Chapter 74

Chapter 13, Episode 21 of Temppal

"Is this the first time we meet in reality?"

On the way back from jogging with Sehee.

Yeong-woo met a man in his mid-30s with a buzz cut that suited him well.

"Geukgeum?"

Although he seemed sharper than in the game, it was definitely Geukgeum.

The Korean informant who always asks 'Do you know?' when he meets foreigners.

"Hahaha! I'm honored that you recognized me, Godrid!"

"You're making a fuss."

Yeong-woo had a deep connection with Geukgeum.

They had raided Helgaoh and fought against the Sakura Guild together in the Cocro Island dungeon, building a strong friendship.

Therefore, even though Geukgeum visited unexpectedly, he didn't feel annoyed. Rather, he felt a bit glad, though he was a bit surprised.

"I heard you usually jog around this time, so I came early, risking being a bother. I was worried I might not meet you, but fortunately, the timing was perfect."

Geukgeum handed over a business card.

<Great Patriotic Association of Korea>

President: Kang Daehan

Kang Daehan.

This is Geukgeum's real name.

"Great Patriotic Association of Korea? What do they do?"

"We promote Korea to the world. For example, when I meet foreigners, I ask 'Do you know...'"

"I understand."

He didn't want to hear the detailed explanation.

He thought it would only make him feel ridiculous.

"By the way, my brother's name is Min-guk."

Korea.

This revealed that Geukgeum's exceptional patriotism came from his parents.

"Nice name."

"Isn't it? But my brother hates his name."

"Why?"

"He's a girl."

"Her name is Kang Min-guk?"

"Yeah."

"...I can see why she would hate it."

"I understand too. But I can never allow her to change her name. If Min-guk's name disappears, my name would be incomplete. Besides, do you think it's right to change a name given by our parents?"

"That's true."

But.

'Why am I having such a pointless conversation?'

He got caught up in Geukgeum's pace. It seemed Geukgeum had a talent for sales.

Feeling cautious, Yeong-woo asked about the purpose of the visit.

"So, why did you come?"

"Um."

Geukgeum suddenly met Sehee's eyes.

Sehee nodded, and Geukgeum bowed deeply in response.

"It's an honor to meet the famous Ruby Saint, Godrid's sister. You two are truly treasures of Korea."

Sehee's face turned red. She felt embarrassed by the excessive formality and flattery.

"Brother, I'll go in first. You can talk later."

Geukgeum watched Sehee's back as she hurriedly entered the house, a pleased look on his face.

"She's beautiful and well-mannered. She's just like my brother Min-guk."

"..."

"Um, how about we go get some coffee and talk?"

Yeong-woo, who had just finished a long run and was thirsty, agreed.

"Sure."

The two found a nearby café.

***

Late June.

Thanks to the college students who had just finished their final exams, the seats at Tomorrow Café were already quite full in the morning.

Ding.

"Welcome."

As the door opened, the server greeted them.

Some customers, who had reflexively turned toward the entrance, remained fixed in place.

"Geukgeum?"

"Wow, it's really Geukgeum."

The second-ranked Korean player after Yura, Geukgeum.

He was a top star in Korea.

Click, click.

Just as excited people started taking pictures of Geukgeum with their smartphones.

Ding.

A new customer entered the café behind Geukgeum.

Yeong-woo.

"Godrid!"

"Wow! It's Grid! I've never seen him in person even though we live in the same neighborhood!"

"Squeal! Mr. Yeong-woo is so cool!"

"What are you doing, Noe?"

All eyes were on Yeong-woo.

Indeed, Yeong-woo was the biggest star of all.

His popularity was so overwhelming that it made Geukgeum look like a third-rate celebrity.

Geukgeum, who had been proudly watching Yeong-woo, then ordered from the server.

"Caf...cino."

His voice was trembling, and he seemed a bit sad.

Yeong-woo, who had responded to the people, ordered a banana shake.

The two sat at a table in a corner.

Finally, Geukgeum brought up the reason for his visit.

"Merge our Silver Knight Guild with Temppal."

"Huh?"

"We want to become part of Temppal."

The Silver Knight Guild was a large guild.

With over 200 members and excellent financial resources as the owner of Cocro Island, known for its gold mines and tourist attractions, it was a guild that could proudly be listed among the top 50.

For such a significant guild to voluntarily seek a merger with Temppal was an unprecedented event.

Yeong-woo was skeptical.

"Why would the Silver Knight Guild, which already enjoys great prestige, want to join Temppal?"

Geukgeum answered honestly.

"Our guild's growth has reached its limit. We lack members with exceptional talent, and Cocro Island's geographical constraints make it difficult to expand. Eventually, we will be eliminated."

Rather than being eliminated.

"I want to join Temppal, led by you, the pride of Korea, and contribute to making it the strongest guild. I want to raise Korea's status through this."

Geukgeum never thought Yeong-woo would reject the proposal. Who would pass up the chance to swallow a large guild?

However, Yeong-woo showed an unexpectedly cold response.

The reason was simple.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. I didn't establish Temppal for the sake of my country. I created it solely to make a lot of money and live a luxurious life with my comrades."

That's right.

Yeong-woo was fundamentally different from Geukgeum. They had entirely different natures.

"To raise Korea's status? If that's your grand reason, don't even dream of a merger. Temppal and I have no interest in such things. Did you even know that Temppal is an international guild?"

Honestly, it was a pity. He wanted to swallow the Silver Knight Guild without hesitation.

But to avoid future conflicts in the organization, it was better to let go.

Stay calm and have a broad perspective.

One of the virtues instilled by Laowel.

'But the problem is, I like this guy.'

If he had no affection for Geukgeum, he could have merged the guild and exploited it to the bone.

That was also a specialty of Laowel and Rabbitt.

But Yeong-woo liked Geukgeum. He didn't want their relationship to sour.

Geukgeum, who had been pretending to be flustered, read Yeong-woo's thoughts.

"Thank you for being honest. I was too selfish in my thinking."

"You don't have to be grateful."

The server brought the drinks they had ordered.

She brought the drinks herself because she wanted to get closer to Yeong-woo.

'He's not bad.'

His sharp eyes, high T-zone, and sturdy build were impressive.

While he might not be considered handsome at first glance, he became more attractive and reliable the more you looked at him.

'He's even building a 100 billion won building, right?'

If I get involved with this man, my life will be easy.

This was the thought running through the server's mind.

Whether she sent seductive glances or not, Yeong-woo was indifferent.

His lack of experience with popularity was the reason.

He lacked the skill to interpret the meaning of the glances women sent him.

If the server had been a D-cup, the situation might have been different.

Yeong-woo, sipping his banana shake.

Geukgeum, who had been waiting for the server to leave, spoke again.

"Merge the Silver Knight Guild with Temppal."

What?

Yeong-woo's frown deepened at Geukgeum's return to the starting point.

Geukgeum bowed his head.

"I'm also a ranker who dreams of the top. I want a better environment. I want to play in the best guild and provide a better environment for my guildmates in the Silver Knight Guild."

Temppal.

The future's strongest force, where legendary blacksmiths and top talents create explosive synergy.

Geukgeum wanted to join for personal reasons as well.

Meeting Yeong-woo in person made him even more determined. From Yeong-woo's perspective, he was a trustworthy person.

"Most of all, I want to be with you, Grid. I still remember the day we raided Helgaoh together. It was the most enjoyable day of my gaming life."

"Hmm."

Yeong-woo smiled strangely, recalling Geukgeum's enthusiastic fossil mining.

"Do you still mine?"

During the Helgaoh raid, Geukgeum discovered the joy of mining.

He felt an addictive pleasure each time he extracted a fossil.

"I often do. When my health is low during dungeon hunting, I mine. It's better than just sitting and resting. It's fun, I earn money, and my stats improve."

"What level is your mining skill?"

"Level 9 Intermediate. I'll be a Master soon."

"Wow."

He thought Geukgeum had talent, but the growth rate exceeded his expectations. Mining must be very satisfying.

"Cocro Island has many mines, right? There must be many miners too?"

"Right. Most of the island's residents work in mining. Some of my guildmates are miners too."

Yeong-woo's smile grew wider.

"Alright. I'll accept the Silver Knight Guild."

"Really!"

Geukgeum was overjoyed.

Yeong-woo set a condition.

"But you must promise not to force your love for Korea on other guild members."

Yeong-woo is also Korean. Despite the many criticisms, he still loved Korea.

However, he didn't want to force the same feelings on his guild members.

Geukgeum understood.

"Understood."

That settled it.

Yeong-woo, who had finished his banana shake, stood up.

"Let's go. We can discuss the guild merger with Laowel when we log into Satisfy."

"Okay!"

The delighted Geukgeum.

Did he abandon his patriotism to join Temppal?

No, not at all.

He knew that even if Temppal didn't take actions for Korea, the reputation of the Korean members in Temppal would naturally raise Korea's status.

Joining Temppal was beneficial in many ways from a macro perspective.

"Hey."

Geukgeum, who left the café with Yeong-woo, stopped a passing foreign couple. He pointed to Yeong-woo and asked.

"Do you know Grid?"

"..."

Yeong-woo was embarrassed.

He thought he had given Geukgeum enough warnings, but it seemed there were limits. He was worried that the Temppal members would take some time to adapt to the atmosphere.

'Well, Laowel will handle those issues well.'

It's fortunate to have Laowel.

After parting with Geukgeum, Yeong-woo headed home and sat in the capsule.

"Login."

A mountain of tasks awaited him.

He needed to accept Piaro and Asmophel as deities, establish a knight order, observe and seal Rapha's spear to obtain the blueprint for a mythic item, and save Isabel.

'Make a few more Grid sets too.'

As Yeong-woo planned, his vision turned black.

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