The Leader's Sudden Visit
A while had passed since Lee Minyoung and Park Youngjun's visit. Things were progressing smoothly, so it seemed he'd just need to wait a little longer. In the meantime, Haiseon procured dark iron from the first floor and spent his days endlessly turning it into rings. He had to secure the initial supply somehow, and with only one body to work with, all he could do was hammer away diligently.
Rustle—
He was in the middle of bending a lump of metal that would soon become a ring when he heard a noise from outside the forge.
"Who's there—"
"Me."
"...Oh, Yeojeong. What brings you here."
Fuck, why'd she come? How'd she know? How much does she know?
Pyo Yeojeong, the leader of their mercenary corps, had shown up out of the blue without any warning. Her body clearly wasn't fully recovered yet—she was still in a cast and leaning on crutches.
What the hell could have dragged her all the way here in that beat-up state?
Unconsciously, Haiseon blocked the forge entrance with his body. Of course, Pyo Yeojeong ignored it completely and shoved her way in.
"Move it, you're in the way."
"......"
"Whoa, this forge is cool. When'd you build this?"
"Not long ago."
"Oh yeah? You shoulda invited me sooner."
"Why invite my boss to my workplace?"
"Heh, fair point."
Pyo Yeojeong let out a snickering laugh. Before long, she started poking around every corner of the forge.
"Hey, you never even came to visit me in the hospital."
"We were in the same hospital. What kinda visit is that?"
"Still! My bones were shattered—you could've at least peeled me an apple."
"An apple? Like your bones haven't shattered a dozen times before."
The same old pointless banter as always. With just the two of them, his dialect slipped out naturally too. But for some reason, his voice felt shaky. Luckily, she didn't seem to suspect anything, but that didn't make the anxiety any less real. What if she figures it out? Will she rip my head off right here? He swallowed hard.
"So, what's up? Why'd you come all the way here?"
"Nothin'. Got discharged and was bored. The kids told me to go bug you since you're back home."
"What about the corps?"
"I'm still not healed, you're off the grid again... Intak's spinning the healthy ones around the low floors."
Intak was one of the corps officers who'd escaped the 20th floor with him. One of the guys who'd handled rear support alongside Haiseon.
"Intak can handle it, right?"
"Even low floors need looping. At least he's paying their salaries. Oh, and yours—"
Pyo Yeojeong crossed her arms in an X.
"Forget mine. But how'd you know I was here?"
"You come back home, where else you gonna go?"
"...True."
Pyo Yeojeong wandered around the forge again. He'd tried tying her up with questions, but it failed. She gawked incredulously at the warhammer from the gallery, then spent a good while hammering some cooled dark iron with the forging hammer. Finally, she reached the box where he'd gathered the rings.
"Whoa, what's this? Rings?"
"......"
"You make rings too? That's hilarious."
"Gotta kill time somehow."
"Damn, there's a ton. What're you making this many for?"
What do I say? Part of my mental training? Bullshit that wouldn't fly with Pyo Yeojeong, who knew him too well.
"Don't tell me these are for us?"
"Uh, what?"
"Knew it. How sweet."
Pyo Yeojeong slipped one ring onto her index finger.
"Pretty, right?"
"No."
"It is pretty."
"Fine, do whatever."
"Our uniforms don't match anyway. Some wear all black, others whatever."
We're not heading into the tower all fancy. He kept that thought to himself. No need to argue.
"If we all wear one, it'll build unity and make us stand out. Smart thinking, Haiseon."
She ruffled his hair. Not a pat—it was a rough rub.
"Hey, don't mess up my hair."
"Like a high schooler. Puberty hitting?"
"Rub gently then. Not like you're scrubbing laundry."
Ignoring him, Pyo Yeojeong thoroughly tousled his hair.
"Grab a box when you head up."
"......Sure."
"How many's in it?"
"What?"
"The rings. How many?"
"Fuck if I know... Just making 'em as they come."
"Oh yeah? Track it next time."
"I'll handle it."
Pyo Yeojeong hauled the box to her car. He offered to carry it—her limbs weren't exactly in top shape—but she slung it over one shoulder without a word. Watching her, he rubbed his aching gut. How many extra days to refill a whole box? Still, better than zero rings ahead.
"The kids'll love it, right?"
"They'll probably just want cash."
"Don't worry! I'll smash every last bowl they throw."
"......Tone it down."
"Got it. Less nagging."
She showed zero intention of toning it down.
"Think we can distribute 'em on the next climb?"
"Next climb? When's that?"
"Dunno. Soon? Latest in ten days?"
"That soon? Rest more."
"Tough times. And this run starts from the 11th floor, straight climb. Gotta prep for the 20th."
Ten days at best—her body wouldn't fully recover. A spear-sword focused ascent. Even with the team, crises were inevitable. Everything would come out then.
What now?
Pyo Yeojeong had no plans to delay. Maybe lay some groundwork? Hint carefully that he might be an awakener. Emphasize good awakeners exist—and he's one. Soften the shock. Yeah, worth a shot. No need to hide forever.
"Hey, Yeojeong. You know..."
"Yeah? What."
"There, uh, are awakeners who..."
"Yeah?"
"Aren't total wrecks? Ones with their heads on straight, no troublemaking."
"Nah."
"Could be. Awakening doesn't flip your personality overnight. If they were decent before—"
"Nope. Why bring this up? You're scaring me."
"No, I mean—"
"The only good awakener is a dead awakener!"
Fuck. Come on, Yeojeong, think more openly. Not that I can talk... please!
Ding—
His smartphone rang then.
Park Youngjun from the Mercenary Support Agency. The timing was perfect—the conversation was veering weird. Haiseon slipped out of the forge to avoid Pyo Yeojeong.
"Yes, Team Leader."
—Aigoo, Vice Leader, all good? Eaten yet?
"Yes, yes. So, what's up?"
—The business. Framework's set, so calling.
"I see..."
—Public announcement next week.
"Next week...? Isn't that too fast?"
Next week—time was even tighter. Gaslighting Pyo and the team in that span? Impossible.
"Could you push it back a bit? Embarrassing, but fatigue's piling up—supply's lagging."
—Haha, no worries. Announcement next week, distribution has buffer.
"Ah, okay..."
—Also, dropped a news story to build hype. Good reactions!
"News?"
—Haven't seen? Sending link.
"What news did you drop..."
—Two F-rank hunter thugs robbed a jewelry store. Teamed with cops on a trap—bait was rough. Haha!
The call ended. His mind reeled, like Dempsey rolls from both sides. Should he have ignored awakening from the start? Stuck to lurking in the gallery? He clicked the news link from Park, pondering useless what-ifs. He'd choose the same if he could go back. The reporter's crisp voice played from his phone.
Park Youngjun, somehow now Mana Artifact Development Division Chief. The division probably formed days ago. And the suspiciously skilled jewelry staff resisting. Heavy mosaic, but those shoulders screamed Lee Minyoung. New store too? The thrill of spotting acquaintances faded fast.
Why are they so damn good at this...!
The Agency duo had blown up the board beyond his imagination. Thousands of comments gauged the impact.
He scrolled through each one. Negatives were rare. Mostly hopes for a better tomorrow. Relief, pressure, worry—all at once.
"What the—this about rings too?"
Pyo Yeojeong's voice from behind. His body froze like a mouse facing a snake. His eyes darted between the screen and her. Hers between him and the screen.
Please just spare me...!