Memorize

"Hyung, I have something I want to ask."

"Hmm?"

"Are you… waiting for those players right now?"

The moment An-Hyun finished speaking, everyone froze. Even Yun-Jung, who had just been about to kick An-Hyun in the shin. Vivienne, sitting next to her trying to stop her, and Sol, who was quietly watching from the side, all stopped as if someone had cast a spell of stillness. Only the sound of their breathing broke the silence as all eyes focused on An-Hyun and me.

I looked at An-Hyun with a gaze that seemed to say, "Look at this guy?" His eyes were filled with a mix of respect and determination.

A long time ago, when the group had recklessly suggested going on an expedition, I had scolded them harshly. Since then, they seemed to have agreed silently among themselves to avoid bringing up such topics. But this time, An-Hyun had approached the issue indirectly. In essence, his question boiled down to, "Are you waiting for those players and delaying the next expedition?"

After glancing at An-Hyun and the others with a calm yet probing look, I finally opened my mouth and replied in an even tone.

"Yes. I am waiting for those two."

"Ah…"

As An-Hyun let out a brief sound of understanding, I scanned the group's reactions. An-Hyun was nodding slightly. Yun-Jung just tilted her head, looking puzzled. Sol's expression was subtly complex, and Vivienne's face seemed a little dark.

"So… are you planning to add more people to our group?" Yun-Jung asked.

I set down my spoon, laced my fingers together, and rested my chin on top of them before speaking again.

"I was planning to bring this up eventually, but perhaps now is the better time."

"You mean about adding new members to our group?" An-Hyun asked.

"That, and something bigger—about the clan we're going to create."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a cigarette. The surroundings were noisy. Players chattered loudly, some arguing, others trying their luck and getting chased away after making inappropriate advances toward Go Yeon-Joo. Groups were also huddled together, having serious discussions among themselves. Placing the cigarette in my mouth, I lit it.

"But do you think that person will actually come? We're still beginners, and that person seemed to have quite a bit of experience…" Sol trailed off, her uncertainty apparent. Most of the others nodded in agreement with her sentiment. She wasn't wrong, but there was one key thing she was overlooking: Vivienne.

"That's true, but strictly speaking, we don't actually need a mage in our caravan right now."

"Huh? I thought mages were the player type we were most lacking?"

"Not anymore. We have Vivienne."

All eyes turned to Vivienne. At that moment, she was sneaking a mouthful of noodles, only to freeze mid-slurp, caught in the act. Silence filled the air briefly as a few strands of noodles dangled helplessly from her lips. Seeing her on the verge of tears from embarrassment, I quickly consoled her.

"It's okay, Vivienne. Go ahead and eat. You guys can eat while listening too."

However, none of them picked up their spoons. Feeling even more flustered, Vivienne hastily slurped down the noodles and quietly set her spoon aside. Reaching out, I gently wiped away some food remnants from the corner of her mouth. She recoiled slightly, looking uncomfortable, and as Yun-Jung's breathing grew audibly harsher, I promptly withdrew my hand.

"You all saw it before, right? Vivienne is an incredible mage. Remember the woman we saw in the plaza after we passed the rite of passage? That mage—what was her name? Yoo Bin, I think."

"The one who kept tailing Park Hyun-Woo?" Yun-Jung interjected, her tone filled with disdain.

"Yeah, that one. She's a fairly well-known mage in Babara, but even if she teamed up with another mage, they wouldn't stand a chance against Vivienne."

An-Hyun and An Sol turned to Vivienne with newfound admiration. Meanwhile, Vivienne, attempting to mask her embarrassment, cleared her throat and straightened her posture. Yun-Jung, on the other hand, didn't look entirely convinced but decided not to voice any further objections.

"Three melee fighters, one mage, and one priest. The current composition of our caravan might actually be ideal as it is. Even so, the reason I'm waiting for those two mages is that they fit the recruitment criteria for the clan I envision."

I paused, drawing deeply on my cigarette before exhaling a cloud of pale smoke. Watching the wisps dissipate into the air, a satisfied smile crept onto my lips. The others sat quietly, waiting for me to continue.

"The clan I want to create will have two defining traits: elite specialization and the character of a mercenary group."

"Elite specialization… and mercenaries?" An-Hyun echoed, his tone laced with confusion. The others also tilted their heads in curiosity. Truthfully, explaining the concept of a mercenary-style clan was complex and could easily confuse them. But I decided it was better to provide a brief explanation now than to leave them in the dark.

"Elite specialization is exactly what it sounds like. When we form a clan, we'll inevitably start recruiting new members. Instead of becoming a clan that takes in just anyone, we'll focus exclusively on top-tier players or those with the potential to become top-tier. We'll handpick only the best."

This was something only I could accomplish. While the highest-level players could be recruited based on reputation, identifying players with latent potential required a unique skill—something akin to the third eye I possessed. Sure, there were players who showed promise from the beginning, but there were also late bloomers who required time to develop. The best indicator of this potential was their stats.

Furthermore, I still remembered a few promising newcomers set to arrive soon. That alone gave me a significant advantage in future recruitment battles. However...

"To achieve that, our clan also needs a solid reputation. If the clan we create is seen as just another small-scale group, there's a high chance potential recruits will decline our offers. That's why I want to establish a mercenary-style clan."

Vivienne and Sol listened attentively, their eyes focused. However, An-Hyun and Yun-Jung's faces were starting to scrunch up in confusion. It wasn't that they were unintelligent—they were actually quick thinkers—but it seemed their minds hit a block when the conversation turned to abstract concepts like these. Giving them a moment to process, I took another drag of my cigarette.

The first to break the silence was Yun-Jung, as expected from her impatient nature.

"Oppa, I don't get it. What does being a mercenary-style clan have to do with building our reputation?"

"Mercenaries are people who complete tasks in exchange for money. Currently, there isn't a single clan in Babara with a similar model. Most of them stick to the missions designated by Babara or related to the city's role and location. If a mercenary-style clan were to emerge in that environment, it would naturally draw attention."

"Still… it doesn't sound like things will go that smoothly. Wouldn't the established clans just laugh at us?"

A faint smile played on my lips. By the time we left Mule, my plan was to make sure everyone knew I was a swordsmanship expert and that Vivienne was a Chimera Alchemist. On top of that, we could potentially create another Chimera Alchemist, and with a bit of luck, turn An-Hyun into a Qi Spear Master. A clan boasting one secret class player and three rare class players? Laugh at us? Not a chance.

Sure, in the early stages, there might not be many requests coming our way. But on the flip side, established clans would line up, doing everything they could to merge with us. Our strategy was to maintain neutrality and gradually grow our influence step by step.

As Sol quietly raised her hand, I nodded, signaling her to speak.

"Oppa, are you thinking of registering as a free mercenary?" She asked.

"That's right."

As expected of our model student, An Sol immediately understood my intent. After a brief, awkward smile, she continued.

"I was curious why you haven't registered as a citizen of the Northern Continent, but now it makes sense. Still, I've heard that registering as a free mercenary puts both the individual and their clan at a disadvantage compared to those registered as regular citizens or in citizen-based clans."

"It's not so much a disadvantage as it is a lack of perks," I replied. "Think of it as simply continuing to live as we do now. And honestly, when you take a closer look at those so-called perks, most of them are trivial. They're not worth holding on to."

Registering as a free mercenary—forming a free mercenary clan—essentially meant not being tied down by the Northern Continent or any specific city within it. Ordinary players living in the Northern Continent, for instance, are obligated to respond to emergency summons if the need arises.

But free mercenaries are different. They are free from such responsibilities and obligations. Of course, that also means forfeiting the perks Sol mentioned. However, when you really examine what those perks entail, most of them turn out to be laughable or outright useless. There was no reason to cling to them.

When you eventually save up enough money to buy a personal home or a guild-specific clan house, you might get a discount. Or perhaps there's the promise of protection from vagrants, priority in selection for large-scale expeditions, or city-level financial support to help players recover if they suffer devastating losses during exploration. These perks might sound enticing at first glance, but when examined closely, they're no more than hollow enticements.

As the time will move, such benefits become practically meaningless within Hall Plain. Other clauses exist, but they're all variations of the same empty promises. In the long run, the freedom that comes with being a registered free mercenary holds far greater value than those superficial advantages.

And that future isn't far off. It's been a month since we arrived in Mule. In just two more months, the Golden Lion Clan will depart on their Iron Mountain expedition, followed by the internal wars that will erupt afterward. At that point, all these so-called perks will be nothing but scraps of paper. That will also be the moment when the true value of freedom shines—freedom from the constraints of continents, cities, and obligations, allowing us to act boldly while maintaining neutrality and a sense of purpose.

But explaining all this now was impossible. More importantly, the group wasn't yet equipped to grasp the nuances of such decisions. They were still learning to distinguish right from wrong. While they were slowly developing their combat instincts, they were far from being able to navigate the delicate currents of the world. Expecting them to fully comprehend such dynamics would be too much. Still, failing to ride those currents would mean we'd inevitably be left behind.

A brief silence settled over the table. The surrounding din had faded considerably. I glanced around, noticing the faint shimmer of an invisible barrier encircling us. My eyes landed on Vivienne, who winked playfully. It seemed she'd deemed the conversation important enough to erect a barrier to prevent eavesdropping. I responded with a bright smile of gratitude.

"Well, when we left Babara, it was the same thing," An-Hyun finally broke the silence, exhaling deeply as if declaring his resolve. "But you've succeeded against all odds so far. I don't understand everything yet, but I'll trust you and follow your lead, Hyung."

I nodded, acknowledging his determination.

"Yeah, take your time and think about it carefully. I'm convinced the day will come when the value of being a free mercenary truly shines. I really believe that."

Yun-Jung simply nodded along, her expression showing that she didn't fully understand yet. Sol, on the other hand, would never oppose me outright; that was unthinkable. As for Vivienne, having signed the contract, she would follow wherever I led without question. Meanwhile, An-Hyun's face had taken on a slightly flushed hue—he seemed excited at the idea of an elite group.

"So… oppa, you think that woman has the potential to become a top-tier player?" Yun-Jung asked curiously.

"That's right. Her, and all of you, too."

"Hmm… but what about that guy? Shin Sang-Yong, was it? I didn't get much of an impression from him."

At Yun-Jung's words, I immediately brought up Shin Sang-Yong's details in my mind, recalling the information I'd seen previously.

< Player Information (Player Status) >

Name: Shin Sang-Yong (2nd Year)

Class: Normal Mage Expert

Nation: Babara

Affiliation: None (No Clan)

True Name · Nationality: Seeker of the Truth of Magic Circles · Republic of Korea

Sex: Male (28)

Height · Weight: 183.7 cm · 69.2 kg

Disposition: Lawful · True Neutral

[Strength: 40] [Resistance: 42] [Agility: 45] [Vitality: 40] [Magic: 85] [Luck: 60]

As I've said repeatedly, for mages, it all comes down to their Magic stat. As long as their Strength, Resistance, and Agility aren't catastrophically low, Magic is the top priority. If the minimum requirements are met, Magic becomes the number one attribute to consider. That's precisely why I currently rank Jung Hayeong above Shin Sang-Yong.

Of course, if someone has high Magic alongside other strong stats, that's the ideal scenario—a true cheat-like character. Someone like… well, me.

Shin Sang-Yong's stats were respectable, especially for someone in their second year, and he showed the potential to rise to a higher tier. Still, I hadn't made my final decision about him. His True Name played a key role in how I assessed his ultimate value.

Seeker of the Truth of Magic Circles. It was the first time I'd encountered a True Name like that, which made it difficult to judge his capabilities. In hindsight, I regretted not using more effort back then to see both his special abilities and latent potential.

Just as I was caught up in these thoughts, a voice called out.

"Kim Su-Hyeon."

It was a soft yet familiar voice—Go Yeon-Joo's. At the same time, I heard the creak of the inn's door behind me and sensed familiar footsteps entering my detection range.

Speak of the devil. She had come to find me again. Today, of all days.

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