The silence was deafening, a void that seemed to swallow all thought. My mind was as empty as the stillness around me. All I could see was Yujeong, slowly collapsing to her knees, as if the weight of the world had finally broken her.
After a moment, she began to gather the scattered pieces of metal around her, her hands trembling visibly as she reached out to collect the fragments. Anyone could see how much she was shaking.
I stepped forward quietly and nudged one of the metal shards with my foot, just as Yujeong had done to Hanbyeol.
Clang!
The piece rolled away, colliding with another fragment.
“Ah…?”
A soft, almost inaudible gasp escaped her lips. Yujeong flinched, her hand hovering over a piece she couldn’t bring herself to pick up, her fingers brushing the ground instead. She froze, unable to move.
Then, a voice broke the silence.
“───. ───. ───.”
Someone was murmuring softly, shattering the quiet. I snapped to attention, turning toward the sound.
“Reflection!”
It was Hangyeol, chanting a spell. No, he was finishing the incantation, and the magic was about to manifest.
A brilliant light burst from Hangyeol, enveloping us all in a gentle glow. The hum of magic resonated in my ears.
I blinked, and when I opened my eyes again, a shimmering dome of protection surrounded us.
I closed my eyes once more.
Once, twice, three times.
In just those three blinks, the world seemed to change.
My mind cleared, as if waking from a fog. Thoughts began to flow back into my head, and the cold tension in my chest eased.
‘Could it be…?’
I touched my face, realizing it was set in a grim expression.
It wasn’t just me. The other clan members wore similar looks of realization, exchanging awkward glances.
I looked down. Things I hadn’t noticed before came into view.
Yujeong was still on her knees, her shoulders trembling. Her hands were full of metal shards, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
I thought about how I would feel if someone broke a weapon I had cherished for so long.
It was too much. I hadn’t meant to go this far, even though I was angry.
Perhaps… perhaps the field effect had affected me too.
“User Yujeong, please stand up.”
After a moment, Cha Sorim approached Yujeong, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders. I stood silently, letting out a long sigh as I turned to the clan members.
“We should move quickly through this area. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
At my command, the clan members began to move. Some checked their weapons, while others received healing from the priest.
Shin Jaeryong, while chanting a healing spell, kept glancing worriedly at Hangyeol. I placed a reassuring hand on Jaeryong’s shoulder and approached Hangyeol, who was still maintaining the spell.
Hangyeol’s face was pale, but his eyes held a determined resolve as he looked at me.
“…Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to push yourself.”
“No, I remember everything now… I’m really okay.”
His voice was firm. He didn’t look okay, but there was an unspoken determination not to release the spell.
I nodded a couple of times and placed a hand on Hangyeol’s head.
“Alright. But how did you know? What made you think to use your ability?”
“…It felt the same as before.”
“The same?”
“Yes. Back then, we suddenly turned on each other. When it happened again, I realized there must be a negative effect here.”
I chuckled bitterly at the word “turned.” I ruffled Hangyeol’s hair in approval. He blushed and looked up at me cautiously.
“Hyung… Do you think Hyun is okay? Can we save him?”
“Clan Lord, we’re ready.”
Just as Hangyeol asked, Seonyuwoon reported that the preparations were complete. I paused, deciding not to answer. I couldn’t be sure of Ahn Hyun’s fate.
Instead, I made a request.
“Hangyeol, it might be taxing, but if you can, could you use the shield a few more times today?”
“No, I can keep it up continuously.”
“It’s not possible to maintain it all day. Release it for now. I’ll ask again when we need it.”
“Yes, hyung. I’m really okay now.”
Hangyeol’s voice was firm, reassuring me not to worry.
I turned calmly. The clan members, now ready, were gathered, waiting for me. Yujeong, with her slumped shoulders, caught my eye. I quickly moved to the front.
“Let’s move out. We’ll be marching hard today, so keep up.”
‘Let’s focus on getting through this area quickly.’
With that thought, I began the march.
Three days passed. It felt like a month, though it was only three days.
As I told Hangyeol, we managed to cross the ‘Land of Hatred’ in a day. It usually took at least two days, but by pushing ourselves, we shortened the time. We encountered dangerous foes, but each time, Hangyeol’s ability saved us.
In hindsight, it was a mistake. We were unprepared, even if the situation was urgent and Hangyeol’s condition was unexpected.
After leaving the ‘Land of Hatred,’ we entered the fourth gate, the ‘Land of Fear and Illusion.’
The ‘Land of Fear and Illusion.’
The last gate before reaching the ruins, notorious for its field effect that confuses emotions and manifests inner fears as illusions.
For example, if Ansol knew of dragons and feared them, the field effect might have made us face an illusory dragon.
Even if the illusions were just phantoms, their power was not to be underestimated.
To prevent such mishaps, I used the precious elixir I had saved for this moment.
The elixir was potent, capable of warding off most confusion with just one dose, and its effects lasted long. Though it was a stimulant with side effects if used frequently, it was a necessary choice to pass through smoothly.
A chilling sound echoed from afar. I glanced up, seeing the darkened forest.
The night was quiet. The campsite was still. Occasionally, a distant cry could be heard, but it was faint, emphasizing the night’s silence.
I closed my eyes slowly. It was meaningless, just an attempt to organize my thoughts.
“Oppa, it’s time to change the watch.”
A gentle voice interrupted my thoughts. I glanced over to see Hanbyeol watching me intently. I nodded absentmindedly.
“…Hmm.”
“Oppa?”
“Ah. You all go ahead.”
“What?”
I considered sleeping but decided I needed more time to think. I spoke again.
“Go ahead. I have some things to think about….”
“So, you’re going to keep watch?”
“Yes. Don’t wake the next watch. I can handle it alone.”
“But we already woke them….”
Hanbyeol trailed off, but I shook my head, signaling her not to speak further.
After a moment, I sensed Hanbyeol and the others quietly getting up.
I checked my magic detection and sank back into my thoughts.
Two days had passed since entering the ‘Land of Fear and Illusion.’
If my memory was correct, we’d pass through this last area by tomorrow morning. Then, we’d finally reach the ruins.
It struck me how arduous this journey was. In other expeditions, we’d have reached the ruins and completed our mission by now. But here, we hadn’t even reached the ruins yet.
And even when we did, who knew what awaited us inside? The thought was both intriguing and worrisome.
The reason for my unnecessary worries was one person.
‘Ahn Hyun… that guy…’
Rustle.
As I silently cursed Ahn Hyun, a sound snapped me out of my thoughts. Dry leaves crunched behind me.
Focusing on my senses, I detected someone hesitating behind me.
I turned my gaze quietly.
“…….”
“…….”
The silhouette before me was that of a woman with long, flowing hair.
Noticing my gaze, she flinched slightly. After standing still for a moment, she began to slowly approach where I was seated.
I turned my attention back to the campfire.
The sound of her footsteps came to a halt once more.
“Um… Oppa…”
Her voice was low, but the sharp undertone unmistakably belonged to Yujeong.
Since the incident on the ‘Land of Hatred,’ Yujeong and I hadn’t exchanged a single word. She seemed deeply affected, and I wasn’t particularly inclined to talk either.
I wasn’t sure why she suddenly decided to speak, but I chose not to respond.
“Clan Lord…”
I almost laughed but managed to hold it in.
Crackle, crackle!
Sparks flew. The blazing campfire cast a warm, red glow, illuminating the surroundings.
Yujeong hesitated for a moment, then seemed to make up her mind. She walked over to sit cautiously across from me.
Silence stretched between us.
Seeing her still downcast expression, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. She was the user who had been with me the longest, the one who had shared countless rites of passage, who genuinely liked me like an older brother, and who followed my words the best.
I knew Yujeong well.
But regardless, I didn’t regret breaking the Skurep. It might have been excessive, but it was something that needed to be done eventually.
Honestly speaking.
If I had thought of Yujeong the same way I did when I first met her, I wouldn’t have cared how she changed.
In fact, I might have even encouraged her to become more unhinged, as it would have been more beneficial in battle.
But at some point, my perspective shifted. Yujeong was no longer just a tool for my goals.
At least for now… she was one of the precious people I wanted to return to Earth with.
The once vigorous flames seemed to have dimmed slightly. I reached out and grabbed a few branches from the pile, tossing them into the fire. The dying flames roared back to life.
Whoosh!
In the firelight, Yujeong sat hugging her knees, staring intently at the flames. Then, resting her face gently on one knee, she glanced over at me.
As our eyes met, her dry lips slowly parted.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I’ve gotten into the habit of visualizing scenes in my head and describing them as they are, so I’m still not used to writing quickly. There were parts I was unsure about, but I believe I’ll get the hang of it as I continue writing :)
For Yujeong, the Skurep is a very important item. Beyond its functionality, it was practically the first thing Suhyeon gave her with care. Only one reader mentioned this in a previous chapter, and honestly, it made me very happy. It was surprising and incredibly gratifying to know someone remembered that detail so vividly. Hehe. (__ )*
We should reach the fortress by tomorrow. You could say the hard part is almost over. I did revise or remove most of the challenges I had planned, but I left the rewards as they were, so it feels a bit like I’m taking the easy way out. Hahaha.
PS. Lately, many people have been drawing fan art! Thank you, Pashupati and Broken Fan! :D You can see their fan art in my garden!
< Player Status >
Name: Cha Sorim (6th Year)
Class: Arcus Valkyrie (Secret, Arcus Valkyrie, Master)
Nation: Free Mercenary
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: AA - Double A)
True Name • Nationality: Flash, Battle Maiden • South Korea
Sex: Female (27)
Height • Weight: 170.7cm • 53.7kg
Alignment: Lawful • Belief
[Strength 91] [Endurance 85] [Agility 97] [Stamina 89] [Magic 92] [Luck 84]
< Achievements (0) >
< Unique Abilities (1/1) >
< Special Abilities (1/1) >
< Potential Abilities (3/3) >
Arcus Valkyrie Spearmanship (Rank: S Zero)
Celestial Light (Rank: A Plus)
Valhalla’s Blessing (Rank: A Plus Plus Plus)
< Recent Ability Comparison >
(Before) [Strength 89] [Endurance 83] [Agility 95] [Stamina 88] [Magic 91] [Luck 77]
(After) [Strength 91] [Endurance 85] [Agility 97] [Stamina 89] [Magic 92] [Luck 84]
『Arcus Valkyrie Set Power: Rainbow Aura』