Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Winner's Prerogative (2)
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The next morning, the area in front of the Miracle Management office was even noisier than usual.
Vrooom—
A heavy engine roar announced the arrival of Korea's one-and-only top-tier black sedan, pulling up imposingly in front of the building.
The driver hurriedly got out and opened the rear door, revealing a man of massive build.
He had a leopard-print coat draped over his shoulders and dark sunglasses covering his eyes.
It was Baek Chang-gi, the head of the White Tiger Guild.
With every step he took, the air around him grew heavier.
The reporters and scouts who had set up camp for coverage, just like the day before, parted to either side like the miracle of Moses, clearing a path for him.
"B-Baek Chang-gi..."
"The White Tiger Guild Master himself is here?"
The reporters held their breath and snapped photos furiously.
Baek Chang-gi ignored the stares around him and strode boldly into the building.
Upon reaching the third-floor office, Choi Min-seok, dressed in a security uniform, blocked his path in front of the firmly shut glass door.
Baek Chang-gi lowered his sunglasses slightly and gave Min-seok a once-over.
"You must be the famous Choi Min-seok."
Baek Chang-gi eyed him with keen interest.
Seeing the man from the rumors right in front of him only made his mouth water more.
Korea's fourth S-rank hunter.
He already thought of Choi Min-seok as being firmly in his grasp.
The thought of his guild boasting two S-rank hunters sent shivers of excitement down his spine.
But oblivious or not to Baek's thoughts, Min-seok replied in a businesslike tone.
"Do you have an appointment?"
Baek Chang-gi's eyebrow twitched.
He then unleashed his signature ferocious intimidation.
Any ordinary hunter would have wet themselves under that pressure, but Min-seok didn't so much as blink.
Baek Chang-gi, seeing Min-seok staring him straight in the eye, said in disbelief,
"An appointment?"
He let out a hollow laugh.
"I come when I come. Do I really need an appointment to meet some lowly manager? Don't you know who I am?"
Baek Chang-gi glared at him incredulously.
A beastly killing intent emanated from his body, but Min-seok stood firm without budging an inch.
"You're the CEO."
Min-seok stated firmly, his face still expressionless.
"If you don't have an appointment, you can't enter. Please leave."
"What?"
Veins bulged in Baek Chang-gi's fists.
He had been trying to leave a good impression and show some respect, but the idea that a mere manager was turning him away at the door was too much to bear.
He wanted to swing right then and there, but hesitated at the thought that the man was also an S-rank.
If he used force here, the building collapsing would be the least of it—the clash between two S-ranks would surely dominate the headlines.
'Damn it, if you're an S-rank, act like one. Why the hell are you playing security guard?'
As Baek Chang-gi ground his teeth in frustration, the door to the CEO's office inside swung open, and Siwoo stepped out.
"Min-seok."
At the sound of Siwoo's voice, Min-seok immediately turned and bowed.
"Yes, CEO."
"It's fine. Looks like we have a guest. Let him in."
The moment Siwoo's words fell, Min-seok withdrew his presence as if by magic and stepped aside.
He then bowed politely.
"My apologies. Please come in."
Baek Chang-gi was floored.
The guy wouldn't budge when he growled, but one word from his manager and he turned into a lamb.
He let out an incredulous scoff and glared at Siwoo.
"Heh, impressive management, CEO Han."
"I'm a bit strict about that sort of thing. Come on in."
Siwoo calmly led Baek Chang-gi into the office.
**
Entering the CEO's office, Baek Chang-gi plopped down on the prime sofa, throwing his full weight into it.
Before Siwoo could even sit across from him, he propped his shoe up on Siwoo's desk with a thud.
A clear signal of his superiority and position.
"CEO Han. You hung up on me pretty rudely yesterday. I'll let it slide once, but not twice. You get what I'm saying?"
Baek Chang-gi shot Siwoo a sideways glare, subtly radiating killing intent.
The heavy mana unique to S-rank hunters pressed down on the air.
It was enough to cause breathing difficulties for any normal person.
But Siwoo, without a flicker of expression, casually picked up his phone.
"Mind waiting a moment? I have an urgent call to make."
"What?"
He then proceeded to call somewhere right in front of Baek Chang-gi, as if on purpose.
Ring. Ring.
[Yes, this is the Guillotine Guild scouting team leader.]
Baek Chang-gi's eyes nearly bulged out at the voice coming through the speakerphone.
Guillotine.
The blood-sworn rivals and arch-enemies of the White Tiger Guild.
"Yes, team leader. This is Han Siwoo."
[Oh! CEO Han! I've been waiting for your call! Have you made a decision?]
"I'm calling after seeing your message. You proposed something regarding Hunter Choi Min-seok, right? Please come to Miracle Management tomorrow. We're considering it positively."
Baek Chang-gi's face flushed red and purple. How dare he openly flirt with Guillotine right in front of him? If this wasn't provocation, what was?
[Really? Thank you! I'll clear my schedule tomorrow! I'll prepare the contract right away and rush over!]
"Yes, see you tomorrow then."
Click.
The instant Siwoo hung up, a loud BAM! shook the desk.
Baek Chang-gi lowered his leg and leaned forward, growling.
"You messing with me right now?"
The killing intent pouring from his body crashed over Siwoo like a storm.
The potted plants in the office trembled, and cracks spiderwebbed across the windows from the sheer force.
"Calling Guillotine right in front of me... is that it?"
Baek Chang-gi threatened as if he might tear Siwoo's throat out any second.
He was genuinely furious, his clenched fists shaking.
Siwoo took a sip from his cooled teacup, met his gaze head-on, and said,
"You're the one who's desperate."
"What?"
"Mind your manners. This is my company."
Siwoo's eyes were rock-solid, unyielding.
He was countering Baek's pressure head-on.
"I'm a businessman. It only makes sense to give my time to guests who recognize true value. Polite ones appeal more than those who put their feet up and make threats."
Baek Chang-gi was at a loss for words, staring at Siwoo in bewilderment.
On top of that, the fact that a mere manager was facing his S-rank killing intent without flinching secretly surprised him.
'At least B-rank. No, higher? And with that kind of nerve, he's just a manager? Even after Choi Min-seok became S-rank, he still listens to him.'
Baek Chang-gi quelled his boiling anger and burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! You're crazy, for real. I like it."
As if nothing had happened, he withdrew his killing intent and straightened up.
"Alright, I admit it. I got ahead of myself. So, how much? I don't know what Guillotine offered, but we'll double it. Join White Tiger: 160 billion signing bonus for a 5-year contract. Annual salary 320 billion. How's that? Best deal in Korea."
Baek Chang-gi tossed out the bold offer confidently.
It was fitting for an S-rank—hell, extravagantly so.
But Siwoo shook his head firmly.
"Sorry, but Miracle Management mainly does rental contracts."
"What? Rental?"
"Yes. Tying him to one guild wouldn't reflect Choi Min-seok's true value. It might seem like a huge sum, but when you convert rental earnings to salary, it's actually a loss."
Baek Chang-gi's brow furrowed, his face twisting.
To him, what Siwoo was saying made no sense at all.
Korea's top guilds monopolized the dungeons requiring S-rank hunters.
But if he wasn't affiliated with any, how the hell would they manage?
"Who the hell would go for that kind of contract! Renewing rentals every dungeon? Tedious and inefficient. Doesn't make sense."
"Guillotine Guild already understands and made an offer."
"...What?"
"You heard the call, right? They were practically waiting for my word. Their heads turn a bit faster."
"......"
"Think about it. It's more profitable to rent at a fair price only when needed than pay 320 billion a year for someone sitting idle. S-ranks don't raid dungeons every day."
"...Even so!"
"Unless prestige and guild status are your goal over pure profit. If it's just about the bottom line, rental is the way."
Baek Chang-gi shut his mouth, unable to argue further.
It felt like Siwoo had seen right through him.
"If you don't like it... Guillotine gets first dibs. They're very eager."
"S-Stop! Hold on!"
Baek Chang-gi frantically raised a hand.
"Fine. Say we rent. Terms?"
Siwoo handed him a pre-prepared contract.
"30% of dungeon clear profits. And first pick on boss byproducts. Signing bonus varies by duration and frequency."
"Th-30%?!"
Baek Chang-gi jumped up.
30% of an S-rank dungeon's haul was astronomical.
"No need to be shocked. Put yourself in his shoes, and it'll make sense."
"...What?"
"Let me ask. As an S-rank hunter yourself, what cut would you take as a mercenary?"
"......"
Baek Chang-gi fell silent.
If it were him? He'd take it all, of course.
"Exactly. You'd monopolize everything. Compared to that, 30% is downright generous."
"...I see. So that's what you meant by reasonable."
"Yes. In return, you'll get overwhelming stability and firepower, clearing even S-rank rifts. That's what an S-rank is."
Siwoo smiled and offered his pen.
"Sign? Or yield to Guillotine?"
"......"
"If not, I can call them back right—"
"Agh, fine! I'll do it! Happy now?!"
Baek Chang-gi snatched the pen irritably and scrawled his signature, nearly tearing the paper.
Then he grinned.
"But look here. It says terms like duration and bonus are negotiable..."
"...Yeah, well."
"Even a one-year rental is still a rental, right?"
"...Maximum is six months."
"Oh? Then rent him for the full six. Money's no object."
Only then did Baek Chang-gi smile deeply, looking satisfied.
Either way, he'd secured Choi Min-seok under the White Tiger name for six whole months.