Rage.
Su-jeong regained her senses when she found herself staring at the soft glow of a glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
She blinked, feeling a bit disoriented, and lowered her gaze. She vaguely recalled hearing someone say, “A client? Then it’s fine if they join the meeting. Let them in.” And now, here she was, seated in a corner of the conference room.
The room was vast, with seating for about a hundred people. Although only a little over half the seats were filled, the atmosphere was dense with the presence of the attendees, making Su-jeong feel almost suffocated.
Suddenly, she remembered a conversation she had with a colleague long ago.
“A mercenary? Don’t even dream about it. The weakest member there is considered a top asset in other clans. Do you think they’d accept someone like us? I heard their entry test is no joke…”
Back then, she had laughed it off, thinking it couldn’t be that intense. But now, facing the mercenary clan members, she realized just how true those words were.
The room was so quiet that she could hear the breathing of the person next to her. Absentmindedly, she traced the gold trim on the edge of the table before cautiously lifting her eyes to observe the users seated across from her.
Some sat in silence, others wore expressions of discontent, and a few looked tense. Despite their varied demeanors, all their gazes were fixed on one person.
Su-jeong followed their line of sight and saw a man seated at the head of the table, his eyes closed in contemplation.
‘The Mercenary Clan Lord.’
She repeated the title in her mind. He was known by many names—Top Ten, Sword Master, Sword Specialist—but the most common was simply ‘Mercenary Clan Lord’ or ‘Mercenary Lord.’
It wasn’t a particularly unique title, but he didn’t need one. His position at the pinnacle of the Mercenary Clan said it all.
Su-jeong studied him for a while, then squinted as the sunlight streaming through the large glass window behind him became too bright. There was no white wall, just a vast expanse of glass letting in the midday sun.
Finally, the man’s eyes began to open slowly. Instinctively, Su-jeong averted her gaze to the table’s edge, fearing the same chill she felt when their eyes met in the lobby earlier.
And then, it happened.
“Let’s begin the meeting.”
The low, cold voice resonated calmly in Su-jeong’s ears.
The meeting commenced.
Initially, I considered heading straight to the ‘Dragon’s Sleeping Ridge,’ but I decided to stop by the Mercenary House first. There’s wisdom in taking a step back to assess the situation, especially since I needed to bring Han-gyeol along. It was an unavoidable choice.
“I’m not sure where to start…”
Ha-yeon, seated on the left, slowly stood up. She pulled something from her pocket and handed it to me with both hands. It looked like a folded contract.
“You should probably start by reviewing the contract.”
As expected. I took the contract, unfolded it, and immediately noticed the emblem of crossed swords and a shield at the bottom. It was the symbol of the Mercenary Clan, representing the authority of the Clan Lord. This meant Ha-yeon had approved it.
I exhaled softly and looked at Ha-yeon.
“User Jeong Ha-yeon. The Mercenary emblem is on the contract.”
”…Yes.”
That was all she said. Ha-yeon answered quietly and closed her eyes.
I spoke again.
“I heard you didn’t approve it over the communication line.”
“Yes. I opposed accepting the request. But in the end, I approved it and even added User Baek Han-gyeol. Although User Ahn Hyun’s request to accompany was also there… This incident is entirely my fault.”
Her tone was sorrowful. Ha-yeon admitted her mistake, even though she likely had her reasons. She seemed ready to accept any punishment.
I bit my lip gently. Ha-yeon, now with her eyes open, looked at me with clear eyes. Her refusal to make excuses was admirable. Yet, knowing there must have been unavoidable circumstances, I hoped she had a reason for her decision. I trusted her that much.
A sigh escaped me as frustration welled up inside. I looked back at the contract. I needed to understand its contents thoroughly.
‘Huh?’
As I read through the document, my eyes stopped at Clause 2. It stated the main objective of the request was to gather information about the entrance of the ‘Dragon’s Sleeping Ridge,’ not a full-scale exploration.
‘The entrance…’
I pondered. Having experienced the first round, I knew a fair bit about the ‘Dragon’s Sleeping Ridge.’ I had even participated in an expedition into its depths.
The ridge was challenging, but the difficulty increased the deeper one ventured. Given my experience, it was puzzling that Ahn Hyun and Han-gyeol had encountered trouble.
Ahn Hyun had shown the most growth in the Mercenary Clan over the past two years, and Han-gyeol was unmatched in defense.
Ha-yeon had eventually approved the request and added Han-gyeol to Ahn Hyun’s team, likely to increase their chances of survival.
Yet, the ‘Qi Spear Master’ and ‘Divine Shield’ struggled at the entrance?
No. Considering their skills and experience, they shouldn’t have had trouble at the entrance.
Of course, this assumes they stayed at the entrance. They might have ventured deeper, so I moved on to the next question.
Another mystery was the cost of the request.
When I saw Kim Su-jeong’s user information in the lobby, something felt off. Although she was in her second year, her information didn’t suggest she was ready to tackle the ‘Dragon’s Sleeping Ridge.’ The second clause clarified some doubts, but questions remained.
The Mercenary Clan’s fees were notoriously high, beyond the reach of common caravans. Kim Su-jeong’s shabby gear and attire didn’t suggest wealth.
If they had gone alone, I might have understood their greed for quick riches. But they paid a hefty fee for a mere entrance exploration.
‘For what purpose?’
I couldn’t grasp it. I had a vague sense, but no clear picture.
I wanted to think more, but I snapped back to reality. There was no time to ponder. The longer I delayed, the slimmer Ahn Hyun and Han-gyeol’s chances of survival became. With the situation assessed, it was time to act. Internal matters could wait.
The Mercenary Clan’s full assembly. Countless eyes focused solely on me.
Facing their gazes, I spoke quietly.
“The situation is urgent, so I’ll be brief.”
I turned to Ha-yeon.
“User Jeong Ha-yeon. I trust you’re ready to depart. Go outside and bring Han-gyeol. I’ll announce the rescue team shortly. Wait at the main gate; I’ll be out soon.”
Ha-yeon nodded calmly and quickly left the room.
If Ha-yeon was as smart as I believed, she understood my words. She realized she was excluded from the team and that I had shown her some consideration. Her lack of excuses meant she had already come to terms with it.
Next, I began announcing the team. I had already decided on the members, so there was no need to deliberate.
“I’ll outline the formation. The vanguard will be myself, Users Cha So-rim, Nam Da-eun, and Heo Jun-young. Archers are Users Seon Yu-un and Im Han-na. Mages are Users Kim Han-byeol and Vivian. Priests are Users An Sol and Shin Jae-ryong. Support fighters are Users Go Yeon-ju and Woo Jeong-min. Those named, proceed to prepare and gather at the main gate as quickly as possible.”
Recognizing the urgency, the eleven clan members rose and left the room immediately.
Then it happened.
“Wait! Clan Lord!”
Just as I was about to adjourn the meeting, a sharp voice stopped me. I turned to see Yoo-jeong looking at me anxiously.
“I want to join too.”
”…You too?”
“I’ve been with Ahn Hyun since the initiation. I’ve known Han-gyeol for a long time too. I can’t just sit and wait.”
“Well, to do that, I’d have to classify you as support in combat, but those positions are already filled. I can’t put you on the front lines either. Maybe just waiting quietly would be the best help.”
“Please, I’ll do whatever you say. I won’t be a burden. I want to help with the rescue… And though I hate to think about it, if there’s even the slightest chance, I want to at least see the two of them one last time.”
”…One last time.”
I quietly repeated Yujeong’s words. Her face was filled with desperation. It seemed the thought that Ahn Hyun, who had been like a sibling to her, might be dead was causing her considerable anxiety.
At that moment, I happened to lock eyes with our client. Was her name Kim Sujeong? She looked somewhat dazed, but when our eyes met, she quickly turned away.
’…I see.’
A solution flashed through my mind like a bolt of lightning. Or perhaps it was more of a certainty.
I paused for a moment, then gave a slight nod. Hanna quickly understood my signal and led the client out of the meeting room.
Turning back to Yujeong, I said, “Alright. Get ready.”
The moment I gave my approval, a look of relief washed over Yujeong’s face. She bowed deeply and dashed out of the room as if she were flying.
After confirming Yujeong had left, I stood up as well. Since our destination was the “Dragon’s Sleeping Mountain Range,” I planned to make my own preparations.
Walking down the central aisle between the long tables, I addressed one of the clan members still seated.
“User Jo Seungwoo.”
“Yes, Clan Lord.”
“Prepare for a handover.”
“What…?”
Seeing Jo Seungwoo’s startled expression, I quickly added, “This rescue mission will likely take at least a month, maybe two. Tell them I approved it, and request a handover from User Jeong Hayun. I want everything ready for me to jump back into work as soon as I return.”
“Me…?”
He didn’t seem surprised. Instead, his eyes lit up with determination as he asked again, and I nodded in affirmation.
‘Hayun… she’s too gentle. She can’t be tough when needed, so she’s not suited for this kind of task.’
I acknowledged Hayun’s abilities. She’s naturally smart, quick-witted, and has excellent judgment. For nearly two years, she’s been diligently managing the internal affairs of the mercenary group.
But there’s one flaw she can’t overcome.
She executes tasks well, but when it really counts, she makes mistakes. Knowing the problem and still failing to prevent it indicates a lack of ability.
In other words, the position of acting Clan Lord isn’t just about being smart. It requires charisma to manage internal affairs while responding to external situations. If charisma is lacking, one must have the ability to manipulate circumstances to achieve desired outcomes.
And Hayun lacks both. She’s a top-tier user but only a second-rate Clan Lord.
I looked at Jo Seungwoo again.
‘In some ways… he’s like Seong Hyunmin.’
In that regard, User Jo Seungwoo was more suited for the latter. Having run a fairly large business in the modern world, his skills since joining have been quite impressive. His user profile’s “opportunistic” trait is rarer than one might think.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision for a handover. I was merely waiting for the right time. Hayun has done enough, and it’s time for her to take a break and gather her thoughts.
Reaching the door, I paused. Staring at the polished surface, I spoke quietly.
“I’ve told you repeatedly to be careful with your actions. Not to do anything that could be criticized. I don’t know how many more times I need to say it, but I’m getting tired of repeating myself.”
I placed my hand on the doorknob and pushed it open with force.
“The reason I called this meeting and issued a general assembly order today is to ensure the clan members are fully aware of the current situation. Although we’re moving past this due to urgency…”
As the door swung wide open, I stepped into the hallway and continued.
“I’ll give you one last warning. If an incident like this happens again, no matter who it involves, it will be difficult to avoid responsibility.”
And just before stepping out completely, I added, “Also.”
I turned my head slightly to finish my statement.
“What I just said applies to this incident as well.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Sorry for the delay. I have a younger brother who’s about to enlist in the military, and I had plans today, so I got back late. (__)
Ah… and I have another apology to make. Today, in about an hour at 6 PM, I’m heading to my uncle’s place. We’re going down earlier than planned for the Lunar New Year because there’s a wedding for my father’s cousin. So, we’ll attend the wedding and visit my uncle’s place.
I’ll be back early on the 11th and return late on the 12th. Therefore, I won’t be able to update on the 12th, but I should be able to resume on the 13th. It might not be at midnight, but I’ll definitely update on the 13th.
In summary, there will be no update on the 12th, and updates will resume on the 13th.
I ask for your understanding. (__)