Chapter 292
Chapter 292
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 292
Chapter Title: Styx (6)
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In the end, Kim Jin-ah's threat worked perfectly.
It was because Namgung Sang, having given up, spilled everything.
Of course, some organization members rebelled against it.
"What nonsense is this! I don't know anything! I've kidnapped people, sure, but I've never killed anyone!"
"...That's a lie."
Bzzz!
A glow emanated from Kwon Tam-jee's body.
"He alone has probably killed more than ten people here."
"Hiiik."
Kim Jin-ah let out a gasp of admiration.
"You must really be curious about what happens if you lie, huh?"
She smiled and did something.
It wasn't anything major.
Just slowly smashing a few parts of his body?
Of course, it maximized the fear of those around him in the process.
Compared to the evil acts they had committed, it really was nothing.
After wrecking one person like that.
"We systematically kidnapped three blacksmiths from Gotumol!"
"I killed three hostages on orders from above. I-I'm sorry!"
"I was in management! I just beat up the slackers who weren't working, I didn't kill anyone! I swear!"
One by one.
They started confessing their own deeds in a rush.
Thanks to that, things wrapped up easily.
They collected the victims' information without hassle.
And seized hundreds of anonymous accounts that Namgung Sang and the individual members had set up.
"Right now, transfer every bit of money you have to this account. Do it."
"Y-You're talking about the money?"
"..."
One clueless guy raised his hand to ask.
But after a brief moment.
"Kuaaaagh! Transfer! I'll transfer it! K-Kuaaaagh! Spare me!"
She easily stripped them of all their money.
"Wow, these bastards really gorged themselves."
Kim Jin-ah marveled as she gathered the funds.
Roughly over 500 billion won.
She roughly planned it out in her head.
Confiscate 60% as internal rewards.
Distribute the remaining 40% to the kidnapped artisans and the victims' families.
She had no intention of giving any to the country or the Association.
Normally, they'd snatch it even if there was nothing to give.
But now, Byulcheonji was beyond the nation's reach.
'I did all the work busting them—stealing the spoils would make them thugs, duh.'
The situation wrapped up quickly.
All the kidnapped artisans were rescued.
And all the criminals were handed over to the Association.
She didn't even want to dirty her hands with them.
Of course.
If they had touched the Guild Master or guild family members, she would have executed them herself...
And.
The issue with Kwon Seon-ji and Kwon Tam-jee was also resolved easily.
"Please accept us."
"...The prophecy says: Tell Kim Jin-ah, the Vice Guild Master, that we want to go to Styx."
Because they requested to join first.
Kim Jin-ah smiled brightly.
With an expression like she was thrilled to death.
"Ahaha! That prophecy ability is hilariously spot-on. You're in!"
Kim Jin-ah straight-up registered them as Byulcheonji members.
There was a strict rule of only accepting rankers, but it was the privilege of the Vice Guild Master, who wielded absolute power within Byulcheonji.
No one objected to her decision.
Because the Kwon sisters' abilities could crush most rankers.
Of course, their abilities weren't absolute.
It worked like this, in short.
As time passed, the absolute value of their stamina built up.
Activating the ability consumed stamina equal to the level of information obtained.
In other words, if you used the ability recklessly without building up stamina, you couldn't access high-level info.
'That's why Curveweb couldn't process information quickly either.'
Kim Jin-ah nodded.
There was no limit to the absolute value of their stamina.
If they didn't use the ability?
Stamina kept building.
Infinitely.
'We need to use them sparingly.'
Kim Jin-ah placed them as core members of Styx.
For times when even Kapu and her own abilities couldn't solve it?
That was when she'd use Seon-ji and Tam-jee.
'This should do it.'
She was satisfied.
They now had Big 3-level intel.
No, intel surpassing the Big 3.
Oh, and their parents named them perfectly.
Lie detector, so Kwon Tam-jee.
Prophet, so Kwon Seon-ji.
They adapted quickly.
With one Spring Apostle Myo tending to them devotedly, their damaged skin cleared up.
Once nourished, their flesh regained its firmness.
About a week later?
They completely shed their beggar looks.
Back to fresh-faced beauties in their mid-twenties.
"Hmm, now."
Kim Jin-ah smiled.
"We can call your parents here. They won't worry seeing you like this."
"R-Really?"
Kwon Seon-ji's voice trembled.
Overjoyed at finally reuniting with parents she hadn't seen or even heard from in years.
"We can really... bring our parents to this beautiful place?"
"Of course."
Kim Jin-ah introduced them to the housing provided to members.
The Kwon sisters were stunned.
Well, yeah.
The best house etched in their minds from five years ago was probably a penthouse in central Seoul.
That couldn't compare to the guild housing Demir had meticulously crafted.
"It's... so beautiful."
"This isn't a house—it's art... Our parents can live here too?"
Of course.
"Aigoo, what a filial daughter. Thinking of your parents first—good on you. Haha, bring all your relatives too if you have any."
A benefit exclusive to Byulcheonji members.
"R-Really... really?"
"Oh, and you need to know about the salary too? We guarantee the highest in Korea—no, the world. And if you go lifetime exclusive, you'll witness the bizarre phenomenon where bonuses exceed your salary..."
"I'll do it!"
Kwon Tam-jee shouted.
"Lifetime exclusive! I'll sign up right now!"
At her sister's sudden outburst, Kwon Seon-ji's eyes went wide.
No matter how good the place, deciding without seeing the contract was reckless.
Especially a word like 'lifetime'—always approach with caution.
But.
That was when Kwon Tam-jee looked at her sister with a resolute expression.
"Sis, it's all true."
"True...?"
"Yeah, not a single lie in anything she's said so far."
Nod.
Kwon Seon-ji made her decision immediately.
To dedicate her life to this place.
Compared to the past.
When she followed Church Bro Namgung Sang despite knowing his words were lies, out of pure heart and denial.
This was definitely a more mature choice.
* * *
Yang Jeong-ae felt like she'd had a short dream.
A short but vicious nightmare.
Kidnapped in an instant, released after just two days.
Thanks to Ji Do-ik.
That old geezer singing praises of 'Byulcheonji.'
"Grandma!"
"Where'd you go!"
"S-Sob, we thought you were gone!"
Returning to Jeongneung Valley.
The kids spotted Yang Jeong-ae and came running joyfully.
Some innocently clueless, beaming brightly; others perceptive, shedding tears.
"Aigoo, you're all safe...!"
Yang Jeong-ae's eyes reddened.
Thinking she'd nearly lost these kids forever brought a bitter surge of rage.
Before her eyes stood a neat tiled-roof house.
Jeong-ae Ru.
The restaurant she'd devoted her life to.
Why did a bittersweet feeling well up seeing it?
"Elder."
Someone came to see Yang Jeong-ae.
A young woman named Kim Jin-ah.
The famous Vice Guild Master of Byulcheonji.
"Recommended by Elder Ji Do-ik. Would you come to Peach Blossom Paradise?"
"..."
Yang Jeong-ae silently gazed at Jeong-ae Ru.
Complex emotions swirled in her eyes.
"For me..."
"You're worried about the kids you support, right? Don't worry. Peach Blossom Paradise has spots for kids too."
"......!"
Yang Jeong-ae's pupils dilated.
Spots for kids?
Jeongneung Valley alone had countless children.
How many were there, for her cooking to leave them so gaunt?
"The kids are starving..."
"Instead of fussing here, why not see it and decide?"
"..."
Yang Jeong-ae followed Kim Jin-ah as if entranced.
* * *
In the end.
"......!"
Yang Jeong-ae was shocked.
Not just shocked—floored.
"...Omo, what in the world is this?"
Uiwang City.
A city and workshop blooming beautifully over Baekun Lake.
「Drel Workshop」.
The two massive dragons encircling the city were majestic beyond grandeur.
As if proclaiming [Byulcheonji guarantees this!] to the world, exuding bold spirit and steadfast resolve.
"It's a mystical place."
But that was nothing compared to what she saw inside.
Entering the portal, 'Peach Blossom Paradise' unfolded like paradise on earth.
"..."
Yang Jeong-ae gaped, speechless.
"The world changed this much?"
Kim Jin-ah guided Yang Jeong-ae to a corner of the city.
A beautiful garden built by Demir.
At its center, a sign read:
「Love Nursery」
"..."
Yang Jeong-ae blinked.
What guild runs a nursery?
Moreover.
Kyarruk, kyarruruk!
On the lush meadow, kids kicked a ball, their faces beaming with happiness.
Blooms of laughter everywhere.
Unlike the kids she cared for, they weren't skin and bones.
Clearly stuffed full.
Greasy and satisfied.
And.
'That guy...?'
Yang Jeong-ae's eyes widened.
Even she, oblivious to social currents, knew him.
Who in Korea wouldn't?
'Berserker?'
It was a shock.
The notoriously violent world rank 14 hyper ranker.
Berserker Jang Dae-woong, playing with kids with that expression?
"Elder, what do you think? The kids here eat hearty, healthy meals and get top-quality education."
Arin’s subordinate.
Skeleton-led basic magic lessons.
High-end specialist liberal arts classes, and more.
"Not even rich kids have it this good. Gangnam parents would line up to send their kids here."
"Aaah..."
Yang Jeong-ae was moved.
That geezer Ji Do-ik.
If this place existed, he should've told her sooner...!
Like spotting a distant continent in a windless vast ocean.
And feeling a tailwind blowing toward it!
"Thank you... truly, thank you."
The unflinching Yang Jeong-ae during her kidnapping.
She finally couldn't hold back her surging emotions, tears streaming down.
* * *
Yang Jeong-ae's residence was decided next to the Yakzon building.
"Kahaha! Build a chef-exclusive building next to the Yakzon?"
Demir, massive hammer over his shoulder, laughed heartily.
"Wait just one week. I'll gift you my finest!"
Tap-tap-tap!
It went up in no time.
Over a thousand dwarf skeletons dropped everything to focus on this one—astonishingly fast.
Eldrin helped too.
"Fire and purification spells infused. No issues for cooking."
The building was three stories.
First floor: Kitchen and tables.
Second: Ingredient storage.
Third: Her residence.
Considering her old joints, they even installed teleportation magic circles.
A veritable luxury kitchen.
"Here's the contract."
Kim Jin-ah smiled and handed Yang Jeong-ae the papers.
"You're a ranker, Elder? You can join Byulcheonji. The terms are here..."
"Aigoo, no need to read that stuff."
"You sure?"
"Make it lifetime exclusive like that geezer Ji Do-ik. How long am I gonna live anyway? Just let me cook for him and serve tasty meals to folks here—isn't that it?"
"Exactly."
"That settles it. Look forward to it."
Yang Jeong-ae rolled up her sleeves with eager resolve.
The moment Seoul's top eatery.
Jeong-ae Ru.
Moved to Peach Blossom Paradise.