Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Library of Records (1)
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Today was the day we set out on our expedition.
Maybe because this was our party's third expedition, including the commissions, everyone seemed well-prepared and familiar with the routine.
"Yu-hyeon, you got everything?"
"Yeah, hyung."
"Yu-rim, what about you?"
"All packed, oppa."
Good. During our first expedition, I'd had to micromanage everything, but this time, I could clearly see everyone handling their own preparations smoothly.
"Yu-ju, I've got all my gear."
"Great. Then let's all board the carriage."
Just as the rest of us—minus Song In-woo—were about to climb into the carriage, Lee Jae-hyo emerged from the clan house and called out to us.
"...You're heading out on an expedition?"
We were all surprised, including me. Lee Jae-hyo looked impeccably clean. His scruffy beard was neatly trimmed, and his tidy clothes suggested he'd finally shaken off some of his grief.
'...Has he overcome it?'
It had taken time, but seeing him triumph over his sorrow showed the strength of his spirit. I personally respected him for it. I doubted I could've done the same in his shoes.
"...Jae-hyo, are you okay?"
"Yes... I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying everyone up until now."
"No, Jae-hyo. We completely understand. Just pulling through like this makes you amazing."
"...Thank you, Yu-ju. Or rather... Clan Master."
He seemed awkward calling her that, since it wasn't Go Yeon-jeong in the role anymore, but Seo Yu-ju.
"While I was holed up in my room... you all handled everything brilliantly. Honestly, I thought you might all leave the clan, but seeing you try to rebuild it... I couldn't just sit idly by."
Truth be told, while sorting out the clan's mess, Lee Jae-hyo's absence had been keenly felt. Seo Yu-ju managed well as a regressor, but the rest of us weren't as adept at handling affairs.
"It made me ashamed, like our positions had reversed. I should be the one leading you through hardship, yet here you were, waiting for me."
"...Jae-hyo..."
Glancing at the other clan members, I saw joy on their faces at his recovery.
'Of course. He'd helped us all so much.'
Among the original Eternity members, Lee Jae-hyo had been the closest to us. In a way, he was like our mentor.
"Go on your expedition with peace of mind. We'll talk more when you return. I'll handle a few matters and guard the clan while you're away."
"Got it, Jae-hyo. We're off. Take care of the clan house."
"Of course, Clan Master."
'Glad he's pulled himself together.'
Lee Jae-hyo was a valuable asset to the clan. With no rough edges to his personality, he'd surely prove indispensable.
Him getting his head straight was truly good news.
We rode in the carriage, heading toward our destination. Seo Yu-ju had chosen a spot a fair distance away.
The target was a small wasteland next to the undeveloped Otnerli Forest. From what I'd looked up, other scouting parties had explored it but found nothing noteworthy.
When Seo Yu-ju first explained why she'd picked it, her reasoning had seemed pretty thin.
She'd brought various documents to back it up, but to me, it felt flimsy justification for an expedition.
The others had seemed a bit puzzled too, but they trusted her judgment and went along. Knowing she was a regressor, I had no reason to object—just nodded and accepted her explanation.
'Why turn down a sure honey pot she knows about?'
It was like her handing me ripe fruit on a platter. No sense refusing.
'Nice.'
I wasn't too worried about the expedition. With Wi Ho-yeon as a major addition to our firepower, and the difficulty not being high, it should be fine.
"Yu-ju unnie, I heard we're heading to undeveloped land. What's it like exactly?"
"Oh... No need to worry. It's a small wasteland next to a developed area. Called the Ashen Wasteland—undeveloped in name only, practically explored already."
That much was true. My own research matched: labeled undeveloped due to unmarked paths, but otherwise tame. The monsters there were nothing special.
"...It won't be dangerous, right?"
"Should be fine. From what I gathered, the monsters roaming there aren't that strong."
As Lee Yu-rim and Seo Yu-ju finished talking, Wi Ho-yeon spoke up with a question.
"...Do you think there's a dungeon there, Clan Master?"
"Hmm... Not certain, but possible? One small clan scouted it—that's all. They might've missed something."
"...I see."
Wi Ho-yeon, a veteran player, wasn't fully convinced but accepted it. Loyal to Seo Yu-ju, he wouldn't second-guess her.
Since we weren't heading to a known dungeon but hunting for one, some anxiety was natural.
"...Don't worry too much, everyone. We may or may not find a dungeon, but it shouldn't be risky. Even if we do and it's dangerous, we can just sell it to another clan."
Everyone nodded at Seo Yu-ju's words, visibly more at ease.
After several scenery changes out the window and one night passed, we arrived.
"Whew!"
"Hey, watch it, man."
"Ugh... Stuck in that carriage forever—felt suffocating. Wasn't it for you, noona?"
"Fair. It was stuffy for me too."
As we all disembarked and stretched our stiff bodies, Seo Yu-ju spoke up.
"We walk from here—no more carriage."
Not because of rough terrain or lack of roads. Coachmen just avoided undeveloped zones for safety.
We could've bribed ours, but the clan's finances weren't flush enough.
"Yu-ju, which way now?"
"Well... I have some research. Look at this..."
'...She deciphered ancient script?'
The paper she showed had what looked like a translation of ancient text.
"Is this a translation of ancient script?"
"Yes. Combined notes from the clan that scouted the Ashen Wasteland with my own findings. Pulled strategy logs and asked In-woo to translate."
'So that's why she stuck with Song In-woo lately.'
I'd thought it was just clan briefings, but she needed his ancient script skills too.
"Read the translation... You'll notice three specific characters repeating, regardless of context. Hard to spot, but..."
Sure enough, scrutinizing it revealed the pattern.
"...Combine those three, revert to ancient script, and you get this word."
"...What word?"
"Library."
Library? Out of nowhere. Context ruled out a city library.
"Library?"
"Yes."
'...What does a wasteland have to do with a library?'
No clue. Couldn't connect the dots.
Lee Yu-hyeon piped up excitedly, eyes sparkling like it was the answer.
"Yu-ju noona! Maybe it means a city library?"
Seo Yu-ju smiled fondly at him.
"Possible, but I doubt it. The scouting clan translated it too and scoured city libraries."
"Oh... I see..."
Lee Yu-hyeon looked disappointed, shoulders slumping.
"...They found nothing?"
"Right. They gave up—no more clues."
"Then you found something, Yu-ju?"
"Look at this."
"This is... a map of the area. What's with the marks?"
The map had three spots circled.
"Places we'll check. Literature mentions three plateaus in the Ashen Wasteland. Since they're highlighted, we'll scout them."
Something there, probably. To avoid suspicion from instant discovery, she'd stage it step-by-step.
"Understood."
"Good. Let's move."
After a long trek, plateaus came into view.
"Ugh... Shit... Hate this. Gotta climb that?"
"Your stamina's higher than mine—quit whining."
"Dude, why so petty? Stats aside, I hate it."
"That's sexist, you bitch."
"Yeah? Bite me."
'...Damn woman.'
"...Fine, I'll let it slide this time."
"Let what slide? Even in bed with a girl?"
"....."
"Heh, kidding. Why so embarrassed?"
Kang I-seo grinned, pleased at landing a hit.
Wi Ho-yeon looked defeated by her banter, keeping distance—clearly no immunity to innuendo.
Seo Yu-ju, displeased by our exchange, spoke with a frown.
"Kang I-seo, ease up on the jokes. Yun-seong looks uncomfortable."
"C'mon, it's just banter..."
"Who talks like that?"
"...Whoa, hold up. Yu-ju, no guy experience on Earth, huh?"
"...Pardon?"
"Your reaction says it all. How'd that happen..."
"...W-what?! What do you...!"
I pretended not to hear, sparing Seo Yu-ju's pride. Others awkwardly followed suit.
Kang I-seo gave her a pitying look, and Seo Yu-ju, red-faced, snapped.
"Not true! I've got plenty of experience!"
Realizing her slip, she panicked and turned to me.
"Ah...! No, I mean—not plenty, but..."
Before I could respond, Kang I-seo continued.
"...Yu-ju, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Well... maybe a little, but own it casually..."
"Sh-shut up!"
Total victory for Kang I-seo. Seo Yu-ju was down and still taking hits—pitiful.
Feeling bad, I spoke up.
"...It's not shameful, Yu-ju."
"......"
She trembled, head down, walking in silence.
Cha Hyun-jin tried lightening the mood with an obviously forced voice.
"Ahaha... Nice weather! Good call coming out today, right, hyung?"
'...Don't, you idiot.'
It was cringey even for me. Lee Yu-rim pinched his side, eyeing him to chill.
"Ow!"
"...Be quiet, Hyun-jin oppa."
"....."
We walked on in silence for a while.