A State of Ecstasy
“It’s been a while since you called. What’s up?”
Vivian sat down at the table, her face lit up with a bright smile. I paused, contemplating whether to bring up Shin Sang-yong first or the elixir. Ultimately, it seemed best to start with the rare class,
“I called you because there are a few things we need to wrap up. Some involve Shin Sang-yong, and others the elixir.”
“Ah, so it’s about what we discussed last time?”
“Exactly. It’s time to make a decision about Shin Sang-yong. You’ve been observing him closely. What do you think of him?”
“Hmm.”
Vivian closed her eyes, deep in thought. After about three minutes, she opened them, nodding as she spoke.
“Honestly, I think we should give it to him. He seems impeccable in terms of character and personality. He’s diligent, and his abilities seem to align well. I doubt we’ll regret it.”
By “abilities,” she likely meant the Harmony Magic Square. Vivian and I were bound by a contract, so she would have diligently carried out my requests. Her words were probably the most she could say within her limits. Although subjective, I found myself agreeing with her assessment.
“I think so too. It might be a bit late, but a rare class is worth it. Let’s grant him the
“Great. I’ve been hoping for a disciple like him. Hehe, he’s going to be so surprised!”
Vivian’s childlike excitement was infectious. I could already imagine how grateful Shin Sang-yong would be when he found out. I felt a bit relieved, knowing I could finally make up for not being able to support him as much as I wanted.
“Now that we’ve settled Shin Sang-yong’s matter, let’s get to the main topic.”
I laid out the items I had prepared in front of Vivian: a +4 Health Elixir for those under level 80, a +2 Health Elixir for those under level 70, Vivian’s elixir, the heart of the high-level demon Belphegor, and the magic stone of Horens. Any alchemist would drool over these materials. Vivian, too, couldn’t help but gaze at them with a hint of awe.
“Wow. Just looking at them is mesmerizing.”
Watching her marvel, I picked up the +4 Health Elixir.
“This elixir can slightly increase a user’s health stats. I want to enhance that effect. Do you think it’s possible?”
“You’ve added the magic stone from the creature we recently dealt with, haven’t you? Hmm.”
Vivian’s playful demeanor vanished, replaced by the serious, focused expression of an alchemist. Her eyes scrutinized the materials with a sharp gaze, her hands occasionally making intricate gestures as if calculating something in her mind.
Though I felt a bit anxious, I refrained from rushing her. I simply waited patiently for a positive response. After a few more minutes, Vivian finally looked up, having completed her calculations.
“So, what do you think? Can you do it?”
“Kim Su-hyun, do you remember what I told you before?”
She had once remarked that it would be a waste to use such materials in this inadequate workshop environment. Her rare logical clarity made it memorable. I nodded, and Vivian sighed deeply before continuing.
“You said you were leaving Mule, right? When do you plan to go?”
“Soon. As soon as I’m ready. Why do you ask?”
“Alright. I’ll hold onto these materials for now. I need to conduct some research.”
“Oh, so there’s a chance it might work.”
Seeing her gather the materials gave me hope. But Vivian shook her head solemnly.
“It’s not easy. Honestly, I’m not sure. Without Shin Sang-yong’s Harmony Magic Square, the chances of failure would be higher. You know we can’t do it right now, right? We’ll need to build a new workshop in our new home, and the process will take at least a week. The additional materials required are substantial. Anyway, I won’t be making it here in Mule, so I’ll analyze it in the meantime.”
“That’s fine. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Leave it to me. I, Vivian La Clacidas, will succeed, no matter what.”
“Wow, you’re confident. But if you fail…”
Vivian’s cuteness was irresistible today, and a mischievous thought crossed my mind. I almost said, “I’ll make your life miserable,” but instinctively stopped myself. I wasn’t sure why, but it felt like saying it would lead to something irreversible.
“If I fail? Will you punish me?”
Her voice carried an unusual tone. I had never punished her, even if I had teased her. Vivian was beginning to realize the consequences of her actions. Grateful for my intuition, I calmly changed the subject.
”…No punishment. I know you’ll do your best, and that’s all I can ask. But if you succeed, I’ll be thrilled. As you know, health is crucial for me right now. If you succeed, I’ll grant you one wish.”
“A… wish?”
“Of course, nothing too outrageous. But if it’s reasonable, I’ll grant it.”
In that moment, I saw a fierce determination ignite in her eyes. The intensity was so great that I wondered if I had made a mistake.
After confirming my promise, Vivian turned and left the room. Her steps carried an inexplicable sense of resolve.
Time seemed to fly by after returning from the
Once, twice, three times, four times, five times, six times, seven times, eight times, nine times, ten times. After ten drags, the cigarette was nearly finished.
I flicked the butt to the ground and quietly entered the inn. By now, everyone was likely asleep. The unlit first-floor lobby was a familiar sight, yet it felt eerily quiet.
A faint light seeped from the kitchen. I walked towards it, reaching the door in less than a minute. Taking a deep breath, I knocked gently.
Knock, knock.
The dull sound echoed twice, followed by Go Yeon-ju’s soft voice inviting me in. As I entered, I saw her gracefully wielding a quill over a small desk.
“Ah, just a moment. I’m almost done. I was compiling information on the vagrants who fled due to the eradication plan. They’re showing signs of unrest, but it’s not certain yet.”
I remained silent. It wasn’t that she hadn’t shared the information, but rather that it was incomplete. Her ability to foresee the uprising a month in advance was impressive. No wonder
Despite my presence, Go Yeon-ju focused intently on her writing. Occasionally, she glanced at other scattered records and maps, tearing up and rewriting her notes. I sat on the bed, watching her work.
“Ah, finished. Finally done~.”
She tossed the quill onto the desk with a clatter and stretched with all her might. Only then did she turn to me, waving the completed records. I instinctively reached for them, but she quickly pulled them away, leaving me empty-handed.
She tilted her head playfully, her eyes narrowing as she spoke.
“If I give you these now, you’ll probably just leave.”
“Who knows.”
My vague response seemed to displease her, as she furrowed her brow slightly. She placed the records on the desk and snapped her fingers. The light stone that had been illuminating the room suddenly dimmed.
Darkness enveloped the room, and in the faint shadows, I sensed Go Yeon-ju rising from her chair and approaching me quietly.
“I’ve told you time and again, haven’t I? User Kim Soo-hyun needs a break. It seems like he’s starting to get back into the swing of things lately.”
When did she get so close? I could feel her sweet breath tickling my neck. I swallowed hard and looked straight ahead. The Shadow Queen reached out and gently grasped one side of the Sun’s Glory, which was neatly tied.
“So, here’s a question for you. Why do you think I called you here in the dead of night?”
“I have no idea.”
“Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know?”
Repeating the same answer seemed to irritate Go Yeon-joo, as her voice rose slightly. I closed my eyes. The emotions I thought I’d burned away with my cigarette outside the inn were flaring up again. A certain person kept coming to mind, and it wasn’t Han So-young. It was User Jung Ha-yeon.
I couldn’t quite understand why I was feeling this way all of a sudden. From our first meeting, Go Yeon-joo had shown interest in me and even tried to seduce me. And I didn’t dislike her. In the Hall Plain, spending a night with someone you clicked with was no big deal. I had already told her everything. When I opened the door, I thought I was fine, so why was I hesitating now?
Just as my mind was about to get tangled, I felt something strange at my waist and opened my eyes. Looking down, I saw my red belt slowly unraveling. One end was in Go Yeon-joo’s hand, while the other end fell to the floor.
As the front of the Glory of Heaven opened, Go Yeon-joo took a step forward, leaning toward my chest. And at that moment—
“Ah…”
I instinctively took a step back. Surprised by my reaction, Go Yeon-joo stopped and looked at me with a bewildered expression. I couldn’t meet her gaze.
”…”
Despite the awkward silence and her unwavering gaze, I managed to look back at her. In the dim light, I tried to read her expression, and I could see her face slowly filling with an unmistakable sense of hurt. As I looked at her, all the things she had said to me came rushing back.
“I was a bar girl, you know.”
“How does User Kim Soo-hyun see someone like me?”
“In the modern world, a woman who worked in a bar, looked down upon by others…”
“Eyes. You can tell what someone is thinking by looking into their eyes.”
“Ha ha. Finally, a kiss.”
“Why are you sighing? Is kissing me that unpleasant? Does it bother you?”
Taking a step back was essentially a rejection. In the Hall Plain, rejecting intimacy meant one of two things: “I don’t like you,” or “I don’t want to be with you.”
Of course, I didn’t feel that way. It was a conflict between my feelings for Go Yeon-joo and my thoughts about User Jung Ha-yeon. It was a reflexive action, but it was easy for her to misunderstand.
Eventually, Go Yeon-joo’s lips parted slowly.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
It seems User Jung Ha-yeon has had quite an influence on User Kim Soo-hyun, whether he realizes it or not. Soo-hyun is surprisingly a romantic at heart. Haha. I’d love to write a longer note, but I’m too sleepy after working all night. I need to catch up on some studying today. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. :)
PS. For Go Yeon-joo’s happiness.
『 Reader Comments 』
破天魔痕: Congratulations on being first! Haha. It seems like there’s a fierce competition with Kuroshion these days.
사람인생: Welcome back! I hope you can quickly shake off the pain of parting. Oh, and please refrain from spamming. I’ve asked many times, and if it happens again, I might get a bit upset. But I trust you won’t do it again. Since many readers use the comment section, please be considerate. ^^
멜퓨리언: Haha, thank you. For some reason, Go Yeon-joo is quite popular. But to me, Han-byeol is the prettiest. :)
Groover: Haha. Of course, I remember. I do. :D
고장난선풍기: The real issue hit Soo-hyun, didn’t it? Haha. He’s not used to receiving love, but he’s all too familiar with losing it. :)
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