Chapter 50 - Mad Dog's Ambush on Black Lion Raid Team

"Giant Guild Mad Dog ambushes Black Lion raid team in blue gate."

"Oh Chae-rin, CEO, silent for two straight days…."

"'Outrageous act' – wave of public criticism…."

After the shocking revelation about Kang Tae-sik (fake), the world flipped upside down. Angry netizens unleashed a torrent of hate comments, and turning on the TV meant Mad Dog talk all day long.

The skill info listed Ice Mask as A-rank, but….

My son agrees, Mom.

That woman Oh Chae-rin is probably scrambling right now, calling everyone she knows and throwing money around left and right. Imagining wrinkles piling up on that smug, holier-than-thou face of hers… Ugh, my digestion's been off lately, but this clears it right up.

And the good news doesn't stop there.

"Black Lion stock surges 80% in a week. Poised to become the new 'Giant'?"

"Bittersweet fortunes like a movie. Even mad dogs can't touch the black lions."

"Unreal rebound? Massive influence from 'Legend's Son' player Hwang Jae-min…."

What more needs saying? This is what they mean by a picture-perfect moonshot. With Black Lion all but confirmed as a prime candidate for major guild status….

Companies lining up to throw full support our way aren't few and far between. Among them, even Woongseong Corp – a top 3 Korean conglomerate known for its clean reputation.

Hearing back-to-back good news, I thought:

'Our guild's moving to a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠big building soon, huh?'

Forget work – today was double good fortune enough for the whole staff to shower in champagne and still not have enough. Unfortunately, the guild office vibe wasn't exactly festive right now.

Why? "We're just asserting our rights here!"

Some pest had barged into the office, spewing shit everywhere.

The fatty who introduced himself as from Mad Dog's legal team glared defiantly. "What's the problem with us taking our member ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠back?!"

He spat as he yelled, his eyes flicking behind me – right at Lee Ji-yoon, standing there like a criminal.

The fatty growled like a wild boar robbed of its meal. "Lee Ji-yoon? Per the contract, you're clearly affiliated with Mad Dog. What's this nonsense without even consulting us? Aren't you afraid of the consequences?"

"I, uh, that…."

"All the gear we've invested in you! Skill balls! You know how much that adds up to, right? Stop with the childish thinking…."

Me and Heo rep were at the negotiation table – name only – so why yap at the kid in back?

His flabby voice grated, so I raised a hand to shut the fatty up. Glaring at his suddenly deflated form, I said:

"Did you skip family education or something, sir?"

"Wh-what?!"

"Come on. Ruining a perfectly good day by showing up and turning the mood to shit."

"We're just rightfully asserting our rights!"

"That damn 'rights' talk. How come a guild so big on rights didn't respect our raid team's right to live?"

"……."

I had no intention of negotiating anyway, but even if I did, this was a fight we couldn't lose. Laws, contracts, rights – bullshit. Those breathing meat sacks tried to kill our raid team and botched it like idiots. Yet this fatty shows up claiming rights? How thick's the iron plate on his face? Guessing 18cm.

"And like I said, if having Lee Ji-yoon in our guild bugs you that much, we'll cover her penalty fee and officially recruit her. Legally airtight, right?"

"N-not just the penalty. Add in all the support costs we've sunk into her…."

"We'll cover that too."

"…You're just saying that. Mad Dog will never permit her transfer."

Then what do you want? FYI, this convo loop's been going on. Floated the penalty we had no plans to pay, but they shot it down cold.

'Something's off.'

Lee Ji-yoon's aura screamed far from low-tier. Solid mid-to-upper B-rank. Impressive for her age. But even so, their stubborn grip on her felt unnatural – especially with the guild under public fire, sending legal to drag back one grunt?

Maybe heavy internal investment makes her valuable. But even accounting for that, those eyes….

'Like they'd split the heavens before letting her go.'

I quietly activated Throw Eye to gauge the fatty's intent.

Frustration and desperation? Fine. But despair and survival instinct….

'Bingo.'

To the fatty, this negotiation was life-or-death. Empty-handed? Oh Chae-rin offs him or some shit.

'Some reason they must hold onto Lee Ji-yoon.'

Dunno the exact why. But recalling her turning demon in round 1 and massacring Mad Dog….

'Mad Dog's deep in whatever turned her demonic. That's certain.'

Population drop from her joining 'Legion of Demons' as a demon… Sorry fatty, but we're not handing her over easy.

"Didn't wanna go this far, but…."

Seeing my rock-solid stance, the fatty signaled a subordinate for something.

Thud! A massive metal case hit the table.

Fatty hit a button – click – case popped open. Inside?

"Hand her over after seeing this."

"……."

Crisp bundles of cash filled every millimeter of the case.

"As our Mad Dog apology to Black Lion for the unfortunate incident. We'd be grateful."

…Holy shit, this matches what our sponsor corps offered.

Even tight-lipped Lee Ji-yoon behind me hiccuped, "Hic!"

I was stunned speechless too, till:

"Nope. Can't do it."

Click. A hand from the side snapped the case shut.

Heo rep. "Would've taken it without that last line."

Turning, I saw veins bulging at his temple.

Whoa. First time seeing this guy pissed….

Fatty paled. "Wh-what last line?"

"The apology bullshit. Think a few bucks forgives trying to kill our family?"

"N-no…."

Clang! Heo rep shoved the case off the table – more like hurled it.

The heavy bag crashed down with a racket; fatty jumped up in shock.

"Bring ten of these. Then maybe we'd consider your apology."

"……."

"Now get out of our office."

Moments later, fatty and his goon fled at speed unbelievable for that bulk.

…Is this the same guy who groveled before Park Cheon-su not long ago? Peak middle-aged swagger now.

"…That's what I said, but."

Heo rep sighed softly, turning to Lee Ji-yoon with a cool gaze. She fidgeted uneasily.

"Frankly, I don't get it. She defied Kang Tae-sik, so not inherently bad… But Jae-min, why protect her so fiercely? I don't understand."

"I don't get it either."

Wait, that was Lee Ji-yoon, not me.

Fiddling with her worn beige hoodie sleeve, she mumbled. "Even if I disobeyed Kang Tae-sik, I'm still Mad Dog affiliated. Why keep someone like me…."

"I don't get why you wanna go back to that shithole guild."

"Pardon?"

I wanna ask the same. Truth is, she's been antsy to return all along.

'They obsess over her like psychos, and she acts no different.'

—You wanna stay with those guys?

—N-no….

Right before Living Armor popped up, when I snagged her. She said no then, but now she's lost without her guild….

Mom's right – 200% fishy. Not just anyone; the woman who claimed millions in round 1. To me, she's a ticking bomb ready to blow.

"Those guys forced you into murder. Yet you wanna go back? You're the weird one here."

"…Unavoidable circumstances."

"Like what?"

"…That's a secret between the captain and me…."

Knew she'd clam up. No point grilling her here. Best bet: slowly coax clues out. And best way to bond? Food and booze.

◇ ◇ ◇

"…Why am I, a Mad Dog member, at the Black Lion company dinner?"

"Good's good, right?"

I elbowed the baffled Lee Ji-yoon, nodding at the meat joint's banner. She glanced at the boozy crowd and sighed.

"…Thanks for inviting me, but I'm not used to this."

***

"Everyone, had a blast today! See you next time!"

"Ji-yoon, get home safe!"

"Don't sneak back to Mad Dog on us!"

Now the dinner star, flushed Lee Ji-yoon (soda only?) bid the team farewell. Drunk on the vibe?

'Good people.'

Strolling the dim night streets, she beamed – cheeks cramping from smiling.

'Didn't realize… I was the problem.'

Like she said, awkward as hell at first – thorn in her side. Wanted to bolt multiple times.

But Jae-min held her: 'They're all good folks. Don't worry.'

Annoying then. Till Black-White Brothers and the raid team thanked her.

After, the ice melted fast. Praises for her kindness, endless chats. Even cold Heo Jin-hwan softened, comforting her.

From then, she let go – laughed, ate, drank freely. Lost track of time till little bro's piano pickup.

'…How long since I smiled like this?'

Recalling the joy, her smile faded slightly.

'…Thought guildmates were all cold and harsh.'

Mad Dog was. No fun meals – hellish days. Training over chow time, gates over laughs. No human warmth, just forward march. Trained hound.

'Truth is, I….'

Her steps halted en route to the academy.

"Don't wanna go back. To that dump…."

What a happy guild feels like. True 'team'. She tasted it today – words she'd never voice slipped out. Like for an audience.

"But I know my duty: make you the 'successor'…."

Her edged words punctuated.

Whoosh….

Her shadow stretched tail-like, writhing. A head emerged from rippling black shade.

"Oh, you noticed?"

The woman face-down in shadow smiled, rising. Black suit fully revealed: Oh Chae-rin, half-sneer.

"Tried hiding my presence. Sharp senses, Ji-yoon. Training paid off some?"

"……."

"Black Lion folks are too nice. Feeding my dear friend to bursting. Gotta thank them personally later?"

Giggling, she offered a gloved hand. "My treat for a meal."

"……."

"Hand in hand, back 'home'."

Lee Ji-yoon stared at the prodding hand – black chains squeezing her heart.

Bound tight. Resist? Heart crushes.

'No choice.'

Great people, dream time today. Back to reality, Ji-yoon.

Resigned bitter smile, she reached—

Boom-!

—till Oh Chae-rin's hand exploded.

"……?!"

Stunned, Lee Ji-yoon froze mid-reach; Oh Chae-rin's smirk widened to shock.

Voice from above: "Don't glare. Aimed for your head."

Both whipped around.

There….

"Feels like déjà vu from saving your lil bro."

Against the night sky, Jae-min floated regally. Golden aura wings – two pairs – on his back.

"Totally."

Four effects per item. Best sponsorship from Mom since Bloodline Can't Lie.

Shivering at the wings' immense energy, Jae-min glared down at Oh Chae-rin clutching her severed wrist.

"First time meeting, psycho."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Moonlight streamed through the majestic four wings.

"Wanna take a few hits first, then chat calmly?"