Chapter 246: The First Assignment
The chill of the early morning air was palpable. As I took a shallow breath, a sweet, lingering scent mixed with the air, piercing deep into my lungs.
The cold air persistently tapped against my bare back, yet it dared not intrude upon the warmth where our bodies touched. Nestled in an embrace that cradled my face gently, I felt a comfort akin to a gentle spring breeze.
Though the desire to drift back into sleep was overwhelming, I forced myself to awaken. I had slept enough. Despite going to bed relatively early last night, compared to the restless nights at the academy, this felt like paradise.
Lifting my head, I saw Ha-yeon’s peaceful face, her soft snores filling the room. I recalled her boasting about her two consecutive wins last night, and the embarrassment on her face two days ago when she discovered the amplification gem engraved below her navel. After watching her for a moment longer, I quietly got up and began dressing. There was always the chance that An-sol might burst in unexpectedly.
Once I had donned my basic gear, I tucked my swords, the Mu-geom and Ilwol-shingeom, into my belt. The faint clink of the blades echoed loudly in the stillness of dawn.
As expected, the noise stirred Ha-yeon. Her eyes fluttered open, a sleepy smile on her lips. She blinked a few times, her gaze finally focusing on me with a soft, bluish hue.
“Su-hyeon…”
“Go back to sleep. It’s still a bit early.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m heading to the library. I need to gather some materials for today’s meeting.”
Her voice was thick with sleep. As she stretched and sat up, she suddenly covered her chest, a blush spreading across her face. I chuckled softly at her embarrassment and continued speaking as I turned away.
“We’ll have a meeting on the fourth floor after breakfast. As I mentioned yesterday, I’d like everyone to be prepared to share their thoughts.”
“Hmm~. Okay. But do you really need my opinion?”
“…Haha.”
“Just kidding. I’ll be ready as you asked.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her playful remark. Once we returned from the expedition, I planned to settle in immediately. We couldn’t take everyone on this mission, as we needed clan members to stay behind and manage things in the city.
I felt guilty for burdening them since the academy days, but currently, only Go Yeon-ju or Jeong Ha-yeon could handle administrative tasks. While combat users are valuable, we also need members who can manage administrative duties as the clan grows.
“I’m sorry. Please bear with it a little longer. I’ll leave a few members behind to assist.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. You’re out there risking your life, while I’m safe in the city….”
Ha-yeon shook her head gently, and we both shared a knowing smile.
“I’ll be back before breakfast.”
With that, I headed towards the door. As I stepped out, I heard Ha-yeon’s voice behind me, “Take care.”
Libraries, like temples, generally operate around the clock, though it varies by city. In Monica, the library closes late at night and opens early in the morning, roughly from midnight to 4 AM by Earth’s time.
Although I received ample materials from Istantel Low, they didn’t include the specific records I sought. I wasn’t interested in general information about the Plateau of Delusion or the Canyon of Illusions, but rather the relics within the canyon.
As I approached the library, a man was just opening the door. Judging by his mage’s robe, he was likely a combat user working part-time, not a resident or livelihood user. He looked exhausted, and upon seeing me, his face twisted in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected anyone at this hour. Ignoring his reaction, I entered the library and began my search.
‘Ancient… Myth… Legend…’
After some time sifting through the archives, I found several records I was looking for. Although I condensed much of it from memory, the stack of records in my hands was still substantial. I began reading them immediately.
“……”
Initially, I skimmed through many records quickly, sometimes only glancing at the first few pages before returning them. But as the pile in my hands dwindled, I finally found a record that connected with my memory. I read it line by line.
The record was only eleven pages long, so it didn’t take long to read. After finishing, I returned all but the last record to their places and headed for the exit.
At the counter, the user who had opened the door was dozing over an open book. I considered waking him but decided instead to quietly jot down the record’s name and my user information in the borrowing log. I also picked up a large map from a nearby stand and dropped a coin into the bowl on the counter.
The clink of the coin echoed, but the man didn’t stir. Whistling softly, I left the library.
Breakfast was a quiet affair. The upcoming meeting had been announced, casting a solemn atmosphere over the meal.
After eating, the Mercenary Clan members and I headed straight to the fourth floor. The meeting room was the largest and best room I used.
“Let’s begin the Mercenary Clan meeting.”
I pinned the map I had brought to the office wall and turned to see nine clan members seated. Most were gathered around the large table, but Go Yeon-ju stood beside me, hands neatly clasped.
After confirming each face, I spoke calmly.
“I’ve shared most of the important details yesterday. However, some members requested time to think. Before we delve into specifics, we need to decide on the mission’s feasibility, so let’s hear from those members first.”
After returning from Istantel Low, I had explained the situation to the clan and sought their opinions. Until now, I had made decisions independently, but as we established the clan house and settled in, I intended to consider their input. This mission was our first, and it involved significant matters that couldn’t be decided unilaterally.
As I finished speaking, Shin Sang-yong hesitantly raised his hand. He was one of the two members who had requested more time, the other being Go Yeon-ju.
I nodded slightly, and Shin Sang-yong cleared his throat before speaking.
“Uh, well, I’ll start. I’m not against the mission itself. After reviewing the records the Clan Lord provided, I concluded that the Plateau of Delusion can be managed with the Mind-Calming Pills from Istantel Low. The rewards are good, and the success rate is high, but… entering the Canyon of Illusions seems risky.”
“Could you elaborate?”
“Yes, yes. According to the records, the survival rate in the Canyon of Illusions is below 30%. The Mind-Calming Pills are effective for the Plateau of Delusion, but their efficacy is halved in the canyon. We don’t have an abundance of them either… So, I think it’s safer to explore only the Plateau of Delusion, even if the rewards are slightly less.”
Several clan members nodded in agreement with Shin Sang-yong. Seeing their reactions, he concluded with, “That’s all,” and exhaled deeply.
Turning to Go Yeon-ju, she also seemed to share Shin Sang-yong’s concerns.
“I agree with Shin Sang-yong. I understand the Clan Lord’s perspective, but while the Plateau of Delusion is manageable, the Canyon of Illusions is dangerous. It’s not just about Su-hyeon and me; it’s about the other clan members. If it were just Su-hyeon and me, I’d agree to go.”
Go Yeon-ju’s point was that while she and I might manage, she couldn’t guarantee the safety of the others in the canyon. Considering the field effects of the Canyon of Illusions, her concerns were valid.
With both members having voiced their opinions, I paused briefly before speaking in a steady tone.
“So, the issue is the lack of preparation for the Canyon of Illusions.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What if there was a way to avoid the illusions in the canyon?”
“What…?”
“There is a way. We have a user in our clan capable of suppressing the canyon’s powerful field effects.”
It was Go Yeon-ju who responded, not Shin Sang-yong. As I reiterated my point, a murmur spread among the clan members. Waiting for the commotion to settle, I turned my attention to Baek Han-gyeol and began explaining in detail.
“I’ve heard from user Baek Han-gyeol that the unique power of the Divine Shield is reflection. It can reflect any physical, magical, or mental harm back to its source. It’s quite an extraordinary ability.”
“Oh…! Well, that does make sense. I hadn’t thought of that. But isn’t Baek Han-gyeol still a novice user? He can’t create a shield large enough to cover all of us, and even if he could, maintaining it for a long time would be difficult.”
“Of course. But Han-gyeol doesn’t need to overexert himself. Just a small shield, like the one he showed us last time, would be enough. Because we have someone here who can solve that problem. User Kim Han-byeol?”
“Yes.”
I called Han-byeol without hesitation. She stood up cautiously and began to speak about the power of the Jewel Mage, which was called
“So, you’re saying that as long as you have a jewel, you can amplify the effects of any magic?”
“Yes. It depends on the jewel, but if we have one that resonates with Baek Han-gyeol’s wavelength, we can amplify all positive effects related to it.”
“No way! So, instead of extracting mana from the jewel, you can use its full magical power as it is?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Hearing Han-byeol’s confirmation, Shin Sang-yong looked around in disbelief. The clan members, including Go Yeon-ju, were all looking at Han-byeol and Han-gyeol with newfound interest. I couldn’t help but smile to myself. This was exactly why I was determined to bring Baek Han-gyeol into the fold, even if it meant passing on all other new recruits.
“Clan Lord? Let’s change the plan. I think it’s possible. I support it.”
“I’ll withdraw my reservation too. I’m not entirely convinced yet, but if what the Clan Lord says is true, it’s truly remarkable.”
As Go Yeon-ju quickly voiced her support, Shin Sang-yong hurriedly changed his stance as well.
‘It’s true. We’ve been racking our brains over this because of him. Oh, but it’s not Han-gyeol’s fault.’
Feeling the sudden attention, Baek Han-gyeol lowered his head and fidgeted with his fingers. Lee Yoo-jung looked at him with pride and spoke in an excited voice.
“This is amazing. So we didn’t need to worry about the Plateau of Delusions from the start?”
“Idiot. That’s not it. Do you know how many jewels we’d need? We can prepare for the Plateau of Delusions with the Mind Pill, right? Are you going to waste expensive jewels there?”
“Oh, I see. But why is your tone so harsh?”
“Sorry. Anyway, it turns out the real treasure was elsewhere.”
When Ahn Hyun made a casual remark, the original “lucky charm,” Ahn Sol, pouted. In any case, we managed to gain the agreement of all the clan members. With a satisfied heart, I drew the Sun and Moon Sword from my waist. I placed the tip on a specific part of the map and began to speak. The tip pointed directly at the Plateau of Delusions.
“You might be wondering why I insist on entering the Canyon of Illusions when just exploring the Plateau of Delusions would be enough.”
The moment I pointed at the map, the room fell silent. It was the atmosphere I wanted. I drew a diagonal line with the Sun and Moon Sword from Monica to the Plateau of Delusions.
“The journey from Monica to the Plateau of Delusions takes about 10 to 11 days. Once we enter the Plateau, the Canyon of Illusions is only a day or two away. So, in 14 days, we can reach the Canyon of Illusions and still have time to spare.”
”…”
“I mentioned that we received a communication from the Yeoul Clan after two weeks. Just one word: help.”
I was looking at the map with my back to the clan members, then slowly turned my head and spoke.
“The part that struck me as odd was precisely that.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Wow. Su-hyeon is finally leaving the city in the next chapter! ^0^ Lately, I’ve been practicing condensing scenes. Instead of dividing it into four parts—eating, chatting, climbing stairs, and entering the meeting room—I’ve been combining the first three into one and jumping straight into the meeting. It’s really helpful for pacing. :D Now, I’m off to study for my finals! Let’s all enjoy thrilling adventures, treasures, action, and the protagonist’s special treatment! Oh, sorry, please forget that last part. (Oops!)
『 Reader Comments 』
Miwolya: Haha, just when a new character appears, Miwolya swoops in to reclaim the spotlight. Congrats on being first! Enjoy this chapter!
HarujionS: Hang in there. ㅜ.ㅠ I can understand your feelings from your comment. Being in the rankings on mobile is quite an achievement!
Hwiya: Of course. If you bring them in, you have to use them. Kyokyo. Is this part Han-byeol and Han-gyeol’s big moment? No, it’s Su-hyeon’s grand chaos.
Off2Love19: No, reader comments are always random. Hahaha. :)
EveningGlow: I’m so sorry, but I love you. It’s hard to write continuously during exam prep. ㅜ.ㅠ
Minggi: Whoa.
Freeman: I think it might be after the elixir. (?)
FallenWing: No, I’m soft, soft. That’s right. Ahem.
Flute + KeaR, Royal: Oh. Sorry. I’ll update the reader comments and make corrections right away.
Tantania: This chapter was one of the reasons Su-hyeon needed to convince the clan members. Of course, there are other reasons too. Hahaha.
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