Chapter 296: Turning Point
Chapter 296: Turning Point
Seven days ago.
The forest at midnight was dark and silent. A pitch-black darkness that seemed ready to swallow everything whole. Though the moon in the sky cast a brilliant light, the dense trees and the lush, dark-blue undergrowth blocked it from illuminating the forest floor.
Rustle, rustle.
The sound of footsteps on dry leaves and twigs softly broke the forest's silence. The source was a hill somewhere deep within the woods. There, a lone man was cautiously climbing its slope.
His careful ascent came to a sudden halt. The sound died in an instant. The man stood still for nearly ten seconds, scanning his surroundings before he began to creep up the hill once more.
A strange tension hung in the air around him. The chirping of insects, the calls of birds, and various other cries of unknown origin occasionally drifted into his ears. As a chill wind swept across the hill, the man finally reached the summit.
A black curtain had fallen over the forest. It was so dark he couldn't see an inch in front of his face, yet the man moved as if his vision were perfectly clear. He soon found a spot in the center of the hilltop and, with wide eyes, began to survey the area.
For a moment, a faint amber light flickered in his pupils, and then his gaze locked onto a single direction with the speed of lightning. His brow furrowed slightly as he stared into the distance, observing something.
A faint light flickered where he was looking. The scene around it was bizarre, completely out of place in the tranquil forest. Three naked women were hanging from the branches of a tall tree. A group of men, at least twice their number, surrounded the tree, cackling and jeering at them.
The man watched this silently before muttering in a voice dripping with disdain.
“Fucking idiots. Do they not know when or where to draw the line?”
“Go easy on them~. We’ve already been waiting here for seven days, haven’t we? You should be generous enough to let them have a little fun.”
“So that presence I felt earlier was you.”
“Hehe. You caught me?”
The voice had come from nowhere, but the man replied calmly as he turned his head. Where his gaze fell, a woman in form-fitting tights stood. When the man gave her a look that asked, When did you get here?, the woman simply shrugged and pouted.
Without another word, she walked over to the man’s side and plopped down on the ground.
“Phew. When’s the next move?”
“In two days. We’re scheduled to leave the unexplored region then.”
“So on the second day, we enter the Pitch-Black Forest?”
“We got a message from the main force a while ago. They said they’ve finally entered the Swamp of Death.”
The man nodded. The woman seemed lost in thought for a moment before muttering, “Then the timing should be about right.” After glancing at the man for a moment, she flopped onto her back on the ground and continued.
“But you know, aren’t they moving pretty fast? It’s only been a little over two months since they left the Western Continent, right? And they’re already at the Swamp of Death…”
“That’s because the path between the Northern and Western Continents has already been cleared. Still, they’ll have to be careful once they get past the Swamp of Death. The chances of being spotted by those User bastards will be much higher.”
“Right. That’s why we’re here.”
“It’ll only make a difference of three or four days. Anyway, tell everyone to stop worrying about the main force for now. We just need to do our jobs.”
The man answered curtly, as if something was bothering him. A long silence fell after his words.
His eyes remained fixed on the scene of the men harassing the women, while the woman lay spread-eagled, staring up at the sky. They remained silent for a long time. The quiet was finally broken by the woman.
“Hey, Hyeon. Do you think we can pull this off…?”
“Assuming the surprise attack goes as planned, we can.”
“With just barely over 2,000 people? Even if it’s just a pioneer city…”
“Not everyone has gathered yet. Our numbers will continue to grow until the day of the operation, and we have several hundred allies who will respond from the inside. More importantly, every single one of us is a battle-hardened warrior who has crossed the unexplored regions. We can win even if the city has twice, no, three times our numbers.”
Confidence laced the man’s voice. The woman stifled a laugh at his response, then began to giggle more as she repeated, “Right, if the surprise attack is a success.”
Finally, having laughed her fill, she pushed herself up in a single, fluid motion. With an elastic movement, she wrapped her arms around the man’s neck and whispered into his ear.
“I wish that day would come sooner. The day we can get our revenge on them.”
“Just be patient a little longer. Don’t worry, just trust me.”
“Heehee. So reliable. Yes, sir! I’ll follow my commander’s orders and wait quietly~.”
“……”
The woman spoke in a playful voice, then let out a peal of laughter as she skipped down the hill. The man watched her go with an indifferent gaze, then let out a short laugh. He sighed deeply and resumed his watch on the scene below.
And so, the night in the forest deepened.
*
“User Kim Soohyun?”
“Long time no… wait, maybe not.”
As I entered the Summoning Room, I saw Seraph sitting on the altar as always. The way she strangely raised the pitch at the end of her sentence suggested she was quite surprised that I had visited of my own accord twice in a row. Then again, in the past, I barely visited once every three months, let alone once a month, so her surprise was understandable.
Seraph quickly composed herself and spoke in her usual calm voice.
“You’ve… come again?”
“Yeah. I have something I’m curious about. But why are you so surprised?”
“I was surprised because you came without me summoning you.”
“You didn’t summon me the last time I visited, either.”
I gave a casual reply and sat down in a spot facing her. Taking out a cigarette, I decided to get straight to the point.
“Anyway, I’m here to ask about Eternal Flame.”
“Yes. Please, ask away. I will answer with the utmost sincerity.”
“Hmm… How should I put this? All right, let’s keep it simple. Suppose a User is afflicted with a Banshee’s curse. Could I use Eternal Flame to remove it?”
“It is possible.”
Her answer was immediate, without a hint of hesitation. But I already had a vague idea that was the case. What I wanted was a more detailed explanation. As if reading my mind, Seraph immediately began to elaborate.
“A Banshee’s curse is a high-rank curse with an extremely powerful effect. Ordinary levels of Magic Power, Luck, or magic resistance are not enough to withstand it. But it cannot compare to Eternal Flame. To put it simply, there is a difference in rank. The rank of Eternal Flame and that of a Banshee’s curse are so far apart that comparing them is almost an insult.”
“Good. So Eternal Flame is pretty useful for healing, not just for combat?”
“That is not entirely incorrect. However, there are limits to using Eternal Flame for healing.”
“……”
What Seraph had just said was exactly what I truly wanted to know. Until now, I’d been using it for purposes other than combat without a clear understanding. I needed to define its boundaries clearly to avoid problems in the future.
“Depending on how it is used, Eternal Flame can be for combat or for healing, though the distinction is somewhat ambiguous. If we assume it’s used for healing, you should think of it as simple purification. In other words, it does not mean a complete cure. For example, if you, User Kim Soohyun, were to treat the User you mentioned, you could certainly burn away Banshee’s curse. However, you cannot heal the aftereffects caused by the curse.”
“…Is that so?”
“Let me give you another example. If a User is suffering from Mental Contamination, you can purify the contamination. However, if the User develops a mental illness as a result of that contamination, the self-generated illness cannot be cured.”
“What? It has more restrictions than I thought. Wasn’t it supposed to be able to burn away everything?”
I suddenly remembered the time I used Eternal Flame on Margarita. I had clearly focused my will on burning away her bad memories. Judging by the Elf Queen’s reaction afterward, I thought it might have been possible, but Seraph was now completely denying that possibility.
Does that mean it really was just a coincidence back then?
As I bit my lip, lost in thought, Seraph’s calm voice flowed into my ears.
“Eternal Flame is also known as the Flame That Burns Forever. It can burn anything, but that is all it does: burn. Its power is fundamentally destructive; healing is only a secondary application. And please remember that the Eternal Flame you currently possess is only S-rank.”
“So in the end, I can save their life, but I can’t guarantee what happens after… Tsk.”
That meant the only way to achieve a complete cure was with an Elixir. I clicked my tongue as I took the Elixir out of my pocket, and Seraph tilted her head and spoke.
“An Elixir? Don’t tell me you intend to use it, User Kim Soohyun?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“I do not know how precious this User is to you. But if you are not certain, I would advise you to hold off on that thought for now. There are many kinds of aftereffects. The symptoms could worsen, they could remain as they are, or they could gradually improve over time. An Elixir… it is a legendary potion, as valuable as a life itself. I do not know who you intend to use it on, but I believe its reckless use is something that must be avoided.”
“Yeah. Actually, I think so too. I guess if I can save their life, that buys me some time. I’ll need to observe their progress afterward.”
As I readily nodded, a curious light appeared in Seraph’s eyes.
Her words were perfectly clear. The most urgent matter was saving a life, so I should handle that first and buy myself some breathing room. And, though I had no intention of doing so, she was telling me not to waste an Elixir by using it rashly.
In any case, talking with Seraph helped me sort out my complicated thoughts. Having gotten all the information I could, I rose lightly to my feet and casually tossed out a word.
“Thanks for the explanation. I’m going to head out now. I appreciate it.”
“Ye-Yes?”
“Hm?”
“Ah, it is nothing. You are most welcome. It is the role of a helper to assist a User.”
What’s with her all of a sudden?
Seraph’s reaction was a little strange, but my mind was made up, so I quickly turned away.
“User Kim Soohyun.”
“?”
Just as I was about to step into the portal, her calm voice came from behind me. I stopped in my tracks reflexively.
“Um… Will you… come and visit again next time…?”
“……”
I threw myself into the portal without another word.
*
After my meeting with Seraph, I left the temple. I headed to the plaza, checked the public bulletin board to finish my errands, and then made my way to the Clan House.
Dawn had passed, and a bright morning had arrived. Lim Hanna had faithfully carried out my instructions. I went into the Main Building and straight to the small meeting room on the third floor, where I saw ten clan members sitting at the table. Of course, a few of them had their disheveled faces planted on the table.
“Where did you go so early in the morning?”
“I had business at the temple and the plaza.”
After taking the head seat, I watched Ahn Hyun shake Ahn Sol and Lee Yoojung awake as I answered Ko Yeonju’s question. At that moment, a thought occurred to me, and I looked at her. Ko Yeonju was gazing at me with the same demeanor as always.
“…User Ko Yeonju.”
“Hoho. Yes, did things work out well?”
“They did.”
“I was worried. I’m so glad.”
Ko Yeonju’s last words held a meaning only I could understand. As if she had read the emotions I was feeling toward her, she was smiling gently. The way she could still smile, even after I’d been so rough with her last night, made a strange warmth bloom in a corner of my heart. I knew without her saying it. I’m okay. It was as if she was telling me just that. Her reaction put me at ease, but seeing the slight puffiness around her eyes, I still didn’t feel comfortable.
I’ll apologize later, when I get the chance. For now, I need to focus.
This was likely what Ko Yeonju wanted as well. Feeling grateful for her deep consideration, I let out a short sigh. After looking over all the clan members, I spoke in a powerful voice.
“Everyone looks sleepy. I told them not to wake you, but I appreciate you all gathering earlier than usual.”
“Gyuu…”
“…The reason I’ve gathered you all so early in the morning is that there is something urgent I need to tell you. I’ll get straight to the point. Today, a few clan members, including myself, will need to be away from the Clan House for two to three days.”
“What?! Why?”
Startled by the news of my departure, Lee Yoojung, who had been half-asleep, shot awake and stared at me. Her reaction was the most extreme, but she wasn’t the only one. Deciding a more detailed explanation was needed, I calmly began to recount the events from last night.
There was a User in the Haemil Clan afflicted with a Banshee’s curse, and they were seeking help from every possible direction. At their request, the Istantel Low Clan had begun looking for someone who could help. Finally, Eternal Flame could remove the Banshee’s curse, and I had confirmed that fact with my assigned angel that morning.
Of course, I didn’t explain everything exactly as it was.
The Elixir… I’ll keep that to myself for now. I’ll assess the situation first, and if it truly seems necessary…
It wasn’t as if hyung or Han Soyoung were in danger. They might feel a little disappointed, but if the aftereffects were the type to heal over time, I would be wasting a precious bottle. So, I inwardly decided to return the Elixir in my pocket to the warehouse for now, and with that, I finished my explanation.
After hearing everything, the clan members began to ask questions one by one. The first, of course, was Jung Hayeon.
“Clan Lord. But if you use that power…”
“You’re aware that I recently raised my Stamina stat. I can handle the output required for healing.”
Jung Hayeon immediately voiced her concern, but I was able to shut her down right away. Just then, Ko Yeonju, who had been listening quietly, raised her hand to request permission to speak. I nodded, granting it.
“I think I understand the gist of it. The Haemil Clan is looking for a way to save a clan member from Banshee’s curse. And you, Clan Lord, possess the power to cure it.”
“That’s right.”
“Then I have a question. By helping them, what is it that you want from the Haemil Clan? A reward? An alliance? As you well know, a life is quite valuable.”
“Of course, that’s part of it. You could call it the superficial reason. But there is one other reason. This one is extremely personal, so I cannot reveal the details yet. However, I can assure you of one thing: my personal reasons will never affect my official judgment.”
When I stated it so clearly, Ko Yeonju showed a satisfied expression. I paused for a moment to catch my breath. What she was saying was that since we were helping them anyway, we shouldn’t do it for free and should get what we’re owed. And as the Clan Lord of a clan, I did not take that responsibility lightly. Even if the reserved items were in my possession, I intended to inform the clan members where and how I would use them beforehand.
“In any case, the Haemil Clan is very famous in the eastern cities. I don’t know if you remember what I said before. Users gather to form clans, and clans gather to form cities. As the Mercenary Clan, this is an opportunity to put the Haemil Clan in our debt for almost nothing. If I endure a little trouble, I might be able to lay the foundation for a good relationship with them in the future.”
“As long as it doesn’t strain your body, Clan Lord, I’m in favor.”
“It’s true that now that we’ve formed a clan, our relationships with others are important. Well, the fact that they’re an eastern city clan is a bit concerning, but since the Istantel Low Clan requested our help, that’s no longer an issue. I agree as well.”
“Excellent.”
Thinking my words had merit, Ko Yeonju and Jung Hayeon agreed with bright expressions. With the two of them, who held the most influence in the clan after me, on board, it was safe to say there would be no opposition.
After a short while, all eyes were on me, except for Ahn Sol, who was still struggling to stay awake. I had already announced that I wouldn’t be going alone but would be taking a few people with me. And I had already decided who.
“User Ko Yeonju.”
“Yes~.”
“User Kim Hanbyul.”
“Huh?”
Ko Yeonju answered leisurely, while Kim Hanbyul replied with a start.
“There’s a saying, ‘Strike while the iron is hot.’ We will depart as soon as we are ready. So, the two of you, please prepare to leave as soon as this meeting is over. Ah, it won’t take more than three days at most, so please pack accordingly.”
“If we’re just making a quick trip to Haemil, wouldn’t one day be enough?”
“The Haemil Clan is in the eastern general city of Prinsica. We won’t be returning immediately after finishing our business there. We plan to stop by Mule one more time.”
“Mule?”
Ko Yeonju’s voice was filled with curiosity. I nodded calmly and sank into my chair. I glanced at Kim Hanbyul and saw she still looked bewildered. And…
‘Hmph. 1,000 Gold. You put in a little more.’
‘If by some chance you manage to recruit a Jewel Mage, would you bring them to see me?’
Remembering the old man who was likely still running his jewelry shop in Mule, I slowly opened my mouth.
“There’s a User I want to meet in Mule. I made a promise when I was active there. Ah, it was more of a request than a promise… In any case, he was very good to me.”
Of course, I was also planning to make a recruitment offer while I was at it. Seeing Ko Yeonju still tilting her head in confusion, I gave a faint smile. The old man was a User with the Rare Class ‘Gem Appraiser.’ If I could recruit him, he might be a great help to Kim Hanbyul.
I had failed to recruit him back then, but this time would be different. The foundation I had then and the one I had now were worlds apart.
“Alright, then…”
“Huh? To Mule…?”
It was then. Ahn Sol, who had been dozing off the entire time, jerked her head up as if someone had splashed cold water on her.