Chapter 84

“Sigh…”

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh in my office. The reason was simple: while I was away for a long time due to some business, Yoon Seong had gone off on his own.

‘Thank goodness things turned out well…’

I had tried my best to keep Yoon Seong from getting involved with the Myth Clan, but in the end, while he didn’t join them, it seems like it was inevitable for him to get entangled with the Myth Clan, just like in the first round.

‘…And most importantly, things are definitely flowing differently from the first round. Is this the butterfly effect?’

Unlike the first round, uncovering a spy within the Myth Clan was an unexpected benefit.

The puzzling part, though, is that Yoon Seong seemed to be involved in this matter.

He claims he only provided a small bit of help, but that’s nonsense. If it were just a small bit of help, why would the Myth Clan go as far as forming an alliance?

‘The outcome is good, that’s for sure… but what on earth happened?’

For a brief moment, I wondered if Yoon Seong had also regressed, but I quickly dismissed the thought with a bitter laugh.

“Ha… What am I even thinking? That’s impossible.”

And if Yoon Seong had regressed, there’s no way he would act like he didn’t know me. When we met during this tutorial, his expression clearly showed he was seeing me for the first time, so the idea that he regressed is just baseless speculation.

‘Anyway, I’m really glad this situation turned out well… It could’ve been a disaster.’

If something had happened to Yoon Seong, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself for leaving so carelessly.

Honestly, I had planned to give Yoon Seong a good scolding this time, but seeing his exhausted face, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“Sigh…”

When I think about it, Yoon Seong has come close to death more than a few times by now. At this point, it almost feels like the world itself is wishing for his death.

Even if he were to care about his own safety, it wouldn’t be enough, given how he always throws himself into dangerous situations.

I was so worried that I even suggested he step back and become a non-combat clan member…

‘But he clearly had no intention of accepting that.’

The problem is that he has no intention of doing so. Honestly, I feel like locking him up somewhere safe.

The only temporary solution was to assign the Sword Monarch as his bodyguard. Since Yoon Seong had brought the Sword Monarch with him in the first round, I thought they’d work well together, but I never expected he’d shake off the Sword Monarch with some strange item and go off on his own.

“Phew… I need to be more careful from now on.”

I was already tired from things not going well, and now Yoon Seong going off on his own has added to the exhaustion.

‘That woman… where is she and what is she doing? Is she not active right now?’

The reason I left this time was to find the Leader of the Execution Society. To be precise, it was to find the woman who killed Yoon Seong.

I don’t know her name, and since she hid her face in the first round, I don’t know what she looks like either. All I know is that she possesses terrifying military power and that at some point, she kills the existing Leader of the Execution Society and takes their place.

‘That woman must be killed, no matter what.’

Beyond just revenge, that woman is a scourge on humanity. It’s no exaggeration to say that the first round was ruined because of her. She’s the number one target to eliminate, no matter what it takes.

‘…This is hopeless to think about. Sigh…’

The problem is that there’s almost no information about her, so I can’t conduct a proper investigation. I traveled around this time to investigate, but there was virtually no gain.

In the end, the only solution is to strengthen my own military power and gather talented people to prepare.

‘This time, I absolutely won’t lose.’

I have no intention of experiencing that sorrow again.

*****

A month after the outlaw spy incident was announced, before the buzz had even died down, another shocking fact was revealed. It was the announcement of an alliance between the Myth Clan and the Eternity Clan.

Of course, since it was recorded in the logs, the news spread to the players in Baronia in an instant.

『The alliance between the Myth Clan and the Eternity Clan. What is the relationship between the Myth Clan and the Eternity Clan, two of the three great clans?』

『Why did the Myth Clan accept the Eternity Clan’s alliance proposal? From both clans’ perspectives, it seems Yoon Yeon highly valued the Eternity Clan’s potential…』

『There are also speculations that there is some kind of connection between the Myth Clan and the Eternity Clan. The Myth Clan’s future actions…』

The stated reason for the alliance was that the Myth Clan highly valued the Eternity Clan’s potential. Just looking at the Eternity Clan’s squad, with Yoo Ju, the Sword Monarch, Lee Jae-hyo, and other clan members with potential, it’s almost a given that they’ll rise to become a top clan.

So, it seems people are somewhat accepting of this.

Of course, not everyone is convinced. Some sharp individuals have brought up the spy incident from a month ago, suggesting there might be something more to it, but with the Myth Clan and our clan remaining silent, those opinions are gradually fading.

The problem is that rumors are spreading because I stayed at the Myth Clan House for a long time. I understand that strange rumors would circulate, given how long I stayed.

But the issue is that those rumors are nonsense, like saying Yoon Yeon and I have some kind of relationship.

‘Sigh… I’m exhausted.’

Naturally, because of those ridiculous rumors, I had to explain myself to the clan members. Yoo Ju’s reaction was particularly explosive, and it was a headache. No matter how much I denied it, she just wouldn’t listen, and I thought I was going to lose my mind.

“Phew…”

“…Lee Yun-seong, is something wrong?”

As I let out a sigh, Wi Ho-yeon approached me with a concerned look.

“Ah… It’s nothing, Ho-yeon.”





“Just because of what happened yesterday…”

“Ah…”

At my response, she fell silent, perhaps remembering yesterday’s events.

‘Yesterday, I really just wanted to run away, damn it…’

Honestly, at this point, even a fool could tell what kind of feelings she has for me.

For me, who wants to remain just friends or colleagues rather than lovers with Yoo Ju, this wasn’t a good reaction. Yoo Ju probably also knows that when she approaches me, I carefully push her away.

‘There’s no way she doesn’t know. No matter how clueless Yoo Ju is about this, she can’t not know. She must feel me pushing her away, which is why she’s getting more anxious and reacting like that.’

Probably because of some absurd rumors about me and Yoon Yeon, Yoo Ju seemed to have slightly lost her rationality. Given some time, her condition should return to normal.

‘Sigh… And I need to do some training too.’

Lately, I haven’t had any time, so it’s been a while since I last trained. It’s already a troubling situation since I’m the only one in the clan still stuck at a general grade job.

‘Damn it, this job just doesn’t seem to want to level up.’

It’s almost as if I’m cursed with this level of talent.

I’ve heard that the first promotion for a regular job isn’t that hard. On average, the first promotion is achieved quickly, and it’s the second promotion that’s tough.

“…. Lee Yun-seong?”

“…. It’s just that my job grade doesn’t seem to want to promote. It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry.”

“Promotion? Don’t stress too much about it. You should take it slow starting from the second promotion.”

“Uh… That…”

Wi Ho-yeon seems to misunderstand that I’ve already completed my first promotion. When I hesitated, she cautiously asked me.

“… Excuse me, Lee Yun-seong, are you talking about the first promotion?”

“…. Yes.”

At my answer, Wi Ho-yeon started to gauge my reaction.

“Ah, um, sorry. I thought you were talking about the second promotion…”

‘… That reaction actually hurts more… damn it.’

From Wi Ho-yeon’s reaction, it seems my case is indeed unusual.

“No… I understand why you’d think that. So, by the way… do you know how long it usually takes to reach the first promotion?”

“Hmm, hmm… That… usually about 5 to 6 months after entering the continent…”

‘Damn it…’

“By any chance, how long did it take for you, Ho-yeon?”

“… In my case, since my first job was an intermediate swordsman, I essentially achieved the first promotion as soon as I got the job.”

‘Like Yoo Ju or Jo Chan-ho, I guess.’

This is my speculation, but those with extremely high talent probably start with intermediate, or rare grade jobs or higher.

“… I see. Do you have any tips for promotion?”

“Ah… I… it just happened at some point… I’m not sure. Sorry, Lee Yun-seong…”

‘… Damn it…’

It wasn’t intentional, but I felt deceived by Wi Ho-yeon. I’m struggling with something really hard, and here’s a genius who solves it in an instant and says, ‘Uh… it just happened for me?’

“……”

“Ah, sorry, I must have spoken too rudely. I apologize.”

“You already said it, what can I do…”

“Ah… that, that was…”

Seeing Wi Ho-yeon’s flustered expression, I chuckled and spoke up.

“Just kidding. Don’t worry too much, no need to apologize.”

“… Whew… Please refrain from such jokes. I thought you were angry and got worried…”

“Even so, I wouldn’t get angry over something like that. Surely… I don’t have such a narrow image, do I?”

“No, that’s not what I meant! I didn’t mean it like that…”

‘…. It’s fun teasing her.’

Her flustered reaction to a single word made it fun to tease her.

“I know.”

When I answered with a chuckle, Wi Ho-yeon’s face turned bright red, realizing it was a joke again.

“…. Lee Yun-seong.”

“Haha… Sorry. I won’t do it anymore.”

“…..”

“Ahem…”

‘Is she sulking?’

Looking at Wi Ho-yeon’s expression, she seemed a bit sulky.

‘…. I thought she was a machine because of her usual demeanor, but she has this side too.’

“Ah… and by the way, Lee Yun-seong, I forgot to mention earlier, but the Clan Master said today we should all gather for a meal together.

“… A meal together?”

“Yes, he thought it would be nice for us to gather and chat over a meal since it’s been a while…”

“Hmm… I think I can make time today. Where are we having the meal?”

“Given our financial situation is quite comfortable, he seemed to be thinking of dining out.”

Indeed, our clan’s finances are quite comfortable for our size, so dining out together isn’t a burden.

“Got it. It’s been a while, so I’ll enjoy some good food.”