The underground training hall lay silent, shrouded in pitch-black darkness, with no one else around but me.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I shifted my gaze, nerves tightening my chest.
Three swords came into view: the Ilwol Divine Sword, Caligo Abraxas, and Victoria’s Glory…
About two meters away, the three blades floated gently in the air, drifting in all directions. Looking closer, each sword emitted a faint reddish glow as they circled around me.
How much time had passed?
Gradually, I began to feel the limits of my mana. It seemed I had been training for over an hour already.
Deciding it was time to wrap up, I took a steady breath. Dividing my mana into three streams, I guided them toward the hovering swords. Like living birds, the blades flew to me one by one, settling into my hands.
After gathering all the swords, I exhaled deeply.
“Huh. Only five minutes longer than last time?”
Feeling the emptiness inside, I opened my user information.
[Strength 96 (+2)] [Endurance 94 (+2)] [Agility 98] [Stamina 100 (+2)] [Mana 96] [Luck 90 (+2)]
<Achievements (6)>
<Unique Ability (1/1)>
<Special Ability (1/1)>
<Latent Abilities (4/5)>
(Remaining ability points: 1 (Special, Latent))
<Authority: Slash (Sword specialists can cut through anything)>
<Dragon’s Blessing: Power of the Apocalypse Dragon Magna Carta (2/5)>
For a moment, I noticed my user info had updated again.
“…”
When I saw the fifth slot was still empty, a bitter smile escaped me. The fact that my latent ability still hadn’t awakened left a sour taste.
Closing the user info in disappointment, I fell into thought.
Two months ago—ever since receiving the dispatch about the Steel Mountain Range operation—I’d felt the urgent need to grow stronger. The enemies appearing after Steel Mountain were on a whole different level from anything I’d faced before.
That’s when I came up with Anima Oratio (upon use, randomly adds one slot among unique, special, or latent abilities).
Anima Oratio was the most reliable way for someone like me, who had nearly reached every limit, to push a little further.
I began developing the fifth latent ability and soon hit upon a good idea: to create the “Self-Gear Sword” I’d read about in martial arts novels.
Of course, calling it a Self-Gear Sword was just a name. In reality, it was something else entirely. Using my massive 96-point mana stat, I forcibly linked the swords to my mana circuits, controlling them remotely.
Still, the concept was solid. Rediscovering unused swords and tapping into their unique powers—like their blade light—could unleash terrifying strength.
…Or so I thought just the other day.
But a problem had arisen.
It wasn’t a mana issue—I’d expected the enormous consumption from the start.
The real problem was that the latent ability slot remained empty. Despite two months of training since that day, there was no sign of awakening.
I had my suspicions. If such focused training yielded no results, it was likely my training method or settings were off. In other words, I probably classified the Self-Gear Sword as an ability rather than a latent power.
But admitting that meant giving up on the training I’d painstakingly devised. It was a tough call—a real catch-22.
“Tch. Was I too complacent?”
…Seems like it.
I’d invested two months expecting success, only to end up empty-handed.
Resolving to make a decision soon, I clicked my tongue lightly and turned away, leaving the silent underground training hall behind.
The previous attempt to conquer the Steel Mountain Range had been a single, disastrous failure.
No, “disastrous” is putting it mildly. Nearly 5,000 soldiers entered, and within five days, 90% were dead or missing. “Catastrophic” fits better.
The central administration took that experience as a lesson and assembled an expedition force three times larger this time—about 15,000 troops.
Numbers weren’t the main concern now. What stood out was that the expedition was divided into four units: East, West, South, and North.
“As you all know, our mercenary clan will be participating as the South Expeditionary Force in the Steel Mountain operation.”
In the conference room, all clan members sat watching me. Perhaps because this was the first official briefing on the Steel Mountain, faint tension flickered across their faces.
“The South Expeditionary Force is ranked second in strength this time…”
At that moment, someone raised their hand slowly. It was Shin Jaeryong.
“Clan Lord, I have a question.”
“Yes, you may ask.”
“Why split the expedition into four units? Wouldn’t it be better to go all at once?”
“Hmm.”
That was a sharp question.
“Many have wondered the same. If I had to put it simply, it’s a matter of perspective.”
“Perspective?”
“Yes. The central administration identified the top cause of the previous failure as a chaotic command structure. They judged that if too many troops gathered at once, the ability to respond in emergencies would drop drastically.”
“Hmm. Even so, splitting into four seems extreme. That means fewer than 4,000 per unit, which risks being picked off one by one.”
Several clan members nodded, sharing Shin Jaeryong’s concern.
But I shook my head calmly.
“No. The central administration’s motto for this operation is safety first, safety second. According to insiders, they’re willing to take more time if it means maximizing safety. The plan is already set. Since they said that, there must be a reason… And I expect the details will be revealed during the upcoming Barbara summons, after the city-level formations are finalized.”
In other words, we just had to wait. The administration wouldn’t stubbornly stick to a flawed plan unless they had a good reason—or a surprise strategy to impress us all.
Watching the clan members settle down, I spoke quietly.
“I know you have many questions, but this is all that’s been disclosed so far. Aside from what I’ve mentioned, the rest is largely unchanged from three years ago. No rookies or first-years can participate, and we’ll be fighting as clans. That’s about it.”
I paused, scanning their faces. Despite most of the key info being out, their expressions still held a trace of tension, as if waiting for something more—something crucial.
“…And.”
Should I say it? Or not?
I hesitated.
But since it would come out eventually, I figured it was better to tell them now.
“The majority of participants for the Steel Mountain operation have already been decided.”
As expected, the moment I said that, the clan members exchanged surprised looks, a faint murmur rippling through the room.
For them, whether or not they were chosen was probably the biggest concern—far more pressing than the operation itself. Their perspective was naturally very different from mine as clan lord.
The murmuring grew louder.
“Enough, enough.”
Seeing the noise escalating, I clapped my hands a couple of times to regain attention.
“I said the majority, not all. I know you have a lot to say, but please refrain from premature speculation until the official roster is announced.”
“When will the official announcement be made?!”
Someone called out urgently, and I answered immediately.
“That will be after the Barbara summons. We’ll hear the details there and adjust the roster accordingly. The current list is only the first round. So for now, focus on your duties and wait patiently.”
Only then did the clan members finally quiet down.
As I felt during the last war, announcing the lineup is always a sensitive matter. Everyone has different tendencies, so naturally, they’ll each take it differently.
After a pause, I slowly pulled out a cigarette and spoke quietly.
“The message I have for you all remains the same as always: get stronger.”
“…….”
“Now that everything’s on hold, you have plenty of time. I won’t interfere. You can train alone if you want, or use the rewards we’ve gathered from the warehouse. Or, like me, you can exchange user info with other clan members—that’s a good way too.”
“…….”
“One thing’s certain… When I announce the next lineup, I’ll be selecting those I believe are best suited for this operation, based on my own criteria.”
“…….”
The clan members responded with a heavy silence.
But I’m sure they understood the true meaning behind my words.
After the meeting ended.
“Alright. Take these with you.”
I called Yujeong and Hanbyeol separately and brought them to my office. It wasn’t just to hang out—I had something to give each of them.
I placed a seal and a gem on the desk. Yujeong immediately darted forward, poking her face close.
“Oppa~ What is it? What are you giving me?”
I glanced back to see Hanbyeol hesitantly approaching behind her.
I handed the seal to Yujeong and the gem to Hanbyeol.
“These are rewards we got from the mountain range where the dragon sleeps. I should’ve given them to you sooner—sorry, I totally forgot.”
“Huh? Oh, that’s fine. But wait, isn’t this a seal?”
“It’s called the Vegas Stigma. It looks like a seal, but it’s a kind of mystical artifact imbued with mysterious power. After checking with Goose Appraisal, it seems perfect for you.”
“For me? So… does that mean this is a dagger? How?”
“Ah, don’t get worked up. Just channel your mana into it and press it anywhere on your body. You’ll figure it out naturally.”
“P-press it?”
Yujeong’s eyes went wide as saucers. I sighed softly.
Then I picked up the gem I’d set aside and turned to Hanbyeol.
The gem shimmered with a calm ocean hue—Cordelia. I’d originally planned to give it to Han Soyoung, but she refused, so it became an unfortunate gem without an owner.
But thinking it over, Soyoung was right. So I decided to give it to Hanbyeol instead. Not out of any ulterior motive, but because Hanbyeol had done the most to help with my stamina issues lately. Consider it me repaying a debt.
“Hanbyeol, this is a gem called Cordelia. When used, its effect is—”
“I-I know what it does.”
“Oh? Then no need to explain. Here, it’s yours.”
“…Me? For me?”
Hanbyeol blinked in surprise, and I nodded once more.
A moment later—
“Eek! Oppa, you’re the best! Love you~!”
“Ah… um… so…”
Their reactions couldn’t have been more different. Yujeong jumped up, cheering and throwing herself at me, while Hanbyeol shook her head and took a step back, nervously fiddling with her hands and biting her lip.
Why the sudden hesitation? If I say take it, just take it already.
I barely pushed Yujeong away as she rubbed her face against mine like a cat, then quickly spoke.
“It’s fine, just take it. You’ve done a lot for me, after all.”
“N-no, Oppa. How could I possibly—”
“Hey, it’s your personal reward anyway… hey?”
“Oppa! Oppa!”
Right as I was about to end my sentence with a ‘hey,’ I suddenly felt my gaze shift sharply away from Hanbyeol.
When I opened my eyes again, Yujeong was grinning from ear to ear, holding my face firmly with both hands, forcing me to look at her. It was as if she was telling me not to worry about Hanbyeol.
“Oppa~ Where should I press this? Hmm?”
Yujeong lifted her shirt slightly, batting her eyes with a ridiculous amount of charm. She must be really happy about the reward.
But even amid all that, I didn’t miss the cold, stiff expression on Hanbyeol’s face. She must have caught on to Yujeong’s intentions. Well, if anyone’s perceptive, it’s Kim Hanbyeol.
I muttered, “Do as you like,” and weakly shook the gem in my left hand, signaling her to just take it and be done with it.
Then—
Hanbyeol, who had been glaring at Yujeong, suddenly stepped forward with a serious look.
She stared at the gem in my hand for a moment.
“Hanbyeol?”
Suddenly, she leaned in close.
And then—
smack
“Ugh.”
I gasped at the sticky sensation on my finger.
Hanbyeol—Kim Hanbyeol—had opened her mouth and, with a sharp smack sound, sucked on my finger, or rather, the Cordelia gem itself.
A heavy silence fell.
“Oppa. Thank you.”
She politely bowed her head, her cheek puffed out as if nothing had happened.
“…Huh?”
Yujeong stared at Hanbyeol in disbelief.
“Hmph.”
Hanbyeol let out a cold, disdainful snort.
…Was I imagining the electric tension crackling between those two?
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------
Sorry for being about 15 minutes late today. The revision took a bit longer than expected. (__)