Likey Likey Function Guild (2)
Lee Jiyu gripped the steering wheel, feeling her palms grow damp with sweat. It was nerves.
Before pressing the ignition button, she let out a short sigh to steady her breathing.
She knew the fallout that followed when a ranker left one of the five major guilds.
Honestly, she knew they would let her go without much trouble, but this was the guild she had belonged to and worked with for years.
Even while she was busy with her personal business, she had received considerable consideration at certain levels.
Of course, any resentment had been quelled because the S-grade player Choi Byeong-ryeol had supported only her during climbs.
“Anyway… I hope it goes smoothly.”
When Lee Jiyu pressed the ignition button, the car vibrated with a heavy exhaust note. Her pink sports car sped across the city toward the Eden Guild of the East.
“This is a first.”
The master of the Eden Guild of the East leaned back in his chair with clear reluctance, lips pursed.
“Is it because of the recent talk inside the guild?”
He was asking whether she was aware of the complaints some guild members held toward Lee Nayeon.
The discontent within the guild stemmed from the perception that Lee Jiyu was neglecting tower climbs and player duties in favor of her entertainment career, leveraging her status as a player and tower raider.
In truth, it was closer to jealousy of her success, fame, and popularity, yet the whispers never stopped even among those in the guild pursuing the same goals.
She possessed overwhelming looks, had achieved business success at a young age, and was counted among the strongest players. Yet some viewed it all as possible only because she had started as a player, and accused her of neglecting guild activities and tower raids.
Despite her striking appearance, they claimed her business funds and public attention existed only because of her S-grade player status.
She acknowledged that much. If she had been merely A-grade instead of S-grade, she would never have become a topic on social media or news.
The master of the Eden Guild of the East now understood she was fully shifting toward business instead of tower climbing. That made him generous.
Money could be earned far more safely and rationally through business than by climbing towers. In a way, it was a reasonable choice.
Yet the answer that came from her mouth was the complete opposite of his expectations.
“More than that, I can’t say the drop to 19th in the rankings had no influence.”
“Hmm.”
‘Leaving the guild… because of a ranking drop?’
Of course, on the surface it could serve as a plausible excuse.
The fact that the Eden Guild of the East had not deployed her on the front lines was also a reason for the ranking decline.
“We’re not gangsters. If the contract termination is legitimate, we should let her go. After losing Choi Byeong-ryeol, it’s true we haven’t been able to give her proper treatment either.”
Lee Jiyu looked surprised that they were not trying to hold her back.
Her recognition and symbolic value were clearly a major blow to the Eden Guild of the East.
It could be an even greater loss than simply losing a ranker in 19th place.
Quite a few mid-tier players in the guild had joined precisely because they wanted to see Lee Jiyu.
She was a star player with that level of symbolic weight. Even she, who had expected backlash, found the reaction rather disconcerting.
“It doesn’t seem like she’s heading to one of the five major guilds.”
If someone of Lee Jiyu’s caliber moved, it would not have escaped his information network.
She nodded at the guild master’s question.
“That’s right.”
“Focusing on business?”
“No, well… not exactly, but honestly, that’s part of it.”
The guild master finally nodded.
It sounded as though she intended to repeat only safe floors or stop climbing altogether and focus solely on business.
He knew her business had been on a downward trend recently before suddenly rebounding after using a certain model.
Of course, he also knew that model was Lee Nayeon, the government-managed player.
She might have been convinced she could no longer afford to ignore her business.
“A shame.”
That was the guild master’s honest sentiment.
Rankers leaving guilds due to injury happened often enough.
Moreover, this was not a simple freelance transition or retirement.
The guild master seemed to search for something to say before breaking the silence.
“It sounds like your next destination is already decided.”
Lee Jiyu let out a small laugh, as if she could not hide it from the guild master’s sharp eyes.
“May I ask? You don’t have to answer if it’s inconvenient.”
“If I don’t answer, you’ll just send people to investigate anyway.”
“……Right. We’ve worked together too long.”
It was obvious.
It would not be good if people started digging into her background and causing trouble.
After Choi Byeong-ryeol’s first-floor reward was taken, this was the same guild master who had thoroughly investigated every shadow player in Korea and listed all F-grades.
“I’m planning to join Lee Nayeon’s guild.”
The guild master’s eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.
Rankers leaving guilds due to injury happened often enough.
Moreover, this was not a simple freelance transition or retirement.
“Lee Nayeon… that government-managed player?”
“That’s right.”
“She’s founding a guild?”
“Exactly. Well, it was bound to happen, wasn’t it? The government finally revealed the people they had been hiding.”
The guild master looked as though he had many more questions, but he did not ask further.
He simply nodded with an expression of gratitude for the information.
“We’ve spent quite a lot of time together. Thanks to you, the guild was able to grow this much.”
The guild master extended his hand with pure goodwill.
Lee Jiyu was rather surprised that he was letting her go without any conflict.
The guild master handed her the contract the secretary had prepared.
“You can terminate it yourself.”
Lee Nayeon reached for the document envelope on the table, but the guild master did not release the other end.
“May I ask one more thing?”
“Again? What is it?”
“Lee Nayeon. Is she… Function?”
“How would I know that? Probably not.”
Lee Nayeon answered the expected question with perfect composure.
Whether Lee Jiyu went or not, Choi Junseok climbed the 32nd floor as usual.
Clearing two floors a day was an unchanging routine.
The humanoid monsters on the 32nd floor always carried an unsettling air, but that was never a problem for Lee Nayeon.
You have entered the 32nd floor.
Time Limit: 35 minutes.
Clear Condition: Defeat the 13 members of the Execution Squad.
The moment they entered the tower, black-hatted martial artists surrounded them from all sides.
They drew their swords in unison and charged from every direction in an instant.
The only issue was that their opponent was Lee Nayeon.
Swish—!
With a single horizontal slash, those approaching from both front and rear were cleaved in half and died instantly.
Slide— clack.
She sheathed her sword as if she had done nothing at all.
Not a single drop of blood clung to the blade.
Congratulations!
You have cleared the 32nd floor.
Clear Time: 3 seconds.
Would you like to register anonymously on the Hall of Fame? (Y/N)
The additional effect of ‘Fairy of Retrieval’ has activated.
Mid-floor clear rewards have been granted.
Song Hana and Choi Junseok were startled.
The tower clear notification had already appeared.
Somehow, with every floor they climbed, it felt like they were growing stronger without any obstacles.
“Returning.”
When they returned to Lee Jiyu’s house, she wore a reluctant expression.
“They were weak.”
She had apparently hoped to cross blades properly with martial artists.
Choi Junseok understood the competitive spirit of a warrior who wanted to confirm her own strength.
“Don’t be so impatient. You’re still growing.”
Lee Nayeon nodded.
Her level had already reached 108, growing at a remarkably fast pace.
Reaching level 100 in the early 30th floors was not unusual, but considering how little time had passed since they began climbing the towers, her growth was explosive.
Lee Nayeon, still feeling stiff, headed to the gym to work out.
Song Hana went to take a nap, while Choi Junseok went to deliver materials to Haetaesik.
The items from the early 30th floors never satisfied him, but many were good for modification and use.
If others had obtained them, the status window would have classified them as ‘Miscellaneous’ items, rendering them unequippable and destined for disposal.
Yet in Haetaesik’s hands, they could become excellent equipment. Simply sharpening the edge and tempering them was enough to turn them into usable gear.
From Haetaesik’s perspective, the work kept him from getting bored, so it was a win-win relationship.
When Choi Junseok returned after finishing his work, Lee Jiyu was already home.
She wore a bitter expression, though it was not because she had left the guild.
“Rumors are spreading that Lee Nayeon is Function.”
“What?”
The story claimed that although Lee Nayeon was an SS-grade player, the government had disguised her rank as F-grade so she could climb the towers alone.
“And… sorry, but somehow I ended up telling the Eden Guild of the East that my next destination is the new guild Lee Nayeon is founding.”
Choi Junseok had not exactly failed to anticipate this either.
If anything, it might be better if no one came looking for them afterward.
‘Already…?’
A chill ran down Choi Junseok’s spine at the news that external forces were already searching for Korea’s Function.
Choi Junseok moistened his dry lips and pondered what to do about dropping the SG Group’s eldest son.
“Everyone, pay attention… Jo Insu, the eldest son of the SG Group, has applied to join the guild.”
After briefly checking his phone, Choi Junseok spoke with a grave tone. Lee Jiyu’s brows furrowed as well.
Choi Junseok immediately began reviewing Jo Insu’s application on his phone.
The resume was impressive.
“You’re not actually planning to accept him, right?”
“……Of course not.”
Choi Junseok was only reading it out of curiosity. He already knew roughly what would happen if they accepted him.
However, the content written at the bottom of the application was far too outrageous.
“I will gladly donate 100 billion won as guild… funding…?”