The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 22

 

 

“So cute!!”

 

“Really adorable.”

 

At An Bom and Gumiho’s squeals, Saphi flew into my arms as if frightened.

 

I patted its back, and a tiny burp slipped out.

 

“Even the burp is cute.”

 

“I want to hold it too.”

 

Gumiho’s voice was wistful, but Saphi only buried its head deeper against my chest, showing no sign of moving to her.

 

While Gumiho looked disappointed and An Bom kept her eyes fixed on Saphi, the little one finished its meal.

 

“I’ll handle the cleanup.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

As An Bom tidied up, Gumiho handed me the documents I had asked her to prepare.

 

I set Saphi down on my lap and took the papers.

 

“That was fast.”

 

“Yes. Since it was already compiled information, they sent it over quickly. The price wasn’t as high as expected, so I paid the fee first.”

 

“Thank you. Send me the invoice and I’ll transfer the amount right away.”

 

“Okay.”

 

As expected of the country’s number-one guild, they controlled a large number of dungeons.

 

The documents included not only the list and locations of the A-rank dungeons I had requested, but also the names of hunters who had recently cleared them. That part I hadn’t expected.

 

“I thought you might need it, so I also got the list of recent clearers.”

 

“Yes, that’s exactly what I needed. Thanks.”

 

Since their base was in Seoul, the number of provincial dungeons was small.

 

I skimmed through the regional ones quickly before setting the papers on the table.

 

As I thought—not in the provinces.

 

Considering how busy Yeon Do-jin always was with meetings, there was no way he’d bother clearing dungeons outside Seoul.

 

‘So that means it has to be Seoul.’

 

I focused on the Seoul listings.

 

True to his reputation for rarely clearing dungeons, his name didn’t appear even after flipping through page after page.

 

“Found it.”

 

He had visited three dungeons: Yeongdeungpo, Gangbyeon, and Gangnam.

 

It had to be one of those three.

 

“Gumiho, tell Kanghyeon Guild to request raids for these three dungeons. The sooner the better. Any loot split is fine as long as it’s not 1:9.”

 

“Most splits are 8:2 or 7:3. Who’s in the raid party?”

 

“Me, Choi Tae-hyuk, and An Bom. Just the three of us.”

 

“Got it. I’ll put in the request tomorrow.”

 

Once Gumiho and An Bom finished cleaning and left, I sat down on the sofa with the thick stack of documents—and Saphi.

 

Three dungeons: fire, water, and desert.

 

None were wind-related. Since Saphi had a wind attribute, I had assumed it must’ve been found in a wind dungeon….

 

I glanced at Saphi, happily rolling around on the sofa with a full belly.

 

Then why had it appeared in a dungeon completely unrelated to its element?

 

* * *

 

The next day, the news and TV were all about me and Choi Tae-hyuk.

 

I’d noticed the broadcast helicopter when the golem appeared, but I hadn’t expected it to blow up like this.

 

『How many S-rank hunters have appeared in Korea so far?』

 

『This makes the fifth. The newly awakened S-rank is Choi Tae-hyuk, a former undefeated World Kendo Champion. Yesterday, he awakened as an Electric-type hunter and registered with the Hunter Association.』

 

At the reporter’s words, the anchor nodded.

 

『If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t Choi Tae-hyuk also present during yesterday’s Myeongdong A-Mart dungeon break?』

 

『That’s right. Let’s take a look at the footage.』

 

The screen shifted, the word Exclusive flashing in red at the corner.

 

I’d seen the helicopter during the golem fight, but apparently, they had been filming since the goblins.

 

The broadcast showed Choi Tae-hyuk fighting goblins—then me, gathering them up with gusts of wind.

 

『So the rumors were true—he awakened as an S-rank, and he fights well. But wait, the person fighting alongside him… isn’t that the F-rank guild master?』

 

『Yes. That’s correct. He’s the guild master of the newly formed Yeon Guild. Choi Tae-hyuk, now an S-rank, has joined them. The guild master, Ji Yeon-woo, is an F-rank wind-type hunter…』

 

A stiff high-school graduation photo of me popped up on screen. Clicking my tongue, I switched off the TV.

 

I’d expected the footage to air, but I hadn’t expected to be dragged into the spotlight with him.

 

If not for Gumiho’s heads-up, I would’ve been caught completely off guard.

 

After the video of me and Choi Tae-hyuk spread, public perception of our guild shifted dramatically.

 

Especially the Hunter Association’s bulletin board—once full of negativity—suddenly turned so positive it felt almost unreal.

 

[Title: Thinking of Applying to Yeon Guild][+99]

 

Post: I’m an F-rank. Think I have a shot? Since the guild master is F-rank too, maybe I do?

 

└ Don’t they only take A-rank or higher?

 

└ Yeon Guild suddenly skyrocketed in popularity. I heard the pay and benefits are amazing.

 

└ What’s so great if the guild master’s just an F-rank?

 

└ Idiot, did you not watch the news today?

 

└ An F-rank guild master who fought alongside an S-rank. Totally changed my view of F-ranks.

 

└ But seriously, how can that kind of power be F-rank?

 

└ Same question. If that’s F-rank wind, then what would an S-rank wind hunter be? A natural disaster?

 

└ I used to work with the Association—there’s even a healer in that guild.

 

└ What? A healer?? In Yeon Guild???

 

└ Yeah. That healer and the F-rank guild master cleared a B-rank dungeon in 27 minutes, 34 seconds—for temporary guild approval.

 

└ WHAT??????????

 

└ For real??

 

└ An F-rank clearing a B-rank dungeon in under 27 minutes??

 

└ Damn. Even after seeing the news, it still feels insane.

 

└ I already tried applying. The number of applicants is nuts. Are they really going to interview them all?

 

Gumiho was thrilled, saying the publicity worked wonders. But because I was an F-rank, many applicants seemed to assume the bar was low. That meant most of the résumés were from random, unqualified people.

 

I spent the morning sifting through the useless ones until Choi Tae-hyuk arrived—right on the dot at 2 p.m., just as promised.

 

I led him to the reception room and handed him the contract.

 

Even while simply sitting, his posture radiated discipline—a clear mark of his athletic background.

 

“These terms…”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk frowned.

 

‘Huh? Terms? Did I write something wrong?’

 

Scratching my head, I sat beside him and glanced at the section he was pointing to.

 

It read:

 

1. Upon joining the guild, the Guild (Party A) shall provide the Hunter (Party B) with all necessary equipment.

 

1. All expenses incurred during dungeon raids shall be covered by the Guild, while any byproducts obtained during raids shall be split at a 3:7 ratio between Party A and Party B.

 

1. Should the Guild’s annual profits exceed 100%, any surplus shall be distributed to Party B as an incentive, proportionate to contribution.

 

1. Party A shall provide Party B with food, clothing, and shelter. Should Party B require any additional items, Party A shall provide them upon request.

 

“What’s wrong with it?”

 

“Aren’t the terms… a little too generous?”

 

If the terms are good, isn’t that supposed to be a good thing? Why the frown?

 

“This guild wasn’t created to make money.”

 

“Then why did you create it?”

 

‘To raise heroes so I can return to being a god.’

 

…Yeah, if I said that out loud, he’d definitely think I was crazy.

 

The terms are good—so just sign already.

 

I racked my brain, then leaned back against the sofa.

 

What should I even say? Think, Aether. You used to be a clever god.

 

“Uh, well… nothing special. It’s just better to be with others than alone.”

 

‘And I’ll be leaving eventually anyway.’

 

“With others…?”

 

“Being alone is too hard, isn’t it?”

 

‘That’s why I’ll be gone.’

 

“I see.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk nodded, then signed both copies of the contract. I wasn’t sure exactly what part he agreed with, but as long as he signed, that was good enough.

 

The signed contracts glowed faintly as they were sealed, preventing any future alterations. One copy went to me, the other to Choi Tae-hyuk—marking the formal completion of the contract.

 

☆ Big Catch! has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Aether finally reeled in a big one!! Well done, Aether!

 

☆ S-Rank Guild Member! has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

An S-rank guild member! At last, spring has come to Aether’s guild!!

 

“I’ll make sure you won’t regret joining us.”

 

“I’ll be in your care.”

 

“Same here. Will you be using a sword as your weapon?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Well, what kind of sword does a kendo athlete need? For now, I’d just stock up on swords.

 

I had more than enough money. First, I’d buy any S-rank swords I could find. Then, if there was one he particularly liked, I’d search for an S-rank version of that exact type.

 

“Alright. Until we get you a proper sword, there’s a training hall in the basement, first floor. You can start warming up there. Your physical stats should already have improved a bit.”

 

“The guild provides weapons?”

 

“Yes. I don’t know how other guilds handle it, but as the contract states, we’ll supply anything necessary for raids. A weapon is the bare minimum for a hunter, so of course we’ll provide one.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk’s brow furrowed.

 

What? Did he think I was going to give him something shabby?

 

Sure, I was F-rank—but in terms of money, I was practically SSS-rank.

 

I’d raise him with money if I had to, but he still didn’t look convinced.

 

“Then what does the guild actually gain from this?”

 

‘A hero who can stand in my place.’

 

“People. We gain people.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk gave me a strange look.

 

Should I be glad he wasn’t a mind-reading hunter? If he were, he’d definitely think I was crazy. Hehe.

 

“Then, let me introduce you to the other guild members.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As I led Choi Tae-hyuk out of the guildmaster’s office, a loud pop! echoed—firecrackers bursting in the air.

 

“Welcome to Yeon Guild!”

 

Waiting outside were An Bom, Gumiho, and Saphi.

 

Saphi came dashing straight toward me.

 

‘Why are you running when you’ve got wings?’

 

I barely managed to catch Saphi before it rammed into my legs.

 

“Let me introduce you. This is An Bom—you’ve probably seen her already. Next to her is Gumiho, our secretary who handles the guild’s administrative work. And this little one, you’ve also met before—Saphi. Its full name is Saphirus, an S-rank, but you can just call it Saphi. As for me, I’m Ji Yeon-woo, a Wind-type hunter and guild master. Pleased to have you.”

 

“I look forward to working with you.”

 

Our guild was solid. Only two hunters so far—but one S-rank and one A-rank. Where else would you find a guild this efficient? This was the class of a guild made by a god.

 

“Guildmaster, will Choi Tae-hyuk be commuting?” asked Gumiho, who oversaw the building’s management.

 

“Oh? What do you prefer? I saw from your contract address that your home is nearby.”

 

“If possible, I’d like to stay in the dormitory.”

 

It was barely a ten-minute walk from his place. Did he really need to stay in the dorms?

 

☆ What’s this?! has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Why the dorms? His house is close enough—what for~

 

☆ WhatElse has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

To stop the apocalypse, obviously—you’ve got to sync together.

 

☆ Agree. has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

I support this lineup!

 

☆ SameSky has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Or maybe he just won’t be satisfied otherwise?

 

“Are there no rooms available?”

 

Hey, what do you take our guild for?

 

“You stayed here last time, so you know it’s not that spacious. Wouldn’t your own place be more comfortable?”

 

“I’d like to adapt and settle in at the dorm. Is that not allowed?”

 

“…Well. There’s no reason it can’t be. Gumiho, let him stay wherever he wants.”

 

“I’ll guide you.” An Bom raised her hand.

 

“There are plenty of empty rooms right now,” she added, and Choi Tae-hyuk nodded. “You can pick whichever you like.”

 

“Where do you stay, Guildmaster?”

 

“The top floor of this building is my home.”

 

“I see.”

 

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but Choi Tae-hyuk simply nodded and followed An Bom.

 

I handed the contract I’d been holding to Gumiho.

 

“You pulled it off.”

 

“It wasn’t me—Choi Tae-hyuk wanted to join on his own.”

 

“Still.”

 

I shrugged and motioned for her to follow me back into the office. Something had crossed my mind earlier that morning.

 

“Do you have something to discuss?” she asked.

 

“There’s a child I want to bring in.”

 

“A child?”

 

“A tamer. One who’ll awaken as S-rank.”

 

Gumiho’s eyes lit up, sparkling with excitement.