange?"
"Yeah. To be honest, until recently, I was getting really antsy. This is usually when we'd be heading out on another expedition, but we couldn't because of the war, right? So I found myself thinking that if it was going to happen, I wished it would just start already. I felt that way right up until yesterday."
"..."
"But now that I've taken out my gear and I'm thinking about actually participating in the war... I don't know why it feels so strange. I'm not sure. It's just... strange, like I said."
Watching Ahn Hyeon let out a long sigh, I smiled faintly.
Ahn Hyeon's words, in short, were a matter of it finally sinking in.
Until now, the Mercenary Clan had stood one step removed from the vortex of war. That was true not just for us, but for all the Users in the East and South.
But now, we were about to step into the eye of the storm ourselves. It was a situation where any normal person would naturally feel fear. Moreover, for the younger members experiencing war for the first time, that feeling would only intensify as time went on.
But there was nothing I could do for them. I could offer a little help, but this was a problem they ultimately had to overcome on their own.
"Whew. Why is my heart pounding like this? Maybe I should go back out to the garden and cool off?"
"That's not a bad idea. When my thoughts get complicated, I often swing my sword until I'm exhausted. It helps clear my head and organize my thoughts."
"Oh, really? Still, it's a bit weird to just dance around with a spear by myself... Hyung. How about a match, for old times' sake?"
As if recalling our duel back in Mule, Ahn Hyeon's head shot up and he spoke. Thinking it wouldn't be a problem, I readily nodded.
"Alright, let's do it. Just grab your spear and come outside."
"Yeah! This is great! A duel with you, hyung, after so long."
At my easy agreement, Ahn Hyeon stood up, a wide smile on his face. He picked up the spear from the floor and spoke with a confident voice.
"I've grown quite a bit, so I won't be a pushover anymore, hyung. I can even handle this spear freely with just one hand now."
"Yeah, right."
"Huh? You don't believe me? This won't do. Watch, hyung. I'll show you right now. Hehe."
"I'll see it outside, so don't swing it in here... Hey, Ahn Hyeon! Hey!"
Suddenly remembering Ahn Sol was behind him, I urgently tried to stop him. But despite my warning, he spun the spear right where he stood, and I saw the resulting black arc head straight for Ahn Sol. It was then that...
Woong! Kakakang!
"Ppia!"
But, by a stroke of sheer luck, a round, white-glowing sphere appeared just in time to block the spear. It was the improved Shield of Protection that Ahn Sol had been fiddling with earlier. I let out a sigh of relief, my heart calming down.
"Huh, h-huh? Sol?"
"Uh, uhhuh, uhhuh."
Only then did Ahn Hyeon grasp the situation, his jaw dropping as he turned around. She must have been quite startled. After gaping for a long moment, Ahn Sol finally confirmed she was unharmed and then shot him a terrifying glare.
"Oppa...?"
"I-I'm sorry! It was a complete accident!"
"An acc-i-dent? This happened once before, didn't it...? And now again?!"
As if she'd been waiting for a chance to let him have it, Ahn Sol began to chirp out a stream of nagging like a baby bird. Watching him sweat profusely and apologize over and over, I just shook my head.
This guy always starts off strong and then gets completely sidetracked.
Anyway, figuring the duel with Ahn Hyeon was off, I decided to head to the garden alone. I needed to check on the clan members who had finished their preparations, and Im Han-na, who had just finished equipping the gear I'd given her, was there too. I was curious if the equipment fit, of course, but I'd been also curious about her skills as an archer for a while, so I planned to go see.
Just as I was about to quickly head for the entrance...
"C-Clan Lord! There you are."
Hearing my name called again, I had no choice but to stop.
Who is it now?
Thinking that a lot of people were looking for me today, I quietly turned my head. And I saw that the person who had called me was someone unexpected.
Shin Sang-yong was standing next to me.
"User Shin Sang-yong. What brings you here...?"
"Clan Lord. I have something urgent to discuss with you."
Shin Sang-yong's reply to my question carried a rather solemn tone.
*
"I know this is sudden. First, I want to sincerely apologize for that."
"Mm. In any case, may I hear what this is about?"
"Yes. I know it's very late, but I wish to participate in the upcoming war."
"e?"
Although I'd asked what it was about, Shin Sang-yong cut straight to the chase, leaving me momentarily dumbfounded. But that was only for a moment. I quickly collected myself and spoke, feeling bewildered.
"What? We leave tomorrow. What is this all of a sudden?"
"I am truly sorry. But this is an issue. I have been contemplating and deliberating on since the meeting. I've also been making preparations in my spare time. I won't cause any delays to our departure, so I would be grateful if you would grant me permission to participate."
It was a rare, firm tone for Shin Sang-yong, so I fell silent and sank into deep thought.
Wasn't Shin Sang-yong the type to prioritize safety? Why so suddenly...
Knowing his usual behavior and disposition, my first feeling was confusion. But he wouldn't have brought this up for no reason. So, I decided to hear him out before making a decision.
"User Shin Sang-yong. The roster has already been announced, and changing it the day before we leave is a bit awkward. Have you had some kind of change of heart?"
"Yes. To be honest, I've had a lot on my mind since I was excluded from the expedition along with Lee Man-seong-nim and Han-gyeol-gun at the meeting. Clan Lord, no matter how much I think about it, I believe it's right for me to participate in this war."
"Haha. User Shin Sang-yong, I think there's been a misunderstanding. The reason I excluded you was..."
"No, no. I'm not upset with you, Clan Lord. If there's a problem, it's with me. And this decision is for my own sake as well."
I thought I knew what he was thinking and was about to speak, but Shin Sang-yong cut in, waving his hand. Then, not in his usual stutter, but with words that flowed like water, he continued.
"Why was I excluded?' I thought about that first. As a result, I came to believe that my actions thus far have not been a good fit for the Mercenary clan. In other words, I concluded that I lack efficiency."
"Efficiency?"
"Yes. It occurred to me that, in my own estimation, I might be the most inefficient member of the Mercenary clan right now."
"What? I don't think so at all."
"Of course, you would say that. But I felt it myself. That if I continue like this, I'll end up being good for nothing."
In that moment, I felt as if I'd been struck in the head. I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. What Shin Sang-yong was saying now was remarkably similar to what I had once told Ahn Hyeon about Ahn Sol. Suddenly, I felt like I was beginning to understand him.
"Looking back, from the time I entered the Hall Plain until I met you, Clan Lord, I was a truly useless User. I couldn't properly learn magic, and no one would take in an alchemist with such low achievements."
But Shin Sang-yong's tone was so serious that I couldn't say a word. Simply listening in silence was the only choice I had.
"But one day, while living like that, a great gift came to me. A Rare Class. That gift held the potential to turn a useless User like me into a useful one. I couldn't let that chance slip by, so I clung to it, and you, Clan Lord, granted my unreasonable request. And I still clearly remember the oath I made when I received that Rare Class: that I would not hesitate to offer the labor of a horse or a dog."
"User Shin Sang-yong, I understand what you're saying. But please, hear me out for a moment. Strictly speaking, you are participating in the war. You're just staying in the city to help with its defense. It's merely a difference in roles."
"I don't want to evade it so cowardly... I... have made up my mind. I want to use this opportunity to give myself a chance."
"A chance?"
For a moment, a determined light seemed to flash in Shin Sang-yong's eyes as he continued to speak.
"Clan Lord. I don't want to go back to how I was before. I want to be a useful person."
"You're already a great help. And no one thinks of you as..."
"No. That's not it. That's not the problem."
Shin Sang-yong's voice was even, without highs or lows, but it was filled with conviction in his own thoughts.
"If I continue on this path, I feel I'll fall into the same dilemma as before."
"...."
"I... want to be someone who is needed somewhere, to have a place where I am essential. I have always prepared and strived for that. Clan Lord. If you are truly thinking of me, then I would be grateful if you would give me this one chance."
As if he had poured out everything he had to say, Shin Sang-yong took a sharp breath and his shoulders slumped.
And for a moment, I was at a loss for words. To be honest, at first, I had thought it was just
bravado or an attempt to find an excuse to assuage his guilt. But now, having heard his sincere feelings, I could only imagine how much he must have agonized, how hard he must have clenched his jaw, to bring this up.
I stared at Shin Sang-yong in silence. I didn't understand everything he said, but I understood part of it. Because I, too, had once felt that way.
I think you're plenty helpful as you are now, Shin Sang-yong. So you don't have to push yourself.
I pushed the reply I had originally prepared deep into my mind. I knew for certain that any words I could think of right now would only inflict a great wound on him.
I stopped the fingers that had been tapping on the table. Then, I abruptly extended my hand toward him and spoke calmly.
"Very well. If you are that determined, I will permit you to join the war."
"C-Clan Lord!"
"The departure schedule remains unchanged. So make sure you are fully prepared by tomorrow."
At that, Shin Sang-yong took my hand and broke into a brilliant smile.
Though it was only for a moment, I felt a warmth flowing into me from his clasped hand.
*
The next day, morning dawned. It was a fresh, clear morning, with no trace of the previous night's gloom. No one knew what today, or the days to come, would bring, but looking at the
weather alone, it felt as if it were blessing the Mercenary clan's path forward.
All preparations were complete. All that remained was to go to Princica and plunge into the true war.
Caligo Abraxas. Victoria's Glory. Glory of Heaven. Glory of Sun. Orthros Long Boots. Noble Mithril Shirt. Blue Dragon Knight's Cloak. Lucky Four-Leaf Clover. TOPG.
After a final check of my equipment, I lifted my head and gazed out at the garden. Ten clan members stood in neat rows before the main gate. Around them stood the remaining clan members and our employees. And one baby unicorn.
It was time to depart.
With that thought, I slowly crossed the sunlit entrance.