Upon reflection, it seems words are insufficient, and actions must speak louder.
In the southern small city of Monica, the Mercenary Clan first established its roots, and it is now managed by the Istantel Low Clan.
While the Mercenaries have made significant progress, Istantel Low hasn’t been idle either. As the city’s leading clan, they’ve worked tirelessly, focusing on internal management and external stability.
As a result, Monica has grown to the point where it’s often compared to a regular city, surpassing other small towns.
When users choose a city to reside in, they generally consider two main factors.
First, safety is paramount. If the city’s outskirts are overrun with monsters, most users would be hesitant to settle there.
Second, living within the city should be convenient and comfortable.
In essence, the safer and more livable a city is, the more users it attracts.
Han So-young understood these criteria all too well. As the city expanded, she paid close attention to internal management, with public safety being a top priority.
For instance, as Monica’s reputation spread and users flocked to the city, the nightlife naturally became more active.
While this was expected, Han So-young wasn’t one to sit idly by.
Her stance on the nightlife was straightforward: “If you’re going to do it, don’t get caught.”
In other words, except for unavoidable circumstances (like prostitution for survival), Monica would not tolerate any nightlife activities. Anyone caught would face severe consequences.
Initially, those involved in the nightlife scoffed. There had been attempts to regulate it before, but they believed they could continue as long as they paid a portion of their earnings or simply moved to another city if things got tough.
However, the day after her warning, Han So-young took immediate action. She launched a surprise raid on the nightlife district, arresting about twenty people as an example. These twenty users were publicly executed in Monica’s square.
Though it was a significant event, the public execution passed without much fuss. The city’s management rights were entirely in the hands of the leading clan, and there had been a warning. Moreover, the executed users were mostly unconnected individuals, which played a part.
Han So-young sternly warned that she would respond the same way if such incidents occurred again, and the nightlife district fell silent, bringing the matter to a close.
Of course, there were still those who couldn’t give up on the lucrative market Monica offered, but Han So-young captured them every time, executing them without exception.
As a result, the nightlife market in Monica has all but disappeared. Users, weary of Han So-young’s relentless pursuit, chose to leave for other cities.
It was around this time that the nickname “Iron-Blooded Queen” became more than just a title.
Those who left criticized Han So-young as a woman without mercy, accusing her of using Istantel Low’s power for unnecessary bloodshed.
City management is subjective, so there’s not much to say, but Han So-young was that kind of woman. She wielded her authority without hesitation when she believed it was right, and she didn’t shy away from bloodshed if necessary. Perhaps this decisiveness is what shaped the future of Istantel Low.
With these thoughts, I suddenly looked up to see Han So-young sitting across from me, quietly eating her meal—noodles, to be precise.
I was in the dining hall of the Istantel Low Clan. Having arrived at the agreed time, I was asked if I had eaten, and upon saying no, Han So-young invited me to join her for a meal.
The meeting itself had been arranged rather suddenly, so I was a bit taken aback by the unexpected invitation, but I wasn’t one to refuse. I accepted her offer gladly.
I was momentarily surprised that she led me to the cafeteria, but after tasting the food, I understood. The chefs at Istantel Low were nearly as skilled as those in our clan.
Anyway, it was fascinating to watch her eat without any expression or sound, but the real reason I couldn’t take my eyes off her was something else entirely.
Han So-young was now thirty, yet she didn’t look her age at all. In fact, her natural allure seemed to have matured and deepened with age.
Her eyes, like black onyx, had a mesmerizing power that seemed to draw you in. Her lips moved slowly as she chewed the noodles, their soft, red hue exuding a subtle sensuality.
I let out a deep sigh.
”…?”
Han So-young glanced at me, puzzled. Truly, this woman… what can I say?
Every time I see her, I’m reminded that I’m just a man.
Perhaps her ability to captivate is due to her inherent charisma, but Han So-young’s allure was formidable.
Her appearance was that of a cold, charismatic queen, yet her every gesture and movement exuded a quiet sensuality.
The synergy created by these contrasting charms was truly extraordinary. Even I, with my heightened perception, was affected.
Realizing I couldn’t keep staring, I forced myself to look away. Unfortunately, my gaze landed on her chest. Remembering its unexpected fullness, I quickly looked back up at Han So-young, feeling a signal from my body. I crossed my legs and sighed deeply, thinking to myself how unfortunate this was.
A moment later, Han So-young seemed to finish her meal and set down her chopsticks, prompting me to do the same. While she had cleaned her plate, I hadn’t even finished half of mine.
Han So-young glanced at my bowl for a fleeting moment, blinking twice rapidly—a sign of mild surprise. Perhaps she thought she had eaten too quickly.
After staring at the bowl for a moment, Han So-young looked at me intently. I awkwardly smiled, pulling my chair closer. Her head tilted slightly.
“Mercenary Lord? Is the food not to your liking?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s very good.”
“You don’t have to force yourself to eat… I’m fine. Would you like to have some tea in my office instead?”
“Uh, no, really, it’s fine. Haha.”
Standing up now would be disastrous. There’s no way Han So-young wouldn’t notice. With that thought, I picked up the chopsticks I had just set down, determined to change the subject.
“Ah, come to think of it, you seemed to have something to discuss… I don’t think I’ve heard it yet.”
Indeed, the conversations I’d had with Han So-young so far were all trivial matters—like the expedition to the Sleeping Dragon Mountains or the departure of yesterday’s survey team.
Given our busy schedules and Han So-young’s personality, she wouldn’t have called me just to chat about such trivialities, so there must be something else.
“That’s right. Actually, I saw the report you released yesterday from the Mercenaries.”
As if confirming my thoughts, Han So-young got straight to the point. I nodded, having anticipated something along these lines.
“You mean the matter with the Alliance. Yes, what about it?”
“It’s not bad, but… I can’t shake the feeling that your decision this time was a bit unexpected.”
“Unexpected? There’s no hidden agenda. I have no plans to move to Koran, just take it at face value.”
“No, Mercenary Lord. That’s not what I mean. What I want to say is…”
Though I assured her there was nothing to worry about, Han So-young calmly shook her head. She looked me straight in the eye and continued.
“To take it at face value, the Alliance’s movements seem a bit strange.”
”…”
“I won’t beat around the bush. If there’s been any incident with the Alliance, you can tell me. After all, Istantel Low and the Mercenaries are in a mutual defense pact.”
”…Haha.”
As expected of Han So-young. Or perhaps she found my decision curious and decided to ask. I’m not sure, but either way, I was grateful.
Istantel Low, like us, followed an independent path, yet it was still part of the southern Alliance, unlike the Koran Alliance. And here she was, offering to help us, a non-affiliated clan.
In any case, it felt good. The Koran Alliance was a significant clan, and her words indicated that Han So-young held the Mercenaries in high regard.
However, I decided to decline. I didn’t want to involve Han So-young in this matter, and I believed the Mercenaries could handle it on their own.
“No, it’s fine. There’s nothing going on with the Alliance, and it was done with good intentions. Of course, there are other benefits I’m aiming for.”
”…Is that so?”
“Yes. But thank you for saying so. If anything overwhelming comes up, I’ll be sure to reach out to Istantel Low.”
“Yes, please do. We’ve received a lot from the Mercenary Clan so far… Oh, if the noodles aren’t to your taste, how about some tea…?”
“Slurp, slurp.”
”…Enjoy your meal.”
Though she told me to enjoy my meal, I was too distracted to taste anything. But who could I blame?
Cursing my still unsettled younger self, I gloomily continued to eat my noodles.
As I slowly ate, I noticed Han So-young stirring her soup with her chopsticks. It didn’t seem like she was doing it out of boredom; she looked like she had something to say.
Then Han So-young glanced up at me. My intuition seemed particularly sharp today.
“Mercenary Lord… you’re always like this.”
“Yes?”
“Is that how you are? You like giving but not receiving… Sometimes I wonder why you’re so kind to me, to Istantel Row.”
I slurped up the noodles in my mouth.
Her question was understandable, considering her perspective. I had shared a wealth of valuable information without expecting anything in return, which had been a driving force behind Istantel Row’s growth.
Come to think of it, I might have been asked a similar question before…
Back then, I was caught off guard, but now I’m different.
I smiled and began to speak. The best way to answer a vague question is with a vague answer.
“It’s simple, really.”
”?”
“When we first settled in Monica, Lord Istantel Row was very generous to us. Gave us various jobs, sold us the clan house at a good price.”
“That’s true.”
“Exactly. It might not be exactly the same, but think of it as something along those lines.”
”…Is that so?”
Han So-young replied calmly, then lowered her gaze and stirred her bowl again. I felt a bit dazed.
Han So-young was a master of the poker face, but having spent so much time with her, I could read the subtle emotions in her smallest actions.
And just now, her behavior was a telltale sign of something bothering her.
Did I say something wrong?
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out. Eventually, I decided to change the subject. I had something I was curious about anyway. I put down my chopsticks and took out a sword from the clan’s storage—a major achievement, the Sword of Oath.
“Oh, Lord Istantel Row. I have something to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Could you take a look at this sword? It’s a result from the Dragon’s Sleeping Mountains, called the Sword of Oath.”
“The Sword of Oath…?”
I hadn’t brought an appraisal tool, but it wasn’t necessary. Han So-young had an extraordinary ability to sense things, so she could gauge the sword’s value on her own.
As I held the handle, a beautiful black crystal slid down. Just as I was about to hand it over, I noticed a flash of interest in her eyes.
I hesitated for a moment, then moved the sword slightly to the left. Her eyes followed it.
…Huh?
I moved it to the right, and her eyes followed again. Back to the left, and they followed once more. Like a pendulum, her eyes tracked the sword’s movement.
It seemed she recognized the sword’s worth. Her expressionless face and darting eyes were both amusing and refreshing.
Unable to hold back, I let out a small laugh.
“Heh.”
That’s when it happened.
Hearing my laugh, Han So-young’s eyes widened.
Slowly, very slowly, she lifted her head.
Her face was as expressionless as ever, but I could see it clearly. Her face had turned rigid, and her gaze had grown colder.
I felt a pang of regret and was left speechless.
”…”
”…”
After a tense silence, Han So-young stood up abruptly, her voice icy.
“I’m leaving.”
“What? Where…?”
“I’m leaving. I’m busy. No need to see me out.”
“What do you mean…? This is the Istantel Row clan…”
I tried to explain calmly. Han So-young seemed to ponder for a moment, then bit her lip hard, glaring at me. It was rare for her to show such emotion, and I realized I had really messed up.
”…Today’s meeting was quite refreshing. It was nice to see a new side of the Mercenary Lord. Goodbye.”
“W-wait a minute.”
I stood up belatedly, but Han So-young turned on her heel and walked out, leaving a chill in her wake. I watched her retreating figure, feeling a mix of curiosity and nostalgia. I had played a prank, but it seemed I had made a grave mistake.
Just as she was about to open the door, it swung open, and someone else entered. It was Yeon Hye-rim.
Yeon Hye-rim looked between us, puzzled, and grabbed Han So-young’s arm.
“Huh? Han So-young? Where are you going?”
“Move.”
“But the Mercenary Lord is still here…”
“I said move. Didn’t you hear me?”
Han So-young shook off her arm and left through the door. Yeon Hye-rim stepped back, startled, and let out a strange sound. She approached me, half curious, half indignant.
“Hey, Mercenary Lord. What’s with her? Why is she so upset?”
”…Upset? Not angry?”
“Yeah. When she’s angry, her eyebrows don’t go up like that. She’s usually calm. When her face turns red and she bites her lip, it means she’s sulking. See? Useful information, right?”
”…Is that so.”
I hadn’t noticed her face color.
Watching Yeon Hye-rim giggle, I returned her smile.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I once mentioned that I would lower Han So-young’s popularity.
Many readers opposed it, but I went through with it. To lower her popularity.
I deliberately portrayed Han So-young in an unflattering light.
So, how was it?
Despite your objections, I succeeded in lowering her popularity.
Yes, I’m that ruthless.
PS. If you can guess which parody this is, you’re amazing.
PS2. J.F, is it okay if I love you? >3<