< Resident Information (Native Status) >
[Strength 78] [Endurance 85] [Agility 92] [Stamina 90] [Magic Power 102] [Luck 100]
< Achievements (0) >
< Unique Ability (1/1) >
< Special Ability (1/1) >
< Potential Abilities (3/3) >
< Recent Stat Comparison >
< Stat Comparison >
Kim Suhyun
[Strength 99 (+2)] [Endurance 95 (+2)] [Agility 101] [Stamina 101 (+2)] [Magic Power 96] [Luck 90 (+2)]
(Remaining points: 0)
Total: 582 points
Mar
[Strength 78] [Endurance 85] [Agility 92] [Stamina 90] [Magic Power 102] [Luck 100]
(Remaining points: 0)
Total: 547 points
— The Third Eye sees through past, present, and future, as well as both substance and phenomenon. Even the laws of nature are no exception.
“Hm?”
“That’s why you can read this girl’s information right now. It’s a pretty impressive eye, but it’s still a step below the Third Eye.”
“…”
I barely managed to pull myself together at Hwajeong’s words. Then, a sound escaped me—whether a sigh or an exclamation, I couldn’t tell—as the air deflated around me.
“Huh…”
I couldn’t help but marvel as I read the message floating in midair. Especially when I got to the abilities section, my mouth fell open without realizing it. Even though she absorbed everything from the previous queen, I found myself doubting if this really was Mar.
Anyway, Heaven’s Empress, huh? The claim that she’s the first of her kind in history doesn’t seem like an exaggeration. Every line of the message felt unfamiliar. She didn’t seem like someone you could easily beat, but she wasn’t exactly an easy opponent either. Well, there was no chance we’d be fighting in the first place. Still, there was no denying that a powerful force had joined us just as the plan neared completion.
“But…”
Something felt off.
“Why don’t I feel happy…?”
Her appearance had changed a lot, but it was only a little awkward—nothing I couldn’t get used to. No matter how she looked, Mar was still Mar.
But aside from that, my feelings were complicated rather than joyful. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. If Mar had been a complete stranger, would I have felt this way?
“Suhyun? Suhyun!”
Oh, right. Ko Yeonju had quietly come up beside me.
“Y-yes?”
“What’s wrong? You’ve been spacing out all alone. Hey, how about we have a festival? It’s been a while.”
“A festival?”
“Yeah.”
“Why a festival all of a sudden…?”
“Oh, come on. You can’t just spring this on Mar and not expect her to feel left out.”
Mar looked at me as if she wanted to say something, but Yeonju quickly raised her hand.
“Of course, it’s a festival to celebrate Mar’s warrior awakening. Honestly, we haven’t had much to celebrate lately, right?”
Finishing her sentence quickly, she smiled awkwardly, unsure what to do next. I just stared at Mar quietly.
“Is this really okay…?”
That night, a grand festival was held at the castle. The open, scenic garden became the stage, and the atmosphere quickly turned lively. Since it had been so long since the last festival, no one refused the invitation; everyone ate and drank with joy.
Of course, the guest of honor was Mar. Most clan members came bearing simple gifts and congratulations, but a few were less reserved—some even stubbornly tried to cozy up to her. For example, Dum or Dummer.
Tap.
“Mar, it’s about time you start realizing your role as the heroine.”
Jin Suhyun set down his glass and spoke with a serious expression.
“Heroine…?”
“Ah, is this your first time hearing that? It means the female lead.”
“Female lead…?”
“Exactly. Because you like your brother—no, your dad, right?”
At the mention of Kim Suhyun, Mar’s eyes sparkled as she nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Heh. I knew it.”
When she asked for more details, Jin Suhyun puffed up with pride. Not a child anymore, but clearly pleased that such a lovely girl was interested.
“Jin Suhyun? Don’t say useless things to the kid.”
“No, I don’t think it’s useless at all. It’s actually quite interesting.”
Noticing this, Jung Ha-yeon gave a stern warning, but Mar smiled sweetly and shook her head.
Encouraged by the support, Jin Suhyun continued with growing confidence.
“The important thing is your position. First, you have to secure your position properly!”
“Position?”
“Yeah. Like, it might feel like you’re the first lady, but if you get overshadowed by fierce rivals and forgotten, wouldn’t that be a bit sad?”
“!”
At that moment, Jung Ha-yeon, who had been clicking her tongue, shuddered. But Jin Suhyun kept talking excitedly, oblivious to the dagger he’d just plunged into someone’s heart.
“There are characters like that too. The sexy, provocative older sister type who’s also powerful. That position actually works pretty well.”
“Hmm.”
Ko Yeonju, watching from somewhere, let out a low whistle and took a sip of her drink.
“And yet, on the other hand, it’s kind of pitiful. No matter how much she tries, the male lead never notices. In the end, it’s a side role with limits.”
Pffft. She quietly sprayed out the drink she’d been holding.
“Then there’s this one. The gentle, warm, motherly type. Like a soft pillow, you know?”
“Wow. That sounds nice, but why a pillow?”
“Oh, it’s not so nice. You can do whatever you want—rest your head on her, rub your face on her—but do you think that’s competitive? You have to avoid that position too.”
“…”
Nearby, Im Hanna—who had been happily cooking—froze mid-motion. Her previously gentle smile suddenly turned serious.
A moment later.
“Haha! So… uh, huh?”
By the time Jin Suhyun came to his senses, the three women had already surrounded him without a gap.
“…Ladies?”
They said nothing, just grabbed the bewildered Jin Suhyun firmly and dragged him off somewhere. No matter how loudly he shouted, it was useless—they disappeared into a dark, gloomy place. Not long after, Jin Suhyun vanished into the shadows, led by the three women.
“…?”
Mar tilted her head, looking puzzled as if to say, ‘What just happened?’ At the same time, An Hyun, who had been quietly watching, brightened and was about to speak when—
“Mar!”
Bang!
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the garden.
“Huh?”
“What was that?”
The festive mood instantly dropped at the unexpected sound. The clan members murmured and turned toward the source: the main gate was wide open.
Step, step, step, step!
Shortly after, a group hurried through the gate. They were all dressed in priestly robes, drenched in sweat, clearly having rushed here.
“Who are you?”
Kim Dongseok, the ‘One-Armed,’ stepped forward, his tone rough and tinged with irritation. After all, their fun had been interrupted.
“We’re from the temple.”
“No, who are you?”
The visitors’ voices were gruff, but their irritation was clear. The timing was terrible.
“Temple or not, what’s going on here? Don’t you see the situation?”
“I-I’m sorry, but this is really urgent.”
“Ah, alright. I’ll make sure the message gets through. Now, you should be going—don’t make things any more awkward.”
He waved his hand dismissively, as if annoyed. But the men from the temple didn’t turn away. They just stood there, looking uncertain and hesitant. Seeing them linger, Kim Dong-seok’s face twisted in frustration.
“These guys, seriously… the more I look at them, the more—”
Then, a voice cut through the tension.
“Enough.”
A low, cold voice flowed between them. Kim Dong-seok’s eyes darted toward the source, where a man was slowly rising to his feet. The temple priest’s expression immediately brightened upon recognizing him.
“Th-The Missionary Lord!”
“Yes. What brings you here?”
The priest hurried over like someone who’d just spotted a lifeline, whispering something quickly. Kim Soo-hyun, who had been listening closely, furrowed his brow slightly.
“Heavenly?”
“Yes, yes. So…”
The message was delivered swiftly. Though still trying to grasp the situation, Kim Soo-hyun glanced around and called out.
“It seems something urgent has come up. Anyway, I have to go.”
“But—”
“No. I don’t know when I’ll be back, so please continue enjoying the festival. Well then…”
“……”
There was no point in holding him back when the Clan Lord was determined to leave. Those who knew Kim Soo-hyun’s status quietly sensed that something serious must have happened. Eventually, guided by the priests, Kim Soo-hyun strode quickly through the main gate.
“Well, what on earth is going on…”
“Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. For now, let’s just enjoy ourselves.”
The clan members nodded and, as Kim Soo-hyun had urged, resumed their festival celebrations—grabbing food, clinking glasses, laughing heartily. Though there had been a brief disruption, the atmosphere gradually grew lively once more.
…But did they truly understand?
That this very moment was the last festival the Missionary would ever enjoy.