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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Founding the Golden Guild
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Jeong Hyun-su's side was planning to draw in as many auction participants as possible through extensive promotion ahead of the auction, all to sell Yeon Sung-hun's potions for the highest price possible.
They had already spread rumors to several major guilds, corporations, and high-rank hunters, so it seemed like it would take a little time before the auction actually opened.
Because of that, Yeon Sung-hun would have to wait a bit to receive his full payment, but Jeong Hyun-su's people had advanced him a certain amount upfront.
No one on Jeong Hyun-su's side could easily predict exactly how much Yeon Sung-hun's potions would fetch, but they had a minimum baseline in mind and paid him that much in advance.
They had also agreed to pay the additional amount based on the final bidding price afterward.
And so, a portion of the payment entered Yeon Sung-hun's account.
It was several times the amount he had earned so far as a hunter, all at once.
And that was just the beginning. Once the full auction took place, it wouldn't be far-fetched to expect dozens of times that sum.
But Yeon Sung-hun wasn't particularly thrilled about it.
He saw it as an obvious outcome.
If anything, thinking back to his time as Faust, he clicked his tongue at how this amount felt a bit lacking.
It was natural, so of course it was, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of regret.
With this sudden windfall, Yeon Sung-hun pondered how best to use it.
The first thing that came to mind was, naturally, a new house to live in with his family.
In his past life as Faust, a house was just a place to sleep. Yeon Sung-hun himself wasn't too attached to where he lived, but his family was different.
For the two of them who spent almost all their time at home unless taking a rare walk, it was necessary to move somewhere better.
For three people, he didn't need a massive mansion—just something appropriately sized.
'Time to move the workshop with this opportunity.'
It hadn't been long since he built it, and he'd always planned to relocate later anyway, so he didn't feel too bad about it.
If anything, he smiled pleasantly at the thought of creating a proper workshop this time.
'If I'm including the workshop, maybe buy land and build from scratch.'
Money was no object anyway.
Even accounting for the additional payment later, it would probably overflow.
He didn't know the exact amount, but after setting aside a fixed sum separately, Yeon Sung-hun quietly contemplated the remaining balance in his account.
There were more places to spend it than he'd thought, but at this stage, there was only one real option.
"Guess I need to start by creating a guild."
Having decided on how to use the rest of the money, Yeon Sung-hun stepped out of the house.
Today, after a short break, was the day they'd dive into another rift with the raid members.
Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na quickly noticed the enhanced performance of the potions laced with Mana Herb.
It wasn't just from checking the status window numbers directly—the real-world difference was palpable.
"Whoa. What's up with today's potions? The effects are insane! What kind of magic did you work in just a few days?"
Kim Jun-su kept exclaiming in awe, while Lee Ha-na nodded vigorously in agreement.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a small chuckle at their reactions.
"Feel free to keep marveling, but I have some separate announcements for today."
At his calm tone, the two turned their attention from the potions to him.
Yeon Sung-hun glanced at each of them once they'd focused, then called over Na Seong-sil, who as usual was hanging back a step, pretending not to listen.
Na Seong-sil tilted his head curiously at Yeon Sung-hun's unusual behavior.
Yeon Sung-hun had shared quite a bit with him indirectly so far, but this was the first time he'd called him over directly like this.
With Na Seong-sil now gathered close, Yeon Sung-hun finally spoke.
"I'm thinking of forming a guild."
"Hm?"
"Uhmm..."
"Ohhh!"
The three had varied reactions, but since they'd heard bits from Yeon Sung-hun before, no one was truly shocked.
Kim Jun-su looked purely delighted, Lee Ha-na reacted with a matter-of-fact it's about time vibe.
Na Seong-sil alone seemed worried about the timing, wondering if it wasn't a bit premature.
After gauging their responses, Yeon Sung-hun spoke again.
"Nothing major changes right away. The guild will still just consist of 'us' for now. You can think of it as a formal guild in name only at first."
"'At first' means it'll change later, right?"
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at Kim Jun-su's question.
"I plan to recruit people going forward. Obviously, I won't take just anyone. Only after thorough vetting."
It sounded absurd for a brand-new guild to be so selective, but the three listening took it as a given.
They knew the effects of Yeon Sung-hun's potions all too well.
They figured it was better than letting in weirdos and ruining the atmosphere.
"That's why my expectations for you all are sky-high. You're the only ones I can trust right now. I'll need a lot of help from you in various areas moving forward."
"Leave it to us!"
"I'll live up to them."
Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na responded.
Rather than feeling burdened, they seemed happy just to be relied upon by Yeon Sung-hun.
Whether that joy would hold depending on future circumstances was another matter, but it wasn't a bad look, so Yeon Sung-hun smiled faintly.
His gaze soon shifted to Na Seong-sil, who had been quietly silent.
He was looking at Yeon Sung-hun with a thoughtful expression.
From the conversation so far, Na Seong-sil seemed to have a vague idea why Yeon Sung-hun had called him specifically.
"...Hunter Yeon Sung-hun, are you hoping for me to join your guild?"
"'Your' guild? Say 'our' guild."
Na Seong-sil clamped his lips shut at Yeon Sung-hun's deliberately affable smile.
In Yeon Sung-hun's plans, Na Seong-sil actually played a pretty big role.
He needed someone to handle the administrative procedures and guild operations.
Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na went without saying, and even as Faust, who had led the Tower of the Sage, Yeon Sung-hun wasn't particularly adept at admin or management.
As tower master, he'd made the big decisions and set broad guidelines, but he'd delegated the minutiae to subordinates.
His friend Mephisto had helped with a lot of it too.
That's why Yeon Sung-hun absolutely needed Na Seong-sil.
He'd proven reliable so far, and Yeon Sung-hun trusted him as a person.
And while pulling him in, he planned to bring Gye Cheong-san along too.
He'd already prepared a custom potion for him, so Gye Cheong-san's recruitment wasn't much of a worry.
"...I'm sorry, but it won't be possible for the time being."
Na Seong-sil's answer, after much deliberation, made Yeon Sung-hun's affable smile freeze solid.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, who had assumed his joining was a given, also stiffened instantly.
For them, Na Seong-sil's refusal was utterly unexpected.
"...May I ask why?"
He tried to sound nonchalant, but his voice came out noticeably stiff.
Even for him, this turn was completely unforeseen.
Na Seong-sil gave an awkward smile at Yeon Sung-hun's question.
"Are you perhaps considering Team Leader Gye as well?"
"Is Team Leader Gye the issue?"
From what he'd observed, their relationship didn't seem bad, but maybe it was worse than it looked?
Yeon Sung-hun frowned with an uhm at the idea that Gye Cheong-san was the reason for Na Seong-sil's refusal.
'...Disappointing, but looks like I'll have to give up on Team Leader Gye.'
It was unfortunate for Gye Cheong-san, but Yeon Sung-hun rated Na Seong-sil higher.
He'd watched him up close for a while now, and if he had to choose one, Gye Cheong-san was the one to drop.
'For the sake of future relations, I should probably gift him that hair growth potion I made.'
As Yeon Sung-hun quietly resolved himself inwardly, Na Seong-sil spoke up.
"I think I know what misunderstanding you have, but that's not what I mean."
"What do you mean, then?"
Na Seong-sil continued as Yeon Sung-hun tilted his head in confusion.
"If both I and Team Leader Gye join right after you, it might be okay later, but for now, it'd be a waste of manpower. A new guild doesn't need both of us yet."
"Then...?"
"Wouldn't it benefit 'our' guild more if one of us stays at the Hunter Association? There's no shortage of internal info we could get on our own."
"...So you're saying you'll take that role, Deputy?"
"Honestly, between me and Team Leader Gye—who doesn't have the best reputation—it's better if I stay."
Yeon Sung-hun finally grasped his intent as Na Seong-sil flashed a sly grin.
"Isn't that a kind of insider deal? That sounds like grounds for severe discipline."
"Now that I have somewhere to go, what do I have to worry about? Let them try to fire me."
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled softly at Na Seong-sil's giggling response.
"Who'd take you? Will your deputy position even be there later?"
"I'll grovel then. But with all the favors owed, Hunter... no, Guild Master, you wouldn't pretend not to see me, right?"
Unlike his usual stiff demeanor, Na Seong-sil grinned like a mischievous kid.
Yeon Sung-hun extended his hand toward him.
"Then let's keep working well together."
"The pleasure's mine, Guild Master."
The two shook hands lightly.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, watching, let out small cheers of delight.
"I'll serve you as my... my lifelong benefactor! Truly lifelong! Thank you!"
Sob...
Gye Cheong-san wailed loudly, having regained his once-lush hair.
Yeon Sung-hun gave a wry smile at the middle-aged man bawling like a child.
Recruiting Gye Cheong-san had gone exactly as expected—extremely smoothly.
If anything, his reaction was even more intense than anticipated.
The moment he confirmed the hair growth potion's effects, he tried to kneel and bow, leaving Yeon Sung-hun exhausted just stopping him.
Repeatedly checking his newly thick mane, Gye Cheong-san revered Yeon Sung-hun like a devout believer worshiping a god.
Only a deity could perform such a miracle, or so he claimed.
In any case, Gye Cheong-san's recruitment was easier than imagined.
Yeon Sung-hun had planned to restore his hair first and persuade him calmly, but it wasn't even necessary.
Without checking terms, Gye Cheong-san immediately accepted the offer, submitted his resignation on the spot, and stormed out of the Hunter Association.
When Yeon Sung-hun asked if he shouldn't hand over his duties, he replied there was no need to bestow such grace on the Association.
He must have built up quite a grudge.
Once officially joined, Gye Cheong-san displayed abilities that astonished Yeon Sung-hun.
As if he'd regained his lost passion along with his hair, he moved with incredible vigor.
Just from Yeon Sung-hun's rough outline of future plans, he handled and progressed everything on his own.
His organizational skills rivaled even those of his old friend Mephisto, leaving Yeon Sung-hun in admiration.
Even for a formal guild, it took less than four or five days to establish.
Yeon Sung-hun had figured it'd take longer, but Gye Cheong-san processed everything remarkably fast somehow.
He later learned it was just by casually showing off his lush hair to others suffering from hair loss.
Even without prior arrangements, that alone smoothed over all the admin hurdles.
Were there really that many balding folks around?
Gye Cheong-san credited everything to Yeon Sung-hun, saying it was all thanks to him, as Yeon Sung-hun marveled in various ways.
Gazing at his thick hair daily, he had become a complete zealot—even if Yeon Sung-hun called a goblin an orc, he'd believe it.
And so, with Gye Cheong-san's stellar performance, the guild was formed.
The name was 'Golden', just like the raid team.
Candidates included the Tower of the Sage and others, but Yeon Sung-hun ultimately chose Golden.
After all, it was the most familiar to him and best represented his essence.
At the same time as founding the guild, he drew up contracts with Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su.
It wasn't like the raid team days; for official guild operations, contracts were essential.
The base term was two years, auto-renewing at the end unless the guild or hunter requested changes.
They offered standard monthly pay, plus rift exploration fees, hazard pay, and conquest bonuses.
All materials from rifts would belong to the guild—Yeon Sung-hun—with separate compensation.
On Gye Cheong-san's advice, the terms were far more generous than industry norms, delighting Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na.
Gye Cheong-san warned they were overly lavish, even groundbreaking for mere D-rank hunters, but Yeon Sung-hun had no intention of altering them.
They were his founding heroes, and this was their reward.
Of course, Yeon Sung-hun hadn't offered such terms purely out of sentiment.
Money wouldn't be an issue anyway.
Wasn't he Faust, who once piled cities with gold in his past life?
These conditions weren't even that generous by those standards.
More importantly, for the world's top guild, shouldn't they be baseline?
Considering Yeon Sung-hun's ambitions, he might even sweeten them later.
A guild hunters flocked to voluntarily, one everyone aspired to join.
That was his goal.
'Still, if they don't grow enough to match those terms, I'll have to cut them loose eventually.'
He'd contracted his founding duo with generous terms, but it couldn't go on forever.
Even founding heroes got preferential treatment only if they earned it.
Harsh as it was, if they fell short of expectations, Yeon Sung-hun would drop them without hesitation.
He simply hoped they'd keep up as he envisioned.
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