A Shift in Power
With its parent guild gone, GR Group was backed into a corner.
They were barely hanging on, but if they didn't find a solution soon, their monster byproduct processing business would collapse.
As a desperate measure, they had opened trade with minor guilds, but it was nowhere near enough.
They needed a new breakthrough.
However, every other guild besides the defunct GR Guild already had established suppliers for tower byproducts.
Even those that traded flexibly had almost zero chance of partnering with GR Group.
If GR Group collapsed, other guilds and competing processing companies would reap all the benefits.
Why would anyone throw a lifeline to GR when they could just sit back and watch it fall?
"Ugh...!"
No one understood this harsh reality better than GR Group itself.
"Who the hell are you to come into someone else's guild and make a scene?"
Go Mincheol recognized the man in front of him instantly. It was Lee Taepyeong.
But the pain in his wrist felt like it was about to snap, leaving him unable to speak. He could only groan.
"...Guildmaster, this is my brother," Go Juhee said.
"Your brother?"
"Yes. He said he came to see you."
"Showing up without an appointment and causing a scene like this..."
Taepyeong clicked his tongue, the sound echoing loudly in the quiet room.
Mincheol trembled, clenching his teeth to endure the pain. He had never been so humiliated in his entire life.
Taepyeong slapped his hand away.
"Aaargh!"
Mincheol screamed at the sudden spike of pain.
But the embarrassment stung far worse than the physical toll.
As a powerful figure within GR Group, he had never been treated like this.
What is with that look? He's staring at me like I'm some kind of bug!
Usually, everyone bowed their heads in his presence.
Yet Taepyeong didn't even bother to hide his annoyance.
I'm the son of GR Group! Why am I being treated like this?
But he couldn't just throw a tantrum like he used to.
He wanted nothing more than to smash Taepyeong's jaw, but...
Calm down.
His opponent wasn't some ordinary civilian. He was a guildmaster.
A super rookie who had the entire industry's eyes on him.
There were even rumors that the Hunter Bureau was backing him.
No matter how arrogant Mincheol was, he couldn't afford to cross the line.
If he ruined this, his father's wrath would be absolute.
Damn it, why is Father just letting Go Juhee do whatever she wants?!
Mincheol swallowed his rising anger and forced a smile as he looked at Taepyeong.
"Hunter Lee Taepyeong, the reason I came today is—"
"No need to explain. Since you came without an appointment, it can't be that important."
"..."
"If it's truly important, schedule a formal meeting next time. Don't sneak in like a thief and cause a scene."
"W-what did you say?"
Ignoring Mincheol's flushed face, Taepyeong turned to Juhee.
"Director Go, could you tighten security? I really don't like outsiders trespassing into my space."
"Understood, Guildmaster. I will take care of it immediately."
Juhee replied with utmost respect.
Mincheol was stunned. Her submissive attitude was a far cry from the haughty sister he knew.
So that's how it is...
In Mincheol's mind, the wrong puzzle pieces clicked together.
If Go Juhee and Lee Taepyeong were in a relationship...
Then Juhee suddenly starting a guild, and Taepyeong rejecting every other guild's offer...
It all makes sense!
Utterly oblivious to how ridiculous his assumption was, Mincheol stared at them with newfound certainty.
No wonder they're in cahoots!
Juhee had latched onto Taepyeong to survive, and Taepyeong had partnered with her to get his hands on GR Group's money.
This absurd delusion had already become an absolute truth in Mincheol's head.
"Mr. Lee Taepyeong."
His confidence boosted by his own delusion, Mincheol adopted a cocky posture.
"Let's play nice."
"Excuse me?"
"Stop the power play. Let's make this easy for both of us."
"Power play?"
"We know you're aiming for the void left by the GR Guild."
"..."
"But do you really think Go Juhee alone is enough to help you take that spot?"
At Mincheol's words, Taepyeong glanced at Juhee.
Juhee let out a soft chuckle.
She realized her brother was deeply mistaken about something, but she didn't bother correcting him.
Mincheol needed to learn the hard way that people like Lee Taepyeong existed in this world.
People who didn't play by the rules he was used to.
"Right, I get it. What's the point of family if we don't help each other? I'll help you out."
"..."
"But if I help you, shouldn't you help me in return, Mr. Taepyeong?"
"..."
"Let's sign the byproduct trade contract first. You have it ready, right?"
Mincheol gestured casually. Taepyeong's brow furrowed.
"Excuse me, but..."
"Yeah, you should be sorry. Backstabbing people like that..."
"Am I your errand boy?"
"Huh?"
Errand boy? The unexpected slang caught Mincheol off guard.
"Or are you treating me like a child just because your youngest sister is here?"
"W-what...?"
"This is quite baffling."
Taepyeong glanced at Juhee.
"I hired Director Go for her capabilities."
"..."
"Yet I have to deal with this crap?"
Right on cue, Juhee bowed deeply to Taepyeong.
"I apologize, Guildmaster. It is my fault for not handling this properly."
"Director Go, is there any reason for me to work with someone who can't even manage their own family issues?"
Taepyeong's voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"...!!"
It wasn't Juhee who panicked, but Mincheol.
He should have bowed and apologized immediately, but Mincheol just stood there, dumbfounded.
"Ah, maybe I should just fire her and handle things myself..." Taepyeong muttered.
It was a monologue, but it was meant to be heard.
As the reality of the situation set in, the color drained from Mincheol's face.
If Juhee got fired and Taepyeong ran the Typhoon Guild alone...
Would he ever trade byproducts with GR Group?
The answer was a resounding no.
Even someone without Mincheol's expensive, elite education could figure that out.
"W-wait, wait a minute..." Mincheol stammered, pushing up his slipping glasses.
"Director Go, let's kick this guy out first," Taepyeong said.
"Yes, Guildmaster."
"We'll talk about firing you after we deal with this."
"Understood."
Juhee bowed politely with every response.
Seeing this, a terrifying future flashed through Mincheol's mind.
You idiot!
How could you ruin things like this?
How are we going to explain this to Father...?
Mincheol, you're off the GR project.
"Gasp..."
His breathing grew shallow. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
"President Go Mincheol, please leave," Juhee said, her gaze ice-cold.
Her eyes screamed that he had ruined everything for GR Group.
Taepyeong simply turned around and walked away, completely indifferent.
"W-wait! Just a moment!"
"Stop it. It's over," Juhee snapped.
"J-Juhee! Stop Taepyeong—no, stop the Guildmaster!" Mincheol cried out desperately.
"Ha!" Juhee let out a scoff. "He isn't free enough to waste his time on you."
"Go Juhee!"
"Didn't you hear him? He said he's going to fire me too."
"..."
"What are you going to do now?"
Mincheol stared at her, his face pale.
If they lost the Typhoon Guild now, GR Group's tower byproduct processing business was as good as dead.
Just imagining it made his knees buckle, and he stumbled.
Juhee clicked her tongue at the sight.
"I was trying to put GR on life support, but you ruined it, President Go Mincheol."
"..."
"I'll make sure Father hears all about this."
Mincheol collapsed to the floor.
"I have to go beg the Guildmaster not to fire me, so I won't be able to see you out."
"T-that..."
"Goodbye."
Juhee turned away without a shred of regret.
Two days later.
Go Woncheol, the eldest son of Chairman Go Myeongjung and the official successor to GR Group, personally visited the Typhoon Guild.
His purpose was obvious.
"I sincerely apologize."
He was here to secure the tower byproduct trade contract between the Typhoon Guild and GR Group.
I glanced at Go Woncheol as he bowed politely.
I had only ever seen this guy on the news. I never expected to meet him like this.
Woncheol apologized for Mincheol's behavior and made it clear that his brother's actions did not represent GR Group.
He added that GR Group wanted to cooperate closely with the Typhoon Guild...
...Anyone can see this contract is heavily in our favor.
The terms he offered were incredibly submissive.
It made sense.
With the GR Guild's collapse practically set in stone, they needed to find a stable supplier as soon as possible to keep their byproduct business alive.
"We will review it and get back to you."
"Thank you, Guildmaster. We look forward to working with you."
His attitude was exceptionally polite.
It was only natural, considering he probably knew exactly how I had treated Mincheol.
According to Juhee, Mincheol had been demoted by their furious father.
He was effectively stripped of any involvement in the byproduct business.
Furthermore, it was almost certain that the distribution side would be handed over to Juhee.
"It's all thanks to having a great partner," Juhee said.
"Is that so?"
"I was truly impressed. That's not something you can just learn."
"Hahaha."
"I knew you were bold, but..." Juhee smiled warmly. "It seems you were born with the instincts of a businessman!"
"No way..."
She sounded so genuinely impressed that I wondered if she was teasing me.
"Thanks to you, Guildmaster, we won't have to worry about the future."
I scratched the back of my head at her words.
Instincts of a businessman...
Honestly, it was probably just because I read too many webtoons.
But hey, if she says we don't have to worry, then I guess it worked out!
"Then I'll leave the contract details to you, Director Go."
"Yes. Leave it to me."
Usually, when a new guild is established, they start recruiting new hunters.
Juhee had brought that up, but I turned it down.
Recruiting hunters would be done strictly on my terms.
I only wanted people I could trust in my guild.
If I wanted to take good care of them, it was better to handle it myself.
Still...
It'll take some time to get the guild fully organized.
Should I start taking care of the promises I made to the other guilds in the meantime?