It was nothing more than an illusion.
It might seem obvious, but among the users of the Hall Plain, there exists an invisible hierarchy. Although not officially recognized, it’s an undeniable reality that users are treated differently based on their skills. However, skill alone doesn’t determine one’s rank. Factors like experience, connections, reputation, and equipment all play a role in establishing a user’s standing. In that sense, the user who just entered could easily be considered at the top of the Hall Plain hierarchy. Her identity was none other than…
“Greetings, GodMother.”
She was known as the GodMother within the Hall Plain. As she entered, the users at my table bowed their heads respectfully and spoke in unison. Those across from us didn’t speak, but their startled expressions and nodding heads were enough to show their respect.
I couldn’t quite recall the name of the user seated at the head of the table, but I knew who he was. He had led the Golden Lion Clan since before the invasion of Barbara, and within their ranks, he was considered a living legend. One of the longest-surviving users, his years alone commanded respect. Though, in the first round, he hadn’t survived past ten years.
The GodMother wore a thick, long robe that was so worn it looked like rags. A heavy gold necklace hung around her neck, swaying near her abdomen. The staff she held, marked by years of use, emanated an unusual aura.
Her gaze moved from the left table to the right, finally settling between me and Go Yeon-ju. Her lips parted, and a raspy voice emerged.
“Yeon-ju, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, GodMother. It has been a long time.”
“Heh, you cheeky thing. If you knew it had been so long, you should have visited more often.”
“Hoho, every time I tried, the man behind me was such a nuisance. It was burdensome to keep visiting.”
At Go Yeon-ju’s words, the GodMother glanced back. Park Hyun-woo, suddenly the subject of criticism, turned his gaze away with a guilty expression. She clicked her tongue and spoke in a chiding tone.
“I told you not to cling to someone who doesn’t want it. Tsk tsk.”
“My apologies.”
“That’s why you’re not popular with women.”
A light laughter rippled through the room, but it was only momentary. The gravity of the situation was too significant for the atmosphere to change entirely.
Soon, the GodMother’s gaze turned to me. Her eyes were deep and profound. I met her gaze calmly.
“So, you’re the talk of the town, the mercenary clan lord?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Goodness. You don’t look a day over your early twenties, yet your eyes… they seem like those of an old soul who’s tasted only the bitterness of life. It’s a pity to see such a young person like that.”
”…”
I felt several eyes on me, and though I maintained a composed exterior, her words stung. As I remained silent, she let out a sigh and continued.
“Well, I wanted to chat with a promising young person for once, but the stares from the others are getting sharper. Alright, alright, I’ll get to the point.”
“Ahem! Ahem!”
A few coughs came from the opposite side of the table. The GodMother surveyed the room before speaking slowly.
“Alright. First, thank you all for coming. I know it’s a bit late to say this, but I wasn’t particularly interested in this matter. After the Barbara campaign, I felt both my limits and a sense of fatigue. I wanted to live quietly, and I was doing just that.”
“GodMother.”
“Hyun-woo, stay put.”
Park Hyun-woo stepped forward to intervene, but her words made him retreat.
“I see many of you didn’t expect me to show up. Although I’ve retired, I’m still part of the Golden Lion. And since that old coot came back to life, I suppose there’s still a connection. So don’t take it too harshly. If you want to see me as part of the Golden Lion, I won’t stop you, but I’d appreciate it if you just saw me as the GodMother.”
Her presence was indeed unexpected. Even though the Golden Lion Clan was on a decline, it had once dominated the northern continent. Their true golden age began with the conquest of Barbara, and the GodMother, along with the former clan lord, played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the Golden Lion. That’s the kind of user she was in my memory.
In any case, it seemed she intended to get involved. The expressions of those who heard her words shifted subtly.
Then, someone at the opposite table raised a hand. As I turned my gaze, I noticed the character 高麗 (Goryeo) engraved on his raised arm. The Goryeo Clan was the dominant force in the eastern city, boasting the largest number of members among the existing clans after the expedition.
The GodMother nodded slightly at him, granting him permission to speak.
“I’m Cho Sung-ho, a fourth-year user and a diplomatic officer of the Goryeo Clan. It’s an honor to meet you, GodMother.”
“For the record, I dislike long-winded speeches unless they’re my own. So feel free to skip the formalities next time and get straight to the point.”
“Understood. As you mentioned earlier, we didn’t expect you to attend this meeting. Can we assume you’re fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the Iron Mountain expedition?”
“Yes, I’m generally informed.”
Cho Sung-ho, the diplomatic officer of the Goryeo Clan, was quite a character. Despite the GodMother’s direct manner, he remained unfazed and got straight to the point. As he spoke, a tense silence spread among the users on my side, while those on the opposite side appeared relaxed.
“I just wanted to confirm. In that case, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the matter, GodMother.”
“User Cho Sung-ho, is it necessary to bring up that issue now?”
It was then that a gruff voice of discontent erupted from among the users seated opposite him. The speaker stood up, glaring at Cho Sung-ho. His left arm bore the emblem of the Balhae Clan.
Despite the sudden challenge, Cho Sung-ho remained composed, as if he had anticipated it.
“Of course. It’s an issue that needs to be addressed, don’t you think?”
“Ha. Ridiculous. We’re here because the portal at the Inn of Beginnings has opened. I don’t see why we need to discuss that matter here.”
“That matter? I think it’s more accurate to call it the Iron Mountain expedition. Hahaha. You’re quite naive. Do you really think the summons was issued solely because of new users?”
“What did you say, naive? Even if it’s the same words, the tone makes a difference. Your manner of speaking is quite unpleasant, or is it just my imagination?”
The Balhae Clan member gritted his teeth in anger. However, Cho Sung-ho seemed to have been waiting for this moment, looking around as he continued.
“I don’t understand why you’re getting upset. We’re here to discuss that issue, and it’s only right to do so, isn’t it? Besides, can we really talk about the User Academy without addressing that part? Don’t you agree?”
“Indeed. I don’t understand why you’re suddenly getting angry. Is there something you’re feeling guilty about? Hohohoho!”
“That’s right.”
The non-participating clans quickly voiced their agreement with him. As their support grew, the Balhae user’s face turned red with frustration. At that moment, another user, who had been quietly observing, pushed back their chair and spoke in a sharp voice.
“This is ridiculous. As the previous speaker mentioned, I don’t see why we need to bring up that issue here. It’s quite telling of people’s character, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. It’s quite telling. You never cared whether the portal opened or not, but now you’re suddenly interested. It’s quite telling of your character.”
“Oh my, are you mocking us?”
“Oh my, I’m just stating the facts. It reminds me of an old saying: ‘A thief feels his own feet burning.’”
This time, it was Heo Yu-ri from the Reverse Clan who responded. More users began to side with her, and the long-suppressed tensions started to surface. Glancing over, I saw the GodMother watching them with weary eyes. Her expression clearly showed her annoyance. Come to think of it, how did she die in the first round?
As I mulled over various thoughts, the voices in the conference room grew increasingly louder. Eventually, the exchanges escalated to the point where they were almost personal attacks, with shouting that could rival any heated argument.
“Ha! So you’ve been feeling inferior all this time? Now that things seem a bit easier, you’re finally baring your teeth? How amusing.”
“Not just a bit easier, I would say~?”
“People who used to hide behind their clan’s skirts shouldn’t be talking. Seems like you’re living well these days? I still remember you whining and crying not too long ago. Hahaha!”
“What did you say? Are you done talking?”
The atmosphere in the conference room had become tense, teetering on the brink of chaos. It was inevitable, really. The allied clans were on the defensive, having been excluded from previous plans like the vagrant eradication or the Steel Mountain expedition. The resentment from those times was now boiling over.
As more time passed, the situation deteriorated further. Finally, a sharp retort from a senior diplomat provoked a hot-tempered representative from the Myeolhwarang clan. His eyes glinted with a dangerous intensity, as if he might draw a weapon if not for the people around him.
“Enough!”
The matriarch, who had been silently observing, could no longer hold back. She struck her staff on the ground with a voice that, though hoarse, was imbued with enough magic to shake the entire room.
The heated atmosphere was doused with a cold chill, though the sound of heavy breathing still lingered. It was clear that if anyone made a wrong move, a second round could easily erupt.
The matriarch clicked her tongue in disapproval as she surveyed the room.
“Tsk, tsk. Everyone who stood up, sit back down.”
”…….”
“Pathetic. You claim to represent the city and lead the northern continent, yet look at this mess. It’s worse than I thought. The previous generation would be clapping, thinking the north is in good hands.”
“But, Matriarch! They started it….”
“Silence! You’re not children. And to be fair, they’re not entirely wrong. If you cause a problem, you should think about how to solve it, not just sweep it under the rug.”
The allied clans fell silent under her scolding, while the non-allied members regained their composure. I began to understand why the matriarch commanded such respect. She was impartial, not swayed by any side. It reminded me of rumors from the past about her falling out with the current lord, which might explain why she distanced herself from the Golden Lion.
“Damn fools. Trusting that old man was a mistake. The former lord, now asleep, would be pounding the ground in frustration. You there, Jo Seong-ho, was it? I’ve heard the gist of the situation. This damned old man and his cronies have really made a mess of things.”
“Matriarch!”
“I told you to keep quiet, didn’t I? You have no right to speak here until I say so.”
”…Ugh.”
“You must have been thrilled halfway through. But after the results, you only focused on the immediate issues. Have you not considered how losing 5,000 users and their elite forces will impact the northern continent?”
”…….”
Her words were undeniably true, leaving them no choice but to remain silent. Satisfied, the matriarch turned her attention to the other side.
“And you, choose your words more carefully. While you may have raised the issue, your tone was more about mocking and ridiculing than genuine curiosity.”
“Th-that wasn’t my intention.”
“I’m here to mediate, not to incite further conflict. You must have some reason for responding to the summons. Enough with the nonsense. Let’s hear what you’re really thinking.”
”…….”
A heavy silence settled over the chaotic conference room. Behind the matriarch, Park Hyun-woo and Sung Yu-bin shifted uneasily, clearly not expecting the discussion to take this turn. It was telling that they had to call upon the matriarch, who had effectively left the Golden Lion, to manage the situation. It suggested that no one else in the clan could handle such a gathering.
Then, from the left side of the table, someone slowly raised a hand.
“I’d like to say something.”
“Hmm? You don’t seem unfamiliar, but I can’t quite place you. Who are you?”
The man stood up slowly, his calm demeanor and faint smile catching my attention. He appeared to be in his thirties, with a neat appearance. As I looked at him, I felt an inexplicable sense of intrigue.
On the upper right side of his chest, a blue emblem with the character 韓 (Han) shimmered.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
For some reason, I’ve been incredibly sleepy today, nodding off throughout the day. It seems the effects of reserve training are more taxing than I thought. It’s a mystery why wearing a military uniform makes me feel so sluggish. (I imagine many of my reserve readers can relate.) Haha. I’ll take my leave for today. I hope you enjoyed this installment.
PS. I’ve closed the ratings. There have been too many one-star attacks. Besides, the current growth index of the tree looks its best, so I think it’s better to leave it as is. Haha.
『 Reader Comments (Episode 202) 』
破天魔痕: Congratulations on being first. I haven’t seen you around lately, but you’re back to claiming the top comment spot. :) Did you ever manage four consecutive firsts? I can’t quite remember. @[email protected]
MThief: Like a flame burning within cold ice. Your input was invaluable for writing episode 203. Thank you.
블라미: It’s been a while. Haha. A thousand episodes, you say? It’s tempting. I’ll keep pushing forward. Your support is much appreciated.
OLOF: Yes, I’ve signed a contract with Joara and for an e-book. I think I’ll start editing after the holidays. There’s a lot to fix. :D
미월야: Oh, a named reader! Nice to meet you. Haha. Thank you for the coupon. (__) I’ll strive to repay your kindness with great content.
『 Reader Comments (Episode 203) 』
저주의달: I’m not sure why, but your “hahaha” comment made me chuckle. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ. Congratulations on being first. Even though it’s a bit late, you managed to snag the first comment on a midnight release. Impressive.
눈물강: Haha, it’s to pique readers’ curiosity. (Whack!) Well, that and I thought it might be too confusing to include Han So-young’s information along with everything else. ㅜ.ㅠ
은의칸: What? You did a night mountain march in the rain? Where on earth was that? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ. It must have been awful.
minicate: I feel the same way. It wasn’t a battalion, but a regiment leader came, and it was quite annoying. Still, it was somewhat fun. Many people turn into comedians when they put on a uniform. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ.
WitchBizkit: Oh, tell me about it. I found blisters when I got home. It was ridiculous. It’s better now, though. Sigh.
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I’ll take my leave for today.
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