Chapter 5: Proposal
Top floor of Ignis Guild Headquarters in Goyang City.
The lights turned on in the Guild Master’s office, which resembled a penthouse.
At the sa ti, the video filling one wall blinked off.
The last thing reflected in the blurry video was Yoo jin’s face.
Even though the lights were on and the screen had disappeared, the gaze of the man sitting alone in the room remained fixed on that spot.
“…….”
To the point where one would question if he had been watching a video.
Even though the video disappeared, the man did not make even a small movent.
“Um…… Guild Master?”
Color returned to the eyes that had been vacant.
As if realizing only now that the video filling the wall had disappeared, Cho Sang-geun, the Guild Master of Ignis Guild, turned his body sitting in the chair.
“What is it?”
Only then did the woman standing halfway across the door enter the Guild Master’s office.
“They have arrived.”
Even though there was no subject, Cho Sang-geun understood the secretary’s words at once.
Because it was also the reason he ca to work two hours earlier than his usual work ti.
The Guild Master exhaled quietly and adjusted his clothes.
The head of an organization, and a figure with reputation and status enough to be counted on one hand among the most influential people in South Korea at the present ti.
Ignis Guild Master, Cho Sang-geun.
Tension was full on his face.
Not only his expression, but also the sighs popping out repeatedly and his hand going to his tie without realizing it.
Several behaviors overlapped that he would never have done usually.
Even he himself was aware of it, so how largely would it reflect in the eyes of people around him?
“Um, Guild Master. If you are nervous, would you like so water…….”
Before anyone knew, the secretary took out a bottle of mineral water from the mini-fridge and placed it on the desk.
Cho Sang-geun, whose expression brightened as if discovering the water of life, opened the water and gulped it down.
“Phew, I feel alive.”
Although the tension didn't disappear completely, perhaps having cald down a little, Cho Sang-geun’s expression had beco much more comfortable.
Checking that, the secretary started the report.
“Just before I entered the room, I received a report that the Vice Guild Master and the Returnee passed through the main gate. Probably by now…….”
The secretary, who was speaking, brought her hand to the receiver plugged into her ear.
After a slight chanical sound was heard.
[Alpha. Vice Guild Master, the Returnee, and 1 student. Arrived at the top floor.]
The secretary, having confird the reception, opened her mouth toward the Guild Master.
“Guild Master, they say they arrived at the top floor. They will co in now.”
Knock knock.
As soon as the secretary’s words ended, the sound of knocking rang out in the Guild Master’s office.
The secretary, who had moved her gaze to the door, swallowed dry saliva and turned her gaze back to the Guild Master Cho Sang-geun.
“Guild Master, seems they cam…….”
The secretary’s eyes shook.
She had forgotten.
Who the person she served was.
She clearly knew that the Returnee was an existence outside the norm possessing trendous power.
South Korea’s strongest dealer.
Pyromancer handling unquenchable fire.
A Transcendent of which there are only 10 in the whole world.
S-rank Cho Sang-geun.
That the man she is serving is also a man possessing power sufficiently outside the norm.
Before she knew it, the appearance of Cho Sang-geun sitting with a dignified appearance with his back straightened stiffly entered the secretary’s view.
Like the head of a guild.
Like South Korea’s Hunter Ranking 2nd place.
He was sitting with an appearance that anyone would be overwheld by.
A smile hung on the lips of the secretary swallowing dry saliva.
The secretary stepped aside with a disciplined appearance, then straightened her back and stood at attention.
A eting with the Returnee.
However, Ignis Guild does not need to be lower.
From an equal position.
Confidently.
So as not to disgrace the reputation of the master she serves.
“Co in.”
After the secretary’s voice was heard.
The door to the Guild Master’s office opened.
A man with a familiar face entered through the door.
“I have returned, Guild Master.”
The appearance of Vice Guild Master Lee Si-wang was seen and…….
“Wow, Ignis Guild must really have a lot of money. Whoa, is that gold?”
Spitting out calm admiration, a man followed in.
The desk visible directly from the door.
Cho Sang-geun, who was sitting there, captured the man’s appearance in his eyes.
Although not a giant build, the angular physique and harmoniously developed muscles ca into view first.
It wasn't a body for beauty.
The mont he saw the man’s body, Cho Sang-geun could know instinctively.
It is an optimized body.
For fighting, no, for killing and being killed in battle.
Even without emitting magical power, he could already know.
The fact that he is a trendous strongman.
This might be natural since he is a Returnee, but sothing was different.
Although he doesn't know the na of that sothing yet.
“Thank you for coming a long way.”
At Cho Sang-geun’s voice, Yoo jin, who was capturing every corner of the Guild Master’s office in his eyes, moved his gaze.
Jin-ho, who was sticking closely right behind Yoo jin, also poked only his head out and moved his gaze to Cho Sang-geun.
“Since an important guest ca, greeting while sitting is also not manners.”
Cho Sang-geun rose from his seat and bowed lightly.
“I am Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun. I express deep gratitude for coming like this.”
Yoo jin nodded.
There were many reasons, but the biggest reason was different from what he thought.
“You’re different from what I saw on television.”
Cho Sang-geun, who had bowed his head lightly, raised his eyes.
“If it’s television…….”
“I think I saw you before going to the otherworld, was it during the Baengnyeong Island incident?”
Cho Sang-geun’s eyebrows drew a diagonal line.
Baengnyeong Island incident.
It was the incident where Cho Sang-geun made his na known to the public for the first ti.
And Cho Sang-geun erased those days from his mory.
No, he wanted to erase it.
Because it is his only dark history.
“Haha, it’s a story from too long ago.”
A smile hiding emotions.
Although his mouth was smiling, his eyes were directed at the Returnee without a small movent.
Revealing deep repulsion.
“Long ago? Your face isn't much different from back then?”
“It’s been quite a long ti. If it’s the Baengnyeong Island incident, it’s been more than 10 years. To be exact, it’s been about 11 years.”
Gazes colliding in midair.
Guild Master and Returnee, neither opened their mouth, but it seed as if a few words were exchanged only with eyes in the silence.
Due to the stare-down between Yoo jin and Cho Sang-geun, only the people in the sa space were gauging the mood for no reason.
Silence continued a little more.
What broke the silence was none other than the Returnee’s voice.
“Since that incident happened about 1 year before I went to the otherworld, more ti has passed than I thought…….”
At the Returnee’s voice, the expressions of those in the Guild Master’s office darkened.
“W, wait. What does that an?”
“10 years? Are you saying 10 years passed?”
Lee Si-wang’s surprised voice, who brought Yoo jin and Jin-ho here, rang out.
“Judging by putting your words together, it seems so.”
Unlike the calm Returnee, a big change in expression appeared on the faces of the remaining personnel.
“What, why are you looking with such expressions?”
Jin-ho who was by the side said.
“I also learned in school. They said for all Returnees who appeared so far, at most about 1 year passed in reality.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And as far as I know, that ti in reality is also with the otherworld…….”
At that mont.
Bang!
“How long were you there?!”
Cho Sang-geun, who was maintaining restraint, beca disheveled for the first ti.
“What is it, suddenly? How long was I what?”
“How long were you in the otherworld? If 10 years passed in reality, how long were you…….”
“How long, you ask…….”
Yoo jin’s eyes hung in the empty air.
“100 years.”
At the voice coming out of the Returnee’s mouth, silence that couldn't even be compared to before wrapped around the Guild Master’s office.
It had to be so.
Supre King of Asia.
Heavenly King of Arica.
Even those monsters transcending humans said they spent only 10 years in the otherworld.
Although being in the otherworld for a long ti is not necessarily the standard of strength.
If he was in the otherworld several tis longer than the Returnees called monsters.
He must have experienced more things than the tales of those Returnees passed down as hero stories.
Even to a third party, a person who spent several tis longer ti would be stronger, not weaker.
Gulp.
Only the sound of the Ignis Guild Master swallowing dry saliva rang through the silence.
“Please! Please join our guild! We will match conditions much better than any contract conditions that existed until now.”
Cho Sang-geun is not a fool.
“I will definitely make sure you are compensated for the trial of one hundred years. We will provide the best house in South Korea. I promise to treat you with the best treatnt.”
South Korea’s best guild.
South Korea Hunter Ranking 2nd place.
Cho Sang-geun is a person more planned and quick at calculation than anyone else.
“Please forgive the rudeness of bringing up the main point before sharing stories. However, we, South Korea needs you.”
It was sincere.
He took this action because he thought sincerity would work better than lip service right now.
He cannot miss him.
Because Japan lost a Returnee to China due to Japan’s complacent response.
Therefore, Cho Sang-geun bowed completely to his waist and clung to the Returnee.
“Please, please choose us. We need you.”
Even on broadcast.
Even at the summit of heads of each country.
Cho Sang-geun had never bowed his waist to this extent.
No, there was no occasion to bow.
Because he was strong.
Because he succeeded.
A life everyone looks up to.
That was Cho Sang-geun’s life.
There was nothing lacking and nothing to envy.
Rights and benefits possessed by the na of success.
Because he was enjoying all of that.
Therefore, just one thing.
The only conviction transcending everything.
He wanted to achieve that.
Because that was his goal and dream as well.
The expressions of the secretary and Vice Guild Master Lee Si-wang who were by the side stiffened.
Because they saw for the first ti that his back, to whom they entrusted their dreams and decided to follow for a lifeti.
Was bent like that.
“…….”
Thud!
The heads of the secretary and Vice Guild Master lowered toward Yoo jin.
“We beg you, Returnee-sir.”
“Please choose South Korea, our guild.”
From so point, Cho Sang-geun’s dream beca their dream.
Therefore, they lowered their heads.
To Cho Sang-geun, to South Korea, this Returnee is needed.
Because if only this Returnee is here, South Korea could escape from dictatorship.
The shoulders of the guild mbers who were bowing their heads trembled.
Hundreds of emotions were swallowing them up.
“Right, I heard the story well, but.”
At the Returnee’s voice, the guild mbers who bowed their heads slowly raised only their faces slightly and made eye contact.
“I don't make deals with guys who don't have basics.”
At the Returnee’s voice, Cho Sang-geun’s expression crumbled down.
“Why on earth. What is the problem? It will be better conditions than anywhere else. It’s real.”
“Is it because of money for you too? We will match any amount you say. Ten billion? No. I heard the Supre King received one hundred billion as down paynt alone. We will also match as much as possib….”
Lee Si-wang’s voice, who was pouring out fervent speech, stopped.
Because of the expression of a man seen in his gaze.
No, to be exact, because of the killing intent radiating from the man.
“One hundred billion, right. Living in the era of capitalism, saying money is not needed would be a lie honestly. Since I also had an iron rice bowl job before going to the otherworld, I know well how important money is. I also like money. But you know…….”
The Returnee’s eyes opened wide.
In an instant, the inside of the Guild Master’s office was crushed by strong pressure.
“Do you guys know my na?”
At Yoo jin’s voice, the heads of the guild mbers tilted.
……?
“It’s been a while since we t, but you didn't ask my na.”
“That is because you are a Returnee…….”
“Is Returnee my na? Thinking about it pisses off. When I tried to introduce myself earlier, you skipped over saying you knew, right?”
Lee Si-wang’s mouth shut tight.
Because the ti he first t the Returnee near Mount Hwangnyong ca to mind.
“Didn't you learn in school to introduce yourself when eting for the first ti? Fine, yielding a hundred tis, let’s say it’s like that since you guys introduced yourselves. If you introduced, isn't it basic to ask the other party’s na too?”
As Yoo jin crossed his arms, the guild mbers felt as if they were being scolded.
Among the guild mbers gauging the mood, the secretary muttered to herself.
“He’s hugely…… like a teacher…….”
“Because I am a teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Not like a teacher, but I am a teacher.”
Was it because the killing intent disappeared a little?
Or was it because Yoo jin pressed them sternly but softly as if scolding elentary school students.
Small laughter burst out through the lips of the secretary and Lee Si-wang.
Probably they wouldn't know.
What result that small action, those unconscious words.
Would bring about.
“Ey, don't joke, Returnee-sir.”
“What teacher rely for a Returnee.”
Thump.
Thump.
“……Uh?”
Humans can be humans because they are alive.
And because there is death, one can also know that one is alive.
It was the first ti.
The mont realized that they are alive.
Although they lived without ever being aware.
That they are currently alive.
That they are close to life, not death.
It was Lee Si-wang and the secretary who ca to know for the first ti.
“Teacher rely, you say? Say it again.”
As a bonus, Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun who was by the side likewise.
“Let’s test whether your mouths opening is faster, or Ignis Guild disappearing is faster.”
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