Recruitment (2)
Dang So-wol.
Hearing those three syllables, Kaelion unconsciously swallowed hard.
[A Constellation chuckles.]
Even without the Constellations' reactions, Kaelion already knew.
She was the companion who had spent a very long time with Lee Jin-hyuk before he met her.
Just by the way he spoke of and remembered the woman named Dang So-wol, it was obvious how deeply he cherished her.
Clench.
Because of that, her hands tightened unconsciously.
“...Lady Cheon-ryeong?”
“My apologies.”
The Mount Emei Sect was fundamentally very sensitive to emotional shifts.
This was because their mental cultivation and sword techniques required them to suppress their emotions as much as possible and make rational judgments.
Thus, she had noticed the fiery shift in Kaelion's demeanor instantly.
“It seems you know her.”
“No. We are strangers. I have only heard of her through word of mouth.”
“I won't pry into your circumstances, but if you do know of her, it might make things easier.”
Hwa-jeong Jin-in, Han Jeong-hwa, began her explanation with an unwavering expression.
“Recently, the Sichuan Dang Clan's influence within the region has grown far too strong. And that is none other than... because of a person named Dang So-wol.”
The combination of poison and curses.
Hidden weapons integrated with System technology, and so on.
Indeed, thanks to a single rare genius like Dang So-wol over the past six months, the Dang Clan's prestige had soared to unprecedented heights.
“Is your goal simply to get close to her?”
“No.”
Sigh.
“One of our Mount Emei Sect's lay disciples is currently infiltrating that place.”
“...”
“Her survival is uncertain, and at the same time, there are supplies and information we require. Since we cannot move under the name of the Mount Emei Sect... I must shamelessly ask this favor of you, Lady Cheon-ryeong.”
In other words, it was possible precisely because Kaelion was an 'outsider' to the Mount Emei Sect.
Still, it couldn't be viewed as a simple scouting mission.
“A new current can be felt within the Dang Clan right now.”
“A new current?”
“Lineage and talent are clashing over the position of the Patriarch.”
“...”
For a moment, Kaelion felt a sudden warmth in her chest.
This means Dang So-wol could become the Patriarch of the Dang Clan.
“Peep!”
Elruin, who had just woken up, rubbed her cheek against Kaelion's side.
“She is as adorable as ever. Well then, I leave this in your hands.”
“Understood.”
She had received quite a bit of help from the Mount Emei Sect during her stay, so she had no real reason to refuse.
Above all, she wanted to see for herself what kind of person this Dang So-wol—whom Lee Jin-hyuk cherished so much—really was.
[A Constellation watches the relationship between the two.]
[A Constellation lets out a soft sigh as they look at them.]
[A Constellation looks at their tenth Apostle with interest.]
“Hahaha!”
“We have sweetmeats! Sweetmeats here!”
“Sweetmeats sold by the Dang Clan! They sound similar, but they taste even better!”
Sichuan.
The heart of the region, the Dang Clan.
Contrary to most expectations of a grim and bloody atmosphere, the surrounding marketplace was peaceful.
“Ugh...”
“Watch out. Be careful.”
The reason was simple.
It was because the Dang Clan maintained public order themselves.
Although a significant amount of points went toward taxes, it wasn't that high compared to other regions.
In the middle of that marketplace, a beauty with flowing black hair walked with light, graceful steps.
She wore the martial robes of the Dang Clan, with various hidden weapons floating behind her.
Crunch.
Leisurely biting into a sweetmeat, she strolled along.
“Lady So-wol!”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Thanks to what you made for us last time, the sweetmeats have become much tastier.”
It went without saying, but Dang So-wol was highly experienced.
She had spent a considerable amount of time not only in various parts of this place, but also in the Tower.
As such, she possessed a wealth of diverse knowledge.
She shared that knowledge with the common people, making the area much more livable.
There was no grand reason.
She simply wanted to eat her favorite sweetmeats and dumplings in a tastier form.
Setting up a simple automation system like this was child's play for someone of Dang So-wol's caliber.
As a result, she had become a hero.
Unlike the secretive Dang Clan, who hoarded their knowledge, she shared hers without hesitation.
The common folk were deeply moved by her generosity.
This wasn't my intention...
Although her emotional expression had softened slightly after traveling with Lee Jin-hyuk, she was still clumsy at it.
Her environment had shaped her that way.
Having lived in the Witch's Coven since childhood, she had witnessed countless people suffer.
She had survived in fierce competition, constantly terrified of falling out of favor with her mother, Majuron.
To Dang So-wol, this kind of unconditional love and attention was rather overwhelming.
Wherever she went, she had always been the so-called 'wicked girl.'
“Out of the way, peasants.”
Behind Dang So-wol, a massive carriage began to roll in.
“Whoa...”
“We'll get run over!”
“Clear the path.”
Seeing the martial artists, the people in the marketplace quickly cleared the way.
A carriage engraved with the massive character for 'Dang'.
There was only one person in this place who could ride such a carriage.
The Young Master, Dang Jun-seong.
‘...’
Only Dang So-wol continued to bite into her sweetmeat as if nothing were happening.
She maintained her steady pace even as everyone else scattered.
That crazy bitch.
The Young Master of the Dang Clan is passing through...
Maybe it's because she rolled around on the outside, but she has no manners, let alone basic common sense.
Dang Jun-seong's attendants scowled deeply as they glared at Dang So-wol.
To show such a disrespectful attitude when the Young Master was passing by, just because she had a bit of skill.
It was absurd.
Yet, they couldn't say a word.
Currently, Dang So-wol was an indispensable genius among geniuses within the Dang Clan.
She even had the support of the public, and the current Patriarch was keeping a close eye on her.
Not only had she advanced the Dang Clan, but she also possessed a wealth of information on their enemies, the Witch's Coven and the Heavenly Demon Cult.
“Useless fools.”
Since the entire procession had ground to a halt because of Dang So-wol, someone stepped out of the carriage.
Step.
A man who exuded brutality just by his appearance.
Greedy, never letting go of what was his while ruthlessly trampling over what belonged to others.
The Young Master of the Dang Clan, Dang Jun-seong.
“You must not have anything urgent to do, seeing how leisurely you are.”
After glaring at his subordinates, Dang Jun-seong smirked.
“Very... very relaxed, aren't we?”
“You need to relax a bit for things to go well. And recharge your sugar levels like this.”
“Right. Aren't you just amazing?”
Ordinary people would have cowered under Dang Jun-seong's gaze alone.
His poison skills and background as the Young Master of the Dang Clan, combined with the faint killing intent radiating from him, were formidable.
But to Dang So-wol, a high-ranking player, all of this was simply laughable.
Chuckle.
She's laughing?
Just as Dang Jun-seong was about to flare up.
Dang So-wol spun around and went on her way.
It was a blatant snub.
“Why, she...”
“How dare she disrespect the Young Master!”
His subordinates grew even more furious.
Having witnessed the entire exchange, Dang Jun-seong barely held back his trembling fists.
There were too many eyes watching.
If he lost his temper and attacked here, public opinion would turn terribly against him.
Damn bitch...
An eyesore who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, constantly eyeing his position.
Dang Jun-seong's feelings toward her were pure hatred and inferiority.
I must gain as much of the Dang Clan's trust as possible to get closer to the secret of my birth.
Sigh.
This is more exhausting than I thought.
Leaving Dang Jun-seong ignored, Dang So-wol let out a small sigh.
Although the Dang Clan had recently shifted toward a meritocracy, to Dang So-wol, who had belonged to the Witch's Coven, it all seemed half-baked.
If someone weaker than her had acted so arrogantly in the Witch's Coven?
Regardless of their status, they would have been found the next day as a cold corpse or an experimental subject.
“How amateurish.”
Thinking that she would have sent assassins or crafted a voodoo doll if she were the Young Master, Dang So-wol smiled.
“Time to get to work.”
Recently, Dang So-wol's strength had been growing exponentially.
The knowledge she had shared with the Dang Clan was only a fraction of what she possessed.
The truly critical information and her unique secret techniques remained locked inside her mind.
At her current level, she was confident she could defeat most high-ranking players.
Let's do this.
Sizzle...
Numerous flying daggers began to float around Dang So-wol.
The flying daggers drew magic circles directly in the air, amplifying her magic.
With the amplified magic, poison, curses, and spells fused into one.
Sizzle.
How many hours had she been focusing like this?
Done.
Having created yet another poison, Dang So-wol emerged from her trance with satisfaction.
“My lady.”
“Yes?”
When she came out, her personal maid was waiting with her head bowed, as usual.
“You have a guest.”
“A guest?”
“Yes.”
Dang So-wol tilted her head.
The Dang Clan should be keeping my presence strictly hidden.
The fact that they had let a guest in despite that could only mean one thing.
The guest was someone of significant influence, whom even the Dang Clan found difficult to turn away.
“Tell them I will be out after I prepare.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“By the way, where is the guest from?”
“The Mount Emei Sect.”
“The Mount Emei Sect? Why would they want to see me?”
“...”
After washing up and packing a few daggers and potions just in case, Dang So-wol headed to the reception area.
She walked to the place where guests were received.
Trickle...
It was a natural pond designed by Dang So-wol herself, where water flowed continuously to prevent stagnation.
In the center of the pond, surrounded by beautiful flowers, someone with a sword at her waist was sipping tea brewed from flower petals.
“...!”
Upon seeing her, Dang So-wol's eyes widened.
Is that...?
The sword at her waist.
It was the Dragon Scale Sword, which possessed immense power in destroying scales.
That is definitely Jin-hyuk's...
“Peep!”
Just as she was beginning to suspect.
Something flew toward her and snuggled into her arms.
“Peep! Peep!”
“You are...”
It was flying, but the pattern of its movement was somehow familiar.
The way it bounced, as if stepping on empty air.
“Could it be... the egg?”
“Peep! Peep!”
Looking at the bird nodding in affirmation, Dang So-wol's face filled with emotion.
She remembered the time she had spent with the egg.
“You hatched?”
“Peep!”
“I thought you would hatch into a snake or a dragon, but a bird... you're much cuter. Fufu.”
“Peep?”
The Elf who had been drinking tea approached Dang So-wol, who was smiling for a rare change.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Ah. Nice to meet you. I heard you came from the Mount Emei Sect.”
Dang So-wol's thoughts raced.
The Mount Emei Sect was a group composed entirely of Buddhist nuns.
They were famous for being incredibly insular and rarely admitting outsiders, yet an Elf was wearing the sect's martial robes?
Furthermore, the energy flowing through her body was remarkably purified and refined.
She was not someone to be taken lightly.
A Grand Master. A Sword Master.
Gulp.
This means she possesses the strength of at least a low-tier ranker.
And she even had the bird that hatched from the egg Jin-hyuk possessed.
She is definitely connected to Jin-hyuk, but in what way?
Did she notice Dang So-wol's confusion?
Kaelion smiled and extended her hand.
“I am Kaelion.”
“...I am Dang So-wol.”
“I heard you are very quick-witted. So I believe you already know.”
Kaelion glanced up at the sky for a moment.
It seemed she, too, was connected to the Constellations.
“Jin-hyuk sent me.”
“...Jin-hyuk?”
The address sounded strangely intimate.
For a moment, Dang So-wol's heart sank.
“Yes. Jin-hyuk.”
Kaelion continued.
“He told me to deliver this message when I saw you: 'Have you faced the truth now?'”
“...”
“And he said to make a choice. The Witch's Coven, or the Dang Clan.”
Originally, Lee Jin-hyuk had intended to say this himself.
However, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances, Lee Jin-hyuk had instructed Kaelion.
If he couldn't go with her, and the opportunity arose, she was to ask Dang So-wol.
Even in his absence, the 'plan' could still be executed perfectly.
“Or, he said you could join his team and become his companion.”
“Companion... companion, is it?”
“Yes. And the reward for that...”
Perhaps because she had watched and learned from him.
Kaelion curled the corners of her lips and arched an eyebrow, looking exactly like Lee Jin-hyuk.
“The entire Witch's Coven.”
“...!”
“He said he would give you that. Though, of course, excluding the wealth they possess.”