nChapter 10 – What People Live By (2)

n“Did something good happen?”

n“No, does it look like that?”

n“Yes, you keep smiling. Do you have a boyfriend?”

nJi Hayeon smiled at her secretary’s inquiry.

n“Look, you’re smiling again.”

n“It’s nothing.”

n“Suspicious…”

nJi Hayeon looked down at her phone. The recent call log displayed one unsaved number. She pressed the Save Contact button instead of just staring at it. The name was Raven…no, delete. She recalled the strange pronunciation that emerged from his mouth.

nIan. Jung Ian. That was his name.

nShe had met the man called Jung Ian a long time ago.

nIn the past, she had visited the Middle East for a business meeting when she was kidnapped by an international terrorist organization. Having the heir of a huge company as their hostage was a useful bargaining tool for them.

nHer eyes had been covered and her limbs were bound for several days. The only thing she could hear was the Arabic language and gunfire. She managed to soothe her burning throat with lukewarm water and pieces of bread. She tried not to let go of the string of hope.

nIt was a strange voice that saved her.

n“Ji Hayeon, is that correct?”

nAfter incredibly loud gunshots were heard, the door opened and she unbelievably heard someone speaking Korean. The cloth covering her eyes was released. Even though she was blinded from not seeing light for a long time, she tried to look straight at the owner of the voice.

nThere was a man wearing black tactical gear and holding a rifle.

n“I have come to rescue you.”

n‘Hostage secured (English).’ He said into the radio. Thanks to the call over the radio, she was able to figure out the man’s name.

nRaven. The man was called Raven.

nAfter being rescued by him, strangers from all over the world surrounded her. While escorted to the tactical helicopter, she trembled from a habitual fear. Were they really here to save her, or were they another criminal group? The painful hours of being held hostages sparked an obsessive fear.

nAs she looked down from the helicopter, she saw a battlefield.

nOne of the soldiers saw her pale complexion and spoke to the man called Raven, who then looked at her. He removed his helmet and goggles.

nThat single moment was engraved into Ji Hayeon’s mind.

nShe never imagined that he would have such a gentle appearance. It was difficult to associate the fierce soldier with the gentle man. His kind eyes tried to reassure her while his clothes were covered with the enemy’s blood.

n“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”

nShe felt relieved as the man smiled at her.

n“From now on, I’ll protect you.”

nHe made her feel at ease. She started crying as all of her tension was released. The other soldiers heckled the man as he approached and awkwardly patted her shoulders.

nAfter returning to the base camp, mercenaries and officials dispatched from the Myeongsong Group were waiting for Ji Hayeon.

nJi Hayeon tried to express her gratitude, but she couldn’t see the group of soldiers anymore. Nobody knew exactly who they were. Both her father and the chairman, Ji Eunchul, had sought out the best experts.

nThere was a rumor that they were a special unit from the UN, or that they were secretly run by the United States of America. There were even rumors that they were the private forces of a huge international group.

nIn particular, everyone was reluctant to talk about the man called Raven. Raven was seen as an incomprehensible demon or ghost, who was rumored to have been able to shoot the target in the forehead without making a single sound.

nEven Chairman Ji Eunchul didn’t know the exact truth.

nShe made a strong request and was able to briefly meet him before returning to South Korea. Ji Hayeon handed a note to Raven that contained her phone number.

n“Please get in touch if you come to South Korea. I want to pay back this favor.”

nHe just gave her an ambiguous smile.

nSince then, she had never forgotten his face.

nTime passed. As the successor of the Myeongsong Group, every single day was busy. She thought of him whenever she was having a particularly hard day. Was he still fighting in foreign lands? She wondered if he was saving someone in distress like her.

nThen today, she received a strange number on her personal mobile phone. Only a few people knew this number. She almost didn’t answer as she thought it was a wrong number, but then an unknown feeling grabbed her. Once she answered the phone, she heard a soft voice that revived the old memories.

n-Hello.

nShe was able to tell at once. It was him.

n─Is this Ji Hayeon?

nI am Raven.

nShe wanted to know why he was calling her but it was a minor matter. It was nothing really, something very trivial. To her, the problem would be like stepping on an ant. The ant would be stuck to the sole of her shoes.

n“What are you doing now?”

n–I own a café.

nJi Hayeon couldn’t help exclaiming. A café. It was a place that seemed to fit him. A quiet and warm place.

nWhen he said that he was sorry for bothering Ji Hayeon, she wanted to tell him to contact her at any time. However, she hesitated. She had never once chased after a man, but she couldn’t afford to be proud now.

nJi Hayeon suppressed the laugh in her voice and said,

n“I’m sorry but you’ll have to pay me back.”

n–How?

n“That…”

nShe suggested like it was a trivial matter.

n“Where is the café?”

nThus, she was able to find out the location of Café Reason. She also found out that his name was Ian, not Raven. Jung Ian, such an ordinary name. She discovered that he had a pretty younger sister who attended university, and that there was a problem because of her.

nHe was a person who lived an everyday life. She felt a little closer to him.

nJi Hayeon wrote down each word on a memo and then handed it to her secretary.

n“This…?”

nCafé Reason. Jung Ian. Jung Yiyu. A prestigious university. Several words seemed to be written randomly. The secretary looked at her.

n“I want to know all of the information related to this.”

n“I understand.”

n“If the café is doing good business, the sister’s grades, the house where they live, the growth process, everything about their family.”

nThen she added like she had forgotten.

n“Oh, and the man at the bottom. He seems to be a nouveau rich person, so just push the problem away.”

n“Yes.”

n“Do not let that man do any harm to Jung Ian.”

n“I understand.”

nHer secretary grinned.

n“This is my specialty.”

nJi Hayeon walked to the window. The building overlooked the entire city.

nThis was the headquarters of the world-renowned Myeongsong Group, the leading corporation in South Korea after launching Elder Lord. Ji Hayeon smiled quietly as she watched the scenery outside.

n***

n“You don’t look so good.”

nIan’s eyes opened at Hoyt’s words.

n“Keep your composure. Any agitation in the heart will be revealed on the flesh.”

nHoyt was a warrior introduced by Lenox.

nGrom said it would be difficult for him to connect for a while because he was busy. Therefore, Ian went to Lenox alone, who gave him a new mission.

nHelp the warrior Hoyt.

nHe was able to meet Hoyt at the entrance to Orcrox Fortress.

nHoyt was blind in one eye. He was a bald orc with a big scar and some tattoos across his face. He also sported a black eyepatch for his blind eye. Ian was nervous, as Hoyt’s weapon was also a fearsome hammer.

nHowever, after sharing a few words with him, Ian found out that Hoyt was a calm warrior.

n“Have you done something that you don’t want to regret?”

n“How do you know that?”

n“Inexperienced warriors reveal their emotions on their faces.”

nHoyt paused for a moment. They had been walking east through the sea of trees. Hoyt was heading to a small town.

n“If you have a weakness, never reveal it. Your shaky mind can lead to impatience. If I were an enemy, I’ provoke you to run at me like a raging bull, and then I would take advantage of the large gap in your defense.”

n“Yes…”

nIan nodded. Hoyt’s face distorted as he grinned.

n“One day, you’ll meet an enemy stronger than you. However, never show any sign of weakness and always look for a way to escape or to win.”

n“Why?”

n“Your fear is a strength for the enemy. It’s the same with animals. As soon as you cower, you will become the prey, instead of the hunter. If they see your weakness, they will gain strength and try to trample on you.”

nIan nodded.

nThe world of Elder Lord was really mysterious. Each NPC seemed to have their own philosophy. This world seemed more real than reality. Ian learned more in Elder Lord from Lenox, Grant, and Hoyt than he did from reality.

n“Then what about this expression?”

nIan had a mock confident look on his face.

n“That’s worse.”

n“Why?”

n“Isn’t that a face that’s asking to be hit?”

nThey burst out laughing.

nIan eventually had to use an old relationship due to the problem at the police station. He was strong, so he hadn’t felt good about relying on someone else. However, he forgot about all of that after connecting to Elder Lord and meeting the orc warrior.

n“What will we be doing?”

nLenox only told Ian to help Hoyt.

n“That…I’ll let you know when we arrive there.”

nThey walked together and dealt with the occasional monster. Ian encountered goblins and direwolves, but he easily faced them. Hoyt defeated them casually.

nGrant, who had repelled the werewolf, didn’t seem to be a match for Hoyt. He was a great warrior and would need to be hit by a really high level user. He pointed to Ian’s greatsword.

n“Your swordsmanship is aimed to deal with humans or elves, right?’

n“That’s right.”

n“You’ll need to act a little bit differently when you’re dealing with monsters that aren’t humanoid. Move more freely and believe in your instincts.”

n

nYou have been taught by the experienced warrior, Hoyt.

nThe accumulated battle experience and Hoyt’s teachings have combined together and Greatsword Technique (Common) has evolved.

nGreatsword Technique (Common) has been upgraded to Orc’s Greatsword Technique (Uncommon).

nYour level has risen.

n

nStatus Window

n‘Friend of Farmers’ Ian, Orc Apprentice Warrior

nLevel: 4

nAchievement Points: 80

nAssimilation: 55%

nAbilities:

nOrc’s Strength (Common)

nOrc’s Recovery (Common)

nOrc’s Greatsword Technique (Uncommon)

nWarrior’s Fighting Spirit (Uncommon)

n

nHis skill was upgraded and his level rose. Ian felt like his greatsword was lighter all of a sudden, and the large sword moved along his desired trajectory. Hoyt smiled at the sight.

n“Always think. Don’t just repeat the actions like you do in the training drills. Think about what is more efficient and move.”

nIan had also heard this from his martial arts instructor, Baek Hanho. Did the creators of Elder Lord invite real martial arts practitioners to ask for advice? Ian nodded energetically.

n“Thank you for your teachings.”

n“It’s nothing. The duty of a warrior is to lead young orcs.”

nThey left the forest. As the thick trees covering their field of view disappeared, walls could be seen from far away.

n

nA free city where anyone can stay, Anail is the city of dreams.

nYou have moved beyond the territory of the orcs for the first time. 10 achievement points have been acquired.

n

n“Is this the first time you are seeing it?”

n“Yes.”

n“You’re a rural orc.”

nHoyt chuckled.

n“This is the free city, Anail. It’s a neutral city where any species can freely come and go.”

n“Then are there other species present?”

n“Of course.”

nIan had never seen another species in Elder Lord, as he had only seen the orcs in Orcrox Fortress. There would be other users here. What would the humans, elves, and dwarves look like? Ian’s steps became faster.

nA human was guarding Anail, the free city.

n“Hello.”

n“I am alive.”

nIan was disappointed.

nThe guards of Orcrox Fortress stood firmly like stone statues. The orc watchmen who were difficult to approach! But Anail’s guards looked like swindlers. This one draped his leather armor on a spear and leaned against the wall. He looked at Ian and Hoyt with a bad expression.

nThe guard signalled to open the gate.

n“Well, go in. Orcs, go and don’t cause any trouble.”

n“Thank you. Stay alive.”

n“It sounds like you’re wishing for me to die. Are all orc greetings so weird?”

nThe guards started exchanging gossip about orcs. Ian’s face wrinkled, but Hoyt’s expression didn’t change.

nThus, Ian and Hoyt entered Anail, the free city.

nThe composition of the city was very poor compared to Orcrox Fortress. The scale wasn’t so big and there were many poor houses that seemed on the verge of collapse. There were also poor people begging for money. The orc farmers’ cabins looked like wonderful mansions compared to the houses here.

nHoyt laughed at Ian.

n“You still can’t control your facial expressions.”

n“Ah…”

n“Compared to Orcrox, it isn’t a great place. It was originally a place where the fugitives of each species gathered.”

nHumans, dwarves, and gnomes could be seen. Their appearance wasn’t as nice as he imagined. They looked like the commoners in medieval movies. However, the beauty of the elves was extraordinary.

n“Come along.”

nIt was a free city but orcs couldn’t be seen. Ian and Hoyt received a lot of attention as they headed to a house in a corner of the city. It was a small and old house. Hoyt stopped.

n“This place…?”

n“Wait.”

nHoyt frowned.

n“Something is happening.”

n“What…?”

nHoyt pulled out his hammer.

n“Prepare your sword.”

n“Huh?”

nHoyt opened the door and entered the house. Shouting was heard from inside. Ian also entered with his greatsword. However, the situation ended without Ian having to help. A woman and two children were trembling in a corner, while the three human men threatening them were instantly subdued by Hoyt.

nHoyt stepped on one of them and asked, “Were you sent by Derek?”

n“Kuock…that’s right.”

n“Didn’t he say he would wait?”

n“The promised time has passed! Thompson ran away!”

nOne of the children shouted instead of Hoyt, “No! My father didn’t run away!”

nHoyt chased out the men, who left while glaring at Hoyt.

n“Damn orc bastard… Interfering again…”

n“Don’t think that you’re safe! Derek will kill you!”

nHoyt nodded.

n“I will be ready.”

n“Let’s see, dirty orc!”

nThe men ran away. The children ran forward and hugged Hoyt. It was strange to see human children being held by an orc, but it was sweet. The woman who seemed to be their mother approached Ian.

n“Are you Hoyt’s friend…?”

n“Yes.”

n“Thank you for your help.”

nShe bowed deeply. Ian didn’t know the situation so he looked over at Hoyt. He laughed and called Ian outside.

n“You must be wondering what is going on.”

n“That’s right. How do you know them?”

nHoyt explained the situation.

nThere was a man named Thompson, who was Hoyt’s friend. One day, Hoyt barely won after fighting some human bandits and was in a critical condition. He barely reached this place, but no one tried to help an orc.

nHowever, the man called Thompson helped Hoyt. He sprinkled a lot of potions and took him home for treatment. Thompson and his family nursed Hoyt for a while. Therefore, Hoyt owed a life debt to Thompson.

nThompson and Hoyt became close friends.

n“Thompson is a trader. At one time, he was the master of a good company, but he was betrayed by his business partner. While his partner’s betrayal was due to his nature that cannot feel doubt, that very nature also allowed him to survive.”

nThompson dreamed of a resurgence. Thanks to his old customers who remembered his personality, he was able to get another opportunity. His only problem was the issue of money.

n“In the end, he borrowed money from Derek. At first, Thompson thought he was a pure investor, but he found out that Derek was just an unscrupulous loan shark.”

nThompson believed Derek and made the deal, but Derek suddenly turned around and demanded high interest. Thompson couldn’t refuse Derek. In the end, Thompson accepted Derek’s demands and left for a distant land.

nThe promised date with Derek was three months. Before leaving, Thompson had asked Hoyt for a favor. He would come back, so be sure to protect his wife and children until he returned. Hoyt believed him and waited.

n“…When was that?”

nHoyt laughed bitterly.

n“Four months ago.”

n“……”

n“It’s already been over a month. Derek and his men started harassing the family, even before the deadline passed. They were going to make the missus a prostitute and sell the children as slaves.”

n“Dirty…”

n“I stopped by Orcrox to visit Lenox and something like this happened again.”

nThen a girl ran out.

n“Uncle Hoyt! Uncle I don’t know! It’s time to eat!”

nA young boy held onto Hoyt’s clothing, as if he liked it very much. Hoyt smiled and the child laughed as he saw an orc’s smile.

n“Enter first.”

n“Yes! Come quickly! Let’s eat together!”

nIan smiled at the children’s bright gazes. He was reminded of Yiyu when she was young.

n“Is there a chance that an accident happened to Thompson…?” Ian asked.

n“It’s a possibility, since he had to travel through a dangerous place.”

n“What will you do if he doesn’t come back?”

n“…It doesn’t matter if Thompson doesn’t return.”

nHoyt pointed to his face.

nTattoos were covering half his face. Orcs who were recognized as a warrior had tattoos engraved on their body. They contained the beliefs of a warrior and had the power to strengthen the warrior.

n“Thompson saved my life and is my friend. He believed in me and left his family in my care.”

nHoyt’s eyes were strong.

n“A warrior never forsakes one’s faith.”

nFaith. How long had it been since he last heard this word? In addition, the person said it with such strength. Compared to this orc, real human beings were ugly.

n“So, young orc, will you help me?”

nIan stared into Hoyt’s eyes and nodded.

n“Yes, I will do my best to help.”

nIan firmly bumped fists with Hoyt.

n