episode_0029

“What… What did you say?!”

“It’s a trial.”

“T-Trial?! Uh, yes?”

“It’s a trial.”

“Yes?!”

Hmm, this is something.

I gazed at the female employee feeling a sense of déjà vu.

She stared back at us with an expression of disbelief, her mouth hanging open.

The cat by her side seemed to empathize with the woman’s feelings as if understanding everything perfectly.

‘Well, is that the norm around here?’

Even when the 【Sword Saint】 class was revealed.

And when ‘Break Out’ was cleared.

It seemed like people here were overly dramatic.

“…Sehaya. That’s just Sehaya being weird…”

Well, is that the norm around here?

Anyway, sensing that things might not progress smoothly, I took the initiative.

I cut out only the system logs related to “Garden of Tajuwon” and presented them to her as evidence.

Including Tajuwon’s head, for good measure.

“Here is the evidence.”

“I-I’ll handle it…”

The female employee pressed the keyboard keys as if they might break.

‘Wow, this is insane… It’s really a trial!’ she muttered, pulling another face.

“Um, according to the records, you obtained priority first. And… it says you completed the ownership transfer… Did you really clear it?”

“Yes, I cleared it. The creature contained in that pouch is the boss here.”

“…Insane!”

The employee couldn’t seem to contain herself anymore, covering her mouth with both hands.

Well, is that the norm around here?

“W-Wait a moment! Please wait, this… this goes beyond what I can handle…”

“Y-Yes… Take your time.”

And off she ran in a flash.

* * *

“Long time no see, Mr. Yuseha. And Mr. Mahana.”

A while later, a middle-aged man with a hint of white hair appeared, looking quite amiable.

He was the assistant guild master who had taken charge of handling the aftermath during ‘Break Out’.

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“N-Nice to meet you…”

“Allow me to guide you.”

The assistant guild master led us with a friendly smile, displaying a polite demeanor as if escorting royalty.

Even so, he spoke with a smile on his lips.

“You truly are remarkable to have found and cleared the trial…”

“It was just luck.”

“With luck like that, it’s still skill. Even most A-rank hunters find it hard to locate the trial.”

“Well, I’m just an F-rank hunter.”

“Hahaha. Your activities may be limited, but everyone here knows it’s not a matter of skill. ”

His lavish praise made me slightly uncomfortable.

“Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

“Oh, really?”

“Preventing a terrible disaster still weighs heavily on my heart. Honestly… we could only offer a reward at the time, but thinking about it still makes me feel warm inside.”

Um, well… Isn’t 100 million a substantial amount?

“So, after you two left, I contacted the guild master to ensure some form of compensation.”

“If it’s the guild master… he must be overseas…”

“Yes, that’s correct. Given his responsibilities, he’s a busy man… But business is business, right? So, I managed to persuade him, and he returned a few days ago.”

“I see…”

“But to think you managed to clear the trial in such a short time… Truly impressive.”

This is something.

I felt it even when I first encountered him.

This gentleman is truly hospitable.

‘…Sigh. It hits me again.’

I felt that emotion surge within me once more, reminiscent of when I first performed ‘Ghost Rend’.

That peculiar, prickling sensation that tightens one’s chest.

Trying to ignore it, I found myself already at our destination.

In front of a sophisticated-looking brown door.

The assistant guild master paused, leaving a polite “Excuse me…” before knocking on the door.

“Guild Master. I have brought the guests you mentioned.”

“Please lead them inside.”

A voice that seemed to have been waiting.

It was a charming voice, like the sound of marbles rolling down a slope.

Click.

As I stepped inside, what caught my eye first was the interior design that allowed for a panoramic view.

Several expensive-looking paintings hung on the walls, their value indiscernible, while luxurious sofas with sophisticated designs were placed in the center.

However, all of this paled in comparison to the figure before me.

A woman dressed in pristine white attire.

She had a sensuous figure that could make one involuntarily exclaim ‘Wow,’ and her snow-white hair matched the color of her clothes.

As she slowly opened her eyes, her crimson irises, starkly contrasting with the white, locked onto me.

“Wow…”

The cat next to me let out a sincere expression of admiration.

Perhaps impressed by the woman’s beauty.

She was indeed a remarkable beauty, exuding an excessively seductive aura.

I, too, was taken aback to the point of failing to control my expression.

“…Is this even possible?”

Not to misunderstand, it wasn’t her appearance that astonished me.

I was surprised by her outward appearance.

Even if I set the bar high, she didn’t look like she had crossed her early thirties.

“Can someone so young hold the position of a Guild Master?”

An internationally renowned conglomerate, a powerful force, and the clan with the highest concentration of hunters, .

Even at a young age, becoming a “Clan Leader” was possible as long as one had solid skills.

In fact, in “Gosra,” young Clan Leaders often appeared as key NPCs.

However, the position of “Guild Master” is an appointment from the Association.

It’s akin to a top government official.

Unless achieving truly remarkable feats, it is common knowledge that one typically holds a position befitting their age.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“…!”

Oh, I was taken aback.

In the brief moment of thought, she closed the distance between us.

First, she shook hands with the cat and then, with a warm smile, she took my hand.

“…I am Yuseha.”

“Pleased to meet you. Yuseha Hunter. The person who has taken on the role of Guild Master here beyond expectations. Please feel free to call me Guild Master.”

She deliberately did not reveal her name.

Perhaps cautious about information leaking.

It’s a reasonable precaution.

‘…Ah!’

Right after, I realized why she seemed so young with her actions.

Her pointed ears, revealed as she turned her head, were distinctively elven.

“You noticed?”

“Yes, an elf… perhaps?”

“More precisely, a quarter-elf.”

“Oh?!”

At the mention of “elf,” the cat took a step back.

Realizing it was impolite, it returned to its original position.

The Guild Master smiled as if to say it was alright.

Well, it’s quite surprising.

The treatment of elves here is unlike in other fantasy worlds…

‘…Hmm.’

It’s unique in many ways.

“…This is truly astonishing.”

The Guild Master’s usual relaxed demeanor completely vanished.

She read the records handed to her with a serious expression.

Occasionally, she let out short exclamations of amazement.

“…Persistently, I apologize. Yuseha Hunter. Can I confirm this again?”

“Yes, of course…”

“The trial you discovered this time. ‘Garden of Dreams’ was in an unexplored area… Is that correct?”

I nodded and recounted the events leading up to our departure, aligning my story with the cat.

Chasing monsters into uncharted territory.

Discovering trees painted in red and blue, and an entrance within them, then venturing inside.

“…The Dreaming Forest.”

“That’s what the system called it.”

“It… induced illusions, right?”

“Correct. Initially nightmares… eventually, the most precious and warm memories for that person surfaced.”

At the last statement, the Guild Master’s eyebrows twitched.

“It seems to be a rather malevolent place.”

“But the rewards were significant. It boosted mental abilities.”

“…Mental fortitude. Indeed, it’s a place worth risking one’s life for.”

Following that, they arrived at the garden.

After pulling out the Togu-won by neutralizing the poison in the water and seeing it collapse, they reported back.

“It’s recorded as B+. The addition of a plus sign… signifies a rare boss monster, as far as I know, it’s the first one to appear.”

“Most likely. It originally manifested as a spirit being.”

“…Spirit being. A kind of divine being imbued with holiness. Indeed. As the guardian of sacred trees… when reporting to the academic community, there’s a high probability of receiving a reward. What will you do?”

Naturally, I will report it.

I couldn’t care less whether this baseless foreign species information goes abroad or not.

“I understand. Skills include [Water Bomb], [Water Breath], and [Fierce Headbutt]… seems to possess several derivative skills. It also appears to have multiple traits.”

“It is believed to have possessed at least two.”

“Moreover, its magic power value is at least 30. It’s definitely not a creature rookies can handle. Considering the special environment of water… it seems like we’ll need a B-class hunter leading three C-class hunters at least.”

Internally, I was astonished by the guild leader’s analysis.

Certainly, to confront Togu-won maintaining a demeanor head-on, that number of personnel is necessary for a safe attack.

‘…As expected of a guild leader.’

“To take it down alone… truly remarkable. Both of you, at first sight, seemed to have been misjudged in terms of rank. Especially Mr. Yuseha, you are definitely not an F-rank.”

“…Thank you.”

“Now, let’s get down to business.”

The guild leader set down his coffee cup and continued speaking.

“Regarding the management of the trial. How would you like to proceed?”

I thought the time had finally come.

For dungeons like ‘Undiscovered’ or trials, there are generally two ways to handle them.

The first involves continuous management and operation while reaping the benefits.

From a comprehensive perspective, this is the best option.

Since you can collect entrance fees from hunters, a portion of the products hunted inside, and fees for mana stones.

‘Perhaps an 80-20 split.’

Of course, the Association gets 80%, and I get 20%.

Unfortunately, this method is rejected.

Even if you successfully clear a trial or dungeon and even bind it to yourself, keeping it exclusively for your own use is nearly impossible.

If it were owned by a group resembling a [Clan], it could be maintained, managed, and profit gained continuously.

However, ‘Togu-won’s Garden’ is bound exclusively to me and Mmyangi.

In reality, it means we both must manage it directly, which is practically unfeasible.

Of course, why not entrust the management to the Association?

One might suggest.

‘But the costs involved don’t add up.’

The management costs are more significant than anticipated.

It involves hiring skilled and trustworthy hunters, sending them out, and various other inconveniences.

Moreover, if a hunter were to die, you might have to pay death compensation.

Ultimately, the biggest issue is the [Forest of Illusions].

Even if you guide them on the path, not many will overcome the illusion and reach without any issues.

‘And now, there’s no further need.’

Togu-won’s Garden is a high-reward trial limited to initial entry.

Even upon revisiting, only one boss monster from the [Aquatic Realm] regenerates.

It’s not a place where valuable resources or minerals are found.

There won’t be many hunters willing to risk their lives to visit this place.

‘Thus, the best option is to simply sell the rights.’

In fact, this doesn’t necessarily have to involve the ‘Association’.

If it were a ‘Clan’, they would probably buy it at a higher price.

Their capital itself is superior to that of the Association.

However, this too is rejected.

Because it’s too risky.

‘Even if we earn more money… chances are high that greed will reach out to me and Mmyangi.’

Me and Mmyangi are still weak.

At least an A-rank Hunter must grow to maintain influence without interference from special forces.

And knowingly or unknowingly, the relationship with the guild will sour.

The Association’s guilds are fundamentally in competition with clans.

It’s hard to imagine selling out to a clan and working for a guild.

‘…All things considered.’

100 million.

That’s the value I place on [Tojuwon’s Garden] in my mind.

I’ve already obtained all the Hidden Pieces available there.

Just selling off the remaining scraps for 100 million would be enough to buy beef for dinner.

“I’ll choose to transfer it to the guild through sale.”

At my words, the guild leader gave a deep smile.

As expected, it seems she was aiming for this.

“I’m glad. It’s because you trusted us and made this choice.”

Not really.

It’s just the easiest option.

“Well then, as the guild leader, let’s proceed with the transaction right here. Um, yes… about the price…”

Gulp.

I swallowed nervously.

Ah, surely she won’t call it for only 10 million won, no matter what?

‘…No. No. Let go of your greed. Negotiate.’

Even if it’s 1 million won, I’ll be okay with it.

Considering the loss with the [guild], it’s better to just take the hit.

…Should I make a move beforehand, though?

‘I might be able to get at least 2, 2 pieces?’

“20 million-”

“-10 billion.”

Huh?

What?

Huh?

Did I misspeak with 10 million won?

“…Pardon?”

“How about 10 billion?”

Ah, I didn’t mishear.