Chapter 31: Two Guilds (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Two Guilds (2)
"…What exactly do you mean by that?"
Kim Tae-yeon’s voice trembled. Kang Jun-hyeok replied calmly.
"In the world that was, your way of thinking wouldn't have been wrong. In fact, it would have been considered noble."
The strong protecting the weak—it was a literal ideal. Kim Tae-yeon, who put that into practice, was undoubtedly a good person.
But the world had changed.
Ever since the Tower appeared, conventional common sense no longer applied.
"You’re telling people they don't need to climb. You tell them they can just live their lives on the surface. Let me be blunt: that protection is worthless."
At his words, spoken with such cold conviction, Kim Tae-yeon’s eyes wavered once more. Kang Jun-hyeok continued.
"For now, those who don't climb might be able to live decent lives. But the world will continue to shift. Those who climb will reach higher and gain more power."
To the point where they would be out of reach.
To the point where they would be untouchable.
"The world will reshape itself to accommodate them. Those who do not climb the Tower will eventually be left behind."
"…Isn't—isn't it possible that things won't turn out that way?"
She clung to the hope of a different future. At Kim Tae-yeon’s words, Kang Jun-hyeok simply shook his head.
"No. That is exactly how it will be."
His voice was heavy with certainty.
It carried the weight of someone who had seen the end of all things. Feeling the sheer pressure of that conviction, Kim Tae-yeon fell silent.
"What you are doing is like keeping a child in a cradle and never letting them step outside."
A child must eventually grow up, leave the cradle, and walk on their own two feet—even if that process is arduous and dangerous.
"Instead of coddling them by saying they don't have to climb because it's dangerous, you should have encouraged them to face it. At this point, your 'protection' is actually killing them."
"…."
Kim Tae-yeon wanted to argue. She wanted to tell him he was wrong—that she was saving people, and that her efforts weren't meaningless.
But how could she deny it?
Even she didn't know what lay at the end of this path. Any argument would just be going in circles.
As Kim Tae-yeon held her tongue, Kang Jun-hyeok turned his gaze toward Baekdusan.
Baekdusan was grinning broadly. He assumed Kang Jun-hyeok was siding with him after seeing him reprimand Kim Tae-yeon. Indeed, Kang Jun-hyeok’s next words seemed to support him.
"In that sense, though you are aggressive, you have adapted reasonably well to this new world. At the very least, you are forcing your guild members to climb."
"Exactly! That is the only path forward! I knew you’d understand! So please, join us and—"
"But I have one question. Mr. Baekdusan, what floor have you reached?"
"The 27th Floor!"
Baekdusan spoke with pride, as if it were a magnificent achievement. And in a way, it was; a player on the 27th Floor was considered top-tier by Korean standards.
However, Kang Jun-hyeok’s expression remained unimpressed.
"Why are you still only on the 27th Floor?"
"…Pardon?"
Baekdusan’s face froze.
The 27th Floor… and he was being asked why he was still there? He couldn't comprehend the question. But Kang Jun-hyeok was being entirely serious.
"As far as I know, you were one of the very first to enter the Tower."
Baekdusan was among those who entered the moment the Tower appeared on Earth. In terms of time, over ten years had passed. Given the potential Kang Jun-hyeok perceived in him, Baekdusan should have reached well beyond the 30th Floor by now.
Yet he was stalled at the 27th. It meant his attention was elsewhere.
And Kang Jun-hyeok knew exactly what it was.
"You are obsessed with authority."
Baekdusan’s fundamental goal was revenge against the Tower. But that wasn't all. He also craved power. He hadn't been able to let go of his desire for material wealth and worldly influence.
"…."
Baekdusan couldn't argue. It was the truth. He had been so focused on managing the guild's politics that his own progress had stagnated.
"You, too, have failed to fully adapt. You are still clinging to the glories of the past."
Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon. Both were utterly disappointing to Kang Jun-hyeok. Therefore, his conclusion was simple.
"I have no intention of joining either of your guilds."
"…Then," Baekdusan growled, his voice laced with irritation. "Why did you call us here?"
He had waited for days just to ensure the other side didn't snatch the boy up, only to be met with a flat rejection. He couldn't hide his displeasure. Kim Tae-yeon didn't show it as openly, but her expression was just as strained.
Kang Jun-hyeok was well aware of their frustration. He hadn't called them here just to scold them.
"What I intend to do is make a deal."
* * *
"…A deal?"
"A deal, you say?"
They both muttered the word, caught off guard. Kang Jun-hyeok nodded.
In this life, he would take everything for himself. He had no intention of making concessions anymore. But a deal was a different story.
"The thing you want most from me is information, isn't it?"
Information needed to climb the Tower. Information on how to achieve a Perfect Clear. Information on understanding and utilizing the hidden systems.
Information known only to him, the world's only Perfect Player. That was what they craved. Its value was literally worth a fortune. Their desire to recruit him was ultimately a desire to monopolize that knowledge.
"I intend to trade that information," Kang Jun-hyeok said.
He would give them what they needed, and they would provide what he required. He intended to make a trade where their interests aligned. Though the two were momentarily flustered, they soon nodded.
"If that's the case…"
"Tsk. Fine. I understand."
They accepted. It was a shame they couldn't monopolize him, but they couldn't force his hand. In fact, this was better than the rival guild getting him.
Kim Tae-yeon asked, "Then, what is it you want from us?"
If it was a deal, there had to be a fitting price. Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon leaned in, assuming Kang Jun-hyeok would ask for something astronomical.
However, their expressions turned to confusion at his next words.
"I need gemstones."
"Gems…?"
"Yes. Rubies, sapphires, diamonds—it doesn't matter. I need high-purity, refined jewels. I'd like each of you to prepare at least ten."
"Uh, right. Okay."
The two looked utterly bewildered. They couldn't fathom why a man of his caliber would want something as mundane as jewelry.
But Kang Jun-hyeok knew. He knew there was a floor that required high-purity gems to clear. And he knew there was a special Perfect Clear reward that could only be obtained there.
He was preparing in advance.
High-purity gems were difficult for an individual to source, but for influential guilds, it was a simple task. After their initial confusion, the two managed to compose themselves.
"Well… that should be possible."
"But ten of that quality might take some time."
The world was broken, but the value of wealth hadn't vanished. There were many who had gained new power and sought gems to display their status. Kang Jun-hyeok knew this, so he didn't rush them.
"As long as they're ready within a month, it's fine."
"In that case…"
"Understood."
They accepted the proposal. Seeing this, Kang Jun-hyeok let out a dry laugh.
How simple this was. He had obtained precious catalysts so easily through a single trade. In his past life, he hadn't done this. More accurately, he couldn't do it. He had felt guilty about receiving payment for helping others.
I was a fool.
But not anymore. Having sorted his thoughts, Kang Jun-hyeok continued.
"Then, I'll give you the information. Normally, I should wait until the gems are delivered, but… I don't think the leaders of these two guilds would pull such a petty stunt."
"Of course not," Baekdusan said, shaking his head hurriedly. Unless they intended to make a mortal enemy of Kang Jun-hyeok, they wouldn't dare break the promise.
"Then I'll give you a brief overview for now."
Kang Jun-hyeok told them about clearing the 4th Floor. He explained that the 4th Floor was an Ant Cave, and that there was an entire world hidden above it. He spoke of the countless ants living there.
The two listeners' eyes widened.
"…The map can expand like that?"
"Then—then what happened?"
They peppered him with questions, and he answered them appropriately.
"So, did you eliminate all the ants?"
"I found the Queen Ant."
"The Queen Ant…! So that's what it meant to 'eliminate as many as possible.' How did you find her?"
Kang Jun-hyeok explained the method. They were shocked and amazed, quickly sinking into deep thought. They were likely calculating how to use this information for their own future raids.
Kang Jun-hyeok watched them silently.
In his past life, he had given everything away. He had handed the fish itself to the hungry. Because of that, they never learned how to fish; they only became obsessed with the handouts he provided and failed to grow.
But now, he wasn't giving them the fish. He was teaching them how to fish through a fair trade. He was curious to see what kind of change this would bring.
"Have you processed everything? Then let's move on to the next thing."
"The next thing?"
"Ultimately, what you want most is information. But that's not what you're most curious about. What you really want to know is how strong I am, isn't it?"
The first Perfect Player. The man who reached 100% on every floor from the 1st to the 4th. Kang Jun-hyeok. Just how strong was he?
"Let's test it through combat."
Kang Jun-hyeok spoke calmly. At that moment, a system window appeared.
[Kang Jun-hyeok requests a duel with Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon.]
[Duel Stakes: All Gold currently held by Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon.]