Chapter 556: Eternal Spire[R-18] (75)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 556: Eternal Spire[R-18] (75)
Somehow, the massage was completely off the table. Ryu Seol kept refusing, saying she wasn't in the mood.
Time passed, and finally, the last day at the training camp arrived.
[You have successfully completed the training program.]
[All personnel will be awarded +2 stat points.]
It was only two points, but it was a reward whose value would grow exponentially as one’s level increased.
There was no separate completion ceremony. Guilds quickly approached the participants they had already scouted, busy making offers and presenting contracts.
I turned to my party members gathered behind me and spoke.
“Like I said before, we’ll be joining the Holy Cross Knights for the time being. If you don’t want to, even now, you’re free to join any guild you like.”
At my words, Seo Eun-ha tilted her head and asked.
“But is there a specific reason you chose the Holy Cross Knights?”
Han So-young, who was standing next to her, immediately chimed in.
“That’s right. The instructors are trying to hide it, but I heard there’s another guild known to be the strongest, besides the Holy Cross Knights.”
I smirked and shrugged.
“I looked into that place, and the rumors aren’t great. The guild leader is infamous. They say he kidnaps women and uses them as sex slaves, and that he just kills anyone he doesn’t like.”
“Eek…!”
Park Min-jun flinched as if terrified. He then unconsciously glanced at Ryu Seol standing beside him.
Ryu Seol’s eyes narrowed, turning cold for a moment.
“…I’ve heard about it too. I think it was called Night Bloom.”
Then, Austin, who had approached us at some point, spoke up.
“That’s correct. Night Bloom. A guild composed entirely of women, except for the guild leader. And its infamy is more than just a simple rumor.”
His voice grew strangely low.
“They run brothels, kidnap women… and this is just a rumor, but they say they even conduct experiments, crossbreeding male participants with female monsters.”
“My god… to do something so insane…”
The entire party was shocked into silence, and I was just dumbfounded.
‘Ah, fuck. When did I ever experiment on useless male bastards like that? That’s just your delusion, you crazy fucks.’
Oblivious to my thoughts, Austin continued his calm explanation.
“On the lower floors, Night Bloom’s influence is less felt due to their lack of personnel, but as you ascend to the upper floors, it’s safe to say their power dominates everything. So… it’s best to avoid getting involved with them at all costs. Their elite forces are, without exception, monstrously strong.”
“Gulp…”
Everyone swallowed hard, clearly intimidated. Monsters were already a handful, but their faces darkened at the news of a guild with such a notorious reputation, on top of the vagrants.
Amidst the gloomy atmosphere, I deliberately tried to change the mood with a smile.
“Hey, hey, Guild Leader. What are you doing, stealing all my lines?”
Austin studied my expression for a moment before smiling and bowing his head.
“Haha, my apologies. …More importantly, a crucial step remains. Everyone, please follow me. Before you officially join the guild, I will show you our headquarters. It won’t be too late to decide whether to join after you’ve seen it.”
With that, Austin turned and walked away, surrounded by dozens of Holy Cross Knights members who moved as if to escort him.
*
The Holy Cross Knights’ headquarters was located in the heart of the city on the 5th floor of the Tower. It was a massive mansion, visible even from a distance.
As we reached the entrance—
“Whoa…”
Han So-young let out a gasp of admiration.
Marble pillars lined the hall on both sides, and a giant chandelier on the ceiling scattered light like jewels. The floor was made of smoothly polished obsidian tiles, and magical devices emitting a soft glow were embedded throughout the lobby.
It was on a completely different level from any ordinary mansion or the headquarters of a small-to-medium-sized guild.
“This… this is a guild headquarters…?”
Even Seo Eun-ha’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘This bastard said he built a new headquarters… Just how much money did he sink into this thing?’
I looked up at the ceiling and chuckled. The splendor was one thing, but at this scale, the maintenance costs alone must be insane.
“This is the recently completed headquarters of the Holy Cross Knights. I can proudly say it is larger and better equipped with amenities than any other guild.”
Austin explained slowly as he led the way.
“The first and second floors contain the living quarters and training facilities for general guild members. The third and fourth floors are exclusive areas for the executives. As for the fifth floor and above… well, you’ll find out naturally when you reach that position.”
We took a floating transport device up to the second floor.
There, Austin stopped.
“These are the quarters you will be using. Please, have a look around.”
He opened the door to reveal a rather spacious living room. There was a sofa and a table, with doors leading to individual rooms on either side.
“Wow, this is really nice!”
Park Min-jun’s eyes sparkled as he looked around. Compared to the shabby dorms at the training camp, this was practically heaven.
“You each have a private room. Meals can be taken at the first-floor cafeteria, or if you prefer, room service is also available.”
“Even room service…”
Ryu Seol also looked subtly surprised. As someone from F-Group who had been treated like an outcast until recently, she probably never imagined such treatment.
Austin continued his explanation.
“And these are your guild ID cards.”
He took out cards made of metal. Our names, affiliations, and ranks were engraved on them.
[Geum Tae-yang - Official Holy Cross Knights Guild Member - Rank: Special Superior]
‘Special Superior?’
I tilted my head, looking at the card. When I glanced at the others’, they all said ‘New Guild Member.’
“Hey, Guild Leader, what’s with this rank?”
“Ah, that’s due to your special circumstances. Unlike a typical newcomer, you are granted considerable freedom and authority from the start, but with that comes corresponding responsibility.”
“Responsibility?”
“It means please refrain from any actions that would tarnish the guild’s honor.”
There was a peculiar nuance to Austin’s words. I smirked and slipped the card into my pocket.
“Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh? I’m not the type to go that wild.”
“I’m aware, but there’s always a chance. Now, everyone, let’s head to the top floor for the final step.”
After that, there were no other special procedures. We filled out the application to join the Holy Cross Knights, and each party member’s name was immediately added to the guild roster.
*
The party members scattered to their respective rooms, leaving me alone with Austin.
I sank leisurely into the sofa and asked.
“So, what’s the reason you had me stay behind?”
“As per our contract… I have prepared your first gift.”
He took a small box out of a drawer.
“What is it?”
“See for yourself.”
When I opened the lid, a simple silver ring lay inside. The moment my fingertip touched it, a system window popped up, revealing the ring’s identity.
[Memorial Ring]
- Grade: AA
- Uses: 1
- Stored Magic: Perfect Recovery
My eyes widened.
‘Perfect Recovery? Isn’t that one of the highest-tier healing spells?’
It was a shame it was only a single-use item, but it was essentially an extra life.
“Ooh, what’s this?!”
Austin said calmly.
“It shows just how high our expectations are for you. So, if you find yourself in danger, do not hesitate to use it. And…”
He handed me another document.
“This is your first mission.”
I scanned the document. The title was [2nd Floor Dungeon Conquest].
“The 2nd floor? Already?”
“You’ll be fine, but since your party members were accepted at your request, they need to prove their skills.”
I gave it a quick look and shrugged.
“When do we leave?”
“In one week. I hope you’ll have enough time to get in sync with your party members by then.”
I smirked, rolling the ring between my fingers.
“You’re not going to send these parachute party members in without any gear, are you?”
Austin replied calmly.
“Don’t worry. That has also been prepared. And if your party members prove themselves properly, we can provide them all with top-tier equipment.”
“Well, after a gift like this, I guess I have no choice. …By the way, Guild Leader, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Please, ask anything.”
I grinned and snapped my fingers.
“My party doesn’t have a healer. I’d like you to assign one to us.”
“Understood. I was actually thinking about that as well. Do you have anyone in mind?”
“Jessica. You know, the blonde? Assign her to us.”
Austin’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“Jessica…?”
“What, is there a problem?”
“Ah, no. It’s not a problem, but… well, Jessica is less of a woman and more… something else. Will that be alright with you?”
I shrugged, unconcerned.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as she can heal, right?”
Austin looked at me for a moment, then the corner of his mouth lifted in a subtle smile.
“…You have a unique taste. Very well. I will inform Jessica immediately.”
I stood up and casually slipped the ring onto my finger.
“Alright then, I’m heading out.”
*
When I returned to our quarters, the party members were gathered in the living room.
“Oppa! What did you and the Guild Leader talk about alone?”
Han So-young bounced over and clung to my arm.
“In one week, we’ll be conquering the 2nd-floor dungeon.”
“What?!”
“Already?”
Park Min-jun’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What’s so surprising? It’s something we had to do eventually.”
I plopped down on the sofa and studied everyone’s expressions. Ryu Seol’s face, however, looked unusually grim.
“Hey, hey, Ryu Seol. Something bothering you?”
When I asked, Ryu Seol looked up and quickly waved her hands.
“Ah… no. It’s just… I’m a little nervous since it’s a dungeon.”
But her gaze kept drifting toward Park Min-jun, and her expression twisted subtly each time.
‘Looks like she’s still bothered about the Jessica incident.’
I chuckled to myself and deliberately raised my voice.
“And the Guild Leader assigned a high-level healer to us. She’ll be joining our party starting tomorrow.”
“Who’s coming?”
Seo Eun-ha tilted her head and asked. I shrugged in response.
“A healer named Jessica. You all probably saw her at the training camp at least once.”
“Oh! That super kind healer!”
Han So-young clasped her hands together, looking pleased. In contrast, Ryu Seol’s expression hardened.
“…Jessica?”
“That’s right. She’s high-level and has a lot of experience. I guess the Guild Leader was looking out for us in many ways.”
As I smiled nonchalantly, Ryu Seol’s expression momentarily contorted, as if the mask she was holding up was about to shatter.
“Oppa… can we talk alone for a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Ooh, a private consultation with Seol! I love it!”
“Stop talking nonsense… Let’s go.”
Ryu Seol left the room first. Grinning, I followed her, glancing back over my shoulder.
I saw Park Min-jun’s face. He seemed quite bothered by how often Ryu Seol and I had been spending time alone together lately, and his expression wasn’t great.
‘Heh, I found you a pretty boyfriend. Go play with him.’