103

Chapter 103 — A Night Away From the Sword

For the first time in several days, Subin had no reason to enter a dungeon.

That alone felt unusual.

His life since awakening had gradually become a cycle of training, hunting monsters, entering dungeons, collecting resources, improving his swordsmanship, and repeating the process. Even when he returned to civilization, there was usually another evaluation waiting for him, another request from the Association, or another powerful Awakener interested in testing his strength.

Tonight, however, there was nothing urgent.

No dungeon.

No monster.

No mission.

No sword trial.

Just dinner.

Subin arrived at the restaurant a few minutes before the agreed time.

It was a relatively quiet place in the city, popular among Awakeners and Association employees because it offered private rooms and good food without attracting the attention of the media. Since the awakening phenomenon had transformed society, restaurants near major Awakener facilities had become surprisingly important. Awakeners often had larger appetites than ordinary people, and many establishments had begun offering meals designed around high-calorie diets and mana-users' increased nutritional requirements.

Subin entered one of the private rooms and sat down.

He checked the time.

Five minutes remained.

He wasn't particularly nervous.

At least, that was what he told himself.

The door opened.

Han Yerin stepped inside.

She was no longer wearing her combat uniform. Instead, she had changed into a simple dark-colored dress with a light jacket over it. Her hair was tied loosely behind her, and without the spear, armor, and stern expression she usually carried during Association missions, she looked considerably younger.

Subin stared for a moment.

Yerin noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You were staring."

"I was thinking."

"About?"

Subin answered honestly.

"You look different."

Yerin's expression softened.

"Is that a compliment?"

"I think so."

"You think?"

"I'm better at fighting than compliments."

She laughed.

"That much is obvious."

She sat across from him.

For a few moments, neither spoke.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was different from the silence they shared during missions. During a dungeon expedition, silence usually meant both were watching their surroundings.

Tonight, there was nothing to watch.

Yerin picked up the menu.

"So, what do you normally eat?"

"Whatever is available."

"That's not an answer."

"It is."

"You became an A-rank Awakener and you're still eating like a university student."

"I was a university student."

"You're twenty-two."

"Exactly."

Yerin smiled and shook her head.

They ordered several dishes.

When the food arrived, Subin realized just how hungry he actually was.

Yerin watched him eat for a while before laughing.

"You really were hungry."

"I've been inside Greenfall."

"I know."

"You don't know how much food disappears when you're constantly fighting."

"You could have eaten at the Association."

"The food there is terrible."

Yerin looked offended.

"It's perfectly fine."

"You work for them. You're obligated to say that."

She laughed again.

The conversation gradually became easier.

They talked about the Association.

About the recent changes in dungeon activity.

About Awakeners who had become famous overnight after awakening powerful classes.

About the problems created by guilds competing for dungeon rights.

Subin listened more than he spoke.

Yerin eventually asked, "What are you planning to do?"

"About what?"

"Your future."

Subin paused.

"I want to become stronger."

"I expected that."

"I mean it."

"I know."

Yerin rested her chin against her hand.

"You're already one of the strongest A-rank Awakeners in the country. Maybe even the strongest among your generation."

"That's not enough."

"Because of your class?"

"Because of the sword."

Yerin looked at him carefully.

Subin continued, "When I first awakened, I thought becoming stronger was simple. Kill monsters, level up, obtain better equipment, learn better skills. But the stronger I've become, the more complicated swordsmanship has become."

"You've changed since Greenfall."

"How?"

"You used to look at every fight as something you needed to win."

Subin thought about that.

"Maybe I still do."

"No."

Yerin shook her head.

"You're more patient now."

Subin didn't immediately answer.

She was right.

Greenfall had changed something in him.

Not his ambition.

Not his desire to reach the peak.

But his understanding of growth.

He no longer felt the need to defeat everything merely because he could.

Some things were worth observing.

Some battles were worth accepting.

Some opponents were worth learning from.

And some conflicts weren't worth fighting at all.

"I suppose I've learned to distinguish between strength and waste," he said.

Yerin smiled.

"That's a very mature answer."

"I'm still twenty-two."

"Unfortunately."

Subin laughed.

The evening continued.

Neither noticed how quickly the hours passed.

Eventually, Yerin asked, "Why did you invite me?"

Subin looked at her.

"I wanted to have dinner."

"With me specifically?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Subin considered giving a clever answer.

He didn't.

"Because I like talking to you."

Yerin's expression softened.

"That's all?"

"For now."

"For now?"

"Should there be more?"

She looked away.

"You're impossible."

Subin smiled.

"I've been told."

Yerin lowered her voice.

"I like talking to you too."

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither looked away.

Then the restaurant door opened.

A waiter entered with the final dishes, completely unaware that he had interrupted a moment that neither of them quite knew how to handle.

Subin calmly moved the plate toward Yerin.

"Eat."

Yerin stared at him.

Then she laughed.

"You're terrible at romance."

"I wasn't trying to be romantic."

"That's even worse."

The evening ended naturally.

There was no confession.

No dramatic promise.

Nothing rushed.

Just two people who were beginning to become comfortable around one another.

Outside the restaurant, the city was still alive.

Awakener advertisements covered enormous screens.

Guild recruitment campaigns played on buildings.

News reports discussed dungeon incidents.

A group of young Awakeners passed by while talking excitedly about Subin.

"That's him, right?"

"The Sword God?"

"I heard he cleared Greenfall alone."

"He didn't clear it. He explored the A+ region."

"That's even crazier."

Subin ignored them.

Yerin glanced at him.

"You've become famous."

"I noticed."

"Doesn't bother you?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Fame doesn't make my sword stronger."

Yerin smiled.

"That's probably why people like you."

"Some people don't."

"That's true."

Her expression became more serious.

"Jae-hyun isn't going to stop."

"I know."

"He's the leader of one of the biggest guilds in the region. He has connections."

"Then he'll use them."

"And if he causes trouble?"

Subin looked toward the city.

"Then I'll deal with it."

Yerin sighed.

"You always make everything sound simple."

"Most things are."

"Human relationships aren't."

Subin looked at her.

"You're right."

That was one area where he had little experience.

Monsters were straightforward.

A monster attacked because it wanted to kill or defend territory.

A dungeon boss fought because it guarded something.

A sword opponent wanted to test his strength.

Humans were different.

People could smile while planning something else.

They could help him because they liked him.

Or because they wanted something from him.

They could become friends.

Rivals.

Enemies.

Lovers.

Sometimes all of those things could overlap.

Subin hadn't yet learned how to navigate that world.

But he wasn't afraid of learning.

---

The following morning, the Association building was unusually crowded.

Subin entered the training facility and immediately noticed the difference.

More A-rank Awakeners were present than usual.

Several guild representatives had also arrived.

At the center of the hall, Director Kang was speaking with a group of senior Association officials.

When he noticed Subin, he immediately waved him over.

"We need to talk."

Subin approached.

"What happened?"

Kang handed him a tablet.

"Three new dungeons appeared overnight."

Subin read the report.

One was in the northern region.

One had appeared near the western coast.

The third was unusual.

Its mana signature was changing rapidly.

"Rank?"

"Currently B."

Subin looked at him.

"Currently?"

Kang nodded.

"Initial scans suggest the classification may increase."

"Like Greenfall."

"Exactly."

Subin returned the tablet.

"Who is going?"

"We're sending teams to all three."

"Need me?"

Kang smiled.

"I expected you to ask that."

Subin shrugged.

"I want to know what changed."

Kang shook his head.

"No."

Subin raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"You've spent enough time in dungeons. For once, stay outside."

Subin looked genuinely surprised.

Kang continued, "The Association isn't going to rely on one person for everything. We're establishing a proper A-rank response team."

Several Awakeners nearby looked toward Subin.

One of them was a young woman with silver hair.

She was an A-rank mage named Choi Ara, whom Subin had seen during previous Association meetings but never spoken to directly.

She approached.

"So you're Subin Vans."

"Yes."

"I've heard a lot about you."

"Good or bad?"

"Both."

Subin smiled.

"That's usually how it goes."

Ara looked at the sword at his waist.

"You really don't use magic?"

"No."

"Not even basic reinforcement?"

"Mana reinforcement, yes. Magic, no."

She seemed genuinely curious.

"Then how do you survive against monsters with elemental abilities?"

"By cutting them."

Ara stared at him.

Then she laughed.

"You're serious."

"Very."

She looked toward Yerin, who had just entered the hall.

"He's always like this?"

Yerin answered immediately.

"Unfortunately."

Subin gave her a look.

Ara smiled.

"I think I understand why everyone finds you interesting."

Before the conversation could continue, another voice interrupted.

"Interesting isn't the word I'd use."

Lee Jae-hyun walked into the training hall with six guild members behind him.

The atmosphere changed immediately.

Subin looked at him.

Jae-hyun stopped several meters away.

"I'd call him dangerous."

Subin didn't respond.

Jae-hyun continued, "Director, if you're forming an A-rank response team, my guild should lead it."

Kang frowned.

"That's not your decision."

"Then let us participate."

"You can."

Jae-hyun smiled.

"Good."

His eyes moved toward Subin.

"And I assume he won't be joining."

Subin answered before Kang could.

"I haven't decided."

Jae-hyun laughed.

"Still arrogant."

Subin stepped forward.

"You keep talking about me."

"Because you're becoming a problem."

"Then stop talking."

The hall became quiet.

Jae-hyun's expression hardened.

One of his guild members moved forward.

Subin noticed the movement immediately.

The man was a B-rank Awakener with a heavy gauntlet on his right arm.

He looked angry.

"Watch your mouth."

Subin looked at him.

"Why?"

The man clenched his fist.

"Because—"

"Enough."

Jae-hyun stopped him.

Then he looked at Subin.

"We'll settle this eventually."

Subin nodded.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Jae-hyun turned and left.

Yerin approached Subin.

"You shouldn't provoke him."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"He started it."

"You still responded."

Subin smiled.

"I wasn't going to let him insult me."

Yerin sighed.

"You're impossible."

Ara, standing nearby, laughed.

"I like him."

Yerin looked at her.

"Don't encourage him."

Ara smiled.

"Too late."

Subin looked between them.

"You two know each other?"

"Association work," Yerin replied.

Ara added, "We've worked together on several dungeon operations."

Subin nodded.

Then Ara said casually, "Maybe I'll join your next expedition."

Subin looked at her.

"Why?"

"I want to see whether your sword really is as ridiculous as everyone says."

Yerin gave Ara an amused look.

"That's a dangerous invitation."

Ara smiled.

"I know."

Subin looked at both women.

For some reason, he suddenly felt that his life had become considerably more complicated after leaving Greenfall.

His swordsmanship was becoming clearer.

His strength was increasing.

His reputation was growing.

But his relationships were becoming much harder to understand.

And unlike monsters, these problems couldn't simply be solved by cutting them.

---

Later that afternoon, Subin entered the Association training hall alone.

He drew Simple Edge.

The sword remained ordinary.

His status appeared before him.

[Level: 40]

[Official Rank: A]

[Sword God Foundation: 100%]

[Personal Sword Path: 99.9%]

[Sword Intent: 97.8%]

[Weaponless Sword: 92%]

[Intent Transition: Refined Application]

[Boundary Cutting: Intermediate Application]

[Decision Transition: 42%]

[Decision Space: 48%]

[Adaptive Decision Loop: 50%]

[Environmental Flow Integration: 77%]

[Unified Flow: 31%]

[Sword God Class Evolution: 88%]

[Simple Edge Synchronization: 99.99%]

Subin looked at the final two numbers.

88%.

99.99%.

Neither bothered him.

He raised Simple Edge.

Then he noticed someone standing at the entrance.

Yerin.

She watched him quietly.

"You train even after dinner?"

"Yes."

"You're going to become obsessed."

"I already am."

She smiled.

"At least you're honest."

Subin lowered the sword.

"What about you?"

"I have a meeting."

"Then why are you here?"

Yerin hesitated.

"I wanted to see you."

Subin looked at her.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Then stay."

Yerin smiled back.

"Fine."

She sat at the edge of the training area while Subin resumed training.

For the next hour, she simply watched.

And for the first time, Subin's training did not feel like something he was doing alone.

Outside the training hall, the Association continued preparing for the three newly discovered dungeons.

Guilds were making plans.

Awakeners were competing for positions.

Rumors about Subin continued spreading.

Jae-hyun was beginning to move his pieces.

And relationships around Subin were slowly becoming more complicated.

The world had changed after the arrival of mana.

Subin had changed with it.

But the battles ahead would no longer be fought only against monsters.

Some would be fought against people.

Some would be fought beside people.

And some would begin with something far more dangerous than hostility—

feelings.