Guild Outing and Family Secrets

After five hours of sea-themed anime lectures, I ended the stream. It had been a while since I last logged into Last Magic, so I decided to hop in. When the game loaded, I opened my eyes in the guild's territory. Even though it was still late April, the estate had already taken on a distinctly summery vibe. They really went all out decorating this place.

While I was admiring the scenery, a paladin appeared beside me.

"You're here."

『Yeah, we've got a meeting today. You know what it's about, right?』

"Of course. It's about the new boss coming in three months."

In three months, the big update Last Magic had been hyping would finally drop. New maps, new story, and—most anticipated of all—a brand-new boss. The developers seemed determined to reel in as many new players as possible. You could say they'd poured their souls into this update. Naturally, Mishikhoe's goal was to secure the first clear, and today's meeting was the most basic step toward that.

『You're probably looking forward to the raid.』

"Not really…"

『Huh?』

The paladin looked genuinely shocked at my answer. Why the reaction?

『I thought you liked raiding.』

"I do. But I'm a mage."

『Ah.』

Understanding dawned on his face. Mages were considered the worst class in Last Magic, and their performance during progression was equally dismal. Being a glass cannon, they died easily, and with few mobility skills, they often struggled with mechanics. There were even community posts about parties falling apart after bringing a mage along. No serious guild chasing a first clear would ever consider recruiting one.

I shrugged with a smile.

"Well, I can still get the guild rewards, so it doesn't bother me."

『…….』

The paladin's expression turned strange—something like pity mixed with sympathy. For some reason, it stung my pride.

"What? Could you not look at me like that?"

『…You can see it?』

"Obviously."

If he was going to make that face, the least he could do was hide it. Who did he think he was, pitying me? I was plenty happy as things stood. I'd joined a guild I never thought I'd get into and could even claim guild rewards. That was more than enough.

"Let's head inside before we're late."

『…Understood.』

We quickly entered the annex. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, and a large round table with thirty chairs filled the spacious hall. Still impressive no matter how many times I see it… Turning an entire hall this size into a single meeting room was the height of inefficiency. Only two seats remained empty; everyone else had already gathered. Those must be ours.

As we sat down, the meeting began.

『It's been a while since we've had everyone together. Including our new member.』

The first to speak was none other than the guild master. He propped one foot on the round table and clenched his fist.

『Everyone, the time has come! Time to repay our past humiliation!』

『Woooooo!!!』

『Guild master's so cool!』

『We're definitely getting the first clear!』

『Let's show those Jeongsanghoe bastards what's what!』

The guild members erupted after just one line. Did something happen? Unable to contain my curiosity, I whispered to the paladin.

[Did something happen before?]

[We failed the first clear on the last new raid.]

[And everyone's reacting this strongly?]

Getting this worked up over a failed first clear… I wouldn't know. I'd never been in a guild before.

[To be precise, we came in second, and Jeongsanghoe got the first clear.]

[Ah.]

So that's why the reaction was so intense. Losing the first clear to a rival guild you already didn't get along with would be infuriating.

[Alright, time to reveal the roster!]

When the guild master pressed a button, a hologram appeared above the center of the table, displaying the long-awaited raid party list.

As expected, my name wasn't on it. Since I hadn't expected to be included, I felt no disappointment. At least the paladin's name is missing too?

[Not going for the first clear?]

[Did you forget I live in America?]

[Ah, sry]

I'd forgotten he lived in America, where day and night were reversed, because his Korean was so fluent. Now I feel bad…

While I was feeling guilty, the guild master made an announcement.

『On that note, I'm proposing we hold a guild retreat at a pension!』

『Woooooo!! That's awesome!』

『Sounds great!』

『Let's grill some meat!』

『We can roast marshmallows!』

The reaction was even more enthusiastic than before. So this was the real main topic.

『The raid members are required to attend, and for everyone else…』

The guild master slowly scanned the room. When his eyes met mine, he grinned. I'm screwed. He spotted me.

『Chuwang, you're coming too, right?』

The assumption that I was already going was terrifying. I forced an awkward laugh and scratched my cheek.

"Haha, I don't know…? Something might come up in my schedule…"

『Hmm….』

I could already feel the suspicious stares. I did want to go, but conservative Mrs. Kim would never allow it.

『Well, that's fine. The date isn't set yet anyway.』

Fortunately, the guild master seemed understanding and didn't press the issue.

『Then let's all do our best for the new raid too!』

Fighting!!!!!!

Everyone except me and the paladin raised their fists and shouted. Their energy was certainly overflowing. But somehow… it was a little draining.

***

After logging out, I casually asked Mrs. Kim, who was cooking in the kitchen, about the guild retreat.

"Mom, what would you think if I met people from the internet?"

Thud!

"?!

Mrs. Kim slammed her knife into the cutting board. I flinched without meaning to. I didn't need her to say anything—I already knew the answer.

"Of course not. How could you trust people you met online?"

"Ah, got it…"

Mrs. Kim seemed to be in a particularly bad mood today. Soon after, Ha-im came home from her classes.

"Mom! I'm going on a trip with my friends—"

Thud!!

"?!

Mrs. Kim brought the knife down even harder than before. Ha-im looked startled too.

"When?"

"I-in two weeks…"

"With who?"

"W-well, with Su-ha and Rona…"

Su-ha and Rona—Mrs. Kim knew them.

"No boys?"

"O-of course not, th-there aren't any…"

"…Sigh. Fine. You can go."

Mrs. Kim exhaled and calmed down. We quickly retreated to our room, shut the door, and held our own meeting.

"What's wrong with Mom today? Did we do something?"

"I just did my usual streaming. What about you? Did you mess up?"

"Of course not… Ah."

From her reaction, it seemed she had. Ha-im's whole body trembled.

"What is it?"

"W-well, a few days ago I lied about having a request and went to a c-club with my friends…"

"……"

That's it. Going to a club without conservative Mrs. Kim's permission was insane.

"Ugh, you slut."

"The seniors forced me to go!!"

No matter how much they pressured her, sneaking off to a club behind Mrs. Kim's back was a huge deal. At least she wasn't mad because of me—that was something.

"Oppa, you seriously have nothing?!"

"I told you I don't… Ah."

An uneasy thought flashed through my mind, and memories ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the past surfaced. Seeing my reaction, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ha-im smirked confidently.

"So you do. What is it?"

"W-well, I broke a vase while trying to get a late-night snack…"

It was Mrs. Kim's favorite vase, too.

"…So that's what it is."

"But I cleaned it up perfectly and even bought a similar one to replace it!"

Of course, it was much cheaper. After that, we kept confessing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠our misdeeds to each other. From secretly ordering delivery food to forgetting to turn off the bathroom light—there was no end to it.

While we trembled with anxiety, we heard the front door open. It had to be Manager Lee. We quickly held a conference with him.

"So, you think your mom's mad because of you two?"

"Yeah! Oppa broke the vase!"

"What?! You went to a club without permission!"

While we blamed each other, Manager Lee approached Mrs. Kim, who was still chopping. All we could do was pray.

Please let it be because of the club…!

Please let it be because of the vase…!

After finishing his conversation, Manager Lee ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠walked over to us.

"Well? She's mad because of us, right?!"

"What? It's the vase, isn't it?!"

Manager Lee sighed and looked at us pitifully.

"She got a call from her parents' side."

"We have relatives on Mom's side?"

"?!"

Startled, I instinctively looked at Ha-im. How could she say something so rude so naturally?

"Of course you do. Did you think your mom was born alone?"

"B-but didn't they cut ties?"

"They did. But your mom's softhearted, so she sometimes answers when they call."

"Really?"

Even after cutting ties, they still contacted each other. I was curious what her family was like.

"What did they say?"

"They want her to stop by sometime."

"At home?"

Out of the blue like this?

"Don't tell me we have to go too?"

"I don't know either. Your mom will probably decide."

After that, Manager Lee went into the master bedroom, and we wrapped things up.

"At least it wasn't because of us. That's a relief."

"Yeah. Hey, do you know anything about Mom's family?"

"No, I don't. I didn't even know we had a paternal side, so I figured the maternal side didn't exist either."

"Isn't that a bit much?"

No paternal family, so no maternal family either? I couldn't understand how her brain worked. Something's fishy… I should investigate her family with fortune-telling later.

Clap!

"Oh! I forgot to mention something."

"…?"

Ha-im suddenly clapped and said she had something she hadn't told me.

"What is it?"

"Rona wants to go to the sea with you."