Chapter 237

“Hey, you’re pretty good at talking, huh?”

“Huh?”

On the way back after the lecture, Kang I-seo opened her mouth with an impressed face.

“Did you give lectures or something on Earth?”

“Of course not.”

Naturally, I had zero experience giving lectures or speeches. Of course, I’ve never done anything like that.

All I did was inform the trainees about reality and sweetly package the benefits of joining a Large Clan.

‘Of course, I cleverly hinted that Eternity Clan is better.’

The massive support Eternity can provide to trainees, alliances with two of the four major clans, and the achievements they’ve made so far.

Honestly, it was endless content, and I just summarized it all.

‘I guided it to sound sweet, but still….’

A fact that many overlook is that joining a Large Clan has its downsides.

‘For example, strict clan control and mandatory participation in large-scale expeditions.’

Small clans rarely participate in large expeditions or wars, but Large Clans can’t avoid it.

‘Of course, even with these downsides, it’s still a hundred times better than joining a small clan.’

Another downside is how hard it is to become an executive.

Large Clans have so many members and talented individuals that becoming an executive is naturally difficult.

‘But Eternity is different. At least on the surface.’

Unintentionally, my position as just a regular clan member in Eternity probably stood out.

After all, despite being a regular member, I practically wielded authority beyond that of an executive.

I just used this to subtly sweet-talk the trainees.

Making them think that joining Eternity could lead to becoming an executive due to the sheer number of members.

The best example was right in front of them, so of course, they’d be tempted.

‘Though, in reality, it’s because of Yoo Ju’s favor, but whatever.’

To the trainees, it probably seemed like a clan that values you even if you lack combat skills, as long as you prove your worth in other areas.

“Really? You’ve never given a lecture or speech?”

“Ah, I told you, no. Why would I lie about this?”

Her suspicious look made me feel absurd.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Are you lying? Hmm, weird. Doesn’t seem like you’re showing off though.”

“Tsk tsk… Your jealousy is truly ugly.”

“What? What am I jealous of?”

“Inferiority ruins people. Get a grip, Kang I-seo.”

“Ugh, your tone is so annoying. I can’t even…”

Anyway, her reactions were just delicious.

‘No wonder I can’t help but tease her.’

My lips naturally curled up.

If I had to pick the easiest person to tease around, Kang I-seo would be the top choice.

“…Hey, what was that last part? How did you do that?”

“Last part? Ah…”

She must be talking about the advice I gave the trainees right before the lecture ended.

What I told them was pretty simple.

Depending on their status window, I subtly advised whether they should aim for combat roles or switch to production or support roles.

‘Though, I don’t know how many will actually listen.’

Honestly, when someone evaluates and advises you, most people just get annoyed.

Sure, some might genuinely listen, but that’s like one out of ten.

Most people would just feel bad if someone told them what to do.

“I just said it. Made it sound impressive or something.”

“What?”

Kang I-seo looked at me like I was crazy.

“What… Hey, is that even okay?”

“Kang I-seo, think about it. Do you think they’d really listen to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even if I said all that, they’d still make their own choices. I just packaged it like a fortune teller, making it sound like something.”

“…So, you’re saying you scammed them?”

“Whoa, that’s a dangerous accusation. Scam? Did I take money from them?”

Honestly, though Kang I-seo doesn’t know, the advice I gave was pretty accurate, unlike some random fortune-telling.

‘I based it on their unique traits, after all.’

But whether they listen or not is up to them.

‘I gave them a chance. If they regret it later, that’s on them.’

Who knows? Maybe when they’re out there messing up and dying, they’ll remember what I said.

If Yoo Ju successfully grows into a Transcendent Being, I’ll practically be managing half this continent.

So, it’s best to save as many people as possible. You need people to keep things running.

‘They’re all valuable resources. Without the base, the top can’t exist.’

Some will die, but who knows?

Maybe someone will survive because of the advice I gave.

******

Working as an instructor at this training facility left me pretty disappointed.

‘No talent in sight.’

It’s because I didn’t see any players who caught my eye.

‘Sigh… Are my standards too high?’

I couldn’t deny it. Being around so many top-tier fighters had definitely raised my standards.

‘First, exclude melee and archer roles.’

I looked through both groups but didn’t find anyone I liked.

‘The numbers are a problem. Sigh… But picking someone just slightly above average feels off.’

Eternity is a powerful clan worthy of being one of the four major clans, but the lack of members is an unavoidable reality.

If possible, I’d rather have one exceptional person…





Even so, taking them this time is the best.

‘…Is the most needed type in Eternity a mage?’

Mage resources are quite rare, and strangely, Eternity still doesn’t have a mage.

Currently, I was heading to the classroom to quickly scan through trainees with magic-related jobs.

The instructor teaching trainees who focus on magic is Ha Yu-ri.

Of course, I had already gotten her permission.

At first, she seemed puzzled, but when I mentioned wanting to scout for talent, she readily agreed.

‘Honestly, from Ha Yu-ri’s perspective, it must be a bit annoying.’

After all, Ha Yu-ri knows I can see players’ status windows.

If I scout talent, it means I’m taking resources she could’ve brought to her own clan.

‘But she didn’t seem particularly upset…’

In fact, her reaction was the opposite.

When I mentioned visiting her classroom, she seemed very welcoming.

“…Is this it?”

Hearing voices inside, it seemed I was in the right place.

Just as I was about to knock on the classroom door—

*Creak—*

“Come on in.”

“Ah…”

Sensing my presence, Ha Yu-ri opened the door first and greeted me.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and come in.”

Ha Yu-ri, pulling my arm, looked like she was in a pretty good mood.

“Alright, everyone, quiet down. Today, another instructor will be observing the class.”

Naturally, all eyes turned to me.

Ha Yu-ri glanced at me briefly and then began introducing me to the trainees.

“I think most of you probably already know him. He’s a famous instructor from the Eternity Clan.”

Well… at this point, it’d be weird if the instructors didn’t recognize each other.

“Trainees, you’ll probably remember him vividly, right? His stories are too famous.”

‘What’s this? Suddenly acting all nice in front of the trainees.’

Just two years.

That’s how long it took for me to go from trainee to instructor.

“Instructor Lee Yun-seong and I have a bit of a personal connection, so he’ll be observing today. Don’t feel pressured and just attend the class as usual.”

Even though Ha Yu-ri said that, it’s only natural the trainees would feel some pressure.

Their eyes were filled with hope, as if thinking, “If I make a good impression here, maybe I can join Eternity.”

Soon, one trainee raised their hand.

“Yes, trainee. Go ahead.”

“Yessir! Are Instructor Lee Yun-seong and Instructor Ha Yu-ri dating?”

‘What the…’

The absurd question left me first feeling flustered.

I glanced at Ha Yu-ri, only to see her face turning bright red.

“D-d-d-dating?!”

‘Sigh…’

I wanted to smack the back of her head and tell her to snap out of it, but this was a professional setting, so that wasn’t possible.

The problem was that Ha Yu-ri’s reaction had plunged the room into silence.

Ha Yu-ri was known for her cold, aloof image, so the trainees had never seen her flustered or stuttering before.

But her reaction to the playful question about dating had the trainees whispering among themselves.

“Hey, why’s Instructor Ha Yu-ri acting like that?”

“Could it be…?”

If this kept up, rumors about Ha Yu-ri and me would spread through the training facility, so I had to speak up quickly.

“Haha… dating? Instructor Ha Yu-ri was just caught off guard by such an unexpected question. We’re not in that kind of relationship.”

I subtly signaled Ha Yu-ri with my eyes. If she kept acting like this, both of us would be in an awkward position.

‘Damn it, what’s she doing?’

Her face was red, and she was bowing her head—it was ridiculous.

The trainees were now even gasping.

“Wow… really?”

“Oh…”

“…Lucky.”

‘Crazy.’

“Haha… I’ve unfortunately made the trainees uncomfortable. I just wanted to observe the class personally, so I asked Instructor Ha Yu-ri for a favor. We’re definitely not in that kind of relationship, so please don’t misunderstand.”

Finally, it seemed like she had snapped out of it.

‘Sigh… say something already.’

I kept giving her looks, and at last, Ha Yu-ri straightened her expression and spoke.

“Ahem, yes… as Instructor Lee Yun-seong said… we’re not in that kind of relationship. Anyway, let’s start the class. And—”

Ha Yu-ri glared at the trainee who had asked the question and continued.

“Please refrain from making such personal, joking questions. Consider this a warning. Understood?”

Her tone was so fierce that the trainee answered with a scared expression.

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

After that little incident, Ha Yu-ri started her lecture, and I began observing the trainees.

Checking if they understood her explanations or not.

And if they were handling their magic well during practical exercises.

I also checked their status windows one by one.

“Next, trainee Shin Han-sol.”

As Ha Yu-ri called out a trainee’s name, I spotted a noticeable trainee.