Into the Rose's Fragrance
VIP Red Rose Merchant Guild. Recently drawing attention with a slew of new and astonishing patents and products, it had risen to become one of the hottest emerging guilds on the Abian Continent.
Of course, it wasn't yet bold enough to challenge the continent's top three guilds. But its explosive growth had become so legendary that everyone took for granted it would soon claim a spot in the top ten.
A young guild shaking up the stagnant merchant world of the continent—one that had already solidified its foundations and systems. That was the image of the Red Rose Merchant Guild. Building on that reputation, it was aggressively diving into all sorts of ventures and racking up success after success.
This was a testament to Guild Leader Estelle's exceptional business acumen.
The same went for their latest venture: a high-end wine bar.
It smells good. The fragrant scent of money.
Estelle couldn't help pouring intense interest and expectation into the wine bar opening near Chung Hak Gwan. After all, it was a place where upper-clan members naturally flocked.
Plus, people connected to them frequented the academy constantly. The flow of elite clientele was thriving.
Anyone with a nose for money couldn't possibly overlook such prime real estate and demand.
As long as it doesn't get tangled up with that gambling den called Tumang Land, it'll be a smooth success.
Chung Hak Gwan had long established itself as a research and educational hub. But perhaps due to its stuffy image, places like Tumang Land were only now starting to pop up nearby.
Estelle had spotted the demand faster than anyone and quickly sketched out plans for a luxury bar.
The interior turned out even better than I hoped.
She inspected the nearly opened wine bar herself, a satisfied smile on her face.
The inside was divided into VIP rooms, deluxe rooms, and standard rooms. Instead of open tables, it was structured so guests could spend time in private spaces tailored to each party—a first on the Abian Continent.
How did Aleck come up with such a groundbreaking idea?
Estelle had drawn inspiration from a casual comment Aleck let slip when mentioning he'd be heading to Chung Hak Gwan. She'd rushed through market research and fleshed it out from there.
A high-end bar structured around private rooms would appeal perfectly to upper-class folks who hated prying eyes...
His unique way of thinking had taught her so much. The more she learned about him, the more fascinating he became. She had a growing premonition that Aleck would be the benefactor of her lifetime.
I was hoping I'd at least see his face this time.
Estelle murmured as she checked the VIP room. Among those set to debut at the opening, this was the cleanest and most luxurious—reserved specifically for Aleck.
She'd asked him to let her know if he could make it... but still no word.
She understood he was busy, but it felt a bit unfair.
Still, just in case.
She swapped the nameplate at the VIP room entrance to "Reserved" before stepping out. Waiting in case Aleck showed up unexpectedly.
* * *
Leading the group out of Chung Hak Gwan, Hoover arrived at the wine bar opened by the Red Rose Merchant Guild.
"Into the Fragrance of Roses."
They confirmed the dazzling nameplate above the ornate building.
Engraved in elegant calligraphy, the three-story structure gleamed like new—something you'd expect in a major city, not the stuffy academy outskirts.
Everyone gaped at the sight.
"Whoa, this place looks seriously upscale."
"Red Rose really went all out this time. Any chance we could snag some shares? At this growth rate, they could rival the top three guilds someday."
"Hoover! You know the guild leader well, right?"
Hoover grinned at the question.
"Yeah, I've had the honor a few times. She's tough to meet—only if you meet certain qualifications."
He said it proudly, shooting me a sidelong glance that screamed, Like you'd ever set foot in a place like this?
Cute. His childish antics made me chuckle.
Well... kids in their growth phase, I guess.
"I'll see if I can arrange a meeting with her for anyone interested later. No guarantees, though—she's not easy for me to see either."
Hoover continued with smug pride, clearly convinced he had the best connections to this promising young guild.
"Ahem, I've got Platinum membership, so we can skip the standard room for a deluxe one today."
He pulled out a green card—that must symbolize Platinum rank. He even flaunted it between his index and middle fingers.
"Ooh, nice one, Hoover!"
"You look different today—cooler."
"Thanks to you, we're in for a treat."
Pumped up by the praise, his ego soared sky-high.
"Did you reserve today?"
"Ah! No reservations on opening day."
"What? We gotta wait in that line?"
Jodru stuck out his tongue at the massive queue snaking from the entrance. It was absurdly long.
"No worries. Follow me."
Hoover flashed the Platinum card again with a confident smile and strode toward the entrance like he owned the place. As a Platinum member, he figured he'd breeze right in.
"Welcome to Into the Fragrance of Roses. Are you here to visit our wine bar?"
"Yes. We'd like to come in today."
"Of course, sir. We have a long wait due to the line. Would you like to add your name to the standby list?"
"Uh, I'm a Platinum member... Do I still have to wait?"
He proudly presented the card. But...
"Ah! A Platinum member, I see. But what can we do? Unless you're VIP, everyone waits today. Sorry, no priority entry."
"...!"
Hoover's eyes shook like there was an earthquake.
"B-but! I have an invitation! It says to attend the opening—how can I wait in line?"
"Apologies, sir. Invitations went to all Gold rank and above from Red Rose. We can guide you inside to a deluxe room befitting Platinum... but as noted here under 'No reservations for opening,' non-VIP members enter first-come, first-served like everyone else."
He clearly hadn't anticipated Platinum falling short.
"Dude... we gotta line up?"
"Aw, let's come back next time and hit somewhere else today."
"Uh..."
Hoover stammered in panic.
"S-sorry, guys. I should've checked properly... I'll cover drinks elsewhere today."
"I was dying to see the opening hype... Oh well."
"Yeah, not our day. Let's go."
Everyone voiced their regrets. I stepped forward.
"If it's the wait, I can handle it."
"...?"
Question marks practically floated over their heads.
"Didn't you hear? No skipping the line today."
Hoover scowled.
"No, they said VIP can."
"Same difference. Who's VIP here from Red Rose?"
They all nodded, giving me looks of disbelief.
"You'd think I'd have a reason before saying that, right?"
"What nonsense are you spouting...?"
Hoover still didn't get it. I'd dropped enough hints for suspicion, but Platinum had blinded him to VIP.
Lazy to explain, I showed them instead. I brushed past Hoover to the attendant.
"Hey! What the hell...?"
I ignored his yell and pulled out my card. Black like the night sky, embedded with sparkling stardust.
"...!"
Hoover froze solid, eyes bulging.
The attendant bowed deeply at the sight.
"V-VIP member, welcome."
Not the perfunctory politeness for Hoover—this was genuine warmth. She radioed inside, and staff swarmed to escort us promptly.
* * *
"What... the hell just happened?"
"No idea."
"Aleck's a Red Rose VIP?"
"Isn't that super exclusive? How's this guy...?"
"Hoover, spill. Is Platinum easy to get?"
"N-no! No way... H-how...?"
They reeled from the revelation, whispering and shooting Aleck confused glances.
"Maybe it's not his—borrowed from someone else?"
"Someone else?"
"Yeah, like Kun or whoever. You said he's tight with him, right? Kun's the real VIP, and Aleck's just proxy for today?"
"Y-yeah, that must be it!"
Hoover, dazed as he trailed behind, lit up. It made perfect sense if Aleck was Kun's stand-in.
But...
"Aleck! It's been too long."
"Likewise, Guild Leader."
When Estelle appeared to greet Aleck warmly, their theory crumbled instantly.
"Doing well? I told you to message more. Don't be a stranger—we're past that."
"Haha, sorry. I should've been better about it. I'll reach out more from now on."
"Good. That's all I ask."
This can't be...
Hoover's eyes went fully vacant. Estelle acting chummy? Unthinkable for him.
"And these are your companions?"
"Yes."
"Greetings in order, then. Nice to meet you all. I'm Estelle, leader of Red Rose Merchant Guild. Thrilled to have you."
"Pleasure, Guild Leader!"
"Honored to meet you at last."
They perked up at her welcome. Sure, Estelle wasn't upper-clan by appearance, and superiority-obsessed types might dismiss her. But she'd dominated her field, earning massive young-fan support through trendy ventures.
To these young academy students, she was a positive icon. Plus, in the cutthroat Abian Continent, a continental guild's power was immense—prime networking opportunity.
"E-Estelle Guild Leader... Long time."
Hoover finally recovered and stepped up.
"Ah! Yes, good to see you."
She flashed him a businesslike smile—worlds apart from her warmth toward Aleck. Everyone clocked the difference in their standings.
"About last time..."
"Sorry, greetings later. Come, Aleck—to the VIP room."
The nail in the coffin. Normally, she'd pamper a Platinum too, but Red Rose's model relied on VIPs sustaining the whole operation. Aleck was practically core to it now.
Poor Hoover got sidelined. His shoulders slumped.
The onlookers, clueless to the backstory, watched their dynamic shift. Eyes gleaming with massive expectations.
VIP room! An unimaginable luxury.