Chapter 407: 5. Soaring (1/2)
Chapter 407: 5. Soaring (1/2)
It felt like I’d only blinked once, but my vision was hazy. Perhaps it was because the sunlight streaming through the window was so warm. It seemed I had dozed off right at my office desk.
I blankly turned my head and stared at the window. Waves of brilliant sunlight flowed over the glossy, polished windowsill. And beyond it, a jade-colored garden unfolded, as if sprinkled with emeralds.
When my gaze finally reached the main gate, I rested my chin on my hand and fell into quiet thought.
‘I hope the Mercenary Clan makes good use of this opportunity.’
Those were Han Soyoung’s final words before she left. That single sentence held great implications for the Mercenary Clan’s current situation.
Lee Hyoeul planned to fill the vacant spots in the Ten Strong soon. I didn't like that she was forcing the situation, but her intention itself wasn't bad.
The key point was the possibility of a Year 1 User taking one of the seven remaining spots. In other words, it meant I could be placed among the Ten Strong.
Becoming one of the Ten Strong wasn't a bad thing. In fact, it might even be a good thing. Considering the future, the benefits were expected to outweigh the drawbacks.
The problem was that single drawback had the potential to cause considerable trouble.
The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
The Mercenary Clan was already sailing smoothly with a favorable wind. But I felt the need to pump the brakes a bit here.
Success could make someone an object of admiration, but going too far could make them a target of envy and jealousy. Moreover, now that the war was over, the Users’ interest in the Mercenary Clan was growing by the day.
What if I were to suddenly become one of the Ten Strong now?
The result was obvious. No matter what achievements I had accumulated, detractors would definitely appear. I could guarantee that 100%. If they wanted to, they could invent any number of reasons to tear me down.
But before thinking of it in a purely negative light, Han Soyoung’s words were worth considering again.
‘Of the seven remaining spots, six have already been decided internally.’
Let's break it down. One spot hadn't been decided yet. But they were considering putting me in the Ten Strong.
From that perspective, it could be interpreted as them leaving the spot open for a while.
And, if my interpretation was correct…
Are they willing to wait for me, to some extent?
I finally felt my complicated thoughts begin to clear up. At the same time, another thought occurred to me: this dilemma probably wasn't limited to just me.
I had been thinking too one-sidedly about the phrase ‘decided internally.’ Right. As long as Lee Hyoeul wasn't a fool, she wouldn't rush such a critical matter.
In that case…
There were many ways to become one of the Ten Strong, but they could be broadly divided into two.
One was to steadily build up achievements and reputation over the years. This way, one would establish a name for themselves that everyone would acknowledge as worthy of the Ten Strong.
The other was to make a huge impact in a relatively short period, leaving a deep impression on other Users. However, this method had rarely been realized in practice.
Of these two methods, the one I had to choose now was both. In other words, I had to achieve it by striking the right balance between the two.
And if I did that, there was only one course of action for me to take.
Once my thoughts cleared, a plan formed without hesitation.
I was able to organize my complex thoughts in an instant and immediately reached out to grab the communication crystal. As I slowly channeled my magic into it, it began to emit a clear light.
A moment later.
Fzzt, fzzzt!
A bit of static crackled as the person on the other end confirmed the connection. At the same time, an attractive face, enough to make anyone's heart flutter, appeared in the crystal.
For a moment, a cold gaze that could make your heart stop shot toward me.
“Hyung. It's me.”
In that instant, his chilly expression melted away like winter meeting spring. The man now looking at me with endlessly affectionate eyes was…
—Yes, Soohyun-ah. It's been a while.
None other than my brother, Kim Yoohyun.
I immediately got to the point.
“I called because I have something to tell you.”
—…I'm hurt. You jump straight to business without even asking how I've been.
“Hyung. Have you been well? I called because I have something to tell you.”
—Geez, this kid.
My brother showed a genuinely hurt expression. Then, he continued with a bitter smile.
—Fine. What is it you have to say?
“I need your help, Hyung.”
—What kind of help?
“It's about what I mentioned before. You remember, right?”
—What you mentioned before… Ah.
My brother seemed to understand immediately, nodding with a deliberately serious expression.
—Is it a long story?
“A little?”
—Hmm. If it's a long story, it would be better to hear it in person rather than through the crystal.
“No, it's not that long…”
—I'm saying we should see each other while we're at it. We haven't seen each other once since that day.
My brother's voice was calm and coaxing.
…….
I was momentarily speechless at how confidently he said such embarrassing things.
Then, my brother cleared his throat once or twice and looked at me with a sudden flash of realization, as if something had just occurred to him.
—We'll probably be seeing each other soon anyway… Why don't we talk about it then?
“See each other soon? Why?”
—You know the User Academy is being activated soon, right? It seems Hyoeul has gathered the initial opinions. A meeting is scheduled to be held before long.
The thought of ‘another meeting’ crossed my mind, but it was a different story if the User Academy was involved. Just as I was slowly nodding, thinking he had a point…
—Ah. By the way, it looks like things are going to be good for your clan this time.
“Huh? What is?”
—This is something Hyoeul let slip…
“?”
I asked, puzzled. Had he already gotten information that Nam Daeun had joined?
But my brother's next words completely missed my expectations.
—You know how the clans that can participate as instructors in the User Academy are limited, right?
“Right. I heard they would prioritize selecting those who suffered a lot of damage.”
—And that includes those who have made outstanding contributions. Anyway…
My brother immediately picked up on my words, then interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them.
—It seems the Mercenary Clan will be guaranteed priority participation this time.
In that moment, I felt my eyes sharpen.
*
After finishing the call with my brother, I went down to the third floor and saw the wide-open warehouse and clan members bustling about. I had ordered a major warehouse cleanup after the recent equipment audit, and the person in charge of the task was Jung Hayeon.
“User Jung Hayeon. What should I do with this?”
“That's a robe. Take it to the area where we're collecting armor, but make sure to sort it by class.”
“Then I'll put it on the left shelf.”
“Exactly.”
Seon Yuun turned and moved briskly. And on one side, Woo Jungmin could be seen diligently carrying weapons. Seeing them come out on their own even though I hadn't specifically asked for help, it seemed they were also getting ready to adapt.
Jung Hayeon nodded with a very satisfied expression, then suddenly shouted in a sharp voice.
“Hyun-ah! What is that?”
“Yes? Uh, a box of gold coins.”
“A box of gold coins? Why are you putting it there? I told you to put it against the front wall.”
Ahn Hyun blinked as if he hadn't thought of that, then opened his mouth with a dumbfounded look.
“Agh. This is super heavy… Nunim. Can't I just leave it here? There's nothing here anyway.”
“There's no space there. We're putting armor there. I'll help you, so let's do it together.”
“Aigoo. Nunim, you're so inflexible.”
“That's right. I'm an inflexible woman. You just figured that out?”
At his strained grumbling, Jung Hayeon shrugged and rolled up her sleeves. Watching her slowly approach, Ahn Hyun began to hum nonchalantly.
“To Hyung, a warm and humane woman. A flexible woman who knows the leisure of a cup of coffee. But to us, a mysterious woman who simply disappears. A woman with such a twist~.”
Jung Hayeon, who was just about to grab the box, stared at Ahn Hyun with a blank expression for a moment.
“Pfft!”
“Kukuk.”
Faint laughter then erupted from here and there. For the first time in a while, Ahn Hyun's joke had landed. It was so effective that even Kim Hanbyul, who was quietly sorting jewels on one side, was covering her mouth with her hand.
Jung Hayeon finally seemed to grasp the situation. She must have been furious, as she violently shook her hands down. And just as she was about to open her mouth, her face bright red…
“You, you? This bastard, really… I let you get away with it and now…!”
“Ahem, hmm.”
Just then, I entered the warehouse with a light cough, and a few pairs of eyes instantly turned to me. She didn't turn around, but I could see Jung Hayeon's shoulders flinch.
And then.
“Hyun-ah. Everyone is working hard together. You shouldn't tease your nuna like that. Don't do it again, okay?”
Jung Hayeon's voice, which followed after a slight pause, was incredibly soft and gentle. I chuckled inwardly and walked up beside her.
“Hayeon. You're working hard.”
“Oh my. Clan Lord, you're here?”
Jung Hayeon turned to me, pretending to be surprised.
“…Yes. Was Hyun teasing you again?”
“It was just a joke. Please don't worry about it.”
“I see. Still, sometimes you seem too soft, Hayeon. This is still an official task… I think it would be fine to push them a little harder.”
“Hoho. Isn't it better to have fun while we work?”
At the same time, numerous gazes fell upon us. For some reason, I could feel a sense of injustice in their eyes. I reflexively glanced at Kim Hanbyul and saw her staring blankly with her mouth agape.
…It seemed they had been suffering quite a bit before I arrived.
Finally, as if someone couldn't take it anymore, a voice that was clearly trying to be disguised came from a corner.
“Wh-what are you talking about! She made us align every piece of equipment at perfect angles…!”
“Still, I will take the Clan Lord's words deep into my heart, down to my very bones.”
But Jung Hayeon's response, cutting him off, was just as swift. She then scanned her surroundings with a chilly glare and clenched her fists tightly.
No. There's no need to take it down to your bones.
Seeing the dark smile forming on Jung Hayeon's lips, I offered my condolences internally.
Anyway.
I reached out and lifted the box Ahn Hyun was holding from below. The huge box was filled with gold coins, so it felt a bit heavy.
After signaling the awkward Ahn Hyun to move aside, I lightly tossed the box in the direction Jung Hayeon had indicated earlier.
Thud!
The box spun left and right in the air before landing perfectly in the corner.
Looking back at the clan members, whose eyes had gone wide like rabbits, I spoke quietly.
“As soon as the warehouse is organized, we will begin distributing equipment. Those who work hard will be rewarded accordingly. I will be sure to receive a report on this from Hayeon.”
The clan members stared blankly at each other for a moment. But then they seemed to understand my words. In an instant, everyone began to move busily.
“Heave, ho.”
Ahn Sol was the most spectacular of them all. She immediately put down the single arrow she was holding and lifted a heavy suit of armor. She even deliberately grunted and groaned as she passed in front of me.
Hearing a short sigh, I whispered quietly in Jung Hayeon's ear.
“Why is she acting like that?”
“A nice piece of priest equipment turned up.”
“……”
“Remember the princess who was trapped in the wall of ice? It's from her.”
I understood immediately from Jung Hayeon's clear answer.
I let out a small laugh and slowly looked around the warehouse.
The first thing that caught my eye was the display shelf where the Rare and Secret Classes were gathered.
Two orbs, two books, and one cloth bundle.
That bundle…
The Rare Class, Twilight Medium.
At that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind. So I quickly looked for the owner of the bundle and saw Lim Hanna, who was just straightening up.
“Huh?”
Perhaps because her senses were sharp, she seemed to have felt my stare. Lim Hanna, who was wiping the sweat from her forehead, suddenly looked back at me and tilted her head.
I nodded for no particular reason and quickly averted my gaze. Then I clapped my hands a couple of times to draw everyone's attention.
Clap, clap.
“It looks like the warehouse will be fully organized by the end of today. Now, I have an announcement for all of you. It's a very important matter, so I'll be holding a meeting tomorrow morning. Everyone must attend, without exception.”
“An important matter? Could you tell us what it is beforehand…?”
“Hmm. I'll tell you the details tomorrow morning, but…”
At Jung Hayeon's question, I paused in thought for a moment. But then, I figured it wouldn't matter.
I was planning to do it with them anyway.
So, after briefly moistening my lips, I spoke quietly.
“A request for cooperation has come in from the Haemil Clan.”