A Subtle Rebellion
Go Yeon-ju was smiling at me, but it seemed she was already aware of Ha-yeon chanting her spell. The moment her shadow on the floor began to writhe, I swiftly drew the sword from my waist. The clear sound of the blade being unsheathed was accompanied by Go Yeon-ju’s shadow spinning around and rushing towards Ha-yeon.
Ha-yeon looked genuinely surprised by the unexpected attack. Yet, even in her shock, I noticed the necklace around her neck emitting a white light.
”───. Target Designation: Silhouette. Overlap.”
No matter what attack came her way, she never gave up and always countered with the appropriate magic. Even when startled, she did what needed to be done. Magicians are expected to maintain a cool head in any situation, and Ha-yeon was the epitome of a textbook magician.
The magic burst forth from her necklace, and with a rapid incantation, she cast an Anti-Magic spell. The white light that shot into the air soon turned fluid and absorbed into the shadow. Although Ha-yeon’s spell only managed to make the shadow hesitate, the two seconds she bought were enough for my sword to reach Go Yeon-ju’s neck.
”…Hmph.”
A chilling silence followed. Go Yeon-ju remained seated, resting her chin on her hand, but I didn’t miss the surprise in her eyes. She might have been playing around, but a second-year user had managed to land a blow on someone who had reached the <10th Rank>. Ha-yeon’s decision to use the now-obsolete Memorize magic was a valid one, even if it was a one-time trick.
“Enough with the games.”
I pressed the sword closer to Go Yeon-ju, who was darting her eyes around. The last time I had her cornered, she chose to retreat. This time was no different. With a 1:3 standoff and the situation already against her, plus a sword threateningly close to her throat, there was no reason for Go Yeon-ju to push her luck.
As expected, she calmly withdrew her shadow and raised her hands. Ha-yeon let out a sigh of relief as the shadow receded. I couldn’t help but admire Ha-yeon once more as I slightly withdrew my sword, noticing her throat bob as she swallowed.
Once the sword was fully withdrawn, Go Yeon-ju rubbed her neck.
“Phew. Isn’t it a bit unfair for a man to interfere in a fight between women?”
“Is that all you have to say?”
”…I’m sorry. I took the joke too far.”
Go Yeon-ju bowed her head. I knew she was just playing around, and I wasn’t expecting an apology. So, I decided to let it go. It might seem insincere, but the fact that someone of her rank was apologizing was significant. However, Ha-yeon looked at her with disbelief, then furrowed her brow as if sensing something amiss.
“The shadow… could it be…?”
As Ha-yeon murmured, Go Yeon-ju gave a sly smile and spoke up.
“May I introduce myself?”
“By all means.”
With my permission, she straightened up and bowed politely to Ha-yeon and Shin Sang-yong. This time, it wasn’t an apology but a display of her presence, a kind of boast.
“Hello. I’m Go Yeon-ju, a fifth-year user known as the Shadow Queen. Currently, I’m running an inn in Mule due to certain circumstances. I apologize for my initial rudeness.”
“Gasp!”
”…”
As expected, Shin Sang-yong nearly jumped out of his seat in shock. Ha-yeon’s eyes widened, but she didn’t react as dramatically as Shin Sang-yong. Ha-yeon and Go Yeon-ju’s gazes met in the air, and I saw a slight smirk on Go Yeon-ju’s lips.
“I said I’m sorry. It was meant as a greeting.”
”…So users of your rank greet others by attacking them?”
In response to Ha-yeon’s cold remark, Go Yeon-ju twisted her lips and replied.
“Oh my. I had no intention of killing you. Who was it that started chanting first?”
“Oh my. I don’t think I intended to chant either.”
Watching Ha-yeon retort back, Go Yeon-ju raised an eyebrow as if to say, “Oh, really?” Ha-yeon stood tall, while Go Yeon-ju, still bent over, lifted her head slightly. They locked eyes, and after a moment of silence, it was Go Yeon-ju who spoke first.
“Do you think I’m a pushover because I apologized? And could you stop looking at me like that? It’s making me want to kill you.”
“I don’t know what you’re so proud of. I don’t even sense any sincerity in your apology.”
At Ha-yeon’s words, Go Yeon-ju chuckled and straightened her back. She pulled out a dagger from her waist and began to twirl it around her fingers.
“Sincerity? I was curious because Su-hyun seemed interested, but you’re still quite young. What are you trying to prove in the Hall Plain?”
Ha-yeon responded with a scoff, seemingly at a loss for words. Indeed, the Hall Plain was a world primarily governed by power and ability. Especially for someone like Go Yeon-ju, who had reached the <10th Rank>, she was in a position far above what ordinary users could aspire to. Ha-yeon’s attitude was certainly unusual, but there was one reason that could justify it. And Go Yeon-ju likely had an inkling of what it was.
“The Shadow Queen has really fallen. Getting challenged by a mere child. You know why your head is still attached, right?”
“Of course. I’m only doing this because I have something to rely on.”
“You sure talk big for someone riding on coattails! I’ll let it slide this time because of Kim Su-hyun, but if it happens again, there won’t be any mercy. Haha.”
“Are you denying the significance of caravans and clans? If individual strength is acknowledged, then the power of connections should be too. Though I wonder if we’ll have the chance to meet again. Hehe.”
“Enough, both of you.”
Before things could escalate into a real fight, I intervened. Both women turned to me with faces that showed their displeasure. I let out a loud sigh for them to hear.
Objectively, Go Yeon-ju was the highest-ranking user present. From a modern perspective, she was more at fault, but in the Hall Plain’s logic, they were equally to blame. However, considering I was a zero-year user, Ha-yeon’s attitude was excessively bold.
I had met with Go Yeon-ju several times, making it clear that I was above her, and she had somewhat accepted that. So, her fault lay in unnecessarily provoking us and taking the joke too far. It was enough to make anyone watching frown. Although Ha-yeon had started chanting first, it was Go Yeon-ju who had initially provoked us with her investigation.
Ha-yeon, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically defiant. Despite being far below Go Yeon-ju, she didn’t back down… one could say she “stood up” to her. Expressing one’s will is a personal freedom, but if Go Yeon-ju hadn’t known my abilities or if I had been weaker, Ha-yeon’s attitude could have easily led to her death.
Of course, they had gained the upper hand in the brief two-second skirmish through their coordination and trust in my skills. But that alone didn’t justify Ha-yeon’s behavior. It was likely an emotion only women could understand.
If I had to pinpoint one thing, it seemed Go Yeon-ju had touched a nerve when she mentioned Ha-yeon’s background. When Go Yeon-ju muttered “abandoned magician user,” I saw Ha-yeon’s eyes flare up.
Her actions were a bit out of character compared to her usual rational self. But I decided to ask her about it later. I didn’t believe Ha-yeon would act this way without reason.
After organizing my thoughts, I addressed Go Yeon-ju.
“Ms. Go Yeon-ju, user Jung Ha-yeon is currently a member of my caravan. While the investigation was unpleasant, leaking it intentionally is hard to take as a friendly gesture. I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from excessive actions in the future.”
Ha-yeon’s face brightened at my words, while Go Yeon-ju’s expression darkened. However, I continued.
“And… I’ll have a word with user Jung Ha-yeon later.”
This time, Ha-yeon’s face fell, and Go Yeon-ju let out a small laugh. I had supported Ha-yeon, maintained Go Yeon-ju’s dignity, and clarified my stance. In other words, I was suggesting we avoid further conflict and reach a compromise. Both Ha-yeon and Go Yeon-ju seemed to find the situation amusing, as they nodded slightly.
Shin Sang-yong, who had been fidgeting nervously, seemed to relax as the situation settled. He adjusted his glasses and began to observe Go Yeon-ju closely. Sitting at the same table as a <10th Rank> user was a rare opportunity.
Noticing Shin Sang-yong’s gaze, Go Yeon-ju spoke in a sultry voice.
“Stop staring. It gets me excited when you look at me like that.”
“Wha… wha…! I-I’m sorry! It’s just that…”
Shin Sang-yong was startled by her words and quickly lowered his head. Yet, he continued to steal glances at her, his thoughts as transparent as a video. The fact that a <10th Rank> user had spoken to him left him gaping. Go Yeon-ju, seemingly amused by his reaction, continued with a playful smile.
“What is it?”
“Well… um…”
“Go on.”
As Go Yeon-ju urged him, Shin Sang-yong’s face turned beet red, and he stammered in a voice barely above a whisper.
“The thing is… the image of the Shadow Queen I’ve always heard about is so different from this…”
“Hmm? What kind of image are you talking about?”
“Ahem…”
Shin Sang-yong cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. Go Yeon-ju, clearly amused by the situation, burst into laughter. Then, with a graceful motion, she untied her neatly styled hair.
“Go Yeon-ju?”
Sensing she was about to do something unusual, I spoke up, but she just winked at me and grabbed the hem of her top.
“Like this, for example?”
Rip!
“Gasp.”
“Eek.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she yanked her clothes with such force that her neatly dressed outfit tore apart in an instant, leaving her almost bare. The unexpected boldness of her action left both Ha-yeon and Shin Sang-yong gasping in shock.
Go Yeon-ju crossed her legs, now nearly exposed. Well, not entirely exposed—she was still wearing clothes, but the difference between what she had on before and now was stark. Her tank top was cut so daringly that it barely covered her shoulders and revealed more than half of her chest. It seemed like the slightest touch would make it burst open, showcasing her voluptuous figure. Her shorts left nothing to the imagination, revealing her slightly plump thighs, which would tempt any man to reach out and touch them.
Her long, silvery hair cascaded down, adding to the decadent aura she exuded. She held a dagger upright in her right hand and placed it right in the center of her cleavage. Slowly, she began to press it down, the sharp blade slipping between her breasts, dangerously close to cutting her. The sight was both seductive and perilous, making Shin Sang-yong swallow hard.
Watching their reactions with a calm demeanor, Go Yeon-ju spoke in a low voice.
“Are you satisfied now?”
Her sultry voice filled the room, signaling a shift. She was no longer the innkeeper but the true Shadow Queen, ready to engage with us on her terms. The seductive and dangerous aura she emitted made Shin Sang-yong and Ha-yeon hold their breath. I worried Ha-yeon might intervene again, but thankfully, she knew when to step back. It was time for her to retreat.
Go Yeon-ju exhaled softly and turned her gaze to me. She licked her lips and moved closer.
“Let me pour you a drink.”
“Well…”
“Oh, come on. The night is long. Just have a drink.”
She blew a warm breath into my ear. The atmosphere she created was unsettling, far from a simple gesture of gratitude for earlier.
The key point was her different attitude towards me compared to the others. It was her way of signaling that it was time for me to step forward. Without waiting for my response, she picked up a bottle and handed me a glass, pouring the drink with both hands.
Trickle.
Before I knew it, Go Yeon-ju was pressed close to my side. Her lips exuded a sweet scent, and her skin had a fragrant allure unique to women. She subtly brushed her chest against my arm, the soft skin and the cold edge of the dagger sending mixed sensations through me.
Instinctively, I glanced at Ha-yeon. She was giving me a worried look, signaling me to be careful. Her genuine concern, rather than petty jealousy, was reassuring. Encouraged by her silent support, I steadied myself.
Initially, it was a battle of wills between Ha-yeon and Go Yeon-ju, but with Go Yeon-ju revealing her true self, Ha-yeon had stepped back. Now, it was my turn to take the stage.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Jung Ha-yeon vs. Go Yeon-ju. The baton has been passed to Ha-yeon.
It’s time to start tying up Go Yeon-ju’s storyline. :)
Ah, the ancestral rites went smoothly. Thank you. (__)
As the eldest son is overseas, I, the second son, had to fill in.
Standing in the center, all those eyes on me felt quite overwhelming. Haha.
Well, I’m off to bed now. I’m exhausted.
Wishing you all a peaceful night!
『 Reader Comments 』
BloodHell: Congratulations on being first! A new first commenter has appeared! (Clap, clap, clap.) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. :)
Podak: Oh, where did you learn such good things… Just kidding. I’ll enjoy it. Nom nom! ^~^
Vegemil: Oh no, the princess is already under Han So-young. What to do…
Juan: Haha. If I were to cut off Go Yeon-ju here, I’d be mobbed by readers. It was originally a 50/50 decision… ㅜ.ㅠ Now, I’ll have to make readers dislike Go Yeon-ju!
Offitlove19: I think I’ve become too lewd lately. Background checks… hehehe.
Gahanna: Uh… Go Yeon-ju is… um… ㅜ.ㅠ I can’t give a definite answer yet… ㅜ.ㅠ Soo-hyun already has a great true name!
GradeRown: Haha. Surrounded by enemies… not really. Allies will appear too. :)
Archangels la: Glasses lolololol. I don’t want to get caught by the youth protection law! lol.
GameNovelJota: No way. Go Yeon-ju as an information gatherer lol. The fall of the 10th rank!
Toranoanal: You’ve ignited a fire in me. I thought my cliffhangers were well done, but I guess there’s room for improvement. I’ll take your advice and work on enhancing them. Thank you.(__) And the phrase “feels like something’s slightly off” really resonates with me. I think it’s similar to what I’ve been feeling lately. I’ll try harder.
HumanLife: Haha. HumanLife, you’re always the number one commenter in my heart. Your legendary comments in the early days were truly remarkable. There were tough times early on, but many people sent comments and messages to cheer me up. You were one of them. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who smiled at your comments back then. (Even D sometimes finds them amusing. Haha.)
Thank you for your continued interest in Memorize and me, and I hope for your continued support. :)
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I always read all the comments repeatedly.
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