episode_0701

Monsters, dungeons, and hunters exist in this world.

The country manages hunters who can single-handedly destroy cities, and with the advancement of magical engineering surpassing science now.

In business, strength was a crucial factor.

Without power, one could become a target for criminal ability users, and it was common for weaker guilds to face pressure from stronger companies.

It was a world where monsters spewed flames from empty hands.

One could no longer engage in business as barehanded as before, and large corporations lent their names by sponsoring guilds.

While many corporations sponsored hunter guilds worldwide, there was only one acknowledged as the best in the world.

That was none other than the Iris Guild.

With its foundation as an information guild, it could preemptively block risks and guarantee safety due to overwhelming power.

Due to these factors, despite the substantial costs, more and more major corporations were borrowing the name of the Iris Guild.

“The Iris Guild is expanding its influence. Europe is mostly under its control, and they are extending to other regions now.”

Most rode the unstoppable tide, forming connections with the Iris Guild or carving out their own routes, but there were those who couldn’t accept it.

Crash!

A middle-aged man with graying hair slammed the wooden table forcefully.

Pretzel, the guild master of the EK Guild, spoke up defiantly.

“This is absurd. Those who used to peddle information are now meddling in business!”

“…But what can we do? The strength of the Iris Guild is real.”

“Iris Guild, whatever! Where do we stand? We are EK Guild. Is it acceptable to be overshadowed by a guild from France?”

EK Guild.

It used to hold the position of the world’s top guild before the rise of the Iris Guild.

Formed by the merger of strong guilds in Europe, the EK Guild boasted an overwhelming position with its exceptional pool of talents.

In fact, most of the world’s strongest hunters were produced by the EK Guild.

“If it weren’t for Yi Ho-yeon… Damn it!”

However, with Yi Ho-yeon’s emergence, individual strength could no longer be boasted.

No, Yi Ho-yeon was beyond individual level.

He was a walking guild.

Hunters from around the world who witnessed his battle against the Demon King praised Yi Ho-yeon’s strength, saying it was incomparable to others.

Even the hunters from the once top EK Guild acknowledged Yi Ho-yeon.

Naturally, the Iris Guild, which showed closeness with Yi Ho-yeon, gained benefits in return.

“Guild Master Pretzel, please calm down for now. There are many onlookers.”

“Hmph. The people gathered here are trustworthy; it’s fine.”

Pretzel surveyed the faces of the people around him.

Those gathered here were all individuals discontent with the Iris Guild’s dominance.

“If things continue like this, we won’t be able to stop the Iris Guild. Even the places where EK Guild had influence are stepping back!”

The EK Guild, once discussed as the world’s strongest, had fallen to a position where it was challenging to compare with the Iris Guild.

During this process, the corruptions emerging from the EK Guild had a more significant impact than the prestige of the Iris Guild, but Pretzel did not focus on that side.

If they could bring down the rising Iris Guild, eventually everyone would return, he thought.

“But, Guild Master… As you know, we cannot use the media against the Iris Guild.”

As the top information guild, the Iris Guild had branches worldwide and connections with most major media outlets.

Their skillful manipulation of public opinion was unmatched.

Now that the Iris Guild had become the world’s strongest,

There was no one willing to extend a helping hand to the defeated.

“That’s irrelevant! Internal corruption, embezzlement, threats to subcontractors! Sexual favors! If we investigate anything, something will come out, won’t it?”

“…They can’t engage in illegal activities because of strong contracts.”

Leading the Iris Guild.

Isaac, the King of the Night, never made mistakes in public matters.

To join the Iris Guild, one must fill out numerous contracts, and internal corruption or embezzlement is unthinkable.

“What nonsense…! Do you think the Information Guild can avoid illegal activities?”

“They claim to obtain information only through legitimate channels.”

“Damn bastards!”

Pretzel turned his head, grinding his teeth.

He looked at Rivera standing behind him.

Rivera was the strongest and most loyal inspector in the EK Guild.

“If there’s no way, we’ll make one. Rivera. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. That’s correct. …But Guild Master.”

Rivera, who serves as the leader of the EK Guild, bowed his head.

Pretzel was his benefactor.

He rescued him from an orphanage, and regardless of what others said, he respected and supported Pretzel.

But this time, he had to intervene.

“Huh?”

“Don’t ever be hostile to Lee Hoyeon. He’s different from others.”

One can tell by Rivera’s dedication during the final battle under the name of the EK Guild.

His strength sets him apart.

If Lee Hoyeon weren’t as kind and had more ambition, he could have conquered the world at any time.

“Tsk. You’re just a scared puppy drenched in rain. You’re backing down without even fighting! I didn’t raise you like that!”

“…”

You’re saying this because you haven’t seen Lee Hoyeon’s strength.

Rivera swallowed his next words.

People who fight with numbers and pens at their desks will never understand.

“Anyway, we still can do it…. We have opportunities left.”

Pretzel locked eyes with the gathered guild leaders and continued speaking.

“If we can’t catch corruption, we’ll drag it out forcibly. It doesn’t have to be true. And we’ll give them a big failure. That’s how images are created anyway…”

*

Lee Hoyeon’s mansion.

Lee Hoyeon, who was preventing Rebecca’s mischief, checked the smartwatch shown by Scarlett.

—————————-

[Guild Union and EK Guild. Publicly criticizing the Iris Guild. Lee Hoyeon and the Iris Guild’s despicable deception….]

—————————-

Lee Hoyeon furrowed his brows as he looked at the smartwatch.

He couldn’t understand why his name was there.

“Publicly criticizing the Iris Guild…. Lee Hoyeon and the Iris Guild’s despicable deception…. Why is my name here?”

Guild conflicts and power struggles are common.

In fact, for large guilds like the Iris Guild, it’s almost routine.

…But why is Lee Hoyeon involved?

“Well, your name played a significant role in making the Iris Guild the strongest in the world.”

Scarlett spoke as if stating the obvious.

Lee Hoyeon replied, adjusting his taste.

“I’ve heard I sold my name a bit, but that much?”

“Yes. The public sees the Iris Guild and you as strong allies. They believe that if there’s trouble in the Iris Guild, you’ll immediately step in and handle everything.”

“I never said such things though?”

“Still, you would help, wouldn’t you?”

“I suppose, but… Alice and Irene. These people are too much. Playing with people’s minds like this?”

Lee Hoyeon was slightly disappointed in Alice and Irene.

Using his name and calling him an ally was one thing, but it would have been nice if they had given him a heads-up.

“Alice and Irene probably opposed it.”

Scarlet searched for other articles on her smartwatch as she spoke.

“Then who pushed for this? If they used my name to that extent, shouldn’t I at least get some royalties?”

“Of course, it was Guild Master. If you have any complaints, you should go talk to them, right?”

“….”

Lee Hoyeon recalled the face of Isaac, the King of the Night.

He remembered how much of a doting father he had been.

Since he took away everything about his two daughters that he cherished more than himself, he didn’t have the courage to face Isaac.

“Well, I can lend my name between us.”

The strong bond between Lee Hoyeon and the Iris Guild would last forever.

Lee Hoyeon nodded as he checked the smartwatch presented by Scarlet once again.

“Lee Hoyeon is not in a solid alliance with the Iris Guild. It’s just a contractual relationship where money is exchanged… Hey, Scarlet. But these people are talking strangely, aren’t they? Is receiving money and entering into a contract different from having a solid alliance?”

“It’s just nitpicking. Negative news leaves a negative impression, so they might be trying to focus attention on the Iris Guild and then attempt something else. I’m also in contact with the Korea branch.”

“But didn’t you leave the Iris Guild? You seem quite passionate.”

“….”

Suddenly, Scarlet thought about her own situation.

Leaving the Iris Guild because of one man and ultimately living off the Iris Guild’s money.

Seeing Scarlet’s expression stiffen, Lee Hoyeon hurriedly spoke.

“B-But thanks to Scarlet, I’ve always been comfortable. You were the first to let me know when my name was being used negatively.”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course. It would have been a big problem without Scarlet. You’re the person I trust the most.”

Scarlet faintly smiled at his following words.

Indeed. How could she take care of this person if she wasn’t confident herself?

Always faltering at crucial moments, she needed someone like herself.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be more helpful to just stay in the guild… Ugh.”

“Shh. Miss Liliana, please be quiet.”

Nanda Eun covered Liliana’s mouth and led her to the kitchen as if kidnapping her.

It was a gesture of gratitude for Scarlet, who always suffered…