Chapter 95
Chapter 95
Chapter 95: Guild Buff (1)
Translation: godtl
And it was only natural.
"S-Si-mun, sir? Are all of these... golems?"
Over ten golems.
And not just any golems—each one was entirely crafted from mithril, busily working in various locations.
"Yes. They are indeed golems."
The first thought that sprang to Park Jin-uk's mind upon hearing the answer was:
'How much would all of this cost?'
Money.
Though not as rare as orichalcum or adamantium, mithril was still one of the Arena's three great supermetals, renowned for its exorbitant price.
'Well, for someone of Si-mun's caliber, this isn't surprising at all.'
The man before whom even Lee Yu-jeong, the future successor of the Seongsam Guild, and Kim Si-hyeok, the heir apparent of the Association, dared not move an inch. That alone spoke volumes. And wasn't he also the sole creator of the world's only cure for Arena Disease?
The sales report for the cure cradled in his arms contained figures beyond what any individual could fathom.
'Mithril golems? Fitting for someone of Si-mun's stature.'
Nodding to himself, Park Jin-uk extended the documents he had brought.
"Here's this month's sales report for the cure."
"Thank you. But you didn't have to go through the trouble of delivering it in person. You could've just emailed it."
"Haha! But this is the first month's report—it deserves a personal delivery. Besides, I had something else to discuss."
"What is it?"
As Si-mun tilted his head in curiosity, Park Jin-uk continued without delay.
"The guild applicants you mentioned earlier—they've all arrived in Korea. They're eager to complete the registration process immediately."
"Ah, that."
The guild's vacant slots.
After inducting his own group into the guild, Si-mun had asked Park Jin-uk to help fill the remaining spots.
'Can't leave those slots idle.'
The benefits of a guild buffed by the World Tree were limitless, after all.
Of course, the basic arrangement was to charge a fee for membership.
"And, Si-mun, sir?"
There was another purpose as well.
"I've also extended invitations to the Continent Guild under the conditions you specified."
Despite there being only two of them, Park Jin-uk instinctively lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Just as you predicted, both of them came. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. They're infamous for their mutual dislike, so I didn't expect them to arrive together..."
At those words—
"Good."
Si-mun smiled faintly, as if he had known all along.
"Bring them all in."
He nodded with a knowing grin.
Ranker Palace.
Though it was renowned as the most expensive building in South Korea—
"Hmph. These small-country folk sure know how to splurge."
A portly man grumbled with a disinterested sneer as he stepped through the entrance, his face devoid of any awe.
"Brother Gang, you know who owns this place. It'd be best to refrain from such remarks..."
A deep, pleasant baritone voice.
The tall man who spoke cautiously was immediately cut off.
"Ha! You dare give me orders? You?"
"That wasn't my intention."
"Shut your mouth!"
The portly man's beady eyes, nearly buried in his fleshy face, gleamed with irritation.
"You think just because you've got the Guild Master's backing, you can look down on me now?"
"Brother Gang, you misunderstand. I was only—"
"Enough of your yapping!"
The portly man's voice grew louder, his temper flaring.
Kang Hwa-wi glared at the taller man with undisguised annoyance.
"Seo Wi-ryong, you'd better remember your place soon. You've heard the news about the martial contest, haven't you?"
"...Yes."
At the mention of the contest, the tall man—Seo Wi-ryong—darkened visibly.
And for good reason.
"You must've also heard the rumors that the Spear King emerged victorious?"
"Yes."
The colossal throne that was the Continent Guild's leadership.
Any guild member of standing would know of the changes brewing there—Kang Hwa-wi and Seo Wi-ryong, as rising stars of the Continent Guild, were no exception.
"Soon, the Spear King will ascend to the Guild Master's seat. And when that happens, even you—the current Guild Master's favorite—will..."
Before Kang Hwa-wi could finish his threat—
"Heeey~ Sounds like you're having a fun little chat?"
A thin, mocking voice cut in.
Perhaps recognizing its owner—
"That voice!"
Kang Hwa-wi's face twisted further.
He whipped his head around, glaring at the source.
"Oh my~ So scary, really. Mr. Gang the Pig, must you look at me with such an ugly face~?"
"Shut up! Riko, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Hoho. Still as stupid as ever."
The narrow-eyed woman.
Riko, as she was called, responded with a smile as smooth as her voice.
"Wouldn't it be obvious why the winner of Japan's Gold Debut Match is here?"
"Hmph! To think a wench like you could be a winner. The wretched future of that despicable island nation writes itself."
"My, my~ Looks like we had the same unpleasant thought? I can just picture the revolting future of your continent too."
Riko sneered without backing down, her thin eyes—which had been glaring down at Kang Hwa-wi—briefly flickering toward the tall and well-built Seo Wi-ryong beside him.
"Honestly...... Even the Spear King has no eye for talent. Leaving a fine man like that just standing there."
Perhaps realizing what she meant—
"You bitch!"
Flames of fury instantly sparked in Kang Hwa-wi's piggish eyes.
At the same time.
Whoom.
A faint blue aura coiled around Kang Hwa-wi's thick fist.
The Manifestation of Qi—a mark of an upper-tier Player.
Fist Energy.
"I'll smash that damn mouth of yours shut!"
Thud!
Kang Hwa-wi kicked off the ground and lunged forward.
Despite his massive frame, his body soared through the air with startling ease.
It was undoubtedly a threatening charge—
"Ha! Who are you calling ugly, you pig?"
Riko let out a derisive snort, her hands now gripping Hidden Weapons as sharp as frost.
Throwing daggers, like sunflower petals, filled the spaces between her fingers.
"I'll turn that fat face of yours into a beehive~."
She swung her arm toward Kang Hwa-wi—
Or at least, she tried to.
Clank.
"That's enough, Riko."
A long scabbard blocked her hand before she could.
And on the other side—
"You must restrain yourself, Brother Gang."
"Damn it! Seo Wi-ryong! You dare interfere with my business?!"
Seo Wi-ryong, who had somehow caught up to Kang Hwa-wi, was holding him back.
Riko, who had been watching the raging Kang Hwa-wi with a sidelong glance, sighed.
"Ugh~, you're killing the mood."
She flicked her wrist lightly, sheathing the throwing daggers she had been gripping tightly.
Then she turned.
"Why'd you stop me, Yuto?"
Her sharp gaze landed on the neatly uniformed male student who had blocked her—the owner of the scabbard.
A sword nearly half again his height.
Yuto, who had sheathed it, answered expressionlessly.
"Because I had to."
"That wild boar needs to be taught a lesson."
"That changes if it causes trouble for me."
"And why would it cause trouble for you?"
"Don't you know?"
Yuto's blank eyes fixed on Riko.
"We came here to receive the Guild Buff."
"I know that much."
"Then you must also know who owns this building."
Ranker Palace.
The owner of this massive building was already a world-famous Korean Ranker.
Naturally, Riko, as one of Japan's rising stars, knew exactly who that was.
Yuto continued flatly.
"The Sword Saint dislikes unnecessary disturbances. Especially if it's caused by someone coming to join his guild......."
"Enough, enough. We're paying a fair price to join anyway, and you have another reason, don't you? You Sword Saint fanboy."
"Riko."
"Call me noona properly, won't you?"
"Only if you act like an elder. Age alone isn't enough."
Yuto snorted expressionlessly.
"You damn brat."
A vein pulsed at Riko's temple, but she left it at that.
"Seo Wii-ryooong! You bastard!!"
"Well, I guess the plan worked out roughly enough, so let's call it here? Like you said......"
She smirked at the roaring voice from the other side.
"Your precious Sword Saint hates disturbances. Right?"
She winked at Yuto.
"......."
A faint crack appeared in Yuto's expressionless mask.
He glared at Riko with eyes full of contempt.
"Disgusting, Riko. Extremely so."
"That's just how adult politics work, you know? If the Sword Saint gets angry and kicks them out, that spot might just fall to us Japanese, don't you think?"
"The fact that your plan involves manipulating the Sword Saint's emotions is repulsive. Disgusting."
"I'll take that as a compliment, fanboy~."
Riko waved her hand playfully as she walked away.
Yuto gave a slight shake of his head, then glanced once more at Kang Hwa-wi, who was still bellowing furiously.
"Stupid pig."
Shaking his head, he followed after Riko.
"Well then, I'll be off. Be careful with your work."
Click.
Was it due to the influence of the Philosopher's Stone?
The mithril golems, their gleaming silver surfaces shimmering, all saluted in unison.
"Those guys..."
Kim Si-mun let out a soft chuckle at their oddly endearing appearance before stepping out of the laboratory.
When had she arrived?
Standing by the door was a woman of striking beauty.
"Oppa."
"Yu-jeong."
It was Lee Yu-jeong.
The corners of her lips curled gently as she saw Si-mun's face.
"You seem to be in a good mood?"
"Huh? Ah! It's because of the golems. But when did you get here? Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived."
"Really?"
Nodding, Si-mun began to walk, and Yu-jeong naturally fell into step beside him.
"Are you researching golems these days? Jin-uk sunbae was just saying how shocked he was when he saw the mithril golems earlier."
"That's right. But those are disposable. I'm preparing a separate production line for crafted golems."
"Crafted golems?"
Yu-jeong's eyes widened at Si-mun's words.
And for good reason.
"Wait, aren't those only made by Diamond-rank alchemists?"
As a Ranker competing in the upper echelons of the Arena, she knew.
Just how much money and materials crafted golems devoured.
And that it wasn't something just anyone could make.
Si-mun answered nonchalantly.
"Generally, yes. But honestly, if you understand the basic principles and design, it's not that difficult."
—Beep!! There he goes again! That's not something just anyone can do, you monster of an oppa!
The Philosopher's Stone immediately piped up.
But Yu-jeong, unable to hear it, simply nodded.
"I see. I've heard that even if mages know the incantations, they can't cast spells if their mastery is lacking. I guess alchemy is different."
She could only accept Si-mun's explanation at face value.
As they walked down the hallway, Si-mun's steps suddenly paused.
The reason was simple.
"Oh, right. Yu-jeong, come to think of it, I haven't seen Mal-suk around lately."
Go Mal-suk.
Before securing her own place, she had decided to stay at the Ranker Palace for the time being.
But ever since returning from the Black Market, she had rarely shown her face.
"Ah... She's just like you, Oppa. All she does is train and run the Arena nonstop."
Yu-jeong's expression turned slightly awkward as she answered.
One.
"Is that so? Well."
Si-mun merely nodded without much reaction.
"I guess I've been holed up in the lab too much myself. So, does that mean Mal-suk won't be coming to this meeting?"
For some reason, Yu-jeong seemed relieved as she patted her chest and replied.
"No, she said she'll attend. She mentioned wanting to get familiar with the promising talents from other countries."
"Did she really say it like that?"
"...Actually, she said she wanted to memorize their smug faces."
"Haha! That's Mal-suk for you."
As they chatted, the two soon arrived at the reception hall of the Ranker Palace.
"You're here?"
"Welcome."
"Finally showed up, huh?"
Kim Si-hyeok, Park Jin-uk, and Go Mal-suk, who had arrived earlier, greeted them.
Behind them—
"Isn't that the Iron Wall Saintess?"
"I heard she stepped down as the master of the Seongsam Guild to join this one. Guess it's true."
"With a growth buff like that, it's no wonder she's insane. But are there no other Rankers here?"
"The Sword Saint probably blocked them. We were only allowed in because we agreed not to bring any Rankers either."
"At least the growth buff's effect seems solid."
The hall was packed with prospects who had come to receive the guild's growth buff.
Each one exuded an extraordinary aura.
Perhaps because they stood beside Yu-jeong, a Ranker, the prospects' gazes naturally drifted toward Si-mun.
"But who's that guy next to the Saintess?"
"Probably an acquaintance of the Sword Saint or the Night Hunter."
"Hey, I know him. He's the winner of Korea's Gold Debut Match, right?"
"What? That guy?"
"Hmm~ He's handsome. My type, honestly."
Thanks to a few who recognized him, murmurs quickly spread among the prospects.
The winner of the Gold Debut Match.
Most of those gathered here had their own debut victories, so it was only natural.
Kim Si-hyeok addressed the increasingly restless crowd.
"Please settle down."
Silence instantly fell over the reception hall.
After briefly scanning the now-quiet prospects, Si-hyeok continued.
"We will now begin the guild registration process. When your name is called—"
"Hold on. I have an objection."
Breaking the silence.
A voice cut through Si-hyeok's words.
The speaker was a somewhat short and stout man.
After glancing at the documents Park Jin-uk handed him, Si-hyeok addressed the man.
"You're Kang Hwa-wi, a player from Continent Guild. What's your objection?"