Hyung Better Treat Me Well, Right?
Finally, the repair deadline had arrived. The big day was here at last!
Truth be told, I'd finished repairing the sword early last night. Mana at 100? Kuhuhuhuhu. Once the Dragon Heart stabilized and my status window showed my mana at 255, it had jumped more than 2.5 times. But that wasn't the end of it! The Dragon Heart was still growing. The power of an SSS-grade evolved Dragon Heart was beyond imagination. Repairs had gotten even easier, too.
But wait, there was more! When I used the A-rank ice elemental stone and mana gold for the repair, I didn't have to strain to circulate my mana like before. I just casually released it, and the cracks in the Frost Queen's greatsword sealed up in an instant. And who knows if it was because of the high-purity mana stone, but even without an upgrade repair, the aura it emitted was no joke. A-rank quality was on a whole different level, alright.
At this point, maybe I could dip into that 7 billion won advance? But nah, I'm a small-timer at heart. Couldn't bring myself to spend it. I wouldn't feel right until the deal was sealed. Sure, failure was impossible, but you never know with people.
"Alright, time to make contact!"
I pulled out my smartphone and shot Seo Ara a quick text.
Less than a minute later, a reply pinged back.
A little later, another urgent message from Seo Ara popped up.
The meeting spot was the top-floor luxury restaurant at Signature Hotel, a five-star tower smack in the middle of Seoul's Jung-gu district. Pricey as hell, and so famous it was impossible to book.
I love good food.
I could feel Seo Ara's desperation through the screen. Stretching out with a chuckle, I figured tomorrow was gonna be a hell of a day.
'Should probably give him a heads-up.'
As dusk settled in, I casually hit the call button.
Ring ring ring—
Click.
"Huh, Daesung? What's up? Went to your junkyard the day before yesterday and there was just some golden retriever-lookin' dog there, no you..."
"Uncle—no, hyung."
I dropped my voice seriously, and I could feel Taesoo hyung flinch on the other end.
"Huh? What's with you suddenly calling me 'hyung'? You always go 'uncle this, uncle that'..."
"You free tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? I've got nothing but time. Why?"
"Wear your best suit and meet me in the lobby of Signature Hotel in Jongno by noon."
"Why...? You win the lottery or somethin'?"
"One question. Hyung, you ever think about getting back into hunting?"
The mood shifted instantly.
"...Of course."
"See you tomorrow."
I hung up without waiting for a reply. If he doesn't show? His loss. But I knew Taesoo hyung would come. I'd heard it straight from him as that golden dog.
Next day, noon sharp. Signature Hotel lobby in Jongno.
"Yah, Daesung...! What the hell is this...?!"
I barely held back a burst of laughter at the sight of Taesoo hyung sprinting over, sweating bullets from afar.
'If he was gonna wear that, I should've just said 'come as is'...'
He'd definitely worn his "best" suit. Problem was, it looked at least 10—no, 15 years out of style. His wedding tux. Padded shoulders like seagull wings, pants flapping like sails.
"...His own damn fault."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothin'."
We headed into the hotel. I'd told him to dress nice, but I was in a black hoodie, faded jeans, and a long leather case with the Frost Queen's greatsword slung over my back. Total mismatch. Thanks to the SSS-grade Dragon Heart in my chest, I couldn't care less about the stares. With billions in the bank, who gives a shit about a hotel lobby? Money really does buy peace of mind.
"Hyung, you serious about joining a guild?"
As we walked across the marble floor, his eyes went wide.
"You mentioned it yesterday, so yeah... But what guild takes a washed-up has-been like me? Even newbie parties cut me loose."
"There's one. Roijir Guild."
He froze mid-step, clapping a hand over his mouth.
"Ro-Roijir!? That top-20 Korean guild—you know 'em how?!"
"Shh! Don't yell like a hick! Everyone's staring!"
"I-I wanna go! Even as a janitor, I'd kill for it! But they make B-ranks line up for interviews!"
I grinned and hit the top-floor button.
"You won't run off again if your weapon breaks, right?"
Casual toss, but it hit him deep. His regrets, spilled to me as a dog in the junkyard yard last night, tears and all. As the elevator doors closed and we ascended, his face turned dead serious.
"...Yeah. No more running. I swear."
I smirked. "Good enough. Let's go."
Ding— Top floor restaurant. A staffer led us down the hall to a luxurious mahogany door. I threw open the heavy VIP room door without hesitation.
Inside waited Roijir Guild's vice-master Seo Ara and her clingy little sister Seo Ayoung.
"Oh, Mr. Kwon! You're here!"
"Oppa!! You came!?"
Ayoung bounced up, waving excitedly. We're not that close...
Seo Ara half-stood for a greeting, but her eyes were glued to the leather case on my back. Eager, huh. She cut straight to it. Fair enough.
"Mr. Kwon... Don't tell me it's really perfectly restored...?"
No forger in Korea could do it, so she had every reason to doubt—and sweat bullets over that 7 billion advance.
"Have a seat. You seem in a rush, so let's check the goods first."
Like a 007 op. This was fun. I plopped the long leather case on the table with a grin.
Meanwhile, Taesoo hyung clocked Seo Ara's face and went pale, mouth agape.
"Yah, that's Seo Ara...?"
"Quiet, hyung. They can hear you. Just sit tight."
Not his moment yet.
"Go ahead, open it."
At my go-ahead, Seo Ara swallowed hard, hands shaking as she unlatched the metal clasp.
Click—
The thick leather flap opened, and—
Hwooooosh—
"Gasp...!!"
"Kyaa! S-Sis! Why's it suddenly so c-cold!!"
The room's air plunged below freezing in an instant. Overwhelming chill poured from the case, frosting the table with white rime. Breath fogging cold.
Seo Ara gasped in shock at the sight.
"Ha...? Th-this... is..."
Entranced, she gripped the Frost Queen's greatsword hilt. Mana infused with the blade's chill resonated with hers, sending shockwaves that threatened to ice the room. Dragon Heart plus high-purity mana stone synergy at its peak.
"Impossible... It's way stronger than its prime—not even comparable! Output's up at least 1.5 times?!"
Her eyes lit with uncontainable joy. Boosting an A-rank artifact by 1.5x? Basically reborn as S-grade. She caressed it reverently, gazing at me with awe.
"Ayoung... Pinch my cheek. Am I dreaming...?"
Ayoung obliged without mercy.
"Ow!!!"
"Not a dream, right?"
"Y-yeah...?"
Results so good she'd think it a dream. Happy customer, happy me.
"Glad you like it. Deal's done, then?"
"Of course!! One sec!!"
She frantically tapped her phone. Ten seconds later—
Ding! The world's most cheerful sound from my pocket.
◈ Bonus Payment
"Huh? What's this?"
"Bonus! Please accept it for such perfect work!"
Begging me to take money? Insane. Mood was perfect. She'd agree to anything now. I seized the moment.
"About that Roijir Guild exclusive smith contract you proposed..."
"Yes! The one you said you'd think positively about! Decided yet?!"
Her eyes flashed. Losing me to rivals would be a disaster for Roijir.
I nudged Taesoo hyung's shoulder—he was shrinking, soul half-gone in shock.
"Yeah, I'll join the guild."
Seo Ara and Ayoung's eyes bulged.
"R-really!?"
"But one condition."
I pointed at the stiff-as-a-board Taesoo hyung.
"Repair work needs an assistant. Hire Kim Taesoo here as my exclusive under Roijir officially."
"...Pardon?"
"...Wha—D-Daesung?!"
Taesoo hyung sprang up like a jack-in-the-box. I shoved him back down, locking eyes with Seo Ara.
"Sit...! Always jumping like a damn fish."
"But, but still, man!"
I ignored him, staring her down.
"If you can't swing that, no guild for me. He's the only one I trust."
My firm line. She blinked, scanning his ragtag look. But no hesitation.
"Deal. A spot for him's nothing if we get you exclusive. As of today, Hunter Kim Taesoo is Roijir Guild. Terms later."
"...Y-Yes!?"
His eyes popped like ping-pong balls. From cheap soju and tears on a creaky bench last night, to top Korean guild hire in a day. I flashed him a grin amid his stunned gape.
"Hyung better treat me well now. Right?"