Things have changed. And yet, they haven’t.

After a brief farewell with my brother, I stepped into the warp gate with my clan members. Finally, we were on our way to the southern city of Monica.

It had been ages since I last saw Monica, but nothing seemed to have changed. Still, my clan members appeared uneasy, caught between familiarity and strangeness as they took in the cityscape.

After a quick glance around, I headed straight for the Mercenary House. The entire way, not a word was spoken. In the uncomfortable silence, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were watching me, waiting for something.

Occasionally, I felt their gazes on my back, and I let out a quiet sigh.

‘If only Shin Sang-yong had returned with us…’

How different would things be? We might not be laughing and joking, but surely it would feel better than this.

As the silence stretched on, I sensed someone approaching. Turning my head, I saw Jung Ha-yeon reaching out halfway. She hesitated when our eyes met, then lowered her hand and spoke.

“Soo-hyun, I’ve already contacted the Mercenary House.”

“I see.”

”…Yes. By now, they should be waiting for us. And…”

”?”

Her voice was clear but carried a hint of something deeper. I waited for her to continue, feeling a bit awkward.

“I’ve briefed them on the situation.”

Even in this moment, her attention to detail was impressive. I nodded, and she stepped back, her task done. It wasn’t a huge relief, but it was one less thing to worry about.

Suddenly, I found myself longing for a cigarette, something I’d forgotten about lately, and quickened my pace.

Focused on walking, it didn’t take long to reach the Mercenary House. As we approached, I saw the front gate wide open, just as Jung Ha-yeon had said. Familiar faces were there to greet us.

Lined up on either side of the gate were the staff, along with the elder and Baek Han-gyeol, who hadn’t joined the expedition. And of course, the baby unicorn was there too.

“Kyuu!”

The baby unicorn dashed toward me, its tail wagging furiously. It seemed overjoyed. Instinctively, I reached out to catch it, but then stopped.

My hand was still stained with blood. Not as fresh as it had been in Barbara, but dried and caked on. I hesitated, then withdrew my hand, stepping back slightly.

“No.”

“Kyuu, kyuu?!”

The baby unicorn, undeterred by the blood, halted at my command. It looked up at me, blinking rapidly, as if asking for an explanation.

“Don’t come closer. You’ll get blood on you.”

“Kyuu…?”

A silence fell between us.

Then, its eyes began to well up, and its tail drooped. I sighed softly and walked past it. I understood its feelings, but there was no need to get it dirty.

Finally, I entered the Mercenary House.

“Welcome back.”

“Ah, welcome home.”

“Eek!”

“Quiet!”

As I stepped inside, the staff bowed in unison, greeting me. Some, not used to combat, let out small gasps at my appearance.

I paid it no mind, nodding slightly in response, and turned to face two people approaching me.

“Hyung-nim. Ah… Clan Lord, welcome back.”

“Congratulations on your safe return, Clan Lord.”

Baek Han-gyeol’s reaction was similar to the staff’s, glancing at me nervously. The elder, however, greeted me with calm composure.

“Hoho, it’s been a while.”

“Indeed, it has.”

“Yes. I’ve heard a bit from Jung Ha-yeon. About Shin Sang-yong…”

”…Yes. Unfortunately, that’s how it turned out.”

“Clan Lord… You’ve been through a lot. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

Watching the elder click his tongue, I nodded a couple of times, then shook my head.

“No need to apologize, Elder. We avenged him.”

“Tsk. Not a day went by here without worry. Ah, I’ve heard the brief news… Is the war truly over now?”

“Yes. The Western Continent and the Vagabond Alliance were defeated in the East. Some managed to escape, but they’ll soon be surrounded. You can consider it a victory for the Northern Continent.”

“Hoho, that’s good news, at least. A relief.”

At the mention of “victory,” the faces around me brightened. Seeing that, I felt a pang of bitterness. It was inevitable. Those who hadn’t experienced the war couldn’t know the ‘process’ we went through to achieve victory.

A thought struck me, and I glanced back. My clan members were entering one by one, their faces still shadowed.

In that moment, the words I had spoken to them before we set out echoed in my mind.

‘No one knows how long this war will last. It could end quickly, or it might drag on longer than expected.’

‘But no matter how long it takes, what I want is simple. When the war is over and we gather here again, I hope to see every one of you, safe and sound.’

I let out a soft sigh.

”…Ha.”

Even though it was a barely audible sound, my clan members immediately looked up.

And under their sudden scrutiny, I found myself speaking without thinking.

“The war is over.”

”…”

Words that slipped out reflexively.

“And we… have returned safely to the Clan House.”

”…”

The clan members responded with silence.

I hadn’t planned on saying anything, so I was at a loss for words.

After a moment’s thought, I decided it was best to finish what I’d started.

“And… though one of us didn’t make it back…”

“Sniff…!”

Suddenly, someone began to sob.

I paused, then continued in a low voice.

“To those who returned safely, thank you for your hard work.”

“Sniff!”

“Sob…”

“Waaah…”

At that, Ahn Hyun, Lee Yoo-jung, and An Sol burst into tears simultaneously.

I watched them sink to the ground, understanding their reaction despite my surprise.

They were still in their first year. Despite everything they’d been through, they were still blank slates in the world of ‘Hall Plain.’

They had experienced so much at once by participating in this war.

Their first encounter with the chaos of battle.

The pain of losing a comrade before their eyes.

And the sudden release of tension at the war’s end.

All of it must be swirling inside them.

“Ahn Hyun, the Clan Lord is speaking. Please stand up.”

“Yoo-jung, get up. Okay? Are you going to keep doing this?”

“Sol, please stand. The Clan Lord will be upset if you don’t.”

As the others gently coaxed them to their feet, I turned my gaze to Ko Yeon-ju, a thought occurring to me. She had been carrying Shin Sang-yong’s body all this time.

“User Ko Yeon-ju.”

“I understand.”

She responded immediately, as if she had anticipated my request to take care of Shin Sang-yong’s remains. Feeling a pang of guilt, I watched her.

“I’ll be back soon. It won’t take long.”

“Thank you.”

Ko Yeon-ju gave a small, reassuring smile, then carefully set Shin Sang-yong down and headed out the gate, making her way toward the marketplace.

“Hyung-nim. No, Clan Lord.”

A voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to see Baek Han-gyeol, looking uncertain.

“You must be exhausted. We’ve prepared a meal… Or perhaps you’d like to wash up first…”

“I’m fine without the meal.”

”…But still.”

“Everyone’s probably mentally exhausted. Let’s not push them too hard today. Those who want to eat can do so, and the rest should head to the baths or their rooms.”

Understanding my point, Baek Han-gyeol nodded, though he seemed a bit disappointed.

I raised my voice slightly to conclude what I had started.

“No need to drag this out. That’s all. Let’s wrap it up here. And for today… I suggest you all get some rest. Dismissed.”

Only after officially dismissing everyone did I finally catch my breath.

Yet, few clan members actually left. Some stood in place, gazing up at the sky, others continued to watch me, and a few couldn’t stop crying around the body of Shin Sang-yong.

In the midst of it all, I turned away and walked off. The sounds around me gradually faded as I moved.

I headed towards the main building, climbed the stairs, and when I reached the fourth floor, I pushed open the door to my quarters. I collapsed onto the white bed, as if throwing myself into it.

“Damn it.”

I opened my eyes to find the room shrouded in twilight. After a quick glance around, I let out a thin sigh.

I had returned to the clan house late in the afternoon, and now it seemed dawn was approaching.

‘I need to sleep.’

Driven by the singular thought of needing rest, I forced my eyes shut in the darkness. Just as sleep was about to claim me, a faint dizziness washed over me again. By now, it was a familiar sensation.

”…Damn.”

I ended up opening my eyes once more.

In truth, since lying down, I had been stuck in this cycle. Just as I was about to fall into a deep sleep, the dizziness would hit, waking me up. I’d drift into a light doze, only to be jolted awake again.

It was a wretched feeling. My body craved sleep, yet I couldn’t succumb to it.

‘Is this how I end up back where I started…?’

I let out a bitter laugh.

My body felt foreign to me, and it wasn’t just from exhaustion. My mind was a tangled mess of involuntary thoughts, while my heart felt hollow, trying not to think at all.

Caught between these conflicting emotions, I wandered aimlessly, like a lost lamb.

Then, suddenly, Shin Sang-yong’s image floated before my eyes, only to vanish just as quickly.

’…….’

I found myself questioning my own turmoil.

Was it Shin Sang-yong’s death that had me in this state?

‘No.’

His death was tragic, yes, but I’d experienced the loss of acquaintances before, in my first life. The concept of death was all too familiar to me.

Was it guilt over a wrong decision as the clan leader?

‘No.’

I had saved the clan members, achieved my goals, and secured the benefits.

Then what? What was it?

’…….’

I asked myself, but no answer came.

In the silence of my unanswered questions, only the echoes of my self-inquiry lingered within.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

I had to cut it off rather abruptly, as I need to get ready to leave. I have a class at 9 today…

Sorry for the delay. (__)

PS. To everyone who took the college entrance exam, you did an amazing job. :)