<p>Elroen, who had offered to help me despite my frustration, shared her thoughts on building the world's greatest guild.</p>
"While learning about your world, you bastard, I did some investigating into guilds. It seems they sell the byproducts from conquering gates and the Tower."
Guilds' main source of income comes from gates and the Tower. Their affiliated hunters hunt monsters and collect the magic stones. Magic stones are versatile energy sources used in all sorts of ways. Some items require massive quantities of them, ensuring steady demand.
Even independent hunters see magic stones as a solid money-maker. But gates and the Tower don't just yield magic stones. Rarely, items drop too. Graded from Normal to Rare, Epic, and Legendary. These items have effects that modern science can't explain, making them incredibly useful in today's society.
The Body-Self Synchronization Potion I'd taken was one such item. Crafters with production classes can make them, but mostly Normal-grade stuff. Rare-grade is about the limit. Normal and Rare items aren't too pricey, but Epic and above? That's another story. Some Legendary items are so expensive they're practically untradable.
And that's what caught Elroen's eye.
"Even if you establish a guild, making money off magic stones is limited. You'd have to split profits with your guild hunters. Without massive scale, big money's off the table."
If an S-rank like Mina joined a guild, her fame would draw hunters, but there are limits. Surpassing Korea's "big four" guilds—the ones like mega-corporations—is no easy feat. To make real cash, items are the way.
"But a guild specializing in crafting and selling items? That's different. Your guild could legitimately become the world's best."
"Hmm. You're right. But how do we craft items? Got a method?"
Her confident tone suggested she had a way. Sure enough, she replied matter-of-factly.
"Of course. This body is the greatest archmage. Crafting Magic Scrolls is one of my specialties."
Magic Scrolls are one-use items that let you cast stored spells. Consumables, basically. Mmm. Consumables are prime money-makers. Reliable effects mean steady sales and profits. If our guild could mass-produce and sell them, we'd rake it in.
Earth has no tech for making Magic Scrolls. They're rare drops from the Tower or gates, that's it. There's a similar magic storage tech using glass orbs, but production costs are insane. Patents alone are a fortune, plus you need pure crystal orbs—super finicky. And mage labor? Pricey. So it's barely used. Rumor is militaries stockpile them as gate surge countermeasures.
Mass-producing scrolls? We could sell to governments worldwide and make a killing. A game-changing innovation. Both Mina and I saw the value instantly.
But no need to show it. I hadn't heard the exact method yet. Gotta play it cool until we secure the tech. If she realizes she's holding all the cards, negotiations get tricky.
...Or not? Elroen studied Earth society online. She knows her worth better than anyone. Reading my mind, she spoke in a leisurely tone.
"Heh. Don't worry. This body has no greed for money. Fulfill my thirst for knowledge, and I'll hand over Magic Scroll tech, no problem."
Whew, perfect. She's a true researcher, driven by pure academic passion.
"Sounds good. Looking forward to working with you, Elroen."
"Heh. Likewise. For my research, I'll use your mana talent to the fullest."
Hmm. Good negotiation? She's been yapping about research lately—sounds intense, but it'll be fine, right?
...Whatever. Not worth stressing now. If it blows up, just kill her. What could go wrong?
[?! You bastard!! Don't release such terrifying killing intent!! This body made a genuine offer!! Why do you always think so twisted?!]
Ah. Busted? Elroen's got killer senses—noticed every time since day one. Or am I just bad at hiding it?
Hmm... Yeah, probably. Never hid it before. Always charged in like a berserk maniac, instincts bare.
"Sorry. Force of habit. Wasn't really gonna kill you—forgive me?"
"Ugh...! You're a battle maniac through and through...! I can't even fathom why you ended up a mage!"
"Same here. No clue why I'm a mage."
"Hmph! Fine. Now for plan two. Lend me your phone, you bastard."
I unlocked the screen and handed it over. Her squid tentacles tapped away, then she pulled up the Hunter Gallery—specifically, the recent hot posts list. Posts were popping up thick and fast.
All about one topic: 'Vgbh'.
The Hunter Gallery was buzzing over the mystery top ranker on Tower floor 1.
The Hunter Gallery was in absolute chaos over the enigmatic awakener Vgbh. Everyone speculating on their identity. I was curious too. Clearing with that score meant real power—not potential, but a finished product.
Hmm... Vgbh feels familiar. Like I've seen it somewhere...
"You bastard!! That's the name you registered!! Can't even remember your own name?!?"
"What? I'm Bri?"
"What?! Oppa is Bri? Why are you surprised?!"
Mina and I were genuinely shocked by Elroen's words. Yeah... when climbing the Tower, it asked for a name, so I mashed the keyboard... Vgbh, huh? Ohhh, got it.
"Wait, oppa. When did you even climb the Tower? And how do you pull that score on floor 1?!"
Mina grabbed my shoulders, shaking me wildly. She couldn't wrap her head around the score. Then her hands froze. She muttered like she'd realized something.
"Hold on... so instead of coming straight to me after reviving... you hit the Tower first?"
...Huh? That's how it sounds?
"I was crying my eyes out missing you all day... but you weren't even thinking of me, just climbing the Tower... You really didn't think of me at all...?"
"No... Mina, calm down and listen. When I revived, I was so hyped up I wasn't thinking straight—"
"Quiet. Be quiet. Oppa... no, Seol. Big sis is talking right now?"
I tried to explain, but she ignored me. No interest in excuses.
"Our little Seol... the more I think, the more infuriating... Can't have this. Big sis needs to properly 'educate' our naughty Seol..."
"No... Mina... don't... I'm really innocent..."
"Right, it's not our Seol's fault. Big sis failed to educate properly. So from now on, I'll make sure to teach you right."
"No... no... please...!!"
I tried to run, but it was useless. In the end, Mina caught me and gave me a thorough 'education'.