Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Adaptation (1)
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Thanks to Song In-woo's considerable efforts in promoting the clan and recruiting members, a few people began joining the administrative team. They weren't exceptional talents, but it was a start.
Of course, my input was naturally part of it.
Because I could view other people's status windows.
In the end, we recruited for the admin team through interviews, with me handling only the final ones to select and bring people on board.
‘Phew... Now I can finally breathe.’
With more hands on deck, my workload had naturally lightened. Things weren't as frantic as before these days.
The hiring costs were covered by a massive haul of gold that Seo Yu-ju had somehow procured—along with the clan's funds.
‘Definitely... having a regressor around makes life so much easier.’
I had no idea how she did it, but whenever the clan needed something, Seo Yu-ju always delivered.
And one more reason I finally had some breathing room lately.
Wi Ho-yeon turned out to be surprisingly adept at administrative work—not quite on my level, but definitely quicker than Seo Yu-ju or Uncle Ho-won.
"She's competent."
"...Is something wrong?"
"...No. You're incredibly familiar with the tasks."
My inner thought had slipped out by accident. Luckily, I'd muttered it under my breath, so she hadn't caught it clearly.
"Thank you, Lee Yun-seong. More than that, please speak comfortably. You don't need to use formal language."
"...I prefer formal speech. Casual feels off to me..."
"If formal suits you better... Understood."
‘She's so rigid.’
I'm no pushover when it comes to flexibility myself, but this woman took stiffness to extremes.
‘Ugh... Her calling me Lee Yun-seong feels so damn awkward.’
We were equals as clan members, yet she insisted on this ultra-formal deference—it was maddeningly uncomfortable.
I had a question for her, so I went ahead and asked.
"Wi Ho-yeon-ssi... how did you end up joining our clan?"
From my own digging, Song In-woo wasn't a big name on this continent, but this woman was different.
Wi Ho-yeon was a famous player known among players as the Sword Queen. In fact, her joining our clan had become a hot topic in Baronia.
Why would someone so renowned pass up better clans to join a fading one like Eternity? That was the mystery.
"The clan master offered me a spot."
"Hmm... What I mean is, our clan is pretty much already fallen, right?"
"....."
"You could easily join any top clan, so I'm just curious why you chose ours."
"...Because I owe the clan master a debt of gratitude."
‘A debt... So Seo Yu-ju must have helped her out somehow.’
Given my guess that Wi Ho-yeon had been Seo Yu-ju's ally in the first timeline, it made sense that she'd lent a hand.
"I see. If I may, are you from the Eastern Alliance?"
"...Yes. I'm staying in Baronia now, but I'm originally from the Eastern Alliance."
Her title had tipped me off that she might be from there, and my hunch was spot on.
"Then did you recently come over from the Eastern Alliance to Baronia?"
"No. I may be from the Eastern Alliance, but I've been in Baronia for a few months already."
Of course—it wouldn't make sense for Seo Yu-ju to have traveled to the Eastern Alliance and back in just two weeks.
"Hmm... Got it. Thanks for answering, even if my questions might've come off poorly."
"No problem. Ask away if you're curious about anything."
‘...She's no blind subordinate following orders... What kind of favor did Seo Yu-ju do to make her this deferential?’
I really wanted the full story, but prying that far felt outright rude, so I held back. My gut said it wasn't a happy tale.
"Anyway, there's hardly any work left, and it's dinnertime—how about we eat together?"
".... Understood."
Nothing builds rapport like sharing a meal.
When Wi Ho-yeon and I headed to the clan cafeteria, Seo Yu-ju and Song In-woo happened to be there, apparently about to eat as well.
"Ah! Yun-seong-ssi, Ho-yeon-ssi. Here for dinner?"
"Yeah, Yu-ju-ssi. Work's wrapping up, and I'm starving..."
"Then let's eat together. In-woo-ssi and I were just about to anyway."
Since Song In-woo was still new, it looked like Seo Yu-ju was personally guiding him around and filling him in on clan matters.
I took a seat at the table and turned to Song In-woo.
"How's clan life treating you so far, In-woo-ssi?"
"Ah... Yes. Haha... Luckily, the clan master's been showing me the ropes, so I'm managing fine."
"Good to hear. Speak up if anything's off—no need to hold back."
"Oh, no. I already feel overly pampered."
I hadn't gotten the full measure of Song In-woo yet, but he struck me as a solid guy.
‘Sure, his timid nature makes chats a tad frustrating sometimes...’
For starters, he didn't seem greedy at all. Plus, he had sharp judgment.
From Wi Ho-yeon and Song In-woo's view, we were the rookies and they the veterans of this continent. Even with Seo Yu-ju as interim clan master, they showed zero resentment or scorn.
‘I like them.’
I'd been anxious about issues arising since Seo Yu-ju had brought them in without a heads-up, but they were turning out to be great picks. One less worry.
Their positive rep within the clan was proof enough of their quality.
I had a question for Song In-woo, so I asked.
"Hmm... This might be impolite, but how did you end up joining us, In-woo-ssi?"
"Ah, well..."
"No need if it's personal. Just wondering."
"It's fine... I was just figuring out how to explain. Nothing major, really..."
"...."
"I ran a small potion shop in the city of Trslo. Business was rough, though. Like most alchemists, I was scraping by day to day."
"Hmm... I see."
"That's when the clan master found me and made the offer. That's the whole story. Actually... I turned her down at first. Felt way above my station..."
"....."
"But she kept coming back, affirming my worth, and eventually I accepted."
"Got it. Thanks for sharing."
"Yes... Haha... I still can't quite believe it. Feels like luck struck out of nowhere... I don't deserve this, but the terms are just too good..."
"...You're selling yourself short. Yu-ju-ssi recruiting you means she sees real value in you. No need to downplay it."
Touched, Song In-woo clamped his lips shut for a moment before replying in a shaky voice.
".... Thank you."
Seo Yu-ju watched our exchange with a pleased smile.
Wi Ho-yeon, who'd been sitting quietly beside me and listening, finally spoke.
".... Lee Yun-seong-ssi, you're quite adept at conversation."
"Aw, you're embarrassing me. Haha... Speaking of, did you two know each other before, Ho-yeon-ssi, In-woo-ssi?"
Pure curiosity. Seo Yu-ju bringing them both had sparked the thought.
Wi Ho-yeon answered my question.
"No. This is my first time meeting Song In-woo-ssi."
"Ah... Makes sense. I figured since Yu-ju-ssi recruited you together."
"Hahaha... Totally understandable. Ho-yeon-ssi and I just met."
‘Yeah... Their personalities don't really vibe anyway...’
Anyway, that cleared it up. With some small talk flowing, and our numbers somewhat shored up, I turned to Seo Yu-ju about future plans.
"Yu-ju-ssi. So, what's the plan moving forward?"
"Ah... Planning an expedition soon."
"Expedition... Like buying a dungeon last time?"
"No. We're scouting for one ourselves."
‘She's finally leveraging her regressor knowledge to steer the clan.’
Probably heading to spots she knew from the first round. She had to know plenty of undiscovered dungeons.
The Eternity Clan was already drawing eyes. Plummeting from the big three to small fry, then snagging the Sword Queen—it was all the talk.
‘Nail this expedition, and our standing shoots up overnight.’
Expeditions were high-risk, high-reward. Big wins or big losses. But with Seo Yu-ju? Failure wasn't on the table.
‘Yu-ju noona, you're all we've got.’
I just had to trust her.
"Hmm... How do you even find a dungeon like that?"
"Usually by probing uncharted zones and stumbling on one. Most discoveries happen that way."
"Uncharted zones?"
"Yeah. Players have claimed most land, but tons of uncharted areas remain. They're full of hidden dungeons and monsters..."
‘Uncharted zones...’
"A lot of the dungeons big clans conquered started as uncharted spots. Varies by nation, but Baronia's fortunate—plenty left. Works in our favor."
"If it varies by nation..."
Song In-woo jumped in this time.
"Hmm... Word is the Eastern Alliance is fully saturated."
"Saturated how?"
"Yeah, barely any uncharted land left. Running out of dungeons for players to tackle."
"Doesn't that stall player growth entirely?"
"Spot on. Not total stagnation... but most paths to improvement are gone."
‘Sounds dire.’
If Song In-woo was right, Eastern Alliance players were starved for gear upgrades and experience gains.
Growth at a standstill.
‘Bet this ties into why the Eastern Alliance is such a mess right now.’
Seemed likely. Saturation meant even new recruits had no real shot at leveling up.
As I fell silent, Wi Ho-yeon spoke up.
"It's sparking all sorts of chaos there—purges, civil wars, newbies left unprotected, you name it. Not entirely because of that, mind you."
"...Hmm... Any chance Baronia heads that way down the line?"
If Baronia followed suit eventually, we'd need countermeasures now.
Seo Yu-ju's response put my mind at ease, thankfully.
"No, Yun-seong-ssi. I doubt it."
"Mind sharing why?"
"Hmm... National situations are worlds apart. Eastern Alliance players lack discipline, and they're tangled up with outlaws—that's the big issue."
"Got it."
"Yeah. No worries needed."
That was reassuring. A crisis like that would overwhelm any individual's power or smarts.