<Chapter 62: The God of Martial Arts Who Regressed to Level 2>
* * *
"Guild Master?"
In a cafe inside the Sword Palace building.
When Lee Ha-yeon met Sung Ji-han in a private room inside the cafe, she looked flustered.
She had thought he had called her to talk about something, but it turned out he was asking her to be the Guild Master.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
It was not uncommon for the owner and the Guild Master to be different people.
Even American First had such a system, and among the top ten guilds in the country, three had this setup.
However, the Guild Masters they appointed were all the best players in the guild, not ordinary people like Lee Ha-yeon.
"Isn't it because Ha-yeon has a Support Gift?"
"…This useless gift?"
Lee Ha-yeon showed her status window with a look of disbelief.
[Gift - Cultivation (Grade A)]
- A Support Gift. Helps other players grow quickly.
A simple gift that helps other players grow.
Lee Ha-yeon glanced at Lim Ga-young standing beside her and said,
"When we tested it on our bodyguard, this gift turned out to be of little use. They said it doesn't stack with the experience boost that can be bought with GP in the guild."
"What I'm interested in isn't the experience boost."
"But the Cultivation Gift only applies to experience, right?"
"No. It wouldn't have received an A grade just for that effect."
Even though Lee Ha-yeon had the Support Gift, Sung Ji-han seemed more confident.
"Have you ever seen a Support Gift with a grade of A or higher?"
"…I don't think so. Most are D or C, and B is almost impossible to find."
Unlike other gifts, which can be rated up to SSS, the highest grade for Support Gifts currently available to humanity is A.
This means that
Lee Ha-yeon's gift is the highest grade among Support Gifts.
"Among the highest grades in the same category, it only gives a 10% experience boost? Doesn't that seem strange?"
"You're an outsider, so you might think that. But after experimenting and sharing results among people with Support Gifts, the conclusion is… it only gives a 10% experience boost, regardless of the gift's grade."
Why wouldn't Lee Ha-yeon have thought of ways to use this gift?
But after numerous tests, it was clear that the Support Gift was useless.
"Does the experiment include the case of a Guild Master who invested all their points in growth rate increase?"
"…Growth rate increase? You invested in that useless option?"
"Yes. I created the guild for that option."
"Is the guild's name 'Wait'…?"
Hearing the guild's name, Lee Ha-yeon quickly understood why Sung Ji-han had created such a guild.
"You really care about your nephew?"
"I do care about Seo-a, but it's not just for her."
Sung Ji-han pointed at himself.
"I need to grow too."
"…Do you really think the growth rate increase option is effective? Research by many countries and guilds worldwide has shown that it's not."
"I believe it is effective."
How can he be so confident?
Sung Ji-han exuded a confidence that suggested he knew something.
Does the Support Gift really have abilities beyond what is known?
"Still, I'm part of the Lee family guild…"
"You're not a guild member, just an employee."
"…That's true."
"Then we can do it concurrently. You don't have to actively serve as Guild Master. Just lend us your name."
"Just my name?"
"Yes. It's important that the Guild Master has a Support Gift."
Hearing that, Lee Ha-yeon had a hunch.
This guy knows something.
'And this proposal won't harm me.'
If she learns more about the Support Gift, it would be beneficial.
But one piece of information isn't enough, so she managed her expression and said,
"Still, just lending my name…"
"Of course, I'll provide appropriate compensation. If you become the Guild Master, I'll give you a sure bet like last time. Oh, you made a lot of money this time, right?"
"Ah…"
Hearing Sung Ji-han's words, Lee Ha-yeon's calm expression momentarily distorted.
Sung Ji-han looked puzzled.
"…You didn't make a profit even though I gave you a perfect bet?"
"That… That's…"
"Even if you didn't believe in the Korea-Japan match, didn't you make a good profit from my TOP 100 matches?"
"…"
"Mr. Sung. Thanks to you, I made money. Thank you."
Beside Lee Ha-yeon, who couldn't bring herself to speak, Lim Ga-young bowed deeply.
Her usual expressionless face was replaced with a gentle smile.
The bodyguard made money, but Lee Ha-yeon, who should have made money, looked like she had eaten something bitter.
Did she bet on Baron?
'Sure enough, it's Zero. Even when told, he loses.'
Sung Ji-han sighed and said,
"I made over 100 times the money from those two bets. That's why I could create the guild with my own funds."
"100 times?!"
"Yes. But betting seems too risky for Ha-yeon. What can I do if you don't listen even when told?"
"No, no. I'll believe and follow you. Just tell me!"
"Even if I tell you, you'll lose. It's better to give you a separate reward."
"Ah. I'll do it. Guild Master! Just lending my name, right? I'll do it, please…!"
"Ah, Miss…!"
"100 times! I'll do it!"
Lee Ha-yeon shouted, pushing away Lim Ga-young's attempt to stop her.
She looked like she had lost her mind.
Sung Ji-han seemed to understand why Lee Ha-yeon, who had received a large sum of money as the leader of the American First 2nd Division guild in her previous life, had ended up penniless.
'Well, I didn't expect it to be this easy.'
Still, he couldn't let this opportunity slip away.
Sung Ji-han immediately started the Guild Master appointment process.
When he pointed at Lee Ha-yeon, a system window appeared before her.
[Will you become the Guild Master of the Wait guild?]
"Miss! Snap out of it!"
Lim Ga-young quickly reached out to stop Lee Ha-yeon, but
Her finger touched 'Yes' first.
And then,
[You have become the Guild Master of the Wait guild.]
[The guild's growth rate increase level has exceeded 10. The effects of the Support Gift, Cultivation, are enhanced for all guild members.]
[The efficiency of the growth rate increase option has doubled.]
[All guild members receive a 30% experience boost.]
"…?"
Seeing the numerous messages before her, Lee Ha-yeon rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"Wh-What is this…?"
"Didn't I tell you?"
Sung Ji-han, the guild owner, also saw the same messages and smiled.
"Seems to work well, doesn't it?"
* * *
The next day, at the same place.
Lee Ha-yeon recalled yesterday's events.
The call with her brother, Lee Sang-jin, the heir of the Lee family and the Guild Master of the Lee family guild.
- Sung Ji-han wants to appoint you as the Guild Master? He must have fallen for you.
- Brother, that's not it. He saw my Support Gift…
- Support Gift? It can't be useful, can it? Ha-yeon, he fell for your beauty.
- …
- Good. You weren't doing much in the guild anyway, right? Help Sung Ji-han and try to bring him into our Lee family. Make sure no romance rumors come out, and handle it well.
Lee Ha-yeon smiled bitterly.
Her half-brother, Lee Sang-jin, who was 20 years older than her.
He was kind to her, but
His kindness came from seeing her as a 'product' to strengthen the connections of a wealthy family.
- With your bodyguard by your side, you won't make any mistakes.
Lee Ha-yeon glanced at Lim Ga-young, who stood silently beside her.
Her basic duty was to protect her and
To prevent any men from getting close, acting as a watchdog.
Due to the feudal atmosphere of her family and her bodyguard, she had never even dreamed of love.
She would probably be with her until she got married.
"Miss Lee. You're already here."
"Yes, Mr. Sung."
When Sung Ji-han entered the private room of the cafe, Lee Ha-yeon stopped her thoughts and managed her expression.
"Yesterday, I behaved poorly. I apologize."
"No, it's fine. Thanks to you, I got a good Guild Master."
"About the Guild Master… you know that I can resign at any time, right?"
"Resign?"
In response to Sung Ji-han's question, Lee Ha-yeon shook her head and said cautiously,
"No. Thanks to you, I learned how useful my gift is. However, I want to be treated accordingly."
"Treated accordingly. What do you want?"
Sung Ji-han nodded readily.
He had no intention of just giving her betting tips and using her.
Lee Ha-yeon's talent in Support Gifts was unparalleled.
It was better for both of them if he gave her a fitting reward and kept her as Guild Master for a long time.
"I want to handle the management issue that came up with the Korea-Japan match… I want the Lee family to handle it."
Sung Ji-han, who showed remarkable performance in the globally broadcast TOP 100, was already the most prominent figure in the industry.
If the Lee family handled his management, Lee Ha-yeon would have a significant achievement in the guild.
"Sure. But I don't really want to do many commercials. Hmm… but to save face for you, I'll do one a month."
"Oh, you should strike while the iron is hot. At least one a week…"
"Just because I won the Bronze TOP 100, you think the tide has turned? You think small."
Sung Ji-han smiled confidently.
"I'll do one a month until I win the Silver TOP 100."
"…You're already sure you'll win?"
"Who else could do it besides me?"
What kind of confidence is this?
Still, since he agreed to be managed by the Lee family, she decided to let this topic go.
"Alright. Then, can I ask one more thing?"
"Another one? You're not greedy."
"Yes. About the Guild Master duties… I want to try them properly."
"Hmm."
She could just be a figurehead.
But she wants to handle the Guild Master duties?
'Brother wants me to persuade Sung Ji-han to join the Lee family guild. For that, I need a connection.'
This was Lee Ha-yeon's true intention, but she didn't show it.
"Mr. Sung, you're not really interested in guild management, are you? This guild is just for your and your niece's buffs, right?"
"…Why do you think that?"
Buff guild.
Sung Ji-han was slightly surprised by this accurate observation.
Was Zero this smart?
"If you were going to manage it properly, you would have invested at least one point in expanding the guild members."
"That's because the growth rate increase is more important."
"And just looking at your BattleTube…"
BattleTube? Why bring that up?
Confused, Sung Ji-han tilted his head, and Lee Ha-yeon took out her smartphone to show him his channel.
"Look at this. With over 600,000 subscribers, which channel doesn't have an editor? At the very least, you should have highlights or split videos, but they're all full versions."
"Well, they get a lot of views."
"You should make them get even more views!"
Lee Ha-yeon sounded as if she was more disappointed than he was.
"It feels like you're just leaving a diamond mine untouched."
"You're offering to manage it as the Guild Master?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm…"
Not bad?
Sung Ji-han had no real intention of managing the guild properly.
If she managed it and stayed with the Wait guild longer, it would be beneficial for him.
'In my previous life, as the 2nd Division guild leader, I was praised as an excellent guild leader if not for the gambling.'
Even during the Zero era, despite his gambling addiction, he was thorough in separating personal and guild matters, never touching the guild funds and only waiting for payday.
Considering this, there was no reason to discourage her from trying.
"Alright. In exchange for managing it, I can have personal training time. But why do you suddenly want to do it?"
"Mr. Sung, why do you think I bet on match predictions?"
"Just because you like gambling?"
"No! My original dream was to be a guild owner! I bet to gather capital to create a guild. I was originally a naive kid who knew nothing about gambling! Right, Ga-young?"
In response to Lee Ha-yeon's question, Lim Ga-young nodded 'very' slowly.
"It seems… that way…"
"So you want to practice managing the Wait guild?"
"Practice? I don't think so. I'll work hard as if it's my own guild!"
"Alright. Then…"
Since she's determined to do it, let's push her.
Sung Ji-han opened the guild window and checked the guild owner's permissions.