The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 27

 

 

I was flustered by the sudden suggestion, but since it was his first request after joining the guild, refusing would’ve felt rude. So, I nodded.

 

Following Choi Tae-hyuk’s lead, we arrived at a small bar I’d passed by before. Inside, there were only a few tables.

 

“Shall we have a drink? Or maybe a meal?”

 

“No, I’m not really hungry. Let’s just drink.”

 

One of the staff quickly came over, and Choi Tae-hyuk ordered drinks and a few side dishes. While we waited, he didn’t say a word.

 

‘Didn’t he say he just wanted to talk for a bit?’

 

The suffocating silence made me break the ice first.

 

“Oh, right. I’ll be staying in the dormitory for a while too. Actually, next door to your room.”

 

“Is it because of Ji Yun-seo, the girl you brought today?”

 

“Yes. Like you once did, she’s going through Awakening Sickness, so she’s staying with An Bom.”

 

“You knew about it?”

 

“Knew what?”

 

I set my beer down after a sip. Choi Tae-hyuk picked up a piece of apple from the fruit platter and offered it to me with a fork. Thinking he meant for me to eat, I accepted it and took a bite.

 

“Did you bring that child because you knew she would Awaken?”

 

“Yes. You know about my skill—the one that lets me see things.”

 

“Even before Awakening?”

 

“Yes.”

 

After I said that, Choi Tae-hyuk fell silent again, staring at me blankly.

 

‘Why is he looking at me like that…? Don’t tell me—?!’

 

“You seem to be misunderstanding. Ji Yun-seo may have Awakened as a Hunter, but I won’t let her take on Hunter work until she’s an adult.”

 

“I wasn’t thinking that.”

 

“Then why the look?”

 

“…How did you come to know Ji Yun-seo?”

 

I couldn’t exactly say, Because I regressed.

 

“I was wandering around, looking for someone who might Awaken, when I came across her. I knew she’d Awaken as an S-rank Tamer.”

 

I used the same excuse I’d given Gumiho, and Choi Tae-hyuk only nodded.

 

“I see.”

 

“You’re already finished? I’ll order us another beer.”

 

It had been a while since I’d had one, and it tasted like heaven.

 

In my past life, cracking open a can after work had been the highlight of my day. But now, with so many other things bringing me joy, I’d almost forgotten that simple joy.

 

“What is your ultimate goal, Guildmaster?”

 

After another sip, Choi Tae-hyuk pushed some food toward me again.

 

I accepted it, then considered his question.

 

My ultimate goal is…

 

“Let’s see. Maybe… turning someone as talented as you into a hero?”

 

“…”

 

His expression shifted strangely.

 

‘Why? I was saying I’d help him become great—so why that look?’

 

“Or maybe you want to earn a fortune?” Choi Tae-hyuk asked.

 

“I already have plenty.”

 

☆ We’re Paying You Too! has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

It’s Aether, the Invincible Tycoon!

 

☆ To Aether, Money is… has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Like a hot spring—endlessly bubbling up~

 

I popped the apple slice I’d been holding into my mouth and set the fork down.

 

Fruit had always been expensive, so even before my regression, I’d gotten used to avoiding it. I could buy anything else, but fruit was the one thing I never splurged on.

 

Maybe that’s why it tasted so sweet with beer.

 

“Or maybe you’re after fame?”

 

“There’s nothing good about that. Just a hassle.”

 

“World domination, then?”

 

“What’s the point of conquering it?”

 

If I return to being a god, I’ll already have countless worlds to manage. Adding another one on top of that? Just thinking about it made me shiver.

 

“Then why did you create a guild?”

 

“I told you already. I want to nurture talents like you, Choi Tae-hyuk.”

 

He gave me a look I couldn’t quite read.

 

Of course, I couldn’t explain the truth.

 

I had originally been a god. My brother and I had made a bet—whether human heroes could prevent the world’s destruction. And then that bastard stuck me in a human body.

 

To win, I had to stop the destruction—but doing it myself would be exhausting. So I needed others to fight in my place.

 

…If I said that out loud, he’d think I’d lost it.

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes.”

 

After that, Choi Tae-hyuk fell silent once more.

 

For a long while, only the clink of glasses and the quiet sound of drinks being poured filled the air. Finally, he stood up.

 

“Let’s call it a night.”

 

“Have your questions been answered?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He nodded, and I rose to follow—but my head suddenly spun.

 

There’s no way I’m drunk off just this much… oh, wait, actually, yeah.

 

I remembered—I might’ve been a heavy drinker before my regression, but right now, I was a twenty-year-old with zero tolerance.

 

“You seem drunk.”

 

“Yes. A little.”

 

“Please sit and wait for a moment.”

 

He gently pressed me back into my seat, settled the bill, and then extended his hand. Feeling pleasantly tipsy for the first time in a while, I smiled faintly and took it.

 

I’d noticed our size difference before, but his hand easily dwarfed mine. Calloused here and there, yet long-fingered and strong. As he steadied me, Choi Tae-hyuk slipped an arm around my shoulder.

 

“I’ll take you back to the dorm.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

My steps grew more and more unsteady. Heat flushed across my face, as if the alcohol were taking over. Even with my low tolerance, there’s no way just three beers should have hit me this hard. Why am I so wasted?

 

Ah—of course. I’d been drinking on an empty stomach.

 

‘What was my old drinking habit again…?’

 

As my eyelids grew impossibly heavy, the answer came to me.

 

‘Right. I’d just fall asleep anywhere.’

 

And then, my vision went dark.

 

* * *

 

Brrrrr.

 

A splitting headache and the vibration of my phone jolted me awake. I blinked at the awkwardly familiar dorm ceiling, feeling the cool, reptilian skin pressed against me.

 

It seemed Choi Tae-hyuk had carried me to Saphi’s room after I passed out drinking last night. Just a few beers, and I was already knocked out? Back then, I could down whiskey and still be fine.

 

Groaning through the pounding hangover, I sat up. Saphi, who had been tossing and turning, promptly fell back asleep.

 

“Eat, sleep, eat, sleep… At this rate, Saphi, you’ll turn into a pig.”

 

I stroked Saphi’s head to clear my thoughts, but then the buzzing sound returned. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and answered the call.

 

“An Bom? What’s wrong—”

 

“Guildmaster! The child is crying!”

 

Even with a hangover, I quickly got up and took the gate upstairs. The sound of a child crying rang out clearly.

 

I rushed into the room, shoes flying off, to find Ji Yun-seo sobbing on the bed.

 

“Yun-seo?”

 

I called softly. When she saw me, she reached out her hands. Thinking she wanted to be held, I stepped forward and pulled her into my arms. Her forehead pressed against my neck, still warm—her fever hadn’t fully broken.

 

“Where am I? Where did Uncle go?”

 

I patted her back as she whimpered. 

 

She probably didn’t remember coming here. To her, she’d simply woken up feeling a bit better, only to find me gone. No wonder she was scared.

 

“Sorry, I stepped downstairs for a bit while you were sleeping. Did I startle you?”

 

“Mmhm. Uncle, I don’t feel good. Don’t leave me.”

 

Her skin was damp with sweat, so I summoned a cool breeze to ease her discomfort. She seemed a little relieved, nuzzling her forehead against my neck.

 

“What about Yun-seo?”

 

Although she had already seen them before, the sight of An Bom and Gumiho stepping into the room made her cry harder.

 

She clung even tighter around my neck.

 

“Why? Don’t you like your aunties? Do they scare you?”

 

I whispered softly. She shook her head.

 

Then why hold onto me so desperately?

 

“Because… I just want to stay with Uncle.”

 

Her trembling voice made me glance at An Bom and Gumiho, signaling them to wait outside. I sat back down on the bed, holding Ji Yun-seo close.

 

Her fever that had finally subsided rose again from the crying, and her breath was hot against my skin.

 

“Yun-seo, don’t cry. Crying makes your fever worse.”

 

“Uncle…”

 

“Yeah, Uncle’s here.”

 

“You won’t ever abandon me, right?”

 

“Why would I abandon you?”

 

“You’ll always be my uncle… forever?”

 

It seemed what I’d told her at the toy store hadn’t truly reassured her. Now that she was sick, her real fears came spilling out. My chest tightened.

 

I rubbed her back gently and whispered,

 

“Of course. Uncle won’t ever leave you. I’m Yun-seo’s uncle—forever.”

 

Her little arms squeezed tighter around my neck, her whole body radiating heat.

 

I pulled out my phone and called An Bom.

 

—Yes, Guildmaster.

 

“Her fever’s back up again.”

 

—I’ll be right there.

 

As soon as I hung up, light flashed from the living room and An Bom dashed into the room.

 

“She seemed fine earlier, but it’s rising again,” An Bom said.

 

Ji Yun-seo rubbed her forehead against my shoulder, her small hand clutching at my clothes.

 

“Yun-seo, are you in a lot of pain?”

 

“Mmhm.”

 

Her voice was hoarse, whether from crying or the fever.

 

“Auntie Bom will help you feel better.”

 

I gestured toward Ji Yun-seo’s side, and An Bom quietly approached.

 

“Yun-seo, give Auntie Bom your hand.”

 

At my words, Yun-seo obediently reached out.

 

An Bom took her hand and began healing. Slowly, the feverish flush eased from her cheeks, her breathing settling.

 

It was a relief that the first hunter I awakened turned out to be a healer. Otherwise, I’d be stuck watching helplessly with nothing but worry.

 

When An Bom released her hand, Ji Yun-seo was already drifting off to sleep, her breaths soft and even.

 

☆ Eha! has donated 300 Mana Stones. ☆

Aether, you’re so good with kids. You’re kind to a fault.

 

☆ CuddleCoo has donated 300 Mana Stones. ☆

I want Aether to pamper me too.

 

‘Whoever that is, I’d love to pamper them—with my fist. Can they stop with these weird comments?’

 

I carefully laid the sleeping Ji Yun-seo back on the bed. She whimpered at the movement, so I lightly patted her chest until she settled back into sleep.

 

As I watched her breathe evenly, a flicker of light from the living room caught my eye.

 

“You’re awake?”

 

It was Choi Tae-hyuk, holding a mug. Dressed in a beige sweater and jeans, he looked so neat he could’ve been a model.

 

Seriously, shouldn’t this guy have been a celebrity instead of a kendo athlete? Too good-looking.

 

“I stopped by the dorm, but you weren’t there, so I came up. No hangover?”

 

“A little.”

 

The hangover I’d forgotten amidst the chaos suddenly throbbed again. I pressed my temple, groaning, and Choi Tae-hyuk handed me the mug.

 

Thirsty anyway, I took a sip—the sweet taste lingered with a soft honeyed aroma.

 

“…It’s honey water.”

 

“It’s good for hangovers. How’s Yun-seo?”

 

“She’s still going through awakening sickness. Since you were down for about a day yourself, I figure it’ll be the same for her.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk nodded. Together, we headed down to the guildmaster’s office on the seventh floor. The desk was buried under a mountain of résumés, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

 

“Résumés?”

 

“Yeah. Before you joined, not a single one came in. Now they’re flooding in.”

 

A good sign in some ways, but most were useless. Just sifting through them took forever.

 

“Do you have time right now?”

 

“Is there something you want me to do?”

 

“Want to go through these résumés with me?”