Chapter 201: Attention
Chapter 201: Attention
I always thought of him.
That night. I turned away instead of following him.
Six months had passed since we parted ways after the completion ceremony. A lot had happened in that time, but he still occupied a corner of my heart. Whenever I tried to think of him, the memory of that night always followed. Every time I replayed the conversation we’d had, my heart ached, and my eyes would squeeze shut on their own.
〈Can you guarantee that the march to the Steel Mountains will succeed? You said you’d recommend me for an executive position, but have you even considered what that means? No, more importantly, do you really think the Users in the clan you’re trying to join are trustworthy?〉
“Then, Oppa…”
…are you someone I can trust? I opened my mouth to continue, but it felt as if something was caught in my throat, and no more sound would come out. No matter how hard I tried, whenever I attempted to recall that moment, I found myself instinctively wanting to avoid it. For a while, I writhed in regret, but eventually, I fell silent. All I could do was retrace the moments we had spent together, one by one. For now, that was the only comfort that sustained me.
When we first began the Rite of Passage. When our team was on the verge of collapse because of some man whose name I can’t even remember now. When he drew the monsters’ attention and lured them into that nightmarish forest. When we argued in front of the cabin. When he took on the boss monster alone and made us run. But then, when he miraculously survived and returned to us. And when we entered the Hall Plain.
I thought that was when things had truly started to go wrong. I tried to trace my memories after the Hall Plain, but aside from that one night, I could hardly remember anything. It was only natural. I had been avoiding it on purpose.
“It’s so hard…”
It’s hard. The weak words escaped my lips before I could stop them. What was going to happen now? The situation was so confusing. I curled up, wrapping my arms around my shoulders. I buried my head and squeezed my shoulders tighter, but it was no use.
It was then.
“Kim Hanbyul! Kim Hanbyul! Where are you! Get out of your room this instant!”
I heard the sound of the door being thrown open. Lifting my head from my arms, I saw a female User, her face flushed with anger, breathing heavily. It was Sung Yubin. The moment I saw her, I nearly let a curse slip out. But I managed to bite my tongue, narrowly avoiding a scene.
“Ugh, it stinks of cigarettes. Were you smoking? All the other clan members are busy working outside, and you’re in here relaxing? Smoking your damn cigarettes?”
“…”
“Oh, my. Look at her, glaring at me. You look like you could eat someone alive. Lower your eyes, now!”
“…I was about to leave.”
Sung Yubin. She was one of the Users who hadn’t looked kindly on me since I joined the Golden Lion through Park Hyunwoo’s introduction. After the expedition, the chain of command had fallen into disarray, and Sung Yubin had become the temporary executive in charge of training me. She had been quiet while Park Hyunwoo was around, but now that he was sidelined with an injury, she was baring her fangs at me. And excessively so.
“Honestly. You were spoiled from the start. What good is a Secret Class? You’re a hopeless case, just hopeless.”
Ignore her. Engaging with her would only make me feel worse. I was just about to leave the room.
“Hey.”
“…Yes.”
“I’m telling you this in advance. Get your act together today.”
“…”
When I turned my head, I saw Sung Yubin’s detestable face. A smirk was plastered across it, and the corners of her mouth were curled up as if she found something immensely amusing. It seemed she was taking great pleasure in the opportunity to torment me as much as she wanted. Her eyes darted around, studying my face, before she continued in a voice dripping with malice.
“Do your job properly. Understand? And for the record, don’t expect me to be like Park Hyunwoo. I’m not Hyunwoo-oppa. I’m Sung Yubin. You’ve had it easy until now, haven’t you? Enjoying all that special treatment?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t? Well then, I guess I’ll have to show you, starting now. Follow me. There’s a mountain of work to do.”
With that, Sung Yubin strode past me. As she passed, her shoulder slammed into me, and the impact made me stumble once or twice.
“Stop dawdling and move it. God, you’re so slow.”
She just had to get one last jab in before sweeping out of the room. Swallowing the shame that boiled up from deep within my chest, I bit my lip and followed her.
*
The sun was beginning to set, inching its way across the sky. I’d been told to arrive before nightfall, so there was still plenty of time. With Warp Gates, the distance between cities didn’t mean much, but I was already within Barbara anyway. I didn’t need to rush, but I couldn’t be late. This was a gathering of the most influential figures from each city; making an impression of arrogance by being tardy would do me no good.
I decided to bring only Ko Yeonju with me. In truth, it was such a high-profile meeting that none of the other clan members wanted to come along. After entrusting the group to Jung Hayeon, I instructed them to pack their things in advance, just in case. I needed to see how the Call to Arms would play out first, but as long as nothing went terribly wrong, I planned to stick to my original plan.
In a way, this was a good opportunity. I could witness firsthand how the Call to Arms would unfold. I walked through the streets, imagining which Users would show up and what conversations would take place. Of course, at the center of those thoughts was Han Soyoung.
As a metropolis, Barbara was extremely well-maintained. But the city was so large and sprawling that it was easy to get lost if you weren’t careful.
That, however, didn’t apply to me. I was very familiar with Barbara. In my first playthrough, I had wandered all over the city trying to secure a caravan, and after I’d grown a bit stronger, I’d roamed its shadier parts. As a result, I knew the layout of the city in considerable detail. The Clan House was near the User Academy. I could find the Golden Lion Clan House with my eyes closed, and that was no exaggeration.
Soon, neat buildings came into view, and the streets grew familiar. I passed through the commercial district, crossed a bridge, and entered the plaza with Ko Yeonju, heading toward the road that led to the center. Beyond this plaza was another bustling district lined with countless buildings. And at its heart was our destination.
Plazas played an important role in any city. The massive bulletin board was plastered with numerous advertisements, but the one that overwhelmingly dominated the space was the clan promotion record that had been released today. It was enlarged and posted for all to see. A group of Users had gathered around it, and they began to murmur when they saw us.
I had worried we might be swarmed by Users again, but thankfully, the plaza was relatively quiet. It was about the time when people who had gone out exploring in the morning would be returning, but considering this was a metropolis, the crowd was definitely small.
The plaza was usually where Users looking for a daily caravan or companions would congregate. Seeing so few people today, it seemed the Golden Lion Clan had implemented some controls due to the opening of the portal at the Inn of Beginnings.
It felt like just yesterday that I was sitting here as a novice User, and now I was a Clan Lord, invited to a Call to Arms. Even if it was unexpected, I couldn’t deny the slightly strange feeling it gave me.
I could feel a few of the nearby Users, unwilling to let us pass so easily, begin to creep closer. However, when Ko Yeonju, who was walking with her arm linked through mine, glanced around once, they kept their distance. Without looking anywhere else, I continued walking toward my destination.
After passing a street lined with shops, a white marble building suddenly appeared on the left. I looked up and saw a statue with beautifully carved wings on the roof. It was Barbara’s temple. Its size and scale were incomparable to the one in Mule. A thought of Seraph flashed through my mind, but I immediately shook it away. I didn’t want to think about her.
Rounding the temple and turning right, I finally saw buildings that soared so high they seemed to pierce the sky. Among them were emblems symbolizing the Golden Lion Clan House and the User Academy.
I paused for a moment and looked up at the sky, feeling a gentle tug on my arm. I turned to my side and saw Ko Yeonju looking at me with a faint smile.
“Soohyun.”
“Yes.”
“Are you nervous?”
“No. Why?”
“You’ve been quiet for a while now,” Ko Yeonju said. I replied, “It’s probably because I’m walking with such a beautiful woman.” Ko Yeonju burst into laughter.
“Haha! You’re too much. Still, if you can make jokes, I guess you’re not nervous. Good, good.”
To an outsider, it was nothing more than a beautiful woman’s laugh. However, the sound of murmuring instantly spread through our surroundings. The User walking with her arm linked in mine was Ko Yeonju, the Shadow Queen. Not only was it surprising that one of the Ten Strong, who had been shrouded in mystery for so long, had finally revealed herself, but seeing her clinging to me so affectionately seemed to be a hard sight for them to believe.
Of course, this too was a kind of performance. If my actions this morning were to display the clan’s prestige, this was to show the personal relationship between Ko Yeonju and me. There were likely many Users who found it hard to believe that one of the Ten Strong had joined a Year 0 User. This could be seen as her own thoughtful consideration.
Laughing as we walked, we soon arrived near our destination. Before us stood the main gate of the Clan House, exuding a magnificent presence. It was still closed, so I couldn’t see inside, but I could sense a flurry of activity. I could also hear someone’s sharp, piercing shouts echoing through the walls. If I focused my hearing, I could probably make out the words, but I had no desire to do so.
“Shall we go in?”
“No, let’s wait a moment. There’s no need for us to be the first ones in.”
Ko Yeonju shook her head, then turned to face me. She raised a slender finger and lightly traced the bridge of my nose. The moment I saw her gently blow on her fingertip, I realized the surroundings had become strangely quiet.
When I turned back to the main gate, it was slowly opening. A group of Users began to walk out through the opening. Focusing my eyes, I was able to get a good look at the User in the lead. Judging by the deep red robe she wore, she seemed to be a Mage. I remembered seeing her in the plaza before. Was her name Sung Yubin? And behind her…
Before I had a chance to look closely at who was behind her, they had walked up to us and formed a line. I quickly activated Third Eye.
Player Status
1. Name: Sung Yubin (Year 3 User)
2. Class: Mage (Normal, Mage, Master)
3. Nation: Barbara
4. Clan: Golden Lion
5. True Name · Nationality: Sweet Lips, a Stomach Hiding a Sword · Republic of Korea
6. Sex: Female (24)
7. Height · Weight: 170.5cm · 48.5kg
8. Alignment: Ambition · Obscene
[Strength 44] [Durability 38] [Agility 56] [Stamina 50] [Magic Power 94(+1)] [Luck 70]
Stat Comparison
1. Kim Soohyun: 544 / 600~
[Strength 96(+2)] [Durability 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 72] [Magic Power 96] [Luck 90(+2)]
(12 stat points remaining.)
2. Sung Yubin: 352 / 600~
[Strength 44] [Durability 38] [Agility 56] [Stamina 50] [Magic Power 94(+1)] [Luck 70]
(No stat points remaining.)
“Are you from the clan that received the Golden Lion Clan’s Call to Arms?”
“Yes. I am Kim Soohyun, Lord of the Mercenary Clan.”
It was a formal greeting, asking what she already knew. After receiving my reply, Sung Yubin bowed her head respectfully and continued.
“Thank you for responding to the Golden Lion Clan’s Call to Arms. If I may ask, is the person next to you…”
As a member of the Golden Lion Clan, who lived and breathed pride, and with stats like these, she had to be an executive-level User. But contrary to my expectations, she was deferential from the start.
She paused and glanced to the side. Only then did I understand her attitude.
The Mercenary Clan was a newly founded clan and had yet to establish relationships with any others. In other words, our diplomatic relations were a blank slate. Any User with a decent head on their shoulders could make a rough guess about us from our clan’s disposition and name.
Soon, I heard Sung Yubin continue.
“…Are you Ko Yeonju, known as the Shadow Queen?”
“I am. You ask even though you already know. I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Who are you?”
Ko Yeonju stepped forward and answered her question. My role had ended with the initial greeting. Sung Yubin was not a Clan Lord. She looked to be a mid-level executive at best. So, from our side, it was a clan member of a similar rank, not the lord, who stepped forward. Of course, there was another reason why Ko Yeonju was taking such an active role from the beginning.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Sung Yubin, a Year 3 User of the Golden Lion Clan. I have heard so much about the renowned Shadow Queen that my ears are ringing.”
“Ah~. I think I remember Hyunwoo mentioning you a few times. But I don’t see him today.”
“User Park Hyunwoo was injured after returning from the expedition. It’s not a serious injury, so he plans to attend the meeting.”
Ko Yeonju responded in a casual tone the entire time, but no one dared to let their expression show it. No, they couldn’t. Although I had spoken to her a bit more formally, I had no intention of criticizing her tone. Ko Yeonju was in a position to do so. Even if she was speaking to an executive of the Golden Lion Clan.
“Ah, is that so? I was worried he’d gotten a big head after becoming a Senior Executive since the Steel Mountains expedition. Hoho. Well then, please show us the way. Are you planning to keep us standing here all day?”
At Ko Yeonju’s casually dropped words, I saw Sung Yubin’s body flinch. It seemed she never imagined Ko Yeonju would know the internal affairs of the Golden Lion Clan in such detail. She glanced up at Ko Yeonju for a moment. When she sent a look that seemed to be asking for permission, Ko Yeonju gave a slight nod. Sung Yubin immediately closed the distance between us and bowed her head deeply.
Only after she came before me could I see the not-so-unfamiliar User standing behind her. A faint blue hue shimmered within her glossy, jet-black hair. A cold face, as if devoid of all emotion. The User’s identity was none other than the Jewel Mage, Kim Hanbyul.
I raised my calm eyes and cast my gaze upon her. But she just stood there quietly and politely. It was as if she was deliberately trying to avoid meeting my eyes. I sighed inwardly and turned my gaze back to Sung Yubin.
“I once again express my deepest gratitude to the Lord of the Mercenary Clan for personally responding to our summons. Now, please come inside. I will guide you myself.”
Sung Yubin spoke in a soft, almost whispering voice. Her initial formal expression was gone, replaced by a bright, smiling face, her eyes crinkling sweetly. She looked like a cat acting cute.
And behind her, I could finally feel Kim Hanbyul’s gaze turn this way. She was still avoiding my eyes. I couldn’t be sure, but it felt as if she was glaring at the back of Sung Yubin’s head. I hadn’t noticed at first, but her face was slightly flushed, which struck me as odd. The shouts I had heard from inside the Clan House a moment ago flashed through my mind.
“Thank you for the welcome. Please lead the way.”
I chose a neutral phrase, better than saying, “Alright. Lead the way.”
Presently, Ko Yeonju stood at attention behind me, and Sung Yubin came to my side. At the same time, the members lined up behind them moved in perfect sync, forming a semicircle and falling in line behind Sung Yubin and me. As expected of the clan that once ruled the Northern Continent, their military discipline was still sharp.