Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Black-Haired Beast (5)
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There were a few minor disturbances in the car afterward, but they ultimately arrived at the Yongho Guild without any major issues. Jong-sik, who had driven from dawn across the highway all the way to Gyeongju, gently stroked the vehicle that had nearly blown three tires because of Sa-yoon.
He caressed the black car as if soothing a lover, muttering that Sa-yoon wrecked a car every time he went out. Anyone would think he was the one footing the bill for the damages.
It was coming out of his own pocket anyway, so he had plenty of worries. Sa-yoon appreciated the executive's care for the guild, but he wasn't thrilled about the nagging, so he pretended not to hear the rest and got out of the car.
'龍虎'
The nameplate alone oozed personality. Sa-yoon confirmed the guild name written in brush strokes and eyed the Yongho Guild building's exterior, which he still couldn't get used to no matter how many times he saw it. A hanok, of all things. Pointlessly expensive and inefficient in space. It couldn't even compare to a standard building in terms of capacity per floor.
Who in the 21st century stubbornly insists on a hanok? And Yongho Guild wasn't even one of those that emphasized Korean spirit or anything.
Korean spirit? Please. They were just a bunch of outdated Confucian fossils clinging to old ideologies. All they did was collect drop items under the guise of respecting elders and fight over rice bowls.
"That's why they're stuck at 10th place forever."
"What do you mean?"
"Their guild ranking."
"...Isn't 10th pretty high?"
"It would be for any other guild."
Geon-ju didn't seem to grasp the mocking tone. As Sa-yoon rolled his stiff neck and stared at the nameplate—showing traces of a decade of weathering—Geon-ju looked puzzled.
"Having seven early Awakeners and still lingering at 10th? They'd have to be ashamed enough to die. They can't even keep their heads held high."
Geon-ju flinched at the sharp criticism. Sa-yoon recalled Yongho Guild's executives, who had never acted their age.
Hunters who lived through the Great Depression and those who didn't had a stark difference in skill. For ordinary citizens, it was just a disaster, but for Hunters, it was a massive trial and a rare experience. Most ended up growing stronger amid fierce battles without even realizing it.
When Hunters emerged worldwide simultaneously, Korea had just over a hundred early Awakeners. Holding seven of them was impressive, but failing to claim first place with them was even more ridiculous. Especially since the top guild back then was founded by an 18-year-old high schooler. What a comedy.
If Sa-yoon had been Yongho's leader, he'd have drowned himself in shame long ago. Losing to a kid and rotting at 10th? No way he'd live with that.
Of course, Yongho Guild had been scraping by pathetically for a decade. By borrowing money everywhere—especially from Night Rat. That was one reason Sa-yoon despised them if he were in Chun-bok's shoes.
Sa-yoon, lost in memories, stepped forward. Geon-ju, who had been standing awkwardly, followed a step behind.
As they approached the guild building, four Hunters guarding the gate blocked Sa-yoon's group in unison.
"What is it?"
"We weren't informed of any visitors today from the Guild Leader."
"So?"
"If you don't mind, could we have your names?"
Sa-yoon looked up at the guard addressing him, his tone stiff. He seemed around 190 cm tall, but there was no intimidation. Probably a low-rank Hunter.
Word was they'd fallen on hard times, but hiring guys like this for security?
Their low level made even a merger unappealing. Sa-yoon considered just bulldozing and cleaning house, then remembered Geon-ju beside him and dismissed the savage thought.
Keep it civil.
To build trust and a friendly rapport with the newbie, he couldn't come off like a thug.
"You look new if you don't recognize my face. Can't you just let us pass?"
"Do you have a reservation?"
"Not exactly."
"Then please identify yourselves."
Polite on the surface, but hollow. No real respect. When Sa-yoon refused to answer, the guards exchanged glances and surrounded him. It was laughable, like rats trying to take down a tiger.
"What the...?"
Jong-sik frowned at the rudeness and stepped forward, but Sa-yoon stopped him. They had business here, so he should handle it himself.
"How about you don't interfere and just let us through? You don't want to get dragged into guild turf wars for no reason. Low pay isn't worth blowing it on potion bills, right?"
"Please identify yourselves."
"I said come on."
"Please identify yourselves."
"...Why won't you listen?"
Yongho must have stationed auto-responders instead of guards. Same reply no matter what. Sa-yoon gave up on talking, running a hand through his hair. Jong-sik gauged his mood, while Geon-ju stayed silent amid the tense atmosphere.
"We asked you to identify yourselves."
Even now, the guard pressed cluelessly. Sa-yoon felt his patience—charitably described as thin—hit rock bottom as he lowered his gaze slightly.
Was he the type to get ID-checked at Yongho's gate? His name was for equals, not trash like this.
If Geon-ju weren't here, he'd have lost it already. Jong-sik's face next to him screamed, 'Time to handle it?' ready to clean up.
Sa-yoon sighed and removed his sunglasses.
"Tell them Night Rat is here."
That should do it. But then, unexpectedly—
The four guards flinched at "Night Rat" and immediately radioed somewhere, drawing their weapons one by one.
Sa-yoon watched calmly, narrowing his eyes. The smirk he'd worn since exiting the car hardened.
"Jong-sik."
"Yes."
"Has Chun-bok really gone senile?"
"......"
"What the hell is this?"
The last part was directed at the guards. For Geon-ju's sake, he'd held back to resolve it peacefully, and this was the response. Never be nice to the ill-mannered. They forget their place and try to bite.
Armed and Surrounding
Guild guards draw weapons
"If you move, we'll consider it an attack and respond accordingly."
"Did your empty heads issue some command?"
"......"
Sometimes silence meant yes. Their stubborn attitude told him everything. Sa-yoon burst into laughter, clutching his stomach like a madman.
His manic laughter echoed across Yongho Guild's front yard. Only after a long exhale did he straighten up, his eyes curving wickedly.
"If you're gonna go crazy, at least do it gracefully."
Craaaack...
"......!"
A sound like something splitting rang out, and in an instant, the ground froze over.
Excluding where Sa-yoon, Geon-ju, and Jong-sik stood, the entire Yongho Guild front yard iced over rapidly, encasing the guards' legs up to their calves.
As the guards panicked with ice climbing their shins in the blink of an eye, Sa-yoon swept his indifferent gaze over them. Their fingertips trembled at his pitiless eyes—a primal reaction.
"Can't embarrass me in front of a newbie on a field trip. I've got a reputation to uphold."
"......"
"Why didn't you listen when I said let's keep it friendly?"
Not even bugs.
His voice dripped lazily, almost drowsy, but its intent was chilling. With each word, the temperature plummeted further. The escaping chill enveloped the entire Yongho Guild, ushering in a deep freeze.
"Why would the Guild Leader...!"
Realizing his identity only after one of his signature skills activated, the guards gasped in unison. Sa-yoon sneered at their belated reaction and pulled a cold resistance robe from his inventory.
The Frost zone's chill attacked everyone except the caster. Even B-grade Geon-ju would struggle. Jong-sik was armed with cold resistance artifacts, but the fresh recruit wasn't. Sa-yoon exaggerated his movements—like showing off to the guards—as he draped the A-grade robe over Geon-ju, then turned.
His glare was icy. The guards, exhaling white breaths, stiffened as their eyes met his overwhelming presence, inhaling sharply in unison. Their bodies went rigid like trees. Meanwhile, Sa-yoon's lips curved smoothly upward.
"I'm a Guild Leader too, you know... Need an example. Who wants to volunteer?"
His light tone, as if playing a game, froze everyone in place. Tension so thick even breathing felt risky hung in the air—until one guard twitched from nerves. Sa-yoon chuckled softly.
"W-Wait a sec...!"
Craaack.
"......"
In an instant, one man turned into an ice statue. As everyone reeled in disbelief—
Crack... Shatter!
A sharp fracture sounded, followed by a deafening crash as the man's statue exploded into pieces.
Shards scattered, glimmering faintly before vanishing. Those who witnessed a living person erased cleanly stared in shock at Sa-yoon. Only he and the thoroughly jaded Jong-sik remained composed.
"Breaks that easily? D to F-grade, huh. Didn't expect them to be this weak."
He hadn't meant to kill outright. Just push to the brink as a warning, but misjudged their low ranks. Cursing Chun-bok inwardly for posting such trash, Sa-yoon took a step forward. The remaining three guards reacted sharply to that single movement.
The quiet, heavy atmosphere wrapped around Sa-yoon familiarly.
Now it felt like they could communicate.
This was why he couldn't do pacifist.
Try being nice once, and see? Words failed where one act of violence succeeded.
"When someone warns you, you ought to listen. Why move recklessly and die?"
"......"
"Anyone else wanna move? Raise your hand."
"......"
"I said raise 'em."
The three guards stared at him, petrified—not even breathing. Sa-yoon clicked his tongue and stepped away.
Would've been more fun if they'd screamed and lunged. What a letdown.