Gathering Talent (4/4)
“I’m sorry. It seems like it might be a bit difficult.”
Vivian, who had been watching Won Hye-soo intently for a while, finally shook her head and stood up.
“I’m sorry. I can’t guarantee anything either.”
Ansol’s words echoed the same sentiment, leaving the two men in the room to sigh quietly. It seemed they had pinned their hopes on the rare, secret class abilities.
I pondered for a moment before speaking softly.
“Is it as hard to reverse the damage as it was to break Baek Se-yeon’s mind before?”
“If we still had the fruit of Yggdrasil, maybe. But we used it all up back then,” Vivian replied firmly.
”…What about a miracle?”
“The cooldown period is about two months. We won’t know until we try then,” Ansol said, trailing off as she looked at the sleeping Won Hye-soo with a sympathetic expression. Hye-soo lay there, hands gently cradling her stomach.
“If it were a mental contamination caused by settings, I could guarantee a 100% cure. But this is a mental illness triggered by a severe shock… It’s going to be tough. Miracles aren’t all-powerful.”
I see. Even the ‘Miracle’ of the secret class ‘Priest of Radiance’ can’t handle this.
I nodded in understanding and glanced at the two men beside me, who wore bitter expressions. They were Woo Jung-min and Sun Yu-woon.
I knew well how difficult it was to heal a broken mind. Ansol had explained it clearly. The best we could hope for was a sudden recovery or a gradual, natural healing.
Still, despite knowing this, I had called them here for a reason…
“It’s alright. I’ve heard the same elsewhere. Mercenary Road.”
I wanted to show them something.
Having decided to bring Woo Jung-min and Sun Yu-woon into the mercenary fold, I thought it best to demonstrate our capabilities. And what better way than to show concern for someone they held dear, like Won Hye-soo?
Of course, there was also a hint of wanting to create a sense of indebtedness.
“Thank you for looking after Hye-soo… This is the most hopeful news we’ve heard,” Woo Jung-min and Sun Yu-woon said, bowing politely to Vivian and Ansol, a wry smile on their faces.
After seeing the two women out, I sat down with Jung-min and Yu-woon. Hye-soo was still sound asleep.
I looked at the three of them in turn and spoke with a hint of apology.
“I hope I didn’t give you false hope. I’m sorry.”
“What? I’m grateful, really. If you put it that way, it makes me feel guilty,” Jung-min replied.
“Not at all. We truly appreciate your concern,” Yu-woon added.
I knew they were just being polite. I was just trying to be modest.
Jung-min cleared his throat a couple of times before speaking in a calm voice.
“I should be the one thanking you. Things have improved a lot, thanks to you.”
”…Is there anything you’re uncomfortable with?”
“Not at all. The Shadow Queen has been very considerate. Hye-soo seems to be doing better too… She even smiles occasionally these days.”
Jung-min, who seemed to have a special bond with Hye-soo, gazed at her with a wistful look. After a long moment, he turned to me and spoke.
“Mercenary Road. I have something to discuss.”
I nodded for him to continue.
“We’ve been here for a few days now… What should we do next?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, feigning ignorance. It was the question I had been waiting for, but I didn’t want to seem too eager.
“Hye-soo seems to like it here. We do too, but…”
“But?”
“Honestly, it feels awkward to just stay here without doing anything. We want to contribute somehow.”
“Hmm. You want to do something, huh.”
I pretended to think deeply for a moment before speaking quietly.
“How about registering all three of you as mercenary clan members soon?”
”…Are you asking us to join your clan?”
Seeing Jung-min’s predictable reaction, I shook my head.
“No, not join. Just register.”
“Register, not join? What does that mean?”
“Simply put, it means working together.”
Jung-min and Yu-woon exchanged confused glances, so I elaborated on the concept of the mercenary clan, explaining the ‘mercenary’ nature of it. They finally nodded in understanding.
“So… you’re saying we should work as mercenaries?”
“Exactly. The biggest drawback of the mercenary group right now is the lack of personnel. If we get swamped with requests and don’t have enough people, we either have to turn them down or delay them. That would be a setback for our clan, which is just starting to grow.”
“Then why not just increase the number of members?”
“I told you, we’re aiming for a small, elite group. We’re not just taking anyone.”
In other words, they weren’t just anyone.
”…It sounds like a good deal.”
“I don’t see any downside.”
“Then, later on…”
“The moment you register with the mercenary group, your status changes to a free mercenary.”
I emphasized the word ‘free’ deliberately.
Jung-min was an ambitious person. If I had simply said, “I helped you, so join our clan,” he might have resisted. So I paid attention to his personality. He was proud but knew how to distinguish between favors and grudges. He had even wiped out the ‘Murder Brigade,’ a group of vagrants, just because they killed one of his clan members.
In the first timeline, Jung-min often said, “Repay kindness like the sea, and revenge like a blade.”
It seemed they understood my point. Jung-min blinked a few times, then scratched his head awkwardly.
“Can we… really do that?”
If they had any sense, they’d realize how much I was accommodating them.
In response to what was essentially a tentative acceptance, I stood up calmly.
“Then I’ll take that as a yes and prepare the paperwork. Let’s head to the registration office soon.”
I continued in a casual tone.
“Oh, about Hye-soo… Her ability to express her intentions is a concern. She might not be able to register, but given her current state, a proxy application might be possible. So, please prepare her for an outing.”
At that, Jung-min and Yu-woon looked up sharply, their voices trembling.
“You’re accepting Hye-soo too?”
“Of course.”
“But Hye-soo, as she is now… isn’t much help.”
“You two are more than enough help. Once she’s registered, we can pay more attention to her. After all, she’ll be a fellow clan member.”
I noticed Jung-min’s eyes flicker several times.
Then it happened.
“Mercenary Road.”
A rather weighty voice stopped me as I was about to leave.
“I have a question. May I ask?”
I glanced back to see Sun Yu-woon, his face serious, his eyes shining with curiosity.
He spoke.
“Why are you being so kind to us?”
”?”
“Of course, your offers are incredibly generous. But there were some bad memories with Hye-soo in the past… Honestly, I don’t understand why.”
By ‘bad memories,’ he must mean the trouble caused when his sister died.
I paused, lost in thought for a moment.
Strictly speaking, Jung-min and Yu-woon were my ‘enemies.’ The ‘Red Fang Clan’ would grow to be a major force in the allied army, blocking our path.
It would have been wise to eliminate them when the opportunity arose, but I didn’t. Or rather, I didn’t want to.
‘How did it come to this? I just wanted to get along with you…’
Yoo Hyun-ah’s words from that day had left a deep impression on me.
The future had already changed significantly. So I decided to change my approach. Instead of creating more situations like Yoo Hyun-ah’s, I wanted to create more like Go Yeon-joo’s.
After a brief pause, I slowly opened my mouth.
“Just…”
I shrugged my shoulders and continued calmly.
“It reminded me of the old days.”
A few days passed.
As promised, I went to the registration office with Jung-min and his group, and we successfully changed Won Hye-soo’s status.
Returning to the clan house with a light heart, I was greeted with expected news.
“While you were away, the Low Lord of Istantel visited.”
I nodded at the employee’s words.
Han So-young’s visit was anticipated. I had sent a messenger to inform her of the Sword Queen’s appearance. I had also instructed the staff to prepare for her visit and to arrange a meeting if she came while I was out.
I could have let it slide, but I didn’t want to handle it that way. There was a bit of misunderstanding surrounding the Sword Queen, and I wanted to clear it up.
We had maintained a good relationship so far, and it was best to extinguish any potential sparks of discord from the start.
“I see. Where is she now?”
“Yes, as you mentioned, we have arranged a meeting with Lady Sword on the fourth floor… Oh! Look, there she is.”
Startled by the sudden exclamation, I turned around to see a woman descending the stairs. Her movements were filled with a sensual allure, supported by a captivating figure. Yet, she exuded a sophisticated elegance rather than anything vulgar. It was none other than Han So-young.
‘Seems like she’s given up on Nam Da-eun.’
Her face appeared expressionless at first glance, but there was a subtle hint of regret in her eyes. As soon as Han So-young noticed me, she gave a slight nod.
“Thank you for arranging the meeting, Mercenary Lord. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
“It was with Lady Sword’s consent, so there’s no need to apologize. Did the conversation go well?”
“Yes, I clearly understood Lady Sword’s intentions. It seems the Mercenary Clan has something to celebrate.”
A declaration of surrender, in essence. Yet, calling it a celebration suggests a hint of envy.
“If I’ve upset you, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention…”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not upset, just a bit disappointed… It seems Lady Sword had her sights set on the Mercenary Clan from the start.”
”…”
”…I might have been too much of a burden.”
We both trailed off, leaving a heavy silence between us. It was an uncomfortable quiet, for reasons I couldn’t quite place.
Han So-young broke the silence.
“I’m thinking of heading back to the clan now. Would you mind walking with me for a bit?”
“I’ll see you off.”
Does she have something more to say?
We began to walk slowly. Until we reached the entrance, Han So-young didn’t say much, just a brief apology for the ‘Frozen Forest’ incident and some small talk about recent events.
It wasn’t until we reached the center of the garden, where the surroundings grew quieter, that she broached the main topic.
“Mercenary Lord, the current Lady Sword is a highly valuable user. Not just for her abilities, but also for her symbolic reputation. She could easily become one of the top ten.”
“I see.”
“Do you know about the top ten?”
The mention of the top ten came out of nowhere, but it wasn’t without reason, so I listened intently.
“Currently, seven of the ten spots are vacant. Some of them will likely be filled soon.”
“I thought the top ten were determined by the users themselves.”
“That’s correct. However, someone can intentionally influence the situation if the mentioned person reasonably fits the criteria.”
Her next words were not to be taken lightly. I stopped walking and looked at Han So-young, who was gazing at me intently.
“Though the war is over, the Guardian doesn’t believe the Northern Continent is completely stable. So, we’re planning various things.”
“Plans to restore normalcy.”
A sudden thought flashed through my mind.
I frowned slightly and spoke.
“Are you suggesting that one of those plans is to intentionally fill the top ten spots?”
“Yes. Six of the remaining seven spots are already decided.”
“Who are these six people?”
”…I’m sorry. That’s all I can tell you.”
”…”
“Thank you for seeing me off.”
With a sigh, Han So-young nodded slightly and turned away. As I watched her walk away, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“Mercenary Lord, the Guardian of the Northern Continent has their eyes on you.”
”…What do you mean by that?”
“Though it’s not decided yet… there’s a high chance the remaining spot will go to a first-year user.”
Before I could fully grasp her words, Han So-young resumed walking.
“I hope the Mercenary Clan makes the most of this opportunity.”
Her voice, tinged with a subtle allure, lingered like an echo in the space she left behind.
Nam Da-eun looked up at the ceiling for a moment, blinking a few times before raising her arms in the air.
“Hooray.”
Perhaps she wanted to celebrate finally being free from Han So-young. Nam Da-eun quietly left the room, descending the stairs to the fourth floor, lost in thought.
Just a few months ago, her mind was consumed with revenge. When she first entered Hall Plain, her hatred for Lee Kang-san and the vagrants who deceived her was deeply rooted.
Nam Da-eun still harbors a deep-seated hatred for the vagrants.
During her innocent first year, the wounds inflicted by them were too numerous to forget.
However, those feelings have somewhat dissipated through her participation in the war and the pursuit team. With the public’s perception shifting due to her merciless actions against the vagrants, she now has the space to look around her.
Reaching the third floor, Nam Da-eun calmly surveyed her surroundings and strolled down the corridor.
Recently, she had the opportunity to formally introduce herself to the clan members, and while most congratulated her, she sensed a certain unease.
But Nam Da-eun wasn’t discouraged.
Naturally cheerful and sociable, she was slowly returning to her true self. She decided that since she was starting anew, she wouldn’t wait but would take the initiative to reach out.
At the end of the third floor, she approached a slightly open door. Peeking inside, she saw a woman engrossed in reading.
Taking a deep breath, Nam Da-eun knocked gently.
Knock, knock.
“Who is it?”
“Um… it’s me.”
“Who is ‘me’… oh.”
“Hello.”
The voice belonged to Vivian.
Nam Da-eun had her reasons for seeking out Vivian. From their first meeting, she felt an inexplicable familiarity, and now, seeing her up close, there was a sense of kinship.
Perhaps it was just a simple illusion, but for now, Vivian was the person she felt most comfortable approaching, aside from Kim Su-hyun.
“You’re… Lady Sword, right? What brings you here?”
“I just wanted to chat and get to know you better.”
Vivian blushed at Nam Da-eun’s straightforwardness. She nodded slightly.
“Come in, then.”
Delighted by the invitation, Nam Da-eun entered and took a seat offered by Vivian, speaking with enthusiasm.
“Ahaha. I don’t think we’ve met since we ran into each other on the stairs.”
“I’ve been busy. I’m an alchemist, you know. I have research to do…”
“Wow, an alchemist. I heard from the clan lord that you’re an exceptional one.”
Vivian, proud of her alchemical skills, beamed at the compliment, her nose lifting slightly.
“Really? Did Kim Su-hyun really say that? Hohoho. I don’t like to brag, but it’s true.”
“That’s amazing. It’s reassuring to have such a talented alchemist in the clan.”
Vivian, basking in the praise, leaned back, crossing her legs with a smug smile, and began to boast.
“Well, I do get a lot of requests, which can be tiring. But what can I do? Without me, Kim Su-hyun would be lost.”
If Kim Su-hyun heard this, he’d probably scoff, but Vivian continued her fibs unabashedly. The problem was that Nam Da-eun believed her completely.
“Really? Does he really get troubled?”
“Of course~. He recently asked me for a new favor. That’s why I was engrossed in this book.”
Nam Da-eun tilted her head curiously.
“What book is it?”
Vivian, eager to cement her reputation, tapped the large book.
“It’s about alchemy. A journal written by an ancient wizard, found during an old expedition.”
“Wow. Then it’s all in an ancient language.”
“No problem. As you say, I’m a resident here. I can interpret it just fine.”
After a brief pause, Vivian continued with a boastful tone. Her bragging wasn’t over yet.
“Oh, by the way, do you know a vagrant named Baek Seo-yeon?”
“Yes.”
“Then you might know this. It was thanks to this book that we could break Baek Seo-yeon’s mind when she was captured. Kim Su-hyun said it helped us root out the vagrant spies among the users.”
“Ah, I’m familiar with that incident.”
Having followed the incident closely, Nam Da-eun nodded immediately.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say. She felt her affinity for Vivian growing.
“I thought the clan lord handled it, but there was an unsung hero.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter. A true alchemist doesn’t seek fame.”
“I see.”
“That’s right.”
The two nodded in agreement.
Then, just as Vivian was about to smile contentedly, Nam Da-eun spoke up.
“Vivian, I’m really curious about the contents of that book. Could I take a look?”
“Oh? Uh, sure.”
Pointing to the thick book, Nam Da-eun asked, and Vivian, momentarily taken aback, agreed. Remembering that Nam Da-eun was a user, she handed over the book without hesitation.
“Can you even read it? It’s all in our language.”
Flip.
Nam Da-eun placed the book on her lap and, bowing her head slightly, replied, “It’s fine. I learned some of the old language back when I was at the academy.”
”…Really?”
“Well, just a bit… Oh, wait!”
Meanwhile, at the same time…
“Achoo!”
Kim Soo-hyun, who had just stepped through the entrance, let out a loud sneeze. He wrapped his arms around himself and shivered once.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
“Hold on a second!”
“Hmm. It’s quite intriguing, but if this is all there is, it’s not enough yet, Ms. Vivian.”
“W-what?”
“Remember, no matter how good the theory is, practice is a whole different story.”
………. ………. ……….
“They’ll be under my tutelage.”
Rumor has it that the two joined forces that day…
Just kidding. :)