Chapter 42

00042 Make an Offer =========================================================================

In any case, I had intended to casually bring up the topic over drinks if the opportunity arose today. Also, since Hanbyeol and I were likely to part ways, I thought it wouldn't matter if I revealed my true feelings to some extent. If I had known, I wouldn't have talked to her in front of the cabin. I felt a belated sense of regret, but our feelings had already changed.

"If you ask why... it's a bit difficult to answer."

"Is it difficult for you to tell me?"

Seeing Hanbyeol put emphasis on the word "me," I shook my head, as that wasn't what I meant.

"That's not what I meant. Do you remember the conversation we had in front of the cabin stairs a while back?"

"...Yes."

"I... well... during the three months, I had a lot of time to think. My thoughts changed somewhat after seeing the world of Hol Plain. Anyway, I won't join any clan, not even the Golden Lions."

Although my words were a bit vague, Hanbyeol was indeed clever. After pondering my words for a moment, she looked at me with wide, surprised eyes, as if she had grasped my intention.

"Then, are you thinking of forming a new clan?"

"Something like that. I'm considering forming a clan. The other kids didn't receive an invitation to join the Golden Lions. That's one reason, but I also wanted to act together with them."

"I also..."

The moment I finished speaking, Hanbyeol, who had opened her mouth to say something, closed it again. I could feel her breathing become slightly rough. Her face was filled with conflict. She bit her lip and then, as if making a decision, spoke in a higher voice than usual.

"I also feel the same. Comparing before and after entering Hol Plain, I've experienced many changes in my thoughts. You were amazing during the rite of passage. Even after entering the User Academy, you proved to be special, different from others. I know better than anyone that you have great abilities. But..."

But. That was the signal that she was about to tell me what she really wanted to say. I listened to her words with a solemn expression.

"Hol Plain is vast and expansive. It's a place where anything can happen. It's not a space where one person's ability can do everything, like during the rite of passage. You would say that you're not alone, right? There are three others with you."

I was about to say that when I closed my mouth and nodded. Hanbyeol, who had already recovered her cold expression, looked at me intently and continued.

"I'm not saying whether to do it or not. I'm not trying to say anything bad. But... I still feel that you are inevitably carrying everything alone. In Hol Plain, it's too dangerous for a group to rely on one person."

Hanbyeol isn't underestimating the abilities of the other three. She's pointing out my attitude in relation to their attitudes. In the end, her words mean that you can't do anything alone, and there is some truth to what she says. However, there was one point she overlooked.

She took a deep breath, as if she had finished what she wanted to say. I took a moment to gather my thoughts and then slowly spoke.

"Hanbyeol, you have a strong tendency to be stubborn."

"..."

"Thinking rationally is good, but you tend to go in one direction."

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

"Don't judge me and the others based on your own standards and criteria."

Hearing my cold voice for the first time, Hanbyeol was surprised and quickly closed her mouth. I looked at her with a cold gaze. Her lips trembled slightly, which made me feel a bit sorry, but since I had already decided to treat her as a fellow user, I would say what I had to say.

"That... I'm sorry. But I thought we were similar. Always rational..."

"Similar. You might think so, but to me, especially when it comes to joining a clan, it's not a rational choice. Especially the Golden Lions."

"...Why? Then, is what I said wrong?"

"Is it about being right or wrong? No matter what choice you make, there are pros and cons. Weighing them and making the best choice for yourself and your surroundings is what a rational choice is, isn't it?"

Hanbyeol made a rational choice based on the current situation. I made a rational choice based on the past and the future. Despite the simple logic, Hanbyeol looked confused. For the first time, I felt a sense of frustration while looking at her. We were not understanding each other.

"The Golden Lions are the largest clan in the northern continent. This is an open secret... They have already established a base and are preparing to advance into the Steel Mountains. There's a significant difference from starting from scratch. I really can't see what advantages you see in the path you're taking."

"Who can guarantee that the advance into the Steel Mountains will succeed? You mentioned the recommendation for officers, but have you thought about what that means? No, more importantly, do you really think the users in the clan you're joining are trustworthy?"

I shot her a slightly harsh tone, but Hanbyeol listened silently. A brief silence fell between us, and a cold atmosphere formed. Just as I was about to continue, she spoke first.

"Then, do you think you are a trustworthy person?"

"..."

One word. Just one word. Her one word turned the subtle cold air between us into a chilling silence. The only sounds were our breathing. Her face was filled with various expressions: frustration, sadness, regret, and other negative emotions. It was the first time I saw such a range of emotions on her face since meeting her.

I quietly spoke, but the words I said carried a clear sense of disappointment.

"At that time, you asked me, 'Why are you doing this?' If I were to answer now, I... I wanted to be a fence for you all. I wanted to give and receive trust. I don't easily trust people, so I didn't think about going alone. But I also clearly knew that I couldn't do anything alone. I couldn't ignore that fact."

I took a deep breath and continued.

"That's why, once I made that decision, I wanted to choose the people I would start with. People who trust me and whom I can trust. After all, it's a clan. When forming a clan... I wanted at least a couple of people who could be like family."

Hanbyeol's eyes were shaking as she listened to me. Her mouth moved as if she wanted to say something, but we were already approaching the large information building.

In the past, we were at a fork in the road. At that time, she followed my choice. Now, we were at the same fork again. I had already chosen my direction, but she hadn't.

We calmly climbed the stairs and I grabbed the doorknob. Hanbyeol remained motionless. I gently pushed the door, which opened smoothly without a creak. I slowly stepped inside.

And I didn't hear Hanbyeol following me.

*

Anhyun and the kids were already in the midst of a lively drinking session. I sighed inwardly, seeing them laugh and joke. These guys would never understand my feelings, even if they died. It made me feel a bit resentful. They were so carefree.

Still, I didn't show it outwardly. This kind of day might not come again. Starting tomorrow, the path I and the kids would take would be far from easy. I felt like the User Academy was a paradise compared to what was ahead.

The drinking session ended in a lively (or so it seemed) manner. Anhyun and Yujung were so excited that they lost control. Fortunately, Ansol was still awake, so we could each carry one back to the dorm. After roughly dumping Anhyun in a corner, I lay down and fell into thought.

Now that I had entered Hol Plain and my thoughts had changed, there were many things I needed to do immediately. First, I needed to receive the mission reward points and leave Barbara as soon as possible. As I thought about various plans, I gradually fell asleep.

And the next day, the long-awaited morning arrived.

The graduation and farewell ceremony was quite boring, to be honest. Despite the many speeches, it all boiled down to congratulating us on our hard work and wishing us success in the northern continent.

『You have completed the User Academy in the major city of Barbara, northern continent. As a mission reward, you have received 4 ability points.』

After the ceremony and receiving the reward points, the users' paths clearly diverged. Those who received offers and those who didn't. Those who received offers were welcomed by clan members, while the rest just sucked their thumbs.

Even if it wasn't a major city, there should be clans to join in regular or small cities. Seeing some still loitering around after the ceremony, I felt a bit sorry for them, but it wasn't my problem.

First, I wanted to rush to the warehouse to collect the items I had bought with GP, but the kids immediately gathered around me, and it didn't happen. Anhyun, Yujung, and Ansol. With the four of us together, I could feel the clan scouts watching us. We had already politely declined all offers, but they still seemed to have some lingering hope.

Anhyun, due to the presence of me, Wojeongmin, and Seonyuun, had the potential to make any clan drool. Yujung's grades were also above average. Both received numerous offers from mid-level clans but declined them because of me.

To be honest, if I had to pick a treasure, Ansol was the biggest treasure. The Radiant Priest. The ultimate leader of the priest class, a representative of female users who stand alongside the Princess of Execution and the Shadow Queen. Even if she didn't get this job, her initial ability points of 75 magic and 100 luck were a huge advantage.

However, Ansol didn't receive much attention. According to Anhyun, she had a hard time controlling her magic. It was strange for a beginner to control medium-level magic, but as she became more familiar with it over time, her true potential would shine.

The Golden Lions' scout looked at the users with a bewildered expression. I learned after the ceremony that the clan had offered positions to five new users this time, but only two accepted.

"I'm sorry, but I have a group I've been acting with. I don't plan to leave the kids and join alone."

After politely declining the last scout who came to invite us, Anhyun and the kids looked quite apologetic. They seemed to believe my words. While this misunderstanding wasn't bad, it felt a bit uncomfortable, so I thought it would be better to explain the truth when the opportunity arose.

As we stepped out of the academy's main gate, the outside was bustling with new and existing users. I could see the emblems of various clans, including the Golden Lions.

Then, I noticed a scene. The main character was Lee Jiyoung. She seemed to have joined a well-known clan and was looking down on the users who didn't receive offers with a haughty expression. She was standing next to an instructor, lecturing them. I felt a bit annoyed inside. I wondered how her face would change six months from now, but I turned away.

I suddenly thought that Kim Hanbyeol might be somewhere around here. I had felt a single gaze piercing my face since earlier. Turning my head in the direction of the gaze, I saw her looking at me and the group without a word. However, I didn't want to have any more lingering feelings with her. Since the fact that she was a gem mage hadn't spread, it seemed she had decided to keep it a secret within the clan for now.

The kids followed me with faces full of anticipation. Just as I was about to leave, a voice called out to me, and I had to stop. Turning my head, I saw Wojeongmin and his group. From his first greeting, it seemed he knew the other two who had declined the Golden Lions' offer (I had a rough idea).

We chatted for a moment, and Wojeongmin suggested acting together for a while. Honestly, it was a bit tempting. I thought it would be easier to clean up the Red Fangs before they