There are countless Traits in the Martial God's Book.
Among them, some Traits act as triggers for specific events, while others grow stronger upon completing events.
The Trait Yoo Baekjun was trying to acquire now belonged to the latter.
[Friend of the Ice Spirit (C)]
– A picky Ice Spirit has acknowledged you as a friend. Ice Spirits who see the mark etched on you will welcome your presence.
Is it a great Trait?
Absolutely not. At most, it just makes Ice Spirits approach you with affection.
But there are things you can only do with it.
"Phew, using 300 points on this?"
The points he had painstakingly gathered burned away, leaving him with just 100. The points were far too scarce.
The biggest problem was that there were so few ways to acquire more.
'I need to rank up the Martial God's Book quickly.'
In Heroes Road, there is a
'I can clear a Challenge now, but it's not very meaningful for me.'
Even if he cleared a Challenge, he wouldn't gain any points. But if he unlocked the Achievement system, he could gain points with every achievement earned.
'To raise proficiency...'
He needed to clear events related to the Martial God.
There were places in this world that still bore traces of the Martial God. Exploring such locations would allow him to raise his book's proficiency.
'The problem is the difficulty.'
Even the easy ones were ridiculously hard.
Still, there was one place where he might stand a chance. After finishing the Tears of the Snowfield event, and bringing along Master Han Seonga—
'It's doable.'
Yoo Baekjun calmly laid out his objectives.
First, clear the Tears of the Snowfield event.
Second, raise the Martial God's Book proficiency and unlock the
Third, acquire the Watcher's Eye.
'I'll be able to get the second one soon anyway. My father's going to send me to clear the Gate.'
He could pick it up nearby.
The third was in the Busan region. The location kept changing, so he'd have Choi Seungmin investigate it.
"When you've got goals, you get motivated. Good."
Yoo Baekjun rose from his seat.
It was now time to meet his former fiancée.
***
At the main gate of the Sword Saint Clan, a group of people had gathered. They were there to welcome visitors from the Magic Tower.
Among them stood Yoo Jungyeon.
"Where's Father?"
"He's gone to the underground training hall. We asked for his opinion, but he said he wouldn't come, so we were told to greet them ourselves."
"Well, that sounds like him."
It wasn't like the Lord of the Magic Tower was visiting.
And he wasn't the type to warmly welcome someone like that anyway.
Yoo Jungyeon scoffed quietly.
"Jin Seoyeon, Jin Seoyeon, huh…"
An unexpected figure.
"I don't know how long it's been. I don't think I've seen her since our youngest was in middle school, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"There's no real merit for the future Lord of the Magic Tower to come all the way out to a remote part of Seorak Mountain like this."
Jin Seoyeon had said she had something to explore in Seorak Mountain. But Yoo Jungyeon couldn't predict what that could be.
"…Well, I'll find out when she arrives."
Jin Seoyeon was meticulous about time.
She said she'd arrive in ten minutes—so she would, exactly on the dot.
Yoo Jungyeon decided to wait leisurely.
But—
"…Hm?"
That leisure was disrupted by the appearance of an unexpected person. Yoo Jungyeon frowned.
Someone from the family was walking over—with a woman attending him.
"Yoo Baekjun?"
Her youngest brother.
No one had mentioned he'd be coming.
"It's been a while, Elder Sister."
"..."
Yoo Jungyeon wore an awkward expression.
In the past, she might've at least pretended to smile and welcome him, but now her feelings were far more complicated.
'He used to be a useless little duckling I could just ignore. But now…'
Their father had his eye on him, and the entire clan was watching him with interest.
He had become a subject of concern.
'What am I supposed to do with him?'
Yoo Jungyeon sighed deeply and changed her expression. She greeted Yoo Baekjun with a smile.
"You're here, Baekjun. I heard you went to Seoul yesterday—did you enjoy the visit?"
"Yes, but it's nothing compared to the scenery of Seorak Mountain. I like it here more."
"That's good to hear. You used to be so desperate to leave this family though, didn't you?"
"Did I?"
Yoo Baekjun chuckled. It seemed like she was talking about the past, but there was a hidden sting in her words.
"I don't remember those days."
"…Well, I suppose that's possible."
Yoo Jungyeon's eyes briefly swept over Yoo Baekjun. Her gaze was chilling.
Yoo Baekjun clicked his tongue inwardly.
'This damn mess of a family.'
If it weren't necessary, he would've gladly left them all behind long ago.
Yoo Jungyeon turned to Han Seonga, standing beside her.
"He became your direct student, didn't he?"
"Yes, Lady Yoo Jungyeon."
"How amusing. When I offered several times, you didn't seem interested in following anyone."
"..."
Master Han Seonga was a skilled Hunter.
The fact that Ja Yeon had chosen and trained her spoke volumes of her talent.
That's why Yoo Jungyeon had extended offers multiple times—but she'd firmly refused.
'Guess she just couldn't stand me.'
Han Seonga looked unusually troubled. Yoo Baekjun stepped forward and stood in front of her.
"People's hearts change, don't they? Maybe she prefers me over you."
"…You say some amusing things."
A crack formed in Yoo Jungyeon's smile.
Those watching nearby held their breath. Was this really the Yoo Baekjun they knew—so bold and daring?
Han Seonga, beside him, looked flustered.
"Y-Young master, that's not something you should say…"
"Ah, that's just my own thought. Don't get the wrong idea—it's not what Master Seonga thinks."
"…Alright."
Yoo Jungyeon turned her head as if too annoyed to continue the conversation.
Yoo Baekjun casually looked ahead.
"Someone's coming."
"They're visitors from the Magic Tower!"
The guards alerted them that the guests were arriving. Yoo Jungyeon composed herself, and Han Seonga adjusted Yoo Baekjun's outfit.
"She may be your former fiancée, but it's been a while. You should make a good impression."
"Not sure if it'll make a difference, but thanks."
Yoo Baekjun waited for the main gate to open.
Soon, with a heavy creak, the massive doors began to open.
Beyond them, a group of people appeared.
"They're here."
They wore robes bearing a distinct emblem—a giant tree—symbolizing their affiliation with the Magic Tower.
'The World Tree from the Magic Tower.'
The World Tree had appeared with the Gate and stood alone in the middle of the ocean.
The Magic Tower was built on top of it.
'The World Tree produces vast amounts of mana, and the Magic Tower uses it for training.'
It could be seen as parasitic.
But since many groups coveted the World Tree, the Magic Tower also served as its protector.
"Like a plover bird…"
"Sorry? A plover bird?"
"No, never mind."
At the head of the Magic Tower delegation walked a small-framed woman.
She entered the estate and pulled back the hood covering her face.
And her face was revealed.
"Ohh…"
"That's…"
Those watching couldn't help but exclaim.
It was only natural—Yoo Baekjun himself could confidently say she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life.
'No wonder players kept chasing after Jin Seoyeon… Her looks, seriously…'
Pale, voluminous hair, flawless skin, sharp feline eyes.
Her beauty was overwhelming.
"It's been a while, Seoyeon."
Yoo Jungyeon stepped forward with a smile. Jin Seoyeon gave a small nod, expressionless.
"First time since last year's conference? You look healthy, good to see you, Unnie."
"My health hasn't had any reason to decline. But you—you've gotten even prettier, haven't you?"
"Really?"
Yoo Jungyeon smiled warmly. Jin Seoyeon remained expressionless but responded smoothly.
It was the typical polite exchange.
Yoo Baekjun sighed inwardly.
"..."
"Hm?"
That's when Yoo Baekjun and Jin Seoyeon's eyes met.
No, to be precise, she looked at him.
In those emotionless eyes, a flicker of curiosity appeared.
"There's someone I haven't seen in a while."
"Ah, yeah. Originally, I was supposed to greet you alone, but he came along for some reason."
"Really…"
Her blue eyes locked on Yoo Baekjun. They were bitterly cold.
And they were observing him.
'Ex-fiancée, huh. This is a first. What am I supposed to say in a situation like this?'
Yoo Baekjun hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak casually. They were supposed to have been close.
"It's been a while, Seoyeon."
"…Seoyeon? Informal?"
Was that wrong?
Jin Seoyeon was twenty-two. A year older than him. But they were supposedly close as kids, so he figured they'd spoken informally.
"…Noona?"
"Noona?"
She wasn't reprimanding him or anything, but she kept repeating what he said.
Jin Seoyeon tilted her head.
'Are they really ex-fiancés?'
He thought she'd look at him with some lingering emotion, but there was nothing like that.
If anything, her gaze was colder.
'Ex-fiancée? Childhood friends?'
'Don't look at me, I'm just relaying what I saw…'
Yoo Baekjun shot a glance at Han Seonga, silently complaining. They didn't look like they had any chemistry at all.
'Why did it have to be my ex-fiancée?'
Heroes Road's story didn't always flow the same way.
Every character acted like a real person, so the butterfly effect often changed the storyline.
'Still, this is a bit unexpected. But not unbelievable. The Sword Saint Clan and the Magic Tower have had ties for a long time.'
A political engagement wasn't out of the ordinary.
The problem was judging how distant their relationship was.
Yoo Baekjun sighed.
This was a pointless concern.
"You came to Seorak Mountain to find something, right?"
"…Yeah."
Jin Seoyeon opened her palm.
Ssshh. Mana flowed out and transformed into a cold ice crystal.
"I want to cultivate the new power I've acquired. I want to gather mana in the coldest, harshest part of Seorak Mountain."
"So, you came to train."
Jin Seoyeon nodded.
He already knew that much. And he also knew exactly where that extreme cold was.
"You'll need a guide."
"Right. Someone who knows Seorak Mountain well, someone from the Sword Saint Clan."
Yoo Baekjun looked at Yoo Jungyeon.
"Who was supposed to be the guide?"
"I don't have the time myself, so we planned to send someone from the clan who knows the mountain well."
"May I go instead?"
"You?"
Yoo Jungyeon looked slightly surprised.
"You don't know Seorak Mountain that well, do you?"
"You know I like books, right? I know a place in that extreme cold."
"…Are you sure?"
She looked skeptical.
But she glanced at Jin Seoyeon just in case—
Nod.
She nodded as if to say, "Go ahead." With the person making the request nodding like that, there wasn't much she could do.
Yoo Jungyeon sighed.
"Well, do as you like."
"Thank you."
Yoo Baekjun bowed lightly. A deep smile hung on his lips.
'Things are going smoothly.'
The place he planned to guide Jin Seoyeon to was related to the Tears of the Snowfield event.
He had a good feeling things would go well.