Meanwhile, at the same time.
“Do you think Suhyun is really angry? Maybe the joke went too far?”
“Don’t worry. If she were truly mad, she would’ve shown it right then and there. You know, she actually kind of likes this stuff. By the way, did you see Shin Jaeryong’s face earlier? I thought I was going to die laughing.”
“I should probably apologize later… Hey, where did Hayeon go?”
“Guess she got embarrassed. The moment Suhyun left, she just ran off.”
Laughter filled the air.
In the fourth-floor office, four women—or rather, three, excluding Jung Hayeon—were deep in conversation. While Shin Jaeryong’s expression came up occasionally, most of the talk centered on Kim Suhyun’s reaction. They understood she’d been busy lately, but since it had been hard to see her these days, they’d forced the situation a bit.
“Anyway, I don’t think we can do this twice. The kids must be exhausted. How do they manage to wear such uncomfortable, suffocating clothes every day…?”
Lim Hanna grimaced and twisted her upper body dramatically. Not once, but twice, even three times, causing the two enormous mounds on her chest to jiggle as if struggling.
“Right? I never imagined she’d even wear a corset. The outfit’s pretty, but it’s way too tight. I’m taking it off.”
Ko Yeonju agreed, reaching behind her back to fumble with the buttons. The garment loosened slightly, wrinkling, but didn’t slip down—something was holding it in place. Her upper body, too, bulged so much it looked like it might burst through the fabric.
“…Hah.”
Nam Daeun, sitting quietly to the side, wore an expression of disbelief. Her eyes held a hint of injustice. Unlike the others, she didn’t find the outfit particularly suffocating. She wanted to shout, “You cows! Yeah, it must be nice having big boobs!” but held back. After all, she was still the youngest in this ‘S.F (Someday Foursome)’ group. She could only sneak a peek under the clothes in secret—and even then, all she got was a sigh.
Then—
Vrrr!
Just as the three women were about to leave, a strong vibration suddenly shook the desk. Startled, Nam Daeun looked up, and Ko Yeonju, who had just stood, casually pulled out a glowing orb. Even most clan members wouldn’t dare touch Kim Suhyun’s personal belongings, but Ko Yeonju was an exception. She lightly infused it with magic, and the orb scattered bright, shimmering light.
Soon, an image appeared: a woman with an intelligent air, her eyes shadowed by heavy lids that seemed to say, “I’m tired.”
(…Huh? The Shadow Queen?)
Squinting, the woman spoke in a bewildered voice—it was Lee Hyoeul.
“Oh my. Isn’t this the head of the Central Management Organization? You’ve been contacting me way too often lately. It’s a bit distracting.”
(She’s pretty harsh to the woman who’s going to be her sister-in-law… And Kim Suhyun’s taste is something else…)
A lighthearted exchange followed. Then, noticing the maid outfit, Lee Hyoeul clicked her tongue and shook her head. Though unintentionally misunderstood, there was nothing to be done—she wasn’t here in person.
Sighing deeply, Lee Hyoeul straightened up.
(Anyway, you must have contacted me for something important, right?)
“What should I do? She’s stepped out for a moment.”
(Hmm… Is anyone around you right now?)
“…One moment.”
Sensing something was off, Ko Yeonju quietly lifted her head and glanced around. Nam Daeun and Lim Hanna exchanged looks before quietly leaving the room. As their footsteps faded, Ko Yeonju fixed her gaze on the orb.
“You can speak now. What’s going on?”
Since Ko Yeonju knew Lee Hyoeul’s background, acting as a messenger wasn’t a problem. Of course, what was about to be said had to remain strictly confidential.
(I’m busy… You can just relay two sentences to the Mercenary Lord.)
The somber voice made Ko Yeonju instinctively sense bad news. The lazy smile on her lips vanished, replaced by a serious expression.
“Just two sentences?”
(Yes. First, tell him we’ve found the user we mentioned before.)
“Found the user we talked about before…? Got it. And?”
(And… that there are no longer any Guardians left on the Northern Continent.)
At that moment, a sharp intake of breath was heard.
Ko Yeonju knew the user well enough. Though she hadn’t formed a deep bond with the Guardian personally, she understood the role they played.
“…Were they killed?”
(That’s not something the Shadow Queen concerns herself with. Anyway, I’m counting on you.)
Lee Hyoeul cut off the communication abruptly. The orb’s light faded, and the image disappeared.
“Hmm…”
A Guardian—someone who had concealed their identity while supporting the user in every way, guiding not only the user but the entire Northern Continent in the right direction—was gone. Considering that more than half of the major clans had, knowingly or not, received the Guardian’s help, this was no trivial matter.
After putting the orb away in a drawer, Ko Yeonju quickly left the room.
The morning air was thick and humid, the sky dull and overcast. Thick gray clouds drifted here and there, making it feel like rain could pour down at any moment. I sighed as I stepped out of the warp gate, lowering my gaze from the sky.
“Why’s the sky so gloomy these days…?”
“…”
I wasn’t talking to myself. But there was no reply. Glancing sideways, I saw Jin Suhyun’s face, stiff and tense. Her expression was shocked, and though she tried hard to appear calm, her ragged breathing and trembling lips betrayed her true feelings. Death was still unfamiliar to her. Understandable, since it was someone close.
“Let’s go.”
I spoke quietly and started walking ahead.
Atlanta Central City wasn’t fully developed yet, so the Central Management Organization’s base was still in Barbara on the Northern Continent. It didn’t take long to reach from the warp gate. Perhaps because it had been arranged beforehand, we entered without any identity checks and were guided by a user to the top floor where Lee Hyoeul awaited.
A moment later.
“…Welcome. Mercenary Lord. And you as well.”
As we entered the room, a low voice greeted us. Lee Hyoeul sat behind an antique desk, looking at me. Lately, she seemed more tired than usual.
“I heard the news… Are we a bit late?”
“No, it’s fine. I heard you’ve been busy.”
“I see. Then…”
“Where is Ara? Where is she?”
Just then, as I was about to speak, Jin Suhyun stepped forward and asked. Lee Hyoeul glanced at her with a steady gaze, then flicked her eyes toward me. I nodded silently. The reason I’d brought Jin Suhyun here was simple: I believed she had the right to be present.
Lee Hyoeul pointed to the sofa directly in front of her.
“User Maeng Ara is lying on the sofa up front.”
Jin Suhyun immediately moved forward. As Lee Hyoeul said, someone lay there, covered entirely in white cloth. Judging by the shape beneath, it was a petite woman.
Just as Jin Suhyun reached out her arm—
“But I’d advise against looking if you can avoid it.”
Her hand froze. For a brief moment, her wavering eyes betrayed inner conflict.
But it was fleeting.
Steeling herself, Jin Suhyun took a deep breath and pulled the cloth away with all her strength. Finally, the corpse hidden beneath the white sheet came into view.
And then—
“Ah…”
In an instant, Jin Suhyun’s eyes and mouth opened wide, and she collapsed to her knees.
“Tsk.”
Seeing the body, I couldn’t help but click my tongue. I’d seen countless corpses before, but even I frowned at how pitiful and brutal Maeng Ara’s condition was. The obscene carvings etched into her skin with a blade were almost tame compared to the rest. Her breasts and genitals had been slashed with sharp objects, and her entire body, including her limbs, was grotesquely twisted—as if forcibly pieced together.
“…Sorry. The condition’s a bit rough. That’s the best the stitching could do.”
A cautious voice spoke up.
“…Stitching?”
“At first… she was found in eight pieces.”
So when they first found her, she’d been dismembered into eight parts?
Thud!
A heavy impact echoed through the room. Jin Suhyun, still kneeling, slammed her fist into the floor, trembling all over. Though her face was hidden, a terrifyingly fierce aura radiated from her. She had clearly heard Lee Hyoeul’s words.
“Who… who did this? Why… why…?”
She murmured in a wet voice, stroking Maeng Ara’s body. Though I’d warned her beforehand, seeing the corpse again seemed to shock her anew.
“Who… why…!”
Repeating the words over and over, tears finally spilled from her eyes as her body collapsed.
“I’m sorry… Ara… I’m so sorry…”
Jin Suhyun sobbed as if her heart was breaking. Lee Hyoeul let out a long breath, shook his head slowly, and quietly approached me.
“Where was she found?”
“To the north. The Blue Mountain Range.”
“The Blue Mountain Range… huh.”
“I never imagined it. I never thought she’d be hiding in a place like that…”
Lee Hyoeul trailed off, biting his lip. I felt the same. The Blue Mountain Range is known as a haven for undead monsters—most users avoid it at all costs. Even the formidable Chasorim met their end there. And with banshees roaming around, no one expected anyone to be hiding there.
Who did it? It’s obvious without even seeing. Rather than some lunatic dragging her all the way to the Blue Mountain Range, it’s more realistic to think the Vagabonds have established a base deep inside. After all, only the Vagabonds would be crazy enough to pull off something like this.
At this point, all I can think is how relentless they are. Sure, there was a six-month lull after the Steel Mountain Range campaign. But we crushed their forces twice—once during the extermination plan and again in the war—and even set up assassination squads to keep them in check. And yet, they’re still active.
“So, they’re gearing up to move again.”
“That’s what it looks like. Cockroaches, the lot of them.”
Lee Hyoeul muttered softly. Maybe he heard us talking. Jin Suhyun, who had been crying silently for a long time, pressed her hands to the floor and slowly stood up.
In the end, no more words were exchanged that day. Or rather, there was no need. The Vagabonds are the kind of scum that must be eradicated completely. If left unchecked, they’ll keep causing harm, posing a huge threat not only to the Northern Continent but also to Atlanta’s stability. At least it’s a relief that Woo Jungmin has decided to take on the Vagabond extermination.
“I will have my revenge.”
On the way back to Atlanta after parting with Lee Hyoeul, Jin Suhyun spoke in a low voice. When I turned to look, her eyes burned fiercely, soaked in a thick, unyielding resolve.
“I’ll do the same… exactly the same. I’ll catch every last one of those Vagabonds and make them suffer just like Ara did.”
“…”
“I want to stab them with knives, gouge out their eyes, rip their organs apart, tear their limbs to shreds. And then I’ll chew on their flesh. I will never, ever let them die peacefully.”
“…”
It felt a little strange hearing this from Jin Suhyun, who was usually so warm and brotherly. But despite the awkwardness, I didn’t want to stop her. Saying “revenge only breeds more revenge” felt hollow coming from me.
“Go see Woo Jungmin.”
I turned my back and started walking slowly.
“Woo Jungmin?”
Her voice was quieter now. I could feel her footsteps behind me.
“You know our clan used to run an assassination squad targeting the Vagabonds, right?”
“Yes.”
“Soon, that squad will be revived, and Woo Jungmin will lead it. He’s gathering clan members now… Nam Daeun and Seon Yuun will probably join too.”
“What about Geomhu and Shingung?”
“Those two—or three, if you count them—hate the Vagabonds as much as you do. Anyway, if you’re serious, you should go join.”
“…”
As we walked, the warp gate came into view.
Jin Suhyun remained silent for a while.
How much time had passed?
Night deepened, and darkness blanketed the city.
The castle had been lively with new clan members who joined a few days ago, but as night fell, a quiet stillness settled like a lie. Maybe my mind was restless. It was time to sleep, but I wasn’t particularly sleepy. After sitting at my desk for a long time, I finally stepped out onto the terrace. I lit a cigarette to clear my head.
“You’re still awake, huh?”
A languid voice drifted from inside the room. Glancing over, I saw someone slowly emerging from the shadows on the dark floor. Then, in the darkness, a pair of strangely decadent, ash-gray eyes glowed, fixed on me.
Lighting her cigarette, Ko Yeonju spoke.
“You’re late. Later than I expected.”
“Oh, that’s because something seemed off.”
“Off?”
“Yes. Everything Suhyun asked me to investigate before had some reason behind it…”
She crept closer, like a shadow sliding silently.
“Had a reason?”
“Well, maybe I just couldn’t find it, but this time, there’s nothing really strange.”
Ko Yeonju shrugged as she reached the terrace entrance.
“Name: Ha Seungwoo. Six years in. Mage. Exactly as he says.”
“What about his background?”
“Nothing special. His records at the User Academy check out. The clan he joined after graduation was wiped out during the first Steel Mountain Range expedition. After that, he gathered users and led a caravan, but suffered near-total annihilation once. He’s just a typical user you’d see anywhere.”
“…”
“Ah, he did happen to reunite with his younger brother who joined three years later, which is a bit suspicious. But that happens with Suhyun too, so we can’t jump to conclusions.”
“I see.”
I sighed, and Ko Yeonju tilted her head, as if wanting to ask something. But maybe she sensed it wasn’t the right moment, so she stayed silent.
“It’s unusual. Suhyun doesn’t often get this troubled.”
“It’s complicated. I’ll decide when the time comes.”
“Alright. Whatever it is, have a good night.”
“Thanks for your help.”
Ko Yeonju waved lightly and vanished as if sinking into the floor. I took a drag from my cigarette and stared up at the sky. I thought Ko Yeonju would uncover something, but she didn’t find anything new. There was only one conclusion: Ha Seungwoo had manipulated his past so thoroughly that even Ko Yeonju couldn’t detect it. Could that really be possible? Still, somehow, with Ha Seungwoo, it felt plausible… Ah, I don’t know.
Anyway.
The real reason I’m 100% suspicious of Ha Seungwoo is simple.
Because—
Name: Ha Seungwoo (11 years in)
Class: Replicator (Secret, Copy Archmage, Master)
Nation: -
Clan: -
True Name/Nationality: Doppelganger / South Korea
Gender: Male (32)
Height/Weight: 182.4 cm / 76.2 kg
Alignment: Lawful Evil
[Strength 76] [Endurance 84] [Agility 92] [Stamina 88] [Magic Power 98 (+2)] [Luck 92]
<Achievements (2)>
<Unique Ability (1/1)>
<Special Ability (1/1)>
<Potential Abilities (3/3)>
Memory (Rank: EX)
Grand Magic (Rank: A Plus)
Magic Circuit Application (Rank: S Zero)
I saw this with my Third Eye.
This is supposed to be the profile of a six-year veteran mage? That’s ridiculous. Although his appearance is a bit different from what I remember from the first cycle, the Third Eye doesn’t lie.
So here’s the question:
Why did this guy join our clan?
What’s his real purpose?
Why would a user who once led the Vagabonds in the first cycle come into a mercenary clan under the name Ha Seungwoo?
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Ugh, I’m back. Just two more days of reserve training left this year.
By the way, this is my first time doing Dongmicham training, and why is it so tough? Seriously, I never imagined climbing a mountain for 30 minutes. And being squad leader two days in a row when it’s not even my role is such a pain. ㅜ.ㅠ But at least I got out a bit earlier yesterday, so I managed to get a lot done. :)
Also—
Ah, I knew you’d say this. Well, you’re right. Female soldiers do attend reserve training. I worked in a reserve division during my military service and occasionally saw female reservists. But that doesn’t mean I’m a female reservist myself. Anyway, they do attend, but it’s part of officer training. Meaning, I served as an enlisted soldier. Ahem.
I’ll do my best for the last two days. Please understand if updates are a bit delayed. Have a good night, everyone! :D