Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Grateful Golden Dragon (2)
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“Ppoyo…”
When he suddenly vanished, I felt like the sky was falling, but it’s a relief he didn’t just dine and dash.
But our Nix stares at the empty space where Geum-yong disappeared and cries sadly.
“Don’t worry. Geum-yong will be back soon.”
“Ppoyo? Ppoyo…”
They used to bicker all the time, but it seems they’ve grown quite fond of each other.
“It’s true. He’ll be back after two nights’ sleep.”
“Ppoyo! Ppoyo!”
Suddenly chirping with energy, he flies to a corner, settles down, and starts to doze off.
It seems he understood “two nights’ sleep” as him just having to sleep twice.
A little dim-witted, but cute.
Thinking I should get some sleep too, I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.
****
Did I sleep for about three hours?
I woke up to what sounded like a loud noise from the room next door.
For reference, the room next to mine is the meeting room.
I heard shouting, like someone was fighting, and went outside.
The hallway was crowded with people.
“Mijeong-nunim, it’s incredibly loud. Do you know what’s going on inside?”
“Ah, Hyeon-ung. Well…”
Before I could even hear Mijeong-nunim’s answer, the meeting room door opened, and people started coming out one by one.
“What a bunch of pathetic fools…”
“They’re really putting on a show.”
Judging by their attire, they were from the Azure Guild and the Four Stars Guild, two of the guilds in the alliance.
People from other guilds in the alliance were also leaving the meeting room, all with displeased expressions, muttering harsh words.
I peeked inside and saw only three people remaining: Tae-soo, Chil-seong, and the principal, Yoon Hong-chun.
“We’ve heard enough, so you may leave as well.”
At Tae-soo’s words, Yoon Hong-chun also left the room, so I went inside.
“Brother?”
“It was so loud I came to see what was happening.”
“Ah, that…”
“That principal bastard lost his mind and went on a rampage.”
Even Chil-seong scowled and stormed out.
I wondered what kind of trouble he’d caused to make even Chil-seong react like that, but after hearing it from Tae-soo, it made sense.
During the new Summoner scouting process, if multiple guilds are interested in the same person, representatives from all interested guilds conduct the interview together for fairness.
Of course, the Golden Lion Guild started their interviews yesterday, but the guild in charge of training is usually an exception.
Anyway, among the 35th wave of Summoners, the most popular candidates are the teachers.
They all have decent traits.
And even though they were now in Elsia and were fellow Summoners, they would still have some influence over their former students, which would be helpful when scouting those students.
Among the teachers, the most popular was, by far, Principal Yoon Hong-chun.
His Jewel count is about a third of Tae-soo’s, but he has the exact same trait as Tae-soo, the leader of the Golden Lion Guild.
Since every guild in the alliance made him an offer, he was called in first.
Everyone presented good conditions, but Yoon Hong-chun dropped a bombshell.
‘Including myself, all the teachers and students of Peace Middle School will not be joining any guild. We will form our own guild.’
Both Tae-soo and I had somewhat expected this.
But I thought the night training would have been enough to change his mind. Was the training too soft?
“The other guilds tried to persuade him, but he was stubborn, saying that he and his students would not join guilds that operate by the logic of a barbaric world.”
He didn’t just cross the line, he leaped over it.
“Looks like yesterday’s training was meaningless.”
I feel sorry that it seems to have only fueled his resentment.
“What are you talking about? The new Summoners’ attitude in class has definitely improved. I think it’s less about that and more about him not wanting to lose his power.”
Power…
That could be it.
“Then shouldn’t you call in the other new Summoners and talk to them?”
It didn’t make sense to give up on scouting them entirely just because of the principal.
“I was about to, but the people from the other guilds are all furious. Given the atmosphere earlier, it seemed like they might even suggest a group boycott.”
For once, I can understand how the people from the Guild Alliance feel.
Even a treasure is worthless if you can’t use it.
No matter how good their traits are, they’re still new Summoners.
If I had been called barbaric, I would have been angry too.
Especially since the Guild Alliance had been considerate of the newcomers, even agreeing to Tae-soo’s suggestion of using a contract.
The basic training itself, while not pure charity, was still a favor…
“I should go and talk to them as well…”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry for taking up your time when you’re so busy…”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”
After Tae-soo left, I also stepped out of the meeting room.
The expressions of the other Golden Lion Guild members in the hallway began to turn serious as the situation became known.
I’m glad I decided not to recruit anyone.
If I had, I would’ve been stressed out too.
Thinking that guilds really aren’t for me, I returned to my room.
Nix flew over and landed gently on my shoulder, nuzzling against me.
“Ppoyo! Ppoyo!”
He doesn't usually do this.
It seems he’s feeling lonely without Geum-yong.
I decided I should stick with him as much as possible while Geum-yong is away, and went down to the first floor.
I was wide awake now, and it seemed to be past lunchtime. I figured I’d head to Kabisa for a late lunch after a while.
Wait, no.
Now that I’ve decided not to recruit anyone, is there any reason for me to stay here?
He said they’d be doing random inspections, but since he dislikes me, he was probably just making an empty threat to annoy me.
It’s already the second day of training, and lunchtime has passed.
Since I have to vacate the training center before lunch tomorrow anyway, there’s no reason to stay any longer.
The bed was uncomfortable too. I decided to just stay in Kabisa from now on. As I was about to leave the training center, huh?
The entrance door opened first, and a group of people walked in.
In the center of knights clad in gleaming silver armor stood a man dressed in luxurious clothes.
“Are you trying to vacate the premises?”
It was the butler, Barein, glaring at me with a scowl.
He’s not even trying to hide his dislike for me.
“I wasn’t leaving, I was on my way to greet you. It seems I was a bit slow.”
“Greet me? Don’t be ridiculous. I came to look around the training center.”
A deep sense of disappointment was palpable in his tone and expression.
It seems he timed his visit hoping I wouldn’t be here, but the timing was perfect for me.
“Of course, of course. Please, look around. Ah, the new Summoners are in the middle of their training.”
Barein spent about two hours meticulously inspecting every nook and cranny of the training center, finding fault with an incredible number of things.
From trivial cleaning issues like cobwebs on the ceiling to slightly cracked floorboards and microscopic fissures, he pointed everything out and demanded it be repaired.
Tae-soo, who had joined us after hearing the butler had arrived, also had a look of disbelief on his face.
“Why that expression?”
“We will ensure all the points you’ve raised are rectified before we depart.”
Barein seemed satisfied with Tae-soo’s answer, nodding his head before leaving the training center.
“I always thought he was a bit particular, but this is just malicious.”
“I agree.”
I’m not exaggerating. When he suddenly put on white gloves and swiped a finger across a window frame, I thought I was back in the military.
“We’ll have the new Summoners clean up and we’ll handle the repairs, so don’t you worry, brother.”
“Pardon?”
“The alliance has been using this place for a while, haven’t we? It’s only natural that we take care of it.”
“I understand. By the way, how was the recruitment issue resolved?”
“I managed to placate the other guild members, and we decided to proceed. We called in the other teachers right away.”
He was worried about a boycott earlier, but it seems he succeeded in persuading them.
“What did the other teachers say?”
“Among the teachers, only Shin Yu-seong sided with the principal.”
They were hanging out together since yesterday’s training; they must have coordinated their stories.
“Oh, that’s a relief.”
“It is, but those two also attached a strange condition…”
“What kind of condition?”
“They said they would join the guild that would also take in any of their students who didn’t receive a scouting offer.”
They said they know they can’t be responsible for everyone, but they want to at least look after the students from their own classes.
In return, they said the guild didn’t have to offer any other favorable conditions.
I was slightly moved.
“I didn’t know there were still teachers like that these days. That’s admirable.”
“And that’s the problem. Everyone was moved, just like you, so the competition became even fiercer.”
Ah, so that’s how it turned out.
I was really hoping Go Hwa-yeon would be picked up by the Golden Lion Guild…
“If you need any help, please let me know anytime.”
“Don’t worry too much. You’re talking to Lee Tae-soo.”
****
When I opened my eyes, the ceiling was unfamiliar—no, familiar.
After staying at the training center for two days, Kabisa now felt strange.
Though still groggy, I forced myself up, washed, and came out.
Yesterday was incredibly hectic.
I had been so focused on the Summoner training that I hadn't properly prepared to go to the labyrinth.
I also had to stop by the Lord’s Castle to pick up the letter for the Harpy Queen.
Since I had made her wait for so long, the envelope was incredibly thick.
And as of yesterday, the basic training for the 35th wave of Summoners concluded, and so did the recruitment.
Tae-soo had complained about the fierce competition, but it seems he was just being modest.
He succeeded in recruiting Kang Se-yeon and Seo Yeon-hwa, the two most sought-after teachers from Peace Middle School, into the Golden Lion Guild.
Naturally, Go Hwa-yeon also joined the Golden Lion Guild along with her older sister.
Because of the condition set by the teachers, their numbers increased significantly.
He said they took on nearly twenty more people because of it.
Besides them, there were quite a few students who broke away, and about sixty of them were taken in by other guilds in the alliance.
That leaves about seventy people, but not a single Summoner from the 35th wave was left unchosen.
The remaining students all joined the guild created by the principal and Shin Yu-seong, named Peace Middle School.
Of course, it’s a guild in name only; they haven’t registered with the administration yet, so they’re just a temporary party.
I heard the principal cashed in his Jewels through the equipment gacha to secure lodging, but I suspect problems will arise as soon as they try to enter the labyrinth today.
Only five people can enter together at a time.
While guilds also group people in fives, official guild members have a tracking function.
Tae-soo and the other Guild Alliance members tried to warn and persuade them until the very end, but they couldn't break their stubbornness.
Things will probably change a bit after they experience the labyrinth once…
I just hope that not too many of them die senselessly in the process.
As I was quickly changing into my gear to leave, Nix flew over and started pecking at my head.
“Ppoyo! Ppoyo!”
“Ouch! Nix, what’s wrong?”
He landed lightly on the birdcage where I used to keep Geum-yong and began to cry pitifully.
“Ppoyo…”
It’s obvious he’s doing this because of Geum-yong.
“Geum-yong will be back soon.”
“Ppoyo!”
His sharp cry felt like he was scolding me for being a liar.
“Stop fussing. It’s true.”
He left after breakfast two days ago, so we should only have to wait another hour or two.
“Ppoyo! Ppoyo!”
As Nix cried out, a golden light burst forth in the air.
[The Golden Dragon that left for the Golden Valley has returned early.]
“Kkyuing!”
With a familiar cry, the light faded… what is this?
“Ppoyo! Ppoyo!”
“Kkyuing! Kkyuing!”
Nix quickly flew over, and they nuzzled each other, sharing the joy of their reunion.
Well, I’m happy to see him after a while too.
He looks a little chubbier…
“Uh… Geum-yong? What about the reward? Don’t tell me you didn’t bring it?”
There was no sign of any item anywhere.
“Kkyuing!”
His resounding reply made it seem like he didn’t come back empty-handed… huh?
Geum-yong flew over to me and opened his mouth wide. A white light poured out, and a system window appeared.
For a moment, I had to doubt my own eyes.
N… No way.
It’s giving me this?