The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money – Chapter 21

Author: CleiZz

The innocent chick-like look vanished, replaced by a vacant, zombie-like stare fixed on me.

A shiver ran down my spine. I had to get out of here before I got eaten.

“You’re… that guy from before?”

Kang Geon-hee, whom I’d seen in the Ant Dungeon, looked startled as if he recognized me.

‘If this keeps up, everything will be exposed.’

I grabbed Choi Tae-hyuk’s arm, intending to make a quick escape.

“Let’s go.”

“Wait!”

Ignoring Kang Geon-hee’s call, I strode away at a brisk pace.

Choi Tae-hyuk matched my steps, paying no attention to anyone who tried to talk to him.

The only problem was that, unlike my hurried pace, he was walking slowly—with those long legs of his.

Thinking it might shock people, I slipped off my coat before getting into the taxi and used it to cover the baby Blue Dragon.

Once I climbed into the back seat, Choi Tae-hyuk sat across from me.

He didn’t say a word the entire ride. I kept sneaking glances at him. He must’ve received tempting offers from headhunters while I was gone.

He didn’t even know our guild’s full terms, and the only connection between us was hunting a golem together.

To think he’d reject all those offers and simply choose our guild outright—I should’ve been touched, but honestly, it felt too easy. I couldn’t shake the unease.

Why was he so determined to join our guild?

* * *

When we arrived, Gumiho greeted us.

“Welcome back. What’s that?”

The baby Blue Dragon must have been exhausted—it hadn’t stirred once during the whole trip.

I had a strange feeling it would wake the moment I set it down, so I just removed the coat and sat on the sofa with it still in my arms.

“It’s a monster. It’s sleeping now, so I’ll introduce it later.”

“Alright. Would you like some tea?”

I glanced at Choi Tae-hyuk. He shook his head.

I also declined, and Gumiho left the guildmaster’s office.

Choi Tae-hyuk turned to me.

“You want to join our guild?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Before we went to the Hunter Association, didn’t you say that joining a guild might make me feel like I’d just be carried along by money?”

Right, I had said that.

But back then, Choi Tae-hyuk hadn’t shown any interest.

So why the sudden change of heart? And…

‘It feels like he knows I’m an F-rank and still accepted that.’

“When the dungeon broke last time, our teamwork was good. That’s why I want to join.”

“Ah…”

Was it because of the way I backed him up when he fought the goblin and the golem? But saying we worked well together… he had done all the fighting himself.

Still, if he says he wants in, who am I to stop him?

Yes—whatever the reason, if he’s joining, I welcome him.

“I wasn’t expecting to talk about contracts today, so nothing’s prepared. Let’s do it tomorrow. Any conditions you want?”

“Nothing in particular. Just take care of it however you see fit.”

The scariest thing in the world is “however you see fit.”

After nodding, Choi Tae-hyuk rose to his feet.

“I’ll come back tomorrow afternoon, then.”

“Understood. See you tomorrow.”

Watching him leave, I sank back into the sofa. Only then did I notice the weight of the baby Blue Dragon—I must’ve been tense without realizing it.

At first, carrying it had seemed manageable… but apparently not. Even as a baby, a dragon was still a dragon, huh?

☆But has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Wasn’t everything made by Aether supposed to be fluffy?

☆Correct. has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

I don’t think he really liked reptiles.

According to the gods, this baby Blue Dragon—imbued with my own power—was far from my usual taste. Everything I’d created before had been mammals. Reptiles didn’t suit my aesthetic at all.

That was why I hadn’t planned to participate in the auction. Yet here was a living creature created with my own power.

‘How did this happen? Can one secretly steal the power of the gods?’

I reached out and pressed the bell connected to the secretary’s office. The door opened with a click.

“What do you need… Oh. Mr. Choi Tae-hyuk has left?”

“Yes. Without the contract in place, there’s nothing to do now. We agreed to handle it tomorrow.”

Gumiho’s eyes widened.

“So, our guild is getting an S-rank member!”

“It’s a stroke of luck. By the way, Gumiho, do you know where the information guild is?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Then please find out the location of the A-rank dungeon owned by the Kanghyeon Guild. Cost doesn’t matter—just do it quickly.”

“Yes. I’ll verify and send the approval documents.”

I nodded, carried the dragon up to the 8th floor, set it on the bed, and went to the office to prepare Choi Tae-hyuk’s contract.

I’d hurried to establish this guild, and now, right after its founding, an S-rank member had joined… On top of that, a monster of unknown identity had entered the picture. Too many things demanded consideration.

One of the first was:

‘The Ant Dungeon auction will probably happen soon too.’

Most dungeons were bought by guilds.

Unpopular or low-level ones with high additional value were managed by the state, but B-rank and higher were purchased and run by guilds.

They could be used to train new members or to gather materials. With Choi Tae-hyuk and An Bom, our guild could probably start buying dungeons soon.

For now, they should go with me. Later, when more people joined, they could handle it themselves.

I had originally planned to draft an S-rank contract and treat everyone to dinner, but a more pressing question came to mind:

‘What do dragons eat?’

Dragons are living creatures, so they must eat something. Since this wasn’t one I created, I had no way of knowing what it liked.

Scratching my head, I headed to the nearest butcher shop.

“What would you like?”

“Five catties of beef and five of pork, please.”

“Alright. Shall I cut it for you?”

“Yes—into large chunks.”

In the otherworld novels I’d read, dragons always ate meat. Figuring this one would be the same, I stocked up. Just in case, I also bought four whole chickens so it could choose according to its taste, then headed back to the guild.

On the 8th floor, Gumiho and An Bom were already seated at the table, having been informed ahead of time by phone.

“Is Mr. Choi Taehyuk really going to sign with our guild?”

“Yes. We’ll draft the contract tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“It’s all thanks to your healing, An Bom.”

“I only did a little, that’s all.”

Watching An Bom shyly downplay her efforts made me smile.

Both An Bom and Gumiho were genuinely kind people. Maybe it was just because this was my guild, but still—everyone here had good hearts.

As expected, gods ought to live kindly. No doubt about it.

Over dinner, while discussing the Hunter Association, I suddenly remembered the ring I had won at the auction. I pulled it from my pocket and handed it to An Bom.

“An Bom, wear this instead of that C-rank one.”

“What is it?”

“An A-rank defense ring. Defense is crucial for healers.”

“…Isn’t an A-rank item expensive?”

“It’s not that pricey. It’s not like it’s S-rank.”

Even so, her expression remained uneasy. I told her it was guild policy to support each other with whatever we could, but she still looked conflicted.

“Just take it. If it feels like too much, think of it as a loan.”

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I plan to ask for more in the future anyway, so don’t be too grateful.”

An Bom burst out laughing.

I was serious, though. Hopefully she didn’t think I was joking—I really would put her to work.

“Gumiho, if there’s ever anything you need, just let me know. I’ll get it for you.”

“How much do you plan to make us work?”

“A ton.”

The cheerful mood was suddenly broken by a rustling sound from the bedroom.

The dragon must’ve woken up. That nap had lasted long enough.

When I went in, the little dragon was curled up on the bed, looking meek as a kitten. The sight made me chuckle.

“Awake already?”

“Kkyuu.”

Oh? It even answered.

Delighted, I reached out, and it fluttered its wings and flew straight into my arms.

Cradling the dragon, I returned to the table. An Bom’s eyes went wide—unlike Gumiho, who had already seen it earlier.

“Is that… a monster?”

“Yeah. I picked it up at the auction.”

“It’s so cute!”

With its sleek body, big round eyes, and neatly folded wings, it really was adorable. Gumiho even set down her chopsticks and leaned closer.

“Rawr!!!”

The little Blue Dragon let out a roar.

“Uh?”

Startled, Gumiho flinched and stepped back.

Its expression had suddenly turned fierce, glaring as if it would bite the moment she came closer.

I gently patted its back, and its face softened again, returning to that docile look.

“Maybe it didn’t like you rushing in.”

“Animals get startled when approached suddenly. I used to do medical volunteer work—this is how you should do it. Hello. I’m An Bom.”

This time, An Bom greeted the dragon in a soft, gentle voice.

“Rawr!!”

But even to her kindness, the baby Blue Dragon snapped fiercely.

“Guildmaster, did you perhaps use some kind of imprinting?”

“I don’t have any tamer skills.”

“Then why is it only fine with you?”

Good question. I couldn’t exactly say it was because of the monster’s gem—since I’d placed that in the room with me.

Extending my hand toward the baby Blue Dragon, which still eyed An Bom and Gumiho warily, it leaned its head toward me before my hand even reached, as if asking to be petted.

☆ Looking At It has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

The little guy really was cute. …Was I into reptiles after all?

☆ Maybe It’s Just Shy? has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Aether is its creator, so of course it’s attached. It’s probably just wary of other humans.

“Maybe it’s still not used to strangers?”

“You think so?”

Gumiho gave me a really? look, but since it was my first time seeing it too, all I could do was shrug.

Once they sat back down to eat, I brought out the meat I’d bought earlier from the butcher: one cut of beef, one of pork, and a whole chicken.

Not knowing how much it would eat, I arranged them on a tray like a buffet at the end of the table and set the dragon down in front of it.

But instead of eating, it just tilted its head at the food. So I picked up a piece of beef and held it to its mouth.

“Go on, eat.”

As if it understood, it opened its mouth wide. I placed the meat inside, and it chewed before swallowing with obvious delight. Pleased, I nudged the tray closer.

The dragon grabbed a chunk of pork next. Good thing I bought that.

“What are you two doing, not eating?” I asked.

An Bom and Gumiho were both staring intently at the dragon instead of their own meals.

Then Gumiho asked:

“If it’s a monster, does it have a gem too?”

“Yes.”

I went to fetch the monster gem from the bedroom and set it on the table.

Both of them picked it up, turning it curiously in their hands.

“How about Macmunajaebi for its name?”

“…A name?”

“Yes. Aren’t you going to raise it?”

“Or are you planning to sell it somewhere?” An Bom added.

I shook my head lightly. I might not have chosen this, but it carried my power.

‘Like it or not, it’s my child.’

“No. I’ll raise it myself.”

“Then it needs a name. Back in the countryside, there was this plant that bore blue fruits like gemstones. That’s why it stuck in my memory.”

“Unnie… that name is kind of…”

An Bom trailed off, unable to say the rest out loud.

☆ Gumiho has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

What kind of name is that?

☆ Jjongjjong has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

How about Jjongjjong, Aether-nim?

(T/N: “Jjongjjong” is a Korean sound effect for small, bouncy, trotting movements—often used to describe pets or cute things. Here, it’s being suggested as a cute name.)

☆ Is It A Dog? has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Let’s just go with Jjongjjong. Or since it’s Aether’s creation, why not just Ae?

“I’d rather call it Sky,” Gumiho cut in.

“No, that’s even worse. How about Lapis Lazuli?”

“Bom, isn’t it closer to sapphire than lapis lazuli?”

“…Is it?”

As Gumiho pointed out, the dragon’s gem was indeed closer to sapphire—a pure, transparent blue.

“Then let’s go with Saphirus. Saphi for short,” I suggested.

The dragon happily ate the beef and pork but clearly disliked chicken—after one bite, it spat it out and flicked its long tongue.

“Saphi.”

When I called its name and held out my hand, the dragon tilted its head, then pressed its face against my palm.

☆ Saphi has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆