Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Cementing an Alliance
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Our alliance doesn't bother hiding its wealth.
After returning to Kavisa and browsing the Summoner Shop for a bit, it was time, so I headed up to the rooftop.
On one side, a whole pig was roasting on a spit. On the other, amidst a dazzling fire show over charcoal and a grill, steaks were being expertly cooked.
I heard footsteps coming from the stairs.
“Sir… Tae-soo, welcome.”
“Hyeon-ung, you’re early too. You met Chil-seong yesterday, right? Let me introduce you. This is Hyeon-ung. And this is the executive team of our Golden Lion Guild.”
“Hello. My name is Oh Hyeon-ung.”
Including the Vice Guild Master, Yoon Chil-seong, whom I met yesterday, there were eight people in total.
They all looked to be in their mid-to-late thirties, older than me… though not all of them.
The woman at the very back seemed to be around my age.
But for some reason, the atmosphere felt a little strange.
It felt like everyone was walking on eggshells around the youngest woman at the back.
After shaking hands and greeting each one, it was finally the turn of the woman who looked my age.
“I’m Oh Hyeon-ung.”
“Lee Seol-hwa, Head of Finance.”
An icy chill emanated from her tone.
Was it because she wasn't happy about the alliance with me?
But everyone else I’d shaken hands with had smiled…
Am I overthinking this?
Maybe she’s just having a bad day. I shouldn't worry about it too much.
“Excuse me?”
“Yes?”
“Hyeon-ung, let’s have a quick word first.”
The President said he had something urgent to discuss, so we moved to a corner of the lounge.
“Is the Head of Finance upset about something?”
“Ah, about that… First of all, it’s a known fact, but the Head of Finance is my sister-in-law.”
“Sister-in-law, as in your wife’s younger sister?”
“That’s right. She’s twenty-six this year, the youngest of the executives.”
A nepotism hire… wait, twenty-six?
“Your sister-in-law is twenty-six? Then how old is your wife… Sir, were you a cradle robber?”
He’d told me yesterday that including his time here, he was forty-eight, but he was originally forty-five.
His daughter is eighteen. There isn’t much of an age gap.
“Cradle robber? My wife is thirty-nine. Her sister was a late child.”
A thirteen-year age gap with her older sister. Their parents must have been very much in love.
“Your parents-in-law are quite something.”
“Well, yes. But that’s not what’s important right now. About the money I said I’d give you yesterday, could you possibly give it to me right now…”
“What? Sir, if you mean that money, I’ve already spent it all.”
The President’s expression darkened rapidly.
“How could you spend that much money in a single day…”
“I visited the VIP Shop you told me about.”
“Ah…”
Should I have just given him the cash?
Actually, while I said I’d spent it all, it wasn't completely gone.
I did spend a fair bit at the VIP Shop today, but I also get 10,000 gold every day as a login bonus.
“To be honest, I didn't spend all of it…”
He looked so disheartened that I was about to say I could give him about 20,000 gold, but Lee Seol-hwa approached us.
“If you’re done talking, I’d like a word with you as well.”
“Me? Ah, sure… What is it about?”
“Why did you order so much when you’re not even the one paying?”
But I was planning to pay today, too.
“Huh? Seol-hwa…”
“Stay out of this, brother-in-law.”
Seol-hwa shot the President a glare, and he froze. It seemed this young lady was the real power in the Golden Lion Guild.
Could it be?
My intuition was sharp, so I quickly grasped the situation.
“Isn’t this enough for nine adults? If there are leftovers, you can take them home.”
“The alliance is not my department, so I didn’t say anything. I don’t know what connection you have with our Guild Master. But I cannot tolerate this kind of waste.”
I thought she was just a nepotism hire because she was the President’s sister-in-law, but she seemed to be a very frugal person.
“Hmm, what should we do then? We’d still have to pay even if we cancel now.”
“I’m telling you not to do this from now on. We’ll be seeing each other often as allies, so let today be the last day of wasteful spending.”
Oh, I thought she’d demand I cancel immediately. She doesn't seem completely unreasonable.
In fact, it’s probably because of this frugal nature that she could be entrusted with the guild’s finances.
“Understood. But may I ask one thing?”
“What is it?”
“Do I need the Head of Finance’s permission to spend my own money? We may be allies, but we belong to different organizations, don’t we?”
I said it with a sly grin, and she looked incredibly flustered.
“You… you’re the one paying? But I heard you were from the 34th wave, how do you have the money…”
“Oh, were you planning on paying today as well?”
“Of course. After all that I’ve received from you, Pres… Sir Tae-soo.”
“Are… are you really sure you’re okay with this?”
She still looked worried.
The venue fee was waived since I was a guest in the suite, and the food, chefs’ wages, and drinks wouldn’t even cost 100 gold.
“You don’t have to worry. Let’s go and enjoy the food. If there’s anything else you want, feel free to order.”
I led the President back to the group.
Perhaps because they were all wary of the Head of Finance, no one had ordered yet.
“You haven’t ordered?”
“Well, the Guild Master wasn’t here… Alright, shall we all order now?”
“I’ll have a beer.”
As Seol-hwa called for a beer, everyone else glanced around before ordering beers as well.
“The beer in Kavisa is good, but there’s also a drink called Dragon’s Tear that’s quite nice. Could we get three bottles of that and some ice, please?”
“Isn’t Dragon’s Tear too expensive?”
“It’s probably even more expensive in Kavisa…”
“Don’t worry. Today, this is on me.”
Everyone looked at the Guild Master with surprised expressions.
“That’s right. Hyeon-ung is treating us today, so everyone eat and drink to your heart’s content.”
“I figured meat would be the safest bet, so I prepared the whole roast and steaks, but if there’s anything else you’d like, please feel free to order.”
“Is that all for us?”
“It smells amazing. Can we really eat it?”
When I nodded, they all rushed towards the roast and steaks with looks of pure joy.
I heard they were one of the two pillars of the guild alliance, but is the Golden Lion Guild’s financial situation not that great?
Anyway, seeing everyone excited like children, especially the President who was smiling non-stop, made me happy too.
“Hyeon-ung. Why don’t you make a toast later?”
“Shouldn’t the President go first…”
“What does it matter who goes first? You’re paying for this gathering. I’m not that kind of old-fashioned guy. And from now on, call me ‘hyung-nim’, not President.”
The drinks soon arrived. After filling each glass, the President gathered everyone.
“How about a word from Hyeon-ung, who will be a great strength to our alliance from now on?”
“Hear, hear!”
“Oh Hyeon-ung! Oh Hyeon-ung!”
He’s really something else.
But I’m not one to refuse the spotlight when it’s offered, so I stepped forward immediately.
“I never imagined I would meet Tae-soo hyung-nim in Elsia. I’m truly happy and feel so reassured. To be honest, I received a lot of help from him back in the real world. Thanks to him, I’ve gotten to know all of you wonderful people, and I will do my best to cooperate and build a good relationship with you all.”
Cheers and applause erupted, but I wasn’t finished.
“It’s not much, but since this is our first meeting, I’ve prepared some small gifts.”
I took out the equipment and items I had sorted in my inventory beforehand.
“What is all this…”
“Hyeon-ung?”
“Those are all rare-grade items!”
“I prepared these to wish for the continued prosperity of the Golden Lion Guild. I hope you’ll distribute them well and put them to good use. And Head of Finance?”
The Head of Finance was also staring at the equipment with a stunned expression. She jumped when I called her name.
“M-me?”
“It’s not much, but please use this for the guild’s operating expenses.”
I walked up and handed her four pouches. She took them, glanced inside, and froze on the spot.
Was it too little?
“This is… so much gold…”
So it wasn’t because it was too little.
“Seol-hwa, how much is it?”
“It looks really heavy.”
Everyone looked curious.
“Excuse me. This much money is…”
“Please, keep it. It’s a small token compared to what I received from Tae-soo hyung-nim in the real world.”
To be honest, the cost of the equipment and money today was not insignificant.
Some might think it’s excessive.
But I see it differently.
It might have been a small amount to popular streamers or female broadcasters who received donations in the millions, but the support I received from the President was a light and a salvation in my life.
When you think about it, it was because of his support that I could continue streaming, and thanks to that, I was able to receive this trait.
“I’ve talked for too long. Shall we make a toast now?”
“To my dear brother Hyeon-ung and the Golden Lion Guild!”
“”””To us!””””
As we talked, ate, and drank merrily, people started dropping, one by one, their heads hitting the tables.
It had gotten quite dark. It was probably time to wrap things up.
“Mister Hyeon-ung!”
Seol-hwa, her cheeks flushed red, beckoned to me.
She’d claimed she’d never been drunk before…
“Looks like everyone’s had a lot to drink. Shall we start cleaning up?”
“No, no, not that!”
“Yes, yes. You’ve had plenty. We’ll call it a night.”
“That’s not it! I heard my brother-in-law helped you a lot, Mister Hyeon-ung.”
“Yes. You mentioned it earlier in front of everyone.”
I’ve never been ashamed of being a streamer, so I thought it would be fine, but he even mentioned my nickname, ‘Ung-jjang’, which was a little… embarrassing.
“I think the money and items you gave us earlier were too much… Are you reawwy okay?”
Unexpected.
Earlier, the other executives had called her the ‘Witch of the Finance Team.’
They said she was extremely strict and mercilessly cut budgets whenever they were proposed.
And this person was worried about me.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you shure you’re reawwy okay?”
“You can always earn more money, right?”
“But it’s not easy to make money… Should I give it back to you?”
If the other executives had heard that, they would have fainted from shock.
It must be past midnight by now.
I clapped my hands once, lightly.
*Clap—*
“What are you doing?”
“I just earned it all back.”
“Hey, what are you…”
*Thud—*
Seol-hwa chuckled with a look of disbelief before collapsing.
But I wasn’t lying.
As I clapped, I had made a silent call.
‘Claim VIP reward.’
[You have received the Day 10 VIP Attendance Reward (10,000 Gold, 10,000 Jewels).]
****
Silver Wolf Guild, Guild Master’s Office.
“Brother, this isn’t right. The Golden Lion Guild stabbed us in the back. We can’t just sit by and do nothing.”
“And if we don’t? We may both be called the two pillars, but in terms of power, we are the weaker one.”
The Silver Wolf Guild had more members, but the Golden Lion Guild, focused on conquering the labyrinth with the goal of returning to the real world, was composed of elites.
Jang Tae-seok was hot-headed, but he was by no means a fool.
Just as Jang Tae-soo was about to argue that they should at least protest, the door opened and Yoo Cheol-yong entered.
“What is it?”
“Guild Master! A post just went up on the verification board stating they’ve withdrawn the alliance.”
“Really?”
“I haven’t confirmed the contents myself, but another guild member saw it.”
Jang Tae-seok quickly brought up the community window and activated the function.
[Withdrawal of Alliance.
Posted by: Lee Tae-soo
The Golden Lion Guild hereby withdraws its alliance with Oh Hyeon-ung of the 34th wave.
From this day forward, the Golden Lion Guild and Oh Hyeon-ung of the 34th wave will move beyond an alliance and become one single entity.
Any attack on Oh Hyeon-ung of the 34th wave will be considered an attack on the Golden Lion Guild.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my love.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my light.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my darkness.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my life.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my joy.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my sorrow.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my rest.
Oh Hyeon-ung, my soul.
Oh Hyeon-ung, me.]
“Guild Master? Now we can take care of that bastard without any worries… Guild Master?”
“It’s not a withdrawal! I don’t want to see your face, so get the hell out!”
“Brother, what’s wrong?”
“See for yourself.”
Jang Tae-soo’s expression hardened as he read the post.
“What on earth is this? What is the relationship between that bastard and Lee Tae-soo…”
“You should get out too.”
“Huh? Brother, wait a minute. Check the latest post on the general discussion board.”
“General discussion? What’s the title?”
“The one at the very top.”
Jang Tae-seok accessed the general discussion board.
[Proof the Golden Lion Guild Master is Gay!]
Posted by: IWantMoreChapters
Did you guys see the post on the verification board?
I’m pretty good at reading faces and always thought he was suspicious, but this just confirms it. I think the Golden Lion Guild Master, Lee Tae-soo, is gay.]
His head started to throb.
He’d heard the man had a wife and even a daughter back in the real world.
This garbage post written by some nobody…
“Brother, you don’t think he’s really gay, do you?”
“You get out too!”
****
Why does time fly so fast on days off?
It feels like I just got out of the labyrinth yesterday, but tomorrow is already the day to enter again.
It’s a little disappointing, but the thought of seeing Rina and Hanna again makes it not so bad.
Thanks to the President and the Golden Lion Guild, I had a pretty fulfilling time outside as well.
Oh, and there was a small incident a few days ago.
The President, moved by my gift, had posted something that sparked a gay controversy.
Fortunately, the Vice Guild Master and other executives of the Golden Lion Guild all posted the same content.
But what was truly touching was that even Seol-hwa posted the same thing.
Unlike the other executives who were friendly from the start, she had seemed a bit awkward around me.
It was probably because of our age, but thanks to her, the incident was neatly resolved as just a funny episode.
“Good morning, Mr. Hyeon-ung. Heading out early again today?”
“Good morning. Tomorrow’s a labyrinth day, you know.”
I greeted Luke and left Kavisa, heading for the plaza.
Sir Tae-soo was already there, waiting.
“Sorry, am I late?”
“Not at all, you’re right on time.”
Unlike his usual casual attire, he was wearing a white suit.
I, too, was wearing the finest clothes Luke had bought for me.
After all, the person we were meeting today was quite important.
“Are there any rules of etiquette I need to follow?”
“When I first went, that butler or whatever he was said it’s fine as long as you’re not rude. So don’t be too nervous.”
I’m not usually the type to get nervous, but I couldn’t help it.
The name of the man we were going to meet today was Almondeu Syupereuteu.
The Lord of the Labyrinth City, Kramis.