A long silence fell.
Yerin Jeong looked at the cake and the gold coin on it without a word.
‘A gold coin from the El Dorado Continent.’
Only a very small number of hunters can go to the El Dorado Continent. However, the items they brought back to Earth became widely known to the world.
Naturally, since the gold coins used on the continent were also very famous, Yerin Jeong could immediately recognize the gold coin.
The problem was why it was being shown at this particular moment.
What did showing those gold coins mean?
She bit her lip.
Her mind grew complicated, and her heart began to beat faster. Cold sweat beaded on her palms.
“…”
This undoubtedly meant that Kanghyeon Lee was displeased with her.
She couldn’t suppress a light cough that she would normally ignore and cleared her throat uncomfortably.
‘Could he be angry about the bodyguard issue?’
It was highly likely.
Until now, the relationship between Kanghyeon Lee and Yerin Jeong herself had been fine.
However, this time was different. First of all, the bodyguard arrangement was made at Kanghyeon Lee’s request.
But when the hunters who were assigned as bodyguards disappeared, it ended up fizzling out at the last minute.
The biggest problem was that even Team Leader Seo Gyuhye, who was on duty, didn’t know the cause.
‘What should I do about this.’
Yerin Jeong blinked, fidgeting restlessly.
She was about to become the Vice Guild Leader of the Fire Bird Guild, and if she couldn’t control even a single problem like this, there would surely be talk about her qualifications.
As those thoughts flashed through Yerin Jeong’s mind, her once confident posture had shrunk.
The only fortunate thing was that nothing had happened.
If something had truly happened, it could have been a major incident that could have harmed Kanghyeon Lee.
‘This shouldn’t be happening…’
Yerin Jeong swallowed dryly.
She tried to observe Kanghyeon Lee’s expression, but she couldn’t read his emotions.
‘Is he really disappointed in the Fire Bird Guild?’
Her anxiety deepened as she imagined the emotions hidden behind that expressionless face.
For now, the most important thing was one thing.
No matter what, she had to keep Kanghyeon Lee.
That’s all she needed to think about.
‘Even though Kanghyeon probably hides his power for some reason…’
Certainly, Kanghyeon was someone who actively helped without hesitation when he did.
Moreover, that powerful strength was a tremendous help to the Fire Bird Guild.
‘From the Minotaurus Dungeon to the Terrilif Mana Potion, it was all Kanghyeon’s work.’
If you think about it, the major incidents that occurred in the guild recently were all related to Kanghyeon Lee.
He was such an important talent, and if the relationship broke down because of this incident?
‘That won’t do!’
No matter what, she had to keep him.
Yerin Jeong pondered for a moment and then came up with a clever idea.
“This incident is entirely the responsibility of the Fire Bird Guild.”
She bowed her head again.
Kanghyeon Lee seemed burdened by the continuous apologies and waved his hand.
“No, it’s really fine. Well, everyone makes mistakes.”
But Yerin Jeong was not satisfied there.
If they made a mistake, it was natural to provide compensation accordingly.
‘I don’t think he needs money.’
If he needed money, he could just sell the Terrilif Mana Potions.
With overwhelming power and money, would he really be satisfied with compensation in the form of money?
‘No.’
It didn’t seem like he craved power either.
If he needed power, there would be no need to hide his strength, and he would have moved to a higher guild than the Fire Bird Guild.
Kanghyeon Lee possessed the power to do so easily.
Since that wasn’t the case either, he certainly wasn’t interested in power.
‘Hmm…’
Yerin Jeong glanced around.
Then, she realized something Kanghyeon Lee lacked.
‘Equipment?’
Come to think of it, she couldn’t remember seeing him wear proper equipment while they were together.
‘Come to think of it, only his familiar was holding a weapon, right?’
Only Maru carried a sword.
Kanghyeon Lee himself was practically unarmed even when entering a dungeon.
Of course, he might rely on his strength, but in a dungeon, it was never too much to emphasize safety.
“Kanghyeon, do you perhaps… not need any equipment?”
Kanghyeon Lee blinked at her words. It seemed to be an unexpected question.
“Equipment?”
“Yes, I’ve never seen you wear any equipment separately.”
Yerin Jeong’s voice regained confidence. She naturally leaned forward.
“The Fire Bird Guild also possesses S-rank equipment. Of course, not everyone can use it-”
She smiled meaningfully.
“Since Kanghyeon is also an advisor to the guild, and as compensation for this incident, I will allow you to enter the Fire Bird Guild’s weapon storage and choose any equipment you want!”
* * *
Fortunately, Yerin Jeong did not make any further mention of the gold coins from the El Dorado Continent.
Instead, she apologized for the bodyguard issue and set conditions for compensation.
And the condition was acceptable.
No, it was more than acceptable, it was quite excellent.
‘Equipment…’
In this world, just having a lot of money doesn’t mean you can buy everything.
The Terrilif Mana Potion was a prime example.
‘No matter how much money you have, it’s useless if there’s no supply.’
Compared to that, equipment could be seen similarly.
The rank and use of equipment are determined by who made it and what materials were used.
‘S-rank equipment is good, though?’
It’s not just good. It’s an outrageous treatment.
Especially S-rank equipment, which cannot be acquired simply by having money.
‘I’d have to go to some black market to get it.’
And even then, you’d only be able to get S-rank equipment with luck.
As the Fire Bird Guild is one of the top guilds in Korea, it wouldn’t be strange for them to have S-rank equipment.
They must have equipment that is not seen in the market or is rare.
Moreover, I heard that such equipment is not even lent out freely to guild members, but I can take one of them as I please?
Refusing this favor would be foolish.
“Still, is it really okay?”
Yerin Jeong answered without hesitation to my question.
“Of course. You’ve done a lot for the guild until now. This is only natural.”
At that point, it would be awkward for me to refuse.
“Then I will gratefully accept it.”
I immediately expressed my thanks.
At my words, Yerin Jeong finally started eating the cake.
I guess I could forget about the gold coins now. It was time to change the direction of the conversation calmly.
“By the way, what kind of plans are you talking about for the future?”
The purpose of her visit here was not just to apologize.
It was about future plans.
These plans would likely include Yerin Jeong, who would become Vice Guild Leader, and myself, who had become an advisor to the guild.
Yerin Jeong took another bite of the cake and slowly put down her teacup.
Her expression changed.
The apologetic and flustered demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, business-like composure.
“The Fire Bird Guild has been too stagnant.”
Her voice lowered a tone.
“The former Vice Guild Leader, Taeyoung Jeong, led the guild in his own way, but lacked innovation. Instead of discovering and nurturing talented individuals…”
She seemed to be searching for words for a moment.
“He operated the guild centered around existing connections.”
Come to think of it, it seemed so.
Didn’t he even try to get rid of Yerin, his half-sibling?
She straightened her back and continued in a confident voice.
“I will completely change the Fire Bird Guild.”
Her eyes changed. Yerin Jeong clenched her fist, showing her firm determination.
“I will train elite hunters within the guild and start a large-scale reshuffle.”
Her voice held power. There was no trace of her apologetic demeanor from a moment ago.
“I would like Kanghyeon to help me in that process. If you do that…”
Yerin Jeong paused for a moment and observed my reaction.
“I will promise you the position of Vice Guild Leader of the Fire Bird Guild.”
An astonishing statement came from her lips.
“…”
The position of Vice Guild Leader was on a completely different level than that of an advisor.
My mind went blank for a moment.
‘Vice Guild Leader?’
An advisor only needs to provide advice, but a Vice Guild Leader participates in the actual operations.
If I were to take such a position… I would constantly have to spend time on guild administration and personnel issues.
‘I don’t know. Well, they’re not giving it to me right now. I can refuse it then.’
After that remark, I don’t even remember what else we talked about.
Eventually, the conversation ended inconclusively, and Yerin Jeong soon stood up.
“Ah, since you mentioned that you will be having a rank assessment test, why don’t you go there?”
She handed me a piece of paper.
It indicated a location at the Awakened Center.
“Since the guild has influence there, they will give Kanghyeon considerable preferential treatment.”
With only that, Yerin Jeong left.
* * *
Upon leaving Kanghyeon Lee’s house, Yerin Jeong got into her car.
The moment the car door closed, her expression completely changed.
The kind and affectionate demeanor she had while with Kanghyeon Lee earlier disappeared, replaced by cold, sharp eyes.
“How did it go?”
She asked the secretary sitting in the passenger seat. Her voice was no longer soft.
“We still haven’t confirmed the whereabouts of the missing hunters, Team Leader.”
The secretary observed Yerin Jeong’s expression.
“The CCTV was also damaged, and there were no traces left at the scene.”
“What about Team Leader Seo Gyuhye?”
“He is still at the guild headquarters. We haven’t found any evidence that he directly ordered it…”
Yerin Jeong smiled coldly.
“It seems rather suspicious, that Seo Gyuhye? He was Taeyoung’s dog.”
Her voice lowered. She gazed at the city scenery flowing past the window, lost in thought.
Yerin Jeong had a feeling that Seo Gyuhye might be involved in this incident.
He was one of the followers of the deceased Taeyoung.
“Taking this opportunity-”
Yerin Jeong continued.
“I plan to purge all of Taeyoung’s faction within the guild.”
She couldn’t let it continue like this.
If this act was indeed carried out under Seo Gyuhye’s orders, she couldn’t let it slide.
For Yerin Jeong, Kanghyeon Lee’s safety was the most important thing.
“And next…”
However, she didn’t know.
She didn’t know that another being was listening to what she was saying.
A small jelly-like piece had fallen on the car floor, which was a part of the slime Betta.
It was so small that she didn’t notice it, but Betta was listening to everything Yerin Jeong was saying through it.
At the same time, it was relaying the heard information to its superior, Azmo.
“I have found the entity that attacked the Master. It was a person named Seo Gyuhye from the Fire Bird Guild.”
Before Kanghyeon Lee sent Maru to the El Dorado Continent, he had requested bodyguard services from Yerin Jeong. Not only that, but he had also requested separate bodyguard services from Betta.
Betta faithfully carried out Kanghyeon Lee’s orders.
When the hunters went up to Kanghyeon Lee’s residence, Betta was the one who first informed Ciel and Gargoyle, and it was also Betta who broke the CCTV.
“Yes, then I will unleash the black market associates.”
There was no need to spare the humans who threatened the Master.
That was the strict rule of Azmo and Betta.
Moreover, Azmo had recently taken control of a black market.
They intended to use them to deal with everyone involved in this incident.
Betta hung up the phone and disappeared.
