Prelude: Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Win
The night was cloaked in deep darkness, and a profound silence enveloped the desolate wilderness.
Why did Nam Da-eun, sitting forlornly on the abandoned field, clutching her wrist in a daze, look so pitiful?
Vroom. Vroom.
Suddenly, the sound of a sword, lying somewhere in the field, resonated with a clear hum. The sound seemed to snap Nam Da-eun out of her stupor, her eyes blinking several times before she swallowed hard.
“That was a good move. Thank you for the spar.”
I watched her for a moment before offering the highest praise I could muster in this situation. Her dedication during our bout had left a favorable impression on me.
“Ah… this… no… yes… good…”
Nam Da-eun seemed utterly confused, struggling to find the right words.
But only for a moment. After several attempts to speak, she finally lowered her head and spoke in a soft voice.
“I lost… completely. The rumors were true.”
“Well, sparring and real combat are two different things.”
“Even so, there’s no excuse. I don’t need consolation.”
‘Huh? That’s quite refreshing.’
Watching Nam Da-eun stagger to her feet, I felt a slight fondness for her. If she were a man, or at least not suffering from androphobia, we might have become good friends.
Vroom. Vroom.
The sword Nam Da-eun had dropped during our bout continued to hum on the field. She approached it with unsteady steps, bending down to pick it up. That’s when it happened.
Vrooooom!
The sword, which had been relatively calm, suddenly roared with an intensity far beyond anything before as soon as her hand touched it.
“S-Sora? What’s going on?”
Nam Da-eun spoke to the sword in a voice full of surprise.
‘Is its name Sora? Could it have a consciousness?’
Nam Da-eun seemed at a loss, bewildered by the sword’s unexpected behavior. Her face clearly showed her confusion, as if this was the first time ‘Sora’ had acted this way.
‘Ah.’
As I contemplated leaving, having finished my business, a thought flashed through my mind.
‘Could it be…?’
I wasn’t certain, but recalling the time I acquired ‘Victoria’s Glory,’ it wasn’t entirely impossible.
I considered ignoring it, but eventually, I started walking toward Nam Da-eun, pondering what to do if my suspicion was correct.
Time passed, and soon the Eastern group had completely exited the ‘Wilderness of Secrets.’ While there were some internal issues, the march itself was proceeding smoothly.
The next area we entered was known as the ‘Forest of Constellations.’
For users with over four years of experience on the Northern Continent, the Forest of Constellations held significant meaning. It was once a crucial area to pass through before conquering Barbara, much like the current ‘Iron Mountain Range.’
The forest was a necessary passage to Barbara and had claimed many sacrifices during its conquest.
‘Of course, its scale and difficulty can’t compare to the Iron Mountain Range.’
For those who participated in the conquest, it was a place of nostalgia, but for me, with no ruins to explore, it held little significance.
Barbara, in terms of stability, was one of the most secure cities on the Northern Continent. Having safely passed through the ‘Wilderness of Secrets,’ a smooth journey seemed inevitable.
Thus, the Eastern group entered the new area without issue, and simultaneously, a new change occurred for me.
Originally, when departing from Princia, I was assigned to the 1st Division, led by the 10th Rank, Seo Jin-woo. However, after sparring with Nam Da-eun, she actively recommended me, and I had the honor (?) of being selected for a special ‘team’ to handle unexpected situations.
There was still a minor unresolved issue with Nam Da-eun, but I gladly accepted her request. It allowed me more freedom than being in a division, and I preferred working with a small group where we could support each other’s skills rather than being one among many.
As expected, Nam Da-eun’s request didn’t end with my participation. The mercenary clan, with nearly 70% of its members being secret and rare class users, seemed to have judged that there might be hidden talents.
My evaluation of ‘Sword Queen’ Nam Da-eun had significantly changed. Initially, I thought of her as an unusual woman with androphobia, but her humble acceptance of defeat and her respectful attitude afterward were impressive.
While it might seem like she was keeping her distance, considering she didn’t even speak to most male users, it wasn’t entirely the case.
In any case, I accepted Nam Da-eun’s request and, after much deliberation, recommended three clan members.
The first was undoubtedly Go Yeon-ju.
Go Yeon-ju was assigned to the 5th Division, composed of assassins. Despite the cautious request for her transfer, the 5th Division leader readily agreed.
In fact, it was more than just agreement.
Frankly, in terms of skill and reputation, Go Yeon-ju should have been the leader of the 5th Division. However, by the time we arrived in the East, the assignments were already set, and she had no particular desire for the title, so she let it pass.
Nevertheless, the 5th Division leader seemed relieved to have the ‘Shadow Queen’ under his command.
Of course, I confirmed Go Yeon-ju’s willingness, and upon hearing of my participation, she packed her bags and joined immediately.
The second and third members I recommended were Vivian and Jung Ha-yeon.
Vivian, having acquired the ‘Order of Ordo,’ could now summon the ‘Beast Legion.’ The usefulness of such an ability in war was beyond question.
However, recommending Jung Ha-yeon required much thought. Ultimately, I decided to discuss it with her, as there was no compulsion, and it seemed best to leave the decision to her.
To summarize the outcome, both Vivian and Jung Ha-yeon accepted Nam Da-eun’s proposal.
Vivian, with her strong pride as an alchemist, seemed to think the ‘team’ was something special. Jung Ha-yeon initially hesitated but started packing as soon as she heard I was involved.
With my wholehearted support, Nam Da-eun quickly gathered a team of four, including myself.
The Eastern group was nearing the end of their journey through the ‘Forest of Constellations.’ At this pace, we expected to reach the next area within a day or two.
The next area was hard to define, as reaching it meant Barbara was practically within sight.
“Ahem!”
Suddenly, Vivian cleared her throat with exaggerated emphasis. After a few more coughs, she straightened her posture and surveyed her surroundings, her eyes filled with a haughty gleam that hinted at her thoughts.
I had anticipated some trouble bringing Vivian and Jung Ha-yeon along, expecting resistance from Seon-yul based on her previous behavior. However, the tarot card magician, remembering her own words, easily approved their transfer.
Thus, the ‘team’ now consisted of five members: myself, Go Yeon-ju, Vivian, Jung Ha-yeon, and the Sword Queen. But that wasn’t all. Nam Da-eun mentioned there were others involved in excavation activities. We would meet them once they finished their work in the forest, so patience was all that was needed.
“Soo-hyun, what are you thinking about?”
Jung Ha-yeon, walking beside me, asked. I glanced at her and replied calmly.
“Oh, just thinking about the tarot card magician.”
“Hmm. She’s certainly someone with charms you’d appreciate. Big heart, big heart.”
”…”
“Hoho, just kidding. Don’t make that face.”
Jung Ha-yeon laughed, waving her hand dismissively after seeing my reaction. I sighed deeply and spoke softly.
”…It’s not that. I just didn’t expect her to approve the transfer so easily. I witnessed some unpleasant scenes at the last meeting… Her sense of privilege seemed excessive.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t notice anything like that.”
“Really? How was it in the division?”
Surprised by her response, I asked curiously. Jung Ha-yeon pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Hmm. She felt like an older sister. Knowing I was a secret class, she gave me lots of advice, took good care of me, and we even chatted and did card readings together. Right, Vivian?”
After finishing his explanation, Jeong Ha-yeon turned to Vivian, seeking her agreement.
Vivian, however, seemed uneasy, her face clouded with uncertainty. She replied in a subdued voice, “Huh? Well, I don’t know. I’m not really sure.”
Jeong Ha-yeon tilted his head at Vivian, then suddenly chuckled as if something had dawned on him. “Oh, right. Vivian had her fortune told with me last time, but I guess the results weren’t great.”
“Fortune-telling, huh? That sounds interesting. What did you find out, Jeong Ha-yeon?”
“Oh, that’s a secret. Besides, fortune-telling is just for fun.”
“Still, I’m curious… But if it’s a secret, I guess there’s nothing I can do. So, Vivian, what about you? What did your fortune say?”
Vivian, who had been listening to our conversation, looked at me with a slightly aggrieved expression. She seemed about to speak up, but I preempted her by pulling out a contract I had tucked away.
I waved it gently without saying a word, and Vivian spoke in a choked voice, “You… Kim Soo-hyun… You’re so mean. Why only to me…”
“Alright, alright. I get it. Go on.”
“Ugh…”
Gone was her earlier bravado. Vivian pouted, resisting weakly, but with a bit more urging, she finally began to speak.
“Well… I asked about the likelihood of my biggest wish coming true…”
“Yeah? And what’s that wish?”
“Uh, well… it’s… my… butt…”
Whoosh!
Just then, a sharp signal blared from ahead, interrupting Vivian’s hesitant confession.
“We’ll halt the march for a moment!”
The announcement forced us to pause our conversation and stop in our tracks.
“Huh? What’s going on? Could it be a monster?”
“Who knows. Let’s just wait and see.”
Jeong Ha-yeon craned her neck forward, but I placed a hand on her shoulder. There was no way she could see anything from here.
“Phew. Saved by the bell.”
I thought I heard a small voice beside me, but I decided to focus on the situation ahead for now.
About twenty minutes passed.
Finally, news came through the crystal ball: the vanguard had encountered users who seemed to have come from Barbara.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Before diving into today’s e-book revisions, I need to catch up on last episode’s content and reply to some messages. Haha.
To briefly explain, the stats already include bonuses. For example, if it’s 98(+4), removing the equipment would make it 94. :)
PS. I’ll be updating the sword-related terms to “sword body.”
『 Reader Comments (Episode 350) 』
Rayam: Congratulations on being first! I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in the top comment. :)
WanderingNomad: Hmm. Other people’s romances are just seasoning. And if used well, they can highlight the protagonist. Haha.
SoSooYoungSeo: Yes, I also dislike having too many love interests. Unless I lose my mind, Kim Soo-hyun will never have a harem. :)
MyungBakJjang’sYangYangHapIl: Oh! You know that novel! I read it on a recommendation from a fellow author, and I absolutely loved it. Godiva is amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed it too!
Refill: That’s right. While other characters might gain prominence, Kim Soo-hyun will always be at the center. :) I’ll make sure it’s not off-putting.
『 Reader Comments (Episode 351) 』
Deshkar: Congrats on being first, Deshkar! Yoshi! Grand Season! What does that mean? I’m so curious!
dbss: Oh, I’ve made the corrections. Thank you.
MountainHawthorn: A partner for Ahn Hyun? They’ll appear in part two. I’ve decided for sure this time. Hehehe.
BrokenFan: Thank you! I barely made it through today! :)
PaintingTheSeaForest: Wow, truly, thank you so much. I’ve never heard such words before. ㅜ.ㅠ Yes, I do have a wild side, but readers don’t seem to notice! ( —) Hehe.
Thank you always for reading. I hope you enjoy the story with a relaxed mind.