00610 nevertheless. ————————————————– ———————-=
The air suddenly fell.
The wind passing by also became cold.
As a result of throwing a fastball from the start, the eyes of all clan members were focused on me.
I can feel it just by looking at your eyes.
I don’t want to go.
I don’t want to go.
Why should I go?
Do I really have to go?
Even without hearing it, you can already guess the reaction of the clan members.
But no one is speaking openly.
Because the user who spoke was me.
actually… .
After much deliberation, I made a decision, but I’m still not sure.
‘Is this really the only way?’ Even though she repeated it to herself dozens of times, she could not find the answer.
But the water had already spilled.
If I can’t change the minds of my clan members here and now, what happens next is as obvious as hell. Not only can morale drop, mutual trust can be shaken, and a fatal situation can be created that can even crack the image you have maintained.
However, despite all the anxiety factors, I spoke out. I had high hopes for the sincerity method.
therefore.
“A long time ago… . “You all remember when the Dragon Sleeping Mountains were first discovered.”
Finally, he broke the long silence and started talking.
“At that time, I declared that I would not attack the mountain range where the dragon sleeps, and you all expressed some dissatisfaction at first. … “At that time, I said this.”
“… … .”
“We cannot conquer the mountains where the dragon sleeps. … No, I don’t have the confidence to attack that area.”
“… … .”
“I remember that the complaints completely subsided after about six months. “You probably saw the situation going on in that area after that, and although it took some time, I think you ultimately accepted and understood what I meant.”
“… … .”
The clan members are still silent. And he was just as focused.
Everyone stares at me with expressionless faces and closed mouths. I felt the need to pull myself together.
“If I think about it, I’ve always been like that, and I wanted you to be like that too.
Under his status as a free mercenary, his actions were driven by purpose and ultimately results.
I’m not saying these actions are wrong. On the contrary, I am personally proud of it.
… however.”
After speaking up to this point, I paused for a moment.
I have no idea what to say from now on.
Should I appeal for recognition with a pitiful face and pitiful voice?
No, I don’t like that.
So should I just speak calmly like before?
No, I don’t like that either.
If I could, I just want to tell it like it is.
If my clan members really cared about me through the years, I wanted to at least maintain my pride.
“This time, things are very different.
As you will know from experience, the Steel Mountains are an area that cannot be compared to the Mountains where the Dragon Sleeps. In fact, it is nearly impossible to attack the third region with our own strength alone… .”
and.
“Also, as I said before, the task we must take on this time is insurance.
Even if you are lucky and manage to succeed, I cannot promise you any results that will motivate you like before.”
however.
“But, nevertheless.”
I held my breath for a moment.
“I want to take on this mission with you all.”
I opened my mouth as if to vomit.
At the same time, the clan members’ eyes became more intense.
“As I just said, I’m not confident in my strategy, and I can’t promise any rewards.
… However. “I think I can tell you one thing for sure.”
The die has been cast.
“If you guys take on this mission… .
I will take the lead and lead you all.
If a situation arises where even one clan member is in danger… .
No matter what the situation, I will never give up and risk my life to save you.”
I will stand at the forefront, lead my clan members, and not give up even a single one.
Same thing as always.
“… yes. All I can say is… . “It’s just this.”
Suddenly, I felt out of breath.
no. It wasn’t just a feeling, I was really out of breath. I’m just talking, but I feel like I’m having a hard time without knowing why.
However, I felt that this was not enough.
“Your hearts… . I know it well.
“Do I really have to go?”
I forced open my mouth that kept trying to close.
“As some of you may know, my brother plays a very important role within the Northern Expedition. However, the Northern Expedition is currently in a very unstable situation, and personally, I don’t think it is ready to attack the third region.”
I can’t tell you everything. However, I will tell the truth as much as possible.
“So, I want to go.”
Like in the first episode, if you have no choice but to watch.
“Just in case… . If the Northern Expedition and my brother go wrong… .”
In the second episode, if I had to face the situation of my brother’s death one more time.
“I am… .”
Anymore.
“I don’t think I can bear it.”
Probably, I will go crazy.
So, some time passed.
After a while.
A feeling of relaxation came over my whole body. If I take even one step, my body feels like it will stumble. Now it feels like my voice is being squeezed out.
“This is not coercion or coercion. “This is entirely my personal request to help me.”
Barely holding on, I spoke softly.
“If you don’t ignore me now and help me, I won’t forget you either. “I will trust you anytime and anywhere, and I will take responsibility until the end of this world.”
It was like that. This was the only condition I could place, but could not elaborate on.
‘You need someone now. People who risk their lives to help… .’
As my brother said, if these people are really willing to risk their lives to help me.
I, too, can think of them not as ‘users’ but as ‘people’ who I will return to in the future.
With that thought in mind, I opened my mouth for the last time.
“That is all.”
And then he glanced at the clan members who were still silent.
“Then, if you can help me, I would appreciate it if you would stand up.”
I finished my words and closed my eyes, slowly, very slowly.
… I didn’t hear any signs of waking up until I completely closed my eyes.
*
Kim Soo-hyun finally finished speaking.
Almost immediately, a heavy silence fell among the clan members. If I had just remained silent before, would I say that I am now suffocating?
No one was thinking of making a rash move.
Because everyone was feeling it. What thoughts did Kim Soo-hyun have, and with what attitude did he create this position and approach this position?
In fact, it’s a request that you can’t be blamed for if you refuse.
but… .
Strangely enough, the clan members could not make a decision.
In any case, Kim Soo-hyun is a kind of nucleus in the Mercantile Clan.
However, Kim Soo-hyun said something regretful for the first time. This wasn’t just something he said without thinking, and it wasn’t something he asked to follow because it was obvious, but he was here now with his position as the ‘Merchantary Clan Lord’ at stake.
Is that why?
When they saw Kim Soo-hyun standing quietly in front of them with his eyes closed, the clan members felt an inexplicable strange feeling.
1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds… .
Time passes.
Kim Han-byeol looked around with a very nervous expression.
Clan members are showing various reactions.
4 seconds, 5 seconds, 6 seconds… .
A clan member tilting his head, a clan member watching, a clan member still showing a displeased look, a clan member closing his eyes as if he was deep in thought… .
However, no clan members are seen waking up yet.
7 seconds, 8 seconds, 9 seconds… .
Sigh… . Sigh… .
Suddenly the wind blew.
Someone was shaking their head excitedly, perhaps because the wind was blowing by, or because they thought it wasn’t right.
Kim Hanbyeol chewed his lips. And he furiously touched the ground, intending to get up himself.
And, it was that moment.
widely!
“I’ll follow you. No, I will definitely follow you.”
“I participate.”
Just as 10 seconds had passed, two people stood up at the same time.
When Kim Han-byeol, who was surprised, turned his head, he could see two men standing up on one side, each holding a spear and a cane.
They were Ahn Hyeon and Shin Jae-ryong.
The gaze that was focused on Kim Soo-hyun quickly turns to the two people.
“hmm… . therefore… .”
Ahn Hyun scratched his head and opened his mouth.
“I can’t speak loudly like my brother.
But, I know this one thing. If my brother had been there, I would have made the same choice. To that extent, I will help my brother here not as a user, but as his younger brother and as a person.”
After saying that, Ahn Hyeon turned his attention to Shin Jae-ryong.
“The Clan Lord saved my life. “That happened twice.”
Shin Jae-ryong smiled softly and responded immediately.
“There is no other reason. As a recipient of grace… . “I think it would be unreasonable to turn a blind eye to a benefactor even though he or she is in trouble and wants help.”
These are the same words that Kim Soo-hyun said when he was trapped in a mule and participated in the rescue team.
“I can’t bear to refute that statement.”
Shin Jae-ryong’s words were received by Cha So-rim, who stood up somewhat. Cha So-rim was also a user who had a history of being saved by Kim Soo-hyun when her body was dying due to Lich.
As Cha So-rim stood up, the expressions of several clan members changed completely.
And after a while.
“Oh, shit! Everyone has nothing to say if they do that! I’m going too! “I’m going!”
The other man grumbled, but stood up with a smile on his face. One of her arms was cut off, and her sleeves were blowing loosely in the blowing wind.
Kim Dong-seok.
The user lost an arm to a vagabond who attacked Mule, but was able to escape safely under Kim Soo-hyun’s protection.
Of course, Kim Dong-seok was not the only such user.
“this. “Then I have to get up too.”
At that time, several additional users, including Park Da-som, who was also saved, stood up.
Of the thirty or so people, about one-sixth stood up.
OK.
“Grace is like the sea, revenge is like a sword.”
The clan members who had been sitting still finally began to react one by one.
“… “I have taken this as my lifelong motto.”
The long-haired man who had been sitting quietly up until now broke the silence and stood up. She was Woo Jung-min.
“And now I think it’s time to return the favor.”
Woo Jeong-min, Seon Yu-un, and Won Hye-su.
All three people were pushed into a dead end as combat users after the war with the West Continent, but they succeeded in making a comeback thanks to Kim Soo-hyun.
It wasn’t just them.
“I’ll go too.”
Kim Han-byeol stands up immediately.
“Me too!”
Not to be outdone, I stood up. The same was true for An Sol and Baek Han-gyeol.
“In that case, I will participate as well.”
After the fall of the Golden Lion, Park Hyun-woo was able to survive under the protection of Mercenary.
“joy. “Even if I say I’m not going anyway, they’ll just wave the contract around.”
Vivian also gets up off her butt.
Almost half of the clan members stood up. Some of the clan members still sitting were flustered with shocked faces.
Eventually, their eyes focused on one place.
There were Ha-yeon Jeong, Yeon-ju Ko, Da-eun Nam, and Hanna Lim. Four women were sitting together. Perhaps, these were the women who could raise their voices the loudest against Kim Soo-hyun.
Did you feel that all eyes were on you?
“suddenly… . “I remember something a professor once said.”
Among the four women, Ha-yeon Jeong spoke as the representative.
“A business that loses its public interest can never succeed. Even if they establish themselves to some extent, they will be subject to countless checks.
Of course, the current clan lord’s intentions cannot be seen as pursuing public interest… .”
Jeong Ha-yeon said that.
“From a macro perspective, I think this mission is an opportunity to fill in what Mercenary is most lacking in. Therefore, I agree.”
I calmly stood up with a neat demeanor.
“what… . Because you are my uncle… .”
Next, Ko Yeon-ju, who let out a languid voice, and Nam Da-eun and Lim Hanna, who looked at each other once, also stood up and smiled brightly.
Now, more than half of the people have stood up. That’s something that almost all of the main users did.
The trend has clearly swung.
Only then did users who were still sitting begin to squirm.
Some time passed, and Kim Soo-hyun gently opened his eyes.
“… … !”
An intense look flashed through Kim Soo-hyun’s eyes.
Of course, I knew it to some extent as I was hearing it with my own ears. However, the impression you get when you see it in person is bound to be different.
Almost all clan members are standing up.
Among them, there may be clan members who were forced to rise up for personal reasons or because they were swayed by the atmosphere.
However, what is clear is that they are on their feet and did not ignore Kim Soo-hyun’s request for help.
Except one person.
“hmm… .”
Even though almost everyone had woken up, the user who still remained was none other than Heo Jun-young. He is holding a thin, long sword as tall as he is, held straight like a samurai, with his eyes closed.
It was then.
Soon, Heo Jun-young’s eyes slowly opened. Calm eyes stare at Kim Soo-hyun.
“what… .”
The two arms slowly rose and grabbed the hilt of the sword pointing towards the sky.
“I’ll follow you. … “I get bored when I’m left alone.”
Heo Jun-young puts a little strength on his hands and slowly gets up.
With this, all 31 members of the Mercantile Clan stood up.
“swimming… . “It would have happened anyway, so why bother?”
“Shut up. Just trying to pay off my debt… .”
“Wow, you’re not being honest. The man is so innocent… .”
“I would have told you to shut up. “Thunder Naked.”
When An Hyun approached him and touched him, Heo Jun-young blushed slightly, showed his teeth, and growled. Anhyun giggled and pulled away from her.
Heo Jun-young’s gloomy appearance must have been so funny that the clan members around him began to laugh along with him one by one.
“Hehehe!”
“hahahahahahahaha!”
and.
“every… .”
The moment Kim Soo-hyun continued speaking, the laughter immediately turned into a shout.
Waaaaaaa!
Although there were only about thirty people, the shouts filled with magical power spread far and wide, even to the corners of the fortress. So much so that I walked out wondering if something had happened inside the tent.
Han So-young was no exception.
Flapping, flapping… .
At the sudden shout, Han So-young, who had been flipping through records in the central tent, raised her head and looked outside the entrance.
“… … .”
I stared outside for a while, then quickly lowered my gaze to the road record.
A knowing smile appeared on Han So-young’s lips.
—————————= Review of the work ——————– ——-=
We promise that the upcoming strategy for the 3rd region will have a different structure from the previous 2 regions. Of course, as long as there are monsters, combat is essential, but it will not progress step by step like in area 2. Because that’s how it was originally structured.
I will try to make writing a little more interesting.
I’m sorry, and always thank you. _(__)_
fantasy,
