Chapter 422: 10. The Final Story (3/9)
Chapter 422: 10. The Final Story (3/9)
The sky was a pale, reddish hue. The sun, too, seemed to feel the changing season, eager to dip below the western horizon.
I found myself looking up at the empty sky. Twilight clouds, dyed by the sunset, drifted here and there across it. It was as if a faint dusk had mixed into a blazing fire.
“Are you looking at the sky, Mercenary Lord?”
As I was lost in thought, gazing at the heavens, a thick, masculine voice reached my ears. A sidelong glance revealed a pleasant-looking man ambling over. I quickly lowered my head and returned his smile.
His name was Lee Jonghak. He was a core member of the Istantel Low Clan and a User with whom I had a deep connection in the 1st playthrough. In a way, he was also something of a mentor to me. After all, he was the one who had taught me Positional Exchange, a skill I still found incredibly useful.
“Yes. I just had a few things on my mind.”
“Ah, I see. I hope I’m not disturbing you…”
“Not at all. It’s fine.”
As I slowly shook my head, Lee Jonghak gave an awkward laugh. He seemed to be testing the waters, as if he had something he wanted to say.
Come to think of it, he was also quite fond of cigarettes.
The sudden thought prompted me to pull out two cigarettes. Lee Jonghak’s face lit up as he accepted one.
Soon, we were companionably smoking as we made our way slowly down the hill.
“I was truly amazed by the skills you displayed this time. To be honest, I thought the rumors circulating after the war were somewhat exaggerated, but seeing it with my own eyes… I was left speechless.”
“You’re too kind. In any case, I’m just grateful for your high praise.”
“Kind? Not at all. It was no joke. It wasn’t just me; all the Istantel Low Clan members were shocked. Especially that technique where you suddenly vanish and reappear somewhere else… Is that an ability?”
“Ah. If you’re referring to Positional Exchange, it’s not a Unique, Special, or Potential Ability, but an Ability I developed myself.”
When I nodded in confirmation, Lee Jonghak let out a great cry of admiration. His eyes sparkled, a clear sign of how much he wanted to learn it.
Perhaps feeling a sense of urgency, Lee Jonghak took a long drag from his cigarette and then fixed me with a serious gaze. Seeing his intense eyes, I had a good idea of why he had sought me out.
“Mercenary Lord. There is, in fact, something I’m curious about.”
“Please, go on.”
“I won’t beat around the bush. I’m curious about the ability you just called Positional Exchange. I had a similar idea myself a while back and was in the process of developing it for two years. I made some progress, but there was a fatal flaw, so I had to shelve it for a while. In other words, I was never able to make it practical.”
“I see.”
“At one point, I was so frustrated that I sought advice from all over. But seeing you today, Mercenary Lord, it seems you’ve overcome the very flaw in the ability I was developing. So, I was wondering if you might be able to help me with the part where I’m stuck.”
It was just as I’d expected. Seeing Lee Jonghak’s hopeful gaze, I briefly recalled the 1st playthrough.
‘Soohyun. The reason I’m passing this ability on to you now… is partly because she asked me to, but also because I don’t want you to die.’
How many times had my life been saved thanks to the Positional Exchange he had taught me?
Watching Lee Jonghak swallow nervously, I gave a faint smile.
“Very well.”
“I see. Haha. It’s alright! To be honest, I was being too presumptuous… Pardon?”
“Which part are you stuck on? If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do my best.”
“…Are you serious?”
I nodded to affirm that I was, and Lee Jonghak stared at me blankly for a moment. Then, his face suddenly brightened, the corners of his mouth curving up into a wide grin. He looked so overjoyed he seemed ready to embrace me on the spot… No. He actually spread his arms.
“W-Wow! Thank you! I really…”
It was then.
“User Lee Jonghak.”
A feminine tone, tinged with a subtle allure. Yet, it was also a voice filled with a dignity one dared not defy. At that moment, Lee Jonghak froze mid-motion and turned his head with a trembling expression. He looked like a frog that had just met a snake.
“C-Clan Lord.”
Lee Jonghak’s shoulders slumped, his tone lamenting the terrible timing. I quickly turned my gaze and saw two black crystals—no, a pair of eyes—that held a strange power, as if to draw in any who looked upon them. The woman staring at Lee Jonghak with an expressionless but frosty gaze was none other than Han Soyoung.
Lee Jonghak awkwardly scratched his head and asked in a strained voice.
“H-How long have you been there?”
“Since the two of you started smoking.”
“…Then did you, by any chance, hear everything?”
“And what if I did?”
Her tone was flat, which only made it more terrifying. It had a way of pressuring and cornering its target.
The situation was resolved quickly. Lee Jonghak bowed his head a few times before making a swift escape. I chuckled lightly as I watched him flee for his life. Han Soyoung, however, continued to stare after him, her face still a mask. She must be truly frightening to him.
A moment later, Han Soyoung let out a long sigh. She walked over to me and bowed her head respectfully.
“I’m sorry, Mercenary Lord. To have troubled you with my clan member’s thoughtless request…”
“Ah, just a moment.”
I stepped closer and took Han Soyoung’s slender arm. The soft, almost melting texture filled my hand, and her head, which had been about to lower, stopped.
The truth was, in a few years, Lee Jonghak would have overcome the flaw and perfected the ability he wanted anyway. Since he was bound to figure it out eventually, my intention was to help him a little and maintain a good relationship, but things had taken a strange turn.
“Many clan members are watching. An apology isn’t necessary, so please, don’t worry about it.”
“…It’s customary not to teach abilities even to family, let alone fellow clan members. And you and User Lee Jonghak are…”
“Then it would have been my place to politely refuse. And in the end, I was the one who agreed. This is not a situation that requires the Istantel Low Clan Lord to bow her head.”
“…Thank you for saying so. But… it hurts.”
Han Soyoung blinked once or twice, then suddenly lowered her gaze. Her eyes were fixed on the left arm I was holding. Realizing my mistake, I quickly let go. I had noticed the rich scent of a mature woman, but it seemed I had closed the distance too much.
A moment of silence passed. When I took a few steps back, Han Soyoung began to walk again. By now, the other clan members were almost at the bottom of the hill.
As we slowly descended, Han Soyoung gently placed a hand on the spot I had held. She massaged it softly and spoke quietly.
“Thank you. You’re very kind, Mercenary Lord.”
“…Pardon?”
It was a very sudden and out-of-place remark. But Han Soyoung didn’t seem to think so as she looked directly at me. Her eyebrows were slightly raised, a habit she had when she wanted to ask something. I quickly composed myself.
“Come to think of it… just now, and the fact that Istantel Low was able to explore the ruin this time, it was all thanks to you, Mercenary Lord. I’m very grateful for your consideration.”
“Haha. It was a necessary situation for us as well.”
Han Soyoung tilted her head, but my words held some truth.
A few months ago, after announcing to my clan members that we would begin exploring again, I had added one more thing: that we would once again cooperate with another clan. The ruin to be explored was the ‘Lost Paradise,’ and our partner would not be Haemil, but Istantel Low.
After the meeting with my clan members, I immediately visited Istantel Low. I explained the situation to Han Soyoung and requested her help. My request was that if the records containing speculative articles targeted the Mercenary Clan again, she would, if necessary, claim that Istantel Low had discovered them.
Han Soyoung was greatly surprised to hear we had found another ruin, but as expected, she didn’t press for details. And she readily accepted my proposal. In truth, while we took the majority of the rewards, she wasn’t the type of woman to refuse the crumbs that fell her way. Especially if the source of those crumbs was a ruin.
The exploration of the ‘Lost Paradise’ went as smoothly as the ‘Tower of Valhalla.’ The difficulty wasn’t particularly high, and the members participating from both clans were nothing short of spectacular. Thus, we swiftly dealt with the monsters inside the paradise, collected our rewards, and were now on our way back, humming happily.
In any case.
Han Soyoung kept tilting her head. She had heard my explanation, but her face showed she still didn’t understand.
“I know that, but… honestly, I can’t help but wonder if this is really okay. We would have been satisfied with a 20% share, yet you insisted on increasing it to 30%, and you even handed over a key piece of equipment.”
“Istantel Low provided us with a lot of conveniences when we first settled in Monica. …Is there perhaps something you’re not pleased with?”
I didn’t mean it as ‘just take what you’re given and be quiet,’ but I asked just in case she had any suspicions.
Han Soyoung quietly shook her head.
“It’s not that. I’m just curious.”
She brought her cupped hands to her mouth and blew a gentle breath into them. A puff of white vapor covered her reddened skin. I suddenly thought that her ears, also flushed red and peeking out from between strands of her silky hair, were quite pretty.
Han Soyoung slowly turned to look at me.
“It’s just, with the ruin, and… with User Lee Jonghak earlier… no matter how I think about it, I can’t understand. I mean, Mercenary Lord.”
“?”
“Why are you so good to me, to Istantel Low?”
“Pardon…?”
At that moment, I stopped walking without realizing it. Han Soyoung’s words had hit the mark.
A moment later, Han Soyoung also stopped. She stared at me with her deep, profound eyes, as if she absolutely had to hear my answer. To be honest, I never expected her to ask so directly, and for a second, I was thrown into a panic.
The reason I was taking care of them was clear. On a small scale, it was to repay the kindness I had received in the 1st playthrough. On a larger scale, it was to strengthen their power so I could receive their help for the eventual return to Earth. But…
What… what should I say?
“I know the reason.”
It was at that moment.
Just as I was silently swallowing, Yeon Hyerim slipped in between us. As Han Soyoung and I both turned our heads, the suddenly-appeared ‘Princess of Execution’ laughed, “Nyahahaha,” and poked Han Soyoung’s cheek.
“It’s because of our Clan Lord, isn’t it? Mercenary Lord?”
“Yeon Hyerim.”
I felt a pang of guilt, but Han Soyoung seemed to dismiss it as nonsense. However, despite her warning, Yeon Hyerim’s fingers raced unabashedly over her body. From her face to her chest, from her chest to her slender waist. Then, in an instant, they swept over her entire form. It was truly the handiwork of one of the Ten Strong.
“Look. Her face is this pretty, her chest is this big, her body is to die for, and she has this aloof air about her. In other words, she’s the kind of woman any man would want to conquer at least once…”
“User Yeon Hyerim! Will you not back off this instant?”
Han Soyoung finally shouted. Her face, which always maintained a poker face, was now creased into a frown so obvious it was rare to see.
“Yikes. Our Clan Lord is mad~.”
Realizing she had taken the joke too far, Yeon Hyerim hastily backed away. She gave a little wave and began to backpedal with fluid steps.
What a relief.
Unexpected help. I let out a silent sigh of relief as the situation was glossed over. I secretly gave Yeon Hyerim a thumbs-up. She responded with a V-sign before quickly fleeing, just like Lee Jonghak.
“Hah…”
Han Soyoung, however, did not seem relieved. She looked up at the sky and covered her face with both hands.
“…I’m sorry, Mercenary Lord. Why are my clan members so immature? The members of the Mercenary Clan are all so quiet and serious…”
No, we have plenty of people like that too.
We just didn’t bring them along. I answered inwardly.
Hearing her continue to sigh, I opened my mouth to offer some comfort.
“Perhaps our atmosphere was too serious. Istantel Low Clan Lord, please don’t worry about it too much.”
“No, I must worry. Sometimes, Yeon Hyerim has a tendency to go too far. No matter how close she is with you, Mercenary Lord… She won’t listen to a word I say. Could you perhaps give her a stern talking-to sometime? This is a request.”
“Haha. Well, I’m not sure. That might be difficult. Come to think of it, what User Yeon Hyerim said wasn’t entirely wrong. I wasn’t offended, so please don’t scold her too harshly.”
“…Not entirely wrong, you say?”
I replied that it wasn’t. As they say, even a whale will dance to praise.
The sighing stopped, but Han Soyoung still had her face in her hands. Through a small gap between her fingers, I could see her eyes peeking at me.
Then, Han Soyoung’s calm voice followed.
“Then, in your opinion, Mercenary Lord, is my chest big and my body to die for?”
“…Just a moment.”
“The kind you’d want to conquer at least once…”
“That’s a misunderstanding. I simply meant that you are beautiful as a woman.”
Han Soyoung let out a “Pfft” and dropped her hands forcefully. She fanned her face a few times with her open palms and shook her head. Though I was a bit flustered, I was grateful to Yeon Hyerim for shattering her composure. Seeing Han Soyoung like this was something that happened maybe once or twice every five years.
After shaking her head for a good while, Han Soyoung regained her usual tranquility. For some reason, I felt a slight sense of disappointment. It was because this was the first time since the 2nd playthrough began that we had a personal conversation, not about work.
“I’m going to go join my clan members. I’ve shown you too much of a disgraceful side today. Please, forget about it.”
“I don’t consider it disgraceful, but I will.”
As I nodded, Han Soyoung quickened her pace and walked ahead. I waited until she was some distance away before slowly descending the rest of the hill.
As I caught up with the clan members who had gone ahead, I glanced to my right. I could see Han Soyoung, who had arrived first, still fanning herself among the Istantel Low Clan members.
It was then.
“Soohyun. What were you two talking about? She came running over in a real hurry.”
Hearing the voice, I turned my head to the left this time. I saw the Mercenary Clan members marching in a two-column formation, and Lim Hanna, who was subtly wrapping her arm around mine. Feeling the large, soft sensation brush against my left arm, I quietly shook my head.
“We weren’t talking about much.”
“Oh, okay. Ah, they say we’ll be at the city soon. I’ve already contacted the clan.”
“Good job. Has Ko Yeonju returned yet?”
“Yeonju-unni? I haven’t heard anything about that… Why?”
“Because I’m planning to hold a festival along with the final accounting when we get back. That’s why I timed our return to coincide with her arrival.”
“A festival… Wow, I’m excited. Hehe.”
Watching Lim Hanna grin sweetly, I spoke once more.
“You have even more reason to be excited.”
“What should I be excited about?”
“I’m going to make sure you’re well taken care of during this accounting. It’s about time you inherited a class, after all.”
“Hey. When did I ever complain? Anyone would think I was nagging you for it.”
Lim Hanna shot me a playful glare. I let out a faint cough. I wanted to say, “I wonder who it was that boldly wrote it on their equipment request form,” but I managed to hold back, sensing she would get incredibly sulky. In any case, she seemed to be in a good mood now, laughing continuously.
As we walked on for a while, a faint whisper came from Lim Hanna, who was smiling so gently, as if something wonderful had happened.
“Hey… Soohyun. At the festival this time…”
“The city is in sight!”
But at that moment, a loud shout came from the front.
I slowly raised my head and looked ahead.
Where the sky met the earth, a distant building, soaring as if to pierce the clouds, came into view. And as we walked a little further, a city dyed in the same twilight hues as the sky appeared hazily in the distance.
We had finally returned to the city.