Guild Research and the Royal Ambush

For the first time in his life staying at a hotel, Yoo Taejeong had breakfast at a nicely atmospheric restaurant before heading back to his room. It was a leisurely morning that felt strangely relaxed. Sipping coffee by the window, he stared at the screen of the smartphone in his hand.

Taejeong planned to spend the day researching guilds. With his growth forcibly stalled, he could no longer put it off. First, he intended to find the strongest guild among those in Korea. It would be to his advantage to join even a slightly better one if possible.

Just then, a post that caught his interest popped up.

"This looks good."

He tapped the post, and a list appeared along with someone's evaluation.

"I've heard of some of these... Let's start with the familiar ones."

Taejeong clicked on the top-ranked guild.

"As expected. Total trash. This place is rotten to the core."

Taejeong remembered the Prime Minister's Office occupation incident too. It had dominated all media and news outlets for a full month, impossible for any Korean to miss.

"Yeah, it's not really a guild anyway."

Next, he checked the No. 2 ranked Sky Guild. This was another one even civilian Taejeong knew well. They operated one of Korea's top five conglomerates. The navigation app he was using right now was even made by them. Great service, always No. 1 in customer satisfaction.

After that, he clicked through each one, gathering general info on the guilds.

Then he spotted a suspicious post.

"Superhuman Club?"

Taejeong tilted his head at the unfamiliar name, then typed it into the search bar.

Scrolling down the list, Taejeong tapped the last post.

"Hm. Superhuman Club, huh. Sounds intriguing."

An elite club that even massive organizations tread carefully around. Saying it wasn't cool would be a lie.

But info on them was too sparse. No contact methods, no location—nothing.

He kept searching, but couldn't find more.

"Where the hell even are they?"

The top 10 guilds' reputations weren't great. Being famous and crowded meant negative posts everywhere.

Among them, the No. 10 Rainzer Guild was the worst. Countless murders, mostly from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guild disputes, swept under the rug without legal consequences.

No matter how good they seemed, places like that needed filtering. No guarantee he wouldn't get dragged into such messes.

"Am I being too picky? No, this decides my life..."

He scoured the community, gathering intel until evening, when he finally decided.

After filtering ruthlessly, he chose the No. 9 Pianse Guild. Almost no incidents, top-tier among the top 10. No other candidates even crossed his mind. Revealing his class would make them refuse anyway.

"Alright, decision made... Oh, wait. What rank is Jenix?"

Only now did he think of Jo Yong-seok's guild. He ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠typed Jenix into the search bar.

Just as results loaded, the desk phone rang.

Riiing. Riiing!

"...?"

Wondering if he'd done something wrong, Taejeong thought back. Car parked fine, paid breakfast and a week's stay in advance. No special requests.

"Hello?"

- Yes, this is the front desk, sir.

"What's up?"

- Nothing major, sir, but there's an issue with the room next to yours, 1805. Safety protocols require checking the whole floor. If it's okay, could we move you to another room?

"Now? Hm... Where to?"

- Our staff just headed up. Follow them, and we'll upgrade you to the royal floor as our apology.

"Royal floor?"

- Yes. It's the only empty room left—truly sorry, sir.

"No need to apologize. Moving's no big deal. Got it."

Hanging up, Taejeong packed his few belongings and waited for staff.

Not thrilled about leaving a good room, but circumstances were circumstances.

A male staffer soon arrived.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, sir."

Taejeong waved it off like it was nothing.

"It's fine. Don't worry. Gets me a tour of another room—win for me."

"We're truly sorry. Rare for so many issues today. This way, please."

Following to a fenced-off elevator at the hall's end.

"What's with this elevator? Staff only?"

"No, it's the royal floor exclusive. Regular ones don't go past 50."

"Oh... didn't know. What's on the royal floor?"

"The Royal Presidential Suite—our hotel's one-of-a-kind. Used by political and business elites."

"Whoa... giving that to me? Must cost a fortune."

"Off-season around 80 million won, peak over 200 million."

Taejeong nearly gasped. Even for a luxury hotel, thousands per night? But he didn't know—in this VIP-competitive era, it was cheap for its class.

Chatting, they reached the 52nd—the top floor, invisible on regular elevators.

Stepping out: marble hall, single door at the center.

"Don't tell me... the whole floor?"

"Exactly. The entire floor from end to end."

"Whoa... that's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠insane."

Curiosity piqued—no hotel used a full floor for one room.

Also felt overkill. Upgrade? This is way too much.

Slightly off, but already at the door.

"After you."

Entering, all suspicion vanished in shock. Vast—beyond "room," more like a palace. Spacious didn't cut it; it was expansive.

"Whoa."

Facilities screamed luxury: pool by the window, sofa for 100, central fountain.

"Can I really use this?"

"Yes. This way to the bedroom."

Touring with the escort, Taejeong thought: Capitalism's pinnacle. Is there better?

Finally, the reception area.

"Impressions?"

"Just... awe."

"Glad you like it. Join our guild, and this could be your private suite. All yours daily."

"Aigoo, sounds blissful..."

Absentminded reply, then he froze. That wasn't hotel staff talk.

"What was that?"

Turning, the staffer smirked meaningfully.

Sensing wrongness, armed figures appeared outside.

What the hell is this?