Following Seong Yubin’s lead, we passed through the main gate.
As soon as we stepped inside, the grandeur of the Golden Lion Clan’s house unfolded before us. Taking in the view, I felt a twinge of regret. Though the future was uncertain, it seemed a shame that such a magnificent facility might be trampled underfoot by vagrants.
We walked at a steady pace along the central path, one of many branching off in different directions. As we moved toward the Geumho Pavilion, I took the opportunity to observe the interior more closely.
The main building stood proudly at the center, with glimpses of annexes peeking from behind. There were also barracks, lodgings, and what appeared to be training grounds. Each facility was top-notch, worthy of being called first-class.
Yet, despite the opulence, there was a certain emptiness, a lack of vibrancy. After a moment of observation, I realized the source of this feeling: the sparse number of users.
Currently, the Golden Lion Clan had about 400 members. While not a small number, it paled in comparison to the 1,400 members they had at their peak. The absence of the once-bustling, luxurious processions was palpable.
The void left by a thousand missing members was staggering. It wasn’t just about numbers; it was the deep-seated pain of losing comrades. If I, a newcomer, could feel this, how much more profound must the loss be for the actual clan members? Their attempts to maintain a facade of strength seemed pitiable. I clicked my tongue and sighed quietly.
“Mercenary Lord Kim Su-hyun, may I ask you a question, if it’s not too much trouble?”
As we walked in silence, Seong Yubin, who was walking closely beside me, spoke up. Turning to her, I saw a cautious expression on her face. Her demeanor stirred an inexplicable satisfaction within me, which I soon identified as a mix of superiority and conquest—a feeling only men might understand. It was clear she was deliberately putting on that expression, skilled at manipulating men’s emotions.
Objectively, she was quite pretty. But her sharp demeanor and overly slender frame weren’t to my taste. Remembering her personality as seen through my third eye, I quickly composed myself and nodded slightly with a calm expression.
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Thank you. I was wondering, did you graduate from the User Academy about six months ago?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Hoho, I remember you graduated at the top of your class. If only we had managed to recruit you back then. What a missed opportunity.”
According to Go Yeon-ju, there had been some promotion about the clan at dawn. Or perhaps they had known since investigating the incident with the Beech Clan. Seong Yubin’s comment wasn’t particularly revealing; my rejection of the Golden Lion Clan’s offer had been somewhat notable, so it wasn’t surprising some users remembered.
One thing was clear: there was some movement within the Golden Lion Clan, and their focus seemed partly on me. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the atmosphere naturally softened. Seong Yubin, perhaps seizing the moment, subtly shifted the conversation.
“Hoho, I read the promotional material with interest. A secret class, you said? Congratulations. Oh, and speaking of which, the person walking behind me also has a secret class from year zero. I believe they entered Hall Plain around the same time as you….”
She glanced back after finishing her sentence. A brief silence followed. There was no response from behind. In that fleeting moment, I noticed Seong Yubin’s face contort slightly.
Soon, a quiet voice reached my ears from behind.
”…Hello.”
“Ah, Hanbyul. It’s been a while.”
”…Yes.”
I slowed my pace and turned to look back, but Kim Hanbyul still avoided meeting my gaze, biting her lip as she stared at the ground.
It had been a long time since I’d heard Hanbyul’s voice. Yet, her tone lacked the vitality it once had, a stark contrast to the sharp, articulate manner she used to have.
As an awkward exchange passed between us, Seong Yubin quickly intervened.
“Ho, hoho. Please understand, she’s still a bit shy.”
“Oh, it’s fine.”
She swiftly composed herself, putting on a charming facade. I smiled amiably, but inwardly, I scoffed. The subtle unease I’d felt since first meeting them was now clearer, thanks to Seong Yubin and Kim Hanbyul’s behavior. It would have been better to blame it on the shock of the expedition.
It seemed the Golden Lion Clan wasn’t aware of the full extent of my relationship with Hanbyul. She must have kept some things hidden. If they knew everything, they wouldn’t have orchestrated this encounter.
After the minor incident, we finally arrived at the Geumho Pavilion. The ivory building’s rooftop boasted a sharp, spear-like sculpture, as if piercing the sky. Climbing the stone-carved steps and entering through the door, a spacious hall unfolded before us. Across the hall, a large, glossy wooden door awaited. That door likely led to the meeting room where we were expected.
As we walked through the light cast by the embedded light stones, we drew closer to the door. Watching it grow larger, I spoke in a low voice.
“Are we the first clan to respond to the summons?”
“What? Oh, no. You’re the second. Another clan arrived before you.”
I was surprised by the unexpected answer. I wanted to ask which clan, but before I could, we reached the door.
“Then we’ll return to the main gate. We need to guide the others who will arrive soon. Inside, you’ll find seats assigned to each clan. Please take your place.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
Seong Yubin bowed politely and opened the door for us. The large wooden door slowly swung open, revealing a meeting room so vast it could easily accommodate the entire first floor of Go Yeon-ju’s
Just as I was about to step inside, I sensed a complex gaze fixed on me. Turning instinctively, I caught a glimpse of blue-black hair swaying as someone turned away. They must have averted their gaze as soon as I looked.
The guides who had led us were now retreating. Watching their weary steps, I turned back to the open door. But before I could take a closer look—
“Come on, let’s not just stand here. Let’s go in.”
“Wait a moment.”
Before I could fully take in the scene, Go Yeon-ju nudged me inside. As we entered the meeting room, two long tables stretched out on either side. At the far end of one table, two users sat quietly.
They hadn’t turned to look at me. I could only see their profiles, but I immediately recognized them. The realization hit me like a jolt, leaving me breathless.
”…….”
Sensing my presence, one of them slowly turned her head toward me. As if in slow motion, her head turned in my direction, my breath quickened, and my heart raced with unstoppable momentum.
She was Han So-young, the person I had longed to see again, the one I had missed so dearly.
A surge of emotion welled up in my throat, and a dizzying sensation spun through my mind.
Barely holding onto my fading rationality, I felt my eyes tremble. A thrilling shiver coursed through my body. With unsteady eyes, I scanned the table. Coincidentally, the seat assigned to the Mercenary Clan was directly across from Han So-young.
At that moment, a finger poked my back. Turning, I saw Go Yeon-ju’s face, wearing an expression that seemed to ask what was wrong. Though she tried to appear nonchalant, she seemed to have noticed my change.
My lips trembled, and my breathing was erratic. The more I tried to suppress it, the more my heart rebelled, pounding loudly in response. I staggered slightly as I made my way to the table.
Even after sitting down, I couldn’t calm my current state. To a casual observer, I might seem composed, but anyone with a keen eye would immediately sense my turmoil.
Yet, the more I looked at her, the more intense the trembling in my chest became. The woman I thought I’d never see again, the one who had died so tragically, was standing before me once more. Not in the desperate state of her last moments, but with a serene and dignified presence.
Before I knew it, Han So-young’s gaze was fixed on me and Go Yeon-ju. The moment our eyes met, I felt a chill spread through my body, as if I were being encased in ice.
Finally, her lips parted slowly.
“It’s been a while, Shadow Queen, Go Yeon-ju.”
Her soft voice floated through the air, gently stirring the room. Hearing her voice after so long, I found myself captivated once more. I bit my tongue reflexively, feeling a bit more grounded.
“Yes, it has been a while. Istantel Low Lord, Han So-young.”
As soon as Go Yeon-ju spoke, a light chuckle came from beside her. At that moment, Go Yeon-ju’s eyes shifted, releasing a palpable tension.
“Yeon Hye-rim.”
Han So-young quickly turned her head to glare at the woman sitting next to her. Yeon Hye-rim… Ah, the princess of execution. She was here too. Yeon Hye-rim pouted and turned away at Han So-young’s pointed look.
”…”
A brief silence followed, but soon the tension from Go Yeon-ju subsided. Only then did Han So-young let out a small sigh and continue in a calm voice.
“Your presence here means the Mercenary Clan was invited as well. So, is the person next to you the Lord of the Mercenary Clan?”
“That’s right. You know your stuff.”
“I saw the promotional records today. Could you introduce us?”
“Sure, that’s not difficult. Su-hyun?”
”…”
Go Yeon-ju’s voice reached me, but I remained still. She nudged my side gently with her elbow. I took a deep breath, drawing in as much air as I could, and swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth.
I didn’t have any grand ideas about a dramatic reunion. But I certainly didn’t want to meet her again like this. I calmed my tangled thoughts and activated my latent ability, the Mind’s Eye.
My racing heart settled instantly. Only then could I finally look at her face directly. I could also feel the gaze of the woman presumed to be the princess of execution, but my focus was entirely on Han So-young.
I recalled the first time I met Han So-young. Memories of the days spent with her flashed through my mind. As I savored each one, I spoke in a clear voice, simultaneously activating my third eye.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
I wanted to depict their meeting dramatically, but then I realized Han So-young doesn’t really have a reason to feel affectionate towards Su-hyun. Su-hyun, on the other hand, has plenty of reasons. I can’t even count how many lines I erased and rewrote, but I’m not sure if Su-hyun’s inner feelings came across well to the readers. ㅜ.ㅠ
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this part. Your feedback would be invaluable for future revisions in the e-book version. I look forward to your precious advice. (__)
Sensitive: Congratulations on being first! Yes, being first is always thrilling and a bit savory. Haha. Enjoy this episode.
Gahanna: Oh no! Where did you get hurt? Gahanna, you’re too much!(?!)
KKKranuse: Haha, thank you. I would have been even happier if the word “go” at the beginning hadn’t been included.
Kuroshion: Thank you. It seems many are vying for the first place, a phenomenon I hypothesize is due to, well, gassalamu. Hehehe. >3<
Sairuler: Ouch, ouch. I did say to hit hard, but you’re too much. ㅜ.ㅠ Thank you for the coupon. (__)
Refill: I felt it a lot while writing. It’s frustrating. But this part can’t be rushed, so I was really pulling my hair out. As Refill suggested, it might be best to proceed mostly from the protagonist’s perspective until the Golden Lion summons are over. I’ll do my best. Thank you.
Yu-un [流雲]: Yu-un [流雲], your thoughts on <humans> seem to align closely with mine. Of course, it’s good for characters to have consistency. Hahaha.
Pumpkin Octopus: Haha. In terms of simple stats, that might be true, but Hanbyeol has the rarity of a secret class. I’ll try to unfold Hanbyeol’s story in a way that’s as convincing as possible.
Brikio: Right. Hanbyeol has a slightly different class as an alchemist, and as a chimera alchemist, evolved from that. If they were to fight using only traditional magic, Seong Yu-bin might win depending on the battle setting. (Vivian’s traditional magic rank is low.) However, using abilities acquired from a rare class, she could win even against two Seong Yu-bins. I believe rare and secret classes should have that level of merit. Hahaha.
Masterpiece: Hmm, I see. Your point is certainly valid. Hanbyeol’s choice in that situation can be seen as somewhat rational. :) By the way, Masterpiece, could you elaborate on your last comment? (__ )*
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