Chapter 290: Vivian’s Awakening & Don’t Come Hoping for That
Chapter 290: Vivian’s Awakening & Don’t Come Hoping for That
The door, which had seemed to be closing after Vivian ran out, opened again right away. The person who came in was Ko Yeonju. It seemed she had been waiting near the door and came in as soon as Vivian left.
“Come in. No, actually, don’t come any closer. Please sit on the sofa over there.”
I raised a hand to greet Ko Yeonju as she closed the door behind her, but I immediately pointed to the sofa with my index finger. Her steps toward me felt strangely fast. As I suspected, Ko Yeonju clicked her tongue with a disappointed look on her face.
“I was hoping we could have some quality time together for once! Aren't you being too mean?”
“Let’s keep business and pleasure separate. It’s still work hours.”
“Right, right. So that’s it? I’m a fish you’ve already caught?”
“Now then, shall we hear what you have to say?”
Her pouting continued even after she sat on the sofa, but I was able to handle it smoothly. Ko Yeonju glared at me with an expression that said she found me incredibly annoying, then let out a deep sigh and began to speak.
“Whew. First, before I get to the point, there’s something I want to ask. Soohyun, how are you planning to recruit clan members from now on?”
“I’m thinking about it. It’s not a vague idea, but the only things I can tell you right now are what you already heard at Mule. If you’re asking for specifics on the method, there are things I need to look into first.”
“Right. A small, elite group. But, while skill is important, don’t you think it’s about time we started paying attention to the class ratio? Mercenary has way too many mages right now.”
“Thinking about the future, having a lot of mages isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But it’s also true that we’re definitely lacking in certain classes.”
Ko Yeonju and I nodded at the same time. She had a very good point. If we could properly mix in the classes that Mercenary currently lacked, our combat power could easily double.
“Personally, I think we need an archer the most. This isn’t a sudden thought; I’ve been thinking about it for a while. And this recent expedition solidified that belief. If we had someone who could provide covering fire freely from a distance…”
“It would certainly be great. And the fact that you specifically mentioned an archer brings someone to mind.”
“Oops, am I that obvious?”
“Madam Im. Ah, User Lim Hanna.”
Ko Yeonju stuck out her tongue and shrugged. I clasped my hands, interlocking my fingers, and recalled the Player Status window for Lim Hanna that I had seen before.
〈 Player Status 〉
1. Name: Lim Hanna (Year 3 User)
2. Class: Archer (Normal, Archer, Expert)
3. True Name · Nationality: The Unbreakable, Pitiful Flower · Republic of Korea
4. Alignment: Lawful · Belief
[Strength 72] [Durability 84] [Agility 92] [Stamina 68] [Magic Power 88] [Luck 90]
(Remaining stat points: 0)
Her Strength and Stamina were a little disappointing. But considering her high Agility and Magic Power, and the fact that she was an archer, her value skyrocketed. Strictly speaking, Lim Hanna was skilled enough to make any clan drool. I also thought she was more than qualified to join Mercenary. Her Alignment didn’t seem to have any problematic aspects either.
Sensing my positive reaction, Ko Yeonju immediately began to explain the details.
To cut to the chase, Lim Hanna was currently in a rather tricky situation. The original purpose of the Love House was to be a building for the “flowers of the night” among the subsistence-level Users who struggled to make a living. But since it was a building, it naturally had an owner. When the owner was alive, he had steadfastly maintained its purpose despite opposition from those around him, but he had recently died in an incident. That incident was the story of the first rescue team that went to save the Rapids’ Edge Clan. The owner had been part of that team.
“Although the owner died, the clan he belonged to is still around. But the owner died participating in that rescue mission. So all the rights to the building went to the clan. It seems they’re trying to somehow make up for the losses they suffered. Turning the Love House into a pub seems to be part of that process.”
“So the owner is dead, the purpose of the building has changed, and Lim Hanna has no reason to stay. Are you suggesting we take in this person who has nowhere to go?”
“That would be the easiest way, but the situation isn’t that simple. Honestly, and not just because I know her, Hanna is a really talented girl. She’s already getting love calls from about two other clans, so she could just pick one she likes. But she can’t bring herself to leave. She’s always had a strong sense of responsibility, and I don’t know what the old owner told her, but it seems she can’t just abandon the flowers of the night she’s currently looking after.”
“So to bring Lim Hanna over, we just need to solve the problem with those flowers of the night… Ah, wait a moment.”
Ko Yeonju nodded when I asked for a moment. I closed my eyes and leaned back comfortably in my chair. Suddenly, a conversation we had during a meal a few days ago flashed through my mind.
‘By any chance, this afternoon. Do you have anything scheduled?’
‘Ah~. It’s nothing major. Now that we have a Clan House, we need to get the interior sorted out, right? For example, employees and such…’
Could it be that she was trying to talk about this back then? I pondered it for a moment and was able to put the pieces together.
“So, you want Mercenary to hire these flowers of the night as employees.”
When I opened my eyes again, I saw Ko Yeonju staring at me intently.
“Why are you so quick on the uptake only when it comes to things like this?”
“Who knows. Anyway, flowers of the night.”
As I stroked my chin in thought, Ko Yeonju quickly spoke up.
“There are many clans that hire Users as employees. If you’re worried about security…”
“I’m confident about security. The problem is professionalism. Among the Residents, there are many who are optimized for the role of an employee. But it’s hard to see modern people, especially Users who were flowers of the night, as having the necessary professionalism to be employees.”
“True. But it’s not that difficult, is it? With a month of training, they can get used to it.”
“That’s a bit strange. It would have been better if they had been taught beforehand.”
“Apparently, when the original owner was alive, he trained them separately. Once they got used to it, they would get referrals to other service jobs and leave the Love House at the same time. But the timing of the new flowers of the night arriving and the owner leaving for the rescue mission was similar.”
What a coincidence. The role of an employee wasn’t limited to simple cleaning or cooking. Since the core of the Clan House’s amenities was maintained by magic stones and magic circles, it was a reality that they needed to have general knowledge about them. Although some adjustments had been made since the Users arrived, the knowledge was based on what existed in the Hall Plain. It wasn’t hard to find a Resident with the relevant knowledge to be an employee. But for subsistence-level Users, and flowers of the night at that…
“It’s complicated.”
“Soohyun. There’s no need to think so hard about it. It’s a waste, a real waste. Hanna is a really talented girl. I’ll vouch for her. Just think of it as doing a good deed for the girls she’s looking after in exchange for getting Hanna.”
“…Have you discussed all this with Lim Hanna?”
“Of course. I’ve already brought it up. Do you remember the incident on the first floor where we laid out all that equipment? She may always seem to be smiling, but she has her own story. Seeing that probably motivated her as well. If you just give the approval, we’ll definitely win the recruitment competition for Hanna.”
Ko Yeonju lightly tapped her left chest, showing her confidence. I suddenly became curious about how Ko Yeonju and Lim Hanna had met. Before she met me, she was a User shrouded in mystery. Of course, that didn’t mean she couldn’t have had acquaintances.
“When I was at the Love House, I saw there were about twenty flowers of the night living there. I’m telling you in advance, we can’t hire all of them.”
“Don’t worry. That’s why I showed you that record during the meeting today, right?”
As if she knew I would say that, Ko Yeonju replied with a bright smile. At that, an “Ah” escaped my lips. It seemed she had predicted how I would react.
After tapping my fingers on the table for a moment, I finally made up my mind.
“Arrange a meeting with Lim Hanna.”
*
“It’s been a while, unni.”
“My, my~. If it isn’t our Madam Im.”
As Lim Hanna bowed her head respectfully, Ko Yeonju greeted her with a bright smile.
“The ‘Madam’ name tag will be gone by tomorrow anyway.”
“Oh, has it been that long already? Then again, you’ve seemed busy lately.”
“I’m sorry. I had some things scheduled in advance, so I’ve been running all over the place…”
“How did it go? Any success?”
At Ko Yeonju’s question, Lim Hanna smiled bitterly and shook her head. Ko Yeonju nodded once or twice before taking Lim Hanna’s hand.
“Anyway, I’m glad you came. We planned to meet today anyway, so don’t worry too much about it. Let’s go inside.”
“Yes, unni. Excuse me, then.”
Guided by Ko Yeonju, Lim Hanna entered the Clan House and gasped at the sight that unfolded before her.
“Oh my!”
“It’s pretty, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s so beautiful. It’s like looking at a Western-style garden…”
“Hoho. Don’t just stand there looking, let’s hurry inside. Soohyun will be waiting.”
Lim Hanna seemed to snap back to her senses, her face flushing slightly. But she still kept glancing around, so it seemed she was quite taken with the garden.
The two chatted amiably as they crossed the garden. The closer they got to the main building, the fainter the sounds of someone training reached their ears. And just as they got close enough that they couldn’t take in the whole building at once, something suddenly blocked their path. The movement was so exquisite that it was reminiscent of a cat.
“Huh? Madam unni?”
“Hi, Yoojung. It’s been a while.”
The person who had blocked their path was Lee Yoojung. She must have been in the middle of training, as a sweltering heat radiated from her despite the cool day. Seemingly bothered by the silver headband on her head, she roughly pulled it off. Glistening beads of sweat splattered onto the ground, creating dark spots.
Lee Yoojung wiped the sweat from her cheek with a dagger that glinted ominously and tilted her head.
“But what’s going on? Why is Hanna-unni…”
“Yoojung. What did I tell you this morning?”
“Huh…? Oh, right! Soohyun just went to the underground training ground!”
“I swear, you’re impossible. What on earth… Soohyun personally appointed you as his attendant. This is a problem, you know?”
After thinking for about a second, Lee Yoojung suddenly jumped as if she remembered something. As Ko Yeonju clicked her tongue and chided her, she smiled awkwardly and scratched her head. Ko Yeonju let out a short sigh.
“I had a feeling this might happen even as I was telling you. I should have just told him myself.”
“Hehe. Sorry, unni. I’ll go tell him right now, so just wait in the office.”
With that, Lee Yoojung started running into the main building. Then she stopped abruptly, turned around, and shouted loudly.
“Don’t worry, Madam unni! I’ll put in a good word for you!”
“Uh, okay. Thanks. But it’s not decided yet…”
Lim Hanna muttered awkwardly as she watched Lee Yoojung dash off again.
“Honestly. If you’ve come this far, it’s a done deal. Why are you so hesitant?”
“Still, I feel nervous for some reason. I feel like I’m asking for something a bit unreasonable…”
“A girl who’s been through thick and thin is nervous? Anyway, let’s go in. He’ll be up soon if we wait in the office.”
“Uh, unni? Wait a minute, I’ll go.”
Ko Yeonju gently nudged her shoulder and whispered in a soft voice. When she tugged firmly on her sleeve, Lim Hanna let out a flustered sound. And so, the two slowly began to walk back into the main building.
*
The room was dark and cold. And silent. A cold chill filled the room, accompanied by a fittingly icy silence. The only sounds in that silence were two sets of breaths. The breathing from the bed was faint, as if it could stop at any moment, while the breathing of the man leaning against the bed was quiet.
The man had a face so charming that anyone would gasp at how handsome he was. His razor-sharp nose and jawline were nothing short of breathtaking. With his lips pressed firmly together, he exuded an unapproachable charisma and a cynical impression. His eyes, looking down, were cold enough to freeze the bed, yet they held endless sorrow and seriousness.
Creeak.
“Kim Yoohyun…”
It was then. The closed door opened slightly, and a grating sound broke the silence. The source of the noise approached Kim Yoohyun’s back hesitantly. But he didn’t turn around. He simply stared at the woman lying on the bed, as if no one else was there.
“The temple said there’s nothing more they can do… They can only delay it a little…”
For the first time, Kim Yoohyun’s expression changed. He finally turned to look at the woman who had approached him. His overall expression was the same, but his eyes were much fiercer than before.
“How long has it been… since Hyoeul was attacked by Banshee?”
“Two weeks. The temple said three weeks at most…”
A quiet moment passed. In response to the woman’s answer, Kim Yoohyun gently closed his eyes as if lost in thought. But soon, as if remembering something, he turned his body completely and opened his mouth.
“How much money does the clan have left?”
“Not even 10,000 gold.”
“Then I’ll have to sell my equipment.”
“Kim Yoohyun!”
As Kim Yoohyun spoke calmly, the woman shouted loudly. But she hastily covered her mouth at the sharp glare he shot back at her. He turned back to look at the woman on the bed. Her face was so pale it was bloodless, with a bluish tint. Seeing her tremble from time to time, it seemed a chill was wracking her entire body. Perhaps the cold in the room was emanating from the woman on the bed.
Kim Yoohyun looked down pitifully at the woman’s shivering form, then clenched his fist so tightly that the veins popped.
“I can’t lose Hyoeul like this. Go to the plaza right now and post an advertisement. Say we’re looking for an Elixir. Not just in Prinsica, but across the entire Northern Continent. Say we’ll pay any price to get it.”
Kim Yoohyun spoke decisively, without a hint of hesitation. His voice was filled with a powerful will, one that absolutely could not bear to lose the woman lying on the bed.