Gold Lion Guild Headquarters
Gold Lion Guild headquarters. VIP lounge.
The leaders of two organizations that could be said to be steering the course of modern Korea were holding a secretive meeting. Choi Cheol-ho of Gold Lion and Jo Young-min of Invincible. Longtime friends, they were scheming something related to the recent Jenix incident.
"Those bastards must be in a total uproar by now."
Choi Cheol-ho's words came with a grin that never left his face, as if the whole thing was endlessly amusing.
Jo Young-min nodded in agreement, taking a sip of his tea.
"No choice. Not just anywhere—two guilds in the top ten. Their heads must be pounding."
"Exactly. They should've known their place before lying down. Cocky pricks."
Jo Young-min and Choi Cheol-ho were exacting revenge for the incident at the Youngjin expedition. The so-called Tonggok River occupation. Because of that, the two guilds had nearly gone to war, but they'd barely cleared up the misunderstanding and returned to the status quo.
"Heard those guys made Specialist ranks. Surprising—Jenix climbing that high. I remember them hovering around 80th."
"Still small fry. Anyway, how far you planning to push? One or two dungeons, fine. But keep flexing muscle, and Han San-do will mediate. Plus, they've got ties to that Seo Jin punk. Don't know the details, but if he sticks his nose in, it'll be a headache."
Jo Young-min, master of Invincible Guild, had a point. Han San-do's principle was non-interference in personal disputes, but if Jenix requested mediation, they might step in depending on the case. Especially if one side was overwhelmingly dominant.
A dungeon or two could be brushed off with excuses, but if it escalated, even they would feel the pressure. And Jenix was linked to the Superhuman Club, from what they'd gathered. He'd attended their founding ceremony—a fact no major guild overlooked. Not proof they were allies, but unprecedented nonetheless.
Choi Cheol-ho was well aware of Jo Young-min's concerns.
"Time to wrap it up. Two dungeons? No skin off our backs, but for Jenix, it's a huge hit already."
"So we're calling it quits after this?"
"Nah. I'm saying we stop the muscle flexing. Han San-do sniffing around would suck, like you said. Instead..."
He paused, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
"This. Money. We take it with cash."
"Money? You mean snatch their businesses?"
"Yeah. Money's honest, unlike power. No backlash."
"Not a bad idea. But to gut their ops, start with subcontractors—massive losses. Cut 'em, and new ones'll line up."
"True. Han San-do backs the existing ones, so even if we squeeze, fresh companies will swarm. Too costly to wipe 'em all. That's why I pulled this."
Choi Cheol-ho tossed a file onto the table.
Jo Young-min picked it up and flipped to the first page.
"What's this?"
"Jenix's new ventures in the works. Some already won bids, just awaiting approval."
"Ho. So we buy out the post-bid ones with cash?"
"Unless it's national top-tier auction, deals flip hourly in this game. Grease palms, up the bid 50%, who wouldn't sell?"
"You're ruthless. Didn't cross my mind."
"Gotta hit 'em this hard or they won't learn. Enough chit-chat. Long time no see—check out our guild's star before you go."
"Star? Oh, Choi Da-som."
"She's peaking right now."
Choi Cheol-ho picked up the phone as he spoke.
"Yeah. Send her in."
He hung up and turned to Jo Young-min.
"Had her on standby. She'll be here soon."
"Not busy? At her level, prime growth time. Not Hidden, but special class hunter."
"She's grown plenty. Overdo it, and she'll get cocky."
Knock knock.
"She's here. Come in."
The door opened at Choi Cheol-ho's words, and a stunningly proportioned woman entered. Choi Da-som. One of the 3 Dragons and 7 Stars, top special-class hunter in Korea and ranked in Gold Lion's top 100. Her goddess-like beauty was the cherry on top.
"You called?"
"Yeah. Introduce yourself. This is Invincible's Jo Young-min, guild master."
"Hello. I'm Choi Da-som, vice-captain of Raid Team 2."
"Nice to meet you. Wow, you're even prettier in person."
"She'll be my partner."
"What? You're already married."
"In this world? One woman's not enough."
"Your wife finds out, you'll catch hell."
"We'll keep it secret."
"Should I call her sis-in-law then?"
Choi Da-som forced an awkward smile at Jo Young-min's teasing. Her lips curved, but her eyes screamed discomfort.
Catching the vibe, Choi Cheol-ho waved her out.
Once she left, Jo Young-min spoke as if he'd expected it.
"Got some dirt on her, huh."
"Not dirt—repaying the favor of making her. Without me, she'd never reach this spot."
"Heard she's brought massive gains to Gold Lion."
"Guild's grace. Planning a quiet wedding soon. Swing by if you can. We're the last true friends in this cutthroat world."
"I'll think about it."
Jenix Guild. Four days after Gold Lion and Invincible's rampage.
Bad news started piling up. Ongoing business deals were canceling one by one.
Even the regional branch under Taejeong couldn't escape.
"The Guro Hunter Market site, down to final approval, went to Invincible Guild."
"Bundang Security Guard contract—one-sided notice they won't renew. When it expires, everyone out of the dorms we built. Gold Lion's taking over."
"Yongin Singal escort town approval revoked. Subcontractors in chaos. Pre-bought materials are stuck."
Endless reports gave Taejeong a throbbing headache.
"What the hell are they doing? There has to be... some reason."
No matter how he racked his brain, it made no sense. Not one or two, but organized, widespread sabotage.
He'd considered hazing for their new Specialist status. But targeting bottom-tier Jenix? Illogical.
Only one answer: grudge. They'd seriously pissed them off. Problem was, zero clue what.
The morning meeting yielded nothing.
As the mystery deepened, a knock came.
Knock knock.
"Park Se-ah here."
"Come in."
She entered, handing over a report.
"Just got notice from Incheon Port to clear the ship. Two weeks, or they seize it."
"Again? These guys are straight-up thugs. Hitting everything now. Got it, go. Wait."
"Yes?"
"How's contacting them going?"
"Still refused. No business with us. Checked other departments—same."
"Won't even talk... Should I go myself?"
Her face hardened at Taejeong's mutter.
"Boss's special order: anyone but you goes. Absolutely not."
"I know. Just venting. Need communication to find a way out."
"Wait a bit longer. Boss said he'd request Han San-do mediation personally. Should set something up soon."
"Hope so. But they're blatant. Think they anticipated our mediation play. Most cancellations? Lost bids, not revokes. Just 3-4 final-stage flops. Han San-do won't side with us."
A week later, as Taejeong predicted, Han San-do rejected Jenix's request. Personal dispute and competition.
No options left, Jenix could only take it. Until a new path opened.
Ring ring! Ring!
Taejeong's phone buzzed as he prepped to leave.
[Kim Seok-ho]
"Right..."
He answered mid-thought.
"Hey, Seok-ho. Been a while."
-Dude, you never call unless I do. Always me first. We really bros?
"Sorry. Swamped lately."
-Heard you moved. What happened? Where you at?
Taejeong considered the truth, then shook his head.
"Me? Company dorm. Ditched my place—meals included are better. What's up? Check-in?"
-Curious, and you've ghosted. Anyway, why not meet Da-som? Keeps texting me. Felt bad, gave her your number yesterday. No call?
"Nope. Didn't tell you to?"
-Passed it straight. Said she had stuff to say. Block if you hate her, but pick up. She sounds rough—life-drained voice. Sure, she's living large compared to us. But noblesse oblige, right?
"Got it. Job okay?"
-Don't ask. Salary's the only chain. Thought it was chill at first—hell now. High pay for a reason. Anyway, meet up sometime. Booze, chat. Damn, calling me again. Gotta go—overtime.
"Cool. I'll make time. Thanks for calling."
-Later.
Taejeong hung up, sinking back into his chair.
"Choi Da-som. What now..."
He sighed, fiddling with his phone. Park Se-ah entered.
"Not heading out?"
"Yeah. Hey, any non-hunter family in our civilian contractors?"
"Outside Q-line construction or suppliers."
"None inside?"
"Security... Want me to check?"
"If there's a spot, hook me up. Got a childhood friend like family."
"Sure."
"No rush—take your time. Alright... off we go."