Chapter 731
Step.
Glossy leather shoes stepped onto the carpet.
When the man turned around and I finally got a good look at him, a thought popped into my head.
‘He looks like a crow.’
Dressed in black from head to toe, he looked like a European gentleman from the 19th century.
A suit without a single wrinkle, a coat with the collar turned up, and a silk hat already a century out of fashion.
He was clearly Black, but the eyes visible through his clear monocle were a strange golden color.
He looked us over, lightly touched the brim of his hat, and greeted us.
“Nice to meet you both.”
Korean flowed smoothly through Translation Magic.
He was an uninvited guest who’d come without an appointment, but if he was a messenger sent by the Odin Guild, we couldn’t openly treat him coldly.
Besides, someone with this much mana…
‘He’s not just a simple messenger.’
I gave the unfamiliar guest a slight nod, and Team Leader Choi Minwoo offered him a seat.
“Please, sit down.”
The three of us, including me, sat facing each other across the wooden table.
A strange atmosphere hung in the air for a moment, until the other party broke the silence first.
“I’m late with my introduction. I’m Huginn of the Odin Guild.”
“That crow?”
Huginn smiled faintly at my unintentional mutter.
“Ah. Of course, I have a separate real name, but since I started serving the Guild Leader, I’ve been called Huginn. I’d appreciate it if you would recognize me as such.”
Usually, a hunter with any reputation was known more by an alias—one tied to their abilities—than by their real name.
But no matter how I searched my memory, Huginn was a stranger.
‘The Odin Guild Leader’s hidden right-hand man? Something like that?’
Even domestic giant guilds kept plenty of secrets, so as a field agent stuck on the front lines, it was hard to know the details of foreign affairs.
‘And he’s from the Odin Guild.’
There was a time when the Ares Guild was called the best in the world.
But about twenty years ago, Cheon Tae-min vanished from everyone’s sight.
People questioned it, and Lee Jeong-ryong, who became the Ares Guild’s new chief of staff, couldn’t fill Cheon Tae-min’s void no matter what he did.
One year, five years. And ten years.
Those who still followed Cheon Tae-min with fervor insisted the Ares Guild was the best.
But the ones who knew the reality—hunters most of all—thought differently.
Coldly put, the Ares Guild was a setting sun. It had been that way for ten years already.
The Odin Guild, on the other hand, was a rising sun.
Based in Europe, they expanded rapidly, taking advantage of the Ares Guild’s hesitation. Along the way, they acquired and absorbed several giant guilds, rising into a colossus no one could deny.
A colossus confident enough to send a mere messenger to the new owner of the Ares Guild.
“The reason I came to see you so suddenly today is to deliver the Guild Leader’s congratulations.”
At Huginn’s words, Team Leader Choi Minwoo spoke with a calm face.
“Is that so.”
“Yes. He is very pleased that a talented young man with qualifications and abilities has taken over the Ares Guild.”
It sounded like praise, but the meaning underneath was something else.
I ran my tongue over my lips and muttered inwardly.
‘Look at these guys…’
No matter how politely you wrapped it, you couldn’t hide what was inside.
That was true of Huginn’s courteous voice and posture, too.
‘They’re looking down on us from the start. Seriously. It feels like meeting an envoy from a superior country.’
And the Team Leader I knew wasn’t stupid enough to miss it, nor rash enough to show displeasure outright.
“It’s far too much praise, given my maternal grandfather’s situation. Still, I’m endlessly grateful for your words. I’d like to meet him in person and pay my respects.”
Even with that barb, Huginn didn’t lose his smile.
“Ah, he was also very sorry that he couldn’t come in person.”
“It seems the Guild Leader is very busy. From what I know, it’s been several years since he stopped external activities. I suppose rumors can’t be trusted.”
The higher the position, the harder it was to budge. That was an immutable truth.
Cheon Tae-min’s case—someone said to have disappeared completely—had simply been extreme.
Most leaders of giant guilds avoided contact with the outside world, and that was the same for the Odin Guild Leader.
“Even so, I’ve always respected him, so I’d like to visit and greet him. What do you think?”
“Haha. Well.”
Huginn laughed out loud, clasped his hands, and continued.
“I’m sorry to say this, but he’s been so busy lately that it probably won’t be possible.”
“It seems something has happened.”
“Yes. A minor but somewhat troublesome problem. I believe he has many worries about how to deal with it. The same goes for the others.”
“The others?”
“Acquaintances who have known him for a long time. The person I was supposed to meet today is from Chronos… Ah, I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary.”
The name of another giant guild—one of the world’s top ten alongside Ares—came out of nowhere.
Team Leader Choi Minwoo muttered quietly.
“The Chronos Guild.”
“I hope you didn’t hear that. I often make these mistakes and get called in by the Guild Leader to be scolded.”
Watching Huginn put on a troubled expression, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Mistake my ass.”
“Yes?”
“Hey, crow uncle. Drop the clumsy acting and let’s have a real conversation from now on.”
Maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut and watched, but after listening to him drone on, it felt like I’d swallowed a hundred sweet potatoes without a drop of radish kimchi broth.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
Leaning back into the soft sofa, I kept going.
“To be honest, you came because of the Smiling Mana Cultivation Method that’s going public soon, right?”
“Stop at a reasonable level. It won’t be fun if you push it further. Don’t act up because we can join hands with other giant guilds like Chronos and bury you. Isn’t that what you’re trying to say?”
“No, damn it. Why are we beating around the bush when we all know what’s going on? It’s a headache. We’re not recording anyway, so say what you came to say and go back. Isn’t that right?”
As my words poured out like a waterfall, Huginn suddenly turned his head toward Team Leader Choi Minwoo.
“I didn’t say anything because I thought it might be impolite, but is there a reason Mr. Jin must be here?”
“Of course.”
Team Leader Choi Minwoo replied calmly.
“Jin Taekyung is that important. And if you wanted a private meeting, you should have said so from the beginning.”
“Then may I ask for a private meeting now?”
“I refuse.”
At the answer without a moment’s hesitation, Huginn blinked his golden eyes.
“This is… embarrassing.”
“We feel the same way. If you had made an appointment in advance, we could have coordinated many things.”
Adjusting his monocle, Huginn spoke again.
“Then I will apologize to both of you for being rude first.”
Look at this guy. I thought he was going for a crow concept, but it wasn’t for nothing he was dressed like a gentleman.
So I answered in kind.
“Since you were the one who was wrong first, I won’t apologize.”
“I already know what you’re thinking, so don’t look at me like that. Let’s talk like I said earlier. Okay?”
Huginn let out a long sigh and nodded.
“Okay. Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to speak directly.”
“Briefly. Only the main point.”
Under the Illumination Magic installed in the office, Huginn’s monocle gleamed.
The short silence didn’t last.
He stared at Team Leader Choi Minwoo and me, then opened his mouth.
“Stop the release of the Smiling Mana Cultivation Method. There will be disadvantages if you reject this offer.”
It was exactly what I’d asked for—short, direct, only the main point.
And it made us feel dirtier than I’d expected.
“Well, I was expecting it… but hearing it like this still makes me feel like shit. Don’t you think?”
Team Leader Choi Minwoo shrugged at my question.
“But it’s much better than talking in circles like before, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. If you’d kept doing that, I would’ve really…”
“You have to hold back.”
“I would’ve held back even if you didn’t stop me. I don’t want to make things bigger. But I think I would’ve told him to take his glasses off first.”
Team Leader Choi Minwoo chuckled at my answer, and Huginn’s eyes narrowed.
“You are very rude. Just like I heard.”
“You’re being very unpleasant too. I’ve never heard of you.”
“Are you thinking of showing force right here and now?”
“If I have to. Take off your glasses, uncle.”
“…Look here. Mr. Jin.”
“Yes, hello. Go ahead.”
“Don’t get excited. This is just a suggestion.”
“You have to speak properly even if your mouth is crooked. It sounds like a threat to me, not a suggestion.”
“If you heard it as a threat, then it really could be. But what’s important to me is not what you think.”
Huginn answered firmly, then turned to Team Leader Choi Minwoo.
“What are you going to do, Mr. Choi?”
Coldly shining golden eyes. A heavy voice flowed from between Huginn’s lips.
“Choose. You, directly.”
Huginn was convinced.
‘This is an offer you can’t refuse. A de facto ultimatum. Anyone with even a little sense would have no choice but to step back.’
Jin Taekyung was unpredictable—half crazy, even—but the young Oriental man in front of him, Choi Minwoo, would choose differently.
Besides…
‘Slayer won’t step in. Since the Master said so, it’s the truth.’
Those words came from that person.
Huginn was absolutely loyal to his superior.
His superior’s words had never been wrong, so Choi Minwoo’s answer felt decided already.
Was that why?
The answer he heard a moment later felt so natural.
“There’s nothing I can do now that it’s come to this. I understand.”
“Indeed. Mr. Choi is wise.”
Relief rose in Huginn’s chest, the unease he’d felt dealing with Jin Taekyung settling back into place.
Regaining the smile he’d briefly lost, Huginn continued.
“Then can I understand that the release of the Smiling Mana Cultivation Method, scheduled for tomorrow evening, has been completely canceled?”
“Of course. I’ve changed my mind.”
“Good. He will be pleased to hear this news.”
Huginn stood and added one more line.
“The others too.”
Team Leader Choi Minwoo replied calmly.
“I hope so.”
“They are reasonable people. We will be able to build a good relationship in a smoother atmosphere in the future.”
With meaningful words, Huginn glanced at Jin Taekyung.
The man who’d been hurling vulgarities at him a moment ago was now slumped against the sofa, toying with his smartphone as if he were half lying down.
‘Rude to the end.’
Still, the exhilaration outweighed the irritation.
Today’s winner was him.
Before leaving, Huginn adjusted his silk hat like a cultured gentleman and offered Jin Taekyung a handshake.
“Mr. Jin. I unintentionally committed a discourtesy today. I hope to see you smiling next time.”
To mock the loser with polite words was a privilege only the winner enjoyed.
And when Jin Taekyung didn’t even take his hand and answered bluntly, Huginn felt even better.
“You’re so impatient. The upload isn’t even finished yet.”
“I have urgent business. Then, goodbye.”
Now his business here was done.
After politely greeting Team Leader Choi Minwoo, Huginn turned without hesitation and walked toward the door.
Step.
Step.
Light footsteps crossed the carpet.
Then Huginn stopped at the door.
Because of a single phrase he’d just heard—one he couldn’t ignore.
“Did you say something earlier…?”
His body turned back as his words trailed off.
Jin Taekyung blinked at the incredulous look on Huginn’s face.
“Huh? Ah, the upload?”
“Upload…?”
“Yeah. It’s nothing special, so you can go now, uncle. You seem busy.”
Upload, upload, upload.
Those three syllables fluttered in his ear in time with his heartbeat.
“What… the hell… did you upload?”
And it wasn’t Jin Taekyung who answered his broken question, but Team Leader Choi Minwoo.
“Didn’t I tell you? I’ve changed my mind.”
“No way.”
“The Smiling Mana Cultivation Method. We decided to release it today.”
(T/N : Ah yesssss. So fucking sayisfying. I thought Jeongryung will be the last ass villain we wil get now that Taekyung is OP in the modern world. Im glad there are other ass characters here. Yeah. Bury them Taekyunggggg)