Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Translation: godtl
"Kyaa! This coffee is absolutely delicious."
"Isn't it?"
Si-mun grinned.
But his inner self—
To be precise, the very center of his chest—did not share the sentiment.
How could anything brewed in this body taste bad?
The grumbling Philosopher's Stone.
This time, Si-mun didn't bother reprimanding it.
Well, it was intentional anyway.
An Ho-jin was certainly on the plump side, but his weight was typical for a middle-aged man.
Even accounting for that, his protruding belly and chubby cheeks made it obvious—
He enjoys alcohol, cigarettes, and overly sweet or stimulating flavors—no surprise there.
Having easily deduced his preferences, Si-mun had ordered the sweetest coffee available.
"This flavor is so mysteriously rich, I can't even tell if it's vanilla or hazelnut!"
"I'm glad it suits your taste."
Si-mun sipped his drip coffee while watching An Ho-jin gush over the syrup-laden concoction.
Soon after—
"Section Chief An."
Si-mun spoke, his eyes the picture of innocence.
"You came here to make me a recruitment offer, right?"
"Huh? Ah! The coffee was so good I completely forgot my manners."
Wiping his mouth hastily, An Ho-jin pulled out a thick stack of documents from his bag.
"Here—our Seongsam contract."
Not the Seongsam Guild, just Seongsam?
Si-mun mentally noted the distinction again as he carefully read through the contract.
"There's probably a lot you don't understand. Let me explain—"
"Sorry, but could I read it first and ask questions afterward?"
An Ho-jin blinked in surprise at Si-mun's interruption.
But only for a moment.
"Hah! Of course! You should always scrutinize contracts thoroughly, right?"
An Ho-jin smirked and took another sip of coffee.
All the while, his gaze remained fixed on Si-mun.
What could a brat like you possibly understand?
That was the look in his eyes.
Naturally so.
A Deep Sea-rank player who had just debuted in his twenties, with that naive face to boot.
This one's a grade-A sucker.
From An Ho-jin's perspective, there couldn't be a better mark.
That bastard Park Min-cheol. If he'd recruited this sucker earlier, we could've milked the Special Arena broadcasts dry by now!
Once this deal was done and reported to Chairman Lee Sun-cheol, what would happen to that insufferable colleague of his?
But before that—
What kind of rewards would he reap for securing this recruitment?
At the very least, I'll get promoted to section chief in the Seongsam Guild. The Chairman rewards results, after all.
Then even those high-and-mighty Awakened would have to obey a non-Awakened's orders.
And Assistant Manager Woo too? Kehehe!
Lost in his delusions, An Ho-jin snickered to himself.
Of course—
Oppa, can't we just punch this creepy ahjussi and go home? We've got a lot to prepare.
Just a little longer. He's practically dancing on the hook already.
Si-mun saw right through An Ho-jin's schemes.
Naturally.
This entire situation had been orchestrated by Si-mun from the start.
He skimmed through the contract swiftly.
The Philosopher's Stone, reading along, let out a sigh.
Yikes! Oppa, I don't know much about contracts, but even I can tell this is full of exploitative terms.
Yeah. It's practically a minefield of predatory clauses.
And not just a few—over half of them.
Most guilds have a standard three-year contract, but this one's for six years. And the annual activity support is less than 20 million won—even that's tied to performance...
Si-mun's jaw slackened the further he read.
Equipment is leased until the contract ends, consumables must be bought from Seongsam's shop using activity points, mandatory participation in at least five Arenas per week...
The more he read, the worse it got.
Si-mun barely managed to keep his mask of innocence intact.
The recruitment contract—no, the indentured servitude agreement—An Ho-jin had presented was so outrageous it could drive anyone insane.
All dressed up in pretty words, but the reality was pure exploitation.
"This isn't treating someone like a fool—it's straight up livestock treatment."
No matter how much of a novice player you were.
If you followed this contract's conditions for Arena activities, you'd earn at least 50 million won annually when converted to salary.
On top of that, if you got lucky with rare drops or other reward boosts, you'd hit the jackpot.
Yet they'd take half your reward items as commission under the pretext of "performance quotas"?
And they'd even attached a clause converting it into points only usable at the Seongsam Shop, forcing you to rely solely on their store.
'I can't believe a contract bearing Seongsam's name would be like this.'
Not even that notorious Scorpion Guild would draft recruitment contracts this exploitative.
Si-mun repeatedly checked the Seongsam seal stamped on the contract.
'Wait. Now that I think about it...'
Then his eyes caught the phrase next to the Seongsam seal.
'This just says Seongsam.'
The Seongsam Guild, true to its name, always appended "Guild" in every situation.
Whether it meant taking a different path from the Seongsam Group.
Or declaring independence from the Group's influence.
The Seongsam Guild always included the word "Guild" in all official settings.
But the contract Section Chief An Ho-jin presented only contained the word "Seongsam."
The eyes behind Si-mun's mask turned icy cold.
'Just like when he said "Seongsam" earlier. This confirms it.'
Section Chief An Ho-jin.
As expected, this man wasn't part of the Seongsam Guild.
'He's definitely connected to Chairman Lee Sun-cheol. And also...'
He was clearly either the cause behind why Yu-jeong would commit such acts in the future.
Or one of the people involved.
"Hehe, Mr. Si-mun. Is there something you don't understand?"
Having already finished his coffee, An Ho-jin rubbed his palms together with a greasy smile.
Si-mun wanted to punch him without another word, but—
"Yes. I have a personal question."
There was one last thing he needed to know.
Si-mun forcibly suppressed his instincts.
"Of course! Ask me anything."
"As a Section Chief of Seongsam, you must be somewhat close with Lee Yu-jeong, right?"
Lee Yu-jeong.
At that name, the smirk on An Ho-jin's face faltered for the first time.
But it was momentary.
Proving he hadn't come as a scout for nothing.
"Hahaha! Yu-jeong? Of course I know her!"
An Ho-jin quickly regained his composure.
"What a relief! I'm actually a huge fan of Lee Yu-jeong!"
"Is... that so?"
"Yes! Honestly, what player wouldn't be? She's skilled, has a great personality, and... well, she's p-pretty too."
Si-mun slightly bowed his head, even feigning shyness.
Gag!
Though he heard a violent retching sound in response.
Ignoring it lightly, Si-mun clasped his hands together with sparkling eyes.
"This might be an awkward request, but... could you possibly get me her autograph?"
"Ah, well, you see... she doesn't usually give those out... and as Guild Master, her schedule is always packed..."
"Then a newbie like me will never get to meet her! Please, I'm begging you!"
An Ho-jin scratched his head at Si-mun's pleading.
His smile remained, only showing slight discomfort, but—
Si-mun knew.
'He must be seething inside.'
Si-mun was well aware of his current worth.
At minimum, a Diamond-tier prospect.
Though it was awkward to say himself.
Given his viewer numbers from the last broadcast and his overall performance, he had the makings of a top-tier player.
At worst, he'd reach that level.
No scout would fail to recognize that potential.
Moreover.
'I haven't questioned anything about the contract.'
It was common among young Awakened without real-world experience.
Those who carelessly shackled themselves with contracts at low levels, misbuttoning the first step of their player careers.
People like Si-mun now, who didn't ask about contract terms at all, fell into this category.
Therefore.
"Ahem, ahem!"
If An Ho-jin's goal was to swindle him, he could never refuse this offer.
Then, there was only one choice left for him.
'He'll accept the offer, but try to buy himself some time.'
After all, Lee Yu-jeong's signature wasn't stipulated in the contract.
Once the seal was stamped, even if they tried to backtrack later, there would be nothing they could do.
Just as expected.
"Very well."
An Ho-jin, who had been sipping from his empty glass, squared his shoulders as if steeling himself.
"I'll do my best to secure Miss Yu-jeong's signature."
"Wow! Really?"
"Of course. However, Miss Yu-jeong will have to handle not only the Arena but also internal affairs within the Seongsam Group, so it may take some time."
"Ah, I see."
That confirmed it.
For some reason or another—
'Chairman Lee Sun-cheol is clearly trying to build another faction separate from the Seongsam Guild.'
And one made up of Players, at that.
"Exactly! Haha! Then, if you could just sign here at the bottom of the contract..."
Perhaps thinking he had already won, An Ho-jin didn't even notice the icy glint in Si-mun's eyes as he cheerfully pushed the contract forward.
-Oppa. I think we've figured out everything we need to know. Can't we just wham! kill him already?
'Philosopher's Stone, don't even joke about that.'
-Heehee! I'm only half-joking. But, well, this world seems pretty sensitive about murder. How about just beating the crap out of him? Hm?
Si-mun stifled a chuckle at the Philosopher's Stone's bloodthirsty suggestion and glanced down at the contract.
'We've got all the information we need, but there's no need to go that far. There's another way to use him.'
-So, we're turning him into our pawn, is that it?
'Exactly.'
As long as he didn't sign the contract, the initiative was his.
If he played his cards right and uncovered why Section Chief An Ho-jin was pulling these stunts—
'I might even be able to guess why Chairman Lee Sun-cheol is trying to build a faction of Players.'
Just as Si-mun finished organizing his thoughts and was about to speak—
"Oh my!"
"Gasp!"
A small commotion broke out near the café entrance.
Of course, neither Si-mun nor An Ho-jin paid it any attention.
At least, not until—
"Section Chief An!"
Bang!
—the source of the disturbance slammed their hands down on their table.
There was no need to ask who it was.
A face so pristine and elegant that the words pure and graceful alone could describe it.
And, to top it off—
"Oh my god! Is that really her?"
"Babe, this isn't a joke, right?"
"I never thought I'd see a Ranker in a place like this..."
The stunned murmurs of the surrounding patrons.
Before he knew it, Si-mun called out the name of the person who had appeared.
"Lee Yu-jeong?"
But unlike what he expected, she only flicked a glance at him before—
Whoosh.
'Huh?'
—turning her gaze toward An Ho-jin without so much as a greeting.
Given their seating, all Si-mun could see was the back of her elegant head, but—
"A-A-Ah, Miss!"
The sly smile vanished from An Ho-jin's face, replaced by sheer terror.
Just one look at his ashen expression told Si-mun everything he needed to know.
"Section Chief An. What is the meaning of this, acting without my permission? Section Chief Park clearly said—"
Lee Yu-jeong's clear voice faltered.
The reason was simple.
Rustle.
"Eek! M-Miss! That's—!"
The half-shattered table, the documents lying atop it.
Before anyone could react, Lee Yu-jeong had already snatched them up, her eyes rapidly scanning the contents.
Then—
"Ha...!"
Her voice trembled as much as the crumpled paper in her clenched fist.
Without a doubt—
'She's furious. Just like that time ten years ago.'
Si-mun could tell she was on the verge of exploding.
She'd probably raise her voice—uncharacteristically—and let every ounce of emotion spill out.
But perhaps the ten years hadn't been for nothing.
After another sidelong glance at Si-mun, she bowed her head deeply and—
Click.
"...Section Chief An. Come with me. Now."
With a chilling sound, like something being severed—
"Ghk! M-Miss! Wait! Let me explain!"
—she grabbed An Ho-jin by the collar and dragged him straight out of the café.
"......"
"......"
Like the calm after a storm—
Silence settled over the small café.
"W-Was that really Lee Yu-jeong just now?"
"Did you see her face just now? I was so shocked! I never thought Lee Yu-jeong could make such a terrifying expression..."
"So it was all just image management after all. Reality is completely different."
"Why would a Ranker even come to a place like this in the first place?"
They weren't unaware of Yu-jeong's consideration in leaving immediately without pretending to know them.
Si-mun also rose from his seat.
[Welcome to the Galaxy Arena.]
[This Arena's event is a dungeon, with 50 participants.]
[The condition 'Cooperation' has been added.]
[All participants will form teams of five.]
[The Arena will begin once all members are present.]
Appearing in a small flash of light, Si-mun—
—Si-ha!
—Si-ha!
—I came running as soon as I saw the notification!
"Nice to meet you, everyone."
After lightly greeting the rapidly scrolling chat window, Si-mun glanced around.
'It's a forest.'
A dense forest.
But unlike during the Tutorial, it wasn't just crowded with trees.
Warm sunlight streamed through, and nameless grasses and flowers filled the space.
It was a scene so beautiful that even those who didn't care for nature would marvel—
'This isn't good...'
Yet Si-mun's expression wasn't exactly pleased.
—What? An outdoor map?
—Of all things, a dungeon with an outdoor setting, lol.
—Still, if it's FingerAemon, no problem, right?
—Fr. Bro, just flick your finger and burn this whole forest down. I swear, looking at this place is gonna give me PTSD!
The viewers' reactions were similar.
Dungeon Arenas were broadly divided into two types: outdoor and indoor.
Outdoor maps had more annoying elements—weather, navigation, and the like—making them unpopular among players.
But Si-mun quickly relaxed his expression.
'No. Actually, this works out well.'
After Yu-jeong disappeared with Manager Ahn, Si-mun had returned home to craft Spirit Elixirs.
Of course, they weren't the kind he could consume immediately like before.
'Since I left all the crafted elixirs in the aging machine before coming here.'
—Right. The aging time wasn't set too long either. By the time this Arena ends, over 50% should be matured.
Spirit Pill aging.
A process to slightly enhance the elixir's effectiveness.
It required an extremely meticulous procedure, proportional to the aging duration.
Of course, for Si-mun and the Philosopher's Stone, it wasn't even an issue.
Or rather, it couldn't be an issue.
Because—
'I spent 500 Achievement Points just to make that aging machine...'
An elixir aging machine crafted using Achievement Points equivalent to one Astrapē.
Originally, he had planned to just consume the elixirs and start the Arena.
'But my stats aren't urgently needed right now.'
Since his current specs were already at the Thal-Silver tier,
he chose to prioritize maximizing the elixirs' efficiency instead.
"By the way, is no one else coming?"
No sooner had Si-mun spoken—
"Huh? A dungeon, you said?"
"Ah, damn it! It's an outdoor map!"
"Shit! I wish we had someone with detection skills...!"
Three men and women appeared in quick succession.
All of them bore the Cheetah guild emblem on their gear.
'Must be from the same guild.'
Given Si-mun's less-than-fond memories of three-person guild parties,
his expression stiffened slightly—
Pah!
But when he saw the last matched member, his eyes widened to the size of lanterns.
And he wasn't the only one.
"Whoa!"
"That person—!"
—No way! Isn't that her?
—Who's that?
—Is she famous?
The matched players and the chat window alike were stunned.
And for good reason.
"Ah, fuck. An outdoor map?"
Eyes somewhere between a cat's and a fox's.
A sharp nose bridge and jawline, provocative lips, and a figure to match.
Her appearance was undeniably dripping with sex appeal—
"The hell? You eyeballing me already? Keep staring, and I'll gouge 'em out before you can blink."
But her rough speech, thick regional accent, and slouched posture evoked a back-alley thug rather than allure.
—LMAOOOOO Si-mun's doomed this Arena, kekeke.
—What? Why? Who is she?
—That's the infamous psycho from the Deep Sea server. The Arena condition is 5-player cooperation? It's over.
—Bro's in shock. Look at his face, lol.
—Even if it's FingerAemon, there's no winning against a named troll!
—Si-mun... Hang in there!
The chat erupted at Si-mun's reaction.
But Si-mun wasn't shocked because of the woman's outrageous behavior.
There was only one reason for his surprise—
'M-Mal-suk? What the hell are you doing here?'
It was the completely unexpected reunion with an old friend.