I was quite surprised when Go Yeon-Joo readily agreed. There was definitely something different about her compared to the other
Of course, she added the condition that she would only teach the basics, but even so, I felt she was a truly bold and generous player. For the first time, I felt that Yun-Jung might finally be able to grow, and I couldn't help but smile pleasantly.
"Thank you. Honestly, I didn't expect you to actually say yes."
"Hm~. You didn't seem all that thankful when I offered the entire inn, but now you seem genuinely grateful. Still… the one who's actually going to learn doesn't look too happy about it, does she?"
At her words, I quickly turned my head toward Yun-Jung. Just as Go Yeon-Joo had said, Yun-Jung had a sulky look on her face. If I had to put her expression into words, it would be something like: "Oppa was supposed to teach me. So why…?" — the look of someone who felt quite betrayed.
I let out a deep sigh inwardly at her reaction. That clueless girl. She clearly had no idea what a massive opportunity this was. The detailed arrangements were all part of Go Yeon-Joo's generous offer. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't feel good either, offering so much only to be met with that kind of attitude.
I subtly glanced at Go Yeon-Joo's expression, but she was just smiling and didn't show any particular reaction. She looked back and forth between me and Yun-Jung, and as if she had figured out the situation, she gave a soft chuckle.
"Well, I'm always ready. But once I start teaching, I don't go easy. So… if you really want to learn, come find me yourself later. You silly little kid. Tsk tsk."
Go Yeon-Joo clicked her tongue at the end, as if expressing her true feelings. It didn't feel like she was angry—more like she was looking at immature kids who hadn't yet grown as full-fledged Hall Plains Players. Ha-Yeong, not wanting to miss this opportunity either, kept giving Yun-Jung meaningful looks, urging her to grab the chance quickly. (On a side note, An-Hyun beside her was practically begging, saying he'd do it if Yun-Jung didn't want to.)
"…Ugh."
Yun-Jung gritted her teeth at Go Yeon-Joo's mocking tone and sharply turned her head away instead of responding. As always, Go Yeon-Joo just shrugged and looked at me. I gave her a look that said "sorry," and decided it was time to wrap things up.
I figured I'd need to have a proper talk with Yun-Jung sometime soon.
After finishing breakfast, the group returned to their original schedule. With a calm expression, Ha-Yeong took An-Sol's hand and started dragging(?) her up the stairs. An-Sol opened her mouth slightly, her eyes wide like a rabbit's, but no one stepped in to help her.
Since the topic had come up anyway, Go Yeon-Joo decided to go ahead and clear the tables on the first floor. The idea was to secure a space for the kids to train. She said she could handle it herself, but An-Hyun jumped in with an eager 'I have to help!' kind of energy. When Go Yeon-Joo responded with, "An-Hyun, you're such a gentleman," He squirmed awkwardly, clearly trying hard to look dignified.
An-Hyun acting like that wasn't exactly surprising—but Shin Sang-Yong also offering to help Go Yeon-Joo definitely was. Still, judging by his warm, friendly smile, he was probably thinking along the same lines I was. I gave him a slight bow to express my gratitude, and Shin Sang-Yong gave a small shake of his head, as if to say it was nothing.
Yun-Jung, looking clearly upset, went straight upstairs without saying a word. I watched her retreating back for a moment, then slowly stood up. In the past, I might've scolded her on the spot, but after the events at the ruined laboratory, I'd come to understand just how much she cared about me. I didn't misunderstand her feelings—so I planned to take it easy and talk her down gently.
Just as I was about to take a step, Go Yeon-Joo, who'd been busy rearranging tables nearby, reached out and grabbed my arm. Maybe she'd guessed what I was thinking, because she shook her head and said,
"Don't go. Just leave her be."
"…What?"
"I'm saying let her be. I've seen this kind of thing before, and I've been meaning to say something for a while. It's not good for the leader of a caravan to micromanage every little emotional hiccup. Especially in cases like this—it's way better if she figures it out on her own."
"…Still…"
As I hesitated, I suddenly felt another hand grab my left. Turning my head, I saw Vivienne holding onto me with a cautious expression.
"Kim Su-Hyeon, I agree with what she said. I've held back from saying it before, but… you let the kids pull you around too much. Especially those two who aren't even here right now. So don't go."
"She's right, hyung. Please don't go. Watching you give them a chance like this—when it's such a rare thing—was frustrating. So since it's come to this anyway… Queen of Shadows-nim, just saying, I'm actually a pretty decent player too…"
Even An-Hyun, who was practically a founding member, chimed in, and at that point, I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Honestly, nothing Go Yeon-Joo said was wrong. In fact, it was all painfully true. The moment she spoke, I felt like a parent hearing, 'Your kid's not as great as you think,' and it hit me harder than I expected.
"Hehe. Scram. Anyway, I don't know how much potential these kids really have, but in Hall Plain, the mental aspect plays a huge part in that 'survival' you always talk about. So. As the leader of this group, go take care of the bigger stuff. Leave the smaller things to the people involved, and trust your companions."
After bluntly rejecting An-Hyun's attempts to win her over, Go Yeon-Joo gave me a light push on the back. (An-Hyun was clearly crushed by her firm tone.) As I was nudged forward by her, I fell into quiet thought. Compared to my first life, I really have changed a lot lately. Still, even if I was showing a softer side now, I had always treated it like part of a role—deep down, I knew that when things got serious, I could switch right back to how I used to be.
The moment I thought, 'Because they trust and follow me…'—I caught myself. And at the same time, a bitter smile welled up from deep inside me.
Maybe it wasn't just the kids who got swept up in the mood. Maybe I, too, had gotten carried away by that same atmosphere… maybe I'd been drunk on it.
Back in the first life, I was alone. Sure, my brother was there, and she was there too—but they had plenty of people around them. And I… I was just one of the many players following in their wake. So technically speaking, it was true—I was alone.
But now… things were different.
I wasn't one of the players hanging around someone else. Now, the players were the ones gathering around me. When I opened my eyes and saw these kids looking at me—it stirred unfamiliar feelings I'd never known before. And those feelings… They weren't bad. Maybe that's why, without even realizing it, I'd started caring more.
Gently prying off Vivienne's hand, which still clung to mine, I climbed the stairs calmly. First, I'd head to the executive room and start reorganizing our upcoming schedule.
*
"Kim Su-Hyeon. Kim Su-Hyeon."
As I climbed to the third floor, I heard Vivienne's voice trailing closely behind me. I turned my head with an indifferent expression, only to see her clutching tightly onto my collar again. I quickly brushed her hand off and spoke.
"What are you doing? Let go if you want to talk."
"Ah, okay, fine. But I'm curious about something."
"What is it?"
What could she possibly be so desperate to know, looking at me with that anxious face? It didn't seem like something trivial, so I gave her my attention. She immediately spoke.
"What does ubunam mean?"
"…Why are you asking that?"
"That woman said it earlier, remember? She said she'd even be okay with accepting an ubunam."
Sigh. "Think back to what she said right before that. She said, 'even if he has a kid,' right? More accurately, it means a man who already has a wife. In other words, someone who's married."
At my words, Vivienne widened her eyes in shock and asked back,
"Whaaat? You were married?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You really think I'd be married at my age?"
I shut that down immediately, and she let out a sigh of relief, her expression easing.
"Then why did that woman say that about you?"
Another sigh slipped out of me. If even someone as clueless as Vivienne picked up on Go Yeon-Joo's meaning, then the others definitely understood it too. Still, since Go Yeon-Joo had smoothed it over herself, I figured I'd just let it slide for now.
Watching Vivienne tilt her head, imaginary question marks practically floating above her, I began calmly explaining. I told her that the kids often called me 'Dad,' and that in that context, it could be interpreted as me having a 'wife.' Go Yeon-Joo had just been teasing me, deliberately saying it to mess around.
After I finished my explanation—fairly detailed, I might add—Vivienne finally seemed to get it. She nodded vigorously, then burst into laughter.
"Hehe. That's funny. Sometimes you say the most amusing things. Ubunam, seriously."
"And it's not ubunam, it's yubunam—a married man. Anyway, just watch. From now on, if anyone calls me 'Dad' or 'married guy' or anything like that, the moment I hear it, I'm smacking their ass."
"Smacking their what?"
"I mean I'll smack their butt."
I said it half-jokingly, half-serious—but honestly, being called 'Dad' at the age of twenty-four wasn't exactly flattering. At my words, Vivienne's eyes suddenly sparkled. Then, her cheeks flushed slightly as she quietly spoke.
"S-So… Kim Su-Hyeon doesn't like being called Dad or married, huh?"
"Right."
When I confirmed, she opened her mouth again.
"So Kim Su-Hyeon isn't a dad or a married man."
"Correct."
"I see. So you weren't the kids' parents, and you didn't have a wife either."
She kept twisting her words in that roundabout way, and it was starting to get on my nerves. I frowned and gave her a warning.
"…Are you messing with me right now?"
But she didn't even acknowledge what I said. Just nodded to herself—"Mhm, mhm"—then turned around. And subtly stuck her butt out.
"..."
I really wanted to give her a good kick right then and there—but something told me that was exactly what she wanted. So instead, I just flicked her lightly on the head and walked into the third-floor room.
Having more companions was great and all, but I had a feeling things were only going to get more chaotic from here on out.
*
"By the way, isn't the announcement tomorrow?"
"What announcement… Oh, that? Yeah, I heard. Seems like they're trying to boost morale and draw in more people before the actual plan kicks off. Gotta hand it to our clan—they really know how to show off."
"Ugh, lucky her. The Golden Lion Clan is totally backing her this time. I had to work my ass off just to barely get in, and then someone else just gets a good class, snags the right guy, and boom—she's in within a year. So annoying."
"Not even a year—she's what, year zero? I'm annoyed too. That kid's way too young and already acting all high and mighty. I can't stand her."
"Hey, hey. Watch what you say. Don't you know Park Hyun-Woo's been kinda looking out for her?"
"Ugh, whatever. Whether it's the modern world or Hall Plain, nothing ever changes. Still… with that announcement tomorrow, I bet her smug little face is going to be even more irritating. Just thinking about it makes me sick."
"Pfft, yeah, no kidding."
After the mocking voices faded away, silence once again settled over the corridor. And in a dim, shadowy corner of that hallway, a single player stood alone.
The player was a woman—an exceptionally beautiful one. Her sleek, deep blue-black hair flowed past her ears and draped over her shoulders. Beneath her sharp nose, a pair of small, cherry-like lips rested neatly in place, and the bits of skin visible between strands of hair were so fair they brought to mind freshly fallen snow.
Her expression was utterly cold. Of course, that icy look suited her incredibly well—but there was something about her that made one think she'd be even more beautiful with the faintest smile.
Right now, however, her face was unreadably frigid. Her eyes held a calmness so deep it was impossible to tell what she might be thinking, evoking an eerie chill—as if she'd been drained of emotion altogether.
But if one looked a little more closely, they might sense something subtle. Her long, slender eyebrows were ever so slightly raised, and the smooth forehead beneath them was faintly furrowed.
Eventually, her still, quiet gaze began to drift, staring aimlessly down the corridor where those voices had just passed.
"Haa…"
Suddenly, the woman parted her beautiful lips and let out a soft sigh. As she did, her pale, even teeth were briefly visible inside her mouth.
After staring down the hallway for a while, she slowly lowered her gaze and looked at her own hand. Resting in her palm was a single jewel, glowing faintly with a clear, delicate light. Without realizing it, she clenched her fist tight—as if to crush the gem—then abruptly loosened her grip, letting it slip from her hand and fall to the floor.
Tap… clatter…
The jewel rolled lightly across the hallway floor. As she watched it spin and tumble away, a faint trace of sorrow finally appeared on her otherwise frozen face. And then, with a voice empty and distant, she whispered a name.
"Su-Hyeon oppa…"
The woman—this icy, beautiful player—was none other than Kim Han-Byeol, the Jewel Mage.
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