It was nothing more than an illusion.
“That’s a good idea.”
Han So-young’s lips parted, and her gentle voice resonated softly throughout the meeting room. The moment she spoke, a sudden silence fell over the room. She glanced between Seong Hyun-min and me before continuing.
“Indeed, if the Mercenary Clan participates in this User Academy initiative, it could lead to significant mutual growth and improvement. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the clan’s power, build rapport with the leading clans, set a good example for new users, and dispel any notions of favoritism. Plus, it would allow us to maintain face with the Grandmother in the future. From the perspective of the entire Northern Continent, it’s a win-win situation. Therefore, I also urge the participation of the Mercenary Lord.”
It was rare for Han So-young to speak at such length. Her charisma seemed to have taken effect, as most of the users listening appeared entranced, with some of the male users even blushing.
“Exactly. That’s precisely what I meant.”
“I agree with Lord Han. It seems worth trying.”
Seong Hyun-min, having regained his composure, awkwardly smiled and echoed her sentiments. Park Hyun-woo nodded in agreement with a calm expression. Once the Golden Lion’s approval was secured, other clan users, who had been silent until then, began to eagerly persuade me.
“Please, consider it. I know you’re busy establishing yourselves, but this could be a worthwhile endeavor for the development of the Northern Continent.”
“Yes, and if you’re worried about clan matters, come to the southern town of Koran after the academy. Not only our clan but the Southern Free Union can offer substantial support.”
“Our Moonlight Clan is the same. We’re just a small town, but we’ll provide as much convenience as possible…”
“Mercenary Lord, the proposal I mentioned earlier still stands.”
As the Soo Clan took the lead, other clans quickly followed suit, lobbying for my participation. Even Han So-young reminded me of our conversation before the meeting. With so many voices speaking at once, I felt a bit dizzy.
Suddenly, the situation struck me as quite amusing. In the first round, these were people I couldn’t even dream of approaching. But now, in the second round, seeing them trying to draw our clan to their cities left me with a bittersweet feeling.
And then it happened.
The rising voices abruptly vanished, as if silenced by a spell. Turning my weary head, I saw Go Yeon-ju, who had been quiet until now, casting a cold gaze around the room.
“Ah, haha. It seems we got a bit carried away, focusing only on our own positions.”
Quick to catch on, Seong Hyun-min added hastily.
“Of course, we intend to prioritize the Mercenary Lord’s opinion. We apologize for getting ahead of ourselves.”
“Quiet.”
Go Yeon-ju’s voice was languid but carried a sharp edge. Seong Hyun-min retreated with an embarrassed expression. The atmosphere cooled slightly, but it gave me a moment to catch my breath. I licked my lips and closed my eyes, pondering the situation.
Joining the User Academy certainly had its benefits.
Not joining and immediately leaving Barbara to execute my original plan also had its advantages.
Each option had its own merits and drawbacks, making it difficult to choose one over the other.
The reason I was considering the User Academy, despite my initial plan, was because I had recently come across information about the
However, the problem was the sheer number of clans participating this time. With so many formidable clans, there was no guarantee that new users would join my clan. While we had our strengths, objectively, we were at a competitive disadvantage. It seemed logical to abandon the idea, but then another variable emerged.
The future had changed. Clans had responded to the summons, and the Grandmother’s mediation had resolved conflicts. This was something that hadn’t happened in the first round. While it was too early to be certain, the likelihood of internal conflict among users after the rise of the Western Continent had significantly decreased.
Perhaps, if vagrants invaded, reinforcements might be sent. There was now a justification to protect the User Academy. This meant that the future would unfold differently from my memories. Considering this, it seemed wise to secure a position at the User Academy.
After some deliberation, I realized I needed to make a decision quickly. Everyone was waiting for my answer, and I couldn’t keep stalling.
“Hmm…”
Having made up my mind, I opened my eyes. The room was filled with tense faces watching me intently. I reached out and gently grasped Go Yeon-ju’s arm, feeling the cold gaze she had been directing dissipate immediately.
The users’ faces showed a mix of emotions. Seeing a user who had reached the 10th rank obey the command of a mere 0-year user seemed to evoke a fresh sense of intrigue. Ignoring their stares, I spoke in a calm voice.
First, a little pushback.
“The Mercenary Clan is a newly established clan. We’ve already planned our future steps, so the User Academy isn’t particularly appealing at the moment. As someone mentioned, we’re currently short on squad members.”
“Of course, we understand. There must be a lot to handle initially, especially with plans already in place…”
Seong Hyun-min scratched his head awkwardly, trailing off. I looked up and met his gaze. Despite our potential and Go Yeon-ju’s presence, there was a fundamental difference. Yet, he was being overly cautious with me. I activated my third eye once more.
<User Information (Player Status)>
Name: Seong Hyun-min (4th Year)
Class: Normal Sword Master
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Han
True Name · Nationality: Cold Flame · South Korea
Sex: Male (33)
Height · Weight: 178.8cm · 73.8kg
Disposition: Mild · Belief
[Strength 87] [Endurance 81] [Agility 84] [Stamina 85] [Magic 90] [Luck 76]
[Strength 96(+2)] [Endurance 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 72] [Magic 96] [Luck 90(+2)]
(12 stat points remaining.)
[Strength 87] [Endurance 81] [Agility 84] [Stamina 85] [Magic 90] [Luck 71]
(No stat points remaining.)
His stats were decent. While his overall information, including his class, was somewhat lacking compared to the 10th ranks, his disposition caught my attention. A steadfast heart hidden within a mild exterior. It matched the image I remembered from the first round.
He wasn’t indecisive and was known for his strong sense of responsibility. He was particularly famous for his meticulous care of each clan member. The fact that he managed to lead a large alliance without any discord might have stemmed from this disposition.
There was no malicious intent. While he seemed to have some ulterior motive, I could roughly guess his intentions. He likely shared a similar mindset with Han So-young, albeit with a different approach. The difference was that Han So-young spoke directly, while he intended to take his time.
Frankly, while riding the wave of success was beneficial, it was also exhausting. They had already started competing over me implicitly.
Watching him with a regretful expression, I spoke in a low voice.
“However, I feel a bit uneasy about rejecting your requests outright. But as a mere 0-year user, I’m not sure if I can be as helpful as you suggest…”
“Oh, no. Not at all. Many here believe it’s worth trying.”
“Mercenary Lord, it’s not a difficult task. We can handle most of the tedious work at the academy that requires experience.”
Leaving a slight pause, Seong Hyun-min and Park Hyun-woo quickly began to persuade me again. Sensing another lengthy speech on the horizon, I decided to get to the point.
“Well, then, may I ask for a small favor?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“It’s nothing major, but as I understand, user movements are strictly controlled during the academy period.”
“Uh, yes, yes. That’s… correct.”
Park Hyun-woo nodded with a reluctant expression. In reality, while movements were strictly controlled initially, they tended to relax as the completion date approached. I had even been treated to meals outside when I received offers. Recalling those times, I continued slowly.
“Could I possibly receive some leniency in that regard?”
“Leniency, you say…”
“The initial operations of the clan can proceed without my direct involvement. Of course, it would be better if I were present, but I believe the ‘Shadow Queen’ can handle my duties sufficiently.”
“Oh… Ah! I see. Yes, you don’t need to worry about that. We’ll grant the ‘Shadow Queen’ unrestricted access to the User Academy.”
The advantage of conversing with experienced users is that they understand your intentions with just a hint. There was no need for lengthy explanations. A quick glance around the room showed that everyone seemed generally satisfied. Those familiar with the internal workings likely saw my request as reasonable and easily manageable.
I allowed myself a small, triumphant smile and decided it was time to wrap up the negotiations.
“Thank you. If you could accommodate that request, I’d be delighted to participate in the User Academy.”
“Haha. It’s no trouble at all.”
With that, we concluded the discussion, and I could finally focus on the finer details. The meeting regained momentum, especially when it came to recruiting new users. We quickly agreed to stick to the basic principle: everyone can promote their own clan and make offers, but the final decision rests with the new users. Ultimately, it would depend on the clan’s capabilities.
“Let’s conclude the primary discussion here. It might be best to end the assembly now. Although it might seem a bit rushed, participants in this User Academy should be prepared to move quickly via the warp gate.”
“Yes. As mentioned earlier, we’ll gather the selected members and arrive at Barbara’s Square before the night is over. Until then, I’ll leave it to the Golden Lion Clan to handle things.”
After wrapping up the conversation, we exchanged a few customary pleasantries. One by one, people began to leave the meeting room. The hurried steps of the Eastern and Southern clan members suggested they were eager to report today’s achievements. Before leaving, Han So-young and Yeon Hye-rim caught my eye, exchanged a brief glance, and then exited the room. Watching them leave, a wry smile crept onto Park Hyun-woo’s face.
Just as I was about to get up and leave, he turned to me and spoke.
“Mercenary Lord, could you wait a moment? I have something to discuss with you.”
“Oh, sure.”
I paused mid-step and turned back, though I didn’t sit down again. I had my own tasks to attend to, signaling that I wanted to wrap this up quickly. He glanced at Go Yeon-ju beside me before speaking hurriedly.
“If you don’t have a place to stay, our clan can recommend a good spot. Don’t worry, it’s not within the clan itself. We have buildings outside that our members use for lodging.”
“That’s alright. I’ve already arranged accommodations.”
“Oh… I see. Understood.”
“Was there something else you wanted to discuss…?”
“No, it’s nothing urgent. I’ll bring it up once things settle down a bit.”
I was a bit surprised. I expected him to mention the incident with Mule, but he seemed to be letting it slide. I tilted my head slightly, but his reaction gave me a sense of what was going on.
Perhaps the Golden Lion Clan held us in higher regard than the Beech Clan. With Go Yeon-ju involved, it was a delicate matter to address. I didn’t think they’d let it go entirely, but any investigation would likely be superficial.
“Thank you for your consideration. I’ll be on my way now. Even though I’m in Barbara, I need to hand over some responsibilities.”
“Yes, take care. I look forward to working with you.”
After exchanging formalities, I left the meeting room at a brisk pace. Crossing the hall and stepping out of the Geumho Hall, I was greeted by the darkening sky. The cool night breeze washed over me, soothing my heated body.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
I wrote a long afterword and then deleted it. I’ve read all your comments. Some of you might have found the assembly part interesting, while others might have found it dull. Since I’ve been updating daily instead of multiple times a day, you might feel that way more acutely. Personally, I felt it was an important part, not just filler, so I dedicated almost two chapters to it.
Regarding the anxiety some readers are feeling, all I can say is not to worry. I’d love to explain everything, but that would spoil the fun of discovering the story as it unfolds. I’ll do my best to alleviate any concerns with future content.
While some parts may progress slowly, I’ll try to speed up the rest without compromising the integrity of my writing. Thank you for always reading.
I’ll post the replies soon.
『 Replies 』
破天魔痕: Congratulations on being first! :) You’ve broken 신화의재현자’s streak. I was hoping to see a four-time streak, but oh well. Haha.
신화의재현자: Happy birthday! I hope your surgery goes well. I was going to write that, but I saw your comment on episode 207. Enjoy your day!
명박짱의양양합일: Well, I guess this counts as a polite update. Haha.
시즈프레어: If you pay attention to the subtitles, you might get a hint. Don’t worry.
액면가: I see. Think of it as a temporary change of pace. Since it’s a transition between chapters, there’s a lot of explanation and foreshadowing. I’ll do my best to make it enjoyable again.
days0314: Ah, the risk of falling into a trance increases. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m occasionally practicing my continuous writing skills, so please bear with me. Haha.
고의: Ah, I see. I once separated the perspective change, but some readers said it broke their immersion. I’ll think about it. Thank you for the valuable advice. I’ll consider it during editing.
오시안: It seems your thoughts align with mine. In a gathering of the top clans of the Northern Continent, Su-hyun’s influence is naturally limited. However, with high potential and Go Yeon-ju, they’re not easily dismissed.
Toranoanal: I’m comforted to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you so much.
엘프카이: I’ve corrected the part you pointed out. Thank you. (__)
Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind my continuous writing. (This is the truth.)
I read all comments repeatedly.
Please don’t feel too disappointed if you’re not mentioned in the replies.
If you’re really curious, feel free to message me!
I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Subscriptions, recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.