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Chapter 186: Heavenly City (5)
After hearing the news from the tavern, Ermian thoroughly investigated Kim Minwoo.
‘This guy is not easy.’
It wasn’t for nothing that the drunkard mentioned the Seven Lords.
A newbie who had just arrived in the 9th District had taken down the second-ranked guild.
And it wasn’t a close win, but an overwhelming victory over Amteron and his elite guild members.
‘The difference in skill between Amteron and me isn’t that great.’
The same went for the guild members.
This meant that even if the Red Flag moved, it would be difficult to subdue Kim Minwoo.
‘Then, I’ll have to gather other guilds as well.’
If one hand isn’t enough, gather many hands.
From first to tenth place.
He summoned the district heads of all nine guilds except for Hamorn.
“I am Ermian of the Red Flag. You’ve all heard the news. The Hamorn Guild has been defeated by a newcomer.”
“……So?”
The reactions of the other district heads were generally sullen. Whenever a good talent appeared, they were often snatched away by the Red Flag or the Hamorn Guild.
This time, they had lost a player again. The only variable was that the Hamorn Guild had been defeated.
“The second-ranked guild has been destroyed. This means danger not only for us, the Red Flag, but for all of you as well.”
“I think you’re overthinking it. The reason the Hamorn Guild was defeated was because they repeatedly threatened the newcomer during recruitment. In fact, they were the ones who picked the fight first.”
“Yes, they did. They picked a fight. That’s right. And they lost. So you could say they deserved it.”
The district heads tilted their heads at Ermian’s surprisingly straightforward nod.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
‘He’s not usually this compliant…….’
Ermian of the Red Flag.
He was the blood relative of a Seven Lords member.
His innate courage was also remarkable. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was the most arrogant person among the district heads gathered here.
But instead of bursting into anger, he was openly admitting it?
Just then.
Ermian growled and said,
“What will happen if we let time pass like this?”
“Well, wouldn’t he rise to the top on his own? With that kind of talent, even if we told him not to, he would take the next test.”
“He will rise. But is there a law that says he has to rise while leaving you all alone?”
“……Hmm. I can’t be sure about that…….”
If he destroyed the second-ranked guild, what about the guilds below that? It would be a big problem if they got into a conflict with him.
Of course, there wouldn’t be any intentional conflicts, but you never know what might happen in the world.
“Think about what will happen if time passes like this. Without any checks, he will continue to grow and become the absolute powerhouse of the 9th District. This is a major variable for us.”
“So?”
“Let’s unite. And let’s move. We’ll make a deal with him.”
“A deal……?”
“It would be difficult for him to join a guild. So we need to at least make sure he doesn’t touch us. Let’s draw up a contract with that kind of content.”
“Draw up a contract…….”
“Even if we have one quest overlap, there will be conflict. No one can guarantee whether he will leave with a smile or destroy the guild.”
The district heads nodded in agreement.
Ermian’s words certainly made sense. If Kim Minwoo were to become an absolute powerhouse later on, the possibility of imposing such conditions would be low.
Considering that, it was logical to act now, in the early stages when power could still be exerted.
‘I thought he wanted to recruit him into the Red Flag.’
‘That’s not it, huh.’
If that were the case, they could have lent their strength. It wasn’t like the Red Flag was being overly greedy.
‘This could give us a chance to recruit him too…….’
‘There’s no reason to refuse.’
The district heads nodded one by one.
“Alright. But what if he refuses?”
“Refuses…… even with all nine of our guilds moving?”
“From the start, the assumption that he won’t rise peacefully and the assumption that he’s a radical figure are all part of the same story.”
“It’s unlikely, but if he does refuse…….”
Ermian’s fangs gleamed sharply.
“We’ll have no choice but to use somewhat forceful measures. Refusing in the first place means he intends to mess with us…….”
It was practically a ticking time bomb.
Ermian looked around at the district heads and quietly said,
“If we have to use force and subdue him…… the Red Flag would like to recruit him directly.”
This didn’t mean they would recruit him with laughter and good cheer.
It was closer to forcibly binding him to the guild through a contract.
That was what the Hamorn Guild had initially tried to do.
“Of course, we will compensate you all. Very sufficiently.”
“Well, as long as the compensation is substantial…….”
If the nine guilds joined forces to subdue Kim Minwoo, the Red Flag would naturally have the largest share.
That’s why they all readily agreed.
It wouldn’t be a loss if they used a little force and received ‘sufficient’ compensation.
They didn’t think they would even need to use force in the first place.
But…….
Kim Minwoo’s reaction in front of the Hamorn Guild was completely different.
“Ah, so you want me to sign a contract? I don’t want to.”
The atmosphere was turning ominous.
* * *
From first to tenth place.
Except for the second-ranked Hamorn Guild, the remaining nine guilds had all formed an alliance.
The number of guild members who came was well over a thousand.
Perhaps that’s why Ermian, who came forward as the representative, was full of confidence.
That didn’t change even after seeing the thousands of undead Kim Minwoo had summoned.
While each undead was weak, the members of the top 10 guilds gathered here were all elite.
The gist of what the confident top 10 guilds said was simple.
You’re a threat.
So sign a contract, so we can feel safe.
Something like that. Honestly, it wasn’t an attitude he couldn’t understand.
That’s how the establishment usually is.
They exclude newcomers, trample on newbies.
Things like that.
‘It’s not like I’m a troublemaker.’
Although he had thoughts of merging the top guilds, he had no intention of throwing the first punch when no one had provoked him.
That’s why he initially tried to accept it.
‘If it weren’t for such absurd terms…….’
The contract’s content could be summarized in one sentence:
—When facing the nine guilds, the nine guilds have absolute priority.
Whether it’s quests, hunting, loot, or anything else. There’s no way he could sign such an unequal agreement. Moreover, the contract was overseen by the Heavenly Realm.
The penalty was severe.
It meant he couldn’t break the contract and get away with it.
[‘Deadly’ quest activated!]
[Content: The district heads of the top 10 guilds are trying to make a very unfavorable contract with you.]
[Clear condition: Refuse the contract.]
Amteron, who was standing next to him, also had a grim expression.
This was because the Hamorn Guild was conspicuously absent from the contract.
‘Damn them.’
They must have made a promise amongst themselves. If the contract went through, only the Hamorn Guild would be at increased risk. After all, the only guild Kim Minwoo could clash with was the Hamorn Guild.
‘What a dog-eat-dog condition…….’
Having to yield in any overlapping areas with the nine guilds?
Accepting it would completely halt Kim Minwoo’s growth.
[Translator – Pr?ks]
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It was a loss for the Hamorn Guild as well.
They would always have to be on guard.
‘What should I do…….’
Amteron’s eyes darted around.
Should he join the other side now, or should he side with Kim Minwoo?
His calculations were becoming complex.
Just then, Kim Minwoo raised his head. His gaze fell upon the giant werewolf.
“Are you serious?”
“Do you think we came here for a joke?”
“That’s why I asked.”
“For the record, there’s no room for negotiating the terms.”
The guy crossed his arms and growled, as if to say he wouldn’t budge an inch.
The same went for the other district heads behind him.
“And if I refuse?”
“Then we’ll have to fight. You’re welcome anytime.”
Ermian said with a grin.
His attitude was overflowing with confidence.
‘Well, I guess.’
The Hamorn Guild might have been subdued, but it was only with twenty guild members.
This time, it was different.
There were nine district heads, each considered a force to be reckoned with, and the total number was close to a thousand. The reason they made such a condition was probably because of their numbers.
“Perfect timing. I had something to discuss with the other guilds too.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m thinking of merging the guilds. All of them, from first to tenth place. So, I’m asking.”
He looked around at the district heads standing in front of him.
“Is there anyone here with the sense to take my hand now?”
A chilling silence followed.
He was thinking of merging the guilds.
In short, it was a demand to submit and crawl between their legs.
Better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon.
The district heads sneered.
It wasn’t worth accepting.
“Are you crazy? Or are you delusional?”
“Just confident.”
Kim Minwoo replied with a shrug.
They seemed unaware, since he hadn’t used various skills like the curse during the fight with the Hamorn Guild.
The power of a Necromancer lies not in battle, but in war.
“Hey, wolf.”
“……?”
“Your eyes are so arrogant, probably because of your bloodline, right? So, I’m wondering…… if I kill you, will your brother come running or not?”
“Wolf-like eyes. I like them. They’ll suit our Red Flag perfectly.”
Ermian clenched his fist.
The gauntlet he wore glowed blue.
“By the way, Amteron, you’re not thinking of interfering, are you?”
“…….”
Amteron, who had been subtly gauging the situation, took a few steps back.
There was still no trust between him and Kim Minwoo. There was no reason to help against over a thousand members of the top 10 guilds. If he made a wrong move, the Hamorn Guild could be wiped out along with him.
But betraying Kim Minwoo wouldn’t bring any particular benefit either, so he intended to remain neutral.
At least for now.
Just then.
Kim Minwoo, looking at the members of the top 10 guilds, said,
“Last warning. Those who want to leave, leave now. Don’t regret it later.”
“Hahaha! What an interesting guy.”
“Very confident, are we?”
“Please, make us regret it!”
The members were a mix of various races, but they had one thing in common.
They were all so confident that they were smirking with ridicule.
This is why choices are important.
One wrong choice can get your head chopped off.
[Entering combat mode!]
[Curse of Weakness (S) is…….]
[Curse of Aging (D)+9 is…….]
[Plague Lord’s Gauntlets are…….]
[TL/N: Gloves→Gauntlet]
The Plague Lord’s Gauntlets spread the curse.
[Land of Death (S) is…….]
The ground drains life force.
“It’s a curse!”
“Plague? What’s this!”
“Kill him!”
The guild members charged, empowered by various buffs.
He summoned Dolsoe in front of them.
[‘Dolsoe’ uses Blood Explosion!]
The golem’s body turned crimson. A skill that detonates dragon blood in a self-destructive explosion.
Before they could even react.
Boom!
A crimson inferno erupted.
The surrounding earth trembled and cracked from the immense explosion.
“Gah!”
Some of the guild members, who had charged with bloodshot eyes, collapsed helplessly.
The massive damage, coupled with their lowered defense and maximum health due to the curse, was devastating.
[“Deadly” modifier active!]
[Triple experience points gained…….]
[Level increased by 10…….]
The pleasant notifications didn’t end there. Enemies who died on the Land of Death were resurrected.
And thanks to the Death Lord, their stats were increased by 50%.
The guild members, now risen as undead, attacked those around them.
“Argh!”
“What is this!”
The ambushed guild members fell limply.
Death begets death.
The undead began to multiply endlessly.
‘Oh my… God…….’
Amteron’s pupils dilated.
Three seconds into the battle.
Fifty of the thousand guild members had already become undead and were increasing in number.
Even if the top 10 guilds were caught off guard, it was an astonishing result.
Only then did Amteron realize.
Why was Kim Minwoo so confident even against the alliance of the top 10 guilds.
From the beginning, he hadn’t even revealed half, no, a quarter of his true power!
He looked at the surrounding guild members and then slammed his massive hand onto the vice-captain’s head.
“What are you spacing out for, you idiot! Our guild master is fighting!”
“Huh, huh?”
“Grab your weapons and join in! Hurry!”
Hesitation is for ambiguous situations.
Now was not the time for hesitation.
Amteron grabbed his greatsword and charged into the fray.
[Translator – Pr?ks]
[Proofreader – Pr?ks]
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