In the end, four of us from the Eternity Clan—me, Wi Ho-yeon, Kang I-seo, and Hyeon-jin—ended up going to the training facility as instructors.
‘Well, strictly speaking, it’s a bit of a stretch to call me and Hyeon-jin instructors.’
To be precise, Wi Ho-yeon and Kang I-seo were the ones actually teaching the trainees, while I was there as the Clan Master’s representative, and Hyeon-jin was in a supporting role.
In a way, it made sense. Neither me nor Hyeon-jin had the skills to teach anyone.
Sure, I had a Legend Grade Chimera, but let’s be honest, I cheated to make it, so there’s no way I could explain it to the trainees.
‘And teaching Chimera Synthesis at the training facility? Yeah, no.’
Legally, they could teach basic dark magic at the training facility.
But I didn’t know squat about basic dark magic.
‘Anyway, it’s surprising.’
Turns out, Seo Yoo-ju wasn’t going to the training facility this time.
Well, she decided to drop by as an instructor midway, but she initially had no plans to go.
She changed her mind when she heard I was going.
In other words, Seo Yoo-ju wasn’t going to recruit anyone at the training facility—she just wanted to hang out with me.
Obviously, if Seo Yoo-ju and I stuck together at the training facility, things would get awkward for me.
So, we compromised, and she agreed to only drop by occasionally.
‘Seo Yoo-ju’s role as the face of the clan is enough with just occasional visits.’
It was necessary for Seo Yoo-ju to come to the training facility. It was great for clan promotion, after all.
‘She’s an unprecedented legend.’
The fastest player to ever reach the ranker position.
Her achievements over the past two years were so vast that it’s hard to even put them into words.
Especially since she’s relatively new, making her the perfect model to promote to the rookies at the training facility.
‘And she’s pretty too.’
No need to even mention Seo Yoo-ju’s looks.
It did bother me a bit thinking about other guys ogling her with creepy eyes, but she wouldn’t even glance their way anyway.
Anyway, after arriving at the training facility, Kang I-seo looked around and spoke up.
“Wow… it’s been almost two years, huh? Feels like just yesterday we were training here.”
“Yeah, it does.”
“Brings back memories. You used to whine so much about how hard it was back then.”
“What?”
I was beyond baffled by Kang I-seo’s words.
“What are you talking about? It was you who kept complaining about how tough the physical training was.”
“…Did I?”
“…Are you stupid?”
I watched as Kang I-seo scratched her head, pretending to be clueless.
“Huh, maybe I did…”
‘Well, anyway, is this the place?’
Inside the training facility, there was a gathering spot for instructors from each clan.
“Ah, could you tell me which clan you’re from?”
“We’re from the Eternity Clan.”
“Yes, confirmed. You can head inside.”
As we entered, I saw four people.
Yoon Yeon, Ha Yu-ri, Ha Yul, and one member from the Myth Clan.
‘Guess the others aren’t here yet.’
To be honest, we were pretty early.
I was surprised to see Ha Yu-ri and Yoon Yeon already there.
‘Why are they so early?’
Yoon Yeon noticed us and spoke up.
“You’re here? You’re pretty early.”
“Aren’t you the one who’s too early, Yeon noona?”
I replied and took a seat. Since I was the representative from Eternity, after all.
“I usually come early to these things. It wasn’t boring, though. I had a chat with Ha Yu-ri.”
“With Ha Yu-ri…?”
I almost called her by her first name casually out of habit.
‘…At least use formal speech in a public setting.’
Even though I’m comfortable with her, I didn’t want to be too casual in a formal setting.
‘She has her dignity to maintain.’
Seeing me call her name, Ha Yu-ri smiled slightly and spoke up.
“Pfft, what’s with the tone? Just call me like you usually do.”
“…Well, it’s a public setting. It’d be awkward in front of others.”
“Alright. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.”
Yoon Yeon watched us talk and made a strange face before speaking.
“…You two seem pretty close?”
“We’re just…”
“Yes, we’re quite close. We talk privately often.”
‘What?’
Ha Yu-ri cut me off and answered Yoon Yeon’s question herself.
Ha Yu-ri and Yoon Yeon were staring at each other.
‘What’s up with you two?’
Even a fool could tell the atmosphere had turned weird.
Both of their faces were completely expressionless as they stared at each other.
“…Is that so? That’s surprising. I hadn’t heard that Ha Yu-ri and my dongsaeng talk privately often.”
“…Your dongsaeng?”
Ha Yu-ri frowned slightly, clearly not liking something.
“Yes. We decided to be noona and dongsaeng. Right?”
“Huh? Uh…”
I was caught off guard when she suddenly turned to me with a smile.
‘What the… is she even smiling?’
She was clearly smiling, but she didn’t look happy at all.
“Ah, I see. Noona and dongsaeng.”
Ha Yu-ri was also smiling, but like Yoon Yeon, it didn’t reach her eyes.
The weird atmosphere made Hyeon-jin glance around nervously…
‘What’s up with you?’
Wi Ho-yeon, who had been standing a bit away earlier, was now glued to my side.
Like this was her rightful spot.
For some reason, the two of them suddenly turned their gazes toward me.
Yoon Yeon was looking at Wi Ho-yeon, and Ha Yu-ri glanced at her before blushing and quickly looking away.
‘Ah.’
Ha Yu-ri’s reaction reminded me of the conversation we had last time.
‘Now that I think about it…’
I remembered that Ha Yu-ri had peeked at what happened in the prison, so I knew why she was acting like this.
‘Sigh…’
Yoon Yeon crossed her legs and spoke to me in a lazy tone.
“…So, what’s going on here?”
“Feeling a bit disappointed, huh?”
“Huh?”
“You, I mean. Even though we did something together in Seongguk, I told you to drop by our clan when you got back.”
“…I forgot.”
Thinking about it, I remembered promising her to visit the Myth Clan once.
She had helped me in Seongguk, so of course, I intended to visit, but right after returning, dealing with Yoo Ju and Wi Ho-yeon made me forget.
“Ah, sorry about that. I was actually a bit busy…”
…It’s not a lie that I was busy. I just can’t explain why.
“Hmm… Really? Then let’s go together after this training facility thing is over. I’ll treat you well.”
“Of course. Definitely…”
“Wait a minute.”
Ha Yu-ri interrupted our conversation and asked.
“Did you two go to Seongguk together?”
“Ah, that…”
“Yes, Ha Yu-ri. We had meals together, talked, and even slept together.”
‘Crazy, that sounds weird.’
We did have meals and talked, but I have no idea what this “slept together” nonsense is.
Of course… technically, we did sleep in the same inn, but obviously, we used separate rooms.
The problem is Ha Yu-ri’s reaction to Yoon Yeon’s words.
“W-what did you say?”
“Um… Exactly what you heard, Ha Yu-ri. Did you not hear it properly?”
‘Why are you guys like this?’
I actually know the reason. Both Yoon Yeon and Ha Yu-ri have expressed feelings for me before.
But what’s baffling is that Yoon Yeon usually doesn’t act like this.
“S-slept together? What… Could it be?”
If this keeps up, there’ll be a weird misunderstanding, so I had to speak up.
“Ha Yu-ri. It just means we slept in the same inn. Of course, separate rooms…”
“You expect me to believe that?!”
‘What the…’
Ha Yu-ri looked at me like I was some womanizer, which was unfair from my perspective.
‘Damn, why won’t you believe me?’
“No, I have no reason to lie…”
“L-lies! Don’t lie to me!”
‘This crazy girl… What delusion is she having?’
Seeing her glance at Wi Ho-yeon, it seems some weird frame has been set up around me.
Watching me flustered, Yoon Yeon was quietly smiling. She seems to be enjoying this situation.
The problem isn’t just that; Kang I-seo was also giving me a dirty look.
She quietly said to me.
“…Did you sleep with that girl?”
‘Damn.’
“…What kind of crazy talk is that?”
“…You pervert.”
I’m about to lose my mind. I can’t understand why I’m suddenly being cursed at.
Just as the situation was getting weird, footsteps started to be heard. Multiple footsteps.
“It seems our guests have already arrived.”
‘Ahn Yeon-ho.’
The master of the Veritas Clan, one of the three major clans. And behind him were masters or sub-masters from other clans.
“Oh, long time no see.”
“Ah, Kim Seok-ho.”
Our Seok-ho hyung greeted me with a bright smile.
“Thank you for last time. The person you introduced, Lee Yun-seong. He was a great guy.”
‘Ah, that doctor.’
The guy who came to check on Ha Yul when she was in a coma.
He fixed Seok-ho hyung’s leg, and it seems he safely joined the Brother Clan.
“Haha, I’m glad you’re satisfied, Kim Seok-ho.”
“Well, our clan was a bit lacking in administrative skills, but that guy does a great job. Thanks to him, I have less to worry about.”
‘Well, that’s good.’
Introducing someone is risky for both the introducer and the introduced.
If the person turns out to be useless, it reflects badly on the one who introduced them.
Talking with Seok-ho hyung made me feel relieved. Somehow, I feel comfortable around him.
Of course, the earlier weird atmosphere played a part too.
After some time, representatives from each clan arrived one by one.
Everyone took their seats, and as I glanced around, I felt a strange sensation.
‘…Two years.’
It took two years to get from nothing to this position.
From being a trainee to standing shoulder to shoulder with these people, or rather, reaching a position where no one can ignore me.
At least now, no one would dare mess with me unless they’re completely insane.
I can influence the Eastern Alliance and Seongguk, and within the Neutral Country, there’s no one bold enough to touch me.
Although my official position is just a regular member of Eternity, everyone knows I’m not just any regular member.
While many think Yoo Ju is the head of Eternity, those in the know are aware that Yoo Ju is swayed by me.
There’s even talk that I’m the shadow leader of Eternity.
As evidence, I noticed many people glancing at me.
‘And though they say three major clans, it’s practically four.’
Even within the Neutral Country, many already refer to it as the four major clans.
‘I like it.’
I felt quite pleased with this outcome. It felt like receiving a reward for all the effort I’ve put in so far.
