Chapter 320: Reunion & Return
Chapter 320: Reunion & Return
“A-a city! We really made it to a city!”
“We’re alive! We survived! We’re alive… Sob… Waaaah…”
The moment they entered Eden, the Users erupted in cheers that seemed to shake the city. Some collapsed to the ground and burst into tears—not of sadness, but of the sheer joy of survival.
A journey we had expected to take three or four days had stretched into three or four weeks. We never imagined things would turn out this way, and since it had been a long time for me as well, I couldn't help but feel a fresh sense of emotion seeing a city again. Or not. I had things to take care of the moment we arrived, so I secretly called Ko Yeonju over.
“Ko Yeonju. What happened with that thing?”
“Hm? That thing?”
Ko Yeonju’s eyes went wide at first, but when I held her gaze, a deep smile spread across her face.
“Ah. The equipment? Of course, I kept it safe~.”
“On the way here, I noticed some of the Users were wearing some of it.”
“Yes. There was so much equipment that even after packing as much as I could, there was no space left. So I used my good eye to pick out anything that looked decent and packed it all away. As for the rest, I told them to wear the pieces that were damaged but still usable.”
At her words, I used the Third Eye to scan the Users who were busy congratulating one another. Her eye for things was good, but you could never be too sure.
After quickly checking the equipment information, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Thankfully, I didn't see any equipment that was exceptionally good.
I thought about the small reward I had promised the Users. As she said, most of the equipment was damaged, some of it quite severely, but it seemed like it would be perfectly usable if it could be repaired.
It would look bad to take it back from them now… Should I just let them keep what they’re wearing?
Just as I was thinking that, Ko Yeonju spoke to me cautiously.
“Soohyun. If you’re worried about the reward, I have an idea…”
“Oh? Ah, yes. Go on.”
“Why don’t we just let them keep what they’re wearing? I think they’d be incredibly grateful, don’t you…?”
Seeing her raise an eyebrow slightly as she finished her sentence, I could tell she was thinking the same thing I was.
Capturing the Vagabonds, especially Baek Seoyeon, was an incident that would undoubtedly make waves across the entire Northern Continent. Since I was at the center of it, the Mercenary Clan’s name would naturally become known. And the Users we rescued would certainly help in spreading those rumors.
In short, Ko Yeonju was suggesting we use the equipment, which was of no immediate use to us anyway, as a reward to build a positive reputation.
I was well aware of the ripple effect of word-of-mouth rumors, so I immediately nodded.
“Yes. Let’s do that. You said there were gold coins and jewels as well?”
“Yes. Not that much, though. Less than 500 gold coins, and about 20 jewels?”
“Keep the jewels and distribute the gold coins. And please, word it nicely.”
“Hoho. I will.”
Ko Yeonju replied with a pretty smile.
I watched her turn and run toward the Users, then I started walking toward where my clan members were gathered. More specifically, my destination was Shin Jaeryong, who was with them. Of course, I didn’t forget to check his information one more time on the way.
〈 Player Status 〉
1. Name: Shin Jaeryong (Year 4 User)
2. Class: Priest (Normal, Priest, Expert)
3. Nation: Barbara
4. Clan: -
5. True Name · Nationality: Indomitable Effort, Unbending Will · Republic of Korea
6. Sex: Male (42)
7. Height · Weight: 176.2cm · 73.8kg
8. Alignment: Good · Passion
[Strength 78] [Durability 82] [Agility 74] [Stamina 90] [Magic Power 84] [Luck 68]
Looks like his clan was disbanded… This is pretty good.
His Player Status wasn't eye-poppingly amazing, but it was more than decent. Above all, I liked his Alignment. Furthermore, the Mercenary Clan was currently short on priests, so I thought it would be a good idea to use this opportunity to recruit him.
“Mr. Shin Jaeryong.”
“Ah, Mercenary Lord.”
Weaving through the clan members who had gathered around him, I spoke, and Shin Jaeryong replied with the gentle smile of a middle-aged man.
“You must have gone through a lot recently… I’m truly grateful that you joined the rescue team.”
“Haha! Don’t mention it. I was simply acting on my beliefs. And I owed you a debt.”
“I see. In any case, I feel it wouldn’t be right to part ways just like this. Do you happen to have any plans…?”
“Ah, I don’t have anything scheduled.”
It seemed he hadn’t found a suitable position yet. Shin Jaeryong shook his head calmly as he answered. In that case, there was nothing holding me back, so I spoke, my intentions clear.
“Then I’d like to invite you to the Mercenary Clan House. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you in private.”
“Ah…”
Shin Jaeryong was a User who had been active in the Hall Plain for four years. As if he instantly understood the meaning behind my words, he looked slightly dazed for a moment before replying in an awkward voice.
“Ah… yes. I understand. When would be a good time to visit?”
“Haha, you don’t have to feel so pressured. Since we’re on the topic, you’re welcome to stay the night today.”
Shin Jaeryong would need time to think, and I had no intention of forcing him to join on the spot. As if he had finally calmed his flustered heart, his expression became much more relaxed.
“Soohyun! I’m done talking to them.”
Just then, I heard Ko Yeonju’s voice from behind me. I quickly turned around. Judging by her confident expression, it seemed the conversation had gone well.
“Good work. What did they say?”
“Everyone looked satisfied. No, actually, it was more than just satisfaction. When I gave them the gold coins, they looked ready to bow down and kowtow.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“It’s true…”
Kowtow, huh. For people who had lost almost everything in the attack, the reward I was giving them must have felt like rain in a drought.
I turned my gaze to the Users and saw them standing there hesitantly. But soon, I saw Jo Seungwoo bow deeply, and I responded with a nod.
With that, the equipment issue was resolved, and the first step of recruiting Shin Jaeryong was complete. All that was left was to return to the clan house.
However, there was one last person I needed to say goodbye to before that.
“Soohyun.”
Speak of the devil.
I gave a wry smile and turned to see my brother standing there. He approached me and was about to place a hand on my head, but he suddenly changed direction and put it on my shoulder instead.
“So. What are you going to do now?”
“I’m heading back to the clan house. I’ve left it empty for too long.”
“Mm. Good thinking. Now that you have the title of Clan Lord, you must have a lot on your mind.”
“Uh… Huh? W-well, yeah.”
I stared at my brother with a newfound feeling. I thought he’d make a fuss about taking me to the Haemil Clan House to protect me right away, but his reaction was unexpected. For some reason, I felt a pang of disappointment.
Whether he knew what was on my mind or not, my brother gave a faint smile, took his hand off my shoulder, and looked past me as he spoke.
“If it were up to me, I’d want to keep you by my side… but since Soohyun is in a similar position to me, I suppose it can’t be helped. Please take good care of my little brother.”
“Hoho. We’re always receiving help from the Clan Lord. If anything, we’ll do our best to support him, so please don’t worry, Haemil Lord.”
“Haha. Haemil Lord, that’s too formal. In any case, it was a pleasure meeting you. I feel we’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”
“It was an honor to meet you as well. I look forward to working with you.”
What… what is this?
My brother and Jung Hayeon exchanged words full of mutual goodwill. Just as I was getting dumbfounded watching the two of them shake hands, my brother finished and gently pulled me aside.
“Soohyun. Can we talk for a moment?”
“Huh? Sure.”
It seemed he had something to discuss in private. He walked about ten paces away before he spoke.
“Organizing the rescue team and coming back to the city… it seems I’ve done a lot of thinking during that time.”
“About what?”
“That you’re an adult now.”
“Well, of course…”
“Yes. But from my perspective… how should I put it? It’s a little sad, but also amazing? It feels like just yesterday you were spinning around in front of me, showing off your middle school uniform… and now you’ve grown up so much, with people who follow you and people who want you.”
Hyung, that was when we were on Earth. This is the Hall Plain.
His words felt slightly off-topic, and I felt a little confused. But his tone was unnecessarily serious, so I suppressed the urge to call him out on it and listened closely.
However, his next words hit my mind even harder.
“Oh, right. About that woman, Jung Hayeon. She’s the one whose life you saved, right?”
“Yeah. So?”
“I spoke with her a few times on the way here. She’s quite a catch. Your brother approves of Miss Jung Hayeon.”
“What?”
Approves of what?
As I screamed internally and my eyes widened, my brother patted my shoulder as if he knew everything.
“She seems to have a sound mind, and more importantly, she’s a woman who cares for you very deeply. Anyway, you’re all grown up now, so I can’t tell you what to do, but I like her.”
“…”
“Her way with words, not backing down an inch against Lee Hyoeul, was particularly impressive. Yes, that’s how she should be.”
The moment I, completely failing to understand a single thing he was saying, turned to look at Jung Hayeon, I finally understood my brother’s words.
Jung Hayeon seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, smiling brightly from ear to ear. And around her, I could see Ko Yeonju biting her lip and Ahn Sol, whose small, fern-like hands were clenched into tight fists.
“…I should get going.”
“Hm? Ah, right. But how about we have lunch together…”
“No, it’s fine.”
I cut him off flatly and let out a deep sigh internally.
I couldn't for the life of me understand how we could be brothers, yet he could be so completely clueless.
*
After a brief farewell with the Users who had accompanied us on our return, we immediately used the Warp Gate. Dragging all the Vagabonds with us drew a dense crowd of stares from the other Users, but by focusing only on a swift return, we were able to arrive at the clan house within thirty minutes.
“Aah, we’re finally here.”
“Sniffle. I missed it so much…”
Standing before the main gate, I listened to Ko Yeonju and Ahn Sol behind me, when a thought occurred to me and I turned to look at the Vagabonds. They hadn’t uttered a single word since reuniting with the rescue team. But even without them speaking, I could guess how they were feeling.
Baek Seoyeon, Lee Gain, and Lee Haein revealed their inner state with dead expressions on their faces, while the other four wore tense expressions, looking around the city with an unfamiliar gaze.
I stared at the Vagabonds silently for a moment, then opened my mouth with a slight tilt of my chin.
“Begin.”
““““───. ───. ───. Paralysis.””””
At the same time, the sound of the mages’ incantations rang out. Paralysis wasn’t generally a high-level spell, but its effect could vary greatly depending on the User’s Magic stat.
Moreover, with their magic circuits currently broken, the Vagabonds were 70% no different from ordinary people. Perhaps because of that, the Vagabonds hit by the Paralysis spell collapsed helplessly.
I watched as the clan members began to hoist them up one by one, then took Baek Seoyeon’s body from Ko Yeonju and spoke.
“Ko Yeonju. I’m sorry, but I need you to run to the shop for a moment. We need restraints.”
“It’s fine. But if you mean restraints…”
“Get good quality ones. Just three sets for now. If they’re from the shop, 20 jewels should be more than enough.”
“I understand. But they might be a little heavy for me to carry alone…”
When Ko Yeonju mentioned this in a languid tone, I immediately turned to Ahn Hyun.
“Ahn Hyun. Go with her.”
“Thank you, Hyung!”
I didn’t know what he was thankful for, but Ahn Hyun tossed the Vagabond he was holding to Lee Yoojung and cheered. Lee Yoojung, fuming, was about to grab the tossed Vagabond with her free hand but froze. Shin Jaeryong had picked him up for her.
Ko Yeonju glared at Ahn Hyun for a while with a displeased look, then pouted and turned away.
After confirming the two had disappeared beyond the main street, I approached the main gate of the clan house. I could sense two presences behind the door. Jung Hayeon had said she sent a communication to Baek Hangyul, so he was probably the one waiting.
I slowly opened the main gate. And the moment I took a step inside.
“Kkyu!”
At that instant, along with a familiar sound, something sharp and silver shot toward me like an arrow.