Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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"Lend you... money?"
I was a little surprised by the sudden request.
"Yeah, I'm really sorry."
Yang Hwa-yeon bowed her head.
It was the inevitable fate of small guilds to always be short on cash.
Even if they scraped together money in various ways every time they raided a dungeon, there were just as many places to spend it.
So for Yang Hwa-yeon, running low on funds was a constant issue.
But for her to bow her head and ask to borrow money like this...
Something big must have happened.
"What's going on?"
Kang Han asked her.
Her expression darkened even further.
"...Sorry, it's an internal matter, so it's hard to talk about."
Asking to borrow money but refusing to explain why.
It was more than enough to be irritating, but looking at Yang Hwa-yeon's grim face, I couldn't bring myself to press her.
I glanced subtly at Kang Han.
His face was just as serious as he watched her.
As longtime friends, he must have sensed it too.
That Yang Hwa-yeon was going through something incredibly tough right now.
"All right, take it."
"...Thanks. I'll pay it back soon."
Yang Hwa-yeon bowed her head again.
Our guild was short on money too, but they seemed more desperate.
'And I have a rough idea of what it's about anyway.'
I'd have to talk to Magma Guild soon, I thought as I turned back to resume mining.
"No money, got no money."
Not that I literally had none.
Just no big money on hand.
"Wonder if 10 billion won will just drop outta the sky somewhere."
I was mulling over buying another Mega Lotto ticket when Im Cheong-su's lab door burst open.
"What? Did the lab catch fire again?"
Remembering the last time I'd run around with a fire extinguisher in broad daylight, I bolted upright from where I'd been lounging.
Im Cheong-su walked straight toward me without a word.
Then he set something down on the table.
A single bottle of potion filled with a completely transparent liquid—so clear I couldn't even guess what was inside.
"Im Cheong-su, don't tell me this is...?"
"It's done. Concentration Potion."
Jackpot. No—money was raining from the heavens. Straight-up 10 billion, at least.
I could only check the potion's info after some time had passed.
After finishing his explanation to me, Im Cheong-su's face had gone pale and he'd started staggering.
I hurriedly sat him down and made him drink a cup of water.
"Why do you push yourself so hard? Who's chasing you?"
"The guild needs money everywhere right now. I've gotta earn my keep too."
"...Why do you keep talking like some kid head of household?"
Conscience pricked at me sharply.
I'd brought him here after promising his grandparents I'd raise him right.
But now here he was, playing breadwinner for Justice Guild.
"Anyway, check this out quick."
"Oh right, this! You really succeeded?"
"Yeah, for now."
I pretended to read the scribbled notes Im Cheong-su had jotted down while pulling up the potion's info.
Concentration Enhancing Tonic (S)
Increases concentration for 15 minutes.
"The effect only lasts 15 minutes for now, but..."
"This is huge."
"I said it's only 15 minutes!"
"You know how many people would kill to forget everything else and focus on one thing for even 15 minutes?"
"Huh. If I research a bit more, I can probably extend the duration."
"No way. You're gonna ruin your health like this. No research for a week."
"Wha— you can't just do that!"
Most people would be thrilled to be told to take a break.
But Im Cheong-su writhed around like he'd lost his country, rejecting my order outright.
I didn't back down either.
Im Cheong-su was still a growing teenager.
He was way too young to trade his health for results like this.
"Tch."
"...Fine. Guess I'll catch up on all my sleep then."
Im Cheong-su muttered, rubbing his dark under-eye circles.
"And you've already done your part. Leave the rest to me."
"Money Ghost Sis is back. So, can we finally install a top-tier building barrier now?"
He must've still been hung up on Sama Young's unauthorized intrusion into the guild.
"Building barrier?"
I shook my head.
"This'll let us rebuild the whole building."
I gave a conservative estimate of the potion's value, but Im Cheong-su looked skeptical.
"Even Money Ghost Sis couldn't pull that off."
"Kid still doesn't get the true worth of the potion he invented."
"If I just research more and bump the duration to 30 minutes..."
"That can wait. Companies always sell downgraded versions of their real tech anyway."
"So you're gonna call in the guilds and pit them against each other like last time?"
I wagged my index finger at Im Cheong-su's question.
"Nah, can't sell something this precious that easily."
Why hand this gem to the guilds on a silver platter?
I pulled out my phone and hit call.
"Connections are for times like this."
After a couple rings, a familiar voice picked up.
"Hello, President."
The name on my screen read 'Sugar Workshop President'.
The next day, in front of Maestro Building.
People heading inside widened their eyes at the sight of Vice Guild Leader Geum Eun-dong waiting for someone.
Who could it be to warrant the vice guild leader coming out personally?
Geum Eun-dong, bathed in all those stares, was lost in his own thoughts.
"Go welcome her yourself and bring her in."
It was the guild master's order.
"W-Welcome her?"
Geum Eun-dong let out a hollow chuckle.
The ones he was waiting for today were from Justice Guild.
Specifically, their manager Nayeo-ju—the very person the master wanted escorted in.
"Th-That w-woman is th-that special?"
Geum Eun-dong pictured Nayeo-ju.
She was pretty cute, sure.
From the mana stone sale last time, she seemed to have solid connections.
And seeing Justice Guild's rapid growth, her skills must be top-notch too.
"...Sh-She's n-not bad, huh?"
The more he thought about it, the more it fit.
The master's craftsmanship was the world's best for making items, but beyond that, he had zero interest in worldly affairs and came off a bit airheaded.
Nayeo-ju was the perfect match. Especially since she was reasonably greedy and materialistic.
Right then, a taxi pulled up, and Nayeo-ju stepped out alongside Guild Leader Kang Han.
"L-Long time no see, N-Nayeo-ju H-Hunter-ssi. And Guild Leader Kang Han."
"Yeah, long time no see, Vice Guild Leader Geum Eun-dong."
As they exchanged greetings, bystanders started recognizing them.
"Isn't that Justice Guild?"
"Why's Geum Eun-dong greeting them personally?"
"Yeah, heard Maestro's sponsoring Justice Guild. That why?"
"True. But why would Maestro sponsor them?"
The murmurs were impossible to miss, but Nayeo-ju paid them no mind.
No—she was clearly enjoying it.
Every time someone mentioned 'Justice Guild,' the corner of her mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.
'Perfect match for our guild leader, just like I thought.'
Geum Eun-dong gave them enough time for the crowd to recognize them fully to Nayeo-ju's satisfaction, then led the pair toward the upper floors.
Finally, he pressed the top-floor elevator button and spoke the moment the doors closed.
"Wh-Why the s-sudden meeting request?"
"Mm. I'll explain in the conference room."
"Tell me first, just me. I'm d-dying of curiosity here."
Geum Eun-dong tossed aside any pretense of dignity, his eyes drooping as he urged her on.
Truth be told, he hadn't slept a wink last night.
Someone like Nayeo-ju Hunter from Justice Guild wouldn't call a meeting for nothing.
Especially pulling strings all the way to the guild leader.
"Fine, a hint then. It's amazing."
"Am-Amaz..."
"You'll love it too, Vice Guild Leader."
"T-Too curious... I can't..."
Eons seemed to pass for Geum Eun-dong before they reached the conference room.
Maestro's largest one, right below Jeong Je-hwa's residence—only a handful of people even had access to this floor.
And there, Jeong Je-hwa welcomed Nayeo-ju.
"Welcome, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"Long time no see, President. Ah, is that title rude now?"
"No, you're the only one who calls me that anyway."
Jeong Je-hwa smiled brightly at Nayeo-ju.
"Good. Keep calling me that then."