“Mr. Lee Ki-Young, please give us a signal once you’re ready.”

When I slightly raised my hand, I could feel everyone looking at me. Kim Hyun-Sung, Park Deok-Gu, and Jung Ha-Yan were looking at me from the second floor. I felt a bit nervous because everyone in this place was focused on me, but I didn’t feel pressured about showing a different side of me because I knew that the leaders of the Blue Guild didn’t have high expectations to begin with.

“I’m ready,” I said.

I was actually more worried about Jung Ha-Yan because she strangely remained quiet, making it hard for me to guess what she was thinking. I wasn’t sure if it was because of Park Deok-Gu, who was getting angry for her, but she acted as if the incident yesterday never happened.

‘I’m feeling anxious…’

I had no idea why that crazy woman acted the way she did because it didn’t seem like she had feelings for me. Cha Hee-Ra probably did it because she wanted to tease Jung Ha-Yan for expressing her bloodthirstiness. I was sure that she also did it as a way to warn Jung Ha-Yan for expressing her bloodthirstiness towards a guild leader and if kissing me was her punishment, then Jung Ha-Yan got off easy. It was just the method itself was questionable.

Honestly, I wanted to thank that crazy woman because we were in a situation where we should be thankful for the fact that she didn’t cut our heads off.

I cleared my head from the slightly complicated thoughts. I slowly drew a magic circle on the ground. It was a pretty complicated process, but it was a magic circle that was already in my head.

‘It’s inefficient.’

It didn’t consume as much mana, but it was still inefficient.

I completed the magic circle quickly and my actions must have seemed familiar because I saw a few people nodding.

“Lord, I, hope, answer, my voice,” I chanted.

The magic circle was the one that was building the magic and as soon as I recited the chant, I felt mana flowing out of me.

“Fire Pillar.”

When I cast the spell, a pillar of fire shot out from the magic circle and burned the target, but it wasn’t a firepower that I was able to materialize using my magic. It was a pretty impressive effect and with the help of the magic circle, I knew I could be more efficient than when I used the magic that I possessed.

“Whew…”

Their cheers weren't as loud as Park Deok-Gu’s, who demonstrated before me, as well as Kim Hyun-Sung and Jung Ha-Yan’s, who demonstrated yesterday, however…

Clap, clap clap.

I could hear a few claps as everyone nodded and started clapping as well. It wasn’t a bad demonstration, but it wasn’t worthy of applause. However, there was one thing that the crowd wanted. They probably wanted to look good in front of me since I seemed like our party’s hidden influential figure to the others.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young’s demonstration has ended. For the special guests, please move according to the procedure.”

It was the same as yesterday. As if they didn’t care about the procedure, the special guests and recruiters started crowding around me.

“My name is Lee Yeon-Hee and I manage the Four Stars Guild. If we can talk…no, let me give you my business card first,” she said.

“I’m Jung Jong-Chul and I’m the master of Clan of Clan. If you don’t mind…” he said.

“I’m Go Young-Soo. Our clan is a new clan that was recently created and even though our offer may not be as good, compared to the other clans, our potential growth is…”

“My name is Park Hye-Soo and I’m the representative of the Devil’s Guild. I would like to speak with you for a bit…”

Greeting each and every person was a lot of work, but they were all valuable potential prospects. Regardless of whether the clan was recently created or if it was a guild in the middle of a decline, they were all important, so I received their business cards and had a formal conversation with them.

“If you’re not planning on signing the contract with the Blue Guild…”

“Yes, I’ll be sure to visit later,” I said.

“Our guild too.”

“Sure, let’s have a meal together later,” I suggested.

“No matter which guild you choose, I would like to maintain a good relationship.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure to contact you first,” I told them.

It was a formal conversation, but it wasn’t that bad. If someone asked me what was so great about exchanging a simple greeting, I wouldn’t have an answer to that, but this sort of thing was important when it came to human relationships.

“It was a fun demonstration.”

‘Bullshit…’

“I think this demonstration changed my perception about alchemists, hahaha.”

‘Lies.’

“Thank you, everyone. I’m a bit embarrassed because compared to my other party members, I didn’t display as much,” I told them.

Still, this was what having a social life was about.

When I walked out of the crowd, I saw Lee Sang-Hee and the leaders of the Blue Guild looking at me and of course, they were frowning. They realized that they made a mistake in the first negotiation. They also realized the fact that Kim Hyun-Sung believed in my words more than theirs.

We stayed here for over a week and there were a lot of opportunities for me to meet the guests. We ate together and heard basic information about the Continent. If they saw our party having a normal conversation, I was sure that they would come to one conclusion.

‘That Lee Ki-Young’s position within Kim Hyun-Sung’s party is a lot higher than they imagined.’

“Could we talk to you for a moment? There’s something we need to discuss with you again regarding the terms of negotiation…” Lee Sang-Hee said.

“Of course, Miss Lee Sang-Hee. I welcome it,” I told her.

“Let’s head inside,” she suggested.

“Okay.”

I actually wanted to start humming.

I guess Jung Ha-Yan, Park Deok-Gu, and Kim Hyun-Sung were talking with other people. When I entered the room where we discussed the conditions back then, I noticed a change in the atmosphere compared to before. It felt like the arrogant gramps was watching me closely.

‘This is nice.’

I wondered if this was what it felt like to have power.

“First, I would like to apologize for the hasty adjustment from our first negotiation. We thought that the terms that we offered were generous for rookies, but…after watching your demonstrations, we realized that we underestimated you as well as the rest of your party,” she explained.

“Oh, it’s fine. I definitely understand. As someone who manages the guild, it’s only natural for you to avoid investing in people with unverified skills. It was definitely a reasonable decision,” I said.

“Oh, thank you very much for your understanding.”

“...”

“I’m sure you’ve received offers from a lot of different places,” Lee Sang-Hee said.

I didn’t think there was a need to lie because it was a truth that everyone knew.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I don’t know what the other guilds offered you, but the Blue Guild…”

I didn’t really hear what she was trying to explain, but it was obvious where this conversation was heading. An excuse about how the amount they were offering may not be enough, but that they had the potential to grow. She may probably mention how the Blue Guild was different, as well as the special conditions they could add to the contract and plans on how they were going to help us grow. It was obvious.

“Compared to the other guilds, the amount may not be enough, but within the Holy Empire, the Blue Guild is still one of the known guilds. If you join the Blue Guild, we’ll set aside a budget for the party…oh, not only that. We can offer an executive position within the guild…” she explained.

“Specifically…”

“It’s a bit difficult for me to explain the specifics right now, but we’ll do our best…”

“I see. Could you tell me the details of the contract?” I asked, cutting her off.

“Oh! Of course,” she answered.

Lee Sang-Hee looked a bit happy.

“We can provide a down payment of 10,000 gold and a salary of 3,000 gold. The duration of the contract will be 10 years…and you can negotiate your salary and renew your contract every year…”

“So that’s 10 billion won,” I said.

“Yes.”

It was only half of what the Red Mercenary Guild was offering. Of course, the guild didn’t include Kim Hyun-Sung and Park Deok-Gu, but I couldn’t help but feel bitter about it because I knew that it costs a lot of money to become an alchemist.

What caught my attention was the fact that they increased the duration by three years. I assumed it was because they wanted to see our growth.

If this was their first offer, however, then it meant that there was room to increase it a little bit more because that was what Cha Hee-Ra also said when I spoke with her.

When discussing a contract, the desperate side was usually the anxious ones.

I spoke with a smile on my face. “A down payment of 15,000 gold, which is one and half billion won. That’s the term that we want,” I said.

“Oh…”

“Additionally, I would at least like an epic ranked alchemist tool, an adjustment on the by-products halving that we obtain from a hunt, an epic ranked grimoire for Jung Ha-Yan and I would also like for you to provide epic ranked basic gear for Park Deok-Gu and Kim Hyun-Sung,” I explained.

“That…that’s…”

“You can think of it as an investment because our party is going to grow even more. The reason why we’re not obsessed with the salary is because the more our growth accelerates, the Blue Guild will also grow. I think you may even receive investments from other guilds,” I said.

“Due to our circumstances…”

“If you need gold, you can sell the first negotiation rights to another guild, but right now, gold isn’t what’s important to the Blue Guild, right?” I asked.

They looked as if I hit the enail.

“The guild master,” I said.

Of course, I noticed the fact that I haven’t seen the guild master just yet despite what was happening right now. The record time clearing of the tutorial dungeon incited not only the mid-sized guilds but also the masters of the large guilds. When looking at Cha Hee-Ra, it was obvious that she came here herself to make an offer.

The fact that the guild master was missing despite the disturbances meant that there was currently a problem within the guild.

“You’ve…noticed. Did someone…” Lee Sang-Hee said.

“It’s a simple deduction. It is only natural for me to have this thought since I still haven’t met them,” I explained.

The Blue Guild will accept my offer.

Including the guild master, if there was a problem with the main power of the guild, I was sure that they were very happy to have us here since we had the potential to grow above the leadership level.

Just when I thought that I made a slight mistake…

“Arrogant…”

It wasn’t Lee Sang-Hee. One of the gramps that was beside her was staring at me with angry eyes.

‘Um…’

“Alchemist, we’re not investing in you,” he said.

“Mr. Seol-Ho. What are you doing?!” Lee Sang-Hee yelled.

“Miss Lee Sang-Hee, the Blue Guild will not fall to the point that we need to be teased by him,” the gramps said.

‘That…’

“He’s an immature person that’s been here for less than a year. I know we’re in a position that needs to yield, but to yield to a persona like him!” the old man yelled.

“Please withdraw your magic!” she said.

‘Damn it…’

I understood what it felt like when someone used magic with bloodthirstiness. Because the old man’s magic filled the entire room, my body started to shake and even breathing became difficult.

All I could think about was, ‘I’m going to die.’

“Lee Seol-Ho! I told you to withdraw your magic!” Lee Sang-Hee yelled again.

“You piece of shit…I know people like you very well. The kind that are headstrong despite not having anything. A variety of people come here and I’ve lived long enough on this continent, you don’t think I’ve seen enough rats like you?” the old man yelled.

“Ugh…”

“Killing people like you without a sound is easy. This continent is always overflowing with threats. No one knows when and where something will happen because this place is different from Earth. You dumb, immature child…know your place! How dare you act like that towards the Blue Guild…how dare you!” he said.

‘I’m really going to die.’

I found it difficult to breathe. I couldn’t understand what kind of situation I was in.

‘That damn…old man…’

I wanted to run out of the room this instant, but it was difficult to even move my body, let alone stand up and run. When I was at the point where I had to make a choice, I had no choice but to pick one out of the many choices.

“Go ahead, you crazy old man,” I said.

“What?” he asked.

“I told you to try, you crazy old man. Kill me if you can.”

“How dare you!” the old man yelled again.

“Lee Seol-Ho! Are you disobeying me?!” Lee Sang-Hee yelled.

I was in the middle of an unexplainable situation, but I enunciated each of my words.

“You crazy old man…”

“You bastard!”

“If I die, do you think my Hee-Ra noona will just sit by and do nothing?!” I yelled.

I saw the old man close his mouth.