The Planner of a Quiet Revenge

“Ah, I see…”

Yu Se-rim nodded simply, as if he finally understood.

“The Fortress of Prophecy is a high-rank dungeon that even we cannot clear at our current level. It’s infamous—not a single Awakened has ever made it out alive.”

“…Is that so?”

“That is why I intend to collect as many artifacts as possible. I want to challenge it only once I possess enough martial power to ensure success. Along the way, I’ll continue to recruit excellent comrades, just like I did with you yesterday, Han Sol-ssi.”

“…”

I flinched at the word ‘artifact.’ This pendant my brother left me was undoubtedly one as well. And an incredibly powerful one at that.

I mean, returning to a year before my death? It was practically a cheat code.

I made sure the pendant was well-hidden beneath my clothes, unsure if Yu Se-rim had noticed its presence. After speaking, he gestured to the whip hanging at his waist and explained kindly.

“This whip is also an artifact. It senses monsters on its own, and it has several other skills attached to it.”

“…Incredible,” I said, glaring at the whip while feigning awe.

Right. If it weren’t for that whip, I might have stood a chance against him. Despite his slender build, once he held that weapon, he exerted a monstrous strength capable of hoisting creatures the size of houses.

“Occasionally, we find artifacts in dungeons. To prevent conflict, I mediate the distribution. However, more often than not, the artifact chooses its own master.”

After briefly explaining the party’s two goals—clearing the Fortress of Prophecy and gathering powerful artifacts—Yu Se-rim smiled brightly and looked at me.

“Now then… may I hear an explanation regarding the artifact you possess, Han Sol-ssi?”

Thump. My heart lurched so violently I worried the vibration would travel all the way to the pendant resting against my chest.

…This bastard. He knew I had one all along.

And yet he played dumb and didn’t ask a single thing until I was officially a party member? To be fair, in the previous timeline, he had taken my pendant once to inspect it before returning it. But this time, I didn’t want that thing anywhere near his hands. So…

“The artifact I have is…”

I pulled the ring from my pocket, hoping my expression wasn’t too stiff.

“It’s a Cursed Ring my brother left for me.”

“Aha. May I take a look?”

“…Yes. Go ahead.”

I didn’t mind if he took the ring. Yu Se-rim took it, examined it with a serious face for a few moments, and then handed it back.

“It’s a fine ring. Very useful for a Shaman.”

“Yes. I’ve been using it well.”

“But by any chance… do you have any other artifacts, Han Sol-ssi?”

His question was blatant this time. I shook my head. Surely he wouldn’t go so far as to search my person.

“I don’t. Were you looking for something in particular…?”

“Ah, well. The truth is, the reason we came to this village was because we felt the pulse of a powerful artifact.”

“I see…”

“Han Sol-ssi’s ring is certainly good, but it’s a bit different from the pulse I felt…”

So that’s why they were here a year ago, too. To confirm the pendant Seong-hun had left me.

“I wouldn’t know anything about that. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

“Not at all.” Yu Se-rim shook his head, his eyes crinkling into a smile. “I gained a better comrade instead, so it’s fine. It’s not as if our bond ends today.”

…Ugh.

I swallowed a curse at his nauseatingly smooth lines and offered an awkward smile. Pyo Yu-jeong glared as if she wanted to eat me alive, but I ignored her.

“Let’s stay here for the night.”

“Sounds good.”

After a full day of walking, we reached another village where we were greeted warmly. Yu Se-rim was a celebrity, after all. To the locals, I looked like an A-rank powerhouse simply by association, and the looks of envy were intense. I pulled my hood up, wanting to stay invisible.

As soon as I entered my assigned room, I pulled out a notebook and pen I’d brought from home and began drafting a plan titled: ‘Killing Yu Se-rim.’

[K.Y.S.R.]

I used initials in case the notebook was stolen. Then, I jotted down the major events of the coming year.

First, what I have to stop…

[1. Save Gyu-rim ssi]

In the second dungeon we visited—the ‘Temple of Frost’—I failed to finish off the final monster, and Gyu-rim died in my place. I have to prevent that at all costs.

[2. Find traces of Brother]

Yu Se-rim has no intention of helping me, so I have to do this alone. It feels daunting, but I remember all twelve dungeons we cleared over the last year vividly.

Maybe I can show off skills beyond my rank. Since I’ve cleared them before, I know the structures and weaknesses. I could use that information to increase my influence in the party.

Actually, leaving the party early wasn’t a bad idea either. If it weren’t for Gyu-rim, I’d probably finish the first dungeon and then exit the party while faking tears. But Gyu-rim weighed on my conscience. I decided to give it my all until the second dungeon was over.

But more than anything, I need to land a blow on Yu Se-rim…

I chewed on the end of my pen. Yu Se-rim’s weakness… I didn’t know one. But thinking back, I remembered there was one person he absolutely loathed.

Who was that guy again? Damn, my memory is fuzzy. I remembered the name was unique, but no matter how hard I bit the pen, the name of Yu Se-rim’s rival wouldn’t come. We had only met him once; he’d had a brief scuffle with Se-rim and vanished, only to die later during the ‘Lightning Spirit Sword Incident.’

That’s why his name and face were a blur. Back then, I was too focused on Yu Se-rim.

“I remember he had long black hair. The complete opposite of Yu Se-rim’s color.”

Unlike the silver-haired, purple-eyed Se-rim, this man had waist-length black hair and very unusual clothing.

“Ha… no, focus on the important things, you idiot.”

I tapped my temple, trying to recall more details, but failed. I did, however, make a quick note of the Lightning Spirit Sword Incident. It was essentially the greatest fraud case in history. Rumors spread that the sword could raise an Awakened’s rank, and thousands flocked north to find it, leading to mass chaos and murder.

The man had died then. I tucked the notebook deep into my shirt.

“We plan to enter a nearby dungeon today.”

The next morning, Yu Se-rim spoke up at the breakfast table. Of course, I knew exactly which dungeon it was.

[The Marsh of Silence]

Dungeons are often unnamed until the first clear, so Yu Se-rim didn’t know the name yet.

“It’s an unmapped dungeon. I heard no party has cleared it yet. A group of five B-ranks entered and were reportedly wiped out.”

The clinking of silverware stopped. Tension filled the air.

“Is it really okay to take a C-rank to a place like that?”

Hearing Pyo Yu-jeong’s poisonous remark, I suppressed a sigh. In the past, I would have been stung into silence, but not now.

“Well, I’ll just have to stick close to Se-rim ssi’s side. Ha. Ha. Ha.”

“What did you…!”

“Since Se-rim ssi is the strongest in our party, I’m sure he’s more than capable of protecting a mere C-rank.”

I teased her with words I didn’t mean, and her cheeks twitched with rage. She seemed to realize that the more she complained, the more attention Se-rim would pay to me.

“Yes. If things get dangerous, Han Sol-ssi, make sure you stay right by my side.”

Wait, what?

I only said it to annoy Pyo Yu-jeong, but Yu Se-rim’s serious acceptance of the idea caused her face to contort into a mask of pure fury.