Prelude: Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Win
The first target was a male player who practically dashed out in front of Go Yeon-ju.
Name: Lee Chan-hee (3rd Year)
Class: Assassin of Requiem (Secret, Master)
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Assassin (Clan Rank: A Zero)
True Name · Nationality: Prayer for the Dead · South Korea
Sex: Male (25)
Height · Weight: 176.3cm · 63.7kg
Alignment: True Neutral
[Strength 88] [Endurance 82] [Agility 96] [Stamina 84] [Magic 94(+2)] [Luck 80]
(0 ability points remaining.)
(0 ability points remaining.)
[Strength 89] [Endurance 90] [Agility 97] [Stamina 85] [Magic 93] [Luck 82]
(0 ability points remaining.)
[Strength 88] [Endurance 82] [Agility 96(+1)] [Stamina 84] [Magic 94] [Luck 80]
“Not bad.”
In the Hall Plain, being “strong” means a harmonious blend of class, stats, and abilities (unique, special, potential). From that perspective, Lee Chan-hee’s class and stats were quite respectable.
Just as I was about to check the other two, I had to momentarily divert my attention. Kim Deok-pil had approached and was holding out his hand to me.
“Cigarette, please.”
”…”
For a split second, I considered flipping him off, but I quickly changed my mind. Instead, I calmly pulled out a cigarette and tossed it to him. Kim Deok-pil, with the agility of a dolphin, caught it mid-air with his mouth.
“Nice catch!”
Watching him give a thumbs-up and saunter towards the door, I found myself momentarily speechless.
“Ha ha. Even back at the academy, I noticed that User Kim Deok-pil really took a liking to the Mercenary Road.”
Suddenly, Seo Jin-woo’s voice came from behind me. I let out a thin sigh and replied indifferently.
“Ah, yes… But I don’t see Goryeo Road around. He mentioned he had some business.”
“Oh, he was here just a moment ago, but something urgent came up. He’ll be back soon, so why not wait a bit? There are others here too, so it might be a good chance to get acquainted.”
Not here. Maybe that’s why the atmosphere felt more relaxed than expected.
I shrugged at Seo Jin-woo’s words, then casually took a seat and began to survey the surroundings.
Since I had decided to wait, I thought I might as well use the time to gather information on the other players. So, I turned my attention back to the three I had been observing earlier.
The man standing quietly nearby was Lee Chan-hee, the “Assassin of Requiem.” The man gazing at Go Yeon-ju with intense eyes was Son Si-hyuk, the “Doctor,” and the woman chatting animatedly was Kang Ye-bin, the “Nurse.” Judging by their lively conversation with Go Yeon-ju, it seemed they were quite familiar with each other.
“Lee Chan-hee… Ah, he was an enemy, right? I remember he followed Go Yeon-ju later… Son Si-hyuk and Kang Ye-bin were known for their duo activities, weren’t they? My memory’s a bit hazy with them…”
I tried to recall more about Son Si-hyuk and Kang Ye-bin as I reviewed their player information. They weren’t mentioned much by the time I became active, so I assumed they might have met an untimely end.
Their conversation showed no signs of stopping, so I smacked my lips and turned my attention elsewhere. This time, I focused on a mysterious woman handling tarot cards and the gloomy man beside her, who seemed to be in a deep slumber.
That’s when I felt it.
“Hmm?”
I sensed someone staring at me from the left. Turning my head, I saw a woman with long, flowing hair. Even when our eyes met, she didn’t look away.
Her face was oval and slender, with full lips tightly pressed together. Her nose was high, but the tip was rounded. Her slender waist and long, smooth legs gave her a distinctly elegant appearance.
But there was one thing that stood out: her eyes and the aura she exuded.
Her eyes were serene, reminiscent of a seraph, yet the slight upward tilt of her gaze gave her a somewhat angry look. This, combined with her overall demeanor, created an impression of arrogance and coldness, like a biting winter wind.
Name: Nam Da-eun (4th Year)
Class: Queen of Sword (Secret, Master)
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Cheondun (Clan Rank: B Plus)
True Name · Nationality: Queen of Sword, Misandrist · South Korea
Sex: Female (24)
Height · Weight: 168.5cm · 48.5kg
Alignment: Cool · Scar
[Strength 93] [Endurance 78] [Agility 95] [Stamina 91] [Magic 94] [Luck 93]
(0 ability points remaining.)
(6 free ability points remaining.)
[Strength 96(+2)] [Endurance 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 92(+2)] [Magic 96] [Luck 90(+2)]
(0 ability points remaining.)
[Strength 93] [Endurance 78] [Agility 95] [Stamina 91] [Magic 94] [Luck 92]
I barely managed to suppress a whistle. Her reputation preceded her, and even without equipment boosts, her stats were impressive enough to catch anyone’s attention.
But there was a slight issue.
“Her endurance is a bit of a weak point.”
It reminded me of my own struggles with stamina, and I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
Aside from that, she was intriguing and impressive. I was curious about her “Queen of Sword” title, especially compared to my own “Master of Sword,” and the “Scar” noted in her alignment piqued my interest.
Nam Da-eun continued to watch me for a while before finally looking away. She must have thought I was avoiding her gaze, though in reality, I was just checking her player information.
Just then, the door swung open.
“Ah, I’m a bit late.”
A voice called out for me, and I turned to see Goryeo Road entering the room.
“Is the Mercenary Road here?”
At the question, I quickly deactivated my third eye and stood up.
As soon as Goryeo Road entered, he apologized and announced the cancellation of the commander’s meeting. Apparently, some of the clan leaders who were supposed to gather had personal matters to attend to. He mentioned something about coordination issues with other units, but it felt like he was skirting around the real issue.
Honestly, if I had any complaints about the East, it was the way they prepared for war. I understood the urgency, but the preparation felt sloppy and full of holes. The fact that they were canceling the commander’s meeting showed that the command structure wasn’t firmly established.
“I can see why the East suffered a major defeat in the first battle.”
Of course, this complaint was relative. In my first run, Han So-young was meticulous in her war preparations. She was bold when needed, but once the situation allowed, she executed plans with precision, earning her the title “Queen of Iron and Blood.”
“I’m truly sorry, Mercenary Road.”
Looking at Goryeo Road, who seemed exhausted with dark circles under his eyes, I shook my head to indicate it was fine.
After all, Han So-young’s prime was when the concept of “war” was well-established among users. The current users were still more accustomed to “expeditions,” so their lack of experience was understandable.
“With the departure date approaching, everything’s in chaos. We’ve prepared everything, but issues keep cropping up.”
Then prepare thoroughly from the start. I swallowed the words that almost escaped my lips.
“It’s fine. I know you’re always busy.”
“Ha ha. Thank you for saying that. But to explain, Lee Hyo-eul proposed a suggestion, and we were discussing it.”
“A suggestion? I thought preparations were nearly complete?”
“Ah, they are, but he suddenly mentioned the need to be cautious of variables. He suggested selecting capable users to prepare for unforeseen dangers… But that means we need to adjust the current setup. Randomly selecting users could disrupt the balance we’ve tried to maintain.”
Goryeo Road seemed deep in thought before continuing in a low voice.
“Now that it’s just the two of us, I can speak freely. To be honest, I’m well aware that this war isn’t perfect. I have a vague understanding of what Lee Hyo-eul is getting at, even though I’m not particularly fond of her. But listening to her has never led me astray. So, I think it’s worth keeping her words in mind.”
I looked at Goryeo Lord with a hint of surprise. In truth, he was destined to die in this war. From what I knew, the East would suffer a crushing defeat and be pursued by the enemy, and Goryeo Lord was involved in holding them off.
Posthumously, Goryeo Lord was generally well-regarded. Though a bit straightforward and stubborn, he was seen as having the qualities and skills of a clan leader. In some ways, he was similar to me, yet fundamentally different.
“For now, I can’t make a decision on that matter, so I’ve decided to take some more time to think. The expedition is urgent at the moment.”
“I understand. But I heard you called for me?”
“Ah, with everything going on, I almost forgot the main reason. I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor?”
Goryeo Lord nodded once at my question.
“Yes. It’s about Baek Seoyeon. I’m truly grateful for lending her to us. Thanks to her, many clans were able to deal with internal spies.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m just glad it worked out.”
“Indeed. Normally, I should return her to you. But as I understand it, Baek Seoyeon has been sentenced to death by the Istantel Law.”
“That’s correct. I have no intention of sparing her, and if possible, I plan to execute her before the expedition.”
I answered as I had always intended. Just saying it seemed to lift some of the fatigue from Goryeo Lord’s face.
Then, Goryeo Lord spoke again.
“That’s a relief. By the way… do you like events?”
‘A relief?’
His sudden question left me puzzled, and I tilted my head in confusion. He wore a faint smile.
Time passed, and the day of the expedition ceremony finally arrived. Personally, I still felt unprepared, but due to the Golden Lion’s antics (not knowing what they might do), the expedition was hastily moved up.
The moment I arrived at the ceremony site, I was taken aback. The place was packed with users from all over the eastern city.
Around the hastily erected altar in the central square, the 16,000 users participating in the battle were lined up according to their units. But elsewhere, the crowd was so dense that there was barely any room to move, creating an intense heat.
Suddenly, a tremendous cheer erupted, shaking the surroundings. At the center of the commotion was Goryeo Lord, accompanied by his entourage, bringing along a female user.
Once they reached the center, Goryeo Lord ascended the altar. I quickly craned my neck to see. There, I saw his entourage forcing Baek Seoyeon to kneel in the center.
After a brief preparation, Goryeo Lord began his speech.
“Dear users of the East, we have waited a long time for this moment.”
As soon as he started speaking, the noise quickly subsided.
“I won’t say much. The time has finally come.”
Another wave of cheers erupted. Using voice amplification magic, Goryeo Lord continued his speech clearly amidst the cheers.
“The current situation is…”
As I quietly listened to the speech, Go Yeonju, standing to my right, whispered to me.
“Suhyeon, why did you refuse?”
“What?”
“The event. It could have brought you some attention.”
“Well, I don’t mind the event itself, but I wasn’t keen on being the center of it.”
I answered simply and turned my gaze to Baek Seoyeon, who was kneeling in the center. Though I couldn’t see her face, it was clear she was in a terrible state.
Her clothes were torn, and her hair was disheveled. Seeing her like that, I instinctively knew. During her time with various clans, she must have been handled by many users. Focusing solely on her gender, Baek Seoyeon was undoubtedly an attractive woman.
”…That’s why. Now, please look here for a moment. You all know who this vagrant kneeling here is. This vagrant is Baek Seoyeon, one of the culprits who tried to plunge the Northern Continent into chaos.”
Booing erupted.
“Haha. The reason Baek Seoyeon is here is, as you all know… because the Mercenary Lord, user Kim Suhyeon, captured her. I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the Mercenary Lord.”
At that moment, I felt numerous gazes fixate on me. It wasn’t just one or two. Then came the fervent chanting.
Kim Suhyeon! Kim Suhyeon! Kim Suhyeon!
‘What do you want from me?’
Stop calling my name.
Kim Suhyeon! Kim Suhyeon! Kim Suhyeon!
Please, enough.
“Oh, they’re calling your name, Suhyeon. Give them a wave.”
“No, thank you.”
I flatly refused. While I felt slightly uncomfortable, Go Yeonju’s voice was filled with excitement.
As time passed and the chanting of my name gradually subsided, I finally managed to focus on the altar. By then, Goryeo Lord had approached Baek Seoyeon, drawing a sword that gleamed in the sunlight.
“We have no doubt that we will win this war. Before we set out, I have one question for you. Baek Seoyeon is a vagrant. How should we deal with this vagrant?”
Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!
“That’s right. Some clans argue for reforming vagrants, for taking them back, but I disagree. Vagrants are the enemies of users and must be eradicated. You all know about the vagrant extermination plan and its results…”
A subtle jab at the Golden Lion Clan.
But in this situation, Goryeo Lord’s speech seemed quite persuasive, as the chant to kill grew even louder. In sync with the chant, he slowly raised his sword.
“Then, from now on.”
Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!
“I officially declare the expedition of the Eastern City, Barbara!”
Uproarious cheers followed the declaration, reaching a fever pitch.
And at that moment, Goryeo Lord swung his sword down in one clean stroke.
Splat!
It was a flawless strike.
Baek Seoyeon’s head seemed to hang in the air for a moment before rolling to the ground. A fine spray of blood from her neck danced beautifully in the air.
“We will now depart with the Eastern Gate unit. Everyone, to your positions!”
Baek Seoyeon was executed.
With her public execution, the expedition to Barbara officially began.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
As expected, speeding up the narrative reveals some chronic issues. The middle parts feel empty… -_-a But I have no regrets about the omissions. I can revisit these details as the war progresses. If I had written everything in detail… we’d still be stuck in the planning phase. Hahaha.
This chapter is intended to depict the journey to Barbara. Since I have to compress three weeks into three episodes, I’ll have to rack my brains again. :D
『 Reader Comments 』
Devaran: Congratulations on being first! Haha. Thank you for always reading. :)
Bearded Uncle: I gave up on being first long ago. It’s easier that way! Absolutely!
Yosuri: Why, indeed. Hahaha. Kang Yebin. It’s a pretty name, isn’t it? Hahaha.
Yoon: Originally, the Sword Queen’s name was also Suhyeon. I planned to have the same name but changed it midway. Haha, I like this way of speaking. Let me use it too.
Game Master: Hahaha. I’ve been waiting for this comment! I’ve already finished planning! When will it appear? That’s a secret! (Thwack thwack thwack!) @[email protected]
Elnaid: Oh. I’m not a woman. I’m a man. Yes, indeed. And I expect Memorize to be 600 episodes, but readers say at least 800. Hmm.
Sunset: I plan to reveal the true nature of the Thunder Emperor in this war. I’m thinking of easing off the ‘little brother fool’ angle. :)
Heavenly Blood God: Just a moment. I understand. But Baek Hangyeol is a man. Why would Suhyeon… -_-;;;
Hohokoya1: Hahaha. Before the story ends, I’ll definitely surprise readers with a marathon update!
Ciabatta: Of course. You’re right. The protagonist doesn’t have to be the only one with a harem. Other men can have harems, and other women can have reverse harems. :) Ah, I’m thinking of giving Yujeong to Ahn Hyun. Then I’ll have to delete the previous flashback content. Hahaha.
Thank you for always reading. I hope you enjoy the story with a relaxed mind.