Earth Needs the Useless - 6
"Guild Master! Guild Master!"
Lee Seoyeonn turned to the hunter who had called out to her so roughly. He had a muscular build and deep scars etched across his face. His appearance was somewhat intimidating, but contrary to looks, he was a man with a kind heart. If he were truly rough and wicked, he wouldn't have lasted long in a guild like Mukseong to begin with.
"What's wrong, Hunter Woo Sangyu?"
"I need to talk to you for a moment."
"Sure. Come this way."
Lee Seoyeonn led Woo Sangyu into her office with an awkward smile.
"Have a seat. Make yourself comfort—"
"The kids are getting anxious."
"Pardon?"
"You know this mission can't afford to fail, right?"
Large guilds like theirs had to conquer large gates befitting their scale. Ordinary gates were more like hunting grounds than real threats. But the large gate they had to tackle was different. It was a true danger that could claim lives even among their ranks—a real challenge. They needed to prepare meticulously.
"Do we have a way to withstand that heat?"
The Burning Abyss Gate was a world where the very ground blazed with immense heat. Blocking it required artifacts of extraordinary caliber—ones so powerful they could whip up storms just by existing. These weren't something an individual could acquire. They demanded a guild's full efforts, sealed in specially crafted containers.
"I was going to have someone—"
"Shouldn't we prepare through a proper guild or the Hunter Market instead of that young guy, Jeong Isu?"
"..."
Woo Sangyu couldn't understand his guild master's decision. He knew the man wasn't bad. The ores he'd provided had helped the guild, and he'd even found a ribbon for Yuha, treating her like a daughter. But setting aside his character, whether he could really deliver such an item was doubtful. No, it was practically impossible.
Lee Seoyeonn let out a soft sigh.
"Looks like you haven't heard yet, Sangyu. Sorry. I figured you weren't curious since you didn't ask."
"What... Is this something I can know about?"
"Of course you can, Sangyu. To cut to the chase, we're giving it a try."
"Pardon?"
Woo Sangyu stared at Lee Seoyeonn with a blank expression.
"I reached out to the guilds we've traded with before. We'll find something to block the heat eventually."
Gates each had unique environments. While some, like the Burning Abyss, were engulfed in flames, others were blanketed in eternal ice. Harvesting mana-infused ice from such places and deploying it continuously was the standard countermeasure.
"As expected of our guild master. That's a relief. You should've told us sooner if that was the case."
"It... failed."
"Pardon?"
No matter the scrutiny from other guilds, Mukseong's size and power didn't vanish.
"We're scouring the international exchange and auctions daily, but everything's fallen through."
"That's..."
"Either woefully inadequate, absurdly expensive, or too late to the deadline. Nowhere has what we need."
"That's strange..."
"Yes. It's blatantly off. Unbelievable."
Lee Seoyeonn trusted that man. But not enough to stake the guild's fate entirely on him. He was a last resort—if possible, buy his item at a fair price and solve the problem.
"Something suspicious is afoot. Like someone wants our guild to falter."
Her word choice was excessively cautious. It was obvious Mukseong was under attack. They were already cornered without doing anything wrong.
"It's not just blind faith in Isu. We've tried everything, and he's the only reliable option left."
"...What happens if it fails?"
"We'll have to forfeit the privileges we've been granted, of course."
Guilds received state support—massive tax breaks and perks. But obligations came with them. They had to neutralize or stabilize large gates threatening national or regional security. Failing meant surrendering those benefits, losing control of 'safe gates' and their precious resources.
"If Jeong Isu doesn't deliver a proper artifact—"
"We'll pull out. We can't waste lives needlessly."
"..."
Shady guilds shoved unprepared hunters into gates anyway. Talented prospects were plentiful, and sometimes consuming them was more efficient than nurturing all. Even if heat incinerated them or cold froze the young, it was for the guild's survival.
"I see."
"Yes. No choice."
But Lee Seoyeonn wasn't like that. She didn't move the guild for perks or power.
"If word spreads... the young ones will panic."
"That's why I kept it quiet. You understand, right?"
Woo Sangyu nodded weakly. Mukseong's future was far darker and more dismal than he'd imagined.
Time flew by like an arrow. Strictly speaking, not that much had passed.
"Impressive. Surely you don't lack cloth over there?"
"Worry not. We have plenty of moonlit fiber and fabric to spare."
"Good to hear."
"It's simple work—just weave under the abundance and blessings of this land. How could I complain?"
It had been 50 days since first contact with this world. I'd been nonstop: building new warehouses, hiring Ria, trading with Amelie's company, buying and selling essentials.
"I doubted at first... but you were right."
"You're too kind."
Shatinbelle Silkraise's colony was halfway through its second year. Blessed with increased moonlit fiber yields, they'd woven it into fabrics and clothes.
"As you requested, we've made human-sized garments. Your reference materials helped greatly."
I'd given them fashion books from our world. Sending a few wasn't hard for me.
"Regrettably, we couldn't send much clothing—just fabric. Processing takes manpower, limiting output."
"More than enough."
I wasn't into fashion, but their human clothes exuded artisan spirit. The Joinkind were artists and poets, but above all, master tailors. Handmade luxury beyond human skill.
"Truly grateful."
"No need for modesty. Without your goods, we couldn't have. And... it's our joy."
I smiled faintly.
"How's the next blessing faring? Storm season's approaching..."
"Yes. As you said, we've taken in many. Their food stocks tide us over, but fuel's short."
"I'll prepare exactly for that."
Their second-year blessing was Blessing of Abundance. It drew more people, who brought luck and riches—saving fuel en route, finding wild fruits or monster eggs.
The colony gained more migrants and resources.
And its potency is absurdly high, no doubt.
Blessing strength scaled with residents' happiness. Most in fitting roles, my gourmet foods maxing bliss. It was practically duplicating population and supplies.
"Fuel, right? Included this trade. You won't be disappointed."
"Ah... splendid."
But such blessings were rarely chosen.
Migrants' cargo is unknown till they arrive...
More people meant issues: food drain, building materials, fuel, leisure for happiness.
Depending on needs, shortages varied. No guarantee migrants brought essentials.
Typical players preferred controlled growth over this gamble.
"You are my blessing."
"Just doing business."
But Shatinbelle had no such worries. Whatever lacked, I supplied.
"How much to cut food share?"
"Minimal. These migrants brought ample planks and bricks—no material woes."
"Their races?"
"Humans and dwarves."
"Perfect. I'll send fitting amusements."
Not everyone used specific 'toys,' but these few dozen minorities could enjoy compact ones.
"Goods ASAP. Rest well."
"May your ventures prosper."
Communication ended. I sighed in relief.
"Everything's on track, at least..."
Unlike fears, Amelie traded faithfully. I'd sold plenty of cloth, made good money. Next haul promised even more.
But...
In that deal, I held leverage. I could sell to others if needed.
She wouldn't let that stand.