Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Rival Guild Scouts
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Chapter 65
The opponent who, along with money, could guarantee the attention Yuseong craved most. Naturally, Yuseong couldn't help but feel favorable toward him.
Pattern noticed the shift in Yuseong's attitude. He chuckled inwardly.
'As expected, he knew.'
It was only natural. Who in Arc wouldn't know their guild, one of the largest and most famous in the world? No one playing Arc could be that clueless, especially not someone running their own channel and streaming.
'Unless they're from another world entirely.'
Of course, as Yuseong himself had admitted, his information was a bit outdated.
It irked Pattern that Yuseong hadn't recognized him immediately, but he was here to recruit. No need to show his annoyance.
"You seem to know who I am."
"Yes."
"Then I'll skip the complicated explanation of our guild."
His tone assumed Yuseong already knew the basics. Yuseong nodded. It was a guild he'd never heard of before, but he could get the details from the Strategy Guide later.
"Let me get straight to the point. Why don't you join our guild?"
The words were an invitation or proposal, but his tone and demeanor radiated absolute confidence that Yuseong wouldn't refuse.
'Level in the 30s, right? Any player at that level would be grateful.'
Honestly, Pattern was against recruiting Yuseong, or more precisely, annoyed by it.
'Why scout a low-level scrub like this?'
Of course, he knew some info on Yuseong. Especially that his physical prowess was on a level unseen even among Arc's top players—impossible to match.
But still, only level 30.
'Since when did we start personally fetching lowbies like this?'
Wasn't C.O.T.S the guild that most Arc players idolized and clamored to join?
'We could've scouted him after he grew up.'
Plus, Pattern doubted Yuseong would ever reach their level range. Insane physicals were just potential—they didn't guarantee success.
'Sure, with that physical, he'll scrape by fine.'
That was it. To Pattern, already a success, Yuseong was just another bottom-rung player with an uncertain future.
'If we wanted to scout him, just send a notification.'
He'd heard Yuseong couldn't be reached personally. Didn't check mail or anything.
'Then send someone else—why me!'
That was what pissed Pattern off most. He saw himself as important in the guild, yet here he was running errands.
He didn't care why the guild had sent him personally for this lowbie.
But he wasn't stupid. Annoying as it was, it was an order from above. Botch the recruitment, and the blame was all his.
No need to be overly friendly, but no need to be rude either.
Purely business.
'I'll grab a drink later.'
After logging off—quiet bar or wild club to blow off steam? Pattern pondered.
The idea of Yuseong refusing never crossed his mind. C.O.T.S was that prestigious.
And as expected, Yuseong was leaning heavily toward accepting.
'This is the right call, yeah?'
Hadn't he turned down all those other invites just to join a famous guild? The opportunity was right here.
'I thought it'd take forever.'
The gap between Yuseong and top guild players was huge. He'd never even glimpsed players tied to major guilds.
Hers Guild barking loud in Berhill was mid-tier; Silareremit was a step up.
"Can I take a moment to think it over?"
Pattern nearly grimaced, making his business-like resolve look foolish. Think? Did this idiot not grasp the golden opportunity?
But Yuseong had his reasons.
'Still, I should learn a bit about the guild first.'
Not much—just the basics from the Strategy Guide.
"...Go ahead."
Pattern barely managed his usual tone. But he added one line.
"But you should realize just how lucky you are."
"I'm not so sure about that."
It wasn't Yuseong who replied. A sudden voice made both turn.
Their reactions differed. Yuseong tilted his head at the stranger.
Pattern's face twisted in deep displeasure he'd tried to hide.
"You...!"
"Long time no see? Out playing without mommy and daddy—impressive. Finally weaned off the tit?"
"You bastard!"
Yuseong watched the sudden brawl unfold.
'Hmm, that's an insult, right?'
He mulled over the intruder's words.
Yuseong didn't get it, but it felt like a novel scene mocking the guy by comparing him to a child.
【It's a bit more complicated than that.】
'Complicated?'
【The Center of the Sky guild usually calls themselves C.O.T.S. for short. Reading the acronym as 'Cots'—and 'cot' means a child's bed. So other players insult C.O.T.S. members by comparing them to kids.】
'Like saying they're immature brats who sleep in cribs?'
【Exactly.】
'Humans really diversify their insults when there are enough of them.'
He'd only read about it in books—never thought he'd see it live.
Intriguing as it was, he couldn't just spectate.
"Who are you?"
The man mocking Pattern with kid jabs—acting casual despite Pattern looking ready to draw his spear—finally turned to Yuseong.
"Whoops! Should've introduced myself first. Got a trigger-happy brat who might never grow up, you see."
"Cut it out, Cooking Day. You trying to get stabbed?!"
Pattern growled, gripping his spear shaft. But Cooking Day didn't see it as much of a threat.
'Cooking Day?'
Wasn't "cooking" the English word for cooking? Yuseong's curiosity spiked.
"Save the empty threats. They're not scary at all."
Even high-level players couldn't fight in the city. Pattern agreed, lowering his hand from the shaft. But he still glared murderously at Cooking Day.
"You here to scout Yuseong too?"
"Why should I answer you?"
Pattern snapped irritably, but Cooking Day had already decided.
"Figures. You spineless corpses dragging yourselves here to scout one low-level player."
He'd considered rivals—worst case, major guilds—might show.
'But didn't expect crib babies to care.'
Meant Yuseong's talent was that impressive. Cooking Day felt validated, a bit proud.
But only briefly.
'Trouble if these guys muscle in.'
Cooking Day mocked Pattern one-sidedly, but he didn't underestimate C.O.T.S. Far from it—he was hyper-vigilant.
Freestyle was a powerhouse too, but C.O.T.S. always ranked in Arc's top guild contenders.
Pattern was a standout even in that powerhouse. Cooking Day, regrettably, wasn't combat-suited.
But he had to achieve his goal.
"First, allow me to introduce myself, Yuseong. I'm Cooking Day, from Freestyle Guild. I'm here to scout you."
'This guy's recruiting too?'
Yuseong had gotten tons of invites, but never overlapping ones. Still, Freestyle didn't appeal.
'The famous guild I wanted is here—no need for this one.'
But he asked the Strategy Guide about Freestyle anyway. The answer surprised him.
【Freestyle Guild ranks among Arc's elite.】
'It's famous?'
【Yes.】
Famous guilds lining up to recruit him.
'How's it stack up to C.O.T.S.?'
【Freestyle is much smaller, fame similar but C.O.T.S. edges it out slightly.】
'I see.'
On paper, C.O.T.S. seemed better. But Yuseong didn't decide yet.
He valued guild fame for the attention boost.
If a less famous guild offered more spotlight, he'd pick that.
'And that Cooking Day name intrigues me.'
As Yuseong pondered, the bickering resumed.
"Hmph. Join a small-time guild like Freestyle, and that amazing physical of yours goes to waste."
"Better than your toxic cesspool, no?"
"Didn't expect even you to whine like the losers."
"Whine? Everyone knows this already. And we're small by choice—not lacking talent. We cull anyone who doesn't meet standards to keep quality high. Unlike some bloated trash heap that grew by scraping the bottom."
"Numbers and size are power. Spouting 'we're the good guys'? You still believe in Santa?
And toxic trash? Did we break real laws? Not telling us not to PK or loot in-game, right? If so, pin a gold badge on or something. Enemies can be allies—I'll charity-vote you. Oh, but the 'it's just a game' excuse got wrecked since Arc blew up, huh?"
"Even in a game, you lot are way worse. Plus..."
Cooking Day's gaze turned suspicious.
"Not sure you really follow the law either."