NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
“Right now, these moments are what create the future.”
I encountered this phrase in a book I can barely remember now, and it resonated deeply with me at a time when I was thoughtlessly passing my days.
As a college student wasting my days away without a care, this sentence provided me with a significant realization. It was also my first motto, something I had never had before.
From the context of the book, I recall that it meant not to sacrifice the present for the future—thinking thoughts like “I’ll do it later” or “I need to prepare for later”—but rather to live fully and enjoy every moment.
This phrase, which had carved itself deep into my heart, didn’t disappear just because I unexpectedly fell into another world.
Waking up in a completely different realm with a body that had inexplicably regressed ten years, I still put my best into what I could do and enjoyed my new life.
Of course, it wasn’t as if there were no perks at all. Seeing my stats grow steadily with every effort I made filled me with pride, and once I was able to fully utilize my unique traits, I began to move beyond being just “a nameless mercenary of the Adventurers’ Guild.”
Remembering that I had always preferred to observe from behind rather than take the lead, I pooled my resources to create a secret organization that could sway an entire nation. Watching it grow filled me with satisfaction.
As I enjoyed every moment in the continent of Arcania, I decided I had done everything I could, and thought it was time to find a quiet place to relax.
That was when I discovered the reason for the “Quest” window, which until then had seemed utterly pointless.
[Status Window]
[Name: Ryu Yeong]
[Title: Leader of the Black Shadow Guild]
[Class: None]
[Stat Points: 0P]
Strength: 85
Agility: 87
Magic: 46
Luck: 10
Stamina: 83
[Trait: Teleportation]
[Quest: *Main (1)]
“Phew.”
Checking my status window, I was even more acutely aware of my situation.
Until now, the [Quest: *Main (1)] item had always been marked as [Quest: Inactive]. Initially, I thought it would activate someday, but after years passed with no change, it faded from my memory.
And now, it surprised me like this out of nowhere.
“Then, does this mean I haven’t even really started?”
Once the quest was activated, the mysteries I had pondered began to unravel one by one.
Even though we were a group known for straying quite far from justice, I was the leader of an organization. So, the reason why my class was displayed as “None” or why my “Stat Points” always read 0 came into focus.
“It’s no wonder my luck never increased, no matter what I did.”
It seemed that what the status window referred to as “class” wasn’t an actual job but rather a “class” like ‘Warrior’ or ‘Mage’ commonly found in games.
So, was it a system where stats like luck and ‘class’ could only be obtained through quests?
“Should I be happy about this?”
Despite my motto being about enjoying the present and doing my best, it was hard not to feel deflated when I realized I had been goofing around for the past ten years.
Moreover, the first main quest that appeared after a decade was enrolling in the academy.
I couldn’t accept it with a cheery, “Wow, finally starting!”
Looking at this line, it felt like there was no other choice available.
The Black Shadow Guild.
While not a name widely known among the entire populace of the continent, anyone with even a sliver of awareness about the underworld had likely heard of it.
One day, they appeared out of nowhere and rapidly gained power at an alarming rate, becoming an organization strong enough to warrant concern at a national level.
There are many reasons why the Black Shadow Guild could grow so swiftly, but the most significant was due to its founder and leader, Ryu Yeong.
Truly, aside from his closest associates, he remained a mystery to his fellow members, keeping his identity and abilities under wraps.
Although primarily known for his swordsmanship, Ryu Yeong was reputed to possess remarkable skills in magic, especially in elusive teleportation magic, making him famous for completing even the toughest missions.
As the leader of the guild named after the black shadows, the exploits of the “Black Shadow” could fill books with its exaggerations, but the most notorious incident was undoubtedly the “Dragon Heart Theft Case.”
The O’Neil Kingdom, having secured the heart of a dragon, stored it in a vault known for its top-notch security, where the Black Shadow Guild stealthily broke in and stole it.
Astoundingly, the O’Neil Kingdom didn’t even notice any signs of intrusion until days later when they realized the dragon heart had vanished.
The reason they suspected the Black Shadow Guild as the culprits was because they found a wooden figure resembling a dragon and a card labelled ‘Black Shadow’ at the theft site—something a child could make better, they thought.
This incident catapulted the Black Shadow Guild into fame across the continent, and their leader, known for bringing in the dragon heart single-handedly, became even more renowned.
After that, it became a trend that whenever a theft occurred, similar trinkets would be left at the site in a mocking jest.
And the dragon heart they stole back then was serving a significant role in controlling the heating and cooling in the leader’s office at the Black Shadow Guild.
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m enrolling in the academy. But isn’t this dragon heart losing its chill? Have I used it for too long?”
“The dragon heart isn’t a consumable that breaks down after prolonged use… But wait, the academy? What did you say?”
“I’ve already said it three times!”
In the office of the Black Shadow Guild’s leader, Ryu Yeong’s personal secretary, Eddie, lifted her gaze to the dragon heart radiating mana from the ceiling and took a deep breath.
Beyond its role in regulating the temperature in the leader’s office, the dragon heart also hid the entire Black Shadow building from prying eyes, shining brilliantly in its task.
“Phew.”
Until now, the leader, or rather, “the great leader,” had made many peculiar comments, but what he was saying now transcended absurdity—it was downright mind-boggling.
“Why?”
“Um…”
As Eddie swept her hair back, she struggled to process the leader’s words rationally. He was unconventional and at times unpredictable, yet he was also a thoughtful individual.
“I can’t help but wonder why I have to do that…”
“…Huh?”
“For everyone’s well-being, I suppose. If I get into Crescent Academy, then we can all be well.”
“Are you being threatened by someone?”
“Um, well, it is a threat…”
Eddie furrowed her brows, contemplating who could possibly have the means to threaten the leader of the Black Shadow Guild, but the answer didn’t come easily.
“Couldn’t we manage it with someone like Grand Mage Willian?”
And even if he was being threatened, the Ryu Yeong he knew would not simply comply with a perpetrator’s demands.
No matter how he looked at it, everything felt odd and suspicious.
“Anyway, it’s Crescent Academy. I need you to arrange a suitable identity for me to participate in the entrance exam.”
“Are you talking about the Crescent Empire?”
“Yes.”
“Why Crescent of all places…?”
“I don’t know, but it’s the largest and most prosperous country, right? It seems like a place where stories are likely to unfold.”
Eddie let out a sigh, bemused by Ryu Yeong’s playful attitude as she found herself answering his question.
The Ryu Yeong depicted in tales like the “Dragon Heart Theft Case” or the “Red Night of the Kingdom” had a cold, sharp, and ruthless image, but in reality, he was nothing like that.
Instead of the typical menacing figure one might expect from a leader of an organization involved in theft, kidnapping, infiltration, destruction, or even assassination, Ryu Yeong was surprisingly light-hearted and cheerful.
He accomplished what needed to be done with thoroughness, sometimes displaying a leader’s disposition as well.
Thus, Eddie, who had been with Ryu Yeong since the formation of the Black Shadow Guild, was gradually coming to accept what he said.
Even though it made no sense, and she couldn’t even begin to guess the reason, she felt confident that the Ryu Yeong she knew wasn’t someone to throw himself into absurd situations.
After all, the incident where he stole the dragon heart with the declaration “I found the perfect air conditioner for my office!” inadvertently acted to save the O’Neil Kingdom, even if they were completely unaware of this fact.
Moreover, if it were a joke, he should have stopped by now, but seeing him dead serious about asking her to find an identity confirmed his sincerity.
“I found out that the entrance exam is in two days.”
“…I see.”
“So, can I count on you for that ID by then?”
“Sigh.”
“But isn’t it a good thing? I notified everyone that I wouldn’t be taking any requests for a while.”
“…Is that really why?”
“Absolutely not.”
Eddie seriously contemplated whether or not to believe him, but in the end, it didn’t matter.
Once Ryu Yeong made a decision, he stuck to it no matter what.
“The Crescent Empire might be a bit dangerous.”
“Huh? Why?”
“There’s quite a hefty amount on your head.”
“Me? In Crescent?”
“Yes. While the entire nation isn’t likely to be on high alert like the O’Neil Kingdom, the Petra Duke’s family is probably still on the lookout since you robbed them last time.”
“Oh, right. But no one knows my face, right?”
“True, but there’s always that ‘what if.’ Plus, I hear the third daughter of the Petra Duke has peculiar tastes…”
“Oh, I see. By the way, can I ask for a favor while I’m away?”
“Like what?”
“Act as the acting leader. You do a great job at it. Just wear something that shows off your figure like last time, and if word gets out that the leader is a woman, even if I’m in Crescent…” (Ryu Yeong )
Bang!
“… I won’t get caught, right? Ugh.” (Ryu Yeong)
Before Ryu Yeong could finish his thought, he saw Eddie storm out while slamming the door, her expression a mix of embarrassment and anger.
“Phew. Maybe I should take a world tour before getting tied up in the academy…”
As Eddie left, Ryu Yeong rose from his seat, pondering how to spend the next two days before the official start of his quest.
Just yesterday, he had been frustrated about the sudden quest, but now he was changing his mindset.
Well, since it’s started, he thought he might as well enjoy it.