The air suddenly grew heavy.
Even the passing breeze turned cold.
Having thrown a blunt pitch right from the start, all eyes in the clan were now fixed on me.
I could feel it just from their gazes.
They didn’t want to go.
They really didn’t want to.
Why should we go?
Did we have to?
I didn’t even need to hear their words to guess their reactions.
Yet, no one dared to speak up.
Because the one who brought this up was me.
Truth be told…
After a long, agonizing deliberation, I had made my decision—but I still wasn’t sure.
“Is this really the only way?” I had asked myself dozens of times, but found no answer.
But the die was already cast.
If I couldn’t turn the clan’s hearts here and now, the future was all too clear: morale would plummet, trust between us would fracture, and the image I had worked so hard to uphold could be shattered beyond repair.
Still, I had taken the risk and spoken up, clinging to a single thread of hope—sincerity.
So.
“A long time ago… you all remember when the Dragon’s Slumbering Range was first discovered.”
At last, I broke the long silence and began to speak.
“At that time, I declared that we wouldn’t attempt to conquer the Dragon’s Slumbering Range, and I know many of you were dissatisfied at first. I said this then.”
“…”
“We cannot conquer the Dragon’s Slumbering Range. No, I wasn’t confident enough to lead the charge there.”
“…”
“If I recall correctly, the complaints died down after about six months. You probably saw how things unfolded around that area, and though it took some time, I believe you eventually accepted and understood my reasoning.”
“…”
The clan members remained silent, but their focus was unwavering.
They all watched me with blank faces, lips sealed. I felt the need to steel myself.
“Looking back, I’ve always been like that, and you wanted it that way too.
As free mercenaries, our actions have always been purposeful, driven by goals and ultimately results.
I’m not saying that’s wrong. In fact, I’m proud of it.
…but.”
I paused.
From here on, I wasn’t sure how to continue.
Should I plead with a pitiful voice, appealing to their sympathy?
No, I didn’t want that.
Should I just speak calmly, like before?
No, that wouldn’t do either.
If I could, I just wanted to speak honestly.
If the clan truly remembered who I was, then at least I wanted to keep my dignity intact.
“This time, the situation is very different.
As you’ve experienced, the Steel Range is incomparable to the Dragon’s Slumbering Range. Frankly, it’s nearly impossible for us to conquer the Third Region on our own…”
And then.
“Also, as I mentioned earlier, this mission is insurance.
Even if, by some stroke of luck, we manage to succeed, I can’t promise any achievements that would motivate you like before.”
But.
“Nevertheless.”
I swallowed hard.
“I want to take on this mission with all of you.”
The words came out like a cough.
At once, the intensity in their eyes sharpened.
“As I just said, I can’t guarantee success, nor any rewards.
…but there is one thing I can promise with absolute certainty.”
The die was cast.
“If you join me on this mission…
I will lead from the front.
If even one clan member falls into danger…
No matter what happens, I will never give up. I will stake my life to save you.”
Leading from the front, refusing to abandon a single person.
The same as always.
“…Yes. That’s all I can say.”
Suddenly, I felt breathless.
No, it wasn’t just a feeling—I was genuinely out of breath. I was only speaking, yet somehow it felt exhausting.
Still, I knew this wasn’t enough.
“I know how you feel.
‘Do we really have to go?’
I forced my lips open, which kept wanting to close.
“As some of you know, my brother holds a very important position in the Northern Expeditionary Force. But the Northern Expeditionary Force is currently unstable, and personally, I don’t think they’re capable of conquering the Third Region.”
I couldn’t say everything, but I would tell as much truth as I could.
“So, I want to go.
If this is a situation like the first time, where all we can do is watch…
If, God forbid, the Northern Expeditionary Force—and my brother—fall…
I…”
I couldn’t go on.
“I don’t think I could bear it.”
I might lose my mind.
Some time passed.
Then, a wave of relief washed over me, as if my whole body relaxed. I felt like I might stumble if I took a step. It was as if I was squeezing out my voice.
“This isn’t a demand or an order. It’s a purely personal request for your help.”
Struggling to hold on, I spoke softly.
“If you don’t turn your backs on me now and help, I won’t forget you. I will trust you always, and take responsibility until we see the end of this world.”
That was it. The only condition I could offer, though I couldn’t explain it in detail.
“You need people right now. People willing to risk their lives to help you…”
If, as my brother said, these were truly people who would stake their lives for me,
Then I could think of them not as mere ‘users,’ but as ‘people’—ones I would return with.
With that thought, I spoke one last time.
“That’s all.”
I glanced once more at the still-silent clan members.
“Those of you willing to help me, please stand.”
I closed my eyes slowly, very slowly.
…Until I shut them completely, no one stirred.
At last, Kim Suhyun finished speaking.
Almost immediately, a heavy silence settled over the clan. Earlier, it had been mere quiet; now, it felt suffocating.
No one dared to move.
Because everyone felt it. They understood what Kim Suhyun was thinking, the stance he took to create this moment and face it.
In truth, it was a request no one could be faulted for refusing.
But…
Strangely, the clan members hesitated to decide.
After all, Kim Suhyun was the core of this mercenary clan.
And now, for the first time, he had spoken with vulnerability—not casually, not demanding obedience, but staking his position as clan lord on this moment.
Could that be why?
Seeing Kim Suhyun standing there with his eyes closed, a strange, indescribable feeling stirred among the clan.
One second, two, three…
Time passed.
Kim Hanbyul scanned the room, tense.
The clan members showed a variety of reactions.
Four, five, six…
Some tilted their heads, others glanced around nervously, some still looked displeased, and a few closed their eyes in deep thought…
But no one stood.
Seven, eight, nine…
Ssshhh… ssshhh…
Suddenly, a breeze blew.
Whether it was the wind or a sudden change of heart, someone shook their head.
Kim Hanbyul bit his lip tightly, and, determined to act, planted his hand firmly on the ground.
And then, at that moment—
Thud!
“I’ll follow you. No, I will absolutely follow you.”
“I’m in.”
Just as ten seconds passed, two people rose simultaneously.
Startled, Kim Hanbyul turned his head and saw two men standing, leaning on their spear and staff.
An Hyun and Shin Jaeryong.
The gaze that had been fixed on Kim Suhyun instantly shifted to them.
“Um… well…”
An Hyun scratched his head and spoke.
“I can’t make grand speeches like you, hyung.
But I know this much: if my little brother were involved, I’d make the same choice. So here, I’m not a user—I’m your brother, and a person. I’ll help you.”
After saying that, An Hyun looked to Shin Jaeryong.
“The clan lord saved my life. Twice.”
Shin Jaeryong smiled gently and replied immediately.
“There’s no other reason. As someone who’s been saved… to turn away when your benefactor is in trouble and asking for help—that’s worse than being an animal.”
It was the same words Kim Suhyun had said when he joined the rescue team to save Mule.
“I can’t argue with that.”
Those words were echoed by Cha Sorim, who rose quietly. She was another user saved by Kim Suhyun when her body was dying under the lich’s curse.
With Cha Sorim standing, the mood among the clan shifted dramatically.
And shortly after—
“Damn it! If everyone’s doing it, I can’t just sit here! I’m going too! I’m going!”
Another man grumbled but smiled as he stood. One sleeve fluttered loosely in the wind—he’d lost an arm.
Kim Dongseok.
He had lost his arm to vagrants who attacked Mule but had escaped safely under Kim Suhyun’s protection.
Of course, he wasn’t the only one.
“Well then, I guess I have to stand up too.”
At that moment, several other users who had been saved just like Park Dasom began to rise to their feet.
Out of the roughly thirty people present, about one-sixth stood up.
Then—
“Grace like the ocean, vengeance like a blade.”
The clan members who had been sitting silently finally started to respond, one by one.
“…I’ve lived by that motto my whole life.”
Breaking the silence, a long-haired man who had been quietly seated rose to his feet. It was Woo Jung-min.
“And now, I feel the time has come to repay that grace.”
Woo Jung-min, Seon Yoo-woon, and Won Hye-soo.
All three had been battle users during the war with the Western Continent, cornered with no way out, but thanks to Kim Soo-hyun, they had managed to make a comeback.
They weren’t the only ones.
“I’m going too.”
Kim Han-byul jumped up.
“I-I’m coming as well!”
Not to be outdone, Lee Yoo-jung stood up. Ahn Sol and Baek Han-gyeol followed suit.
“In that case, I’ll join as well.”
Park Hyun-woo, who had survived under the mercenaries’ protection after the fall of the Golden Lion, also rose.
“Hmph. Even if I said I wouldn’t go, I’d probably just be waving the contract around anyway.”
Vivian lifted herself off her seat with a smirk.
Nearly half the clan members were now on their feet. A few of those still seated looked uneasy, fidgeting with reluctant expressions.
Their gazes soon converged on one spot.
There, four women sat together: Jung Ha-yeon, Go Yeon-ju, Nam Da-eun, and Im Han-na. Perhaps the loudest voices to oppose Kim Soo-hyun here would come from them.
Noticing the attention, Jung Ha-yeon spoke first.
“Suddenly… I’m reminded of something a professor once said.”
“Any venture that loses its public interest can never truly succeed. Even if it gains some footing, it will face countless obstacles.
“Of course, I can’t say the current clan lord’s intentions are purely for the public good…”
She paused, then continued.
“From a broader perspective, I believe this mission is an opportunity to fill the biggest gap the mercenaries have. Therefore, I’m in favor.”
With composed grace, she stood.
“Well… since he’s my brother-in-law…”
Go Yeon-ju’s voice followed lazily, and Nam Da-eun and Im Han-na exchanged glances before standing as well, smiling softly.
Now, well over half the members were standing—mostly the core users.
The tide had clearly turned.
Even those still seated began to stir.
After some time passed, Kim Soo-hyun slowly opened his eyes.
“…!”
A sharp flash of emotion crossed his gaze.
He had heard about this through his ears, but seeing it firsthand was a different feeling altogether.
Almost every clan member was standing.
Some might have risen for personal reasons or simply swept up by the mood.
But the undeniable fact was that they were standing—and they had not ignored Kim Soo-hyun’s call for help.
All but one.
“Hmm…”
Despite nearly everyone standing, one user remained seated: Heo Jun-young. Holding a thin, long sword nearly as tall as himself, he sat like a samurai, eyes closed.
Then—
Heo Jun-young’s eyes slowly opened. His calm gaze fixed on Kim Soo-hyun.
“Well…”
His arms rose slowly, gripping the sword’s hilt pointed toward the sky.
“I’ll follow. …It’d be boring to be left alone.”
With a slight squeeze of his hand, Heo Jun-young rose deliberately.
With that, all 31 members of the Mercenary Clan were standing.
“Heh… If you were going to stand anyway, why the hesitation?”
“Shut up. Just paying back some debts, one way or another…”
“You’re so not honest. A man acting all prim and proper…”
“I told you to shut up, you thunder nudist.”
Ahn Hyun strolled over, teasingly poking Heo Jun-young, who flushed slightly before baring his teeth in a growl. Ahn Hyun chuckled and stepped back.
Heo Jun-young’s prim demeanor was oddly amusing, and one by one, the clan members around them began to laugh as well.
“Hehehehe!”
“Hahaha, hahaha!”
And then—
“All of you…”
As Kim Soo-hyun’s words continued, the laughter transformed into a unified roar.
Waaaaaah!
Though only about thirty strong, their magic-charged shout echoed far and wide, reaching even the far corners of the fortress. It was enough to make those inside the tents wonder what was happening and step outside.
Han So-young was no exception.
Flap, flap…
Startled by the sudden roar, Han So-young, who had been flipping through records in the central tent, looked up toward the entrance.
“…”
After staring outside for a long moment, she lowered her gaze back to the records.
A faint, knowing smile had quietly settled on her lips.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
For the upcoming third region raid, I promise to present a different structure than the previous two. Of course, battles remain inevitable as long as monsters exist, but it won’t be a steady, step-by-step progression like in the second region. That was never the plan from the start.
I’ll do my best to make it more enjoyable.
Thank you, and I’m sorry as always. (__)