Chapter 45

00045 Preparations for an Emergency

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The woman gently placed the meal down and retreated with a modest gait, a stark contrast to her previous movements. The food laid out on the table consisted of a vegetable salad, baked bread, cream stew, and a meat pie. Honestly, I had ordered the A course, but it felt a bit awkward to call it a full course meal. Still, I remembered it being relatively cheap and quite tasty compared to other dishes.

It was clearly not an atmosphere for cheerful conversation. Nevertheless, Ahn Hyun, who was used to being a side dish, was the first to pick up his utensils and start eating. I, too, scooped up a generous portion of the steamy cream stew and pushed it into my mouth. The rich, mild flavor spread throughout my mouth, and soon the food melted on my tongue.

"Wow... This is really delicious. It really melts in your mouth."

As Ahn Hyun exclaimed, Ahn Sol picked up a piece of bread and cautiously took a bite. Soon, Sol's eyes widened in surprise, and the speed at which she chewed increased. Seeing both of them eat with such enthusiasm, I felt a sense of satisfaction.

However, one person had yet to touch their food.

Yoo Jung, who usually doesn't eat a lot (alcohol being the exception), is certainly not a picky eater. But now, she was just moving her chopsticks aimlessly. Her eyes were vacant, and her gaze was scattered, indicating that she had likely experienced a severe shock. Given that she was the direct target of the magic with a full intent to kill and was in close proximity, she must have felt a different level of intensity compared to the others.

I, too, had a similar experience in the past, so I could somewhat understand Yoo Jung's feelings. Humiliation, degradation, self-loathing, powerlessness—these are feelings that only those who have experienced them can truly understand. I felt a bit guilty since this situation was somewhat intentional. Being overwhelmed by magic is essentially a proof that one's skills are inferior to the opponent's.

However, this was a necessary process. I believe that these experiences are what make the children stronger. No one knows how many similar situations they will face in the future.

Now, we were one of the many users in the vast world of Hall Plane. We not only had to compete with new users but also with countless existing users. In that sense, the children were still like chicks, and even more so, like newborn chicks.

The children don't yet know what it means to be hungry. They don't know how to be careful, and they can't distinguish when to act and when not to. In short, the children lack a sense of urgency. Of course, part of this is my fault, as they were allowed to roam freely within my boundaries from the beginning.

Even if we say that we've been lucky so far, if they continue with this attitude, will they be able to survive in Hall Plane for over 10 years? I would answer with a 99% no. Even I, who always acted cautiously and tried not to stand out, had to cross countless dangerous lines.

Right now, it's like the Maginot Line. The last line of defense is the prohibition of user killings, or PK. In the northern continent, there is still a tendency to avoid killing other users, albeit implicitly. For now, that is. This is why vagrants are currently being collectively rejected.

However, after the first alliance war, the situation will completely change. In the late stages, there will be no hesitation in PK, and the lines between allies and enemies will be clearly drawn. Furthermore, it will become common for yesterday's enemies to become today's allies and vice versa. They will need to survive in this tumultuous Hall Plane.

To survive, I plan to teach the children survival skills. To do this, I need to tighten their loose spirits. That's why I brought them to the inn called "Modest Lady," where I believe they can gain a lot.

After finishing the meal, I booked two double rooms. Counting the remaining gold, I had a total of 6 gold and 40 silver (+1000 gold). The meal and room rental for a week cost 20 silver, so I paid 40 silver in total.

After assigning each of them to their respective rooms and having them unpack, I immediately gathered the children in my room with Hyun. Ahn Hyun was continuously clenching and unclenching his hands, his face full of excited anticipation, as if he couldn't wait to leave the city. Yoo Jung's face was still downcast, and Sol was watching her sister closely.

The oblivious Hyun swung his arms and spoke.

"Bro. So, the four of us will be acting together in Muel, right? We'll hunt monsters, explore dungeons and caves, and find treasures."

I sighed inwardly. Why do I keep sighing since meeting these kids? I stared at the excited Ahn Hyun for a moment. I had no plans to leave immediately, but it was clear that Ahn Hyun needed a firm mental training. Despite my unusual reaction, Ahn Hyun continued.

"Then, we should start by forming a clan. What name should we use? Honestly, names like 'Golden Lion' are too cliché..."

"We can't."

"Other... What? You're not forming a clan? Why?"

"It's not that we won't, but we can't."

I rubbed my forehead and sighed openly. While Ahn Hyun was enthusiastic about combat training, he often dozed off during history or setting-related lessons about Hall Plane. If he knew this, he wouldn't suggest forming a clan. Ahn Hyun finally looked at my face and closed his mouth.

After a brief pause, I spoke in a low voice.

"Right now, the four of us don't meet the conditions to form an official clan."

"Conditions...? I thought we could form a clan with just one person."

The conditions aren't about the number of people. You've just memorized the easy parts. I inwardly clicked my tongue and continued. I will address this issue now, but I won't be lenient if they make such mistakes after becoming more experienced users.

A clan can be simply defined as a gathering of users with similar goals.

However, forming an official clan is not something anyone can do. Residents who have received the mandate from angels manage all clan-related matters in the clan registration offices in each city. This makes the process both fair and strict.

Therefore, the only option we have now is to build a track record. While achievements would be ideal, they are significant enough to affect the main stream of Hall Plane, making them difficult to achieve at this stage.

A track record is a broad term that applies to a wide range of activities.

Caravans and expeditions must submit a performance report after completing any mission. The performance report is a process of reporting the assigned mission to the temple in each city. After the temple's representative reviews the report, they may form an inspection team or request a representative clan to verify the facts if it seems important.

Each of these processes can be considered part of the track record. Details such as where a certain monster appeared, the discovery of a dungeon or cave, and the exploration content can all be linked to the track record.

Once you feel you have accumulated enough track record, you can apply for the establishment of an official clan. Of course, this process includes a mandatory review. Despite numerous applications every day, only a handful are approved each month, indicating the strictness of the review process. The strength of officially recognized clans cannot be underestimated.

"Hmm..."

As I calmly explained these facts, Ahn Hyun made a "Hmm" sound and looked surprised. "Hmm" what kind of "Hmm"? It seems Sol already knows this. After a moment, Ahn Hyun nodded, and I took a step forward in the children's development. I turned to Yoo Jung and asked.

"How does it feel to take your first step in Hall Plane?"

"...Not very pleasant."

Yoo Jung answered with a subdued voice. I nodded a few times and continued.

"Feeling frustrated?"

"...Unfair. Frustrated."

Yoo Jung answered my question immediately. She had just realized her powerlessness. Of course, considering that the opponent was someone who could rival me in the future, there was a certain handicap. Still, the effect was clear, and I emphasized this even more.

"I always told you that Hall Plane is a world full of variables. You never know what might happen. If the woman just now was a vagrant, what do you think would have happened?"

My straightforward words left everyone speechless. But it wasn't over yet.

"Stay alert. Excessive tension is toxic, but in Hall Plane, you always need to be on guard. We're not here for a picnic or a treasure hunt. We're here to survive and return to Earth. Do you understand?"

A solemn silence enveloped Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Yoo Jung. Ahn Hyun lowered his head, looking embarrassed, while Yoo Jung and Sol looked dejected.

"Feeling frustrated is good. But there's no need to feel unfair. It means you're weak. If you feel unfair, train to become stronger. If you don't want to feel the humiliation you just experienced, grit your teeth and strengthen your resolve."

I looked at everyone's faces for a moment. It seemed they were starting to realize their current position. This meant it was time to bring out the first plan to help the children grow.

I spoke in a slightly softer tone.

============================ Author's Note ============================

1. Revised content related to clan ranks.