Guild Founding (2) – Recruitment

In a world where no one was supposed to get hurt, someone was getting hurt right in front of me.

Park Se-hyuk spoke again, his face showing his disapproval.

“Do we really have to create a guild to operate? Can’t you just join a more normal guild, even if it’s on an irregular basis, and get your Essense separately? Um, if you’re having trouble getting Essense… there’s always me.”

It’s not hard for me to get Essense…

If anything, it’d be harder for you to give it to me… Take a number and get in line.

“I happen to be the vice guild master of ‘Expedition.’ We could just go together.”

“But it’s not like I’m going to drain you completely like Ahn Ji-seok.”

“Well, that’s…”

“If you’re so against it, then just tell me about some suitable criminals. You must know a few, having been active for so long. Just exclude the truly evil ones.”

“I don’t really know…”

The men I’ve been with all become obsessed with me, to varying degrees.

For criminals, I could just drain their Innate Vital Energy without a second thought. As for Se-hyuk, he was my insurance policy.

“Then just tell me what you know.”

His mental defenses, already significantly lowered when it came to me, couldn’t block my ‘Whisper.’

Still, I could feel a faint resistance.

He really hated this, huh…? I’ll make it up to you later.

“What I know… I’ll tell you… I don’t know much myself, but I know someone who might.”

“Really? Thank you! Then shall we go together…?”

“Sigh… Fine.”

Feeling a little sorry, I didn’t use ‘Whisper’ this time, but he immediately agreed to go with me.

*

Park Se-hyuk and I arrived at a certain bar.

After speaking with the bartender, Park Se-hyuk called me over. Together, we followed the bartender into another room.

“Whoa… this is amazing. It’s like something out of a movie.”

“I told you about him because he’s the most likely to know things… but I’m still not sure if this is right,” he muttered.

“Oh, come on. If you’re that worried, you can join my guild too. I hear your guild is pretty laid-back.”

Park Se-hyuk was from the guild ‘Transformation.’

‘Transformation’ was a fairly well-known, certified guild for Transformation-types. It was just run in a peculiar way.

“Hah… Should I? It’s about to happen. Don’t take off your veil, just in case.”

The bartender opened the door he had led us to, and we stepped inside to find a man with a covered face sitting there.

“Long time no see! That scar is as cool as ever.”

“It’s been a while, B.”

The man called ‘B’ turned to look at me.

“And who is this lady?”

“She’s with me.”

“I suspect the lady is the one with questions. Am I wrong?”

“Yes. I just came to make the introduction.”

“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave. Only the client can hear the information. Of course, what you ask the lady after you leave is none of my business.”

“…Very well.”

Park Se-hyuk left. The look he gave me as he walked out was filled with warning.

It was what he had stressed to me before we arrived.

‘Do not reveal any of your personal information.’

The moment you entered, your information would be collected by that man, becoming a commodity to be sold to others.

Soon, the door closed, leaving just me and the man.

I sat down across from him.

“My apologies to the lady, but I’ll have to ask you to show me your face. I don’t do business with people who hide their faces.”

Says the one hiding his own face.

In any case, Park Se-hyuk had already told me about his no-masks policy, so I untied the cloth covering my face.

I had only kept it on because I was worried someone might see my face on the way here.

The man stared at me for a moment, stunned by my beauty, before clearing his throat and continuing.

“Ahem, a truly beautiful lady. I see why you kept it hidden. So, what is it you wish to know?”

“I’m planning to create a guild that clears gates, and I’d like some recommendations for people to recruit.”

“Hmm… what kind of people? I assume you know what sort of information I deal in?”

“Criminals, of course. For certain reasons, I need moths who will flock to my flame. But nothing too heinous.”

“Now that’s interesting… And the price?”

I had discussed this part with Park Se-hyuk as well.

-A man like him will probably be able to get a rough idea of your trait anyway.

-My trait?

-He won’t know the specifics, of course. So the information will be valuable, but also something he could have guessed, which makes its worth ambiguous. Still, it should be more than enough to get the information you want.

-So I should tell him my trait?

-Yes. Just saying you’re a succubus should be enough. He won’t press for details. And don’t bother lying. Rumor has it he has a skill that detects falsehoods.

Thinking back, it was competent advice. Excellent. I was right to subjugate him.

“I’ll tell you what my trait is.”

“Hmm… I have my suspicions… But considering the eye candy and the fact that this is your first visit, that should suffice. Ah, do you know our slogan?”

“‘Truth for truth, lies for lies.’ Is that it?”

“Yes. Though it’s followed by, ‘And a fair price for information.’ So, what is it?”

“I’m a succubus.”

“Just as I thought. Not that I won’t accept that as payment. I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

*

A thick stack of papers was in my hands. Seeing it, Park Se-hyuk asked.

“Is that it?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“If I had my way, I’d try to stop you… but your information has already been sold, so there’s nothing I can do. Are you going to start today?”

“I don’t know… Are there really criminals active when the sun is shining this brightly? Oh, wait, there are.”

A quick glance at the list revealed it was overflowing with criminals who were active day and night. I hadn’t realized there were so many.

It was because inside a gate—in another world—Earth’s day and night cycle was completely irrelevant.

“Still, I think I should go home first. Shall we part ways here?”

Park Se-hyuk made a conflicted expression, then said,

“I… I’ll join that guild too.”

Talent Number One, recruited.

*

When I got home, I saw a lot of notifications on my original phone.

First, my parents. I replied to their text asking how I was doing.

Next to catch my eye were, of course, Choi Shin-woo and Yoo Yi-jun… Their messages were just… proof that they were in heat. There was nothing of substance.

I had already missed my chance with Choi Shin-woo, and Yoo Yi-jun was busy.

Well. Next time, then.

Next was Sung Yu-han. He congratulated me on becoming a Spirit Summoner and suggested I extend my vacation by another day since I was already on leave. That way, he could help me with my training. He also mentioned there was a small gathering for Lightning Elementalists that day.

I replied that I would go to the gathering, then contacted Elemental to request one more day of vacation.

The rest were from people at Elemental. Every single one was a message of congratulations on becoming a Spirit Summoner, expressions of envy, or, from the team leaders, congratulations on becoming a team leader myself.

After replying to them all, I had free time.

…

…

There was nothing to do.

Guess I’ll go recruit some talent.

*

As a ‘service,’ B had even recommended a recruitment priority list.

-This much I can do for you. If your trait is succubus, we’ll likely be seeing a lot of each other. Might as well build up some goodwill in advance.

-Oh, thank you. So what’s the criteria for your recommendations?

-As a succubus, you’ll probably find it easy to handle sex offenders, right? I’ve included a few who will likely become moths to your flame, and a few others who are competent, regardless of their crimes. But are you confident you can control them?

-Yes. If I wasn’t, would I have come here in the first place?

-That’s true. Ah, could I perhaps get your contact information? Not to ask you out or anything like that.

-Hmm, then why?

-There might be people who want to join your guild, no? If we have your contact info, we can act as intermediaries.

-Your intentions are a little too obvious, don’t you think? How much are you planning to sell my number for…? Fine. I’ll give it to you. Consider it my service to you. I hope we can work well together in the future?

-Haha, excellent. I like how straightforward you are. It seems I’ve gotten the better end of this deal. Is there anything else you’d like to ask?

-Not at the moment. I’ll come back if something comes up. Oh, and about the truly heinous ones… you know?

-Well… I can’t promise anything on that. Hmm, alright. Since it’ll all be for nothing if you just change your messenger ID, I’ll provide you with some basic information on anyone who contacts you through our introduction.

-Deal. Here it is. My contact info.

-Good. The list will be sent shortly, so please wait.

And now, that list was in my hands. At the very top, B’s number one recommended recruit was—

Kim Hee-an.

Officially a C+-rank Awakener, but could be stronger now (as B had warned).

Magic-type. His trait was related to Alchemy.

Alchemy, by its nature, covered a wide range of fields, but it was primarily classified as ‘Healing Magic.’

Based on that trait, he had enrolled in ‘Merci Academy.’ He entered and studied alchemy until—

He was expelled and had his student status revoked for sexual harassment and other sex crimes.

Seriously, you get expelled for that? Do you know how many people would kill to get into Merci Academy?

In any case, his skills as an alchemist were recognized, and his punishment was suspended on the condition of community service.

But even after his expulsion, he continued to commit sex crimes.

In fact, it was as if his leash had been completely removed. He started drugging drinks to knock women out and sexually assault them—

He’s using alchemy for this shit…

However, no official reports were ever filed, likely due to the influence of the organization he was currently working for—

Hmm. Alright.

v Is he competent?
-An alchemist and a healing mage.

v Can I drain his Innate Vital Energy without feeling guilty?
-A criminal who got kicked out despite being an alchemist and a healing mage.

v Will he be easy for me to control?
-Getting expelled from Merci Academy like that? Seems like he’s got cum for brains.

Approved.

Time to go meet him.

*

After finishing a batch of potions for the organization, I head to my usual bar.

“Look who it is. Finished today’s quota already?”

“Today? Ha, I finished a week’s worth. But those fucking bastards keep wanting more and more. They have no idea how rare alchemists are.”

“Tsk, that’s why you shouldn’t have gotten expelled.”

“Ha, fuck. They made a big deal just because I touched her a little. Other bitches are dying for me to touch them—”

“Do I have to listen to the same story you tell every time you get drunk? The usual? Or is it a bit early?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

A glass of liquor appears, and soon the bitter taste of alcohol warms its way down my throat.

As the nerves frayed from making potions begin to settle and the mana in the drink slowly fills my body, I think,

Ah, those fucking bastards. Who the hell do they think I am, treating me like this? They should be grateful I’m the reason they’ve climbed so high. Just a bunch of fucking thugs, and yet their demands keep growing. Give me this, give me that.

I feel like I need to get my rocks off today to shake this shitty mood. Should I go to a club? I wonder which bitch I’m gonna fuck this time—

Just then, someone sits down next to me.

I glance over, and, holy shit.

She’s fucking gorgeous.

Her small, snow-white face was framed by silky black hair, every feature perfectly formed.

Large, clear eyes with long lashes, a beauty mark just beneath one that added to her charm, a perfectly straight nose that made her profile stunning—the kind you could never get with surgery—and soft, upturned, crimson lips.

She was wearing a thick robe—wait, a robe? Anyway, even with the robe hiding her figure, the way it pushed out meant her breasts had to be huge.

Wow, look at those proportions. She’s got legs for days.

Hah, if I’d known a girl like this existed, I wouldn’t have wasted my time on that other bitch. Fucking tease, just because she was a little pretty.

But there’s no one else here right now. If she sat right next to me, doesn’t that mean she’s interested?

Yeah, well, I’m not a bad catch myself. Can I fuck her without even using drugs?

Hah, just thinking about fucking her is making me hard.

Today was a shitty day, but maybe things are looking up?

She turns her head and looks at me.

“Aren’t you staring a little too intensely?”

Ah, was I staring? But what the fuck am I supposed to do when she’s this beautiful?

Ugh, this is uncomfortable. When did I get hard again? Would it look weird if I adjusted myself right now?

First, I clear my throat.

What the hell, bartender. Mind your own damn business. Don’t you have work to do? Then at least look away.

After shooting a glare at the bartender, I turn my head back. Gasp. She’s still fucking gorgeous.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I just… you’re so beautiful. But what can I do for you…?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much. Would you like to join a guild?”