619

[Chapter 164]

[Clan Establishment (3)]

Thanks to the statements of support from S-class clans, the voices criticizing Eunha's actions had subsided.

However, this didn't mean that the critical public opinion had completely disappeared.

While people weren't openly criticizing anymore, they still whispered amongst themselves.

Moreover─.

"I heard Noh Eunha is creating a clan? Do you think it will work out? I heard the average age of clan lords is early 30s, do you think Noh Eunha can handle being among those people?"

"Being good with a sword and leading a clan well are completely different things. Creating a clan means getting involved in territorial disputes and political battles between clans. Even if she's been through a lot, it's a completely different matter."

"Even <Yeonma > didn't create a clan right after graduating from the academy. He first formed a party before creating a clan. And things are totally different now compared to back then!"

"That's right. Back then there weren't many clans, so there was room to squeeze in. But now how many clans are there, and how many territorial disputes are happening in this small area of Seoul?"

They were very skeptical.

Creating a clan is fine, sure.

But Eunha, who doesn't know how the industry works or its nature, will eventually be unable to withstand the power struggles between clans.

Such opinions were spreading not only in the industry but also in the academy.

No, the academy was even worse.

"Crazy... Why doesn't she just join an S-class clan instead of making a fuss about creating her own clan?"

"Even if she creates a clan, she'll only be able to make it C-class at best. How long will it take to make it A-class, and then S-class?"

"Wouldn't it be fortunate if it goes up after creation? Haven't they thought about the possibility of falling? Haven't they considered that they might not even be able to receive proper requests due to power struggles with larger clans and end up falling to D-class or E-class?"

"Tsk... They're really pitiful. They could start in an S-class clan but they're kicking away that opportunity."

"But thanks to them not going, doesn't that increase our chances of entering an S-class clan?"

"That's one good thing."

The students had been in awe of Noh Eunha's group until now.

They were beings living in a completely different realm from themselves.

Beings they couldn't dare to approach.

Six years, then three years, and another year.

The students didn't try to go against them while living at the academy.

But these beings, who seemed like they would continue to reign supreme, suddenly declared they would create a clan.

In other words, they stepped into the mud.

"Anyway, they're pitiful fools. How can they kick away such good fortune that rolled in?"

"The academy's most promising talents in history? We won't hear that kind of talk anymore."

Beings they had to look up to.

But now they've become beings that can be looked down upon.

Students who received offers from C-class or higher clans were delighted at the downfall of Noh Eunha and her group members.

Especially─.

"Ah, I want to graduate soon. When I enter society, I'll become a player in an A-class clan, while Noh Eunha and those guys will just be players in a C-class clan at best."

"What good is having a title? It's obvious she'll just be known as <Quick-witted > Noh Eunha of a C-class clan from now on!"

"They say they're getting support from the Sirius Group? What good is that? Do you think other clans will look favorably on that?"

"And what good is it if it's just Noh Eunha? Who's going to give requests to a clan full of kids who just graduated from the academy? A clan needs a representative player to have spirit and receive requests!"

"With only one titled player, Noh Eunha... I wonder how well such a clan will function."

The 3rd year transfer students of the high academy.

Those who had the most complaints about Noh Eunha were gleefully laughing.

And behind them, the 31st generation students were mocking Noh Eunha's group members.

Of course, the 031 generation students─.

""""─....""""

Most of them, closely associated with the group, remained silent.

Moreover, they were middle academy students who had long experienced the fear of Noh Eunha.

But even if these 300 students remained silent, it couldn't change the public opinion of the academy.

Even those who initially dominated public opinion had been pushed aside as the 31st generation students and transfer students began to stand out.

Therefore, it could be said that the academy was now their world.

Of course─.

"─Why is it so chaotic these days? Everyone's losing their minds just because they're becoming players next year..."

""""....""""

They could only strut around when Noh Eunha wasn't around.

Noh Eunha, who entered the cafeteria where player recruitment offers were active, clicked her tongue.

Then she glanced at the students who quickly turned their heads away, almost as if it was ingrained in their bodies, when their eyes met hers.

"What was the probability of a player surviving as a player for even 5 years after becoming one?"

"They say it's less than 40%."

"So 6 out of 10 die? More than half die?"

Noh Eunha asked loudly.

Jin Seona, who was beside her, promptly answered.

Jin Parang made a fuss.

""""....""""

Even if the students had some complaints, they couldn't say anything to them.

They were still students.

Not players.

In other words, it meant that Eunha could control their life and death as she pleased if she wanted to.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say she could control their life and death as she pleased.

The story of how Eunha had made transfer students end up in hospital beds under the pretext of sparring was quite famous.

""""Damn it....""""

Just you wait.

Let's see if you can do this next year too.

The runts looked forward to next year.

Of course, Eunha, who couldn't have been unaware of their thoughts, snorted.

"─I wonder how many will die next year."

Even without her having to do anything.

Surely more than half of the students here wouldn't survive.

No, even if they survived, what good would it do?

How would they endure the next calamity to come?

Eunha chuckled.

☆

Academy cafeteria.

Players were in the midst of promotional activities targeting 3rd year high academy students.

"We prioritize recruiting students who can use high-level control techniques!"

"Casters who can use nature magic like wind, fire, ice - we need you!"

"Looking for one supporter skilled in healing magic, not just buffs!"

"Marronnier Knights, the next information session will be in an hour! Please take a pamphlet first!"

It was like a bustling market.

The promotional activities taking place in the cafeteria were relatively sophisticated.

Other locations were even more chaotic.

But when Eunha appeared─.

""""─....""""

"Everyone's looking at us."

"I don't like it, should I say something?"

The people present closed their mouths and turned their gaze towards her.

They were wondering why she had appeared here.

In this situation, Eunha, flanked by Jin Seona and Jin Parang on either side, calmly looked around.

Why did I come here?

I came to do some recruiting too.

Ignoring Jin Parang's grumbling, who had followed along because the timing happened to match, Eunha carefully examined the face of someone who met her eyes.

"Hey, do we really have to come to a place like this? Couldn't we just contact people through Finetalk?"

"If we were recruiting students like us, of course we would have done that."

Jin Parang continued to have staring contests with people they passed.

Whether Jin Parang followed or not, Eunha kept walking past people.

People's words aren't wrong.

I might be fine, but the kids might have a hard time adapting in the field.

Eunha knew that people were skeptical about the clan she was going to create.

And she understood why they were skeptical.

It was a clan composed of students who were unfamiliar with industry affairs and lacked experience.

There was only one person, Noh Eunha, to lead the clan members.

Moreover, in people's eyes, even she was just a student who hadn't experienced social life.

So we need to recruit a player with some experience who can advise the kids.

Moreover, Eunha's clan-to-be was also lacking in talent with specialties like supporters, navigators, and hunters.

That was the reason Eunha had come to this place.

Unlike other places, the cafeteria had not only students but also players looking for jobs.

"So what position do you most want to recruit?"

"Supporters and navigators."

Seona asked then.

Eunha answered her as if she didn't even need to think about it.

Navigators are somewhat okay.

We have Hwayang, and Seona and Kaede are helping out.

Minji can do it to some extent too.

The problem is supporters.

Currently, Cha Eunwoo was the only supporter in his clan.

Unlike navigators, supporters were irreplaceable talent.

This was because they basically had to study medicine to heal people.

The entry barrier was quite high.

"The more supporters, the better."

"Wouldn't one or two be enough? How many are you trying to bring in?"

"As many as possible. Supporters with ability, experience, and good character too."

"You don't want supporters with good character, you just want supporters who will listen to you well."

Eunha explained about the supporters she was looking for.

Then Jin Seona rebutted.

Eunha groaned and turned her head away from her.

Even so─.

─The more supporters, the better.

Eunha's thoughts hadn't changed.

The calamities that would continue to strike in the future.

To prepare for those times, the more supporters, the better.

But supporters requiring high expertise were hard to find.

I didn't know it would be this hard to find supporters skilled in healing magic....

Among current players.

Most of the supporters looking for jobs were people skilled in protective magic or buffs.

While they were also high-level personnel, they didn't quite match the talent Eunha was looking for.

And it's not like we can recruit students who are still unskilled in healing magic with an eye to the future....

Except for her current friends.

Most students didn't show much interest in the clan Eunha was going to create.

They shied away from adventure.

And there weren't many students as skilled in healing magic as Cha Eunwoo.

It was then.

"─Huh? Isn't that Eunha? It is, it is! Eunha!"

"Oh? Eunha?"

From the direction Eunha was heading.

Suddenly, voices calling her could be heard from beyond the crowd.

Eunha turned her gaze in that direction.

And there─.

"─Why are those people here...."

Yoo Namhoon, who would become <Invincible to All Poisons> in the future.

And his partner Yeo Woobi.

The two of them had spotted Eunha and were waving happily.

☆

"─How did you come here? Are you here to recruit party members?"

Yoo Namhoon and Yeo Woobi.

Eunha, who was glad to see the two after a long time, asked them as they greeted her happily.

The two had formed a party with their classmates when they graduated from the academy.

But meeting the two here, Eunha couldn't help but ask that.

Then Woobi said─.

"─We didn't get along well. So we split up recently."

Woobi smiled awkwardly.

Eunha nodded.

It wasn't incomprehensible.

A group formed by like-minded people, easily disbanded when minds no longer aligned.

That's what a party was.

"This time, as we split up, I realized clearly. I don't have the qualities to lead others."

At that moment, Namhoon spoke with a bitter face.

Eunha realized that he was depressed enough to be visible to the eye.

"Where in the world are such qualities? As much as we led them, they should have adjusted to us too. It's just that incompatible people met, that's all."

"...Thank you."

To this, Woobi scolded harshly.

Namhoon answered briefly.

She patted his back.

"Honestly, I was getting a bit tired too.... We're not creating a party and came to look for a party that Namhoon and I could join together."

Woobi's explanation.

She drooped her shoulders.

Then saying she had only said gloomy things, she raised her voice tone brightly.

"By the way, I heard you're creating a clan, Eunha. I don't know if I can say this to you as a senior, but it will be hard managing clan members. Ah, did Seona and Parang say they're joining too? It might be okay if it's close friends."

"Hang in there, I'll cheer for you."

"...Yes, thank you."

Woobi advised.

Namhoon encouraged.

Eunha accepted their concerns.

"But noona, aren't you a supporter? You can use healing magic too."

"Yes, that's right."

"It shouldn't be hard to find a party. You'll find one soon!"

"That may be true, but...."

Then Jin Parang spoke up.

He said cheerfully.

On the contrary, Woobi was embarrassed.

She rolled her eyes and nodded towards Namhoon beside her.

"I want to join together with Namhoon. But there aren't many parties looking for dealers...."

Namhoon became depressed again.

Woobi just smiled awkwardly.

Well, that would be the case. Dealers aren't hard to find. So the trend is to prefer dealers with proven skills.

Eunha grasped the situation of the two and her eyes lit up.

Maybe I'm lucky.

Eunha thought so.

Until he became <Invincible to All Poisons>, Namhoon wasn't a very renowned dealer.

That's probably why he can't find a party now.

Namhoon was also considered a promising talent while at the academy.

But after becoming a player, he hadn't achieved any proper results.

As a result, Namhoon's value had fallen considerably compared to when he graduated from the academy.

He was now being treated no differently from mediocre dealers.

But Eunha knew.

─The skills of <Invincible to All Poisons> are real.

It's just that no one recognizes him now.

In the future, Namhoon becomes a player with the title <Invincible to All Poisons>.

He, who aimed for solo play, possessed quite strong skills.

Moreover, his gift could be used usefully in various situations.

Therefore─.

"─Or would you like to join my clan?"

""What?""

Eunha made an offer to the two.

Woobi was a supporter.

Namhoon was a dealer with a guaranteed future.

She couldn't pass by gem-like talents that hadn't received anyone's attention.

"I needed a supporter anyway, and I know Namhoon hyung's skills well."

""....""

"You'll know the industry well, and you'll get along well with the kids. I needed just such people."

The two looked at Eunha.

Eunha only then realized.

That others in the hall had stopped talking and were listening in.

"...But, is it okay?"

In the midst of this, after a silence.

Namhoon opened his mouth.

He asked with a worried look, not confident in his own skills.

Eunha shrugged her shoulders.

"Isn't it obvious?"

""....""

"I was in a situation where I needed people like hyung and noona. Ah, if you're going to join, can I speak informally from now on?"

""Uh....""

The two were dazed.

But still nodding their heads.

Eunha smiled and said.

"I look forward to working with you."

"Me too,

I'll look forward to working with you too."

"Welcome."

And so.

Eunha welcomed the two.

Jin Seona and Jin Parang didn't object either, and gladly welcomed the two.

☆

"Kik.... Hey, did you see that just now?"

"I saw it. Is he trying to make a clan just with people he's close to? If that's the case, he should just go home and play house."

He came to this place to find experienced players, they said.

But Noh Eunha only recruited Yeo Woobi and Yoo Namhoon.

The people present couldn't help but laugh.

Well, of course.

Yeo Woobi and Yoo Namhoon weren't currently well-regarded in the industry.

At least Yeo Woobi was a supporter and had a gift called <Cell Activation> that increased the body's recovery rate.

But what about Yoo Namhoon?

"Who's that guy? The one using a sword."

"Don't know."

"When I saw him last time, his fighting form was really bad. His movements were slow."

"I heard he's indecisive, saying this is good and that is good. I think I heard that all his party members left him recently..."

A guy who hasn't shown any particular value.

That was the evaluation of Yoo Namhoon.

But Noh Eunha recruited him into her clan along with Yeo Woobi.

People couldn't help but laugh at Noh Eunha's judgment.

"I thought she was going to recruit experienced players who could lead the clan. But I didn't expect her to recruit kids like that."

"How many years of experience do they have? They look young, is there any difference between them and kids just graduating from the academy?"

"So in the end, Noh Eunha is the only player representing the clan. How long can such a clan last?"

"The value of a clan comes from the players belonging to it. But what value does that clan have except for Noh Eunha?"

Industry insiders whispered.

Then the students who had been intimidated by Noh Eunha also started adding their words one by one.

Their whispers soon became a wave sweeping through the hall.

""""....""""

Noh Eunha, Jin Seona, Jin Parang.

And Yoo Namhoon, Yeo Woobi.

The five people noticed the atmosphere and their faces hardened.

Noh Eunha raised the corners of her mouth.

Jin Seona bit her lip.

Jin Parang even growled.

Nevertheless, people burst into laughter, taking advantage of anonymity and the advantage of being many.

Right at that moment─.

"─Ah, here you are! Eunha!"

Amidst people snickering.

Someone entered the cafeteria.

People's heads turned sharply.

""""...!!""""

The emotion that soon appeared on their faces was astonishment.

It couldn't be helped.

The three people walking down the path that people almost automatically cleared were quite well-known figures in the industry.

"When I asked Minji, she said you'd be here."

"Hi, have you been well?"

"Eunha, hello. But why are you here? Are you looking for someone?"

<Fairy > Noh Euna.

<Snow Window> Ryu Yeonhwa.

<Shadow > Han Changjin.

The three approached Eunha.

People couldn't take their eyes off them who had suddenly appeared.

""""....""""

Why, how.

How could these three people, who are expected to lead the golden age of Regulus Clan, appear here?

People couldn't help but question the appearance of the three.

It seemed Eunha felt the same, as─.

"─Why is noona here..."

"Why am I here? Of course I came to see you, Eunha."

He asked Euna in a dazed voice.

Then Euna answered him as if it was obvious.

Then she continued speaking.

Those words─.

"─Me, Yeonhwa, and Changjin. The three of us decided to join your clan. Is that okay, Clan Lord?"

""""...!!""""

Those words were enough to astonish people.

Once again, the industry was turned upside down.