The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 19

 

 

A sudden idea struck me, and I tightly condensed the swirling winds around me. The air gathered at my will, swelling as it compacted.

 

By the time a hilt and blade had taken shape, it had become a complete sword. Though not as razor-sharp as a well-forged steel blade, the compressed hurricane forming the edge carried enough force to destroy anything it touched.

 

“Mr. Choi Tae-hyuk.”

 

I extended the wind-forged sword toward Choi Tae-hyuk, who turned to look at me. When he just stared, puzzled, I held it out again.

 

“This is a sword I made with wind. Can you use it?”

 

“…With wind? Can skills even be used like this? How did you make it?”

 

“That’s not important right now. Can you use it?”

 

Still looking dazed, Choi Tae-hyuk finally grasped the sword.

 

The wind infused with my will didn’t scatter; it held its form even in his hand.

 

“I’ll give it a try.”

 

The moment he said this, crackling electricity surged into the wind-forged sword.

 

Wrapped in blue wind and flashing lightning, the sword looked like an invincible weapon. Not only would it shred anything it touched with wind, but the lightning would electrocute and kill as well.

 

“…It works!”

 

“It does,” said Choi Tae-hyuk.

 

At that moment, the golem’s fist flew toward us. Instantly, Choi Tae-hyuk dodged to the other side and leapt onto the golem’s arm, springing toward its head.

 

The wind- and lightning-infused sword struck the golem’s head without hesitation. Despite the loud impact, its head remained unscathed.

 

When the golem’s massive hand reached for him, Choi Tae-hyuk jumped down.

 

“Watch out!”

 

I whipped up a gust of wind to help him land safely. But just as he touched the ground, the golem’s other hand shot toward him.

 

“Damn it!”

 

I shaped the wind into a whip and bound the golem’s hand.

 

As Choi Tae-hyuk bounded down and rushed back toward me, I shouted:

 

“Mr. Choi Tae-hyuk, find the golem’s core!”

 

“Got it!!”

 

A sharp throb stabbed through my heart. I had the sinking feeling that if I pushed my power any further, it would become dangerous—but stopping meant certain death at the golem’s hands.

 

‘Whether I die this way or that way… it’s the same.’

 

I summoned more wind, binding the golem’s other hand as well. Yanking with all my strength, I dragged the giant’s body down until it crashed into the ground.

 

“I’ll lift it up!”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk sprinted up the golem’s massive arm and leapt onto its head. Perched there, he carefully scanned the golem’s face, searching for its core. 

 

Perhaps realizing our intent, the golem thrashed violently, but Choi Tae-hyuk maintained perfect balance, darting across its shoulders without faltering.

 

“…I might not be able to hold on much longer,” I muttered, breaking out in a cold sweat. The pain in my chest intensified. 

 

Was the human body really this fragile? One misstep, and I feared all my strength would vanish. I bit my lip hard, determined that even if I passed out, I’d at least hold the golem down until then.

 

‘What’s Choi Tae-hyuk doing?’

 

I looked toward the golem’s head—only to see him gone.

 

Just as I feared he might have fallen, I spotted him dangling precariously from the back of the golem’s neck.

 

“…Mr. Choi Tae-hyuk!!”

 

“Found it!”

 

“Destroy it!!”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk swung his sword with all his strength.

 

A loud crack resounded. The thrashing golem suddenly froze. Slowly, bit by bit, its body began to crumble away. Leaping down from the collapsing golem, Choi Tae-hyuk ran toward me.

 

“Are you all right?”

 

I nodded, releasing the tension I’d been holding. The ache in my chest finally eased.

 

‘Phew. Barely made it.’

 

“Haah… You did well.”

 

“You too.”

 

“You fought really well back there.”

 

“You as well, Mr. Ji Yeon-woo. You really seem like someone with a lot of hunter experience.”

 

“Well, I wouldn’t say that….”

 

I hadn’t actually worked as a hunter, but I’d learned a lot and was somehow covering for it with the power of God.

 

Still, do S-rank hunters really adapt this quickly? It’s impressive.

 

I felt like I’d used just enough strength not to collapse, and I wanted to fall asleep right then.

 

But there was still one thing I absolutely had to do.

 

“…Then, let’s head to the Hunter Association.”

 

“Aren’t you going to collect the byproducts?” Choi Tae-hyuk asked.

 

“What would I even do with a pile of stones?”

 

To claim the byproducts, we’d need the golem’s core—but since I’d told him to destroy it, Choi Tae-hyuk had smashed it to pieces.

 

A golem with its core destroyed was nothing more than a heap of stones. Useless, just plain stones.

 

“Someone will clean that up.”

 

“Since it seems like it was filmed by the broadcasting station, the Hunter Association will take care of it soon.” Choi Tae-hyuk pointed at the sky; a broadcast helicopter still hovered there.

 

‘Right. Since it was broadcast live, someone will definitely come to deal with it.’

 

As we emerged from the dungeon, reporters who wouldn’t come close stayed at a distance. Seeing us walk out in relatively good condition, they swarmed us.

 

“What happened? Did the two of you take care of this dungeon break?”

 

“What skill did you use to defeat the goblins?”

 

“Did you know a golem was going to appear after clearing the goblins and waiting there?”

 

“This is the first time we’ve seen you. What’s your Hunter rank…?”

 

“And the person next to you, are they also an Awakened…?”

 

“Excuse us, please move aside—we’re busy.”

 

As if having my face broadcast live wasn’t enough, answering each question could have meant losing this S-rank hunter to a major guild before I even had a chance to act.

 

I grabbed Choi Tae-hyuk’s hand, pulling him away from the wall of reporters.

 

“Just ignore them. There’s no need to answer everything.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk looked at me for a moment, then gave a small nod.

 

* * *

 

Dragging my heavy, leaden legs, I finally reached the Hunter Association, which was as chaotic as ever.

 

It was already crowded, but with reporters trailing behind us, even hunters from the upper floors had come down to gawk, turning the first floor into a bustling marketplace.

 

“First, go over there and get checked.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk grabbed my arm, his expression clearly telling me he didn’t want to be left alone.

 

I gently removed his hand from my arm and said, “I’m going to the underground auction house for a bit.”

 

“…”

 

The reporters swarming around us were becoming overwhelming. While Choi Tae-hyuk could avoid them by heading to the examination area, leaving me alone meant being bombarded with questions.

 

So, I decided to head to the underground auction house. Without a Hunter license, no one could enter, making it the perfect place to escape the chaos.

 

Besides, after the recent dungeon run, I realized I desperately needed proper equipment.

 

I couldn’t rely on C-rank gear looted from an ant nest forever.

 

Every time a dungeon broke out or a problem arose, not having the right equipment caused all sorts of complications.

 

After helping Choi Tae-hyuk with his registration, I headed downstairs.

 

☆ Auction House has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Oh, this is the same place you came to before. It brings back memories of the Queen Ant Necklace you sold here.

 

Today, however, the crowd wasn’t too large, probably because there weren’t many items up for auction.

 

At the reception desk, I handed over my Hunter license. After checking my registration number, the clerk handed me a paddle.

 

When I entered, an auction was already underway. On stage was a fine silver bracelet inlaid with a red gem.

 

“This bracelet allows you to track each other’s locations…”

 

‘A tracking bracelet… Maybe I should buy it, just in case.’

 

There could be younger Hunters who might need it—or I might find it useful myself. With that in mind, I joined the bidding.

 

No one else seemed eager to compete. Without any opposition, the bracelet was mine at the starting price.

 

“Sold to paddle number 10 for 7 million won!”

 

“The next item is an A-rank ring that boosts defense…”

 

‘Perfect for An Bom.’

 

As a healer, An Bom needed stronger defense. She was currently wearing a C-rank ring, but healers are crucial, so I wanted to give her something better.

 

Three other bidders raised their paddles, but I persistently held mine up, and before long, the ring was mine.

 

“Sold to paddle number 10 for 18 million won!”

 

☆Without a Second Thought has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Aether really does seem to live without a care in the world… or am I imagining it?

 

“The next item is a sword…”

 

The spotlight illuminated the blade on stage—a B-rank sword.

 

B-rank. Not terrible, but too mediocre for Choi Tae-hyuk.

 

If I wanted to entice him, it would need to be at least S-rank. Where did those even show up?

 

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the B-rank sword auction had already ended. Then the auctioneer signaled, and an iron cage was wheeled onto the stage.

 

“Our next auction item is a monster brought straight from a dungeon.”

 

I frowned. They were auctioning monsters now?

 

Peering into the cage, I saw it: a round face with large, wide eyes, and a thick tail tapering to a sharp point—like a lizard.

 

I’ve never liked reptiles.

 

Checking the time, I guessed Choi Tae-hyuk’s tests would be finishing soon. Since it was just some reptilian mob I had no intention of bidding on, I began to rise from my seat.

 

“Unveiling now!”

 

“Ooooh!”

 

Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd just as I was about to leave.

 

‘What could possibly be so amazing for everyone to react like this?’

 

I turned to look at the stage. Inside the iron cage, a blue monster spread its small wings.

 

Dragged from the shadows into the bright light, it flapped its wings a few times as if to resist, but the collar around its neck and the shackles binding all four limbs kept it from flying, slamming it down onto the floor instead.

 

“…A dragon.”

 

“It’s a Blue Dragon hatchling.”

 

Kiiiii—!

 

A shrill cry echoed through the auction hall, like a child calling for its parents.

 

I knew that sometimes monster cubs from dungeons were sold.

 

Normally, they were useless unless you were a Tamer, but some eccentric collectors would buy them. Owning one was even considered a symbol of wealth.

 

“It hasn’t been tamed yet. To tame it, you’ll need this gem.”

 

The auctioneer held up a glowing blue gem that reflected the light.

 

‘It really looks like a gem.’

 

This was the monster’s gem.

 

Any monster born A-rank or higher carried one from birth. It was literally their lifeline—if the gem broke, the monster would die instantly, even without being attacked.

 

That’s why such monsters could be sold to ordinary people.

 

As long as you had the gem, the monster had no choice but to obey. Even if it wanted to resist, instinct forced it to submit to the one holding its life.

 

Monsters usually swallowed the gem at birth, but some only did so upon reaching maturity.

 

This dragon seemed to be one of those.

 

Its frightened eyes darted around the hall, and then our gazes met.

 

Kiii—

 

☆What? has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

That thing…

 

☆Huh? has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Why is that there?

 

☆Does This Make Sense? has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Does it even make sense for that to be there?