Chapter 603
‘It’s over.’
‘Thud.’
President Baek Hanseong, seated in the Phoenix Chair, let out a bitter laugh as he put down the report.
The report, submitted directly by the Director of the National Intelligence Service, detailed the whereabouts and actions of Choi Minwoo just the day before.
The press conference held immediately after the state funeral.
The emergency meeting within Ares Guild.
And the internal atmosphere of the guild.
‘To think he’d move this quickly.’
The secret regarding Choi Minwoo’s lineage was something President Baek already knew.
But he hadn’t expected it to be revealed so openly, and at such a perfect moment.
More importantly, he hadn’t anticipated that the executives of Ares Guild would so readily accept a new Guild Master.
‘That just shows how extraordinary the bloodline of Cheon Taemin is.’
Cheon Taemin was a symbol of humanity itself.
Despite all the recent scandals that had stained Ares Guild, the symbolic weight of the name Cheon Taemin remained untouched.
No media outlet, no celebrity would dare touch a figure enshrined in the realm of the sacred and untouchable.
But the reason Choi Minwoo was able to establish Peace Guild and gain the support of Ares’ top brass wasn’t just because of that name.
‘Jin Taekyung.’
An unrelenting, approachable, and dedicated young hero.
With him steadily catching up to the unreachable might of Cheon Taemin and standing firmly by Choi Minwoo’s side, nothing could stop the two of them.
Not even a coalition of powerful politicians, corporate giants, and major guilds.
“Sir.”
The voice of the Chief of Staff brought President Baek out of his thoughts.
“What is it?”
“The Guild Association is requesting an audience.”
The very words he didn’t want to hear.
The association, comprised of the ten largest guilds in the country, had been eyeing Ares Guild ever since the Seok Go-jun incident.
Their cooperation with the government hadn’t been out of justice or for social reform—it had been to plunder the fallen fortress and seize its treasures.
‘That would’ve happened—if not for Choi Minwoo.’
Young, capable, and legitimate. The perfect heir to the throne.
If he were to officially become the Vice Guild Master, Ares Guild would be rebuilt. And thanks to the positive image surrounding Choi Minwoo and Jin Taekyung, the filth would be washed away.
Resistance from the Guild Association was inevitable.
The real problem was that their demands for rewards and political favors were aimed not at someone else—but at him.
President Baek muttered bitterly,
“…No one can truly stay noble.”
“Sir?”
“No. And regarding the Guild Association—put them on hold for now.”
“With all due respect, sir, they’ve been repeatedly—”
“I said hold them off.”
At the low yet firm voice, the Chief of Staff stopped and bowed before exiting.
Once the door closed, President Baek rubbed his tired eyes.
He was physically and mentally drained from the relentless issues.
Even his long-abandoned craving for cigarettes was beginning to resurface.
But what he needed now wasn’t nicotine or tar.
He needed a solution.
A way to unravel the tangled problems—like the mythical Gordian Knot.
And the place where he could find the fastest, most reliable answer wasn’t the Blue House.
‘In the end, there’s only one option.’
With a heavy heart, President Baek pressed the button beneath his chair.
Within seconds, the security team stationed in the next room arrived and bowed.
“I’d like to get some fresh air. Is that alright?”
The head of security responded calmly.
“Of course, sir. Do you have a destination in mind?”
Destination.
Gazing out the window, President Baek replied,
“Peace Guild. Let’s go to Peace Guild.”
—
No wonder the guild felt so quiet today—there was a good reason for it.
As I stepped into the room after being called away from the training room, I immediately understood why.
“You’re here, Hunter Jin Taekyung.”
“…Why are you here again?”
I asked sincerely. President Baek Hanseong let out a tired smile.
“Good question. Still, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Well, sure.”
It had only been two weeks since we last met—not exactly what I’d call a long time—but I pulled up a chair and sat down.
I couldn’t help but comment as I saw him fiddling with a cigarette.
“This is a no-smoking area.”
“I know. I actually quit a year ago.”
President Baek rubbed his eyes, dark circles sinking deeply into his face.
“But lately… I’ve been seriously considering starting again.”
He looked like he’d aged ten years since I last saw him.
I felt a bit sorry for him and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat.
“Yeah, but like I said—no smoking in here.”
“So what brings you here?”
It was just a formality. This was the President of the Republic, not some neighborhood baker. There weren’t many justifiable reasons for him to visit personally—especially under current circumstances.
Sure enough, President Baek chuckled wryly.
“I’m sure you already know.”
Team Leader Choi spoke calmly.
“The Guild Association is pushing hard, I presume?”
“They’re not the only ones. But the political and financial circles are choosing to stay back for now.”
“They’ll wait to see which way the scales tip.”
“Exactly. After all, the ones most affected by this are the guilds.”
President Baek let out a long sigh.
“As you know, they’re afraid. Afraid of another Ares Guild.”
Ares was a predator. Especially in Korea, it had been an overwhelming force since its founding. It wouldn’t be wrong to say it had more power than the Blue House.
“The Guild Association won’t back down. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They want to weaken Ares’ power and gain a slice of the pie.”
“But then, Team Leader Choi held a press conference and met with Ares’ executives…”
“That must’ve made things difficult for you.”
“To be honest, yes. The pressure is intense.”
Listening silently, I spoke up.
“You could be even more honest.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re worried too, aren’t you? About a second Ares—or rather, another Lee Jeong-ryong.”
“Peace Guild is growing fast. And now, if Ares Guild embraces Team Leader Choi? That’s game over.”
A corporation’s strength comes from its capital and scale.
A guild’s strength comes from its hunters.
By that standard, Peace Guild already surpassed the top ten domestic guilds in power and influence.
With me—an overwhelming force.
And Team Leader Choi—the only blood of Cheon Taemin.
‘And if Ares Guild joins in?’
Team Leader Choi wouldn’t just be a threat.
He would become untouchable.
“…Right.”
As President Baek let out a sigh, I snapped my fingers.
‘Snap.’ A small flame of [Threefold True Flame] flickered to life.
Seeing the fire, President Baek blinked. Understanding my intent, he brought the cigarette to his lips.
‘Sizzle.’ ‘Fwoosh.’
With a deep inhale, white smoke trailed from his mouth. Perhaps because it had been so long, he leaned back on the sofa, eyes closed.
Then, with a whisper, he spoke,
“You’re right, Hunter Jin Taekyung. It’s not the second Ares Guild I’m worried about… It’s the second Lee Jeong-ryong.”
Team Leader Choi brushed away the smoke and responded,
“That’s unfortunate. I didn’t expect you to think of me like that.”
“People change. That’s one of the things I’ve learned since entering politics.”
“But today, you came here yourself. And you put off the meeting with the Guild Association. Why?”
After a pause, President Baek finally answered,
“Because I wanted to believe. That the two of you sitting here are different.”
With a serious gaze, he looked at the both of us.
“What matters most… isn’t how sharp or strong the weapon is—but who holds it.”
He was right.
A cheap stationery knife becomes a weapon in the hands of a criminal.
A master-forged blade becomes a kitchen knife in the hands of a chef.
And the Team Leader Choi I knew…
He was smart. Capable.
The kind of man who wouldn’t swing a sword recklessly.
“Then I’ll ease your concerns.”
At Team Leader Choi’s soft words, President Baek’s eyes lit up.
“You mean—”
“Trust me. I’ll use my influence and power fairly. I’ll also hand over enough interests to pacify the Guild Association. If needed, I’ll put it in writing.”
“But since I’ve given you the answer you wanted, I’d like one promise in return.”
President Baek, blinking at the unexpected offer, asked quickly,
“What is it?”
“I’d like my future actions to be free of interference. Please stop the Guild Association’s meddling—and halt the ongoing investigation at Ares HQ.”
This was a proposal for an alliance—built on trust, but a deal nonetheless.
A seasoned politician like Baek Hanseong didn’t hesitate for long.
“If you keep your word, that’s not difficult.”
“Then it’s settled. Clean and simple.”
As if planned, both men stood and extended their hands.
But just as they were about to shake—
President Baek turned to me and asked one last question.
“Hunter Jin Taekyung. May I ask one final thing?”
“Me? I don’t see why not.”
“Your request to halt the investigation at Ares HQ… is it related to what happened at the special detention center recently?”
“Ahh.”
I had a hunch he’d get a report on that—and of course, I was right.
As I exchanged glances with Team Leader Choi, his gaze confirmed it. I shrugged and replied,
‘Yes. That’s right.’
“Hah. So there was something the investigators didn’t find.”
“Why? Want to go dig around again?”
“Well… I am curious what Go Sewon was hiding… but if he were that stupid, he wouldn’t have gotten this far.”
Smiling like a true politician, President Baek finally shook Team Leader Choi’s hand firmly.
“I hope we can build a great relationship moving forward.”
“I look forward to it as well, Mr. President.”
It was the moment when the newly formed mega-guild and the government established a solid alliance.
And it marked the removal of the final obstacle standing in Ares Guild’s path.