Catastrophe
The place I was led to by the Black Lions was the instructors’ meeting room at the academy. The users who guided me stopped at the door and carefully opened it for me. As I walked straight into the room, I noticed the Eastern Clan instructors occupying about a third of the table on the left.
“Ah, Mercenary Lord, you’re here too.”
The murmurs filling the room ceased, and several eyes turned toward me. Seong Hyun-min, who had been conversing seriously with Seo Jin-woo, stood up and acknowledged me. As I took the seat he indicated, I heard him let out a long sigh.
“I was called in the middle of a training session. It’s a bit unsettling.”
“Yes… We’re in the same boat.”
“I see. Do you have any idea why this is happening?”
“Well…”
Instead of answering, he sighed again. It seemed like he knew something but was reluctant to speak. Seeing Seong Hyun-min, usually so composed, showing such signs of confusion suggested that something significant was afoot.
I steeled myself. Conversations with Park Hyun-woo, the meeting with Go Yeon-ju, and Seong Hyun-min’s reaction all pointed to something serious. For now, I decided to set aside my complicated thoughts and focus on the meeting.
As I sat quietly, more users began to arrive, ones I hadn’t seen when I first entered. Most of them were from the Southern Clan, and their faces were uniformly displeased.
Finally, with a string of curses, Kim Deok-pil sauntered in, marking the arrival of all the instructors dispatched from the non-participating clans. I calmly observed their demeanor.
The Southern Clan instructors were openly expressing their dissatisfaction, while some of the Eastern Clan instructors wore grave expressions. The reactions from the Southeastern Clans were subtly divided.
“Damn it. I was enjoying a rare break from training, and now this.”
“Just when things seemed quiet, here we go again. They do whatever they please.”
As Yeon Hye-rim vented her frustration, Kim Deok-pil chimed in with his gruff voice. Watching others nod in agreement, it was clear that the conflicts were deepening rather than improving.
Amidst the growing discontent over the Golden Lion’s summons, the sound of dozens of users approaching from outside became noticeable. Given the caliber of those present, everyone fell silent and turned their gaze toward the door. And then—
Bang!
The door swung open with a sound that seemed to shake the room. Seong Hyun-min’s expression hardened as a man with streaks of white in his hair stepped inside. He scanned us with a haughty gaze and spoke in a growling voice.
“Hmph. Looks like everyone’s here.”
”…”
No one responded. But as soon as the man spoke, a sharp tension began to rise from the left side of the room. Unfazed, he strode across the center and plopped down into the seat of honor with a loud thud.
“What are you waiting for? Come in. Ah, Shadow Queen, you too. Place that in the center where everyone can see.”
At his gesture toward the door, those who had been waiting outside began to file in. Leading the way were the Golden Lion, followed by the Western and Northern instructors. In their midst was Go Yeon-ju, carrying a long, wide wooden box and something wrapped in luxurious fabric.
As the large group entered, the once-quiet meeting room filled with the sound of footsteps. Taking advantage of the commotion, I quickly activated my third eye to assess the man seated at the head.
Name: Do Yeong-rok (7th Year)
Class: Normal Mage Master
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Golden Lion
True Name · Nationality: Incorrigible Filth · South Korea
Sex: Male (56)
Height · Weight: 184.8cm · 88.3kg
Disposition: Low-Down · Stain
[Strength 47] [Endurance 54] [Agility 69] [Stamina 63] [Magic 93(+3)] [Luck 75]
“Ah, Do Yeong-rok. I remember now.”
I had been uncertain, but seeing his information jogged my memory. After briefly studying the floating data, I turned my attention back to Go Yeon-ju.
She didn’t appear injured, which was a relief. However, her face was expressionless. Following Do Yeong-rok’s instructions, she placed the two items she carried in the center and then turned her head. When our eyes met, she came over and sat beside me, resting her head gently on my shoulder. Her scent was strong, suggesting she had endured much hardship over the past two weeks. I adjusted my shoulder to make her more comfortable.
Meanwhile, the users from the Central, Western, and Northern Clans who had entered en masse took their seats at the right table. The left side was occupied by the non-participating clans, while the right side was filled with the participating clans, creating a stark contrast.
“Most of you probably know me, but for those who don’t, let me introduce myself briefly. Ah, given the circumstances, I should speak more formally. I am Do Yeong-rok, a senior executive of the Golden Lion Clan, currently acting as the clan lord.”
”…”
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why you’ve been summoned so suddenly while working hard at the academy.”
“There must be a reason, right? User Do Yeong-rok?”
The power struggle had begun the moment he barged in and took the seat of honor with such arrogance. Do Yeong-rok’s condescending tone was practically an invitation to conflict.
As Do Yeong-rok maintained his high-handed demeanor, the already irritable Yeon Hye-rim responded with sarcasm. He smirked at her and then spoke in a low voice.
“Of course, there is.”
“User Do Yeong-rok, perhaps you should calm down.”
“Hmph. Calm down?”
“Your attitude is quite offensive, as if you’re addressing subordinates. While I acknowledge your achievements and status, there are those here who stand on equal footing with you.”
“Hah.”
Following Yeon Hye-rim, Seo Jin-woo also expressed his displeasure. Even with two of the top ten voicing their concerns, Do Yeong-rok showed no sign of backing down. As Seo Jin-woo’s expression hardened, Do Yeong-rok abruptly stood and moved to the center. Without a word, he unveiled the neatly wrapped fabric in the center.
The moment the item was revealed, a chilling silence descended over the left table.
“Do you know what this is?”
“That’s… the Grandmother’s… No way.”
On the unwrapped fabric lay a tattered, faded robe and the shattered pieces of the staff the Grandmother always carried. As someone stammered in disbelief, Do Yeong-rok pointed to the wooden box and continued.
“What do you think is inside this box?”
”…”
“Let me tell you why you’re here. Yesterday, a reconnaissance team dispatched to the Eastern Mountains confirmed the Grandmother’s death.”
“What? That’s impossible! What nonsense…”
“Kim Deok-pil, why don’t you come and see for yourself? No, I’ll open it for you. Take a good look.”
After finishing his words, Do Yeong-rok carefully opened the long wooden box with trembling hands. I felt Go Yeon-ju’s breath grow ragged as she leaned against my shoulder. As the box was opened and its contents revealed, gasps erupted from the right table, which had remained silent until now.
“This can’t be!”
“Oh…!”
“Ugh…”
The Grandmother’s body was not intact. Even with only parts of it present, it was too horrific to describe. After observing their reactions for a while, Do Yeong-rok closed the box and wrapped it in the fabric again. Handling it as if it were a sacred relic, he spoke with a voice full of anger.
“Can I really calm down with the Grandmother’s body right in front of me?”
In response to Do Yeong-rok’s aggressive tone, Seo Jin-woo bit his lip with a dark expression but soon spoke in a somber voice.
“I am also deeply saddened by the Grandmother’s passing. I understand your feelings, but it might be best to calm down for now.”
“Saddened? You speak so calmly, as if you knew beforehand.”
“We received the news slightly ahead through communication.”
“Really? I don’t recall ordering the reconnaissance team to spread the word. How did you know?”
“After confirming the Grandmother’s death, the team entered a city we manage. Our Han Clan provided them with lodging, and that’s how we found out. I apologize for the indiscretion, but I don’t want any misunderstandings.”
As Seojinwoo and Doyeongrok exchanged words, Seonghyeonmin chimed in with additional explanations. Doyeongrok, after giving Seonghyeonmin a long, scrutinizing look, remarked, “You’ve got a way with words,” and returned to his seat, carrying the items he had gathered.
Once seated again, he let out a deep sigh, burying his face in his hands. To anyone watching, he seemed genuinely grieved and angered by the sudden death of the matriarch. Amidst the tense atmosphere, a strange feeling washed over him.
‘But I remember hearing that they were on terrible terms when the matriarch was active. Wasn’t he the one who led the charge to oust her?’
As he sifted through his memories of the first round, something felt off. A few others seemed to share his unease, their expressions subtly twisted.
Doyeongrok took a couple of deep breaths and spoke in a slightly calmer tone.
“Well… I apologize if I spoke down to you. That wasn’t my intention, and I hope you understand.”
“I understand. It’s not just anyone; it’s the matriarch we’re talking about. But is there any way to know the cause of death? Or any clues…?”
“I don’t know. The initial investigation team found no traces. Fortunately, Mercenary Road showed us some goodwill, and with the Shadow Queen’s help, we found the matriarch’s body. But that’s it. Further pursuit was impossible. Who could have done this, and why…?”
It became clear why Doyeongrok had calmed down—he mentioned me and Goyeonju. Instinctively, I sensed that we were no longer suspects. While I didn’t take it at face value, it seemed like a promise not to target the mercenaries.
Then, amidst the silent exchange of glances, a sharp voice erupted from the table where the allied clans sat.
“Could it be someone with a grudge against the matriarch?”
“A grudge… What do you mean?”
“Well, it could be an organized act by those who didn’t welcome the matriarch’s return…”
“What did you say?”
As a female user from the SSUN clan hesitated, twisting her hair, Heoyuri immediately snapped back. The initial comment was something anyone could think of, but the real message lay in the latter part.
“Are you implying that we did it?”
“Oh? Why would you say that? Did I ever accuse you?”
Seonghyeonmin quickly signaled Heoyuri to calm down. Though she closed her mouth, her gaze remained fixed forward.
A tense silence filled the conference room, broken only by Doyeongrok’s voice.
“Come to think of it, I heard the matriarch intended to assess the User Academy upon her return.”
“User Doyeongrok!”
“I’ve been informed in detail by Park Hyunwoo about how the academy has been running.”
Seojinwoo, who had been holding back, couldn’t contain his anger at Doyeongrok’s words. But Doyeongrok continued, his gaze sweeping the left table with a cold expression.
“Frankly, it seemed like a mess. But I held back. I told others to hold back. Criticizing the Golden Lion harshly and manipulating the academy to their liking was something I could overlook. After all, those with dirty hands can’t criticize others for having dirty hands. And as some clan mentioned, we failed the Iron Mountain expedition and were partly responsible for the negative impact on the northern continent. I refrained from stepping in to allow time for reflection.”
Doyeongrok’s words hit a sore spot, silencing Seojinwoo. The non-participating clans, including Seojinwoo, had no rebuttal. Doyeongrok’s intention was likely to seize control of the conversation, signaling that his true intentions were about to be revealed.
“But there’s a limit. To be honest, the matriarch’s body wasn’t in a normal state. Yet, she ventured into the Eastern Mountains to somehow heal the clan lord.”
“Her body wasn’t in a normal state…?”
“Yes. But the matriarch passed away, and the hope of healing the clan lord vanished. Moreover, we lost the remaining spiritual pillar of the clan. How should the Golden Lion perceive this blatant act of hostility?”
“We should catch the culprit and administer appropriate punishment.”
A female user from the SSUN clan responded immediately to Doyeongrok’s question. The conference room buzzed with murmurs, which gradually subsided as Doyeongrok continued.
“In that case, I hope all the clans gathered here will help catch the matriarch’s killer. If they’re truly innocent, I don’t see why they would refuse.”
”…I agree with uncovering the mastermind and catching the culprit. However, a thorough investigation should precede this, and we should refrain from making statements that could cause misunderstandings. For instance, it’s best not to use the word ‘innocent’ yet, as the culprit hasn’t been identified.”
“Hmph. So, can I take that as a willingness to cooperate?”
“Some instructors here don’t have the authority to make decisions. At the very least, we should have time to convey this incident to our respective clans and seek their opinions.”
Doyeongrok nodded at Seojinwoo’s logical words.
“Very well. I look forward to a positive response. For your information, all clans under the Golden Lion have agreed to cooperate with this investigation. Park Hyunwoo! I’ll return to the clan house immediately. You handle the rest.”
“Yes, understood.”
Having said his piece, Doyeongrok rose, clutching the matriarch’s remains, and staggered across the room. Just as he reached the door, he steadied himself and stopped.
“I tolerated the User Academy, but this is something I cannot and will not tolerate. The Golden Lion will conduct a thorough investigation into the matriarch’s death, sparing no time or effort to uncover the mastermind. And when we do…”
He paused, turning his head halfway, and spoke with a voice that could devour someone.
“We’ll make sure they understand that the Golden Lion’s fangs haven’t dulled.”
As he opened the door and left, a chill settled over the left table. Doyeongrok’s words were nothing short of a declaration of war, a warning to the non-participating clans.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
Yes, I’m truly grateful for the concerns many readers have expressed. Soon, many things will unfold simultaneously. Clan conflicts, Hanbyeol, Park Hwanhee and Baek Hangyeol (+Cha Yuna), new members, and the outcasts. Not everything will happen before the completion, but most will. With about 2-3 weeks left in the academy, I deliberately avoided progressing one by one to create a chaotic and complex situation. (Though it would be easier for me to handle one at a time.) So, I’ve been quietly laying the groundwork. ㅜ.ㅠ The academy is entering its final phase. Having come this far, I hope to conclude it well and arrange and depict the events as clearly as possible for the readers. Thank you. (__)
『 Reader Comments 』
Sensitive: Oh, Sensitive has reclaimed the top spot. Congratulations. Haha. (Feels like it’s been a while. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ.)
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Infinite Sky: Suhyeon’s rise isn’t far off. :) Hehehe. Ah, Hanbyeol is about to explode soon. I think many readers will criticize both me and Hanbyeol then. Haha!
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