Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World Part 2 Chapter 4
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The Cheongmun Guild was based in Cheongna, Incheon.
Including the current guild master's aunt, who was the inaugural guild master, the entire family lived in the Incheon area.
Unlike other guilds scattered here and there based on regional convenience, it was a guild with an exceptional affection for its home turf.
Whenever a gate opened in Incheon, it naturally fell to Cheongmun to handle it, and people took it for granted that the Cheongmun Guild would deploy.
A deep trust had built up over a long time between the region and the guild.
And that trust had flourished, becoming the foundation for Cheongmun's success.
'How many A-rank gates have opened in Incheon so far, anyway.'
Without interference from other guilds, Cheongmun had smoothly devoured one high-risk gate after another, rising to become a top-tier guild.
As a result, the current Cheongmun possessed every qualification needed to maintain its top ranking.
Steady gates of appropriate rank opening reliably in the Incheon area without drying up, outstanding hunters, and a solid lineup of supporters to boot.
'Though the supporters are probably heavily influenced by the guild master's looks.'
Facing the Cheongmun guild master's eyes, clear as a pristine pond, it all made perfect sense.
With looks like that, it would be weirder if he didn't have fans.
A man with long, jet-black hair dressed in elegant, modified hanbok per the guild's formal dress code.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Nayeo-ju Healer."
He was briefly startled by my sudden approach and greeting.
But Ryu Do-kyung, the Cheongmun guild master, quickly regained his usual composed demeanor, rising from his seat to extend his hand.
I hadn't noticed while he was sitting, but he was much taller than me.
I firmly grasped his white, delicate hand—perfectly suited to the idiom "jeweled fingers and jade hands"—and smiled.
"You came all the way from Incheon."
The people of Cheongmun Guild, much like Taoists quietly cultivating the Way in the mountains, rarely got involved in matters outside Incheon.
It wasn't for nothing that their official guild dress code was hanbok.
Ryu Do-kyung responded with a smile so soft it seemed to make a gentle puffing sound.
"Given the gravity of the issue."
"True enough."
"Still, thanks to this, I've had the chance to meet you, Nayeo-ju Healer, so it doesn't feel like a wasted trip."
"Same here. I've heard so many good things about you from Director Seo Yu-baek. I've always wanted to meet you someday."
Cheongmun's guild master, Ryu Do-kyung, and the nagging S-rank healer Seo Yu-baek were the best of friends.
Every so often, photos of the two drinking together would pop up on online communities, accompanied by eyewitness accounts.
Sure enough, Ryu Do-kyung's face lit up the moment Seo Yu-baek's name came up.
"Ah, Director Seo. I've been so swamped with work lately that I haven't even caught a glimpse of him. How has he been?"
"Doing great. He's collaborating on potion research with our guild member Im Cheong-su. The results have been promising, but I'm worried he's overworking himself. You know what Director Seo's like."
As if he'd heard about the wound potion research with Im Cheong-su, Ryu Do-kyung frowned slightly in agreement and nodded.
And with a ping—
...Higher than I expected?
I'd figured Seo Yu-baek had put in a good word for me, but still.
'Guess I should swing by with another fruit basket soon.'
Thanks to that, my conversation with Ryu Do-kyung flowed much more smoothly.
"Director Seo is just too kind-hearted for his own good. He treats all those patients day in and day out, but never takes proper care of himself."
"Exactly. Seems like he just wolfs down cup ramen for meals."
In truth, ever since Seo Yu-baek came up, there hadn't been any awkwardness between Ryu Do-kyung and me.
This was what they called the power of a mutual connection.
Then Ryu Do-kyung said something out of left field.
"There's a hypothesis that an Awakener's abilities resemble their innate personality. Are all healers naturally that selfless, Nayeo-ju Healer?"
"Uh... well, I'm not as good-hearted as Director Seo..."
"I've heard Director Seo say more than once or twice that 'Nayeo-ju-ssi is too kind-hearted for her own good' with genuine worry."
Ryu Do-kyung smiled with a hint of mischief.
I just stared at him in a daze.
Of course, part of it was how dazzlingly handsome his smile was.
But more than that, it was because I recalled Ryu Do-kyung's final moments in Sejong Wall.
'Ryu Do-kyung sacrificed himself to save thousands of Incheon citizens.'
In the flooded underwater dungeon, he refused to escape and single-handedly blocked a monster wave, dying a heroic death. That was the end I knew for Ryu Do-kyung.
So what kind of face should I make when a man like that calls me kind?
I stood there stammering wordlessly for a moment, and Ryu Do-kyung offered some earnest advice.
"Both Director Seo and you, Nayeo-ju Healer, need to look after yourselves as much as you do others. Understood?"
...Now I got why Seo Yu-baek and Ryu Do-kyung were such close friends.
They both had nosiness as vast as the Pacific Ocean.
"Yes, I will. But honestly, I'm not that selfless. I'm actually here to ask a favor of you, Cheongmun guild master."
"A favor?"
"It might put you in a tough spot... But it's extremely important for the Justice Guild."
"Go ahead."
"Um. If it's possible, could I get permission to enter the underwater dungeon owned by the Cheongmun Guild?"
It was a sort of field trip request.
Before we bid on an avoidance dungeon ourselves and attempted to clear it, a chance to gain experience inside a stable gate.
And Cheongmun Guild's fixed dungeon was perfect for that—an underwater one.
Originally classified as A-rank, large-scale, with its core intact to keep the dungeon stable. They'd even deliberately left some monsters alive for training new recruits rather than exterminating them all.
'This is a good chance to build ties with Cheongmun too. It'll pay off big later.'
It didn't matter right now that Cheongmun was part of the Public Guild Federation.
I was playing the long game.
Hiding my not-so-nefarious ulterior motives, I waited demurely for Ryu Do-kyung's reply.
I even had a whole speech loaded up in case of rejection.
But instead, Ryu Do-kyung asked me directly.
"What's your reason for wanting to experience the underwater dungeon?"
No beating around the bush or probing—just a straightforward question.
I took a breath and answered.
"Because it's an avoidance dungeon."
"...There's always a reason guilds avoid them. You need a ton of specialized gear just to enter, the risk is higher than other types of the same rank, and the magic stones you can mine are meager by comparison. In a word, poor cost-performance."
"Mm, yeah. But our country is surrounded by ocean on three sides. Plus, there's that massive river running right through the middle of Seoul. It wouldn't be strange if underwater dungeons started popping up more often. We're just preparing for that possibility."
I glanced toward Kang Han's side before continuing.
"I'm not selfless enough to do it purely for others, but our guild master truly is a good man. If an underwater dungeon that everyone avoids becomes necessary, he'll charge right in without a second thought. Better to prepare properly if we can't prevent it altogether."
"Hm."
Ryu Do-kyung pondered for a moment before nodding readily.
"Sounds good. Excellent, in fact. Shall we set a date right now?"
...A bit too readily?
Ping—
His favorability even went up.
I wondered if simply wanting a tour of the underwater dungeon was such a thrilling prospect.
"Thank you so much for approving. Could I check our schedule and get back to you tomorrow?"
"Of course. Here's my personal number. Feel free to contact me directly."
The Cheongmun guild master's personal number, just like that?
And Ryu Do-kyung's generosity didn't stop there.
"Since it's a visit from the Justice Guild, I'll clear my schedule and accompany you."
"Accompany... us?"
"Cheongmun has plenty of skilled hunters, but no one knows the underwater dungeon better than I do. It'll be helpful."
Helpful? With Ryu Do-kyung coming along, I wouldn't have to worry about any unexpected mishaps.
I hurriedly grabbed his hand before he could change his mind.
"Then, if you don't mind, I look forward to your guidance."
As Ryu Do-kyung and I smiled at each other and shook hands amicably, I felt puzzled stares from those around us.
That made sense.
Cheongmun was a Public Guild Federation guild, after all.
But.
'For how long?'
There was no impenetrable wall between the Private Alliance and the Public Guild Federation.
Anyone could cross that line at any time and join the other side.
"We will now resume the meeting. Please take your seats."
At the association staffer's voice, I gave Ryu Do-kyung's hand one final squeeze with my right hand.
Cheongmun was different from guilds like Sama or Fantasia, who'd even risk a dungeon break for their position and power.
Ryu Do-kyung's reason for supporting the Public Guild Federation was obvious.
The fear of having to abandon the Incheon region they'd defended for so long against their will.
If that anxiety could be eliminated.
'The residency restriction bill—that's the first thing to get rid of.'
I returned to my seat beside Kang Han, steeling my resolve.