Chapter 117

-How dare you say such…

-I'm just suggesting that we consider the consequences Ironblood faced when Seojin decided to challenge them.

-Are we stronger than the Ironblood Knights? …

Kiri fell silent because she knew that Bigfoot was right. That was precisely why the leaders of the two major guilds had entrusted Seojin to take the lead.

'This Seojin guy could even inflict damage on Ironblood. He's that great,' Kiri thought to herself. It would be foolish to let her pride dictate her actions and pull back.

"So, when should we begin?" Kiri finally asked.

"As soon as possible."

"I see. Let's go, Bigfoot."

"I'm with you."

The two stood up. Bigfoot just looked like a happy little dwarf, while Kiri seemed a little offended. As they exited the building, Kiri suddenly turned her head and glared at Bigfoot.

"Do you think he really gave that to him?"

"You mean the necklace? I think so."

"It was clearly just a show, wasn't it? He wanted to show off how well he takes care of his friends. But we're not his friends, so… it's basically him saying , 'what you gonna do other than doing your best to be my friend'"

"With just one legendary gear?"

"What do you mean by 'just'?" Kiri retorted.

"I'm just saying, if we really wanted it, I don't think we couldn't afford one."

"… But the cost would seriously burden my guild," Kiri replied.

"You could just buy it anyway."

"…Seem like we have different opinions."

"I guess so."

The stout man, who barely reached Kiri's waist, had a different perspective than the head of the Red Tower.

"I'd agree with you if it wasn't Seojin."

"…So, he's different?"

"Think about it. The guy didn't even bat an eye at us until we left, remember?" Bigfoot pointed out.

"But still…"

Kiri began to object.

"You and I weren't born yesterday. That's how we've survived this far. If it was just a show and his indifference was a bluff, we would have known."

That was true. As the leader of a growing guild, Kiri had learned to scan and analyze people's behavior whenever significant events occurred. And she could confidently say that Seojin had shown no interest in them.

"He didn't care about us at all, no matter how we looked at that necklace or the paladin."

"… That kind of hurts my pride," Kiri admitted.

"What's the most important thing to you?"

"Well, creating a positive research environment for wizards?"

"Wizards of the Red Tower, you mean."

"Don't try to push my buttons like that."

"I'm just saying it's not the right time to think about our pride."

To Seojin, a companion meant someone he could trust and rely on. At least that was what Bigfoot believed. And they were merely outsiders, which was why he just treated them like useful tools.

"I understand you may feel bad, but I'm different, wizzy. I don't want to bring it up here, but I'm forty-two."

"I know, you're twice my age."

"Well, it hits differently. Anyway, I've encountered all sorts of people in my life, and some of them have shown me the lowest depths of humanity,"

Bigfoot shrugged.

"People like that are truly rare. Once he sees you as part of his crew, he'll give you anything and everything. Meeting his standards will be tough, but once you're in, he's got your back," he explained.

"…Is that so?"

"Probably more than you can imagine. I don't think it was a show. It's just that we mean nothing to him yet," Bigfoot concluded.

He decided to believe that they had seen the real Seojin, and Kiri was convinced as well.

"…So, he wasn't just roleplaying, was he?"

For Kiri, the most important things were the safety of her guild and the possibility of dismantling Ironblood, which Seojin could offer.

"I don't think he'd spend billions of won just for the sake of roleplaying."

"… He's resourceful enough to acquire gear like that too. I guess I'll have to try to meet his standards."

"But half-hearted acting won't work. You'll really have to put your heart into it."

"I can tell that much."

"Well, I'm glad you're taking my advice. So, can I assume I'm the one taking the center on this one, right?"

"… And what? You'll waste your time tinkering and crafting instead of focusing on finding the spirit?"

"Can't I?"

"I won't allow it," Kiri declared.

Bigfoot was done playing a wise elder , and the two began to growl and gnarl for the sake of their egos.

* * *

"… So you were trying to recruit them as your allies," Merhen commented.

He nodded slowly then tilted his head.

"Isn't that a bit excessive though? I believe they're already on your side. Both of them are against Ironblood. Unless you want to be their lord…"

"I can place unlimited trust in my people because I have high standards. You know that old saying, right? When five gather, one of them is bound to be trash," Seojin replied.

"Well, yeah, I suppose it's better to be cautious and regret your choice."

Merhen adjusted his posture and continued,

"So, do you think they're considering it? They had good poker faces."

"Definitely. Neither of them are fools. They must be racking their brains trying to come to a conclusion."

"What conclusion?"

"The conclusion that I'm a huge gamer."

Seojin knew they'd think like that, as humans were bound to follow the confirmation bias.

Merhen tilted his head again.

"I don't think they need to use their brains to reach that conclusion, though."

"What are you talking about?"

"Who doesn't know you're a gaming nut when they see you?"

"…Good point."

Come to think of it, he spent over a dozen hours playing the game every day and was always involved in major events. It wasn't a far-fetched assumption for everyone, including users in the gaming community, to think the same.

Merhen took the necklace off.

Well, I know it's you, but it's still amazing. Where on earth did you get this? Is it a reward from a world quest?"

"It was deposited yesterday."

"What?"

"Someone owed me something, so…" Seojin trailed off.

"… Okay, well, it's you I guess. Keep it then," Merhen said, handing the necklace to Seojin. However, Seojin pushed it back.

"Why are you giving it back?"

"What?"

Merhen blinked like an idiot as he looked at Seojin, who appeared genuinely confused.

"I told you it's yours. I deliberately chose something that suits you."

"… Hey, we're talking about legendary gear here."

"I know."

"Do you know how much this costs?"

"Twenty-seven thousand gold."

"…In cash, then?"

"Two point seven billion, I suppose."

"And you're giving it to me? I can't accept that. I was just acting for your sake, not to…"

"Do you think I was joking when I talked about companions?" Seojin interrupted.

"…I don't."

Merhen knew that better than anyone. While the whole act they'd just pulled off was a show, Seojin truly had people he considered his companions during their time playing Asgard together.

"You're the only one left, and you helped me start playing Midgard."

"That's…"

"Hey, be honest with me. Did you really get that console from an event?"

Seojin threw out a sudden question. The box of the console claimed it was a cutting-edge piece that guaranteed top performance. Seojin remembered how Merhen gave it to him unconditionally, claiming he had won it from a random event.

Seojin never believed it, and Merhen hadn't thought that he'd buy his words either.

"Yeah, I actually bought it. There was a big discount event," he confessed.

"And you know the type I consider to be my companions, don't you?"

"… Someone who helps without expecting anything in return."

"Yes, and what does that make us, then?"

"… Companions," Merhen concluded.

He finally accepted the incredibly expensive piece of gear, the Necklace of Defender Frey. There was a moment of silence before Merhen spoke again.

"Oh, by the way, you mentioned two companions. Is there someone else?"

"Yes, there is."

"Who is it?"

"Somebody from Hailstorm. They assigned her to me, and she's kind of a W. IP. companion," Seojin explained.

Merhen could only respond with astonishment.

"… An employee? A work-in-progress companion?"

* * *

BunnyRabbit, the lowest ranked girl in the Strategic Planning Department , was completely taken aback when Seojin suddenly contacted her.

"A present? For me?"

"Yes, I happened to get my hands on something. I think you'll like it."

"What on earth… I'm fine! You've already given me so much!"

"I think it's time for you to graduate from Redrix, don't you think?" Seojin suggested.

"Oh, yes! Based on my progress, I think I can leave Bern within this month."

"That's just about right. The requirement for this gear is being an expert blacksmith."

"Well, I'm really fine… !" BunnyRabbit hesitated.

"It's better to give it to one of my companions than sell it. It's a legendary hammer, and it'll make your work much easier just by using it."

"What?"

That was crazy.

Really, really crazy.

Bunny was so shocked that she couldn't even speak properly.

Legendary gear truly lived up to its name. Each of those items was worth billions of won, equivalent to the price of an apartment in Seoul.

"No, I can't take that. That's too…".

Even an elite like Seyeon, who had graduated from a prestigious school and was working in a large corporation, had a hard time speaking like a functioning human being in the face of a gift that was worth billions.

"Why can't you?"

"What? Well, it's too expensive…"

"Aren't we companions?"

"Yeah, we are! We can trust each other, but it's still…"

"That's enough. You can take it. I just mailed it, so it'll arrive in a few days. Also, I have something to say to you."

"W-what is it?"

BunnyRabbit's voice was still filled with the shock of the generous gift she had just received.

"I've been thinking about it, and I don't like someone else having control over my companion," Seojin declared.

"Are you telling me to quit my job?"

"No way. I can't ask you to give up your reality because of the game."

'…But you've already given me more than reality could offer me.'

BunnyRabbit thought to herself, but remained silent, eagerly listening to Seojin's words.

"Well, what I mean is, you have to leave immediately when your manager calls you, right?"

"Yes, but he won't do that. He told me to prioritize your requests under any circumstances."

"Things are bound to change."

This was an undeniable truth. What if the developers changed their policy abruptly? What if monitoring the game no longer had a positive impact on the Strategic Planning Department?

In that case, BunnyRabbit would have no choice but to return to being Jeong Seyeon, a junior employee.

"I've been thinking about what I could do, and this is the only way I can think of. I thought it would be better to take care of you while I still have some influence with your manager," Seojin revealed.

BunnyRabbit felt tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Yes, go ahead," she answered, her voice filled with determination.

She was willing to fulfill Seojin's demands, no matter what he asked of her. He had already bestowed a hidden class upon her, shared valuable secrets that helped her gain recognition within the corporation, and now, he was gifting her legendary gear as if it were a simple snack.

'And he wants to take care of my career as well. What an angel this man is!' she thought, feeling immense gratitude towards Seojin.

At that moment, Seojin being a gaming freak meant nothing to her. No one had taken care of her as much as Seojin since she became his companion.

Seojin replied promptly, without delay.

"I'm sending you a contract now."