Chapter 85
It could be considered a natural reaction.
While Janet was on a business trip to Korea, she had thoroughly investigated Lee Seongjun by requesting cooperation from several teams.
This meant she had also figured out the purpose and goals that Lee Seongjun, who suddenly declared triple affiliation, was aiming for.
-So it turned out as the information analysis team predicted earlier.
"I'm sorry, I should have persuaded him better..."
-No need to apologize. It's not your fault we failed. From the beginning, Hunter Lee Seongjun was someone who couldn't contract with us.
"But..."
As Janet tried to say something, Mylo hastily cut her off.
-Don't dwell on the past. It's what our Master always says - let's look to the future. The important thing now is that Hunter Lee Seongjun isn't just an illusion created by Korea, right?
"That's correct."
-Even if we can't recruit him as a guild member, there's merit in maintaining a friendly relationship. This alone is enough of an achievement, so don't be too discouraged. For now, get some rest, and we'll talk in detail when you return to the guild.
Click.
Having unilaterally ended the conversation, Mylo immediately hung up.
Although the situation could be considered the end of her primary duty, perhaps due to the sense of helplessness she felt after a long time?
Thoughts about Lee Seongjun wouldn't leave Janet's mind.
* * *
One week later.
Lee Seongjun, who had been quietly silent without any special activities, decided on a new guild to contract with.
Of course, he hadn't been pondering for the entire week.
To be precise, he had already set priorities to some extent from the moment he first heard the contract terms.
He had simply been stalling to make the guilds that offered contracts more desperate, to firmly grasp the initiative.
'...This should be enough.'
If the wait goes on too long, they might give up entirely, resigning themselves to the situation.
A time like now, when hope, expectation, and anxiety coexist, is the optimal moment.
Lee Seongjun grasped the business card with the emblem of a bird drawn in blazing flames, symbolizing the Phoenix Guild, from among the cards he had received from the scouts.
'Lee Yerin.'
After checking the phone number, Lee Seongjun touched the screen of his smartphone.
Ring, ring...
It was after about two rings.
Click.
Along with the sound of the call connecting, loud noises could be heard.
-Hello? No, first sort out the main documents, I'll organize the rest and approve them step by step.
"This is Lee Seongjun. I'm sorry for the sudden call, you seem busy."
-...
After a brief silence, the noises from the other end of the line disappeared all at once, along with the sound of a door.
It seemed Lee Yerin had chased out all the employees, and she immediately spoke in a calm voice.
-What are you saying? I left you my number so you could contact me comfortably. If it was a call from Hunter Lee Seongjun, I would have rushed out even from inside a gate. You're a person of that much value.
Lee Yerin's words were filled with kindness to the point of being burdensome, but having heard such words countless times in the Thousand Continent, Lee Seongjun took it nonchalantly.
"That's a relief then. The reason I called is that I'd like to discuss the contract. Can we meet now?"
-Of course. If you tell me where you are, I'll come to pick you up right away.
"No need, I'll come to the Phoenix Guild building. If I leave now... I should arrive in about 30 minutes."
-Alright, I'll be waiting then.
"Yes, see you soon."
After hanging up, Lee Seongjun immediately hailed a taxi with his smartphone and began moving towards the Phoenix Guild building.
'For now, Phoenix is the top priority... but I shouldn't make a hasty decision.'
Looking at the contract terms and future directions, it could be said to be the best.
'Although the financial terms are less than those of the United States, judging from Phoenix's situation and Lee Yerin's attitude, I can be at the center of activities.'
This meant that the guild had ideal conditions for what could be considered Lee Seongjun's ultimate goal.
But it wasn't without drawbacks.
'Just looking at the current abilities, it could be said to be somewhat lacking.'
He couldn't be certain that they could fully protect him, Lee Seongjun, and his family from those who keep picking fights and threatening them.
In other words, they lacked the necessary power and force.
Of course, this wasn't a major problem so far.
'I can fill in the lacking force and power.'
As a being hailed as the Demon God, given time, he could attain overwhelming power that no one could approach.
However, even Lee Seongjun couldn't fill in for a lack of intelligence.
And a force that isn't intelligent wouldn't be of much help to Lee Seongjun.
'...I can't be content with the present.'
Even to live a peaceful life with his family, he would clearly demonstrate and prove his strength and ability to the world.
The previous treasure gate was just the beginning.
'Once again, I'll rise to the strongest position, like in the Thousand Continent.'
At the same time, he would help his subordinate forces to continuously increase their influence while basking in the halo of Lee Seongjun.
However, no matter how much help is given, results would inevitably vary greatly depending on individual capabilities.
It was impossible for an unintelligent force to properly exert influence.
'So... I need to confirm it clearly.'
He intended to see for himself and judge how capable and intelligent the Phoenix Guild and the hunter Lee Yerin were.
That's why he was visiting the Phoenix Guild headquarters, even going through the trouble of doing so.
'I hope they don't disappoint me.'
With a cold gaze, Lee Seongjun looked out the window, and the tall building of the Phoenix Guild came into view.
"Is this the right place?"
"Yes."
"That'll be 16,870 won."
Lee Seongjun nodded in response and opened the door, stepping outside.
At that moment, Lee Yerin and other Phoenix Guild personnel standing at the entrance of the building immediately walked over and bowed to Lee Seongjun.
"It's good to see you again, Hunter Lee Seongjun."
"Nice to meet you too. Were you waiting all this time?"
"I was too excited to just sit and wait."
Lee Yerin, breathing somewhat excitedly, spoke again.
"I'm saying this in case you misunderstand, but I'm not pressuring you about the contract. It's just how I feel. As I said during our phone call earlier, Hunter Lee Seongjun, you have that much value."
"..."
As Lee Seongjun nodded silently, Lee Yerin smiled at him and carefully asked, pointing to the guild building.
"Instead of talking while standing here, shall we go to my office first?"
"Sure."
Following behind Lee Yerin, Lee Seongjun turned his head to observe the employees in the building's interior, corridors, and elevators.
'Even at a glance, their eyes and actions are full of vitality.'
This is not the kind of appearance that could come from employees under an incompetent boss who only cares about their own greed.
'Lee Yerin, it seems her qualities as a leader are not bad.'
As he was slowly organizing information about Phoenix and Lee Yerin, the elevator doors opened with a cheerful sound.
Ding-!
As he stepped into the office beyond the door held by a waiting secretary, Lee Yerin spoke in a calm tone.
"Please sit wherever you're comfortable. Is there any particular drink you'd like?"
"Water is fine. More importantly... I'd like to have a comfortable conversation with just the two of us."
As Lee Yerin nodded briefly, the Phoenix Guild executives and secretaries standing around quickly left their positions.
Finally, with just the two of them left in the office, Lee Yerin was the first to speak.
"Is there anything you're curious about regarding the contract? Or... do you have any additional conditions?"
Lee Yerin's face was full of shadows as she asked the question.
This was inevitable because even the conditions presented so far could be considered quite burdensome.
What if additional conditions were proposed?
The probability of not being able to meet them was high, meaning the contract couldn't be concluded.
It meant potentially wasting the opportunity they had barely managed to grasp.
Seeing Lee Yerin unable to hide her anxiety, Lee Seongjun spoke in a calm tone.
"There's no need to worry unnecessarily. I'm satisfied with the contract terms themselves. I just came because I had something I wanted to ask personally."
"...That's the most relieving thing I've heard lately."
Looking at Lee Yerin, who was showing a faint smile, Lee Seongjun spoke again.
"Since beating around the bush doesn't suit my personality, I'll ask directly. I want to know why Phoenix Guild is trying to make such a bold investment in me."
As mentioned earlier, Phoenix, or rather Lee Yerin, was trying to conclude the contract even while taking considerable risks.
If they knew the value of Lee Seongjun from his Demon God era, it would be a natural decision.
However, Lee Yerin doesn't know about the Demon God, Lee Seongjun.
What she knows is only about Lee Seongjun who has been active as a hunter on Earth.
Of course, Lee Seongjun as a hunter also had considerable value, but not enough to forcibly recruit him while taking such risks.
Nevertheless, they were making a bold investment.
Viewed positively, it could be said they had excellent intuition or thorough calculations, but viewed negatively, it could be considered a somewhat foolish action.
If it was the former, it would be great, but if it was the latter, it meant they weren't suitable as a force to be gathered.
Despite Lee Seongjun's narrowed eyes that seemed capable of seeing through her inner thoughts, Lee Yerin answered without much hesitation.
"It's because of the career that Hunter Lee Seongjun has built."
"Is that all?"
"Of course not."
Lee Yerin shook her head and spoke in a calm tone.
"While I was pondering about recruiting Hunter Lee Seongjun, a hypothesis suddenly occurred to me... Have you ever played games?"
Although he couldn't devote an enormous amount of time due to poor family circumstances, Lee Seongjun had played games a few times during middle and high school to get along with peers, so he slowly nodded.
Watching this reaction head-on, Lee Yerin smiled and opened her mouth.
"I see the system and the growth of hunters as similar to games. In the early stages when the level is low, growth is incredibly fast, but it slows down noticeably as you progress. In reality, most hunters have a similar growth structure. But Hunter Lee Seongjun is different. You're still showing tremendous growth."
As Lee Yerin spoke passionately, her eyes began to sparkle.
"This means that compared to the level Hunter Lee Seongjun originally reached in the other world, your current level is still just the beginning."
Despite continuously responding with an expressionless face since the start of the conversation, there was not a hint of wavering in Lee Yerin's expression.
Rather, a voice full of conviction flowed from Lee Yerin's mouth.
"That's why I think Hunter Lee Seongjun has tremendous potential to continue growing. I believe you'll become a world-class powerhouse, not just an ordinary SSS-rank, but a ranker, no, even beyond that."
It was quite a sharp guess, and one that could be considered correct.
Of course, this was a conviction that only Lee Seongjun, who had memories from his Demon God era, could have.
"Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree alone... but you can't get returns without risk, right?"
By now, Lee Yerin's eyes were full of ambition as she spoke.
"That's why I boldly invested in Hunter Lee Seongjun. What do you think? Were my words a sufficient answer to your question?"
More than sufficient, it was truly a satisfying answer, and a pleased smile was blooming on Lee Seongjun's face.