I thought Park Deok-Gu was desperate more than anyone, but it wasn’t the case. Seeing him continuously train showed just how cornered he was, and despite that, I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t accept the serum. However, I assumed he had his reasons. It could be a ridiculous reason like he was trying to repay me for my trust or that he wanted to stand next to me with his efforts alone, but helping him grow even just a little bit was more important than him training like this.

‘It’s because he’s an idiot.’

Since he couldn’t self-diagnose, he didn’t even know what his problems were, so of course, he was frustrated. In the first place, putting geniuses like Kim Ye-Ri, Kim Hyun-Sung, and Jo Hye-Jin on the same level as himself was his mistake, and Kim Ye-Ri was right. Park Deok-Gu had his own role to fulfill, and even if he accepted this serum, he wouldn’t be able to catch up to the geniuses in Kim Hyun-Sung’s party.

I was in the same situation as him. When I first realized that I wouldn’t be able to catch up to the geniuses, I changed my course. Even if my magic was influential and I could increase it with my tenacity, it would still be impossible for me to catch up to people like Jung Ha-Yan. Even if I trained for a thousand years, I knew very well that I wouldn’t reach Jung Ha-Yan’s level with my talent. Of course, Park Deok-Gu had a chance to catch up since he wasn’t lazy like me.

“So, this was the solution you came up with?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“That’s right,” I replied.

“It doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but… you said this could really mess up a person if it doesn’t work out? I did see Park Deok-Gu quite a lot during the tutorial dungeon, but his mind didn’t seem that strong. He actually seemed dependent and… honestly…”

“What?” I asked.

“To be honest, that man would have died in the tutorial dungeon if it wasn’t for you, Ki-Young oppa,” she continued.

Park Deok-Gu would have been sad if he had heard that, and Lee Ji-Hye had said it like it was nothing. Her work at the Black Swan Guild must have been kind of difficult for her, as she looked exhausted, but her confidence and relaxed attitude were still there.

“That’s not something you should be saying, Ji-Hye noona.” I pointed out.

“Hm, you think so? I think I would’ve survived somehow even without you and Mr. Hyun-Sung. It’s all in the past anyway, so let’s stop talking about it because that’s not what’s important right now. Also, why do you keep calling me noona, Oppa?” she asked.

[Checking Player Lee Ji-Hye’s Status Window and Potential.]

[Name - Lee Ji-Hye]

[Title - The Brain of the Black Swan Guild]

[Age - 29]

[Nature - Selfish and ambitious person]

[Job - Leader]

[Stats]

[Strength - 16/Below average growth limit]

[Agility - 15/Below average growth limit]

[Stamina - 27/Below average growth limit]

[Intelligence - 67/Above rare growth limit]

[Endurance - 14/Below average growth limit]

[Luck - 44/Below average growth limit]

[Magic - 13/Below average growth limit]

[Overall Review - It has been a while since I’ve seen your soulmate. As I’ve mentioned before, I hope you don’t get too close to her. You already know that I’ll feel bad for your baby, right?]

‘That’s because you’re older than me.’

I guess she didn’t know that I could check other people’s age. It was a secret only I wanted to know, so I quietly looked away while brooding over the baby the overall review had mentioned.

“I don’t think I look that old, but… it’s still interesting,” she remarked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I didn’t think you cared about him this much. I thought you were more cold-hearted… Or, is it hard to cut him off because you guys had been together from the beginning?” she asked.

“Something like that,” I replied.

“That’s surprising. I knew you always cared about Mr. Hyun-Sung, but it seems like you’ve been taking great care of that big man this time. If it weren’t for that news about how you were with Kasugano Yuno in the imperial castle, I would’ve been suspicious about whether you were gay or not,” Lee Ji-Hye explained.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m joking. I know better than anyone that you’re not that type of person. But if you do like men better than women, then make sure to drop me a hint. Giving me a challenge is fine, but if that’s really true, then it’ll be pretty sad for me, don't you think?”

“It’s nothing like that,” I told her.

“I know. I just said it because it seemed like you cared for Mr. Deok-Gu that much. There isn’t a reason for you to keep him around, and yet, I can see that you’re trying to protect him. You know the other guilds and parties have been talking about it, right?” Lee Ji-Hye questioned.

“I don’t. I’ve been pretty busy recently because of my research. Is there a bad rumor going around or something?” I asked her.

“Something like that. There’s a rumor that Kim Hyun-Sung and Lee Ki-Young of the Eight Seats might recruit a useful vanguard for the Blue Guild’s party,” she answered.

“It’s not true…”

“It may not sound like a false rumor to those who can’t keep their mouths shut because even outsiders can notice a lot of things. It’s undeniable that Mr. Deok-Gu can’t catch up with that party, and giving him the role of Blue Guild’s vanguard will result in a lot of issues. The rumors about recruiting a competent vanguard have made those who want to transfer move in strange ways. Even the freelance tanks are excited that maybe they’ll get a call from the Blue Guild…” she explained.

“...”

“I understand how you’re feeling, but you need to consider cutting people out to succeed. Well, I’m sure you can handle it on your own… I don’t think I’m in a position where I can judge the situation. Just think of me as chattering away, as I’m worried for my husband,” she added.

“No, you’re right about some things…” I started.

“You think so?” she asked.

“Mr. Hyun-Sung has actually suggested that we form a second party. He believed that rather than abandoning Deok-Gu, transferring him to the second party would be better since he might be in danger if we enter places more dangerous than we have entered in the past. I think Mr. Hyun-Sung’s actually thinking about recruiting another tank or training someone to become a tank…” I continued.

“That’s unfortunate for Mr. Deok-Gu. If he’s thinking about training someone, is he thinking about recruiting someone from the tutorial dungeon?” she asked.

“Probably. Even though Lee Sang-Hee has retired, she’s still the Blue Guild’s advisor, so it’s not an urgent matter, but they do need to prepare for it. This is going to be the last time I’m going to help Park Deok-Gu out. Do you understand?” I asked.

“I do…” she answered.

“I spent a lot of time and resources trying to create the Enhancement Serum, and I’ve become too busy to take care of him like this. Not only is it because of my position, but I have a lot of work aside from the tasks at the guild. The Red Mercenary Guild and the Black Swan Guild aren’t the only ones that consider the new recruits as important,” I added.

“I get it. Now that the Blue Guild has somewhat settled down, I’m sure you guys want to recruit a lot of new and competent members. I understand that…” she said.

“This is the first and the last time. If I don’t see any results or nothing changes about him…”

“Are you going to kick him out of the guild?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“No way. I’ll probably move him to the second party. We can make him an instructor or place him in the administration office,” I replied.

“I knew you cared a lot for him,” she said.

“I’ll take that as a compliment, noona.”

Lee Ji-Hye smiled as if she was really enjoying the situation. The way she looked at me made me feel kind of uncomfortable, but since she had promised to help, I had basically completed my goal.

“Thanks for helping me despite being busy, noona,” I thanked her.

“I’ll think of it as purchasing a few stocks. I’m sure I’ll get something in return later,” she said.

“The Black Swan Guild should receive some benefits soon,” I mentioned.

“I’m sure Yeon-Joo unnie will like it. Oh. Ask Mr. Hyun-Sung to make some time for our guild master. She has been asking him to meet with her, but he hasn’t replied yet,” she requested.

“Miss Park Yeon-Joo did?” I asked.

“Yeah. Have you heard anything from him?” she asked.

“I haven’t heard anything…”

“I think our unnie has the hots for Mr. Hyun-Sung. She has been asking me nonstop to create an opportunity where they can meet. I’m asking out of curiosity, but… he’s not a eunuch, right?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“I don’t… think so…” I mumbled.

I thought that Kim Hyun-Sung had a good relationship with Jo Hye-Jin, so this was news to me. Who knew he would be involved in a strange dating rumor with the guild master of the Black Swan Guild? Obviously, this would help the Blue Guild. However, the fact that I had no idea about it meant that Kim Hyun-Sung didn’t care, but still…

‘This is good news.’

I never imagined that I would hear something like this.

“I guess he's been busy with research recently. There hasn’t been any official activity yet, but it’s a rumor that has been going around, just like the rumor related to Mr. Deok-Gu…” she mentioned.

“What kind of rumor?” I asked.

“There’s a rumor that the only reason the Blue Guild was able to climb up to their current position was because of the guild master and the sub guild master’s experience with women. I don’t know about Kim Hyun-Sung, but the rumors totally fit you, Lee Ki-Young. It’s quite interesting. You’re definitely charming, but I wonder what it is about you that makes women stick to you like a magnet…” she explained.

There was a really sad story behind it, but I didn’t bother explaining it. However, hearing Lee Ji-Hye talk like this made me think that I really did spend a lot of time on my research. I couldn’t help but be curious about whether there were other rumors or not.

“Are there other rumors besides those that I haven’t heard of?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. I heard the Red Mercenary Guild betting on the survival of the rookies during this tutorial dungeon. You know the Mercenary Queen hasn’t made an official appearance, right? I think there’s a different reason, but it seems that the public is thinking that way,” she answered.

‘That’s right.’

“What else? There’s a rumor that the Eight Seats are going to be announced to the public soon, and I think the Holy Empire was the one that spread the rumor. I guess it can be considered as an official announcement rather than just a rumor,” she added.

“Great. I did think that there was going to be an official announcement… and the timing is great. Probably…” I mumbled.

“Probably after the tutorial dungeon opens. Oh! There’s also a rumor about Lee Ki-Young of the Blue Guild getting engaged to Lady Marilyn and that he might take over Castle Rock—”

“That’s a false rumor,” I interrupted her.

“I knew it because Lady Marilyn was the one who spread that rumor,” Lee Ji-Hye remarked.

“You sure know a lot,” I said in a low voice.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Black Swan Guild’s intel is the best in the empire. Also, did you know?” she asked.

“About what?” I asked.

“About that girl named Kim Ye-Ri in your guild,” she started.

“What about her?” I asked.

“She recently became close with one of our guild members,” she continued.

“I don’t know much about her. Mr. Hyun-Sung is the one who’s taking care of her…” I informed her.

“It’s best to tell her to stop visiting the Black Swan Guild so often,” she advised.

“Did she cause trouble or something?” I questioned.

“No, it’s nothing like that. The member that Ye-Ri is close to is my subordinate, and she’s not exactly the most innocent kid. She doesn’t do anything bad, but she’s like the other kids these days. I’m just worried that we’re going to be a bad influence on her rather than her damaging the Black Swan Guild. We’re actually struggling to keep that kid under control…” she explained.

“Is she a psychopath or something?” I asked.

“No, she’s a nice girl. She’s talented, skillful, and she’s competent enough to be a member that will lead the future of the Black Swan Guild,” Lee Ji-Hye replied.

“In that case, you don’t have to worry so much. It’s actually better. It’ll look nice politically if the Blue Guild and the Black Swan Guild get along in the future, and if you think of it as them making friends, it’s more likely that they’ll be influenced positively. The kid in our guild has always been a loner, so I’m relieved to hear that she managed to make a friend, and I’m sure Mr. Hyun-Sung will be happy about that, too. Don’t worry too much,” I assured her.

When I gave her an ordinary answer, Lee Ji-Hye shouted someone’s name.

“Shi-Ra? Chae Shi-Ra!”

Not long after Lee Ji-Hye, I immediately heard an answer from them.

“You called for me because you needed me, right, unnie? Right? Right. The fact that Ji-Hye unnie called for me while meeting with Lee Ki-Young oppa, a nominee of the Eight Seats, means that you’ve acknowledged me! Awesome. I might just wet my pants. You called for me on this quiet, quiet, quiet night! I’m worried that you might suggest that the three of us should play together, but I’m excited. Rawr!” Chae Shi-Ra babbled.

“No, there’s no need for you to come in,” Lee Ji-Hye told her.

“...”

I heard the woman’s loud voice outside the door. Even though I couldn’t see her face, the thought that maybe I should do my best to stop Kim Ye-Ri from visiting the Black Swan Guild popped into my head.

“I understand what you’re saying… I’ll try my best to stop her,” I told Lee Ji-Hye.

“Alright. Anyway, you’re going to enter the dungeon soon, right? I’ll prepare everything that you ordered, so don’t worry. I’ll make sure everything goes according to your plan,” she assured me.

“Thanks, noona.”

“It’s nothing. We’re… anyway, good luck. That big man was a nice guy, so I hope he gets good results this time,” she added.

“Really?” I asked.

“Of course. It’s natural for a person in power to have one or two loyal subordinates, right? I won’t see you out, my love,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

“See you later, my best friend,” I said in return.

The die had already been cast. The First Park Deok-Gu Awakening and Strengthening Plan. Entering a dungeon with him was the first thing I had to do, and my plan to turn him into Captain Lindel would come afterward. However, before that…

‘I have to warn Hyun-Sung.’

I couldn’t let the future of the Blue Guild grow like that.

Editor’s note: Happy 200 chapters to us! I hope you’re enjoying RIM as much as we do~