episode_0069

Level 4.

From this point onward, the treatment starts to change little by little.

Because one gains the ability to wield Sword Aura—or in Eastern terms, a power only obtainable upon reaching the pinnacle.

Sword Aura becomes usable from Level 5 onward.

‘Reaching Level 4 means…’

In other words, it’s the same as saying one can reach Level 5.

And it also meant being recognized as a promising talent.

That’s why clans, kingdoms, and empires start making contact.

‘……But why is it so quiet for me?’

Yet, things were silent for me.

So much so that even when Vulcan and Lucia came to observe and destroyed a training dummy, it felt noisier than this.

‘Is it because of Vulcan or Lucia?’

Maybe they marked me as someone to watch.

Lost in thought, Ermé spoke to me.

“Shall we start making it soon?”

“M-making what? Just because I’ve stabilized at Level 4, d-don’t tell me…!”

Rozante’s face turned bright red—was she having strange thoughts?

‘What the hell is she imagining?’

I glanced at Ermé, thinking she might be having weird ideas too.

Lick.

Ermé licked her lips while looking at me.

“……”

I recalled the effect of Touma.

◇For those with dangerous tastes, a bonus to favorability.

‘…….’

Is this really okay?

Just as I was wondering if things were truly fine like this—

“So you’re finally planning to form a clan, huh?”

Vulcan cut into our conversation.

Now that I thought about it, there was such a thing.

Clan.

An optional sub-organization within the Adventurer’s Guild that people could form freely.

Think of it as something similar to a guild in games.

‘We kept saying we’d make one, and now it’s finally happening.’

Then, others started showing interest.

“A clan, huh? Don’t you need at least ten members to form one?”

“Well, we can gather that many easily.”

“True, we’re already among the recognized ones here.”

“What’s good about having a clan?”

“Nothing special. But with ten members, you can always form a party for the labyrinth, right?”

“Nice.”

Theresa nodded expressionlessly.

“T-then the clan name is important! Do you have any ideas?”

At Rozante’s question, Glasses (the person) adjusted his glasses and spoke.

“If it’s the labyrinth, it has to be romance! Named after the legendary clan Argo Naut, the first to pioneer the labyrinth—how about Marcel Naut?”

“Vetoed. I don’t want your name in it.”

“Sigh… You people have no sense of romance.”

“Then, in honor of the divine blessing of alcohol, how about the Banquet of Bacchus?”

“Only Rozante likes alcohol, so that’s vetoed too.”

“……”

Our clan’s naming sense—is this really okay?

“……Are you joking? No, wait—are you seriously considering these insane names?”

Vulcan looked as shocked as I had been when I first realized Glasses’ true nature wasn’t just his glasses.

Honestly, at this point, I’m genuinely worried.

‘To make that prankster go serious…’

Truly a terrifying talent.

Just as I was watching them with concern, Ermé puffed her cheeks and spoke.

“Our clan will only accept the elite of the elite. So the name is important too. None of those silly names are good.”

“Silly? We’re being serious.”

“I was joking.”

“Rozante, you too?!”

Ignoring Glasses, who was reeling from Rozante’s betrayal, Ermé continued.

“Ahem. Actually, I’ve already decided on the clan name.”

“What is it?”

“The clan name is…….”

On the way back to the inn.

I felt a strange gaze on me.

A gaze that seemed to be sizing me up.

‘……As I thought.’

No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t make sense for me to be ignored by clans.

Of course, I have my loyalty to Ermé, and if she’s who I think she is—

‘I should stick with her till the end, but…’

Just as I was thinking that.

Someone approached me.

The same person who had been staring at me strangely earlier.

Likely a clan member—there was an insignia engraved on his chest.

‘A black spear.’

A symbol I’d never seen before.

“I’m from the Dawn Shadow Spear clan. Name’s Seo Mun-yeol.”

Black hair, black eyes—an Eastern attire rarely seen here.

But why the hell is this bastard using informal speech with me when we’ve never met?

“Why’d you approach me?”

“I’ve been watching your recent movements. Thought you’d be a good fit for our clan.”

He grinned creepily.

“Join your clan?”

“Ah, but it’s not optional. This is coercion.”

What the hell is this guy?

I stared at him, baffled by his audacity.

He didn’t seem strong.

His aura was about the same as mine when I conceal Touma.

Yet.

‘He’s trying to force me into his clan?’

What’s his angle?

What’s he so confident about?

People like this always have something they believe in.

Of course.

‘Most of the time, it’s something ridiculous, and they only learn after getting beaten up.’

I stared at the man in front of me.

For some reason, he seemed determined to drag me into his clan by force.

‘……This is amusing.’

This kind of experience is almost unheard of since I came here.

I tilted my head slightly, as if telling him to keep talking if he had more to say.

“Still don’t get your situation? If you don’t join our Dawn Shadow Spear clan, things might get dangerous for you.”

“For me?”

“And your party too.”

So now he’s threatening my party?

‘Hmm.’

Should I cut him down?

Killing him outright wouldn’t be bad either.

If I cause trouble and report it to the Guild Master, things will probably work out.

But that’d mean owing the Guild Master a favor.

‘……Annoying, but…’

The idea that he can mess with my party and walk away unscathed is laughably naive.

I stared at him.

He patted my shoulder and spoke.

“Think carefully. No, you don’t even need to think. Just join the clan right n—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

The reason was simple—his eyes locked onto Ermé.

“Yuseong, who’s that man?”

“W-w-witch?!”

Witch?

What the hell did she do to earn that nickname?

“Calling someone a witch in public? How rude.”

Ermé glared at Seo Mun-yeol with icy eyes—a first for her.

‘……She’s too kind for this.’

Sure, she’s a bit materialistic, but she does everything I ask and compromises where needed.

Sometimes, it feels like she gives more than she gets.

She’s not fussy, she’s affectionate—yet she’s called a witch?

I couldn’t understand it.

“Y-you’re in a party with the witch?!”

“Excuse me, who are you to keep calling me that?”

-Seems like she’s genuinely upset.

‘Well, if it’s a derogatory nickname…’

-Though, from your perspective, you might not know.

‘……?’

What the hell does that mean?

“Seems like you’re from some shady clan.”

“Dawn Shadow Spear, or something.”

“Ah, that clan?”

Ermé smiled sweetly.

But her eyes carried a murderous intent.

‘I’d like to think it’s a misunderstanding, but…’

It definitely didn’t seem like one.

“Dawn Shadow Spear is quite famous. Their leader is equivalent to Level 6, and their reputation—”

“Level 6?”

That sounds impressive.

But then I thought of Veronica.

‘……’

Maybe Level 6 isn’t as great as it sounds.

“S-sorry about this. I didn’t know the witch was your party member.”

“……”

This was absurd.

I’ve never been in a party without Ermé since coming to Yoaram.

‘And this guy tried to recruit me without even knowing that?’

Unbelievable.

As I stared at him, he started trembling. His face had gone pale.

‘What’s behind me?’

I turned to look.

“……Hi.”

Crimson hair and eyes.

A woman in a dress, holding an umbrella, stood there.

But her expression was odd. She froze upon seeing me, her face flushing as her breathing grew ragged.

“Ugh, this was already bad enough, but now…!”

Something felt ominous.

“W-what brings you here?”

“Rumors about you suddenly spread like wildfire. Hao Mun’s suppressing them, but I got worried and came.”

As she spoke, her eyes scanned my body—not checking on me, but rather…

‘……Do I really need to move out?’

I could feel my chastity was in danger.

“B-b-big sis…!”

“Stay quiet, or you might die.”

“Gulp.”

At Lucia’s words, Seo Mun-yeol started hiccuping in fear.

If you think about it—

‘She’s not that scary, though.’

-Well… she is now. Just stay still. It’s safer for you.

‘What does that even mean?’

I sighed and asked Lixiel, but she just shook her head.

While I was puzzled—

Another person approached.

Thud thud thud.

A woman with a furious expression, causing a ruckus.

Only one person here would do that.

Veronica.

“W-what the hell? Why is that crazy bitch here?!”

“Hey, you!”

The moment she saw me, she screamed.

I couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“Why didn’t you tell me? You formed a clan!”

“Why would I tell you?”

“I’ve been cooperating with you, haven’t I?!”

“You’re not joining the clan anyway.”

“Tch, of course not! Why would I join something like that?!”

Veronica shrieked again.

What the hell is her deal?

As I pondered, Ermé leaned in and whispered.

“Try inviting her.”

“What?”

“To join the clan.”

“Hmph. If you ask, I might consider it.”

“……”

Honestly, having Veronica would be reassuring.

‘But she’d be more annoying than helpful.’

So I hadn’t bothered asking.

I didn’t want to.

“Since you’re a clan member, you’ll handle some of my living expenses, right? Then you’re in charge of my meals from now on.”

“Wait, you’re seriously joining for food?!”

Ermé was stunned but then nodded as if it made sense.

“That makes six members already.”

“Maybe seven? I’m here too.”

“……Lucia, you’re welcome.”

“Hey! That witch is here, so why am I being treated like this?!”

“……”

The moment Lucia was welcomed, Veronica screeched again.

‘So that’s eight now?’

-……Hm? Why are you looking at me?

Just as I was about to consider Lixiel—

“Hah? And what’s this?”

Veronica glared at Seo Mun-yeol, growling.

Drip. Drip.

Seo Mun-yeol started trembling and leaking fluids.

‘Ugh, disgusting.’

But I could understand why.

‘Veronica is terrifying.’

I’ve never seen a woman this insane.

She lost her purity to me and can’t even use her divine power properly, yet she still yells at me.

‘She’s definitely crazy.’

No doubt about it.

“So what’s this bastard’s deal?”

“He was trying to force Yuseong to join his clan.”

“Uh, uh…!”

“Hah?”

Veronica gave Seo Mun-yeol a disbelieving look.

“You got harassed by this lowlife? Are you insane? What clan are you from?!”

“W-well…!”

“It’s called Dawn Shadow Spear~”

Ermé happily tattled to Veronica, who clutched her head in frustration.

“You let this trash bother you? Unbelievable. Wanna show him a taste of the Holy Kingdom?”

“I’d love to see that!”

Watching this, I thought to myself.

She’s annoying as an enemy.

‘But even as an ally, she’s still annoying.’

But right now, she’s undeniably reliable.