Chapter 408 |
In the dead of night, a time still too early to be called dawn.
Countless stars glittered in the night sky, and beneath them, a city bathed in their beautiful light came into view.
"Soohyun, I can see Eden."
"Yeah. We arrived earlier than I thought."
I gave a small nod and stretched with all my might. As I extended my arms and shivered, my brother, walking beside me, broke into a faint smile.
"You look tired."
"Not really. It wasn't a very difficult expedition."
"If you're tired, you can sleep over. Our clan is close by."
"What are you talking about..."
A short while later.
It didn't take long to walk down the road and reach the city gate. The dark ground shimmered with a bluish hue under the moonlight. We soon entered the silent, still streets and headed straight for the Warp Gate.
Just as we were getting close, a thought suddenly struck me, and I gave my shoulder a big shrug.
"Chirp?"
"Wake up. We're here."
"Chirp... Chirp..."
As if the bird was throwing a tantrum, I glanced down at my shoulder and saw a baby bird yawning, its rail-sized beak wide open. I poked my little finger inside, and the creature promptly snapped its beak shut, biting down on my finger.
When I gently lifted my hand, the baby bird dangled from my ring finger. It was still only the size of a fist, but the faint golden light emanating from its body seemed anything but ordinary.
"Here. Take it."
"Haha. It seems to like you more."
I held out my arm, urging him to take it, but my brother just chuckled awkwardly and muttered.
"You're not master, Hyung."
I said firmly, placing the baby bird on his shoulder.
"Chirp, chirirp!"
The baby bird shot me a sideways glance before gently letting go of my finger. It then buried its face in my brother's shoulder and nuzzled against him, seeming quite pleased with its new perch.
After stroking the constantly chirping bird a few times, my brother spoke with an apologetic look in his eyes.
"Soohyun, I don't know if I can really take this bird."
"Hyung, I don't know if I can really take all this equipment."
I immediately glanced behind me. The mercenary clansmen were following in silence. A few of them had backpacks on, and the equipment I was talking about was inside them.
The baby bird on my brother's shoulder and the various pieces of equipment—these were the fruits of our successful expedition into the newly discovered ruin, the 'Tower of Valhalla'.
"But you're the one who discovered the ruin... I feel bad."
"I didn't discover it alone; we discovered it together. And we borrowed a great deal of Haemil's strength to clear it."
"You wouldn't understand. As the older brother, I feel like I'm taking things from you instead of providing for you... So, Soohyun. I really think..."
"Hyung, you said you'd raise it well. And we've already been over this. You promised we wouldn't bring it up again."
The promise was that after the initial distribution of the rewards, we would never speak of it again. He seemed to be keeping it, aside from one or two slip-ups, but as we neared the Warp Gate, his resolve must have weakened.
Seeing that he was about to speak again, I shot him a sharp glare.
"I'll be disappointed if you break your promise."
Only then did my brother flinch and shut his mouth. Honestly, I knew it was a childish tactic, but if I had let him continue, we would have been stuck in an endless, parallel argument until we parted ways.
Perhaps he sensed my firm resolve to avoid such a tiring exchange.
My brother stared at me for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh.
"You little rascal. Fine, I get it."
"You should have just said so from the start."
"...I'll raise it well. It has a lightning attribute, so it should be a good match for me."
"Of course. You can tell it's a spiritual creature just by looking at it. If you raise it well, it'll be quite a sight to see."
Nod, nod. One way or another, it seemed my brother was fond of the baby bird too. He gently stroked the little creature, which kept nodding off as if it needed its sleep. The sight naturally brought a warm smile to my face.
Come to think of it... Hyung really wanted that bird in the first playthrough.
Did he say it seemed like a good match for him?
In any case, I knew the baby bird's true identity, but I deliberately kept it to myself. When I gave it to him, he had said he wanted to "find out on his own." He wanted to get to know it one step at a time.
For now, I would simply look forward to the synergy that my brother and 'Thunderstorm' would create in the future.
Eventually, I began to slow my pace.
We had arrived at our destination. All that was left was to step through the Warp Gate and return to our respective cities.
"Hah... We're finally here."
"Yeah. Are you leaving right away?"
I could hear a hint of disappointment in my brother's voice. I understood his desire to share a celebratory drink right after the expedition, but that was something we could do if it were daytime. At this late hour, it was better for both of us to head back quickly.
"It's late. The clansmen look tired, too."
"I guess so... Alright. I'll call you tomorrow, then."
I nodded once. When I looked back, I could see the faces of my clansmen. They looked exhausted, but happy.
After a brief farewell with the Haemil clansmen, we stepped into the Warp Gate.
"The southern small city, Monica. Eight people."
"That will be 16 Gold and 24 Silver."
I wanted to sort through the equipment we'd gotten from the expedition, but it would be better to go back and get a good night's sleep first. With that thought, I stepped into the now-activated portal without delay.
Seven days of preparation, four weeks for the round trip.
It was a return after a long month and few days.
* * *
Knock, knock.
The faint sound of knocking woke me to the cool air of dawn. I took a deep breath, and my mind began to clear a little.
Click!
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening. I quickly lifted my head and looked toward the door, but no one was there. However, through the slightly ajar opening, I saw something black flit away.
* * *
I blinked a couple of times before staggering to my feet. I slowly got out of bed and walked out the door.
When I went down to the first floor, the employee sitting at the lobby counter turned to look at me. It was commendable that she was at her post in the wee hours of the morning, but I couldn't help but give a wry smile when I saw her sleepy eyes and the drool at the corner of her mouth.
"Good morning, Lord of Mercenary."
"You're working hard."
Her voice was hoarse, clearly that of someone who had just woken up. She might have woken up on her own, but it was also possible that 'someone' had woken her.
"Ah. Come to think of it..."
"Where is she?"
"S Sir?"
"Did someone come by?"
I spoke as if I already knew everything, and the employee looked at me with a dazed expression. Then, she slowly raised her arm and pointed in one direction.
"She went... to the dining hall."
"Thank you."
I gave a slight nod and immediately turned in that direction.
A moment later.
I gently pushed open the dining hall door and saw a woman sitting at the central table, engrossed in something. With her long, pale ash-colored hair cascading down her back, it was none other than Go Yeon-ju.
Sharp.
It seemed she knew I was coming. Go Yeon-ju lifted her head for a moment, a deep smile on her face, and took a sip of her tea.
Still in a daze, I scratched my head a couple of times before sitting down across from her at the table.
"Soohyun—It's been so long—"
"Yes. When did you get here?"
"...Just now? I heard you returned five days ago and requested a pass to go out. I was able to come since it's the weekend."
"Has the news spread to Barbara as well?"
"It's already all over the place."
I wasn't sure how widespread the news was for her to say that, but I nodded to show I understood. I had already finished my report to the temple the day after I returned, so this was all expected.
Whatever she found so amusing, Go Yeon-ju propped her chin on her hand and gazed at me with a playful smile.
"Soohyun, how was the expedition? This was your first time collaborating with another clan..."
"It was fine."
I replied curtly and shook my head, feeling my mind clear up a bit.
"What were you reading so intently?"
"...Take a look at this."
Go Yeon-ju lifted her face, looking slightly hurt, and pointed at the table with her index finger.
"...This is."
As I looked at her questioningly, she continued in a languid voice.
"These are the reports that have been circulating yesterday and today."
Following the direction her pretty fingernail was pointing, I saw several neatly arranged documents. I quickly focused on them.
"Haemil, Mercenary Clan. Excavation of the Eastern Ancient Ruin, 'Tower of Valhalla'."
"The Mercenary Clan. What kind of clan are they? After the 'Frozen Forest' a while ago, now the discovery of the 'Tower of Valhalla'..."
"Dungeons discovered so far? Alchemist's Dungeon, 'Ruined Laboratory', 'Cave of Screams', 'Ancient Magic City Magia', 'Frozen Forest', 'Tower of Valhalla'. All of these achievements in just one year... What is the truth?"
"..."
"[Exclusive] Alchemist's Dungeon, 'Ruined Laboratory', 'Cave of Screams': Prime finds from the undeveloped city of Magia. 'Ancient Magic City Magia', 'Frozen Forest': Confirmed to have been discovered through a commission from Istanol Row... 'Tower of Valhalla' is known to have been uncovered with the Haemil Clan..."
"[Exclusive] Mercenary Clan Lord Kim Soohyun revealed to be the younger brother of Haemil Clan Lord Kim Yu-byeon... Clans also in an 'Alliance' relationship."
"The Mercenary Clan. What is their relationship with Haemil and Istanol Row... Six ruins excavated in less than a year... Could this be a kind of sponsorship, with some ulterior motive...?"
"Interesting, isn't it?"
As I was reading, her languid voice flowed in again. At the same time, a teacup was pushed forward, covering part of the document in front of me. White steam rose from the jet-black liquid as gentle ripples spread across its surface.
"I see a few bothersome reports... but it's mostly fine."
I had been craving a cup of hot tea, so I accepted it without a word. As I brought the cup to my lips, I felt a moist sensation. Did she give me the one she was drinking from?
Go Yeon-ju's questions continued.
"Did you go with the Haemil Clan because you knew articles like this would come out?"
"It's not that I knew they would... more like killing two birds with one stone?"
After savoring the warmth spreading through my body, I finally tore my eyes away from the reports.
"What's the reaction over there?"
"They're showing immense interest."
"Be specific. What kind of interest?"
"...Most are in disbelief, but there are also some reactions that can't be seen as favorable."
Just as I thought, I chuckled dryly.
"The Mercenary Clan had now excavated six ruins in one year. It was an unprecedented record that would surprise anyone, but would the users just be surprised?"
"No. They wouldn't."
Ruins were a 'setting' directly tied to the users' profits. As such, it was obvious that suspicions would arise: 'How could they have discovered so many ruins in such a short time?' But...
"I see."
"They aren't being blatant about it yet, but..."
"... You don't have to worry too much. As long as we have Istanol Row and Haemil on our side, they won't be too open about it."
"That will be the case for a while. They'll probably move very cautiously until our exact relationship is revealed."
"In the meantime, Haemil and Istanol Row won't just sit still either. Of course, I need your help too, Yeon-ju."
When it came to information on the Northern Continent, she was the 'Shadow Queen,' second to none. She would be a great help.
Go Yeon-ju seemed to think for a moment before shaking her head as if it were a difficult task.
"It's hard to fight against the media of the entire continent."
"We don't need to win."
"Then?"
"Just push back appropriately against the reports that seem off."
We had our own side of the story to tell.
'Alchemist's Dungeon', 'Ruined Laboratory', and 'Cave of Screams' were discovered in the undeveloped city of Magia.
'Ancient Magic City Magia' and the 'Frozen Forest' were ruins discovered while on a commission from Istanol Row.
If it came down to it, we could spin the 'Tower of Valhalla' as a discovery made by the Haemil Clan.
Of course, these things wouldn't be a complete explanation. I knew that well. But what I wanted was to mitigate the perception from a strange, suspicious clan with something to hide to 'a very lucky clan.'
If worst comes to worst, being seen as sponsored isn't a bad thing either.
Go Yeon-ju stared at me for a while. Then she spoke quietly.
"Soohyun, you're aiming for a noise marketing effect."
"Perhaps. I'd like to think of it as a Rite of Passage before we make our big leap."
I didn't deny her interpretation. Since I had decided to rise to the Ten Strong in a short time, I planned to build up our achievements along the way.
With nothing more to say, Go Yeon-ju quietly wet her lips. Then with a deep sigh, she spoke in a dejected voice.
"My instructor duties are already tough, and now I'm going to get even busier."
It was then. The moment she said the word 'instructor,' a thought flashed through my mind.
I drained the rest of my tea and spoke in a much clearer voice.
"Speaking of which, Yeon-ju. What happened with the tasks I asked of you?"
As my brother had said, Mercenary had earned the right to participate in this term's User Academy. By now, over 500 new users should have arrived.
But since I couldn't just wait for them to arrive, I had no choice but to entrust Go Yeon-ju with the role of instructor.
And before leaving the city with the Haemil Clan, I had given her two additional instructions.
One of them was...
"Hmph. Here."
Go Yeon-ju pouted and took out a thick bundle of documents.
"Is this it?"
"Yes, yes... It's the list of the new chicks who came in this time."
Her bright, smiling face from before was gone, replaced by a grumbling tone filled with dissatisfaction for some reason.
I stared at her blankly for a moment before speaking awkwardly.
"You must be busy as it is... I'm sorry for having such high expectations of you."
At that moment, Go Yeon-ju cried out sharply, her voice pointed.
"What? Do you think that's why I'm acting like this?"
"...Then?"
I blinked and asked, and Go Yeon-ju looked at me as if she were dumbfounded. She bit her lip, her cheeks puffed out slightly—a look unbefitting of the usual 'Shadow Queen.'
When I remained silent, she listlessly set the documents down in her hand.
"...Soohyun. Do you even know how long it's been since we last met?"
"?"
It was a sudden question, but the atmosphere was serious. Was it the dawn that brought out a woman's unique sentimentality?
Go Yeon-ju soon looked crestfallen and continued in a weak voice.
"I was counting the days until I could get out... As soon as I arrived, I only woke you up..."
* * *
"You could have at least asked how I've been, or said you missed me. But the first thing you do when you see me is ask about work... It's so disappointing. It makes me feel like I was the only one thinking of you, the only one waiting."
A quiet silence followed.
"..."
"..."
I tilted my head for a moment. After getting lost in thought, I calmly stood up.
Go Yeon-ju still had her head turned away, a very hurt expression on her face.
And I... gently pressed my lips to her blushing cheek.
Muah.
"Oh, my?"
Go Yeon-ju was stunned.
"W-What are you doing all of a sudden? Hey! Do you think I'll forgive you just because of this?"
The moment my lips touched her soft skin, Go Yeon-ju jumped in surprise and made a fuss.
I continued nonchalantly.
"Yeon-ju. I'd like another cup of tea."
"What?"
Muah.
I did it again, and she placed a hand on her cheek, a dazed look on her face.
"What... are you doing right now?"
"What do you mean? You told me last time. That if I wanted tea from now on, I'd have to pay a price... So I was just paying in advance."
* * *
"You're not going to stiff me, are you?"
Did she just remember? Go Yeon-ju looked blank for a second before bursting into a hollow laugh. Then, she shot me a gentle glare and stood up.
"Really. I can't with you. Fine. It's the fault of the one who fell in love."
"Ramon tea, please."
"Hee. Just so you know, I'm raising the price next time. You'll probably have to do it on the lips, not the cheek."
"Be my guest."
When I replied as if she could do as she pleased, Go Yeon-ju casually changed the subject.
"Soohyun thought, one round of sex would be better."
"...That's a bit much."
"Hahaha."
Go Yeon-ju-ssi was one of my few pleasure points, but that became the price, my body wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Hm-hmm, hm-hm-hmm. Hm-hmm, hm-hm-hmm."
As I watched Go Yeon-ju hum her way to the kitchen, I quickly picked up the documents.
And just as I calmed my heart and calmly turned the first page.
"!"
This woman...
At the name that caught my eye from the very first page, I reflexively clenched the document.