Chapter 142: Chapter 142

“Ha… Fuck, this is so frustrating.”

Lee Hwa-Rang stepped out of the capsule and chain-smoked.

His face was contorted in frustration.

When he recklessly barged into Ho-Yeong, he thought he could easily get the bow.

But the guy wasn’t easy to deal with.

He was even a master at provocation, and Lee Hwa-Rang had fallen for it.

And then, to his surprise,

He got beaten up by a level 203 Martial Artist without landing a single decent attack.

It was embarrassing to even call himself a level 347.

Even though he was a Bow Master, there was a whopping 144 level difference.

And just because he was a ranged DPS class didn’t mean he was completely vulnerable in close combat.

He thought he had improved his close combat skills enough through his efforts, so he should have been able to overpower a level 203 Martial Artist.

But that guy, using some unknown trick, dodged all of his attacks and counterattacked, taking his life.

“Fuck, I can’t give up like this.”

Lee Hwa-Rang took out his smartphone and sent a text message to Park Jin-Hyeok.

[Park Jin-Hyeok: Hwa-Rang, we’ve been stripped of our executive positions.]

The reply from Park Jin-Hyeok was a notification that they had been demoted.

He hurriedly called Park Jin-Hyeok.

The call connected quickly.

“Hey, are you okay?”

[…Do you think I’m okay? I’m dying because of you, seriously.]

There was no strength in Park Jin-Hyeok’s voice.

Hearing about what Sa Jae-Hyeok had done to him, he felt sorry for putting his friend through this.

“Hey… I’m sorry. But the chances of me getting the bow have increased.”

[Ha, increased?]

Park Jin-Hyeok reacted in disbelief.

He easily fell for provocation and attacked another guild member, and now he was saying what?

“Yeah. Now Sa Jae-Hyeok has no choice but to take action himself. You know what that means, right?”

[Dude… Did you hear what I just said? We’ve been stripped of our executive positions.]

Lee Hwa-Rang scoffed.

“Sa Jae-Hyeok is going to strip me of my executive position? Don’t you know it’s just temporary?”

[Temporary?]

“Why do you think he’s not kicking me out of the guild even after I did something so stupid?”

[You do realize it was stupid…]

“Shut up and listen.”

[Well… I guess it’s because you’re useful.]

“Bingo. If I went this far, Sa Jae-Hyeok must have realized for sure. That bastard has the Red Dragon Bone Bow.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok was the kind of person who would do anything to grow Myth.

Cutting off someone as valuable as him?

That was nonsense.

Sa Jae-Hyeok would definitely try to acquire the Red Dragon Bone Bow.

[Do you really think so…?]

“Just wait and see.”

Lee Hwa-Rang was confident.

‘Only the Red Dragon can create Black Flame.’

This was a phrase he had discovered while collecting the Red Dragon Armor Set.

In other words, what that guy possessed was a Red Dragon weapon.

And there was only one Red Dragon weapon.

It could only be the ‘Red Dragon Bone Bow’.

And Sa Jae-Hyeok also knew this.

A day after Lee Hwa-Rang’s death, Sa Jae-Hyeok of Myth visited Ho-Yeong.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again after the event.”

“Yes, it is. However, it’s unfortunate that we’re meeting under such unpleasant circumstances. Please come in.”

“Thank you.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok entered the reception room with Yeo Sunwoo.

The reception room, where Lee Hwa-Rang had caused a scene, had been restored to its original state using the guild system and was now spotless.

“As I mentioned in my message, Lee Hwa-Rang, an executive of the Myth Guild, made a grave mistake against one of our guild members.”

“…Haha, I apologize for that as well.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok clenched his fist tightly.

His pride was hurt by the reality of having to apologize to a guild like Ho-Yeong.

Yeo Sunwoo continued speaking without even glancing at Sa Jae-Hyeok.

“Although Lee Hwa-Rang died in the process… it’s true that he initiated the attack.”

“I apologize for his actions.”

Making excuses would only make things worse.

In situations like this, it was wise to simply bow one’s head and admit fault.

No matter how much his pride was hurt, there was no need to take a big risk just to protect that pride.

“Then you must also be aware that we at Ho-Yeong have no intention of letting this slide.”

“Yes, of course.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok took out a gold pouch he had prepared beforehand and offered it to him.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

“It’s 100,000 gold.”

The pouch had the amount ‘100,000’ marked on it.

100,000 gold.

That was 1 billion won.

It was certainly a significant amount for compensation, but Yeo Sunwoo had no intention of settling the matter with just gold.

“100,000 gold… Surely you don’t think this is enough to resolve this matter, do you?”

He needed to ensure that Lee Hwa-Rang received proper punishment.

“Of course not. We have already stripped Lee Hwa-Rang and Park Jin-Hyeok of their executive positions due to this incident. We will also demote them to the lowest rank and make them start from the bottom.”

Stripped of their executive positions.

Myth had already carried out the punishment before visiting Ho-Yeong.

Yeo Sunwoo nodded slightly at their swift action.

“I see.”

“I apologize. I hope Ho-Yeong will show mercy. I will also make sure to strictly manage our members so that such an incident never happens again.”

They had fulfilled their duty as a guild.

From Ho-Yeong’s perspective, this was enough for them to consider resolving the matter amicably.

Although he didn’t like handing over 100,000 gold to Ho-Yeong, it was the best course of action.

“Alright. Since the Myth Guild Leader has said so much, I suppose we’ll let this slide this time.”

Yeo Sunwoo also judged that ending it here would be beneficial for both sides.

“Thank you. But, I heard that the cause of this incident was the Red Dragon Bone Bow… Is that true?”

“Yes? Yes, it is.”

Yeo Sunwoo nodded, and Sa Jae-Hyeok took out another gold pouch and placed it on the table.

The pouch contained the amount ‘2,000,000’.

It was a whopping 20 billion won.

“This is…?”

“The Red Dragon Bone Bow. I’d like you to sell it to Myth.”

The compensation and apology were just a pretense.

This was the real reason Sa Jae-Hyeok had personally visited Ho-Yeong.

Even though Lee Hwa-Rang was reckless, he wasn’t completely thoughtless.

He must have caused trouble by coming directly to Ho-Yeong after finding the Red Dragon Bone Bow.

20 billion won.

He offered hundreds of times the price of a normal Unique weapon because the value of the set effect was immense.

From Ho-Yeong’s perspective, since Lee Hwa-Rang possessed the armor set, they couldn’t even dream of the set effect.

In that case, they had no choice but to pay the price, including the value of the set effect, to acquire the equipment.

“I apologize, but… our guild member says he doesn’t have that weapon. So please take this back.”

Yeo Sunwoo pushed the pouch containing 2 million gold back towards Sa Jae-Hyeok.

Sa Jae-Hyeok shook his head.

“I heard he triggered Black Flame. Then it must be the Red Dragon Bone Bow.”

He had already confirmed it through Lee Ji-Seok and Lee Yeon-Soo.

The Black Flame that only the Red Dragon could create.

Since the Black Flame had appeared, it was definitely the Red Dragon Bone Bow.

“What’s the reason for assuming that Black Flame is an option exclusive to the Red Dragon Bone Bow?”

“It’s information I learned while collecting the Dragon Armor Set, so I’m certain.”

“Hmm…”

“I implore you. You know how much effort Myth has put into obtaining that weapon.”

Yeo Sunwoo pondered.

The fact that Sa Jae-Hyeok was going this far meant that it wouldn’t be easy to make him give up.

But he couldn’t unilaterally decide to accept 2 million gold.

The decision to sell the item rested solely with Jeong-Hoon.

“It seems like this isn’t something I can decide on my own. I’ll call the guild member in question.”

“Thank you.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok smirked.

Although he had stripped Lee Hwa-Rang of his executive position, he was too valuable a card to discard.

Especially if his potential blossomed, he could become a true ‘Divine Archer’.

And with the addition of the Red Dragon Set, there would be a tremendous synergy.

The Red Dragon Bone Bow was an item he had to acquire.

* * *

At the same time.

Jeong-Hoon was waiting upstairs in the reception room.

‘This… I feel a bit bad that this happened because of me.’

Anima said with a sorry look on his face.

Jeong-Hoon shook his head.

“Why is it your fault? It all stemmed from his own greed.”

[You’re right. You know, Master, if you hadn’t found it, I might have ended up with that guy.]

Mukho, this guy.

He was quite sharp.

If Jeong-Hoon hadn’t found the Red Dragon Bone Bow, Anima would probably be in Lee Hwa-Rang’s hands right now.

Of course, Anima wouldn’t have awakened as a soul stone and would be diligently contributing to the Red Dragon full set effect.

‘Shouldn’t I just show myself and end this?’

[No, listen to Anima. Let’s finish the 3rd advancement quickly and move on to the next village!]

Mukho urged.

Ever since acquiring the Luminous Stone, Mukho had been pestering Jeong-Hoon every day.

Hurry up and level up.

Hurry up and advance to the next village.

He seemed desperate to restore his lost abilities.

“Just wait a little longer.”

Lee Hwa-Rang wouldn’t give up on the Red Dragon Bone Bow.

He would definitely try other ways to get the bow.

He was the type to obsess over something he wanted, to the point of being reckless.

Knock. Knock.

“Jeong-Hoon, it’s Yeo Min-Ji. I think you need to come down to the reception room. Is that possible?”

As expected.

He didn’t know how his predictions never seemed to miss.

“Yes, I’ll be right down.”

Jeong-Hoon followed Yeo Min-Ji’s guidance and went down to the reception room.

Yeo Sunwoo and Sa Jae-Hyeok were seated in the reception room.

“Hoon, you’re here?”

Yeo Sunwoo looked apologetic that he couldn’t resolve the situation himself.

“Yes.”

Jeong-Hoon smiled.

It meant that he was okay with it, as he had expected this to happen.

“I’m Sa Jae-Hyeok, the guild leader of Myth.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok stood up and greeted Jeong-Hoon.

Jeong-Hoon also politely returned the greeting, as Sa Jae-Hyeok’s attitude was very respectful.

“Yes, I’m Hoon from the Ho-Yeong Guild.”

“One of our guild members has caused you great inconvenience. I sincerely apologize.”

“It’s alright. I was the one who overpowered him.”

“Haha… Is that so?”

For a brief moment, Sa Jae-Hyeok’s face hardened.

He must have been offended since Jeong-Hoon had said he overpowered an executive of the Myth Guild.

Jeong-Hoon pretended not to notice and got to the point.

“So, what’s the reason you called me here?”

“The Red Dragon Bone Bow. I’d like you to sell it to Myth.”

“The Red Dragon Bone Bow?”

“Yes.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok picked up a pouch from the table and held it out to Jeong-Hoon.

It was a pouch containing a whopping 2 million gold.

[2 million…? Why is your worth so high?]

‘Are you kidding me? He’s valuing me at a mere 2 million gold?’

Mukho was impressed, while Anima was dumbfounded.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have the Red Dragon Bone Bow.”

Jeong-Hoon couldn’t accept the pouch.

How could he sell an item he didn’t even have?

Sa Jae-Hyeok’s expression hardened slightly at his refusal.

“Then can you prove it?”

“Prove it?”

“Yes. That the weapon that triggered the Black Flame isn’t the Red Dragon Bone Bow.”

“…Why should I prove it to you?”

Jeong-Hoon tilted his head in confusion.

Even if he did have the item, the ownership belonged to him.

So it was up to him whether he wanted to sell it or not, and the demand for proof was absurd.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to prove it for free. If you can prove it, I’ll pay you 1 million gold immediately.”

1 million gold just for proof.

That was a whopping 10 billion won.

“And if I can’t?”

“Sell me the bow that triggered the Black Flame for 2 million gold.”

Sa Jae-Hyeok knew that Jeong-Hoon couldn’t prove it.

That’s why he offered such a large sum of 1 million gold.

“Then add one more condition to the 1 million gold offer.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

But Jeong-Hoon’s words caught Sa Jae-Hyeok off guard.

“An additional condition?”

“Suspend Lee Hwa-Rang for one year.”

“Suspend him for one year…?”

“I think that’s what it’ll take to tempt me.”

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