Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Training Facility (4)
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"Come on in."
"........."
I'd been expecting a reception room or an office, but the sight before my eyes looked more like this woman's bedroom than her office.
Thankfully, there was a table and chairs, but the fact that she'd called me into her personal bedroom left me utterly flustered.
The woman noticed my expression and let out a slight chuckle before speaking.
"Don't be so tense. Make yourself comfortable. Just relax."
I swallowed the urge to shout that she wouldn't be relaxed in a situation like this.
"... Uh... How should I address you...?"
"Kang Sung-jun explained it from the platform earlier. Just call me Instructor Yeon."
"Ah, yes. Instructor Yeon. So, what did you want to see me about...?"
The woman sat down in a chair, crossing her legs as she spoke.
"You really don't know?"
This won't do. If things kept going like this, it'd play out exactly as she wanted. I needed to get a grip.
Calming my shaking heart, I cut straight to the point.
"... I'll be honest. What is it you want from me?"
The woman smirked at my question and replied nonchalantly.
"That's more like it—your eyes finally look decent. Honestly, I was about to be disappointed a second ago. They were way too scared."
"... Put yourself in my shoes, Instructor. Wouldn't it be weirder if I wasn't?"
"Fair point. Anyway, you asked what I want? Nothing. I was just curious about you, the newbie, so I called you over."
'... Am I supposed to believe that?'
"........."
"Hmm... That look says you don't buy it. Why would I bother messing with a newbie? It's just personal curiosity about Lee Yun-seong."
"I... saw your status window, didn't I?"
"Ahaha... Is that what this is about? What goes around comes around. I saw yours too."
Bullshit. There's no way the status window of someone who just dropped here holds the same value as someone playing at the top of this world.
"........."
"Lee Yun-seong, you're the suspicious type, huh? Well, in this place, suspicion is a good thing. Lowers your chances of getting backstabbed."
"... There's no way our status windows are equal in value."
If I sold this woman's info, there'd be a truckload of buyers. I didn't know if she had a clan, but anyone hostile to her would welcome it with open arms.
"Oho, sharp mind for a newbie. Honestly, after seeing your status window, I didn't expect much. Your stats are pretty pathetic... Ah, sorry if that offends you. I'm just blunt like that."
"It doesn't bother me. I know better than anyone that I lack talent."
"Hmm... Anyway, I'd appreciate it if you believed I'm not out to screw you over. You're not going to go blabbing about my status window, right?"
"I'm not that stupid."
"Exactly. That's why I'm saying this."
"Just... that's it?"
"... No. I didn't want anything at first, but now one thing's caught my eye."
'... Suddenly? You just said you wanted nothing...!'
"Honestly, aside from your ability to see status windows, I figured you were ordinary. Of course, your unique trait is worth a ton. Anyway, you think quick, and I like your cautious personality too."
"........."
"Hmm... Did you properly hear what I do besides being an instructor?"
"... No. I didn't. You spoke to me telepathically back then."
"Ah... I figured. I'm the clan master of Myth Clan. It's not one of the top three clans, but it's right below them."
That was unexpected. I'd assumed she led one of the big three. Her stats were on par with Kang Sung-jun's.
'... She's hiding some of her power?'
"Confusing names, right? Kang Sung-jun leads Incarnation Clan. I lead Myth Clan. No relation, so don't get the wrong idea."
"... Understood. So why bring up your clan all of a sudden?"
"... Honestly, your stats aren't impressive, but my gut's telling me to recruit you."
'What nonsense is this out of nowhere...'
I couldn't fathom what was going through her head.
'A recruitment offer to me, suddenly? What does she see in me? If anything, seeing my status window should make her think the opposite.'
"You look baffled too. Well, it's only been less than a day, so I get the shock."
"For now... thank you for the kind words. But honestly, I don't get your thinking, Instructor Yeon. It's a good offer from my side, but I have no idea what value you see in me to make it."
"Sure, power's the most important thing on this continent, but it's not everything. Sounds arrogant, but I handle the power part fine. I don't get pushed around anywhere."
Arrogant, but true. No one seeing her status window would dismiss it as empty talk.
Kang Sung-jun being chief instructor put him at the absolute top, but her power seemed nearly equal based on stats alone.
"I tend to value desperate, deficient people highly. Personal opinion, but... people with something missing live desperately, work hard, give it their all. And they achieve things that way."
"... You see me as deficient? In power...?"
"Well, lacking power could be a deficiency. But talking to you today... it feels more like you yourself, not just your power."
My stomach churned suddenly. I barely resisted bolting from the chair. But I failed to control my expression, and cold words slipped out.
"... What do you know about me to say that?"
I realized my mistake right after.
The woman smirked at my reaction and replied.
"Your reaction right now is proof enough."
"........."
"Hmm, maybe I was rude. It's been a while since a newbie caught my interest... Sorry if I upset you. Anyway, that's my piece. You can go. Think over the offer. Though I might change my mind later."
"... Then I'll take my leave. Thanks for the offer, but I'll think it over."
"Ah!"
Her reaction—like she'd just remembered something—made me want to curse inwardly, but I held it back.
I turned back to her, and she spoke.
"Call me noona from now on."
"... Pardon?"
Yun Yeon continued with a playful expression.
"It's a privilege. Privilege."
'Crazy bitch.'
"... No need."
Bam.
I slammed the door and left her bedroom.
The moment I stepped out of Yun Yeon's bedroom, my breath nearly stopped. Seo Yu-ju was standing right there.
"........."
"... Y-Yu-ju?"
"... Why are you coming out of there?"
'What? Did she follow me?'
I hadn't sensed anyone on the way here. No way...
'She hid her presence on purpose? Curious where I was headed?'
My brain froze at the sudden situation. I hadn't done anything wrong, but I felt compelled to explain.
"Sh-She... Instructor Yeon said she had something to tell me and called me over."
"... Yun Yeon, that bitch?"
"Yes?"
'Did I... hear that wrong...?'
"No, Instructor Yun Yeon called you? At this hour? To her bedroom?"
"... I didn't know it was her bedroom until I went in. But... we just sat in chairs and talked."
"What about?"
'Fuck, I didn't do anything wrong, so why...'
"Uh... It's not something I should tell you, Yu-ju..."
"What did you talk about?"
I sucked in a sharp breath.
It felt like being a mouse before a snake.
'Fuck... I have to... say something...'
"... Ab-About a clan offer... She made me a proposal..."
"... You didn't accept, right?"
"... N-No... I just said I'd think about it..."
The tension melted away in an instant. The knot in my body vanished. As I struggled to adjust to the sudden shift in atmosphere, she smiled faintly and spoke.
"Good job. For stuff like this... consult me first, no matter what. We're teammates, right?"
"... Y-Yes, of course."
'Fuck, what was that just now...'
"Let's head back to the dorm together. Everyone else is resting already."
"Y-Yes..."
With that, the situation settled, and Seo Yu-ju and I returned to the dorm. When we got back, no one had gone to their rooms; they were chatting in the living room.
"Ah... Yun-seong hyung, why so late? We were discussing our plans going forward..."
"Haha... Sorry, Hyun-jin. What were you talking about?"
"Obviously our upcoming training."
"Hey, Cha Hyun-jin. You're overthinking it. They'll handle the training however."
"... Noona. It's not that I'm overthinking; maybe you aren't thinking enough...?"
"What? Hey! Get over here, you...!"
"Eek! My hair! Let go of my hair!"
Full of energy, the two chased each other around the living room.
'To think they're twenty-six and twenty...'
Watching them, Lee Yu-rim was sternly lecturing Lee Yu-hyeon.
"Yu-hyeon... You absolutely can't act like that when you get their age, got it?"
"... Yeah, noona. I don't wanna end up like that..."
Kim Ho-won let out a deep sigh, covering his face with his hand as he listened to Lee Yu-rim and Lee Yu-hyeon.
As things calmed down a bit, Seo Yu-ju drew everyone's attention, glanced at me, and began speaking.
"Ahem... Anyway, I have something to say. Yun-seong got a clan offer."
Everyone's faces lit up with shock at Seo Yu-ju's words.
"Huh...? Hey, Lee Yun-seong. For real? Already?!"
"Whoa... Yun-seong hyung! Really?"
'... Is she scheming to keep me out of Myth Clan by telling everyone?'
Her announcing my offer to the group meant she really didn't want me going there.
She was probably trying to pressure me into refusing by stirring up the others' emotions. I was the only one who'd gotten an offer from Myth Clan so far.
"... No, it's not set in stone. She just floated the idea, and I said I'd think about it. That's all."
"Hyung! Getting the offer is huge! The clan master must've seen how awesome you are! So, which clan?"
"... It's called Myth Clan. A step below the top three, but right under them."
"... Hey, Lee Yun-seong. You... thinking of joining? Should we aim there too?"
They seemed to take it for granted that they'd go wherever I did. Their reaction lifted my mood a bit. It showed they valued me.
I shook my head and said,
"No, we've still got three months. We can decide after seeing what offers everyone gets. No need to freak out yet."
"True. Hey... Pick one—formal or casual. We're past life-and-death together; formal feels too distant now. Stick to casual like this."
I couldn't keep using formal speech with Kang I-seo forever, so I nodded, figuring it was fine to drop it now.
"... Sure."
"Much better."
"... Anyway, don't worry about my offer. I want to go with you all too."
Cha Hyun-jin, Lee Yu-rim, and Lee Yu-hyeon looked deeply touched. A quick glance at Seo Yu-ju showed her quite satisfied.
Honestly, earlier in front of Yun Yeon's bedroom had been terrifying.
'... One wrong word, and something bad would've gone down.'
Seo Yu-ju smiled quietly at our tight-knit group and spoke.
"Tomorrow we'll probably register our jobs and then do some training. It's late, so everyone rest up. Good work today."