Memorize

Cha Seung-Hyun and Ban Da-Hee were both year 3 players. A comrade who had been through thick and thin for three years was just killed. The bond between Yoo Hyun-Ah, Cha Seung-Hyun, and Ban Da-Hee was well-known even in first life. Though he was trying his best to stay calm, his comrade had been murdered right before his eyes. Given his reputation as a guardian of his allies, there was no way he'd stay quiet.

My clan members and I stopped in our tracks toward the entrance and turned to look at Cha Seung-Hyun. Behind him, Yoo Hyun-Ah stared blankly at Ban Da-Hee's corpse, her mouth occasionally twitching as if she were in deep shock. I felt a strange sensation. Sure, Ban Da-Hee hadn't yet reached her full potential, but considering how she had once rampaged across battlefields like a true madwoman, it was hard to believe I'd killed her so easily.

Shing.

Something long was pointed at me. Setting aside my thoughts, I looked up to see a short spear in Cha Seung-Hyun's right hand. There was nothing particularly special about it—just a common spear with a sharp tip and a short shaft. But the cold, sharp aura emanating from its tip was undeniable. True to his future reputation as a martial god, he was already showing the qualities of a one-man army.

"Are you aware of the implications of your actions?"

"Shut your mouth, bastard."

"Put the spear away. I don't want to escalate this further."

"You've already caused a mess, and now you don't want to escalate? Cut the bullshit. You're showing the height of hypocrisy."

Cha Seung-Hyun's voice was low, but his words carried a thick, murderous intent that pierced our ears clearly. Noticing he'd dropped to informal speech, I considered doing the same but decided to keep my tone formal. Even the smallest detail could help secure a sliver of justification. So, I spoke in a calm voice.

"Have you forgotten who started this mess? Hypocrisy? Don't make me laugh."

"So you're saying Da-Hee was entirely at fault? And that's why you killed her?"

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to muddy the waters like that. This is Hall Plain. Whether someone was at fault or not, this was a situation where killing could be justified. If we're pointing fingers, she was the one who directly caused this."

"Even if Da-Hee attacked first, there's such a thing as basic human decency. You killed someone—my noona—just because she got on your nerves, and you expect me to understand and just stand by? This could've been resolved if we'd both taken a step back!"

Basic human decency? That sounded like utter nonsense to me. I could clearly feel the difference between these people from the first life and now. Hard as it was to believe, they were still more human than player.

"Couldn't hold back that little bit? We were in a position to compromise!" He continued. "For a moment, I thought you weren't completely unreasonable, but I was wrong!"

Another flaw in Yoo Hyun-Ah's group was the lack of someone who could think strategically. In a situation like this, they should've been trying to gain the upper hand, but they were letting emotions take over. It was almost impressive they'd survived three years under Yoo Hyun-Ah like this.

I tilted my head slightly and spoke.

"Didn't I already offer a compromise?"

"…"

Cha Seung-Hyun couldn't respond immediately. He opened his mouth but hesitated, clearly at a loss for words. His face began to flush red and blue. Seizing the momentum, I pressed further.

"I didn't ask her to kneel or do anything else. Just one sincere apology. And what did she say?"

"Ugh…"

"I gave her a chance. She's the one who kicked it away."

"Even so!"

Cha Seung-Hyun shouted for the first time. It wasn't just a raised voice—the resounding echo snapped Yoo Hyun-Ah's head up from staring blankly at the corpse. But she didn't seem to have regained her composure. Her vacant eyes suggested she was still reeling from the shock.

"Even so? So, the compromise you wanted was for us to back down unconditionally? Your so-called representative clan threatened the lives of year 0 kids, deliberately provoked one of the Top 10, and even attacked her. Then, when I asked to de-escalate, she spat in my face and swore to kill me. Should we have backed down after all that?"

"We tried to stop Da-Hee too!"

"I stopped Go Yeon-Joo once. Or rather, controlled her, to be precise. So, you're saying you couldn't control your clan members."

"…"

I could feel the bite finally coming. Sure, we could've let this slide without killing anyone, as Cha Seung-Hyun said, for the sake of morality. But when you break it down, we had the justification. His chest must be burning with frustration right now. He's furious—losing a cherished comrade and unable to even get a word in edgewise.

I heard the grinding of his teeth. His eyes were slanted upward, and his once gentle demeanor was twisted with rage. Still, he took a deep breath, forcing out a strained voice.

"Don't… twist things. It's true she threatened them, but Da-Hee… she didn't intend to kill those kids."

That's all he could come up with? I let out a mocking sneer. Seeing my reaction, his barely calmed face crumpled again. I glanced over to see Go Yeon-Joo yawning, as if the conversation was boring her. Of course, she was putting on an act too. She caught my signal instantly and played along perfectly—she looked especially charming today.

"No intent to kill, huh? Then what about provoking the Shadow Queen and attacking her? Was that not meant to kill either?"

"…"

He didn't respond. But I could see the spear in his hand trembling slightly as he gripped it tighter.

"That's some top-tier bullshit you're spouting."

"Bullshit?"

"Let me tell you why it's bullshit. The truth is, we didn't intend to kill that female player, Ban Da-Hee, either."

I paused for a moment. Go Yeon-Joo nodded a couple of times, as if agreeing, and picked up where I left off.

"Exactly. I didn't mean to kill that boar-like bitch either. Sure, I stabbed a dagger into her throat, but I absolutely didn't intend to kill her. It was just to scare her."

"Argh!"

Go Yeon-Joo's voice was smooth as silk. I wanted to say, 'That's why your words are bullshit,' but I had to quickly draw the Sun-Moon Divine Sword. Her words must've been the final blow. The moment she finished speaking, Cha Seung-Hyun let out a furious roar and thrust his spear at me. Before the spear's tip could reach me, a sleek, silver blade flowed from my waist like water.

Clang!

I blocked the spear's tip with the flat of my blade. A jolt strong enough to numb my hand traveled through the Sun-Moon Divine Sword. His spear was imbued with a blue-tinged mana.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Shut up! What the fuck do you know?! You killed Da-Hee, and now you're saying… saying…!"

It was as if all his suppressed emotions had exploded at once. Compared to the proud, dignified Cha Seung-Hyun from the first life, this felt a bit off. Still, I could understand. Back then, he had a solid foundation and was among the Top 10. A year 3 player isn't a rookie, but compared to that time, he was less mature—physically and mentally. And being under Yoo Hyun-Ah's command probably didn't help. I wasn't one to judge, though. When I lost Hyung and Han So-Young, I went mad for months.

"Ha!"

His rage seemed to consume his reason, and he swung his spear horizontally with a furious cry. A wave of mana poured from its tip, and I deliberately let it hit me. Of course, I had a plan.

"Shield of Reflect!"

As if answering my trust, Jung Ha-Yeong's spell burst forth. I didn't know the details, but she'd clearly prepared in her own way. I'd been worried she might use an attack spell, but thankfully, she cast a defensive one. When this incident came to light later, the fact that we used defense instead of offense would work in our favor.

A golden shield enveloped my clan members, blocking Cha Seung-Hyun's mana wave. Seeing the reflected waves bounce back, I leaped forward. By receiving his preemptive attack, I now had justification to kill him.

*

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sudden clash of metal snapped Yoo Hyun-Ah back to her senses. Turning toward the sound, she saw Kim Su-Hyeon and Cha Seung-Hyun locked in combat. She couldn't comprehend how things had escalated to this point. She tried to speak, but only a hoarse wheeze escaped. Her throat felt painfully dry.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

A small fragment of a spear, sliced clean, grazed Yoo Hyun-Ah's face. She reflexively turned her head and saw the neatly cut piece on the floor. As dry air filled her mouth, her throat felt parched. Swallowing hard, she let out a trembling breath.

"Haa… Haa…"

How long had they been fighting? Cha Seung-Hyun was drenched in sweat, desperately swinging the spear, its tip now severed. Mana streamed from the spear's end, and he wielded it with dazzling skill, attacking from all angles—but astonishingly, every strike was rendered futile.

Mercenary Clan Leader, Player Kim Su-Hyeon. Each swing of his sword effortlessly deflected Cha Seung-Hyun's desperate assaults. Yoo Hyun-Ah's vision was slightly blurry, making it hard to see clearly, but it was obvious Cha Seung-Hyun was at a disadvantage.

"No. Seung-Hyun, not Seung-Hyun oppa too."

Her mind was blank. All she could think was that she had to stop this fight. A foreboding sense told her she'd lose him too if this continued. Yoo Hyun-Ah desperately tried to move, but her exhausted body betrayed her. With a thud, she collapsed to the floor. As she propped herself up, a new scene unfolded before her.

"Haaah!"

Cha Seung-Hyun suddenly twisted his body, fiercely spinning his spear. Kim Su-Hyeon, who had closed the distance, couldn't dodge in time. The sharp spear blade struck at a blind spot in his path, slicing through his body. Yoo Hyun-Ah's eyes widened in shock. But…

"Ah…"

Kim Su-Hyeon's body was indeed split in two, yet no reaction followed. No blood, no guts spilled out. His form slowly dissolved into the air, and only then did Cha Seung-Hyun, realizing something was wrong, look around in a panic. And Yoo Hyun-Ah saw it—Kim Su-Hyeon, now behind him, raising a gleaming silver sword high.

"Ah… Ah… Aaaaah!"

Finally, Yoo Hyun-Ah's voice broke free. As if responding to her cry, Cha Seung-Hyun quickly tried to swing his spear backward, but—

"Arghhh!"

A scream of agony erupted from Cha Seung-Hyun as the arm gripping his spear shot into the air. Another silver streak surged toward his staggering neck. Seeing it, Yoo Hyun-Ah let out a wail of despair.

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