“Take a break, please.”
On my way to the Love House, I suddenly felt a strange sensation. I was walking through Monica’s central square, and it was unusually crowded. There was no special announcement on the bulletin board, and the atmosphere seemed the same as always. It was simply that more users were around.
I paused, puzzled, but didn’t slow my pace toward the Love House.
“Suhyeon, what’s up with you all of a sudden?”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been looking around ever since we entered the square. Are you looking for someone?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Hmm~.”
Goyeonju suddenly appeared beside me, giving me a sidelong glance with a playful tone. The slight smile on her lips suggested she was up to some mischief again. Lately, her pranks had become more frequent, especially after losing twice in a row to Jeong Hayeon.
‘It’s unfair.’
I never told her to do that, and honestly, deciding sleeping arrangements with rock-paper-scissors was quite ridiculous. I gave her a look that said as much, but Goyeonju’s mysterious antics continued.
“Hmm~~.”
”…”
I suddenly realized what Goyeonju wanted. I recalled the conversation among users at the city gate when I first left Monica. Rest was a priority, but to keep going, I might really need to find a potion to boost my stamina. Sighing deeply, I turned left onto the main road from the square. Behind me, the chatter of kids filled the air.
“Hey, Baek Hangyeol, how does it feel to be back from your first expedition?”
“Huh? Haha, well, it all just seemed to fly by…”
“Sis, sis! What are you going to do first when we get back?”
“Bath, food, sleep. I feel like I’m dying from not being able to wash.”
“Oh, sweetie. We’re almost there, just hang in there a little longer, okay?”
“Kyuu!”
‘They must be feeling really cooped up.’
The unicorn was currently nestled inside Kim Hanbyeol’s robe. I planned to reveal it once we were inside the city, but not just yet. I was too exhausted to deal with a crowd, and since we returned earlier than expected, the renovation of the Clan House was likely still underway. I didn’t want to cause any trouble for the Love House.
I planned to reveal the unicorn once we were safely inside the Clan House. Listening to Kim Hanbyeol’s voice, which was almost pleading by now, I quickened my pace.
We finally arrived at the Love House. The clan members’ eyes were intense, as if they would burst through the door if I weren’t in front. Feeling the silent pressure on my back, I pushed open the rough-textured door.
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a peculiar scene.
“I’m really sorry.”
As the door opened, the sight before me was quite delicate. Outside, the light was gradually dimming. For most users, it was time to wrap up the day and return to the city, but for the night flowers, their activities were just beginning. A few women in suggestive outfits, seemingly about to head out, were gathered on the first floor with anxious faces.
The Love House was a place where men weren’t usually allowed. Yet, there was a man standing boldly at the counter, with a few users in combat gear watching with interest. In front of them, Im Hanna was bowing at a 45-degree angle.
The man at the front spoke.
“Hanna, are you really unable to accept my feelings?”
“I’m really, really sorry.”
Im Hanna apologized repeatedly, and the man wore a bitter expression. I stopped and observed the situation unfolding before me. It was a delicate atmosphere that couldn’t be ignored.
Silence hung in the air. The man tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but his eyes were gradually contorting. Eventually, he bit his lip hard enough to draw blood and let out a deep sigh.
“Alright, I understand. I’ve put you in a difficult position.”
“I truly appreciate your feelings, but…”
“Please, lift your head. You don’t need to say any more. I’ll be leaving now, so let’s forget about today. Madam Im.”
”…”
“Let’s go.”
The man spoke coldly and turned away. One of his companions, who had been watching with arms crossed, shouted sharply.
“Such arrogance. Just a madam, yet so full of pride.”
“That’s too harsh.”
“Shin Yeseul, stop it. Aren’t you coming?”
Im Hanna straightened her back and responded calmly to the woman’s harsh words. The woman, called Shin Yeseul, seemed displeased but fell silent at the man’s restraint. She cast a disdainful glance and turned sharply on her heel. I stepped aside to let them pass.
The unwelcome guests left like the ebbing tide. The clan members, having witnessed the scene, wore awkward expressions.
“Oh my, Mercenary Lord? Have you returned?”
Finally noticing us, Im Hanna’s eyes widened in surprise. I cleared my throat and spoke.
“Ah, yes. We just got back… Seems like we came at a bad time.”
“Oh, no. It’s a common occurrence. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, welcome back.”
“Thank you. We’ll head inside now.”
“Of course. Everyone, don’t just stand there. Get to your tasks.”
“Sis…”
The night flowers wore shadows on their faces, but at Im Hanna’s gentle urging, they reluctantly moved toward the door.
Im Hanna, having regained her composure, led us to a table with her usual warm smile.
“Since you’re here, would you like to start with a meal? Shall I call the others?”
“Are they all here?”
“Hayeon and Shinsangyong went to check on the Clan House. They might be back late… Vivian is upstairs. I’ll call her right away.”
“Oh, that’s alright. Ahn Hyun, could you go get her?”
“Yes, brother.”
Ahn Hyun, who was about to sit down, dashed up the stairs at my request. Watching him race up the stairs, I turned my attention to the others slumped over the table.
“I didn’t expect them to be out at this hour. Since we don’t know when they’ll return, shall we eat in the meantime?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!”
“Yay! Yay!”
“Agreed~.”
Everyone unanimously agreed, or rather, they were eager. After returning from an expedition, it was almost a tradition to indulge in a feast. Having subsisted on dried meat and hard bread, they began ordering to their heart’s content. Im Hanna, surprised by the flood of orders, chuckled and nodded calmly.
“Mercenary Lord, aren’t you going to order anything?”
“Well…”
I wasn’t particularly hungry. I had hoped to catch up with Hayeon or Shinsangyong, but they were running late.
I pondered for a moment. The fatigue from the ruins was catching up with me. Should I wait or rest first? I decided to rest. If they were coming back late, it was better to get proper rest and assess my condition later.
“I’ll skip the order. I’ll head up and rest, so enjoy your meal and take it easy tonight. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
“Oh? You’re going to bed already?”
“Yeah.”
“What about the item appraisal…?”
“We don’t have Goods Appraisal ready anyway. Suhyeon, go ahead and rest. Get some good sleep.”
Goyeonju must have noticed my fatigue despite my efforts to hide it. I gave a wry smile, sighed, and stood up. After confirming Im Hanna was heading to the kitchen, I quickly took the bundle from Kim Hanbyeol. The baby unicorn, seemingly exhausted, barely stirred inside the robe.
As I massaged my stiff shoulders and headed for the stairs, I saw Ahn Hyun and Vivian coming down.
Vivian, descending the stairs in a hurry, slowed when she saw me. She composed herself and approached with a leisurely air, greeting me with feigned surprise.
“Well, well, look who it is. Kim Suhyeon!”
“Hey, Vivian. Long time no see. I’m heading up to rest, so let’s catch up tomorrow.”
“Oh, oh?”
As I patted my shoulder and walked past, Vivian’s expression crumbled, and she blinked in surprise.
“Brother, are you sure you don’t want dinner?”
“I’m fine. Just tired. Fill Hayeon and Shinsangyong in on the situation when they get back.”
“Alright, brother. Sleep well.”
“Alright, but don’t drink too much.”
“Wait, hold on…! This isn’t right!”
I thought I heard a faint, tearful voice from below, but I quickly ascended the stairs.
“So, that’s how it happened…?”
“Yes… But it’s strange. You always called her Hanna, Hanna, and now suddenly it’s Madam Lim? It’s too obvious.”
“Haha.”
The table had turned into a chaotic mess. Plates and bottles were scattered everywhere, and some people were sleeping in awkward positions. An Sol, Kim Hanbyul, Baek Hangyeol, and Vivian had already retired to their rooms, but the remaining two were snoring away, lost in their dreams. Only Go Yeonju and Lim Hanna remained sober, leisurely sipping their drinks.
Just as they finished another round, the door creaked open. Both women instinctively turned their heads. In walked Jung Hayeon and Shin Sangyong, their faces slightly flushed from the cold outside. Go Yeonju greeted them with a gentle wave and a soft smile.
“Welcome. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Oh my!”
“User Go Yeonju?”
Jung Hayeon and Shin Sangyong paused for a moment upon entering, then exclaimed in unison at the sight of Go Yeonju. She gestured towards the sleeping An Hyun and Lee Yujeong, putting a finger to her lips. The two newcomers chuckled quietly and carefully took seats at the table.
“When did you arrive?”
“This afternoon. Why are you two so late?”
“We went to check out the clan house and then stopped by Istantel Row.”
“Istantel Row?”
“Yes. They were worried about the mercenaries taking too long to return, so they were about to send a rescue team. We went to explain the situation.”
“I see.”
Go Yeonju nodded in understanding and reached for her glass again. As Lim Hanna moved to grab a bottle, Yeonju shook her head and gestured towards the sleeping pair.
“It’s fine. Hanna, could you help get them to bed?”
“Sure, unni.”
“I’ll help too.”
As Lim Hanna stood up, Shin Sangyong quickly followed suit. Together, they gently lifted Lee Yujeong and An Hyun and began to carry them up the stairs.
“Whew~. Maybe I drank too much~.”
”…”
The once lively table had fallen silent. Jung Hayeon looked at the mess with a weary expression, then turned to Go Yeonju, who was refilling her glass.
“How did things go?”
“Haven’t you heard? We hit the jackpot. Rescued the users and discovered some ruins. It was a huge success.”
“Oh, that’s great to hear… By the way, where’s Suhyun?”
“When he heard you were running late, he went straight to bed. He seemed really tired.”
For a brief moment, a shadow crossed Jung Hayeon’s face. She hesitated, then asked with concern in her voice.
“Did he… use that power during the expedition?”
“Yes. But the opponent was tough. He didn’t show it, but I could tell he was exhausted. Normally, Suhyun would wait it out, but this time he said he needed to rest. It must have been really hard on him.”
“Oh no…”
“Let’s just wait and see. He went to rest, so we’ll check on him tomorrow.”
Go Yeonju sighed deeply and took another sip from her glass. The liquid quickly disappeared, and her throat moved rhythmically as she drank. Jung Hayeon, resting her chin on her hand, tapped her cheek with her fingers and spoke as Go Yeonju set her glass down.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Not really.”
“Then I guess I can hear all the details.”
“Haha.”
Jung Hayeon adjusted her posture, and Go Yeonju chuckled softly. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with one foot resting on the other knee. Lighting a cigarette, she spoke in a languid voice.
“Prepare to be amazed.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Two new plot twists! Ah, dear readers, I’ll be taking a break from the comments section today. (I’ll combine them with the next update~.) I took some medication from the hospital, and the doctor warned me it was strong. As expected, I’m feeling quite dizzy. :) I hope you understand, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for always reading!