Chapter 82

“Hgh, haahh!”

Hwang Jiwoo gripped her pounding chest and stumbled into the training grounds.

She had perspired so intensely that her garments and even her footwear were completely drenched.

“Did you request my presence?”

“Drink this.”

Whoosh!

Jiwoo caught the incoming water bottle out of midair entirely on reflex.

Excellent.

Just a few training sessions, and her physical reactions were already becoming sharper.

“It is ice-cold.”

“Oh! Thank you so much!”

Glug, glug!

Jiwoo twisted the cap off and tipped her head back, gulping the liquid straight down her throat.

Wow.

That appeared incredibly refreshing.

“My instructions were for you to run for an hour. Why did you exceed that?”

“Hah, was that a mistake?”

“No, I was merely impressed. That is why I inquired.”

“…I must push myself hard as well. I am certain none of them were capable of running like that in the beginning either.”

Swish.

Jiwoo shifted her attention toward the outdoor area.

Four disciples were sprinting with all their might.

They had recently commenced learning Drill Sarge’s specialized breathing methods as well.

It was not Geoncheongsimgong (乾淸心功), but rather distinct circulation techniques customized for each individual, from what she understood.

“Excellent. Maintain that effort. Persist with it long enough, and your health will surpass that of most elite athletes.”

“I will bear that in mind.”

“First, let us reach an agreement.”

“An agreement?”

Out of nowhere?

An expression of curiosity surfaced on Jiwoo’s face.

“Here, receive this.”

Hummm!

The palm Baek Jinwoo reached out shimmered with radiance.

What could this be?

She extended her own hand to meet his, and her eyes stretched wide with astonishment.

The proposal being presented to her was mind-blowing.

[Baek Jinwoo: Ice Bird (A-rank), Lich (B-rank), Ice Wraith (B-rank), Ice Wraith (B-rank), Frost Cat (C-rank)]

[Hwang Jiwoo: No compensation.]

“…A-A-rank, three B-ranks, and even a Frost Cat…”

Jiwoo murmured the name of each summon one by one, speaking as though her spirit had departed her physical form.

Her lips quivered, revealing the immense emotional turbulence brewing within her.

[Do you wish to accept player ‘Baek Jinwoo’s’ proposal?]

She could not bring herself to strike the Y button.

How could she possibly take something of this magnitude?!

“I am not handing them over for nothing.”

As if anticipating her thoughts, Jinwoo grinned.

“I am loaning them to you for a duration of one hundred days, so develop them properly. If you can advance them sufficiently to gain Drill Sarge’s validation? I will grant them to you permanently as a term for entering the guild.”

“R-really?!”

She was so utterly stunned that she failed to even process the term ‘guild’ emerging from Jinwoo’s lips.

An A-rank summon!

Those could easily command a price of over ten billion won, and that was only if any were actually available on the market.

Typically, there were none to be found. A buyer simply paid whatever the provider requested.

And he was merely transferring one over?

“Conversely, if you fail to obtain Drill Sarge’s validation, you can purchase them down the line using a portion of the one hundred billion won you are set to obtain. My expenditure on them was 13 billion, so I will provide them at that exact cost.”

Flawless!

Absolutely, completely flawless!

Furthermore, every single one of them possessed the ice property!

Considering Jiwoo’s inherent constitution, she required the cultivation of ice summons regardless.

“Are you going to hit Y or not? Shall I call it off? That would be a pity. This is a truly exceptional roster.”

“I-I will accept!”

Anxious that he might reconsider, Jiwoo struck the Y button without a second thought.

Even though her mind was still drifting somewhere in the upper atmosphere, the edges of her lips twisted into a brilliant grin.

What Hwang Jiwoo obtained on this day was far more than a collection of summons.

It was a sense of hope.

No matter the cost… I will secure Drill Sarge’s validation!

I will achieve it, and I will enter the guild Jinwoo-nim spoke of!

Yet during her internal vow—

Wait?

Something seemed unusual.

A guild?

Did Jinwoo-nim even possess a guild?

The protocol for setting up a guild was highly intricate.

Massive amounts of documentation, reviews by the central headquarters, assessments from various governing ministers, and even formal consent from the leaders of both the political majority and minority parties.

Establishing a ‘guild’ was fundamentally equivalent to creating a legally sanctioned, armed group within the nation.

Modern state-of-the-art armaments, and standing above all of those were summons.

As a consequence of this, most governing bodies were highly hesitant to issue guild creation authorizations, and even when they consented, they regulated them with extreme strictness.

However.

Yubaek was an exception to the rule.

Under Yu Jia’s direction, the administrative process moved forward effortlessly.

The national squad’s leader was the designated guild master, reinforced by Yu Jia’s financial resources as the successor to Daesung Group, along with the swiftly escalating wealth of Yubaek. What conceivable grounds existed for a rejection?

They did not even find it necessary to engage in lobbying.

“Haha, Yubaek? Naturally, we shall grant authorization! I merely place my signature right here? My only request is that you keep my name in mind.”

“Ho ho ho, I am Cho Donghoon, recently chosen in the election. It is a pleasure to collaborate with you!”

“Ah, Minister of Land and Infrastructure speaking. Do you require anything further? Would you like me to remove additional greenbelt zone regulations around Geomdan Mountain?”

Public officials and ministers alike.

Whenever Yu Jia arrived to meet them, they extended the highest level of hospitality.

They possessed no alternative choice.

For as long as Yubaek retained Baek Jinwoo, she commanded the entire situation.

“Haha, we are secure regarding the greenbelt zone for the moment.”

Out of all urban territories, Hanam City stood as the sole district where greenbelt zones comprised over 77% of the regional land.

If those greenbelt protections were eliminated?

Innumerable massive enterprises would flood the area to initiate construction ventures.

That could not be permitted to happen.

Moving forward, Yubaek intended to acquire all the properties surrounding Geomdan Mountain at absolute minimum rates.

Because they had to arrange things in advance for the ultimate expansion of Yubaek City.

And if one desired to acquire property inexpensively?

The greenbelt zone protections could not be lifted just yet.

Speculators who had picked up the scent of profit radiating from Yubaek City were already circling around in massive numbers. If the regulations were discarded as well, property rates would climb straight through the ceiling.

“Nevertheless, I will hold that kind sentiment close to my heart.”

“Hahaha! Splendid! Merely utter the word! The leader of Hanam was a junior of mine in university, so he is highly simple to direct.”

The Minister of Land and Infrastructure let out a robust laugh.

In reality, there was very little directing required.

Putting political matters aside, when it came down to executive administration, the city leader’s role necessitated adhering to the minister’s instructions.

In any case.

They had not even been pursuing the matter for very long, and the official ‘authorization’ had already materialised.

With this ‘authorization’ in hand, they were capable of creating the organization.

The designation chosen for the guild was SKY.

A title conceived within Yu Jia’s thoughts.

Ilcheon. One Sky.

A designation paying tribute to JinuGod, who had represented the One Sky!

Naturally, the individual serving as guild master was Baek Jinwoo.

The difficulty lay in…

Enlisting guild participants.

“Jinwoo.”

Yu Jia discovered him within the training area and inquired.

“Evidently, in order to set up a guild, you require a minimum count of ten participants, which must include the guild master.”

“…Ten?”

“I attempted to resolve the issue by utilizing myself along with the administrative personnel, but the regulations demand individuals possessing player credentials authenticated by headquarters.”

“Ah.”

Jinwoo rubbed at the side of his head.

His intention had been to open with a small, elite circle, but ten was a significant figure.

“What about Park Changseok?”

“Changseok functions as a council member at headquarters, meaning he is restricted from participating in a guild as a matter of standard policy.”

“Then the sole individuals qualified at this moment are myself and Baek Ajin… and that is the extent of it?”

“Yes.”

Yu Jia, Kim Byeongjin, Hwang Taeseop, and the remaining associates had all seen their credentials invalidated.

Because they had not been entering into dungeons.

“Hmm.”

Jinwoo pressed his fingers against his temples.

This was transforming into quite a source of frustration.

“Concurrent memberships are prohibited as well, correct?”

What about having his four pupils enlist?

“Regrettably, that is likewise barred by the rules.”

“Heh.”

Jinwoo let out a dry, bitter laugh.

“Well, there is nothing to be done about that.”

If no path existed, they would simply put the matter on hold.

“Let us store that authorization away until we possess ten individuals.”

“You do not intend to actively seek out recruits?”

“It would be perfect if my pupils could enlist right now, but given that concurrent membership is barred, it cannot be helped. I only desire guild participants whom I have personally developed.”

That was a specific principle he absolutely refused to yield on.

Merely thoroughly scrutinized players whom he could develop correctly. That represented Jinwoo’s fundamental approach.

My apologies, Ajin, but…

She was incapable of entering SKY as well.

Her role was far closer to that of a merchant rather than an active player.

Verified participants for the time being: zero.

And a possibility remained that Hwang Jiwoo might enlist in the near future.

Past that?

Well.

He would proceed at his own pace.

The initial destination targeted by Baekho’s guild leader, Park Ho, was Player HQ.

To be precise, the office belonging to the Director.

“Well, look who it is! If it isn’t the leader of our highly esteemed Baekho!”

The Director received him with a wide, welcoming smile, whereupon Park Ho presented his formal grievance.

Either reclaim the one trillion won from Baek Jinwoo!

Or penalize him for draining the national treasury!

The Director possessed a past history of obtaining substantial backing from Mirae Group’s immense wealth.

Consequently, he ought not to find it simple to dismiss the proposition.

However.

“A-ahem. You are referring to Baek Jinwoo?”

The Director produced a cloth and wiped at the perspiration forming across his forehead.

Naturally, this was not an issue he embraced.

For his upcoming bid for retention, he absolutely required the favor of the general public, and they were instructing him to strike at Baek Jinwoo, who was essentially a national icon?

This did not merely involve resigning from his current role. His entire career in public service would be obliterated.

Once the general public placed a black mark upon you, that label stayed with you until the end in this political sphere.

“Come now. Can you two not manage to cooperate as fellow representatives of the national squad?”

“Are you truly taking this stance?”

“What actions have I even committed?! In all honesty, I would love to extend my support! But the window has closed. Park Changseok has already assumed total control over the authority here at headquarters.”

“Councilman Park Changseok?”

“That is the nature of public officials. Allies one afternoon, and absolute strangers the next when the influence vanishes. It frustrates me to the point of wanting to scream.”

The Director, elusive as always, cloaked his non-compliance in ambiguous phrasing.

Grrk!

Headquarters yielded no results!

Yet headquarters was not the sole entity declining to assist.

“Hahaha, I am truly sorry.”

“The jeopardy is far too immense for our organization. Both Baek Jinwoo and Daesung—they are far too massive to initiate a conflict with.”

“We are capable of releasing columns, certainly. However, we cannot mount an explicit attack. That presents far too great a strain for us to bear as well.”

The press and public officials alike.

Not a single individual was prepared to place themselves in danger.

“Damn it. This is utter nonsense.”

Park Ho at last lost his temper.

“They were beaming with joy when they were filling their accounts, and now they are backing away?”

“…Hyung, what do you even intend to achieve at this juncture? Why do we not simply offer our regrets and plead?”

Kang Geonho, recognized as the nation’s top-tier active player, lowered his posture in a manner that completely contradicted his usual demeanor.

Because no alternate path remained.

Their adversary was far too dominant to allow personal pride to interfere.

To speak honestly, he had purchased and studied the Day Dungeon strategic guide by himself.

Observing Baek Jinwoo operate within those instructional materials—so magnificent, so masterfully executed—he had become genuinely fascinated.

And that did not cover everything.

He had perceived it during the instructional sessions as well.

Jinwoo’s educational capability was absolute top-tier.

Therefore, in secret, Geonho had felt quite pleased with the trajectory of events. Yet his vanity-driven hyung, Park Ho, had engineered this entire catastrophe.

“Offer regrets? You believe Baek Jinwoo would simply say ‘oh, marvelous’ and welcome us back for instructional sessions? Do not make me laugh. I have not even approached the true power brokers yet.”

The true power brokers Park Ho was referring to?

MK and Mirae Group. In specific terms, their respective leaders.

The figures who, for all intents and purposes, had established Baekho Guild from its foundation.

“I am sorry, but could you refrain from causing disruptions? I have been receiving highly unfavorable reports as of late.”

“If your singular blunder collapses an organization we committed massive amounts of wealth to establish, I will deploy every asset at my command to target you with a massive litigation for financial damages.”

Both corporate leaders stood in resolute opposition.

Only at that moment did Park Ho perceive the truth.

An individual was deliberately undermining his efforts.

Who in the world could it be?

An intense irritation welled up inside him.

“What if I simply choose to transfer my citizenship somewhere else entirely?”

“Hyung…”

Sigh.

Geonho could not prevent a heavy breath from escaping his lips.

With Baek Jinwoo dominating the landscape, did Park Ho genuinely believe changing nationalities would cause anyone to implore him to return?

He would be fortunate if citizens did not label him a defector and hurl insults at him.

Right at that moment, it occurred.

“Guild Leader! H-have you laid eyes on this?!”

One of the administrative staff members from Baekho came sprinting over and thrust a mobile device directly before his face.

“What? What is the matter.”

Park Ho grabbed the device with irritation and perused the contents. Then he bounded to his feet.

The item the employee had presented to him was a piece of cheap rumor mongering—essentially a gossip column. A specific type of unconfirmed report that caused readers to assume that where there was smoke, a fire must be burning.

The core message read:

• B, the leader of one of the Big Three associations and an active national squad participant, has been publicly voicing discontent regarding team captain Baek Jinwoo. Indications point toward administrative scheming intended to strip away his position of leadership…! A sector source commented, “This represents B’s solitary behavior, and the vast majority of the national squad feels profoundly irritated by it.”

“What in the absolute HELL is this supposed to mean?”