Chapter 24 : Her Proposal (2)
The next day in the afternoon.
I was sipping coffee at a cafe in Gangnam.
At first glance, it looked like a trendy yet ordinary cafe.
But…
“Let’s see… that’s Jung Mina from the Samwol Guild. And in front is Kim Jong-hyun from Hound. Were those two always close?”
Those sitting in the cafe were by no ans ordinary people.
A place called [Cafe Artium].
Only A-rank Hunters or those vouched for by a Hunter could enter.
Thanks to that, I could enjoy the luxury of sipping coffee while observing the private lives of Hunters I had been interested in for a long ti.
“As expected, even if they’re not one of the top 3 guilds, A-rank is still A-rank. Just their aura alone is no joke.”
And it wasn’t just their aura.
They were far more well-mannered than the arrogant, diocre Hunters.
These were A-rank Hunters who knew the scene better than anyone.
Of course, they probably knew who I was.
Yet only a few gave a brief glance, without staring openly or showing interest.
Perhaps it was an unspoken rule of this cafe.
But even in such a place.
“Who’s this?”
There was a diocre Hunter who didn’t read the atmosphere.
“Ca for a cup of coffee and ended up eting soone very important, huh.”
I turned toward the voice.
A man with a fierce expression, a shaved head, and a large earring in one ear.
He seed to have just entered, standing in front of the counter.
When our eyes t, he slowly approached .
“Nice to et you. I’m Hong Han-sol of [Bon Breaker].”
Bon Breaker.
Not a top 3 guild, but one that made its na known below that.
More often in a negative sense.
They took almost anything as long as money was involved, within the law.
They had no qualms about bullying other guild mbers during dungeon or Gate joint expeditions.
Hong Han-sol was a Hunter notorious even among them for being dirty.
“I’ve been seeing so much online about you. E-rank capturing an Ogre, third-level promotion, and even perfectly clearing the Garden of Mind. Wow, so cool. Amazing!”
“Thank you.”
I responded to the overly enthusiastic Hong Han-sol with just one word.
After that, I rely closed my eyes and savored my coffee.
Ah, it tastes good.
If it weren’t for the price, this would be my favorite spot in life.
Being treated like invisible, Hong Han-sol frowned and crossed his arms.
Then suddenly leaned close to my face and asked,
“But tell , is all that true?”
“?”
Hunters nearby turned their gaze toward us.
Hong Han-sol enjoyed the attention.
“Honestly, such rumors circulate among Hunters. They say it’s all just promotion by Pungbaek to hype their super rookie. Kind of like covert advertising. They gather all the hype, then hold an official press conference and announce they’re Hunters.”
“……”
“That could be true, right? So maybe you’re hiding here, sipping coffee. Not the ti to reveal your face, and you might have so doubts.”
His confident eyes turned toward .
I slowly put down my cup.
And nodded while looking at him.
“I see.”
“What? You… see?”
“Could be one way to think about it.”
Hong Han-sol opened his mouth in surprise, then asked,
“Is that all?”
“Why, what more is there?”
“Shouldn’t you explain yourself about these suspicions?”
“Why would I?”
“Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”
He ground his teeth in irritation.
Apparently, my confused expression angered him considerably.
“All the things you’ve done have rumors saying they’re all fabricated or exaggerated. So shouldn’t you properly prove your ability? You shouldn’t just be sipping coffee here without fitting the occasion.”
“Why should I prove my ability?”
“What?”
“I have no intention of proving myself to anyone. Think whatever you want. If you think it’s exaggerated, fine. If you think my accomplishnts are false, that’s your judgnt.”
Everyone can’t think the sa.
And I have no intention of forcing that unity.
Especially thoughts stemming from personal envy.
No need for a tireso emotional battle.
“Wh-what….”
“So, think as you wish. I’ll just enjoy my coffee here and leave.”
With that, I picked up my cup again.
Imdiately, the attention shifted.
Most Hunters’ gazes were filled with curiosity and interest.
“This guy… does he know who I am….”
Hong Han-sol’s eyes were full of obvious hostility.
Perhaps this was exactly what he wanted.
From the start, his eyes had been full of envy.
But just as Hong Han-sol raised his fist.
“I’m too late, huh?”
Perfect timing, the person who invited here appeared.
Everyone in the cafe was visibly surprised.
Hong Han-sol too.
Receiving all the surprised looks, I spoke to the newly arrived person.
“You’re a little late, Guildmaster Sanarae.”
“Hmm, looks like so trouble happened?”
Sanarae’s languid gaze turned toward Hong Han-sol.
“Who was that? Sorry if we’ve t before. My mory isn’t great, so I can’t rember everyone.”
“……tch.”
Even Hong Han-sol had no choice but to lower his tail in front of the top 3 guildmaster.
He glared until he disappeared toward the counter.
Sanarae sat down in front of as if nothing happened.
And smiled gently.
“Sorry, you had to deal with a minor annoyance.”
“It’s fine. Did you work through the night?”
“Oh, can you tell I stayed up? I still fixed my makeup on the way.”
Sanarae took a small mirror from her suit pocket.
I shrugged.
Her beauty would shine regardless of whether she stayed up or not.
Seeing no response, she smiled slightly.
And gestured toward the coffee in front of her.
“Is the coffee to your taste?”
“Good taste, but not the price.”
“Funny joke.”
Not a joke.
I did enjoy seeing Hunters I’d only seen in magazines or TV in real life.
Still, 50,000 won for an Aricano?
For , 5,000 won at Starbucks being expensive was absurd.
“It’s kind of a status fee. Land here is expensive. Plus, only A-rank or higher Hunters visit, so few custors.”
Even so, it’s still ridiculous.
Listen, Sanarae.
You may not understand, but 50,000 won is enough to buy 10 bowls of gukbap.
Ten full als, gone for one cup of coffee.
I swallowed such thoughts.
No need to debate the value exchange of coffee and gukbap here.
Ti to get to the main point.
“You said you’d introduce to an artisan.”
That’s why I ca here so early.
Sanarae’s suggestion delivered through Yuseon last night.
I accepted it without hesitation.
“Yes. I’m very pleased. I didn’t expect you to accept the proposal so willingly, Han-ul.”
“Can’t waste a precious byproduct by being stubborn. Besides, you made it clear it’s ‘without any conditions.’”
“That’s right. It’s a favor. A kind of lobbying to appear favorable to a super rookie.”
Of course, lobbying and favor are different.
I smiled slightly.
“One thing is certain. As I said yesterday, I have no intention of joining any guild. For now.”
“The takeaway here is just one thing, for now.”
Sanarae’s lips curved slightly.
“Not imdiately, but there’s enough room for you to change your mind later. So my job is to tip the scale. Make it lean toward one side.”
“……”
I neither agreed nor disagreed.
“And the scale I’m tipping this ti will be much heavier than Pungbaek.”
I agreed with that.
A common saying regarding Sanarae Guild is ‘item power.’
Sanarae Guild’s individual Hunters are considered weaker than so mid-sized guilds.
But what makes them one of the top 3 guilds?
The Guildmaster right in front of , [Shadow Serpent] Sanarae, with overwhelming ability.
And the high-quality items that supplent the Hunters’ abilities.
That was the common evaluation among Hunters and outsiders envying the top 3 guilds.
Anyway, the important point.
Sanarae receives high-quality items.
Information about the artisans providing them was completely unknown.
Only baseless rumors spread.
“Exciting. Everyone’s curious about artisans contracted with Sanarae Guild.”
“Many wanted to know, especially reckless reporters or envious minor Hunters.”
Sanarae smiled lightly.
No explanation needed.
Information about her artisans is still nonexistent.
“You can look forward to it. It’s one of my most precious cards.”
With that, Sanarae stood.
***
She brought to a street full of iron workshops and long-established shops.
The sound of grinders, hamring iron, and the red sunset ford a serene scene.
Walking through the narrow alleys, Sanarae said,
“The artisan contracted with us works here.”
“Mullae-dong… interesting.”
Mullae-dong was famous even before the Great Upheaval.
As iron workshops faded, old shops gained attention and the area beca sowhat hip.
After the Great Upheaval, workshops were reused as item-forging studios, returning the neighborhood to its original form.
“You live in so secret place, I thought?”
“Most would probably assu that, yes.”
Never expected it to blend in so naturally.
Even if Sanarae road officially, she’d be recognized.
Few people wouldn’t know her face.
“Oh, my appearance is shown differently to others, by the way.”
Reading my thoughts, she said casually.
‘This house is a famous spot’, natural enough that I almost nodded.
“Huh?”
“I use an illusion. I just revealed one more of my cards.”
For a mont, I strongly felt the urge to check Sanarae’s status window with glasses.
But reason returned.
She was an S-rank Hunter, top in Korea.
She wouldn’t fail to notice energy-infused items.
“Oh, Sun-young is here? Running guild errands again?”
And indeed, those we t on the street called her by the na [Sun-young].
“Yes! Everything okay, sir?”
“Of course. When can we have soju and pork belly again? Madam Jung and Mr. Yoo from the workshop are eager to see you!”
“Definitely. Let’s set a ti soon!”
I watched Sun-young respond cheerfully.
Honestly, I was surprised.
The image known to the public.
And the image I saw. Completely different.
“Though she seems cold, everyone’s genuinely good.”
Sanarae said while walking.
“The artisan I’ll introduce is the sa. People who work with iron tend to be pure and kind.”
The ironwork in question might not match that description.
No one corrected it.
Suddenly.
‘Beholder?’
Fwoom!
The Beholder appeared suddenly in my field of vision.
Thankfully, invisible to others.
When those large eyes appeared, I stopped in surprise.
‘What’s wrong?’
-……
The Beholder silently stared.
The view expanded, showing the alley we passed like a road view.
‘Ah.’
I soon realized why the Beholder paused.
“What is it?”
The view returned.
Sanarae watched with a puzzled expression.
“Nothing.”
Now was not the timing.
I shrugged with a smile.
She smiled back, then stopped and pointed ahead.
“Here.”
She stopped in front of the most shabby iron workshop.
The makeshift building, with extra iron plates, slled of age.
Inside, darkness and the scent of iron lingered.
Sanarae spoke.
“I’m here.”
“You’re late.”
A rough voice ca from the darkness.
Sanarae’s lips curled.
“Cold even though it’s been a while since we last t.”
“Shut up. Did you think I’d fawn over you? Leaving ridiculous orders every ti you co.”
From the corner of the workshop, a bearded man appeared.
His face smudged with soot, probably while working.
Yet his eyes shone brightly.
“So this is the one?”
He looked at .
“Hello, I’m Kim Han-ul.”
“No need for the na. Call Sancheon. That’s our workshop.”
Sancheon gestured.
I understood and pulled the Bloodstream Stone from my dinsional pouch.
The blacksmith took it, examining it carefully.
“Top grade.”
“Better than the one we got from Los Angeles last ti?”
“Yes, flawless. Extracting from Bloodstream Stone is never easy, but this is perfect. I’ve never seen one this flawless.”
I polished the brown beads tied with a bracelet.
Thanks, Odolf.
You’re the strongest Ogre Archmage ever.
“Sign here.”
Suddenly, Sancheon pulled a folded paper from his suspenders.
“What is this?”
“You’ll see when you read it.”
A standard contract for item processing.
Yet this paper was not ordinary.
“Isn’t this a Magic Seal Contract?”
The faint blue glow of the letters proved it.
A Magic Seal Contract binds the contractor with energy, inflicting penalties for failure to fulfill it.
This was the highest grade Magic Seal Contract.
“For such a task, a proper contract is necessary.”
Even if you say it so casually.
“If the contract isn’t fulfilled, it says ‘Burn to death.’”
“Don’t worry, no one will actually burn. Only if the artisan fails or runs away with the Bloodstream Stone. Then only this side suffers.”
Is that necessary?
Sancheon signed and continued.
“A Bloodstream Stone of this grade requires the artisan to risk their life in creation.”
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