29. Grrr... Can't hold it back
29. Grrr... Can't hold it back
In an instant, the guild fell into a hellish silence.
Yang Hae-yeon, who strutted around snorting through her nose, couldn't even react?
Her approaching colleagues turned around and headed back to their spots.
The flustered receptionists froze with their hands mid-motion, staring blankly.
-Gulp!
The person who swallowed hard clutched their own throat.
Those who'd only heard rumors about Arin, and even those seeing her for the first time today, felt chills run down their spines.
Arin had turned the inside into a game of Red Light, Green Light with ice.
Ryu-o followed behind her with a bright smile.
If someone yells "ice," you need someone to yell "safe"...
-Bang!
"Hoo... Why is she so fast..."
With the perfectly timed arrival of the Guild Master, everyone inside let out a collective sigh of relief.
-Phew...
"Did you see...?"
"You gotta see it to believe it..."
"Crazy... Legends aren't legends for nothing."
"And that guy behind her..."
"Her husband? You need that kind of skill to land a guy like that..."
"Hey, Yang-ssi! Get over here and explain! My jaw's gonna drop off."
The Guild Master frowned at the chaotic guild atmosphere.
"Tsk... Has Arin-nim gone up?"
Everyone politely pointed upward with their palms.
"...Meidel, I'll handle the reception, so get back to work."
"..."
"Meidel?"
"Heee..."
-Thud!
The Guild Master kicked the collapsed Meidel lightly aside with her foot and headed upstairs.
Reciting the Eastern District reception manual in her head.
Sitting side by side with Master, the Guild Master entered soon after.
"Arin-nim, I hope you've been well..."
"Loosen up, Silvia. And get to the point."
The Guild Master, who had been about to bring out a tea set, sat down demurely across from us.
"Then... Your disciple emerged from the Labyrinth portal. With no entry records whatsoever."
Master just nodded and closed her eyes.
"So?"
The Guild Master's words came to an abrupt halt.
Her expression screamed 'I'm the Guild Master too...,' but Master didn't seem to care one bit.
"Uh... The circumstances a bit..."
"Hm?"
"..."
I grabbed Master's hand and spoke up.
"I'll explain, Master."
Master smiled and wagged her tail.
"Go ahead?"
-Wag wag
At the stark temperature difference, the Master's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"...?"
"Master, promise me you absolutely won't leak this to the outside."
"Ah, of course... Ngh... Honestly, I can't guarantee it."
Hmm... In that case, I can't say anything either.
I grabbed Master's hand, which was starting to tense up, and said,
"Why not?"
"Too many soldiers have already seen Ryu-o-nim. And with Arin-nim there, it drew even more attention."
It was a pretty valid reason.
I'd been worrying about that issue myself.
"There's only one entrance to the Labyrinth. A place crawling with magic devices—no one but the Magic Tower Lords could send someone through like that..."
'Magic Tower Lords...?'
I pulled out a blue coin from my Subspace.
Seeing the coin in my hand, the Guild Master's eyes widened.
"Th-that... The Magic Tower Lord's seal?"
"If I use this to borrow the Magic Tower Lord's name with permission... Would that be okay?"
The Guild Master shook her head vigorously, fumbling across the table.
Realizing there was no prepared tea, she withdrew her hand and nodded.
"The justification... is sufficient."
I looked at Master.
"Master, we can make that kind of request with this, right?"
"Of course. If they say no, just tell me."
Borrowing too much help would be embarrassing as a man...
But anyway, it seems possible.
"Then promise me you'll absolutely keep this secret."
The Guild Master nodded readily.
"Yes, how could I dare lie in front of Arin-nim."
Once I speak, only the three of us will know this fact.
As long as I don't blab, Master would never say a word...
For now, since we need to build a good relationship going forward, I decided against threats.
"I'll trust you. I have the ability to move portals inside the Labyrinth."
The Guild Master's expression turned puzzled upon hearing my words.
"I'm sorry. I don't quite understand..."
"I can bring portals from inside the Labyrinth to the outside. The one I brought out this time is the escape portal from the 5th floor. I used it from home and ended up outside the portal."
"...Huh? Huuuuh?"
Master's brow furrowed at the Guild Master's dumbstruck noise.
"Did you get that right, Silvia?"
"Ah, uh? Yes... Yep!"
The dazed Guild Master pulled herself together and spoke.
"If... if that's true, the entire continent will be after Ryu-o-nim. Any group, by any means necessary! Something that could rewrite the history of Labyrinth City... Is it a skill? Did you consume some monster's Essence...?"
"Calm down. I don't know the origin of this ability. It just appeared one day."
The Guild Master caught on that I had no intention of revealing how I acquired it.
"I see... I understand your concerns."
I decided to get to the main point.
"I want to actively use this ability to get stronger. Help me until I can protect myself."
She took a breath and said,
"What you need... is concealment of the Labyrinth entry procedures?"
She's not Guild Master for nothing.
I nodded at her spot-on grasp of my intent.
"I can now enter any Labyrinth, wherever it is. My idea is: when I send a rescue signal, pull back the soldiers and hide me."
"We'll need an extra Adventurer's Badge."
"Yes, one only the Master can hear. If you do that..."
The benefits she'd get from this...
"As I mentioned earlier, I'll definitely accept any one request you make. And after that, I won't ignore important requests; I'll prioritize reviewing them."
I said "any request," but she wouldn't give me a mission that puts my life at risk.
Someone who knows my value wouldn't throw me into the fire.
Her response to my conditions...
"I'll be an ally in creating new history. Looking forward to working with you."
She quickly finished her calculations and extended her hand with a bright smile.
She's using me too... No, mutual benefit is a fine phrase.
Recognizing each other's value, we clasped hands and shook up and down.
"The pleasure's mine."
After that, the Guild Master said she'd make preparations. The rescue signal badge, sharing soldier shift times...
And...
"Ah, Ryu-o-nim. You haven't claimed the 20 gold coins from the last request yet."
"Huh? I-I got plenty of gold and items at the Gongnyeo-nim's villa."
"Huh? The Gongnyeo-nim gave you items...? Ho, how did you catch her eye?"
Whether I caught her eye or not... How could I know without an explanation?
"Not sure. She told me to come to the guild on the 25th."
The Guild Master muttered to herself, 'As expected... She has an eye for talent...,' and explained.
"She seems to be preparing to train Raid Members. Need an explanation?"
"Yes, please do."
"Yes, Ryu-o-nim will head to the 10th floor with promising new recruits selected by the Bellatus Duchy."
Sending me, a newbie, to the 10th floor on the 25th?
'Is it doable...?'
Her additional explanation cut through my thoughts.
"Full exploration resource support, weapons and armor provided, one Apprentice Knight attendant per person, Bellatus Knight Order rescue team on standby at the portal, and before entry... one Essence."
"Whoa..."
I'd suspected as much when the Gongnyeo-nim piled a bunch of stuff into my arms.
She's got a big heart.
"The goal is subjugating the 10th floor boss, Orc Great Warrior. If the Orc Great Warrior's Essence drops, it'll go to the top contributor."
My ears perked up at the mention of the Essence that only appears during the berserk period.
"Do you know what Essences it drops?"
"'Strength Enhancement,' 'War Cry,' 'Warrior's Charge,' 'Hardening.'"
All perfect for a frontline class like me—no duds there.
The Guild Master glanced at my face and pulled out some documents.
"Wishing you good luck."
The handed-over documents detailed the Orc Great Warrior's weaknesses.
She's competent...
As I was expressing thanks and about to leave...
"W-Wait a sec..."
Master growled at the Guild Master grabbing me.
"What now?"
"Hup... That is... The testimony on the Gongnyeo incident... No! Here are 20 gold coins!"
As we left, there was another incident that chilled the guild atmosphere once more.
Master, in such a hurry for some reason, grabbed my wrist and ran at tremendous speed.
-Whoosh
"Haa... Master, could you slow down a bit?"
"Quickly... Let's go quickly..."
"Master?"
Master seemed strangely anxious.
I figured there must be a reason, so I ran along with her.
Since her grip on my wrist wasn't that strong, she was being pretty considerate.
What a day—tons of stuff happened.
Riding a portal out of nowhere, witnessing Master's presence, even striking a deal with the Guild Master.
Lost in thoughts of the busy day as we ran, we arrived home before I knew it.
-Clack!
"Haa... So much happened today, Master."
"..."
"Wasn't Master too cool? Everyone respects... Master?"
Master's mood, which had been bright even this morning... felt off.
Worried, I approached and stroked her cheek the moment...
"I can't hold back."
...Huh?