Chapter 125: A Minor Rebellion
Chapter 125: A Minor Rebellion
After a round of drinks had moistened everyone’s throats, I began my explanation. The clan I planned to create would have two main characteristics: it would be a small, elite force, and it would operate like a free mercenary group, taking on requests. The concept of a small, elite force needed no further explanation, but Ko Yeonju and Hayeon showed a keen interest in the idea of free mercenaries.
The people listening to me now weren't naive Users who knew nothing of the world. That’s why I felt the need to explain in greater detail just how advantageous the status of a free mercenary would become.
I calmly laid out the events that were to come.
The partial success of the Vagabond Extermination Plan. Complete extermination would fail, and some Vagabonds would escape.
The Golden Lion Clan and its allies would suffer a reduction in strength due to their failed expedition to the Steel Mountains.
Consequently, their control over the Northern Continent, including the metropolis of Barbara, would weaken.
The Golden Lion Clan would issue a Call to Arms, but some cities, excluding their allied clans, would declare their independence.
The Vagabonds would seize this opportunity to rise up.
With the participation of some Users from the Western Continent, the western cities and the metropolis of Barbara would be occupied.
And then, the Golden Lion Clan would be annihilated. Their allied clans would also be disbanded or forced to flee.
This was what had actually happened during my first run. After Barbara was occupied, the representative clans of the other general cities attempted to retake it, only to be routed by the combined forces of the Western Continent’s Users and the Vagabonds. Only then did the other clans recognize the gravity of the situation, form an allied army, and finally recapture Barbara.
I explained the entire sequence of events as I saw it. Of course, I didn't tell them everything. The focus of my story was to emphasize the high probability of the Steel Mountains expedition failing, the subsequent rise of the Vagabonds, and the consequences these events would bring.
My words drew deep groans from my companions and Ko Yeonju. The initial electrifying atmosphere had vanished, replaced by a heavy silence that pressed down on the room, lingering over our table. They were all Users who knew the state of the Hall Plain to some extent, but there were too many uncertain factors for them to believe my words outright. I had to admit that myself. In short, while the story somehow made sense, the parts that were essential for it to happen made one think, “Will it really go that far?”
This was where Ko Yeonju’s presence became an unexpected stroke of genius. She was a Year 5 User, one of the Ten Strong known as the Shadow Queen, and the holder of a Secret Class. As a walking information broker, her assessment of my plan carried enormous weight. Her judgment would determine whether my prediction had a real foundation or was merely fantasy.
Shin Sangyong tilted his head with a puzzled expression. It seemed the sheer scale of the story was too much for him to grasp. He was clearly a pure scholar type, not well-suited for this kind of discussion. Hayeon’s expression was also ambiguous. She understood everything I said, but it seemed difficult for her to accept it at face value. However, since I was the one who had brought it up, she refrained from speaking carelessly.
I had expected their reactions. I hadn't originally planned to say this much, but with Ko Yeonju present, I revealed a little more about the future. I turned my head to look at her. Seeing her grave expression, I couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Ko Yeonju frowned and licked her lips before picking up the bottle of liquor in front of her. Then, she parted her pretty lips and gently brought the mouth of the bottle to them. Before anyone could stop her, she tilted the bottle upside down.
“Gulp, gulp.”
Shin Sangyong stared at her, aghast, as she chugged the entire bottle in one go. Streams of liquid trickled from her lips, ran down her neck, and soaked her chest. Soon, having emptied the bottle, she placed it back on the table. Only then, as if her parched throat was finally quenched, did she let out a long, sweet sigh.
Ko Yeonju let out a hollow laugh for a moment, then looked at me and spoke.
“My, my… I just dropped by because I was bored and thought I’d listen in. What kind of bolt from the blue is this… User Kim Soohyun.”
“Mm.”
I gave a single nod at her call. She opened her mouth, her face looking somewhat weary.
“You’re a truly frightening user.”
Her first words were that I was “frightening.” It could be interpreted in many ways, but it seemed she hadn't dismissed my story as complete nonsense. In any case, the fact that she, one of the Ten Strong, was here now meant there was a high chance she wasn't too keen on the expedition either. Encouraged by this, I spoke quietly.
“In what way?”
“It is astonishing that a Year 0 User could predict such a situation. These are things even I could not foresee. More frightening still is that you intend to exploit the opening. Are you a strategist rather than a power-oriented User? Or perhaps a User who possesses both qualities?”
Ko Yeonju shook her head as if she was getting slightly drunk and sank into her chair. Seeing this, Hayeon spoke up cautiously.
“User Ko Yeonju… what is your assessment of what Soohyun said?”
At Hayeon’s question, Ko Yeonju glanced at me with half-lidded eyes. Then she answered in a weak voice.
“I don’t know… No, it’s ambiguous. To be honest, you can assume that all the objectively verifiable things he just said are correct. It’s true that many clans are dissatisfied with the Golden Lion Clan, so if they fail their expedition, there will be plenty of bastards who would clap their hands and rejoice. Yes. If the Golden Lion Clan’s control weakens, some clans might indeed make some unsettling moves. But…”
She acknowledged parts of my story. A user who had reached the Ten Strong, and the Shadow Queen at that, with her exceptional information-gathering skills, had lent some weight to my opinion. Hayeon and Shin Sangyong’s eyes widened at Ko Yeonju’s assessment. However, she wasn't finished.
“The part about the Vagabonds is something I can’t judge right now. For User Kim Soohyun’s words to come true, and for the clan you’re about to create to be effective, the Vagabonds have to move without a single misstep… Will they really do that?”
“They almost certainly will.”
“From what I know, Vagabonds are gathering in large numbers this time as well. But if you asked me to predict the outcome, I would give the existing Users a certain victory. It is an extermination plan; they will wipe out the Vagabonds. Yet you claim the survivors will cross to the Western Continent, rise again, and lead its Users in an invasion?”
I grinned at Ko Yeonju’s words. To state the conclusion first, the Vagabond Extermination Plan would end after its first phase. The existing Users would win a great victory in the opening battle, become satisfied with that result, and immediately turn their attention to preparing for the expedition. They would also suffer meaningful losses. The SSUN Clan, representative clan of the western general city Halo and ally of the Golden Lion Clan, would be hit especially hard.
In other words, the remaining Vagabonds would gather and cross over to the Western Continent, gain their support, and then attempt an invasion through the western route again.
I organized my thoughts for a moment before speaking.
“They’re already distracted by the Steel Mountains expedition. Do you really think they’ll bother trying to wipe out the fleeing ones completely? It’s not like those guys are easy to catch, and they have a knack for survival.”
“…Fine. Then what about support from the Western Continent? I know what kind of people they are over there, but I’m not sure if they’d take the risk of crossing a continent.”
“Since the battleground is Halo, their only escape route would be the Western Continent. Crawling back into the Northern Continent would be suicide. Crossing over once is difficult, but I don’t think the Vagabonds will just quietly run away. I think they’ll be so hell-bent on revenge that they’ll somehow punch a hole through to the other continent… or create a new route. It’s not like no one has ever crossed before. If the Northern Continent’s Vagabonds secure a route at the cost of their own lives, don’t you think some of those guys over there would think it’s worth a shot?”
“Hmm…”
Ko Yeonju nodded with a look that said ‘that makes sense’ and then tapped her lips. I immediately placed a cigarette between them. Of course, since I was already at it, I took one out for myself as well.
Flick. Whoosh.
After exhaling a puff of smoke, she spoke again.
“Then the key to your prediction is the early conclusion of the Vagabond Extermination Plan. Considering their nature… Heh. A User who calculates the behavior of both ordinary Users and Vagabonds. You grow more frightening by the minute. Still, the scenario has merit. The Northern Continent would fall into chaos, and a clan following the free-mercenary model would have an enormously expanded field of operation… I am eager to see what kind of User you become. But I have several more questions.”
She said all of this very quickly. She appeared calm on the outside, but her slightly disjointed speech suggested her mind was racing.
Honestly, I hadn't calculated anything; I just rattled off things that happened in the future. Anyway, was she saying she’d accept one point and put the other on hold? I quietly waited for her next words.
“Will that clan really be able to build a reputation? Of course, even if you’ve achieved incredible results for your year, joining a brand-new clan will have many unsettling factors.”
“That’s why I said from the beginning that it would be a small, elite force. We have no intention of accepting just any riffraff.”
“How arrogant.”
“It’s a different story if there are factors to back up that arrogance. One Secret Class and two Rare Classes. And skilled Users, or Users with potential. Who could ignore such a flexible force?”
As I mentioned one Secret and two Rare classes, I saw Ko Yeonju’s eyes waver. Her expression instantly hardened, and she fell silent.
Ko Yeonju spoke again only after I had finished my cigarette. She muttered to herself, “A Secret… Rare Classes…” then opened her mouth with a somewhat complicated expression.
“I’ve heard you out. May I ask one more question?”
“As many as you like.”
“Why are you telling me all these important things? I can understand telling those two since they’re your companions, but I’m a user who has nothing to do with you.”
I didn't answer Ko Yeonju right away. Instead, I turned my head and looked steadily at Shin Sangyong and Hayeon. Understanding the meaning of my gaze, the two hesitated for a moment before slowly rising from their seats. The first to speak was Shin Sangyong.
“Leader. I don’t know how you’ll take this, but I’ve grown quite fond of your caravan. And I don’t want to lose my Master. If it’s alright with you, Leader, I’d like to continue with you from now on.”
“Soohyun. I already told you how I feel a long time ago. The things you told us today are hard to believe, but… just as I decided to trust you then, I will trust you now.”
After confirming their intention to join, I nodded with a gentle expression.
“I originally wanted to discuss this more slowly, but it seems something else needs to be settled first. If I had no intention of accepting you both, I wouldn't have brought these things up. I look forward to working with you. And thank you for your hard work today.”
“Hard work? Every day has been a joy.”
Every day has been a joy, huh. I let out a dry laugh at Shin Sangyong’s good-natured smile and continued.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Yes. We’ll be on our way then.”
The two bowed briefly and made their way out. Just before leaving, Hayeon looked back at Ko Yeonju and me with concern. I signaled that everything was fine, but she mouthed, ‘Be careful,’ before gently closing the door.
Now, only Ko Yeonju and I were left in the room. Ko Yeonju, who had been listening to our conversation in silence, flashed a deep smile and slid closer to my side.
“Finally, it’s just the two of us?”
“So it seems. But could you be a little more consistent with your speech? You use informal language with other Users but formal language with me. It’s confusing.”
Ko Yeonju giggled at my words and pressed her body against mine in a coquettish gesture.
“I can’t help it. My personality tends to swing back and forth. That’s just how I am, so you’ll have to understand. And do you think I do this for just anyone? Men really like it when you speak formally to them when you’re alone like this~”
“What does that…?”
“Aren’t you the same? A user who’s one of the Ten Strong is acting all cute in front of you and speaking formally. It feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”
Her expression was a little more relaxed than when she had been so serious earlier, but I instinctively felt the need to be careful with my words. That’s why I gently pushed her away and straightened my posture. Ko Yeonju pouted at my action and glanced sideways at the door.
“The look that cheeky young lady was giving was no joke. It was so intense it made even me feel for her.”
“…You’re getting sidetracked. Let’s get back to the main topic.”
I felt like I would get swept up in her pace if this continued, so I decided to steer the conversation back. At my firm tone, Ko Yeonju’s lips jutted out, and she spoke in a low voice.
“Hmph. No fun at all. Fine. I’ll ask again. What was the reason for telling me all those things?”
“That is…”
I paused for a moment and looked at her chest. The dagger was still lodged deep in her cleavage.