Leaving and Meeting ------------------------------------------------------------------------
“We’ve received a report about an unusual user in Sector 5.”
“Then tell me what’s so unusual about them. Stop beating around the bush.”
Seong Yubin frowned, pressing the female instructor for more information. Her voice faltered slightly under his sharp tone, but she continued.
“Well…”
What she said next was indeed intriguing. Apparently, nearly fifty users had emerged from Sector 5 all at once, but unlike other groups, these new users were remarkably calm and composed. The scene from when Sector 5 opened flashed through his mind.
She described the situation in detail, adding that the instructors in charge of Sector 5 had been able to guide the users with ease.
“Then why did you point out those new recruits?”
“Yes, according to the instructor in charge of Sector 5, do you see the man with black hair sitting in the center?”
“There are plenty of people with black hair. You’re not helping.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. He’s in the third tier of the magic talent category, sitting fifth from the left.”
Following her gaze, he spotted a man with a neat appearance. He had a handsome face and seemed to be in good physical condition. What stood out most was his relaxed and composed demeanor, a stark contrast to the anxious expressions of the other users.
Seeing him, Seong Yubin felt a strange tension in his eyes, as if he couldn’t help but be drawn to him. He wondered if this man had been a standout in a previous cycle, but no one came to mind.
He scanned the new recruits, hoping to spot a familiar face, but none looked familiar. It seemed likely that these were entirely new users.
He turned his attention back to the man, curious about who he might be, when the female instructor spoke again.
“They say that man was at the center of the Sector 5 group. He even helped the instructors maintain order.”
“Definitely an unusual guy.”
“Maybe he’s just naturally laid-back, Hyunwoo. Some people are like that.”
“Could be. Either way, don’t let it slide. Look into it more closely. By the way, have the other clans arrived yet?”
Seong Yubin nodded and raised his hands, likely preparing to cast a voice amplification spell. Taking advantage of the brief pause, he quickly activated his Third Eye. He considered the possibility of another regressor but dismissed it, knowing there could only be one Zero Code. It was better to directly check the user’s information than to overthink it.
With the Third Eye activated, he focused on the man again, and a series of messages appeared in the air.
Name: Park Hwanhee (0th Year)
Class: Normal Mage Beginner
Nation: -
Clan: -
True Name · Nationality: Discrepancy Between Outer and Inner Self · South Korea
Sex: Male (26)
Height · Weight: 185.5cm · 80.5kg
Alignment: Neutral · Chaos
[Strength 36] [Endurance 30] [Agility 42] [Stamina 40] [Magic 52] [Luck 62]
(No ability points remaining.)
<Unique Ability (1/1)>
“Hmm.”
Seeing the user’s information, Seong Yubin tilted his head slightly. The man had potential for growth and seemed to be adapting well to the Hall Plain. However, based solely on his stats, he was just average. He didn’t have a secret or rare class, which meant he wasn’t someone who had to be recruited or eliminated immediately. He was more of a “useful enough” type or someone with potential to become a top user.
But as he considered other information, his perspective shifted. The true name, alignment, and unique ability clicked together like puzzle pieces, helping him understand why he was so drawn to this new user. It was a sense of kinship, as if he had found someone similar to himself.
Turning off the Third Eye, he looked at the man again, seeing him in a new light. He was still calm and composed, occasionally comforting those around him. Yet, there was an artificial quality to his demeanor.
The female instructor’s report was accurate. The man had indeed helped maintain order, and the Sector 5 users had likely survived the initiation by following his lead.
Seong Yubin realized something valuable: this man was not one of the two who had passed on the fifth day. Amused by the discovery, he chuckled to himself. Just then, a voice boomed across the plaza.
“Welcome to those who have survived the initiation and proven themselves as users.”
“Su-hyun, Su-hyun!”
Park Hyunwoo’s voice, amplified, echoed widely. At the same time, someone suddenly linked arms with him. Turning, he saw Seong Yubin gently pulling him aside. Understanding the situation, he followed her lead, and they moved to the back of the stage. It was time for Park Hyunwoo’s speech.
“The speech might take a while. Let’s stay cozy back here. Oh, sorry, I misspoke to the Mercenary Lord.”
Seong Yubin playfully acted embarrassed, pulling his arm closer to her chest. The sensation was quite different from the stern demeanor she had shown earlier, now replaced with a flirtatious charm.
Watching her playful smile, a myriad of thoughts crossed his mind. He understood why she was flirting with him. Though he felt a strong urge to pull away, she was a user with influence in the Golden Lion Clan.
For the next three months, they would inevitably cross paths frequently. It seemed wiser to maintain a cordial relationship and keep her on his side. She might not be to his taste, but she was certainly useful.
“I’m sorry to say, but we are not the ones who can send you home. Currently, we lack both the means and the ability.”
Listening to the murmurs, he realized Park Hyunwoo’s speech was just beginning. Compared to when he first arrived, the language was much more refined. As Seong Yubin turned her head at the noise, he quickly softened his expression, ready to greet her gaze with a gentle smile.
“Misspoke? Not at all. In fact, ‘Mercenary Lord’ sounds a bit stiff. Haha.”
“Wow~. So, can I keep calling you Su-hyun?”
“Of course. I’d be delighted if someone like you called me that.”
“Oh my, I’m so happy~.”
Despite the slight change in address, Seong Yubin beamed with a childlike smile, as if genuinely pleased. He returned her smile, though inwardly he was amused.
As they settled into a secluded spot behind the stage, they watched Park Hyunwoo’s back together. To be precise, she clung to him more than he to her.
While listening to the speech, Seong Yubin spoke again.
“I heard from the instructors. You were the first to arrive and helped calm the commotion. Thank you so much.”
“There’s no need to thank me. I just did what needed to be done. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Still, I think it’s amazing. Haha. Oh? Are you nervous? You seem a bit tense.”
“How could I not be? Being alone in a dark place with a beauty like you, any man would be nervous.”
Of course, he was only pretending to be tense. He played along, boosting her mood. Seong Yubin widened her eyes, then laughed quietly, snuggling closer with a bashful expression.
“Oh my~. You’re so different from when we first met. So forward.”
“It was only a few hours ago.”
“I don’t know. But it feels nice. Hehe.”
Her face flushed, and she lowered her gaze shyly, looking every bit the embarrassed girl. Yet, the pressure on his arm grew stronger. Her face was pretty, but she was too thin for his taste. However, her chest felt surprisingly ample compared to her frame. (Though it paled in comparison to Jeong Ha-yeon or Go Yeon-ju.)
I can say with certainty that Seong Yubin was a woman who knew how to captivate men. If she set her mind to it, she could easily have them wrapped around her finger. I found myself silently cursing her as a temptress, but then I remembered her nature and was left speechless.
While Park Hyunwoo’s sharp speech continued, Seong Yubin and I kept up our conversation. Neither of us brought up anything significant. She had a fox-like quality, and if I approached too hastily, she might catch on to my intentions. So, we just exchanged pleasantries, skirting around any real topics.
Time passed in this manner.
“With that, I’ll conclude the basic explanation. I know many of you still have questions, but it’s quite late, so I suggest we move to the accommodations first.”
Park Hyunwoo’s speech was winding down. His voice was hoarse, a sign of his fatigue. Seong Yubin, who had been laughing beside me, released her grip on my arm with a look of regret.
“I should get going. I need to escort the new recruits to the academy dorms.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“By the way, the other clans haven’t arrived yet… I’ll head off first. I have to cancel some spells and give a few orders.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“No, it’s fine! Just follow us to the academy at your own pace. Oh, and when the instructors from the other clans arrive, please gather once more. We need to finalize some details that weren’t covered in the summons.”
Seong Yubin shook her head with a playful wink and walked away with a light step. Watching her quickly disappear into the distance, I calmly took out a cigarette from my pocket.
The warmth lingered on my right arm where she had clung to it. I took a deep drag from the lit cigarette and then shook my right arm, as if to rid it of her lingering touch.
“In the past year or two, the influx of new users has significantly decreased, which was concerning. But it seems to be picking up again, which is a relief.”
“Is that so? It must have been more frequent before.”
“Yes. I’ve been here for four years now. In the last two years, the portal opened only once a year, and the number of new users dropped significantly. Four years ago, when I first arrived, the intervals were shorter, and there were far more newcomers. It was incomparable to now.”
I nodded as I listened to him. During my first cycle, the situation was similar for a few years after I arrived. Then, as time went on, the intervals became irregular, and the number of new users fluctuated. I didn’t want to dampen his spirits by speculating on how the portal might change in the future.
Park Hyunwoo looked at the long line of new users with a weary expression. His face was shadowed, clearly displeased. It seemed the delay of personnel from other clans was the cause.
Aside from me, the first clan to arrive was
However, since they couldn’t just send any instructor, it was hard to blame them for taking time to select their personnel. It was clear he was silently fuming.
“By the way, Mercenary Lord.”
“Yes.”
After walking silently towards the academy for a while, Park Hyunwoo spoke to me. I looked up and responded, prompting him to continue.
“Come to think of it, didn’t you participate alone this time from your clan?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“In that case, there’s something I’d like to help you with. Or rather, a proposal.”
Help, or a proposal? I wondered what it could be, but decided to hear him out and nodded.
Seeing my positive response, his eyes seemed to regain a bit of life. Park Hyunwoo continued speaking.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
Ah, I managed to meet the midnight deadline today. I started writing a little after 7 PM, so I’m relieved. Haha. Anyway, the sweet weekend has come to an end. Tomorrow, the gloomy Monday returns. To all the students, office workers, soldiers(?), and all other readers, hang in there! I hope my writing can help you face Monday with energy instead of gloom. :)
『 Reader Comments (Episode 208) 』
Royujin: Hi, Yujin? You got first place. Finally. It feels like it’s been ages since I last came first, so I’m really happy. But this doesn’t count. Why? Because you posted late. If it’s not exactly at midnight, it doesn’t count. Sigh. I see. Alright. Try to be first next time.
Off2Love19: Oh, I see. But I’m not planning to go up to 3000 episodes. (…….) If I did, it would take forever to finish. :)
Renea: Thank you for the coupon. (__) Your way of speaking is amusing. Hahaha.
FallenPigeon: Another episode is out! Episode 209 is here! Though it was posted a bit late. ;ㅇ;
Hyunoh: Huh? What’s this about a bride story? Anyway, good luck with your trip to Hongdae in the evening. :) Reading novels on the subway with a smartphone is the best. Hehe.
『 Reader Comments (Episode 209) 』
MedicatedDigging: It seems like we often see new faces for the afternoon serials. Haha. Congratulations on being first. Enjoy this episode!
Kuroshion: Oh! Buffet! I’m jealous. ㅜ.ㅠ Enjoy your meal. Sob.
Sereson: Everyone! Ansol fans! The incarnation of Ansol is here! Here! Quickly, capture Sereson! (?!)
Zanmagna: No. You can identify the class of a job with the third eye. The protagonist knows some, and others are displayed in the user information window. :)
Hohokoya1: Thank you! It’s all thanks to the continuous interest and support from the readers. I’ll keep working hard. (__)
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