Chapter 8
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The director’s office of Mir Guild Headquarters.
“What do you mean there’s no reinforcement for the roster!!”
Raid Captain Yang Pan-seok slammed the desk.
Their promotion had been narrowly missed.
He had naturally assumed reinforcements would follow, but the response he received was nothing short of rejection—without any negotiation.
Yang Pan-seok’s elegant face looked like shattered glass.
In front of him, his opponent was as shriveled as a crushed can.
“W-well, there’s no choice… Recruitment isn’t possible this year.”
Even after saying it was impossible, the man kept glancing nervously.
A scrawny frame with unusually thick glasses lenses, he looked more like an elementary school vice-principal than a director.
This man’s name was Jeong Soon-dong.
He was the director of Mir Guild.
“Th-the finances are already in the red. At this rate…”
“Where did the season ticket revenue go? We made it to the finals, so the broadcast rights must’ve brought in a decent sum too!”
“The season ticket revenue was spent on facility upgrades from last year… The broadcast rights went to paying off the guild’s debt…”
“And what about our performance? Have you thought about that?”
“T-that’s what I wanted to discuss together…”
“Hah…”
Conflicts between the director and the raid captain were not uncommon.
The director, being responsible for finances, would want to save every penny, while the raid captain, needing to improve the team, would argue for spending.
As long as the guild functioned properly, these fights could even be seen as healthy.
That balance and conflict between the two were essential.
But this was precisely what Mir Guild lacked.
“I, I think…”
“Wait a moment, Director. Could you please stop stuttering for once?”
“M-my apologies.”
The two of them were just too mismatched.
Jeong Soon-dong’s hopelessly timid nature clashed with Yang Pan-seok’s excessively driven personality. Naturally, their conversations often turned one-sided.
“How can a professional guild even think about giving up on the league? A guild should never give up on the league under any circumstances.”
“Our expenses this year were too high. Failing to get promoted turned most of our spending into debt… B-but! Don’t misunderstand. I’m not blaming you. I’m just saying…”
“We must not let the fans down. I’ll do everything I can. Please trust me. This year will be truly different!”
“…Can’t we take a break for just one year? Haven’t we been running full tilt? Surely the fans could understand one year…”
“What are you even saying? Are we having the same conversation right now?”
“M-my apologies.”
“Hah, can you please stop apologizing? You’re the one who called this meeting in the first place, Director.”
“S-sorry…”
“Director!”
It wasn’t even a discussion.
Unable to contain his frustration, Yang Pan-seok ended up steering the meeting in his own direction.
“Director, please hear me out first. This meeting is meaningless anyway since a new representative is coming.”
“I know. Lee Shin, the troublemaker, right? The front office staff are already anxious…”
“I don’t care whether he’s a troublemaker or not. What matters is that Lee Do Group is behind him.”
What kind of entity was Lee Do Group?
It was the nation’s top corporation, often referred to as “Lee Do Republic.”
With their endless resources set to be invested, it was infuriating to watch the director talk about financial soundness as if it mattered.
“Instead of wasting time on things like a merchandise store, we should focus entirely on strengthening our roster and achieving results.”
“The debt is already t-too high…”
“The banks are well aware. They know who’s coming in to back us. They’re probably waiting for our calls right now, ready to extend more loans.”
“T-then what about financial stability…”
“Financial stability! Financial stability! How many times do I have to say it? This is Lee Do! Once they start spending, this debt? It won’t even make a dent!”
He wasn’t wrong. Lee Do Group’s extravagant spending habits were infamous.
Moreover, this time, they had extended their hand first. It was trustworthy.
Yang Pan-seok shouted with conviction.
“Hah… Director, none of that matters. Let’s focus on improving our roster as I’ve suggested. Haven’t my suggestions always worked?”
“M-Mr. Pan-seok…”
“I’m saying this for your benefit too. What kind of representative would want to take it easy in their first year after taking over? Promotion is non-negotiable. If we fail to get promoted, we’ll all get cut, and no one will have anything to say in our defense.”
“….”
“Right now, nothing else matters. Remember, performance. Only performance.”
After leaving the meeting, Yang Pan-seok let out a sigh of frustration.
In other guilds, directors would go out of their way to support the raid team.
Why did he have to teach them everything here, step by step?
“This can’t go on.”
For the future of the guild.
And for his own future.
* * *
A few days later, in front of Mir Guild’s main gate.
Lee Shin’s Rolls-Royce pulled to a stop, and as he stepped out of the car, a thunderous welcome erupted.
“Welcome!”
Lining up on both sides of the main gate were various individuals, among them the loudest voices belonged to Yang Pan-seok and the raid team.
Escorted by Yang Pan-seok, Lee Shin paused for a moment at the front gate, taking in the sight of Mir Guild with sentimental eyes. Then, with a charming smile that lived up to his renowned good looks, he greeted them.
“Haha, this is overwhelming. You really didn’t have to go this far, but it’s nice to meet you all. I’m Lee Shin.”
“You’re our new representative. Of course, we had to greet you properly. I’m Yang Pan-seok. I look forward to working with you.”
“Oh! So you’re the famous Yang Pan-seok! Wow, your profile photo doesn’t do you justice. You look so much younger in person—I barely recognized you. May I shake your hand?”
“Haha, of course. But no, I’m past my prime now.”
As the two exchanged a friendly handshake, applause erupted spontaneously from the surrounding crowd.
Could a new representative be this warmly welcomed? It felt almost excessive.
“But are you here alone? What about the director?”
“The director said he wasn’t feeling well, so he didn’t come to work today.”
Lee Shin’s eyebrows twitched momentarily.
“Hm… Let me ask you something. Did he not know I was coming today?”
“…”
The silence that followed, as everyone avoided his gaze, spoke volumes. Lee Shin muttered lightly, “How convenient,” before quickly returning to his cheerful expression.
“Well, it’s his loss. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
“It’s an honour. Since you came all this way, have you had a chance to eat?”
“I’m fine. I had a light breakfast. Just a coffee would be great.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll have an iced Americano, double shot, please. And for our lovely secretary here?”
“…”
“Just get her whatever. As you can see, she doesn’t talk much.”
“Understood.”
The lieutenant, you handle this.
At Yang Pan-seok’s subtle nod, the lieutenant, despite his hefty build, rushed off briskly.
“Before we head to the office, I’d like to take a quick tour. Would you mind showing me around?”
“Of course. It’s my pleasure. This way, please.”
<Mir Guild> overall was impressive.
A spacious headquarters, a cafeteria, and a sprawling grass field stood out.
While most modern guilds opted for taller buildings, Mir Guild had an older style—a three-story building with a vast area. The age of the structure showed in many places.
“Hm? What’s that building over there?”
“It’s a building. Specifically, the Hunter dormitory.”
“Dormitory?”
Lee Shin tilted his head.
“Am I mistaken? I thought lower-league guilds typically didn’t maintain dormitories.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Having a dormitory implied that members were traveling from afar, but how many people would bother joining a League 4 guild?
Yang Pan-seok calmly explained.
“To improve team cohesion, the entire raid team agreed to live together during the league season. That’s the purpose of the dormitory.”
“Oh…!”
“Our guild’s motto is to spare no expense when it comes to improving the Hunters’ skills. After all, Hunters are the core of any guild.”
“Ah… ‘Investment,’ is it…”
Then, a sharp question pierced through.
“Does the director share the same perspective?”
“…Of course.”
Lee Shin stared into Yang Pan-seok’s eyes as if probing his soul.
For a moment—
Chills!
Was it just his imagination? Goosebumps ran up Yang Pan-seok’s arms.
Lee Shin’s gaze was bright and clear, yet it carried an inexplicable intensity.
Then, just like that, Lee Shin’s expression softened back into a gentle smile.
“Well, if it’s about investment, I’m sure everything was done appropriately.”
“…Thank you. Shall we move on?”
“Let’s.”
After touring the warehouse, the cafeteria, and other parts of the headquarters, they finally crossed the field to reach the training facility.
With iced Americanos in hand, they stepped into the training grounds.
“This is the training ground for Team 1.”
“Hm, the interior is much better than it looks from outside. Is that a new sparring court? The kind that’s resistant to magical damage?”
Contrary to the slightly dated exterior, the interior was equipped with state-of-the-art amenities: a lounge, physical therapy rooms, precision magical massage kits, recovery-enhancing warm pools, and more.
“All of this must be part of the ‘investment’ you mentioned earlier.”
“Of course. If there’s one thing we should never skimp on, it’s training facilities.”
“Impressive. So, Team 1 has been with you for a long time, right?”
“Yes, we’re like family.”
“Ah, like ‘family.’”
At the mention of “family,” Yang Pan-seok began introducing each member of the raid team, who had been trailing behind him like ducklings.
This one’s specialty is this, that one’s strength is that, and so on.
It seemed overly enthusiastic, but if they truly were like family, it was a heartwarming sight.
Amid the cheerful chatter and laughter—
“Oh dear, look at the time.”
“There’s still plenty of time. How about wrapping up the tour tomorrow and starting with a meal?”
“Excellent idea.”
“If you’re in Busan, you must try pork gukbap. Allow me to take you.”
“Ah, I’m already salivating at the thought.”
Thus, a smooth and peaceful day unfolded.
In a harmonious atmosphere, a welcome party that doubled as a dinner gathering took place.
Haha.
Hehe.
From one stop to the next, with drinks flowing freely, Lee Shin’s face turned rosy.
At that moment, Yang Pan-seok finally felt relieved.
‘It’s done.’
The small unease he had harboured was gone.
If he could build a good relationship with Lee Shin and distance himself from the troublesome director, the precarious guild could finally stabilize and find its way again.
‘All under my guidance.’
Perfect.
Yang Pan-seok finally smiled genuinely, completely unaware of what was about to unfold.
[Dong-ha-hyung]: It’s done.
Checking the message, Lee Shin grinned slyly.
Tapping his beer glass with chopsticks to gather everyone’s attention, he said, “Attention, everyone! I have great news!”
Curious eyes turned to Lee Shin, who raised his soju-beer mix with a wide grin and made an announcement.
“Congratulations on your transfer!!”
???
??
…What now??
—
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