Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Sub-Guild (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The plan was simple.
For the time being, operate as a blacksmith guild under the Crimson Lotus Guild.
It was nothing more than a temporary fix, but at least it would buy time until I could recruit guild members and secure my own safety.
Above all, Chae Yeonhwa could handle all the trivial annoyances of the guild creation process cleanly, making it a win-win.
"Think of it as an alliance rather than a subordinate guild."
"An alliance..."
"We can lend equipment to allied guilds... and if something good comes up, we'll let you know first, right? Like A-rank gear..."
"E-Eh? A-rank?!!!"
Startled by my words, Chae Yeonhwa flung the Crimson Flame Staff she was cradling and lunged at me.
"A-rank!!... You can make A-rank too?!!"
"Ugh... Calm down first..."
Petite and cute as she was, she wouldn't budge an inch.
'Damn all-stats E-rank...'
All my stats were E-rank, so resistance was futile.
"Ah...! Sorry!"
She finally snapped out of it at my desperate cry for mercy and let me go.
"Phew... It's not guaranteed yet, but I'm expecting good results soon."
"Then maybe..."
"Heh... Yes, if I make an A-rank fire staff, you'll be the first to know."
"Heh... Heheh... A-rank Crimson Flame..."
Of course, it wouldn't come out as the same Crimson Flame Staff with just a rank upgrade, but I could always engrave the name or something.
"It's tough right now, though. You know that, right? I'm the only one who can make B-rank at the moment."
"Ah... Right! You're incredible!"
"So, Yeonhwa helps with guild creation, and I promise an A-rank Crimson Flame down the line. Sound good?"
"But bringing in a sub-guild isn't that simple... Even as guild master, I can't push it through on my own..."
I couldn't get an immediate yes.
But this was within expectations.
"I'm leaning positive, but... I'll check with the guild execs first..."
"100 billion."
"Pardon...?"
"I'll give you 100 billion."
"Ugh... Even so, this isn't a money thing..."
"200 billion."
"Ah! I said it's not about money~?"
"300 billion."
"..."
The Crimson Flame Staff had originally sold for a hefty price.
A deal made possible only by her long-standing craving for a B-rank signature weapon.
But now, with mass-produced B-rank gear flying off the shelves, money was no object for me.
Chae Yeonhwa, who'd been insisting it wasn't about cash, now wore an expression hoping I wouldn't stop there.
"Ehehe... It's not something you can buy..."
If I was still hearing that, maybe my bid was too low.
"How about 400 billion?"
This was my limit.
"Uhuhu... At that rate, I could bring it up..."
"300 billion."
"Eh?"
"400 billion was me getting carried away. 300 billion feels like the cap."
Chae Yeonhwa, who'd already been dreaming of 500 billion, could no longer settle for 300.
...
"So, 400 billion—we're both happy?"
"Y-Yes... 400 billion..."
"Find a guild HQ building too, and once it's set up, officially announce my guild as your sub-guild."
"O..."
"And I'd love to keep great ties with the Crimson Lotus Guild—no, with you, Yeonhwa."
"Yes.. yes!! Just trust me!!!"
"That's reassuring. I'll tune up the Crimson Flame regularly too."
And just like that, the deal with Chae Yeonhwa was sealed with cold hard cash.
"I'll reach out when it's ready!"
"Sure, head in~"
Chae Yeonhwa hopped into the waiting taxi and left.
Once the building for our HQ was ready, proper guild life would kick off.
——
I'd left most guild creation prep to Chae Yeonhwa, but I still had plenty on my plate.
First up: getting ready to ditch this place.
I'd crash at the Crimson Lotus Hotel for a bit.
No security whatsoever here.
Even the hack thief Kim Hyeji next door could smash through the door if she felt like it.
Way safer at the Crimson Lotus Hotel, with their combatants rotating guard duty.
Plus, with all the meetings ahead with Yeonhwa, staying there was convenient all around.
Time to say goodbye.
"Hello??"
"Where you at? Goblin den again?"
"Nah! Monkey den lately!"
Sounded like a gate name I'd heard before, but whatever.
"Dinner tonight?"
"Sure?! Oh, um..."
"My treat."
"Really okay...?"
"Yeah, my place like last time."
Wouldn't see Kim Hyeji for a while, so one last chat and meal felt right.
Not like we were besties or anything, but shared orphan roots and scraping by in the same world—it grew on me fast.
Plus, right now... probably D-rank, but her potential was limitless.
Hand her one B-rank from my inventory, boom—instant powerhouse.
Feed her a fresh A-rank off the line, high-tier awakener overnight.
Until now, I'd played it safe, unsure if she'd just be grateful or get greedy.
Great blacksmith or not, all-stats E meant caution.
But not anymore!
I had Chae Yeonhwa as my massive backer.
...
Still kinda scary, so C-rank it is.
——
Ding-dong—
Right on the dot at 9 p.m., the doorbell rang.
Double-checked the intercom—just in case—then swung the door open for Kim Hyeji.
"Come on in."
I let her in, dressed casually as always.
She'd been here once before, so less awkward; a quick glance around, then plopped on my bed.
"Ordering delivery—anything you crave?"
"Chicken!!"
"Fried or seasoned?"
"Both good for me—what about you?"
"Half and half it is."
"Yay, awesome. Thanks!"
Placed the usual order for half seasoned, half fried boneless from our go-to spot, then sat beside Hyeji.
"..."
A touch awkward.
She broke the ice.
"I finally made some money today!"
"Huh? Haven't you been earning steady?"
Odd opener.
Far as I knew, she'd been grinding gates daily since leaving the orphanage—out mornings, back at night.
Now saying first payout? Bulk settlement type maybe?
"Lacked experience, so earnings sucked—and it all went to meds and food anyway!"
"Ah... So today's got leftovers?"
"Yep!! Huge win! Gonna save up steady for a C-rank weapon!"
"Ah..."
A pang hit me, sharp in the chest.
Didn't realize she was scraping by this hard...
"You've had it rough. Seriously."
"Hehe... Thanks!"
"Speaking of, got a gift for you."
"Gift?!!"
Meant to lead with the move-out news, but my heart hurt too much.
Pulled out the C-rank dagger I'd snagged at auction that morning and handed it over.
"This is..."
"C-rank dagger."
Flooding the market with B-ranks meant I scored it way under market price.
C-rank barely dinged my funds anymore.
"Th-this pricey thing... Where'd...? Wait, this is the gift?!!"
"Yep."
"A gift?! For me? Totally free?!"
"Yeah. Test the ability. I'm dying to see."
Kim Hyeji cupped it carefully in both hands.
"Gulp..."
She stared at the dagger, and blue particles leaked out, flowing into her.
"Work?"
"Hnnng..."
...
"Sh..."
"Sh...?"
"C-rank!!! I'm a C-rank awakener now!!!"
She bolted up from the bed, bouncing around in glee.
"Hah! Yujun, seriously... thank you so much... How do I even repay this...? Still got that triangle kimbap and cup ramen from back then..."
"No worries. I'm loaded."
"R-Right! How'd you snag this??? Isn't it crazy expensive?!"
Only now questioning the dagger's origins.
She didn't know I was an orphanage kid too, and same cheapo villa—wouldn't peg me for rich.
Suddenly whipping out a C-rank and gifting it free? Curiosity natural.
"Actually, I'm joining a guild."
"A guild?! Which one? Signing bonus buy it?!"
Questions flew the second I mentioned guild.
"Can't spill the name yet, but it's better than expected. Moving out soon."
"!!!"
"I see... Congrats..."
Kim Hyeji deflated visibly.
"No guild plans yourself?"
"No offers yet, and now C-rank... Might pass tests?"
Like me, she was registered E-rank awakener.
But now C-rank thanks to the dagger.
Could go public with her ability for real backing, but maybe not her style.
"Even then, no one's dumping A-rank gear just to make an A-rank awakener."
"Oh..."
Surprisingly spot-on self-awareness.
Yeah, makes sense.
S-ranks scraping by without A-rank gear—no way they'd invest one to create an A-rank. Obvious loss.
'Guess she's got no path unless I pave it.'
Planned to recruit her to my guild anyway—perfect timing.
But first, needed to see what happened to gear used in her ability.
"Hyeji, lemme borrow the dagger a sec?"
"Huh...?"
"Who said steal? Just a quick borrow."