Chapter 175
Jeong Jae-Uk’s schedule was unforgiving as the person himself, having assigned the guild’s strongest players to raid one gate after the next. By now, Guardian’s attack teams were reaching their limit all across the country.
Had Jeong Jae-Uk joined them on their missions, then perhaps their morale would’ve remained, having nurtured some camaraderie and respect for their sub-master.
But he hadn’t.
Instead, Jeong Jae-Uk remained hidden away at headquarters, his mouth a well of excuses as he skirted his quota of field work. Naturally, the veteran guild members had long been dissatisfied with their treatment, and that dissatisfaction grew by the day, accompanied by rising doubts:
At this point, is he just telling us to quit?
Does he think Guardian can maintain its position among the top five without us?
Jeong Jae-Uk, that bastard, does he even care about Guardian?
More and more, the guild members on assignment had begun considering scouting offers from other guilds, until they received several pieces of shocking news:
-The master has awoken.
-Jeong Jae-Uk has died.He signed a contract with a demon and fell into depravity, seeking to harm the guild. But the master, alongside the young lady and the Yaksha’s youngest son, has confronted and killed him.
“...Is this real?”
“Please tell me this is true!”
At first, the guild members struggled to believe it. News of their master’s return was surreal enough, let alone talk of the young lady and the son of the Yaksha’s involvement in Jeong Jae-Uk’s killing.
Growing up, the young lady had always stuck to Jeong Jae-Uk’s hip, as quiet and meek as a mouse. And regarding the youngest son of the Yaksha, who was that? Wasn’t he also a kid? Yet somehow, those two had aided their master in killing an S-class player.
Nevertheless, that was indeed the truth. They had all received the same missive, after all.
The news was as shocking as it was joyous, and veteran guild members shouted and hugged each other for a long time afterward. To them, news of Park Chang-Cheon's awakening was like rain after a long drought, while news of Jeong Jae-Uk’s ‘permanent’ removal from all guild affairs was as though destiny itself had blessed them.
Moreover, the reveal of Jeong Jae-Uk’s twisted nature and pitiful death was a hearty broth for the veteran members’ worn spirits.
“That bastard’s end was too fitting!”
“‘Bastard’ is right. I didn’t expect him to be a demon contractor.”
“He was a demon contractor. Now, he’s but a corpse. Guardian is on the path to stability.”
“Phew, I’m glad I don’t have to leave Guardian.”
They, the veteran members of Guardian, had remained with Guardian for so long despite Jeong Jae-Uk’s tyrannical ministrations because they cared for the guild—well, they cared for the guild as it used to be. And now, a resurgence was on the horizon.
***
Three days later.
Some of the veteran players received another message from Guardian’s higher-ups, the contents of which gave them pause.
-All those currently on assignment in Gyeongsang-do are to report to the World Tree Outskirts gate immediately.
-Join forces with the reinforcements arriving at 2 p.m. and attack the gate.
Among those to receive the summons were players who’d just returned from an assignment, and players who’d been about to leave for their next.
The World Tree Outskirts was an S-grade gate; raiding such a gate without preparation or experience was nearly unheard of.
......
......
Gathered in front of the World Tree Outskirts’ gate checkpoint, a team of veteran players whispered to each other under the sun, their conversation undercut by the cries of cicadas.
“Wait, isn’t this the place that the guildmaster attacked once before?”
“Maybe the master chose it as the stage for his return?”
“That makes sense. And here I was, worried; things should be fine if the master is with us. In fact, I’m quite excited now.”
Just then, an old man bundled in a thick winter scarf approached the group.
“Thank you for coming.”
The faces of the guild members lit up when they recognized the old man, and they greeted him in unison, “Elder Gu.”
One member came forward and politely asked, “Elder, did you come all this way to escort the master?”
“Hmm... No. I’m training the young lady.”
“The young lady?”
The eyes of the guild members shifted behind the elder.
A beautiful girl with long black hair and straight bangs caught their attention.
Park Hae-Rin...
She was the only child of the master. However, the prevailing opinion was that she hadn’t inherited their master’s talent. Her introverted and passive personality was also a problem. If not for these, why else would she have entered Lion’s Castle as a level 1 newbie?
Despite being the only blood of the master, she had never ventured to the gates, only trailing behind the Jeong father and son’s coat tails. From their perspective, she was the symbol of incompetence.
“Why did you bring the young lady here?”
Doubts growing, the guild member’s dissatisfaction bled through his voice. “In addition, who are those kids?” He inclined his head toward the boys and the girl next to Hae-Rin.
“Are they the young lady’s friends? Could it be you summoned us here to give a tour of a gate? Elder Gu, we’ve already been suffering for months. Now you wish to send us into the Outer World Outskirts, unprepared and with a group of kids? Forgive me for saying, but isn’t this asking us to die?”
“Not at all. Don’t underestimate yourselves. Guardian has gathered four attack teams for this mission, nearly half of Guardian’s strength. We will succeed. Besides”—Elder Gu hooked a thumb over his shoulder—“I’m even bringing my grandson.”
The guild members peered behind Elder Gu.
“Why am I the one acting as a porter?”
There, a tanned boy with a backpack strapped to his front and back, as well as luggage in his hand, was waddling over while grumbling. They recognized him: the boy was Gu Suk-Jeong, Elder Gu’s most cherished grandson.
Elder Gu continued, “I’m also coming. For now, just trust and follow. There are too many eyes and ears here.”
“Yes... ”
The guild members calmed down. The checkpoint staff and players from other factions were indeed watching curiously.
Gu Suk led them to the checkpoint terminal, where a female receptionist sat behind a small window. “We are the Guardian Guild. We are going to challenge the World Tree Outskirts.”
“You... want to challenge an S-grade gate?”
At the word ‘S-grade’, the other clerks at the back and the surrounding players erupted in whispers.
“If you want to challenge an S-grade gate, you need to get permission from the Association—”
“Here you are.”
“Thank you. Mmm. A license for the Guardian Guild and three others... ”
The receptionist brought the permit to her nose and squinted.
“Students from Lion’s Castle? You're bringing kids into an S-grade gate?”
Gu Suk waved dismissively. “It’s a field trip, a field trip. My grandson’s friends are on vacation, so I’m going to broaden their knowledge.”
“What... What type of field trip takes place in an S-grade gate?”
“Hmph. Are you questioning how Guardian does things? Who are you? Do I need to explain myself?” Elder Gu Suk snapped.
“I-I’m just concerned about the safety of the students. Excuse me, all of you. Are you here willingly?” the receptionist asked while doing her best to ignore the Elder’s fiery stare.
Gu Suk-Jeong immediately groaned, “I was dragged—”
Jae-Hyeok elbowed him.
“D-dragged?” The receptionist leaned forward.
Gu Suk-Jeong sighed but said no more.
Do-Jin swaggered up to the counter then.
“Aish, my friend here is quite the jokester. How could we be dragged here? We’re students of Lion’s Castle and proper players. We’re definitely here willingly. Look at me—I said Look. Would I lie to you?” Do-Jin twisted his face into his most gentle expression.
The receptionist leaned back and muttered suspiciously, “I don’t think that’s what that kid was trying to say— ”
Elder Gu Suk coughed. “That boy is my grandson. You can cross-check my code with his to verify.”
“Right...?”
“Isn’t that enough? How could I force my grandson into real danger? Listen here. We are Guardian. And for Guardian, an S-grade gate isn’t something to be feared. So stop wasting my time.”
“I-I understand. The Guardian Guild does have experience clearing the World Tree Outskirts, so you must be familiar with the strategy. Okay, I believe Guardian will guide them responsibly. ”
Swallowing her doubts, the receptionist let them through.
In the first place, it had already been approved by the Association. There was a limit to how much she, a receptionist, could question others.
“Let’s go.”
Gu Suk urged the group.
We have to hurry up before the Association notices.
The Association considered the Kang family to be a thorn in its side, so there would only be losses if the full scope of Guardian’s relationship with the Kang family were exposed. To that end, they had been keeping a lid on Jeong Jae-Uk’s death, informing only the guild members.
Only with Jae-Hyeok and Guardian’s relationship under wraps, had Gu Suk managed to finagle a gate-entry permit from the Association. He had used the guise of a ‘field trip’ and framed Jae-Hyeok, Do-Jin, and Da-Hee as friends that Hae-Rin had insisted on bringing. Of course, to complete the guise of a guild field-trip, he’d dragged his grandson along as well.
Although Guardian’s attack teams were none too pleased to hear him speak of a ‘field trip’, it was the best Gu Suk could do. He would explain later.
I know the strategies for the World Tree Outskirts gate.In addition, Kang Jae-Hyeok’s skill are real. Multiple eyewitness reports of his battle with Jeong Jae-Uk confirm as much.
Once we’re in, even if it is impossible to capture the gate, we can definitely reach the mid-point escape route. All we need to do is gain the heart of a dark elf and leave.
Gu Suk rehearsed the plan before ordering the guild members.
“Through the gate.”
***
[You have entered the World Tree Outskirts.]
[The races in the Black Forest have keen senses. They have picked up the scent of uninvited guests.]
[Killing intent is detected!]
[Your weaknesses are exposed. Dodge chance has decreased. The chance of being critically hit has increased.]
“Wow.”
Exclamations burst out everywhere.
It was the largest and most beautiful forest they had ever seen in their lives. Most strikingly was the shadow of an enormous tree that darkened half a span of the horizon, while its height was unknowable, disappearing into the clouds. Perhaps it reached into the void beyond.
“It is amazing every time I see it... ”
“Stay alert.”
The leaders of each attack team warned their members.
“Stay lost in the scenery, and you may as well be dead already. Arrows or magic can come from anywhere, anytime. Let alone yourselves, we’ve all got to watch over the kids, too.”
“Yes...!”
The guild members came to their senses and were tense. Just then, a metallic ringing entered their ears.
What is he doing? Why draw your sword?
Hmph. Kang Dae-Seong’s brother is just as much of an attention seeker.
Guardian members frowned at Jae-Hyeok, who returned his sword to his scabbard with a click.
This lunatic?
Meanwhile, Gu Suk was astonished.
Gu Suk had caught the shimmer in the air after Jae-Hyeok had drawn his sword. Fragments of stingers, each thinner than a needle, settled like dust at Jae-Hyeok’s feet.
Is this a medium for the curse? No wonder people fall victim to it without knowing, especially in the midst of battle. Jae-Hyeok stared in the direction from which the stingers had come and smiled.
This is a good chance for a debut performance.