Suspicious Stare and the Hard Mode Challenge
VIP. Pyo Yeojeong stared intently into my eyes. Her lips twitched. A wave of dread washed over me, wondering what words might spill from those tiny lips.
“That's amazing.”
“Y-yeah.”
“Having an artifact like that would make climbing a whole lot easier, huh.”
“Probably.”
“Can't you make somethin' like that?”
Saliva slid thickly down my throat. Was she onto me and testing the waters? No, it could just be an innocent question.
“...Who knows.”
“Hey, have you tried?”
“I told you to stop readin' those entrepreneur biography books. Ever since you became leader—”
“Aaaah! Enough! Go learn it yourself.”
“Like that's gonna happen. If I thought you'd just tell me if I asked, I would've done it ages ago.”
Judging by Pyo Yeojeong's attitude, she didn't seem to have figured out the truth. I continued, feeling cold sweat trickling down.
“Artisans don't share their techniques easily, as a rule.”
“That Park Youngjun guy from earlier. I know him well.”
“Oh, right.”
“If I drop my name, he'll probably spill the crafting secrets, no problem.”
She chuckled at that. Normally, she'd have shot back with a "cut the crap." And we'd both have forgotten the conversation by now. But not this time. A brilliant plan flashed into my mind like a bolt of lightning.
“Fine, I'll ask him. If it doesn't work, I'll see if I can snag a few rings at least.”
“Nice. Bring back a whole box.”
The conference room inside the Mercenary Support Agency buzzed with discussion.
Ring ring—
The phone's ring shattered the atmosphere. It was the smartphone of Park Youngjun, formerly the Hunter Communications Team Leader and now the Mana Artifact Development Division Chief.
“Ah, sorry about that.”
This was a mistake Park Youngjun would never have made normally. Must be the exhaustion from his piling workload lately.
“Hey, Director Park, you look beat these days? Isn't manners mode during meetings basic etiquette? Public service life ain't a cakewalk, huh?”
“......Minyoung, cut it out.”
“Tsk! Hey! 'Minyoung' to the CEO? My beeeautiful CEOooo?”
Lee Minyoung drummed her fingers on the table. In front of her sat a mother-of-pearl nameplate engraved with 'CEO Lee Minyoung.' Such vanity items were rare in conference rooms. Only extreme narcissism could pull it off. But Lee Minyoung had done it.
Friedwen, a company in name only. CEO Lee Minyoung. To mercenaries who knew her, it was an excuse like, "I dunno what's goin' on, but the higher-ups made me do it." To the unaware public, she was just a pretty figurehead. Lee Minyoung found her position quite satisfying.
“Director Park! Answer me! Good job or bad job?!”
“Minyoung, just because you're CEO now doesn't make me your subordinate.”
“Hmph, yessir.”
“Anyway... sorry, but I need to take this call. It's from a VIP.”
VIP. Not the president, but referring to Haiseon. Overkill for a mere blacksmith, but within the agency, Haiseon was already treated as VIP.
“Why does the vice-leader always call just you, Director? He called me first at the beginning!”
“Minyoung, watch your terms.”
“Ahh, when will my VIP reach out to me... I miss him so.”
“Why not call first?”
“Should I? Yeah, as CEO, I can summon my star employee for meals and drinks, right?”
“Sure. Minyoung, how about a group dinner after work today?”
“No thanks.”
The chatter started when Park Youngjun stepped out and ended when he returned.
“Don't harass the VIP, Minyoung. He's gonna be busy from now on.”
“Huh? Why, Director?!”
“Wasn't the first batch almost done?”
“He's adding a special design to the rings? So some of the existing stock's unusable now, and we need to ramp up production.”
“That's gonna be tight. The current volume's already limited.”
“Ugh, of all things!”
Lee Minyoung pouted.
“And about the quantity for Claymore Mercenary Corps—”
“What'd he say? Direct supply?”
“We have to select and provide it ourselves. But as the top domestic mercenary group, the justification's solid.”
“Got it, I'll prep that!”
“While we're at it, let's coordinate a handover ceremony with Claymore too?”
“Great idea. And set it up so Claymore does the No. 1 climb wearing the artifacts. That'll make for a good visual.”
“Ooh! Can I go to the event myself?”
What the hell is this?
I'd heard the rough rundown. Back when Park was team leader, he'd submitted a proposal, got punched with "then you do it," and dumped the most grueling part on Lee Minyoung. I'd been hammering away, assuming that was it.
“Okay, group photo time! Smile!”
But what was this flashy event venue? And the massive crowd? Nobody mentioned this.
No complaints about Lee Minyoung being here. It was just the extravagance of the event that felt overwhelming. Across from us, a mana barrier demonstration performance was causing a commotion.
“What is all this?”
I whispered to Lee Minyoung, who was striking a pose beside me.
“Boosting the vice-leader's cred, duh.”
“What'd I even do?”
“Heehee, gotta take care of our own, right?”
“You sure had that gun trained on me quick enough.”
“Forget that...!”
“Group photo's done! Now just the leader and CEO!”
“Photographer! Can we include the vice-leader too?”
“Why am I even here? You two take it alone.”
“No reason not to. Vice-leader, get in here.”
“Why me...”
“Ack! Get over here!”
Lee Minyoung yanked my arm. With her in the center, Pyo Yeojeong and I flanked her. I felt her arm link with mine, her body pressing close.
“Back off. This is going official.”
“Hehe.”
“Finger hearts from all three! Finger hearts!”
“Heart! Hurry, vice-leader!”
The event drained my energy. Finger hearts, cheek hearts. Commemorative shots. Ring handover ceremony... Now, just one final big event left, with a short break.
The squad members I met during the break went wild.
“Girlfriend?”
“Dude, insane. Haiseon hyung, when'd you start dating?”
“Gimme a rich noona too...”
“She's just a figurehead CEO. Used to be agency staff. Didn't you know?”
“She was here last time too. Staring only at the vice-leader.”
I waved off the guys spinning their imaginations.
“Not my girlfriend. She's half-joking around, so don't misunderstand.”
“Who jokes like that? Honey dripping from her eyes.”
“Maybe the vice-leader's just oblivious?”
Like I don't know. I'd have to be an idiot not to notice. Lee Minyoung's affection was blatantly obvious. The issue was I couldn't pinpoint where it came from.
“You'd date her if she confessed for real?”
“......Too gorgeous, kinda intimidating.”
“Your ego's bloated.”
“Leader's a beauty too, but you're chill with her.”
“She's family.”
“C'mon, that's not fair.”
“Hey, hey, your 'family' is coming.”
Pyo Yeojeong approached, looking as drained as I felt from her busy day. Events clearly weren't her thing—her face was pale.
“Great work, Leader. Vice-leader just said something cheeky. What should we do?”
“What'd he say?”
“About CEO Lee Minyoung earlier. Too beautiful, he's intimidated.”
“Even if she confesses, he won't go for it.”
“But super chill with you, Leader.”
“......Just kill him.”
Dark shadows closed in around me. Their giggling promised mischief. As real threat loomed, Pyo Yeojeong blocked them.
“Whoa, beatings later. First, applause for Vice-leader Haiseon.”
“Kill to claps now?”
“Slap him with your palms?”
“They say our selection for the mana barrier ring support program was largely thanks to Vice-leader Haiseon.”
“M-me?”
“The vice-leader?”
“What'd Haiseon hyung do?”
Puzzled looks turned my way. Makes sense—Pyo Yeojeong handled all agency comms. I'd been holed up at home, using recovery as an excuse.
“The CEO emphasized it big time. Selected because of the vice-leader.”
“Haiseon, what the hell did you do?”
“And you won't accept her confession? Scum?”
“A girl bringing artifacts as dowry? What's not to like?”
"....?!"
My head spun. The teasing squad vanished from view. Lee Minyoung said that? This was no joke. She might've spilled something to Pyo Yeojeong that could expose me.
“Yeojeong, she really said that?”
“Nah, obvious BS. But it felt spot on. They picked us after seeing Haiseon's face. Tsk, anyway, everyone clap!”
“Man, wanna live one day as Haiseon. Want everything like Haiseon.”
“Whatever, we'll use 'em thinking the vice-leader gave 'em.”
“Alright, clap clap!”
Clap clap clap clap. I received applause in a half-dazed state. Might as well reveal everything and face the mob justice. 'Hm.' Kidding, of course. If that day came, it wouldn't end this smoothly.
“Claps done? Prep time. Time to climb the tower.”
“““Yes ma'am!”””
At Pyo Yeojeong's command, the squad moved in perfect sync. The finale of today's event: the ascent ceremony. Before countless cameras, members slipped rings onto fingers or made necklaces. Plain prototype rings and patterned new ones gleamed on hands.
If danger hit in the tower, both rings would activate together. Cheap materials made the barriers stack. Good for me—the squad's rings Pyo Yeojeong took would turn to junk.
'Two crises per floor might feel a bit wasteful.'
But we weren't the type to struggle on 11. The squad gathered at the Black Tower's summoning circle. It rippled, our forms blurring.
⊳ Selected Floor 11
⊳ Difficulty recommended based on average climber potential
⊳ Recommended for Claymore Mercenary Corps: Hard
⊳ Hard difficulty automatically selected
As expected, but not thrilled. I gripped my warhammer pouch tight.