The time for nurturing has passed.
As the door closed behind Jeong Ha-yeon, it was just me and Yujeong left in the room. When I called her name, she kept her head bowed, not moving an inch. I watched her quietly for a moment before speaking in a gentle voice.
“Come closer.”
Yujeong didn’t respond verbally, but she must have heard me because she hesitantly took a few steps forward. When she finally stood right in front of me, I could see her eyes cast downward, her expression defeated.
I reached out and gently touched her stomach.
“Eek…! Oppa?”
“How’s your stomach?”
“Huh?”
“Remember when you got hurt during that cave exploration? I realized I haven’t checked in on you since we left the mule. Any lingering effects?”
Yujeong’s face flushed with confusion. She seemed at a loss, expecting a scolding but instead hearing concern in my voice.
“Uh, well, there’s a bit of a scar, but it doesn’t affect my movement.”
“That’s a relief.”
As I smiled in relief, Yujeong finally met my gaze. The initial anxiety on her face had eased somewhat. Our eyes locked, and I spoke slowly.
“I kept you back because there’s something I want to discuss.”
“Oppa, I’m sorry.”
“Yujeong, hear me out first. And don’t apologize so quickly.”
“Okay?”
I pulled a chair over and had her sit down. She kept fiddling with her hair, which had a soft reddish tint that caught my eye.
“First, I’m sorry. I know how you all feel about Hanbyeol, and bringing her in without a word must have been a shock.”
“Oppa, no! Don’t apologize! It’s my fault for acting rashly.”
Yujeong’s reaction was intense, her hair swaying as she shook her head. I waited for her to calm down, reflecting on her behavior. She was like a cat with its claws out, yet never directed at me.
Despite her sharpness, I couldn’t bring myself to push her away. I remembered how she reacted when Jeong Ha-yeon used the crystal of truth on me in the ruins. It gave me a glimpse into Yujeong’s feelings for me.
Her claws had never been aimed at me.
“I understand your feelings. They might differ from mine, but I don’t want to impose my views on you.”
“Oppa…”
“But we need to address what’s wrong. I’m talking about your attitude during the meeting.”
Yujeong adjusted her posture, signaling her willingness to listen. I continued in a calm voice.
“I don’t want to see you as kids anymore. Sure, Ansol has her reasons, but you and Anhyeon are capable of thinking and acting maturely.”
”…”
“I called you users earlier because I want to treat you as full-fledged clan members. You have some idea of how things are in Hall Plain, right?”
Yujeong nodded, her expression growing serious as she grasped the gravity of my words.
“The situation is chaotic, and Mercenary is under a lot of scrutiny. People will judge our clan based on us. You’re not new users anymore; you’re Mercenary clan members. Is it wrong for me to expect you to act like it?”
“Uh…”
“Like earlier, during the official introduction of Hanbyeol. Making snide remarks about her being a traitor—how do you think that looks to the other clan members? It doesn’t just reflect poorly on Hanbyeol; it makes me look bad for bringing her in and you for disrupting the meeting.”
“I’m sorry, Oppa… I didn’t think it would go that far…”
“You didn’t know, huh.”
“So, this time, I’ll let it slide.”
I fixed Yujeong with a stern gaze. She flinched, sensing the shift in my demeanor. What I was about to say was a final warning. I needed her to understand, even if it meant being firm.
“I don’t think you did it knowingly. But this is the last time I’ll overlook it. I’ve told you before, I hate repeating myself.”
”…”
“I said I understand your feelings. I’m not ignoring you. But from now on, if you have complaints, go through the proper channels. File a formal complaint or arrange a private meeting. Got it?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Yujeong on the verge of tears, I decided to ease up. After a moment of silence, I gently patted her head. It was time to soften the atmosphere again.
“I remember when you cried seeing me return from the inn, when you collected money for me in the square, and when you protected me in the ruins. I’m grateful for your trust and support.”
“Oppa…”
“But I’m the clan lord now. I can’t favor anyone. As the clan grows, I’ll have less time for you all. If something like this happens again, I won’t let it slide just because you’re ‘my kids.’ For my sake, for yours, and for the Mercenary clan.”
“I’m sorry…”
I emphasized “my kids” deliberately. Yujeong nodded, wiping her eyes. Hoping she understood, I helped her up from the chair.
“Don’t cry. Was I too harsh?”
“No, Oppa. You’re right. I’ll remember.”
“Let’s stick to one way of speaking. It’s confusing.”
“Yes, Clan Lord.”
“Again.”
I joked lightly, and Yujeong managed a teary smile. It was a strange expression, hard to describe. I took her hand and led her to the door. She hesitated, then leaned slightly on my shoulder.
Thinking of Ha-yeon waiting, I opened the door. It was time to wrap up today’s conversation.
“I talked a lot with Hanbyeol before coming here. She had a tough time with the Golden Lion, but she wants to start anew and change. I hope you can set aside your preconceptions and give her a chance, at least until she adjusts.”
Yujeong didn’t reply, but I felt her nod against my shoulder.
After escorting Yujeong downstairs, I left the Love House, receiving farewells from the clan members. Outside, Ha-yeon and Vivian were chatting, waiting for me.
‘Considering how hard it must have been for them to get along, it’s impressive. Or maybe they’re not that close?’
As I approached, they greeted me with bright smiles.
“Suhyeon, you’re back. Did you scold Yujeong a lot?”
“What were you two talking about?”
“Not scolding, just discussing some things. Shall we go see the clan house Ha-yeon found?”
“Yes, I’ll explain on the way. Let’s start with the closest one.”
Ha-yeon took her place on my left, Vivian on my right. As we walked, Ha-yeon began to speak.
“You said not to worry about the cost, but choosing a location was tough. As you know, Monica is one of the most stable cities in the North Continent. The land and construction costs are high.”
“It’s probably because we’re free mercenaries. We don’t get discounts. Since Mercenary is a mercenary clan, it makes sense to be in an accessible location. I want to avoid secluded areas.”
“You mean to establish ourselves openly.”
“Exactly. In Hall Plain, no mercenary clan has officially launched yet.”
Even if a clan is officially recognized, there’s a clear hierarchy. One way to gauge a clan’s status is whether it owns a clan house.
Owning a home in Hall Plain means solving the lodging issue. For a clan, owning a clan house signifies more than just lodging; it represents stability and status.
From the perspective of the average user, it was true that clans with a permanent base were more trustworthy than those that wandered from place to place. They could boast of having excavated numerous ruins, succeeded in explorations, and achieved significant results. This was especially true in Monica, a small city known for its stability and high property values.
“After attending the User Academy, I realized the potential of our mercenary position. We still have much to gain attention for. Recruiting a gem wizard and the Shield of God, purchasing a clan house just three months after our launch, and being a mercenary-type clan.”
“Jealousy and envy are inevitable, then.”
“We were prepared for that from the moment we announced our launch. It’s unlikely that only good things will happen from now on. That’s why it was necessary to mentally prepare our clan members.”
“I understand. Ah, here we are.”
While talking with Hayeon, we arrived at our first destination. I turned my head to survey the surroundings. Low-end taverns, shabby inns, and rundown shops. It was indeed a bustling area, but it was filled more with users who seemed to be living hand-to-mouth rather than those who lived by the sword. It reminded me of the night streets of Barbara.
Of course, in Hall Plain, selling one’s body was just another means of survival, so it wasn’t something to look down on. However, since we were setting up a base in a city where we’d be active for a while, it was something to be mindful of.
“Come to think of it, we’re close to the Love House.”
“Hehe. Let’s go inside first. I’ll explain once we’re in.”
“Can we just go in?”
“Yes. The Clan Lord of Istantel Low said we could come and go as we please.”
“Han Soyeong?”
Hayeon had mentioned wanting to discuss something related to the purchase of the clan house. As soon as she spoke, I instinctively felt it was connected to the Istantel Low clan.
“They’ve made contact, then.”
I lowered my voice, and Hayeon glanced around before nodding slightly.
“Understood. You said we have permission to enter, right? Let’s go in.”
“Kim Suhyun! Kim Suhyun!”
“What?”
“I have something to say too. Just the two of us.”
Vivian pouted, looking a bit left out. She probably felt excluded since Hayeon and I had been talking the whole way here.
Hayeon chuckled lightly and walked ahead, pushing open a rather heavy-looking, slightly rusty door. As she did, I gently reached out and playfully smacked Vivian on the backside. The soft, bouncy sensation was unmistakable.
“Let’s talk inside.”
“Eek!”
Vivian jumped in surprise.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
First, I sincerely apologize to those who were expecting today’s continuous update. (__) I’m currently preparing for my upcoming finals. It’s not just the exams; there are also assignments piling up like bombs. ㅜ.ㅠ So, I need to pace myself for a while. ㅇㅅㅇ
If there are no updates on holidays, please understand that I’m diligently studying and working on assignments. :) I plan to build up a buffer since there’s still some time left, but if I do need to take a break, I’ll be sure to leave a notice. (I’m in a bit of a panic because two of my major subjects include the material from the midterms. Haha.)
『 Reader Comments 』
Miwolya: Congratulations on being first! You and another reader seem to be taking turns claiming the top spot! Haha. Enjoy this chapter. :)
Sereson: Welcome back! Congratulations on your return. ^ㅂ^/
Lapir and Jint: Rather than training Yujeong, it was more about gently guiding her. I can’t push too hard, you know. I hope you liked it.
dsafddd: There’s still a bit of the elixir left. It will appear after this episode. :D
koaa123: It seems I need to support Hayeon and Yujeong. Kekekeke!
Neplnichov: Yes, I did hit Vivian this time. (?!)
rlatjdwn512: No, honestly, it’s a matter of personal taste. I think having a girlfriend like Yujeong would be great. ‘3’
Joajukgetne: Suhyun probably didn’t expect the issues between the kids and Hanbyeol to be resolved immediately. Haha. Hanbyeol is showing determination, and I hope the kids will learn a lot by observing her changes rather than outright rejecting her.
Itersion: That’s true, but it seems everyone expects too much from the elixir. ㅜ.ㅠ The Angel’s Tear cost tens of thousands of GP for +6 points. Of course, it has the advantage of being able to increase any stat, but some people even mentioned +15…. Hahahaha.
Darkside: Please forgive me for not updating continuously. ㅜ.ㅠ As for Yujeong, well, Suhyun has given her an ultimatum, so I hope she shows a better side of herself. Haha.
Thank you for always reading. Your recommendations and comments are a great source of strength.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.