Escape from Physical Exhaustion! ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun, once high in the sky, was now preparing to set, painting the horizon with hues of sunset. As the day waned, the sky gradually spread with a crimson glow, as if a painter had brushed it with red.
A warm breeze brushed my cheek, prompting me to look up. Puffy clouds floated lazily, adorned with waves of crimson, creating a picturesque scene in the sky. It was a pleasantly warm day—not too hot, but not exactly cool either.
About four hours ago, we received the long-awaited news that the Mercenary Clan House was finally complete. Although the construction had taken slightly longer than planned, excitement was palpable on everyone’s faces. As the clan leader, I tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but it was hard to suppress the bubbling excitement within me.
We had packed our belongings in advance, anticipating the news. After a brief farewell with Madam Im, we left the Love House, where we had stayed for nearly four months.
When we said our goodbyes, Im Hana smiled warmly as usual, but there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes. I had tilted my head in curiosity, but at Go Yeonju’s subtle signal, we stepped outside and began our walk to the Clan House.
The distance between the Love House and the Clan House wasn’t far. Even at a brisk pace, it took less than five minutes to reach the front gate. Although the construction had finished around noon, it seemed the cleanup had taken quite some time. Regardless, the timing was just right. I took a deep breath and pushed open the wooden door.
“Wow.”
“Whoa.”
As soon as we stepped inside, the clan members behind me let out gasps of admiration. Although we had seen it before, the garden bathed in the glow of the setting sun was enchanting in a new way.
Two buildings, their shadows stretching long over the gently swaying foliage, were tinged with deep twilight. Their exteriors, painted in soft gray, blended harmoniously with the surroundings, exuding a serene yet majestic presence.
The place was bustling with people. They sat casually among the garden’s greenery, laughing and chatting as they admired the newly completed Clan House. As a breeze swept through, cooling their sweat, someone noticed our entrance and shouted loudly.
“Captain! The Mercenary Lord is here!”
“Oh! You’ve arrived!”
A user who had been lounging against a tree jumped to his feet. He scanned the area before striding purposefully toward us. As I observed the people following him, I recognized two familiar faces.
‘It’s been a while, Uncle Bongpal, Sister Yehyun.’
“Haha! Welcome, Mercenary Lord!”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Suhyun, the Mercenary Clan Lord.”
“I’m Park Bongpal from the Istantel Low Clan! I was in charge of the Clan House’s architectural design. And this is Shin Yehyun, who handled the interior design.”
“Hello, I’m Shin Yehyun.”
Uncle Bongpal greeted us with a hearty smile, while Sister Yehyun offered a shy grin. Both were from the Istantel Low Clan, and we had shared meals together in the past. I remembered them as good people, and it was genuinely nice to see them again. As I thought about their unchanged personalities, I firmly shook the hand he extended.
“Oh dear. The completion was delayed by two days. My apologies!”
“It was unavoidable due to additional requests. It’s all right.”
“Haha! Thank you for understanding. We paid special attention to the additional features, even though time was tight. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”
“Uh, Captain….”
While Uncle Bongpal and I chatted, people who had been scattered around began to gather. Judging by their rather shabby attire, they seemed to be residents who had worked as laborers. Soon, a resident who appeared to be their representative approached us cautiously, interrupting Bongpal’s lively chatter.
“Hmm? Ah, since the Mercenary Lord is here, you can all head off. Great job.”
“Hehe. Got it. But… shouldn’t we have a drink now that the work’s done?”
The resident made a drinking gesture with a grin, and Bongpal burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! How could we not! But I need to show these folks around first. Don’t worry about the cost; go ahead and start without me. I’ll join you as soon as I’m done.”
Monica was indeed different. In other cities, residents were often treated like slaves or pests, but Uncle Bongpal showed a friendly attitude. As a result, the residents here held the Istantel Low Clan in high regard and supported them.
Watching them with satisfaction, I gave a subtle nod to Jeong Hayeon. She acknowledged my signal with a slight nod and gracefully walked toward the gathered residents. As she passed by, her slender figure caught my eye, her hair now cascading down her back, reflecting a soft blue sheen.
As Jeong Hayeon approached, the chattering residents fell silent, their eyes fixed on her in awe. Since inheriting the secret class ‘Mage of the Blue Moon,’ her aura had matured and deepened, enhancing her beauty even further.
“You’ve worked hard. It’s not much, but it’s a small token of appreciation.”
“Oh, no! It’s fine!”
When Jeong Hayeon handed over a small pouch from her pocket, the resident waved his hands in refusal. But with a gentle touch, she placed the pouch in his hands. His face flushed red, and he looked around, unsure of what to do.
“Wow, it looks quite hefty.”
“It’s 50 gold. It’s not much.”
“Even with a few people, 10 gold would be more than enough for a feast.”
“I heard you worked hard in a short time. I wanted you to have a good time today.”
Bongpal chuckled at my words and shouted to the residents.
“Hey, you lot! The Mercenary Lord has shown generosity. Accept it gratefully!”
“Hooray!”
“Oh, goddess, thank you so much!”
“What? Haha! I’m not a goddess. Haha.”
Jeong Hayeon covered her mouth with a hand and laughed prettily before turning back to me. With a nod from Bongpal, the residents cheered and rushed outside.
“Let’s drink till we drop tonight!”
“Hey, let me see your hand. Was it this hand the goddess touched?”
“I, I just want to see the pouch for a moment.”
“Stop it, you fools! Let go! I’m never washing this hand again…!”
Hearing the residents’ words as they left, Jeong Hayeon blushed slightly, and Bongpal chuckled awkwardly.
“Ah, they meant no harm. They’re just simple folks.”
“It’s okay.”
“Haha! Thank you. So… hmm? Is that the rumored unicorn the little lady is holding?”
“What? Yes….”
“Kyuu!”
Bongpal’s eyes widened with interest as he noticed the unicorn for the first time. However, judging by his sheepish smile, the baby unicorn must have given him a cold response. Though he was clearly curious, he seemed to read the room and spoke in a hearty voice.
“Sorry about that. I’ve only heard of unicorns in stories. Anyway, I’ve kept you standing too long. Let’s start with a tour of the garden. I’ll explain everything as we go.”
“The garden’s fine. I’ve visited before and had a look around. I’m satisfied with it.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief. Then let’s head inside. The main building would be a good place to start. Haha. Oh, Yehyun, are you coming along?”
“I’d like to join. I want to hear the Mercenary members’ feedback.”
Shin Yehyun replied demurely. Bongpal nodded in agreement and gestured toward the large building ahead.
“Let’s go inside.”
With that, Bongpal and I led the way, with the clan members and Shin Yehyun following closely behind as we crossed the garden. Along the way, Bongpal provided a lively yet detailed explanation.
“The Clan House’s interior spaces serve various purposes. Broadly, they can be categorized into functional, communal, personal, and temporary spaces. Functional spaces include workshops and training grounds, designed for specific purposes. Communal spaces are shared areas like dining halls or baths. Personal spaces refer to accommodations and offices, while temporary spaces are left empty for future needs.”
“I see.”
“Ah, speaking of temporary spaces, this was originally the Clan House of the Pistachio Clan. It housed 90 clan members and 30 staff, totaling 120 people. We’ve not only renovated but also expanded it, so there are plenty of temporary spaces. You shouldn’t run out of rooms anytime soon. Hahaha.”
It was only natural. The place was vast to begin with, and it was almost too spacious for just ten people to live in. But you can’t expect to fill it all at once; it would be a gradual process. Nodding nonchalantly, I listened as Park Bong-pal continued.
“Both buildings have the four characteristics I mentioned earlier, but they can be distinguished by which aspect they prioritize. Excluding the temporary use, the building in front of us is primarily for specific purposes. In contrast… hmm.”
Reaching the top of the stairs, Park Bong-pal turned to point at the annex.
“The annex over there is more for personal and communal living. To give you a heads-up, the basement and first floor house public baths and relaxation facilities, the second and third floors are accommodations, and the fourth floor is left empty for temporary use. Unfortunately, since it was originally built for lodging, the annex doesn’t have a rooftop.”
“I see. What about the main building’s layout?”
Park Bong-pal grinned as he grasped the door handle. “Let’s head inside first. I’ll explain as we go.”
With a firm pull, the door swung open, and we followed him inside.
The first thing that caught my eye was the massive window frames set into the otherwise solid walls of the first floor. Filled with square panes of crystal, they allowed a view of the outside, breaking the stifling atmosphere and giving a sense of openness.
The ceiling was about four meters high, and the floor was polished to a glossy sheen, stretching long and wide. The ceiling was adorned with tightly set rice stones in a soft coral hue, lending a clean and tidy feel to the interior.
In the center, a large, red carpet was spread out, surrounded by sofas, chairs, and a fireplace, suggesting this was the lobby. Though traces of the past lingered faintly, the clean renovation both inside and out gave the place a charming, vintage atmosphere.
‘This lobby could be a nice place to relax.’
The clan members, too, were awestruck by the transformation, unable to contain their admiration.
“Let me explain this part,” Shin Ye-hyun, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. She pointed with a delicate finger to a section adjacent to the lobby.
“I heard Mercenary is a mercenary clan that operates on requests. So, on the first floor, we need a reception desk for handling and guiding related tasks.”
She indicated a large, curved reception desk. Behind it, deep purple curtains draped elegantly around the pillars, and in the exposed central space, the word ‘Mercenary’ was engraved in gleaming gold.
“Next, let me tell you about the stairs. There are four staircases on the first floor. At each end of the floor, there are stairs leading up, and beyond the lobby, there are two more staircases. One also goes up, but the other leads down to the underground training hall you requested, Mercenary Lord.”
As Shin Ye-hyun continued her explanation, Park Bong-pal sidled up to me and spoke in a low voice.
“As you know, this building retains a strong modern influence. It required a lot of thought. The architectural styles of Hall Plain and modern times differ greatly. Though, to be honest, we did use magic stones and magic arrays for practical purposes.”
“Are those integrated or separate systems?”
“They’re separate. Integrated systems are easier to manage, but the quality is much better with separate ones. It’s a bit more work to maintain, but the magic arrays have self-repair capabilities, so unless they’re deliberately damaged, you won’t have to worry much. The magic stones will need periodic replacement, though.”
Listening to Park Bong-pal’s explanation, I nodded calmly. It wasn’t something I needed to worry about since hired staff would handle it later.
“Now, let’s head to the dining area.”
With the general overview complete, Shin Ye-hyun took the lead, and I followed her at a leisurely pace.
Over the next few hours, we received a comprehensive tour and explanation of the clan house’s interior. Given its vast size, the information was extensive and complex.
In summary, the first floor, aside from the lobby and counter, was divided into four main areas. To the left of the counter were reception, lounge, and waiting rooms, while the right side housed a large indoor plaza and the dining area.
The dining area was particularly impressive. It wasn’t just a typical rest stop eatery; it felt like a standalone tavern had been transplanted there. With dozens of tables and a spacious kitchen, it resembled a cafeteria. The kitchen was well-equipped with storage and cooking facilities, and Park Bong-pal confidently assured us that the chefs would enjoy working there.
As we moved through the first floor, the constant stream of explanations began to wane once we reached the second floor. This was expected, as the main building was designed for specific purposes, and the second and third floors were primarily for temporary use.
The second floor was designated for information processing, internal management, and equipment storage, while the third floor was set for an alchemy workshop, a wizard’s lab, a library, and a small meeting room. Except for the meeting room, the special equipment for these empty rooms would need to be purchased separately. Thus, we only received a brief overview of the spaces.
The only notable event on the third floor was when Vivian abandoned the tour to head straight to the alchemy workshop. She asked Park Bong-pal where the workshop space was and, taking Shin Sang-yong with her, disappeared into the workshop. Clearly, she considered the workshop her second home and had little interest in other areas.
Shin Sang-yong seemed eager to explore more, but under Vivian’s insistence, he reluctantly followed her, dragging two bulging chaos mimics behind him.
With the third floor tour complete, we moved on to the much-anticipated fourth floor. This floor was essentially the clan lord’s private domain. The main spaces included an office, a large meeting room, and a VIP room. It was more of a personal space than a functional one, with each area being spacious and fewer temporary spaces.
After quickly exploring the fourth floor and making a brief stop at the rooftop, we finally concluded our tour of the main building.
By the time we finished, night had fully descended. Park Bong-pal and Shin Ye-hyun wrapped up their explanations of the main building and even the annex. They left us with the assurance that we could voice any concerns after living in the space for a while.
Before entering, the members had been grumbling under their breath, but after the tour, they sprang into action. Honestly, the accommodations seemed nearly identical to me, yet they rushed to claim their rooms.
With free time granted, some were likely still exploring, while others had probably turned in early. I, too, had returned to the office on the fourth floor, planning to let them explore to their heart’s content for a day or two. I sighed softly and surveyed the office where I stood.
The office was spacious and luxurious, just to my liking. It featured a soft carpet, comfortable sofas, a long table, and a fine desk. Among the various furnishings, the terrace behind the desk was my favorite.
Similar to the crystal windows on the first floor, the terrace had a wooden door leading outside. From there, I could overlook the entire clan house and the cityscape of Monica. It would be the perfect spot to relax when I needed a break.
As I contemplated whether to wait in the office or head up to the rooftop, I made up my mind and was about to rise when hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway. The office door burst open, and Vivian appeared, her face flushed and breathless.
“Huff, huff. Kim Su-hyun! You’re still up?”
“You told me to wait.”
“Hehe, I did!”
“Sigh.”
“Huh? Why the sigh?”
Despite the late hour, I was still awake, waiting for Vivian. Before heading to the workshop on the third floor, she had left me with just two words.
“Kim Su-hyun. Tonight, I’m going all out for you.”
“Don’t fall asleep. You know what today is, right? Hehe. Look forward to it~.”
Anyone in the know would just nod and move on, but Park Bong-pal and Shin Ye-hyun were different. Park Bong-pal had said, “She’s quite the fiery woman. I’m envious,” while Shin Ye-hyun blushed and averted her gaze. Remembering that moment made my fists clench involuntarily, but seeing Vivian’s determined expression, I managed to hold back. I didn’t want to jinx anything by acting rashly.
I slowly got to my feet, fixing my gaze on Vivian. She approached quickly and began tugging insistently at my collar.
“Let’s go, hurry up. I’m feeling good about this.”
“Shouldn’t we be a bit more prepared, both in terms of readiness and stamina?”
“This refining process relies on Shin Sang-yong’s abilities and the materials. We haven’t fully set up the equipment, but it’s more than enough to get started.”
Vivian, seemingly in a rush, waved one hand energetically as she replied. I pressed down on the throbbing headache and asked one more question.
“What about stamina?”
“For your information, I’m at my peak at night.”
“Not you, Shin Sang-yong.”
“Ugh. He’s pulled all-nighters with me plenty of times, so he’ll be fine. Anyway, I’ve made sure everything’s ready, so just follow me.”
Vivian pouted, letting her hand drop dramatically before spinning around with a flourish. Watching her head out the door, I left my desk and followed her outside. She seemed so confident; she must have something up her sleeve.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Ah, I initially planned to describe the entire interior of the Clan House today. But, haha, if I did that, we wouldn’t get to the refining process. So for this episode, just get a general sense of where things are. I’ll gradually reveal more about the Clan House as the story progresses.
『 Reader Comments 』
Miwolya: Congratulations on being first! A writer I know is determined to get first place, and seeing you has reignited their competitive spirit. Haha.
ChupaChupsStick: Please, calm down. Seraph is actually a pitiful character once you get to know them. :(
Shin Yujin: It’s a unicorn. Yes, a unicorn. Haha. I’ll show you some breakdancing and Nike moves soon! (Thud thud!)
Zorney: There are two powers in total. You can find a hint about one of them in the description of the Blue Moon Mage. :)
TearsRiver: Oh, a lake embracing the blue moon. That’s a nice idea. I’ll consider it.
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Morita Shinobu: Studying for such a tough exam… Good luck with your studies! I’d be delighted if my work could offer you a mental break now and then. :)
Autumn King: I suddenly thought of Ash. Haha. A character who does free deals is coming soon. :)
Sruo: Haha, Han So-young as the heroine, huh? No comment on that. The decision’s been made, but knowing in advance would spoil the fun, wouldn’t it? Are you sure you want to know?
Teshan: I looked up the weight and height ratio and made corrections. Thank you. (__)
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