Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Western Flower
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“Hello. They call me Western Flower.”
The heavy-armor player bowed her head. So that’s what Western Flower meant—it was her character ID.
“She’s the pride of our guild. Not just our guild, but one of the top warriors in all of Arc. That Python guy tucked tail and ran the moment our West Flower showed up.”
“I didn’t run away.”
It was just a lack of interest.
Of course, judging by the mood back then, it seemed like swords would have been drawn if Western Flower hadn’t appeared.
“West Flower?”
“Oh, ‘Western Flower’ is a bit of a mouthful, right? So we shorten it. Some call her West Garden, but I prefer West Flower.”
Judging by Western Flower’s reaction, she didn’t seem to mind the nickname at all.
“But Python seemed to know you were coming. Did you run into him?”
“Yes, we spotted each other from a distance on my way here.”
“So that’s how he knew.”
Cookingday nodded.
“Man, what was that guy even doing here? This isn’t a zone for rankers to wander around in. Doesn’t he worry about getting edged out in the competition?”
“Isn’t that a bit rich coming from you?”
“Fair point.”
Cookingday admitted it coolly.
“But I’ve got no regrets. This guy’s the real deal.”
Cookingday clapped Yuseong on the shoulder.
“Is he?”
Western Flower looked a little surprised.
She knew Cookingday was the friendly type, but even accounting for that, they seemed awfully chummy.
‘Did they hit it off?’
Still, Cookingday had a good eye for people. That’s why the guild master had let Yuseong join based on his word alone.
It was a bold move for a small, elite guild like Freestyle.
“But that’s my business. I’m really grateful you came all this way.”
Cookingday had worried about Python outcompeting them, but Western Flower was in the same boat. She was a ranker too.
“It’s fine. I owe you one anyway.”
“Haha, glad to hear it. Oh, next time, bring your mom along too. I’ll whip up a feast.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Oh right, we were in the middle of introductions?”
He’d only introduced Western Flower to Yuseong so far.
Now Cookingday turned to Western Flower and introduced Yuseong.
“This is Yuseong. Our guild’s shiny new star.”
“I’m Yuseong.”
Yuseong bowed.
Western Flower reached up and removed her helmet with a smooth motion.
Long hair cascaded out from inside the helmet, like a night sky studded with starlight flowing down. Beneath it emerged pale skin, large eyes, a straight nose, and red lips, one after another.
“Pleased to meet you.”
She spoke, and Yuseong nodded back.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“You said you didn’t know much about our guild, right? So you probably don’t know much about West Flower either. What do you think? Isn’t she stunningly beautiful?”
Cookingday nudged Yuseong with his elbow. Western Flower let out a small sigh at the sight.
“Uncle. You’re starting to act your age, so knock it off.”
“Age? What’s that supposed to mean? In this 100-year lifespan era, I’m still young!”
Cookingday protested, but it didn’t change the thoroughly unimpressed look in Western Flower’s eyes.
‘Beautiful?’
Yuseong looked at Western Flower.
Beautiful. He knew the word. He’d never used it by mistake in his old world, but after learning about Arc and the real world, he’d started using it more often.
He’d never applied it to a person, though.
From what he understood, calling someone beautiful meant they had looks that would make others take a liking to them.
He remembered a few female players he’d hunted with getting comments like that from viewers.
‘Is she beautiful?’
Of course, to Yuseong—who had barely encountered the concept of women, let alone formed opinions on appearances—it was utterly foreign.
“Alright. Introductions are done, so let’s move on to the next item on the agenda.”
“There’s more?”
“Something else planned?”
“Of course. I’ve got it all mapped out, even if I don’t look like it.”
Cookingday thumped his chest.
“It’s nothing grand. Just letting the viewers know Yuseong’s joined our guild.”
“A guild broadcast?”
“No way. I’m not stepping on the guild master’s toes.”
“The guild master would approve it.”
“And then dump the guild master role on me. No thanks. That thankless job… whoops, spoke out of turn. Only someone as capable as our guild master deserves that spot. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Don’t say that in front of the guild master. She might rope someone else into complaining with you.”
“Noted.”
Cookingday chuckled. Western Flower smirked too.
“We’ll do a guild broadcast eventually, but that’s for later. For now, I’ll announce it on my personal stream. A collab will boost Yuseong’s visibility too. And it’ll stop the pattern types from wasting their time.”
In short, he was spreading the message that they’d claimed Yuseong, so back off. It also let everyone know Yuseong had Freestyle’s backing.
“West Flower, care to help out? With you joining, we’ll draw even more viewers.”
“Sure.”
She’d come this far; appearing in one more stream wasn’t a big deal.
“But we should at least get the guild master’s permission, right?”
“I was planning to contact her after this hunt anyway. We’ll sort it then.”
Cookingday turned to Yuseong.
“Oh, right—your take? Hate the idea of a collab?”
“No way.”
Yuseong had a decent viewer count himself, but according to the strategy guide, viewers for ranker streams were on another level.
Comparing it to a rising star like Yuseong would be an insult.
He wouldn’t pass up a golden chance to raise his profile.
“Great. Let’s head back and prep the stream. The Baby Bed punks should be out of the hunting ground by now.”
“Baby Bed, huh…”
“Hm? West Flower, something wrong?”
“Who was that guy?”
“Who?”
“The one with Python and Pattern. Is he C.O.T.S. too?”
“Oh, that guy?”
Cookingday stroked his chin.
“Probably, since he was with those two. Never seen him myself, but C.O.T.S. is so huge we can’t know every member. Besides, his gear didn’t scream high-level.”
“About Yuseong’s level.”
“Yeah.”
“But a player like that hanging with Python? That snake?”
“Hmm.”
Come to think of it, yeah.
“True, Python wouldn’t team up with someone who doesn’t benefit him. He’d totally ignore anyone at that level.”
Handsome face, ever-present gentle smile. Polite even to enemies like Cookingday.
He seemed like a great guy.
But it was all a facade.
Python’s true nature was sinister and cunning—a real snake. That polite demeanor was just a skin he wore to lower guards.
“God, I hate those brothers. Python or Pattern.”
“Personally, I’d take Pattern. He’s a jerk, but at least he won’t stab you in the back—he shoves a spear in your face first. Python, though…”
Western Flower shook her head. Cookingday agreed.
“That guy picked a perfect ID, though.”
The monstrous serpent from Greek and Roman myth. No name fit his actions better.
“A guy with Python… No need to dig deep, but I’ll keep it in mind.”
* * *
C.O.T.S. had left the hunting ground and was heading straight back without entering Shillaremite.
No conversation.
Python’s face was expressionless, as if his earlier warm smile had been a lie. He showed no emotion at all—like a mannequin.
Or maybe something inhuman wearing a human skin.
Pattern was visibly terrified. No trace of the boldness he’d shown picking a fight with ranker Cookingday, even as a non-combat class. He kept glancing at his brother nervously.
The third person walked a step behind, watching the two with interest.
Only the sound of footsteps echoed in the heavy silence, like funeral bells.
Finally, the guilty one spoke first—Pattern.
“Uh… um… bro. S-sorry.”
Python glanced at Pattern. Pattern swallowed hard under the cold gaze.
“Sorry? For what?”
Pattern inwardly sighed in relief.
The voice was ice-cold, but he’d gotten a response. That meant his brother’s anger hadn’t hit the boiling point.
Otherwise, he’d get ignored or told to shut up like before.
“Failing the mission.”
“And?”
“Uh, uh, picking a fight with Cookingday?”
The questioning tone suggested he didn’t see the second as a real mistake. Just blurting out whatever came to mind under pressure.
Python narrowed his eyes. Pattern’s face paled further. He’d messed up the response.
“Little bro.”
“Y-yeah, bro.”
“You know the guild’s plan, right?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Recite it.”
“Uh, our guild’s the strongest in Arc.”
“Right.”
Other top guilds would object, but the brothers truly believed it. And factually, theirs was top-tier.
“But we’ve got a ton of enemy guilds, and our size draws a lot of checks. Plus, there are other strong, big guilds—even if not quite our level.”
“Keep going.”
“So the idea came up that we need a way to pull decisively ahead. That’s where the current plan fits in.”
“Specifically.”
“We scout promising low-level players with good physical stats early on. Provide guild resources and info to level them up fast. Then secure superior elites ahead of other guilds and surge forward.”
“You’ve got the gist.”
Python nodded.
His explanation seemed to satisfy his brother. Pattern relaxed.
But it was too soon.
“Then you know why they gave the scouting to you? Why I—a guild ranker—came personally to recruit this one?”
Pattern glanced at the stranger Python had brought.
Just as Pattern had moved to scout Yuseong, Python had come to scout this person.
His ranker brother from the guild had.