Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Graduation
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The entrance to the Cradle buzzed with countless carriages.
Unlike usual, this year's batch featured a notable number of opulent carriages reserved for guild masters. The leaders of major guilds had come in person.
"Hoo..."
Eloa, waiting inside her carriage, took deep breaths to calm her inexplicably mounting tension.
She couldn't understand why she felt this way herself. To be so anxious over a single cadet.
Get a grip...!
Eloa scolded herself. Projecting the hero onto him was nothing but delusion.
He did resemble him a lot, though. Embarrassingly, she'd even wondered if Cadet Han Do-yoon might be the hero reincarnated.
But she shook her head. It was impossible.
He wasn't the hero. She had to stop harboring pointless expectations. Eloa repeated this to herself over and over.
"Master, relax..."
"Yeah..."
"Think of all the money we've poured in! We'll definitely snag him. Fighting!"
"Mmm..."
Eloa kept taking deep breaths in succession.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The outdoor meeting area provided by the Cradle.
This spot, set up like an open terrace with multiple tables and chairs, was where guilds and cadets finalized their contracts.
Cadets mingled here with representatives from their desired guilds, discussing terms and signing contracts.
Of course, not every cadet got recruited on the spot.
Top-tier cadets had already settled their futures privately with friendly instructors inside the Cradle. Mid-to-upper cadets needed to hustle a bit but usually signed here.
From the middle ranks downward, things got grim. They ended up selling themselves to small guilds under harsh terms or got pushed into the world without a guild, starting from the bottom as mercenaries to build their careers.
Only after grueling years piling up experience and skill could they join a mid-sized guild—or keep scraping by as mercs forever.
Assuming they survived the brutal dungeons and battlefields, that is.
"Whoa..."
"What a sight."
The instructors marveled as they surveyed the meeting area. This year's setup was undeniably different from past batches.
Contracts were normally handled by guild scouts. But today, not only them—renowned guild masters had shown up in force, lining up in a row at the center of the area.
All for one single cadet, naturally.
The graduating cadets poured out into the outdoor meeting area.
"Waaah..."
Cadets who hadn't seen guild masters during inspections gaped at the spectacle, mouths agape.
They assumed this was standard, that it happened every year.
Contracting... directly with guild masters? Am I really that big a deal? Haha...!
Some top cadets puffed up their chests, sipping on delusions of grandeur.
Amid the commotion, this meeting's star arrived.
"He's here."
"Get ready."
"Yes!"
Han Do-yoon emerged from the building flanked by Sophie and the Dean. In sync, the guild masters' attendants sprang into action with practiced efficiency.
Elaborate tables and chairs—sized perfectly for two facing each other—were set up before the row of guild masters.
Where's the hero...?
A few scanned the area for Heineken, but he was absent.
Where is he?
Given the intense interest he'd shown Do-yoon, it was baffling.
Infiltrating another nation's Cradle to poach talent was taboo. But for the Boss Monster Killer, such norms were worth trampling. Especially for a headhunter like Heineken.
Yet no matter where they looked, Heineken wasn't there.
...This is making me uneasy for no reason.
The guild masters furrowed their brows at the oddity but focused on the matter at hand.
A line of lavish tables in varied styles. Stern guild masters seated regally. atop them, contract sheets plastered with unprecedented terms.
It was a bizarre scene, like Do-yoon choosing from a buffet of options laid out before him.
All prepared for one mere cadet.
Cadets who'd briefly mistaken it for their own moment finally grasped reality and stepped back with soft "ah..."s.
"Ahem!"
The man at the leftmost table cleared his throat, drawing all eyes. The signal to begin. The crowd fell eerily silent.
All attention locked on him.
"Amateras Guild offers Cadet Han Do-yoon 1,000 gold coins upon signing, plus 50 gold monthly."
"Wha—insane...!"
Someone in the crowd blurted out in shock.
Instructors' eyes bulged. Other guild masters flinched.
This world's currency: copper, silver, gold coins.
100 coppers = 1 silver. 1,000 silvers = 1 gold.
Signing bonuses typically ranged 1-2 gold. Top 10 cadets might snag 6-7, top rank over 10.
Huge sums by commoner standards, made possible by the lavish treatment of guild apostles.
Apostles weren't mere soldiers in war—they were walking weapons of war.
And this was an era of constant war. Every nation craved them.
Monthly pay varied wildly but started at 300 silver for average cadets, 1 gold for top ranks.
Do-yoon's opening bid: 1,000 gold signing, 50 monthly. Beyond "generous"—unfathomable.
A stir rippled through as guild masters hastily conferred with attendants, tweaking plans.
Solitary amid the fuss, the World Tree Guild held its ground with cool composure.
Do-yoon watched them silently.
Soon, the guild beside Amateras spoke up.
"Black Cat offers 1,500 gold signing, 60 monthly."
"1... 1,500..."
Instructors gasped again. Amateras's master ground his teeth.
Next guilds jumped in.
"We promise 2,000 signing, 70 monthly."
"2,000 signing, 100 monthly."
"2,300 gold signing, 80 monthly."
Bids climbed relentlessly. Lesser guilds dropped out early; now it was major guilds duking it out.
"4,000 gold in installments, 120 monthly!"
As units neared 5,000, pauses lengthened between calls. 5,000 gold could bankrupt even a major guild if poorly managed.
A national-level sum, requiring high council approval. A do-or-die stake for big guilds. That's what 5,000 gold meant.
And the Boss Monster Killer was worth that—and more. The alliance's treasure, its hope.
Sophie behind Do-yoon kept giggling at the frenzy. Strangely, the world valuing him this highly felt like her own victory.
Nearing 6,000, the end seemed in sight. Only three guilds remained.
After heated deliberations, 6,500 was grudgingly called.
"Hoo..."
"6,500... So that's the Boss Monster Killer..."
Instructors murmured in awe, admiration, and hollow envy.
6,500 gold. Untouchable in a lifetime for them.
As murmurs faded to perfect silence, all eyes turned to Do-yoon.
Hm...
He'd watched it all. Now he scanned the guild masters.
That it?
As Do-yoon opened his mouth—
"10,000 gold signing, 200 monthly."
Eloa's cool voice sliced through the hush, shocking the area.
"In—insane!!"
"Wha...? 10,000...? Did I hear wrong?"
"W-whoa... whoaaa..."
10,000 gold for one cadet's signing bonus. Beyond generous—unbelievable.
Some clutched foreheads, dizzy from the astronomical figure that'd bankrupt any other guild outright via cash crunch.
World Tree's guild master Eloa. With cold, charismatic eyes cast down, she calmly listed attached terms.
But then—
"Hero of Viren Kingdom arrives!!"
The gatekeeper's booming voice cut her off, resounding through.
Eloa and everyone jolted, heads whipping to the entrance. Heineken strode in.
Clack, clack, clack.
Heineken's approach was majestic. Fully armored in heavy plate and gear, trailed by ten elite guild members in formation.
Like heading to war—fierce, solemn.
"Wh-what!? Here to fight!?"
"Look outside! It's a real army! He brought an army!"
Crash. Guild masters shot up in outrage.
"Hero Heineken! What is the meaning of this!? Leading troops into another nation's Cradle!"
"Unprecedented crime! Your hero status will be stripped, and the continent will lament your shamelessness!"
Each guild's elite attendants turned their backs to their masters, hands on weapons, wary of Heineken.
Instructors too. Some dashed inside for reinforcements; combat-ready ones gripped weapons.
Tension ignited in an instant.
No one could fathom it. A foreign hero, fully armed, army in tow, invading a Cradle? Madness!
What is the Dean doing!? How'd he even cross the border!? What are this nation's forces up to!?
Guild masters glared at the Dean. But he just smiled knowingly, observing calmly.
Heineken, clad in thick full plate with three spears slung on his back, thudded forward to stand before Do-yoon.
"Apostle Han Do-yoon."
Unfurling a massive white tiger banner behind, he grinned at Do-yoon.
"Want to become king?"
Everyone's jaws dropped.