Jong-sik and his group entered the lobby. The interior of the building was quite different from what they had seen from outside. The entire outer wall was covered with transparent mineral, ensuring ample sunlight, while flowers and trees in the lobby emitted a refreshing scent under the sunlight.
“Wow. It’s really beautiful. And so refreshing!”
Feeling like she was strolling through a well-maintained garden, Yeona smiled brightly. Jong-sik nodded as he observed the blue mana floating in the air.
“We’re using water elemental stones to keep it cool. They emit cold energy.”
“Wow… Water elemental stones. I’ve seen those in textbooks! They’re here?”
“Yeah. See, they’re hidden inside that small waterfall over there.”
“Oh? That tree…”
“What? I was about to tell you. How did you know? Did you see it on YouTube?”
As the headquarters of the Healing Guild, a building that had won the Beautiful Building Award, it was quite famous. Jong-pal, who spent his days watching videos on his phone, guessed and asked.
“YouTube? There are people who upload everything, so it wouldn’t be surprising if someone uploaded videos of buildings.”
“Yeah, maybe. But didn’t you see it?”
“Why would I look at someone else’s building when it’s not mine?”
Just as Jong-sik was about to dismiss Jong-pal’s seemingly irrelevant question,
“While the public is not allowed entry.”
A guard approached, stopping Jong-sik’s group. His imposing demeanor exuded confidence. A round-eyed girl, an adult man dressed in what looked like cheap clothes… They were clearly not the type of people who could step foot into the Healing Guild.
‘This is a mess.’
Jong-sik frowned at the guard’s overtly oppressive attitude. Anyone can make mistakes, but disrespecting his family wasn’t a mistake. Jong-sik met the man’s gaze. A chill ran down the man’s spine.
“What… What kind of gaze is that?”
The guard felt his mouth go dry. He realized belatedly that he had made a mistake in his judgment, but it was already too late. At that moment, sensing the strange atmosphere, Yeona blurted out hastily.
“We’re not ordinary people! Oh, well, technically, I am. But we’re not here for no reason. We’re here to make a contract with the Healing Guild. Can you contact the HR or something to confirm? The name is Dok Jong-sik. And this is my dad! Dad, right? We’re here for the contract, right?”
“…!”
‘It’s in front of my young niece.’
Sensing this from Yeona’s mind, Jong-sik nodded his head. Then, he lightly tousled Yeona’s hair and showed his Hunter ID. The energy he had aimed at the man was already withdrawn.
“We’re here with an appointment with Team Leader Pyeong-ari.”
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, not knowing that.”
The guard bowed deeply. Some people in the lobby were whispering as if they had found something interesting to watch. Feeling uncomfortable, Yeona scratched her chin, and Jong-pal forced a wry smile.
“Well, it’s not like my face has ‘I have an appointment’ written on it.”
“I must have acted like a bumpkin. Hehe. Just because of me, Hyung and Yeona got misunderstood.”
Anyway, both of them apologized and retreated. But Jong-sik, no different from the others, also accepted the man’s apology.
“It’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose.”
“O-of course! Then, could you please wait for a moment? I’ll inform Team Leader Pyeong-ari that guests have arrived.”
The man hurriedly looked for the phone, but a voice stopped him from behind.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Huh? Um, I’m really sorry….”
“It’s not that. Just turn around for a moment.”
“Uh… Team Leader, hello!”
Pyeong-ari, who had suddenly appeared in the lobby on the first floor.
The guard was shocked to see her, and Pyeong-ari sensed an uncomfortable atmosphere like a ghost.
“I’m a bit late. I should have been waiting. Hmm…? Is something wrong?”
Suddenly, sharp eyes were directed at the guard.
“Uh, well….”
“Nothing happened. Oh, this is my younger brother and my nephew. You said it was okay for them to come, right?”
Jong-sik intervened instantly. He smoothly changed the subject without showing any particular reaction. Beside him, Yeona and Jong-pal also nodded in agreement.
“Of course. By the way, your nephew is really cute. Are you Jong-pal?”
“Yes. Nice to see you again.”
“I’m glad to see you too. Weekends seem to drag on forever, don’t they? Oh, I’ve left the guests standing there for too long. Let’s head this way.”
As Jong-sik’s group left the lobby, the remaining guard made a resolution.
He wouldn’t judge people based on their appearances again.
“I’m glad to see you too. Weekends seem to drag on forever, don’t they? Oh, I’ve left the guests standing there for too long. Let’s head this way.”
As Jong-sik’s group left the lobby, the remaining guard made a resolution.
He wouldn’t judge people based on their appearances again.
***
Inside the elevator,
Pyeong-ari chattered non-stop.
Most of it was about the Healing Guild.
Starting with the information that the majority of guild members were Healing Guild Awakened Ones.
“The 4th floor is used as a research lab. These days, we’re developing buff potions, and they seem to be quite effective. I’ll show you when we get a chance. The 6th floor is a training room, but… um, it’s better for you to see it for yourself.”
She introduced the different spaces on each floor of the building.
“We also go on trips quarterly. Isn’t it the best to skip work and go on a trip during weekdays? Oh! I’ll also tell you about the guild’s club activities.”
She explained the welfare benefits provided by the guild.
“We have collaborations with nearby schools for the education of children of guild members. After all, guild members’ families are our families too. By the way, it seems like your nephew is still a student, right? Is he attending the academy?”
And she didn’t stop there. She expressed her curiosity about Jong-sik’s nephew, Yeona. Jong-sik nodded slightly while looking at Yeona.
“No, he’s studying at a regular school.”
“Is that so? There’s definitely a difference in education, but if it’s okay, you should consider the academy. We have a academy affiliated with our guild, so transferring schools can be done quickly.”
“Oh… I’ll discuss it with my dad and uncle Thank you.”
Yeona looked bewildered at the unexpected suggestion.
A moment later,
Ding!
The elevator, which had departed from the 1st floor, arrived at its destination.
***
30th floor.
The top floor of the Healing Guild building, which also housed the executive office.
“This way, please.”
Pyeong-ari guided Jong-sik’s group.
The door to the executive office opened.
Knock, knock.
“Mom, I mean, Madam President. Mr. Dok Jong-sik is here.”
“Welcome. I’m Ok Soon-ja, the president of the Healing Guild.”
Ok Soon-ja, the president of the Healing Guild, greeted Jong-sik as she rose from the plush sofa.
“I’m Dok Jong-sik.”
“Ah, Dok Jong-pal, you mean.”
The first impression… well.
If Pyeong-ari resembled a languid cat, this one resembled a seasoned tiger.
Sharp eyes reminiscent of Pyeong-ari, set in a generous countenance. The glance that swept over Yeona was quite sharp too.
“And here…?”
“This is Dok Jong-sik’s nephew.”
Before Jong-sik could speak, Pyeong-ari introduced Yeona.
Yeona nervously scratched her lips with her front teeth. She felt a stiffness throughout her body. After all, whenever her identity was revealed, uncomfortable glances always followed.
“I bet it was tough for the student to follow the adults in this heat. Please, have a seat.”
However, Ok Soon-ja’s reaction dispelled her worries. Yeona’s expression lightened considerably.
As the tension eased, her stiffened body relaxed.
It was an undeniable relief.
Yeona responded in a brighter tone than usual.
“It wasn’t tough at all. It was a bit hot on the way here, but once we entered the building, I forgot all about the heat. Oh, and the flowers and trees in the lobby were so beautiful! They’re mana trees, right…?”
“Many people wouldn’t even recognize them, so how did a young student like you identify them?”
“Oh! Really? It felt right and wrong at the same time, so I just asked to make sure…”
Ok Soon-ja burst into a hearty laugh at their shared interest.
“Haha, that’s right. It’s a mana tree. I personally went to the United States Dungeon to collect it. There’s nothing more fun than tending to flowers and trees as you grow older. Ah, perhaps it’s a bit difficult for a young lady to understand?”
“No, not at all! I love gardening too. I even have a small vegetable garden. Of course, I’m only harvesting vegetables for now, but someday I’ll challenge myself with dungeon plants too!”
“The student’s eyes are sparkling at the mention of plants. You seem to be very capable of nurturing them even without seeing it, huh?”
“T-Thank you.”
Yeona suddenly spoke with a diminished voice as she expressed her gratitude. She realized belatedly what kind of gathering this was.
However, what could have been a somewhat tense atmosphere was softened considerably.
As if to confirm this, there was a subtle smile on the lips of the adults, including Ok Soon-ja.
“Well, shall we get down to business now? Team Leader Pyeong-ari, please show them the contract.”
“Yes!”
Pyeong-ari hurriedly presented the contract she had prepared.
“Here you go. Please read through it carefully, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”
-Contract duration: 1 year.
-Contract payment: One-time payment of 6 billion won.
-Annual salary: 10 billion won.
…
From dungeon profit distribution to scope of activities, frequency of overseas trips, and more, various details were succinctly listed.
Jong-sik quickly skimmed through the financial aspects, while Jong-pal meticulously read through the entire contract.
Finally, after setting down the contract, Jong-pal nodded. It was a sign of approval. Jong-sik picked up a black pen and scribbled his signature on the contract.
“Now we truly become part of the Healing family. Welcome, Mr. Dok Jong-sik. As you’ve heard, most of our Healing Guild members are healers. So, we’ve mostly focused on dungeon exploration through dispatches. But that’s all going to change now.”
Ok Soon-ja extended her hand to Jong-sik as she spoke.
“You won’t regret it. I’m a cautious person when it comes to spending money.”
“Hahaha. Confidence is always a good thing to see. Young people should have that kind of determination.”
“Well, speaking of which, I’d appreciate it if you could deposit the contract payment now. There are some immediate expenses I need to cover.”
“Let’s take care of it right away.”
True to their guild’s style of making hefty payments, the handling of the contract payment was swift and decisive. Jong-sik couldn’t help but think that things were off to a good start. As they were about to release their clasped hands…
“I have a personal question…”
“What is it?”
“Have you ever been married?”
Ok Soon-ja asked the question without releasing their clasped hands. For a moment, Pyeong-ari, who was standing next to her, seemed flustered and tried to interject with “Ma-Madam,” but it was of little use.
“Not yet.”
“At 32, with such abilities and a domestic disposition, and still not married. What about a partner? Oh, forgive me if this is too intrusive.”
“I don’t have one yet.”
“These days, the unmarried rate in our country is too high. I’m quite interested in that aspect as a patriot.”
“…?”
“I’m not sure if my daughter mentioned it, but our guild provides a lot of support for internal couples. Our Team Leader Pyeong-ari is also around your age…”
“Mom! Um… Excuse me…”
Eventually, Pyeong-ari intervened. She unfolded her tightly pressed lips and spoke. Then she gently separated Jong-sik and Ok Soon-ja’s clasped hands.
“I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable. The contract payment will be deposited soon. And if you need assistance with Yeona’s school issue, please let us know, and we’ll take care of it immediately.”
“Thank you. But earlier, you mentioned assistance with relocation as well?”
“I did? Do you have plans to move?”
“Yes. So, could you please help us with finding a building?”
The eyes of Yeona and Jong-pal, who had been standing awkwardly, suddenly lit up.
