Chapter 117: Interesting
Chapter 117: Interesting
Come to think of it, I hadn’t been thinking about Yoojung. In the past, I would have just brushed it off, saying she could handle things on her own, but honestly, even I had to admit I’d been focusing mainly on Ahn Hyun. Ahn Sol was a priestess, so she was an exception, but when comparing the other two, I suppose this happened because Ahn Hyun was more to my liking.
My opinion on that hadn't changed. Ahn Hyun had more potential to begin with, and after inheriting a Rare Class, the gap between them had widened significantly. I also knew that Yoojung, who secretly considered Ahn Hyun her rival, couldn't be feeling entirely at ease.
That being said, Yoojung was not a User with stats that could be so easily dismissed. She had more than enough potential to grow into a high-ranking User. Since I was the one who chose and brought her here, she too could one day become a renowned User, depending on how I taught and nurtured her.
In short, it was a matter of potential.
For the time being, it was better if I didn't personally guide Ahn Hyun. Setting aside the differences between a sword and a spear, reading that book and internalizing its lessons was an undeniably essential process for him. I was merely an advisor; if I tried to teach him carelessly, I could end up ruining the inherent efficiency of the Aura Spearman class.
After tapping the table and organizing my thoughts for a moment, I looked at the pouting Yoojung and spoke.
“Yoojung… I think it’s best if I guide you.”
Ahn Hyun and Ahn Sol’s eyes widened. At that simple sentence, Yoojung, who had been sticking her lip out, immediately pulled it back in. Seeing that, I thought she was, just a little, kind of cute.
“Y-You’re going to guide me, Oppa? Aren’t you busy?”
“I am, but… I’ve been neglecting you. If I squeeze my schedule somehow, I think I’ll have time to look after you. It’ll be hard to do it all day, but I’ll help you as much as I can. And in a way, a sword can be seen as an extension of a dagger. For various reasons, I think it’s better if I teach you.”
“Ah… no, but still… this is so sudden….”
Seeing Yoojung uncharacteristically fidgeting with her fingers, I smiled.
“Why? You don’t want to?”
“N-No! Not at all! I’d love to!”
She shook her head so hard it looked excessive and broke into a huge grin. Beside her, I could see Ahn Hyun muttering, “Hyung, how could you do this to me?” and Ahn Sol looking half-envious, half-disappointed, but I simply ignored them and turned my head away.
After that, I spent about thirty minutes explaining everyone’s goals for the maintenance period.
To summarize, Shin Sangyong would focus on learning under Vivian. As with the kids, I would not call for him unless something important arose. He was a Year 2 User, so expecting the rapid growth possible for the others was unrealistic. Still, while even a sliver of potential remained, it was worth doing everything we could.
As for Hayeon, I decided to give her free rein. That meant guaranteeing her freedom to act independently. Of course, since I had asked her to guide Ahn Sol, it wasn't complete freedom. But Hayeon, understanding my intentions, agreed to follow my orders without a word of complaint.
Giving her free rein was a symbol only those in the know would understand. Now that we had established a clan and had a certain structure in place, giving someone free rein meant that I trusted them that much. Besides, she was more than capable of taking care of herself, so there was no need for me to meddle.
However, being in a small city wasn't without its problems. The main issue that came up was finding a place for the kids to train. It would be solved if we went outside the city, but I had no plans for monster hunting this week. The Sensing training they had been doing so far could be done in a room, but their future training would involve a significant amount of physical movement. Doing that kind of training inside an inn room, even a suite, was a rather ridiculous notion.
But there was no easy solution. Mule was just a pioneer city, and its development was slow due to the expedition toward the Steel Mountains. (The city's representative clan was also pouring all its attention into that expedition.) Since we had chosen Mule as our starting location, this was something we just had to endure. I didn't regret it, though. Considering the benefits and achievements we’d gained so far, a problem of this scale was acceptable.
With that, I concluded most of my explanations. Matters like preparing for the next expedition and establishing the clan were things I would handle myself, so there was no need to go into detail. Of course, there was still one thing to address.
I singled out the two mage Users who were listening to me quietly.
“I have something to discuss with you two this evening. After you finish your tasks for the day… hmm. After dinner, please come to the leftmost suite on the third floor. It’s important.”
They must have guessed what it was about the moment I mentioned the clan. Hayeon and Shin Sangyong nodded with calm expressions. I added one more thing.
“For your information… the leftmost suite I just mentioned will be used as my personal office from now on. If you need me, you can come there. Vivian?”
“Huh?”
For once, Vivian had been listening intently instead of getting distracted. It should have been a given, but I couldn't help but feel a little proud of her.
“You should get a separate room, too.”
“That sounds nice… but why?”
“I need an alchemist’s expertise. Can you set up a workshop in one of the suites? I’m not asking for anything elaborate. A makeshift one will do.”
At the word “workshop,” Vivian’s eyes narrowed. She rolled her eyes in thought, tilted her head, and then spoke with an uncertain expression.
“Hmm… If it doesn’t need to be fancy, I think it’s possible. But I’d like to hear the details.”
“It’s a bit much to get into right now. I’ll tell you when we have time later. Anyway, I’ll speak to the innkeeper, so go on up and take a look at the room. I assume you’ll need some things to set up the workshop….”
“A lot of things. But hey, it’s no skin off my back. Can I go check it out now?”
“Of course. Even if it’s a one-time use setup, that’s fine. I’ll provide plenty of support, so don’t worry about the money. Go take a good look.”
As I nodded, Vivian shot up with a cheerful energy. At the same time, I felt Shin Sangyong looking at me with a desperate expression, so I reluctantly nodded once more. With thrilled faces, the two of them disappeared up the stairs in an instant.
“……”
After confirming they were gone, I turned to the rest of the party, who were staring blankly, and spoke.
“That concludes today’s briefing. You can all go upstairs and prepare. Ahn Hyun, visit Vivian tomorrow. I will speak to her separately. And… Hayeon-ssi, please remain for a moment. I have something to discuss with you.”
“Okay.”
As Hayeon gave a simple reply, the kids sluggishly got to their feet at my order. Yoojung kept hovering around me, but after I gave her a steady look, she immediately headed for the stairs. Watching the three of them go up, I turned my head, my gaze softening. Before me was Hayeon, waiting for me to speak with a composed posture.
“Hayeon. Are you feeling any better?”
“Yes…. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to show it, but I couldn’t help it.”
Hayeon answered my concern with a faint smile. After her reply, a brief, awkward silence fell between us. Despite that, she continued to gaze at me with clear, unwavering eyes.
After exchanging glances with Hayeon, I reached into my coat and fumbled around for an item.
Soon, my hand closed around what I was looking for, and I immediately placed it on the table. Hayeon’s eyes widened as she looked at it, her lips forming a small ‘o’. The item I had taken out was the Necklace of Glory from the Ruined Laboratory.
“This is….”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give it to you then. It’s time it found its owner.”
“Soohyun.”
“I’ve already had it appraised. It’s the necklace that was once called the Necklace of Glory. Your explanation back then was mostly correct. However, any magic stored in it resets at the end of each day. Please keep that in mind.”
Performance aside, the Necklace of Glory, though plain at first glance, was an item that was certainly charming the longer you looked at it. Hayeon stared at the beautifully shimmering necklace on the table with a wistful expression. Since she just kept looking at it, I prompted her again, and only then did she pick it up with a careful hand.
The moment Hayeon put it around her neck, a clean, chiming sound echoed around us. After fiddling with the necklace for a while, she spoke in a quiet voice.
“Soohyun, this necklace is too much. But I’ll accept it out of respect for your gesture. And… there’s no one else in our party who can draw out this necklace’s efficiency as much as I can right now.”
Usually, Hayeon would meet my gaze head-on when she spoke. This time, however, her eyes darted around as she spoke in hesitant bursts. Suddenly realizing something, I let out a soft smile.
“Heh. You’re happy, but you’re pretending not to be.”
When I joked with a smile, she smiled back. But I could clearly see that the lobes of her ears had turned a faint shade of red.
“Hehe. You’re right. I’m honestly happy. I’m happy to get this item, and I’m happy that you’re giving me free rein. And….”
Hayeon, who seemed about to say something more, closed her mouth. A moment later, she finished her sentence with an affectionate gaze.
“I’ll treasure it. Oh, and… would it be alright if I rested for just today? I feel really unwell. Of course, yesterday was… ah, anyway, I’m in really bad shape.”
Recovery is important, so I readily nodded. Based on my observations of her, for Hayeon to say something like that meant she was truly feeling unwell. She wasn't the type to force herself to keep going even when things were tough, like I was. Therefore, I decided to respect her wish to carry out my orders in her best condition. And…
“From now on, you have free rein. Don’t overdo it, and rest if you want to. No one will say anything.”
“That’s what I want to say to you. Don’t try to do everything by yourself. Share the burden a little.”
I had nothing to say to that, so I could only make a sour face. Seeing me, Hayeon smiled slightly and gestured upstairs as she continued.
“I’ll still guide Ahn Sol-yang. Since we share a room, I can take care of both at once….”
“Hmm….”
Sharing a room. Wouldn't that be a bit uncomfortable? Or should I get Hayeon a separate room too? Noticing my hesitation, Hayeon spoke in a bright voice.
“Don’t worry too much. They’re good kids at heart. They just like you a lot. The kind of extreme things you’re imagining won’t happen.”
“Okay. I trust them. But if it gets difficult, please tell me right away. I’ll give them a stern scolding.”
I meant well, but Hayeon gently shook her head.
“Absolutely do not do that.”
“But….”
“Soohyun, you really don’t understand a woman’s heart. Anyway, women have their own world. This is also something I have to endure. And it’s a problem I have to solve myself. So please, just trust me a little more. That’s how you can help me.”
Her tone was low but also firm. And with her putting it like that, I couldn't think of anything to say. I scratched my head with an awkward expression and obediently nodded. In my opinion, Ahn Sol wasn't that kind of person anyway. I was a little worried about Yoojung, but their relationship had been fine at first. And since Hayeon was older, they wouldn't treat her disrespectfully like they might Vivian.
“Whew. If you put it that way, then alright, I understand. Let’s get up for now. And please come to my office tonight.”
“Yes. I’m already excited. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
My past self would have surely interpreted her excitement as anticipation for my explanation about the clan I was founding. But after having been intimate with her, for a brief moment, I interpreted her anticipation in a different way. I sighed internally, then stood up, walked over to her, and offered my arm.
“If you’re still in pain, let me help you. Let’s go up together.”
Hayeon nodded softly and carefully took my offered hand. Leaning on each other, we made our way toward the stairs.