The Recruitment of the Enchanter

“That would be nice, but Enchanter Park Siwoo is affiliated with the Association, isn't he?”

“Right. Association-affiliated.”

As far as I knew, there were only three reasons an enchanter would sign a contract with the Association: to use the Association’s shop, to use the crafting rooms, and to submit requests for a steady supply of materials. If I asked him to give that up, there was no way he’d actually do it!

“There’s no way he’d give up his Association affiliation, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Wait, if she knows that, then—

“But their contracts don’t have a non-compete clause.”

Seo Ian grinned wickedly. Upon hearing that, a similar smile spread across my face. She continued with an explanation: regardless of anything else, enchanters had no choice but to sign with the Association, so the contracts were extremely formal and brief. Since an enchanter making decent money had no reason to work a side job unless it was just for hobby money, the Association usually just turned a blind eye.

Hearing that, a pretty good idea popped into my head. A way to turn this team into something like a guild, and perhaps, eventually, a way to pull the strings of the Association itself. If I was going to start this, wouldn't it be rewarding to climb as high as I could?

But to do that, I first needed to recruit Park Siwoo. After that, it wouldn't be a two-top enchanter system, but a Park Siwoo-centric one. Since I couldn't eliminate the competition, I had to raise Park Siwoo up...

“Team Leader! You’ve got that look on your face—the one where you run into your ideal type on the street and are already imagining the marriage and naming your kids!”

It wasn't marriage and kids; I was imagining building a top-tier mega-guild.

“I might have gotten a bit ahead of myself. Anyway, can we meet him now? Enchanter Park Siwoo.”

Strike while the iron is hot. As a homebody, I didn't want to come out twice. I wanted to finish this while I was already out.

“Hold on.”

Huh? Another immediate acceptance? I’m grateful, but I still can’t quite get used to it. Maybe it’s because the image of her sharpening her knives against Hong Jehun in the community and the special floors was just too impactful. Then again, I remembered that even when we met as the Rabbit, she was just blunt in her speech—she wasn't a bad person.

“Oh, and it’s fine if you tell Park Siwoo that you’re the Rabbit, Team Leader.”

“Why? Did you tell him? Already?”

I knew they were close, but—didn't you say you were tight-lipped? Was that only for people you didn't know?

“He and I aren't the type to talk about that kind of stuff. We just keep things brief.”

“Then why?”

“Because of that... what was it? The fragment? The shard?”

“Huh?”

“He seems to have figured it out to some extent after seeing that. He said you can’t get that unless you have an enchanter skill. But he saw you had it, and he saw you dealing massive damage in the hidden floors, so he said you’re pretty good at it.”

Only then did a memory from before surface. The time I tried to sell a Special Enhancement Stone fragment when I met Park Siwoo at the Association. And the suspicious look he’d given me then.

“Team Leader! Anyway, listen up!”

I thought it was something else. But why that?

I looked at Seo Ian with eyes demanding an explanation.

“Come to think of it, one of my weapons broke a while ago, right?”

“You did have one, didn't you?”

I remembered the sword that used to hang on her back in a slash (/) shape, not an X.

“So I asked Park Siwoo to make me a new one. He’s probably either making it right now or gathering the materials.”

Success in acquiring Seo Ian, my top recruitment priority. Since I even got her signature, it was a clean capture. Hong Jehun, the next target, was scheduled for next week, so there was no need to rush, and Seo Ian said Park Siwoo would likely show his face around next week as well. So, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠should go recruit a new newbie. No, recruitment is a bit early—should I call it a background check?

A few days later.

“Hmm...”

There was one fact I had overlooked. The fact that I had underestimated Seo Ian, the community dweller. Was her mouth as light as a feather? Not exactly. In a way, she seemed tight-lipped. Why did I think that? Because—

“No, this crazy person wrote it so vaguely that people are writing novels about it and sitting there believing them!”

Seo Ian’s post was the starting point. Our team ace must have forgotten the title ‘Team Leader’ and used the substitute expression ‘Guild Master’, which only added certainty to people’s misunderstandings. Anyway, in the beginning, the debate started with ‘What is Kim Uju’s place?’. In the midst of that, Seo Ian? She didn't even reply to the comments properly; she just posted it and went into the Tower. I checked the intrusion window and could tell because her name was listed in the top ranks alongside Hong Jehun.

I had thought, ‘If I’m going to start this, let’s climb as high as we can,’ but wasn't it too early? Even more absurd was the fact that Team Leader Oh Wontaek and Yoon Jinki were incredibly happy that public opinion had turned out this way. When I called to ask if it was okay for me to be this famous, and if the mainstream faction of the Association wouldn't keep me in check, Team Leader Oh Wontaek replied in a voice full of anticipation:

[Since it’s already come to this, how about running it like a national representative guild?]

He showed signs of wanting to blow this up. It felt like they were trying to increase their own influence by increasing mine. “Aren't our contracts for a TF team limited to the special floors?” A guild is fine. They even said national representative. But I—no, we—weren't ready yet. I tried to build up some power as a team, but if it progresses this suddenly, it’s a bit...

...Not burdensome at all; in fact, it’s great! Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if it feels like the stage was set a bit early. But since it’s already set, isn't there no need to back out?

[Haha. I didn't say that to burden you, but Awakened Kim Uju seems to have enough leadership and qualifications as an Awakened...]

Thinking I would refuse because I felt burdened, he continued to praise me. It was true that praise makes even a whale dance, even if it wasn't from Rackcho or Seo Ian, so I decided to enjoy this feeling for a moment.

“Sounds good.”

I replied, lifting the corners of my mouth. The life of being rich but not famous that I dreamed of early on after awakening? That had already ended. I had tried to stir things up as the Rabbit, but my name, Kim Uju, had already been made known to everyone by landing in the special floor rankings. If it had ended there, I might have held my breath and waited for time to erase it, but because Seo Ian was blabbering about ‘Uju’s place’ and whatnot, I couldn't even do that. Besides, in a situation where I have to lead the team and be active on the special floors in the future, would it even be possible to quietly blend in? I think it’s also courage to give up when you think it won't work. So, I decided to be courageous this time, too. And to use it to my advantage.

[Right? That’s what I thought.]

Even though I wasn't looking at his face, I could feel that Team Leader Oh Wontaek’s face had brightened. “Team Leader. We’re in the same boat, aren't we? Right?” [Oh my, are you asking that? Of course!] “Then, since it’s come to this, please do a great job promoting our ‘guild’!”

Since it’s already come to this, let’s just become very famous. Then, instead of me having to struggle to find people, talented individuals will find me on their own. And I can save that time and put it into other more productive work. Turning a crisis into an opportunity! Whether I go right or left, I just need to reach my destination without harming others!

[But what are you thinking of naming the guild?]

A question that caught me off guard! I think I heard a similar question from Seo Ian a few days ago. Since I couldn't say things like ‘Tower Addict’ or ‘To the Lord in One Shot’, I decided to use collective intelligence. “I’m taking recommendations.” Passing the small things to others.

[How about Uju Guild? It rolls off the tongue.]

I heard Yoon Jinki’s small voice agreeing from the other side of the receiver. Actually, aren't Team Leader Oh Wontaek and Seo Ian quite close? How could they say the exact same name without missing a syllable? I had a reasonable suspicion. I narrowed my eyes for a moment, but since I was on the phone, there was no one to notice my expression and suggest a different name.

“Could you put Yoon Jinki on for a moment?”

If the AI doesn't give a satisfactory answer, use another AI! Wouldn't that apply to people too?

[Yes. This is Yoon Jinki. I’ve switched over.]

“Even if you’re a subordinate, I think it’s bad for your habits if you just say ‘yes, yes’ to everything.”

[Pardon?]

“Instead of something old-fashioned like Uju Guild, I want a name that’s sophisticated, easy to pronounce, and has a strong feel.”

Of course, I meant that you should do the thinking to match my request. Seo Ian had only met one of those three conditions, but wouldn't the smart Association employee Yoon Jinki satisfy all three?

[Hmm... Space?]

“Haha. Thanks for the idea.”

Of course, that was also a bust. I had misunderstood for a moment. That if you’re good at studying, you’re also good at creativity. Now, the only reliable collective intelligence left was Park Siwoo and Hong Jehun.

*Bang! Creak!*

The door hit with a violent sound, and then the doorknob turned roughly and was flung open.

“Oof, that must hurt.”

Park Siwoo asked worriedly, looking at Seo Ian who had appeared after opening the door. “Are you okay? It sounded like you hit it pretty hard.” And Seo Ian, who had a similarly anxious expression, also asked, “What about the options?!”

“Ha... Ian. You see me for the first time in days, and the first thing you say isn't even a greeting, it’s ‘What about the options?!’” Park Siwoo scolded her, imitating her exactly. But it didn't even register in her ears, which were filled with nothing but thoughts of her new weapon.

“The additional damage is packed, right? And the attack power? What about the stats?”

“See for yourself.”

I’ve told her for years to only ask one question at a time, but it never worked. It turned out to be an old occupational disease. During rescues, it was a habit to keep talking to survivors so they wouldn't lose consciousness. Park Siwoo, who now understood, handed over the item.

“Daaamn!! This is so cool?! I knew I could count on you!!”

The atmosphere of Seo Ian, who had been exuding deep distrust just a moment ago, changed completely. Her eyes, having received the item, sparkled as if stars were embedded in them. A black-colored sword that looked like it had taken the night sky. The blade was curved at a strange angle, but Ian liked this kind of moderate curve better than a straight one. It was because she could vary the reach and speed depending on how she held it.

“I took it from your down payment, but it’s still not enough.”

“I’ll give you more.”

As if giving candy to a child, a bundle of Tower Crystals poured out of Seo Ian’s inventory.

“But Ian.”

“Yeah?”

“What’s this about a guild all of a sudden?”

Park Siwoo, who had left a message for Seo Ian to come pick up her item, accessed the community in his spare time while processing pending messages. The community was as noisy as a flea market, as usual. He checked to see what kind of bait was burning this time, and lo and behold? It said Seo Ian had joined a guild! She had clearly said just a few days ago that she would make a guild herself?

Could the information be distorted? Park Siwoo looked for posts related to it with interest. And the more he read, the more he felt that instead of reaching a conclusion, the information in his head was becoming tangled and even more confusing. Eventually, he judged that asking the person involved directly was the fastest way.

“Kim Uju asked me to do it with him! So ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I joined.”

“Didn't you say you were going to make one and bring Kim Uju in?” She had always been independent and extremely reluctant to work under someone else for various reasons.

“Kim Uju said he needed me even if he died!” Seo Ian said, straightening her waist triumphantly.

“Kim Uju-nim did?”

When he had met Kim Uju recently, there was no such sign. When Park Siwoo asked back, “Yeah. Do you want to join too?” Seo Ian tried to recruit him. When she had suggested Park Siwoo’s recruitment to Uju, he didn't seem to dislike it. Rather than leaving the risk of losing one of the top two enchanters in Korea to someone else, wouldn't it be better to quickly drag him in and attach him to the team?

“Who else is in there?”

He should have been curious about conditions or other details, but as best friends, they were interested in other things.

“First, me. And Kim Uju. And you.” Seo Ian’s fingertip pointed exactly at Park Siwoo.

“I haven't said I’m joining yet.”

“Yeah. But you’ll join soon.”

Seo Ian was certain. Of course, the potential of Kim Uju, who was rising with unstoppable force, was amazing in itself, but what was most amazing was his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trait, ‘Rabbit’. He said that by entering someone else’s tower to sell goods, he could gain a small amount of experience if the other person gained power. Even the fact that there was no limit to the number of times, allowing for growth far exceeding the average. The important thing here was ‘no limit to the number of times’. Would Park Siwoo, who was half-crazy about gathering materials, ignore Kim Uju’s proposal, which would allow him to gather materials without limit? In Seo Ian’s opinion, that was like her becoming friends with Hong Jehun. It meant it was an absolutely impossible story.