“Congratulations! You have discovered a Rare Class. By accepting the power of the gem, you can evolve into a Medium of Twilight.”
“The Medium of Twilight is considered an advanced branch of the archer class. Twilight represents the balance between the fading white light of dusk and the encroaching darkness. It is recommended for users skilled in long-range weapons like bows or crossbows.”
“The Medium of Twilight traces its origins to the ancient priestess tribes of the Hall Plain. These priestesses, who preferred seclusion, prayed for the well-being and protection of their tribe under their unique folk beliefs. Their powers are divided into three categories: tattoos using engravings, spells using incantations, and spirit summoning using divine words. The gem before you contains the power to use incantations.”
“Currently, your class is the top-tier Secret Class, Sword Specialist, in the swordsman category. You can acquire the gem, but your overall efficiency will decrease by 20%. However, with an agility stat of 98 and a magic stat of 96, you can recover 40% of the loss. Special and latent abilities have been confirmed, but there are no available slots. It is not recommended to acquire the Medium of Twilight.”
After reading through all the explanations, I pressed my hand gently against my chest. Within my heart lay the dormant power of the ancient priestess’s tattoo, which stabilized and efficiently guided the flow of magic.
The gem before me only contained the power of incantations. This suggested the existence of other priestess classes that might hold the powers of engravings and spirit summoning. I finally understood why this powerful ancient priestess class was categorized as a Rare Class. Originally, it should have been a Secret Class, but by splitting the powers into three, they became dispersed, resulting in a Rare Class. This meant that if I could find and acquire items with the other powers, there was a possibility of evolving into a Secret Class.
After pondering the explanations for a while, I tied up the pouch and put it back in the drawer. I then closed my eyes, thinking about potential archers to recruit. Seon Yu-un briefly came to mind, but I quickly dismissed the thought.
The atmosphere in Mule was peculiar. It wasn’t gloomy, but there was a quiet stillness. While others might find it peaceful, I felt like it was the calm before the storm.
There were no more exploration goals here. Although this didn’t disrupt our routine, it did leave us with more free time than before. Fortunately, the kids had started training on their own without needing my prompting. The rigorous schedule I imposed from the start seemed to have paid off, as they never skipped their training sessions. Most gratifying was seeing them take proactive steps to improve themselves.
One example was Ahn Hyun, who approached me with a request to try out the Legend of Hoplon. I had a hunch about this. Occasionally, when I saw him training in the lobby, he no longer wore the weight-reducing glove on his right hand. Given his current strength, wielding it with one hand would be challenging, but he seemed to have something in mind.
“With the Helm of Valor and the Great Sun, my defense has skyrocketed. If I equip a shield, I can solidify my role as a tank.”
“Hmm. A spear and shield, huh? Not a bad idea, but wouldn’t that undermine the essence of a Qi Spearmaster? It’s a class focused on martial arts, and the Legend of Hoplon is quite heavy.”
“True, but there’s this.”
Ahn Hyun met my gaze and raised his left hand, revealing the weight-reducing glove.
“This glove reduces the weight of objects. While it made the spear lighter, it also lessened its impact. So, I had to rely on extreme martial arts and overwhelming strength to target vital points. But with a shield, things could change. The reflection effect could yield unexpected results. Plus, there are records of wielding a spear with one hand.”
“Increasing the spear’s destructive power and enhancing defense with a shield is a good idea, but you know it’s beyond your current capabilities, right? You’d need at least 75 in strength and stamina to even attempt it.”
“I’ll work hard, hyung. Please trust me this once. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll return it. I don’t want to settle for being just a Qi Spearmaster. I want to try different things to improve my skills.”
Ahn Hyun’s earnest plea moved me. Restoring the spear’s weight to increase its power and using the glove to lighten the Legend of Hoplon had its challenges. If he had asked for a regular shield, I would have dismissed it as nonsense, but the reflection effect on the Legend of Hoplon made it a unique case.
Despite the potential issues, I appreciated his determination to try something new. The concerns I had when he first obtained a Rare Class vanished. Since he promised to return it if it didn’t work out, I decided to let him try.
“If you’re that determined, fine. But remember, you must consistently train your strength, stamina, and magic. You’ll also need to master shield techniques in addition to martial arts and spear skills. It’ll be tough, but don’t think of giving up on any of them. If you’re not aiming to catch all three rabbits, you might as well quit now.”
“Thank you, hyung! I promise I’ll remember!”
Ahn Hyun shouted with joy and bowed deeply. Seeing him so happy made me feel content. I handed him a round shield from the equipment stored in my office. Thanks to the glove’s effect, he lifted it effortlessly with his left hand.
This meant that while he might not excel as a dealer, his role as a tank was now more secure. With Ahn Hyun as the main tank, my range of activities would expand, which was beneficial for me as well.
Conrad Douglas, who was in charge of establishing my clan, did not disappoint. He sent a messenger last evening, informing me that the proposal had passed unanimously and that I should visit around noon tomorrow. He also mentioned that all requests for status changes had been processed, which was delightful news.
The news of the clan’s establishment was met with cheers from everyone. Tomorrow, I would lead them to the place responsible for clan creation, but there was something essential to decide beforehand.
The records left by the messenger included several items to fill out. Among the complex details were the clan name, clan type, and information about the initial members. Once the residents received this paper, they would undoubtedly be shocked again, given that over half of the clan members were Secret or Rare Classes.
Even if I left that as a surprise for tomorrow, the issue was the clan name. Gathered around the paper, everyone suggested names they thought were good, but most were ridiculous.
“Hyung, how about ‘Gathering of Giants’ for the clan name? It was a guild name from an online game I played. Isn’t it cool?”
“Eh, that sounds too arrogant. How about ‘LoveLove’? It carries the meaning of love, so I think it’s nice.”
“Are you kidding me? ‘Gathering of Giants’? ‘LoveLove’? Oh, that’s hilarious. It’s so cringeworthy. How about ‘GiantStrongMan’ or ‘GooGooGaaGaa Clan’ to match your level? Hahaha!”
“Ugh.”
“Everyone, quiet.”
Go Yeon-ju and Jung Ha-yeon were laughing so hard at the suggestions that they were clutching their sides. Even Shin Sang-yong was trying to stifle his laughter, making a sound like “Kuh. Kkukh. Pffft.” As for Ahn Sol, I could understand, but Ahn Hyun’s naming sense was shocking even to me.
With my face flushed, I lightly slammed the table. The kids immediately fell silent. The problem was that they got too excited with just a little leeway. I was about to say something when I noticed something missing and turned my head. One person, who usually chimed in with the others, was unusually quiet today. And there, with her head buried in the table, was a resident.
“Vivian.”
“Yes.”
Though she didn’t lift her head, I heard her response. Just as I was about to forcibly lift her head, she slowly sat up.
“What’s wrong with you? Are you sick…?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, never mind. Just rest.”
“Yes. No, no. I was listening. Yawn. My head hurts. I’ll just stay like this a bit longer.”
Seeing Vivian’s haggard face, I couldn’t help but gasp. Her once lively face was nowhere to be seen. They say alchemists lose track of time when engrossed in research, and it seemed her potion research was the cause. While I was grateful, I had no idea what wish she intended to make with it.
After settling her back to sleep, I turned to face the group, who were all watching me intently. They were eagerly anticipating the name of our clan, their faces full of expectation. Of course, names like “Giant Gathering,” “Giant Superstars,” “Love Love,” or “Goo Goo Ga Ga” were absolutely out of the question.
“While the clan name is important, what truly matters is the clan’s reputation. To build and maintain that reputation, the members’ skills must be top-notch. Remember, we’re a freelance mercenary clan. No matter what name we choose, as long as we perform well, the name will gain respect. So, let’s not settle for anything ridiculous, okay?”
“Yes,” they all replied in unison, looking a bit deflated. I sighed and picked up a quill, writing down a clan name I had been considering. It was a name that subtly hinted at our mercenary nature without being too flashy.
After filling out all the necessary information, I passed the completed document around for everyone to review and correct any errors. As they checked their details, they glanced at the clan name I had written. To my relief, most of them nodded in approval, finding it acceptable.
“Hmm. It’s simple. I think it works.”
“Yeah, it’s straightforward, but it reflects the clan’s character without being too showy. Suhyun, do you have any ideas for a clan emblem?”
“I plan to use the entire clan name as the emblem. I’ll make the first letter slightly larger and color it red.”
“Uh, Leader, wait a moment.”
I was in the middle of a conversation with Go Yeonju and Jung Hayeon when I heard Shin Sangyong’s flustered voice. Turning to him, I saw him blinking and pointing at his information. Taking the document back, I noticed at the bottom it read, “<Shin Sangyong (2nd Year): Chimera Alchemist>.” I asked calmly, “Is there something wrong with the entry?”
Even as I spoke, I sensed something was off. Knowing Shin Sangyong’s personality, he wouldn’t stay quiet after obtaining a rare class. He would have thanked me profusely by now. So, had Vivian not told him yet?
“Yes, yes. I’m not a Chimera Alchemist. You must have mixed it up with my mentor’s information.”
”…….”
“Uh, why are you looking at me like that?”
As I narrowed my eyes, Shin Sangyong’s face filled with confusion. Realizing the situation, I quietly turned to Vivian. She, having overheard our conversation, scratched her head sheepishly.
“Vivian.”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
“Sigh. It’s great that you’re dedicated, but you need to follow through.”
“Hehe, sorry. I’ll do it right now. I’ve seen my information, so there’s nothing else to check, right?”
I nodded, and Vivian slowly got up, pulling Shin Sangyong along. He looked back and forth between us, bewildered, but eventually stood up at her insistence.
As they climbed the stairs, murmurs of excitement spread through the group. They knew there was another Chimera Alchemist book, so they weren’t too concerned. They were just thrilled that another rare class would soon be added to our ranks.
“Oppa, so you’re giving that to Shin Sangyong?”
“Yes. I’ve talked it over with Vivian, and it seems like a good fit. It’s not a sudden decision; I’ve been considering it since we first met him with Jung Hayeon.”
“Oh, I see. That’s great!”
Listening to my conversation with Yujeong, Hayeon looked at Go Yeonju, puzzled. But Go Yeonju just shrugged, indicating she didn’t know either.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
In the next chapter, we’ll finally reveal the clan’s creation and its name. I’ve put a lot of thought into it, but I’ve settled on this as the initial name. Curious? Haha. Though, I suspect most of you sharp readers have already figured it out. And soon, some real news will break. Hehe. :)
『 Reader Comments 』
Hmm hmm;;: Oh, congratulations on being first! It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you in first place. Haha. Some readers are just so quick. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Paecheonpawol: There are so many fast readers. I doubt I could ever be first at midnight. Haha.
Sijuflare: I’ll do a marathon after exams. ㅜ.ㅠ By the way, what does Sijuflare mean? There’s also a reader named Sijuflare among my readers.
Blue Coral Forest: Thank you for the coupon. (__) I’ve replied to your message. The names of the two pieces of equipment are indeed similar. Haha.
Offitlove19: No! Why is the story going that way? I’m not impotent! Neither is Suhyun!
Strange Guy: Thank you for waiting. Hanbyeol will appear soon. Hahaha! I need to leave Mule soon. :)
Little Hero: I agree. Let’s keep our spirits up together. As they say, the power of positivity. I’ll do my best. Haha.
Tiny: Thank you for your first comment. I’m always grateful for your readership. I’ll continue to work hard to provide good content. :D
Dotdae Story: Ansol’s personality is… Oops, almost spoiled it! Hmm. I think she’ll gain a lot of popularity too. Hehe.
Flute: There is a possibility to increase stamina, but as I mentioned before, it’s very slim, and the increase is minimal.
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