Vivian’s Awakening & Don’t Wish for It to Come
The vagrant stared at Simon with a puzzled expression. The only thing he remembered from their second meeting was Simon saying, “Consider it if you kill the matriarch.”
The vagrant began to feel a rising tension. The young man before him might look like a frail scholar, but inside, he was one of the most notorious figures controlling the lawless western continent. Known as “The Butcher,” Simon was infamous for his ruthlessness.
“Protector of the continent? I don’t know anything about that.”
“Oh, it seems that’s how it sounds. A guardian of the continent, or perhaps a leader.”
“A leader, huh…”
“Think of it however you like; it doesn’t really matter.”
Simon nodded as if that was enough and resumed rummaging through the fountain. The vagrant knew what Simon was searching for. As a major player in the western continent, Simon had many enemies, and he had a peculiar hobby: collecting the remains of those he found interesting and storing them in the fountain.
As expected, Simon pulled out another skull, smiling brightly. Enough time had passed since the bodies were placed there that the skull he held was bare bone. Judging by the faded golden hair and the structure, it seemed to have belonged to a woman.
“This skull belonged to the one who protected and led the western continent. Her name was quite beautiful—Lawrence.”
“And what does this Lawrence have to do with killing the matriarch? I can’t make sense of it.”
“As a wanderer, you must have an angel assigned to you, right?”
“Of course. Though it’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”
The vagrant replied immediately. To reach the summoning chamber where one’s assigned angel resided, one had to use the portal in the city’s temple. For a vagrant like him, officially wanted and carrying a scythe, approaching the city was a death sentence, let alone entering the temple to meet an angel.
“Think of it as the opposite role of a wanderer. A leader has a closer relationship with angels than regular users and secretly aids individuals or groups.”
“Hmm. I’ve been around for a while, but this is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“That’s because the existence of a leader is highly classified information.”
“Intriguing. Can you tell me more? As much as you can.”
The vagrant, slightly more relaxed, sat down. The ground was soaked with blood, but he seemed unfazed. Simon nodded gently, as if to say, “Why not?” and began to speak calmly.
About ten minutes passed. One spoke, and the other listened in silence. When Simon finally finished, the vagrant, who hadn’t interrupted once, spoke up.
“You speak in riddles. Nothing is clear.”
“I can’t help it. I only know the basics, not the details. I stumbled upon this information by chance. Honestly, about 88% of it is speculation.”
“What’s with the oddly precise percentage? So, 12% is fact… How did you come by this information? It seems like it should be top secret.”
“I once received help from this person. It gave me a chance to gather clues. But please, don’t spread this around. If the next leader knows I’m after them, they’ll hide, and that would be troublesome.”
Simon chuckled, lifting the skull. The vagrant felt a chill run down his spine. He wasn’t particularly repulsed, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Simon had also killed Lawrence, the protector.
Seeing the vagrant’s uneasy nod, Simon lowered his slightly curled lips.
“In a way, you’re right. A leader is an ambiguous user. They must guide the unpredictable whole plane governed by ‘user information.’ But one thing is certain: a leader doesn’t act without purpose. Being granted special authority by angels means there’s a connection.”
“A purpose…”
“Think about it. Would angels bring people here without a reason? I believe they have a purpose, and they use leaders as direct agents to achieve it.”
“So, you think the matriarch was the leader of the northern continent.”
Clap, clap.
Simon clapped lightly, confirming the vagrant’s deduction. The vagrant, with a dry expression, tilted his head and continued.
“But isn’t it possible she wasn’t? And even if she was, did you have to kill her? Just curious.”
“I can’t be sure. That’s why I called it insurance. And yes, it was necessary.”
“To ruin the northern continent?”
“Something like that. Ideally, yes, but mainly to buy time. Because… I’m afraid of the northern continent’s users.”
The vagrant’s expression changed for the first time, surprised by Simon’s unexpected admission. Simon scratched his head, embarrassed.
“You might find it hard to believe, but it’s true. Many users from other continents come to the western continent. The eastern continent is full of foolish slaves, and the southern continent is decent. But the northern continent’s users… they’re something else. Knowing they were defeated and driven out makes me wary of the northern continent’s level. Are there really monsters gathered there?”
“That can’t be… So, you’re causing chaos but fear retaliation.”
“I said it was for fun initially, but we have our goals, so I accepted the proposal. We’re using you, too. Oh, sorry, did that offend you?”
“Not at all. I’m grateful you’re upfront. Use us all you want. We’ll do the same.”
They both laughed. After a while, the vagrant sighed deeply and spoke.
“Today’s talk was enlightening. I understand why you wanted the matriarch dead.”
“It’s just a possibility. It might not be true, and even if it is, the northern continent won’t necessarily end up like the western continent. The users ultimately drive the whole plane.”
“There are limits… But you mentioned a new leader could emerge. Still, the possibility seems high. Too many things have aligned to be mere coincidence.”
“I agree. The failed expedition to the Iron Mountains, the matriarch’s return from seclusion, her death, and now. Considering the northern continent’s peak during her seclusion, it’s not entirely incomprehensible. There might have been no need to act.”
Simon dusted off his pants and stood up from the fountain. Stretching his arms wide, he took a deep breath and spoke in a cheerful voice.
“Sitting for so long made my back sore. Shall we get up? Let’s change locations.”
“Hmm? Is there more to discuss?”
“Plenty. Let’s go to my castle. I’ll serve you some delicious tea. Please, don’t refuse.”
“Alright, I’ll accept your invitation.”
The vagrant stood up, leaning slightly on the ground. The two men began to walk slowly. The vagrant followed Simon, watching his back. After about ten steps, Simon suddenly spoke.
“By the way… I have a question, wanderer.”
“What is it?”
“I just had an interesting thought. Which path did you take when you killed the matriarch?”
“It wasn’t an easy path.”
The vagrant grinned, answering in a low voice.
“Thank you again. I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.”
“Likewise. No rush, take your time to prepare and contact me.”
“Thank you. I’ll be going now. I know the way out, so no need to see me off.”
“Understood. Take care.”
Im Hanna bowed politely, or rather, nodded her head in farewell. As she walked gracefully down the hallway, I slowly closed the door and sat on the sofa. Ko Yeonju quickly plopped down on my lap. I considered pushing her off but decided against it, given her role in bringing Hanna here.
“Suhyeon, I’m curious. Why didn’t you tell Hanna?”
“Tell her what?”
“She’s an archer, right? The mercenary guild has rare classes and equipment for archers.”
”…”
Before answering, I gently placed my hand on Go Yeon-ju’s waist, signaling her to get up. But instead of moving, she pressed herself closer to me, her weight shifting downward. Feeling her hips pressing firmly against my thighs, I took a light breath.
“If Im Hanna joins, we can lend her equipment as long as she’s a clan member. If she leaves, we can just take it back. But rare classes are different. Once you inherit the Twilight Priestess, it’s irreversible.”
“Hmm~. Is that so?”
“Even with the Shadow Queen’s guarantee, it’s a separate matter. Ahn Hyun and Lee Yoo-jung have been with me since the initiation, and Jung Ha-yeon and Shin Sang-yong since the caravan days. But Im Hanna is different. I’m not saying no, just that we need to watch her.”
“Oh, Su-hyun. I think there’s a misunderstanding. I’m not upset you didn’t tell me. If you had brought it up out of the blue, I might have secretly followed Hanna to talk. You did well. Mwah. Mwah.”
With that, Go Yeon-ju began to plant kisses on my cheek. I knew this was her way of showing affection, but sometimes, both she and Jung Ha-yeon treated me like a child, especially in bed.
Seeing my frown, Go Yeon-ju burst into laughter.
“Oh my, why the face? You should be happier to receive a kiss from the Shadow Queen, desired by so many men.”
“I’m not particularly thrilled.”
“Liar. Then what’s that hard thing poking my backside?”
”…….”
Unable to respond, Go Yeon-ju laughed again and pulled me into a hug. As I nestled into her embrace, I heard her excitedly whispering about how cute I was and how she’d sneak into my room at dawn. I checked my stamina stats on my user info screen, closed my eyes, and made a silent vow.
“Alright, just you wait. We’ll see about that night.”
The clan house garden looked beautiful and peaceful from the terrace. The sun was high, casting warm rays over the entire garden. Enjoying the rare moment of tranquility, I let my thoughts wander.
Time had flown by since we began reorganizing and refurbishing the clan house. The pressure I applied during meetings seemed to have worked, as the clan members’ attitudes had completely changed from just a week ago. They were now eagerly requesting necessary supplies, so much so that our expenses exceeded 7,000 gold this week alone.
We managed to handle the situation with Im Hanna and the Night Flowers smoothly. She eventually left her position as the madam of the Love House and was staying at a nearby inn with the Night Flowers. They were preparing the necessary attire and etiquette for their new roles, all funded by Hanna herself, showing how much she valued the former owner’s will.
We selected twelve Night Flowers as employees. I wanted to personally choose them using my third eye to check their user information. The first round of selection was based on their disposition, and the second focused on their true names and abilities. Those not selected seemed disappointed, but that wasn’t my concern. I planned to receive updates on Go Yeon-ju’s plans in due time.
“Im Hanna and the employees are supposed to arrive tomorrow….”
“Hey! How old are you…!”
“Wh-why are you shouting all of a sudden….”
“You said you’re eighteen, right? And I’m twenty! I’m older, so I’m right!”
“That’s not how it works!”
‘Huh?’
While sunbathing on the terrace, I heard sharp voices from below. Curious, I peeked over and enhanced my sight and hearing, witnessing an unexpected scene.
In the garden below were two people and a divine beast. The people were Ahn Sol and Baek Han-gyeol, and the beast was, of course, the baby unicorn.
The baby unicorn, enjoying the good weather, lay sprawled under a large tree, occasionally smacking its lips in contentment. In contrast, Ahn Sol and Baek Han-gyeol were in a standoff. Ahn Sol, hands on her hips, stood rigidly, while Baek Han-gyeol, though awkward, wore a dissatisfied expression.
“Its name is not Kyu-kyu, it’s Uni! Uni!”
“Well, it doesn’t have an official name yet. I’ll call it whatever I like.”
“Fine, but why did you laugh when I called it Uni?”
“I didn’t laugh! I just thought it was strange…. Su-hyun hyung also said Kyu-kyu was better!”
Ahn Sol, seemingly shocked, lowered her hands from her sides. After a moment, she swallowed hard and shouted with teary eyes.
“That’s not true! No way! Uni is better!”
“I think Kyu-kyu is better.”
“No! It’s Uni!”
“It’s Kyu-kyu!”
’……………….’
“Waah!”
Defeated in the argument, Ahn Sol burst into tears and sat down. Watching her, I quietly lit a cigarette.
For some reason, I’ve been sighing more often lately.
Flap!
“Oh!”
Flap! Flap!
“Oh…!”
Flap! Flap! Flap! Flap!
“Oh………!”
In the Mercenary Clan House, in Vivian’s private quarters.
Vivian lay on her stomach, her eyes burning with fervor as she exclaimed in admiration. She was deeply engrossed, carefully turning the pages of a thick book. Occasionally, she underlined important parts and folded the corners. Despite the late hour, she read by the light of a stone, her passion evident to anyone who might see her as a dedicated alchemist.
Suddenly, Vivian’s eyes gleamed as she discovered something, and she began scribbling with a quill in her densely filled notes.
“Spanking… Tied up with rope… Shaving… Humiliation slave… Puppy… Whip… Triangle horse… Alright, that’s enough for today! Whew~.”
Vivian muttered words that carried a dangerous scent. After setting down her quill, she carefully tucked her notes into the book. With a decisive snap, she closed the book and gazed dreamily at the ceiling.
After staring at the ceiling for a while, Vivian murmured softly.
“I’m jealous.”
What could she be jealous of?
Eventually, Vivian sat up, propping the pillow she had been lying on against the wall. The back of the pillow revealed a man’s face. Kneeling demurely before it, she cleared her throat a couple of times and spoke.
“Su, Su-hyun master….”
Still awkward, Vivian stammered. But with determination, she continued, her eyes resolute, her body squirming.
“Please, punish this lewd Vivian… as you wish, Su-hyun master…. Kyaaah!”
As soon as she finished, Vivian clenched her fists, let out a high-pitched scream, and began rolling around on the bed.
“I did it! I did it! Kyaaah! I don’t care anymore!”
With shrill cries, she rubbed her head against the pillow like a madwoman, kicking the blanket wildly. Soon, she dove under the covers, and the blanket began to bulge and shift as if she were thrashing about inside.
Her frenzy lasted about three minutes. Afterward, the blanket settled as she seemed to tire herself out. A moment later, Vivian poked her head out, exhaling hot breaths. Then, with a face full of excitement, she grinned widely.
“Uhihihi.”
A laugh filled with a dangerous scent.
Unbeknownst to Su-hyun, Vivian’s perilous awakening was steadily progressing.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Phew. With this, the rest chapter is roughly wrapped up. I’ve scattered the seeds for the new episode, and now it’s time to gather and explode them. :) Su-hyun has had plenty of rest, so he should be satisfied, right? (Haha) I’ll take my leave for today. I hope all readers have a peaceful night!
『 Ririple 』
Miwolya: Congratulations on being first! This is a fan art of Vivienne La Clasidus, drawn by BrokenFan. Isn’t it beautiful? :)
Claudius: Thank you for the coupon! (__)
alsdkniqe: I’m planning to hold off on giving the Twilight Priestess right away, and Suhyeon has carefully selected the Night Flower!
Cheonnyangboeun: I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well~. :)
Paradise Fantasia: This episode will showcase a war where true colors will shine. Haha. :)
Offitour19: Haha, sorry about that. But the story about the Western Continent I posted yesterday and today is really important. Truly, very important. Hehe.
SarcasticSmile: I’ve made the corrections! Thank you!
KeaR, Royal: Oh, I see. I wrote it in English to emphasize that the Western Continent is a foreign land where Americans mostly gather. Haha. :)
mcReco2: Of course not! Absolutely not~. :)
ads123: Each class’s specialized stats are supported by other stats (the degree of support varies by class). If Suhyeon’s current stamina is 90, they can handle an agility of 101. However, since they’re currently harboring Hwajeong, using it together means 90 stamina won’t be enough. Points have been reserved to maintain physical balance because Hwajeong will be necessary in the future. But if all points were allocated to stamina, there would be a subtle unease about not raising it to 101 for upcoming events. There’s no guarantee future opponents won’t have power similar to Hwajeong. (It’s important not to equate Hwajeong with the 101 stat.)
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I hope you always read with a relaxed mind.
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