Devouring the Guild Alliance. (3)
‘…Oh?’
I let out an internal sigh without realizing it.
I never expected him to utter the word “withdrawal” before I could even guide him.
He began venting his frustration, looking aggrieved.
“It’s true. Please believe me. I’ve been pondering this for quite some time.”
“What’s the reason?”
“From a certain point onward, the Belves Alliance has lost its original purpose. The leading guilds, the main pillars of the alliance, have started focusing solely on their own interests.”
“…”
“We smaller guilds have been ignored by them. We’ve been neglected and only used! Treated like disposable parts…!”
Kang Chanyong pointed outside the door with his finger and shouted.
“Look at today’s memorial service! They didn’t even spare a glance for it, did they?”
He hit his chest as if bursting with genuine anger.
Thump, thump, thump.
While listening to his words and pretending to agree, I stroked my chin and muttered.
“Hearing that… It seems only those who appear to be family members or relatives are visible. That was a bit strange, though…”
As I said something positive, color returned to Kang Chanyong’s face.
Thinking that I understood his words,
“That’s right! They are rotten. At first, they proposed the alliance under the guise of protecting awakened beings… but now they’ve become monsters driven purely by greed!”
Regret, betrayal, and resentment.
I stared at his face as he spoke those emotions.
He took a deep breath,
“I know the situation too. The association is currently investigating the Belves Alliance in connection with human experiments. But…!”
“…”
“But, President. We swear we have no connection at all! After all, they never shared those benefits with us, did they…!”
“…”
“It’s true. Please, listen to my words!”
He begged in a hoarse voice.
They claim no connection to human experiments.
Believe me.
Yes, that would be the case.
I already know that his words are 100% true.
They never participated in human experiments targeting orphans.
No reason to.
No matter how much people are blinded by profit,
They wouldn’t commit a self-sabotage that contradicts the image they’ve built over years.
Moreover, they hold memorial services every year, divided into first and second half, showing sincerity.
Those people wouldn’t dare to commit human experiments, which would be a fatal blow.
They are quick to act, so they wouldn’t choose that path.
But.
Even though I know that, I have no reason to simply nod.
“…How can I believe your words without any evidence.”
Looking straight into his eyes, I expressed doubt.
If it were you, would you just believe it?
Kang Chanyong’s face turned pale, and he clung to me.
“P-prove it. I’ll prove it! What should I do? How can I make our guild’s innocence…!”
“Mr. Kang Chanyong.”
“Y-yes! President.”
“No matter how much you claim innocence, since your guild is affiliated with the Belves Alliance, there’s no way to avoid the social stigma…”
At the same time, Kang Chanyong’s shoulders slumped.
And he lowered his head in disappointment.
His hands on the table trembled.
It was visible that he clenched his fists tightly, turning white.
Injustice. Anger.
And hatred towards the leading guilds that caused this mess.
Intent to kill.
I know how much effort he put into running the guild.
How much he invested.
By suddenly making it seem like it wasn’t his doing, he fell into the abyss.
I couldn’t even gauge how intense the anger he felt was.
The trembling of his hand seemed to prove it.
I quietly watched his appearance and spoke softly.
“But.”
Before the words fell, Kang Chanyong, who had been lowering his head, suddenly raised his head.
And stared at me fixedly.
A glimmer of hope began to appear in his eyes that had been dead with despair.
Towards such a person, I showed a faint smile.
“A guild that doesn’t forget every year and holds such memorial services with its own money, contributing to society…”
“…”
“Even if it’s tied under the name of the alliance, the association turns a blind eye to it.”
“…”
“I don’t think it’s the correct direction for the association that I think.”
His two eyes shook slightly,
Then in less than a second, they shook greatly.
“P-president…? What you said…”
“At least, the truth should be revealed so that innocent victims don’t come out, shouldn’t it?”
“…!!”
“And the reputation built by a guild known for being benevolent… losing that dedication… As the association president, I feel very sorry.”
At that moment, color returned to Kang Chanyong’s face.
And he grabbed my two hands, sobbing.
“A… Ah…! Yes, that’s right. It’s exactly what you said, President!”
I reached out and patted his shoulder.
“So, there are ways for you to survive.”
Only then did Kang Chanyong’s eyes flash.
A way to survive.
And what I wanted from him now.
He seemed to ponder for a moment what that was,
Then said as if realizing something.
“That’s right…! Information!”
The word I wanted came out of his mouth.
I withdrew my hand and stared at him with meaningful eyes.
He swallowed once and began to spill his words.
“Should I hand over the information to the president? We’re still members of the alliance, internally…”
Thinking he found a way out,
He leaned forward in excitement.
“And also… That’s right! We’ll be witnesses too. What the Belves Alliance has been doing. We’ll gladly become the president’s power!”
Information, and witnesses.
Without realizing it, a faint smile formed on my lips.
Because the things I wanted came out smoothly from his mouth.
“Then… If the guild master truly hands over the information and becomes a witness.”
“…!”
“I think I can use some power as the association president.”
“T-thank you…! Really, thank you!”
“But. You need to think carefully, Mr. Kang Chanyong.”
“Yes?”
“If this matter escalates, will the alliance abandon the leading guilds? Or will they flip the blame on the smaller guilds and cut off their tails?”
“…”
“I already think the answer is set.”
At the same time, a sound of grinding teeth came from Kang Chanyong.
Crunch.
The worst scenario he feared the most.
The future where he becomes a meat shield and falls.
He nodded with a face full of anger.
“It will… That’s right. If those guys are involved, they’ll definitely do that.”
“You said you would become my strength just now?”
“Yes! Anything…!”
“No.”
“…”
“I am becoming your strength. As I save you, there should be appropriate benefits for me too, right? There’s no such thing as free in the world.”
Only then did Kang Chanyong seem to realize his position.
He moistened his dry lips with his tongue, and said in a resigned voice.
“…Please. I’ll follow any conditions.”
Before his words ended, he presented my conditions.
“On the day the Belves Alliance is destroyed, Big Stone Guild will be registered as a defense support guild under the direct control of the Hunter Association.”
“Defense… support guild?”
“Yes, you probably know. Registering as a defense support guild means that no matter what help the association requests in the future, they must unconditionally help the association. In fact, it means they will be under the association.”
Kang Chanyong took a sharp breath for a moment and showed a dazed expression.
It was no different from giving up the guild’s autonomy and living on.
It would be a bad proposal for him.
But.
Worse than the worst, right?
He erased the aggrieved expression and bit his lip tightly, nodding as if resigned.
Those who survive are the strong.
Better to become a shield for the alliance and die than to die trying to survive.
I gave him a carrot, even if a little.
“Don’t think too harshly. Rather, it might be a good thing for you.”
“…”
“You can claim that you have no relation to the Belves Alliance’s human experiments?”
“…Yes?”
“The Big Stone Guild that learned of the alliance’s evil acts. Unable to contain their anger, they instead strengthened social justice by signing a defense support contract with the Hunter Association!”
“…!”
“The public will treat you with sympathy rather than blame you.”
He nodded repeatedly as if mesmerized and answered.
“…Yes, yes! I understand. Thank you, President…!”
“Good. Then…”
With a look of anticipation, I took out a document envelope from inside my pocket.
And pulled out two contract documents and a pen, handing them to him.
“…?!”
At the sight of the contract,
His eyes widened and his face turned pale with shock.
His gaze alternated between the contract on the table and my face.
With eyes as if saying ‘Was this prepared in advance?’
That he would approach me.
Would hand over information.
And even sign this disadvantageous contract.
He finally realized that all this situation was designed by me.
Looking at me with eyes mixed with fear,
Then he gripped the pen with a trembling hand.
Scribble, scribble.
And silently signed his name and the guild’s name on the contract.
Putting one contract into his pocket, he slowly stood up from his seat.
And looking down at the dazed him,
“This contract will take effect one month from now.”
“…Yes.”
Leaving him in the lounge, I opened the door.
A short while later, I boarded the limousine van and pressed the shortcut number to make a call.
[Yes, President.]
The owner of the voice that came was none other than lawyer Kim Jinwook.
“Please call Ms. Kim Hye-in to the president’s office.”
[…Yes, understood.]