TRPM 404

chapter 404

When the weekend came, I headed to the Ironblood Guild.

It was because I needed to proceed with a contract related to the guild system.

“All three of them are busy people, too.”

The people I was meeting today were three in total:

• Yoo Won-hoon, the guild master of the Legiones Guild.

• Director Shin Han-ji of the Seoul Awakened Academy.

• Chairman Richard of the World Awakened Association.

All three were busy with their own tasks. At least, they couldn’t spare time during weekdays. In fact, Chairman Richard wasn’t even in Korea, so if he were to visit, he could only come on the weekend.

“… Though thinking about Yoo Won-hoon coming to see me yesterday, maybe he’s not that busy after all.”

That would be because Yoo Won-hoon is unusual.

…But if you think about Director Shin Han-ji and Chairman Richard visiting the Ironblood Guild the same weekend they heard about the guild system, maybe they’re not that busy either.

“No, maybe it’s just that the guild system is so attractive that they canceled all their other plans.”

I had that thought as I looked at Sophia, who was sitting beside me.

Normally, not just Sophia but also Yeon Mirae would have accompanied me to the Ironblood Guild. But now, Yeon Mirae had gone to help with a situation where a guild member got trapped in one of the dungeons the Ironblood Guild was currently tackling.

So my only companion was Sophia…

“Why do you look like that?”

“Oh, I was just wondering if you’ve been training well these days.”

I naturally asked about her recent activities.

“Ah…”

Sophia shook her head at my question.

“I have guild duties at the Ironblood Guild, and I also reproduce organizational techniques to register in the Awakened System database, so it’s hard to make time for training.”

…I thought she usually goes out to meet friends on weekends. But I decided not to point that out. Sophia is human too; she needs rest.

“However, that’s personal training… I mean, assassin training. Regular exercise, I do in the guild’s training room whenever I can.”

“Really? Is it hard to do assassin training in the Ironblood Guild facilities?”

“Not exactly, but since I have to hide my identity, I avoid training in ways that draw attention.”

It sounded contradictory that assassin training would draw attention, but I understood what she meant. Her training isn’t typical for an awakened, so it would naturally stand out.

“Doesn’t the Ironblood Guild have private training rooms besides the large public one?”

“Assassins need to practice hiding using terrain, so a small private room isn’t enough…”

I don’t know exactly what assassin training entails, but if Sophia says so, it must be true.

As we talked, the subway we were riding soon arrived at the station near the Ironblood Guild. Of course, we got off and went above ground…

“…Hmm?”

I noticed an unexpectedly large crowd above ground. Cars completely filled the roads, and the sidewalks were blocked with people.

“…What’s going on?”

Why are there so many people…?

“…It seems to be because of the people gathered at the Ironblood Guild, including Chairman Richard visiting Korea.”

Sophia had pulled out her smartphone to check the situation.

“Wait, this isn’t his first visit to Korea. This didn’t happen before.”

“That’s because those were all unofficial visits, so the visits weren’t publicized, or the places he visited were the Awakened Association.”

Moreover…

“It seems that the people who are supposed to sign the contract today arrived at the Ironblood Guild with their attendants. And those attendants aren’t ordinary people either, so it’s natural that many people have gathered to see them.”

“…I should have suggested meeting at the association instead.”

But it was too late for such thoughts. I sighed and flew with Sophia through the air.

“Eh…! Artist!”
“What kind of meeting at the Ironblood Guild gathers so many famous people?”
“Isn’t it that organization on the Moon and Mars? The people planning to attack them are gathering.”

…People nearby began speculating about us.

‘I can understand other guesses, but why mention attacking an organization on the Moon and Mars?’

Though puzzled, I prioritized entering the Ironblood Guild. When we arrived, I saw mutants, the guild’s elite, guarding the entrance.

“Welcome, Artist!”
“You may enter!”

…These were people I normally greeted every other visit, but today, they seemed unusually strict. Curious but wanting to avoid trouble, I gave a light greeting and entered.

“?”

Inside, the guild members looked tense overall. Even office staff, not awakened, were armed. Was it because Chairman Richard visited?

‘No, almost all employees came even on a weekend?’

The members who went to tackle the dungeon weren’t there, but it seemed all other Ironblood Guild members were present. Normally, only on-duty members come on weekends.

“Artist, please head to the guild meeting room.”

It wasn’t a matter to overthink, so we headed to the meeting room, taking the elevator with Sophia.

“…Ah.”

Arriving, I sensed the presence of many people. Now I understood why so many gathered, and why Ironblood Guild members came armed on a weekend.

‘If all those people gather, it makes sense to be on alert.’

I opened the meeting room door. I first saw the Ironblood Guild staff sweating nervously, Yoo Won-hoon from Legiones Guild, and…

“…Did everyone come here for war?”

Including Chairman Richard and what seemed to be four transcendent awakened, Director Shin Han-ji with her entourage, Sergey, Chloe Greenwood, and the swordsmanship department head from the Seoul Awakened Academy.

“Student Geon-woo? Don’t misunderstand. I urgently gathered people after hearing that Chairman Richard took a flight to Korea with them.”

So… because Richard brought the four transcendent awakened, Director Shin Han-ji also brought her transcendent awakened.

“I had no choice. The Grand Sorcerer joined Oracle, so I had to pick competent people I could trust as attendants.”

Richard explained, defending his choice.

“Was it necessary to select such competent people as attendants?”
“We can’t offer shares like a regular guild, so we had to bring something of equivalent value.”

Ah, he brought extra force to protect the item.

“…Fine. Let’s quickly complete the purpose everyone came for and check the item.”

Everyone here wanted the guild system’s authority. There was no need for long explanations.

Yoo Won-hoon was the first to speak.

“As stated in the contract I showed you yesterday, I will give 10% of Legiones Guild’s shares.”

“…10%? Oh, 10% of your shares, Yoo Won-hoon?”

“No. 10% of Legiones Guild’s shares.”

Director Shin Han-ji’s expression stiffened slightly at this. She probably didn’t expect Yoo Won-hoon to make such a bold move.

“10%… 10%. Alright. I will give 10% of Seoul Awakened Academy’s shares as well.”

After calculating roughly in her head, she agreed. Yoo Won-hoon’s high offer forced her to match it.

‘Pride or politics, she couldn’t back down.’

But there’s no need for competition, right? The guild system isn’t exclusive to one party.

“10%, huh? The value of what we brought isn’t low, but is it really worth 10% of the Awakened Association…”

Richard spoke after some thought.

“We’ll bring the item seven more times. That should roughly amount to 10%.”

What could be so valuable that only eight of them equate roughly to 10% of the Awakened Association’s worth?

I signaled the Ironblood Guild members to draft the contract. They prepared it based on the proposals and showed it to everyone.

‘There’s a poison clause… If necessary, I can cancel it and seize the authority.’

The stakes were enormous given the value offered by the three organizations.

However…

“Show me already. What is it that you’re hiding so tightly?”

The contract with Legiones Guild and Seoul Awakened Academy is enough. But I had to see what Richard brought before proceeding with him.

“Hoho… Don’t be shocked.”

With a triumphant smile, Richard produced a mineral from a pocket dimension.

It wasn’t particularly large or beautiful…

“…Really?!”
“Wow… I only saw that in textbooks as a kid…”
“Artist! We must have this!”

Everyone who saw the mineral was astonished. I also couldn’t believe Richard would actually give it.

“…This is really an enhancement stone?”

“Exactly.”