The Ara Hongryeon Guild was bustling from early dawn.
“Hey, you’re here early.”
“Where was it today? Sokcho?”
“The others are heading straight there. Let’s get going.”
Awakeners assigned to dungeons or missions were gearing up and heading to work, and the regular staff who assisted them were arriving steadily.
People were checking data on tablets, engineers were inspecting equipment, and porters were verifying supplies.
Everyone was performing their roles, and the industry was running like clockwork once again today.
“Hey! Is Manager Kim Dong-gil here?”
“Welcome, sir. I’ll take you inside.”
Soon, business associates connected to the guild began to arrive, and various departments were operating at full speed.
The staff weren’t the only ones busy.
As a large guild, even the executives of Ara Hongryeon had packed schedules. Some were involved in advertising or photoshoots, while others were making calls to arrange collaborations with other guilds.
However, the field was quieter than expected.
“Ah, it looks like the subjugation is about to be completed!”
In a forested mountain area in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, a staff member guarding the dungeon entrance said excitedly. Next to him, Guild Master Han Seok-jun nodded calmly.
“It should be around this time. We planned it that way.”
Checking the time, there were about five minutes left in the planned schedule. And before those five minutes were up, the entrance began to tremble.
“They’re coming out!”
The support team, who had been on standby, quickly prepared. Soon, the awakened ones started emerging from the dungeon entrance.
“Good job! This way, please.”
“Any injuries? We have a medical vehicle ready here!”
Seeing Team Leader Jeong So-yeon coming out last, Han Seok-jun approached her.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Ah, Guild Master. You were here.”
Jeong So-yeon looked a bit messy but appeared uninjured.
“Was there any problem?”
“No delays in the schedule as planned. There was one minor injury, but no other issues.”
Sssss–
A staff member approached and sprayed a liquid on Jeong So-yeon’s body as part of the disinfection process.
“By the way, why did you come all the way out here, Guild Master?”
“I apologize for asking this right after you’ve just come out of the dungeon, but could you spare some time today?”
“Of course.”
“We have a meeting with the Iron Blood Guild today. It seems we’ll need all the executives, including team leaders, to gather.”
“Oh!”
Having been in the dungeon for the past few days, Jeong So-yeon wasn’t aware of the meeting. Han Seok-jun, looking apologetic, explained the sudden meeting with the Iron Blood Guild.
“We’re meeting at our guild building shortly. I’ll give you a two-week vacation after this meeting.”
“Sounds great!”
Jeong So-yeon, who had been hoping for some rest, immediately agreed upon hearing that the usual one-week break would be doubled.
Leaving behind the staff who were entering the cleared dungeon to retrieve the loot, Han Seok-jun and Jeong So-yeon boarded the vehicle.
“Why is the Iron Blood Guild suddenly coming?”
“There haven’t been many meetings between guild masters lately, and Iron Blood Guild’s representative, Baek Tae-seop, is a friend of mine. He suggested we meet and catch up after a long time…”
Seeing Han Seok-jun trail off, Jeong So-yeon sensed there was more to it and waited quietly.
“Director Choi Young-seong also contacted me suddenly.”
“Former Research Director Choi Young-seong?”
“Yes, Iron Blood Guild’s representative Baek Tae-seop specifically requested Director Choi to be present. It seems they had discussed something beforehand. According to Director Choi, it’s likely about the antidote.”
“Antidote? But wasn’t it impossible to cure the Poison of Avarice?”
Jeong So-yeon’s eyes widened in surprise as she waited for Han Seok-jun’s next words.
“Team Leader Jeong So-yeon.”
“Yes.”
“Do you remember the vegetable juice you drank during the subjugation of the Level 4 dungeon in Yeongdeungpo?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“You probably recall that one of its listed effects was detoxification.”
Jeong So-yeon nodded at Han Seok-jun’s words, but she couldn’t guess why he was bringing it up now.
“The result showed that the Poison of Avarice can be detoxified with that vegetable juice. Director Choi personally informed me about it.”
“Oh…!”
Jeong So-yeon was even more astonished this time.
She almost stood up inside the vehicle, but instead, she blurted out something that came to her mind.
“Then what about Sister Si-young?”
“They say her condition has significantly improved.”
“Aaah!!”
Jeong So-yeon covered her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. Although she had never worked with her, the news of the recovery of the awakened one she had admired since childhood deeply moved her.
This news was even more meaningful to her since she had personally met Kim Si-young thanks to Choi Young-seong’s invitation.
“Is it true that the antidote for the Poison of Avarice is possible with Kyu-seong’s vegetable juice? I’m sorry, it’s just so unbelievable that I had to ask again.”
“They say that most of Vice Guild Master Kim Si-young’s poison has been detoxified. It’s all thanks to Kyu-seong.”
Han Seok-jun replied with a smile.
Hearing such definitive words, Jeong So-yeon was excitedly thinking about various things when she suddenly turned pale and murmured.
“I never imagined that vegetable juice could detoxify the Poison of Avarice. We drank such a precious thing just to subjugate a Level 4 dungeon…”
“No, it’s because we used something so precious that we achieved such a record time.”
“Thinking of it that way, you’re right.”
“It’s all thanks to Kyu-seong’s ability. He’s truly amazing.”
“…We should have handed the contract directly to Kyu-seong.”
Jeong So-yeon, her color returning, wiped away her barely-held-back tears and smiled brightly.
“Anyway, it’s really great news! I should visit Sister Si-young during this vacation.”
“Well, actually, I was planning to follow Director Choi after today’s meeting with the Iron Blood Guild to check on Si-young’s condition.”
“Oh? Then I’ll come with you!”
“Alright. Let’s ask Director Choi later.”
Overjoyed by the unexpected good news, Jeong So-yeon was smiling brightly when she suddenly tilted her head in confusion.
“But why aren’t we sharing this news? If it’s about the recovery of Vice Guild Master Si-young, the whole country would be delighted…”
As she was speaking, Jeong So-yeon realized the reason.
Kim Si-young was an 8th-level awakener.
The nation had attempted to cure Kim Si-young’s poisoning but failed, yet an individual not affiliated with any guild succeeded in treating her alone?
If this fact became known, not only Kim Si-young’s recovery but also Kyu-seong’s existence would cause a huge sensation. And was Kyu-seong’s ability limited to that?
‘Unprecedented agricultural products with extraordinary effects… The aftermath will be enormous.’
Seeing Jeong So-yeon’s expression, Han Seok-jun guessed she had found the answer herself and spoke.
“It’s not just a matter for our country. There were 12 countries involved in the subjugation of the Dungeon of Avarice at that time. The number of awakeners who entered was a staggering 46. Most of them have passed away, but a few are still alive.”
“…Kyu-seong has achieved something incredible. I finally feel the reality of it.”
The awakeners who participated in the Dungeon of Avarice were all renowned at the time. They were selected from around the world and were highly esteemed individuals.
Most of them died in the dungeon or succumbed to the poison within a few years, but some were still alive.
If they were treated, it would be like resurrecting forgotten heroes of the past.
“In any case, since Si-young’s treatment was successful, Iron Blood Guild’s Baek Seung-hyun could also recover. If that happens, the Iron Blood Guild, already competing for the top spot in South Korea, will gain even more strength.”
“I think differently.”
Jeong So-yeon shook her head.
When Han Seok-jun looked puzzled, she continued.
“Whether it’s Baek Seung-hyun or Sister Si-young, I’m not sure if they will return.”
“Hmm, you have a point. Having the ability and returning are separate issues.”
“I actually hope they don’t return and live comfortably as they wish. I know it’s impolite to say this in front of the guild master, but I hope Sister Si-young’s personal life takes precedence over the guild’s interests.”
Despite glancing nervously, Jeong So-yeon spoke her mind, and Han Seok-jun smiled slightly.
“Haha. Team Leader’s words are absolutely right. I was too focused on abilities. Yes, it’s absurd to think of returning to the guild after losing ten years to poison.”
As they talked, the vehicle arrived at the guild building in Seocho-gu.
As they got out of the car and entered the building, a security guard approached urgently.
“Guild Master, I have something to tell you.”
“Yes, Jung. What’s the matter?”
“The guests from the Iron Blood Guild have arrived.”
“They arrived much earlier than expected. There was no notification.”
“And someone else has arrived as well.”
“Director Choi?”
“Yes? Ah, Former Research Director Choi Young-seong is here too, but besides him…”
The Iron Blood Guild and Choi Young-seong. Who else could be visiting?
As Han Seok-jun and Jeong So-yeon thought of various individuals, the guard continued.
“Awakened Lee Kyu-seong has arrived.”
“…Kyu-seong is here now…?”
Han Seok-jun and Jeong So-yeon were surprised by Kyu-seong’s impeccable timing.
“When did he arrive? And where is he?”
“He arrived with Former Research Director Choi Young-seong before the Iron Blood Guild guests. We have escorted him to the reception room on the top floor.”
“Well done.”
This might actually be a good thing. Since Representative Baek Tae-seop came here for the antidote, it would be convenient to talk directly with the person who made it.
‘But it’s a bit unfortunate.’
Han Seok-jun had hoped to act as a mediator. If Baek Tae-seop, the representative of the Iron Blood Guild, met Kyu-seong directly, it was certain that he would try to recruit Kyu-seong.
“Could it be that he’s here to sign a contract with us?”
Jeong So-yeon’s murmur deepened the furrow in Han Seok-jun’s brow.
The Iron Blood Guild was one of the two major pillars of South Korea, along with the Terror Guild. If they seriously pursued recruitment, it would be troublesome for Ara Hongryeon.
“They might have already met upstairs.”
“Do you think everything will be alright?”
A security guard cautiously interrupted their conversation.
“Uh, Team Leader Kang Hanul heard the news and went up first to handle the reception.”
“…That’s not particularly good news.”
Kang Hanul handling the reception?
Knowing his personality, both Han Seok-jun and Jeong So-yeon’s expressions stiffened slightly.
“Let’s go up quickly.”
Cliche Novel 