Boss Monster Hunt (1)
She was a beautiful woman. No, even calling her simply beautiful fell short. She was breathtakingly stunning, as if the goddess of beauty had descended to the mortal realm or as though a mere fantasy had been made manifest in reality.
Her radiant golden hair shimmered like molten gold, her sapphire eyes sparkled, and her flawless porcelain skin was without blemish. Just gazing upon her warm, gentle smile warmed the heart. A single small mole beside her soft pink lips. Even through her dress, her perfect curves were evident.
Yeong-sik, who had grown somewhat accustomed to beauties after spending time with A-ra, still felt his breath catch for a moment.
"You are…"
Yeong-sik turned toward her, trailing off.
Yuna answered in his place.
"Let me introduce her. That's our Salvatore Guild master, Tiriya von Erman unnie."
"Pleased to meet you. Feel free to call me Tiriya."
Tiriya, who had descended to the first floor, bowed lightly in greeting to Yeong-sik's group.
Yeong-sik and Gil-su nodded awkwardly, a bit stunned. Seeing their reaction, A-ra's expression turned slightly sullen.
"I'm Yeong-sik."
"Yes, hello."
Tiriya beamed a bright smile and extended her hand to him. Yeong-sik shook it and introduced Gil-su and A-ra.
After greeting everyone in Yeong-sik's party, Yuna said to her,
"They want to join the guild."
"...Uh?"
Tiriya let out a heavy sigh, her face showing a hint of distress.
She turned to Yuna.
"How much do you know about our guild?"
"...I haven't told them the details yet. I thought it would be better if you explained it yourself, unnie."
"I see."
Tiriya nodded with a bitter smile. She sat down and said to Yeong-sik's group,
"Please, have a seat. I'll explain about the guild."
"Understood."
Yeong-sik nodded and took a seat. Gil-su and A-ra followed suit.
Tiriya turned to Chae-rin.
"Could you bring us some warm tea, dear?"
"Yeah! Got it!"
Chae-rin shot up her hand and dashed to the kitchen.
Yuna watched her retreating figure with a worried look, as if fearing she'd trip.
Rustling sounds came from the kitchen, and soon Chae-rin approached the table, tray laden with teacups, wobbling precariously as she set them down.
"Then, allow me to tell you about our guild."
Tiriya began in a soft, low voice.
"In the past, our guild was as large as the current top three guilds."
Tiriya's tale began.
Once, Salvatore Guild had been one of the four great guilds, wielding immense power in the eastern continent.
The reason for its downfall was none other than the status of its guild master—herself.
When Earthlings first arrived in this world, they were thoroughly oppressed by the native powers already established.
As they began leveling up and forming guilds to pool their strength, the situation gradually shifted. High-level Earthlings couldn't single-handedly sweep away armies, but organized into guilds, their power became something even nations couldn't ignore.
Yet deploying armies to eliminate them would leave the northern monsters unchecked, so kingdoms entered a tenuous coexistence with Earthling guilds.
In the meantime, Earthlings grew stronger, their guilds amassing might that even national armies couldn't guarantee victory over.
Kingdoms responded with countermeasures. Ixys Kingdom offered full support for monster hunts, choosing cooperation. Marscia Kingdom promised high ranks to guild masters, opting for appeasement.
And Elnot Kingdom sought to swallow Salvatore Guild whole, exploiting the fact that the daughter of Duke Erman was its master.
Salvatore, pursuing some 'plan' at the time, firmly rejected Elnot's proposal, sparking conflict between the kingdom and the guild.
Elnot resorted to despicable, unspeakable tactics: taking her family and allied houses hostage to seize the entire guild.
Tiriya, kind-hearted by nature, found herself unable to choose sides in the prolonged standoff, leading to internal schism within Salvatore—factions for and against her.
From the Earthlings' perspective, handing their hard-built guild to the kingdom was unacceptable, so her supporters dwindled to fewer than ten, hiding in a remote city.
"...That's the situation our guild is in now."
Having heard her full explanation, Yeong-sik pressed his lips tight.
The guild's plight was worse than he'd imagined.
The remaining Salvatore members opposed both Elnot Kingdom and the rival faction from the old schism.
'More dangerous than the threat from Light Shield Guild.'
Yeong-sik's eyes sharpened as he thought that. Light Shield was just one guild, but Salvatore had a whole kingdom as its enemy.
"The choice is yours, Yeong-sik and the others."
Tiriya gave a wry smile to Yeong-sik, whose face had hardened.
Yeong-sik pondered, gazing at her.
"Hm... I'm no good at this sort of thing, so I'll trust and follow your lead."
Gil-su sighed deeply and said to Yeong-sik.
A-ra spoke next.
"I'm... against it for now. Joining a group opposing a nation doesn't seem wise."
Her voice was cold. Yuna's expression darkened slightly.
A-ra was a summoner with a level cap of 91 and a hidden class—a talent even top guilds would welcome with open arms.
Honestly, Yeong-sik and Gil-su weren't crucial to guild strength, but A-ra was different.
"I have a question."
Yeong-sik spoke up. A-ra and Gil-su's gazes focused on him.
He looked straight into Tiriya's eyes.
"What support can Salvatore Guild provide?"
Tiriya looked slightly troubled at his words.
"We're in hiding, so we can't offer much. Funds are limited, so financial aid is tough. But we can provide a warm haven and delicious meals. I know it's immodest, but I'm confident in my cooking."
She smiled gently.
Yeong-sik replied softly.
"We saw Yuna's considerable strength. Can't we have her protection while we build ours?"
Like Light Shield's offer, a high-level summoner aiding early hunts ensured stable leveling. Even without direct combat—due to EXP contribution issues—the safety net alone was invaluable.
"Yuna's face is too well-known for that. But someone like Han-seong, not as recognized, could help to some extent."
Tiriya answered calmly.
Yeong-sik nodded and continued.
"Then we'll join Salvatore Guild."
He stated it decisively, no hesitation.
No matter how dire Salvatore's situation, venturing out as three again held too many risks, and establishing anew would take time.
Yeong-sik aimed to amass funds quickly, craft machine items, and raise his Structure Analysis skill. Guild-less operation would only delay that.
"Mm. If you say so…"
"Haa."
Gil-su nodded, trailing off at Yeong-sik's firm tone.
A-ra eyed him like he was hopeless but didn't oppose.
"Hee-hee. What a relief. It's been so long since our family grew."
Tiriya beamed, delighted at new recruits.
Her smile seemed to light up the room.
"Then, please extend your hands to me."
Tiriya said to Yeong-sik's group.
Yeong-sik offered his right hand. She clasped it with both of hers and murmured,
"By the authority of the guild master, I welcome you as members of Salvatore."
[You have joined the Salvatore Guild!]
[Guild effect: 5% EXP increase and 0.5% attack power buff applied. Effects removed if you leave the guild, join multiples, or receive guild master disciplinary action.]
A bright light flowed from Tiriya's body, coursing up Yeong-sik's arm and absorbing into him. As the blue message appeared, the light fully vanished.
Yeong-sik's eyes gleamed at the window.
'Guild buffs exist too.'
The attack boost was negligible, but 5% more EXP was highly appealing. He felt joining was even wiser.
Tiriya then clasped hands with Gil-su and A-ra. A-ra looked reluctant to the end but glanced at Yeong-sik and took Tiriya's hand.
"Since our family has grown after so long, let's have a welcome party."
Having accepted Yeong-sik, Gil-su, and A-ra as party members, Tiriya smiled brightly.
Chae-rin jumped for joy, raising both hands high.
Yeong-sik mulled her words.
'Family.'
With no memories of his own, the word felt alien. Yet it didn't feel bad.
Yeong-sik's group unpacked in rooms Yuna showed them. They had little luggage anyway.
The modest but cozy rooms beat their dingy inn.
Assigned rooms, they headed to the kitchen at the call for dinner.
"Then, a toast to our new family member."
Tiriya, at the head, raised her wine glass high.
A slight awkwardness lingered between Salvatore members and Yeong-sik's group, but Chae-rin's cheer melted it away.
"So, you're level 7 now?"
Amid wine and chatter, Bae Han-seong asked Yeong-sik.
Yeong-sik nodded.
"Yes. We haven't been here long, so we couldn't level much. For safety, we stuck to orcs until no EXP came."
He gave a wry smile.
"Hm. Level 7... Lizardmen are most efficient then."
Bae Han-seong nodded, stroking his chin. Tasked by Tiriya to aid their leveling, he pondered seriously.
"Ah, how about this?"
After some thought, he adjusted his round glasses and spoke.
Yeong-sik looked at him curiously.
"Hunt the new boss monster that appeared. Give it a shot."
The lively dinner atmosphere sank at his words.