Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Second Promotion
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"Haa..."
I couldn't help but let out a sigh in my office. It was because while I'd been away for a long time handling some urgent business, Yun-seong had gone off on his own.
'At least things worked out well...'
I'd done everything I could to keep Yun-seong from getting tangled up with Myth Clan, but in the end, he'd avoided joining them—that was all. It seemed inevitable that he'd end up involved with them somehow, just like in my first run.
'...And more than anything, things are definitely unfolding differently from the first run. Is this the butterfly effect?'
Especially since, unlike the first run, Myth Clan had exposed their spy—an unexpected windfall I hadn't anticipated.
The puzzling part was Yun-seong's apparent involvement in it.
He claimed he'd only lent a small hand, but that was nonsense. If it was just a minor favor, why would Myth Clan go so far as to form an alliance over it?
'The outcome is positive, sure... but what the hell actually happened?'
For a brief moment, I wondered if Yun-seong had regressed too, but I let out a wry chuckle at the thought.
"Ha... What am I even thinking? No way that's possible."
And if Yun-seong had regressed, there's no way he'd pretend not to know me. The look on his face when we met in the Tutorial was clearly one of seeing me for the first time, so the idea that he'd regressed was pure speculation.
'Anyway, I'm just glad it all worked out this time... I almost had a heart attack.'
If anything had happened to Yun-seong, I never would've forgiven myself for so carelessly stepping away.
Honestly, I'd planned to give him a real scolding this time, but seeing his exhausted expression, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
"Haa..."
Thinking about it, Yun-seong had come close to death more times than I could count even up to now. At this rate, it almost felt like the world itself was gunning for him.
Not even he could keep an eye on his own safety all the time, yet he kept throwing himself into danger.
I'd been so worried that last time, I even suggested he transfer to a non-combat role in the clan...
'But he didn't seem open to it at all.'
The problem was that he had no intention of doing so. Part of me wanted to lock him away somewhere safe.
The best stopgap I'd managed was assigning Sword Empress as his bodyguard. Since he'd brought her along in the first run, I figured they'd mesh well, but I never dreamed he'd shake her off with some weird item and go solo.
"Hoo... I need to keep a closer eye on him from now on."
I was already worn out from things not going smoothly, and now Yun-seong pulling a stunt like this—it was exhausting.
'That woman... where the hell is she and what is she doing? Is she even active right now?'
The reason I'd been away this time was to track down the leader of the Execution Holy Society. More precisely, the woman who killed Yun-seong.
I didn't know her name, and since she'd hidden her face in the first run, I didn't know what she looked like either. All I knew was that she possessed terrifying power and that at a certain point, she killed the previous leader and seized the position.
'I have to kill that woman, no matter what it takes.'
Beyond mere revenge, that woman was humanity's enemy. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say my first run was utterly destroyed because of her. She was the top-priority target that had to be eliminated at all costs.
'...No answers here no matter how I think about it. Ha...'
The problem was that with almost no information on her, I couldn't conduct a proper investigation. I'd scoured every branch this time, but came up with nothing.
In the end, the only solutions were to bolster my own strength and gather talented people to prepare.
'This time... this time, I won't lose anyone.'
I had no desire whatsoever to relive that grief.
A month after the Lawless spy incident was announced, before the buzz had even died down, another shocking revelation dropped: the alliance between Myth Clan and Eternity Clan.
Naturally, it made the news feeds, so word spread like wildfire among Baronia's players.
『Myth Clan and Eternity Clan's Alliance. What's the deal between two of the top three clans?』
『Why did Myth Clan accept Eternity Clan's alliance proposal? From both sides' perspectives, it seems Yun Yeon highly rates Eternity Clan's potential...』
『Speculation is rife about some connection between Myth Clan and Eternity Clan. What will Myth Clan's next moves be...』
The official reason given for the alliance was that Myth Clan saw great potential in Eternity Clan. Just looking at their squad—Seo Yu-ju, Sword Empress, Lee Jae-hyo, and other promising members with bright futures.
It was only a matter of time before they established themselves as a top clan. People seemed to accept that reasoning to some extent.
Of course, not everyone bought it. Some sharp-eyed folks whispered that it might be connected to the spy hunt a month ago, but with no response from Myth Clan or ours, those murmurs faded away.
The issue was that rumors started swirling because word got out that I'd stayed at Myth Clan's house for an extended period—not just a day. I could understand the weird talk that followed.
But the problem was the nonsense like Yun Yeon and I having some special relationship.
'Ha... I'm tired.'
Obviously, those ridiculous rumors forced me to give the clan members a non-explanation explanation. Especially Seo Yu-ju's reaction—it was hysterical, and I had my hands full dealing with it. No matter how much I denied it, she wouldn't listen; I thought she'd lose her mind.
"Hoo..."
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong, is something wrong?"
I let out a sigh, and Wi Ho-yeon approached me with a concerned look.
"Ah... It's nothing, Miss Ho-yeon. Just thinking about what happened yesterday..."
"Ah..."
She fell silent, clearly recalling yesterday's events.
'Yesterday, I seriously just wanted to run away...'
Honestly, at this point, even an idiot could tell what feelings she harbored for me.
It wasn't a good reaction for me, since I wanted to remain just friends or comrades with her—not lovers. Seo Yu-ju probably knew that whenever she tried to get closer, I gently pushed her away.
'No way she doesn't know. Even if Seo Yu-ju is oblivious about this stuff, she has to feel me pulling back. That's probably why she panicked like that.'
It seemed like those absurd rumors about me and Yun Yeon had made her lose her composure a bit. Give it some time, and she'd calm down.
'Ha... And I need to get some training in too.'
I hadn't trained lately because I was so busy. It was stressful being the only one in the clan still stuck at general-grade job.
'Damn this job—it refuses to promote.'
My talent was so abysmal it was practically cursed.
I'd heard that first promotions for normal jobs weren't that hard. Most hit it quickly on average, and second promotions were where it got tough.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong?"
"...It's... my job grade won't promote at all. But it's no big deal, don't worry."
"Promotion? Don't stress too much. Second promotions require a patient mindset anyway."
"Uh... well..."
Wi Ho-yeon seemed to think I'd already done my first promotion. As I hesitated awkwardly, she asked cautiously.
"...Pardon my rudeness, Mr. Lee Yun-seong, but are you talking about your first promotion?"
"...Yes."
At my answer, Wi Ho-yeon started glancing at me nervously.
"Ah, uh, s-sorry. I thought you meant the second..."
'...That reaction hurts even more... Damn it.'
Her response confirmed my case was unusual.
"No, no... I get why you'd think that. Anyway... do you know the average time it takes to reach first promotion?"
"Hm, well... From what I know, about five to six months after entering the continent..."
'Shit...'
"By chance, how long did it take you, Miss Ho-yeon...?"
"...In my case, my first job was Intermediate Swordsman, so the first promotion happened basically the moment I got the job."
'Same as Seo Yu-ju or Jo Chan-ho.'
My guess was that those with exceptional talent started with intermediate or higher—rare grade or above—from their first class change.
"...I see. Any tips for promoting?"
"Ah... For me, it just happened one day... I don't really know. Sorry, Mr. Lee Yun-seong..."
'...Fuck...'
Not intentionally, but it felt like she'd tricked me. Here I was struggling like hell with it, and she breezes through saying, "Huh, it just worked for me?"—like talking to a genius.
"......"
"Ah, s-sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude. I'm sorry."
"What am I supposed to do after you've already said it..."
"Ah... Th-that's..."
Seeing her flustered face, I chuckled and spoke up.
"I'm kidding. No need to apologize; I'm not bothered."
"...Phew... Please spare me jokes like that. I was worried you'd gotten mad..."
"Come on, would I get mad over something that small? Do I really seem that petty?"
"No, that's not what I meant! I didn't mean it like..."
'...This is kinda fun to tease.'
Her fidgeting reaction from one little jab made it entertaining.
"I know."
I grinned as I replied, and realizing it was another joke, her face turned beet red again.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"Haha... Sorry. I won't do it anymore."
"....."
"Ahem..."
'Did she get sulky?'
Her expression looked a bit pouty.
'...I thought she was all businesslike from her usual demeanor, but she has this side too.'
"Oh, right—Mr. Lee Yun-seong, I forgot to mention. The Clan Master said we should all get together for a meal today."
"...All together for dinner?"
"Yes. She thought it might be nice to eat while catching up, since it's been a while."
"Hm... My schedule's free today, so that works. Where are we eating?"
"Finances are solid, so she plans to eat out."
Our clan was flush with cash relative to our size, so a group outing was no burden.
"Got it. Looking forward to some good food for once."