Supplementary Income ------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we stepped out of the eastern city gate, the resident guards saluted us with vigor. Seeing this, I was reminded of the stark differences between Monica and Mule. Even the guards’ armor was a cut above the shabby gear in Mule, but it was the scenery beyond the gate that truly made me nod in appreciation.
The vast expanse of green stretched out before us, with well-maintained roads branching off in various directions, marked by signposts standing tall in the distance. Despite being outside the city, the area was bustling with groups of users gathered under the towering trees that lined the walls.
“Ha ha ha! You wouldn’t believe the effect it had! I took a girl back to the Love House today, and she was all over me, clinging to my arm…”
“Wow, I’m jealous. But where’d you get the money for a stamina potion? Those aren’t cheap.”
“Heh, didn’t you hear? I scored big on a recent expedition. We stumbled upon a goblin village in the forest and made off with some gold and trinkets.”
“A goblin village? Still around? Man, you hit the jackpot.”
Compared to the barren wasteland of Mule, this place felt like a park. It was easy to imagine the people here were just out for a stroll or a picnic.
‘But even a village wouldn’t yield more than 200 or 300 gold unless it was a major find.’
I pondered this for a moment, but then noticed the clan emblem on one of the speakers’ backs. They seemed to be skilled combat users, capable of handling regular goblins with ease. It was likely they had indeed stumbled upon some easy money. Since it didn’t concern me, I decided to let it go.
I pulled out the map, gauged our direction, and led the expedition down the second path from the left. Today, we could march quickly without any risk, so I planned to cover as much ground as possible.
“We’ll begin a rapid march now. Please keep up and don’t fall behind.”
I turned to the group, urging them to pick up the pace, and gradually increased my walking speed. As I did, the rhythm of footsteps behind me quickened in response.
For a while, we marched in silence, focusing on the journey. Adjusting the pace to match my own abilities rather than the others’, we made remarkable progress, moving at a brisk pace that was almost a light jog.
After about six hours, the sound of labored breathing began to increase behind me. I paused to catch my breath and looked up at the sky. The sun, which had been hidden by clouds in the morning, now shone brightly, casting its warm rays down on us. The fresh air mixed with the scent of sweat from the clan members, and I decided it was time to slow down.
Two hours later, I finally called for a break. We stopped at the edge of a forest, where the ground rose into gentle hills. Climbing one of these hills, I found my view obscured by tall, dense trees.
As I surveyed the area, I saw clan members, their hair damp with sweat, making their way up the hill. Below, I heard splashing and looked down to see Go Yeon-ju wading in a pool of water, waving at me with a bright smile.
“Hah, hah.”
“Huff, huff.”
“Hey, why do you sound like you’re panting? It’s like you’re out of breath.”
“Shut up. I’m exhausted. Why, does it turn you on?”
Ahn Hyun and Lee Yoo-jung grumbled as they reached the top. I had wondered if they could keep up with the pace, but their training seemed to have paid off.
As they caught their breath, Ahn Sol, Baek Han-gyeol, and Kim Han-byeol appeared, having rested a bit below. Though they seemed okay, their pale faces betrayed their exhaustion.
Ahn Hyun, after taking a few deep breaths, spoke to me in a more composed voice.
“Hyung, today’s pace was no joke.”
“I know. But we’ll maintain it for now.”
“Sure, Yoo-jung and I can handle it, but can the others keep up?”
“The others?”
I glanced at the three, who shook their heads firmly, signaling they could manage. I shrugged, and Ahn Hyun blinked in surprise.
If this were a dangerous or unexplored area, I would have been more cautious about conserving energy. But Monica was a well-secured region, and I just wanted to move quickly through the safe zone.
The clan members likely thought I was focused on rescuing the users who had gone ahead. But I already had an idea of their fate in the Illusion Canyon.
After telling the clan members we’d set off in ten minutes (I thought I heard a silent scream of protest), I leaped down the hill.
Thud!
Landing on scattered leaves, I straightened my knees. Go Yeon-ju, still in the water, gave me a languid smile.
“Did you find anything?”
“Yes. We’re on the right track so far. It’s impressive how accurately we’re following the trail.”
“I just made an educated guess. I’m no match for the Shadow Queen.”
She laughed softly, pursing her lips. Then, pulling her feet from the water, she put on her shoes and somersaulted into the air. She landed lightly on a patch of grass pointing in a specific direction.
Go Yeon-ju brushed the ground lightly and nodded.
“There were ten at the riverbank. The first rescue team had fourteen. Fools.”
“Any other traces?”
“There are, but they’re all over the place. Considering the timing from Istantel Low, these should be the right tracks.”
“Then we’ll follow this direction out of the forest and pick up the trail again.”
I turned my gaze eastward. According to the map, it would take about a day to exit the forest, but at our current pace, we could do it in half a day. Beyond the forest lay the Wailing Plains, a less secure area.
As I calculated our next steps, I sensed the clan members descending the hill. I had told them to rest below, so why had they followed me up? Sighing, I organized them into formation.
“Ahn Hyun, take the lead. Ahn Sol and Baek Han-gyeol, center. Kim Han-byeol, right behind them. Lee Yoo-jung, rear guard. Go Yeon-ju, you’re the keeper.”
Once everyone was in position, we resumed our rapid march.
The sun had set, replaced by a mirror-like moon. Twilight battled fiercely with the moonlight, trying to claim the land. Thanks to our relentless march, we had exited the dense forest and entered the Wailing Plains.
I considered marching through the night, but the distance we covered was sufficient, and I thought it best to stop for Baek Han-gyeol, who was still a novice.
Baek Han-gyeol was something else. Despite being new, he kept up without complaint, which impressed me.
Choosing a campsite didn’t take long. In the middle of the plains, one spot was as good as another. We set up camp using expedition magic stones, and thanks to Go Yeon-ju’s culinary skills, we enjoyed a satisfying dinner.
After eating, Ahn Sol and Baek Han-gyeol nodded off, exhausted. Knowing they had the least stamina, I assigned them the last watch shift.
Crackle, crackle.
To prevent any risk of a fire, we cleared away the grass and dug a small pit where the gentle glow of the fire flickered between the branches. An Sol and Baek Han-gyeol had long since nestled into their sleeping bags, their breaths steady and rhythmic. Go Yeon-ju and Lee Yoo-jung had just gone to bed, as they were next up for the night watch.
In the deep of night, only Ahn Hyun, Kim Han-byeol, and I sat silently around the campfire, lost in our own thoughts.
After a while, Ahn Hyun, who had been staring at the fire, lifted his head.
“Hyung, I’ve got a question.”
“What is it?”
“Well, during the meeting, you mentioned the Hallucination Canyon…”
Aaaaaah…
Just then, a wailing sound carried by the plains’ wind reached our ears. Ahn Hyun, who was about to continue speaking, and Han-byeol, who was peeking out from behind her knees, both flinched and looked around. I glanced up at the moon, then spoke in a calm voice.
“Go on.”
“No, I mean, didn’t you hear that wailing just now…?”
“I told you before, we’re on the Wailing Plains. It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”
“Ugh, is it a ghost? I hate ghosts.”
I almost laughed at Han-byeol’s nervousness, but seeing her gulp, I just chuckled instead. Ahn Hyun, however, seemed genuinely uneasy, licking his lips and glancing around.
“Damn, it’s really bothering me.”
“It’s nothing, really. This place is just like that. The Wailing Plains cover a vast area. In a way, it’s quite fascinating.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Every now and then, for no reason, a wail echoes across the plains. Haha, don’t be too scared. This area is relatively stable. Once it happens, it’ll be quiet for a few hours at least.”
“Really? Well, then…”
Aaaaaah…
But as if mocking my words, another wail resonated softly around the campsite.
“Huh, twice?”
”…”
”…”
Ahn Hyun and Kim Han-byeol turned their eyes to me. Just as I was wondering if I had misheard, someone who I thought was asleep began to stir. It was Go Yeon-ju. She sat up, clearly annoyed at being woken, and frowned as she looked around.
“Soo-hyun, did you hear that?”
“I did.”
“How many times?”
“Twice.”
Go Yeon-ju’s voice was a bit hoarse, but as soon as I confirmed it was twice, she sprang up, her eyes sharp and alert. She spoke again, her voice steady.
“One wail is nothing to worry about. But the second one… what was it again?”
“It means something bad has happened somewhere on the Wailing Plains. It’s a warning of danger.”
I stood up, clicking my tongue. Ahn Hyun and Kim Han-byeol exchanged confused glances, then looked at me. I signaled for them to get up as well, my hand moving to the hilt of the Ilwol Divine Sword at my waist.
Aaaaaaah!
A third, unmistakable wail pierced the night. It wasn’t just me who heard it. Everyone awake had their expressions turn grim.
“That’s the third one. This means…”
Fully awake now, Go Yeon-ju’s voice returned to normal. I let out a deep sigh and finished her thought.
“It means someone has died where the bad thing happened. Ahn Hyun, Kim Han-byeol, wake everyone up.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yoo-jin.
Thank you so much. I’m really sorry I couldn’t reply to all your comments, but I’m grateful for your understanding. (__) I’ll study hard, and once exams are over, I’ll try to update more frequently!