A Step Towards Maturity
After
“Hey, remember that inn we stayed at a while back? Oh, where was it… Ah, right. The ‘Demure Lady’ Inn in Mule. Back when I was still a newbie. You gave me a dagger there, remember?”
“Oh, when you were sulking all by yourself?”
“Ugh… Don’t remind me so bluntly. It’s embarrassing. But I think that’s when I started to change.”
“Really? How so?”
“I didn’t realize it myself… Who would’ve thought I’d turn into a blood-soaked lunatic? Ah, wait, let me finish.”
“Oh, your voice is quite something today. The infamous Lord of Mercenaries from the Northern Continent, making such… suggestive sounds. The male mercenaries who fear you would faint if they heard.”
“Stop it! I only act like this with you, not with anyone else… I’m yours, after all.”
“Alright.”
“Hey! What’s gotten into you today?”
“You like it.”
“I do, but… wait!”
Whether it’s a small caravan or a large clan, everyone is cautious when bringing in new members. Especially in a life-or-death place like the Hall Plain, this caution is even more pronounced. Considering this, recruiting Go Yeon-ju, even on a temporary basis, was the best decision we could have made.
She took on more than her share of responsibilities without being asked. She set up training areas for the kids, took charge of our meals, and more. Every morning, a fragrant cup of tea would be waiting on my desk, and the neatly organized documents detailed the current state of the Hall Plain in sharp, sophisticated handwriting.
In short, Go Yeon-ju made me feel like I was truly running a clan.
However, her kindness wasn’t entirely without strings. After that night when we somewhat revealed our intentions to each other, it was clear she was trying to make an impression on me. I needed to respond in kind.
Simply “working hard” wouldn’t cut it with her. There’s nothing more disheartening than effort without results. So, I had to show results alongside my hard work. The first step towards that would be the “Cave of Screams.”
I continued to delve into the records, not just for the Cave of Screams but also for any potential discoveries that might have been missed in the first round. The odds were slim, akin to finding an asteroid in the sky, but you never know.
While external achievements were important, the internal affairs of the clan were even more crucial. The financial situation, the relationships among the members, and what everyone was up to. Judging by her actions, Go Yeon-ju seemed to have been part of a clan before, and now that she was inside, she would observe and judge everything.
Ahn Hyun was following the elite path to a tee. He compensated for his slightly lacking magical abilities by becoming a Qi Spear Master. I worried he might get distracted by Go Yeon-ju, but he remained disciplined and focused during practice, which was reassuring.
Ahn Sol and Ha Yeon were also diligently sticking to their daily routines. It was surprising to see Ahn Sol following Ha Yeon’s schedule, given their different classes. Although diversifying divine spells was challenging, improving their mana control would be a significant achievement. With their high stats, even using basic spells like binding, healing, and protection would be beneficial.
Vivian and Shin Sang-yong were also working hard. Vivian, in particular, seemed busier since Go Yeon-ju joined. She helped decode Ahn Hyun’s records, taught Shin Sang-yong, and increased her personal training time. It seemed Go Yeon-ju’s presence sparked a competitive spirit in her.
Shin Sang-yong, though quiet, was one of the most diligent members. He preferred staying in the background but was the first to volunteer for unpleasant tasks. Such members were the hidden strength of the clan, and I always greeted him with a warm smile.
Everything seemed to be going well, but a closer look revealed some issues. The biggest problem was Yoo-jung. While the group maintained a good flow, there were times when an awkward atmosphere would arise, and Yoo-jung was often at the center of it.
Once vibrant and lively, Yoo-jung now wore a more somber expression. She no longer chimed in during conversations and often went off on her own. I left her be for now, based on the others’ advice, but it was hard not to feel concerned.
In the past, I might have dismissed her immediately or criticized her harshly. While those feelings weren’t entirely gone, I also felt a twinge of sympathy. It wasn’t exactly affection, but I understood her inner turmoil.
When Ahn Hyun obtained a rare class, I noticed the signs. As we continued to recruit skilled users, Yoo-jung found herself struggling with feelings of inadequacy and stagnation. Ahn Hyun, whom she saw as a rival, had advanced, leaving her feeling stuck.
Could she keep up? Even if she tried, would it be enough?
Strictly speaking, Yoo-jung hadn’t made significant contributions since the exploration. But that was to be expected. I favored Ahn Hyun because of his potential and gave him more opportunities, but Yoo-jung was different. Her class and weapon made every battle a life-or-death struggle.
My attempts to protect her had backfired. Now, she had two options: find a rare class of her own or accept her situation and strive to improve. The former was unrealistic, and Go Yeon-ju advised waiting for her to come to terms with it.
To Go Yeon-ju, Yoo-jung’s struggles might seem trivial. Despite her own secret class and high stats, Go Yeon-ju had undoubtedly worked tirelessly to reach her level. Her blunt advice stemmed from seeing Yoo-jung’s efforts as child’s play.
But my perspective was different. Yoo-jung appeared tough on the outside but was sensitive and vulnerable inside. Not everyone responds the same way to the same advice.
Those at the bottom have their own struggles. Yoo-jung was facing the same dilemmas I had agonized over in my first round. While hard work is essential, human emotions are complex. I believed my judgment was more appropriate in this case.
I closed my eyes and recalled her words.
“Oppa… Are you really Su-hyun oppa? You’re not someone else, right?”
“The money Hyun, Sol, and I saved from our weekly wages. It’s about 7 gold and 80 silver.”
“Not you guys, but us.”
“Oppa sacrificed for us, never deceived us. Even if he did, it was for a reason.”
“While we trained and rested, who was running around tirelessly? It was oppa. Su-hyun oppa.”
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Despite the conflicts, I decided to support Yoo-jung once more.
This time, however, I would set clear boundaries.
Late at night, I found myself unable to sleep early again. Thoughts about the group’s equipment kept me up. I had forgotten to bring extra gold last time, and it was clear we’d need more funds for better gear. With some GP to spare, investing in equipment seemed wise.
I sipped my warm tea and tapped the table. Her words from earlier echoed in my mind.
“What? I was joking, but did you really think that?”
“No… It’s not that. Haha.”
“Oh my, unbelievable. User Kim Su-hyun? Don’t even dream of drinking the tea I make from tomorrow. Really, what a sight.”
I activated my third eye as I held the tea Go Yeon-ju had brought. It wasn’t intentional, just a habit from my first round. She laughed, asking if I was checking for poison. But when I flinched at her words, she narrowed her eyes and glared at me intensely.
After issuing her ultimatum, she slammed the door and left. But I knew that by tomorrow morning, there’d be a steaming cup of tea and a report waiting on the table. Chuckling at her little protest, I took another sip of my tea. It had a refreshing taste, likely infused with herbs good for fatigue recovery.
As I was leisurely reviewing the equipment the kids had, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” I called out, and in burst Ahn Hyun, drenched in sweat.
“Hey, it’s me, Ahn Hyun. I’m coming in.”
“You’re already in, so you might as well sit down,” I replied with a wry smile, gesturing to a chair. Ahn Hyun strode over, propped his spear against the wall, and plopped down. Even from a distance, I could feel the heat radiating off him—he must have been practicing hard.
As expected, he was here with questions. Ever since he started seriously studying the records, he’d been seeking me out more frequently. I was planning to head down after organizing the equipment list anyway, so I decided to help him out now. His earnest effort was infectious, making me more than willing to assist.
After listening to Ahn Hyun’s concerns, I began explaining calmly.
“A Qi Spearman has a unique style. It’s not all about offense. If you look at the overall flow, it’s more about using defense and control to wear down the opponent, then striking with a counterattack. So, the Qi Spearman is a class that focuses on defensive techniques.”
“You’re right. I read the records, and it’s nothing like I imagined. I thought it would be an aggressive class, but there’s so much about defense,” Ahn Hyun grumbled.
I chuckled at his complaint and continued, “The essence of Qi techniques is to dramatically enhance the efficiency of internal energy manipulation and elevate it to martial arts. Learning defensive spear techniques is never a bad thing. These techniques create opportunities, and if you can seize them, you can even defeat opponents stronger than you. And it’s not like you don’t have any powerful moves.”
“Hmm. Sorry, but I’m still not getting it. Could you explain a bit more?”
“Of course.” I nodded, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. After finishing the last sip of my tea, I delved into a more detailed explanation.
“According to the records, the Qi Spearman’s combat style is highly logical. Before a battle, you need to assess many things: the opponent’s distance, class, specialized abilities, weapons, and how they use them. You also need to make quick decisions to execute the best martial arts techniques. You never know what situation might arise, but it’s up to you to piece together the right response.”
“Ugh, it’s so complicated.”
“Haha, did you think a rare class would be easy?”
Ahn Hyun clutched his head in frustration at my explanation. As I smiled faintly, he sighed deeply, gathered his notes and spear, and stood up. His slumped shoulders showed how challenging he found it. When he first acquired the rare class, he probably envisioned a rosy future, but reality was proving to be anything but easy.
I had my reasons for not choosing a secret class in the magic talent line, despite having stats in the high 90s. I had already reached the pinnacle of success as a swordsman, the
In any case, Ahn Hyun mastering the Qi Spearman’s power was still a long way off. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back with a sudden realization.
“Oh, right… I have something to tell you.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
He hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself and spoke.
“It’s about Lee Yoo-jung.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yoo-jin.
Haha, today was quite eventful. To get straight to the point, I won’t be stopping the serialization just because of some issues. It won’t affect the content either. (Even if I revert to being a eunuch, or become Eunuch Yoo-jin.)
Though it might be a bit awkward, I have no intention of erasing the existing content, and I plan to continue as scheduled. Memorize was always intended to include such mature themes. (Not that it’s all about mature content.)
I will continue to write with confidence. I love my work, and I’m grateful to the readers who support it. The comments from readers and the illustrations from
PS. If you visit my space,
PS2. Today’s conversation.
“I heard Go Yoo-jin is quite popular in the comments. And Vivian too?”
“(Startled, thinking they meant Eunuch Yoo-jin.) Ah, yes. It’s probably Go Yeon-joo.”
“Right, Go Yeon-joo. People say she’s very charming.”
“I originally considered having her killed off.”
“Don’t kill her.”
”…….”
『 Reader Comments 』
audwodi12: Nice to meet you. Congratulations on being first! :)
hohokoya1: Haha, no worries. I realized there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve decided to be confident. Thank you for the valuable advice. :)
ShiningKuma: I see, it’s your first comment! Thank you for binge-reading over two days. Please continue to comment frequently!
Techno: NO. NO. NO. That will never happen. Never, never, never. I’ve declared a complete departure from being a eunuch.
Dongpa: Indeed. I wonder when the kids will mature. (?!)
Like a Cloud: It’s been a while! It’s great to see a veteran commenter. Haha. Please don’t hate Hanbyeol too much. He’s going through a tough time.
Broken Fan: Haha, sorry. I intended to just close my eyes for a moment, but when I opened them, it was 4 AM…. Yes! There will be no restrictions on expression. I’m sticking to the original plan. Confidently. :) Thank you for the fan art. I enjoy it whenever I have time. Oh, I showed the fan art to my father this time. Haha.
rhkdel2: My mother said she’d consider it. I’m in big trouble now…. :)
Heeya’s Mom: Thank you! I’ll take good care of my health. My mental state is fully recovered! Haha. Please be careful of colds during the changing seasons. :D
sdaas: Hahahahaha. Hahahahaha. 10:49 PM. I secretly checked it while you were sleeping. Hahahahaha.
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I always read all the comments repeatedly.
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That’s all for today.
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