The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 44

 

 

☆ Boneless has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Stop turning our Aether into boneless meat! He’s going to vanish at this rate!

T/N: “순살” literally means “boneless meat,” but it’s also slang for someone who’s completely exhausted, beaten down, or emotionally done for.

 

☆ Take It Easy has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

No matter how kind our Aether is, he’s still a god! Don’t roast him too hard!

 

Sometimes, the people who try to help are even more annoying than the ones who don’t.

 

Seriously, you bastards—who do you think made me like this in the first place?!

 

At that point, I gave up on whatever pride I had left as a man and simply rested on Choi Tae-hyuk’s lap. Surprisingly, it was… comfortable. Firm enough to make a decent pillow.

 

“Can you tell me exactly what happened?”

 

Impatient as ever, Lee Jae-ho asked the moment he climbed into the car and shut the door.

 

“We don’t know either,” I said. “We entered the dungeon to test our guild members, and right after stepping in, a message appeared saying the dungeon’s difficulty was being increased.”

 

“Did that message show up outside the dungeon too?”

 

At Jeon Ha-eun’s question, Lee Jae-ho nodded.

 

“Yes. Along with an alarm sound, the dungeon upgrade message appeared in front of everyone—from Seoul all the way to the provinces.”

 

If everyone saw that message… that meant Corne had been involved. But why? After pulling a stunt like this, does he really expect me to win that bet?

 

“What happened inside the dungeon?”

 

“It was calm at first—just a quiet seaside. Then out of nowhere, a storm hit, and a Kraken appeared.”

 

“…A Kraken?!”

 

“Yes. It was A-rank. Luckily, no other monsters showed up besides that one.”

 

After Choi Tae-hyuk added that, Lee Jae-ho went silent. Honestly, aside from me, no one really knew what had happened, so there wasn’t much we could say.

 

The reporters had followed us, but thanks to the police escort, we made it back to the guild quickly.

 

“I’ll submit a detailed report on the dungeon raid later. If you have questions after reviewing it, please send a written request.”

 

“Ah, yes… understood.”

 

At Choi Tae-hyuk’s firm, no-nonsense tone, Lee Jae-ho gave me one last regretful glance. But it’s not like I had anything else to tell him, either.

 

Using what little strength I had left, I gave him a small nod. Seeing that, he turned away with a disappointed sigh.

 

As I watched him leave, Choi Tae-hyuk spoke to the others getting out of the car.

 

“I’ll take the Guildmaster to his room. The two of you need to sign the contracts—Ms. An Bom, please guide them to the meeting room.”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

“An Bom, I’ll have Gumiho come down. Bia, come with me.”

 

“Meow.”

 

Bia spread its large, silky white wings and took flight.

 

“Whoa!”

 

“It has wings?!”

 

“So cute!”

 

Seo-ho and An Bom gawked in surprise, but Jeon Ha-eun was too captivated by the sheer cuteness to even react to the wings.

 

Bia fluttered elegantly toward me, clearly aiming to land in my arms—but before it could, Choi Tae-hyuk lifted me up with one arm and caught Bia midair with the other.

 

“Kyiiing.”

 

The captured Bia let out a pitiful whine, its eyes widening like that cat from Puss in Boots. Even Choi Tae-hyuk flinched slightly at the sight.

 

“Why are you bullying Bia?”

 

Hearing the sound, An Bom rushed over.

 

“Kyiiing.”

 

Bia whimpered again, and before long, Jeon Ha-eun and Seo-ho came running too.

 

“…That’s…”

 

“The Guildmaster’s the one who called for it, right?”

 

“…But the Guildmaster’s condition…”

 

“Should someone grab the Vice Guildmaster by the neck or something?”

 

Already flustered by Bia’s crying, Choi Tae-hyuk looked completely thrown off by An Bom’s words—his expression stayed blank, but his pupils were trembling like crazy.

 

“Choi Tae-hyuk, please put Bia down. It won’t climb on top of me again. Right, Bia?”

 

“Meow.”

 

When he finally set Bia down, the little creature circled between his legs like it was satisfied, then playfully bit at its fluttering tail.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk lifted me again—another princess carry—and headed toward the gate to the eighth floor, Bia padding along beside him. The others went off toward the meeting room.

 

“Guildmaster!”

 

“Uncle!”

 

“Kyuu!”

 

When we reached the eighth floor, Gumiho, Ji Yun-seo, Saphi, and Kero were already waiting. Gumiho and Yun-seo immediately ran over, but Saphi and Kero froze mid-step—both staring straight at Bia.

 

After what felt like a silent staring contest, Kero lost interest first and flopped onto the floor beneath Ji Yun-seo’s legs, belly pressed flat.

 

But Saphi kept staring.

 

‘Hmm… Are they recognizing each other as the same kind?’

 

“Guildmaster, what happened?! What about Bom? Is she hurt?”

 

“No, she’s in the meeting room finalizing the contract. Ms. Gumiho, please go there to sign as well.”

 

At Choi Tae-hyuk’s words, Gumiho sighed in relief. She must’ve been anxious ever since the dungeon upgrade message appeared.

 

“Are you sure you’re okay, Guildmaster?”

 

“Yes. I’ll be fine after some rest. Please, go ahead.”

 

“Uncle, are you hurt a lot?”

 

“No, I’m just a bit tired. Don’t worry, Yun-seo.”

 

Even so, the concern didn’t leave her face. I smiled gently.

 

“Really. I’ll be fine after a little rest.”

 

“But… what’s that?”

 

Gumiho pointed at Bia. The little thing beside Choi Tae-hyuk dropped its tail from its mouth and meowed.

 

“Let’s get the Guildmaster settled first, then I’ll explain everything,” Choi Tae-hyuk said, and Gumiho nodded.

 

When she whispered something to Ji Yun-seo—who was still staring silently at me—the girl picked up Kero, who had been watching Bia.

 

“Uncle, I’ll come back later.”

 

“Then we’ll get going.”

 

“Alright, I’ll explain everything soon.”

 

Gumiho tried to take Saphi along too, but since she couldn’t bring herself to touch it, she looked my way instead.

 

“Just leave Saphi be.”

 

It wasn’t the kind of being that would move just because you told it to, and forcing it would only make things worse.

 

‘Besides, those two seem too busy staring each other down anyway.’

 

Choi Tae-hyuk carefully laid me down on the bed in the bedroom.

 

“Ugh…”

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine.”

 

Honestly, the expensive bed felt more comfortable than leaning against Choi Tae-hyuk earlier.

 

“Meow.”

 

Noticing that I had disappeared, Bia let out a cry and ran into the room, jumping onto the bed.

 

“Meow!”

 

“Alright.”

 

I didn’t have the energy to pet it, so I just replied, and it rubbed its face against my hand.

 

“Kaaang!!!”

 

Saphi flew in late, shouting at Bia, but the latter just kept rubbing its face against my hand, completely ignoring it.

 

I turned my head slightly toward Choi Tae-hyuk. “Thanks for everything. You should get some rest.”

 

“Still, I think someone should stay by your side.”

 

“No, it’s fine. I just need a little sleep. Please go rest—I’ll be okay.”

 

“Then I’ll wash up and come back.”

 

“You don’t need to—”

 

Ignoring my words, he walked briskly out of the room. Watching his back, I couldn’t help but think he was treating me less like a guildmaster and more like a lost child.

 

So that’s how weak I look, huh. Even if I’m F-rank, after everything he’s seen, that’s unnecessary.

 

“Kaaak.”

 

“Meow!”

 

As soon as Choi Tae-hyuk left, Saphi flew onto the bed.

 

Unlike Saphi, whose wings were raised like a reptile ready to fight, Bia didn’t care in the slightest and continued rubbing its face against my hand.

 

“Saphi, don’t.”

 

Saphi’s gaze turned toward me.

 

“Come here.”

 

With what little strength I had left, I patted the empty space on the bed beside me.

 

After a moment of hesitation—glancing between Bia and me—Saphi finally came over and pressed its face into my left hand.

 

Once it settled down, I looked back at Bia, who purred softly and rubbed its head against my right hand again.

 

“How did you even get here?”

 

“Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow.”

 

“You can’t just come because the gods told you to, can you?”

 

“Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow.”

 

“You said you can use power now, too?”

 

While I was talking, Bia suddenly jumped around the bed and placed its soft little paw on my hand. Warm, familiar energy flowed from its paw into my body.

 

“Ah?”

 

Instantly, I felt ten times lighter than before. I looked at Bia, and it purred as if singing a tune.

 

☆ Second Surprise Gift has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

I had Bia deliver some divine power to help you recover♥

 

☆ Flower Path has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Told you to only walk on flower paths~ I wasn’t lying~?!

 

☆ Smartie has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Bia gave the perfect gift at just the right moment~

 

Seriously? It’s like giving someone an illness and then handing them the medicine! You make me use up all my divine power, and now you think giving it back fixes everything?!

 

Still, feeling revitalized, I nodded.

 

‘So it’s true. If Bia can give me this much energy, I could run through a dungeon 500 more times.’

 

☆ But Too Bad has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

The best gift, but can only be given once.

 

☆ Aether has donated 100 Mana Stones! ☆

Of course—it makes sense. Only one apostle was created.

 

‘Tch. So I can’t get that again.’

 

Clicking my tongue in mild regret, I stood up. My body felt completely refreshed, every cell alive again—as if I’d been reborn. Bia’s eyes sparkled, and before I could even sit up, it jumped straight into my arms.

 

“Meow!”

 

“Yeah, yeah.”

 

Bia was the first being I created after realizing I possessed the power of creation, so my attachment to it ran deep. Unlike the apostles of other gods, Bia stayed at my temple and followed me everywhere I went. We’d never been apart for this long, so it was only natural that it would want to come find me.

 

“Don’t do that again. Even if you’re my apostle, you should stay at the temple.”

 

“Meow, meow.”

 

“Alright. I’ll forgive you just this once.”

 

“Meow!”

 

Bia was so obedient and sweet—how could such a pretty thing be my creation? Feeling proud, I kissed its forehead and patted its head.

 

At that moment—

 

“Kyaang!”

 

A small paw suddenly struck Bia, which had been nestled in my arms.

 

“Meow!”

 

Startled by the attack, Bia tumbled out of my arms, fur bristling as it glared at Saphi.

 

“Saphi? What are you doing?”

 

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

 

Saphi was also a being born of my power, but since I hadn’t personally created it, I couldn’t understand what it was saying.

 

As Saphi flapped its wings and squealed, I glanced at Bia.

 

“Can you understand Saphi?”

 

I thought maybe Bia could, since they were both my creations—but Bia only stared at Saphi silently.

 

“Bia?”

 

“Meow!”

 

Then Bia suddenly leapt forward. Light burst from its body, and in an instant, it returned to the adult form I was familiar with. Before I could react, Bia lunged and bit down on Saphi.

 

“Bia?!”

 

Bia mumbled something with Saphi still in its mouth, as if trying to explain itself.

 

“Don’t bite!”

 

“Mrrgh…”

 

“Come on! Spit it out!!”

 

“Guildmaster?”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk stood by the door, water still dripping from his hair—he must’ve come straight from the shower. Even with his hair damp and unstyled, he still somehow looked effortlessly good.

 

Was it just because he was handsome? But unlike my calm reaction, Choi Tae-hyuk looked alarmed as he rushed toward me.

 

I scratched my head awkwardly.

 

‘Uh… how am I supposed to explain this?’

 

“Please step back!”

 

He moved in front of me and drew the sword at his waist.

 

“C-Choi Tae-hyuk!”

 

“I’ll take care of it immediately.”

 

“Wait! Don’t! That’s Bia! It’s Bia!”

 

“Mrrgh…”

 

Still holding Saphi in its mouth, Bia made a muffled noise as if trying to answer for me.

 

“Kyuu! Kyuu!!”

 

Saphi flailed helplessly, its small body trapped between Bia’s jaws. I hurriedly pushed past Choi Tae-hyuk and shouted,

 

“Wait—wait a second! Bia! Spit Saphi out!”

 

After staring at me for a moment, Bia finally spat Saphi out with a wet ptoo. Thankfully, it hadn’t bitten down—there wasn’t a single mark on Saphi’s body.

 

“Kyuu… kkuu…”

 

Even after I said Bia’s name, Choi Tae-hyuk didn’t lower his sword. Then, hesitantly, he reached out and picked Saphi up.

 

Usually, Saphi would’ve hissed and flailed the instant someone touched it, but maybe the shock was too much—it remained still in his arms.

 

“Grrr.”

 

As Bia approached, seemingly happy to see Choi Tae-hyuk again, he instinctively raised his sword again. At his reaction, Bia’s ears drooped and it growled softly.

 

“Don’t be alarmed—it’s the same Bia from earlier.”

 

“Bia?”

 

“Like Kero, Bia can change its size at will. Bia, turn small again.”

 

“Meow.”

 

Light shimmered around Bia’s body, and it shrank back to its smaller form. The moment it did, it let out a cheerful meow and began circling around Choi Tae-hyuk’s legs.

 

“You must’ve been startled. I didn’t expect them to suddenly start fighting.”

 

“It’s fine. So, it’s a monster that can grow larger like Kero.”

 

With a relieved sigh, Choi Tae-hyuk sheathed his sword.

 

“Are you sure you’re well enough to move around like this?”

 

“Ah, yes. I’m feeling much better now.”

 

“…You suddenly recovered, you mean?”

 

“Well… there’s, uh, some medicine I took.”

 

The words slipped out before I could stop them, and Choi Tae-hyuk frowned slightly.

 

‘Why did I say medicine?!’

 

“Meow?”

 

At Bia’s voice, my gaze shifted toward it—and I noticed the glittering blue pendant hanging around its neck.

 

It was the inventory pendant I used to store snacks whenever Bia went off to play in other worlds. Even though there weren’t any snacks in it now, it still wore it. So cute…

 

‘That’s it!’

 

“When I use up too much power, I keep an emergency recovery potion handy. There’s one inside the pendant Bia’s wearing.”

 

“The pendant…?”

 

“Yes! I asked Bia to hold onto it, and while I was lying down earlier, I remembered.”

 

“…And what kind of potion is that?”

 

It’s divine power from the gods.

 

Of course, I couldn’t say that. I wanted to cry.

 

“It’s a secret family remedy. Someone I know gave it to me—they said it’s been in their family for generations.”

 

“A secret family remedy… Do you have any more of it?”

 

“Ah, no. I only had a few, and they’re all gone now.”

 

I blurted it out before he could ask further, and Choi Tae-hyuk simply stared at me in silence. Trying to avoid his gaze, I scooped up Bia, who was now curling its tail and watching me curiously.

 

After a brief pause, Choi Tae-hyuk sighed softly.

 

“Then you’re really alright now?”

 

“Yes. I can even do this.”

 

A warm breeze flowed from my hand, drying the water dripping from his hair. It seemed like he decided to let things go again—for now. I exhaled quietly, relieved to have dodged another close call.