Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Nominal Association Membership
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"Ah, yeah. Speaking of which now, those guys—I picked them out myself."
"One by one, each with power on par with S-rank?"
"Yeah. Well, that's why they lack any uniformity."
"Hmm~ I thought it was just your taste."
At the word "taste," Yoo Seongwon grimaced.
Seom-myeol was the only normal one among them; the other three were far from conventional preferences.
Before that, Shin Somi's doubts about Yoo Seongwon's abilities and skills had only grown.
His strength was shockingly overwhelming compared to his level, and the scale kept expanding in a bizarre way. Still, she didn't show it on the surface.
"Even so, bolstering forces is just strengthening the means. What's crucial now is who to ally with—or whether to ally at all. That's the choice we have to make."
"Hmm~ That's the biggest dilemma. The best option would be teaming up with a guild to suck on the sweet honey, but their tangled relationships make it impossible. The only ones left are the association or the government. The government... I just hate them."
It wasn't just the incident at the protection facility. His bottom-rung life experiences—uncaring public officials when he sought help, nightmares from military service—had built up massive resentment, to the point he preferred living as a civilian.
"Then the association's all that's left. Of course, that doesn't mean actively joining and operating under them. I'll just put my name on the roster and set my fee so high that even one call for a dungeon raid becomes unfeasible."
"I see—blocking them with costs."
It might seem like the epitome of cowardly abuse of power, but it was just the world giving back what it had taught him.
With their policy set, the two finished shopping in Undercity and headed out to the forest toward the temporary base they'd made.
It was called a base, but it was more like a luxurious cabin fit for a resort, showcasing Akaron's craftsmanship.
'It's like ten thousand times better than what I could make alone. Wow~'
[Welcome back, Master.]
"Akaron, it's just a temporary base. You didn't have to go this far."
[Since the Master resides here, a woman must also reside comfortably. The current situation may persist long-term. Plus, creating better accommodations than a tent is standard, so I put in the effort.]
"It's a compliment... don't take it that way. Anyway, where are the others?"
[Sir Gaulpf is on patrol, Sir Krokbane is training, and Lady Seom-myeol is in prayer.]
"Got it? Call them around dinner. We have a meeting and some tasks."
It was the same sight as yesterday, but Shin Somi still couldn't get used to it.
Even in the era of Awakeners where anything could appear, this mismatched group was unprecedented.
It even felt somewhat like the Seoul Guild, but regardless, they treated her politely and warmly since she was Yoo Seongwon's acquaintance.
[Madam Shin Somi, leave the cooking to me and stay by the Master's side. This is our camp—assigning work to a guest would tarnish our honor.]
"I've honed my skills just to not use them now, but consulting on how to talk to the association seems more important anyway."
"Sure, let's do that."
She regretted not showing off her polished skills, but she knew what mattered most right now and decided to help Yoo Seongwon.
For all his strengths, Yoo Seongwon was still from the bottom. In an official meeting with association members, some slip-up or gap could appear, so expert advice was essential.
"I don't want to get taken for a fool by mistake. Anyway, I want to nominally register with the association, guarantee my freedom, ignore any mobilization orders, and only work if they pay up front when they need me for association tasks..."
"You mean as a contractor. How much for the fee?"
"Set it ridiculously high so no one even thinks of requesting me! An SS-rank Hunter should be pricey enough that they won't complain, right?"
"That's true, but your intentions will be obvious. Well, that's not your concern."
"Anyway, first I need to send the proposal... to the old lady."
With Yoo Seongwon's overwhelming might putting him firmly in the superior position, it was up to the association to accept his terms or negotiate—and sweat over it.
Yoo Seongwon drafted a simple script and list of demands, then emailed it to Elder Baek Gayeon first.
***
In central Seoul, at Baek Gayeon's residence.
After the meeting at association headquarters, she'd returned home straightaway and was discussing Yoo Seongwon's next moves with Shin Ayoung.
No matter what, Yoo Seongwon was the central figure, so everything hinged on his choice. They worried about what he'd pick and whether any other incidents would arise while he was on the run.
"Honestly, more than that worry, I hope this chance lets their spark progress. Like, when he comes down, 'Call me Daddy now!' or something."
"Heh heh~ With two seasoned adults involved, who knows? It might happen."
"Not at all! My mom's one issue, but that uncle seems to have zero dating experience, so no expectations. At least when I heard he rescued her from the guild, I thought it was a relief."
Yoo Seongwon had his issues, but as an unmarried mother, Shin Somi had her own painful backstory, so Shin Ayoung didn't expect much progress between them.
That's why she hoped something would happen now, while they were stuck together.
"Well, if he had no feelings at all, he wouldn't have rushed to save her. Heh heh. Oh? A message. Let's see... He's saying he'll join hands with the association."
"Huh? Isn't that the weakest option?"
"Weakness gives them more sway. It's just like him. I figured he'd pick wherever he wants to do things his way."
As if she'd anticipated it, Baek Gayeon reviewed Yoo Seongwon's demands.
The gist: Register as a Hunter under the association nominally, choose whether to heed mobilization orders, and work only on association requests.
The problem? Each request: one trillion won minimum, all combat spoils tax-free to him. It was bandit-level.
"He's basically saying no requests at all."
"That's so him."
"True. But will the association accept? Hmm~ Well, with him holding all the cards, they have no choice. Ayoung, you coming too?"
"Of course. I'm... Baekya Guild's acting Guild Master, after all. Sigh~"
Still a minor, but as Baekya Guild's official second-in-command and heir, she had every right to attend.
She'd been the one cleaning up the mess at Baekya Guild during Shin Somi's absence.
When word spread of their sudden link to the Golden Demon Knight, confused members sought Guild Master Shin Somi, forcing Shin Ayoung to explain everything personally.
"But I couldn't stop members from leaving or staff quitting. Sigh~ They won't say anything, right?"
"Only your Constellations could prevent that. The fact they didn't means they've probably been neglecting you for ages. To them, stars are just game boards."
Some Constellations hustled to conquer Earth’s game board, while others cut losses on unwinnable fronts to save resources.
To those great stars' gaze, the surviving humans were mere forgotten chess pieces.
"That's why humans bound to Constellations go berserk to avoid abandonment. Like that pastor over there. Anyway, we've made contact—let's prepare to go."
"Ah, yes! I'll change right away, Grandma!"
"You rascal~ I'm grandmother age, but still spry."
Baek Gayeon and Shin Ayoung finished preparing and headed to the association in a trailer.
The association had already heard the Golden Demon Knight's intentions, so the chairman and key executives waited.
Unrelated government officials were there too, prompting Baek Gayeon to frown.
"These folks aren't ones he called, are they?"
"We have a right to hear as well, Elder. Association matters ultimately concern the government and..."
"Don't you get that he hates you people? You can hear the story later, but name one good thing about irritating him now."
At Baek Gayeon's point, the officials' faces twisted, but she was right.
She'd repeatedly warned of Yoo Seongwon's government resentment, yet here they were disrupting.
She understood wanting intel, but blocking the deal would leave everyone empty-handed.
"We'll just listen quietly. The government can't ignore this incident either."
"Then stay utterly silent. Not a peep."
That was as close as it got to telling them to leave without saying it outright.
Since it was a direct contract, they needed to call Yoo Seongwon or interview via contact—no clashes allowed. She stressed it, but compliance was doubtful.
'Well, if they cause trouble, it just proves they're the fools.'
"Anyway, Elder Baek Gayeon, let's hear the Golden Demon Knight's demands quickly."
"Got it. I'll go through them one by one."
Under the chairman's lead, Baek Gayeon relayed Yoo Seongwon's terms point by point.
As expected, the chairman, executives, and even government officials grimaced identically.
His conditions went beyond arrogant to absurd.
No Hunter had ever demanded such. Unable to endure, one executive slammed the desk and stood.
"Are you joking? Elder, where in the world are there terms like this?"
"I'm not claiming them—I'm just the messenger. Overreacting much~"
"It's outrageous! Affiliated with the association but ignoring mobilization while raiding dungeons? Contractor style? One trillion per request? There's a limit to nonsense!"
"Sure, but he does the job if paid, right? The association-gains-SS-rank title is valuable~ And crucially, his insane power alone, plus four near-S-rank knights and a dragon... One trillion's a bargain, no?"
Even valuing the SS-rank as three S-ranks made seven total, plus a peak familiar Gold Dragon—a steal for a unit.
Pricey, yes, but deploying them meant crises worth it.
Yet human greed knew no bounds—or was it sheer outrage?—as one government official shot up to object.