“Phew.”
A light sigh escaped from Lee Hyo-eul, head of the Central Management Organization. His eyes, half-closed, fixed on the record in his hand—a simple sheet resembling an ordinary notebook page. The content was straightforward: “Mercenary Clan confirmed constructing an academy within the southern city.”
“Damn it.”
Such language was hardly expected from a woman with such an intelligent demeanor. Yet Lee Hyo-eul muttered under his breath, flicking the record onto the desk. Another heavy sigh followed.
“What exactly am I supposed to do about this…?”
A simmering frustration spilled out. He pressed his forehead against the desk, rolling his head side to side as if trying to shake off the headache. Though he expressed his emotions physically, he couldn’t entirely blame the other clans for their jealousy.
The city’s development was well on track. Special buildings like the Inn of Beginnings, User Academy, Clan Founding Hall, and the Temple had all been completed. The transfer of authority from the Northern Continent was finalized. On top of that, news had just arrived from the angels that a new batch of prospective users was coming—2,897 people, the largest intake in nearly a decade.
That was precisely why he was displeased. This was the first User Academy to open since the discovery of Atlanta. In other words, it was the perfect opportunity to replenish the forces lost during the Steel Mountain campaign. Yet here they were, casually building a Mercenary-exclusive academy right under their noses. It was infuriating. Even if there were limits on annual admissions, it was meaningless. Kim Soo-hyun wasn’t a fool; if he said selection would be competitive, the cap was irrelevant. Besides, the Mercenary name alone was already more than enough to intimidate.
“They should at least file an official complaint… or reveal their identity… Instead, they send anonymous tips like cowards…”
But understanding and acting were two different things. There was no legitimate reason to block the academy’s construction. The angels themselves had given a direct revelation—what argument could there be? Moreover, the Mercenary Academy had been officially established long ago. Given the circumstances, trying to interfere now was laughable.
Above all, Lee Hyo-eul’s position was precarious. If he were honest, he really didn’t want to provoke Kim Soo-hyun unless absolutely necessary. After all, this was the user who had crushed the powerful Koran Alliance—why would he fear the Central Management Organization?
Not only that, but the Mercenary Clan had done a lot for the western continent’s user repulsion and the complete eradication of vagrants. They had also contributed the most to the city’s development fund. If Lee Hyo-eul intervened now, it was obvious he’d only upset Kim Soo-hyun.
“But still, I can’t just sit here and do nothing… Maybe I should ask So-young for help? Gong Chan-ho probably won’t care… and Kim Yoo-hyun would likely side with his brother if anything…”
Now Lee Hyo-eul was banging his head against the desk.
“Ughhhhhhh…”
Today, his worries only deepened.
Atlanta.
Mercenary Castle.
“Absolutely no rude behavior.”
An earnest young man named Ahn Hyun climbed the stairs, cautioning the woman beside him with a serious expression.
“Especially, hyung hates lies. If he asks you anything, you have to answer truthfully. Got it?”
“Y-yes…”
Cha Hee-young nodded repeatedly as Ahn Hyun spoke, though her face was etched with nervousness. Whether she truly understood was another matter.
“Like I said earlier, I can come with you or stay by your side, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s not the type to do favors just because someone asks. You understand that, right?”
“Of course. I’m just scared to go alone…”
“Hey, don’t be so jittery. He’s human, not a monster.”
“B-but… what if…”
“Hmm?”
“What if he says, ‘How dare you, a mere nobody, try to inherit the Awakening Secret Class? Get lost!’?”
Cha Hee-young trembled, her eyes shaking like leaves in the wind. Ahn Hyun gave a wry smile.
“He won’t do that. I promise.”
As he spoke, they reached their destination: the fourth floor, the office door.
“Eek?”
Cha Hee-young looked as if she’d just seen the gates of a demon lord’s castle, ready to faint. Ahn Hyun gently soothed her, knocked once, and upon hearing the invitation, calmly opened the door. He then firmly pulled the reluctant Cha Hee-young inside.
“Hyung, we’re here.”
“Hmm… So, user Cha Hee-young wishes to inherit the White Night Dancer’s legacy?”
It was just a confirmation.
“Yes! That’s right!”
The reply came in a booming voice that nearly burst eardrums. Glancing sideways, I saw Cha Hee-young suddenly snap to attention from the sofa. When did she even stand up?
“No need to stand. Please, sit down.”
“Yes! Understood!”
She promptly sank back down with the precision of a fresh recruit.
Watching her with a mix of amusement and disbelief, she suddenly grew restless, then her eyes welled up with tears. She looked at me with moist, puppy-like eyes, and I couldn’t help but be surprised. Why was she about to cry? What had I done wrong?
Beside me, Ahn Hyun discreetly sighed, one hand on his forehead. When I shrugged, asking if I’d made a mistake, he shook his head. This wasn’t going to be a normal conversation. Time to show some experience.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“Yes! Ask away!”
“When did you two have your first kiss?”
“Huh? Ah, we haven’t had one yet. But I had an indirect kiss behind Hyun oppa’s back… Eeeeeek!”
Cha Hee-young jumped up, covering her mouth with both hands as if about to bite it off. Her reaction was quite entertaining—so lively.
“Hey, hyung.”
“Oh, right. Ahn Hyun.”
“Yes?”
“You two seem to get along well, but didn’t you like Cha So-rim?”
“What? Whaaat? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Or… could it be you’re playing both sides?”
Cha Hee-young’s eyes narrowed instantly. Ahn Hyun gave me a pleading look, full of injustice, and I just laughed lightly, waving my hands.
“Sorry, just joking. Haha. Feeling less tense now?”
“Yes! Definitely!”
…Let’s just drop it.
Swallowing a sigh, I activated my Third Eye.
Name: Cha Hee-young (1st Year)
Class: Normal Mage (Runner)
Nation: Free Mercenary
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: S Zero)
True Name / Nationality: Beloved Witch (True Name) / Republic of Korea
Gender: Female (22)
Height / Weight: 167.4 cm / 51.3 kg
Disposition: Shy / Pure-hearted
[Strength 34] [Endurance 41] [Agility 49] [Stamina 57] [Magic Power 90] [Luck 6]
(Remaining Ability Points: 6)
<Achievements (0)>
<Special Abilities (1/1)>
<Potential Abilities (1/4)>
Traditional Magic (Rank: B Plus)
(Before) [Strength 14] [Endurance 24] [Agility 34] [Stamina 44] [Magic Power 84] [Luck 4]
(After) [Strength 34] [Endurance 41] [Agility 49] [Stamina 57] [Magic Power 90] [Luck 6]
Hmm, Cha Hee-young is about to enter her second year, isn’t she?
Her stats aren’t bad at all. Honestly, I’d forgotten about her since the Hell Duke appeared, but today I noticed quite a few changes. Her True Name shifted from Hated Witch to Beloved Witch, and her disposition changed from lethargy and hatred to shyness and pure love. Not a bad transformation.
Her magic power is impressive. Compared to the monsters I’ve seen, 90 points in the first year is quite high, and having 6 points left over is very encouraging. Plus, she was a terrifying witch in her first run. The atmosphere now is completely different, though.
Her special ability is solid, and her potential is textbook. Empty slots aren’t a problem—they’ll fill as she advances her class. Magna Carta even considers her a prodigy. All in all, she’s qualified.
“Inheriting the legacy through user Cha Hee-young wouldn’t be a bad choice.”
“Really?”
At my positive remark, Cha Hee-young’s head shot up, eyes shining with hope.
“But it’s not without problems.”
“P-problems?”
“Yes. Do you know what those problems are?”
“……”
Cha Hee-young stared blankly, shaking her head. I quickly picked up the water crystal.
“For example, take user Jung Ha-yeon. She wanted to inherit this Water Crystal.”
“Huh? But Ha-yeon unnie is already—”
“Yes, that’s right. She’s already in the Secret Class. However, Jung Ha-yeon gave a very well-reasoned explanation about how, by inheriting this crystal, she could strengthen her own ability related to ancient magic.”
“…”
Next, I picked up the Fire Crystal.
“And this Fire Crystal was nominated by user Sarah Jane.”
“Sarah Jane…?”
“She’s a recent recruit. But that’s no problem at all. Sarah Jane proved her abilities during the recent expedition and has been consistently active since. In fact, no clan member has raised any issues with her behavior.”
“Y-yeah, she’s really a great person.”
“Exactly. And above all, she’s a mage with deep expertise in fire magic. …So, do you see where I’m going with this?”
“…”
Cha Hee-young fell silent again. Judging by her expression, she seemed like the type who needed everything spoon-fed rather than figuring it out herself. This really made me nostalgic for the old witch… No, but even so, that’s not the way.
“Then I’ll ask you directly. Can user Cha Hee-young convince the clan members why she should inherit this class?”
At the sudden question, Cha Hee-young stared blankly at me. She blinked a couple of times, then hung her head in disappointment.
“So, it’s no use after all…”
“That’s not it.”
“I’m sorry… I really shouldn’t have stepped in…”
“…”
Sigh. What a hopeless girl.
I stared at Cha Hee-young as she kept apologizing, then glanced at Ahn Hyun and gestured subtly. Ahn Hyun, who had been smiling bitterly, stepped forward and leaned in close.
“Yes, hyung?”
“Why is she like this?”
“Well, you know what happened to Hee-young at the User Academy…”
“But still.”
“It’s complicated. We’ve been trying to be patient with her… Honestly, I don’t fully understand either. She’s improved a lot, but she’s still very timid. So even if it’s frustrating, please try to understand.”
“Hmm.”
So that incident left a trauma. I can’t exactly push her too hard.
Anyway, I think I get the gist. I nodded quietly.
“Alright. I’ll continue the conversation, but you go out now and do me a favor.”
“A favor?”
“Yeah. It’s nothing difficult. Tell the clan members to gather in the garden this evening.”
“The garden? Why?”
“There’s something I need to discuss. I’ll explain everything at once later. It’s not a forced summons, so if you don’t want to come, that’s fine. But when you do come, come fully armed. …Oh, it doesn’t matter for the others, but Ansol must come.”
“Fully armed… Got it.”
Ahn Hyun tilted his head but soon nodded in understanding. Then he turned and gently tapped Cha Hee-young’s shoulder before slowly leaving the room.
After Ahn Hyun left, Cha Hee-young’s demeanor grew even more anxious. Like a forsaken puppy, she stared longingly at the door he had just exited.
Come to think of it, wasn’t the Inn of Beginnings about to be activated soon? Lee Hyo-eul said it would be the largest and most luxurious in nearly ten years.
“User Cha Hee-young.”
I called softly. Startled, she flinched but decided not to react further. Ignoring her, I raised my index and middle fingers together—signaling two.
“Good. Then I’ll set two conditions here.”
“Two conditions?”
“Let me rephrase. Not conditions, but tests. If you successfully pass the two tests I set from now on, I will seriously consider approving your inheritance of the White Night Dancer class.”
“…What?”
At her surprised question, I leaned forward slightly, resting my chin on my clasped hands, and smiled faintly.
“So, what do you say? Want to give it a try?”
After finishing the meeting with Cha Hee-young.
Time passed, and night had fallen.
After dinner, I went out to the garden, where a large number of clan members had already gathered. I said it wasn’t mandatory, but almost everyone was here.
Of course, not everyone was present. I didn’t see Geunwon, Vivian, or Jegal Haesol. By the way, where was Ansol?
“Clan Lord! What’s the reason for gathering us today?”
“What’s that box you’re holding close to your chest?”
Questions and gazes poured in from all directions as I made my way to the open center.
The real reason for tonight’s gathering was one thing: Maru.
Since discovering the “Monster Summoning Box 4” left on the desk earlier, Maru had shown an extraordinary interest in the box. She wanted to open it so badly that she even started acting cute in ways she never had before—whining, “Uuuuh, daddy! I really, really want to see this, okay?”
The future Fairy Queen’s pleading and adorable antics were so powerful they made my heart pound. Eventually, I couldn’t resist and promised to open it soon. After all, I didn’t want to die of a heart attack all the way in Atlanta.
“Daddy!”
Suddenly, a youthful voice called from afar. When did she get here? Maru was in Im Hanna’s arms, waving at me with a bright smile as she looked at the box.
I raised my hand lightly in response, then carefully stacked all six “Monster Summoning Box 4” units and scanned the crowd.
“Where’s Ansol…?”
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Roh Yujin: To those who insult my gender! May you be cursed to spend Christmas alone! Hahahahahaha!
Nae xxxx: I heard the author of this book is a famous woman? (passing married man)
Bul xxxx: Since I’m married, can I call you Roh Yumi? Haha, I already have two women beside me though.
Jung xxxxx: Roh Yujin, married men don’t matter… No provocations!?
Dan xxx: Well, whether married or not, it’s unrelated to the afterword. Ah, I wish I were single lol.
0ㅁ0…
Oh no ㅠㅠ There are married male readers ㅠㅠ And married female readers too ㅠㅠ
Ughhhhhhh.
I’m so jealous. Truly, I’m dying of envy. Seriously.
I think I’ve said this before, but I actually have a huge romantic longing for married life.
You know, like when the husband comes home from work,
the wife greets him at the door with a warm, spring breeze-like smile,
and the little bunny-like kids run out to welcome him. Heheh.
Ah, just thinking about it makes me happy. Really, really jealous. ㅜ.ㅠ