Guild Games

"If I were to meet my demise, do you think Cha Hee-ra would simply turn a blind eye?" I declared, prompting the old man to fall silent.

Naturally, this was an audacious falsehood. Had Cha Hee-ra been present, she likely would have found my assertion amusing. Although my interactions with her were minimal, it was enough for me to gauge her temperament.

Nonetheless, the old man accepted my words at face value, possibly due to personal experiences that mirrored my claim. Regardless of their willingness to support us, I had already decided to re-establish contact with Cha Hee-ra. As the old man remained wordless, I was torn between curiosity and hesitation, pondering the mental images running through his mind.

"What sort of nonsensical talk is this?" he retorted.

"I am willing to prove whether it's nonsense or not. Are you interested in finding out?"

The room grew hushed. I suspected I was making headway in conveying my point. The name 'Cha Hee-ra of the Red Mercenary Guild' carried considerable weight. Moreover, the strained relationship between the Red Mercenary Guild and the Blue Guild was widely known.

No one dared to cross that formidable faction, and it wasn't just because of their legendary prowess. Their status as one of the Holy Empire's largest guilds, with Cha Hee-ra reigning supreme in terms of statistics and combat capabilities, underscored their dominance. From the old man's perspective, killing an insolent young boy hardly seemed worth incurring the wrath of such an influential figure. The Blue Guild's status seemed as fragile as a candle's flame against the wind.

"So, it appears this is the situation," I reflected.

Indeed, a frightened dog barks the loudest. This is the lesson my grandfather imparted.

"With Cha Hee-ra—"

"But that's not the crucial point. It matters not whether our history stems from Earth, or whether affection binds us. What's pertinent is that the Blue Guild, possessing bargaining power, employed threats against a newly recruited member. This should remain concealed from the outside world. Even the Blue Guild flinches in the face of the formidable Red Mercenary Guild."

The old man's silence persisted.

"I'm unsure about this realm's dynamics, but it seems there are no immediate threats... You wouldn't wish to relinquish your bargaining power to rival guilds, and I fail to comprehend your hesitance. My intention wasn't to come here for conflict but for negotiation. Regardless of past glories, does no one object to this stance, dismissing even their superiors' directives? Or is your capacity to evaluate the situation so diminished that you're oblivious to the issue at hand?"

"You..."

As I felt a slight increase in my mobility, my body stirred. The magical pressure that enveloped me upon the mention of Cha Hee-ra's name had waned.

Speaking cautiously, I maintained a composed demeanor. Concealing my excitement was pivotal; such meaningless debates often favored the more composed side.

"If you desire to project an image of the Blue Guild as free-spirited, akin to a familial bond, then congratulations, your efforts are indeed successful."

The old man remained taciturn.

"However, the predicament arises from the guild's leadership."

"What?"

"You comprehend my implication."

"What do you mean..."

"Even concealed emotions are discernible, Seolho Lee. My valuation isn't of paramount importance. I'm well aware of your preferences; individuals like Kim Hyunsung and Jung Hayan undoubtedly garner your favor. I'm not among your preferred associates. You've hardly concealed your sentiments."

"Nevertheless, you should have constrained your actions. Regardless of your influence in this land, your behavior remains discourteous. I'm not yet your subordinate."

"This brat's arrogance knows no bounds!"

An eruption of emotion surfaced; someone had succumbed to their excitement.

Thud!

Both Lee Seolho and I instinctively turned toward the source of the noise—the sound of a fist colliding with a desk.

"Lee Seolho."

"Lee... Lee Sang-hee..."

"Are you conscious of your actions?"

"Well..."

"This is a grave matter."

"Is that so?"

"Congratulations, you're now under probation. Return to the guild and apologize to Kee Miyoung upon your departure."

This outcome was somewhat anticipated. In the aftermath of the old man's intoxication on the guild's bygone glory, only one route remained for Lee Sang-hee, someone subordinate to him.

"For the sake of the guild..."

"I've instructed you to apologize. This is your sole opportunity, Seolho Lee."

As anticipated, conflicting emotions contorted the old man's visage—a perplexing blend of betrayal and an intangible sentiment I couldn't quite discern.

Yet, only Seolho Lee would truly grasp this situation's nuances. His response was merely a matter of time.

"I apologize for my discourteous speech. It was unreasonable."

"I accept your apology, as I allowed emotion to cloud my judgment. Allow me to express my remorse."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Seolho Lee promptly vacated the room. Suppressing a smile was a strenuous endeavor.

Maintaining a composed demeanor, I addressed Lee Sang-hee with a kind demeanor, and she reciprocated with a bow.

"I deeply regret my negligence in managing guild members. My apologies for the unintended discord."

Lee Sang-hee's disposition eluded me. From our initial encounter, her approach was earnest and open.

This wasn't merely a facade—it was her genuine nature.

For her, bowing before a rookie was slightly humiliating. Yet, she did so without hesitation or reservation.

Unfortunately, circumstances justified an early conclusion.

"I too offer my heartfelt apologies..."

"No need; the blame falls upon us. Please proceed."

"If it concerns contractual matters, there's no cause for concern."

"Indeed?"

"My conduct displayed rudeness."

"Understood..."

"I embarked on constructing a tale without proper consideration for the guild's dignity. While negotiation was my intention, I neglected the guild's well-being. I cannot justify Lee's actions, yet I cannot claim to have acted with greater decorum."

"I see... Perhaps, through Cha Hee-ra..."

"I formed an incidental connection through fortunate circumstances. Establishing relations with her might prove beneficial."

"Could this signify... acceptance of the contract proposal?"

"Certainly. We shall agree to the contract with a down payment of 10,000 gold instead of 15,000 gold. However..."

"Yes?"

"I beseech you to reconsider the principal executive positions within the Blue Guild."

"Ah..."

"I believe you apprehend the rationale behind my proposition."

There was no need for deceit.

I nodded in affirmation.

"Additionally, I would like to inform you beforehand that obtaining hero-grade items might prove challenging at this moment. While it could be feasible with some time given, the current circumstances..."

"Oh."

'So, these items are even more precious than I initially thought.'

Whether it was due to the unexpected emergence of Ramus Tucker's Alchemy Primer from Kim Hyunsung's enchanted satchel or not, I began to regard top-tier items with a tinge of amusement.

"There's no rush to make the payment for the item right away. Unless our inventory has the equipment available instantly..."

"Ah! In that case, can I provide you with an update after our internal meeting? It won't take much time."

"Of course. This isn't a decision to be taken lightly, so feel free to take your time."

"Thank you for being understanding."

As anticipated, this was the outcome I had been expecting from the outset. The only outstanding matter was which items would be chosen for purchase and what level of effectiveness they would offer.

"Then, I'll take my leave now."

"Yes, safe travels, Kee Miyoung. And once again, I extend my apologies for any impoliteness."

"Oh, not at all. I, too, deeply regret any inconvenience caused."

I realized that I needed to have a conversation with another individual before the day came to a close.

'Cha Hee-ra...'

Was I venturing into dangerous territory? The potential outcomes on this continent remained enigmatic to me.

Kim Hyunsung, who had gained considerable recognition, could become the target of unexpected threats, or perhaps an eccentric elder like Seolho Lee could hatch an intricate scheme to exploit our vulnerability.

The reality was that our party's safety wouldn't be guaranteed regardless of our selections.

'I must cultivate resilience from this point onward.'