chapter 73

“Ah! Can I start with our requirements first?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“We would like you to make an official statement.”

“Elaborate further.”

“We just need you to say that you’ve received a sincere apology from Jung Yura of the Black Swans, and that we’ve managed to resolve the misunderstandings. You also have to mention that you have never been physically threatened… I would be really grateful if you could say all of that. Other than that, you can think of what to say on your own… Well, it doesn’t matter what you say as long as it calms the situation down.”

“Hmm… No matter what I say, though, I don’t think it’ll be that easy.”

“Additionally, I would also like you to comment on the positive changes within the Black Swan.”

“Using me as your publicity vehicle, now are you?”

“Of course we are. Many people have started to associate your name, Lee Kiyoung, as a symbol of resistance… Maybe in a little while, you will even get a title. I know there is an image you wish to maintain, so we won’t ask you to add any more details. It’s almost like saying that you’ve changed a large guild. You have won. Wouldn’t that sound nice?”

“Victory, huh…” Despite myself, I began to smile at the thought.

The only reason why the Black Swan had to reform in the first place was because various political issues had revealed themselves to be true. Of course, the real spark that ignited the change would remain to be unknown to me, but I highly doubted they would have strived for change if an internal problem did not occur within the guild. These thoughts simply made me laugh.

“It doesn’t matter what the truth is. What’s important is that you let them know of your victory.”

“That’s why I laughed.”

“Well, we won’t do anything to endanger you, so rest assured we will not harm your current position. We’re just asking for you to think of our guild in return.”

“I understand. I’ll consider it.”

“Please remember our time back in the tutorial dungeon, yeah?”

An amused smile spread onto my face. I could care less about that.

“Is there another requirement?”

“Yes, although this one might be a little out of your authority… I would like you to promote a Red Mercenary, Black Swan, and Blue alliance, since we’re actually pursuing the possibility of this happening. I’d like you to officially announce this as well. It won’t be a bad story either, don’t you think?”

“You mean you want to use this to expand your influence within the guild?”

“Yeah. Of course, you don’t have to announce this right away, for the current situation is still cluttered. However, I would like you to hint at the friendly atmosphere, that you’re maintaining an amicable relationship with the Black Swans. That sort of thing will suffice.”

“You seem to be asking for a lot. I hope you have enough rewards in store for it.”

“Yes, of course. All items, materials, and goods obtained from the Garden of Terror will go to you individually, not to the guild. Likewise, the stakes and land documents of the dungeons that have been attacked will go to you.”

“I don’t even want to think about what kind of reaction the public will have about me getting all that.”

“Officially, we will make it look like we donated these to you.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“The real contents that you will receive will not be made known to the public.”

The fact that Lee Jihye had thought about this so thoroughly surprised me greatly. If the public knew this, they would be outraged, saying we used the power of the media for self-benefit.

“Anyway, even if they find out, you have the power to rectify the masses.”

She was right. Several from the media were already on my side. Even if they did find out, it wouldn’t be a big deal to fix the situation. As it was, Lindel was on the side of Red and Blue now, and it was only natural for the Black Swans to try and find any means to fix this.

“There will also be definite support given to Kiyoung’s party by our guild.”

“Isn’t this already too generous?”

“Is it? I thought it was just adequate. If we want to impress or be on good terms with somebody, we must be prepared for the sacrifice.”

“I wasn’t expecting this, honestly speaking.”

Although I wasn’t expecting it, I wasn’t surprised. Lee Jihye was dependent on me, too. If my position rose, so would hers.

In other words, we had ourselves a win-win relationship. Though it wasn’t a healthy relationship, I couldn’t say it wasn’t a bad one. There were many things I could achieve through this.

“If you have anything else you want, tell us, and we will see if we can offer it.”

“You can think about that on your own. There is always a limit as to what a guild can offer and what direction it will take, so I’ll leave that in your own hands.”

“That sounds like you’re trying to test us.”

“No. Honestly, I don’t understand why I’m doing this to this extent. Of course, the behavior of the Black Swans still needs to be justified, but this feels a little excessive. I’m not the only one who should be compensated, right? The Red Mercenaries are also involved in this matter.”

“It feels a little embarrassing to say this, but…”

“That’s why I’m curious. I know you’re too logical to rely on feelings of the past. I wish you could just tell me what you really want.”

A silence ensued then. Lee Jihye’s expression remained unchanged. There was no sign of embarrassment on her features.

She then started to speak calmly. Of course, her answer was just as unexpected.

“Don’t you remember what I told you before?”

“What…?”

“I like ambitious men.”

“Don’t joke around.”

I gazed at her firmly upon saying this, but had to do a double-take. Although Lee Jihye was smiling, she certainly didn’t look like she was playing around.

“Do you think I’m joking?”

“…”

“Let me tell you an interesting story.”

Slowly, I nodded. I felt like it was only right to let her.

“Have you ever heard of anecdotes about the former US President Clinton? It’s all fictional, but it’s still very interesting…”

“No, I have not.”

After a slight pause, Lee Jihye nodded and began to explain. “Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton once went to a gas station during the Clinton era of presidency. News is that Hillary had a hot, steamy affair with someone from that gas station.”

“That’s an interesting story.”

“As it turned out, the man at the gas station was Hillary’s ex-boyfriend… On the way back, while having a conversation about him, Bill Clinton was a bit spiteful. He said that if she had still been dating him, she would have also been working at a gas station…”

“…”

“What do you think Hillary’s answer to those words was?”

“…”

“She told him, “No, that person would have been the President of the United States, not you.”

I straightened. Now that was definitely an interesting story. I knew what Lee Jihye meant with this, too. She was indirectly saying I could achieve much more if she were to be by my side.

“Personally, I want to add one more prerequisite to that story.”

“And that is?”

“How much ambition does a man have?”

‘Huh?’

“A man is an animal that depends on the workings of a man, but a man who doesn’t have the ambition to act isn’t very attractive, don’t you think?”

“Do you understand my position right now?”

“Of course. You’re considered the Red Mercenary Queen’s gigolo. Are you already satisfied with that? You’re also pampering with a bomb known as Jung Hayan. However, the attractiveness of a woman is not determined solely by her appearance or strength.”

“Ha…”

“Don’t get me wrong, oppa, I’m not desperate enough to drool after you. I’m just saying I have what it takes to climb from the bottom of the chain all the way to the top. If that’s a process that can ensure my success, I’ll welcome it. I know that the ultimate choice is a woman like me.”

“…”

“I am a woman who can turn any man into a king.”

‘Huh…’

I felt so embarrassed that I couldn’t even speak. I knew Lee Jihye was the Selfish Ambition type, but I had never expected it to reach this extent.

I was more surprised with her confidence than her declaration. In terms of assessment, Lee Jihye’s abilities were certainly poor. The same went for her talent.

Of course, Lee Jihye was unaware of her potential limit, but she was probably already aware that she was somewhat below average.

Nevertheless, my female counterpart seemed to possess unwavering confidence.

‘What…’

I did not know when she had started to act like this, but if I was to make a guess, I would say she had been planning to since the beginning. I simply didn’t know how to react to her words.

As I pondered over her words, Lee Jihye had inched closer to me and had now begun to stroke my hair.

“Why me, though?”

“Oh, now it’s time to make a reason up…”

“…”

“If you need a reason, I’ve never forgotten how you told me we’d see each other again.”

Though she was unbearably close to me, I knew she knew better than to try for a kiss.

“The story ends here. Please consider not only what you’ve offered in terms of this situation, but also what we’ve discussed personally, oppa.”

“I’ll think about it, Jihye.”

I couldn’t help but don a slightly crumpled expression.

However, looking at the smile plastered on Lee Jihye’s face, I knew she liked how our conversation had taken place.

It was when she got up and opened the door did the ominous feeling start to blossom from within me.

The door swung open to reveal Jung Hayan, who apparently had been waiting outside.

Unlike me, who felt surprised, Lee Jihye did not seem to exhibit any form of shock or fear upon seeing the other woman there.

“It’s been a while, Miss Hayan.”

“Yeah… It’s been a long time…”

‘Fuck.’

“I heard you’ve been dating Kiyoung? Hyunsung and Deokgu are also doing well, right?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Oh, congratulations! Seeing two people in love always makes me smile. I think you will see me more often in the future… Please do take care of Kiyoung.”

“Of course, I will.”

Jung Hayan sported an unreadable expression, but I knew she had not heard what we had just talked about. The room we had been staying in had magical barriers set in place for the sole purpose of warding off eavesdroppers, after all.

However, due to the expression on Hayan’s face, I knew that Lee Jihye must have made a gesture or expression of some sort that I couldn’t see from my position all the way here.

‘Shit.’

As Jung Hayan began to look my way with an accusatory expression, Lee Jihye simply shot me a smile and started walking away.

The world was indeed wide, with many women to choose from.

Nevertheless…

I could not, for the life of me, figure out why I had to get these two, crazy women.