Chapter 154
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Resolve
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The long and arduous development of the Forgetfulness Swamp had finally come to an end.
Incredibly, in the 1st Sector that Yun-seong had been in charge of, the massive legendary-grade monster he'd faced turned out to be the last one.
Considering that White Gluttony and Black Gluttony had appeared in the 2nd and 3rd Sectors, it felt like an anticlimactic finish.
'Anticlimactic, but from the development team's perspective, it couldn't be better.'
The fact that they didn't have to fight meant good news for players who were constantly risking their lives.
What was strange was that all the residents of the Forgetfulness Swamp had vanished.
They had disappeared like a mirage, as if they had never existed at all.
The only proof that they hadn't been illusions were the villages where they had lived.
'I don't know what happened or how, but judging by Seo Yu-ju's reaction, this seems to be the correct outcome.'
Her lack of surprise suggested that in the first round, after normalizing the Forgetfulness Swamp, the residents had disappeared just like this.
'...Now the issue is how to divide the rewards.'
Since the Forgetfulness Swamp was Baronia's territory, it would revert to the neutral nation, but Baronia couldn't just give nothing to the development team.
In cases like this, the clans participating in the development team usually received various rewards.
The most valuable ones included construction permits, commercial permits, and the like.
Of course, those with minimal contributions, small clans, or individuals might just get paid in cash.
'Well, Eternity's case is different.'
If asked to name the clans with the greatest contributions in this development, Eternity was indispensable.
Eternity, Mythos, Ma-dan, Veritas, and... Plum Blossom.
Below them were the Brotherhood Clans.
But Plum Blossom Clan had essentially been wiped out, so they couldn't fully claim their rewards.
'Seo Mi-kyung must be dumbfounded from her position as master.'
As Plum Blossom's master, Seo Mi-kyung couldn't receive the key rewards.
With her entire clan gone, things like construction permits would be meaningless.
Still, she could get cash equivalent to that value—enough to live comfortably for the rest of her life alone.
Baronia would probably help her settle somewhere nice too.
She'd lost her own faction, but it might not be such a bad outcome.
Honestly, if I wanted, I could've brought up how she tried to kill me to block her rewards, but I didn't bother.
'I'm no saint, but... picking on a woman whose entire clan got wiped out feels off.'
Still, she might hold a grudge or cause trouble, so I'd keep an eye on her.
Leaning back in his chair, he thought.
'More importantly... Seo Yu-ju's been acting weird lately.'
Or rather, there was a different vibe between Seo Yu-ju and Wi Ho-yeon than before.
'They used to get along so well—what's going on?'
Wi Ho-yeon's loyalty was such that if Seo Yu-ju ordered her to commit seppuku right then, she would.
But lately, there was a subtle wariness in how Seo Yu-ju looked at Wi Ho-yeon.
Wi Ho-yeon still treated Seo Yu-ju with utmost respect, but something felt off compared to before.
'Should I... just ask directly?'
"Ho-yeon."
"Yes, Lee Yun-seong."
Wi Ho-yeon had been so deferential to him lately that it made him uncomfortable instead.
"Did something happen with Yu-ju?"
"...No. But why do you ask... Ah, no. I overstepped..."
"Sigh... Ho-yeon."
As he sighed and called her name, Wi Ho-yeon's face paled, and she glanced at him nervously.
"I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong..."
'Fuck, stop apologizing.'
"No, Ho-yeon did nothing wrong. Please stop apologizing."
"...Understood."
"I only asked because it seems like things between Yu-ju and you aren't the same as before lately."
"Ah..."
"Is something going on?"
"......"
Wi Ho-yeon fell silent for a while before cautiously speaking.
"It's just... I had a small selfish desire. The master probably noticed that."
"...Pardon? Selfish desire?"
He couldn't help but be baffled.
Selfish desire? It seemed like the furthest thing from Wi Ho-yeon.
Her having a selfish desire was so surprising that he had to comment on it.
"Ho-yeon has selfish desires too? Honestly, I'm shocked. Haha, what is it? If it's something I can help with, I will. You've helped me a lot."
Wi Ho-yeon reacted with surprise to his words.
"Do you... mean that? That you'd help if it's something you can manage..."
'Does she want something from me?'
He had received quite a bit of help from her, and since she was under his protection, as long as it wasn't his life, he was willing to accommodate.
"Yes. Unless it's my life, of course I'd help with most things."
For some reason, her expression brightened at his answer.
"Yes, yes! Thank you, Lee Yun-seong!"
The way she bowed deeply and responded enthusiastically was something he'd never seen from her, even after spending so much time together.
That reaction made him a bit uneasy.
'Shit, how big is this request?'
This was Wi Ho-yeon, after all.
She hated owing anyone anything and never asked for favors.
No, she never asked at all.
So her reaction was understandably disconcerting.
'...No matter how big, given her personality, probably legendary-grade gear at most.'
Legendary-grade equipment was a burden even for him, but he could gift it.
'Is that why Seo Yu-ju's wary? Because Ho-yeon wants legendary gear?'
Wi Ho-yeon already had the legendary-grade weapon, the Formless Sword.
Asking for another piece would put Seo Yu-ju in a tough spot.
'I should tell Seo Yu-ju soon. Just say I'll cover the cost myself.'
A clan master giving two legendary items directly to one member would be unfair, but him gifting to a fellow clan member as equals should be fine.
'Ah, and I need to think about something for Seo Yu-ju too...'
She'd given him a mythic-grade ring, and honestly, he hadn't done much for her lately.
'...I saved her once, but I don't want to lord that over her.'
Objectively, she'd saved him more times.
"Ah, it's getting late. You should rest too, Ho-yeon. I need to head back to my room and prepare for bed."
"Yes, Lee Yun-seong. Go ahead. The clan master called me personally, so..."
"Ah, Yu-ju summoned you?"
It seemed Seo Yu-ju had called Wi Ho-yeon aside.
"Yes, Lee Yun-seong."
"Hmm... If Yu-ju says it's an issue with funds or fairness, just tell her it's a gift from me. She'll probably understand."
"...Pardon?"
'What?'
Wi Ho-yeon looked utterly confused.
'...Was I wrong?'
It seemed he'd guessed incorrectly.
"Ah... Never mind. Haha... I must've jumped to conclusions. Well, I'll head out first."
'Fuck, embarrassing.'
He felt so awkward he wanted to leave quickly.
"Yes... Understood, Lee Yun-seong."
Wi Ho-yeon stood in front of Seo Yu-ju's office.
"......"
Truth be told, she had a good idea why Seo Yu-ju had summoned her.
'...What should I do?'
She served two people. But following her heart might mean betraying one.
'The one who took me in, and the one I owe my life to.'
Her mind was a tangled mess. Wi Ho-yeon hadn't expected her feelings to become this complicated.
'And... beyond feelings, I need to atone for my failures.'
As a bodyguard, she hadn't protected her charge fully.
This time, her shortcomings had even cost one of them an eye.
'Lee Yun-seong said it's fine, but...'
During the outlaws' attack and this time—twice already, she'd failed.
It was luck that both survived; a little bad luck, and they'd have died.
'I... must repay him with my life.'
But Wi Ho-yeon had nothing to give him.
He had more money than he could spend.
He wasn't a swordsman, so she couldn't teach him.
He was already building his own honor with his strength, having gained unbelievable fame for a first-year in Baronia.
'The only thing I can offer...'
Wi Ho-yeon looked down at her body.
'...is this.'
She knew she had considerable value as a woman.
The reactions of the men she'd met proved it.
In every man's gaze when facing her, there was always that one emotion, great or small.
...The primal desire men have for women.
Amusingly, though, there were plenty of attractive women around him besides her.
'But that's fine. As an object... he won't have one.'
She didn't aim for an overly ambitious position. That would betray the clan master.
Knowing how Seo Yu-ju felt about Lee Yun-seong, she couldn't dare aspire to it.
Just being useful to him as a tool would satisfy her.
Steel ing her resolve, Wi Ho-yeon knocked and entered Seo Yu-ju's office.
"...Master, you summoned me."
"Ah, Ho-yeon. Thanks for coming at just the right time."
"It's nothing. I merely follow the clan master's orders."
Hearing that, Seo Yu-ju gave a strange smile, as if she'd been waiting for those words.
"Is that so? Then you'll obey if I give an order?"
"......"
"Why no answer?"
"Yes... I will."
Seo Yu-ju looked satisfied with Wi Ho-yeon's response.
"Good. I called you today for one announcement."
"...What is it?"
Seo Yu-ju's next words hit Wi Ho-yeon like a thunderbolt.
"Starting tomorrow, Wi Ho-yeon, you'll be reassigned from bodyguard duty for Yun-seong to other tasks."
"What... Then..."
"Yes. You no longer need to guard Yun-seong."
"...Master."
"Yes."
Wi Ho-yeon wore a resolute expression as she forced out the words.
"...Please reconsider."
Seo Yu-ju's face didn't change, but she seemed subtly displeased.
"Ho-yeon, let me explain. I've held back until now to avoid offending you, but you've failed to protect him properly twice already."
"That's..."
"It's the truth, isn't it? I'm not blaming you. You've been diligent otherwise."
"Indeed... As you say, master, there were times I failed. I won't deny it. I admit it."
"....."
"Still, please give me another chance. This time in the cave, I protected Lee Yun-seong, didn't I...?"
"Hmm. But you couldn't protect him when he fought that giant monster afterward."
"....."
"You tried to save me and lost your eyesight, but my mind hasn't changed."
Realizing Seo Yu-ju's resolve was firm, Wi Ho-yeon bit her lip and spoke.
"...Master, do you remember what you said after I joined the clan?"
"Pardon?"
Seo Yu-ju looked puzzled at the out-of-left-field question.
"What...?"
"...You told me to serve Lee Yun-seong even more devotedly than you."
"Ah... Yes, I did say that. But why bring it up...?"
"...Therefore, I will follow Lee Yun-seong's will. If he dismisses me from bodyguard duty, I'll obey you, master. But if he wants to keep me as his guard, I'll follow him."
"...Pardon?"
"...I'll take my leave."
Leaving Seo Yu-ju's stunned face behind, Wi Ho-yeon bowed and exited.