Chapter 78 078

"Odie and Haydall, go to the players who missed out. Tell them that Seojin will remember their names."

"Ah, sure."

"Let's hurry up and deal with things."

"As for Roth, please gather up everyone in the top 60."

"Got it."

The trio were now acting as Seojin's helpers, thanks to his promise that he would spare a lot of time to talk to them following the quest. Once they had departed, only two were left behind. It was Kiri, the redhead guildmaster of Red Tower, and Bigfoot, the leader of Résistance.

"You two are second and third in contribution points, right?"

"That's right."

"Yes, I was second, and that engineer over there was third."

"The system is clearly flawed. How could it give a higher score for waving a wand like an idiot than actually coming up with concrete theoretical plans…?"

"No fighting."

Bigfoot closed his mouth as Seojin crossed his arms like he was worried.

"I invited the two of you on purpose, so I hope for no unnecessary bickering. There's a long line behind you."

"I won't argue."

"Unless she picks a… no, I'll restrain myself."

Seojin nodded.

"So, you came here to recruit me, right?"

"Yes, no! I mean, yes, that's right."

Kiri stumbled over her words as Seojin showed a hint of annoyance. Bigfoot also answered affirmatively.

"That's right."

"And the reason for that is?"

Bigfood gnashed his teeth.

"To go against those jerks of Ironblood."

"What about you, Kiri?"

"Same here."

"But… it looks like you two don't like each other."

The two leaders flew off the handle at the same time.

"We should build our strength up first, but that idiot doesn't even care and just charges in head-first!"

"How can I suffer through injustice right before my eyes?! You shouldn't abandon your teammates with such a cowardly excuse!"

"When did I abandon my teammates?!"

"You left your teammates to be hunted by Ironblood, you witch! If that isn't abandoning, then what is?"

"Oh, so I'm a witch because I didn't jump in, bite the bait, and let everyone around me die just like you, you idiotic hothead?!"

"…"

Seojin finally figured out what was really going on. The two of them had completely different styles, which meant that trouble was inevitable. While they shared a common goal, it was clear that there had been consistent friction up until mow.

"Let's take things step-by-step. Kiri can go first since she came second."

Seojin interrupted them and got to the point.

"Appeal to me why I have to join your respective guilds."

* * *

Kiri was a Level 181 player who had a long, unpleasant history with Ironblood.

"I started playing this game during the open beta and founded my guild one month later. Ironblood wasn't that big at the time…"

Kiri started to explain her experiences as a veteran player. Although it had only been a year since the game came out, the gap between Seojin and the forerunners was great.

"Midgard isn't just a game. It's no different from reality, unlike other games where hunting monsters and beating quests is the only way to earn money. You can make a profit here through almost anything. And if you're gullible, you'll just get taken advantage of."

Red Tower, once one of the top guilds, was overtaken by Ironblood. That was due to the difference in their styles since Kiri was much more naïve than Robert.

"I couldn't believe how low they were willing to go in order to grow bigger. Do you know how I felt back then? I had goosebumps.'Oh, how innocent I was. At this rate, we'll lose our ground on Valaran and players wouldn't be able to enjoy the game genuinely…' That's what I thought."

Nevertheless, it was too late. Robert was much more realistic than Kiri thought, and before she could notice, their power imbalance became so huge that she couldn't even 1vs1 him.

"He must have got each and every first-time achievement by himself. Sometimes I wonder whether he can see the future. We dug up every hint and clue but Ironblood always took the reward first… When I think about it now, I think to myself,'maybe I should've started over back then.'"

Robert wasn't that meticulous from the start. There were quite a few achievements left in the beginner settlements thanks to that, which Seojin was able to grab and level up. Kiri took Seojin as an opportunity for her guild.

"Red Tower is ranked third in Valaran, though, the gap is big."

"What are your terms for me?"

"You'll be paid one thousand gold every month unconditionally and we'll supply you with materials needed for doing quests or making gear. You'll also be the vice-master of the guild if you wish to be. I'm open to negotiating if you want anything more."

So, she was essentially offering him a blank check. Seojin, unimpressed, turned to Bigfoot.

"How about you?"

"We're Rank Six. We'll offer three hundred gold per month, and you'll be co-leader along with me. You don't even have to mention materials. I'll give you the rights to operate the guild as you wish."

His offer was a little different from the Red Tower's. They were offering him less money, but more power… even though they knew that Seojin could rob the entire guild if he took advantage of that.

"I've been watching you for a long time and decided that you aren't the type to do such things. We never backstab our friends and I want you within us. I mean, at least there'll always be someone to die alongside you when you're surrounded by Ironblood."

"Third and sixth…"

"Guild rankings aren't that important…"

"How about the other guilds? The guilds in the top ten."

Seojin changed the subject unexpectedly as he questioned them both. The guilds titled"Nth sword" and"Nth Knight" and the like were under the"Ironblood Union" so they didn't get a place in the rankings.

"Well, it varies. Some act passively, and some try to maintain a good relationship with Ironblood," Kiri answered honestly.

"Are there any other guilds that openly resist them like the two of you?"

"No, everyone must have their complaints, but they don't show it openly."

"So, they're not satisfied either."

"Isn't that only natural?" Bigfoot replied this time."Ironblood is cornering the market and the rest of the guilds are left fighting over leftovers."

"So, you two are the only ones who openly go against Ironblood, am I right?"

"Yes."

"That's right."

Seojin shrugged after Kiri and Bigfoot answered at the same time.

"And you're saying that you do not get along? You have no choice but to be close if you're the only battle buddies on the front lines. Unless you want to get stabbed in the back…"

"What do you mean by battle buddies? This witch—"

"Must be your trustworthy companion, Bigfoot. You might think that she has a screw loose, but still, she's the only one who has the same goal as you."

Seojin smiled as he reasoned with Bigfoot, who was trying to refute his words again.

"You're talking to a rookie who delivered a gut punch straight to Ironblood. Do you think I have a skill to see through lies or not?"

Bigfoot and Kiri shut their mouths at the same time.

* * *

"This is why I said that we needed to be honest from the beginning."

"You agreed with the idea that it was better to give him a choice."

"You're the one who insisted we should look like we hate each other to fly under Ironblood's radar."

"It's not like we ever expected to succeed anyway. He's not the type to join a guild."

"Well, I'm sure that he would react more positively if your acting wasn't so awkward."

As Seojin predicted, Bigfooter and Kiri were actually rather friendly. All of their grumbling and squabbling was based on firm trust.

"Are you saying that you didn't even intend to recruit me in the first place?"

"Nope, not at all. We've decided to be honest with you so… Neither of us expected someone who can complete World Quests multiple times to look for a guild just for some money."

"If you're playing for the money, then we can make that work out too. We're two of the top-ranking guilds after all. You aren't playing for the money, are you?"

"I'm not."

"Exactly." Bigfoot held his forehead as he sighed."All I wanted to hear from you was… that you and we have a positive relationship. That much. It is quite risky for us to take you in, too."

Just now, Bigfoot mentioned showing an openly antagonistic relationship in order to fly under Ironblood's radar.

'I thought the same thing.'

Seojin also told BunnyRabbit to build up a separate force and also left Merhen. They had to operate in small separate groups to avoid getting spotted by Ironblood.

'That's the reason I'm acting all cocky, too. To keep Ironblood' eyes locked on me.'

In other words, the two guild leaders were on the same page. They shared the same objective, but acted as though they had differences in their methodology and were quick to quarrel. This should be why Ironblood wasn't bothering to deal with them.

"Are you prepared?"

"For what?"

"You need clickbait to feed the community. The leaders of Résistance and Red Tower approached Seojin but he rejected them, or something along those lines."

"Did you… plant a spy in our guild?"

"You must be a spy, Bigfoot!"

Perhaps arguing was their habit.

"So, you are prepared, right?"

"…Yes."

"There are moles here. Even among the scattering players around us. About twenty, I'd say? They must be hearing this too."

He had heard so from Flappy, but Bigfoot and Kiri glared at each other upon hearing such a statement.

"As expected, you were a spy!"

"Stop talking nonsense! It was only possible because it's him!"

"…I'm sorry."

Bigfoot lowered his tail. Seojin finally answered the two players who were looking at him silently.

Friend Request Sent

"We won't leave a good impression on Ironblood if we drag this out any longer. Let's have a real talk later."

"That means…"

Bigfoot was added to the friends list.

Kiri was added to the friends list.

"Isn't that what you wanted to hear? A positive answer."

Seojin was right.

"Thank you. Feel free to contact me if you need any help."

"Come to Red Tower first! We're much faster at handling things!"

Kiri and Bigfoot retreated, bickering once again.

Reflecting on the proposal that the guild masters gave him, Seojin made up his mind.

'It'll be better not to inform Hailstorm yet.'

The degree of secrecy would be determined by how many people knew about it. The fewer, the better. Seojin eventually stood up and began to head down the hill.

It was time to give them the promised reward.