Chapter 97: Ilsung Guild (2)
Inside the Ilsung Guild conference room.
Guild Master Nam Cheolmin, along with the vice guild master and key executives, had gathered.
“We have to oppose this investment with everything we’ve got! Corporate support is already stagnant, and if we do this, it’s going to get slashed hard.”
“He’s right. Sixty trillion? That’s an absurd valuation.”
This was a project the chairman himself was pushing.
Opposing it naturally carried weight.
But if it meant overturning their own rice bowls, that was a different story.
Even earthworms squirm when stepped on.
These weren’t mere earthworms—they were Korea’s top awakeners.
With the parent company Ilsung trying to nurture some upstarts in their place.
They were ready to rise up resolutely.
‘We can take them.’
This wasn’t baseless opposition.
Sixty trillion.
For just 20% equity.
Sure, Lavish Guild was doing well. But this valuation blatantly crossed the line.
All they’d cleared was one A+ rank gate.
Even if A+ gates were tough, they couldn’t compare to S-rank gates.
And they only had three members.
Yet their valuation was close to that of a world-class second-tier guild.
“We absolutely have to cut the amount.”
Obviously.
Sixty trillion was enough to make even Ilsung wobble. Spending that much in one go would force belt-tightening elsewhere.
Even Ilsung Guild couldn’t escape that chill.
‘Even if we’ve stagnated at fifth place…’
‘They’re trying to ditch us?’
The more they thought about it, the more infuriating it became.
Had they just been leeching off Ilsung?
No.
Ilsung invested generously, and in return, the guild cleared gates, supplying all sorts of materials, equipment, and magic stones.
Ilsung’s investments might not have yielded massive profits, but they’d at least broken even.
Just them calling for a boycott would deal a huge blow to Ilsung.
Production plants would grind to a halt. Of course, they had no intention of going that far.
Where else could they find a guild paying this well?
With second-place chaebol Dorim Group in ruins.
It was hard to find a warmer nest in Korea than Ilsung.
Just.
‘We just want a share of the pie.’
Something like that.
‘Maybe this is the chairman’s intention.’
That’s how negotiations worked, right?
Start high.
Even halving it leaves you grinning.
The sixty trillion investment was probably the same.
Likely planning thirty trillion from the start, but calling sixty to haggle. Sure, thirty trillion was still high…
‘Can’t be helped.’
‘We’re the flagship guild, after all.’
‘Push too hard, and we might get axed.’
They were iron rice bowl holders, but not invincible.
Overstep, and they could get the boot. They weren’t completely irreplaceable.
So instead of full opposition, they planned to halve the investment. A win-win.
“But what do we do? Honestly, it felt off from the initial five trillion, and now investments keep growing. Are we really getting sidelined?”
At one awakener’s words, the guild members’ faces hardened.
Anyone could see the chairman’s favor tilting toward Lavish Guild.
“… Yeah. We’ve been stuck in the bottom five forever, no matter how much they invest. Can’t blame the chairman for leaning that way.”
“Then we need to show something…”
Easier said than done.
Climb the rankings?
They’d be number one if it were easy.
If rankings were tough, they needed to shine in gate clears.
The gates Ilsung Guild had tackled so far ranged from A-rank to low S-rank.
‘Challenge a mid S-rank gate?’
Even among S-rank gates, they were divided into low, mid, and high tiers. Jumping tiers wasn’t easy.
Success would be valuable, though.
Levels, experience, items.
Plenty to gain. Just had to risk their lives.
“… Let’s table that for later discussion.”
“Agreed.”
That’s when it happened.
A number popped up on Guild Master Nam Cheolmin’s phone.
He quickly answered.
“Yes, Chairman. Pardon? A guild war? With Lavish Guild?”
“…?”
Ignoring the guild members’ stares.
Nam Cheolmin continued the call.
“Not even their second team—our first team? And announcing it to the press?”
Nam Cheolmin let out a disbelieving chuckle. Then, smirking, he spoke into the receiver.
“Yes. Understood. We have our thoughts too. We’ll set a date soon and get back to you. Of course. We’re confident.”
His voice brimmed with confidence.
Then he boldly declared.
“If we lose, you ask? Ha… Chairman, this is Ilsung Guild. The Ilsung Guild that clears S-rank gates! It won’t happen, but if it does…”
His eyes gleaming, Nam Cheolmin said.
“We’ll fully agree to all future investments. Yes, we’ll accept defeat cleanly. No backtalk. Yes, got it.”
Hanging up, Nam Cheolmin looked at his guild members.
“Guild war soon. Our first team versus Lavish Guild.”
“Whoa, for real?”
“They’re insane? Just three of them?”
The executives were stunned.
The first team numbered thirty.
Perfectly balanced party composition.
Tanks, dealers, healers.
Even buffers in excess.
High levels too.
Lavish Guild’s members?
Kim Minwoo and Park Siwoo were rookies awakened less than three months ago.
The only one worth watching was Sword Sage. But even she couldn’t sweep the guild alone.
Not even as an archer now.
“Ha, cleared one A+ gate and they think they’re invincible.”
“Seems like it. They’re at that cocky age.”
They weren’t underestimating them.
They acknowledged Lavish Guild’s potential.
But too soon.
In a year, they’d take it seriously.
‘Not now, though.’
They weren’t pushovers either.
A+ gate clear and beating Jo Pilwook?
No match for first-team hunts.
“Let’s schedule it now.”
“Sooner the better.”
“Been a while since we trended.”
A fight they couldn’t lose.
Top buzz too—perfect chance to boost their value in the press.
Their faces lit up.
Then.
Nam Cheolmin turned serious, eyeing his guild members.
“Still, no complacency. I know the chairman’s personality. He wouldn’t dump tens of trillions on a flagship just like that. There’s more to it.”
“Yes. We’ll give it our all.”
The Ilsung Guild members replied gravely.
They’d go all-out without being told. Losing here would be disastrous.
The schedule was set in a flash.
* * *
Park Siwoo and Seo Yerim.
And Kim Minwoo too.
The guild’s entire roster gathered.
‘Time to sync up.’
Upcoming guild war.
Plus the Super Rookie Selection reserved.
They needed practice runs.
“Hayangi!”
―Kkuu.
Hayangi dove into Seo Yerim’s arms. She gently stroked the bird’s head.
“Still cute even after so long.”
―Kkuuu.
Hugging the bird tight, Seo Yerim looked over.
“We’re really doing the guild war?”
“If Ilsung doesn’t back out, it’ll happen.”
No reason for them to refuse.
They thought they’d win.
Soon, Kim Minwoo grinned after a call.
“They accepted. Two days from now, at Sangam Awakener Stadium.”
“Whoa, bro. That’s a huge arena, right?”
“Massive. Usually for national events.”
A bit fancy for an event guild war.
But money opened doors.
“All three broadcasters will air it. No embarrassing ourselves—we need to sync up hard.”
The two nodded.
Three against a guild wasn’t zero pressure, but they didn’t expect to lose.
Even rookie-close Park Siwoo felt the same.
Eyeing confident Siwoo.
“What’s your level, Siwoo?”
“149.”
“Still a lowbie.”
“… What’s yours, bro?”
“Me? 220.”
“…220?!”
Park Siwoo’s eyes bulged.
He knew the leveling speed was fast.
‘But this?’
He hadn’t slacked.
Cleared gates whenever free. Swung the holy sword too. Yet the gap widened.
‘This make sense?’
Levels should slow as they rise, right?
Common sense shattering. Mouth agape at Kim Minwoo.
He said.
“Sparring’s pointless. Let’s hit a gate. A-rank.”
Gates were prime for syncing.
No prying eyes—pure combat practice.
S-rank first time was rough; A-rank to warm up.
Seo Yerim tilted her head.
“A-rank? Guild war in two days.”
“Clear and back before then. Narrow map. This looks good. Paju Giant Dungeon.”
Top-tier A-rank.
Monsters: literal giants.
Human-like, just huge.
Armored, formations, diverse jobs.
Priests, mages, warriors, archers, knights per group. Balanced.
Tough opponents.
Better composed than ragtags.
In other words.
‘Like a guild.’
They were balanced too.
Difference: big human guild. Tricky mobs, but upsides.
Comfortable map.
Straight line smash to boss clear.
Like Osiris Tomb he’d cleared.
‘Siwoo and her hit 151 here.’
Super Rookie entry: level 151.
Qualifies them.
“Bro, straight in?”
“Yeah.”
Disguises? Pointless now.
Not solo—trio clear.
With standout Sword Sage.
They arrived at Paju Giant Dungeon.
“W-whoa, Lavish Guild?!”
“Clearing this?”
“Just three? Epic!”
Soldiers and awakeners waiting nearby swarmed with stares.
Linger, and broadcasters swarm.
“Here’s our guild ID.”
“Lavish Guild, all three confirmed. You may enter.”
[You have set foot in A-rank Gate, ‘Land of the Giants’!]
The three stepped into the gate.