Chapter 126:
Seo Jae-yi and Kim Yoo-sung huddled together and read the contract.
The first thing that caught their attention was the stipulation that the dungeon plant sales would be a joint venture between the Association and Seo Jae-yi, with Haeil Guild having no involvement.
“It would be problematic if it seemed like the Association was giving preferential treatment to a specific guild.”
Both Seo Jae-yi and Kim Yoo-sung agreed with Kang Seong-yeon’s explanation.
“This way, the government can’t interfere.”
“I agree. Seo Jae-yi hasn’t relied much on Haeil’s help with the dungeon plant sales anyway. We’ll stay out of it.”
The only person who had helped significantly was Seo Won-yeong, who wasn’t affiliated with any guild. So this clause didn’t affect Haeil much.
The other terms were also reasonable.
Mandatory consultation with the Association regarding the list of dungeon plants for sale, sharing a portion of the profits with the Association, keeping prices reasonable since it was for the public good, and so on.
Since it was a collaboration with the Association, charging high prices would be controversial, so Seo Jae-yi agreed to the financial terms.
She hadn’t started this business to make money. It was for her own peaceful and free life, and for the safety and convenience of Awakened individuals during dungeon raids. So, earning less money didn’t matter.
She already had plenty of money saved up.
After negotiating a few more details, Seo Jae-yi and Kim Yoo-sung signed the contract along with Kang Seong-yeon. A clean finish.
“Then I’ll start setting up the dungeon! I’ll report to the Association when I’m done, so you can come and check it out then.”
“We’ll announce the dungeon plant sales to the public after your report.”
“Yes!”
Unaware that the ever-impulsive Seo Jae-yi had already finished setting up the dungeon, Kang Seong-yeon shook her hand.
His golden eyes, a result of his Awakening, looked at her intently.
Seo Jae-yi smiled brightly.
As mentioned before, Kang Seong-yeon had known Seo Jae-yi for a long time. Since the time she was being experimented on at the Center.
He was one of those who had turned a blind eye to the injustices of the Guiding Center.
That’s why he later became a follower of Kwon Yi-soo, who had overturned the previous corrupt Center Director and completely reformed the Center and the Association.
However, even though he was now the Association President, following Kwon Yi-soo’s ideals and working for the benefit of Awakened individuals, it didn’t change the fact that he had ignored Seo Jae-yi’s plight in the past.
He felt a sense of guilt towards her. Of course, he had never expressed it. He knew that while it might unburden him, it could be a heavy weight for Seo Jae-yi.
“Seo Jae-yi, good luck.”
Seo Jae-yi’s eyes widened at his encouragement, then she replied resolutely, “I’ll definitely succeed!”
Seeing her bright face, a stark contrast to her time at the Center, Kang Seong-yeon nodded.
This was a small apology for his past silence and indifference.
It wouldn’t erase his guilt completely, but he was glad he could at least be of some help to her now.
The negotiations with the Association went better than expected, and Seo Jae-yi was very satisfied.
Leaving the Association, she and Kim Yoo-sung headed towards the forest dungeon. She wanted to share the good news with Baek Joo-won.
When they arrived at the gate, different Association employees were on duty. Having already been informed by President Kang Seong-yeon, they let Seo Jae-yi and Kim Yoo-sung pass without a word.
“You’ve already cleared this much?”
Kim Yoo-sung, entering the dungeon after Seo Jae-yi, was surprised to see the area around the gate completely cleared.
“I told the President I would start now.”
“What are you talking about? That was just for show!”
Kim Yoo-sung was speechless at her blatant dishonesty. What would she have done if the Association had disapproved?
Well, knowing Seo Jae-yi, she would have found a way to persuade them.
“Where’s Baek Joo-won? You didn’t leave him here alone, did you?”
“He’s in a safe place with Logi.”
Knowing Seo Jae-yi wouldn’t put Baek Joo-won in danger, Kim Yoo-sung didn’t ask further and looked around the dungeon.
Knowing she had spent six months here alone, regulating her powers, made him feel a bit melancholic.
Even though it had ultimately benefited them, it was still difficult to accept.
‘But if Seo Jae-yi is happy, I can’t complain.’
Having confirmed that this dungeon posed no threat to Seo Jae-yi, Kim Yoo-sung dropped his objections and patted her shoulder, wishing her luck.
For the next few days, Seo Jae-yi traveled back and forth between the shop and the dungeon.
Since Haeil Guild wasn’t involved in the dungeon plant sales, Kim Yoo-sung didn’t visit the dungeon again. Only Seo Won-yeong came to help.
“Selling plants in a dungeon… it’s a very Unnie-like idea, but Mom’s going to freak out if she finds out.”
Seo Won-yeong, helping her plant, dropped a bombshell.
Seo Jae-yi, humming cheerfully, flinched.
Her aunt had finally found peace thanks to the tranquilizer. What if she heard this news and had a relapse from the shock?
“……Keep it a secret from Aunt for now.”
Seo Hye-ryeong wasn’t interested in Awakened matters and was generally oblivious, so as long as Seo Won-yeong kept quiet, she would likely remain unaware.
“I’ll do that, since I’m worried about Mom too.”
Fortunately, Seo Won-yeong was on her side.
There were no eternal secrets, so she would tell her aunt eventually. But only after she was in a better mental state, able to handle such shocking news.
“Where’s Baek Joo-won? You said he was here, but he’s nowhere to be seen.”
“He’s with Logi. Logi’s a bit sick, so he’s looking after him.”
That was a lie. Baek Joo-won was neglecting Airok.
Not that he was slacking off; he seemed to be doing something in the cave, but she didn’t know what. He said he would show her when he was done, so she left him alone.
“Then, Unnie, call me if anything happens.”
After they were done, Seo Jae-yi drove Seo Won-yeong home.
After exchanging goodbyes, Seo Won-yeong assumed Seo Jae-yi would go home, but she turned her car towards the dungeon, not her house or the shop.
“I’m getting used to sleeping there.”
Lately, she had been spending most of her time in the forest dungeon’s cave with Baek Joo-won. It was surprisingly comfortable, almost like a vacation home.
‘Hmm. Should I sell my house in Seoul?’
Baek Joo-won clearly preferred the dungeon. If he liked it there, she was willing to stay there with him.
She didn’t even consider the option of living separately.
Seo Jae-yi’s car entered a rural road.
Baek Joo-won’s dungeon was located in a remote mountain area, so the road leading there was unlit and dark. But it wasn’t a problem for her, as she could see clearly even in pitch darkness.
Something else had been bothering her.
“Damn it.”
Even though she was still far from the parking area at the foot of the mountain, Seo Jae-yi stopped the car.
The road was barely paved due to lack of traffic, yet a suspiciously large number of cars were following her.
‘The only people who know I frequent this place are the Association, Haeil Guild, and Won-yeong…’
And tourists wouldn’t come here in the middle of the night.
They were definitely after her. But who?
“…….”
After a while, several cars pulled up behind her. People got out.
They were Espers, fully armed as if heading for a dungeon raid.
“Well, well.”
Recognizing them, Seo Jae-yi scoffed.
“I didn’t expect to see your ugly mug here. Baldy, what brings you all the way out here?”
Standing at the front of the armed group was Park Hyung-woo, the Taesan Guild Leader.
“And with your little tail trailing behind you, as if you’re scared to be alone.”
“Do you have some kind of terminal illness that makes you unable to stop running your mouth?”
Park Hyung-woo scoffed.
Unlike usual, he didn’t get angry at her provocation. He seemed more confident than ever.
“Or is it just bravado? You’re not so stupid that you can’t grasp the situation, even if you are clueless.”
The Taesan Guild members, fully armed and with grim expressions, looked like they were prepared for war, not a dungeon raid.
Their target wasn’t the dungeon.
It was Seo Jae-yi.
‘So what?’
Even so, Seo Jae-yi’s expression didn’t change. Facing the overwhelming force of Taesan, she smiled calmly.
“It’s just confidence. What’s so scary about a bunch of guys who brought their entire guild and armed themselves to the teeth just to kill little old me?”
She found the situation amusing.
“And you’re acting all high and mighty without a Guide by your side.”
“Park Hyung-woo, do you remember how you couldn’t even beat me before? I didn’t even have a Guide back then, and you ran away with your tail between your legs after getting your ass kicked.”
“That won’t happen this time.”
Park Hyung-woo was unusually confident. He must have something up his sleeve…
Seo Jae-yi pondered.
In her current condition, dealing with Taesan wouldn’t be difficult.
However, with this many people, the surrounding area would be devastated. Fights between Espers outside of dungeons were strictly prohibited.
Fighting a whole guild and destroying the surrounding area? She had just finalized the dungeon plant sales agreement with the Association; she couldn’t risk jeopardizing it.
So, Seo Jae-yi decided to run.
“What!? Catch her!”
Startled, Park Hyung-woo yelled as Seo Jae-yi suddenly bolted towards the mountain.
“Seo Jae-yi! How cowardly, running away from a fight!”
“Being called cowardly by a coward doesn’t hurt me one bit!”
She was heading towards the forest dungeon in the mountains. She felt guilty about turning that place into a battlefield again, but Seo Jae-yi was certain.
‘Baek Joo-won would rather I fight in his dungeon than face Taesan alone out here.’
So he could Guide her whenever needed, so he could interfere with Taesan’s attempts to kill her, and so he could eliminate Taesan and dispose of the evidence without anyone knowing.
Baek Joo-won would definitely prefer her to lure them into the dungeon.
“Ack!”
A massive wall of earth rose before Seo Jae-yi as she ran towards the mountain, abandoning her car. Park Hyung-woo, the Earth Esper, had created it.
At the same time, the Taesan Guild members attacked. Wind and telekinesis weighed down her steps, and sand entangled her feet. Water, fire, and ice, which didn’t affect her much, also flew towards her.