Chapter 60 of 100

Chapter 60

7 min read1,756 words

Chapter 59. Part 1. Squadron Leaders (4)

[Today, I will teach the squadron leaders.]

As the day passed and morning arrived, this message naturally appeared.

At the same time, Seohwi moved to the building where the Yin Ying Team was located.

‘...Are they there?’

Seohwi felt anxious inside.

After teaching them, she wanted to receive another mission as soon as possible.

That way, she could better prepare for an uncertain future.

And another choice was heard by Seohwi standing in front of the door.

Seohwi put on the mask again this time.

She didn't want to reveal herself yet.

Creak.

As soon as she opened the door, something surprising happened.

"You're late, Commander."

"When will we learn?"

"We've been waiting."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Yorim, Juksong, Yongjin, and So-ryeong.

Those who had been filled with hostility were now all seated.

And from that moment on,

time began to speed up suddenly.

[Day 1. Teaching the Yin Ying Team's representative magic, the Advanced One-Element Magic.]

Just like the previous method that required certain conditions to be met.

* * *

The flow of time is variable.

Seohwi's perception of this flow of time gradually adapted.

[Day 2. Teaching the Yin Ying Team's representative magic, the Advanced One-Element Magic.]

[Day 3. Teaching the Yin Ying Team's representative magic, the Advanced One-Element Magic.]

...

Vivid scenes floated in her mind, but the actions she had taken didn't feel like her own.

It was as if the rules of a predetermined life were unfolding.

This flow of time stopped when she returned to her residence.

And as always, the results appeared.

[Yorim's affection has increased by 4%.]

[Juksong's affection has increased by 6%.]

[Yongjin's affection has increased by 5%.]

[So-ryeong's affection has increased by 10%.]

‘Huh?’

Seohwi was puzzled by the message in front of her.

What did this affection mean?

After a moment of thought, Seohwi moved her gaze to the list in the upper right corner labeled 'Subordinates' Affection.'

1st Leader Yorim 14% [Curiosity]

2nd Leader Juksong 16% [Curiosity]

3rd Leader Yongjin 15% [Curiosity]

4th Leader So-ryeong 20% [↑Interest]

‘So, the goal of this mission is to win their hearts.’

Seohwi immediately realized this upon seeing the affection.

Recently, among the new missions registered within a month, there was one to 'teach the assigned squadron leaders.'

And 'performing missions with the squadron leaders' was not possible.

From this, it was inferred that raising the affection of the squadron leaders would make it possible to perform missions with them.

And that.

Seemed to be directly related to the future that awaited her.

“Why not just take another mission if it gets boring.”

Seohwi decided to take her time.

She still had a lot to do.

There were missions to receive and tasks to perform.

Seohwi spent that day sleeping soundly as well.

* * *

Another day began.

As usual, the day's schedule was shown to Seohwi standing in front of the door.

▶ Teach

▷ Receive a mission

▷ Perform a task

▷ Walk around the area

Seohwi naturally chose the first option.

▶ Teach the squadron leaders (Possible)

▷ Perform missions with the squadron leaders (Not Possible)

She chose to teach the squadron leaders.

However, the message in front of her asked another question.

▶ Leader Training Room

▷ Outside the Xuanwu Hall

▷ Joint Training Ground

Suddenly, the options appeared.

Not just one, but five options were waiting for her to choose.

‘There must be a reason.’

Seohwi thought as she slowly looked at the list.

Although there was no special event or trigger, she judged that there must be a purpose behind it.

‘Let’s try the area outside the Xuanwu Hall first.’

The Leader Training Room seemed to refer to the place where the existing leaders were trained, so she chose another option.

Swoosh!

A white light appeared, and the surroundings of the Xuanwu Hall, surrounded by an outer wall, came into view.

Among them, a ginkgo tree stood out.

It was a massive tree, likely hundreds of years old, displaying a grand presence.

However, upon closer inspection, there was a person.

A man leaning against the ginkgo tree, lost in thought, noticed her and approached.

"Commander, what brings you here?"

"You, you are..."

Sharp eyes and a long chin.

It was Yorim, the squadron leader.

Seohwi, looking at him with curiosity, spoke casually.

"Just taking a walk."

"Is that so?"

Yorim briefly looked at the ground, then turned his gaze elsewhere.

Despite the opportunity to ask more questions, he didn't seem particularly interested.

So, Seohwi took the initiative this time.

"By the way, why are you here?"

"Just came out to get some air."

"Really..."

Yorim interrupted Seohwi's repeated question with a nod.

"Then I'll go ahead. I look forward to today's lesson."

Then he started walking away.

The direction he took was toward the Xuanwu Hall.

‘Is it because the affection is still low?’

Seohwi was captivated by a subtle thought as she watched him walk away.

A situation where normal conversation was impossible.

The affection, still at the curiosity level, made him maintain formality, but he didn't seem to have the will to continue the conversation.

In fact, she herself didn't have a strong desire to know more about him.

‘But why was I sent here.’

The options that appeared after setting various areas.

It seemed too significant to appear without reason, considering the meaning behind the previous choices.

‘Huh?’

Just as Seohwi, who had been pondering, slightly raised her head,

[Which area would you like to go to?]

▶ Leader Training Room

▷ Joint Training Ground

▷ Roof of the Training Hall

▷ Rear garden of the Xuanwu Hall

The options appeared again.

And this time, the option for the area outside the Xuanwu Hall was gone.

‘Let’s try them all.’

She naturally chose the roof this time.

Whoosh!

A vast sky appeared before her eyes.

And when she looked down, a man was quietly looking down.

‘Yongjin.’

The most aggressive of the group.

He was the first to challenge her after she took command of the squadron.

His expression seemed somewhat gloomy.

‘Damn. We always have to take care of the rear ends of other units.’

His inner thoughts were the same.

Moreover, it seemed that the squadron she belonged to wasn't highly regarded among the Yin Ying Team.

"Who's there?"

Yongjin, who had been sitting on the rooftop, noticed her.

He immediately showed respect upon seeing Seohwi.

"Ah, Commander?"

"Nice weather, isn't it?"

Seohwi changed the subject.

She wanted to continue the conversation more naturally rather than just making meaningless small talk.

Indeed, it was different. Unlike the other leaders, Yongjin's expression softened slightly.

"That's true."

"But what are you so engrossed in? Sitting here alone, looking so pitiful."

"Well, Commander."

Yongjin, who seemed ready to speak, suddenly stiffened and turned his head.

"Ah, no. I'll tell you next time."

‘Damn.’

It was a failure, as expected.

After a brief nod, he left.

Seohwi's gaze moved to the upper right.

‘It seems the affection affects this...’

Yorim 14% [Curiosity]

Juksong 16% [Curiosity]

Yongjin 15% [Curiosity]

So-ryeong 20% [Interest]

With these levels, it seemed impossible to have any meaningful conversation.

And at that moment,

the awaited options appeared.

[Which area would you like to go to?]

▶ Leader Training Room

▷ Rear garden of the Xuanwu Hall

Now, the last remaining option among the two.

If she moved to the third-floor corridor of the Training Hall, So-ryeong would likely be waiting for her.

"Let's go see."

Unlike the others, So-ryeong's affection had changed from mere curiosity to interest.

Her reaction might be different.

‘Actually, I want to see her...’

Seohwi recalled her past appearance.

How much her words had helped change her fate.

Even though they were in a superior-subordinate relationship now, any kind of relationship would be fine.

If she could meet her directly.

Her vision slowly turned dark.

* * *

When her vision cleared, she sensed something strange.

First, she realized she didn't have a physical presence and was only a phantom.

Second, she sensed a serious atmosphere.

"That woman, right?"

"Seems so. There's only one woman with a split face in this Xuanwu Hall."

Men began to appear around So-ryeong.

From their attire and appearance, they didn't seem to belong to the squadron.

There were few who could speak so casually about So-ryeong, a squadron leader within the Xuanwu Hall.

"Leader Kang. That woman is correct. She attacked us first."

A young man, one of their subordinates, caught her eye.

Holding his arm, he seemed to have significant hostility toward So-ryeong.

‘The Private Army Corps.’

Seohwi finally realized their unit from the young man's attire.

Brown martial uniform.

In this Xuanwu Hall, only the Private Army Corps wore such uniforms.

"Idiot. If you don't know your place and act up, that's what happens."

So-ryeong's eyes remained sharp, even surrounded by them.

She didn't lose her spirit even in front of two men who seemed to be leaders within the Yin Ying Team.

"Let's see if you can keep up your arrogance. So-ryeong, gather your subordinates and block this area."

"Yes, Leader Kang."

The young man with the parted bangs disappeared somewhere.

So-ryeong sneered.

"A squadron leader of the Private Army Corps, and you're this scared. Well, I can guess your level from your subordinates."

"Shut up. Your big mouth will be silenced today."

"Still, you know there's a difference in level, right? Seeing you two attack together."

"Two? Do we really need both of us to deal with you? Leader Kui will handle you."

A man with his arms crossed appeared beside her.

His prominent nose and square jaw were easily memorable.

"Actually, I was planning to teach you a lesson. This is perfect."

He took a step forward, grabbing the sword at his waist.

And as he took two more steps, his movements suddenly sped up.

Then, they stopped abruptly.

Because of this.

▶ Intervene in the fight.

▷ Continue watching.

▷ Pretend not to notice.

The choice window appeared as if it had been intentionally set up.

However, strangely, the question appeared before the choice window.

[How would you like to increase the affection?]

It was truly peculiar.

This time, her attention was drawn more to the question than the choice window.