The dazed feeling wouldn't go away. I stared blankly at the window for a while, then suddenly twisted my body side to side.
Crack, crackle!
My body screamed in protest. Still, forcing my joints to move sent a slight surge of energy coursing through me. Well, it was more a feeling than anything real. Thanks to that burst of energy, I managed to pull myself together a bit, stretching widely and getting up from the bed.
At the same time, a wave of embarrassment hit me. I wasn't a kid—I'd grumbled that there was no way I'd fall asleep like that, yet I actually did. Worrying about how I'd face Ha-Yeong today, I trudged heavily toward the door. Or rather, I was about to.
Knock, knock.
"Oppa, I'm coming in."
A bright, morning-fresh voice rang out as the door swung open. Turning my head, I saw Yun-Jung stepping into the room, her eyebrows slightly raised. Compared to her old chaotic, door-slamming, barge-in routine, she was showing a much more refined demeanor.
"Did you sleep well, Oppa? What's with you sleeping in today? Anyway, good morning. And we've got a big problem."
"…Which do I answer first? Pick one, will you?"
When I chided her for bombarding me with questions, Yun-Jung burst into giggles.
"Heehee!"
"Stop laughing. What's this 'big problem'? The Inn of Beginnings portal opening?"
"Huh? The portal opened? What's that about?"
"Hm?"
I spoke calmly, assuming she already knew, but Yun-Jung tilted her head in confusion. Her reaction made me realize I'd misread the situation. Then, she thrust her right hand forward, waving a few sheets of paper as if urging me to look. In her small hand were several pages about the size of A4 paper.
I quickly took them and began reading calmly. The first thing that caught my eye was the bold title at the top.
Mercenary Clan Establishment Declaration.
"…"
The moment I read the title, my breath caught in my throat. This was the clan promotion material I'd been eagerly awaiting. It seemed the residents of Mule, judging that the rescue operations were mostly complete, had swiftly released the materials they'd been preparing.
"Oppa, Oppa! How could promotional materials like this reach Babara overnight? It's crazy out there. The plaza bulletin board and streets are plastered with these!"
"They probably prepared the materials in advance. And do you think teleportation magic is just for show?"
"Aha! Got it. Anyway, read it quickly! It's full of such great stuff, even I got fired up. Yeon-Joo unnie was shocked too. She said it's rare for a new clan to get such glowing praise—an exception, apparently."
The mention of Yeon-Joo unnie grated on me briefly, but I responded halfheartedly while quickly skimming through the documents. The content was crafted with such care that not a single sentence felt clunky—it flowed smoothly.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea has passed. In that time, I managed to read through all the documents. Bribing Conrad Douglas was a brilliant move. For just a few hundred gold, we'd secured promotional material worth far more. The documents in my hands were filled with glowing praises of our clan's strengths.
Of course, there were some drawbacks mentioned. For instance, the clan lord being a year 0 player, the small founding group of only eight members, and the fact that over half of them were year 0 players. However, Douglas cleverly turned these weaknesses into strengths with various justifications.
The fact that such a small group excavated three ruins in just three months (though the Cave Of Wailing hadn't received an exploration certificate, which was briefly noted), that we had two Secret Class players and three Rare Class players, including one of the Top 10, the Shadow Queen, and that we had defeated the high-ranking demon Belphegor—these were detailed with impressive precision.
There were subtle promotions of Mule sprinkled throughout, but it was tolerable enough to overlook.
"Well, damn. They sure know how to get the job done."
"Huh? Who?"
"The residents in charge of clan establishment. They're a different breed from those temple guys."
"Oh, yeah, true. By the way, I said there's a big problem, didn't I?"
Just how big and what kind of problem was she making such a fuss about? Since we'd already decided to step into the spotlight, I was prepared for some level of exposure. Narrowing my eyes slightly, Yun-Jung, reading my expression, hurriedly continued.
"Oppa, come downstairs. Everyone except you is already in the first-floor lobby."
"Hm, alright."
Yun-Jung darted out of the room, gesturing for me to follow. I slipped on my Coat of Plate over my gear and calmly walked down the hallway after her. Just as I was about to descend the stairs—
"Hey, hey, here he comes!"
"Is that player coming down behind the girl the Mercenary Clan Lord?"
"Looks like it. They say he's a Secret Class. Oh man, what do we do? Check out his gear—it's no joke. And his face isn't bad either."
"What have I been doing with my life? Damn it. Whether in the modern world or here, only the winners keep winning."
Murmur, murmur.
As I reached the first floor, I understood why Yun-Jung was so worked up. The lobby of the Morning Sunshine inn was teeming with Babara's players. They'd likely come out of curiosity after seeing the notices on the plaza bulletin board or scattered around the streets. Yun-Jung's steps grew awkward as she walked ahead, then she hurriedly dashed to a table with quick, small steps.
In the center of the lobby, clan members, led by Go Yeon-Joo, were gathered around a table. Nearby, a player who seemed to be the innkeeper was cautiously placing food on the table before retreating quickly.
That's when it happened. Spotting me descend to the first floor, Go Yeon-Joo elegantly uncrossed her legs and stood up. The kids, who had been nervously glancing around, and the rest of the clan members hurriedly followed her, rising from their chairs.
The moment I reached the table, Go Yeon-Joo, who had been standing quietly, bowed politely and spoke.
"We greet the Clan Lord. Did you have a restful night?"
"We greet the Clan Lord."
As Go Yeon-Joo spoke, the clan members bowed in unison, their voices harmonizing. I felt a bit awkward inside but didn't let it show. This was, after all, a performance of sorts. I simply nodded once, calmly, and moved to the seat Go Yeon-Joo had prepared for me.
The reaction to this display was immediate. On its own, the action wasn't particularly noteworthy. But with Go Yeon-Joo as a factor, it took on immense significance.
Gasps of astonishment rippled through the players watching her bow to me. The murmurs weren't confined to the first floor—they spread like wildfire to the players outside.
"Whoa, is that for real? Is that really the Shadow Queen, one of the Top 10?"
"Watch your mouth, idiot. They can hear you."
"I think it's her. The clan establishment team wouldn't lie about something like that."
"Damn, you're right. So that player who just came down really tamed the Shadow Queen? What the hell is going on? I can't believe it."
The noisy chatter flowed into my ears. I glanced around briefly before turning my gaze to the clan members.
Go Yeon-Joo was focused solely on me, completely ignoring our surroundings. Gone was her usual languid grace, replaced by a disciplined and composed demeanor. Jung Ha-Yeong and Shin Sang-Yong appeared relatively calm, though their frequent sips of water suggested some underlying tension.
Vivienne had her nose held high, exuding arrogance. She scanned the room haughtily, let out a scoff, and tried to sling an arm around me. But when Go Yeon-Joo shot her a sharp glare, she fumbled and quickly clasped her hands demurely.
An-Hyun was trying to look dignified, but his trembling lips betrayed him. Yun-Jung, who had seemed relaxed on the way down, now showed a hint of nervousness. As an aside, An-Sol looked like she might burst into tears at any moment. Now it was my turn to stay composed.
"Good morning. The sun's already high in the sky. Anything unusual happened?"
"There are three matters to report. The Inn of Beginnings portal has opened, our clan's promotion has begun, and the Golden Lion Clan has issued a summons. The promotion seems to have started at dawn, and the summons likely came after the portal opened. Regarding the summons, I have additional details to report, but…"
Go Yeon-Joo paused, glancing subtly at our surroundings. I understood her meaning immediately.
"A lot has happened while I was asleep. Understood. Let's discuss the details after breakfast. For now, let's eat…"
As I finally spoke, the noisy surroundings fell silent in an instant. I wasn't immune to the awkwardness of the situation, but my ten years of experience and composure were enough to mask it.
Even after I spoke, no one picked up their utensils. I'd hoped they'd skip it this time, but it seemed this ritual was part of the performance too. Sighing, I picked up my spoon. As if on cue, the clan members lifted their utensils in perfect unison, without a fraction of error.
*
Monica, the Southern City
In a room adorned with lavish decor, two women sat facing each other. A profound silence hung in the air, so calm and serene that even the most boisterous person would fall quiet upon entering.
One of the women exuded a beauty and sophistication so striking it was almost impossible to meet her gaze directly. Her elegantly arched eyebrows, eyes like polished obsidian, and long, glossy blue-black hair were meticulously arranged, radiating a lustrous sheen. Her tightly pressed, cherry-like lips hinted at an unyielding resolve, while her eyes brimmed with a strange, captivating confidence.
Her beauty could be described as breathtakingly flawless. If there was one flaw to point out, it would be her expression. A cold, icy aura shadowed her face. Though it suited her perfectly, if she were to smile even once, she could undoubtedly melt the hearts of countless men.
She sat with her slender legs crossed, intently reading something. In her delicate, jade-like fingers, she held a few sheets of paper the size of A4.
After some time, she finished reading and tossed the papers forward, speaking.
"Mercenary Clan Lord. year 0 player Kim Su-Hyeon. I'm sure there was a player with a similar name in the East."
Her parted lips revealed gleaming white teeth, illuminating the room. Her voice, resonating quietly, carried an undeniable authority tinged with subtle allure. The other woman, who had been silently tapping her fingers with her arms crossed, looked up at the sound and responded.
"Oh, that player is Kim Yu-Hyeon. Yu, not Su. The middle character is different."
"Hm. Was that player a Secret Class too?"
"Yes. A mage-type Secret Class. The Thunder Emperor."
"Right, he was called the Thunder Emperor. Hmm. I'd like to meet both of them."
"No way, don't even think about it."
"Why not?"
The responding woman paused, shaking her head. Her light blue hair swayed gently. Her face, too, boasted stunning beauty. Her sharp nose and delicate jawline exuded an almost overwhelming charm. Yet, like the other, her cynical expression was a regrettable flaw.
"For one, Kim Yu-Hyeon. Even though he's a second-year player, he's already beyond our reach. He hasn't founded a clan yet, but his position is rock-solid."
"Really? Is he stronger than you? Stronger than the Execution Princess, one of the Top 10, sitting right in front of me?"
"Han So-Young."
For a moment, an uncomfortable silence hung between them.
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