episode_0467

The saintess is compassionate and kind, but she’s no fool or pushover.

A guild formed by a member of the Guardians?

It’s a cause for celebration, but it won’t be a reason for money to flow out of her wallet.

At most, sending flowers or gifts to the guild headquarters should suffice.

There’s no way I wouldn’t know that.

But I want to get my hands on that money.

So, how can I broach the subject to get her to open her wallet?

“You may not know, but I run a guild.”

-“I’m aware. The Twilight Guild… A guild with two S-rank hunters, there’s no way I wouldn’t know.”

“Then you must also know that our guild headquarters is nothing more than a university club room.”

-“Yes. It was probably a strategic choice.”

“That’s true, but there’s another reason.”

-“And what would that be…?”

“I don’t have money.”

I have enough to make ends meet.

No, if I wanted, I could easily earn tens of billions.

However, buying a building for the guild headquarters, one that has everything I desire, is not an easy task.

The cost of the building alone runs into hundreds of billions.

Not to mention the considerable amount of money needed for all the materials to decorate its interior.

If I had plenty of time, it wouldn’t be impossible to earn it, but it’s a burden to earn it in a short period.

-“If it’s the Twilight Guild, there should be plenty of companies willing to invest, right?”

“Well… That’s not entirely wrong.”

They exist even now.

Companies willing to invest in a guild that is not yet fully operational.

Support funds amounting to hundreds of billions are a significant sum even for any company.

But there is a way to solve even this.

If one doesn’t work, try two.

If two don’t work, then enter into agreements with three or more companies, and that should suffice.

-“But why choose the difficult path over the easy one?”

Why not do it when you know it well?

They are not philanthropists.

Their ultimate goal is to generate profit.

So why would they give me money?

To control the guild, and me.

Tying me with the leash of money, like a sword that can be drawn out whenever needed.

“I don’t want to be at the mercy of corporate interests.”

If they are willing to deal openly with us, they won’t ask us to do anything bad.

However, they bring tasks with ambiguous boundaries that confuse people.

Not outright evil deeds, but tasks that feel somewhat uncomfortable to carry out.

Such tasks consume human beings.

They wear out the scale that judges right from wrong, causing it to skew.

The names of those who left after being worn down in such a manner are still vivid in my memory.

Their sadness and agony linger, occasionally haunting me.

I don’t wish to add any more names to that list.

-“…I can also hold you and the guild in my hands.”

“That’s right.”

As mentioned before, she is a sage, not a pushover.

Exercising my rights where I’ve invested money is only natural.

Just because she is who she is, there is no law forbidding me from challenging her and the guild.

Knowing this, I still chose her.

Because…

“But at least I won’t ask you to do anything bad.”

I believe her requests won’t involve moral dilemmas.

For this reason, I’ve prepared some well-crafted words that might resonate with her.

“I’m not here to make a reckless request.”

-“You’ve already been quite reckless, haven’t you…?”

Well… It might have seemed that way until now.

“If you hear me out now, your thoughts might change.”

Her demeanor behind the veil shifts slightly.

-“I’m curious. How will Kim Dojin Hunter sway my heart?”

Almost as if saying, “Go ahead, give it a shot.”

With a confident tone, I asked.

“If our guild functions as the Korean branch of the Guardians.”

-“…!”

Fingers trembling in surprise.

Not missing a beat, I take one step further.

“Expanding beyond Korea to encompass all of East Asia, what would that be like?”

The Guardians are an organization that spans the globe.

Of course, it was natural.

Since the Apostles of the Seven Sins are not all from the same country.

Race, background, age, and so on.

As an organization that deals with each of the Seven Sins individually, it only makes sense for them to be a global organization.

Therefore, although the Guardians have established branches in various countries around the world, they have not been able to establish significant branches in the Asian region.

The reason was simple.

There was no one trustworthy enough to entrust the task to.

The majority of the members were from North America or Europe, which was the issue.

As a result, there was a lack of individuals familiar with Asia whom they could trust.

“I’m sure you’re aware that various issues are arising in the Asian region recently.”

– “….”

Meanwhile, incidents and accidents erupting primarily in Asia have been increasing.

Notable examples include incidents in China like Yefona and in Korea like Gwangmyeonggyo.

Each time, Knights and priests were dispatched to handle the situations, but well…

If I were a Saintess, I would have found it incredibly inefficient.

And indeed, it was.

“So, should we resolve this inconvenience and inefficiency through the Twilight Guild…?”

“That’s right.”

This is mutually beneficial.

I receive investment funds, and she gains more workers for the Guardians.

Are our people just ordinary workers?

“We have two S-ranks. Furthermore, the rest are A-ranks with the potential to reach S-rank.”

Just this much would make anyone envious.

But that’s not the end of it here.

“Even… one of our guild members is a Disciple of Restraint?”

Son Seoyeon.

Unlike me, a supporter, she will stand tall as a core member of the Guardians, the Disciple of Restraint.

She is also one of our guild members.

“With this level, I believe there is more than enough value to invest, even overflowing…”

Speaking kindly to her, whose words have suddenly become scarce.

No, rather, pressuring her.

“What do you think?”

The answer has already been decided.

So, you just need to respond.

—

His thoughts were brief.

His decision even more so.

“I hate it.”

For some reason, the smiling face beyond the screen felt strangely repulsive.

“Why do I keep feeling like I’m being hindered…?”

It wasn’t just a matter of mood.

It was a reality.

Every time he faced him, he presented himself in a way that was different from before.

So, it was always confusing.

And taking advantage of that confusion, Kim Dojin skillfully extracted what he wanted from me.

“Despicable.”

Despite being utterly despicable, he didn’t utter a single wrong word.

Reading reports from the Guardians’ branches worldwide, it becomes clear.

“Chaos is not far off.”

The day when the thinly veiled peace in the world will be stripped away.

And the day when the immense evil lurking within will begin to shake the world.

When it arrives, it will be too late.

So, while there is still time, one must prepare as much as possible.

In the midst of this, Kim Dojin’s proposal was a delight beyond measure.

“The Twilight Guild.”

A newly formed guild composed of a select few elites, but a closer look reveals their astonishing capabilities.

With not one, but two S-rank Hunters.

Alongside A-ranks who are on the brink of reaching S-rank, and even a Disciple of Restraint.

Furthermore, the skills of the team members who align with them are also remarkable.

It’s almost unbelievable that one man has taken control of them on that small piece of land.

These individuals are set to take on the role of the Guardians’ Korean branch, and further, the Asian branch.

“If they function properly… it will be akin to gaining a thousand soldiers.”

Of course, this is only if they function as expected.

Investments always come with the risk of failure.

And if the investment is meant to shed light on the world’s fate even slightly, then challenging it is only natural.

She immediately made a call to one of those responsible for managing the assets of the Guardians.

“I have an urgent opportunity to invest in South Korea. Will you help me a bit?”

Despite the large sum of money being drained, the investment proceeded smoothly.

Her influence within Guardians was significant.

After a brief call, she quietly set down her smartphone, flipped the veil that had been covering her face, and tossed it aside.

And then, her dazzling golden eyes were revealed.

“…I’ll trust you this time as well.”

A quiet, almost disappearing voice lightly touched the still air.

In her eyes gazing out into the darkening outside world, there was a hint of a small breeze and hope.

* * *

One week passed.

It took time to be introduced to the building that would serve as the guild’s headquarters.

Thanks to that, I was quite surprised.

“…It’s really fast.”

At first, seeming quite displeased, questioning every detail, but then…

“After making the choice, they push through decisively…”

Well, something like that.

For me, it was nothing but good.

Thanks to that, I could keep the promises I made to the guild members.

“Wow…, this building is our guild headquarters?”

“Not just one floor, but all of it?”

“No way….”

“We were in a club room, and now we’re in the middle of Gangnam in a building….”

“Our guild leader is insane.”

Three underground floors, seven above ground.

A total of ten floors became the Twilight Guild’s headquarters.

Of course, immediate occupancy was impossible.

Training grounds, physical training rooms, warehouses, the guild leader’s office, office space, a restaurant, and more.

“There’s no way we can move in anytime soon, right?”

“Well, at the earliest, maybe by the time we graduate early.”

“It takes that long?”

“It also means we’ll fill it perfectly.”

“Oh… that wouldn’t be bad.”

As the excited chicks finished touring the building,

The protagonist who had been walking behind me subtly grabbed my wrist.

“Tell me honestly.”

“What?”

“How did you get this building…?”

“It was through investment.”

“That’s what I’m saying. From whom exactly?”

An interrogation born from worry.

To alleviate her anxiety, I lightly patted her shoulder and answered.

“I didn’t make any strange contracts, so don’t worry. Can’t you trust me?”

“Well… it’s not that.”

“You’ll find out who we contracted with eventually, so please wait a little for that too.”

“…Alright. I trust you because Dohjin does.”

The trust that replaced the fading unease brought a smile to my face.

But only momentarily.

“But, will it really be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“This building. Isn’t it too close?”

Another concern conveyed to me.

But this was inevitable.

“This was the only building available for immediate purchase here.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Well, will anything happen?”

“I guess?”

“Probably.”

Most likely.

After finishing the tour hastily, we headed straight out of the building.

Thinking about grabbing dinner before parting ways,

Seoyeon looked over my shoulder and whispered softly.

“Oh… Dad.”

With her words, the surroundings erupted into excitement.

“If she’s a senior’s dad…, unbelievable!”

“So, it’s Hunter Sonsiu!”

“Wow…, it’s my first time seeing him up close like this.”

The youngsters cheered as if they were seeing an idol.

Meanwhile, familiar footsteps were heard from behind.

“Seoyeon…?”

The voice that gradually reached my ears.

Whether to call it familiar or unfamiliar.

“Why are you here…?”

In response to his question, Seoyeon pointed to the building we had just come out of.

“I came to see this building because it’s become our guild headquarters. Oh, by the way…?”

It dawned on me belatedly.

What the adjacent building to the guild headquarters we acquired was.

“Oh, Dad, it’s next to the guild headquarters.”

Right.

The reason why Seoyeon expressed concerns earlier was precisely for this reason.

Next to the guild headquarters building we obtained this time, there stands another guild.

It’s the Dawn Guild, holding an overwhelming top position.

Seoyeon looks uneasy.

In her place, I slowly step back.

Although a moment of worry precedes, it’s fine.

Restrictions only come into play when interfering in each other’s lives or revealing secrets.

The guy who’s afraid of showing his face, Son Siwoo, twitches his eyebrows.

I greet him with a bright smile.

“Hello, Hunter Son Siwoo.”

Very polite and courteous.

“I’m Kim Dojin, the guild master of the Twilight Guild.”

He has something to say.

“…Nice to meet you.”

Just exchanging greetings as if meeting for the first time.

“Oh… It feels strange to see a national hunter like this in person.”

Indeed.

An experience that no one else has had.

A strange and unfamiliar feeling of facing my own face through someone else’s body.

At the same time, I was curious.

What emotions might be filling him up inside?

Pressing lightly on those thoughts, I speak again.

“Coincidentally, we ended up in the building next to the Dawn Guild.”

His eyes seemed to question me.

What on earth is this about?

I blatantly ignored it.

It was about time to face him anyway.

Especially since I knew he was connected to one of the seven deadly sins in some way.

Staring straight into his restless pupils, I utter my final words.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

It was the moment when the embers of another dormant conflict began to flare up in earnest.