Chapter 110: Aftershock (2)

Blacksmiths’ Association

Inside the Blacksmiths’ Association, a blacksmith hurriedly approached Tak Woo-hyun, speaking with urgency.

“Chairman, Artemis Guild contacted us and said they want to discuss the artifact-related business.”

“Reject them. Tell them we’re busy.”

“Well… they are already nearby, apparently.”

Tak Woo-hyun’s face contorted in frustration.

“First, the daughter acts rude, and now the father is doing the same. Do they not think about others’ feelings or situations at all?”

Despite his words, Tak Woo-hyun made some preparations to receive the guests. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to refuse the meeting altogether, but when the Guild Master of Artemis, Yoo Han-beom, himself was coming, no one in the country would be crazy enough to turn them away.

Crunch

Tak Woo-hyun clenched his teeth, his face showing irritation. He couldn’t get the words Yu Hee-yeon had said out of his mind.

The artifact order placed with Tak Woo-hyun by Lee Hyun-seung. When he kindly explained that he couldn’t sell it to Yu Hee-yeon, she had responded like this:

“Are you short on money? I’ll pay three times. No, ten times more. Is that enough? Just tell him to transfer the money to my father. As for the weapon, I bought it, so just store it in the Artemis Guild warehouse.”

One of the things you never touch is a craftsman’s pride. A craftsman’s dignity is as inseparable as their soul. Yu Hee-yeon foolishly trampled that.

“Ha…”

Tak Woo-hyun sighed and sat down in his chair. Before long, the sound of someone arriving was heard, and the door to the Blacksmiths’ Association’s office opened.

Screech

“How have you been, Chairman Tak Woo-hyun?”

Yoo Han-beom greeted him with a simple greeting. Tak Woo-hyun responded in kind.

“I’ve been well. But, what brings you here?”

Tak Woo-hyun didn’t seem interested in a lengthy conversation. But, he was curious about why Yoo Han-beom had come. Well, he already knew the purpose. He had come because the blacksmiths across the country were putting restrictions on supplying the Artemis Guild with artifacts. Tak Woo-hyun, however, was more interested in how Yoo Han-beom would handle this situation.

Yoo Han-beom sat opposite Tak Woo-hyun and began speaking directly.

“It seems like you have some ill feelings toward us. Every blacksmith across the country who supplies goods to our Artemis Guild is either limiting the quality or demanding unreasonable prices. I believe this is the result of your orders, am I correct?”

Yoo Han-beom didn’t bother with roundabout speech. He didn’t see the need for it. He thought that trying to be indirect would only waste time, so he immediately got to the point. Tak Woo-hyun responded quickly.

“Well, it must be a coincidence. I haven’t given any such orders.”

Annoyed by Yu Hee-yeon’s rude words and the blunt visit from Yoo Han-beom, Tak Woo-hyun purposely played a little trick, keeping his responses within a reasonable boundary. But Yoo Han-beom spoke in a cold voice.

“I don’t enjoy playing word games. Let me ask you again. Are you truly not involved? This answer must be carefully considered.”

From Yoo Han-beom’s perspective, he was understandably furious. He had no idea what had happened between Tak Woo-hyun and Yu Hee-yeon, and now, in a critical time when large quantities of weapons were urgently needed for the Helleon expedition, the blacksmiths’ association had suddenly imposed restrictions on Artemis Guild. If things went wrong, it could appear as though the blacksmiths’ association had some sort of grudge with Helleon, or worse, that they had struck first without provocation. Yu Hee-yeon was always quick to cover up her mistakes.

Tak Woo-hyun, realizing the tension, responded seriously.

“Hasn’t your daughter said anything about this?”

Tak Woo-hyun thought that Yu Hee-yeon must have shared their prior dealings with Yoo Han-beom, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

‘Well, that’s probably for the best.’

Yoo Han-beom, with cold eyes, replied:

“What does my daughter have to do with the Blacksmiths’ Association? Please don’t beat around the bush, just tell me directly.”

Tak Woo-hyun clicked his tongue quietly and then answered.

“Since you told me not to beat around the bush, I’ll speak frankly. Not long ago, I had to visit Broad Academy, and at that time, Yu Hee-yeon insulted both me and my work. She acted as if she could just throw money at me and I would ignore everything, treating me like a fool who would just hand over weapons. She even had the nerve to say that the weapon I had carefully crafted should be tossed into a warehouse.”

Tak Woo-hyun added with a sharp tone.

“To those who have no respect for the value of the weapon or the creator, we’ve decided to sell our weapons at a fair price.”

Yoo Han-beom responded.

“First, I will have my daughter apologize if she did such a thing.”

He bowed respectfully to Tak Woo-hyun. Then, with a cold voice, he raised his mana and continued.

“However, what kind of mindset is it to retaliate against an entire guild just because my daughter made a mistake?”

Though Yoo Han-beom was on good terms with Lee Hyun-seung, it was because Lee Hyun-seung had acknowledged him. Only a small number of people were in the category he considered worthy of recognition, and most others, including Tak Woo-hyun, were treated as tools. This applied equally to the Blacksmiths’ Association Chairman.

In negotiations, or in resolving conflicts, making the other party feel the difference in power was often more effective than trying to soothe or flatter them. Yoo Han-beom, having risen to a high position, had learned that this was the most efficient and logical method. He pressed on.

“Why are you silent? What does my daughter have to do with the Blacksmiths’ Association? Yu Hee-yeon was already stripped of her position as successor.”

That was the crux of the issue. While Yu Hee-yeon had made a mistake, Tak Woo-hyun’s decision to impose sanctions on the entire Artemis Guild out of personal anger was a clear mistake for someone in the position of Blacksmiths’ Association Chairman, who should have acted with professionalism.

“….”

Naturally, Tak Woo-hyun couldn’t respond. He hadn’t heard the news that Yu Hee-yeon had been stripped of her successor position. He had assumed she still held the role, which is why he felt justified in punishing the entire Artemis Guild.

A successor is essentially the core of the guild, so he had no reason to think otherwise. However, the situation had become complicated. Yu Hee-yeon had long since lost her position as the successor and was now no different from any other guild member. To hold the entire guild accountable for the actions of a single member?

“If even one blacksmith across the country makes a mistake, should we consider it the Blacksmiths’ Association declaring war on the Artemis Guild? Would it be acceptable for us to impose personal sanctions on the entire association if one of their members wrongs us?”

That was the logical stance. However, not everyone could afford to speak such logic. The Artemis Guild had the power to enforce personal sanctions with its strength, which made their words carry far more weight than others’.

Tak Woo-hyun remained silent, sweating profusely, mentally calculating.

‘Something’s going horribly wrong here.’

He should apologize now. If it was true that Yu Hee-yeon had been stripped of her position as successor, then this entire situation was Tak Woo-hyun’s mistake.

Trying to punish an entire guild over the mistake of one member was a line no one could tolerate. But now, after reaching this point, he couldn’t apologize. His pride wouldn’t allow it.

As he looked at Yoo Han-beom, the memory of Yu Hee-yeon’s eyes resurfaced. The air of superiority, treating people as tools. Could he really apologize and bend now? How many craftsmen who had been insulted in their careers would have done so in this situation? Tak Woo-hyun said nothing and stared at Yoo Han-beom like a mute.

Screech

Yoo Han-beom stood up from his seat and spoke.

“Once we confirm the facts about the incident, I’ll make sure Yu Hee-yeon takes responsibility for mocking you, Chairman Tak Woo-hyun. However, from now on, the Blacksmiths’ Association will officially sever ties with our Artemis Guild.”

Yoo Han-beom left the room.

Left alone, Tak Woo-hyun muttered to himself.

“This is bad…”

Should he run after Yoo Han-beom and apologize? No, he couldn’t do that. But if the emotional rift with the Artemis Guild deepened, innocent blacksmiths would be the ones to suffer.

Tak Woo-hyun, wracked with pain, squeezed his head in thought.

Nearby, Lee Hyun-seung, who had been hiding, smiled slyly as he watched.

‘If I play this right, I could take Yu Hee-yeon’s position within the Artemis Guild in an instant.’