00601 Those who fight to the death survive, and those who run away to the death…
With that, An Hyun headed toward the wounded management station, while Go Yeon-ju made her way to the southern outpost.
Yet, ironically, the one who found Kim Soo-hyun first was Han So-young—the one who had left last.
The reason was simple. While An Hyun and Go Yeon-ju went searching the places Kim Soo-hyun was likely to have gone, Han So-young had been tracking his trail from the start using her extrasensory perception.
She first checked the northern outpost, then the wounded management station, and finally the western outskirts.
It took Han So-young less than twenty minutes to spot Kim Soo-hyun sitting on the fence.
“Mercenary Lord…!”
Half surprised at how quickly she found him, and half feeling victorious, Han So-young called out to Kim Soo-hyun in a slightly excited tone.
But there was no response. Han So-young hadn’t tried to hide her presence, and Kim Soo-hyun would have reacted before she even got close in the past. Yet now, he sat motionless on the fence.
Come to think of it, his head was bowed deeply…
Could he be asleep?
Thinking that, Han So-young quietly crept closer, trying to keep her footsteps light.
But as she reached right beside him, the sleeve of her army uniform lifted slightly. Suddenly, a strong scent of blood hit her nose. When she looked down, she saw a large pool of blood staining the ground. Her eyes widened in shock.
“Mercenary Lord? Mercenary Lord!”
She called out urgently, clutching his slumped shoulders.
“Ah…”
Slowly, Kim Soo-hyun’s body tilted—
Right into Han So-young’s arms.
Something incredibly soft brushed gently against my face. Stirred by that tender touch, I slowly opened my eyes and saw the sun high in the sky, clouds drifting lazily, and a face bathed in sunlight, glowing softly.
Half-dreaming, half-awake, I wasn’t sure if this was real or a dream. But at least I knew who was looking down at me with the sky behind her. The one whose luscious, glossy jet-black hair was tickling my cheek… it was definitely Han So-young.
But why was she here? She’d been wandering alone just before dawn…
Ah, maybe it’s a dream? That must be it.
Right. It has to be a dream.
There’s no way Han So-young would just appear like this. She’s been so busy lately.
Yes, it’s a dream.
After a moment’s thought, I concluded this must be a dream. What do they call this phenomenon? Déjà vu? No, that’s not it…
Ah, lucid dream. That’s what it’s called.
Anyway, it’s fine. Even if it’s a dream, I welcome it. Lately, I’ve been feeling unsettled, but having a healing dream like this means I’m not quite done yet. Suddenly, I felt a surge of happiness.
In the dream, Han So-young said nothing. She just looked down quietly, like an angel descended from the heavens…
Hmm. I don’t like angels.
Then maybe a fairy…
No, I don’t like fairies either.
Anyway, she just kept her lips sealed, quietly watching me. As we locked eyes for a moment, a sudden courage welled up inside me. After all, if this is a dream, I can say whatever I want… No, wait!
…Phew. Either way, it should be okay to speak now.
Like the words I couldn’t say after we reunited, the ones I had to keep locked inside my heart.
Clan Lord. Do you know?
I missed you.
I really, truly missed you.
From now on, I’ll protect you no matter what.
Ah, I said it.
Calling Han So-young “Clan Lord” after such a long time felt a little awkward, but I finally said it. These embarrassing words just flowed out today. Maybe it’s because it’s a dream? Ha ha ha.
Come to think of it, my head feels incredibly comfortable. Like resting on something warm and soft.
The warmth around my neck is so cozy that I closed my eyes again and turned halfway over. Then I felt my nose buried somewhere, and a sweet, fragrant scent filled the air. At the same time, a gentle touch slowly stroked the top of my head.
Ah. This must be heaven.
Thank you, Clan Lord.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Then, suddenly, a voice interrupted me, and I froze in place. The silence that followed made me uneasy. I shifted slightly.
“There’s no need to thank me… but while you’re looking so comfortable, could you please turn your head back? Or even turn it the other way.”
Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?
“And please don’t bury your nose there… it’s a sensitive spot.”
At that moment, I was jolted fully awake.
I opened my eyes and looked up to see Han So-young’s usual expressionless face staring down at me.
…Wait.
“You don’t seem fully awake yet.”
Uh, uh…
No thoughts came to me. I tried to sit up reflexively, but Han So-young gently placed her hand on my forehead, stopping me. Is she telling me to stay still?
“───. ───. ───. Purification.”
As Han So-young chanted the spell, a refreshing coolness surged through me. It traveled throughout my body, cleansing me. It felt like a deep thirst melting away, and I felt the tension in my muscles slowly ease.
After a moment, Han So-young finished the spell and looked at me quietly.
“Do you feel better now?”
“Y-yes. Much better. Very much better.”
“That’s good.”
“Y-yeah. It really is.”
What am I even saying? I don’t know. And more importantly, is it okay that I’m still resting my head on her thigh?
The thought of how audacious that was crossed my mind, but still, I couldn’t bring myself to sit up. I realized this wasn’t a dream anymore, but it still felt dreamlike.
It was insanely cozy—so cozy I wouldn’t mind dying right here.
Time passed like that. Caught between the pressure of Han So-young’s close gaze and the floating sensation throughout my body.
Then Han So-young finally spoke.
“You were sitting on the fence until about thirty minutes ago. You suddenly collapsed, and I caught you.”
“How did you know?”
“I found you, but I also heard bits and pieces from the mercenary clan members. Especially the Shadow Queen had some interesting things to say.”
“Go Yeon-ju?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“…Why do you look like that?”
“Huh…?”
Suddenly, Han So-young’s voice dropped. I closed my mouth without realizing it.
She went on to recount my actions after the pit assault—how I wandered with the scouting team, barely ate, and even muttered to An Hyun about how hard it was. Why would she tell on me like that?
“When I asked why they didn’t stop you, the Shadow Queen said you’re not the type to listen even if told.”
Each word stabbed into my chest like a dagger. The subtle reproach in her voice reminded me I’d failed to take care of myself. I was so embarrassed that Han So-young—of all people—had found out, my face burned.
After a pause, Han So-young sighed lightly and tilted her head back to look at the sky. Even then, the breeze ruffling her hair looked beautiful. She must be seriously worried.
“The position of Clan Lord is one that commands the respect of the clan members. Especially in the Mercenary Clan, where everything is focused on the Mercenary Lord.”
“It’s a bit different from the Estantel Row Clan, but I don’t want to criticize the Mercenary Clan’s structure. Because whenever it’s necessary, the Clan Lord steps up and takes responsibility.”
Her voice flowed beautifully, like a song.
“Then and now, the Mercenary Lord has proven to have the ability and qualifications. That’s why the Mercenary Clan exists as it does today.”
“I feel the same. Thanks to the Mercenary Lord’s efforts, we were able to successfully complete the assault that seemed impossible. …But, no matter how much that’s true—”
Her gaze shifted from the sky back to me.
“As a fellow Clan Lord, I can’t accept a Mercenary Lord who acts so recklessly.”
With those words, Han So-young’s song—no, her story—came to an end.
“…”
I closed my eyes gently.
Even with the S-rank Clan Lord title, to hear this kind of thing made me realize I still have a long way to go.
But it didn’t feel bad. Because it came from someone I deeply admire. Instead, I felt I’d learned something, and a smile crept onto my face.
“Did that upset you?”
“No, it’s just…”
“…?”
“…Thank you.”
Because of that,
“And I’m sorry…”
I shook my head and offered a sincere apology.
Suddenly, a serene silence settled over us. I was smiling. My eyes were closed, so I couldn’t see, but somehow I was certain that Han So-young was smiling too.
After a moment, I felt a gentle touch on the crown of my head. It felt like a silent permission to stay like this a little longer, so I relaxed completely, letting go of all the tension in my body. And then…
“No, thank you.”
I surrendered calmly to the slow, rising tide of emotions washing over me.
The next day.
A beautiful, quiet morning dawned with not a single cloud in the sky.
But the tent I was in was anything but quiet. News had just come through that the fortress construction site had been finalized, and with it, Shin Jae-ryong and Helene, who had been at the field hospital, returned this very morning.
Since I had things to discuss, I immediately called all the clan members, including the two of them. One by one, they came in, filling the tent with a lively buzz of voices.
Of course, that wasn’t the only source of noise.
“Our clan leader sent a gift!”
Just as I was about to quiet everyone down and start speaking, Park Da-yeon from the Istantel Row burst in unexpectedly. Without any preamble, she thrust a bottle filled with a shimmering purple liquid into my hands, calling it a gift.
“Te-amo Potion of Iscart.”
(A note appeared in the air: “An ancient elixir created by the legendary alchemist Iscart after enduring countless hardships to save the woman he loved from a terminal illness. Though centuries have passed and some of its original potency has faded due to mishandling, it still retains healing properties. Upon consumption, the user’s blood is purified, vitality surges through their body, and health gradually restores.”)
Reading the message, I couldn’t help but be stunned. The Iscart workshop was one of the ruins I had introduced to Han So-young two years ago. This must be something they obtained there—but why give it to me?
“Um, user Park Da-yeon.”
“Yes? Please, drink it.”
“W-wait, I mean… such a precious find…”
“It’s fine, really. Our clan leader told me not to come back until I saw the mercenary leader drink it. I have to bring back the empty bottle as proof.”
I wanted to say, “Don’t lie,” but looking at Park Da-yeon’s bright, cheerful smile, I just couldn’t.
“Go on. You have a meeting to get to, right?”
“…”
Sigh.
In the end, unable to resist the expectant gazes—including hers—I reluctantly drank the potion.
Afterward, Park Da-yeon did take the empty bottle, bowed deeply with a “Thank you,” and said her goodbyes.
Just as she was about to leave the tent, she muttered to herself, “This is real support work. Hohohoho.”
Huh? What was that?
“Hoho… so that’s how it’s going to be?”
I heard the sound of teeth grinding somewhere nearby, but I cleared my throat and looked at the clan members.
“Well, now that everyone’s here…?”
That was when I noticed Ko Yeon-ju puffing out her cheeks for some reason.
No, most of the women looked displeased, and the men all gave me strange looks.
…These people.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Looks like the next chapter will wrap up the trial and then move into the third region.
The Steel Mountain Range is divided into four regions in total. However, if we’re talking about the “official” storyline, it’s safe to say it ends with the third region. The fourth region is practically Atlanta’s backyard, and there’s a good reason it’s called the “fourth region.” I plan to reveal more about that next time. :)
Anyway, the official story concludes with region three, and the fourth region should be understood more as one big “battle.”
So, what kind of monsters will appear in region three?
I’ve already dropped hints—once during the war with the Western Continent, and once in Ansol’s dream. Those who remember might have a Eureka moment and say, “Ah, that’s it!” Haha.
By the way, I updated this at 12:17 AM today. Nice, very nice. I’m starting to find my rhythm!
Now, come on, give me a little pat on the head to keep me going, will you? (Feeling cheeky.)
し○へ へ○/ ＼○へ へ○ヘ く○/
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〈 〈 〉 〈 く
Eheradiya!