Chapter 96
Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: An Uncle's Request
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"A request, you say?"
"Yes. Hmm... I'd like the Guardian Guild and our Manseong to form an alliance."
Song Deok-hoon said, stroking his chin.
Do-jae's expression turned to one of slight surprise.
"An alliance... Not a merger, but an alliance?"
Guilds were often bound by various relationships.
Among them, an alliance usually referred to a temporary organization, often named 'XX Alliance', formed to raid dungeons together.
The guilds participating in an alliance held equal rights and would disband after the dungeon was cleared.
Essentially, the purpose of most alliances was for weaker guilds to pool their resources to conquer dungeons they couldn't handle alone, then split the loot equally.
Therefore, it was rare for a major guild to request an alliance with a smaller one. They usually entered into pacts or mutual agreements, not formal alliances like this.
"A merger? Not with you around."
Do-jae would have understood if it were a merger.
Small guilds being absorbed by larger ones was a common occurrence, and it would have been incredibly easy for Manseong to acquire Guardian.
Yet, the fact that he brought up an alliance made Do-jae think there was a special purpose behind it.
"Who am I to... What is your reason for suggesting an alliance?"
"Your actions make it clear. You avoid reporters, reject offers from major guilds, and refuse a re-evaluation. It's obvious, isn't it? You have no intention of leaving the Guardian Guild, and I want to work with you somehow. So, I thought we could start with an alliance."
"Then you should have made the request to Guild Master Jeong Hoon-hyeon. Why are you telling me?"
"Ah, that's because the moment I saw him, I knew this guild wasn't his. Well, am I wrong?"
Song Deok-hoon stared at Do-jae with a sharp gaze.
Do-jae grew quite tense.
Did Song Deok-hoon really know that the Guardian Guild was connected to the Suppression Corps, that Jeong Hoon-hyeon had a connection with Kim Hwan-soo?
"You're mistaken. I really don't do anything. I don't know how much money we have or how the guild is run. How could Guardian possibly be mine?"
Do-jae said with a look of complete denial.
Song Deok-hoon stared at him for a moment, then laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, if you say so. In any case, this guild will revolve around you from now on, so getting your approval first shouldn't be a problem."
"...You should discuss that with Guild Master Jeong Hoon-hyeon. I'm just a powerless individual, after all."
"I'll take that as a yes, then."
"Do as you please. In the end, Vice Guild Master Song Deok-hoon, you're no different from the people camping out downstairs."
"At least this time, it's a Vice Guild Master who came in person."
"Well, if you're finished, I'll be leaving. You can discuss the rest with our Guild Master."
Do-jae stood up from his seat.
Now that word was out that Song Deok-hoon had come here himself, it was clear other guilds would start sending high-ranking executives, unlike before.
Jeong Hoon-hyeon would then have to reluctantly bring them up, and Do-jae couldn't be bothered to meet with them every time.
He would either have to get another mana scan and publicly declare to the reporters that he had no intention of changing guilds, or he'd have to get far away from the guild for a while.
But Song Deok-hoon stopped Do-jae as he was about to leave.
"Actually, my real request is something else."
***
Song Deok-hoon said in a solemn voice.
Do-jae took his hand off the doorknob and returned to his seat.
"This must be important."
"Well, you could say that."
This time, Song Deok-hoon stood up.
He then slowly walked to the window, lowered the blinds slightly, and glanced toward the office.
"Do you know who Young-jin's mother is?"
Do-jae knew about Young-jin's mother.
He'd heard about her from Kim Jun-su of the Chilgok Unit's 3rd Platoon, and also directly from Young-jin himself in China.
Song Ja-kyung, the chairwoman of the world-renowned corporation, 'Polina'.
She was Young-jin's mother.
"Yes, I have a rough idea. He mentioned his family sometimes."
"I see. And because of you, Young-jin is going to be in danger from now on."
"What? What on earth do you mean?"
"Young-jin has three older siblings. Two brothers and a sister."
Young-jin was Song Ja-kyung's fourth child and youngest son.
This was also something Do-jae already knew.
"But he only shares half his blood with his siblings. Hmm? You didn't know that?"
Seeing Do-jae's surprise, Song Deok-hoon scratched the back of his neck.
"That kid... I thought he would have told you."
"You mean they're half-siblings?"
"That's right. They have a different father than the other three, so it's more accurate to say they're maternal half-siblings."
"But I've never heard anything about Chairwoman Song Ja-kyung remarrying..."
What Do-jae knew was that Song Ja-kyung had never divorced or remarried, and that her husband had died quite a long time ago.
"After my first brother-in-law died, my sister left her children behind and went to China for several years. She met someone new there. My second brother-in-law was a hunter on an overseas assignment. I heard he took great care of my sister, who was grieving the loss of her husband."
Song Deok-hoon continued with an awkward smile.
"After about six years, she found out she was pregnant. So they decided to return to Korea and get married. But the day before they were set to return, my second brother-in-law also died inside a dungeon. My sister was even more devastated, but there was nothing she could do. She'd left her children with our mother for a long time, and she couldn't raise Young-jin on her own. So she came back and focused solely on her company."
Do-jae thought about Young-jin's age.
Polina's rapid growth began around twenty years ago, so the timeline roughly made sense.
"So you can imagine how much Young-jin's older siblings must hate him. Having spent their childhood without a mother or father, they probably blamed Young-jin for everything. Maybe that's why they're such little brats. Hahaha."
Song Deok-hoon let out a hearty laugh.
It seemed he was trying to lighten the mood, seeing how intently Do-jae was listening.
"Those siblings of his... even if they're only half-siblings, they ignored and bullied Young-jin relentlessly. And with such a big age gap, too. The more they did, the more my sister protected Young-jin, so I can understand their behavior to some extent."
"Considering all that, Young-jin seems quite cheerful."
"That's why, even though they're all my nephews and niece, I can't help but feel a little more for Young-jin. He's a good-hearted kid."
Do-jae recalled how Young-jin had always craved recognition.
It was true when he was in the Suppression Corps, and it was true in China.
Young-jin was also the one currently changing and improving the Guardian Guild.
Do-jae thought that all of Young-jin's actions were likely driven by his desire for acceptance.
"So that's why Young-jin follows you so devotedly, Vice Guild Master."
"The kid wants to earn my approval to prove himself to his siblings. But I've always tried to hold him back. The more he achieves, the more jealous my other nephews and niece will become."
"Which means..."
Do-jae felt a sense of unease in Song Deok-hoon's words.
What if Young-jin had been safe until now only because his siblings had ignored him?
But what if Do-jae became the face of Guardian, and the guild continued to grow?
Having thought that far, Do-jae spoke cautiously to Song Deok-hoon.
"You don't mean his siblings will target him, do you...?"
"Those kids are more than capable of it. They're already at each other's throats, fighting tooth and nail to become the next chairman after my sister. Now, imagine Young-jin showing up, connected to you. Even if Young-jin has no ambitions, they'll instinctively feel threatened. They'll try to get rid of him first."
"That sounds like something out of a drama. Surely not."
"Hahaha. Reality is often more dramatic than fiction."
Song Deok-hoon slowly rose from his seat.
It seemed he had said all he needed to.
"You should just take him to Manseong and protect him yourself."
Do-jae said, looking Song Deok-hoon straight in the eye.
If his nephew was that precious to him, shouldn't he keep him by his side?
"I'd like to, but there are too many watchful eyes. It's not as simple as it sounds."
Song Deok-hoon straightened his suit and walked toward the door.
Do-jae stepped aside slightly. Their eyes met.
"Well then, I'm counting on you."
Song Deok-hoon left with Jeong Hoon-hyeon, who had been waiting for him.
Through the open door, Do-jae watched Young-jin, who was staring after Song Deok-hoon.
***
"Vice Master! A word?"
After Song Deok-hoon left, there was a brief commotion outside. Jeong Hoon-hyeon returned, sweating profusely, and called out to Do-jae.
Thud-
"What's going..."
"Vice Master! No, Mr. Lee Do-jae. What did you two talk about? Don't tell me... to Manseong...?"
Jeong Hoon-hyeon's trembling voice revealed his extreme nervousness.
Do-jae answered gently, trying to reassure him.
"No. That won't happen. I have my promise to Captain Kim Hwan-soo, and besides, I like this guild."
"Phew... That's a relief. I was worried our Vice Master was going to leave for Manseong."
Jeong Hoon-hyeon, finally seeming to relax, bent his stiff back and sank into the sofa.
"More importantly, Vice Guild Master Song Deok-hoon brought up an alliance."
"An alliance?"
"Yes, he said Manseong wants to form an alliance with Guardian."
"And... so?"
"What do you mean, 'so'? You handle it, Master."
"Handle it? This isn't just anyone; the Vice Guild Master of Manseong came here himself and said that... Ughhh..."
Jeong Hoon-hyeon tore at his hair.
His normally neat hair was now a complete mess.
"Don't worry, you won't have to speak directly with Vice Guild Master Song Deok-hoon. He just came to broach the subject today. Someone else will probably come for the specifics."
"Really? That's a relief, then. Phew... How did our guild end up like this...?"
Jeong Hoon-hyeon, with an expression that was hard to read as happy or sad, took out a cigarette and put it between his lips.
After watching him properly ash his cigarette into the ashtray, Do-jae left the room.
"Sir!"
Young-jin ran over as if he'd been waiting.
He grabbed Do-jae's arm and led him outside.
Then, he pulled him into the empty training ground and asked with an urgent expression.
"What did my uncle say? Is he taking me to Manseong? Or is he just taking you, sir? Ah... I don't want that! Sir! Can't we just stay here?"
Young-jin rattled off the words like a machine gun, shaking Do-jae.
"Huh? Sir, say something."
"You have to give me a chance to speak."
"Ah. Right."
Young-jin finally stopped shaking him and stared at Do-jae's lips with wide, expectant eyes.
Do-jae first let out a deep sigh before answering.
"Hah. Neither you nor I are going to Manseong. He came to talk about an alliance between Guardian and Manseong."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Phew! I was so worried. I mean, my uncle patted my head on his way out, you know? So I thought maybe he came to take me to Manseong."
"You really jumped the gun, didn't you?"
"Hehe..."
Young-jin gave his characteristically innocent laugh.
Watching him, Do-jae recalled the story Song Deok-hoon had told him. He raised a finger and flicked Young-jin on the forehead.
"Ouch!"
"Perfect timing. Since we're down here, let's see what you've got."
Leaving the pained Young-jin behind, Do-jae headed toward the rack of training swords.