Round 154

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The quiet meal came to an end. Despite being the perfect opportunity to speak, everyone focused solely on eating after the food was served, without uttering a single word. Only the soft clattering of dishes and the sound of eating quietly resonated throughout. 

“Whew.” 

Director Choi exhaled softly after clearing his plate. His face displayed a faint smile, as if he was deeply satisfied.

“Ahem.” 

Likewise, Johann, who had emptied his bowl, coughed awkwardly and spoke up. 

“I was so focused on eating that I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings.”

“Same here. I’ve never had food like this before in my life.”

Choi Sung-hyuk nodded with a bright face. Ara, who had been watching them with delight, exclaimed, 

“Sharing delicious food is a good thing!”

Ara’s words dispelled the awkward atmosphere, and everyone responded with laughter.

“That’s right, delicious food should be shared.”

“Once again, thank you to Guild Leader Han Seok-jun and Mr. Kyu-seong for treating us to such a delicious meal. I think I will never forget this experience for the rest of my life.”

After the meal was cleared, they continued to chat lightly over tea.

“Since I’ve received such a meal, I should offer something in return.”

“It’s not like we expected anything in return for the meal.”

“This isn’t just any meal. With a meal of this caliber, I feel uncomfortable not reciprocating. And actually, it’s nothing so grand…”

As Johann began to speak, Director Choi nodded, as if he guessed what Johann intended to offer.

“It’s nothing special, just a bit of trivial information.”

“Information…”

“My hometown is Austria. And Austria is part of the European Awakening Alliance.”

The European Awakening Alliance.

Though the power of individual countries did not match the awakened superpowers like the United States or China, as an alliance, they were an extraordinary organization showing more power than any single nation. Their influence and authority were fearsome, and Johann’s family, the Rothschild family, also had one foot in it. It was a well-known fact that the other foot was in America.

“If it’s the European Awakening Alliance…is it information about the Seven Deadly Sins?”

Han Seok-jun responded nonchalantly, but Director Choi and Choi Sung-hyuk looked at him with surprised eyes.

“As expected, Guild Leader Han Seok-jun. You guessed right as soon as I started talking.”

“I heard recently that the movements of the European Alliance have become more cautious.”

“Did you infer the Seven Deadly Sins just from that? Haha, as expected, you’re amazing. Indeed, our country’s first guild leader.”

Johann lowered his head slightly as a sign of respect and then continued speaking.

“My hometown, Austria, actually doesn’t have many awakened individuals. And there aren’t that many outstanding awakened ones compared to other countries.”

“Hmm.”

“The reason Austria could be part of the European Alliance was because of the existence of the Seven Deadly Sins. Among them, the Dungeon of Wrath is located there.”

“Did you gather information from Austria?”

“That’s correct.”

Johann nodded in agreement, and Han Seok-jun listened with a serious expression. Meanwhile, Kyu-seong and Ara listened in bewilderment at the sudden story about Wrath.

“The European Alliance is soon going to attack the Dungeon of Wrath. It probably won’t be a single attempt but a series of assaults.”

“That implies they’ll use escape stones.”

“That’s right. They’re making a massive investment.”

Escape stones.

Items that help make an emergency exit from a dungeon. While not extremely rare, they were as vital as a lifeline for awakened individuals, making them very expensive.

Because they were disposable and only one person could escape per stone, the cost to supply them for everyone would be enormous. The plan to use dozens, or even hundreds, of such items left Kyu-seong in disbelief. 

‘Each one must cost billions…’

Nearly a trillion won was being invested as a foundation for attacking the Dungeon of Wrath. Moreover, the escape stones were just part of the preparation, and the total cost of all processes involved in the attack would amount to an astronomical figure. 

“If you prepare in advance, you can make a huge profit.”

“That wasn’t the intention behind sharing this information, but I suppose the entire market, including the European economy and the awakening industry, will be in turmoil.”

The risk level and possibility of conquering the Seven Deadly Sins were already somewhat known through the Dungeon of Avarice. The recent dungeon break in China left a vast amount of information, enabling the European Alliance to lay the groundwork for attempting the dungeon assault.

“Ras is cute but strong.” 

Ara, nestled in Kyu-seong’s arms, suddenly muttered softly. However, no one paid attention except for Kyu-seong. 

Their reactions were due to not knowing the boss that resided in the Dungeon of Wrath yet.

“Thank you for the valuable information. I haven’t done much, but thanks to Kyu-seong, I’ve gained precious information.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The brief but important conversation ended, and they soon left the place. On their way back to the Terror Guild, Johann and the Choi brothers maintained silence, each lost in their thoughts.

“Oh, Guild Leader, there is something I need to report.”

At that moment, Director Choi suddenly spoke. 

As Johann nodded, Director Choi began to elaborate on the remarkable effects he had observed in the carrot soup.

“…An increase in magic rank?”

“It only boosts the magic rank of those at Level 1 or below, meaning the lowest-ranked awakeners, but even this is an incredible effect. It’s an unprecedented item effect.”

“The increase in earth affinity is also noteworthy, but this is truly a revolutionary ability.”

A forced increase in the magic rank of an awakener.

Of course, sometimes while completing quests, a magic rank increase could occur. However, quests involved a lot of luck. 

Some people might clear 100 quests without receiving a magic rank increase, while others might achieve it within 10 quests.

However, Kyu-seong’s recent dish provided a guaranteed one-rank increase without question, and it was a permanent effect, not a temporary buff.

Already, the performance of the Strawberry Potion and Director Choi’s experience confirmed that Kyu-seong’s items were showing extraordinary characteristics the more they were explored.

‘Though he doesn’t seem to think much of it.’

It was understandable. 

Since Kyu-seong made the items himself, he likely didn’t see the true value of them. Even if that wasn’t the case, Kyu-seong’s personality seemed naturally relaxed.

“The condition of being for those at Level 1 or below means it’s not something that will cause a huge stir.”

“That’s right. Moreover, Mr. Kyu-seong mentioned it was a special item that couldn’t be obtained at will, so it doesn’t seem likely it could be mass-produced.”

At that point, Choi Sung-hyuk, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“The golden carrot soup was certainly amazing. However, I thought the true value of Mr. Kyu-seong lay elsewhere.”

“True value? I’m curious about what you think, Sung-hyuk.”

When Johann asked, Director Choi also looked at his younger brother with a curious expression. Under their gaze, Choi Sung-hyuk seemed to organize his thoughts for a moment before speaking.

“As everyone must have felt, the value and power of Mr. Kyu-seong’s items are immense.”

“That’s right.”

“Imagine if I were the owner of those items.”

“Um…?”

“I wouldn’t be able to casually do what Mr. Kyu-seong does. The reason Mr. Kyu-seong is truly formidable is that he does these things genuinely, without a second thought.”

It was true.

Johann and Director Choi, who had been busy thinking only about the value, effects, and taste of the items, could finally reflect on themselves due to Choi Sung-hyuk’s words.

Items with literally tremendous value. 

And they were disposable items that disappeared once consumed. To willingly offer such things to guests who weren’t even guild members, just temporary visitors, was not something anyone could do.

“Mr. Kyu-seong is not a fool. He probably knows best about his own position, the value of his items, and their impact. Moreover, he is a member of the world-renowned Ara Hongryeon Guild, and Guild Leader Han Seok-jun personally takes care of him. It’s an environment where ignorance is impossible.”

“Huh.”

“Yes, Sung-hyuk, you are absolutely right.”

Johann, who had thought that Kyu-seong simply had a laid-back personality, also began to reflect. Could such actions be taken with mere composure?

Someone would have paid billions to purchase the carrot soup they had just eaten. Could someone with mere composure just casually hand it over?

‘I was thinking too self-centeredly!’

Was it complacency?

Thinking about it, it seemed that he had become a bit lax since becoming the leader of the top guild in Korea. No, he was undoubtedly lax.

As Sung-hyuk said, Kyu-seong’s value lay not only in his items but also in his character.

Even if someone else had awakened to the same abilities as Kyu-seong, would they have been able to grow as much as he did?

“Mr. Kyu-seong’s demeanor might seem ordinary at first glance, but I believe everyone knows that this ordinariness is more precious than it seems.”

“The word ‘ordinary’ itself has become truly rare these days. In today’s world, everyone wants to be ordinary.”

Johann nodded in agreement with a big nod.

And Director Choi gave his brother a curious look.

“That’s right. It’s a world where even wanting to be ordinary makes it hard to be ordinary. In such a world, Mr. Kyu-seong’s value is even more precious.”

“Director Choi, I think we really need to give it our all.”

Even at Johann’s sudden words, Director Choi nodded as if he understood.

Giving it their all.

It was undoubtedly referring to recruiting Kyu-seong.

“In fact, I had doubts about whether we should go so far as to confront China’s Skyscraper Guild to bring Mr. Kyu-seong over, but now it’s clear.”

“I agree. Guild Leader. Even if we incur significant losses initially, we must bring Mr. Kyu-seong in if we aim for global ambitions.”

They already knew that the Skyscraper Guild was eyeing Kyu-seong. Thus, the original goal was to pretend to compete moderately and give up on Kyu-seong under suitable conditions.

However, this meeting once again disrupted their plans. Somehow, the more they became involved with Kyu-seong, the more their plans and goals kept changing.

‘This, too, is the power of Lee Kyu-seong.’

Johann decided to acknowledge it coolly without letting pride get in the way. As Sung-hyuk said, he was a seemingly ordinary young man, but he had the power to change not just himself but the entire awakening industry.

“Sung-hyuk, just keep doing what you usually do. Then Director Choi and I will find a way to get Mr. Kyu-seong to join us at the same table.”

“I trust you, Guild Leader.”

***

-Growl?

Recently, Gomgom, who often sleeps on top of hay, drowsily raised its body. Swaying sleepily, Gomgom soon identified the one who disturbed its nap.

-Growl,

A peculiar object that suddenly started emitting a musty smell. It was supposedly edible, but Gomgom wasn’t quite sure what it was.

It was a square, ochre-colored object neatly placed on the hay. It had white dust-like patches stuck on it, which Gomgom couldn’t understand.

This was supposed to be food!

It was even more striking compared to the shocking carrot soup recently consumed.

-Growl!

Could it possibly be spoiled?

Imagining the sadness of Kyu-seong and Ara, Gomgom became even more saddened and let out a moan.

The smell seemed to be getting stronger, so Gomgom resolved to report it as soon as Kyu-seong returned.

-Heheng.

Just then, Gomgom saw one of the little Kkumuris entering the warehouse. With a bright idea, Gomgom energetically got up and waddled over to the Kkumuri.

-Growl!

-Heheng?

Gomgom made all sorts of gestures and movements, trying to explain something enthusiastically.

The little Kkumuri, who had been staring blankly at Gomgom, then went outside and soon returned with a slime.

-Squish?

-Heheng.

-Growl!

The small creatures gathered together in one place and began plotting something. 

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