Chapter 252: A Quick-witted Swan (2)

“You mean that that little boy named Max has the skills to make it possible, Oppa?”

“Yes. It’s still impossible to use all the functions of the museum. The core devices that made up the system are still out of my control. The management level is still only at 4… When it reaches level 1 or 2, there may be another way. In fact, I wasn’t very interested in other features. I’ve been concerned about the magic hologram since the first time I saw it.”

“This technology definitely… doesn’t exist on the continent. It is understandable. I would go crazy over it, too. Even so, many guilds studied that area after you gave such a hard time for all the reporters in Lindel…”

“No. I was thinking of getting help from guilds who were already conducting this type of research. What they have is literally just technology, which won’t be enough to commercialize it.”

“Isn’t it rather disadvantageous to get help from others like this?”

“No. Actually, it doesn’t matter if I leak the video technology. Of course, the later they get, the better it’ll be for us, but the important thing is not the video, but from where we send it.”

“Ohhh. The control tower is in the museum.”

“Correct. Anyway, we’ll still have control because this is not an interactive communication like SNS. It won’t be impossible if Max does it, but… I don’t even think it’s necessary. There’s nothing like a fool box to fool the public. Since ancient times, the nobles have made use of this.”

“They did. Spreading celebrity scandals and passing by the law from behind… Making stimulating broadcasts makes people fools… Would they call the public “the brainwashed” for no reason?”

“That’s ridiculous. Brainwashed, my ass. They’re customers who bring us valuable license fees.”

“Somehow, that sounds even more disturbing.”

“You’re mistaken.”

I didn’t know if they wanted me to discuss this further with Lee Jihye, but the Guild Masters left after the conversation’s crucial part ended. This only symbolized just how much they had grown to trust us over the course of time.

In fact, it was natural that Kim Hyunsung had delegated full authority to me, as the museum control device was owned by an individual, not by Blue. He wasn’t an idiot.

I knew more than anyone else how much money this would cost as well as its eventual impact. Nevertheless, seeing that he didn’t say anything to me, he certainly didn’t seem to be greedy.

Even if I were to think about it a hundred times, I was right to choose him.

Anyway, Kim Hyunsung left all of this work to me, as did Park Yeon-joo with Lee Jihye.

This was the reason why she and I were having this conversation.

Of course, in Lee Jihye’s case, she was not entrusted with full authority like me. However, this was still great.

This was possible because not only did Park Yeon-joo trust her, Lee Jihye met all expectations.

Jihye took a sip of her tea before speaking once more.

“So, how much will you do?”

“Well…”

“I was given permission not to care about the investment cost. It seemed that our Guild Master would like to board with you at any cost. The guild executives are also on the same page… You know, without saying, that the Black Swan has high expectations for me, right? Oppa?”

“So, right now, you are asking me to save your face, right?”

“Directly speaking, yes. I think I deserve enough. So far, I’ve accepted everything you asked for. No matter how much I feel for you, I don’t think I’ll feel so good if you don’t help here. Of course, it is natural that if my authority increases, it will benefit you. It’ll be a win-win.”

“Hey… You may be right, but you have to say it properly. Actually, it’s not just me that’s been gaining. You also sold my name a lot. To be precise, until now, it has been a win-win… Talking like you sacrificed alone. I’m a little disappointed…”

“Hey, Oppa…”

“You know that cuteness doesn’t work with me, Nuna.”

“I know. I was just trying to grab at straws. So what are you going to do? Don’t make fun of me and decide quickly.”

“Ahem…”

Lee Jihye certainly looked nervous, almost as if she was testing just how much I thought of her through this discussion. Of course, there was no reason for me to neglect her.

Besides the fact that the Black Swan directly connected to me, there were many benefits to having her as an ally. It was natural for me to take care of her, seeing as she was very competent and had good chemistry with me.

“Do whatever you want to do.”

It was a line I wanted to try once for some reason.

“Really?”

“Of course, in a conscientious manner.”

“Of course, I will. I’ll only call it 3% higher than the guild expects.”

“How much is that?”

“5 percent?”

“Hmm…”

“Too high?”

“It’s the opposite. It’s quite lower than I thought. It’s not as if the Black Swans did not help during the expedition. Let’s go for ten. A total of 13% would be enough.”

“Can I really do that?”

“Yes. Honestly, I felt bad, too. It is safe to divide in moderation. You don’t know where the beast-like guy who has shot Yushin’s heart will pop out after eating all alone.”

“Your expression is a little weird, but I know what you mean. As much as you care, I’ll push the investment bigger. And from the dungeon…”

“I think it’s just right to take fifty/fifty over there.”

“Ohhh.”

“The museum controls are basically my personal achievements, but I don’t intend to do that with the museum. We did the attack together. I wouldn’t have gained it without the Black Swan.”

In fact, I thought that the museum itself was in my possession, so I couldn’t help but feel wary of my allies. When giving something, it should be given, as relationships such as ours could quickly get distorted even during a minor event.

‘The control device is mine anyway.’

Even if I were to divide the big ship in half, I would still have the steering wheel and helms under my possession. No further explanation was needed than that.

“Then we will pay a little more for the remodeling of the Crack Museum. I have to separate the partitions, so that’ll cost a bit more.”

“Of course, it will. It’s the first dungeon theme park in the world.”

“Rather than a dungeon theme park… I think the word Kangwon Land would be more suitable…”

“Don’t go anywhere and say that…”

“Obviously.”

“Well, anyway, we’re done talking about this. Would I be able to save your face with this?”

“Yes, much more than I thought.”

As I glanced at Lee Jihye, I could see her smiling. There seemed to be a faint smile on her lips, but she seemed able to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out.

‘Is she happy?’

There was no way she wasn’t.

I didn’t know if she is happy that I saved her face or because of the favor I did, but personally, it seemed like the latter.

‘I’ve never seen such an expression on her face.’

I didn’t know if it was because the system certified her to be my soulmate, but even though we hadn’t spent much time together, I could feel something.

‘Was she related to me in the first round?’

I couldn’t mull this possibility over, however, for Lee Jihye was now approaching me.

“What? Why are you approaching like that?”

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

“I do not know?”

“Don’t stick too close, Nuna. I’ve got an eye on me these days. I don’t think I can see it now… I don’t know when it will pop out.”

“Eyes?”

“Yes. It seems like we’ll arrive soon anyway. We don’t have enough time to spend a long ride together, Jihye-ssi.”

“We really don’t. We’ve spent so much time talking that we’ve already arrived. It’s been a long time since we are alone. I think we should’ve had a little private time.”

“Talking about work with Nuna is a private conversation in itself. Talking about what’s going on in the world and…”

“Talking about behind the scenes events is the most fun.”

“Agreed. Anyway… I’ll see you later. No, we’ll keep meeting anyway, even for museum work. Nuna will be in charge of that, right?”

“I don’t know what will happen because of the checklist within the guild, but there is a high probability that I will take charge. I’m also the number one contributor to this agreement. I’ll see you tomorrow. I won’t go out to say goodbye so that Hayan doesn’t feel too bad.”

“Okay. Do that.”

As the carriage stopped, I headed outside and saw Ahn Ki-mo and Sun Hee-young greeting the Black Swan personnel.

Of course, it was not just them.

There was also Dialugia shaking their hands with an awkward expression, as well as the female team surrounding Park Deokgu. Since the number of people was quite large, it felt like it would take quite a long time to say goodbye.

It was then that one of the Black Swan members ran over here and handed me something.

“Er… I’m really grateful to you for helping us on the expedition.”

At this, Jung Hayan immediately started walking my way, already alert. However, the woman who had approached me quickly slipped into their carriage, terrified that she might get attacked.

I didn’t remember helping her, but at least she seemed to think I had saved her.

It was a little disappointing to realize that I couldn’t confirm her unique characteristic, but it didn’t make me feel too bad.

‘You still got it, Lee Kiyoung.’

I wasn’t garnering as much attention as Park Deokgu or Kim Hyunsung, but I could at least still get my own fair share of admirers.

Anyway, the Black Swan personnel waved at us until their carriage was no longer visible, and then we were finally free to get back to the Guild House.

Everyone moved with familiarity, except for one person who hadn’t adjusted properly yet.

“Come here, staff Max.”

-Yes…

It was the guy who had come out to the world for the first time. Even after arriving at Lindel, he kept looking around as if amazed.

As I quietly reached out my hand, he eagerly grabbed it.

It was then that a loud sound came from far away.

“Dialuria!”

Just by looking at Dialugia’s tears and screaming, I knew who awaited me.

“Tol To-ri!”

The one who was waiting for me had come to greet me.

It felt like she had gotten a little bigger in the meantime. Nevertheless, seeing her running on all fours looked quite adorable, and of course, she completely ignored her mother.

It was a little bit painful to see her pass by Dialugia, who was busy shedding tears.

“Huh?”

What I saw next was quite unrealistic.

-Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Tol To-ri’s body hammer, containing a full-bodied blow, hit Max’s chest accurately.

“Ke-e-e-e-ee-ee-ee-ee-eeek!”

[Checking the unique characteristic of the legendary-grade named monster, Dark Dragon, Dialuria.]

[Twisted and Dangerous Affection in the Dark]

[#Mother came, too] [#Who is this guy again?] [#I don’t know, but body hammer] [#Successful]