Chapter 29

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: Sub-Guild (1)

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The post that caught my eye.

I'd posted twenty B-rank items that were impossible to buy due to sky-high prices, and when someone started cursing me out, I wondered what the deal was. Peeking in, I could kind of understand their side.

B-rank weapons that had been bid up to prices so high it felt like guilds were competing over them.

Now I see—they were just customers whose eyes had rolled back in frenzy... no, esteemed clients who'd paid up handsomely.

Anyway, this kind of drama wasn't worth my attention.

I'd listed the gear at auction, and the buyers bid what they wanted.

No one held a knife to their throat and forced them to buy, right?

Besides, everyone else was thrilled, so I was clearly doing great.

The Gallery overflowing with joy over the flood of gear, showering me with praise.

And amid it all, some amusing theories popped up.

The claim that I wasn't an individual but a blacksmith team operating as a group.

It was a reasonably logical theory.

To truly grasp this situation, you first had to know that a real 'Blacksmith' job had been born for the first time.

And if a Blacksmith job had awakened, it would've blown up in fame with high probability.

But I'd luckily dodged the orphanage awakening report, and above all, I didn't need to clock in at a forge.

No one would imagine someone churning them out with a few clicks from their room.

From others' perspectives, if it was someone using district forges, rumors would've spread fast—so rule that out.

That naturally led to the conclusion: working in a major guild's private forge.

"Hmm..."

Of course, no need to clarify this.

Besides, for my personal safety, it was better if they thought that way.

Until I formed a guild and recruited solid fighters to protect me.

Once full guild activities kicked off, they'd figure out I'm Boastful Blacksmith whether I liked it or not.

For now, I'd enjoy this anonymity while it lasted—only now.

The life savings Hunters had scrimped together over years.

I was sucking them all dry.

Money was piling up smoothly—too smoothly.

It was about time to leave this place I hadn't grown attached to.

I'd planned to stay two or three months, but the cash was accumulating way faster than expected.

Hadn't exchanged yet, but completed sales already topped 100 billion won.

Factor in ongoing auctions and second batch of B-ranks...

"One trillion..."

An insane amount, and the fact it was just one month's earnings made it even crazier.

To minimize taxes on this massive profit, forming a guild was essential.

But I had no intention of rushing into it blindly.

That's what connections were for. My most powerful contact? Crimson Flame's owner, naturally.

A loyal forge regular—time to cash in that goodwill.

Like last time, no instant VIP treatment or summon.

I'd learned the risks from the first deal.

Fire Stick—Chae Yeonhwa—was...

...surprisingly free.

"Hello? Hello?!!"

"Yes, yes. Connected now."

She must've been spamming hellos before it linked up again.

"How's Crimson Flame doing?"

"Yes!!! She's doing great!"

Secret to retaining regulars: number one.

Sale doesn't end the deal.

After-service leads to repeat business.

"She's fine for now, but periodic checkups from me would be best. Since I made her, I can repair her perfectly."

"Ughhh... Thank you so much!! You sold Crimson Flame to me too... I don't even know how to repay you..."

The urge to demand the remaining 55 billion rose to my throat, but I swallowed it.

I had a separate favor to ask today.

"Want me to tell you how to repay me?"

"Yes! ...Huh?"

Chae Yeonhwa agreed cheerfully, then belatedly registered what I meant.

"Not a tough request. But better in person."

"Ahh... In person..."

Her voice deepened in thought.

"I can check on Crimson Flame too... Sound good?"

"...Sure."

Kept leveraging Crimson Flame Staff as collateral to steer talks, but this was fine, right?

She'd only paid 50 billion of the 105 billion total—I still held majority stake, basically.

Anyway, Chae Yeonhwa and I set it for tomorrow morning.

At my place, no dragging it out.

"Ready?"

"Ju... Just a sec!"

Chatting like she was nearby, but actually via [VIP Service].

Current time: 6 AM.

Planning to summon her inside like last time.

"Three more minutes!"

"Sure~"

Reason was simple.

My place was the most convenient spot to meet Chae Yeonhwa right now.

She'd sleep till around 8 at hers, finish business, cab to guild—perfect alibi.

"Now! Ready! Whoaaa!!"

"Hello."

"H-hello..."

Chae Yeonhwa whipped her head around, scanning on summon.

Same cramped one-room; took no time to take it all in.

"Time might tick, so business first?"

"Ah, yes!"

"Staff check first, though."

Reached for Crimson Flame Staff in her arms; she hesitated, then handed it over meekly.

"Ahh!"

She gasped, staring as it vanished before her eyes.

Smiled reassuringly, then ran [Equipment Repair] on Crimson Flame Staff.

"No issues right now."

"Ahh... Thanks."

Couldn't reveal instant repair outside a forge, so played it as a quick check.

Wasn't even due for maintenance yet, so she probably wasn't too worried.

Got it back, cradled and stroked it lovingly.

"Now, why I brought you here?"

"Ah, yes!"

"Accept my guild as a sub-guild of Crimson Lotus."

"Pardon?"

The reason I met Chae Yeonhwa in person: guild creation.

Specifically, slotting my new guild under Crimson Lotus as a sub-guild.

"So... how much...?"

"Around one trillion. Second batch soon—all sold, it'll easily top that."

What chaos if I just created a guild and suddenly had one trillion in profits?

This had bugged me awhile; got the hint from Gallery chatter about me being a team.

"One trillion... Crimson Flame times ten..."

From now on, I was Crimson Lotus Guild's secretly nurtured blacksmith team's chief blacksmith.