Gathering Talents
Suddenly, Bang Taegeuk's abilities dropped, and like that Steels Guild member, he staggered, losing his balance—but he didn't fall.
"You bastard, what did you do to me?!"
Bang Taegeuk barely regained his footing, his face twisting as he bellowed at me.
"Iron Dragon, why don't you head back for today? And charging in like a brute doesn't make you attractive at all."
"H-how dare you spout nonsense. What does a punk like you know about a man's love?"
Bang Taegeuk roared and charged at me. He'd already discarded his shield due to his reduced abilities and even stripped off his armor—
Thwack.
The fist flying toward my face—I turned my head to dodge it. But the punch's trajectory shifted, slamming right into my cheek.
Bang Taegeuk was still Bang Taegeuk. This was the moment that proved the title of Iron Dragon wasn't just empty hype.
But skill alone couldn't bridge the massive stat gap. Even with a direct hit to my face, I didn't budge an inch.
Frustrated that his attack had failed, Bang Taegeuk's massive frame bent with octopus-like flexibility, circling behind me to choke my neck.
If our strength stats had been anywhere close, I'd have been done for. But right now, the gap between me and Bang Taegeuk was insurmountable.
I grabbed his hands and pried them off with raw force, saying, "Iron Dragon, you can never beat me. So please, just go home for today."
"Y-you...!"
Bang Taegeuk refused to give up, unleashing a barrage of attacks, but they all fell short. Finally, he collapsed to the floor, sprawled out.
"Damn it! Where the hell did a monster like you come from... Fine, I lost. Do whatever you want."
Who's calling who a monster?
I was genuinely shocked by Bang Taegeuk's skill. Even without his shield or armor—stats reduced and relying solely on bare-handed techniques—he'd kept me on my toes without using any skills. A few times, he'd nearly caught me off guard.
If my stats had been just a bit lower, I'd be the one on the floor instead of him.
"I have no intention of doing anything to you, Iron Dragon. Just go home today. And one more time: selfish love that ignores the other person's feelings can never work."
"Then... what should I do? You're strong—you must know. How can I win Yeji's heart?"
What the hell kind of question was that? Knowing because I'm strong? Bang Taegeuk's view of romance was seriously warped.
I felt like I couldn't just leave him like this—and at the same time, an opportunity presented itself.
"Iron Dragon, do you know about the 'tall uncle' trope?"
"...And that's how Iron Dragon might join us too."
Was my statement that shocking? Everyone except me and Bang Taegeuk stared at us with wide-eyed, rabbit-like shock, glancing back and forth.
Yeji's face was especially filled with confusion.
"Sorry, Yeji. And everyone else. But from now on, I won't bother you anymore. Until you notice my feelings, I'll silently watch over you from the shadows like a tall uncle. I swear it on my name, Iron Dragon Bang Taegeuk."
Yeji froze at Bang Taegeuk's bombshell declaration.
Jeonghun pinched his own cheek to check if this was a dream or reality, while Geonmin stared at me with a bizarre look.
Just what the hell is the boss? One was shocking enough, but Storm Dragon, Bow Dragon, and now Iron Dragon? I can't get kicked out of here no matter what. I have to stick around.
Her instincts screamed at her. She had to stay here. To fulfill her obsession, she had to stay.
"Above all, Yeji, your opinion matters most. If you don't want it, I won't accept Iron Dragon no matter what."
At my words, Bang Taegeuk looked tense as he gazed at Yeji and said, "Believe me. Iron Dragon never goes back on his word. I won't bother you again."
Jeonghun and Geonmin were startled by Bang Taegeuk's tense demeanor, but it was nothing compared to Yeji.
She couldn't believe that Bang Taegeuk—who'd ignored her rejections and bulldozed ahead—had changed so completely in an instant.
After agonizing over it, Yeji finally nodded.
She'd almost refused outright at first, but worried he might revert to his old self. If he kept his promise, it wouldn't be so bad.
The guild needed a tank anyway, and having Iron Dragon Bang Taegeuk fill that role was nothing but a win.
The moment Yeji nodded after her deliberation, the happiest was me, not Bang Taegeuk.
Yes! Operation success.
I kept a calm nod on the outside, but inside, I was cheering wildly.
Yeji's attack on Bang Taegeuk had been fierce but lacked killing intent. Plus, his warped romance views played right into it. I'd set up the board just in case, but for it to actually work...
This won't end up with all Five Dragons joining, right? Nah, that's impossible. The other two are on a whole different level. And one of them's a guild master.
Even thinking it made me chuckle in disbelief.
Still, having three dragons gather filled me with joy.
"Taehee noona, Taeju hyung. How've you been?"
"Obviously. But what's this about suddenly having something to say?"
I'd called Taeju yesterday to say I'd drop by today with important news.
Maybe my voice had sounded unusually serious, because Taeju asked right away upon seeing me.
"I have something important to discuss."
"What's got you so cautious?"
Taeju was curious enough, but Taehee looked even more intrigued and pressed me.
I lacked the confidence to beat around the bush, so I went straight for the kill.
"How do you like the quests?"
"Gasp! H-how did you—?"
"N-no way. You're not involved, are you?"
Taeju and Taehee jumped in shock, and I just gave a light smile instead of answering.
"Who are you? The Suho I know isn't this sly."
Taehee said, and
"Yeah. Only a money-grubbing witch like her would pull something this sneaky. My little bro Suho would never."
Taeju shot back.
"You punk! Even in this situation?!"
Taehee tried to quash Taeju's rebellion(?), but it didn't go down easy.
"Exactly. Who's gonna fund your escort party?"
"Every time you form one, it costs eight figures, and all you bring back from dungeons are nameless weeds."
Taeju froze at Taehee's heavy blow.
"I can't help it. To clear those quests..."
He made a last desperate stand, but Taehee's KO punch landed.
"You skip properly prepping herbs because of those quests, so we have to buy them elsewhere and burn cash. Where do you think that money comes from?"
It was a scene I'd witnessed dozens of times over the past six months, but it never failed to entertain.
And knowing this mess stemmed from my involvement, I couldn't just spectate anymore.
"Looks like I gave you a bad gift. Seeing you two fight hurts my heart, so I'll take it back."
Taeju and Taehee jolted in panic, hugging each other desperately.
"No way! We're super close siblings—it's not fighting. It's just affection. Right, Taeju?"
"Y-yeah, Suho. How much do I cherish and love noona?"
I couldn't hold back the laughter anymore.
"Kekeke. Sorry, hyung, noona. I can give, but I can't take back."
Taeju tossed it up, and
"See? This isn't my little bro Suho. He wasn't this sly."
Taehee spiked it home.
"This time, even I admit it. You're on another level."
I forgot my purpose for a moment, just enjoying the fun.
Being with Taehee and Taeju always kept the laughs coming.
But playtime was over. I couldn't forget why I came.
"Hyung, noona. Join me. That's why I came today—to bring you two along."
"Huh? What do you mean, bring us? Where'd you join?"
Taeju assumed I'd joined another guild to recruit them, not that I'd made my own.
Taehee's expression darkened slightly, perhaps from bad memories.
"No, join? I'm making one. Confirmed members so far: Jeonghun, Bow Dragon Ha Yeji, Iron Dragon Bang Taegeuk, leatherworker Ha Geonmin, and me—five total."
"What? Bow Dragon? Iron Dragon too? And Leather Maniac Ha Geonmin?"
Taeju asked with a face full of shock, and Taehee couldn't close her gaping mouth.
"Yep, all correct. And I came to invite you two."
A brief silence fell, then Taehee recovered first, her eyes sharpening.
"Was this planned from the start?"
I decided to be honest. Taeju and Taehee deserved that much.
Not spilling everything, just part of it.
"No, at first I didn't even know my own abilities well. I was job-hunting, saw the ad, and started here. Then I figured it out."
I explained that I could make potions and their effects, that I could issue quests, and that I'd been deemed an Irregular.
"I-Irregular?"
Like Jeonghun, Taehee—who'd been in Emperor Guild—gasped in surprise.
"Yeah. So I'm building power, and I want you two with me."
"W-wait, so you're the one who made the miracle potions circulating out there?"
Taehee asked, more shocked than before.
"Huh? Miracle potions? What's that?"
"Healing potions with no mana addiction. That was you?"
I had no idea what they were calling my potions.
I'd just handed them off to Lee Musin without much thought.
Too busy to track what ripples they'd caused.
"Yeah, that's mine... but they're called miracle potions?"
Taehee dropped her sharp edge, reverting to her usual gaze.
"It's Suho, alright. Doesn't even know the mess he caused and stays this chill."
"Right? Like I said before. I was shocked seeing a total herb newbie handle them like that. Definitely not a normal hunter. Especially how he treats it like no big deal."
Taeju chimed in.
"Um... so, what do you say? I really want you two."
"See? Doesn't even grasp the chaos he unleashed and just changes topics."
"That's so Suho. Makes me feel better. I'm in if it's Suho. He won't nickel-and-dime me over money like you, noona."
Taeju accepted first.
"Hey, if you go, who's gathering my herbs? And you were the one who suggested this potion workshop, punk!"
Taehee laid into him.
"That was 'cause noona was out of it, like she'd conquered the world. Thought this might snap you out of it. If I'd known you'd hound me over pennies, I'd never work under a greedy boss like you. Right, Suho?"
"Of course. I've got plenty of money."
"Ooh, music to my ears. When do I start? I can go now."
As Taeju looked ready to bolt, Taehee finally snapped.
"Suho, I'm in too. But I'll bring a better herb guy than this loser, so don't take him. A rat who'd ditch his own sister will bail on you for a better offer later. Dump Taeju now and get a superior herb gatherer."
The talk veered weirdly, but in the end, Taehee and Taeju agreed to join.
Origin Potion Workshop would keep its name but move to my building.
I forgot again about whatever "mess" Taehee mentioned, unaware that the butterfly wings I'd flapped had become a massive typhoon.
"Bureau Chief Lee, what's the current usage breakdown for the potions?"
"Of 2,000, 1,200 go to the fire department and emergency squads. 700 are used monthly for surgeries. The remaining 100 are stockpiled for emergencies."
Lee Musin answered the president's question.
"Of those 700, what's the foreign allocation?"
"100."
"Hm... Can we increase that supply? Or release some stockpile without issues?"
The president sighed deeply and asked again. Instead of answering, Lee Musin countered.
"Under a lot of pressure?"
"Sigh. Thought this seat meant doing much for the people. But instead of progress, I'm even rationing potions meant for citizens. Makes me furious at my own incompetence. The US and China start with tariff hikes, then threaten while demanding 300 each for their nationals. Others want 100-200."
"Those fucking..."
Lee Musin cursed involuntarily before hastily apologizing. "Ah, sorry."
"No, it's refreshing. I've wanted to vent too—feels good hearing it."
"Mr. President, what's your plan?"
Lee Musin asked worriedly.
"Can't sell out citizens' lives to threats. Somehow scrape together 300, Bureau Chief. Use them to fight, negotiate—figure it out."
"Yes, sir. I'll gather 300 somehow."
As Lee Musin bowed to leave the office, the president's voice rang out once more.
"Oh! And that hunter's identity must remain absolutely secret. If it leaks, things could get far worse."
"Yes, sir. I'll ensure it."
To be continued in the next chapter...