Side Story 35. The Story After (35)

A world with monsters, dungeons, and hunters.

Now, hunters capable of destroying cities single-handedly are managed by the state, and the development of magic engineering has surpassed science.

In business, power was an extremely important factor.

Without power, one could become a target for criminals with abilities, and it was common to be pressured by other corporations backed by strong guilds.

Because it was a world teeming with monsters that spewed flames from their bare hands.

Business could no longer be conducted bare-handed like in the old days, and large corporations sponsored guilds, borrowing their names.

While hunter guilds sponsored by corporations exist in abundance in every country, there is only one recognized as the current world’s best.

That was the Iris Guild.

Because its foundation as an information guild remained, it could preemptively block risks, and its overwhelming military might guaranteed safety.

With these factors, more and more large corporations were increasingly paying enormous costs to borrow the name of the Iris Guild.

“The Iris Guild is steadily expanding its territory. Europe is mostly taken now, and they’re extending their reach to other regions.”

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

KWAANG-!

A middle-aged man with flecks of gray in his hair slammed his hand hard on the wooden table.

Pretzel, the Guild Master of the EK Guild, spoke indignantly.

“That makes no sense! Guys who used to just sell information are now eyeing the business world too!”

“… But what can we do? The Iris Guild’s strength is genuinely real.”

“Iris Guild or whatever! Who are we? We’re the EK Guild! Does it make sense to be pushed around by a single French guild?!”

The EK Guild.

Before the Iris Guild rose to prominence, this was the place that held the title of the world’s best guild.

The EK Guild, formed by the merger of Europe’s powerful guilds, boasted an overwhelming position with its immense talent pool.

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

“Lee Hoyeon… If it weren’t for that bastard! Damn it!”

However, with Lee Hoyeon’s appearance, individual strength could no longer be boasted about.

No, Lee Hoyeon wasn’t on an individual level.

He was a walking guild.

Hunters worldwide who witnessed the battle against the Demon King unanimously praised Lee Hoyeon’s strength, saying he was incomparable to anyone else.

Even the hunters of the EK Guild, once the top guild, acknowledged Lee Hoyeon.

Naturally, the Iris Guild, which openly displayed its friendship with Lee Hoyeon, gained a halo effect.

“Guild Master Pretzel, please calm down for a moment. There are many people watching.”

“Hmph. Everyone gathered here is trustworthy, so it’s fine.”

Pretzel looked around, assessing the faces of the people present.

Everyone gathered here was dissatisfied with the Iris Guild’s solo dominance.

“If this continues, we won’t be able to stop the Iris Guild. Even places that had ties with our EK Guild are pulling out!”

The EK Guild, once discussed as the world’s strongest, had fallen to a position difficult to even compare with the Iris Guild.

During that process, the corruption scandals that erupted within the EK Guild played a larger role than the Iris Guild’s status, but Pretzel paid no attention to such matters.

He believed that if they could bring down the soaring Iris Guild, everyone would eventually return.

“But Guild Master… As you know, we can’t mobilize the media against the Iris Guild.”

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

Their usual manipulation of public opinion wouldn’t work.

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

There was no one left to offer a hand to the losers.

“What does that matter?! Internal corruption, embezzlement, threats regarding subcontracting! Sex scandals! If we find anything, something’s bound to come out!”

“… They cannot commit illegal acts due to their strong contracts.”

The Guild Master leading the Iris Guild.

Isaac, the King of the Night, made no mistakes in his official duties.

To join the Iris Guild, one had to sign numerous contracts, making internal corruption or embezzlement unimaginable.

“What kind of nonsense is that…! How can an information guild not engage in illegal activities?”

“According to them, they only obtain information through legal channels.”

“Fucking bastards!”

Pretzel ground his teeth and turned his head.

He looked at Rivera standing behind him.

He was the strongest in the EK Guild and a loyal swordsman to Pretzel.

“If there’s no way, we just have to create one. Isn’t that right, Rivera?”

“Yes. That’s correct. … However, Guild Master-nim.”

Rivera, who held the position of EK Guild’s First Captain, bowed his head.

Pretzel was his benefactor.

He had saved Rivera when he was living in an orphanage, and regardless of what others said, Rivera respected and supported Pretzel.

However, this time, he had to stop him.

“Hm?”

“Lee Hoyeon. You must never make an enemy of him. He is on a different level from others.”

Rivera, who fought in the final battle under the EK Guild’s banner, knew this.

His strength is on another level.

If Lee Hoyeon weren’t good-natured like he is now and was more greedy, he could place the world under his feet at any time.

“Tsk. You look like a drowned rat too. Scared without even fighting! I never raised you like this!”

“….”

You say that because you haven’t seen Lee Hoyeon’s strength.

Rivera swallowed his next words.

After all, Pretzel wouldn’t feel it even if he saw it firsthand.

Those who fight numbers with pens at their desks would never understand.

“Anyway, we can still do this…. We still have a chance.”

Pretzel made eye contact with the leaders of the major guilds gathered there and continued.

“If we can’t catch them for corruption, we’ll just drag it out. It doesn’t have to be the truth. And we’ll inflict a major failure upon them. That’s how image is built anyway….”

*

Lee Hoyeon’s mansion.

Lee Hoyeon, who had been stopping Rebecca’s eccentric behavior, checked the smartwatch Scarlet was showing him.

————————–

[Guild Alliance and EK Guild. Publicly Denounce Iris Guild. Lee Hoyeon and Iris Guild’s Despicable Fraud… ]

————————–

Lee Hoyeon frowned as he looked at the smartwatch.

He couldn’t understand why his name was mentioned there.

“Publicly Denouncing the Iris Guild…. Lee Hoyeon and Iris Guild’s Despicable Fraud…. No, why is my name in here?”

Disputes over interests between guilds are common.

In fact, it’s safe to say it’s commonplace for large guilds like the Iris Guild.

… But why is Lee Hoyeon included?

“Well, it’s because your name value, Hoyeon-nim, played a big part in the Iris Guild becoming the world’s strongest.”

Scarlet said it as if stating the obvious.

Lee Hoyeon replied, licking his lips.

“I heard they used my name a bit, but that much?”

“Yes. The general public believes you and the Iris Guild are in a solid alliance. They trust that if any issue arises with the Iris Guild, you, Hoyeon-nim, would immediately rush out and handle everything.”

“I never said anything like that?”

“But you would still help, wouldn’t you?”

“I suppose I would…. No, Alice and Irene. These people are too much. Playing with people’s feelings like this?”

Lee Hoyeon felt a little disappointed in Alice and Irene.

It didn’t matter that they used his name or called it an alliance.

But he wished they had at least told him beforehand…

“Alice-nim and Irene-nim would have opposed it.”

Scarlet continued, searching for other articles on the smartwatch.

“Then who pushed for it? If they used my name to that extent, shouldn’t they pay royalties?”

“Naturally, the Guild Master. Isn’t this his way of saying ‘if you have a complaint, come find me’?”

“….”

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

He also remembered how much of a doting father he was.

Having taken away the firsts of his two daughters, whom he cherished more than himself, Lee Hoyeon didn’t have the courage to face Isaac.

‘Well, between us, I can lend my name.’

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

Lee Hoyeon nodded and checked the smartwatch Scarlet was holding out again.

“Lee Hoyeon is not in a solid alliance with the Iris Guild. It’s merely a contractual relationship where he receives money…. Hey. Scarlet. But these people’s words are a bit strange? Is receiving money for a contract different from a solid alliance?”

“It’s just nitpicking. When people see negative articles, a negative image gets imprinted. They’ll likely focus attention on the Iris Guild and then attempt another maneuver. I’m contacting the head of the Korean branch as well.”

“But didn’t you quit the Iris Guild? You’re quite passionate.”

“….”

Scarlet suddenly thought about her own situation.

To think she left the Iris Guild of her own accord because of one man, only to end up living off the Iris Guild’s money.

Seeing Scarlet’s expression stiffen, Lee Hoyeon hastily added.

“B-but thanks to you, Scarlet, I’ve always been comfortable. You even alerted me first about my name being misused negatively.”

“… Is that so?”

“Of course. If it weren’t for you, Scarlet, it would have been a disaster. You really are the person I trust the most.”

Scarlet gave a faint smile at his subsequent words.

Indeed. If she weren’t here, how would this person manage?

He was someone who always stumbled at crucial moments, so someone like her was necessary.

“Uh, if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be more helpful to just stay in the guild…. Eup eup.”

“Shh. Liliana-ssi. Be quiet.”

Nam Daeun, covering Liliana’s mouth, dragged her into the kitchen as if kidnapping her.

It was a thank-you gesture for Scarlet, who always worked so hard….