The scene on the first floor of the Mercenary House’s main building was simpler than expected. Upon entering, a counter was visible straight ahead, with long hallways extending to the left and right. In the center was a spacious, circular area with tables and bulletin boards, serving as a multipurpose lobby.
Usually, the lobby was quiet, as most clan members had their own labs and quarters. But today was different. Every clan member was gathered, their faces tense and silent, creating an almost eerie stillness.
I had a hunch about the reason for their unease, and a small smile crept onto my face. It was all because of the array of equipment laid out before them.
“Ahem, ahem.”
After a couple of clearing coughs, I felt countless eyes on me. Realizing it was time to proceed, I spoke softly.
“Before we dive into the festival, let’s start with the equipment distribution.”
I stood up and moved to the center of the lobby.
This distribution was based on the achievements from the ‘Tower of Ice,’ ‘Valhalla’s Tower,’ and the ‘Lost Paradise.’ We focused only on the key equipment, as it seemed just right to set the mood before the festival. Even so, there was quite a lot.
I quickly scanned the surroundings. The floor was lined with various pieces of equipment, each emitting a soft glow. Although each item had a Goods Appraisal attached, my intuition was more reliable.
‘Let’s start with Hannah.’
With that thought, I picked up a cloth bundle and pulled out a small, deep blue gem. It was equipment that could inherit the rare class ‘Medium of Twilight.’
As our eyes met, Hannah gave a shy smile. But it seemed she already knew she was the recipient, as Vivian and Ansol, sitting beside her, were already buzzing with excitement.
I held the gem high. The distribution had begun.
“Let’s start with this… I’ve always thought it had an owner, and today, it finally does. The rare class ‘Medium of Twilight’ will be awarded to Im Hannah.”
I declared it a permanent gift, not a loan. As I approached and handed over the gem, Hannah bowed her head and accepted it with both hands. Light applause followed, and she beamed with joy.
“Finally, a rare class. Welcome to the club! Hohoho.”
“Congratulations, sis! You’ve finally got the rare class you’ve been waiting for.”
“When did I ever wait so eagerly…?”
Hannah shook her head, but the smile on her lips betrayed her happiness.
Though I wanted to linger in the celebration, I moved on to the next piece of equipment. The female clan members had requested the distribution be completed as soon as possible.
The festival was organized by the female members of the Mercenary House. I wasn’t sure what they had planned, as they kept it a surprise, but it seemed best to finish quickly.
Next up were the robe from the ‘Tower of Ice’ and the bow discovered in Mule.
『Lunaris Robe of Ianor La Erahel』
(General Description: This is the Lunaris Robe worn by Erahel, princess of the ancient Ianor Kingdom. The kingdom worshipped the moon, and it was tradition to send royal family members to the temple. The robe was a gift to Erahel, who was to become a saintess.)
(Details:
If the wearer has abilities with cooldowns, the time is halved.
The robe has protective enchantments. It offers complete defense against magic power below 50 and partial defense below 60. Under moonlight, resistance increases by 10 points.
The robe allows the use of the ‘Blessings of Moonlight’ ability.)
『Bow of Purification』
(General Description: The Bow of Purification - the first wing. It holds the power to dispel evil and corrupt energies.)
(Details:
“I believe these two items also have rightful owners.”
I alternated my gaze between Ansol and Sun Yuwon. Ansol smiled knowingly, while Sun Yuwon blinked in surprise.
There were two priests in the Mercenary House, but the Lunaris Robe was clearly designed for women, with its revealing design.
Similarly, there were two archers, but Hannah already had a superior bow, so she wouldn’t want the Bow of Purification.
Feeling playful, I turned to Shin Jaeryong.
“User Shin Jaeryong, would you like to receive the Lunaris Robe?”
Caught off guard, Shin Jaeryong blinked before breaking into a warm smile and laughing heartily.
“Well, if the Mercenary Lord is offering… Shall I try it on here?”
Now it was my turn to be flustered.
“What? Really?”
As Ansol’s playful protest began, Shin Jaeryong laughed again and waved his hand.
“Haha! Just kidding. I wouldn’t want to burden my comrades’ eyes as a priest. I’ll graciously decline.”
“You got me there.”
I shook my head, and the clan members burst into laughter. The once-silent lobby was now filled with mirth.
Glancing around, I saw Ansol eagerly wondering if she was really getting it, and Sun Yuwon hesitating over whether she should accept.
“The Lunaris Robe will be awarded to User Ansol. The Bow of Purification will go to User Sun Yuwon, who showed great prowess in Valhalla’s Tower and the Lost Paradise. Any objections?”
The clan members shook their heads. Of course, there were none. The equipment wasn’t something they could use, and it would be a waste to leave it unused.
“Wow! Wow!”
Ansol rushed forward, grabbing the Lunaris Robe as if someone might snatch it away. I held it briefly before letting go, causing her to fall back, but she clutched the robe tightly, grinning from ear to ear. She must have really wanted it.
“Is it really okay for me to accept this? The bow you gave me last time is more than enough.”
Sun Yuwon stepped forward, scratching her head sheepishly. Instead of answering, I gestured to the applauding clan members and Ansol, who was twirling with the robe. Sun Yuwon smiled awkwardly and carefully accepted the Bow of Purification.
With that settled, I took a moment to catch my breath. There was still one equipment set, one item, and one piece of equipment left.
This distribution was merely a prelude to the festival. To ensure the clan members were satisfied, I had chosen equipment that wouldn’t overlap with their current gear.
So far, everything had gone smoothly. But I couldn’t help but worry if the remaining items would be as well-received.
『Arcus Valkyrie, Summon Set』
(General Description: These are the equipment of the Arcus Valkyries, the elite guard of the rainbow goddess Flavius. In life, they were renowned heroines on the battlefield, and in death, they became warrior maidens under Flavius’s call.
The set is sealed in a necklace form but transforms into weapons, helmets, armor, gloves, and boots when unsealed.)
(Details (applies when unsealed):
The Arcus Valkyrie set is for women only, and only maidens can unlock its full potential.
It grants the power of the Arcus Valkyries, the Rainbow Aura.
The duration of the unseal depends on the wearer’s magic power. During this time, strength, stamina, and durability increase by 1 point, while agility, magic, and luck increase by 2 points.)
『Eve’s Bloodline』
(General Description: Once a prosperous paradise, the region was closed off and eventually invaded by dark creatures. The last survivor and queen, Eve, left behind a vial of her blood. As the wife of Adam, a demigod, her blood holds special powers.)
(Details:
Chapter 2: The Effects and Choices
The effects are divided into two scenarios, with an additional choice available.
Scenario One: If your agility and luck stats are both 80 points or below, each will increase by 2 points.
Scenario Two: If your agility and luck stats are both 90 points or below, each will increase by 1 point.
Final Choice: One of your six stats is randomly selected to decrease by 2 points. The deducted points are then doubled, returning as 4 points, which you can freely allocate. However, if the increased stat exceeds the tens digit of the decreased stat (with the units digit considered as zero), the effect is nullified.
“Bloody Scarf”
General Description: This scarf was a gift from Adam, the King of Paradise, to Queen Eve. Adam fought valiantly against the oncoming hordes of monsters but could not hold them all back. When he met his end, Eve used the scarf to wipe away his blood. The blood of Adam, a demigod and king, imbued the scarf with special powers.
Detailed Description:
The “Bloody Scarf” wasn’t a problem. It was intended for Go Yeon-ju, who wasn’t present at the moment. The effects suited her well, and given her contributions to the mercenary group, everyone would agree with the decision.
However, the “Arcus Valkyrie Summoning Set” was a bit more complicated. The most suitable recipient was Cha So-rim, with Yoo-jung as a backup option. But Yoo-jung’s class, “Dawn Gladiator,” based on the rare class of the feline mercenary, wasn’t compatible with heavy armor.
“Cha So-rim is the perfect fit.”
No matter how many times I thought about it, giving it to Cha So-rim was the best choice. Yet, handing it over so easily was problematic. The equipment was exceptionally good, almost too good. She had only recently joined the mercenaries and had only participated in the “Lost Paradise” mission. While her user information was acknowledged, her contribution level made the decision a bit awkward.
The atmosphere, which had been lively, suddenly felt tense. It seemed they noticed my hesitation over the remaining equipment. I needed to make a decision quickly.
“Alright. Let’s give the Arcus Valkyrie Summoning Set to Cha So-rim. And I’ll appease Yoo-jung with Eve’s Lineage.”
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. It wasn’t good for the clan leader to appear indecisive for too long. Even if it caused some discord, it was better to stand firm.
I stood before the softly glowing necklace and addressed the clan members.
“I’ve mentioned this before: we don’t explore to collect equipment, but to use it. Of course, I don’t believe in reckless distribution. That’s why we manage classes strictly and distinguish between full and partial allocations.”
As I lifted the necklace, I saw the clan members’ eyes follow it.
“As you’ve all seen, this necklace is an excellent piece of equipment that summons the Valkyrie set. It has some limitations, but it grants powers and boosts stats. After much deliberation… I’ll get straight to the point. I intend to allocate this equipment to user Cha So-rim because I believe she can handle it best.”
At that moment, several clan members glanced at Yoo-jung. Knowing her sharp personality, they were likely worried about her reaction.
Surprisingly, Yoo-jung’s expression was calm. She even nodded as if she had no interest in the necklace.
Seeing this, I continued speaking calmly.
“The Dawn Gladiator is a rare class based on the feline mercenary, requiring quick decision-making and agility. The Arcus Valkyrie Summoning Set, which adds weight, doesn’t suit her. Instead, I’ll allocate Eve’s Lineage, which boosts agility and luck.”
Yoo-jung briefly met my gaze, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
After about three seconds, she sighed, accepting the situation, and began clapping with a faint smile.
Clap, clap, clap…
The clan members hesitated for a moment but soon joined in, clapping along with Yoo-jung. Watching her approach, I felt relieved. I had worried she might make a scene, but she seemed to accept it.
After handing “Eve’s Lineage” to Yoo-jung, I moved to Cha So-rim. She looked awkward, glancing around nervously, as if unsure what to do.
“Congratulations, user Cha So-rim.”
“Uh, Mercenary Lord, this is… too much for me.”
“But there’s no one else it suits better. And it’s a partial allocation anyway.”
“But still…”
Cha So-rim hesitated, and I didn’t forget to motivate her.
“Just work hard, and it’ll be fine. There’s also a secret class, Arcus Valkyrie, in the storage. Keep up the good work, and you might earn that too.”
“Oh, wow…!”
I placed the necklace around Cha So-rim’s neck. She instinctively reached up to touch it, but it was already too late.
Turning to the clan members, who were now smiling brightly… Wait, why are the female members glaring at me? Or are they?
When I first turned, they seemed to be glaring, but after a blink, they were all smiling. Anyway, as the applause died down, I continued speaking.
“The last item, the Bloody Scarf, will be allocated to user Go Yeon-ju. Does anyone object?”
The clan members responded in unison, “No.” It was a testament to Go Yeon-ju’s influence among them. I nodded once and concluded the allocation.
“With that, the allocation is complete. Thank you all for your hard work.”
With the “Bloody Scarf” as the final item, the allocation was finished.
“Congratulations, sister.”
“Congratulations, user Cha So-rim.”
The clan members exchanged congratulations and thanks, their faces bright and lively. I had been a bit worried, but it seemed to have gone well.
I spoke up once more.
“While the key equipment has been allocated, there’s still plenty left. As I mentioned earlier, the storage will be open to clan members. If there’s any equipment or class you desire, please feel free to speak up. We’ll review it positively and decide on allocation or distribution.”
There was a lot left. From previously reserved equipment to newly acquired special gems, the Heart of Paradise, various accessories, the Fairy Queen, and Pegasus eggs. These were excellent items but were excluded from the allocation due to their special use cases.
“Brother, hurry up.”
“Brother~.”
Lost in thought, I heard Yoo-jung and An-sol urging me to hurry. They had asked for a quick allocation earlier, eager to show what they had prepared.
I agreed and clapped to gather attention.
“Everyone, listen up. The allocation is over. Let’s set aside the equipment for now and start the celebration, shall we?”
At that moment, all the female clan members stood up simultaneously, as if they had been waiting for this cue.
Watching them for a moment, I continued quietly.
“Now it’s time to enjoy the festival our female clan members have prepared.”
Mercenary House, First Floor. Hallway in front of the dining room.
“I’m starving. Why won’t they open the door… What on earth are they preparing…?”
“Hehe, aren’t you excited, brother?”
“Excited? Not really… Hey, Han-gyeol, come here. I smell something delicious.”
“Oh… you’re right. Wow, I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
An-hyun rubbed his stomach and pressed his nose against the dining room door. Watching Han-gyeol mimic him, I chuckled wryly.
The allocation was over, and the festival was about to begin. Or rather, it was just before the start.
The male clan members were waiting outside in the cold. The women had asked them to wait a bit before entering the dining room, promising it wouldn’t take long. But it had already been over 20 minutes.
Unable to wait any longer, An-hyun cracked his neck and spoke.
“Brother, should we just push our way in? Like in the movies, where the leader shouts, ‘Charge!’ and everyone rushes in…”
”…You try it.”
An-hyun grabbed the doorknob, looking like he might actually do it, while Han-gyeol burst into laughter. This kid laughs too easily.
An-hyun sighed and stood up, then turned to me with a thoughtful expression.
“Oh, right, brother. Yeon-ju can’t make it today, right?”
“That’s what she said. She contacted me an hour before the allocation. Apparently, her academy period got extended due to internal issues.”
Indeed, Go Yeon-ju was supposed to return right after her graduation ceremony, but her return was delayed for some reason. By then, the festival preparations were nearly complete, so canceling wasn’t an option. In the end, she tearfully announced her absence from the festival.
“Ah… Still, I bet they’ll be disappointed. Should I bring a communication crystal so they can at least enjoy the festival?”
“Already thought of that. I brought one since they mentioned wanting to see it.”
As the crystal emerged from his pocket, Ahn Hyun chuckled and crossed his arms. Just then, a voice boomed from inside.
“Everything’s ready! Come on in!”
Yoo Jung’s voice rang out, prompting Ahn Hyun to eagerly reach for the door. But the elder stopped him just in time.
“I don’t know what you’ve prepared, but I’m sure it was a lot of work. So even if it doesn’t meet expectations, let’s appreciate and enjoy it, alright?”
Ahn Hyun nodded sheepishly, acknowledging the wisdom in those words, and slowly opened the door. As it swung wide, the dining hall came into view. Two women stood inside, hands clasped, bowing politely.
“Welcome to the Mercenary Festival.”
“Hehe, welcome!”
At that moment, every male clan member, myself included, froze in place.
The two women were Yoo Jung and Ahn Sol. Ahn Sol wore a maid outfit, which was decent enough. But Yoo Jung’s attire was something else entirely.
“Why are you all just standing there? Come on in!”
Yoo Jung twirled around, eliciting gasps from all around. She was dressed in a bunny girl outfit, with a twist—cat ears and a tail. The outfit was quite revealing.
Ahn Hyun’s jaw dropped as he pointed and stammered, “W-what are you wearing?”
“Hmm? What’s wrong with it? Hehe, is it a bit too much?”
“Oh dear. You’re really something. Half your chest is showing, and those fishnet stockings on your thighs? And your back is practically bare.”
“Why, isn’t it cute? Besides, I wanted to try it on. It’s not like I wore it for you, so don’t worry about it.”
“How can I not notice? It’s impossible not to.”
“Hehe, does it turn you on? Meow~.”
Yoo Jung raised her hands, striking a playful pose and meowing flirtatiously.
“Ack! My eyes! My eyes! Jae Ryong! Sol! Quick, heal me!”
Ahn Hyun dramatically collapsed to the floor, writhing in mock agony. But no one paid him any mind. He soon got up, grumbling as he turned away.
“Ugh. I’m leaving. Seeing you just killed my appetite.”
“Good. Go. Eat somewhere else. Just try coming back in here, and I’ll kill you.”
Yoo Jung twirled a ladle playfully, her smile bright. Reluctantly, Ahn Hyun turned back.
“Come on, it’s a beautiful day. Let’s not fight. The door’s open, so let’s get started. I can hear stomachs growling from here. Come on, everyone, come in.”
Ahn Sol, looking quite dignified, stepped between them. Her walk still resembled a model’s, as if she hadn’t quite left her saintly role behind.
I moved inside, letting out a small gasp at the sight of the transformed dining hall.
It looked like a buffet. Tables were neatly arranged in the center, and the kitchen area was lined with a variety of foods and drinks.
But the highlight was the female clan members, each wearing an apron and preparing food.
Hearing the collective awe, Yoo Jung stepped forward with a proud smile.
“We’ve prepared most of the festival food, and it’s all sorted by type. Help yourselves. But that’s not all. See our sisters cooking over there? You can go to them with your plate, and they’ll whip up something fresh for you. How’s that?”
“Ugh… I wanted to say that… but you said it all, sis…”
‘Impressive.’
I was genuinely impressed. The dining hall’s transformation and the food preparation were great, but the promise of freshly cooked dishes was truly exciting. It seemed I wasn’t the only one; the other men looked equally thrilled.
Soon, Yoo Jung and Sol picked up a stack of plates, handing them out to each person with a nod.
“By the way, Sol and I will be serving since we’re not confident in our cooking. If you need anything, just let us know. Oh, and feel free to look, but if you touch, be prepared for the consequences. Hehe.”
“Yeah, right. Even if you begged me to, I wouldn’t touch.”
Ahn Hyun grumbled, snatching a plate and heading to the kitchen. Following his lead, the other male clan members began to take plates and move.
“Oh, but you can touch me all you want, clan lord. It’s a special service.”
“No need for that kind of service.”
Yoo Jung winked playfully as she handed me a plate. I responded calmly and took it.
As I was about to head to the kitchen, I noticed Woo Jung Min standing awkwardly nearby, holding Won Hye Soo’s hand. I approached and tapped his back, making him jump and turn around.
“Oh, clan lord.”
“We’re off duty. You can speak casually.”
“Oh, right. Haha… whew.”
“Why are you just standing there? The festival’s already started.”
Woo Jung Min nodded, understanding.
“Yeah, but Hye Soo wanted to look around a bit… so we were waiting.”
“Ah~. Ooh~.”
Won Hye Soo cooed in agreement, glancing around with wide eyes, clutching a baby unicorn. Her gaze was filled with curiosity, as if everything was fascinating.
Then I remembered that Won Hye Soo was pregnant. Her belly had grown noticeably over time.
Woo Jung Min spoke up.
”…It’s all so strange.”
“Still not used to this place?”
“Yeah. Everything feels strange. But not in a bad way. The recent meeting, this festival… Just a few months ago, every day was hell… It’s like happiness came out of nowhere.”
“Well, you seem to be in a good mood.”
Woo Jung Min gently rubbed Won Hye Soo’s belly, chuckling softly.
“Yeah, I am. It’s been so long since I felt this happy, it’s almost overwhelming. Haha.”
“Ooh… ooh…”
Just then, Won Hye Soo tugged on Woo Jung Min’s arm, rubbing her belly with a pleading look.
“Anyway, thank you, clan lord. You’re my savior.”
Woo Jung Min gave my shoulder a friendly pat before leading Won Hye Soo away.
‘Savior, huh.’
Savior. It’s a nice word.
I watched them walk away for a moment before resuming my own path. My stomach was starting to growl.
There were plenty of other foods, but I decided to start with the freshly made dishes from the female clan members.
‘Where should I start?’
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Apologies, I misjudged the length. I stayed up all night writing, but this is as far as I got. ;ㅅ;
There’s about 4,000 more characters worth of content, but it needs more editing. I’m too tired to keep looking at the screen. -_-a I’m getting really sleepy. Sigh.
Originally, the side story was supposed to end tomorrow, right? Although it’s been extended by one more installment, I’ll make sure to finish it by the planned end date. I’ll post an extra chapter today and the final one tomorrow to stay on schedule.
Once again, I apologize for the miscalculation. I’ll wrap up the planned content with today’s extra chapter. (__)