Even though Max and I shared an unexpected affection between father and son, we still completed the expedition. We acquired one mythic item, two legendary-ranked items, and high-quality epic-ranked items. Unfortunately, the Black Swan Guild took the shield instead of Park Deok-Gu, but if the Blue Guild had taken that as well, we would have felt guilty during our trip back.

‘It’s better this way.’

We could just create a shield for Park Deok-Gu. The guild was going to have a competent blacksmith and we had plenty of materials as well, but the important part was that we profited more than the Black Swan Guild.

Considering the fact that the key figures of the Blue Guild had contributed the most in completing this expedition, it was only right to distribute the items based on that, but since we were going to see each other often, it was better to be fair. That was even more applicable here, as a value couldn’t be placed on the items the Blue Guild had acquired. We had acquired many things such as titles and items, but the things that stood out the most were the mythic-ranked weapon that Kim Hyun-Sung had obtained and the museum control system I had acquired. Everyone was focused on the mythic-ranked item, but the museum itself was the biggest achievement for me.

‘The world is going to change.’

If my plan worked out, there would be a revolution.

‘There’s a lot I can do.’

The things previously impossible would become possible.

I wanted to return to Lindel as soon as possible so that I could start researching, but our return trip was slow. The expedition party’s stamina had reached its limit, so I understood that the return trip was bound to take longer, but I wasn’t anxious. Once we left this area, a carriage would come for us, and it wouldn’t take long to reach Lindel.

‘It seems that everyone is in a good mood, anyway…’

The reason was kind of surprising, but it was thanks to the new guests who joined us and it was interesting that the trapped members were being friendly toward Max and me. I expected it, but they said Max had never persecuted them, and he was actually kind to them and had a lot of conversations with them. This was just my assumption, but I was sure Max was lonely because he had spent a lot of time by himself. The museum was his only friend and seeing that he was really obsessed with the place, he probably often took out his loneliness on the museum. However, that wasn’t the only reason why the expedition party had accepted Max.

“Kggggh…”

“Waaaah…”

When we revealed his story, the party showed sympathy toward him.

“Waaaaah…”

The group, especially those crying with Park Deok-Gu in the middle, started to take care of Manager Max.

“And then…”

- I stayed in the museum…

“You must have been lonely…”

- K-Kind of, but I’ve gotten used to it… and there are a lot of things I can do in the museum.

“Hey, don’t say anything. Kgh… If you’re hyung-nim’s son, then you’re my son, too!” Park Deok-Gu shouted.

- Ah… okay.

Of course, I didn’t hide the fact that I became Max’s guardian, as it was only a title and it didn’t really change anything. I thought Jung Ha-Yan was going to be shocked, but she seemed indifferent about it, and it was the same for Dialugia. She seemed worried that I might start neglecting Smartie, but I guess she thought it wouldn’t be so bad if Smartie had a brother.

Max succeeded in going from being a traitor to the cutest member of the expedition party. In contrast to his body which seemed like a machine, his main body showed emotions and his outer appearance was also really cute.

‘Dirty lookists.’

While I was quietly watching the excited group, we reached the area where carriages could enter. They had to have heard the news because I saw the Black Swan Guild’s carriages waiting for us. Kim Ye-Ri and Hwang Jung-Yeon, who came here with the carriages, were sitting quietly on top of a carriage. I guess the rookies of the Blue Guild had work to do, as they weren’t here and before I could raise my hand, I saw the kid quickly running toward us from afar. It was natural for her to react that way since she had been waiting for Kim Hyun-Sung, but seeing her run past me hurt my feelings.

‘You’re not a cute kid…’

I imagined Smartie eagerly waiting for my return.

I guess Hwang Jung-Yeon wasn’t interested in my return because she ran toward Park Deok-Gu without greeting me and during all of this, Kim Ye-Ri pushed through the people and hugged Kim Hyun-Sung.

“Rattle, rattle.”

“Did you say something, oppa?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“It’s nothing, Ha-Yan,” I replied.

I felt anxious seeing them hugging for a long time. Kim Hyun-Sung was treating the kid as if she was his younger sister, but in my eyes, the kid looked like she wanted more than that. He just didn’t notice it because he had the typical denseness of a main character.

“You should get on the carriage and rest, oppa,” Jung Ha-Yan suggested.

“Yeah, I should. I used a lot of my mana in the management room, and I only slept for three hours,” I said.

“Ahh…”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, I’m fine, Miss Hee-Young,” I replied.

“You’ll be fine after a long rest,” she informed me.

As expected, Jung Ha-Yan and Sun Hee-Young were the only ones who cared about me. I was about to get into the carriage while leaving behind the loud Park Deok-Gu and Kim Hyun-Sung, who looked as if he was getting kidnapped…

“You’re safe, Mr. Ki-Young.”

“Ah, Miss Ji-Hye.”

Lee Ji-Hye came out to greet her guild master. Jung Ha-Yan became a bit wary when she suddenly appeared, but seeing her talk to me indifferently caused Jung Ha-Yan to calm down a bit.

“Oh my, Miss Ha-Yan. It has been a while. It’s nice seeing you two still together,” she said.

“Hello, Miss J-Ji-Hye,” Jung Ha-Yan greeted.

“It has been a while since I’ve seen you as well, right Miss Hee-Young?” Lee Ji-Hye said.

“Yes, it’s been a while,” she replied.

The way she approached us in a friendly manner helped bring down our guard, but it was a surprise how she said that Jung Ha-Yan and I looked good together. She always complimented Jung Ha-Yan like that, but she delivered it in a more energetic way than usual.

‘I guess she heard the news…’

She had to be here for official business, not for personal reasons.

‘So, the Black Swan Guild has already received the news…’

When one of the ranged members left the dungeon first to return to Lindel and deliver the news, I was sure they didn’t simply tell the other members to go out and greet us. I was certain they explained everything that had happened in the dungeon as well as our achievements. On top of that, I was sure they also explained how we captured it.

The Black Swan Guild was the most sensitive guild in Lindel when it came to information. The only reason why the busy Lee Ji-Hye came all the way out here was that her guild master, Park Yeon-Joo, had to have sent her a message. I knew she was quick-witted, but I had never imagined she would start working even before we returned to Lindel.

When I glanced over at Park Yeon-Joo, I saw her and Lee Ji-Hye exchanging glances.

‘Ji-Hye noona is working hard.’

She was working desperately to establish her position within the guild. Anyway, it seemed like she was calculating her timing while enjoying her conversation with Jung Ha-Yan and Sun Hee-Young. I thought it would be good to help her, so when I cleared my throat, she talked to me as if she had been waiting for it.

“Ah! Now that I think about it, there’s something I need to tell you… It’s important so I can’t say it here… How about we return to Lindel while having some small talk? I prepared a carriage for us,” Lee Ji-Hye suggested.

“I’m kind of tired…” I commented.

When I changed the subject, I saw Lee Ji-Hye glaring at me as if asking if I was really going to act this way. I couldn’t help but smile. I only said it because I wanted to tease her, but after seeing her desperate expression, I guess she had made a promise.

“Mr. Hyun-Sung and our guild master will be there as well,” she added.

“In that case… I’ll be there as well, Miss Ji-Hye,” I said.

Jung Ha-Yan looked like she was about to cry, but I had no choice because this could be considered a summit. Park Yeon-Joo had to have told Kim Hyun-Sung the same thing because he stepped away from Kim Ye-Ri and was walking toward us. As such, it seemed like the female members of the Blue Guild disliked Park Yeon-Joo and Lee Ji-Hye, but the issue was more important than the hate they were receiving.

When I entered the carriage, I saw a luxurious interior and it was different from the carriage I had ridden on the way here. I understood their intention of wanting to give us special treatment as if we were important guests, but…

‘They should know that they’ll still get something out of us without doing this…’

The Blue Guild didn’t complete this expedition alone. I guess they thought we were going to keep quiet after acquiring all the items.

‘We’re not that scummy.’

I may have been a bit unscrupulous a few times, but I wasn’t scummy enough to backstab a comrade to whom I had entrusted my back.

Anyway, Kim Hyun-Sung and I took our seats inside the excessively large carriage. Park Yeon-Joo and Lee Ji-Hye also sat on the comfortable sofa. We started talking as we enjoyed the tea ceremony and when we became comfortable, Lee Ji-Hye started the conversation. I realized once again that she had gotten really used to this kind of situation and even though Park Yeon-Joo was doing all the talking, I couldn’t deny the fact that my soulmate had created this comfortable atmosphere.

“Before I congratulate you on the successful expedition, I’d like to thank you for participating in this expedition, Mr. Hyun-Sung.” Lee Ji-Hye started.

“It was nothing. We’re actually more thankful because you gave us this offer. I’m embarrassed because the Blue Guild has benefited a lot more for us to receive your gratitude,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“It’s because you contributed a lot. You and Mr. Ki-Young played a key role in capturing the dungeon, so in many ways, you deserve to own the sword and the ownership ceremony was already done, so there’s no need to argue over it. But the… museum currently belongs to Mr. Ki-Young, right?” Park Yeon-Joo asked.

“Yes. I received the Manager title, and I’m Max’s guardian as well,” I replied.

My head started to hurt at the thought that there was going to be a dispute over the ownership of the museum. It may be fine to give a small portion of it to them, but if she said she wanted fifty percent, I would surely start a fight. However, when I heard what she said, I realized that there was no need for me to do that.

“By the way, we don’t intend on claiming ownership of the museum.”

Lee Ji-Hye noticed my concern and commented on it.

“As Ji-Hye mentioned, we have no intention of claiming ownership over what’s yours. However, I ask that you should be somewhat considerate in the investment that you, Mr. Hyun-Sung, and the Blue Guild are going to take part in as well as provide a fair share,” Park Yeon-Joo requested.

“Hm…”

She asked us to be somewhat considerate, but I was sure she wanted more. She was telling me to consider the fact that if it hadn’t been for the Black Swan Guild, I wouldn’t have become the owner of the museum. Honestly, they deserved to ask more than that because expeditions were done in groups. I was going to give the Black Swan Guild a fixed share, and I was also planning on making this a joint project. However, the fact that they moved fast kind of surprised me. They knew what I was planning and as I had mentioned before…

‘They’re really quick-witted.’

Only an idiot wouldn’t have the same thought upon entering that museum.

“To be honest, I think it’s too early to talk about business yet…” I started.

“Just tell it to us straight, Ki-Young oppa. We’re curious to see if you’re thinking about the same thing as us…” Lee Ji-Hye requested.

“There are two things I have in mind and one is collaborating with the Black Swan Guild. I somehow ended up having ownership of the museum, but if it hadn’t been for the Black Swan Guild, it would have been impossible,” I explained.

“That’s a relief. If you don’t mind, could you explain the ideas you had in mind?” Park Yeon-Joo asked.

“Of course. The first idea I had was operating the unranked dungeon, Rift Museum…”

I expected that kind of reaction from them.

“The second one is… creating a broadcasting station,” I added.

I noticed Lee Ji-Hye tightening her fists, and I was certain she was having the same thought as me.

‘Full control of the media.’

This was the moment when the very first broadcasting station was established in the Holy Empire.