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Chapter 251: A Quick-witted swan (1)
Although I had unexpectedly gotten myself a son, the expedition ended perfectly.
One mythic item and two legendary items were acquired, and a high-quality heroic-grade item was also obtained.
Unfortunately, the shield had been acquired by the Black Swans, not by Park Deokgu, but if Blue had taken even the shield, I would not have the heart to face Park Yeon-joo anymore.
‘Rather, it’s better this way.’
For Park Deokgu, I would just need to make him a useful shield. Anyway, we’d soon have a competent blacksmith, and garnering the right materials would be easy.
One important thing was that we benefitted more than them.
Considering that the most successful people who led the expedition were the main pillars of Blue, it seemed that the prizes had gotten properly distributed. Still, it was natural to have a conscientious distribution as we had established a suitable alliance. Anyway, the things that we did manage to obtain were priceless.
We got titles, items, and so on, but of course, the mythic-grade weapon obtained by Kim Hyun-sung and the museum control device I had obtained stood out the most.
Right now, everyone’s focus was on the mythic-grade item, but it was true that everything here was greater than any other achievement for me.
‘The world will change.’
If what I was thinking was right, then a transformation would definitely take place soon.
‘There are so many things I can do.’
Everything I hadn’t yet done would become possible. I wanted to return to Lindel as soon as possible to study, but the problem was that our way back was slow.
All the expedition members were physically limited, so this was natural. I didn’t feel too nervous about it. A wagon would be waiting for us anyway and would bring us to Lindel soon.
Because if we go outside this area, a wagon will come in, and after getting in the wagon, it will be very soon to Lindel anyway.
‘And we’re all in good spirits…’
This was all thanks to a new guest who had deemed to join us—the little boy who I had now deemed as my son. Even the survivors we had saved showed just how grateful they were for having been saved. Max had been friendly with them and had hosted a lot of conversations with them as we walked. I could guess that his eagerness stemmed from the many years he had spent wallowing in his loneliness.
The museum had been his only friend, and seeing how obsessed he was with the place, I could tell that it had become his own coping mechanism.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason as to why expedition members accepted him.
“Sniff…”
“Waaaah…”
As soon as the story of him was revealed, all everyone could feel for him was sympathy.
“Waaaaaah…”
In particular, Park Deokgu began to care for Max a lot more than what was necessary.
“So, then…”
-In fact, I have been in the museum since then…
“You must have been lonely…”
-A bit, but I got used to it. There are so many things you can do at the museum.
“I told you not to say anything. Sniff… If you are Hyung-nim’s child, you are also my child!”
-Ah… Okay.
Of course, I did not hide the fact that I had become Max’s Guardian. It was just a title that did not bring about newer changes anyway.
Jung Hayan, who I thought would be quite shocked, didn’t seem to be interested, and Dialugia was quite aloof as well. At first, she worried that I would neglect Tol To-ri, but she must’ve concluded that having a brother wouldn’t be bad for Dialuria.
In short, Max had transitioned from being a villain to being another family member.
Unlike the machine-like dummy, the original body was faithful to expressing emotions, and he looked terribly adorable. He had captured the Black Swan members’ hearts in an instant.
Eventually, we reached the area where the Black Swan wagons were waiting for us. Kim Ye-ri and Hwang Jeong-yeon were also there, anticipating our arrival. However, the Blue newbies were nowhere to be found. They must have stayed back in the Guild House.
Before I could even raise my hand, I could see a little kid running fast from afar. I knew she would be anxiously waiting for Kim Hyunsung’s return, but I wasn’t expecting her excitement to be this great.
‘This cold kid…’
I could also see Tol To-ri eagerly waiting for me to come.
Hwang Jeong-yeon eagerly passed by me to greet Park Deokgu, which made me snort derisively. Meanwhile, Kim Ye-ri was hugging Kim Hyunsung as if they’d spent years apart.
“Thud, thud.”
“Yes? Did you say anything, Oppa?”
“It’s nothing, Hayan.”
Seeing this made me feel anxious. I knew Hyunsung viewed the kid as a younger sister, but from what I could see, Ye-ri saw him as something way more than that. Due to the ignorant personality intrinsic to protagonists, Hyunsung did not notice this.
“Get in the carriage quickly and have a good rest, Oppa.”
“Yes. That’s right. I used too much magic power in the administration room… And I’ve only slept for three hours.
“Ahhh…”
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“No. Hee-young-ssi. There’s no pain thus far.”
“If you sleep well, you will be fine.”
As expected, the only ones that took care of me were Sun Hee-young and Jung Hayan. However, when I was about to get onto the wagon that I’d be sharing with Kim Hyunsung and Park Deokgu, I saw a familiar face.
“So, you’re fine, Kiyoung-ssi.”
“Oh. Jihye-ssi.”
Lee Jihye had also come to greet her Guild Master.
Jung Hayan appeared a little wary upon seeing her, but this soon dissipated when Jihye addressed her casually.
“Oh. Hayan-ssi, it’s been a while. It’s nice to see the two still sticking together.”
“Oh. J-Jihye-ssi. Hello.”
“Hee-young-ssi, too, it’s been a long time, right?”
“Yeah. Long time no see.”
Friendliness was indeed the way to go to destroy any wariness.
Jihye had a habit of buttering Jung Hayan and me up, but today, she seemed to do so with double the eagerness.
‘The news must’ve reached already the Black Swan…’
When one of our Rangers went ahead to inform the rest of the people back in Lindel, news of our achievements as well as what had transpired within the dungeon must’ve reached their ears as well. They may have even created a simplified attack journal about it at this point.
After all, Black Swan was one of the most sensitive guilds in Lindel.
The only reason that the busy Lee Jihye came was probably here because she had received a direct message from Park Yeon-joo. Sure enough, when I turned to look at the two of them, I could see them exchanging meaningful glances.
‘Jihye works hard, too.’
She also possessed the desperation to maintain good standing in her guild.
As she tried to endure keeping a good façade with Jung Hayan and Sun Hee-young, I decided to help her just this once. When I coughed slightly, Lee Jihye turned to me and spoke.
“Oh! Come to think of it. I have something to tell you. It’s a bit important, so I don’t want to tell you here. Why don’t we go back to Lindel together? I have arranged a separate carriage.”
“I’m a little tired, but…”
At this, Jihye glared at me as if she couldn’t believe I would say something like that. However, this dissipated when she realized I was just messing with her.
“Hyunsung-ssi and our Guild Master will also be together.”
“If so… Let’s do that. Jihye-ssi.”
Although Jung Hayan deflated with this news, she wouldn’t be able to do something about it. A summit meeting was a summit meeting, and even Kim Ye-ri would have to answer the protocols.
Thanks to this, both Park Yeon-joo and Lee Jihye became the object of hatred by all the women in Blue, but I knew they were too focused on other matters to care about this.
As I entered the carriage, I could see the gorgeous interior that still stood out. It was a different one from the carriage we had used to get here. Of course, I knew they were doing this because we were distinguished guests. I also knew it was probably because they were hoping to wheedle some benefits from us by treating us well.
After all, this expedition was a joint effort by both guilds. I acknowledged this and would make sure not to appear so ungrateful for all their help. I may be a shitty person, but I wasn’t shitty enough to stab a trusted colleague in the back.
As the four of us settled in a carriage that was too large for a party of four to use, we got served tea and had begun chatting. Once a relaxing atmosphere had been established, Lee Jihye got down to business.
I was able to realize once again that she was very used to this.
Of course, it was Park Yeon-joo who actually called for this meeting, but it was undeniable that my soulmate was the apparent leader.
“Before congratulating you on a successful expedition, I want to express my gratitude for participating in this expedition, Hyunsung-ssi.”
“No. Rather, we are even more grateful to you for making such an offer. It’s embarrassing because the Blue gained so much than what was necessary.”
“Ah, you’ve helped us more than you realize. In fact, it was Hyunsung-ssi and Kiyoung-ssi that played a decisive role in the attack. In many ways, you deserve to own your rewards. And it doesn’t make sense to argue about it when you already got the Sense of Ownership. However… uhm… Now, Kiyoung-ssi owns the museum, right?”
“Yes. To be precise, I received the title of Manager. I’m also Max’s Guardian.”
I began to worry about whether or not we would have a dispute over this. I could give them a small portion, but if they were to discuss taking half of the contents, I would have no choice but to destroy our formed alliance.
“I have to tell you. We have no intention of claiming ownership of the museum.”
Lee Jihye, who was quick to notice, spoke this. Park Yeon-joo nodded.
“Yes. According to Jihye, we have no intention of claiming ownership of what Kiyoung-ssi has. However, in the future, all the investments that the Blue Guild will carry out… I would very much like for you to be a little considerate of us.”
“Hmm…”
I knew Yeon-joo did not mean her words. She must’ve probably wanted more than just ‘a little.’ They wanted us to remember that, if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have the museum in the first place.
In fact, they deserved more than that. An expedition was never done alone.
I, too, planned to hand over a certain share to the Black Swans and actually planned to promote this as a joint project. What surprised me a little was how quick they were to act about this.
They already knew what I was going to do.
‘Ah… they do like sticking their noses in everywhere, don’t they?’
“In fact, I think it’s too early to talk about business, but…”
“Just tell us, Kiyoung Oppa. I want to know if you’re thinking of the same thing as us.”
“Of course, I have two things in mind. I happened to have ownership of the museum, but I wouldn’t have been able to get it without the Black Swan.”
“That’s fortunate. If it’s okay, can we hear a bit of… what you’re thinking?”
“Of course. The first thing I’m thinking of is running the Unrated Dungeon Crack Museum…”
From the looks on both women’s faces, they had already been expecting this.
“The second is… making a broadcasting station.”
At this, Lee Jihye clenched her fist. She was probably thinking the same thing as me by now.
‘We’d have full control of the press.’
This was the moment when another pillar of power was added within the Holy Empire.