Chapter 43

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: penny

Chapter: 43

Chapter Title: Kwon Yena (5)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Another three-way meeting had taken place.

I'd expected a quick round of introductions followed by everyone going their separate ways, but that wasn't how it went down.

Chae Yeonhwa had something to pass along, apparently, and followed us all the way back to my cabin.

Yena ended up naturally settling into my cabin with me—not that we'd planned it that way.

There were two extra beds besides the one I was using, so it wasn't an issue at all.

Anyway, it was just like last time when Hyeji had visited: the three of us gathered in the cabin.

Chae Yeonhwa was the first to speak, and her target wasn't me—it was Yena.

"You're Kwon Yena from Twilight Guild, right?"

"Ah, yeah~..."

It seemed the reason for her visit today wasn't me, but Yena.

Thinking about it, Yena was currently the biggest topic in Korea, so there was no way a guild master like Chae Yeonhwa wouldn't know about her.

Probably one of her scouts—Betrayer Man, most likely—had reported it.

I'd known from the start that Kim Hyuncheol was with Crimson Lotus Guild, but it still felt like a betrayal every time.

"Sorry to say it, but Yena's already joining my guild."

"...Then, would you ever consider switching guilds?"

Chae Yeonhwa proposed the transfer to Yena like she was getting revenge or something.

But the bond Yena and I had built over fifteen long years couldn't be severed by even Korea's top guild.

"Oh my~ If I could join Crimson Lotus Guild, that'd be amazing~"

"Yena?"

"Right? Joining some ghost guild without even a name yet feels like a waste of your talents!"

Well, shit.

Suddenly, the two of them were ganging up on me like besties.

To be fair, an S-rank fire mage and a wind mage teaming up would probably create insane synergy.

Like a fire tornado or something... the kind of thing that fulfilled every guy's fantasies.

But even if that was true, Chae Yeonhwa would have to join my guild—not the other way around.

With that in mind...

"Ms. Chae Yeonhwa."

"Hold on. I need to explain Crimson Lotus Guild to Yena."

"If you're fine living your whole life with a B-rank staff, then go ahead."

"..."

Last time, when I asked her for that affiliate guild favor, I'd said I expected good results soon regarding A-rank gear.

She'd seemed hopeful, but apparently she hadn't thought it'd happen this fast.

"Why would Yena join my guild?"

"Because you're childhood friends...?"

"Yena, what rank was the weapon I gave you?"

Chae Yeonhwa naturally turned to look at Yena as I spoke.

I desperately signaled Yena not to answer.

"A... A-rank!"

"See? Even childhood friends aside, would an S-rank join just anywhere? They come for the vision."

"A... A... A-rank Crimson Flame..."

Starting from scratch didn't sound half bad when it meant snagging Korea's number one guild for free.

"What do you say? Wanna trade the A-rank Crimson Flame for Crimson Lotus Guild later?"

"Wo... Would you take Crimson Lotus Guild...? Ow!! No way!!!"

"Tch."

Yena openly showed her regret, while Chae Yeonhwa panted like someone who'd nearly fallen for the devil's temptation.

I felt a twinge of regret too, but I had no real intention of taking Crimson Lotus Guild.

Chae Yeonhwa wouldn't actually agree to it anyway.

Someday, maybe a merger...

After spending a few days at Crimson Lotus, it was clear they lived up to their rep as Korea's top guild—tons of talent.

Chae Yeonhwa, of course, and even Kim Hyuncheol.

If things went well down the line, I could consider bringing them on as affiliates.

"Ahem. So, Ms. Chae, why'd you come by?"

"Oh! You haven't sent the guild name or the initial three-member roster I mentioned last time."

"Oh, right."

I hadn't settled on a guild name yet, and we were still short one member, but I'd forgotten to send a note saying I'd get back to her later.

"For the initial members, just add Kim Hyeji from last time and Yena."

"Who's that?"

"Ah... I'll introduce her later. Friend I made after leaving the orphanage."

"...Got it."

Once the guild was officially created, I'd have to set up a spot for members to meet up.

Man, so much to do.

High positions came with heavy responsibilities, huh.

I was reaffirming my resolve to recruit only an elite few to avoid personnel headaches ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠when Chae Yeonhwa raised another question.

"Isn't Kwon Yena with Twilight Guild...? Are you planning to form the guild a year from now?"

"If not, I'll find someone else. I'll contact you again in a week. On that."

"Mm... Understood. But..."

"Yeah?"

"About that equipment loan you mentioned before, when might that...?"

"After guild creation."

"Ah..."

What I'd been promised was affiliate status after guild creation.

So the equipment loan I'd promised would come after that too.

"But that's because Yujun couldn't recruit members..."

"Can't make exceptions to the rules."

You should've said something back then.

The contract's already signed.

Chae Yeonhwa left with slumped shoulders once more.

Somehow, every time she visited the cabin, I ended up delivering bad news.

Next time, I gotta make it up to her for real.

Later, I'd hook her up with nothing but A-rank gear for support.

Not because that's all I could make or anything.

Anyway, after Chae Yeonhwa left the cabin...

This time, Yena dragged me to the bed with curious eyes.

Plop—

"What was that about earlier?"

"Huh?"

I pretended not to know out of embarrassment, but I knew exactly what she meant.

"You're not seriously gonna make me wait a whole year, right...? What's your plan?"

From the day I'd decided to form a guild, I'd known Yena had to be one of the initial members.

I couldn't guarantee total success, but I rated our odds pretty high.

"Was gonna tell you on the way back tomorrow. Let's visit Twilight Guild tomorrow."

"Huh...?"

"I'll duke it out with the guild master. If possible, I want to build the guild with you from the start."

"...How?"

"Leave that to me. Just trust me."

"..."

It wasn't a long time, but scraping by as a miser had been tough.

For the month since leaving the orphanage...

I'd been earning money solely for this day.

An eleven-month contract? Shove enough cash my way to break it, and we're done.

Poke...

"I trust you, so take me away quick."

I couldn't stand seeing my guild member (real) working for another guild.

"Got it? No talking about my abilities, job, or anything Crimson Lotus-related."

"I know~"

"Eye of the Storm too..."

"Aww, I'm not an idiot~"

"Ahem... Alright, I'll wait here."

The next day, our visit to Twilight Guild.

We got up leisurely around 11 a.m. and left Crimson Lotus Hotel at a relaxed pace.

And in just three minutes...

We soared through the sky together and arrived at Twilight Guild headquarters.

Did becoming an S-rank awakener really change your mindset this much?

With all the attention on Yena, I worried reporters might swarm us and expose my face, so Yena's solution was...

"Brr, it's cold..."

To fly straight to the top of Twilight Guild's headquarters building.

She left me on the rooftop and went in alone to set up a meeting with the guild ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠master. Done.

It sounded like a genius plan at the time.

But now that I was actually alone on the rooftop, something felt off.

"Uh... how long till she comes back?"

How soon could she even schedule a meeting with the guild master?

Could you really barge in like this and demand an appointment?

Sure, Yena was a key talent, so they'd make time, but what if he had other plans?

I started imagining every reason I might get stuck abandoned on this rooftop.

"Ugh..."

Enough random thoughts. Time for something to kill time fast.

...

In the end, only gallery scrolling came to mind.

Perfect timing anyway—I'd been thinking it was about time.

"Heh heh..."

About time to boast with A-rank gear.

Anyway, I'd be joining Crimson Lotus as an affiliate soon, and once they officially started supplying gear, the existence of A-rank equipment would come out.

It was also a card for negotiating with Twilight Guild this time.

Above all, holding back from bragging about what I had was insanely frustrating.

"Heh... Chae Yeonhwa kept her word after all."

I didn't know who exactly, but Crimson Lotus scouts kept sending recruitment offers nonstop.

The promise of S-rank treatment especially tickled my fancy.

Likes it, but can I poach this one?

The higher they valued me, the more it proved they were competent scouts.

If talks with the Twilight Guild Master went south, maybe I'd snag this guy—the first in the world to promise me S-rank perks.

Offer an A-rank Crimson Flame, and he'd probably shake his head tearfully, right?