Chapter 280: Please, Get Some Rest
Chapter 280: Please, Get Some Rest
“We welcome the Mercenary Lord’s visit.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“Not at all. We were expecting you. This way, please.”
The moment I arrived at Monica’s temple, a female priest came out to greet Baek Hangyul and me. Her saying she was ‘expecting me’ meant she must have been contacted in advance.
The atmosphere here was certainly different from Mule. The woman, who had been granted ‘Authority,’ exuded an aura completely distinct from that of an ordinary Resident. Though she had a pale complexion and sunken eyes, her gaze was sharp. What I liked most was her extremely business-like demeanor. Some might find her attitude rude, but people like her, at the very least, handle their assigned tasks meticulously.
Unlike the entrance, which bustled with Users, the interior grew quieter the deeper we went. Soon, the priest led us to a table, and as I sat down, she spoke in a cold voice.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“That’s alright. I’d like to begin the report immediately.”
“Very well. Let’s hear it.”
Baek Hangyul looked completely intimidated. The priest’s chilly attitude seemed to make him wonder if he’d done something wrong. I let out a small, wry smile at his unchanging personality and saw the priest before me, ready to take notes with a record and a quill pen. I immediately began my oral report.
An expedition report is a crucial process. It is recorded, and that record is sent to the library to be filed under the appropriate category. Users who later venture to the Mountain of Delirium or the Canyon of Illusions would be required to visit the library, and they might read my record. If any false information were recorded, it could lead to a situation dangerous enough to be a matter of life and death for those Users. For that reason, false reporting was something to be strictly avoided. If you tried to inflate your achievements and an investigation team found out it was a lie, you’d be completely stuck.
In a way, I was in a similar situation. Even renowned clans had failed to conquer the Canyon of Illusions time and time again. Yet, a D-Zero ranked clan—a newly formed one at that—had succeeded. Normally, she would have grilled me with questions, but for some reason, the priestess simply wrote down my words calmly. It was likely due to the Istantel Low Clan’s influence and the Users who were probably being treated somewhere in the temple right now.
Baek Hangyul looked anxious, but I felt a sense of warmth as I continued my story.
“…And so, the unicorns dropped us off at the edge of the Plains of Wailing, and we were able to return to the city. That is all.”
Finally, after about an hour, I was able to finish the expedition report. I glanced down to see neatly stacked records, filled to the brim with writing. Her hand should have been aching after writing so much, but her expression remained unchanged, without the slightest frown. Chewing on the tip of her quill, she quietly pursed her lips before letting out a deep breath and looking up.
“Whew. I’ve heard everything.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s my job. Anyway, that aside. There were a few things in the middle I couldn’t quite accept…”
“Which parts are you referring to?”
“No, you already provided a supplementary explanation for those matters during your report. You said it seemed like you were being herded, correct?”
I nodded calmly. The priest’s expression turned serious as she twirled her quill.
“The other parts can be sufficiently proven by the Istantel Low Clan’s testimony and the Users who returned alive. But this…”
“It’s not a lie. There should be traces left along the path we took.”
“I’m not saying it’s a lie. I’m saying this isn’t something we can take lightly. And the Mercenary Clan undertook this task on behalf of the Istantel Low Clan. To herd people like you means they’ve directly challenged the authority of Monica. And lately…”
The priest licked her lips once before continuing in a low voice.
“In any case, I will investigate this matter separately and report to the Istantel Low Clan. Of course, I will contact you as well, Mercenary Lord-nim.”
“Ah, no. You must be busy, you don’t have to go that far…”
“The Istantel Low Clan has taken a great interest in the Mercenary Clan. You don’t need to feel burdened. It’s something that must be done. In any case, congratulations on completing the mission and succeeding in your expedition. An investigation team will be formed today at the earliest, or by tomorrow at the latest. With achievements like these, I think you can look forward to what happens after the investigation is complete.”
She talks so fast.
I had mentally prepared myself for the parts she might question, but the way she moved on so dynamically felt a little anticlimactic. In any case, what’s good is good, and I could just accept it as welcome interest. I had said all I needed to say; now, all I had to do was quietly wait for the results.
“Understood. We’ll be on our way then. Hangyul, let’s go.”
“Just a moment.”
Just as I was about to get up, the priest’s words stopped me. Baek Hangyul, who had started to rise with me, froze in an awkward, half-standing position.
“A message came from the Istantel Low Clan this morning.”
“Yes.”
“They said they would like the Mercenary Lord to visit, if you have the time.”
“Haha… I understand.”
I needed to visit them at least once anyway. When I nodded readily, a faint smile touched the priest’s lips. Seeing that, I could guess the usual relationship between the Istantel Low Clan and the temple.
“Today might be difficult. I have other things to attend to. I will visit them myself tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
*
After finishing the expedition report, I took Baek Hangyul to the pub, ‘Fly, Chick.’ Originally, I had planned to just buy some street food and eat while looking around the Clan House. But since the report ended earlier than expected, I decided we would have an early dinner.
The interior was visibly luxurious, with staff who resembled Western butlers. It was clearly Baek Hangyul’s first time in a place like this, as he looked cautious and on edge. Soon, a male waiter brought the food we ordered and placed it politely on the table. After tossing him a silver coin as a tip, we started eating and chatting.
“Ahn Hyun and Yoojung had a lot of good things to say about you.”
“Hehe, you too, Hyung-nim… Ah. S-sorry.”
“It’s fine. You’re one of us now. When it’s just the two of us, you can call me ‘hyung’.”
“Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for. But you looked really tense back there. Was the priest that scary?”
Baek Hangyul was tearing a piece of warm bread to dip in his soup, but at the mention of the female Resident priest, he shuddered.
“The moment I saw her, I got goosebumps for no reason. Her attitude was so overbearing, too.”
“Haha. That’s just how Residents with Authority are. You can’t judge them by their attitude alone. In the end, it’s clear they’re here to help us.”
“Still, if she keeps up that attitude, won’t it cause friction with the Users?”
“It’s not impossible. But unless you’re completely crazy, it’d be hard to do that. We have an inseparable relationship with the Residents. The friendlier you are with them, the easier it is to operate. So what do you think the opposite would be like?”
“It would become difficult.”
Of course, that only applies to the useful ones.
I thought of Mule and muttered inwardly. Baek Hangyul puffed out his cheeks and nodded repeatedly. Being alone with me for the first time in a while must have reminded him of the academy, as I caught glimpses of a side of him I hadn’t seen since he joined Mercenary.
Baek Hangyul was pretty. The thought struck me with sudden force. Eyes like the Milky Way, a sharp nose, and a gentle, handsome face. On top of that, the way he moved his pink lips, munching on his food. Even the waiter had glanced at him several times, saying, “Well then, please enjoy your time.”
“Hehe. This is delicious, Hyung.”
“Hm? Ah, eat up.”
“Yes. You eat a lot too, Hyung-nim.”
There was no special reason I had brought Baek Hangyul out. He was the last to join us and had to leave for a difficult expedition as soon as he arrived. He was pretending to be fine on the outside, but the scent of Earth must still cling to him strongly. There was no way he wasn’t hurting inside. It was admirable that he tried not to show it, but I needed to comfort him a little to make sure he didn’t break. Above all, he was the Secret Class ‘Aegis,’ with a great deal of potential for growth.
“So… how is it, being in the clan? Is anything difficult?”
“No. I’m fine.”
“I know you’re not. Just tell me. You can say anything in front of me.”
“Umm…”
As I coaxed him gently, Baek Hangyul’s expression turned troubled. He kept glancing at me, a clear sign that something was bothering him.
“Well… it’s not that it’s difficult, but…”
“I’m a little disappointed. I didn’t think you’d have secrets from me, Hangyul.”
“N-no, Hyung-nim! It’s just that I feel like I’m causing trouble…”
“And solving that is part of my job.”
Baek Hangyul still didn’t open up easily. But as I pressed him again and again, he finally let out a deep sigh and confessed what was on his mind.
“Actually…”
*
After the meal, I sent Baek Hangyul back first. I had finished my business, but I wasn’t going straight back to the Love House. Since it was on the way, I planned to stop by the Clan House to see how much it had changed.
When I arrived, I could see that even the main gate had been replaced. Instead of the old, rusty gate, there was now a wooden door with a fine grain and a smooth sheen. When I opened it and stepped inside, I saw a beautiful garden where large trees, flowers, and grass mingled in harmony. The scenery was so stunning it felt as if a piece of nature itself had been cut out and brought here.
Of course, it wasn’t just the scenery that was good. The paths branched out in several directions, as if designed with careful consideration for residence and movement.
The building, too, was different from before. It now boasted a clean exterior and a sophisticated grandeur. In one way, it looked like nature itself, but in another, it resembled a resort built in a garden.
I wanted to go inside, but unfortunately, the door was draped with a curtain. It seemed the interior renovations weren’t finished yet. After looking at a pond filled with clean water in a corner of the garden, I turned to leave. It wouldn’t be perfect until I hired servants and filled it with furniture, but for a start, it was an excellent Clan House.
The sky was gradually taking on a dusky hue. Between the expedition report, the meal, and visiting the Clan House, quite a bit of time had passed. Before it got any darker, I headed straight for the Love House where the clan members would be waiting. I could probably find more things to do if I looked, but I wanted to wrap up the day’s work quickly and get some rest.
Soon, I pushed open the door to the Love House, and the sight before me made me stop in my tracks. Ko Yeonju, who was on the first floor, must have heard the door open, as she immediately ran over to greet me.
“Soohyun! Welcome back. We were waiting for you.”
“Ah, yes. But just a moment. What is all this…?”
In the center of the first floor, the task I had assigned to Hayeon was laid out. Not only the spoils from this expedition but also the items from Mule were neatly arranged. Moreover, it seemed they had already finished most of the Goods Appraisals, as scrolls placed on top of each piece of equipment were flashing with light.
“Hey, look at the options on this staff! Ordo of Order? This is insane. Hehehehe.”
“What is this outfit? It’s too revealing.”
“Yeah. Don’t you wear it.”
“You crazy bastard. You wanna keep messing with me? You think you can get away with anything just because I’ve been patient lately?”
The first floor was incredibly crowded. The tables had all been pushed to one side, and the clan members were gathered around the equipment, completely absorbed in looking at it. And watching them with envious eyes were the Flowers of the Night who lived in the Love House, and Lim Hanna.
“Why is all this spread out on the first floor?”
“Well, your room is the biggest, right, Soohyun? But when we tried to lay out the equipment one by one, there wasn’t enough space…”
“Ko Yeonju.”
When I narrowed my eyes at her, Ko Yeonju looked guilty and stuck out her tongue. Then, rolling her eyes, she said.
“Actually, Hanna made a request.”
“Madam Im?”
“Yes. She said there are a few girls working here who have enough potential to become combat Users. She wanted to give them some motivation…”
“Hmm.”
Even so, there wasn’t anyone particularly promising. Except for Lim Hanna.
Among the Users who fought for a living, there were some who gave up prematurely due to low stats or who were too afraid of dying. But I had already scanned everyone inside the Love House with my Third Eye. As Ko Yeonju said, there might be one or two who could make it with enough effort, but honestly, none were skilled enough to join Mercenary. That’s why I hadn’t paid them any mind in the first place.
“Aww~ Soohyun~ You’re not mad, are you? Huh?”
“…It’s going to be quite a hassle to put all this back.”
Seeing my stiff expression, Ko Yeonju linked her arm with mine and acted cute. I sighed and nodded. When I turned my head, I could feel the Flowers of the Night glancing at me. A few of them had looks of pure shock, as if the fact that the Shadow Queen was acting cute was a truly stunning revelation.
Soon, my eyes met with Lim Hanna, who was standing quietly behind them. She bowed her head respectfully, then gave me an apologetic look. I gave a slight nod to show it was fine and slowly walked toward where the equipment was displayed.
“Kkyu-kkyu!”
The baby unicorn, who had been frolicking among the equipment, sensed my arrival as if by magic and immediately started running toward me. It looked incredibly happy, as if it was enjoying the boisterous atmosphere. As I picked up the baby unicorn, the clan members, who had been engrossed in the equipment, finally began to turn and look at me one by one.
“Oh, Hyung!”
“Kim Soohyun! It’s Kim Soohyun!”
“Oppa. When did you get here?”
“Leader!”
Ahn Hyun, Vivian, and Lee Yoojung were one thing. But why on earth was the usually calm Shin Sangyong making such a fuss? As I approached, soothing the unicorn that was rubbing its head against me at the speed of light, the clan members instantly surrounded me.
“Hyung! Hyung! Look at the gear! It’s amazing! This Ordo of Order is totally…”
“Kim Soohyun! Give me that one! I want that one!”
“Oppa~ Can’t you give back Skurepf now? And~”
“Alright, alright. Just a moment. Let me take a look first, then we’ll talk.”
Only after pushing aside the kids who were chirping like baby birds could I finally reach the equipment. Jung Hayeon and Kim Hanbyul were there, diligently chanting the Goods Appraisal spell over the remaining items. They tried to stand up when they saw me, but I gestured for them to stay seated.
“I’m sorry. There are just so many items that are difficult to appraise…”
“It’s alright. I know it’s tough, but please bear with it a little longer.”
“Okay. We’ll finish appraising the items first, then. We’re almost done. Hanbyul, let’s start again.”
“Okay.”
They must have been chanting until their lips were chapped, as their sweat-soaked hair was stuck to their cheeks. Watching them resume their chanting, I began to examine the appraised equipment. No, I only pretended to. As good as Goods Appraisal was, the Third Eye was far more accurate. I immediately activated it.
『Caligo Abraxas』
(Description: ‘The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world.’ This is Abraxas, the sword used by the ancient hero Lloyd. It appears to be an ordinary sword, but when infused with a certain amount of magic power, it reveals its true, majestic form. According to legend, when its seal is released, it possesses a power so great that it was said to have ‘cleaved the world in two.’ While this is only a legend, its latent power is still strong enough to have defeated a demon king. However, it is currently in a forcibly corrupted state due to a wicked mage. Its original name was the Holy Sword Abraxas, but it now bears the name Caligo (Darkness) and has taken on the properties of a Demonic Sword.)
『Paradisus Plate Mail』
(Description: A cuirass-style armor for the upper body, blessed by an archangel. It has the ability to convert all ‘physical’ damage dealt to the wearer into ‘magic’ damage and reflect it. The amount of damage returned varies, but the maximum is 20%. If the wearer receives damage exceeding the shock it can absorb, the reflection effect will not occur.)
『Orthros Long Boots』
(Description: In the distant past of the Hall Plain, a ‘star’ once fell upon an ancient kingdom. The king at the time, finding this suspicious, had the fallen star moved to the palace. He summoned the greatest mages and blacksmiths of the era to analyze the star, and they broke off pieces to create equipment. These boots were made from a piece of that star. They were completed at sunrise on the 1000th day, earning them the name Orthros. At first glance, they appear to be made of raw stone and look very crude and heavy, but they are enchanted with lightening magic, as well as flexibility and auto-adjustment magic to fit the user’s feet. They are also enchanted with the ancient high-tier magic, Rapid. If the wearer can control it, they will be able to display elusive movements that no one can catch. They are also known by the alias Rapid Star, a combination of Rapid and star.)
『Brilliant Flash: Laura Phyllis』
(Description: A bow made from a branch of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. It was meticulously wrapped in blessed leaves and submerged in an elf lake for over 100 years. Over a long period of time, it came to possess a divine power, becoming a legendary weapon. It requires neither a bowstring nor arrows. With only magic power, it can create arrows of brilliant light. The fired arrows are like a ‘flash,’ earning it the name ‘Brilliant Flash.’)
『Garment Woven from Yggdrasil Leaves』
(Description: An outfit made by weaving together the leaves of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. It is not made from ordinary leaves, but only from the leaves that bloom at the very top of Yggdrasil once every 10 years. The fragrance of these leaves has many effects. It allows the wearer to maintain maximum concentration in any urgent situation and provides strong resistance to mental contamination-type magic. It also has the effect of absorbing ‘water’ element magic. Its only drawback is that it cannot defend the parts it does not cover.)
『Rhiza Boots』
(Description: Boots made from the severed roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. They have the effect of making the wearer’s body lighter, and this effect is amplified when inside a forest. If a ‘human’ rather than a ‘elf’ wears these boots, they will be able to gain agility and jumping power similar to that of an elf.)
“Soohyun, what do you think? There are a lot of good things, right?”
Reading the messages floating in the air, I barely managed to swallow hard. Beside me, I heard Ko Yeonju’s ecstatic voice.
I knew we would get equipment like this, but actually possessing it felt like a whole new experience. But it wasn’t over yet. There was still the headband, the two unidentified daggers, the item that could pass on a class, and the spoils from Mavolo’s laboratory. And I couldn’t forget the Elf Queen’s tears.
Calming my racing heart, I turned my Third Eye toward the remaining items.