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Chapter 18
“Good. Since it’s a decision by the benefactor who saved my daughter, there’s no need to say anything else. The K-2027 dungeon will become yours today if KSA approves it.”
“Thank you.”
“What thanks! Now, let’s continue our conversation. The compensation fee is already promised, so payment won’t be difficult.”
“You can transfer it to my account.”
“I’ll have it processed through an administrative staff. I’ll make sure there are no mistakes on my end.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Now, what remains is the matter of guild membership…”
As he opened the conversation, Jin Seong-tae stared at Kang Shin-hwa’s face with blazing eyes.
Although Jin Seong-tae was not an Awakener, he was someone who had researched and learned more about Awakeners than anyone else.
In particular, he had attached renowned masters to his beloved youngest daughter Jin Bo-mi and taught her, even directly observing the abilities of top-tier Awakeners.
Therefore, his eye for talent was so sharp that he could easily dismiss ordinary Awakeners.
‘A unique healing ability. And the ability to release magical power. Just from this, he’s not a typical Awakener. He’s truly a desirable talent.’
Jin Seong-tae was completely absorbed by Kang Shin-hwa’s special abilities.
The fact that he successfully treated Jin Bo-mi meant Kang Shin-hwa’s value had already skyrocketed.
He didn’t want to let him go.
This was because Kang Shin-hwa was a talent with significantly high expectations in both marketing and ability.
“Kang Shin-hwa, how about further developing your abilities in our Yangwha Guild?”
Knock knock.
“Excuse me.”
At that moment, Seo Ye-hee and Yoon Tae-ho appeared, timing their entrance perfectly.
As the two people entered and politely greeted Jin Seong-tae, a smile formed on Kang Shin-hwa’s lips.
‘In the world of Awakeners that’s rotten to the core, these two are still pure.’
Those who admire strong power and are willing to bow their heads to seek teachings if there’s something to learn, regardless of age.
In his previous life, these two had always kept their minds open and accepted much advice.
Until 2052, before Kang Shin-hwa’s regression, these two had maintained and operated the Yanghwa Guild without dying.
They had even achieved some notable merits in the Great Disaster battle.
“Nice to meet you, Kang Shin-hwa. I’m Seo Ye-hee, the master of Yanghwa Guild. I’m thirty-eight this year.”
“I’m Yoon Tae-ho, the deputy guild master of Yanghwa Guild. I’m twenty-nine this year.”
“I’m Kang Shin-hwa. I’m twenty-four.”
They exchanged names and ages.
Having heard about this from Jin Seong-tae early on and sympathizing with his thoughts, the two had prepared quite a radical recruitment plan.
Eventually, after Seo Ye-hee and Yoon Tae-ho sat down next to Jin Seong-tae, the interrupted conversation continued.
“Our Yanghwa Guild cultivates only the most elite personnel based on full support from Yanghwa Group.”
“Yes, I’m well aware. Many Awakeners want to join the Yanghwa Guild, and I’ve heard the screening is quite strict.”
“Our principle, shared by myself and these two, is that one carefully nurtured Awakener is better than ten neglected Awakeners.”
“I see. I would have done the same. It’s better than gathering mediocre individuals.”
Kang Shin-hwa’s words carried a confidence that suggested ‘I am not mediocre’.
Thinking of the past, he truly felt a sense of generational change.
Who would have thought that a porter, the epitome of mediocrity, would turn his life around like this.
“Join our guild. We’ll provide you with full support. We definitely have a unique growth curriculum for raising ranks. It’s confidential.”
Jin Seong-tae immediately revealed all his cards and inner thoughts without complex maneuvering. Although he was a businessman, he didn’t always approach everything calculatingly. Today was one such day, completely captivated by Kang Shin-hwa’s charm and special abilities.
“Are you asking for direct affiliation?”
“Hmm?”
The three watching simultaneously made almost identical expressions, as if to say, ‘Of course it’s direct affiliation when joining a guild. Are there other options?’
‘Mercenary system.’
Kang Shin-hwa had one specific image of guild membership in his mind from the beginning: being a mercenary.
A mercenary is affiliated with a guild and operates within it, but is guaranteed completely independent individual activity as an autonomous entity.
This wasn’t a system established in the Awakener world of 2020.
It would emerge 15 years later, after the global ‘Guild Great War’ concluded.
It was a special structural system created by numerous high-ranking Awakeners disillusioned with the guild system.
Enjoying guild benefits and rights while minimizing guild obligations – an absolutely dominant position.
That was the mercenary system’s origin.
Kang Shin-hwa planned to implement this system slightly ahead of schedule. Naturally, for his own benefit.
“Do you have any other thoughts?”
Seo Ye-hee tilted her head.
She would have preferred he either reject the offer or negotiate a higher contract fee. His ambiguous response made it difficult to discern Kang Shin-hwa’s true intentions.
‘Is he really just a porter?’
Yoon Tae-ho was surprised by Kang Shin-hwa’s composure, leading the conversation at his own pace without being intimidated.
He was sparing with words, strategically speaking only what was necessary. Such composure is rarely seen unless one has weathered numerous battles and become seasoned.
Typically, people would try to self-promote or elaborate extensively on their desires.
“I’ll join the guild. But I want to proceed with an individual mercenary contract, not a full or direct affiliation.”
“A mercenary?”
“Yes. Of course, I won’t cause any harm to the guild. But I also don’t want excessive interference or instructions from the guild.”
“Huh, that’s absurd…”
“If we can’t agree on this point, it’ll be easier to forget the whole thing.”
Seo Ye-hee and Yoon Tae-ho burst into bitter laughter at Kang Shin-hwa’s bold statement, overwhelmed by his confidence and momentarily unable to respond.
Then Jin Seong-tae stepped in.
“Wait, let me speak. Kang Shin-hwa, does not rejecting our guild’s recruitment offer mean you’re interested in the guild?”
“Of course. There’s no guild in Korea with such a systematic and scientific infrastructure as Yanghwa Guild.”
Kang Shin-hwa nodded.
Though he didn’t explicitly state it, Kang Shin-hwa had another reason for focusing on Yanghwa Guild.
It was their extremely close relationship with KSA. People even referred to Yangwha Guild as a ‘second KSA’ due to their special connection.
They received various privileges like priority licenses for conquering state-owned dungeons and cooperation requests for dungeon raids.
‘I can enjoy the privileges I want without being closely affiliated with Yanghwa Guild or KSA.’
This was what Kang Shin-hwa was aiming for.
It was a special treatment that current Awakeners in 2020 could hardly imagine, unlike in 2035.
‘They won’t want to let me go. Irregulars are rare, after all.’
Awakeners with healing abilities are treated well wherever they go.
They would never give up on him.
“Would you explain the mercenary system you want in more detail? To avoid any misunderstandings.”
Jin Seong-tae summarized the situation, naturally adjusting the conversation to Kang Shin-hwa’s pace.
“A mercenary is…”
The explanation began.
* * *
The conversation didn’t drag on.
Primarily because the guild chairman and founder, Jin Seong-tae, was actively expressing his intention to recruit me, and Seo Ye-hee and Yoon Tae-ho had nodded in satisfaction after confirming my abilities.
Magical power release ability.
Body healing ability.
And a glimpse of a transformation ability.
These alone made the three look at me as if they’d discovered a hidden gem.
Moreover, to prevent any misunderstandings, I disclosed that I was D- rank.
Initially, Seo Ye-hee and Yoon Tae-ho didn’t believe it.
But after scanning my status with an expensive rank detection device, their mouths fell open.
“D- rank! It’s unbelievable that you were F- rank just a few days ago.”
“Maybe I was just lucky,” I chuckled at Seo Ye-hee’s comment.
There was no point in prolonging the conversation.
All that remained was signing the already negotiated contract.
“Kang Shin-hwa, how about raising the contract fee and extending the contract period?”
“I want to act freely.”
Jin Seong-tae pointed to the period written in the contract, looking disappointed.
It was a monthly contract, not the typical 1-3 year contract.
Although Yanghwa Guild promised an unprecedented contract fee, I reduced the fee and shortened the period.
This was my own strategy. They would have to pay a contract fee each time the monthly contract was renewed or renegotiated.
The original contract fee proposed by Yanghwa Guild was 50 billion won per year.
I changed this to 50 billion won per month.
Simply calculated, maintaining the contract for a year would earn me an additional 100 billion won.
“Fine! Let’s do that. What do you two think?”
“We can’t let a promising talent be taken by another guild. I approve,” Seo Ye-hee said.
“Besides, he’s the benefactor of Jin Bo-mi… Well, your daughter. Most importantly, she’ll be pleased,” Yoon Tae-ho added.
“Haha, indeed. Well, shall we sign? Kang Shin-hwa, may I make one request?”
From the moment I met Jin Seong-tae until now, I could feel how special it was to receive the attention, affection, and full support of a large corporation’s chairman.
To be honest, it felt great.
It was like becoming a celebrity’s celebrity, so to speak.
Moreover, receiving recognition from S- rank or higher practitioners like Seo Ye-hee and Yoon Tae-ho doubled my joy.
“Yes, please,” I responded.
“I want to widely announce that Jin Bo-mi was completely cured thanks to you! And also announce the contract details!”
“I have no objections. Now that I’ll be a guild member, I’ll follow the guild’s policies,”
I answered with a smile.
I’m not disliking fame.
In my previous life, while active as one of the nine heroes called the Nine Lords, I had become the object of many people’s admiration.
Attention was always pleasant, happy, and delightful.
However, in my previous life, I only became famous when I was an older adult, but in this life after returning,
‘Starting from right now.’
At this very moment.
From the moment the contract news is revealed, I will become a celebrity. Many people will pay attention to me.
‘Well, there might still be some who ignore me, saying I’m only D- rank.’
It didn’t matter anyway.
My interest is not the envy or jealousy of an unspecified majority with an inferiority complex, but a quick retirement.
Now, I have definitely prepared the foundation for earning money.
I’ve also found a guild that will fully support me, and they will help reduce my troublesome work.
‘Bravo my life!’
A rregressor’s life.
A second act of life was opening up, incomparable to the past, and absolutely brilliant!
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