The battle was over. What had begun around noon drew to a close as the sun slowly dipped toward the horizon.
By all accounts, it was a decisive victory. The enemy forces in the valley were nearly wiped out, and similar success was achieved on the hill. Of course, the Southern Expeditionary Force suffered some casualties, but compared to the monsters, it was barely a scratch. Excluding those who needed medical attention, the total number of wounded could be counted on one hand—no need to say more.
Han So-young was a seasoned warrior. She valued momentum but never lost sight of the bigger picture. Upon receiving a report about a massive pit beyond the hill’s barrier, she immediately ordered the troops to halt and set up camp.
A wise decision. The Southern Expeditionary Force knew nothing about this newly discovered pit. Charging in recklessly, relying solely on momentum, could have led to disaster. Besides, the excited users needed to be calmed down. Taking all that into account, Han So-young granted them a well-deserved, slightly extended rest to celebrate the victory.
So, after pitching the camp in a circle atop the hill, the Southern Expeditionary Force settled in to soothe their weary bodies and minds. For today only, moderate drinking and cooking personal ingredients were allowed without anyone raising objections.
I, too, wanted to savor a meal prepared by Ko Yeon-ju after a long time, but a commander’s gathering was scheduled, so I had to swallow my disappointment and give it up. Honestly, I could have declined due to battle fatigue, but Han So-young had insisted I attend—how could I refuse? Even if it meant risking my life, I had to go.
The gathering was lively and cheerful. No one had to lead the mood; the atmosphere naturally lifted as everyone laughed and enjoyed the food.
Of course, not everyone was in high spirits. Despite the great victory, some users had died. Regardless of luck, there were those who couldn’t simply celebrate. Clan leaders who had lost subordinates quietly sipped their drinks, casting furtive glances around. Han So-young seemed mindful of them, occasionally responding briefly and maintaining a calm meal.
So, I quietly picked at my food, stealing glances at Han So-young seated at the head of the table. Watching her eat, she looked truly graceful. How did such poise emanate from every little movement?
Just then, Han So-young suddenly lifted her head and looked straight at me.
“…?”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Huh?”
“You keep staring.”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
Facing her expressionless gaze, I couldn’t bring myself to reveal my thoughts. I barely managed a reply before lowering my eyes. A faint sigh escaped, and I felt her gaze drop away.
Then—
“Hey!”
A sudden, high-pitched soprano voice rang sharply in my ear. Glancing over, I saw Vivian, her face flushed red, wagging a finger at me.
“Kim Soo-hyun!”
Though not a commander, Vivian was exceptionally invited to the gathering in recognition of her past achievements. Given her contributions far exceeded most users’, no one objected to her presence. In fact, some even eagerly fawned over her as soon as she arrived. (I hate to admit it, but Vivian was undeniably a uniquely charming beauty—if only her personality weren’t so eccentric.)
“You know, you really shouldn’t do that.”
Vivian’s tongue twisted as she spoke, dragging her chair closer. She’d been drinking heavily earlier and was already quite tipsy.
I shook my head and waved my hands, signaling I didn’t want to deal with her.
But Vivian clung stubbornly.
“Seriously, you never keep your promises.”
“What promises?”
“Look at this! Look! I knew you’d do this!” Vivian slurred, suddenly thrusting her face close enough that our noses nearly touched.
From the side, a quiet hiccup caught my attention.
“Kim Soo-hyun, you!”
Vivian’s eyes half-lidded, she whispered.
“When are you going to spank my butt?”
“Pft.”
A sudden burst of water-spraying laughter came from somewhere—not me, not Vivian.
Turning quickly, I saw Han So-young coughing, her delicate form shaking slightly. Even coughing, she looked… well, not quite right.
For a moment, I felt my mind scatter, as if my soul was drifting away. But I quickly pulled myself together.
Right. I was a user who’d been in the Hall Plain for thirteen years. I couldn’t be rattled by something like this. It was wiser to stay composed and blame Vivian’s antics to ease suspicion.
Gathering my thoughts, I calmly pushed Vivian away. She grimaced, trying not to be moved, and I spoke quietly but firmly.
“Having fun is fine, but don’t get drunk and start spouting nonsense.”
“Why! What!”
“Vivian.”
“…”
I tightened my throat and spoke sternly. Vivian immediately shut up and began eyeing me cautiously. So she wasn’t as drunk as she seemed.
“This isn’t just a private gathering. Even if you were specially invited, please don’t behave excessively.”
After the warning, I slid the plate of food toward her. Vivian stared blankly.
“Take it. You didn’t come here to eat anyway, right?”
“…”
For some reason, Vivian snapped in anger and turned away. Still, she took the plate, which made me smile.
But soon, I felt a familiar gaze from the side. Clearing my throat, I nonchalantly took a sip of my drink.
Only after another thirty minutes passed did the suspicious looks finally fade.
Despite the awkward episode, the gathering continued on a mostly pleasant note.
As plates emptied and drinks ran low, the mood shifted subtly. A man quietly spoke up.
“Commander-in-Chief, I hate to bring this up at such a good gathering, but may I ask a question?”
His voice was low—not loud enough to disturb others, easy to ignore if you weren’t paying attention.
“Go ahead.”
“Tomorrow… what are your plans for that pit?”
The room fell silent instantly.
“How do you intend to handle the pit?”
The question was simple but loaded with complex implications.
Han So-young showed no immediate reaction. She narrowed her eyes slightly but kept her expression neutral, adjusting her posture.
“For now, we’ll halt the advance here.”
“So…”
“Of course, only the advance will stop. The assault will continue.”
The meaning was clear. Some users had seen monsters fleeing into the pit.
In other words, they planned to enter the pit and completely clear out the monsters.
“Wouldn’t it be better to just bypass it and continue the advance? We’ve already won decisively. There’s no need to risk entering what’s likely their stronghold.”
Someone cautiously spoke up.
I’m sure most here shared that thought. After witnessing the Eastern Expedition’s first assault and its aftermath, many felt we’d done enough. Given what the Eastern Expedition had done, it wasn’t an unreasonable opinion.
“That’s not an option. Once the investigation of the pit is complete, we will launch the stronghold assault.”
Han So-young’s resolve was firm. She cut off the discussion with a decisive tone, then scanned the room with an emotionless gaze.
“I understand your thoughts. Or at least, I think I do. The idea is to advance moderately, bide time, build a fortress, and then just pass on information to the next expeditionary force. Isn’t that right?”
Her words hit the mark. Those who had voiced concerns fell silent, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“Of course, we could just pass by. Many users would prefer that. But let me be clear: that would be meaningless.”
“…”
“I hope you all reconsider why the Central Management Organization wanted this fortress built.”
“Um, then…”
As Han So-young finished, another user spoke hesitantly, somewhat deflated.
“Commander-in-Chief, you know the importance of the advance distance. If the pit can be cleared quickly, fine, but if it takes longer than the designated time…”
“If it exceeds the designated time, we’ll find a place nearby to build the fortress after the stronghold assault. Regardless, the assault takes priority.”
“Won’t other expeditionary forces raise objections over the advance distance?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Han So-young raised her right hand gently onto the table as she spoke.
“If anything like that happens, I will take full responsibility and resolve it. If we have truly fulfilled our duties, there will be no shame at all.”
Then, with a voice even firmer than before, he spoke. It was just words, really, but somehow his tone carried an undeniable conviction.
The users glanced at each other, then one by one began nodding in agreement with understanding on their faces.
With those words, the gathering came to an end.
Late at night. It felt like only moments ago they had fought in the valley, yet now a deep darkness had settled in.
The users, having rested well throughout the day, moved as usual once night fell. Some stood on the hill, keeping watch, while the rest retreated to their tents to prepare for tomorrow.
I was no different. In fact, I still had a bit of time before my watch, but since the campsite was newly arranged in a stretched circular formation, my turn came up sooner than expected. The perimeter to guard had naturally expanded, requiring more commanders to oversee each section.
Han So-young was particularly meticulous about the watch, so whether I liked it or not, I had no choice but to step up.
Anyway.
I sat atop the hill, gazing down. The pit below looked like it could swallow you whole just by staring into it, and I found myself lost in thought.
Suddenly, a laugh escaped me, recalling something from the gathering earlier. “Can’t we just let it go?”
Did the users really understand? That pushing forward to face new monsters was a hundred, a thousand times worse than tackling that pit here. That the chances of survival were far higher if we focused on it. Because ahead of us…
At that moment.
While deep in thought, I sensed someone approaching from the side. Not an enemy. Then it must be a user…
Without hesitation, I pulled out a map from my pocket and unfolded it, pretending to study it intently.
When standing watch like this, it wasn’t uncommon for users to approach. Given my high rank in the southern expedition, many came with requests.
Some asked for more protection for their clans in battle, others wanted to pass on riskier roles, or even tried to tempt me into joining them.
Politely declining once or twice was fine, but if it kept happening, it would breed irritation and even cause tempers to flare.
So I developed a strategy: always look at the map. Any user who understood the importance of my role as scout wouldn’t dare interrupt. If my mind was elsewhere, I could just tell them to leave.
But the visitor that appeared shattered my expectations. No, the woman who showed up wasn’t a user at all — she was a resident.
“Ugh.”
Vivian passed right by me without a word. Glancing over, I saw her striding with exaggerated stiffness, as if her neck and back might snap from the tension. Probably still riding high from all the praise she’d received at the gathering. So that was why she came to show off to me. Yeah, I’d been wondering why she’d been so quiet lately.
Just as Vivian seemed to disappear into the distance, she suddenly turned back and started coming my way again. I decided to ignore her and returned my gaze to the map.
“Ahem!”
A stronger cough this time. It sounded like she wanted me to notice her.
Ignore, ignore.
“Aheh-hem! Uh-heh-hem!”
But Vivian wouldn’t give up. It must be embarrassing to keep pacing back and forth like this, yet she coughed even more determinedly. Was she daring me to engage?
I chuckled quietly and muttered to myself while studying the map, as if declaring I would never allow any interruption.
“Hmm. This point here… might be a bit dangerous. If we consider it in relation to Area 1…”
“Oh! I dropped something over there! I should go pick it up!”
Had she switched from coughing to talking nonsense? Well, whatever.
“Here, we have to think about the law of action and reaction… hmm. We should advance accordingly. Also, keep in mind the discontinuity of Mohoro-Bichichi.”
“Ah, where was my tent again? Where was it~?”
“Hmm, I see… that should work. But considering relativity, we need to be cautious here. I wonder who would win in Champs with this approach?”
“Oh! Right, I came out to use the bathroom. Does anyone know where it is~?”
For dozens of minutes, she rambled on like this.
Amazingly, Vivian was still circling around me. She must have paced back and forth dozens of times by now. The stubbornness in her voice had faded.
“The bathroom… sniff… where is the bathroom… sniff… ugh…”
What was so heartbreaking? Now all I could hear was a voice trembling with tears.
I sprang to my feet. Vivian startled and abruptly stopped in her tracks.
But I looked away in the opposite direction and quietly spoke.
“Ah, maybe I drank too much alcohol. I’m tired.”
“Huh, huh?”
“I’ll just go to sleep. Better tell the watch first, just in case.”
“…”
With that, I truly started walking toward the user standing watch nearby. Vivian was completely ignored from start to finish.
Then, shortly after.
“Ugh…”
The sound of someone collapsing echoed, followed by a loud, heart-wrenching sob.
“Oh no… ugh… so frustrating… waaaah…”
Go ahead, cry it out, Vivian.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Cry, Vivian! Burn, you stubborn butt!