'We're not the kind of people who should be kept waiting.'
The fact that we were the leading guild in the State should be enough for us to earn the right to stand in the front. Our adventurers' levels were the highest because the power that we had as a single nation was the greatest, after all.
It was said that the United Kingdom was a union that was created to keep the large Republic and State in check.
Of course, since the Republic had its power reduced, there was no need to calculate which side was the apex predator. Due to a few recent incidents, the Blue Guild's stock price had gone through the roof.
With its influence on external forces, its line of funds, and its business capabilities, the Blue Guild was no different from a large company. It was enough to say that the entire continent's adventurers would be affected if the Blue potion factory were to ever go out of business. Please visit fr𝐞𝐞wn.𝒸o𝔪 website to read fastest update
That wasn't even where it ended. There was also the commoners' belief that if Blue went down, Lindel would also go down. Based on that, I could quickly see how far the Blue had come.
It felt a little exaggerated, but it wasn't wrong if I looked at it in detail. Of course, to say that the entirety of Lindel would go down was a bit too much…
Rather, the biggest influence we had on the attention towards us was the power of a single unit, the Blue Guild Master, which was the one that was considered to have the most important value in the present continent.
Although there were restrictions, there was no more need to describe Kim Hyunsung, who held a mythic-grade sword, in detail. The absurdity he showed in the war against the Republic was enough to showcase his true worth.
The busybodies, who liked to rank people, had obviously evaluated him as an SSS-level being similar or higher than the Mercenary Queen Cha Hee-ra. Perhaps it was because of the advantage of being able to maintain a well-balanced mind, but there was also an overall atmosphere that considered Kim Hyunsung higher than Cha Hee-ra.
Kim Hyunsung and Cha Hee-ra didn't seem to be obsessed with such a reputation, but for me, Kim Hyunsung was either on par with, or stronger than the redhead.
The same went for the rest of the guild members. In an environment where tankers were said to be valuable, Park Deokgu was often referred to as the best tank despite his weak attack power, and the stock prices of Cho Hyejin and Kim Ye-ri were soaring as well.
Hayan and Sora, on the other hand, showed signs of decline with regards to their worth, but they were in overall good shape as Laios' hero.
Elena, who buffed and maintained the entire troops, was also known as an SS-level priest. I had no choice but to believe that Ahn Ki-mo and Park Deokgu's girl, Hwang Jeong-yeon, were being treated and evaluated accordingly for their special power that filled whatever else the Blue squad lacked.
'Sun Hee-young has also become quite famous…'
Above all, Kim Chang-ryul and Yoo Ahyoung also grew to the point where they could no longer be ignored. Our size was no different from a small and medium clan, but each member was strong and unique enough to take on an entire clan or guild, so it was no wonder they had become famous.
Even from the standpoint of the busybodies, we would've had more stories to talk about than the large-sized guilds that focused on quantity rather than practicality.
Given that background, it was natural that nobody would fail to recognize the Blue emblem. Likewise, it was normal that everyone's attention was focused on us.
Park Deokgu raised the flag with a face that wondered if he could do that. Knowing what that signal was, I slowly headed towards Kim Hyunsung.
Chonobono and Kim Hyunsung, who wanted to preach to people around the world about how polite we were, were also starting to form a line-up as if they knew about the signal as well. Of course, Kim Hyunsung, who was in charge of the visual, took the lead.
I, who had a heavy mission to promote a close relationship with our Hyunsung, remained behind his right side, and Cho Hyejin's position was right behind his left.
The Blue Guild, which was in line with Park Deokgu raising the guild's flag, gathered in an instant. The griffon on which Kim Hyunsung was riding stepped forward. The personnel who were blocking the road noticed it, causing them to move away.
'Whew…'
This all felt a bit dramatic, but that gave me chills.
The people in the front row went off the street, causing the people blocking their way to get pushed back as well. Even those upfront felt something strange and were watching out for us.
The beginning was just mob mentality, but before they knew it, those who were in the way split up like the Red Sea and were watching the Blue Guild pass by.
"The Blue…"
"Is Kim Hyunsung the one taking the lead?"
"Cho Hyejin must be the one riding on the unicorn…"
"That elf… is Elena. Was it true that she joined the Blue? I thought it was just a rumor…"
"Look at that. It's Sun Hee-young. It's really Sun Hee-young."
All around me, people had begun to mutter.
'They must be curious. It will be their first time to see us in real life.'
"Lee Kiyoung."
"The Alchemist of Light, Hero of the Continent."
"The number two in the Blue. No matter how we look, he's not someone who's below others… that's quite interesting."
I didn't know what was interesting, but some guys spoke lines like extras in a movie. It felt cringy, but there was a catharsis akin to it that I couldn't explain.
It felt like I was being rewarded for all the hard times I suffered.
Some of the guys who were always playful were looking straight ahead with a very stiff face as if they thought they had to be serious at that moment, and at a glance, pride began to appear on the faces of the guild employees following the party members.
Even Park Deokgu had a stiff expression. It looked a bit funny, but I knew that I wasn't in a situation to make fun of anyone since I also had an unsuitable expression.
'Pretending to be a big shot, to be a great guy.'
It wasn't easy to do.
The faces of all the people looking at us were all different. Some had eyes of admiration, some looked jealous, but it was interesting to see them all with a mixture of emotions.
"Kim Hyunsung… is more of a monster than I thought…"
'There is one guy who knows how to look at people.'
"Did they grow even more?"
"This is ridiculous. That's an adventurer who has been here for less than five years?"
"The rumors and the magic hologram weren't exaggerating. Sh*t."
Of course, even in the midst of that, I was moving my Mind's Eyes constantly. That was because I had to figure out the level of the strong people of other countries I had never encountered.
'Neither high, nor low.'
In a way, it wasn't enough to be ranked at the average level and the Eight Seats of the State. It seemed that those who had Anh Ki-mo's level were the executives of a clan or guild.
'Isn't that considered a bit low?'
Ahn Ki-mo was used as a standard because of his combat ability, wit, and melee priest role, not because of his talent or stats.
At that moment, a voice came out of nowhere.
"Nice to meet you. Blue Guild Master."
"…"
"I'm the Guild Master of the Manhattan Guild. Kylie Yale. It is a great honor to meet you."
"…"
'She somehow has a familiar face.'
Kylie Yale was a tall woman. She had a slim body, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a face that could be labeled as beautiful. She seemed confident and had obviously put a lot of effort into her appearance.
As I checked her overall stats with the Mind's Eyes, I immediately realized she could display such a mighty expression.
'She deserves to be proud.'
She was a wizard with the level capable of belonging in the upper half of the State's Eight Seats. Her disposition was an Ambitious and Passionate Person. She had a good attribute, and I felt that she had grown well overall.
Based on the specs she had, she seemed more usable than the Mist Summoner. Of course, he had special abilities, so they couldn't really be compared.
'Interesting.'
It really was.
'I think this one also played an important role during the first round.'
I glanced at Kim Hyunsung quietly, but I refrained from any other actions.
It was hard to tell whether she was an ally or an enemy, but it seemed that he had heard her name, and since he didn't respond the same way when he met the swordsman Jung Jinho, it seemed that she didn't do crappy things like the masked trash and his gang. Of course, the probability was low, but…
'He may be hiding his emotions well.'
Our Hyunsung had grown quite a bit too. Well, honestly, it didn't matter either way. The enemies of the past didn't necessarily have to become enemies again…
Above all, in order to end the war between nations completely, even the first round villains couldn't be treated as villains anymore. Kim Hyunsung understood that better than anyone else.
In fact, what felt more important than that was why she suddenly approached him in a friendly way.
I wondered if I was reading too much into her simple greeting, but no one acted without reason. Moreover, I was bothered with her coming at such timing. I even wanted to applaud her.
It wasn't easy to talk to someone suddenly in an atmosphere where it didn't look like you could speak to him carelessly.
"So, you're Kylie Yale."
"Have you ever heard of me?"
"In fact, I haven't heard the details because of my short knowledge, but I've heard of a renowned wizard in the West, and that she was a very famous person on Earth."
"I didn't know you would recognize that… It's an honor, Blue Guild Master."
"No. Rather, I am more honored."
'Oh.'
I knew it was a familiar face.
'She was an actress.'
I didn't know the name, but I realized that I had seen her a few times on the screen. I was never interested in those things, so I was slow to notice, but some Blue Guild members looked at her face and looked startled.
They hadn't shown much of a reaction seeing a few people in Lindel who used to be artists, but I guess they were amazed to see her face to face.
"And… this must be Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Yes. Nice to meet you too. I've heard a lot about you. You're even more beautiful in person."
"It is an honor, Honorary Cardinal."
When I hinted that I didn't want to talk now, I could see her pulling back. It seemed she set Kim Hyunsung as a target again, and the way she snuck in next to him and headed together was something I could call an outstanding move.
'She's smart.'
She's strong-willed and knew how to seize an opportunity. She also seemed to be moderately greedy…
'I mean… that's probably why she could survive until now.'
This was not the case for everyone, but celebrities usually didn't have a good end, especially women.
That woman's success was pretty phenomenal, as I recalled that most of the women got burned in the tutorial. Perhaps the driving force behind her success was the same behavior she was displaying at that moment.
She knew how to take moderate advantage of her popularity, fit in, and gamble. She was someone who could raise a hand and make a presentation when no one wanted to.
Although the gazes were a bit focused, that woman took the opportunity to go inside first by talking with Kim Hyunsung.
'It means something.'
It was obvious what other powerful people who were watching that scene were thinking.
'It will be awkward to greet him now, interrupting them…'
She was smiling brightly as if it was unexpected that the former actress could fit in so easily.
She was a fox on the back of a tiger. That expression was appropriate for the situation.
'Interesting.'
Occasions where all sorts of humans gathered, were certainly fun.
"O-Oppa. D-Do you know who that woman is?"
However, the voice coming from right behind me wasn't that much fun.