Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Azure Rose Guild
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"...My apologies. Since this was the first report, I took extra care, and that's how it turned out. I'm sorry."
"Ah, no. No need to apologize."
Yu So-jeong slipped her phone into her pocket.
Well, it made sense she'd be nervous if this was the first time writing a report on me. After all, I'm the world's first SSS-Rank Awakener.
"Still, this should be enough, right?"
"Yes. It seems sufficient. Thank you for your cooperation."
With that, Yu So-jeong began preparing to leave the room.
"I wish I could treat you to a meal, but there's nothing in the house."
"It's fine. Instead, when you have laundry to do, please leave it to me. I have a related skill."
"Wow... You have so many skills. Thank you."
"Thank you."
I had no idea what she was thanking me for, but she bowed her head in gratitude anyway.
Good things are good things. I let it slide without overthinking.
"Is this the place...?"
In the heart of Seocho-gu, Seoul, I stood before a towering geometric glass building. No matter how high I craned my neck, I couldn't see the top. This was the Azure Rose Guild's headquarters.
Standing before the massive structure filled me with a sense of awe. It made me feel like a tiny child.
I double-checked that my blouse and black pants were neat, then took a deep breath.
'Stay calm. I'm the one in the driver's seat here. Azure Rose Guild or whatever, no need to be nervous.'
I spread my wings for courage and strode into the building. With confident steps, I approached the front desk. Being so close, I had to stand on tiptoes to see the receptionist's face clearly.
"Hello~ What brings you here?"
The female receptionist greeted me warmly.
"I'm here to see Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young."
She checked her monitor briefly before delivering a refusal.
"Oh dear. Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young has a busy appointment right now, so it might be hard to meet."
"What? She definitely told me to come at this time..."
Having gotten a bit lost on the way, it was already 1:58 PM. Had she canceled because I wasn't early enough?
No, a vice guild master wouldn't do that. The receptionist must not have gotten the message.
"Sorry, could you come back another time? Here, have two candies."
I took the candy and immediately unwrapped one, popping it into my mouth. Sour lemon flavor. It made my mouth water, but there was sweetness too.
Ever since my body shrank, candy felt even bigger and more satisfying. It filled my cheeks completely.
"Thangk you. But I weally have an appoimtment."
"Really? Let me check again."
She picked up the phone and started dialing.
Since the delay was unavoidable, I pulled out my phone from my bag and messaged Lee Ji-young.
There's some mix-up at the front desk. ^^;; The staff says you have another appointment and won't let me in. Heh...
"Yes. A little kid keeps insisting they have an appointment with the vice guild master. Yes, a child. Understood."
The receptionist spoke while the call was still connected.
"Could you wait a moment?"
"Sure."
My phone chimed with a notification soon after.
Sorry, but could you describe your current outfit?
Blouse and black pants.
"Yes. Blouse and black pants? Yes, that's right. What? Send her up? But you have an appointment... Oh, got it!"
The receptionist ended the urgent call and bowed deeply to me.
"My apologies! I'm sorry for not recognizing you. I'll escort you right away."
"No, it's okay... Mix-ups happen. And since you gave me candy, I'll forgive you."
I might have been annoyed if it were ordinary candy, but this had a premium taste, so I was in a forgiving mood.
"This way."
She led me to an elevator in the corner. It seemed to go to the upper floors; as soon as we boarded, it shot up fast enough to make my ears pop.
- Ding! The doors are opening.
Following the receptionist through the open doors, I entered a reception room where a woman with brown bobbed hair sat. Though petite, her expression exuded strength, and her neat black suit gave a crisp impression.
The receptionist bowed once more and left. Now, only Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young and I remained in the room.
I swallowed hard. Even as an amazing Awakener, this 'interview atmosphere' made me tense. I'd been rejected from interviews more times than I could count.
"Are you Golden Hand...?"
"Yes. That's me."
"Please, have a seat."
Sitting where she indicated put us face-to-face across the table.
"...May I verify your identity briefly?"
"Of course. It's important, so we can't be careless."
She brought over a simple measuring device that revealed only the subject's skill category. It didn't show rank or name, but it was commonly used in situations like this.
Beep.
- Production-type
"Confirmed."
"Yes. Shall we talk now?"
We sat back down and began the conversation.
"May I have your name, Golden Hand?"
"It's Lee Da-yoon."
"Got it. To be direct, we want to hire you, Miss Lee Da-yoon."
"Hire... me?"
Though expected, hearing it made my heart pound. Just days ago, I'd been job-hunting desperately. Now, one of the top guilds in the country wanted me.
But I had to hide my excitement. Bowing submissively when I held the power would be foolish.
I grabbed my wagging tail with my hand to still it. Not the time to move.
"Hmm... Employment, huh. I'm grateful for the high regard, but I don't like being tied down."
Lee Ji-young's eyebrow twitched slightly at my response. She'd probably assumed I'd accept immediately.
"Of course, we'd offer the best treatment. Annual salary of 10 billion won, and guild resources for any materials you need. Plus the prestige of guild affiliation."
10 billion won salary. The words nearly made the candy in my throat catch. 10 billion—every year!
With that, I could wallpaper the house in gold and still have plenty left. My mind swirled with images of gold. Or contract an alchemist for a golden house...
"Ha!"
I wiped the drool and snapped back to reality.
"Ahem! It'd be a shame for my work to be limited to one guild. Items should reach everyone who needs them."
I tossed out a line I'd heard somewhere, and Lee Ji-young smiled faintly.
"In that case, how about we discuss just this commission instead of an exclusive contract? First, test with some B-Rank materials a few times, then make one sword with this material."
"What material?"
She stood and went to a safe in the corner. Clearly crafted with both skills and engineering. After a long authentication process, it finally opened.
She pulled out a box from inside. For some reason, white smoke billowed from it. The closer I got, the colder the air grew from the escaping chill.
"This is the material we've prepared."
Opening the box revealed a blue gem the size of two fists, pulsing with inner energy like it was alive. It absorbed and expelled mana, chilling the surroundings.
"This is...?"
"The intact heart of a White Drake, a sub-dragon. Take a look."
I touched it to check the item info.
[Intact Heart of the White Drake (A+)]
Mana heart of the high sub-dragon, White Drake. Continuously emits cold air. Cannot be processed by ordinary means.
The info window revealed the material's rank: A+. The pinnacle of top-grade materials, unavailable even at auctions. You'd need an NDA just to glimpse it.
"I'd like you to make a thin sword with this. Every craftsman domestic and abroad has given up on it."
"Heh..."
But I couldn't tear my eyes from the blue gem. The reason was simple.
'Why does this look so delicious?'
The gem before me looked like the sweetest candy. One bite, and pure bliss would fill my body. A giant treat.