00732 A Flower Blooming in Blood
I gazed quietly into the darkness. The soft moonlight filtering into the room, the black shadows cast by the moon’s glow—all came into view. My long, deep violet hair, falling past my waist, swayed gently.
“Ah, sorry. I was eavesdropping.”
The owner of the cold, calm voice was Heo Jun-young.
He entered with steady footsteps and slowly raised his arm. In his hand was a slender bottle. Seeing it, I couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle. Did I really have this many clan members wanting to share a drink with me?
“You could have just come in. Why stand outside like that? It looks pathetic.”
“I thought I might be interrupting a good time.”
“Ah, that’s pointless. If so, you should’ve left earlier.”
“I was going to, but the conversation was too interesting.”
Heo Jun-young spoke smoothly, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then he glanced sideways at Kim Han-byul, as if silently asking for permission. Kim Han-byul closed her eyes a couple of times, then shrugged with a bored expression. A silent yes.
Heo Jun-young chuckled and dragged over a sofa, plopping down beside me. Hmm. I should remind him to put it back when he leaves.
He twisted the bottle cap lightly and poured an appropriate amount into an empty glass.
“Hey.”
Just as I was about to admire the half-filled glass of violet liquid, a cheeky voice interrupted.
“I’m not usually one to butt in… but since I overheard, can I ask something too?”
Heo Jun-young wasn’t looking at me. Despite his bold words, he turned his head to stare out the door. It didn’t seem like he was shy.
The door was still half-open.
“Sure. Since you eavesdropped, let’s just say you didn’t interrupt. So, what is it?”
“…So, what are you planning to do?”
Heo Jun-young looked back at me, his expression hardening slightly. I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Do what?”
“I get your intention, but in the end, Lee Yoo-jung hasn’t moved beyond being just an average user.”
“……”
“You’re not a rookie anymore; you’re in your fourth year. Saying that now… I don’t know what you expect to accomplish.”
His voice trailed off, almost reproachful. I understood what he was trying to say.
I took a final drag of the cigarette I’d been nursing and exhaled slowly.
“Of course, Lee Yoo-jung will get stronger. No, she has to.”
“So you mean you’re planning to lift her mental protection, even if it’s late?”
If that were the case, you’d have done it earlier.
I shook my head, and Heo Jun-young looked puzzled.
“So you think she has to get stronger while staying as she is? Don’t you find that contradictory? By your own words earlier…”
“I say that because there’s a way.”
“A way?”
“Yeah.”
Heo Jun-young glanced toward the room again. Why does he keep looking back? Is the open door bothering him? If so, he could just close it.
“What way?”
“Class inheritance.”
I said it clearly.
“In other words, inheriting a class to change the user’s information.”
As if it were the simplest thing, I slowly stood up.
“But she’s already… a rare class.”
Suddenly, Kim Han-byul’s voice came from the room.
“Rare class isn’t everything. There’s also secret classes.”
I stepped inside to close the door.
“You guys are secret class users, so you should know. Think about the rewards from class inheritance.”
“Rewards? Like specialized stat boosts and ability changes fitting the class… Ah.”
Kim Han-byul finally realized and let out a small gasp. Right. What I ultimately aim for through class inheritance is to bring about a change in Lee Yoo-jung’s special abilities.
“So you mean you want to make her a dual class? Such an inefficient method?”
Heo Jun-young sharply pointed out. I gave a bitter smile and grabbed the doorknob.
“Don’t think there’s no way to go from rare to secret class. I know of at least two.”
First, the awakened secret class. Though that’s extremely rare.
More likely than that is evolving into a secret class by combining rare classes.
“…So basically, you want to get another class.”
“No. There’s no need to get a new one.”
“Huh?”
“The means have already been given. But how it manifests is something Yoo-jung has to realize herself.”
After saying that, I peeked my head out before closing the door.
But.
“……”
The hallway was empty. Only darkness sat quietly.
I closed the door softly.
The day was thick with fog. The dawn air, sharp enough to cut skin, swept through the Mercenary Castle like a cold breath.
Everything was hazy. The early morning wind whispered that dawn was still far off, carrying a chill in its scent.
Though it was an hour when few would be out, inside the castle, a woman walked out alone, quietly. Dressed neatly, she looked like a traveler setting off on a long journey. She paused, lifted her head, and gazed steadily at the grand white castle towering before her. Her pale red eyes glistened with a wistful moisture, as if lost in memories.
After a moment.
The soft footsteps echoed down the long corridor, hesitant and slow. Because of the thick fog, the spot where the woman had stood was soon swallowed by a mist so dense it was almost invisible.
As she walked along the garden’s waterway toward the main gate—
“…?”
Her long hair, which had swayed weakly with each step, suddenly stilled.
Her vacant eyes fixed on a point ahead. About thirty meters in front stood a man in a dark Chester coat. The weather blurred his features, but the long violet hair trailing behind him made it clear who he was.
They stared at each other briefly.
The man spoke softly.
“How… you never stray from my expectations.”
The woman frowned and quickened her pace noticeably. The man watched silently, then began walking toward her. When they met, Heo Jun-young stopped and glanced sideways, but she didn’t.
“Going without a word? Kim Soo-hyun will be sad.”
“I wrote it down in the records. She’ll see it someday.”
The woman replied curtly.
She didn’t stop walking, ignoring him completely. The man watched Lee Yoo-jung’s retreating back with quiet intensity.
Then.
“Judging by those tired eyes, you must have spent the whole night agonizing… So, is this the path you’ve chosen?”
The mocking voice made Lee Yoo-jung stop again.
“I helped you when you almost got caught last night… So, do you have confidence?”
She spun around irritably. Her furious eyes tried to glare at him, but she had to step back. Heo Jun-young was standing very close now, his indifferent violet eyes looking down at her from just inches away.
“You really think you can achieve something by leaving without a word? Are you confident?”
His gaze demanded an explanation, but Lee Yoo-jung instinctively shut her mouth.
Heo Jun-young shrugged as if understanding something.
“Ah. Of course, it’s not all bad. Training in safety is definitely good. If this were two or three years ago, I’d have welcomed it with open arms. For a reckless newbie who doesn’t know how the world works, it’s perfect.”
“Bu…”
“But now, don’t you think it’s too late? You’re in your fourth year. From the outside, that means you’re considered an elite user. So I’m curious. Leaving like this means you’re aiming for more than just seeing the world…”
“…I just don’t want to be a burden to you anymore.”
Lee Yoo-jung barely managed to speak in a weak voice. A slight smile tugged at Heo Jun-young’s lips.
“Not wanting to be a burden, huh? That’s a bit unexpected.”
“Yeah. Satisfied now?”
“Hmm~. Well, it’s a reasonable enough reason. Very you. I can accept it.”
“Think whatever you want. And if you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate it if you just left now. Enough with the meddling.”
“Ah, wait. Before you go, let me ask one thing… So, you’re running away because you don’t want to be a burden?”
“……”
Just as she was about to walk away, Heo Jun-young’s voice stopped her. The word ‘running away’ stabbed at her heart. She ground her teeth so hard it hurt, then growled fiercely.
“I’m not running away. I’m leaving to get stronger.”
“Ha? Leaving to get stronger?”
At that, Heo Jun-young burst into loud laughter. Considering his usual personality, it was a bit exaggerated.
“Leaving to get stronger? What kind of nonsense is that? Ha ha ha.”
Unable to hold back, Lee Yoo-jung glared at him fiercely.
“Nonsense? You’re done talking? You want to joke around in a situation like this?”
“No, you’re the one joking. Is that really the only reason you’re going on warrior training? Just admit you’re running away. At least then I could understand. Don’t bother with half-baked excuses or self-justifications.”
“You….”
“Then say something. Who’s even curious about why you’re leaving? That’s why I asked earlier if you’re confident. How exactly do you plan to get stronger?”
“Well… that is….”
“I’m not mocking you—I’m genuinely curious. Warrior training, huh? Sounds good in theory. But I want to know your concrete plan. Unless you’re completely reckless, you won’t be wandering alone. So your training would just be traveling around with a caravan, right? But if that’s the case, why bother leaving? Your current clan already operates that way, and better than anywhere else.”
“…….”
“You can’t answer, can you? See? No plan. So yeah, running away is the right word.”
Before she knew it, Yoo Jeong’s hands were clenched so tightly they trembled. But no words came out, despite how she felt. Because she had no rebuttal. He was right, every word. Maybe she’d even hoped someone would catch her.
“So… what exactly do you want me to do?!”
Her voice cracked as she finally shouted, tears threatening to spill. Yoo Jeong watched as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hide the tears welling up from her sorrow.
“What makes you think you can talk down to me like that? Do you even understand how I feel? Yeah, you’re strong, great for you! You got an S-rank, lucky you!”
“…Seriously, still obsessed with ranks?”
Yoo Jeong sighed deeply, shaking his head.
Then, suddenly narrowing his eyes, he spoke with a more serious tone.
“Fine. If you hate being weak, if losing frustrates you, then you have to do something yourself.”
“I’m trying… in my own way!”
“In your own way? Don’t make me laugh. Even if you get knocked down and broken, at least try like Ahn Hyun—mess things up, take all the criticism, even if it means getting kicked out of the clan! That kind of desperate effort is the only way you can say you tried, and have any room to make excuses. Just leaving behind a record and walking away? What kind of world is this where you get stronger by grinding solo for a few months? If it were that easy, everyone would be at level 10. Do you think I got this far without facing setbacks?”
“…….”
“No one’s asking you to produce results overnight. Didn’t you hear Kim Soo-hyun yesterday? They’re waiting for you to realize it yourself. But before you can show anything, shouldn’t you at least make an effort to show something?”
“…….”
Yoo Jeong’s voice softened, as if urging Yoo Jeong to understand quickly.
But she remained silent, head bowed, staring at the ground. Yoo Jeong rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated.
“Yeah, you probably think I’m talking nonsense. Whatever, it’s none of my business. Go or don’t go. Be remembered as a coward who ran away defeated, or not.”
Without looking back, he turned and walked away without hesitation.
“Do as you please. But if you come back safely after months or years… I can’t promise your place will still be here. Honestly, it’d be lucky if you don’t die out there on your own.”
With that cynical remark, he disappeared into the mist as if melting into it.
Yoo Jeong stared after him with eyes full of resentment, looking lost and unsure what to do next.
“Damn it…!”
Then—
Screeeech—
It was early dawn, but the quiet garden was suddenly pierced by the sound of the main gate slowly opening. Yoo Jeong turned instinctively and was shocked to see two figures struggling through the half-open gate.
Blood dripped relentlessly. It looked like the boy had just bathed in a sea of blood, his young body soaked and bleeding profusely. Supporting him with a grunt was a resident guard. They barely made it inside, and when they saw Yoo Jeong, the guard’s anxious face softened with relief.
“Who…?”
“Thank goodness! You’re here! Are you a mercenary clan member?”
Yoo Jeong swallowed hard. Something urgent was happening, but she didn’t know how to respond. Because, because…
“Damn it, did he really leave?”
At that moment, a grumbling voice cut through the thick fog as Yoo Jeong came running back.
…Wait, he didn’t leave?
As Yoo Jeong turned, he too took in the scene. The strong scent of blood made him stop immediately, his expression sharp and tense.
“Guard, what happened?”
“This man just returned to the city. It looks like he was attacked, but I don’t know the details. He barely managed to say to take him to the representative clan, then passed out.”
The guard spoke quickly but clearly.
Yoo Jeong nodded lightly, then pointed at Yoo Jeong with his index finger.
“Yoo Jeong, I’ll inform the clan lord right away. You wake the priest and get that boy treated.”
“W-what?”
“Hurry!”
“Wait! I….”
Yoo Jeong couldn’t finish her sentence. Yoo Jeong had already taken off toward the castle. Left behind were the unconscious boy and the guard who looked relieved he was alive.
“Damn it…!”
Watching the guard stagger forward, supporting the boy, Yoo Jeong muttered under her breath.
“Huff… huff…”
The boy’s wounds were clearly serious. He was gasping, barely breathing.
No time to hesitate.
First, save him.
“Give him here! Quickly!”
With that thought, Yoo Jeong took the boy into her arms and turned. Instead of heading out the gate, she changed direction toward the castle.
Holding the boy tightly, Yoo Jeong took off like the wind.
And so—
“Yaaaah! Ansooool!”
It had begun.
The first step in the grand journey that would one day make her name known across the whole Plain as the ‘Mercenary Queen.’
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Hmm… I wrote a long note but ended up deleting it.
Sorry. I accidentally fell asleep around 2 a.m. today. I’ve been writing late nights lately, and my head was pounding. Usually, I set a 15-minute alarm and take a short nap, then wake up and shower to feel refreshed. But this time, I fell into a deep sleep. I remember hearing the alarm, but I must have been too tired.
When I woke up, I felt a pang of regret. I thought about explaining the situation in the comments and asking for understanding, but I decided to just open Word and get to work. I guess I was too embarrassed about missing my promise. Somehow, I finished writing, revised, and managed to update. Haha.
After some thought, I’m considering stopping the comment preview system altogether. I can’t guarantee I won’t miss deadlines like this again. I’ll think it over carefully. If you have any opinions, please let me know.
To everyone who waited, I sincerely apologize again. (__)
P.S. Yoo Jeong.
Now, it’s time to fly. :)