Chapter 247: The First Commission
Chapter 247: The First Commission
“Isn’t that strange? Usually, when people are in a perilous situation, wouldn’t ‘save me’ or ‘help me’ be more natural than ‘Help’?”
“So… if what the Clan Lord says is true, does that mean they were isolated but still had a chance of being alive?”
“At that time, yes. That’s probably why the two clans on friendly terms with Rapids’ Edge Clan dispatched rescue teams. Of course, a lot of time has passed since then, and in this case, we can’t contact them at all.”
As I let the Sun and Moon Divine Sword fall from the map, Ko Yeonju nodded with an expression that said she understood. The younger ones still looked puzzled, but a few others seemed to have caught on. After a quick glance at Hayeon, who was carefully reviewing the records, I continued in a low voice.
“Istantel Low Clan apparently advised the Rapids’ Edge Clan against the Canyon of Illusions expedition from the start. But they ignored the representative clan’s warning and pushed ahead anyway.”
“Do you think they picked up on something?”
“Perhaps. We won’t know for sure until we go in ourselves, but I think it’s highly likely. We might find some answers if we follow their trail.”
“What a bunch of assholes. They make the mess, and we have to clean it up. Tsk.”
Vivian grumbled, her face etched with dissatisfaction. She was already busy with new research, and the thought of wasting time on an expedition clearly annoyed her. I wanted to reply, “But it’s a cleanup job with a guaranteed reward. And who knows? You might find a pearl in the shit.” However, seeing Hayeon across from me covering her mouth with a disgusted look, I decided to drop it.
I should announce the team selection soon… Tsk. How do we only have one priest?
Tapping the scabbard against my left palm, I scanned the clan members, my tongue clicking in disapproval when my eyes landed on Ahn Sol. I had prepared for various scenarios, but there was no telling what kind of variables we might encounter, both internal and external, once we entered. And considering the field effects, Ahn Sol was the one most exposed to those variables.
We’ll just have to be as careful as possible, I thought, deciding to announce the lineup I had already chosen.
“As I mentioned yesterday, I can’t take everyone on this expedition. The moment we accept this commission and leave the city, foundational work on the Clan House is scheduled to begin. Ah, and we’ve arranged to pay for the construction later, with Istantel Low Clan acting as our guarantor.”
“When you say foundational work…”
“You don’t need to worry. We’ve decided to preserve most of the building’s structure and prioritize cleaning above all else. They’ve promised to send personnel to help, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“I see. It seems I’m taking on a supervisor role I never asked for…”
While Hayeon was exceptionally sharp when it came to her major, she seemed to lack confidence when it came to architecture. After reassuring her, I turned my gaze to Vivian.
“Although I’ve prepared various countermeasures, the Plateau of Delusion and the Canyon of Illusions demand mobility. As such, I plan to exclude most of the mages, which is currently the largest class in the Mercenary Clan. So… User Jung Hayeon.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Since we had already discussed it, Hayeon nodded and replied without hesitation. I nodded back before immediately calling out the next person to be excluded.
“Vivian la Classidus.”
“Huh? Me too?”
“Yes. I expect things will be a little hectic because of the Unicorn’s Horn. So you don’t have to participate in the expedition. Stay behind and focus on your research.”
“Hmm… I guess that’s fine… But now that the scale of things has gotten so big, it’ll be a little tough to handle it all by myself.”
Of course, it would be. I had divided the tasks—Hayeon on the Clan House construction, Vivian on the elixir research—but it could be overwhelming for each of them to handle alone. We needed one more person to help them both. The most suitable user for that job was probably…
“User Shin Sangyong.”
“Y-Yes. Am I being excluded as well?”
“That’s right. However, you’ll need to assist not only with the elixir research but with Jung Hayeon’s work as well.”
“Ah… Yes. Understood.”
Shin Sangyong was on good terms with Jung Hayeon and was a key figure in Vivian’s research. If he were the belligerent type, he might have complained about being left out, but since he valued stability, he wouldn’t have any major objections. After checking his expression, I spoke in a definitive tone.
“That’s all for the exclusions. The members for this expedition will be myself, User Ko Yeonju, Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, Lee Yoojung, Kim Hanbyul, and Baek Hangyul. That makes a total of seven.”
The moment I finished, the participating members looked at each other in surprise. Besides myself and Ko Yeonju, the other three could be considered Mercenary’s core strength. However, our clan’s roster was neither deep nor balanced. I couldn’t afford to take more or leave more behind. Considering all factors, this felt like the right number.
“I have a few more things to share, and then we’ll conclude the meeting.”
“……”
Silence. No one spoke. They all looked at me with expressions of acceptance. I took a deep breath to compose myself. Now that the important details were out of the way, it was time to wrap things up.
“User Kim Hanbyul, Baek Hangyul.”
“Yes.”
“Yes!”
“I’ll open the warehouse. Go there and pick a jewel that matches Baek Hangyul’s wavelength. And starting today, the two of you will begin practicing how to coordinate with each other. And… Ahn Hyun? After the meeting, take them to the equipment room.”
Ahn Hyun replied, “Understood,” but he smacked his lips with a look of regret, clearly reluctant to part with the jewels.
“Ahn Sol, Lee Yoojung. You two will procure the necessary supplies for this expedition. I’ll give you the list.”
“Okay.”
“I understand, Oppa.”
They both answered readily. Lee Yoojung’s formal tone felt a little strange, but on second thought, I decided it was actually quite nice.
“User Ko Yeonju. Please send a messenger to Istantel Low Clan to inform them that we accept the commission.”
“Understood, Clan Lord.”
After Ko Yeonju’s reply, which came with a slight bow, I addressed everyone once more.
“If anyone has any other opinions, please state them now.”
“……”
“It seems there are none. For your information, we plan to depart in three days. So please try to finish your assigned tasks within two days. Now then…”
I paused, then let go of the Sun and Moon Divine Sword I was holding in both hands. A sharp thwack echoed as the end of the scabbard hit the floor, and everyone’s eyes focused on me.
“This meeting is now adjourned.”
*
The sky was exceptionally clear. Leaning against the entrance and looking up, I saw a cloudless blue expanse.
None of the clan members had come down yet. To kill time while I waited, I pulled a cigarette from my pocket. I probably wouldn’t get to smoke much during the expedition, so I planned to get my fill now.
Just as I was about to light it, I heard the clack, clack of someone descending the first-floor stairs.
“Ah.”
“Oh.”
Turning my head with the cigarette still in my mouth, I saw Lim Hanna, her eyes wide with surprise. Feeling a bit awkward, I took the cigarette out of my mouth. She approached me with a gentle smile.
“It’s okay. You can smoke.”
“Hmm. Wasn’t the Love House a non-smoking area?”
“Some of the others sneak smokes in their rooms anyway. So it’s fine.”
“Still…”
As I hesitated, Lim Hanna took my hand that was holding the cigarette and brought it to my lips for me. I was suddenly aware of how warm her hand felt wrapped around mine.
Flick, fsssh.
In the end, I couldn’t refuse her sincerity as she even lit it for me. I took a deep drag. As I exhaled a long plume of smoke in satisfaction, her gentle voice reached my ears again.
“It looked busy upstairs. Are you leaving the city today?”
“Didn’t the clan members tell you?”
“I’ve barely had a chance to talk with them lately. Everyone’s been so busy since you came, Mercenary Lord.”
“I see… Yes. We’re heading out on an expedition today. Given the distance, I expect it’ll take some time. But we’re not all going; a few are staying behind, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
“Oh, please. I told you it’s fine.”
Lim Hanna waved her hands and smiled faintly. I caught my gaze drifting down to her chest, which swayed ever so slightly with the movement, and quickly forced my eyes toward the staircase. Fortunately, one or two clan members were just starting to come down. However, the moment I recognized their faces, I had to retract my feeling of relief.
The two of them started walking toward where Lim Hanna and I were, but they soon stopped to whisper amongst themselves.
“I knew it…”
“N-No… Soohyun wouldn’t… Hanna must have been the one to make a move…”
“Soohyun might have feelings for her too… So they both like each other…”
“That’s certainly a possibility… It might already be too late…”
They were clearly trying to whisper, but I could still hear parts of what they were saying. They were obviously letting me overhear on purpose. I snorted in disbelief, blowing smoke sharply through my nose, while Lim Hanna waved her hands frantically, looking flustered.
“H-Hey, it’s not like that.”
Despite her explanation, their suspicious gazes didn’t waver. Just as their eyes were about to turn to me, I quickly took the cigarette from my mouth and turned away—not because I couldn’t stand their stares, but to toss the cigarette outside.
I was only able to turn my head back from its pointless staring contest with the outdoors when the rest of the clan members, now fully prepared, began to descend the stairs.
At the front of the next group were Ahn Hyun and Baek Hangyul. Baek Hangyul was no longer wearing his User Academy uniform. It wasn’t that I had gotten him any particularly good gear; he was just wearing a basic set of leather armor I’d bought from a shop. What was unique, however, was the black glove on one hand and the Hoplon’s Shield he held with both.
“Hyung. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Heh heh. Hey, you better not lose those Gloves of Reduction. They’re really rare, you know. I’m only lending them to you for a little while.”
“Hehe. Yes, sir. I definitely won’t lose them. But are you sure you’ll be okay? I heard your spear is incredibly heavy.”
“Huh? Oh, I’m fine. I’ve trained a lot, and I can just use both hands to hold it.”
As if wanting to show off his strength, Ahn Hyun lifted the Pitch-Black Spear and swung it around on the narrow staircase. A loud clang was followed by a faint scream from behind him.
A white, glowing barrier flickered into existence there. Ahn Hyun had recklessly swung his spear and nearly hit Ahn Sol, who was behind him. Fortunately, her Improved Guardian Shield had deployed just in time to block it. Ahn Sol, looking like she’d aged ten years in an instant, stammered for a moment before screeching at her brother. A sigh escaped me as I watched Ahn Hyun hastily bow his head in apology.
“Oppa. We’re ready! Everyone’s down~.”
“I told you to stick to one way of speaking.”
“Hehe. It’s just not familiar, trying to fix it all of a sudden. Sir.”
“Just distinguish between public and private settings. Anyway, get the clan members lined up outside. I’ll be out in a moment.”
“Okay! I mean, yes, sir!”
Lee Yoojung smiled sheepishly, gently stroking her aquamarine earrings before dashing out as if taking flight. Watching her for a moment, I was struck by a wave of nostalgia. When we first set out from Mule for the Ancient Alchemist Vivian’s Dungeon, we were a pitiful sight. Now, we exuded the aura of a skilled expedition team that anyone would recognize.
Some were leaving, and some were staying. Soon, the clan members participating in the expedition had gone outside, and I turned to the four who remained inside. There stood Hayeon, Vivian, Shin Sangyong, and Lim Hanna, all looking only at me.
“Soohyun. You have to come back safely. And don’t worry about us.”
“Kim Soohyun! If you find any good materials, make sure to bring them back!”
“L-Leader. I’m sorry to be staying behind like this. I’ll make sure to get the work done properly in your stead.”
“Mercenary Lord. Please take care of yourself…”
I nodded along until Shin Sangyong spoke, but I paused at Lim Hanna’s final words. She wasn’t a member of our clan, yet it didn’t feel entirely strange to see her standing among them, saying her goodbyes. I tilted my head slightly before nodding and replying in a calm voice.
“Yes. There shouldn’t be any major problems. We expect to be gone for about three weeks, so please hold down the fort until then.”
Glancing outside the entrance, I could see Ko Yeonju lining up the clan members. I turned and walked down the steps.
The sky was still exceptionally clear. Personally, it felt like the perfect day to set out on an expedition. The thought of swinging my sword after so long made my heart flutter with a little excitement.
After descending the steps in high spirits, I walked to the front of the assembled clan members.
“Let’s depart.”
“Hyung. Which gate are we leaving from?”
“There’s no need to go the long way around… Let’s take the East Gate.”
Ahn Hyun, our tanker, stood beside me. The way he expertly handled his spear suggested he was eager to get outside. To meet his expectations, I set off toward the East Gate at a brisk pace. Soon, the sound of many footsteps began to follow behind me.
Accompanied by the sound of those footsteps, we marked the beginning of our expedition toward the Canyon of Illusions—or rather, the place that would later be called the City of Apostates.