Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Pact with the Crimson Tower
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Yi Chae-hwa pondered deeply.
Was it truly okay to form a contract with the man standing before her, even if it was for her own sake?
"May I review the contract terms before deciding?"
"Of course."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded with a smile.
He then pulled out the pre-prepared contract and said,
"Shall we negotiate, then?"
In the end, Yi Chae-hwa decided to sign the contract with Shin Yu-hyun.
The terms he offered weren't bad at all.
"You've made a wise choice."
Shin Yu-hyun flashed a satisfied smile.
For the next five years at minimum, the Crimson Tower would be in an exclusive partnership with Black Tortoise Hall.
'All I need to do is turn them into my people within that time.'
It was a partner exclusivity contract for now, but his ultimate goal was to bring the Crimson Tower itself under Black Tortoise Hall.
"Then, we'll prioritize dispatching at least 3-star fire mages to Black Tortoise Hall."
"Yes. For now, the mages will reside in Black Tortoise Hall, but we'll soon build a separate tower for them to live in."
Shin Yu-hyun planned to construct a mage tower within the Black Tortoise Hall grounds for the mages.
It would cost a pretty penny, but it was an investment for building mage forces in the future.
"You really mean business, don't you?"
"Yes. I intend to bring the mages under Black Tortoise Hall. Not just mages, but archers, healers, and all sorts of other professions with diverse abilities."
Shin Yu-hyun shared his vision with Yi Chae-hwa.
Starting with mage forces, he would recruit archers and healers to establish specialized departments and units.
From secret intelligence units for information warfare to maintenance depots for artifacts and gear—all would be newly created within Black Tortoise Hall.
All to build his own faction and win the successor competition.
"Please help me in the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan's successor race."
"Understood. We'll assist you to the best of our ability."
"Thank you."
Shin Yu-hyun smiled.
A 6-star AoE fire mage like Yi Chae-hwa and the Crimson Tower she led were tremendous assets.
With her support, he was one step closer to the clan leader's seat.
"Here you go."
Shin Yu-hyun handed Yi Chae-hwa a gem box containing Red Essence.
The contract was already signed.
Yi Chae-hwa carefully accepted the box. Shin Yu-hyun added,
"And as a bonus service."
"A service?"
Yi Chae-hwa looked puzzled at his words.
"Shuv."
"Yes."
At Shin Yu-hyun's call, Shuv appeared silently behind Yi Chae-hwa.
"...!"
Yi Chae-hwa flinched in surprise.
Shuv had appeared without any warning.
"Th-this person is...?"
Yi Chae-hwa tensed up instantly.
A being that hadn't registered on her senses as a 6-star fire mage.
That meant they were at least her equal.
Or possibly even stronger.
She sensed an extraordinary aura from Shuv.
"She's a mage cooperating with me."
"Sh-she seems incredible."
"Nice to meet you."
Shuv extended her hand to the wary, tense Yi Chae-hwa.
A sweet fragrance wafted at the same time.
Shuv was currently in her humanoid form.
Golden hair with gentle waves cascading to her waist, mysterious golden eyes that seemed infused with allure.
And a stunning face that could pass for her twenties or thirties—a beauty incarnate.
'She's beautiful.'
Yi Chae-hwa stared at Shuv with dazed eyes for a moment.
Even to another woman, Shuv was breathtakingly gorgeous.
Yi Chae-hwa shook hands with Shuv, her expression entranced.
"She possesses knowledge in various fields, including the Nine Yin Severed Meridians. She knows how to efficiently absorb yang spiritual medicines and rapidly heal the condition."
"R-really?"
"Yes."
Shuv smiled beautifully in response to Yi Chae-hwa's surprised question.
"I'll help you consume the Red Essence."
Shuv gazed at Yi Chae-hwa with a charming eye smile. The beauty's smile made Yi Chae-hwa's heart flutter slightly.
"Then, Shuv, I leave it to you."
"Yes."
Shuv bowed her head to Shin Yu-hyun before turning to Yi Chae-hwa.
"Yi Chae-hwa, would you come this way?"
"P-pardon? Oh... yes."
Yi Chae-hwa followed Shuv, who took her hand, into the nap room adjacent to the office.
It was a small room where Shin Yu-hyun occasionally slept during work.
Shuv closed the door and said with a gentle smile,
"Then, Master, I'll treat Yi Chae-hwa now, so no matter what sounds you hear, please don't come in."
"Got it."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded.
Shuv had been the first to suggest helping treat Yi Chae-hwa's Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
Having lived for ages, she knew the cure. And since Shin Yu-hyun said Yi Chae-hwa would be useful, Shuv had agreed to help.
A moment later.
"Haaaah...!"
Yi Chae-hwa's meltingly sweet moan echoed all the way to Shin Yu-hyun's office.
Yi Chae-hwa left with an extremely satisfied expression.
Before entering the nap room, her complexion had been poor and her skin pale, but when she emerged, she brimmed with vitality.
Her face was even flushed as she linked arms with Shuv.
What on earth had Shuv done to her in there?
Shin Yu-hyun shook his head.
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
'I might be able to incorporate the Crimson Tower into my forces faster than expected.'
Yi Chae-hwa had openly declared her support for Shin Yu-hyun, clearly pleased with Shuv's "service."
Thanks to that, he could absorb the Crimson Tower into his faction ahead of schedule.
'Things should be quiet for the next few days.'
In his previous life, there were no major incidents like the Incheon magic beast landing or the clan raid around this time.
'Father will handle the interrogation himself.'
Orcar, leader of the Iron Flame Group, was imprisoned in the clan's underground dungeon.
And the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan's leader, his father, was personally interrogating him.
About the Ashen Church.
And to root out magic beast researchers and other villains or spies connected to the Ashen Church.
He was probably experiencing hell right now.
His father was furious over Second Brother Shin Cheol-jin's death.
'No incidents for a while, then.'
The clan would extract info from Orcar and investigate the Ashen Church.
He had already secured his father's promise to share all intel with him.
So he could act when info on Ashen Church villains or Getia surfaced.
'Even without incidents, I'm busy as ever.'
This lull was when Shin Yu-hyun had the most to do.
Recruiting and training talent to strengthen Black Tortoise Hall.
And one more thing. After regressing in time, he had compiled a hit list of those who would betray humanity and leech onto Getia like parasites.
Now, he planned to hunt them down one by one.
'First, solidify Black Tortoise Hall's foundation.'
In Black Tortoise Hall's office, Shin Yu-hyun laid out plans for the future, one by one.
The next morning.
Black Tortoise Hall's office.
Shin Yu-hyun summoned Personnel Director Yi Yeon-hwa and Finance Director Kim Jae-hyun.
"What is it, Hall Leader?"
"You called for us?"
Yi Yeon-hwa and Kim Jae-hyun greeted him.
"Have you all had breakfast?"
"Yes, just a light one."
"I had something simple too."
Shin Yu-hyun returned a brief greeting and got to the point.
"I called you to share some good news."
"Good news?"
"I'm looking forward to this."
Yi Yeon-hwa and Kim Jae-hyun eyed him curiously.
Shin Yu-hyun smiled and spoke.
"I've secured approval from the Clan Leader for 20 direct disciples. And a 3-star permanent dungeon too."
"Pardon? Direct disciples?"
"A permanent dungeon? A 3-star one at that?"
Yi Yeon-hwa and Kim Jae-hyun's eyes widened in shock.
But they quickly beamed with joy and shouted,
"Thank you! And congratulations!"
"Finally, steady revenue for our sword hall! Congratulations!"
They expressed gratitude and congratulations together.
They'd been short on talent and funds until now.
"And there's one more piece of good news."
"More?"
"What could it be this time?"
Yi Yeon-hwa and Kim Jae-hyun smiled warmly at him.
"We're bringing in mages to Black Tortoise Hall. The Crimson Tower, specialists in fire magic."
"Mages?"
"Is that why Hunter Yi Chae-hwa visited yesterday...?"
"Yes, exactly."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded at Kim Jae-hyun's words.
Yi Chae-hwa's visit was already common knowledge in the clan.
"What great fortune."
Personnel Director Yi Yeon-hwa's face lit up. They'd suffered chronic talent shortages, but now they had rights to 20 clan disciples and incoming mages.
The Crimson Tower was especially renowned for its offensive magic.
With them, they could expect ranged support in dungeon raids.
"Were you aiming for this from the start?"
Finance Director Kim Jae-hyun wiped sweat from his brow as he regarded Shin Yu-hyun.
Hiring mages was great, but costly.
Mages commanded high pay. Their one-shot firepower in dungeons was unmatched, and support mages made clears far easier.
And right when he signed the exclusivity with Crimson Tower, Shin Yu-hyun secured a 3-star permanent dungeon from the clan?
Permanent dungeons were called gold mines.
Daily magic stones and beast byproducts meant steady cash.
No funding shortages for hiring Crimson Tower mages.
"Funds should hold for a while, right? With all the magic stones and byproducts from the beasts I've hunted."
"Yes, our finances have improved greatly thanks to you, Hall Leader."
Kim Jae-hyun nodded in agreement.
Shin Yu-hyun had slain a considerable number of beasts so far.
Some he used himself or fed to Ka-mang-i as treats.
The rest went to Finance Director Kim Jae-hyun.
His management kept Black Tortoise Hall running.
'And I still have that black card from Namdu Group.'
Shin Yu-hyun smiled inwardly.
He still had the leftover black card from Namdu Group's auction.
"Even hiring Crimson Tower mages, our finances are solid."
Kim Jae-hyun said confidently.
But that was just for Crimson Tower. Shin Yu-hyun planned more auxiliary halls.
If he knew, that confidence would vanish.
Building more would require massive funds.
"Then, I leave it to both of you."
"You can count on us."
"I'll manage the dungeon perfectly."
They bowed at Shin Yu-hyun's words.
Afterward, he discussed hall operations with them before parting.
And that evening.
Shin Yu-hyun encountered an unexpected figure.
"It's been a while."
A young man exuding an aura much like his father, Clan Leader Shin Sung-il.
Hall Leader of Azure Dragon Hall and wielder of the Storm Sword, Shin Cheol-min, had come to visit.