Chapter 68:
“You’ll only enter dungeons Rank 3 or below, you’ll always be accompanied by a Haeil Guild raid team, and you’ll stop immediately if your level exceeds 40. Follow these three rules.”
“Wow! Thank you!”
Seo Jae-yi raised both arms in celebration, surprised by how easily she had obtained permission.
Now she could freely collect dungeon plants!
“…Seo Jae-yi.”
Kwon Yi-soo, who had been silently watching her, called out to her.
“What?”
But he didn’t answer. He just hesitated, his lips moving soundlessly as if he was struggling to find the right words.
“…Don’t destroy anything.”
That was all he managed to say after a long pause.
He then left the shop without another word, not even a goodbye.
“I haven’t been destroying things lately.”
She grumbled, feeling a bit offended.
Well, at least she had permission to enter dungeons. It was an unexpected gain.
“Has the Center Head left?”
Jeong Hoon approached them. It seemed Baek Joo-won had finished changing.
“Yes. Where’s Baek Joo-won?”
“He’s waiting inside.”
Seo Jae-yi headed towards the changing room. Baek Joo-won, wearing an uncomfortable sample outfit, stared at her.
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It seems the Center Head has left.”
“Yes. Did you have something to say to him?”
“No. Of course not.”
But his expression seemed somewhat displeased.
Both Kwon Yi-soo and Baek Joo-won seemed unhappy. What was wrong with them? Was there something wrong with this changing room?
‘It’s unlikely, but I should check quickly and leave.’
Seo Jae-yi quickly examined the outfit he was wearing.
The navy fabric complemented his fair skin perfectly. The sleeves, shoulders, and pants length were all perfect. It was exactly the image she had envisioned.
“It looks great on you! I have good taste, don’t I? Is there anything uncomfortable?”
“No. I think it looks good too.”
Baek Joo-won’s slightly stiff expression softened, seemingly pleased with the suit.
Seo Jae-yi was relieved.
“Then let’s go with this, but change the buttons to silver.”
“Yes, I understand. Now let’s try on the vest.”
Jeong Hoon wrote down her request and removed Baek Joo-won’s suit jacket. The vest, which fit more snugly than the jacket, emphasized his broad chest and narrow waist, highlighting his masculine physique.
“Hah, perfect. This is why custom-made suits are the best.”
Seo Jae-yi gave him a thumbs-up, impressed by the perfect masterpiece.
“This is definitely worthy of a bribe.”
Even the unfinished product looked this good. Even Baek Joo-won had to admit it.
“Now let’s try on the shoes.”
Jeong Hoon brought a measuring device to get his exact foot size.
“Oh, both feet are exactly the same size? Length and width. It’s usually slightly different. This is amazing. How can they be so perfectly symmetrical?”
He muttered, impressed by the rarity, and recorded the measurements. Well, at least it would make crafting the shoes easier.
“What style are you looking for?”
“Lace-up style with a plain toe, dark brown.”
The names sounded complicated to Baek Joo-won, but Jeong Hoon brought him a pair of basic style shoes.
“Classic is the best.”
“They look good.”
They were simple, which was Baek Joo-won’s preference, so he readily agreed.
“Please contact me when the finished product is ready. Thank you!”
They left the tailor shop after everything was settled. It was evening now.
“It might be a bribe, but I’ll treat you to dinner since I received a nice gift.”
Seo Jae-yi smiled brightly at Baek Joo-won’s offer. She was glad they weren’t parting ways yet.
“But please recommend the menu.”
“How about eel? It’s a health food.”
“I’ve never had it before.”
“Then let’s have that. You need to stay healthy, Baek Joo-won. I heard it’s good for men.”
Baek Joo-won, not knowing much about the benefits of eel, simply nodded, assuming it was nutritious.
He didn’t even realize that Seo Jae-yi was giving him all the tail pieces, thinking it was the most nutritious part.
Baek Joo-won enjoyed the dinner, oblivious to the people around them smiling at them, mistaking them for a newlywed couple.
***
Seo Jae-yi informed Kim Yoo-sung about obtaining permission from Kwon Yi-soo to enter dungeons the next day.
Kim Yoo-sung, seemingly surprised, barged into the shop, his face pale, shortly after she arrived.
“Thank goodness. You’re still here.”
He must have thought she would rush into a dungeon the moment she got permission.
“Of course. I got permission, but with conditions.”
No exceeding an overload level of 40, only entering dungeons Rank 3 or below, and always being accompanied by Haeil Guild members.
Kim Yoo-sung’s expression turned strange as she listed the three conditions he had imposed.
“Kwon Yi-soo gave you such favorable conditions?”
“It’s true. Call him yourself if you don’t believe me.”
She hadn’t expected him to actually do that. He hated Kwon Yi-soo.
“I will.”
And he actually called and confirmed it. Didn’t he trust her at all?
“…It’s true?”
Kim Yoo-sung still looked dumbfounded, even after confirming it.
“Is he plotting something?”
“What does it matter? My goal isn’t to exhaust myself in dungeons, but to collect dungeon plants.”
Her collection of useful plants would expand! Seo Jae-yi smiled brightly, looking at the dungeon plants that now occupied half of her greenhouse.
Unlike her, Kim Yoo-sung felt a bit melancholic. He had grown attached to the greenhouse, having infused it with his life force, but it was now filled with hideous dungeon plants instead of beautiful flowers…
“So, Guild Leader, get me a subjugation permit for a plant-type dungeon.”
“Are you sure you won’t burn down the dungeon?”
“Of course! I’m bringing Logi!”
Seo Jae-yi lifted Airok, who had been watering the plants, into the air. He blinked, caught off guard.
“Huh? I’m going into a dungeon?”
It seemed this hadn’t been discussed.
“Yes. Go and choose some useful plants for me. And spray some water if my ability goes out of control.”
“But what about the greenhouse?”
“We can kidnap a Guild member from Haeil and leave him in charge! Or we can ask Won-yeong.”
Seo Won-yeong, who would do anything for her sister, would drop everything and rush over.
“Hmm…”
Airok hesitated, still unsure.
Seo Jae-yi sweetened the deal.
“I’ll give you a bonus for every dungeon raid. In gold.”
That was all it took.
“Airok, the prepared talent, at your service! I’ll go wherever you need me! When are we going, Master?”
Nothing was more tempting to a gold-loving dragon.
Seo Jae-yi smiled proudly, seeing his tail swishing excitedly.
“We have a water-type dragon now, so there’s nothing to worry about, right, Guild Leader? So make sure you secure the dungeon permit!”
Seo Jae-yi, her eyes gleaming with determination, grabbed Kim Yoo-sung’s shoulders tightly. She seemed ready to punch him if he failed.
‘Business is scary…’
No matter how wealthy they were, anyone who started a business would become obsessed with success.
Seo Jae-yi was no exception.
Kim Yoo-sung had to secure a plant-type dungeon, even if it was just to survive the success-driven Seo Jae-yi.
‘Being a Guild Leader is tough…’
***
When a dungeon emerged, the Association would assess its type and rank and post the information on their official website.
Guilds interested in subjugating the dungeon would apply, and the Association would assign it to a suitable Guild.
If a Guild really wanted a specific dungeon, they could bid on the subjugation permit.
All dungeon subjugations followed this rule, except for dungeon breakouts.
Kim Yoo-sung immediately bid on a promising Rank 3 forest-type dungeon as soon as it appeared. The subjugation date was tomorrow.
“You’re entering a forest dungeon?”
“Yes.”
Seo Jae-yi, who had come to the Center as usual, informed Baek Joo-won of the good news the moment she saw him.
“What kind of plants are there? I hope there are some useful ones.”
“How do you know if they’re useful or not?”
“I’m bringing Logi with me! He was thrilled when I offered him a gold bonus.”
“Gold? You’re actually giving him gold…?”
“Of course! Dragons love gold. Wouldn’t gold, which is universally accepted, be better than Korean won?”
“That’s true, but…”
Normally, they didn’t give gold as bonuses.
But Baek Joo-won decided to keep quiet, knowing it would be pointless to argue with her.
“Are you sure it’s okay for you to enter a dungeon?”
“Yes. My level is 32 now. That’s enough.”
“I’m asking if it’s okay for you to take me.”
Seo Jae-yi was startled by his suggestive whisper.
“I wasn’t hinting at that!”
“I know. You would have asked me directly if you were. This is what I want. I can’t Guide anyone else, but I can Guide you.”
It meant he would only accompany her as her exclusive Guide.