Chapter 26 Noona's Wish
Chapter 26: {My Sister's Wish}
{My Sister's Wish}
Seo Yu-rin descended to the first floor and began filling out the paperwork to join the Underground Guild.
'That girl—she's the childhood friend of the Empress's younger brother, right?'
'She's pretty, but is she his girlfriend?'
'I heard that's not the case.'
Even before entering, she could hear the whispers and feel the gazes directed at her. But Seo Yu-rin had already resolved not to pay attention to such external judgments.
'I owe Ji-hu so much.'
Honestly, she still couldn't fully grasp Yu Ji-hu's true intentions.
She didn't doubt that he was kind or that he genuinely cared for her.
But had he chosen her as a party member out of pity? Or because he saw something in her—some hidden potential?
'If I really do have talent...'
Then she would dedicate herself fully—for him. The one who had saved her life and given her this opportunity.
As his party member, she would never betray him.
Even if their party had formed by chance, the betrayal she had suffered—the attempted assault by those she once trusted—still haunted her. The anger, the shock, it was all still fresh.
And when she looked at Ji-hu, she could tell he, too, had been betrayed. By those he had trusted the longest.
'I'll never hurt him like that.'
With that resolve, she reviewed the documents.
Most of the terms were as Yu Ha-rin had described. Weapons, equipment, potions—all provided by the Underground Guild. Yu-rin scrutinized the details and noted that recovery potions were only given freely right before entering a Rift.
'And only three at that.'
Still, three was nothing to scoff at.
Having three potions capable of healing wounds was like having extra lives.
Moreover, the weapons and armor were custom-made for each member's class—far superior to the standard-issue gear from the government.
The sword and shield she had received from the government had always felt lacking—fragile, limited. But buying better equipment had been out of reach, so she had used them carefully.
'No wonder people join guilds.'
Of course, not every guild offered benefits like the Underground Guild.
But even so, being part of any guild meant better treatment than what the government provided.
The trade-off was greater responsibility, but Yu-rin was ready.
Especially if it was for Ji-hu—the one who had saved her life, given her this chance, and was someone she admired more than anyone.
'I have to work hard to deserve this.'
She knew some might see her as a "parachute hire"—someone who got in through connections. If she underperformed, it would reflect poorly on Ji-hu.
The weight of that responsibility pressed heavily on her.
"I've filled everything out."
"Congratulations. You're now a member of the Underground Guild. You'll start at D-rank, but given your skills, you'll likely be promoted to C-rank soon."
Yu-rin was currently at the upper edge of D-rank, bordering on C.
In most guilds, that would be considered decent. But here, it barely cleared the threshold for entry-level members.
Of course, even entry-level members were investments—people with potential. Yu-rin would have to prove hers.
"Is that everything?"
"Yes. If you'd like, we can issue your weapons and equipment now. Would you like to see them?"
"Yes, please."
She nodded. It would be best to check them before heading home.
"Then please follow me."
A male staff member led her deeper into the building, stopping before a door.
"This area is warded. Unauthorized personnel experience a rejection effect. Since you're a member, it won't affect you, but you might feel a slight heaviness."
"Understood."
Yu-rin wasn't surprised. A place storing weapons and equipment—even beginner-tier—would naturally have security.
When the door opened, she couldn't help but marvel.
'There are so many.'
Swords of varying lengths and styles, spears, axes—all meticulously arranged. Armor, helmets, shields, protective gear—everything was on display.
"These are standard-issue. They won't last forever, but they're good for training. Please pick what you need."
"Alright."
She picked up a longsword—already far superior to her government-issued blade.
No enchantments, just durability and sharpness.
'If I channel Qi into it, it'll last even longer.'
The edge was keen enough that, with Qi reinforcement, it could cleave through monsters effortlessly.
### A High-End Restaurant
An upscale restaurant, strangely devoid of other patrons.
Yu Ha-rin and Yu Ji-hu sat across from each other.
"...Noona, did you rent out the whole place?"
Ji-hu couldn't help but worry about the cost. This place looked expensive, and shutting it down for a day couldn't have been cheap.
"Mhm. I didn't want any noise while we ate."
She said it so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ji-hu remembered—she had always hated distractions during meals.
'But the price tag still shocks me.'
Then again, this was the same woman who had casually deposited 20 trillion won into his account. Renting a restaurant for a day was probably nothing to her.
"Your appetizers."
A waiter set down the dishes and quickly retreated.
Ha-rin, dressed in a black dress with her raven hair cascading past her waist, was breathtakingly beautiful. Even Ji-hu, her brother, couldn't help but admire her.
But the waiter hadn't fled just because of her beauty.
The Empress—the most beautiful woman in the world, the one who had crushed guild alliances, slaughtered monsters in an instant, and once threatened to "wring the president's neck"—radiated an aura that made ordinary people tremble.
To them, she wasn't human.
But Ji-hu would never see her that way.
'The way she looks at me—she hasn't changed at all.'
Her gaze was full of warmth, her smile soft as she watched him eat.
How could he ever think of her as anything but his loving sister?
"Noona, aren't you eating?"
"I'll eat after you. I want to watch you enjoy your meal first."
Ji-hu chuckled.
"You really haven't changed."
"And I never will."
She smiled back.
He took a spoonful of soup—the same kind he had loved years ago.
'It tastes even better now.'
"Ji-hu, how is it? I picked this place because they had your favorite dishes..."
There was a hint of nervousness in her voice.
The woman known online as "The Ice Queen"—cold and ruthless to everyone else—was looking at him with nothing but affection.
And so, with a gentle smile, he answered.
"It's delicious. Even better than six years ago."
"I'm glad."