Ch.240240. Guild (1)

But for civilian Awakened to fight for their own rights was, in a way, a natural progression.

Unlike before the Apocalypse, guilds in the current post-apocalyptic world were essentially armed organizations. In regions other than Seorabeol, they would have already become dominant powers in their districts or established themselves as independent warlords.

Would such interest groups quietly follow Seorabeol’s orders without wielding their power?

It was human nature to want to swing an impressive, heavy sword if you had one in hand. Having drawn their blades, many guilds were filing WWE applications with various Seorabeol institutions to gain even the slightest advantage.

“We don’t want to.”

“No! What happens to us if you back out?”

Of course, these actions didn’t represent the opinions of all Awakened in Seorabeol.

For every Awakened who opposed Seorabeol, there were others who remained loyal. The Seorabeol Mage Association, which fanatically worshipped the dragon god Bahamut, was a prime example, essentially serving as a representative guild for mages.

The Mage Association’s primary concern wasn’t flexing their power or enhancing their prestige, but rather studying the dragon god’s teachings and establishing new schools of magic based on them.

For these mages, creating new magical schools was the ultimate goal for all association members. Power struggles, factional conflicts, and prestige-seeking were as distant as foreign tales. Most mages thought, “I’ll leave all the annoying administrative work to the association president while I focus on my research!” Because of this mindset, the Seorabeol Mage Association could be considered a guild loyal to Seorabeol.

“Why would we antagonize the Seorabeol Cabinet? They haven’t oppressed us. They’re developing markets and technologies for us—why would we?”

“Damn it!”

Similarly, the Seorabeol Artisan Association was another guild loyal to Seorabeol.

They had commercial interests and served as Seorabeol’s primary weapons production facility. Under the direct management of the military’s Jeong Dong-geon and the Dragon Priestesses Choi Yu-na and Baek Seol-hwa, the Artisan Association was essentially a public enterprise guild established by Seorabeol to manage craftsmen.

The artisans in this association had no intention of opposing Seorabeol. Instead, they were openly hostile toward civilian guilds, often questioning their motives with a simple “Why?”

From the Artisan Association’s perspective, Seorabeol had given them everything they wanted. Their basic needs were met, the country was being established to the point where traces of the Apocalypse were disappearing internally, and they were even being taught new techniques through the dragon god’s teachings.

In this situation, why would the Artisan Association betray Seorabeol to side with those other guilds? The question answered itself.

“And the moment we betray them, the Bahamut currency supply from the Cabinet stops. Our livelihood disappears. You’re talking nonsense.”

“…”

The decisive factor was that every Artisan Association member’s livelihood depended on the dragon god. The magic weapons they crafted remained competitive despite their high prices because they were made with Bahamut currency, which allowed them to export magical weapons overseas at astonishing prices.

Conversely, if the Bahamut currency supply disappeared, the magical weapons they produced would gradually lose their competitive edge, automatically reducing their income. While the brand value of being a former Seorabeol Artisan Association member would prevent them from starving, they would never again achieve the unlimited profits they currently enjoyed with Bahamut’s supply. Even if they harbored thoughts of betrayal, they couldn’t even contemplate taking such a step given this structure.

“Isn’t this Seorabeol Cabinet dictatorship?”

“Dreams are fleeting. The depictions of hunter guilds in novels were all lies.”

“Ahem!”

From the civilian guilds’ perspective, this certainly seemed like Seorabeol dictatorship.

Under the pretext of a regular guild meeting, the three civilian guilds representing Seorabeol had gathered, and they all sighed under Seorabeol’s iron-clad laws.

“Awakened aren’t just military forces. They’re already the backbone of society. Therefore, they should be guaranteed appropriate rights and treatment. That’s what I want to assert confidently to the Seorabeol Cabinet.”

“But with new Awakened emerging every week, it’s now harder to find ordinary people than Awakened.”

Baek Jong-hwi, the guild master of Hwacheon Sword School, which claimed to be Seorabeol’s number one guild, sighed that things weren’t progressing as expected.

As one of the early Awakened, Baek Jong-hwi had formed his own exploration team during the Balhut Cult era, accumulating massive profits and levels. After Seorabeol’s founding, he successfully established a thriving guild with thousands of members and branches in cities under Seorabeol’s influence.

This success naturally bred confidence, and he believed the Seorabeol Cabinet could no longer ignore Hwacheon Sword School. He had been filing WWE applications across the board, but not a single institution was seriously accepting them.

“Since the Hwacheon Sword School guild master is taking the lead, how about we probe the National Tax Service? They might seriously consider our current business proposals.”

“Are you trying to get us killed? The Tax Service? You’re planning to get someone arrested.”

“Ha. You caught on.”

Except for one—the National Tax Service.

They wanted to live as long as possible and weren’t suicidal enough to mess with the worst national agency, known for easily arresting dozens of people.

Their actions were primarily political, merely protests directed at the Seorabeol Cabinet.

Baek Jong-hwi pointed to a legal provision announced two months ago and said:

“Taxes for Awakened, activity restrictions, rank evaluations—all decided by the state? This is oppression, isn’t it? That’s why we need to negotiate with the Seorabeol Cabinet somehow. We should at least demand self-governance for guilds.”

The recent law announced by Seorabeol was clearly targeting the three major guilds.

It signaled that they would now start placing restrictions on Awakened, and the three major guilds desperately wanted to escape these shackles.

“Indeed! Indeed! To demand now what they haven’t imposed before. Our Cheongi Chamber agrees with the Hwacheon Sword School guild master’s opinion.”

Yu Won-ryeong, guild master of the Cheongi Chamber, which provided high-quality information and intelligence networks to Seorabeol guilds that couldn’t be found online, also sighed, saying the recent situation wasn’t good.

Previously, there had been a principle of non-interference, but recently Seorabeol had been frequently intervening with civilian Awakened, checking the growth of civilian guilds. Now, with this nuclear bomb of a law dropped on them, the Cheongi Chamber guild had also suffered significant losses.

Moreover, due to the nature of high-grade information, the Cheongi Chamber guild was heavily involved in black markets and illegal activities. They couldn’t escape Jin A-yeon’s suspicious gaze, so they were being as cautious as possible while contacting politicians in the Seorabeol Cabinet, trying to establish new agreements or find ways out.

“The Cabinet can’t control everything! We need some interests we can feed on. We can help the Cabinet fill those gaps.”

Jung Yun-hwa, guild master of Seomyeongcheong, an elite Awakened guild composed of members who had easily surpassed Level 10, sighed that they were completely blocked by Seorabeol’s control and argued that they could help Seorabeol.

However, no one gathered there fully believed Jung Yun-hwa’s words.

“We lack conscience, but that woman has even less than we do.”

To be honest, all three major guilds had long been exploiting provisions allowed by Seorabeol law to venture outside Seorabeol, pioneering and expanding their guild’s influence.

“Let’s be honest. It’s infuriating that the Seorabeol Cabinet is checking on us when we’re just minding our own business.”

“That’s right.”

“They’re suppressing us too much.”

They commonly advocated for non-interference, and their ultimate goal was to separate the roles of the state and guilds.

Simply put, they wanted the state to fulfill its role while guilds handled Awakened matters. More bluntly, they were saying, “Let the state handle administration while we enjoy real power”—a rather unconscionable position.

As always, they wanted hunter guilds that were difficult for the state to control, like those in hunter stories, and in reality, various types of guilds had emerged similar to those in hunter stories. This possibility seemed quite plausible.

Overseas, even the Saint of Orleans had determined that the emergence of independent guilds couldn’t be stopped and was randomly distributing interests. The guilds thought, how could Seorabeol possibly stop the rise of guilds?

Unfortunately for them, Seorabeol was a country where the Dragon Priestess, who followed the dragon god, was directly involved.

“Sigh.”

Yes, if they could have done it, they would have done it long ago.

By their own assessment, there were numerous Awakened soldiers superior to military personnel, guilds handling information and intelligence, and even small elite Awakened guilds.

There were mage associations, artisan guilds, and numerous interests being divided or separated by Awakened. In this situation, it was entirely possible for society to transform into the guild-based society they desired from hunter stories.

Except for one thing—the existence of the dragon god Bahamut… the existence of the Dragon Priestess who had contracted with the dragon god was blocking and suppressing this inevitable social change.

“Can you defeat the Dragon Priestess?”

“Are you insane? Is your brain filled with muscle? To dare suggest defeating the great Dragon Priestess here in Seorabeol…”

The three major guilds submitted to that overwhelming power.

Despite having built forces equivalent to warlords or small nations, the reason they meekly filed WWE applications only with trouble-free institutions within Seorabeol’s order was precisely because the existence of the dragon god and the Dragon Priestess was too intimidating.

“So, putting aside rank. Can you win?”

“Do you think you can defeat the Dragon Priestess? Even if we surpass Level 20 and reach Level 30, I think it’s impossible! Why? Because the Priestess is the most beautiful and absolute being in this world!”

“This guy… was he a fan of the Dragon Priestess?”

A coup was impossible, and truly challenging Seorabeol’s core was impossible.

To be frank, from the perspective of Seorabeol as a nation rather than individual institutions, these guilds’ actions were nothing more than childish antics.

They were even cowering before Jin A-yeon, so they only engaged in WWE to voice moderate complaints, firmly rejecting any UFC that would deliver a serious punch.

“Oh. I’m late.”

But that despair ends today.

If they couldn’t defeat Seorabeol, they had no choice but to fight according to Seorabeol’s rules.

The three major guilds decided not to oppose Seorabeol but to become part of it, and as a first step, they prepared to enter the political arena.

“I’m Hong Jin-beom of the Korea First Party.”

He was a cabinet member who had received support from Jo Sun-do’s remnants in the past to enter parliament, and even now received support from various interest groups, proposing laws to protect their interests.

The three guild masters knew this man had a suspicious smell about him, but since he was the only member openly supporting civilian organizations, they had no choice.

“Weren’t there any members from the Dragon God Association or the Constitutional Democratic Party?”

“They’re dealing with their own internal issues. He’s the only one shameless enough to meet with us openly.”

“This is extremely concerning.”

It was indeed concerning.

However, despite these inherent weaknesses, the fact that he had managed to maintain his position as a member until now proved he had some political ability.

In fact, he was gradually expanding his influence throughout Seorabeol and was active in the cabinet as a party for those who disliked Bahamut or the Dragon Priestess, making him not a bad collaborator for the three major guilds.

“What brings you to the Korea First Party?”

“The state sees us only as tools. The law is for them, and we civilians are meant to follow their orders.”

Yu Won-ryeong, acting as representative, started with words Hong Jin-beom would like to hear, conveying that the three major guilds were dissatisfied with Seorabeol’s current policies.

Hong Jin-beom looked at the three major guilds with a surprised expression.

“Haha. Then, you should demand compensation from Seorabeol. But unfortunately, I’m just a minority party with only one vote in parliament.”

He cunningly started complaining that he was just a minority party with one vote.

It was an obvious demand for political funds, and Yu Won-ryeong sighed and handed Hong Jin-beom a small message card.

“This should suffice as an answer.”

“Haha. I think we’ll be good friends. I’ll put in a word with friends and comrades on the committee.”

That was enough.

For Hong Jin-beom and the Korea First Party, which was facing financial pressure, this was a golden opportunity to escape their funding crisis. For the three major guilds, it was a chance to exert political influence on the Seorabeol Cabinet—a mutually beneficial deal.

However, Baek Jong-hwi and Jung Yun-hwa couldn’t stop doubting Hong Jin-beom’s suspicious appearance.

They looked at Yu Won-ryeong with expressions asking if he could really be trusted, and Yu Won-ryeong just nodded heavily with an expression indicating this was the best move they could make right now.

After all, the suspicious man before them was the only one with connections to cabinet members.

“That alone won’t free us from this frustrating law.”

“Ah, of course. This law was directly determined by the Three Heroes representing Seorabeol, who persuaded the cabinet. No matter how much I try to convince them, there are plenty of stubborn members who won’t listen.”

“Then this deal is off?”

In response to the three major guilds’ demands, Hong Jin-beom stepped back ceremoniously with an expression suggesting difficulty.

When Yu Won-ryeong mentioned canceling the deal, indicating he had no patience for word games, Hong Jin-beom finally stopped his leisurely observation and began explaining the current cabinet situation.

“But there are gradually members thinking differently. This is true for both the Dragon God Association and the Constitutional Democratic Party. Everyone is eyeing the Three Heroes’ positions and aiming for the next presidency.”

Despite entering a period of self-restraint after causing a major incident, politicians couldn’t erase their ambitions.

This was true for both ruling and opposition parties. They were all striving to sit in the positions vacated by the Three Heroes, working to walk the path of presidential candidates.

“If you can become their sponsors, they will propose laws for you!”

“Can you introduce us?”

“Of course!”

Thus, the deal was concluded, and civilian guild capital began flowing into the political world.

Once started, this flow couldn’t be stopped. Some district representatives began accepting security services from Hwacheon Sword School guild to secure district development budgets, guaranteeing their interests. Others began contracting with Cheongi Chamber guild’s PR department for public exposure.

To guard against potential assassinations, they started hiring bodyguards from Seomyeongcheong, composed of high-level Awakened. The three major guilds were increasingly mentioned in political matters.

Nevertheless, the Seorabeol Cabinet remained quiet due to the shock of the Ulsan disaster, but hands gradually began to emerge from the cracks.

“Why should we serve them our whole lives? The Dragon Priestess position is special and unattainable, but we can certainly aim for the Prime Minister’s position. In this apocalypse, if political parties aren’t strong, they must give interests to guilds and borrow their power.”

“That’s right, Member Han Myeong-ja.”

Yes, who would want to always be second or third in command?

Everyone wanted to be first, and only those trusted by the Dragon Priestess or those who could exercise extralegal authority regardless of cabinet power had no such ambition.

“I believe the sanctions against Awakened are too strong. We must amend the bill!”

“We can’t maintain public order with just our military and police. We must make civilian guilds our partners!”

Before long, certain bills in the cabinet began to subtly shake.

Initially, amendments were proposed to partially ease restrictions on Awakened activities. Then, public security provisions were introduced that would allow guilds to be recognized as public security partners. Voices advocating for Awakened gradually grew louder.

“We did clamp down pretty hard. This kind of pushback was predictable.”

“But tax exemption benefits? Isn’t that crossing the line?”

“Hmm.”

At first, Prime Minister Hwang Geun-chul and National Assembly Speaker Park Cheol-gon dismissed it as insignificant, judging it as something that could happen. However, as voices advocating for Awakened continued to emerge, and proposals for laws specifically benefiting civilian guilds began to appear, they could gradually predict how this trend was developing.

And their reaction was:

“I expected this solemnity wouldn’t last long, but I didn’t think it would collapse this quickly.”

“It’s always like this. Well, it’s not like we’ve only been doing politics in this apocalypse for a day or two. It’s time to show apocalypse-style politics.”

It was close to lamentation.

However, they weren’t pessimistic.

As always, Seorabeol had an ace up its sleeve.

“…Mr. Han Seong-geun. The cabinet will give you an unlimited arrest warrant. Go ahead and let them run wild for now.”

What the three major guilds dreaming of hunter stories failed to consider was that the state also recognized that the current era was an apocalypse.

So why bother persuading guilds?

“Ah, this cool and heavy sensation. It’s been two months.”

When violence can make them understand and explain things themselves so quickly, why hesitate?

“The three major guilds of Seorabeol. You are guilds that shouldn’t exist.”

Seorabeol doesn’t hesitate to quickly resolve issues with violence if violence can solve them.

To return once more to Seorabeol as a figure of violence, Prime Minister Hwang Geun-chul promised unlimited tyranny and arrest warrants to the police who had been itching for UFC.