The long and arduous development of the Swamp of Oblivion has finally come to an end.
Surprisingly, in the case of Area 1, which Yoon Yeon was in charge of, it seems that the last monster she faced was a Legend Grade monster.
When you think about the White Devourer and Black Devourer that appeared in Areas 2 and 3, it feels like a rather anticlimactic ending.
‘It’s anticlimactic, but for the development team, it couldn’t be better.’
The fact that they don’t have to fight is great news for players who risk their lives.
What was strange was that all the residents of the Swamp of Oblivion had disappeared.
They vanished like a mirage, as if they never existed.
Only the villages where they lived proved that they weren’t just illusions.
‘Whatever happened, judging by Yoo Ju’s reaction, this seems to be the norm.’
Seeing her calm reaction, it’s likely that the residents disappeared after the first time the Swamp of Oblivion was normalized.
‘…Now the problem is how to divide the achievements.’
Since the Swamp of Oblivion is Baronia’s territory, it belongs to a neutral country, but Baronia can’t just give the development team no rewards.
In such cases, the clans that participated in the development usually receive various rewards.
Among the most valuable are construction permits, commercial permits, and so on.
Of course, for smaller clans or individuals who didn’t contribute much, they might just receive monetary compensation.
‘Well, Eternity is a different story.’
Eternity is undeniably one of the clans that contributed the most in this development.
Eternity, Myth, Madan, Veritas, and… Plum Blossom.
Below them are the brother clans.
However, since the Plum Blossom Clan was practically wiped out, they can’t fully receive their rewards.
‘Seo Mi-kyung must be really frustrated.’
As the de facto master of the Plum Blossom Clan, Seo Mi-kyung can’t receive the core rewards.
Since the clan is completely gone, receiving something like a construction permit would be meaningless.
Still, she can probably receive an equivalent amount of money, which would be more than enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
Baronia will likely help her settle down in a good place.
She lost her power, but it’s not entirely a bad outcome.
Honestly, if I wanted to, I could have used the fact that she tried to kill me to interfere with her compensation, but I didn’t.
‘I’m not exactly a saint, but… it feels wrong to do that to someone whose entire clan is gone.’
Still, there’s a chance she might hold a grudge or do something reckless, so I’ll keep an eye on her.
As I leaned back in my chair, I thought to myself.
‘More importantly… Yoo Ju has been acting strange lately.’
Well, to be precise, there’s something different between Yoo Ju and Wi Ho-yeon.
‘They used to get along so well, what’s going on?’
Wi Ho-yeon’s loyalty is such that if Yoo Ju told her to commit seppuku right now, she would.
But recently, Yoo Ju has been looking at Wi Ho-yeon with a strange sense of wariness.
Wi Ho-yeon still treats Yoo Ju with respect, but there’s something subtly different.
‘Maybe I should just ask directly.’
“Ho-yeon.”
“Yes, Lee Yun-seong.”
Wi Ho-yeon has been so submissive lately that it’s making me uncomfortable.
“Did something happen between you and Yoo Ju?”
“…No. But why do you ask… Oh, no. I shouldn’t overstep…”
“Sigh… Ho-yeon.”
As I sighed and called her name, Wi Ho-yeon’s face turned pale, and she cautiously looked at me.
“I’m sorry. Did I do something wrong…”
‘Damn it, stop apologizing.’
“No, Ho-yeon, you didn’t do anything wrong. Please stop apologizing.”
“…Understood.”
“I asked because it seems like the relationship between you and Yoo Ju isn’t the same as before.”
“Ah…”
“Is something going on?”
“……”
Wi Ho-yeon remained silent for a while before carefully opening her mouth.
“It’s just… I’ve developed a small desire. Master must have noticed it.”
“…Huh? A desire?”
I couldn’t help but be puzzled.
A desire? That seems like the last word I’d associate with Wi Ho-yeon.
I was so intrigued by her saying she had a desire that I couldn’t help but ask.
“Ho-yeon, you have desires too? Honestly, that’s surprising. Haha, what is it? If it’s something I can help with, I’ll do it. I owe you a lot, after all.”
At my words, Wi Ho-yeon seemed surprised.
“Are you… serious? If it’s something you can help with, you’ll do it…”
‘Does she want something from me?’
Honestly, I’ve received a lot of help from Wi Ho-yeon, and since she’s part of my inner circle, I’m willing to help her as long as it’s not something like asking for my life.
“Yes. As long as it’s not my life, I’ll help you with whatever I can.”
For some reason, Wi Ho-yeon’s expression brightened upon hearing my answer.
“Yes, yes, thank you, Lee Yun-seong!”
She even bowed her head deeply, which was something I’d never seen her do before.
Her reaction made me a little uneasy.
‘Damn, what kind of big favor is she going to ask for?’
This is Wi Ho-yeon we’re talking about.
She’s the type who hates owing others, so she rarely asks for favors.
No, she never asks for favors.
Seeing her react like this makes me a little anxious.
‘…Even if it’s a big favor, given Ho-yeon’s personality, it’s probably something like Legend Grade equipment.’
Honestly, Legend Grade equipment is a bit of a burden for me too, but it’s not something I can’t give.
‘Is Yoo Ju acting like this because Wi Ho-yeon is asking for Legend Grade equipment?’
Wi Ho-yeon already has a Legend Grade weapon, the Intangible Sword.
If she’s asking for another piece of Legend Grade equipment, Yoo Ju would naturally be in a tough spot.
‘I should talk to Yoo Ju soon. I’ll just say I’ll cover the cost.’
It’s unfair for a Clan Master to give two pieces of Legend Grade equipment to a single clan member, but as a fellow clan member, it’s fine for me to give Wi Ho-yeon a gift.
‘Ah, and I should also pay attention to Yoo Ju…’
I received a Myth Grade ring from Yoo Ju, and honestly, I haven’t done much for her recently.
‘…I did save her once, but I don’t want to brag about that.’
Objectively speaking, Yoo Ju has saved me far more times.
“Ah, it’s getting late, so Ho-yeon, you should…”
“Good night. I should head back to my quarters and get ready.”
“Yes, Lee Yun-seong. You go ahead. I’ve been personally summoned by the Clan Master…”
“Ah, did Yoo Ju call Wi Ho-yeon?”
It seems Yoo Ju called Wi Ho-yeon separately.
“Yes, Lee Yun-seong.”
“Hmm… If Yoo Ju mentions difficulties with funds or fairness, just tell her I’ll cover it as a gift. She’ll probably understand then.”
“…What?”
‘What’s this?’
Wi Ho-yeon looked utterly confused.
‘…Was my guess wrong?’
It seems I was barking up the wrong tree.
“Ah… no. Haha… I must’ve jumped to conclusions. Well, I’ll head in first.”
‘Damn, this is embarrassing.’
Feeling awkward, I just wanted to leave quickly.
“Yes… understood, Lee Yun-seong.”
Wi Ho-yeon stood in front of Yoo Ju’s office.
“……”
Truthfully, Wi Ho-yeon had an idea why Yoo Ju called her.
‘…What should I do?’
She served two people. But if things continued like this, she might end up betraying one of them.
‘The one who took me in, and the one I owe my life to.’
Her heart was in turmoil. She never thought she’d feel this way.
‘And… aside from my feelings, I need to repay my debt.’
As a guard, she hadn’t always been able to fully protect them.
In fact, due to her own shortcomings, the person she served had lost vision in one eye.
‘Lee Yun-seong said it’s fine, but…’
Twice now, she had failed to protect them—once during an outlaw attack, and now this.
Honestly, they were lucky to have survived both times. A little less luck, and they could’ve died.
‘I… owe them my life.’
But Wi Ho-yeon had nothing to give in return.
He already had more money than he could ever need.
He wasn’t a swordsman, so she couldn’t offer teachings.
He was already building his own reputation. Within Baronia, he had achieved an unbelievable level of fame for someone only a year in.
‘The only thing I can offer…’
Wi Ho-yeon looked down at herself.
‘…is this.’
She knew her value as a woman.
The reactions of the men she’d met so far were proof enough.
In their eyes, she always saw one emotion, big or small.
…The primal desire men have for women.
But ironically, there were plenty of attractive women around him.
‘But it’s fine. As an object… he wouldn’t have me.’
She didn’t dare hope for a position beyond her station. That would be betraying the Clan Master.
Knowing how the Clan Master felt about Lee Yun-seong, she couldn’t dare hope for such a place.
Wi Ho-yeon would be satisfied if she could be of use to him, even as a tool.
Steeling herself, she knocked and entered Yoo Ju’s office.
“…Master, I’ve come as summoned.”
“Ah, Ho-yeon. Perfect timing. Thank you.”
“Not at all. It’s only natural to follow the Clan Master’s orders.”
Hearing Wi Ho-yeon’s words, Yoo Ju smiled oddly, as if waiting for this moment.
“Is that so? Then you’ll follow my orders without question?”
“……”
“Why no answer?”
“That’s… correct.”
Satisfied with Wi Ho-yeon’s response, Yoo Ju continued.
“Good. The reason I called you today is to deliver one piece of news.”
“…What is it?”
What Yoo Ju said next struck Wi Ho-yeon like a bolt from the blue.
“Starting tomorrow, Wi Ho-yeon, you’ll be reassigned from Yoon Seong’s guard duty to other tasks.”
“What do you… then…”
“Yes. You’ll no longer need to guard Yoon Seong.”
“…Master.”
“Yes.”
Wi Ho-yeon, with a determined expression, spoke with difficulty.
“…Please reconsider.”
Yoo Ju’s expression remained unchanged, but something about her seemed displeased.
“Ho-yeon, let me explain. I’ve held back until now because it might be rude, but you’ve failed to properly guard him twice already.”
“That’s…”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it? Of course, I’m not blaming you. Aside from those two instances, you’ve been diligent.”
“Certainly… it’s true that I’ve failed in my duties before. I won’t deny it. I admit it.”
“…..”
“But please, give me another chance. This time, I protected Lee Yun-seong in the cave, didn’t I?”
“Well, after that, you couldn’t protect him when he faced that huge monster, could you?”
“…..”
“Truthfully, he lost his vision trying to save me, but my opinion remains unchanged.”
Realizing Yoo Ju’s resolve was firm, Wi Ho-yeon bit her lip and spoke.
“…Master, do you remember what you told me when I joined the clan?”
“Huh?”
Yoo Ju looked puzzled by Wi Ho-yeon’s sudden question.
“What are you…?”
“…You told me to serve Lee Yun-seong even more devotedly than the Clan Master.”
“Ah… yes. I did say that. But why…?”
“…That’s why I’ll follow Lee Yun-seong’s decision. If he says to remove me from guard duty, I’ll follow your orders. But if he wishes to keep me as his guard, I’ll follow his will.”
“…What?”
“…I’ll take my leave now.”
Leaving Yoo Ju’s stunned face behind, Wi Ho-yeon bowed and exited the room.
