The Dragon’s Sleeping Range
I shared everything I had been thinking with Go Yeonju. After listening to the whole story, she fell silent for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“There’s some sense to it. I did find it a bit odd myself.”
“You think so too, Go Yeonju?”
She crossed her arms and furrowed her brow slightly.
“Yes. In the city, it was just a vague unease, but knowing someone was following us is definitely unsettling. And there are a few things that stand out…”
“Things that stand out?”
Go Yeonju bit her lip, and when I asked again, she looked at me intently.
“Suhyeon, nothing is certain yet. But there’s the contract between the caravan led by that user Kim Sujeong and the mercenaries. And those unknown users following us. We only have two pieces of the puzzle right now.”
“So we need more information.”
“Exactly… Hmm. This might be a bit tricky. It would be nice if our opponent were foolish, but that’s unlikely. And as you said, we need to avoid outside contact as much as possible.”
“User Go Yeonju, if it’s too much, you don’t have to go back. Focus on the structure for now, and I’ll handle the rest later.”
Seeing her uncertainty, I offered what I thought was a reasonable alternative. But she widened her eyes in disbelief and shook her head.
“Oh no, I was just complaining a bit. Why take it so seriously?”
“It’s not as simple as it seems. If our suspicions are correct, it means they’ve attacked us from the shadows. If the truth comes out, it’s as good as a declaration of war against the mercenaries. It could escalate into a clan war.”
“I understand what you’re saying. But no matter what, it’s absurd for you to get directly involved. The underworld of the whole plane is much dirtier and uglier than you imagine.”
“But I—”
“Suhyeon, shh…”
I wanted to say, “I can handle myself in the underworld,” but I had to stop. Go Yeonju had gently placed her thumb on my lips, and I felt the soft touch of her skin as she smiled sweetly.
“Don’t worry. I can handle this on my own. Just come back safe and sound.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. We haven’t just been sitting around for the past two years, have we?”
“True… Alright.”
I nodded calmly. Just as Go Yeonju said, we hadn’t been idle. We couldn’t just let those trying to undermine the mercenaries go unchecked. We had a few plans in the works, and this might be the perfect opportunity to put them into action.
“Oh dear, it’s already been three minutes? I’ll be off now. Mwah.”
Go Yeonju winked and gave me a quick peck on the lips, then licked her lips playfully and smiled.
Feeling a bit awkward, I scratched my head and spoke softly.
“Go Yeonju, remember, you mustn’t get caught.”
“Don’t worry. I’m the Shadow Queen, after all. Haha.”
“Take care.”
“You too, Suhyeon. I don’t want to be a widow before I’m thirty.”
That was just like her. After saying goodbye, she stepped back and vanished into the mist. As her presence faded, I turned and headed to where the clan members were waiting.
”…Hmm.”
As I walked, a smile crept onto my face for no reason.
‘I’m curious… Who could it be?’
I was almost certain someone was up to something, thanks to my conversation with Go Yeonju. But who could it be? Who would dare challenge the mercenaries in a shadow war?
I pondered quietly.
Back in the modern world, I used to play a game for fun.
It was called “Legendary War.” Ten players split into two teams of five, each choosing a hero to battle. I usually picked a support hero, one that helped and nurtured allies. In the early game, the support’s role was to protect and grow allied heroes, who could have a significant impact in the mid to late game.
While growing alongside an allied hero, sometimes an enemy roaming hero would lurk nearby, trying to disrupt our growth. The support’s job was to ensure visibility in areas where the enemy might hide.
In “Legendary War,” there was one thing I never understood. Sometimes, when an enemy hero was hiding in a spot I had warded, an ally would announce it in all chat, telling them to leave.
I never got it. The longer the enemy stayed hidden, the more it benefited our team. They wasted experience and movement, while we had more freedom. Why give up that advantage by revealing their position? Just pretend not to know.
Anyway.
The reason I told Go Yeonju not to get caught was similar.
If they know, they prepare. If they don’t, their preparation is weaker.
I wasn’t lying when I said I’d get involved. Go Yeonju might not know, but in my first life, I thrived in the shadows. Shadow wars were my specialty. In my second life, I operated more openly, but now the situation had changed.
As the clan members appeared through the mist, I steadied myself. I resolved to enter the Dragon’s Sleeping Range as they wanted.
But once we returned to the city, I’d show them what a real shadow war was.
After parting with Go Yeonju, I moved to the front to lead the clan members. Normally, archers would scout ahead, but given the circumstances, I had to take the lead. I was familiar with the terrain, so there was no need to stop and find our way.
The morning mist thickened as time passed, making it hard to see even 20 meters ahead.
I sharpened my senses, carefully examining the surroundings and trying to recall the path I took in my first life. I would have just gone in, but the Dragon’s Sleeping Range was not a place to be taken lightly.
Suddenly, I felt a strange unease. We had been walking on relatively flat ground, but now the terrain felt rough and uneven.
I took a few more steps and raised my hand to signal a stop. The sound of footsteps ceased immediately.
“Clan Lord, is something wrong?”
Shin Jaeryong asked quietly, and I looked around before answering.
“It seems we’ve entered the Dragon’s Sleeping Range.”
“What? But we haven’t seen any mountains…”
“Look at the ground beneath your feet.”
“The ground… Ah!”
Some of them quickly noticed the difference and gasped. The ground was no longer a beautiful field but a patchy area with overgrown shrubs.
“We haven’t fully entered the range yet. We’re probably at the entrance… or just before it. Anyway, we’ve left the misty plains, so consider this uncharted territory.”
“Brother, should I use a miracle to find your and Baek Han-gyeol’s location?”
It was An Sol’s voice. But I shook my head. A miracle was a tempting solution, but we needed to conserve it until we found An Hyun and Han-gyeol.
“No, let’s save the miracle until we meet them. Besides, I have another way to find them.”
“Another way?”
An Sol asked, and I nodded. I approached Shin Jaeryong and looked at the sleeping Han-gyeol.
“User Shin Jaeryong, I’ll take care of Han-gyeol from here.”
“But Clan Lord, you’re leading the way…”
“It’s fine. I’ll keep him with me at the front.”
“Keep him with you?”
Shin Jaeryong looked puzzled, but when I gestured for him to hand over Han-gyeol, he complied, albeit with a confused expression.
“Han-gyeol, wake up. Han-gyeol?”
I whispered softly as I held Han-gyeol, gently patting his back. Slowly, he opened his eyes and began to focus on a part of the range. I carefully set him down.
“Huh?”
“What… what’s happening?”
The clan members gasped again. Han-gyeol, who had been barely conscious, suddenly stood up as soon as we entered the Dragon’s Sleeping Range. Though he wobbled a bit, he started walking, heading in a specific direction within the range.
I had a rough idea why.
The first time I laid eyes on Han-gyeol, I checked his condition with my third eye. It was clear that he was nothing more than an empty shell, or perhaps just half of himself. In other words, his body was devoid of a soul. If my hunch was correct, Han-gyeol had likely become a wraith due to a special field effect in the dragon’s slumbering mountain range.
Of course, I didn’t know all the details. But one thing was certain: Han-gyeol wasn’t completely lost yet. The moment he was fully consumed by the mountain and became a complete wraith, the fragile connection between his body and soul would have snapped.
That would mean Han-gyeol’s death.
“His heart’s still beating, though…”
I placed my hand on Han-gyeol’s chest. Regardless, he continued to walk steadily, his eyes unfocused, as if drawn by some instinct to reclaim himself in the dragon’s domain.
‘If I follow him, I should be able to find Han-gyeol.’
The best-case scenario would be finding Han-gyeol and rescuing An-hyeon at the same time. But my instincts warned me it wouldn’t be that simple. If An-hyeon was missing rather than a wraith like Han-gyeol…
‘Then I’ll have to venture into the ruins.’
With that thought, I gestured to the clan members, who were still standing around, to follow Han-gyeol.
“We’ll follow Han-gyeol for now. We’re heading into the mountains soon, so stay alert.”
The clan members snapped to attention, scanning the surroundings with tense expressions. Though disbelief lingered on their faces, they were ready to accept the situation and focus on the rescue.
A moment later, I quietly signaled our departure.
“I’ll take care of Han-gyeol. The rest of you, keep watch in your assigned directions. Let’s move out.”
And then, it happened.
“Brother. It’s tonight.”
Just as I was about to follow Han-gyeol, a calm voice reached my ears.
Startled, I turned to see An-sol watching me intently. She glanced at Han-gyeol before continuing with a determined look.
“We have to find him by tonight.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Apologies for the delay. I intended to update user information in the morning, but I woke up to find it was already 2 PM. ^_ㅠ After hastily preparing and running errands, it was 6 PM. I decided to write first, and before I knew it, it was midnight. Please forgive this negligent Ro Yu-jin. Haha.
Ah, many of you must have been frustrated with Ha-yeon and An-hyeon’s actions. Yes, you’ve waited long enough. Now, it’s time for exploration and return~. Hehehe.(?)
PS. The reason Kim Soo-hyun’s user information isn’t updated is that it will be after the dragon’s slumbering mountain range is conquered. Please wait until the strategy is complete! :D
< Player Status >
Name: Heo Jun-young (7th Year)
Class: Executor of Silence (Secret, Master)
Nation: Free Mercenary
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: AA - Double A)
True Name • Nationality: The Silent One • South Korea
Sex: Male (27)
Height • Weight: 177.7cm • 67.8kg
Disposition: Cool • Calm
[Strength 91(+2)] [Endurance 88] [Agility 97] [Stamina 85] [Magic 92] [Luck 74]
< Achievements (4) >
< Unique Ability (1/1) >
< Special Ability (1/1) >
< Potential Abilities (3/3) >
Divine Sword Unity (Rank: A Plus Plus Plus)
Meteor Sword (Rank: A Zero)
Sword Explosion (Rank: A Plus)
『Authority: Heretic Judgment』
< Player Status >
Name: Shin Jae-ryong (7th Year)
Class: Normal Priest (Master)
Nation: Free Mercenary
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: AA - Double A)
True Name • Nationality: Indomitable Effort, Unyielding Will • South Korea
Sex: Male (45)
Height • Weight: 176.2cm • 78.3kg
Disposition: Good • Passionate
[Strength 78] [Endurance 82] [Agility 74] [Stamina 90] [Magic 86(+2)] [Luck 68]
< Achievements (0) >
< Special Ability (1/1) >
< Potential Abilities (4/4) >
Holy Healing Spell (Rank: A Plus Plus)
Priest Combat Skills (Rank: C Minus)
Holy Magic Circuit Application (Rank: A Plus Plus Plus)
Anti-Magic (Rank: A Minus)
< Recent Ability Comparison >
(Before) [Strength 78] [Endurance 82] [Agility 74] [Stamina 90] [Magic 84] [Luck 68]
(After) [Strength 78] [Endurance 82] [Agility 74] [Stamina 90] [Magic 86(+2)] [Luck 68]
< Player Status >
Name: An-sol (3rd Year)
Class: Priest of Brilliance (Arousal Secret, Expert)
Nation: Free Mercenary
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: AA - Double A)
True Name • Nationality: Guide of Light, Olfactophilia • South Korea
Sex: Female (23)
Height • Weight: 160.1cm • 45.3kg
Disposition: Pure • Pervert
[Strength 31] [Endurance 37] [Agility 35] [Stamina 41] [Magic 99(+1)] [Luck 102]
< Achievements (0) >
< Unique Ability (1/1) >
< Special Ability (1/1) >
< Potential Abilities (3/3) >
Angelus Grand Holy Spell (Rank: EX)
Blessing of Brilliance (Rank: S Plus)
Attribute Conversion (Rank: B Minus)
< Recent Ability Comparison >
(Before) [Strength 25] [Endurance 28] [Agility 27] [Stamina 35] [Magic 88(+1)] [Luck 101]
(After) [Strength 31] [Endurance 37] [Agility 35] [Stamina 41] [Magic 99(+1)] [Luck 102]
『Authority: Divine Punishment』