Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Rest
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“Wow... Bro, the vibe here is pretty nice. Is it because it's a proper restaurant?”
“Well, it should be, given the price range.”
“Ah.”
Hyun-jin, experiencing a place like this for the first time, looked around curiously, his eyes darting this way and that.
“...Hey, don't act like some country bumpkin. You're behaving like you just rolled in from the sticks.”
“Come on, I can look around a bit. Isn't this your first time here too, sis?”
While Hyun-jin and I-seo bantered, Yu-ju spoke up.
“Let's sit down first. Everyone, take a seat wherever you're comfortable.”
Everyone had gathered except for Jae-hyo and a few administrative staff back at the clan house.
“Um... So, what's the reason for calling us all together today...?”
“Oh, there's no special reason, In-woo. We've all been so busy up until now, right? I thought it might be nice to have some time to relax and eat out together like this.”
“I see.”
“It would've been great if Jae-hyo could join us too, but... someone key has to stay at the clan house. He told us not to worry about him and go have fun.”
Something feels really guilty about this...
If you had to pick the busiest person among the clan members lately, it'd hands-down be Jae-hyo. As a founding member of Eternity and with his experience on the continent, it was only natural he'd be run ragged.
“Jae-hyo's been working hard.”
“Yeah, Yun-seong. It might be good to pack some food for him on the way back.”
“That's a great idea, Yu-ju.”
It was basic decency to look out for Jae-hyo, who was pulling more weight than any of us. Talents like him needed to be taken care of.
...Honestly, where else am I gonna find someone like that?
Compared to his experience and skills, Jae-hyo had no greed at all.
He wasn't arrogant, and he didn't dismiss our opinions just because we were newbies. He was the epitome of a model human being.
No thirst for power, and he acknowledged and accepted others' abilities. He'd even yielded the clan master position to Yu-ju, and when a regular clan member like me got overly involved in important clan matters, he'd watched and waited.
From what I could tell, back then it wasn't so much acknowledging me as gauging whether I could actually handle the clan's big responsibilities.
After seeing my successes—the expedition's triumph, selling rare-grade items, recruiting the promo team, and allying with Mythos—he started showing recognition. That proved he had an open mind.
It made sense why Yeon-jeong trusted him so much.
I should do something extra for him later.
Unlikely as it was, if Jae-hyo ever left the clan, I'd be the one clinging to his leg. Without the workload he handled, I'd be the one getting crushed.
“Oh, Yun-seong oppa. Speaking of which, where does our clan stand now? We used to be one of the top three, but we fell... and now our reputation's bouncing back.”
At Yu-rim's question, everyone's attention turned to me.
Eternity's position...
No need to overthink it. With Yu-ju, who couldn't be called a newbie; Sword Empress and Jae-hyo; the talented sprouts supporting them; and solid funds...
“We lack numbers, that's a drawback... but I'd say mid-tier clan level? Below the major ones, of course. Just my opinion.”
“Wow... That much?”
“Yu-ju alone has combat power beyond a beginner, and Jae-hyo or Ho-yeon could lead a clan no problem. Funds are plentiful now, and we've allied with Mythos, so...”
Our clan had walked a smooth path, so it might not seem obvious, but Jae-hyo and Sword Empress were rare talents.
Jae-hyo could master or vice-master a major clan easily, and Sword Empress—still growing—would reach top-three clan master level once complete.
“Yun-seong's right, Yu-rim. Eternity fell from the top three, true, but the expedition success, funds, and more than anything—former master Yeon-jeong aside, Jae-hyo's top-tier on this continent. Especially recruiting Ho-yeon gives us better standing than most mid-tiers.”
As Yu-ju finished, In-woo chimed in with his thoughts.
“Exactly. No offense, but many of you haven't even hit a year yet, so it's understandable. In Eras, mentioning Eternity's Jae-hyo rings bells for most. He's a known player. Especially rising as a Spearman without a special class.”
Special classes meant a lot in Eras.
With most top players having them, reaching the top as an Advanced Spearman proved Jae-hyo's insane work ethic.
“Even after Eternity's fall, he didn't leave. If he wanted, any clan would welcome him with open arms.”
“.....”
“Sword Empress Wi Ho-yeon is top-tier too. I was shocked when she joined Eternity—others were too.”
As In-woo said, Jae-hyo could've jumped ship but stayed. Proof of his attachment to Eternity.
“Uh... In-woo bro. Doesn't that mean we're regaining our old spot bit by bit?”
“Yeah. Far from top three, but we're reclaiming some past glory.”
As In-woo wrapped up, the ordered food started arriving.
“Alright, let's eat first and talk. Before it gets cold.”
“Kya... This is killer. Expensive for a reason.”
“...Hey, I-seo. Slow down. No one's snatching it.”
“What, now you're bitching about how I eat? Whatever!”
“Jeez... It's like you have a beggar in your gut...”
“Hey? You do remember, right?”
“What?”
“Forgot? You promised to buy me a meal.”
“Ah...”
I-seo's words jogged my memory of the forgotten promise.
“Now that you mention it, I suddenly wanna hit up some ridiculously pricey spot.”
Oh no...
I had a feeling I-seo would drag me to some insane place.
“Hold on, Yun-seong. You promised to buy I-seo a meal?”
Yu-ju pounced with the question right after I-seo's remark.
Damn it...
Odd analogy, but it felt like getting caught cheating. Not that Yu-ju and I were dating, but the vibe was weird.
“It's just a casual meal promise...”
“Casual? Just the two of you?”
Before I could answer Yu-ju's probing, I-seo jumped in.
“Wait a sec. Whether Jae and I grab a bite is none of Yu-ju's business, right?”
“Huh?”
“I'm just saying, it's weird you're reacting like that to me and Jae having a meal promise.”
“W-what's that got to do with anything? As clan master, I can ask!”
“Ha... Come on, make sense. What's the big deal? Just buying a meal.”
“Well...”
“And didn't you go out for drinks too? Came back to the clan house supported, wasted?”
“Ah... Th-that was...”
The conversation was veering off-track, so as I opened my mouth, Ho-won uncle spoke up.
“Ahem... Anyway... Could I ask about the clan's future schedule?”
“Ah, sure... um... Heard rumors of a new type of drug circulating in Sillan, a city not far from here?”
“Drugs?”
“Yes. Unlike the Eastern Alliance, Neutral Nation Baronia strictly bans drug trafficking. But lately, rumors of it spreading have started.”
Sudden drug talk...
The sudden mention of drugs surprised me briefly, but thinking about it, there’s no reason drugs wouldn’t exist in Eras. Places where people live are similar everywhere.
“I see...”
“Recently the Baronia Kingdom sent requests to several clans. It’s not mandatory, but they promised a big reward if someone captures the distributor.”
“Ah… so it doesn’t have to be completed?”
“Right. Most clans aren't prioritizing it. Palace isn't expecting much; probably investigating separately.”
“...So, Yu-ju, you plan to take this on?”
“Yes.”
‘…Does she know who the distributor is?’
It seemed Seo Yu-ju knew the distributor’s identity. Otherwise there would be no reason to accept a drug-related request.
“Um… Yu-ju unni. If it’s related to drugs, isn’t it dangerous?”
“It is. That’s why I’m planning to select personnel for it.”
‘Good idea.’
Since drugs involve the underworld, clashes with shadow forces are possible. Rather than bringing the entire clan, it’s better to send only those capable of handling themselves or with combat power.
‘Honestly, it seems like a dangerous request for our clan…’
Since more than half of Eternity are still chicks, we should normally avoid such missions. But Seo Yu-ju is a Regressor, so we trust her.
‘And… since the request came directly from the royal palace, if we solve it we might gain contact with the king or at least high officials.’
In other words, although the risk is significant, the rewards are also great. Large clans already connected with the palace may not care, but for us it’s extremely attractive.
As expected, Seo Yu-ju began explaining this.
“Some of you may wonder why we would take this request. The first reason is the reward from the royal palace, and the second reason is the opportunity to build connections with the palace.”
Looking around, everyone seemed convinced by her explanation.
“Ms. Yu-ju, then how will you select the personnel?”
“I’ve thought about it… but first let’s eat. We talked too much about work during a meal.”
“Ah, right. The food will get cold. Let’s eat.”
As we ate, my thoughts deepened.
‘Drugs…’