Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: All Master Regressed to Bronze
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"I've learned a lot this time, Young Master."
"You're Hong Man-seok, right? Your stealth skills seem top-tier even among Diamond players."
"You're too kind."
As the conversation with Choi Cheol-ho wrapped up, Shin-hyeok didn't hold back his praise for Man-seok, who had recovered from his wounds and gotten back on his feet.
'Even in Diamond, top-tier assassin players like him are rare.'
Though he'd lost to Shin-hyeok, Man-seok was an assassin player who was hard to come by.
Their true value lay not in the Dimension Arena, but in the real world—which made him all the more precious.
'I'd prefer to avoid assassinations if possible... but if necessary, I'll have no choice. Plus, he's a huge asset for gathering information. Keeping Hong Man-seok close is definitely the way to go.'
Assassination and intelligence gathering.
Man-seok was essential talent in both areas.
For now, he belonged to Choi Cheol-ho, so directly commanding him wasn't feasible. But Shin-hyeok was certain the day would come when he could wield him like a limb, so he chose to build rapport with Man-seok.
'Young Master Shin-hyeok is more than qualified to become the heir to Shinwa. Even Guild Master Choi In-ho didn't show this kind of prowess in his first year after placement. He's perfect to be my second master.'
And Man-seok felt the exact same way.
Watching on video versus facing him in person.
The difference hit Man-seok like a thunderbolt.
Just as mutual admiration was blooming between them...
"Hong Man-seok. Call in the usual contractors to fix this up. Quietly. You know the drill."
"Yes, Chairman."
Choi Cheol-ho clicked his tongue at the wrecked basement and gave the order. Man-seok bowed deeply before swiftly exiting the room.
All communication devices were nullified in this space, leaving no other choice.
In the spot Man-seok had vacated, now alone with Shin-hyeok, Choi Cheol-ho grinned at him.
"Take a good look at that baggage your aunt's been hoarding."
"Yes, sir."
Shin-hyeok smiled, finally receiving the green light to devour Shinwa Department Store whole.
"On that note, there's something I'd like to discuss."
"What is it?"
"I want to create a guild."
He didn't stop there, boldly declaring his intent to found a brand-new guild.
Choi Cheol-ho raised an eyebrow at the sudden guild creation talk.
"A guild? We have Shinwa Guild... Ah, I see. I get what you're thinking."
"Yes, exactly what you're imagining, Grandfather."
But he quickly caught on to Shin-hyeok's intentions and let out a hearty laugh.
"Even your little uncle's on guard against you."
"He should be. Shinwa Guild is just another thing for me to swallow up."
"Kahahaha! Right you are. So, what're you naming the guild?"
Choi Cheol-ho's curiosity piqued at the sight of Shin-hyeok, who wasn't content with just Shinwa Department Store and now eyed Shinwa Guild too.
Shin-hyeok calmly voiced the name he'd decided on.
"Something simple... 'Almighty'."
"Almighty... Born from your belief that you can do anything, eh?"
"Yes, exactly."
Almighty.
True to the word symbolizing omniscience and omnipotence, it stemmed from Shin-hyeok's confidence that he could achieve anything.
Choi Cheol-ho stared at him in disbelief at the bold nod, then patted his shoulder in encouragement.
"Give it your all. Who're you thinking for members?"
"Se-jin hyung and Su-ah for starters."
"Not many."
"I'm aiming for an elite few. No need for a big roster from the get-go."
"Fair enough. It's your project. No reason for this old man to nitpick."
"Thank you."
Choi Cheol-ho acknowledged Shin-hyeok and granted him full authority.
Nothing would stand in the way of creating the guild.
Of course, if it failed, the blame would fall squarely on Shin-hyeok—but failure was never on his mind.
'I'll turn it into the ultimate guild that devours Shinwa Guild.'
He planned to make it a powerhouse that could crush Korea's top guild, Shinwa.
And so, the guild that would one day command the world—Almighty—was born in a basement in Pyeongchang-dong.
With Choi Cheol-ho's permission secured, Shin-hyeok got to work preparing the guild in earnest.
Guild creation wasn't complicated.
Just apply at the Players' Association and meet the minimum of three members.
The catch was the astronomical creation fee in the hundreds of millions—hardly something to do on a whim.
"...You're really going through with this?"
"Yes. Almighty Guild. I'd like to apply."
"...Understood. Results will come in a few days. Please wait."
"I can wait that long, no problem."
"Thank you for applying, Player Choi Shin-hyeok."
The clerk stared at him in shock.
A player not even a month past placement creating a guild.
And its founding members? A fresh Silver player and a blacksmith.
All conditions met, though, so the application was accepted, bewilderment notwithstanding.
A few days later, as expected, the guild creation was approved.
Thus, Almighty Guild made its debut in the world.
"Shin-hyeok, is it okay for a noob like me to join a guild?"
"Same here. I'm a production-class player, not combat..."
But founding members Su-ah and Se-jin couldn't hide their unease about belonging to Almighty Guild.
Se-jin still had that everyman vibe, but his skills were top-notch.
Su-ah, however, was only around Silver 4.
Impressive for the first month post-placement, but it paled next to Shin-hyeok.
Shin-hyeok reassured her.
"You're going to be one of the best players out there. I'm recruiting you early."
"Thanks, even if it's just empty words, Shin-hyeok."
"It's the truth... Whatever, believe it or not."
The last time Shin-hyeok saw Su-ah before regressing, she was a top player through and through.
The Five Emperors and Three Kings? There was talk of a single star above them all.
That star was Su-ah.
Known as the Saintess of Destruction to enemies and Saintess of Healing to allies, she peaked when the Dimension Arena merged into the integrated league and became reality.
A world overrun by monsters and other races.
Villains and demonkin pursuing selfish gains amid the chaos.
Su-ah was always at the forefront against them—a player worthy of respect.
Remembering that, Shin-hyeok had no choice but to make her a founding member.
"But isn't the roster too small?"
"Yeah, just the three of us? We should recruit more."
"No need to worry. My guild's all about elite quality. Even adding more later, we won't exceed ten."
"...Will it even function like that?"
"Plenty. The members I'll bring in are the world's best talents, one and all."
"I'd call that arrogant, but after seeing what you've done... it doesn't sound arrogant at all."
Their brief concern over the tiny size vanished.
A cap of ten for an elite guild? Su-ah and Se-jin were dumbfounded.
But given Shin-hyeok's track record, they could only nod.
"Got anyone in mind for the next recruit?"
"Of course."
"Ooh, who? Someone we know?"
"Nah, neither you nor Se-jin hyung."
"...You're adding a total unknown?"
"Real talent's always hidden in the wild."
Even they couldn't hide their skepticism at accepting someone they didn't know.
Made sense for an elite guild—each member needed to prove exceptional strength or skill, and unknowns rarely fit that bill.
At least, that was their view.
"Se-jin hyung just fell for the former Shinwa Workshop master's schemes and couldn't even hold a hammer properly. The person I'm bringing in next is similar."
"Ah!"
"...My thinking was too narrow. Like a frog in a well, huh."
Bang Se-jin.
The man once called the Cheonggyecheon Bang family, headed for a tragic life—saved by Shin-hyeok.
Hearing the next recruit was like him, Su-ah was surprised, Se-jin sympathetic.
"Bring them as soon as you can."
"Will do, hyung."
Se-jin recalled his own past, voice trembling with undisguised pity. Shin-hyeok nodded gravely.
'Baek Hyo-rin. I won't let you slip away easily this time.'
The guild member Shin-hyeok was recruiting: Baek Hyo-rin.
He hadn't known much about her before regressing, only learning the truth after her death.
Considering her impact on players worldwide—and in the integrated league—she was someone he had to save.
"Heads up: I might be out of touch for the next few days. Maybe 1-2 weeks."
"What about Dimension Arena?"
"This takes priority. Can't be helped."
"Man, you're something else, Shin-hyeok. You breeze through Arena like it's nothing, then suddenly you're miles ahead..."
"You'll catch up soon."
"Yeah?"
"Slower than me, though."
"...Want a punch?"
Shock at the potential 1-2 week absence faded quickly.
Shin-hyeok pushed back his chair and stood.
"Oh, got something to handle first."
"Huh?"
"What now? Chairman calling again?"
Before heading to fetch Baek Hyo-rin, a sudden errand popped up.
As Su-ah and Se-jin tilted their heads, Shin-hyeok grinned and tapped at empty air—visible only to him.
"The constellation wants to see me?"
"...Ah."
A meeting with a constellation.
Something others struggled a lifetime to encounter—even twice in a single month for Shin-hyeok.
Leaving Su-ah and Se-jin staring in awe, Shin-hyeok answered the call.
Fwosh!
Shin-hyeok vanished from the guild founding celebration in an instant.
Su-ah and Se-jin polished off the remaining food with gusto.