Turning Point
Seven days ago.
The midnight forest was silent and shrouded in darkness, a blackness so deep it seemed capable of swallowing everything whole. The moon cast its radiant glow from above, but the dense trees and lush, dark foliage blocked its light from reaching the forest floor.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of dry leaves and twigs being stepped on quietly broke the stillness. The source of the noise was somewhere on a hill within the forest. Surprisingly, a man was cautiously making his way up the slope.
His careful ascent paused for a moment, and the sound ceased instantly. He stood still for nearly ten seconds, scanning his surroundings, before resuming his stealthy climb.
A strange tension hung around him. The occasional chirp of insects and birds, sounds whose origins were unclear, drifted to his ears. As a cold breeze swept over the hill, he finally reached the top.
The forest was cloaked in a veil of darkness. It was so pitch-black that it was impossible to see even an inch ahead, yet the man’s movements were as sure as if he had perfect visibility. He settled in the center of the hill, eyes wide open, surveying the area.
Suddenly, a faint amber light flickered in his eyes, and he fixed his gaze in one direction with lightning speed. His expression, as he observed something in the distance, gradually turned into a frown.
In the direction he was looking, a weak light was flickering. Around it, an unsettling scene unfolded, starkly contrasting with the tranquil forest. Three women were hanging naked from the branches of a tall tree, surrounded by a group of people laughing and jeering.
Watching this, the man muttered in a voice dripping with disdain, “Idiots. Can’t they tell time and place?”
“Come on, be understanding~. We’ve been waiting here for seven days already. Let them have a little fun.”
“So it was you I sensed earlier.”
“Hehe, caught me?”
The sudden voice didn’t faze the man. He turned his head calmly. Standing there was a woman in tight-fitting tights. When he gave her a questioning look, she shrugged and pouted.
Without a word, she approached and plopped down beside him, speaking up.
“So, when’s the next move?”
“In two days. We’ll leave the uncharted area then.”
“Does that mean we’ll enter the Black Forest on the second day?”
“We got word from the main group recently. They’ve finally entered the Swamp of Death.”
The man nodded. The woman seemed lost in thought, murmuring, “Then the timing should be about right.” After a moment of watching him, she lay back on the ground, continuing the conversation.
“But aren’t they pretty fast? It’s only been a little over two months since they left the Western Continent, and they’re already at the Swamp of Death….”
“The passage between the Northern and Western Continents is already established. But once they leave the Swamp of Death, they’ll need to be careful. There’s a higher chance of being spotted by the users.”
“Right. That’s why we’re here.”
“There’s only a difference of a few days. Just focus on our task for now.”
The man replied curtly, as if something was bothering him. Silence fell between them for a while.
His gaze remained fixed on the scene of the women being harassed, while the woman lay sprawled, staring at the sky. They stayed silent for a long time until she broke the quiet.
“Hey, Hyun. Do you think we can succeed?”
“If the ambush goes as planned, we can.”
“But we barely have over 2,000 people. Even if it’s a frontier city….”
“Not everyone is here yet. More will gather by the day of the operation, and there are hundreds inside who will support us. Besides, each of us is a seasoned warrior who has crossed uncharted lands. Even if the city has twice, no, three times our number, we can win.”
His voice brimmed with confidence. The woman stifled a laugh, repeating, “If the ambush succeeds,” and giggled more.
After laughing her fill, she sprang up, wrapping her arms around his neck and whispering in his ear.
“I can’t wait for that day. The day we can get our revenge on them.”
“Just hold on a little longer. Don’t worry, trust me.”
“Hehe, you’re so reliable. Yes, sir! I’ll wait quietly as you say~.”
”…….”
With a playful tone, she laughed and dashed down the hill. The man watched her with a detached gaze, then chuckled softly. He sighed deeply and resumed his watch over the scene he had been observing.
And so, the night in the forest deepened.
“User Kim Su-hyun?”
“Long time no see… or not.”
As I entered the summoning chamber, there was Seraph, seated on the altar as always. Her voice rose slightly at the end, surprised that I had come of my own accord twice in a row. Considering I used to visit once every three months, if that, her surprise was understandable.
Seraph quickly regained her composure and spoke in a calm voice.
“Have you come… again?”
“Yeah. I have some questions. Why are you so surprised?”
“I’m surprised because you came without being summoned.”
“I didn’t come because of a summons last time either.”
I replied casually and took a seat across from Seraph. Lighting a cigarette, I decided to get straight to the point.
“Anyway, I have some questions about Hwajeong.”
“Yes. Please, ask away. I will answer to the best of my ability.”
“Hmm… How should I put this? Let’s say, hypothetically, there’s a user cursed by a Banshee. Could Hwajeong’s power lift that curse?”
“It is possible.”
Her immediate response was without hesitation. But I had a vague idea of that already. What I wanted was a more detailed explanation. Sensing my thoughts, Seraph began to elaborate.
“The Banshee’s curse is a very potent high-rank curse. It cannot be countered by ordinary magic, luck, or anti-magic. However, it is no match for Hwajeong. To put it simply, there’s a concept of ‘rank.’ The rank of Hwajeong and the Banshee’s curse are incomparable.”
“Alright. So Hwajeong isn’t just for combat; it’s quite useful for healing too?”
“That’s not entirely incorrect. However, using Hwajeong for healing has its limitations.”
”…….”
What Seraph just said was exactly what I wanted to know. Until now, I had used it vaguely for purposes other than combat. I needed to define its boundaries to avoid future complications.
“Depending on how you use it, Hwajeong can be for combat or healing. It’s a bit ambiguous. If used for healing, think of it as purification. It doesn’t mean complete healing. For example, if you were to heal the user you mentioned, the Banshee’s curse would be burned away. But any aftereffects from the curse cannot be healed.”
”…Really?”
“Let me give you another example. If a user is mentally corrupted, the corruption can be purified. But if the corruption has caused a mental illness, that illness cannot be healed.”
“What? There are more limitations than I thought. I thought it could burn everything.”
I recalled using Hwajeong’s power on Margarita. I had willed it to burn away her bad memories. Judging by the Fairy Queen’s reaction, I thought there might be a chance, but Seraph was outright denying that possibility.
‘So it was just a coincidence back then?’
As I bit my lip, lost in thought, Seraph’s calm voice reached my ears.
“Hwajeong’s alias is the Everlasting Flame. It can burn everything, but that’s all it does—burn. It’s focused on destruction, and healing is merely a secondary effect. Also, please remember that the Hwajeong you possess is only S-rank.”
“So it can save a life, but what happens afterward is uncertain… Tsk.”
That meant the only solution for complete healing was an Elixir. As I took out the Elixir from my pocket, Seraph tilted her head and spoke.
“An Elixir? Are you thinking of using an Elixir, User Kim Su-hyun?”
“I’m considering it.”
“I can’t say how important the user you’re trying to save is to you, User Kim Soo-hyun. But if you’re uncertain, I recommend holding off on your current thoughts. Aftereffects can vary. Symptoms might worsen, stay the same, or gradually improve over time. The elixir is an ancient potion, akin to a life itself. I don’t know who you intend to use it on, but I believe it’s wise to avoid using it recklessly.”
“Yeah, I think so too. If we can save a life, we’ll have more time to consider our options. We should monitor the situation.”
As I nodded in agreement, a curious light flickered in Seraph’s eyes.
Seraph’s words were clear and concise. The most urgent matter was life itself, so deal with that first and then take a breather. And, of course, don’t waste the elixir without careful consideration.
Talking with Seraph helped me sort out my tangled thoughts. Having gathered all the information I could, I stood up lightly and casually tossed out a remark.
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll be going now.”
“Uh, yes?”
“Hmm?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s my duty to assist users.”
‘What’s with the sudden change?’
Seraph’s reaction was a bit odd, but I had made up my mind, so I turned to leave.
“User Kim Soo-hyun.”
”?”
Just as I was about to step into the portal, that familiar calm voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Um… would you come back to see me again?”
”…”
Without responding, I leaped into the portal.
After my meeting with Seraph, I left the temple and headed to the plaza to check the public bulletin board. Once my tasks were done, I made my way to the clan house.
Dawn had passed, and morning was in full bloom. Im Hanna had carried out my instructions diligently. As I entered the main building and headed straight to the small conference room on the third floor, I saw the clan members seated around the table. A few of them had their heads resting on the table, looking quite disheveled.
“Where have you been so early in the morning?”
“I had some business at the temple and the plaza.”
After taking my seat, I watched Ahn Hyun shake An Sol and Lee Yoo-jung awake, and answered Go Yeon-joo’s question. Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I looked at her. Go Yeon-joo was watching me with her usual calm demeanor.
”…User Go Yeon-joo.”
“Hehe. Did everything go well?”
“Yes, it did.”
“I was worried, but I’m glad to hear that.”
Her last words carried a meaning only I could understand. Sensing my emotions, Go Yeon-joo gave me a gentle smile. Despite what had happened last night, she was still smiling, and it warmed a corner of my heart. Without words, she seemed to be saying, “I’m okay.” Her response reassured me, but the slight puffiness around her eyes still bothered me.
‘I should apologize when the time is right. For now, let’s focus.’
I was grateful for her deep consideration and let out a short sigh. After glancing around at all the clan members, I spoke in a firm voice.
“You all look sleepy. I didn’t insist on waking you, but I appreciate you gathering earlier than usual.”
“Yawn…”
“The reason I called you all here so early is that I have something urgent to discuss. I’ll get straight to the point. Today, a few of us, including myself, will need to leave the clan house for two to three days.”
“What? Why?”
Startled by the news, Lee Yoo-jung, who had been half-asleep, quickly snapped awake and looked at me. Her reaction was the most intense, but she wasn’t the only one surprised. Realizing more explanation was needed, I calmly began to recount the events from last night.
I explained that a user in the Haemil Clan was afflicted with a vampire’s curse and that they were seeking help from various sources. They had requested assistance from Istantel Low, and I had confirmed the facts with the angel in charge this morning.
Of course, I didn’t reveal everything.
‘As for the elixir… let’s hold off for now. If it turns out to be necessary…’
Since neither my brother nor Han So-young was in immediate danger, they might feel a bit disappointed, but if the aftereffects improve over time, using a precious elixir would be a waste. So, I decided to return the elixir to storage for now and concluded my explanation.
After hearing everything, the clan members began to ask questions one by one. The first was, unsurprisingly, Jung Ha-yeon.
“Clan Lord, but if you use that power…”
“You know I recently increased my stamina stats. I can handle the output needed for healing.”
Jung Ha-yeon voiced her concerns, but I was able to reassure her quickly. Then, Go Yeon-joo, who had been listening quietly, raised her hand to speak. I nodded to give her the floor.
“I understand the situation. The Haemil Clan is looking for a way to save a member afflicted by a vampire’s curse, and the Clan Lord has the power to heal it.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then I have a question. By helping with this matter, what do you hope to gain from the Haemil Clan? Is it a reward or an alliance? As you know, a life is quite valuable.”
“Of course, that’s part of it. You could say it’s the official reason. But there’s also a personal reason I can’t fully disclose yet. However, I assure you, my personal reasons will never affect my public decisions.”
Satisfied with my firm response, Go Yeon-joo smiled. I paused to catch my breath. Her point was clear: don’t do it for free; make sure to get something in return. As the Clan Lord, I took that responsibility seriously. Even if I had the elixir, I intended to inform the clan members about where and how it would be used before making any decisions.
“Anyway, the Haemil Clan is quite renowned in the eastern city. You might recall what I mentioned before: users form clans, and clans form cities. As mercenaries, this is a chance to gain a significant favor from the Haemil Clan. If I put in a little effort, it could lay the groundwork for a good relationship with them.”
“As long as it doesn’t strain the Clan Lord, I support it.”
“Indeed, relationships are important now that we’ve formed a clan. Although it’s a bit concerning that they’re from the eastern city, since Istantel Low requested our help, there’s no issue. I support it too.”
“Good.”
Seeing the logic in my words, Go Yeon-joo and Jung Ha-yeon agreed with bright expressions. With their support, there was little chance of opposition from the rest of the clan.
After a brief pause, all eyes were on me, except for An Sol, who was still struggling to stay awake. I had already decided who would accompany me.
“User Go Yeon-joo.”
“Yes~.”
“User Kim Han-byeol.”
“Yes?”
Go Yeon-joo responded calmly, while Kim Han-byeol was taken by surprise.
“We’ll leave as soon as we’re ready. So, please prepare to depart right after this meeting. It shouldn’t take more than three days, so pack accordingly.”
“Isn’t a day enough for a quick trip to Haemil?”
“The Haemil Clan is in the eastern city of Princia. We won’t return immediately after our business there; we’ll stop by Mule as well.”
“Mule?”
Go Yeon-joo’s voice was puzzled. I nodded calmly and leaned back in my chair. When I glanced at Kim Han-byeol, she still seemed bewildered. And then…
‘Hmm. 1000 gold, huh. They added a bit more.’
‘If you ever recruit a gem mage, could you bring them over?’
Thinking of the old man who still ran the jewelry shop in Mule, I slowly began to speak.
“There’s a user I want to meet in Mule. I made a promise while I was active there. Well, it’s more of a request than a promise… Anyway, he treated me quite well.”
I also intended to make a recruitment offer. Watching Go Yeon-joo tilt her head in confusion, I smiled softly. The old man was a user with the rare class of ‘Gem Appraiser.’ Recruiting him could greatly benefit Kim Han-byeol.
Though I had failed to recruit him before, things were different now. The foundation I had then and the one I have now are worlds apart.
“Well then…”
“Mule, you say…?”
At that moment, An Sol, who had been dozing off, suddenly jerked awake as if splashed with cold water.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Ro Yujin: “I had a dream.”
Reader: “Was it a scary dream?”
Ro Yujin: “No, I dreamed of receiving praise from MEMORIZE readers for the romantic content.”
Reader: “Haha, a compliment, is it? That’s nice. But why are you crying so sadly?”
Ryu Yujin: “It’s because I saw reality yesterday.”
PS. The cover has changed. The protagonist on the cover is Seraph. If you’d like to see it in detail, please check it out in the cover, announcement, or setting sections. Also, I’d appreciate it if you could leave your thoughts. I’d like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the illustrator, SILVESTER. (__)
『 Reader Comments 』
HanbangMode: Congratulations on being first! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in the top spot. Haha. Enjoy this chapter!
BandSVIVA: Oh, I’m sorry. When I saw the word ‘jo-eu-da’ in the comments, it just felt so cute for some reason. ;ㅅ; Jo-eu-da, jo-eu-da, totally jo-eu-da~. :D
Paekip + Muyeongseogwi: Thank you. Thanks to you, I managed to change the 3-year contract to a 2-year one. :)
SoulSoul: Thank you. I visited five places today. My feet are sore, but I managed to buy a good device at a satisfying price. :)
Yosuri: I was surprised too. I mean, who would have thought the nickname would be Ansol!
Evian: … Go ahead! Laugh all you want! Sob sob! ;ㅇ;
GradeRown: The emotions with Go Yeonju will be briefly explored in the next chapter. :) Haha. You watched the jungle game, didn’t you? I enjoyed it too!
Anshik: Oh, no. It’s not the focus, but rather a work I had in mind. :)
Miwolya: Hahaha. I laughed so much after reading it. Salt, really? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ.
Apgwon: Haha, Kim Suhyun is still unaware. To give an example, you could say Im Hanna is ‘debating’ whether to set a flag herself. :)
Witaewitae: Haha. There were several reasons. I wanted to reflect on the relationship with Go Yeonju, and you could see it as a one-time event to show stamina. The real reason is different, but it seems Suhyun’s inner thoughts didn’t resonate well with the readers. That’s entirely my lack of skill. If I get another chance, I’ll prepare thoroughly and try to connect with the readers again.
Thank you for always reading. Your recommendations and comments are a great source of strength.
I hope you always read with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.