Clap, clap, clap, clap…
At that moment, deliberate, intermittent clapping echoed through the summoning chamber.
“Good, very good…”
Gabriel’s face was the picture of satisfaction. No, he genuinely looked pleased. The sharp tension that had been lingering beneath the surface vanished, replaced by his usual sly, almost roguish expression. The sudden shift in his demeanor—like a traditional masked play—made my stomach churn, but I kept it hidden.
Grinning broadly, Gabriel shook his head.
“Hey, hey, what do you all think?”
“I’m in favor.”
The first to respond was the archangel with fiery red hair cropped short. Michael, who had been quietly observing me, nodded politely with a smile.
“Though I have reservations about his dislike for us, I have to commend his intense hatred of demons. And hasn’t he achieved remarkable results?”
“Yeah, right? And instead of worrying like we did back in the day with Maeng-Ara, wouldn’t it be cleaner to just entrust this to him?”
“Oh, that’s true. No one would dare mess with User Kim Suhyun.”
“I’m opposed!”
Amid the warm exchange, a sudden outburst shattered the mood. Gabriel squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears, while Michael showed clear displeasure. It was obvious who it was without even looking.
“Gabriel! I told you before—!”
“Hmm? Well? Does it really matter?”
Just as someone was about to shout, a cheerful voice slipped in smoothly.
“I think it’s fun… no, I think it’s fine. Hehe.”
Raphael sat crouched, resting his chin in his hands, smiling innocently. Uriel blinked in disbelief.
“Don’t be so harsh.”
When I spoke quietly, Raphael immediately turned to me.
“I’m sorry for killing your assigned user, but do you think I killed Yoo Hyun for no reason? He deserved it, didn’t he?”
“W-what did you say?”
“Anyway, it seems the decision’s been made. Let’s just get along from now on. Let’s shake off those old grudges. Don’t be so sour. Hah.”
“You bastard!”
A sharp blue light flashed through the drifting cigarette smoke. Uriel glared fiercely, eyes blazing as if ready to strike me down on the spot.
…Yeah, please keep that attitude. Don’t give me any reason to doubt you.
Right now, we’re forced to work together because of the demons, but when I get the Zero Code and can make the final choice…
“Enough already!”
“Stop it, stop. Uriel, calm down, and Kim Suhyun, don’t poke the bear.”
Gabriel intervened with a relaxed tone. Uriel huffed as if ready to devour someone but didn’t press further. I shrugged.
Suddenly, a bright cluster of light blocked my vision. Reflexively, I closed my eyes and opened them again—Uriel had vanished without a word. Did he just leave?
“That guy…”
Gabriel gave a bitter smile, adjusted his posture, and looked at me.
“Well then, we’ll acknowledge you as a Guardian.”
He said that, propping his chin on his finger and rolling his eyes thoughtfully.
“Hmm~. It’s a tough call.”
“Tough call?”
“Yeah. It’s not hard to give it to you, but because of the Guardian class. It’s not bad per se, but compared to your current class, it’s quite lacking.”
“Isn’t it fine since I can toggle it on and off?”
“You knew that? Right. But it feels like a waste. In terms of power, it’s no contest. The only difference is the Third Eye, which covers everything. I heard the previous Guardians will assist you in many ways for now, so wouldn’t it be more reasonable to give it to them instead?”
“Hmm…”
That’s true. The Guardian class isn’t bad, but aside from some powers, it’s not impressive. Especially compared to my awakened secret class, Sovereign of Sword—it’s almost embarrassing to compare.
“How about this?”
“Hm?”
“I’ll give up that privilege, and in return, get one more awakened secret class…”
“No. That’s not happening. I’d rather just give you the Guardian powers.”
I tested the waters, but he flatly refused.
“Don’t take it the wrong way. Even if I wanted to give it now, I can’t.”
“…You can’t?”
“Yeah. After giving you four, I distributed three each to the Eastern and Southern continents. The same way I did with you.”
“That doesn’t make any sense…”
“I know. It’s ridiculous. But I had no choice. It was the only way to maintain minimal balance. Of course, I didn’t give them away for free. Each continent paid a fair price, so don’t feel too bitter.”
“…”
I clenched my jaw, swallowing the rising disappointment. The Steel Empress, the Demon Emperor, the Saint of the Labyrinth, the Princess of Chaos—all the things I had reluctantly given up flashed before my eyes. It was frustrating, but since it was already done, there was nothing to be done.
“Anyway, I’m not ready to just give up.”
“You’re such a greedy one. It’s useless anyway.”
“But I want some proper compensation.”
“Well, that’s reasonable.”
Surprisingly, Gabriel agreed lightly and suddenly stood from the altar.
“Well then…”
He smiled slyly, walked over gracefully, and leaned in close, so close our breaths mingled.
“How about a kiss?”
“What?”
“Don’t you want one? From the Archangel himself.”
“Does it come with a blessing or something?”
Gabriel winked but then looked disappointed.
“Ah, boring. I should’ve just surprised you with a sudden kiss…”
Then it happened. Gabriel, muttering to himself, suddenly shuddered. Without realizing it, he straightened up and looked around, clearly flustered.
He shrank back like he’d bitten into a bitter persimmon and glanced over his shoulder. I stared blankly.
I was about to retort, asking if he wanted a kiss on his manhood or something, but why was he acting like that? Michael and Raphael looked puzzled, and the Seraph stood silently as always…
Then, in that moment—
“…!”
My body trembled instinctively.
I caught a glimpse, but I definitely felt it.
No, I saw it clearly.
“The Se—”
The Seraph standing quietly had his right hand—
“…”
Clenched tightly into a fist, trembling violently.
Name: ‘Godslayer’ Kim Suhyun (4th Year)
Class:
① Sovereign of Sword (Arousal Secret, Master) – Activated
② Guardian of the Northern Continent (Righteous) – Deactivated
Nation: Free Mercenary
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: S Zero)
True Name / Nationality: 1. Sovereign of Sword 2. Demonic Nature / Republic of Korea
Gender: Male (28)
Height / Weight: 181.5 cm / 75.5 kg
Alignment: Moderation / Chaos
[Strength 99 (+2)] [Endurance 95 (+2)] [Agility 101] [Stamina 101 (+2)] [Magic 96] [Luck 90 (+2)]
(Remaining stat points: 0)
‘In the end…’
I accepted it. The Guardian of the Northern Continent.
Looking at my status, I sighed, feeling a strange mix of relief and awkwardness. I wasn’t sure if I was comforted or bitter.
But as I decided earlier, the deed was done. Rather than regret the past, it’s better to give my all to the path I’ve chosen. I don’t want to be stuck in limbo.
So, as I hurriedly left the summoning chamber, I coincidentally received a message from the Mercenary Guild. A large clan in the Western City requested a meeting, and the number of users visiting the castle was steadily increasing.
It struck me as faster than expected. Anyway, I postponed all meeting requests to tomorrow and ended the call by telling them to prepare for an executive meeting by evening at the latest. I wanted to go immediately, but there was something more urgent.
With that in mind, I quickened my pace—not toward the Mercenary Castle in the Southern City, but to the East City’s Istanbul Row Clan House.
Honestly, I was a bit uneasy since this was an unplanned visit. And my bad feeling was spot on.
“Uh… what should I do? The clan lord isn’t here right now…”
Though I had anticipated it, seeing Park Dayeon fidget nervously made me realize the timing was terrible. As they say, bad luck on the day you visit. Well, the clan lord was busy, so it wasn’t her fault. It was my mistake for showing up unannounced.
“Then…”
“If you’re not busy, would you like to come in and wait?”
“Oh, will he be back soon?”
“Yes. Probably. I’ll contact him right now.”
Led by Park Dayeon, I was granted the honor of entering not the reception room or the office, but Han Soyoung’s private quarters. I didn’t understand why she led me there, but it gave me a strange feeling.
After Park Dayeon told me to wait a moment and closed the door, I quietly wandered around the room, knowing it was rude but unable to resist.
The lodging reflected Han So-young’s personality perfectly—everything meticulously arranged and orderly, yet somehow exuding a sharp, almost icy edge, like a finely honed blade. Unlike my own office, which was lavishly decorated, her space felt stripped down to just the essentials.
I must have been lost in thought for a while, staring at the crisp, white bed sheets and debating whether to bury my face in them, when suddenly I sensed movement outside the window. Peeking out stealthily, I spotted a woman with strikingly long, straight hair crossing the street with an expressionless face, moving quickly.
Han So-young arrived at the entrance almost running, exchanged a few words with the visitor, and then disappeared inside the clan house. Expecting them soon, I quickly took my seat and put on a calm front.
Not long after, as anticipated, I heard several footsteps approaching outside the door. The pace quickened, then abruptly stopped right in front of it. I caught the sound of hushed voices, a quiet back-and-forth, and instinctively tuned in.
“Inside here… waiting?”
“Yes…”
“Why…?”
“Why? Don’t men feel a sense of conquest when they’re in a woman’s room… during… you know?”
Their voices were so low I couldn’t catch every word, but I could tell Han So-young was clearly flustered. Understandable—any woman would be uneasy about letting a strange man into her quarters. Even though I was the one who came willingly, Park Da-yeon would probably get scolded for causing unnecessary trouble.
“?”
Did I just mishear that?
“But the supplies for the lodging…”
“I’ll lend those to you…”
A moment later, the two sets of footsteps vanished with the wind, and I sat there staring blankly at the door.
Honestly, I expected them within ten minutes anyway. But just like the door timing, my expectations were off. Not ten minutes, not even twenty or thirty—only after a full forty minutes did I finally hear the door open. When Han So-young entered, her appearance was strikingly different from the woman I’d seen outside the window earlier.
For starters, her long hair was neatly swept up and tied at the back, styled with care. The dull-colored robe that had concealed her figure was replaced by a form-fitting, deep V-neck dress that revealed her stunning silhouette in full.
“Welcome.”
She greeted me politely and took a seat opposite. Though her hair was freshly dried, a fresh, clean scent lingered around her, confirming she’d just showered. The moist glow of her skin created an intoxicatingly sensual atmosphere. Suddenly, my throat felt dry, and I swallowed hard.
“I was a bit surprised when I got the message that you were coming. Have you been waiting long?”
“About forty minutes or so…”
“Sorry about that. It would have been better if you’d called ahead.”
“True. I came unannounced, so please don’t worry about it.”
She nodded slightly, a faint pout on her lips.
“Yes, I just got back from an errand myself… I came straight here as soon as I arrived. I hope you understand.”
“Excuse me?”
“Yes?”
“…Oh, nothing.”
She just arrived? Then who was the woman I saw outside earlier? Could she have a secret twin sister or something?
“Anyway, what brings you here?”
Her voice was cold and emotionless, as if warning me not to waste time on trivial thoughts. I cleared my throat and slipped my hand into my pocket. Knowing Han So-young’s personality, it was best to get straight to the point. Still, it felt strange—she was someone who never lied.
“I came to give you this.”
I pushed aside the unease and placed the item on the table. It was a paper envelope containing records from the secret library that my brother had brought. Han So-young opened the flap slightly, glanced inside, then raised an eyebrow.
“This is…”
“Yes. Records from the secret library. I brought them for the Istantel Low Clan.”
She tilted her head in curiosity.
“There’s quite a lot here.”
“The original discovery included three libraries. Two were made public, and the remaining one was divided among the Mercenary, Istantel Low, and Hamil clans.”
“So, it’s too much.”
“If you want, you can share some with your subordinate clans.”
Suddenly, Han So-young moved to sweep her hair back with both hands, then froze, realizing it was already tied up, and lowered her hands again.
A master of poker face, she rarely shows emotion, but having spent a long time with her, I’ve learned to read her feelings through her actions.
For example, when she’s angry, her eyebrows twitch or her brow furrows. When happy, she might look away disinterestedly, relax her posture, cross her legs, or blink slowly while staring at someone. Just now, she seemed a bit restless.
“I was there too. As far as I know, the discoverer is the Mercenary Lord.”
“That’s right.”
“The secret library is under the jurisdiction of the Northern City, so it makes sense for the Hamil Clan, given the blood ties. But as for me…”
“Hmm… you mean you don’t want to accept it?”
Han So-young nodded very slightly. I understood what she meant—she felt burdened by receiving such a privilege.
In the past, we might have bickered endlessly like a close brother and sister over this.
But now, things are different.
“It’s simple. I want Istantel Low to grow, and I believe there’s potential for that. That’s why I’m personally handling this.”
Since we’re leaders of the same clan, this could be seen as a bit presumptuous. Usually, there are three typical reactions: people who get offended, those who hide the truth, and those who think it over and understand.
“Indeed…”
Han So-young said,
“You sound like a guardian.”
The latter, then.
No reason to hide it here.
“Yes. That’s right.”
I nodded lightly, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
“To be clear, I am currently the Guardian of the Northern Continent.”
At that moment, the instant I said “Guardian,”
Snap!
Han So-young flicked her hand, and an invisible energy instantly enveloped the room. A Silence Field. A fine no-magic barrier.
“…It doesn’t sound like a lie.”
I couldn’t help but admire her lightning-fast reaction. She must have sensed my sincerity. With her ‘super-senses,’ there’s no need to debate truth from falsehood.
“When did you become one?”
Her voice softened, cautious.
“About an hour ago… I think.”
“…What?”
“Today. I just inherited it. So, I’m the first to tell the Istantel Low Lord.”
“The first…?”
Han So-young was silent for a while, then suddenly looked away and stared out the window.
Hmm… why does she look happy?
“Why?”
“Well, I want help, and I trust Istantel Low more than anyone. That’s partly why I came.”
“And the Hamil Lord?”
“My brother? I suppose I’ll tell him soon.”
I shrugged it off. He already knows, more or less.
“I see.”
But Han So-young seemed to take it differently.
“Is that so.”
She leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs gently, closed her eyes briefly, then opened them and stared at me intently.
Strange. Why has she been sending signals of happiness repeatedly since earlier?
Oh, there was one more sign—an invitation to share a meal, something she rarely does unless it’s a special person.
“You said you want help.”
Her tone shifted. Like ice melting gently in a spring breeze, it softened.
“Ha, it’s difficult. I’m really busy these days, but a request from the Guardian isn’t something to take lightly. I think we need to have a deeper conversation about this.”
“Really? If you’re busy, you can just take this envelope…”
In a flash, Han So-young’s arm twitched.
“Oh, of course.”
I hurriedly changed the subject.
“Have you eaten yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“I was about to eat too. It’d be better to talk over a meal.”
“I…”
“It’s fine. I’m not planning to go to a restaurant. I’ll go get something, so just wait here a bit.”
“Well…”
Without another word, Han So-young stood up, opened the door, and left in an instant.
“……”
I don’t know why, but she seems to be in a remarkably good mood today.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Originally, there was more to follow here…
But honestly, yesterday I was caught up in a bit of an obsession. Since I’m putting the Northern Continent’s stage on hold for a while, I wanted to write something impactful. I had a plan in mind.
The problem came after finishing the draft, posting it as a rough draft, and then rereading it.
To be honest, it’s embarrassing even now.
I thought I was somewhat immune to what people call ‘cringe.’ But the ending I wrote yesterday? Even I found it unbearable.
To give you an idea, it ends with Kim Soo-hyun striking a pose, staring off into the distance, lost in thought.
Something like:
“Is this the true beginning…?”
Hahahahahahaha.
Nope. Couldn’t do it. I literally jumped up, paced around like crazy, banged my head on the wall, kicked the blanket for no reason—basically, I did all sorts of ridiculous things.
Yeah, that’s how it went.
So, after some thought, I decided to leave the story open-ended for now since it’s not the conclusion yet, and just keep things moving along smoothly.
Even now, as I’m writing this afterword, my face is still burning with embarrassment.