CHAPTER 62: Request for Help
Going to work is always a grind. Or at least, it used to be. That was Chae Seunghyeon's take, back when he had a regular office job.
At the office, you'd hear all sorts of crap you didn't want to—gossip from employees scheming behind your back, office politics, the whole parade of human trash. It was enough to make you sigh nonstop.
But today, about a month after his first day, he found himself rethinking everything.
Knock knock.
"Mr. Seunghyeon? Mr. Seunghyeon? You in there?"
"Yes, I'm here. Come on in."
The little girl—and in truth, the real power behind this guild—Yang Hayang's sudden visit caught him off guard for a second. But then he tilted his head, watching her shuffle in with a tray clutched awkwardly in her small hands.
On the tray sat a teacup and some fancy-looking cookies.
Is she bringing this here so she doesn't bother Han Yuseol while she eats? The thought crossed his mind just as Hayang toddled over with her adorable steps and set the tray on his desk.
"Yuseol-unnie said to give you this. Tea and cookies. Have some while you work."
"Oh... th-thank you. I should be the one doing this."
"Hehe, no way. Yuseol-unnie makes amazing tea. Try it."
"Yes, ma'am."
A boss personally serving tea and cookies to an employee? He'd never heard of such a rare breed in his life. And the one who brewed it was none other than Han Yuseol, the Sword Empress serving as the public face of the master. The fact that the one delivering it held an even higher position? The disconnect was massive.
Hayang's visits didn't stop there.
"Mr. Seunghyeon, Mr. Seunghyeon. You're on break now, right?"
"Yes. Do you need something...?"
"Nah, nothing like that. Come here! Something awesome showed up!"
"Something awesome?"
She suddenly dragged him along, leading him to the break room next to his office. The moment they stepped inside, his eyes went wide.
"Ta-da! This is a massage chair! The delivery guy just installed it."
"Whoa!"
There it was—a ridiculously expensive-looking massage chair that probably cost a full month's salary at a glance.
The break room was already spacious, with a TV, recliner sofas, you name it. But this?
"The other day, Yuseol-unnie and I saw one on display at a store. It felt so good, I said it'd be nice to have at guild HQ, and she bought it right away."
"As expected from the Grand Master. Say the word, and it happens. Being at the top really is different."
"Aw, it's not that big a deal... hehe!"
And over the past month, Chae Seunghyeon had learned how to butter up Hayang just right. Or rather, how to make her happy. Compared to his old bosses—who you'd have to grovel to, spitting flattery just for a forced smile—this was a breeze. Pure, adorable, and straightforward.
"Sit here! I'll show you how to use it. Press this, turn that on, and music plays too..."
"Ahh, that hits the spot."
Playing around with Hayang like that was honestly fun. It didn't feel like sucking up to a superior. More like hanging out with a younger cousin or niece. Actually, way better. Hayang knew when to quit—she wouldn't cling until you dropped from exhaustion like some relatives.
And there was this one time...
"Oh yeah! Mr. Seunghyeon, is there anything you want at the guild?"
"I'm plenty satisfied as is."
"Come on, you gotta have something! Spill it."
"Hmm... A coffee machine would be nice. I don't really do instant coffee..."
"Aha!"
It was just casual chit-chat. But the next day at work...
"Ta-da! Look, Mr. Seunghyeon! A coffee machine!"
"No way! That's the model I wanted but couldn't afford..."
Like he'd wished on a shooting star—it appeared overnight. The exact one he'd dreamed of.
"Hehe, Yuseol-unnie got it. She said since we don't drink coffee, keep it in your room."
"No, no. It should go in the break room. It's not like I bought it myself."
"Oh, and if you want specific beans, just request them. I don't get it, but she said she'd know."
"R-really...?"
After that, no more trekking to outside cafes. Fresh brews whenever, with his favorite beans. Self-cleaning too—no hassle. Pure bliss!
And another time...
Hayang and Yuseol had just returned from gate scouting, dumping a ton of item sales and tasks on him. The workload meant overtime.
"Seunghyeon-ssi, head home. We're leaving now."
"It's quitting time!"
Around 4 PM, the two dropped by his office to leave together.
"No, go ahead. I'll finish this and go."
"Alright then..."
Han Yuseol didn't mind, but Hayang—who'd overheard—popped out from behind her.
"No way! If it's quitting time, you quit!"
"G-Grand Master?"
Hands on hips, no dignity in sight, but dead serious: "No!"
"The Master has spoken. Go home."
"Y-yes, ma'am. I'll wrap up and head out."
After that, no overtime at Hayangne Guild. An unspoken rule. To avoid it, Chae Seunghyeon worked even harder—but his heart was full.
His old job? Finish your work, and they'd pile on more for OT. Fucking bullshit! Black company hell!
This place? A utopia not worth comparing to. Want gear? Done in a day. Cute kid-boss drops by for fun. Solid pay, holiday bonuses. Guaranteed breaks. No OT, no special duties. No politics. No annoying flies buzzing during work.
Is this even a job?
Nah, heaven. He'd call it heaven from now on.
"Sigh..."
"What's up, Yuseol-unnie?"
I was rolling around on the sofa, slurping my chocolate milk—om nom nom—when Han Yuseol, checking her phone, let out a sudden sigh.
She quickly schooled her expression when I asked.
"Sorry. Lately, I've been getting calls from Ryu Sea-ah."
"How'd she get your number?"
"Probably from the Association or some channel."
"Ah."
She's persistent, huh. Makes sense, though. Yuseol-unnie's an amazing hunter. Any guild would want her.
But it was a bit surprising. Even for someone as great as her, after all those rejections, you'd think she'd back off. Was there more to it?
"What does she want?"
"Says she needs my power. Probably an excuse to lure us in."
"Us?"
Why us? Isn't it just Yuseol-unnie she wants? Well, we're a package deal, so maybe not weird.
"Maybe it's something important?"
"Important, you say?"
"Yeah. She seemed nice last time, but this persistence feels off."
"Hmm..."
My words didn't click; she frowned, looking displeased. I flinched a bit—it was kinda scary—and she apologized fast.
"Sorry. It's not that I doubt you, Master. I just can't trust her..."
"No, it's fine. Have you even talked properly?"
"No. I was thinking of blocking her."
"Hmm..."
If Yuseol-unnie hates it, oh well. But something felt off. Last time, she bought me chocolate cake and hot cocoa, petted my head tons. Seemed super nice. Maybe she really needs Yuseol-unnie's help for some big problem.
"Why not call her now?"
"Now?"
"Yeah. I'm curious too. Speakerphone. If it's nothing, hang up."
"True. Your input matters most, Master. I shouldn't decide alone."
Not exactly, but whatever. She's after Yuseol-unnie anyway. Still, as Grand Master, she probably feels obligated to report.
Ahem.
"I'll call then."
"Okay."
She dialed, and a cheerful ringtone played. Oh, this one's popular on the streets lately. Forgot the name.
"Hello?"
"Ryu Sea-ah-ssi?"
"Ah, Sword Empress... no, Yuseol-ssi. What's up?"
Her voice sounded a bit flustered, like she was busy.
"You've been calling nonstop, so I wanted to ask why. If it's a guild invite..."
"No, no! It started that way, but things have changed."
"Changed?"
Something happened? I looked at Yuseol-unnie in surprise; she shot me the same look.
"Yes. I'd like to borrow your strength, if possible. I know you're busy lately, but could you help?"
Yuseol-unnie was busy. How'd she know? Stalking?!
"I'll hear you out first. Why do you need my help?"
"Well... Recently, some of our guild members have gone missing."
"Huh?"
What? Missing?