It was the first weekend since enrolling.
Since it was a day off, she had wanted to go downtown with Do Gyeonu to get some fresh air and have fun, but.
Unfortunately, he had another schedule, so they couldn't spend the time together.
It seemed there was a Noble House Gathering for the swordsmanship noble house students to build solidarity.
‘This is the moment I realize it every time....’
Whenever Do Gyeonu occasionally left for clan-related matters, she truly felt it.
That unlike her—born not knowing who her parents were, abandoned at an orphanage, having lived as a social outcast—he lived in a different world.
He was a person of the noble house.
He was even of the Shingeom Do Clan, one of the Ten Great Houses that reigned above all noble houses.
It was only because he didn't reveal his background that she sometimes failed to realize it, but originally, this wasn't a relationship close enough to become such childhood friends.
"...."
Contrary to appearances.
She and Do Gyeonu were not equals.
The only reason this relationship appeared equal was entirely because he accommodated himself to her.
If his heart changed, it was a relationship that could be severed at any moment.
She could not resist.
Because the worlds they lived in were different.
The five years that had allowed them to deeply know each other and consider one another a part of their lives sometimes felt as fleeting as a dream.
‘Don't abandon me....’
Whenever she woke from that sweet dream and became aware of the bitter reality.
Yeon Haneul would fall into a depression she couldn't tell anyone about.
The anxiety that Do Gyeonu might overturn his attitude and cast her aside made her dig a pit in her heart.
When she couldn't control her emotions, wicked thoughts would come to mind.
Better yet.
‘I should tie Gyeonu up tight in a room so he can't go anywhere and keep him.’
she thought.
Putting handcuffs on his wrist and hers and holding on until death.
No, even after death.
‘Maybe I should study black magic while I'm at it.’
She could understand why black mages were so obsessed with research on souls.
Yeon Haneul harbored wicked thoughts.
It was purely imagination, nothing more.
She was well aware that if she let her desires explode, it could become a social problem.
The assumptions she feared were merely assumptions to begin with.
The five years they had spent held meaning, too.
He had given her the trust and conviction that he would never leave her from the moment they first met until now.
So she wouldn't waver.
"Besides, how could that guy live without me."
For no reason, her mood improved.
A smile bloomed on Yeon Haneul's face as she hugged a rabbit doll resembling Do Gyeonu and rolled around on the bed.
Soon she sat up.
"I can't just stay in my room because it's the weekend. I should go out for a walk."
Stopping by a convenience store to buy strawberry milk on the way back didn't sound bad either.
It was a reward for herself.
Having perked up, Yeon Haneul tried to get ready to go out.
That was when a knock sounded.
"Yes, who is it?"
"Haneul, it's me! Your lover!"
"Eunbi?"
Go Eunbi's voice came from beyond the door.
Yeon Haneul dragged her slipper-clad feet to the door.
She opened the door to let Go Eunbi in.
"Eunbi, what's up?"
"I was bored staying in my room, so I came to hang out! What were you doing?"
As soon as she entered the room, Go Eunbi hugged Yeon Haneul and rubbed her face against hers like a puppy.
Now accustomed to her skinship, Yeon Haneul felt ticklish but carefully stroked her.
Her long rabbit ears twitched and bounced as if feeling good.
"I was going to go out to get some fresh air because staying in my room feels suffocating. And while I'm at it, buy some strawberry milk...."
"Haneul, you like strawberry milk? I'll buy you a whole box of strawberry milk and chocolate milk from Akamarket, so will you come live as my hug-pillow forever?"
"Huh? Really? Should I?"
"Yay! A pillow to hug while sleeping—score!"
"Score? What is that... kyaa!"
Thud!
Before she knew it, Yeon Haneul fell onto the bed, caught by Go Eunbi's technique.
Go Eunbi climbed on top of her and showed off the handiwork she had been hiding.
Unable to overcome Go Eunbi's technique, Yeon Haneul squirmed and twisted her body.
Laughter burst out from the tickling.
"Ugh, Eunbi, that's enough!"
"You want me to stop? Gyeonu isn't here; I can't stop here! Yeon Haneul! You won't be going home today!"
"Th-this is my rooom...."
Go Eunbi had been touching Yeon Haneul all over and pinpointing the sensitive parts.
She could boast that she knew her weak points far more intimately than Do Gyeonu.
Ignoring her pleas, Go Eunbi honestly indulged her desires and roved all over her body.
"Whew.... Today was fruitful, too."
"Ah...."
After the round of horseplay.
Go Eunbi swiftly wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.
Having completed her mission, she wore an expression of refreshment.
Meanwhile, Yeon Haneul, sprawled limply on the bed, had complicated feelings.
‘Already... it's over?’
Though she had struggled on the outside, Yeon Haneul had secretly been enjoying it inside.
But because Go Eunbi arbitrarily stopped before she could fully enjoy it, she was left feeling empty.
It was clearly a situation she should consider fortunate, yet strangely, she felt unsatisfied and regretful.
"Haneul, did it feel good? I'm good, right?"
"...."
Go Eunbi was the one lying beside her, pleased with herself and giggling.
Yeon Haneul found her terribly detestable.
‘Gyeonu doesn't do this.’
She ended up comparing them anyway.
Do Gyeonu didn't touch her roughly; he handled her with delicate, precious hands as if she were a work of art.
And as if casting some sort of magic, even the brushing sensation was so intense that her body trembled.
Moreover, he was manly with large hands, and his fingers were pretty and long....
‘...and firm.’
When her thoughts reached that point, dissatisfaction reared its head in her heart.
She was annoyed at the giggling Go Eunbi.
Yeon Haneul resolved to get revenge.
"Hyah!"
"Kyaa!"
Yeon Haneul sprang up from the bed and mounted Go Eunbi.
The situation had reversed from moments ago.
"H-Haneul...?"
"You're the one who lit the fire in me, Eunbi."
"W-wait, let's talk this out!"
"You're also the one who came into my room."
"Kyaa, d-don't!"
"You should experience the same thing."
The offense and defense had switched. Round two.
It wasn't just Go Eunbi who had been touching her all this time; Yeon Haneul had also been touching her whenever she had the chance.
In other words, just as Go Eunbi had figured out Yeon Haneul's weak points, Yeon Haneul had likewise figured out Go Eunbi's.
Yeon Haneul pressed down on her stomach with her hips so she couldn't escape and moved her hands splendidly.
Just as she had tasted the sensation of incomplete combustion, she intended to let her body know it too.
She resisted, but it was no use.
She couldn't overpower the tall Yeon Haneul.
Even if she manifested her internal mana, the result wouldn't change.
When it came to handling mana, Yeon Haneul was overwhelmingly superior.
She couldn't possibly stop her, who had enrolled as this year's top student in the magic department.
"Hngh...."
"You don't have to hold back. Just accept it."
In the end, Go Eunbi had to be toyed with in the exact same manner she had dished out.
No, even worse.
Because there were no onlookers, Yeon Haneul had gone on a rampage.
"Hyah!"
But Go Eunbi was resilient.
Not fully surrendering to pleasure, she watched for an opportunity and sought a reversal.
Using Yeon Haneul's strength against her, she reversed their positions.
It wasn't a difficult feat for her, who aspired to be a Ranger.
"Hyah!"
However, Yeon Haneul didn't just take it lying down either.
This time, she in turn pinned Go Eunbi down onto the bed.
And so the horseplay to take the top from each other repeated.
The two rolled across the bed.
"L-let's stop now...."
"I-I give up too...."
Before they knew it, time had passed.
The two lay sprawled on the bed, completely drained of energy.
They no longer had the strength to horse around.
They stared blankly at the ceiling and caught their breath.
"Haneul, what did we just do?"
"Yeah...."
Once their breathing steadied and they regained their composure, the emotions that hung over them were emptiness and an inexplicable sense of self-loathing.
They spent a brief while in silence.
"Didn't you say you were going for a walk earlier?"
"Yeah. And buying strawberry milk."
"Want to go out after a short rest?"
"Yeah, let's. Rest for about ten minutes...."
"What should we eat for dinner later?"
"I wonder...."
Until now, unless something special came up, they had usually eaten dinner with friends.
But today, it looked like the four of them—those two, Gang Hanbyeol, and Bak Sagun—would be eating together.
Because Do Gyeonu, the triplets, Yong Haerang, and Min Arin had all attended the Noble House Gathering.
It seemed Risa also had a social gathering with people from the Grace Empire.
‘Come to think of it, Eunsol said she was attending the Noble House Gathering too....’
Yeon Haneul suddenly thought of Cha Eunsol, whom she had become close with during the entrance exam.
After the exam, she had kept in touch with Cha Eunsol from time to time.
According to a recent message from Cha Eunsol, it seemed she was also attending the Noble House Gathering.
Since she had been thinking of meeting her for dinner on a weekend without Do Gyeonu, she couldn't help but feel disappointed that it wouldn't happen.
On the other hand, she had been surprised to learn this.
‘That Eunsol was a person of the Sunhwan Cha Clan....’
The Sunhwan Cha Clan, the foremost noble house in the Spirit Arts.
She never imagined that Cha Eunsol would be from the Sunhwan Cha Clan, one of the Ten Great Houses.
She, too, was someone who lived in a different world from her.
Yeon Haneul couldn't help but be startled when she first realized that fact.
In any case, Yeon Haneul, who hadn't been invited to the Noble House Gathering, had to settle dinner with those in the same situation.
‘Though it wasn't that she hadn't been invited at all....’
Just one.
There was exactly one gathering she had been invited to.
It was a social gathering for those sponsored by the Shingeom Do Clan to build camaraderie.
Since the overseeing clan was the same, the venue was the lower floor of the hotel where the Noble House Gathering was being held.
However, due to her shy nature, she didn't want to attend the social gathering—where there would be many strangers—alone.
Had Do Gyeonu been there, perhaps.
‘...Gyeonu will probably eat dinner there, right?’
He really was a childhood friend she felt empty without.
She missed Do Gyeonu after just a few hours of not seeing him.
"...."
I want to see him.
Having thought that far, Yeon Haneul opened her mouth.
"Eunbi."
"Yeah, what? Did you think of what to eat?"
"Want to go eat... I mean, see Gyeonu?"
"Gyeonu? How are we going to see him? Isn't he attending the Noble House Gathering right now?"
"They say the Shingeom Do Clan's social gathering is happening right below it. If we go there...."
"But I'm not sponsored by the Do Clan. Can I attend?"
"You can attend as my companion. Or should I ask Gyeonu?"
"There'll be a lot of good food there, right? I'm in favor! If you're going to ask Gyeonu, how about asking if we can bring Hanbyeol and Sagun too?"
"Yeah, I'll text him."
"Haneul."
"Yeah?"
"Are you that happy? Your face is glowing."
"...I don't know."
* * *
As befitting those of a swordsmanship noble house who took pride in their blades, it was rather insufficient to simply wander around chatting and laughing.
Those who wield swords must converse not with words, but with blades.
Moreover, the main purpose of this Noble House Gathering was the smooth integration of freshmen and seniors.
It was to cultivate a sense of community.
It could be said that a unity gathering where members of the swordsmanship noble house showed off and praised each other's abilities inside a Gate aligned perfectly with that purpose.
"The unity gathering preparations are complete. We shall guide you."
Here, in the basement of the Regulus Hotel, an artificial Gate was installed.
The unity gathering would take place inside it.
I, who had formed even a slight connection with the students of the swordsmanship noble house, headed down to the basement to participate in the unity gathering.
But my thoughts drifted elsewhere.
‘Haneul said she's coming to the social gathering, what's this about....’
Just a moment ago, I had received a message from Yeon Haneul.
It was a message saying she wanted to attend the Shingeom Do Clan's social gathering with Go Eunbi, Gang Hanbyeol, and Bak Sagun.
Knowing her personality, it was quite unexpected for me.
Wanting to suddenly attend a social gathering; I didn't know what wind had blown.
‘It was definitely Eunbi who egged her on.’
The only assumption that came to mind was that one.
Given Go Eunbi’s outgoing personality, it made sense.
In any case, since I had no reason to refuse, I gladly accepted Yeon Haneul’s request.
*‘If things go well, I might be able to see her.’*
The Divine Sword Sect’s exchange meeting was being held at this hotel as well.
Finding an opportunity to slip out of the Famous Family Association to see Yeon Haneul wouldn’t be too difficult.
Thinking that lifted my spirits.
*‘After talking about nothing but swords for hours, I bet Haneul wants to pinch my ears.’*
She was a childhood friend whose absence left me feeling empty.
That must be why they called her a childhood friend.
Feeling that emptiness at her absence, I soon found myself standing before the artificial Gate.
*‘Yellow, huh.’*
The artificial Gate was already active.
After confirming the dimensional color, I soon stepped through the Gate.
[You have entered the Gate.]
[Yellow: Plains of Bison I]
Bison.
They referred to large, horn-headed monsters resembling buffalo.
They were savage and ferocious beyond anything an ordinary buffalo could compare to.
[The clear conditions are as follows.]
[Subjugate the Blood Bison holding the Gate Key.]
After clearing the message from my view, I looked around.
Sure enough, various types of bison could be seen here and there across the grass-covered plains.
*‘Since it’s a Yellow Gate, the highest-ranked specimens that appear should be 3rd Rank.’*
I was far enough from them that they showed no immediate signs of attacking.
Still, I couldn’t let my guard down.
To be able to draw Guncheong Sword at any moment, I rested my hand on the scabbard at my waist.
It was then that Do Sieun activated the microphone with the attendants’ help.
[I shall explain the Unity Gathering.]
Do Sieun spoke in a calm tone.
The crowd’s attention focused on her.
[The only monsters that appear in this Gate are of the bison family. We will be hunting them. Do as you please with the byproducts you obtain. The Divine Sword Sect will not claim ownership over any byproducts from this Gate. Ownership of byproducts belongs entirely to the individual.]
Not even collecting the artificial Gate’s usage fee—this was nothing if not a generous offer.
Moreover, it was a Yellow Gate where magic stones from 3rd Rank monsters and equivalent byproducts dropped.
The students exclaimed as if their appetites had been whetted.
[I trust you’ve all checked the Gate clear conditions. Among the bison, there is an entity called the Blood Bison corresponding to 3rd Rank. It is a Field Boss that appears when the number of monsters in the field drops below a certain threshold.]
“….”
[The Unity Gathering will end when the Gate Key drops from one of them. So until then, I expect you all to fight hard and kill as many monsters as possible. Fight freely, whether alone or in a party.]
Since it was intended to build camaraderie.
Excessive competition had been excluded from the Unity Gathering that Do Sieun had planned.
Thanks to that, the students could enjoy themselves purely while receiving rewards according to their performance.
Smiles formed at their lips.
Not long after that.
[Then let us begin the Unity Gathering. Everyone, take care not to get hurt.]
After Do Sieun finished with the precautions.
The Unity Gathering finally began.
The students present drew their swords and ran out into the plains to hunt monsters.
On the other hand, I held my position.
Well.
“Sorry, did you wait? Let’s start hunting bison too.”
“It’s been a while since I fought alongside you, Noona.”
“Right. Is this the first time in five years? Let’s do well like we did back then.”
Since I had decided to form a party with Do Sieun.
She drew Suyeon Sword.
And I drew Guncheong Sword.
* * *
The clan overseeing the Spirit Arts Famous Family Association was Sunhwan Chaga, one of the Ten Great Clans.
The role of guiding the Spirit Arts lineage students and representing their collective will naturally belonged to the people of Sunhwan Chaga.
Because of this, Cha Eunsol, the direct descendant of Sunhwan Chaga, had been dragged here by the clan’s people and forced to attend the Famous Family Association against her will.
“The people arriving now are from clans that share close ties with our family. So don’t offend them needlessly, and try to maintain close relationships.”
“Yes, Brother. I will.”
“Yes….”
For someone who hated bothersome matters, this was nothing if not depressing.
She even had to follow the third-year representative around and receive training as a representative.
Of course, she had no intention of becoming one.
Sunhwan Chaga did not expect her to fulfill the role of a representative either.
She was only listening as a formality; a different person had already been chosen to serve as the first-year representative.
From the start, she hadn’t even been the top-ranking entrant of the Spirit Arts lineage.
“Eunseo, learn well. Eunsol, just familiarize yourself.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Yes….”
A collateral branch member of Sunhwan Chaga, Cha Eunseo.
She was the one who had entered the Spirit Arts lineage as the top student.
Though her standing was lower than that of the direct line, Sunhwan Chaga planned to make her the representative in place of Cha Eunsol.
She was not unaware of those intentions, which was why she tried hard to learn.
But her existence was nothing more than a substitute.
Merely a formal representative for managing members and handling external affairs.
The people who came to greet them all showed interest not in her, but in Cha Eunsol.
“Hello, Senior. I am Cha Eunseo….”
“Eunsol, long time no see. We met once before; do you remember?”
“Hello. But who are you?”
“Ah… you don’t remember. Well, we only exchanged a few words back then. Then let’s consider this our first meeting. I’ll formally introduce myself. I am….”
“….”
The way people treated Cha Eunsol and Cha Eunseo was vastly different.
Even before the difference between direct and collateral lines, it was because Cha Eunsol was fundamentally special.
Every spiritist possessed the innate qualities known as spirit affinity and resonance.
The quality of being loved by spirits.
She had been born with that quality in overwhelming measure.
It would be no exaggeration to say it was to a degree that no spiritist currently alive could even conceive of.
“Ack! My Water Strider…!”
“…Hello?”
“….”
Just by breathing, Cha Eunsol attracted spirits as if bewitched by pheromones.
So much so that even spirits contracted to others flocked to her.
To that extent, the quality she possessed was of a completely different dimension from that of other spiritists.
She was the true genius.
With such a girl right beside her, people’s attention naturally couldn’t help but focus on Cha Eunsol.
*‘It was expected. Don’t mind it….’*
Cha Eunseo, constantly compared to Cha Eunsol, was on the verge of tears.
But she desperately tried to compose herself.
She had experienced this since childhood—no, for as long as she could remember.
They were the same age, and had always been compared within the clan.
“….”
Taking on all sorts of tasks in place of Cha Eunsol, who lazed about.
Being regarded as her substitute.
These were not things of just a day or two.
So she had to resign herself and accept it.
Until she died, and for the rest of her life.
*‘…Don’t be jealous.’*
It was an inescapable fate.
Cha Eunseo gritted her teeth.
It was then that the third-year representative spoke.
“Huh? Where did Eunsol go?”
“Ah… you’re right. I’ll go find her.”
Cha Eunseo snapped back to her senses.
While she had been lost in thought, Cha Eunsol, who should have been beside her, had disappeared.
Suppressing her annoyance, she quickly looked around.
Since she only needed to find where spirits were gathered, she located her without difficulty.
She approached Cha Eunsol.
“What are you doing here?”
“Yum? I’m eating because I’m hungry.”
With food piled on her plate like a mountain.
Cha Eunsol was munching away with her mouth full.
It was an appearance far from dignified, unbefitting someone from Sunhwan Chaga.
Cha Eunseo was simply dumbfounded.
Sighing, she spoke.
“Stop eating and let’s go back. There are still many people we need to greet.”
The third-year representative was waiting.
She had to fulfill her proper role as a member of Sunhwan Chaga.
Cha Eunseo tried to gently coax Cha Eunsol into leaving.
Then, after gulping down her food, Cha Eunsol suddenly asked.
“Can’t you just do it alone?”
“What?”
“You’re the representative, not me, anyway. They don’t need me, right?”
“….”
Cha Eunsol tilted her head with an innocent face.
She went “Yum,” and took another bite.
“I want to do that too….”
*But everyone shows interest in you, not me.*
Cha Eunseo desperately held back the words trying to leap from her mouth.
Her face contorted.
*‘Do you know how I feel?’*
Cha Eunsol, worshipped as a genius, would never understand.
The feelings of one born mediocre, who could only become a top student through hard work.
*‘You’ll never know.’*
She must not hope for her understanding.
Hoping for it was a luxury.
Cha Eunseo was reminded of that again and again.
“Yum yum, it’s delicious. Haneul asked me to eat with her, I should have just brought her along… What a shame.”
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss