Just How Big Is This Place?
Yoo Taejeong stared out the window, doubting whether this was truly just a single guild's headquarters. The shuttle wasn't moving all that fast, but even after covering a considerable distance, the so-called North Gate was nowhere in sight. Endless rows of buildings and convenience facilities stretched out endlessly. If he hadn't known it was a guild, he might have mistaken it for some neighborhood in Korea.
After what felt like forever, a massive barrier finally came into view ahead, along with its checkpoint. The shuttle pulled to a stop right in front of it. People lined up to disembark, and Taejeong followed suit, stepping off behind them.
As if they'd been waiting for him to get off, those who had exited first hesitated and glanced his way. One young man approached and bowed politely to Taejeong.
"Hello, Executive. It's an honor to meet you. I'm on duty with D-2 Squad."
"Pardon?"
"We'll work hard today and give it our all, as always. D-2 Squad supports you, Executive. We wish you the best in this election."
He'd gotten the wrong idea, and badly. Taejeong needed to clear it up before the misunderstanding deepened further.
"I think there's been some mistake. I'm not an executive..."
But as he started to explain, a blaring horn cut him off from behind.
Hoooonk!Honk honk!
The irritating noise drew everyone's eyes rearward. There sat a luxury limousine that screamed high-end at first glance. A man hopped out of the driver's seat, scanned the crowd hurriedly, spotted Taejeong, and bowed deeply.
"S-sorry, sir. I dozed off while waiting and didn't realize you were leaving..."
"Who...?"
"Ah, I'm Kim Hyung-sik, newly assigned as your personal chauffeur."
"Personal chauffeur?"
"Yes, sir. Please, hop in. I'll drive you."
Taejeong had no clue what was going on, but he decided to get out of there first. Amid the barrage of stares, he climbed into the back seat. The interior was unmistakably lavish—even to an untrained eye.
Damn. This is practically a hotel room.
As Taejeong marveled, Kim Hyung-sik slid into the driver's seat.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly once more. I'm Kim Hyung-sik, your personal chauffeur. It's an honor to serve you."
"The honor's mine. Anyway, looking forward to working with you."
Excluve rank clearly came with some serious perks. A dedicated chauffeur? Just days ago, Taejeong had been driving a beat-up truck—this felt like a dream.
The people seem decent, the treatment's top-notch. Yeah, joining was the right call.
A satisfied smile crossed his face as the car approached the checkpoint. The guards snapped to attention and lifted the barrier in unison.
"Have a great day!"
Clearing the North Gate amid their salute, Taejeong glanced back and spoke to Kim Hyung-sik.
"No ID check, huh?"
"It depends on rank. Nobles and above only get scanned on entry, not exit. This is an Excluve vehicle, so automatic clearance."
"Got it."
"Where to, sir?"
"Sinrim in Seoul, for now."
Taejeong planned to tidy up his old place first. The guild had everything—no need to keep an outside apartment.
Arriving at his former home, he met the landlord and settled the contract.
"Six months left on the lease, and you're bailing already? What's the deal?"
"Sudden work thing came up."
"You know you owe for the remaining six months, right?"
"Deduct it from the deposit and wire the rest."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Let's wrap it up now."
The monthly rent stung a bit, but the contract was ironclad—no way around it. With Kim Hyung-sik's help, Taejeong loaded all his stuff into the car and headed straight to So-young's place.
"Whoa, bro, what's with this ride?"
"Guild lent it to me. You packed?"
"Yeah. But what about the desk?"
"Leave it. I'll tell the landlord. Just grab clothes and books."
While So-young loaded her things, Taejeong quickly wrapped up with her landlord.
"Up front—no room in the back."
"Okay."
She climbed into the packed limo, eyes wide as she explored the interior.
"Wow, mister, this thing must cost a fortune, right?"
Kim Hyung-sik chuckled warmly and nodded at her endless exclamations. Meanwhile, Taejeong pondered one thing.
Should I track down that truck?
His old vehicle, parked at Hallasan Myeongdo Hotel. He'd already gotten his money's worth from it—no real loss. But leaving traces of himself out there nagged at him.
"Bro, what're you doing?"
"Huh?"
"We going or what?"
"Yeah, of course. Hey, chauffeur—got a place that handles vehicle sales on commission? Got one to offload."
"As long as the paperwork's ready, yes. You have a vehicle to sell?"
"Yeah, but I can't go there myself right now."
"Give me the address. I'll handle it this week."
"I'd appreciate that, but... is it okay to ask you to deal with this too?"
"No trouble at all, sir."
"Thanks, then. Sorry to impose."
With the truck sorted, Taejeong returned to the guild with his sister and sought out Lee Tae-ho. The man showed up panting, long after the call, clutching a resident card and booklet.
"Sorry for the delay. Incident at my post today... Should've gone through your secretary for faster service. This way, please."
Taejeong and So-young rode with him south for a while until a vast plot revealed a cluster of Northern European-style townhouses. He parked at the eighth one and opened the gate.
"Come on in."
The interior was uniquely structured: two basement levels, three above ground. First floor had living room and kitchen; second, the master bedroom; third, bedrooms and a rooftop outdoor deck.
"Bro... this isn't a dream, right? We really live here?"
"Looks like it."
"No way."
So-young could hardly believe it. She'd never even seen a house this grand on TV. Luxury oozed from every corner. Who could've imagined her living in a place like this?
Taejeong grinned proudly at her.
"Way nicer than my spot. You hit the jackpot keeping a bro like me."
"You're not staying here?"
"Gotta use the dorm."
Lee Tae-ho chimed in casually.
"You could live together—no issue. But the layout's not ideal for most, so dorms are common. This area's more civilian-focused than guild facilities."
"I see."
"Each house has a dedicated chauffeur, so call for rides. Basement two is a shelter—locked outside emergencies. Rest is in the booklet; skim it when you can."
"Thanks."
"I'm swamped this month, so route questions through your secretary for quick handling."
"Got it."
"Enjoy. I'll head out."
"Thanks for everything."
After Lee Tae-ho left, Taejeong and So-young explored, flipping through the booklet in awe.
"Whoa, there's even a school. And a mart. Everything's here."
"You didn't know either?"
"Been here one day. No clue."
"First time seeing a house like this."
"Me too. Never dreamed it'd be this nice."
"All thanks to you, bro. I must've good karma."
"Cut the nonsense. Let's stock the fridge and scout outside."
"Sure."
Outside, Taejeong pointed things out as they wandered.
"That's the school. Mart's behind it. Memorize 'em—you'll use these."
"Got it. What's that?"
"Uh, that..."
After a long stroll, taking it all in, they shopped and headed home. Dinner and chit-chat stretched into the deep night.
"Gotta head out."
"What? Stay over."
"Can't leave the place empty. Stuff to think about."
"Just one night."
"Next time. Oh, might hunt starting tomorrow—no contact till evening. No signal in dungeons, so don't worry. Take a few days to settle. Check out school and academies."
"Okay. You be careful. Don't go solo."
"Will do. Lock up tight."
After seeing him off, Taejeong rode back to the dorm, lost in thought. Drowsiness hit just as they arrived.
"Thanks for the ride."
Stretching, he entered the building, rode to the 38th floor, and stood at his door.
"Where's the key? Ah, here."
Fishing the card from his phone case, he scanned it and entered. A fragrant, cozy aroma greeted him.
But then.
"Gah!"
He flipped on the light and yelped, stumbling back several steps. Someone sat on the living room sofa.
"What the—!?"
Heart pounding, he eyed the woman, who seemed asleep. Total stranger. He bolted out, double-checked the door: 3805.
Right place.
Back inside, he stared at her.
Who the hell is this?
As he racked his brain, she stirred and slowly opened her eyes. Their gazes locked. An uneasy mutter escaped him.
"Who are you?"
"..."
No response. Instead, she stretched languidly, interlocking her fingers.
"Yawn."
"I said, who are you? How'd you get in here?"
"You're back?"
"No—who are you? This is my place."
"Who else? Your secretary, Yoo Taejeong."
"What?"
"Secretary."
"Secretary?"
"Yes."