A Fresh Start with Corinth

Several days had passed since Ksenia and Lilia departed. True to Gold Sun's advice, Hayeon threw herself entirely into her training. In the mornings, she sweated profusely, repeating the swordsmanship stances Ksenia had taught her hundreds of times. At night, she focused all her energy on mastering the sense of mana that Lilia had helped awaken within her.

Though the faint blue spark of magical energy flickering at her fingertips was still weak, it was proof of a hope that refused to die. Yet, the deeper her training went, the more clearly she felt her own limitations. Ksenia's overwhelming sword qi, Lilia's brilliant magic, and Gold Sun's unpredictable combat techniques—whenever she recalled their sheer strength, she felt incredibly small and insignificant.

I can't go on like this. When the girls return, I want to be able to look them in the eye and proudly say, "I did this much on my own." I don't want to be someone who just gets protected anymore. I want to be recognized as a comrade who can stand and fight right alongside them. I can't hide behind their backs and be a burden forever.

Lying in bed drenched in sweat after training late into the night, Hayeon made a firm resolve. Simply waiting around would change nothing.

The next day, Hayeon dragged her heavy body toward the Adventurer's Guild. At the reception desk, Riena waved warmly when she spotted her.

"Oh, Hayeon! You're here again? Why do you look so pale today? Was yesterday's training too intense?"

"No, it's not that. I was just... wondering if there are any quests I could do on my own today."

Riena scanned the quest board, then shook her head with a look of pity.

"Hmm... The only things a Bronze Plate can do alone are herb gathering, running errands around the city, or working as a porter for dungeon expeditions. Dungeon quests are practically impossible for a solo Bronze Plate. As you know, entering a dungeon alone is something only Gold Plates or higher can pull off. Anyone else who tries usually vanishes without even a corpse left behind."

Riena offered some serious advice. "Hayeon, why don't you start putting together your own team? With your skills, finding party members shouldn't be hard at all."

A team. At those words, Hayeon instinctively looked around the guild hall. Male adventurers were drinking and boisterously chatting. The moment their eyes landed on her, their gazes turned greasy with blatant, vulgar lust. She couldn't help but shrink back.

Those eyes are so... disgusting. They're just like Luo and Cadel. If I go into a dungeon with guys like that, I know exactly how it will end. I'll be trampled and violated all over again. My body will just become their trophy.

Hayeon let out a sigh. She knew all too well that the only reason these men didn't dare lay a finger on her was because she associated with heavyweights like Ksenia, Lilia, and Gold Sun. If she asked men like them to accompany her to a dungeon, there was no telling what they might try to do to her once they were inside, just like Luo or Cadel.

If I want to go to a dungeon safely, is Gold Sun really the only one I can ask...?

Hayeon sighed at her pitifully sparse social circle. She wanted to get stronger. She wanted to stand tall above others without being looked down upon, just like Ksenia or Gold Sun. But if she formed a team with male adventurers, they would inevitably become obsessed with her due to her S-rank Charm. On the other hand, she doubted any skilled female adventurers would want to team up with a complete novice like her.

With her head feeling like it was about to burst from all the worrying, Hayeon trudged back toward the Wind's Lodging. Just then, a familiar voice called out to her.

"Well, well. If our little rabbit sighs any deeper, she's going to cave the floor in. What's wrong?"

It was Gold Sun. Seeing her slumped shoulders, he guided her toward a small nearby teahouse.

"Here, drink up. The desserts here are fantastic."

Even as she sipped the sweet drink, Hayeon's expression remained gloomy. Gold Sun stared at her intently before asking,

"So, what's got you so worked up?"

Hayeon hesitated for a moment before finally pouring her heart out. She confessed her struggles with forming a team, her feelings of helplessness, and her desperate yearning to grow stronger. After listening to her entire story, Gold Sun suddenly burst into roaring laughter, clutching his stomach.

"Bwahahaha! Oh my god, you're seriously stressing over such a luxury?"

"What do you mean, a luxury?!"

"I mean, why didn't you just ask me for help? Do you have any idea what an insane privilege you have? What other rookie adventurer gets to train under two ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mithril Plates and a powerhouse like me, receiving private tutoring, protection, and even guided dungeon tours? In this business, out of ten aspiring adventurers, five die, and three end up crippled. Only two survive to become proper adventurers. That's the reality of this world."

Gold Sun's face turned serious. "So use me. I'm more than happy to let you use me. As long as it helps you get stronger, I'll do whatever it takes."

Hayeon couldn't find a single word to refute him. Because every word he said was absolutely true, she felt all the more frustrated and miserable. The horrific memories of when she first arrived in this world, the days she was dragged around like a toy against her will, her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rescue by Ksenia and Lilia, and Gold Sun saving her time and time again... As all those memories flashed before her eyes like a panorama, hot tears began to spill down her cheeks.

"Whoa, hey. I didn't mean to make you cry," Gold Sun said, looking flustered. "But you can't turn a blind eye to reality."

"I'm just so frustrated..." Hayeon sobbed. "I hate how pathetic I am... that I can't do anything on my own..." At her sorrowful weeping, Gold Sun gently wiped away her tears and let out a deep sigh.

"Alright, alright. In that case, let me introduce you to some decent folks."

"Huh? You know people like that?"

"Yeah. They're a bit of an odd bunch, but they've got real skill and they're genuinely good people. It looks like they just got back from a dungeon run, so I'll set up a meeting for tomorrow."

At Gold Sun's words, Hayeon's face brightened. Seeing her tear-rimmed eyes suddenly sparkling with hope, Gold Sun couldn't resist and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"W-Wait! People are watching!"

Hayeon jumped back, frantically scanning their surroundings, but Gold Sun only laughed heartily as if it didn't matter in the slightest.

Ugh, this man is dangerous...! I can't let myself fall for him! No, I was just startled. That's all it was. Nothing more.

After parting ways with Gold Sun, Hayeon walked back to the Wind's Lodging with a much lighter step. She helped Serena with her chores, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she thought about the new companions she would meet tomorrow, before finally falling asleep.

The next morning, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Gold Sun led Hayeon to a shabby, two-story wooden house on the outskirts of Akron. Hanging above the peeling, weathered door was a crooked but charmingly handwritten sign that read: Corinth.

"This place is...?"

"It's the hideout of a group I look after from time to time. They're still Silver Plates, so they live in a rundown place like this, but they've got great personalities and solid skills. Most importantly, they're not the type to mistreat you or try anything funny. I guarantee it."

Gold Sun spoke with absolute confidence as he pushed the door open. With a loud creak, a cramped but reasonably tidy living room came into view. Three people—two men and a woman—were already waiting inside.

"Oh, big bro Gold Sun! You're here!"

The first to greet them was a man who looked as sturdy and reliable as a giant shield. He had the typical short, stocky build of a half-dwarf, with tanned skin and curly hair. Upon seeing Hayeon, his face lit up with a broad grin full of curiosity and warmth.

On the sofa next to him sat a man with features so beautiful he could easily be mistaken for a woman, quietly reading a book. His platinum blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and pale skin gave him an almost mystical aura. Seeing Hayeon, he closed his book and stood up with elegant grace.

Finally, leaning against the window frame, a woman watched them in silence. She wore a dark cloak, and her sharp grey eyes, peeking through strands ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of red hair, were as keen as blades. Though she had a slender build, her entire body looked like a finely honed weapon.

Are these... the team Gold Sun was talking about? Hayeon instinctively activated her Golden Eye to scan their information.

So this is what Silver Plates look like. They're way stronger than I am right now... While Hayeon was marveling at their strength, Gold Sun spoke up.

"Alright, introduce yourselves. This is Lee Hayeon. She's a lady I've been looking after for a bit. She's got talent and grit, but she doesn't have a team yet. I figured she'd fit right in with you guys, so I brought her along."

At that, the stocky man stepped forward with a boisterous laugh and introduced himself.

"Whoa! I've heard so much about you! I'm Ruben Stonebrook, the shield-wielding tank of the Corinth Team! It's a real pleasure to meet you, Hayeon!"

His genuine, warm welcome helped ease Hayeon's tension, and she offered a small smile.

"Hello, I'm Lee Hayeon."

"And I am Card Nibel."

The beautiful, feminine man approached, dropping to one knee like a chivalrous knight and making a show of kissing the back of her hand.

"I'm the support mage in charge of auxiliary magic and trap disarming. It is an absolute honor to meet such a lovely lady. Please, feel free to call me Card."

Hayeon blushed in embarrassment at his blatant flirtation. However, the sharpest gaze came from the last member, the woman.

She swept her eyes over Hayeon from head to toe, then looked down at her own body. With a look of begrudging defeat, she spoke bluntly.

"Jane Philone. Assassin. I mostly use daggers and crossbows."

It was a curt introduction laced with a mix of jealousy and wariness. Jane glared at Hayeon again and demanded,

"What exactly is your relationship with Gold Sun?"

"Ah... well..." Hayeon hesitated for a moment before offering the safest possible answer.

"...We're just close, like an older brother and younger sister."

Seeing Jane's expression soften slightly at that answer, Hayeon let out a quiet sigh of relief. She could sense the sincerity in their eyes and voices. Unlike the thugs who associated with Luo or Cadel, these people possessed genuine goodwill and camaraderie. They didn't seem like bad people at all.

Gold Sun watched their interaction with a smirk before turning to Ruben.

"So, how did the dungeon run go? Did you guys salvage anything worthwhile?"

"Ah, come on, big bro. You know how it is. We just took down a few Orcs and picked up some junk loot. Honestly, we've been struggling lately because we're missing a healer and support."

Ruben scratched his head as he answered. Card chimed in, agreeing with him.

"Exactly, big bro. The girl we used to run with couldn't keep up with us and retired, which left us in a real bind. But for you to personally bring us such a beautiful and talented lady... it feels like a blessing from the heavens."

From their conversation, Hayeon could tell that this team deeply respected and followed Gold Sun. Their relationship seemed to be one where Gold Sun provided them with guidance and support; he was essentially their mentor and patron.

Jane, still not letting her guard down completely, questioned Hayeon.

"So, what's your specialty? Don't tell me you use a sword like Gold Sun."

"Ah, well... I use a sword and shield as my basics... but I've also been learning magic recently."

At Hayeon's response, Card's eyes lit up.

"Oh, magic too? What element do you have an affinity for, my lady? If we combine our talents, we'll undoubtedly create incredible synergy."

"Perfect! Then how about we head into the dungeon together the day after tomorrow to test the waters? We can see what you're capable of, Hayeon, and get a feel for our teamwork!"

Everyone agreed with Ruben's proposal. Hayeon, desperately needing real combat experience, nodded in agreement as well.

With their plans set, Hayeon left the hideout with Gold Sun. On the way back to the inn, Gold Sun grinned and slung his arm over her shoulders.

"An older brother and younger sister, huh...? Since when did I become your 'oppa'?"

At his teasing tone, Hayeon's face flushed beet red.

"L-Let go! People are watching!"

As Hayeon struggled to squirm out of his embrace, Gold Sun leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Call me 'Oppa' just once, and I'll let you go."

"...!"

Hayeon fell into a deep conflict. It was incredibly embarrassing, yet his embrace felt strangely warm and reassuring. In the end, she mumbled in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"...Gold Sun... Oppa."

The moment the words left her lips, Gold Sun burst into a booming laugh as if he had been waiting for this exact second, and scooped her up into his arms.

"Hahaha! You heard it! From now on, we're officially brother and sister! Ah, I can't take it anymore! Let's go, straight back to the inn!"

"Kyaaa! What are you doing?! Put me down!"

Ignoring her protests, Gold Sun dashed toward the inn with her cradled in his arms. Wrapped in his embrace, breathing in his strong, masculine scent and feeling his radiating warmth, Hayeon thought, I shouldn't be doing this... yet she stopped resisting and quietly let herself be carried. Once again, her new relationships were beginning in a way that was both dangerous and sweet.