Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: A New Beginning (2)
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When dinnertime rolled around, we headed down to the communal cafeteria, and it was packed with people. Gu Yeon-jeong was there too, waving us over.
“Come sit over here. Party 9.”
We grabbed our meals from the distribution line and took seats at the table where Gu Yeon-jeong was eating.
“So, how do you like the dorms?”
It was a major clan's lodging, so of course it was great. Honestly, it was so nice it felt a bit overwhelming.
“Yes. The facilities at the Training Facility were already impressive, but as expected from one of the three great clans—the dorms here are even better.”
“Glad you like it. Eat first, and we can talk while you do.”
“Yes.”
“Party Leader 1 probably gave you the basics already, but starting tomorrow, you'll get your gear issued, so you can train individually in the training hall from then on.”
So training was solo practice. I'd figured there might be instructors, but that was just wishful thinking on my part.
“If you hit a wall during training or get stuck on something, ask clan members in the same job class—they'll usually help out. Or if solo training feels too tough, you can request a mentor.”
“I see.”
“Anyway... after about a week of that, you'll team up with Incarnation Clan for a small-scale expedition.”
I had a question about our expedition, so I asked Gu Yeon-jeong.
“Could I ask for more details on that small-scale expedition? Like the exact process?”
“Sure. We'll assign one mid-level player from our clan and one from theirs. You'll be the rookies—zero years under your belts—and Incarnation Clan is sending their first-year newbies.”
Pairing newbies together for the expedition, with vets as insurance.
The real goal was probably newbie growth.
“Is the dungeon level appropriate for us?”
“No worries there. Small clans or parties sell us low-difficulty dungeons they've found. The really easy ones usually go to major or mid-tier clans for newbie training.”
“Got it.”
“Anyway, that's your full schedule for now—just keep it in mind. I'm done eating, so I'll head out.”
“Yes, Clan Master.”
“Enjoy your meals.”
Once Gu Yeon-jeong left, Hyun-jin spoke up.
“I was a bit worried, but... expeditions sound like no big deal.”
“It's not worth stressing too much over, but don't let your guard down completely, Hyun-jin.”
“Nah, of course not.”
“Good.”
After replying to Hyun-jin, Song Ha-eun had a question.
“By the way... we get gear tomorrow, right? For me, Yun-seong oppa, and Yu-hyeon, that means staves?”
Seo Yu-ju answered her.
“Yes, exactly. Mana-focused jobs usually carry staves to help channel their power. You can cast spells or spirit arts without one, but there's a big difference with versus without.”
“Ah... I see...”
Once Song Ha-eun's curiosity was satisfied, Kang I-seo asked everyone.
“So, what're you all up to now? Still plenty of time left... Can't train even if I wanted to, since gear's tomorrow.”
“Hmm... I was gonna wander the city a bit.”
“Oh, city tour? Mind if I tag along?”
I was caught off guard by Kang I-seo's offer. I'd planned to explore quietly on my own.
“Uh... you wanna come too?”
She picked up on my reluctance and pouted.
“...Forget it if you don't want to.”
“No, it's not that I don't want to...”
“Ooh, then we're touring together?”
“Yeah...”
I suddenly wondered what Seo Yu-ju had planned, so I asked her.
“What about you, Yu-ju? Any plans?”
“...I was thinking of checking out the city too, but I probably can't join you two. Got some things to look into on my own...”
She's got business to handle.
Seo Yu-ju, who usually stuck close to me, having separate errands screamed regressor priorities.
I didn't have specific business like her, but scouting the city's vibe and layout seemed smart.
In the end, everyone except me, Kang I-seo, and Seo Yu-ju stayed at the clan house. The three of us headed out.
Our first stop was the central square, impressive with its fountain. Scanning the crowd, I spotted other outworlders like us, plus some locals sprinkled in.
Regular cities run by the three great clans usually had lots of outworlders, but this continent's natives were around too, albeit sparsely.
A guy was selling something in the square, so I approached.
“Excuse me... mind if I ask what you're selling?”
“Ah, an adventurer? Haha, you've come to the right place. These are potions I made myself. Also selling simple gear and such.”
Potions and equipment...
I recalled that support job folks like alchemists or blacksmiths often made and sold potions or gear to get by.
“How much for this potion?”
I pointed at one labeled as low-grade and asked the price.
“Normally 5 gold, but special sale—just 4 gold each. Real bargain. What do you say?”
“Hm... I'll browse a bit more and come back.”
“Ah, sure... tsk...”
He swallowed hard, looking disappointed at my words.
Kang I-seo, curious why I'd asked, turned to me.
“Why'd you ask about potion prices? Planning to buy?”
“Nah.”
I could afford it—spoils from Kang Sung-jun, plus the hefty signing bonus from the clan. But buying blind without checking market rates was dumb.
Plus, without our clan crests until tomorrow, we looked like green adventurers to them. No guarantee they wouldn't rip us off.
This was just market research.
Need to know baseline prices to survive in this city.
I approached another potion seller and asked the same about a low-grade one.
“How much for this?”
“5 gold, but special—4 gold. Buying?”
As expected.
“No thanks. I'll look around and come back.”
Scamming outsiders was universal.
Asking a third, who offered 4 gold, I scowled fiercely on purpose.
“Ha... I know the real prices, so cut the crap. How much?”
“What're you... I said 4 gold.”
“C'mon, give me the proper price. I'm asking on behalf of someone high up in Eternity Clan.”
“E-Eternity Clan?”
No way a clan bigwig would send someone for cheap potions, but this guy wasn't thinking that deep.
At the name drop, he paled and spit out the real price.
“Hah, 2 gold each. S-sorry for not recognizing you. 1 gold, even...”
“No need to mention this upstairs. Give me three.”
Gold was piling up anyway—3 gold was fine.
Damn... trying to double the price? Shady bastards.
Can't trust anyone in unfamiliar turf.
As we walked with the potions, Kang I-seo chatted beside me.
“Hey, you're good at this stuff. That was kinda creepy just now. How'd you know it was overpriced?”
“Outsiders get fleeced everywhere.”
“Huh?”
“Think about Earth. Tourists get scammed by locals all the time, right?”
“Oh...”
“This place is no different from Earth.”
“Whoa... smart cookie, huh?”
I debated holding back, but blurted it out.
“...It's not me being smart—maybe you're the dense one?”
“...What? You little shit!”
Kang I-seo suddenly grabbed my hair and yanked.
“Ow! What the hell?!”
“You...! Take that back! Even when I compliment you, you bitch!”
“Fine, fine! Fuck, let go and talk...!”
“Goddamn attitude pisses me off!”
“I said okay, so let go! It fucking hurts!”
...Anyway, after some back-and-forth wandering more spots with Kang I-seo, we returned to the clan house to find Hyun-jin lounging on the first floor.
“...What're you doing here?”
“Ah, hyungnim. You're back?”
“Why aren't you up in the dorms? What's with the first floor?”
“Got too bored sitting around... Borrowed a sword from a clan member and trained a bit. Showered after, but now I'm wiped, so...”
This guy had potential no matter what. Average talent, but insanely diligent.
I'd never seen Hyun-jin skip a training day.
Chuckling, I patted his shoulder.
“Good to see you working hard.”
“Aw, c'mon. But did I-seo noona behave out there?”
Kang I-seo clenched her fist at his words.
“Ugh... you wanna die, punk?”
“Eek...!”
Hyun-jin overplayed his yelp at her reaction.
Curious about something, I asked him.
“Didn't see Yu-ju? She still out?”
No clue how long he'd been down here, but he'd know if she'd returned.
“Uh... Yu-ju noona? Nah, don't think so.”
We'd spent a good while out, so she should've been back by now.
Starting to bug me. What's she doing out alone?
Couldn't exactly tell her to spill her worries—frustrating sometimes.
“What about the others?”
“Ho-won ajusshi's doing light fitness training... Not sure on Ha-eun noona. Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon are in their rooms, I think.”
“Okay.”
Clunk.
Mid-conversation, Seo Yu-ju returned.
“Yu-ju. You're back.”
She looks exhausted.
Her face tried to hide it, but she seemed drained.
“Ah... Yun-seong? You're back already. Why the first floor?”
“We just got in too. Were about to head up.”
“I see... I'll go up first then.”
She finished and headed to the dorms. Others might've missed it, but I spotted a faint bloodstain on her sleeve.
Fuck... what the hell is she up to?
What reason could there be for blood in the city?
...Did she just kill someone?
Overthinking it. Probably just a scuffle.
But flipping it around...
From Seo Yu-ju's perspective as a regressor—what were her priorities?
Monopolize gains, recruit talent, eliminate future threats.
If I were her, I'd hit remembered high-reward dungeons first. Question was why join a major clan—hard to call the shots there.
Next, recruit future stars before they bloomed, sweet-talking them early.
Finally, remove future enemies.
Someone in this city she needed dead?
If she'd just offed someone, that weighed heavy. Rushing on day one meant it was critical.
...Could be me overfantasizing. No point brooding—no way to know.
I shook off thoughts of Seo Yu-ju and told Hyun-jin.
“Anyway, I'm heading up. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Good night, hyungnim.”
“Yep.”