Chapter 77: A Bountiful Year for Mages
Chapter 77: A Bountiful Year for Mages
There was no need to give a long-winded explanation from the start. I had to be concise, yet include all the necessary details. I slowly began to tell the story, starting from when we entered the dungeon and first discovered the body of a User. Jung Hayeon had already put down her spoon and was focusing on my words. It couldn't have been easy to show this much concentration right after waking up from fainting. I was slightly impressed and continued speaking.
I told her about finding the male priest and entering the clearing. Then, about encountering the spiders and seeing a single female User. At the mention of a female User, Jung Hayeon’s eyes lit up as she asked me.
“Jiyeon… ah. My younger sister.”
“…I’m sorry to say…”
“Don’t tell me…”
I phrased that part as gently as I could. I told her that her sister had been suspended in the air, forced to become a broodmother for the spiders and lay their eggs, but I omitted the part about her being raped by the monsters and violated to the point of losing her sanity. Sometimes in life, some things are better left unknown. And after a moment’s hesitation…
“…So I killed her. I could say it was to survive, but as a fellow human, it was too painful to see what she had become. I felt it would be better for her to die.”
After adding that I was the one who killed her, I paused.
A brief silence fell between Jung Hayeon and me. As expected, she was staring at me with a shocked expression. I didn’t avoid her gaze. If I had no intention of recruiting her, I might have tried to deceive her somehow. But since I had already marked her as a potential recruit, I wanted to reveal everything I could. Of course, I didn't tell her the plain, unvarnished truth; it was necessary to frame it in a way that was most advantageous to me.
There was a calculated reason for readily confessing that I had killed Jung Jiyeon. It was to impress upon her that the situation had been unavoidable. If she thought about it for even a moment, it would be better to lead her to believe that I hadn't killed her sister because I wanted to, but because her situation was hopeless, and a clean death was preferable to further humiliation.
After exchanging a long look with me, Jung Hayeon finally spoke, her voice trembling.
“Was she really… really beyond saving?”
“Honestly… she could barely even speak. I can provide a more detailed description if you wish, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The way she looked at me, it was as if she was pleading for something, and I did what my conscience compelled me to do. I can at least say that I ended it without pain. I’m sorry.”
“Ha… I see. She was always such a proud, dignified child. To be violated by the monsters she always despised… and to have been impregnated… I can see why…”
Her voice broke, and Jung Hayeon suddenly sobbed. I closed my eyes, yet the memory of Jung Jiyeon’s gaze rose before my mind’s eye. A woman’s quiet weeping echoed through the inn.
It was true that I had simply killed her. But whether Jung Jiyeon’s eyes had been pleading for me to save her or to kill her, only she would ever know.
Overcome with emotion, Jung Hayeon’s shoulders trembled as she cried, but it was only for a moment. I looked at her with new interest as she quickly wiped her tears and composed her voice. Most mages were like that, but seeing her control her emotions and compose herself was still impressive. She must have been filled with rage on the inside, but she didn't let it show.
“What happened to that monster? Don’t tell me you managed to defeat it?”
“In the end, you could say we did.”
“How…? It was difficult even when several skilled Users attacked it at once.”
“There are some complicated circumstances surrounding that as well.”
I began to speak, embellishing the story about Vivian a little, just as I had with the others. I told her how our party was on the verge of annihilation, how I resisted until the very end, and how, just as I was about to be killed, Vivian regained her true nature. I explained that I used the opportunity while she was restraining her main body to rescue her.
Since the biggest hurdle was over, the rest of the story flowed smoothly. Jung Hayeon, who had been listening intently and nodding occasionally, looked at me with empty eyes after I finished. I let out a sigh and concluded my story. After thinking for a moment, she asked me a few questions, as if there were some things she wanted to clarify.
“So that human-faced spider returned to her human form, and she’s in this inn right now?”
“After turning back into a human and regaining her intellect, she deeply regrets what she did. She said she was turned into a spider by a vicious mage, and her intelligence degenerated to match. In other words, she was incapable of higher-level thought like a human. Her own will was certainly a factor, but it’s difficult to see it as an act of her own volition as a pure human.”
“I understand. But you said you’ll be traveling with her for a while. Won’t that be dangerous?”
“If it weren’t for her, I would have certainly died in that place as well. It may sound ridiculous, but since she saved my life, I’m willing to trust her this once.”
“Hah…”
Jung Hayeon’s expression was complicated. Understanding her feelings to some extent, I continued in a magnanimous tone.
“At the time, the spider perceived you Users as intruders who had invaded her home. And she was enraged that you killed her subordinates. I know you must be upset, but I hope you won’t try to take revenge on her now that she has returned to her human form. There are a few in our party who don’t have good feelings toward her either. But whether we like it or not, she’s part of our group for now.”
“…I don’t know. Honestly, I want revenge immediately, and I don’t think I can accept what Kim Soohyun-ssi has said… Haa. I don’t know. I need time to think.”
“That’s up to you, of course. In any case, once the other User wakes up, I will return the equipment and various items that your party members had.”
At my words, Jung Hayeon’s eyes widened, and she then spoke with a faint smile.
“Thank you, but it’s all right. We failed to clear the dungeon and were as good as dead. By the customs of the Hall Plain, all rewards and items within it rightfully belong to Soohyun-ssi’s party. We are satisfied simply to have survived.”
“Jung Jiyeon’s belongings are among those items. The rewards we obtained from the dungeon are enough for us.”
Jung Hayeon’s expression hardened at my words. Then, she looked at me with a slightly moved expression.
“…Did you say you’re a Year 0 User?”
“Yes.”
“I went through a time like that as well… It has been a long time since I felt such warmth. Thank you. I’ll gratefully accept your kindness. To be honest, when Kim Soohyun-ssi said he had killed Jiyeon, I felt hatred… but you also saved our lives. After everything you have done for us, I have nothing more to say. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. If there had been any way to save Jung Jiyeon-ssi, I would have used every means available. I’m satisfied that you understand the circumstances.”
“This is the Hall Plain, after all. I will never forget this debt.”
Her face was filled with bitterness as she spoke. Inwardly, however, I was smiling, thinking that everything was going according to plan. Judging by her character and disposition, she wasn't the type to make empty promises. And Jung Hayeon was a very realistic person. She might be confused by her sister’s death right now, but with time, she would come to accept my words and feel indebted to me.
I still had over 500 gold, a pouch of jewels, a potion pouch, and a book that allowed promotion to a Rare Class. Even if I had to give up the items those Users possessed, if it could alleviate Jung Hayeon's suspicions, it was a small price to pay.
With this, I had gotten off to a good start. How I would handle these Users from now on was a matter of time. To build a relationship with them, I needed to create the best possible connection I could.
I encouraged her to eat again. Jung Hayeon bowed her head slightly before lowering it once more. But as she picked up her spoon, her hand was visibly trembling.
*
After that, the others came down one by one, followed by Vivian. The User Shin Sangyong also came down. He had a face that went beyond kind-hearted, looking almost naive. Jung Hayeon and I relayed our conversation to him, and Shin Sangyong bowed his head excessively to express his gratitude. He was nearly in tears when I told him I would return their items as well.
“Th-th-th-thank you! Thank you so much! I-I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown us today!”
When I asked about their plans, Jung Hayeon just shook her head. I realized I had been too hasty; she obviously needed time to think. However, seeing as she asked if we would be staying here, it seemed she intended to visit us at least once.
As promised, I handed over all the items related to their party. Jung Hayeon, who was stroking Jung Jiyeon’s robe, looked at Vivian and spoke.
“When you think about it, the archer who fled first while you were a spider also bears blame. There is no shortage of people to curse and resent. I understand your circumstances, but I still cannot accept them. You may call me shameless; humans are selfish creatures by nature. For Soohyun-ssi’s sake, and in view of the kindness he showed us, I want to look at you without prejudice, but I cannot do that yet.”
Vivian said nothing. But when I gave her a look, she bowed her head once in response. With those final words, Jung Hayeon and Shin Sangyong left the inn. Shin Sangyong seemed to want to stay a little longer and ask us something, but he glanced at Jung Hayeon and seemed to know how to read the situation.
Before leaving, as Jung Hayeon bowed to us with excessive politeness, I told her I hoped to see her again. She responded with a slight nod. I didn't know when it would be, but it was highly likely that once they had sorted out their thoughts and feelings, Jung Hayeon and Shin Sangyong would come looking for us again. I could only hope that time would come sooner rather than later.
We watched them walk away, remaining silent for a while. The first to break the silence was Yoojung.
“Wow, that woman is amazing. If it were me, I probably would’ve just drawn my dagger without a second thought.”
“Hmph. Well, she is pretty cool.”
Ahn Hyun nodded in agreement with Yoojung’s admiration. Ahn Sol kept looking in the direction she had gone with a pitiful expression. I, too, stared at the inn door she had left through and spoke in a calm voice.
“I agree. It’s surprising that there’s a User with such deep self-discipline. If she can continue to survive, she might even make a name for herself one day.”
What I had said was sincere. Despite her younger sister’s death, Jung Hayeon had displayed almost extreme self-restraint, in stark contrast to how I had behaved after losing my own older brother. Perhaps I had just formed a connection with a User who could one day become one of the new Ten Strong.
“Heh. Becoming one of the Ten Strong isn’t that easy. What am I thinking?”
“Huh? Oppa, what are you talking about?”
Shaking my head at my own stray thoughts, I dismissed them. That’s how deep of an impression Jung Hayeon’s demeanor during our conversation had left on me. Gently silencing Yoojung, who had overheard my muttering, I continued in a calm tone.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, how is everyone feeling?”
“I’m fine. I was dead tired yesterday, but I feel okay today.”
“Every joint in my body is aching.”
Ahn Hyun swung his arms around to show he was fine, while Yoojung groaned a little. When I turned my gaze to Ahn Sol and Vivian, I could see them both nodding. Noticing the faint tear tracks on Vivian’s cheek, I let out a small sigh and continued.
“The break ended yesterday. Starting today, we’re going back to work and training. We’ll be leaving the city from time to time, but that will be strictly for practice. I plan to be much more thoroughly prepared for our next expedition.”
In the past, the party would have groaned at this, but this time was different. Everyone’s face was filled with determination. This expedition had made them all realize their own shortcomings, and they likely had a rough idea of what they needed to improve and what kind of practice they needed to do.
I intended to sort the items recovered from the expedition, buy new equipment for the kids, and, now that Vivian had joined us, have them practice coordinated formations together. Most important, however, was searching the records for the Ruined Laboratory, just as I had done to locate Ancient Alchemist Vivian’s Dungeon.
For now, I would let the others train while I took care of other business in Mule. To find our next destination, the Ruined Laboratory, I needed to get moving again.