The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 8

 

“Um, excuse me… what’s your name?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I just wanted to thank you for bringing me here. I figured I should at least know the name of the person who helped me.”

 

“It’s An Bom. Come on, you should get up—the floor’s cold.”

 

Just as I’d seen in the status window, her name really was An Bom.

 

With her help, I got up and sat on the bed.

 

“Please… help me.”

 

I quickly reached out and grabbed her hand.

 

What incredible luck.

 

The person who brought me to the hospital wasn’t just any unawakened civilian—she was a healer.

 

Before the regression, no healers had awakened in Korea. Which meant An Bom had never awakened by the time I died.

 

A future A-rank healer—someone I had only vaguely imagined—was now standing right in front of me.

 

I couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. She flinched, startled, and took a step back.

 

A glance at her face told me everything… yeah, she definitely thought I was some kind of creep.

 

Before she could bolt, I hurriedly held onto her hand and blurted out:

 

“Miss An Bom, have you ever thought about becoming a Hunter?”

 

“Um… could you please let go of my hand?”

 

“Oh—sorry!”

 

I let go immediately, realizing I’d grabbed her without thinking in my excitement.

 

Feeling awkward, I scratched my head—then winced as the pain flared up again.

 

“…Ugh.”

 

“Oh no, are you alright?”

 

She seemed genuinely concerned. I could already tell she was a kind person—she didn’t just bring a stranger to the hospital, she even came back to check on me.

 

And now, seeing me in pain, she looked worried.

 

‘Is that a healer’s trait?’

 

“What I said earlier—I meant it. Would you consider trying to awaken as a Hunter?”

 

“Awaken?”

 

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my Hunter ID, handing it to her.

 

Given how disheveled I looked—and the fact I’d coughed up blood—this was the only proof I had.

 

If she didn’t believe this, I’d have to show her the payout I’d get after the auction.

 

“I’m not some crazy guy… I really am a Hunter!”

 

She examined the ID for a moment before handing it back.

 

“Are you saying I can still awaken?”

 

Most people awakened before they turned twenty.

 

There were rare exceptions, but they were extremely uncommon.

 

Most guild leaders in Korea awakened before the age of 20, as did the first generation of awakened individuals.

 

“My skill allows me to detect people on the verge of awakening.”

 

Her expression shifted—one I recognized immediately. Suspicion. Like she was dealing with a scammer.

 

In Korea, there were scams almost as infamous as voice phishing—people claiming they could awaken others for a fee, even promising high ranks.

 

With Hunters treated like celebrities and earning ridiculous sums of money, those scams had exploded in recent years.

 

“You’ve heard of the Awakening Center, right?”

 

“Yes… but I heard it’s really expensive.”

 

“I’ll cover the cost. All you need to do is awaken, Miss An Bom.”

 

She tilted her head, clearly confused.

 

“…Let’s say I do awaken. What’s in it for you?”

 

“Well…”

 

I need to gather high-ranking Hunters like you—real heroes—to prevent this world’s destruction.

 

That’s what I wanted to say.

 

But I hesitated.

 

‘Would she even believe me?’

 

If I were an S-rank, maybe. But I was just an F-rank nobody.

 

‘She’d probably think I’m delusional.’

 

“If you awaken, you can join my guild.”

 

“A guild?”

 

“Yeah. I’m planning to start one.”

 

She looked at me, clearly suspicious. I smiled brightly, trying to reassure her that I wasn’t some con artist.

 

But her expression only grew more uneasy.

 

“Do I seem suspicious?”

 

“It’s just… all of this is happening so suddenly.”

 

Her doubt was completely understandable.

 

She had come to visit a patient who collapsed after coughing up blood, and now that same guy was claiming to be a Hunter who could help her awaken?

 

If our roles were reversed, I wouldn’t believe it either.

 

So how could I convince her?

 

‘The only real option is to make sure she actually awakens.’

 

“How about this—if you’re free tomorrow, let’s meet at the Awakening Center next to City Hall?”

 

It was the perfect location. If she awakened successfully, we’d need to go straight to City Hall anyway to register the guild.

 

“I’ll cover all the costs. You won’t have to pay a single won.”

 

“…Still…”

 

“Just give me one chance. Please. You really can awaken as a healer. And healers are invaluable in any guild. This isn’t some charity offer—I’ll draft a proper employment contract. Your annual salary will be 380 million won. On top of that, you’ll earn a cut from dungeon byproducts, receive quarterly bonuses, and have full coverage for any healer-related equipment or supplies. If there’s anything else you need, I’ll provide it—whatever it is!”

 

I practically pleaded with everything I had, desperate for her to believe me.

 

After a moment of hesitation, An Bom finally gave a small nod.

 

Yes!

 

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow at 2 p.m.!”

 

“Is it okay if I bring someone with me?”

 

“Of course. Bring anyone you like.”

 

“Okay. Then… see you tomorrow.”

 

She politely said her goodbyes and left the hospital room.

 

I forced my aching body upright again.

 

If this pain was caused by divine power, then there was no point in staying here.

 

I settled the hospital bill and checked the time. It was 3 p.m.

 

I flagged down a taxi and headed to the place I originally intended to visit: the Hunter Association.

 

“To the Hunter Association, please.”

 

☆Finally has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Are you about to get showered in cash?

 

☆SuperExcited has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

This is the scene I’ve been waiting for. Just how much is it going to sell for?

 

The auction always started with low-tier loot and built up to the big-ticket items—gear that easily sold for billions as the final bids rolled in.

 

And today’s highlight was, of course, the Queen Ant’s Necklace.

 

Naturally, it would be the last item on the list.

 

Only one piece of equipment has ever sold for a higher price than the Queen Ant’s Necklace.

 

An S-rank longsword that dropped from the Corrupted Giant five years from now.

 

‘What was that final bid again… 800 billion won?’

 

It was the first S-rank longsword ever to go to auction, and every longsword user went wild over it—sending the price skyrocketing.

 

And the person who won that auction was—

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

I stepped out of the taxi and headed straight to the underground auction room, where a B-rank bow was currently up for bidding.

 

A digital screen displayed the weapon’s stats.

 

[…Sold for 1.22 billion won.]

 

Thud!

 

The auctioneer brought the gavel down with a sharp smack, signaling the end of the round.

 

The winning bidder, visibly thrilled, followed a Hunter Association staff member backstage.

 

One by one, the items kept coming—sold in quick succession.

 

Most were B-rank items, each going for billions—sums I couldn’t even dream of affording in my past life.

 

‘But I’m not the same person I used to be.’

 

Then, finally, the main event began.

 

“Thank you for your patience. The highlight of today’s auction—the Queen Ant’s Necklace!”

 

A man in a sleek suit stepped onto the stage, carrying a luxurious velvet case encased in glass.

 

Even though I was the one who had obtained it, I hadn’t really taken a close look at it until now.

 

The Queen Ant’s Necklace was stunning—lined with thumb-sized black onyx stones, accented with tiny diamonds along the chain. At the center hung a brilliant, teardrop-shaped blue diamond.

 

Under the stage lights, it sparkled far more impressively than it had in my hands.

 

“As previously announced, this is a one-of-a-kind S-rank item. It grants poison resistance, magic resistance, improved accuracy, increased critical damage, and—most importantly—a damage reflection effect.”

 

The auctioneer gestured toward the screen behind him, where the full item stats were displayed.

 

[Item: Queen Ant’s Necklace – S-Rank]

 

Defense: 48

Effects: +30% Poison Resistance, +20% Magic Resistance, Increased Hit Rate, Increased Critical Damage, 20% Damage Reflection

Starting Bid: 200 Billion Won

 

“No way! An item like that actually exists?”

 

“Damage reflection? Is that even real?”

 

“This is a dream item. Every major guild will be fighting for it.”

 

“Crit boost and accuracy are nice, but reflection? That’s nuts.”

 

The auction hall erupted into a frenzy of murmurs and gasps. I scratched my head as I stared at the screen.

 

I had only known it had damage reflection—didn’t realize it came with this many buffs.

 

‘…Should I have kept it for myself?’

 

The thought crossed my mind—but I shook it off.

 

Nah. I needed the money. I’d just keep the next one.

 

I sat quietly in a corner, staying out of sight.

 

“We’ll now begin the bidding. Starting at 200 billion. Increments of 10 billion. 210 billion… 220 billion…”

 

The numbers climbed rapidly.

 

Even when the bid increments jumped to 200 and then 300 billion, the paddles kept going up.

 

“We’re now at 400 billion. Let’s raise the increments to 40 billion—440 billion!”

 

☆HolyCow has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

440 billion?! That’s crazier than winning the lottery!

 

‘Wait… did he just say 440 billion?’

 

I clearly remembered reading an article where it was sold for 400 billion…

 

From there, the bidding slowed, but still climbed steadily.

480 billion… then 520… then 560…

 

The final price stopped at a staggering 600 billion won.

 

“Is there anyone willing to go higher? Customer 24, are you backing out? 600 billion once… twice… three times… Sold! To customer number 15!”

 

☆HolyMoly has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Aether just became filthy rich!

 

☆CashCushion has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Cheering for Aether’s road to riches!

 

☆AuctionSystem has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

This is fun. Might add this to my world too.

 

-Thud.

 

A sharp knock of the gavel echoed across the room.

 

The man holding paddle number 15 slowly rose from his seat.

Curly hair fell slightly over his forehead. Dressed in a fitted black three-piece suit and black leather gloves, he moved with confidence, several S-rank Hunters trailing behind him.

 

He moved like a panther—calm but powerful.

 

That man was Yeon Do-jin of the Kanghyeon Guild.

 

The only existing SS-rank Hunter, and the future guild master who would one day win the auction for the legendary S-rank longsword.

 

But…

 

He wasn’t supposed to be the one who bought the Queen Ant’s Necklace.

 

In my memory, the winning bidder had been a member of a foreign guild.

 

And more importantly, Yeon Do-jin wasn’t even supposed to be in Korea right now.

 

‘Why is Yeon Do-jin here? Wasn’t he supposed to be in France for the Hunter Association’s international summit…?’

 

Had my actions somehow changed the future?

 

I tilted my head, confused. Then I decided not to overthink it.

 

‘Eh, who cares? As long as I’m making money and stopping the apocalypse, I’ll take it.’

 

As Yeon Do-jin walked out of the auction hall, a thought suddenly popped into my mind—Clairvoyance.

 

‘Clairvoyance.’

 

[Name: Yeon Do-jin | Age: 35]

 

Rank: SS – Title: Heir of Destruction

 

Skills:

 

• Destruction Whip (SS)
• Heaven’s Hammer (SS)
• Pull of Phenomena (SS)

 

…

 

‘Huh? Heir of Destruction? What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

 

Unlike An Bom—whose profile was short and simple—Yeon Do-jin’s skill list just kept going.

 

How many skills did this guy have?

 

‘Wait… did Yeon Do-jin even use a whip?’

 

Then again, I’d never paid much attention to the details.

 

I’ve been too busy surviving to follow the news. I only know the famous Hunters, not what skills they have or how strong they are.

 

As I stared blankly at the never-ending list, I suddenly realized how quiet the room had become.

 

Snapping back to my senses, I realized that Yeon Do-jin had stopped walking and was staring straight at me.