Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: As I Please
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Chapter 66
Pattern smirked.
“Bring proof if you’re going to say that.”
“You’re right.”
What he’d just said was nothing more than suspicion, after all. Sure, the public image was that ‘those guys are totally capable of it,’ and Cooking Day was in that camp too, but there was no evidence either way.
“Are you done?”
Just as the argument between the two seemed to hit a lull, Yusung cut in.
“We keep showing you our embarrassing sides.”
Cooking Day bowed his head. But Pattern shot Yusung a glare instead.
“I’ve given you plenty of time to think.”
Was it because he was irritated from clashing with Cooking Day? His tone toward Yusung was growing sharper.
“There’s no need to agonize anymore. Let me reiterate that it’s rare for us to make this kind of offer to low-level players.”
“If you’re going to brag about it, then don’t bother.”
“Shut your mouth!”
“What’s it to you if I talk with a mouth that’s already open?”
Cooking Day shrugged and looked at Yusung.
“As serious advice: even if you don’t join our guild, I wouldn’t recommend going to those crib bastards. They’re the top scum among all the guilds in Arc.”
“Being hated by others means you’ve earned that much envy, which is the same as saying you have real ability.”
Faced with these two sudden options, Yusung pondered.
‘C.O.T.S seems better—they’re bigger and more famous.’
It’d be easier to raise visibility that way too. For now, Yusung consulted the strategy guide.
‘Which one’s better?’
【I recommend C.O.T.S.】
‘Why?’
【It’s more advantageous for raising visibility.】
As expected. But Cooking Day’s claim that C.O.T.S were scumbags stuck with him.
‘What’s that about them being scumbags?’
【It’s true that C.O.T.S’s behavior draws a lot of criticism from players.】
‘Compared to Hers Guild?’
【C.O.T.S’s notoriety is on a level where comparison isn’t even possible.】
‘And you still recommend them?’
【Yes.】
‘Hmm.’
He’d already been leaning toward C.O.T.S anyway. With the guide saying that, his mind was made up.
But their notoriety still nagged at him. Hadn’t that been one reason he’d backed off from another fight with Hers Guild? Reputation.
‘If the guide’s so sure, the visibility boost will outweigh any reputation drop.’
He’d have to accept a worse image among players than now.
Of course, without the “As I Please” option, Yusung would’ve joined C.O.T.S right away.
Even weighing everything, a level 30 getting invited to a massive guild like that was a rare chance.
No matter the reputation hit, the benefits would outweigh it. Wasn’t he leaning even more toward C.O.T.S now?
But there was the “As I Please” alternative.
‘The visibility difference isn’t that big.’
In that case, shouldn’t he compare other factors beyond just visibility, like he’d done so far?
“I’d like a day to think it over.”
In the end, he decided to get a bit more info from the guide, compare, and then choose.
Cooking Day nodded. A perfectly reasonable request.
But Pattern was different.
“…I said we’ve given you enough time already?”
“This is why guys with arrogance in their bones are…. Joining a guild isn’t trivial, so what’s wrong with one more day?”
Pattern glared at Cooking Day. But he’d been glared at plenty today alone. No, he’d been hostile from the first meeting, so it barely registered.
Even under Pattern’s threatening demeanor, Yusung didn’t back down.
“How should I contact you tomorrow?”
‘This guy’s got some real backbone.’
Cooking Day took a liking to Yusung. To calmly push his demand on someone radiating bad vibes like Pattern. Say what you will, Pattern was from that C.O.T.S.
But Pattern felt the opposite.
“…Same time, same place tomorrow.”
With that, he turned his back. Like he couldn’t stand being there a second longer, he walked away quickly.
“Man, what an asshole.”
Clicking his tongue at Pattern’s retreating back, Cooking Day turned to Yusung.
“Need any info? Like about our guild or the benefits of joining us?”
“I’m good.”
The guide would cover guild details. Benefits were nice, but compared to what Yusung prioritized, they’d be secondary.
‘Unless they’re handing out straight cash.’
Even then, they wouldn’t go that far for him. The guide agreed.
“Then think it over carefully. Like I said, I recommend against those bastards’ guild, but I can’t force you. I really do want to share a pot with you, so keep that in mind.”
Cooking Day flashed a friendly smile before leaving Yusung’s side.
* * *
After meeting Cooking Day and Pattern, Yusung dove straight into deliberation. Naturally, he held a black bread in his hand.
Chewing it methodically, he listened to the guide’s explanations.
After the overview, Yusung thought:
‘C.O.T.S are way more impressive than I expected.’
They had influence like a web across many cities and villages—but were also banned from just as many. Plus, they were hostile to tons of guilds.
‘Perfect for raising visibility.’
Infamy was fame too. If Yusung started seriously active with C.O.T.S, tons of people would pay attention to him.
Hostile attention.
But the entry bans in many cities and villages still bothered him. Hadn’t that, along with reputation, been why he didn’t pick another fight with Hers Guild?
The guide said using its info would minimize the downsides. Yusung agreed.
But joining another guild would solve that naturally, without needing the guide’s help.
‘As I Please.’
Not much of a guild name—truly as arbitrary as it sounded. But no name captured their essence better.
‘Way freer than other guilds.’
That really resonated.
Yusung couldn’t always be logged into Arc.
‘Gotta scout tech info sometimes. Mess up, and I might lose connection again.’
Considering that, the guild guaranteeing freedom looked better.
‘Alright.’
Yusung decided.
* * *
“…Could you say that again?”
Pattern said.
His tone was soft, his voice calm. But no one there thought his mind was serene.
‘Damn, impressive.’
Seeing Pattern’s twitching eye, Cooking Day marveled anew at Arc’s system. Replicating human emotions this well.
Pattern probably had that habit in real life too.
A fresh, pointless musing—but it showed how relaxed Cooking Day was right now. The opposite of Pattern.
Their contrasting reactions came from Yusung’s choice.
“I said I won’t join C.O.T.S.”
“…….”
As he’d asked, Yusung repeated it, but Pattern clamped his mouth shut. He’d heard it the first time. He just couldn’t believe it.
Cooking Day watched with schadenfreude.
He’d won the battle for Yusung.
He wanted to pour on the mockery and sneers like yesterday, but his mouth stayed sealed.
That arrogant prick had been rejected—unexpectedly, and lost to their rival guild, As I Please. He’d feel insulted. Toss mockery on top?
‘That’d start a real fight.’
Anyone hearing his thoughts might laugh at yesterday’s bickering then.
But yesterday was just guild rivalry nerves. They’d hit each other, but only as hard as the other could take. Testing limits.
Now, though? Pattern was too riled for even that. Best to stay quiet as a mouse.
‘Not sure if that’ll work.’
But no fight would break out right away. City guards would swarm. For Cooking Day, Pattern raging was actually better.
Still, no matter how arrogant, he hadn’t risen high in a giant like C.O.T.S on bluster alone.
His twitching fingers screamed he wanted to stab Yusung, but he never drew his spear.
“…You know what that means, right?”
“Of course.”
“Planning to join As I Please?”
“Yes.”
“…Understood.”
Yusung half-expected a barrage of curses, but Pattern just nodded silently and turned away.
No goodbye. He just left.
‘Tch, a good curse-rant would’ve been better.’
It might’ve eased that arrogant ego’s wound a bit. But Pattern chose quiet retreat. Passing on venting bit by bit.
Only one outcome then.
‘He’s bottling it up to explode all at once later.’
They’d just come to scout a promising talent, and now this headache.
But what’s done was done. He shook it off cleanly.
And it wasn’t over.
‘With things like this, we’ll have to take him into the guild….’
He recalled bragging to the guild master that he’d vetted Yusung’s personality and bring him in.
‘No choice. Couldn’t let those crib bastards snag him.’
Now he just hoped Yusung’s personality wasn’t prickly.
‘Hunt together a few days.’
Won’t fully know someone that way, but at least the surface stance.
‘Just be normal, Yusung. Normal.’
That’s what Cooking Day wished.
If Yusung turned out too toxic, they’d have to rescind the invite.
He’d compensate generously, of course. But after rejecting C.O.T.S, Yusung would likely rebel hard.
No helping it.
They couldn’t plant poison in their guild.