Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Reversed Trap
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While Iru Ri and her teammates headed back into the tower for another attempt, So Seori was alone in the guild master's office, handling her paperwork.
Tak. Tak. Tak.
So Seori tapped her fingers on the desk, clutching a stack of documents on Wolverine Guild members.
"Do I really have to reshuffle the team?"
Right now, the guild survived on its first-string and second-string teams. Everyone else was either on dispatch or in training.
The first-string team was flawless, no weak links. But the second-string team looked fine on the surface—though cracks were starting to show.
"Park Han Su, a powerhouse dealer but still a minor. Choi Jin Ah, a devastating long-range mage who just doesn't mesh with the others..."
Kim Seung Cheol was an S-rank tank with first-string level skills and a great personality to boot.
Iru Ri was a bit timid, but she blended well with the team and followed Seung Cheol reliably—no issues there.
The problems were Park Han Su and Choi Jin Ah.
"And they don't even get along..."
What was most essential for conquering the tower?
Exceptional talent? Quick situational awareness? Swift reactions?
All crucial, of course. But to So Seori, the absolute top priority was 'teamwork'.
No matter how skilled individuals were, the tower wasn't something you could solo climb.
It allowed up to four people per entry, and the tower's messages explicitly recommended parties of four.
Sometimes you needed overwhelming physical prowess, other times sharp intellect, or magic attacks over physical ones.
A perfect all-rounder climber would solve everything—but those were rare, countable on one hand worldwide, and even they formed teams.
'Well, except for one guy.'
In the tower, where a single misjudgment could mean death, teamwork—supporting each other, moving as one—was more vital than raw power.
"They're all top-notch individually, but their synergy is off."
On paper, they perfectly complemented each other. But climbers were human, after all.
Skills aside, chemistry could be lacking.
And these were her second-string team, tackling floors above 50.
The real issue? Talented people like this were scarce. No options.
"What to do."
So Seori shoved her chair back hard, leaning way back to stare at the ceiling.
'If only their teamwork clicked, they'd have perfect synergy.'
Honestly, they were more harmonious than the first-string on composition alone.
A sturdy frontline tank drawing aggro, a long-range mage pulling eyes, the tank holding while the agile melee dealer unleashes hell to finish, plus a supporter backing them all.
'It's perfect—why do they always bicker!'
They followed Kim Seung Cheol's orders, but never proactively covered each other.
So Seori had hoped to push them to high-floor assaults later, but like this? No chance.
'Maybe wait and see Iru Ri's new magic first.'
Brrring, brrring.
The direct line to the guild master's office snapped her out of her thoughts. Normally calls routed through the secretary pool, but emergencies hit direct.
The lobby on the first floor.
Visitors.
Click.
"What is it?"
So Seori's face soured in real time as she listened.
"Why are those guys here? Without even calling ahead."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Didn't we call ahead?"
"Looks like we messed up on our end."
Kim Seok Hyun, the Climber Association Chairman, eyed the man beside him as they stood in the lobby, acting like this unannounced visit was a surprise.
The man straightened his tie, feigning ignorance.
'He skipped the call on purpose.'
That fox-like innocent look fooled no one—Kim Seok Hyun knew better. This guy didn't make slip-ups.
Meteor Guild Master Han Yu Seong stood nonchalantly, checking his watch. Flashy piece—probably limited edition.
Impeccable suit, perfect tie, luxury timepiece. It all screamed status.
A woman strode toward them from afar, her striking red hair unmistakable. Wolverine Guild Master So Seori.
"If you'd called, I'd have prepped. What brings you to my guild? Both of you, no less."
"My mistake—no call went through. Sorry about that, Wolverine Guild Master."
Han Yu Seong flashed an infuriating grin and gave a slight bow.
'That bastard did it on purpose.'
His face gave it away. No accident, and he wasn't even hiding it.
'Starting with a jab—nothing good.'
The chairman probably got pulled in by Han Yu Seong too. If it'd been the chairman's initiative, he'd have called himself.
They exchanged perfunctory greetings.
"Wolverine Guild Master, we're here for the Cosmic Grimoire."
The purpose came from the chairman, surprisingly.
"It's safely stored. But why?"
"Got a weird tip. Need to verify. Where is it?"
It was physically in Wolverine Guild, but officially, ownership lay with the Association. No refusing the chairman in person.
"In the artifact vault. I'll guide you."
So Seori beckoned, and her secretary approached with polite deference to lead them.
"Hold up."
He grabbed Han Yu Seong's shoulder en route, whispering sharply.
"What's your game?"
"No idea what you mean."
He shrugged it off innocently.
"No interest in the grimoire at the meeting—what changed?"
"Good's good, right? Just checking."
He gently removed her hand from his shoulder.
"And don't touch my shoulder casually. Nearly chopped your hand off. Shall we?"
Grinning, he followed the chairman to the vault.
"Smug asshole..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Looks the same as ever."
The chairman examined the grimoire. Naturally—no visible changes or issues. But...
'Said we'd tighten security, yet here come the rumors.'
Moon Byul's existence was top secret, known to only a handful even in the guild.
But the guard who'd collapsed in shock and ended up hospitalized, weird grimoire rumors floating around, and crucially...
'I blabbed to every guild like an idiot.'
Before confirming Moon Byul, he'd called around: Anything weird since the Cosmic Grimoire arrived?
Now paying the price.
"Nothing wrong."
He hadn't gotten close, but deemed it unchanged.
Han Yu Seong, arms crossed, just stared silently.
'What's his angle?'
Dragging the chairman here just for this? No way with that fox.
Safer assuming he knew about Moon Byul.
But how?
Only Seo In Ah, Iru Ri, and herself knew. The hospitalized guard was under guild watch, sworn to secrecy with a minder post-discharge.
No leaks possible—how?
"Hang on—doesn't something feel off?"
"Where?"
Uncrosing his arms, he approached the grimoire slowly. No threat, just pointing casually.
Step by step.
'What's different?'
So Seori still couldn't fathom it. Nothing looked changed to her.
Eh?
Han Yu Seong got close. Real close. But he didn't stop—slow, natural steps.
"Hey! Wait!"
Too late when she yelled.
Pok.
His finger touched the grimoire.
"..."
Chairman and So Seori gaped in disbelief.
Breaking the silence, he casually picked it up.
"Looks like I'm the Cosmic Grimoire's owner now?"
Han Yu Seong smiled nonchalantly.
"You—you bastard!"
Killing intent. Pure killing intent.
The air grew heavy. Horns sprouted from So Seori's head, her eyes blazing red.
S-rank skill: Dragon Humanization.
Her elongated nails resembled dragon claws.
She looked ready to lunge. The secretary flinched at the shifted atmosphere, but Han Yu Seong just held the book, watching.
"Urk!"
As the secretary crumpled under the pressure, So Seori reined it in.
"That hot temper's unchanged, So Seori."
"Calm down, Wolverine Guild Master."
Grinding her teeth at the chairman's plea, she regained control.
'How the hell did he know?'
Three days ago.
Moon Byul's spell making the grimoire touchable—known only to her, Iru Ri, and Seo In Ah.
Next day, a secretary-pool meeting covered it, but...
Pieces clicked. Baring her fangs, So Seori snarled.
"You dared bug another guild's offices?"
"No clue what you mean, Wolverine Guild Master."
"Han Yu Seong!"
"Enough. What's going on here?"
The clueless chairman stepped in to sort it.
"Simple, Chairman. I'm the 'Cosmic Grimoire' owner now. It's mine."
The possessor of a grimoire was its owner—and mage.
Basic fact.
"That's true, but..."
"Don't fall for it, Chairman. The grimoire right now..."
She cut off. Explaining revealed Moon Byul and everything.
Quicker way: snatch it.
She lunged. Nearly had it.
Han Yu Seong dodged by a hair.
"What're you doing?"
"If I touch it, the chairman'll know. No explanation needed."
"From me?"
"Enough."
The chairman intervened. No violence.
"Stealing an artifact's a serious crime, Wolverine Guild Master."
"He stole it, Chairman!"
"From whom?"
So Seori had no answer. It'd never been hers anyway.
Strictly, ownership shifted from Association to Han Yu Seong.
"All settled then."
Han Yu Seong strolled out leisurely.
Thud.
"Doesn't listen to advice. I did warn you about the shoulder..."
"I don't care how much you know."
Now So Seori smirked at him.
"You can't handle it. Know your place."
His smug grin cracked for the first time.
Han Yu Seong stared her down.
Vertical-slit beast eyes glared red, but he was unfazed.
Regaining his smile, he whispered in her ear.
"Thanks for the advice. Won't cut your hand off as thanks."
He brushed past casually.
"Oh, one more thing."
Turning, that infuriating grin returned.
"Fix the bugging and sue me. I'll pay top dollar for the grimoire."
"Get out of my guild."
A few days later, news broke: the Cosmic Grimoire's owner had appeared at Meteor Guild.