In the deep of night, though still a bit too early to call it dawn, the sky was a tapestry of twinkling stars. Below, the city lay bathed in their gentle glow.
“Suhyeon, look. There’s Eden.”
“Yeah, we got here sooner than I thought.”
I nodded slightly and stretched my arms wide, feeling the satisfying pull of muscles. My brother, walking beside me, gave a soft smile.
“Tired?”
“Not really. It wasn’t a particularly tough expedition.”
“If you’re tired, we could rest. Our clan’s not far from here.”
“What are you talking about…?”
I turned to him, feeling something was off, but he just kept smiling. I shook my head, sighed, and focused on walking. After all, both of us would be using the warp gate, so distance didn’t really matter.
Before long, we reached the city gates. The moonlight cast a bluish hue on the ground, and the quiet streets led us straight to the warp gate.
As we neared the gate, a sudden thought made me shrug my shoulders.
“Wake up. We’re almost there.”
A tiny bird, no bigger than my thumb, yawned and nipped at my finger as I tucked it into my palm. I lifted my hand slightly, and the little bird, glowing with a faint golden light, dangled from my finger.
“Here, take it.”
“Haha, it seems to like you more.”
I extended my arm, urging my brother to take the bird. He chuckled awkwardly.
“You’re its owner.”
I firmly placed the bird on his shoulder.
The bird glanced at me, then nestled into my brother’s shoulder, seemingly content.
My brother, after a few moments of petting the chirping bird, looked at me with a hint of guilt.
“Suhyeon, are you sure I can keep this bird?”
“Are you sure I can keep all this equipment?”
I glanced back at the mercenary clan members following us in silence. Some carried backpacks filled with the gear we had acquired from the ‘Tower of Valhalla’ ruins.
“But you discovered the ruins… I feel bad.”
“We discovered them together, and we couldn’t have done it without Hamil’s help.”
“You don’t understand. As your brother, I feel like I’m taking from you instead of giving… So, Suhyeon, I just…”
“You promised to take good care of it. And we agreed not to bring this up again.”
We had made a pact after dividing the spoils, promising not to revisit the topic. Yet, as we neared the warp gate, he seemed to waver.
Sensing he was about to speak again, I shot him a sharp look.
“I’ll be disappointed if you break your promise.”
He flinched and fell silent. It felt childish, but if I hadn’t intervened, we’d have been stuck in an endless loop of arguments.
Perhaps sensing my resolve to avoid unnecessary conflict, he sighed deeply.
“Alright, alright.”
“You should’ve said that from the start.”
”…I’ll take good care of it. It has a lightning attribute, so it should suit me well.”
“Of course. It’s a remarkable creature. If you raise it well, it’ll be quite something.”
He nodded, clearly fond of the little bird. It seemed to need sleep, its head drooping as he gently stroked it. Watching them, I felt a warmth spread through me.
‘Come to think of it… In the first timeline, he really wanted that bird.’
He had said it seemed like a good match for him.
I knew the bird’s true nature but chose not to reveal it. He wanted to discover it on his own, to bond with it gradually.
For now, I simply looked forward to the partnership my brother and ‘Thunderstorm’ would forge.
I slowed my pace as we reached our destination. All that was left was to step through the warp gate and return to our respective cities.
“Ah, finally here.”
“Yeah. Heading straight back?”
His voice carried a hint of regret. I understood the desire to celebrate after an expedition, but given the late hour, it was best to head home.
“It’s late. The clan members look tired.”
“Alright. I’ll contact you tomorrow.”
I nodded, turning to see the weary yet satisfied faces of the clan members.
After exchanging brief farewells with the Hamil clan, we stepped into the warp gate.
“Southern town of Monica. Eight people.”
“16 gold, 24 silver.”
I wanted to tally up the equipment we’d acquired, but rest was the priority. With that thought, I stepped into the portal.
Seven days of preparation, four weeks of travel.
A return after a month and five days.
Knock, knock.
The faint sound of knocking roused me from sleep, the cool dawn air brushing against my skin. I took a deep breath, feeling a bit more awake.
Click!
The sudden sound of the door opening made me look up, but no one was there. Just a glimpse of something dark slipping away through the slightly ajar door.
”…”
I blinked a few times, then got up and walked out of the room.
Downstairs, the receptionist at the lobby counter looked up at me. It was commendable to see someone at their post so early, though the drool at the corner of their mouth betrayed their sleepiness.
“Good morning, Mercenary Lord.”
“You’re working hard.”
My voice was hoarse, clearly just woken up. I might have gotten up on my own, but it was likely someone had roused me.
“Oh, right…”
“Where are they?”
“Excuse me?”
“Didn’t someone come by?”
Speaking as if I already knew, the receptionist looked puzzled, then slowly pointed in one direction.
“They went to the dining room.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded and headed that way.
Soon, I gently pushed open the dining room door to find a woman sitting at the central table, engrossed in something. Her long, ash-gray hair was unmistakable—it was Go Yeonju.
She must have known I was coming. She looked up, smiled warmly, and took a sip of her tea.
Still groggy, I scratched my head a couple of times before sitting across from her.
“Suhyeon~! It’s been so long…”
“Yes. When did you arrive?”
”…Just now? I requested leave as soon as I heard you returned five days ago. Luckily, it was the weekend, so I could come.”
“Has word spread to Barbara too?”
“It’s all over the place.”
I wasn’t sure how widespread the news was, but I nodded, having expected it. The report to the temple had been completed the day after our return.
Go Yeonju, looking quite pleased, rested her chin on her hand and smiled at me.
“Suhyeon, how was the expedition? It was your first time collaborating with another clan…”
“It went well.”
I shook my head to clear it a bit.
“What were you reading so intently?”
”…Take a look at this.”
She pointed to the table with a slightly disappointed look.
”…This is.”
I glanced at her, and she continued in a languid voice.
“These are the reports from yesterday and today.”
Following her elegant finger, I saw several neatly arranged records. I focused on them.
Hamil and Mercenary Clans. Excavation of the Eastern Ancient Ruins ‘Tower of Valhalla.’
Who are the Mercenary Clan? Following the ‘Frozen Forest,’ now the ‘Tower of Valhalla’…
Dungeons discovered so far: ‘Ancient Alchemist Dungeon,’ ‘Ruined Laboratory,’ ‘Cave of Wails,’ ‘Ancient Magic City Magia,’ ‘Frozen Forest,’ ‘Tower of Valhalla.’ All within a year… What’s the truth?
Exclusive: “Ancient Alchemist’s Dungeon,” “Ruins of the Lab,” “Cave of Screams”—treasures unearthed in the unexplored city of Mule. “Ancient Magical City of Magia,” “Frozen Forest”—confirmed discoveries from Istante Row’s commission. “Valhalla’s Tower” reportedly uncovered with the Hamill Clan…
Exclusive: Mercenary Clan Lord Kim Soo-hyun revealed to be the younger brother of Hamill Clan Lord Kim Yoo-hyun… Clans are in an “alliance.”
“What exactly is the relationship between the Mercenary Clan and Hamill, Istante Row? In less than a year, they’ve excavated six sites… Could it be some kind of strategic nurturing?”
“Interesting, isn’t it?”
A languid voice interrupted my reading, accompanied by a teacup thrust in front of me, obscuring part of the report. As the dark liquid rippled, wisps of steam rose gently.
“Some of the records are a bit troubling… but overall, not bad.”
Craving a hot drink, I accepted the cup without a word. The moist warmth was comforting. Was this someone else’s drink?
Then, Go Yeon-joo’s question followed.
“Did you go with the Hamill Clan expecting these articles to come out?”
“Not expecting, more like… just in case?”
Savoring the warmth spreading through my body, I finally looked away from the records.
“How’s the reaction over there?”
“They’re showing a lot of interest.”
“Specifically? What kind of interest?”
”…Most can’t believe it, but some reactions aren’t exactly favorable.”
I chuckled, unsurprised.
The Mercenaries have uncovered six sites in a year. It’s an unprecedented record, but would users only be amazed?
No, not at all.
Ruins are directly linked to users’ benefits. It’s only natural for suspicions to arise about how so many sites were discovered in such a short time. However…
“I see.”
“They’re not openly showing it yet…”
”…You don’t need to worry too much. As long as Istante Row and Hamill are involved, they won’t make it obvious.”
“For now, yes. Until the relationship is clearly defined, they’ll likely proceed cautiously.”
“Meanwhile, Hamill and Istante Row won’t just sit idly by. Of course, your influence will be needed too.”
Known as the “Shadow Queen” of the Northern Continent’s intelligence, her help would be invaluable.
Go Yeon-joo seemed to ponder for a moment before shaking her head as if it were difficult.
“Fighting against the entire continent’s media is tough.”
“You don’t have to win.”
“Then?”
“Just counter the records that seem off.”
We have our own narrative.
The “Ancient Alchemist’s Dungeon,” “Ruins of the Lab,” and “Cave of Screams” were found in the unexplored city of Mule.
The “Ancient Magical City of Magia” and “Frozen Forest” were discovered through Istante Row’s commission.
“Valhalla’s Tower” could be attributed to the Hamill Clan if necessary.
Of course, these aren’t complete explanations. I know that. But what I want is to shift from being seen as a “suspicious clan” to a “very lucky clan.”
“If needed, nurturing isn’t a bad option.”
Go Yeon-joo stared at me for a while, then quietly spoke.
“Soo-hyun, you’re aiming for a noise marketing effect, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps. I see it as a rite of passage before making a significant leap.”
I didn’t deny her interpretation. After all, I was determined to reach the top ten quickly and build a track record along the way.
With nothing more to say, Go Yeon-joo quietly smacked her lips, then sighed deeply, speaking in a resigned tone.
“Being an instructor is tough, and it’s only going to get busier.”
At that moment, the mention of “instructor” sparked a thought in my mind.
I quickly finished my tea and spoke with a clearer voice.
“By the way, Go Yeon-joo. How are the tasks I asked you to handle?”
According to my brother, the Mercenaries had secured the right to participate in this round of the user academy. By now, over 500 new users should have joined.
But we couldn’t wait for them to arrive, so I had to entrust Go Yeon-joo with the role of instructor.
Before leaving the city with the Hamill Clan, I had given her two additional instructions.
One of them was…
“Here it is.”
Go Yeon-joo pouted as she pulled out a thick bundle of records.
“Is this it?”
“Yes, yes~. It’s the list of the new recruits.”
The cheerful face from earlier was gone, replaced by a grumbling tone full of dissatisfaction.
I watched her for a moment, then awkwardly spoke.
“You must be busy already… I’m sorry for expecting so much from you, Go Yeon-joo.”
At that moment, Go Yeon-joo sharply retorted in a pointed voice.
“What? Do you think that’s why I’m like this?”
”…Then?”
Blinking, I asked, and Go Yeon-joo looked incredulous. Her lips pressed tightly, and her cheeks puffed slightly, a rare sight for the “Shadow Queen.”
As I remained silent, she placed the records down with a sigh.
“Soo-hyun. Do you know how long it’s been since we last met?”
”?”
It was an unexpected question, but the atmosphere was serious. Was it the early morning stirring her emotions?
Go Yeon-joo soon showed a sullen expression and spoke in a weak voice.
“I’ve been counting the days until I could go out… I woke you up secretly as soon as I arrived…”
”…”
“You could at least say you missed me or ask how I’ve been. But you ask about work progress right away… It makes me feel like I’m the only one who cared, the only one who waited.”
And then, a quiet stillness.
”…”
”…”
I tilted my head slightly, lost in thought, then calmly stood up.
Go Yeon-joo still had a very disappointed look, her head turned away.
And then, I gently kissed her flushed cheek.
Smooch.
“Oh my?”
Go Yeon-joo gasped.
“What was that? Do you think this will make me forgive you?”
Startled by the soft touch of my lips, Go Yeon-joo exclaimed in surprise.
I continued nonchalantly.
“Go Yeon-joo. I’d like another cup of tea.”
“What?”
Smooch.
I kissed her again, and she touched her cheek with a dazed expression.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean? You told me last time that if I wanted tea, I’d have to pay for it… So I paid in advance.”
”…”
“You won’t cheat me, will you?”
Perhaps she just remembered. Go Yeon-joo showed a moment of blankness, then burst into a helpless laugh. She gave me a playful glare as she stood up.
“Really. I can’t live with you. Fine. It’s my fault for falling for you.”
“Please make it Ramon tea.”
“Giggle. Next time, I’ll raise the price. You might have to kiss my lips instead of my cheek.”
“Be my guest.”
I replied as if to say she could do as she pleased, and Go Yeon-joo casually changed the subject.
“Come to think of it, maybe a night together would be better.”
”…That’s a bit much.”
“Ha ha.”
Go Yeon-joo’s tea was one of my few simple pleasures, and I feared my body wouldn’t survive if it came to that.
“Humming, humming. Humming, humming.”
Watching Go Yeon-joo hum as she headed to the kitchen, I quickly picked up the records.
And as I turned a page, trying to calm my excited heart, it happened.
”!”
‘This woman…’
The name that caught my eye on the first page made me grip the records tightly.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I started writing a bit late, so I apologize for the delay. (__)
This week, I published every other day. I did my best to manage my time, so I hope those who were disappointed can understand.
Next week, there will be a break.
It’s exam period, and I really can’t continue the series. Once exams are over and vacation starts, I’ll focus more on the series.
I ask for your understanding once again, and with that, I’ll take my leave.
Have a good night, everyone. (__)