Chapter 239

I brought up the topic of Shin Han-sol to the clan members.

“Ho-yeon, do you happen to know a trainee named Shin Han-sol?”

“…No. It’s the first time I’ve heard that name.”

‘Well, of course, she wouldn’t know.’

“Kang I-seo, what about you?”

“I don’t know either. Who the heck is Shin Han-sol?”

I asked just in case, but it seems Kang I-seo doesn’t know either.

Suddenly mentioning the name of a trainee I know made everyone look puzzled.

“…Anyway, if any of you see a trainee named Shin Han-sol, treat them as nicely as possible. Give them convenience, be kind, and all that.”

“Bro, who is this Shin Han-sol trainee that you’re telling us to treat so well?”

“She’s a top-priority recruitment target.”

“Top-priority recruitment target?”

“Yeah.”

Kang I-seo looked at me with a face full of confusion.

“Hey, what do you mean by top-priority recruitment target all of a sudden? Who is Shin Han-sol? I usually remember the names of trainees who stand out, but I’ve never heard of Shin Han-sol before.”

It’s natural that Kang I-seo doesn’t know. After all, Shin Han-sol’s grades are just average.

“She’s a trainee attending Ha Yu-ri’s lectures. She has a mage-type job, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know her.”

“What?”

“Well, she’s deliberately hiding her skills.”

At the mention of hiding her skills, everyone except Wi Ho-yeon looked baffled.

“What… what do you mean? Trainees are supposed to show off their skills, why would they hide them?”

“Bro, I don’t get it either. If anything, trainees should exaggerate their skills to get into a clan, unless they’re some kind of weirdo…”

I totally understood their reactions.

After all, during the trainee period, everyone struggles desperately to get into a good clan.

‘But hiding their skills? That’s not normal.’

If it weren’t for my ability, I would’ve just thought she was an ordinary trainee and moved on.

“I don’t know why she’s hiding her skills either. Just treat her as kindly as possible if you see her. Casually mention the advantages of Eternity too.”

“…Alright, but something feels off. How did you know she’s hiding her skills?”

‘Why is she so sharp in situations like this?’

Kang I-seo, who usually seems clueless, suddenly being so sharp made me a bit flustered.

‘Sigh, I guess I have no choice but to throw Ha Yu-ri under the bus.’

“…Ha Yu-ri told me. During a mana control practice, she noticed one trainee was hiding her skills.”

“…Ha Yu-ri?”

“Yeah, she said the trainee intentionally failed the mana control exercise. She almost got fooled herself.”

“…Alright. I don’t like that woman, but her skills are undeniable, so I’ll take your word for it.”

Even though she doesn’t like Ha Yu-ri, she still acknowledged her skills.

But then Kang I-seo asked me with a displeased face.

“…Lee Yun-seong, do you talk to Ha Yu-ri often?”

“Huh? Oh, sometimes?”

“Really? You seem to share quite personal stories with her?”

“Not really… but why?”

After a brief silence, Kang I-seo quietly replied.

“…It’s nothing. I was just curious.”

“…Anyway, everyone, if you encounter a trainee named Shin Han-sol, treat her as kindly as possible.”

“Got it, bro. Oh! Right!”

She looked like she just remembered something.

“What is it? Something up?”

“Yoo Ju noona is coming today. She asked me to let you know yesterday.”

‘…Yoo Ju is coming?’

Yoo Ju was supposed to visit the training facility a few times, but I was quite happy to hear she’s coming today.

‘I can just ask Yoo Ju.’

Even though Yoo Ju probably doesn’t know Shin Han-sol, it’s still good to confirm.

******

While other instructors were giving lectures, Yoo Ju arrived at the training facility.

“Yoon Seong!”

“Haha… you’re here?”

She spotted me and came running with a bright smile.

Thud –

She hugged me tightly, burying her face in my chest and taking a deep breath.

“Phew… this is so healing. I missed you so much, Yoon Seong.”

“Really? I missed you too. Guess we’re on the same page, huh?”

“Yeah, yeah!”

‘Seeing her face, it seems there’s nothing major going on with the clan.’

She looked really happy, so it seemed like nothing serious was happening with Yoo Ju.

“Yoon Seong, how have you been? No one’s been disrespecting you at the training facility, right?”

“Aren’t you worrying too much? Who would dare disrespect an instructor from Eternity?”

I almost laughed at Yoo Ju’s concern. Honestly, no one in their right mind would mess with me right now.

“If anything happens, don’t just endure it, okay? If something like that happens, you have to tell me.”

Despite my answer, Yoo Ju still seemed worried that someone might disrespect me.

‘…Or maybe it’s because it’s the training facility.’

The incident two years ago where I almost died at the training facility left a huge trauma on Yoo Ju.

At the time, I didn’t know, but thinking about how Yoo Ju went back in time to save me, it must have been a horrifying memory for her.

“Nothing like that has happened. I don’t even have any lectures scheduled, it feels like we’re all on vacation.”

Hearing that, Yoo Ju finally seemed to relax.

“That’s a relief… wait, but I’m a little mad.”

“…Mad about what?”

“It feels like you’re all enjoying a vacation without me. I’ve been struggling without you lately.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Yoo Ju’s pouting.

“But we’ve been keeping in touch through the communication orb, right? Just hang in there a little longer. It’s only about a month left.”

“…Alright.”

‘…This is a bit awkward.’

Having Yoo Ju cling to me like this was making me feel a bit ticklish.

“Um, Yoon Seong.”

“Yeah?”

“We’ve been apart for a while, right?”

“Yeah… right?”

“…I think I deserve some compensation, don’t you think?”

‘Oh…’

“Don’t you think you should compensate me tonight? Hmm?”

Looking up at me with expectant eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

Eventually, I nodded slightly, and Yoo Ju’s face lit up like a blooming flower.

“Yay… this is great…”

Well, honestly, one day wouldn’t make much of a difference, and there’s something more important right now.

“…By the way, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yeah, Yoon Seong, what is it?”

“By any chance, during the first round, do you remember the name Shin Han-sol?”



“Did you hear about it?”

“…Shin Han-sol?”

At my question, Yoo Ju started to think deeply.

“Hmm…”

After a long moment of trying to recall, Yoo Ju’s answer was as expected.

“No, I don’t remember hearing that name. Of course, I might have heard it but just don’t remember, but for now, it’s not in my memory.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, but why? Who is Shin Han-sol?”

From Yoo Ju’s face, which was asking me with an innocent expression, I could detect a strange sense of wariness.

It felt like she was reacting because a girl’s name suddenly popped out of my mouth.

“Ah, there’s a trainee named Shin Han-sol. But this trainee…”

“…Why? Are you interested in that trainee?”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t that a girl’s name?”

‘Sigh… Yoo Ju, what if you react the same way as Yu-ri?’

Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel ridiculous every time this happened.

“Sigh… It’s not like that. Why would I ask about that? It’s because she’s a recruitment target.”

“Ah…”

When I mentioned she was a recruitment target, Yoo Ju seemed to realize she had jumped to conclusions.

“Uh, s-sorry.”

“…Sigh.”

“Y-Yoon Seong, are you mad…?”

I wasn’t mad. Of course, I was a little annoyed, but…

“…No. I’m not mad, but anyway, the reason I asked you about Shin Han-sol is because she’s an Awakened One.”

At the mention of an Awakened One, Yoo Ju’s eyes widened.

“An Awakened One? Really?”

Yoo Ju’s reaction was understandable, as Awakened Ones are incredibly rare resources.

So far, the only person I’ve seen with a hero-class job from the start is Yoo Hyun.

‘…I heard there’s only one Awakened One among the rankers.’

As far as I know, the number of Awakened Ones on the continent doesn’t exceed double digits, and among the rankers, there’s only one Awakened One.

‘I think I heard they were from Tayos.’

“Yoo Ju, are you sure you’ve never heard the name Shin Han-sol?”

“Yeah. At least in the first round, there was no famous player named Shin Han-sol. That’s for sure.”

If Yoo Ju is right, then Shin Han-sol probably died before she could bloom in the first round.

‘Or maybe she just lived quietly.’

“Yoon Seong, are you planning to recruit Shin Han-sol then?”

‘Of course.’

“Of course, if you’re okay with it.”

It was a question asking for Yoo Ju’s opinion. If she was okay with it, I was fully prepared to do my best to recruit her.

Yoo Ju wouldn’t be in a position to oppose the recruitment, so I could guess what she would say.

“Of course, I’m fine with it! We should definitely recruit her.”

“Good. Then, can I ask you for a favor?”

At the word “favor,” Yoo Ju’s eyes sparkled as she replied.

“Yeah, tell me anything.”

“Can you leave the clan matters to Jae-hyo for a while and help with promoting the clan by giving some special lectures at the training facility?”

“Ah…”

Of course, Yoo Ju wouldn’t refuse.

Because it means she can be with me.

‘I feel bad for Jae-hyo, though…’

Honestly, every time Yoo Ju or I have to step away, we end up dumping work on Jae-hyo, so I can’t help but feel guilty.

‘But what can I do? It’s unavoidable.’

After quickly rationalizing it to myself, I looked at Yoo Ju. Unlike me, who needed to rationalize, she didn’t seem to need any self-justification.

“Yeah, I’m actually happy about it! I should contact Jae-hyo right away. Hehe…”

Her smiling face showed no trace of guilt toward Jae-hyo.

‘…Jae-hyo, I’m sorry.’

Well, what can I do? I’ll just have to repent in my heart.

******

Yoo Ju had been in a really good mood lately.

Of course, it was because she could be with Yoon Seong.

As soon as she saw Yoon Seong, she hugged him, and just smelling his scent made all her stress melt away.

Although, right after that, when an unfamiliar girl’s name came out of Yoon Seong’s mouth, she couldn’t help but feel a bit upset.

‘But it was just my misunderstanding.’

Fortunately, the reason Yoon Seong was interested in that trainee was for recruitment purposes.

She felt guilty for foolishly misunderstanding him for a moment.

When Yoon Seong asked her to stay at the training facility for a while, she felt like she was on cloud nine.

“Hehe…”

But she still needed to check out this trainee named Shin Han-sol.

‘Ah, there she is.’

She was slightly annoyed that she had to run into Yu-ri, but it didn’t matter.

After all, Yoon Seong wouldn’t be interested in that girl, and the girl wouldn’t be interested in him either.

Soon, Yu-ri noticed her and reacted.

“Ah? Clan Master of Eternity?”

“…Hello, Clan Master of Madan.”

“Ah… Yes, nice to meet you. But what brings the Clan Master of Eternity here?”

The girl in front of her looked puzzled.

“I wanted to observe a lecture. Is that okay?”

“…Observe?”

“Yes. I want to check out the trainees.”

Actually, it’s common for instructors to observe each other’s lectures within the training facility.

To recruit the most talented players, it was necessary to closely observe the trainees, so it was a kind of unspoken rule.

“…Did he ask you to?”

At first, she wondered who Yu-ri was referring to, but soon realized she meant Yoon Seong.

And… the way she called Yoon Seong “he” made her lips twitch for a moment.

“…’He’?”

“Ah, sorry. Did Lee Yoon-seong ask you to come?”

“…Yes. But do you usually call Yoon Seong ‘he’ like that?”

At her question, the girl hesitated for a moment before answering.

“…That was a mistake just now. Anyway, if you want to observe the lecture, come in. I need to start the lecture soon.”