A New Level of Maturity
As soon as Lee Yoo-jung showed her face, she burst into tears. Her emotions must have been a tangled mess. Even though she knew she was in the wrong, her stubborn pride had kept her from admitting it. But as time went on, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider among her friends. And when even I, her last refuge, didn’t come looking for her, it must have felt like a final betrayal.
I gently lifted Yoo-jung into my arms, holding her close as she cried even harder. I softly patted her back, trying to comfort her.
“Ahhh… Oppa… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
“There, there. It’s okay, Yoo-jung. You’re a good girl. Let’s stop crying now, alright?”
“I’m sorry, Oppa… I was wrong…”
She kept repeating her apologies, each one laden with layers of meaning. Honestly, on my way here, I had prepared myself to scold her if she insisted she hadn’t done anything wrong. But the moment I saw her reaction, my resolve melted away.
Yoo-jung was usually fiery and quick-tempered, but she was also pure-hearted. I whispered reassurances, soothing her gently.
I don’t know how much time passed. I had never seen Yoo-jung cry for so long. Her eyes were swollen and her face was streaked with tears. I wiped them away gently and spoke to her in a calm voice.
“Have you cried enough now?”
She didn’t answer, but I felt her nod against my chest.
“Ha ha. Where did the fierce girl who was cursing up a storm go? All I see is a crybaby.”
”…I wasn’t yelling at you, Oppa… I thought it was that jerk…”
Was she talking about Ahn Hyun? I was curious about what he had said, so I decided to probe a little.
“Still, scratching and hitting him was a bit much.”
“No… sniff, he kept saying… sniff, nonsense…”
“I see. What did Ahn Hyun say?”
She was still hiccuping, trying to suppress her sobs. Yoo-jung lifted her head from my chest, her face full of frustration.
“He barged in and asked if I wasn’t embarrassed in front of everyone… said I was just jealous because he got a rare class…”
“And then?”
“And then… he said you were upset with me because of the Go Yeon-joo incident… told me to get up and go to you… sniff. Then he suddenly yanked the blanket off me and tried to drag me out… I was already feeling terrible, and I just lost it…”
“I see. I only asked him to bring you over, I didn’t know all that happened.”
“Ugh…”
As I spoke gently, Yoo-jung seemed to relax a little, resting her head against my chest again. I chuckled softly at her tousled hair.
Technically, Ahn Hyun wasn’t wrong. But he had no tact when it came to dealing with women, especially someone like Yoo-jung. He had a knack for hitting her with blunt truths, and his recent boasting about his rare class probably didn’t help.
I stroked Yoo-jung’s silky hair and spoke in a soothing voice.
“What he said was harsh, but it wasn’t entirely nonsense… you know that, right?”
“Yeah… honestly, when he said it, I couldn’t argue. I wanted to say something, but no words came out. But the anger just kept building… so I ended up yelling and hitting him…”
Yoo-jung’s voice was dry as she admitted this, and then she continued in a forlorn tone.
“I know I’m ridiculous and pathetic… I act all high and mighty, but my actions are like this. Everyone must think I’m a joke, just like Ahn Hyun said. I couldn’t even congratulate a friend on their success, just wallowed in ugly jealousy…”
“It’s okay. Realizing that is enough. If you truly think that way, then you’ve taken the first step towards growth. Acknowledging and accepting your flaws is the first step upwards.”
“Do you really think so? You always say nice things, Oppa.”
Hearing her dejected voice, I knew it was time. I lifted her chin to meet my gaze and spoke with a serious expression.
“I’m not lying. Yoo-jung, do you really want to become stronger?”
Sensing the sincerity in my voice, she nodded immediately.
“Yes. I don’t know what you think, but I want to get a rare or secret class too. I haven’t been much help in battles… and I’m afraid I’ll be left behind.”
“It’s true that rare and secret classes have advantages over regular ones. Especially secret classes, which have unique powers. But that doesn’t mean regular classes are weak. Depending on how you use your abilities, stats, and class, even a regular class can be powerful.”
“Really…? Do you think so?”
“Out of the current ‘Top 10,’ two have regular classes. Sure, the other eight have rare or secret classes, but if I were you, I’d look up to those two and try to break through. Your class, ‘Mercenary,’ has a lot of potential too.”
Despite the changes in the rankings after the failed expedition to the Iron Mountains and the battles among the vagrants, my words held true for now. There were users with regular classes who had made a name for themselves. Yoo-jung had potential, and I didn’t expect her to reach the ‘Top 10.’ I’d be satisfied if she could grow into a top-tier or high-tier user who could back me up. Considering her stats as a first-year, she wasn’t lacking at all.
I reached into my coat and pulled out the cursed sword, Skurep. Yoo-jung’s eyes widened with curiosity at the sight of the rusted blade. It looked like a simple curved dagger, but it was a fearsome weapon classified as a cursed sword.
The sword of the high-ranking demon Belphegor. Though it appeared rusted, it was incredibly durable and sharp. Wounds inflicted by it would bleed continuously due to its curse, and the more blood it absorbed, the sharper it became.
I had debated whether to give it to her. Despite its power, using a cursed sword like Skurep could deteriorate the user’s mind, eventually turning them into a bloodthirsty maniac.
But I had two reasons for giving it to her now.
First, I could control Skurep. Whether it was because I was a Sword Specialist or the true master of the sword, Skurep had submitted to me from the start. Considering cursed swords usually try to consume their users, the sword’s earlier vibrations were nothing. If Yoo-jung showed any signs of being affected, I’d dispose of the sword immediately.
Second, Yoo-jung and the sword complemented each other. She was endlessly kind to those she liked but had a strong aversion to those she disliked. This had shown in past battles. I was counting on that. If Skurep could draw out her personality in a balanced way, she could be much more effective.
“Oppa, what is this ugly dagger…?”
Before she could finish her sentence, Skurep hummed with a low vibration. Yoo-jung flinched in surprise, and I smiled gently.
“It’s an item I found in the Ruined Lab. A cursed sword used by the demon Belphegor, called Skurep.”
“A cursed sword? Skurep?”
As Yoo-jung tilted her head and reached out, I pulled the sword back. Watching her puzzled expression, I began to explain.
“Listen carefully. Skurep is a type of cursed sword. Cursed swords are often imbued with dark magic—sorrow, desire, curses, disasters. These powers are strong but can affect the user’s mind. Skurep, for instance, needs to taste blood to be satisfied.”
”…”
“But that doesn’t mean cursed swords are inherently bad. Holy swords are similar. They demand a price from their users too. In the end, there’s not much difference between them. If you can master this cursed sword, you’ll definitely improve. But if you let it control you, it will lead to your downfall.”
Of course, I was her safety net. But Yoo-jung didn’t know that, and her expression hardened. Her outstretched hand froze in mid-air. I watched her reaction and continued in a dry tone.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about this. I’m not entirely sure if I should give you the Skurep right now. But seeing how you’ve been struggling lately, I felt I had to bring it up. So, it’s your decision. You can take this cursed sword and gamble on it, or you can keep gaining experience and challenge it later.”
“A… gamble?”
“Yes. The moment you take the Skurep, whether you like it or not, you’ll lose a part of your old self. But if you’re okay with that, if you really want to find a way out, then go ahead and do what you feel is right.”
“Oppa…”
I smiled gently at Yujeong, who looked at me with a worried expression. I placed the Skurep on the table and turned slowly to continue speaking.
“This isn’t something I can decide for you. I’m not saying you have to choose right now. There’s still time before we need to move, so think it over carefully.”
I could feel her gaze wanting to hold me back, but I walked steadily towards the door. Just before stepping out, I turned back for a moment.
“I miss seeing the lively Yujeong. I hope to see you smiling again tomorrow morning.”
“Okay…”
Yujeong glanced back and forth between the Skurep on the table and my face. This was her first big decision since entering the Hall Plain. She must be feeling anxious. Wanting to offer her a bit more reassurance, I spoke once more.
“Whatever you decide, I’ll respect your choice. I promise.”
With that, I stepped out of the room.
The second-floor hallway of the inn, “The Modest Lady,” was shrouded in darkness. As I descended the stairs, I reflected on what had just happened.
My initial goal was achieved: to bring Yujeong back to her usual self. Leaving the choice of the Skurep to her seemed like the best course of action.
Whether she picks it up or not, it’s fine. I was curious to see what decision Yujeong would make with the time she had left. Just as I was about to climb the stairs, I paused, one foot still on the step, and stared into a corner. There was no one there, but my keen senses couldn’t be fooled.
Even though I was staring, the surroundings remained deathly silent. After waiting for a while with no response, I finally spoke in a quiet voice.
“Come out.”
Silence. Despite my words, a chilling stillness lingered between the stairs and the hallway. Whoever it was seemed to be hiding well, but they couldn’t escape my third eye. I sighed, took a cigarette from my pocket, and descended the stairs again. I offered the cigarette to where I sensed her mouth would be.
”…”
She probably didn’t expect me to pinpoint her exact location. As I suspected, something invisible to the naked eye twitched slightly, and I felt a gentle tug on the end of the cigarette I offered.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
Haha, this is my first time receiving a review.
Thank you for all the kind words. :)
It’s Friday night, also known as “Fire Friday,” right? I hope you all have a restful weekend after a tiring week of studies and work. I, too, will try my best to continue writing over the weekend, though I have so much to do. (Please don’t expect too much. ☞☜)
I always enjoy reading your comments. Every time, I learn something new, like “Oh, it can be interpreted this way,” or “This part is lacking.” Even though there are many areas I need to improve, I will always strive to address any shortcomings in future updates.
With that, I’ll take my leave for today. Have a peaceful night, everyone. :)
『 Reader Replies 』
Hwiul: Oh, this is quite surprising. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a back-to-back first comment. Achieving it twice in a row isn’t easy. Do you have a secret? Haha, congratulations on being first.
GradeRown: Haha, since I’ve introduced a rival, there will be some conflict. But I’ll manage the pacing.
Hanery: Haha, please don’t be too hard on Yujeong. She’s learned a lot this time, so you’ll see her in a better light more often. :)
Saramin: I hope your surgery went well. You must be quite bored while waiting. I recommend reading novels on your smartphone to pass the time. Haha.
Goksd: That’s why Suhyun is quite confused right now. It feels like he’s losing his old self. But once he’s in action, you’ll see a completely different Suhyun. At least when it comes to those he considers “enemies,” he leaves no room for mercy.
Traymarble: Thank you. I apologize for the slow pace due to detailed descriptions. I’ll try to include faster developments occasionally. :)
Cheongeop Blood God: Hahaha. I always feel like you have a knack for making me laugh. I’ll ask again today. What exactly do you mean by “Buehahahaha”? Hahaha.
Misoochensa: Wow, there are so many interesting works in Noblesse these days. I also have a few that I make sure to follow. I’m sure you’ll find several novels that suit your taste as you read through them.
Dydqlsl: Oh, mental patients, you say. In a way, that makes sense. Haha.
Dangryong: Haha, I did set up the characters’ personalities, but I always write with the possibility of different scenarios in mind. At 21, they can seem young depending on your perspective. When I see 21-year-olds, I find them quite adorable. (Ouch, ouch!)
Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind my writing. (This is the truth.)
I read all comments repeatedly.
Please don’t feel too disappointed if you’re not mentioned in the replies.
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I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.