The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 54

 

‘Did I call the right number?’

 

I lowered my phone to double-check the screen, then brought it back to my ear.

 

“Guildmaster Yeon Do-jin?”

 

—Yes. Please speak, Guildmaster Ji Yeon-woo.

 

“How did you know it was me?”

 

—I have your number, of course. As for how… that’s a secret.

 

Obviously, he must’ve gotten it from the Hunter Association. Did he really have to make it so obvious he’s their shady backer?

 

“I’m not that curious. So, why were you expecting my call?”

 

—Because of the Sillim Station incident, and… you took my whip.

 

“I’m calling to tell you to come pick it up.”

 

—You said you’d throw it away.

 

“I did throw it… but it kept coming back.”

 

I clicked my tongue. Yeon Do-jin let out a low laugh.

 

—Maybe the whip likes you, Guildmaster Ji Yeon-woo.

 

…What a horrifying thought.

 

Even if it contained Mythos’ power, I had no intention of using a whip that behaved like it was possessed. As if responding to my silence, the whip suddenly floated up and darted out the window.

 

‘What the—why is it flying on its own?’

 

—…llo?

 

“Yeah?”

 

I’d been so distracted by the vanishing whip that I forgot I was still on the phone and completely missed what he said. Just as I was trying to guess his words, Yeon Do-jin spoke again, unhurried.

 

—Let’s talk about the incident. And…there’s a teacher I’d like to introduce to the little girl. How does that sound?

 

* * * 

 

“Jju-jju?”

 

Even with the door open, the Lion of Light, Leo, had been too wary to step out—until the “Come here, Jju-jju” skill was used. He slowly inched forward.

 

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

 

Encouraged by Ji Yun-seo’s gentle voice, Leo came out from behind the bars, and she carefully lifted him into her arms. He licked her cheek as if in thanks.

 

“Now, let’s try the skill again while petting Leo.”

 

I wasn’t the only one watching Ji Yun-seo diligently tame the Lion of Light inside the trainer’s room. Like doting parents watching a child grow, An Bom and Gumiho couldn’t take their eyes off her.

 

☆ Cutie has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆
She’s so serious about using her skill… I can’t live without Yun-seo anymore.

 

☆ That Lion over there has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆
A baby lion is perfect for Yun-seo. Unlike Kero, who’s just… yeah.

 

☆ Kero Mom has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆
What’s wrong with Kero! Three heads are super cute!!

 

☆ Three Heads has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Cute?? It literally spews sulfur!! KeroMom, please get a grip!

 

When someone awakens as a Hunter, they naturally become aware of their skills. As a guildmaster, the only real support I could provide was taking her into a dungeon—somewhere she could freely practice her power.

 

But I had no intention of bringing Ji Yun-seo into a dungeon. Even with several adults to protect her, that environment was far too brutal for a child who wasn’t even in elementary school yet.

 

Still, I couldn’t just leave her talent unattended, so education was the only option. But all the elementary-level instructors who applied were defensive-type Hunters, which gave me a bit of a headache.

 

Somehow, Yeon Do-jin knew about my predicament and recommended a teacher. He was a former elementary school instructor who had awakened as an A-grade tamer. He taught Ji Yun-seo gently and at her level.

 

‘Can we scout him for our school?’

 

An A-grade tamer wouldn’t need to spend much time in dungeons. Since he used to be a teacher and clearly enjoyed teaching, we might be able to recruit him.

 

‘I should ask Yeon Do-jin about dual employment and try to scout him.’

 

“You did great. Yun-seo, you must be a genius. Look how fast you’re learning. Amazing~.”

 

At the tamer’s praise, Ji Yun-seo beamed. Children really do grow with encouragement. They say even whales dance when praised. Fueled by the steady stream of compliments, her confidence soared. She reached toward another mob.

 

I wanted to keep watching, but Yeon Do-jin was waiting. Reluctantly, I turned away. As if he’d been waiting, he smiled pleasantly.

 

“Done watching?”

 

“Yes. Let’s go.”

 

I walked with Choi Tae-hyuk, following Yeon Do-jin’s lead. The Kanghyeon Guild building was the pinnacle of modern design.

 

Access was through fingerprint scanners; floors were reached via gates rather than stairs. Instead of elevators, there were escalators. The busy atmosphere gave the unmistakable impression of a large-scale guild.

 

“Please have a seat.”

 

☆ Amazing has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Is this really inside a building?

 

☆ Aether’s Home has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

It makes Aether’s place look shabby…

 

The place he led us to was the guildmaster’s office. I used to think my own office had an absurd budget, but this one made mine look cheap.

 

The desk wasn’t just marble—its decorative pieces looked like they were made of Mana Stones. The floor was black Orichalcum, rumored to be outrageously expensive, gleaming with a luxurious sheen.

 

‘This must be the final form of money flexing.’

 

When I sat on the sofa at the center of the room, the plush cushions hugged my hips.

 

‘This is nice. I should ask where it’s from and buy one for my office too.’

 

While I scanned the room, mentally listing furniture I wanted, Yeon Do-jin pressed a button on the small table beside a single-seater sofa. The moment he did, a man entered carrying freshly brewed tea.

 

“Hello. I’m Seo Tae-rim, the guildmaster’s secretary and general affairs manager.”

 

“Hello, I’m Yeon Guildmaster Ji Yeon-woo.”

 

“Hello, I’m Choi Tae-hyuk, vice-guildmaster of Yeon Guild.”

 

Seo Tae-rim, wearing round glasses, was dressed in a black suit like Yeon Do-jin. The only difference was that while Yeon Do-jin wore a black shirt and tie, Seo Tae-rim wore a white shirt and brown tie.

 

‘Does everyone here just really like black?’

 

“It’s the guildmaster’s preference.”

 

Just like Yeon Do-jin, he read my expression perfectly.

 

☆ Aether has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Please control your expression… We can see everything.

 

☆ When He Was a God has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

He had no expression before—why is he so expressive now that he’s human?

 

I smiled awkwardly and accepted the tea. It smelled sweet and refreshing—like citron tea. One sip filled my mouth with gentle sweetness. I set the cup down and looked at Yeon Do-jin.

 

“Thank you for helping our Yun-seo.”

 

“Raising Hunters is always a joy, so think nothing of it.”

 

Yeah, right.

 

He’s the one who brought it up and then said he couldn’t help for free, so I had to agree to a spar—and now he talks like he did it out of kindness?

 

“Then, Guildmaster Ji Yeon-woo, when would you be available for our spar?”

 

“I’m good anytime—”

 

“No. You need to rest until next week.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk cut me off.

 

“I don’t need—”

 

“No. You need rest.”

 

Seriously, a whole week should’ve been more than enough. Every time I reach for paperwork, he snatches it away, saying I need rest.

 

I try to talk to new guild members—he kicks me out again.

 

Just how long am I supposed to keep resting?!

 

☆ Rest Again? has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Stop resting already. I’m bored. I’m sick of watching you laze around the house.

 

☆ AetherFan has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Honestly, same. Let’s just go to a dungeonㅠ

 

“I heard Yeon Guild has its own healer. If their healing was insufficient, our guild’s healer can—”

 

“No need. I’m fully healed. Choi Tae-hyuk… I’m fine.”

 

I shot Choi Tae-hyuk a sharp look, warning him to keep quiet.

 

If I admitted I wasn’t fully healed, it would imply our healer wasn’t good enough—meaning An Bom’s abilities would be underestimated.

 

I shook my head at the sulking Choi Tae-hyuk and looked back at Yeon Do-jin. He seemed amused, smiling smugly—which only irritated me more.

 

Does he think I’m some kind of comedian? Why does he keep smiling every time he looks at me?

 

“Guildmaster Yeon Do-jin, do you find me amusing?”

 

“Yes. You’re quite entertaining.”

 

“If you want to laugh, pay for it.”

 

“Oh? Was the help I provided back then not enough?”

 

Yeon Do-jin leaned back on the sofa, fingers laced together.

 

By “back then,” did he mean the kidnapping incident?

 

“I’m pretty sure I told you—we settled that when I saved you in the dungeon. What about Sillim Station?”

 

Without answering, Yeon Do-jin slid a document envelope across the table. Inside were photographs. The first showed Pillar No. 1 at Sillim Station Exit 1.

 

“As you can see, there was no one around Exit 1. Just in case, we stayed on standby for twenty-four hours, but found no suspicious individuals.”

 

The next photos showed both the exterior and interior—only pedestrians, no trash cans.

 

“We also checked the ‘General Guild’ you mentioned through the Hunter Association’s intel network, but they reported no such guild exists.”

 

“Then…?”

 

Leaning back, Yeon Do-jin crossed his legs.

 

“They weren’t targeting the guild. They wanted to observe your abilities, Guildmaster Yeon-woo.”

 

“…My abilities?”

 

“Keep looking. It’ll make sense. Cameras were installed everywhere.”

 

I flipped to the next photo—and stiffened.

 

Cameras were attached in every nook and cranny of the building, including multiple units in the warehouse where I’d been trapped.

 

Them seeing my abilities wasn’t the problem. The entire nation already knew about them thanks to the livestream.

 

The real problem was—

 

‘…How am I supposed to explain Shayna?’

 

If it was Yeon Do-jin, he definitely would’ve noticed the cameras—and that meant he must’ve seen the recordings.

 

“Guildmaster?”

 

Noticing something was off, Choi Tae-hyuk called me. I forced a nod and looked at Yeon Do-jin. He didn’t look concerned at all—just watched me quietly, eyes gleaming with curiosity.