Chapter 31: Guild (2)

“Guild?”

I wondered if the conversation they had earlier was about scouting.

The Brawler looked at me with expectant eyes.

What should I do about this….

“A guild is a bit….”

I scratched the back of my head and turned my gaze away.

It was a sign of refusal.

[S-surely, you haven’t decided to join another guild?! Despite how we look, our guild is the number 1 server ranking guild!]

The Brawler seemed flustered, perhaps not expecting the refusal.

I didn’t know how to explain this.

“It’s not that….”

When I was a newbie, I also tried to join a guild to enjoy the guild content, putting in my application with the best specs, but I was rejected in the first document screening.

After applying to guilds 100 times and being rejected 100 times, I gave up on the dream of joining a guild.

[Then at least try the trial! Please? From what I saw, Ms. Chu Wang, you’ll be a really good fit for our Gourmet Club!]

“Hmm….”

I turned my eyes to check the chat window.

When in doubt about what to choose, asking the viewers for their opinion is best.

-Try it.

-Try the one-day trial at least.

-A trial isn’t bad.

Everyone sent opinions that a trial wasn’t bad.

“If it’s just a trial then….”

[I’ll send a guild invitation!]

The Brawler-ssi sent a guild invitation as if he was ready.

When I accepted the invitation, the three of us were instantly teleported to the guild territory.

“Wow….”

When I entered the guild, brightly blooming pink cherry blossoms greeted me.

To decorate the territory this meticulously.

[How is it? Our guild has many skilled members!]

-Fr 

-Our guild is full of clumsy hands.

-I’m envious of guilds with skilled members.

Most of the chat was also filled with exclamations of admiration.

Indeed, the territory was decorated that well.

[Oh, Guild Leader, you’ve brought someone new.]

A rogue, who was a guild member, came towards us.

[Oh, this person came along too! I wanted to meet you!]

‘Me?’

This was the first time I saw someone who wanted to meet me.

Naturally, most users disliked me.

Most of the ranked players had been PKed by me.

Of course, I also received a lot of insults, including personal attacks, because of that.

[Surely, this person is joining the guild?.]

The rogue asked the guild leader with an excited face.

The guild leader wore a regretful expression.

[Just a trial for now. I don’t know if she’ll join.]

[Please definitely join! Our Gourmet Club is rank 1, so the rewards are amazing!]

The rogue leaned closer and sputtered, bragging about his guild.

His love for the guild was immense.

Just as I was starting to get a little tired, the Brawler timely cut off the rogue.

[Rogue-nim, don’t keep this person for too long. It’s a 1-day trial, so there’s no time.]

[Ah, that’s right. I’m sorry for holding you up for so long.]

And so, after parting ways with the rogue, I toured the territory here and there with the Brawler and the Paladin.

However, while touring the guild, I found something strange.

[Oh, Ms. Chu Wang, you’ve come to our guild!]

[Please visit again next time!]

[Even if you join the guild, we’ll treat you well!]

For some reason, every guild member I met greeted me kindly.

Surely there must be some users among them who I PKed?

-Did everyone coordinate

-It’s strange, everyone is welcoming her.

-Did she give out gifts?

“Where would I get money to buy gifts?”

It seemed the viewers also felt something was strange.

To satisfy my curiosity, I subtly asked a question without making it obvious.

“Everyone is treating me so well even though it’s the first time meeting them?”

[Ah, that’s probably because everyone feels an inner closeness to Ms. Chu Wang.]

“Inner closeness?”

This was the first time I heard the phrase ‘inner closeness’.

Is it possible to build inner closeness when you are PKed?

[Well, there’s a guild we have a bad relationship with, and all the members of that guild had their ultimate items PKed by Ms. Chu Wang.]

“Really?”

It seems I happened to relentlessly torment just one guild.

What should I do, I feel bad?

-F*cking funny LOL

-Just limit the PK already.

-So that’s why inner closeness was built up.

[But even if we are PKed, we only lose useless items, so everyone only feels positive towards Ms. Chu Wang.]

……

It was amazing that you could build inner closeness with something like this.

-She built up favor stacks in advance

-Why not just commit to this guild while you’re at it.

‘No, even if you tell me to commit…’

Isn’t it too burdensome if the first guild is rank 1?

While walking around the territory, someone called the Brawler from a distance.

[Guild Leader-nim, come here now! The other Guild Leader is…]

[Ah, they’re calling me from over there. You two please look around the guild for a moment. I’ll be right back.]

Hey, Ms. Chu Wang, guide her properly.

She’s a distinguished guest.”

[Wait a minute, why—!]

The Paladin tried to protest, but the Brawler had already disappeared with teleportation.

[…….].

“…….”

Only awkward silence flowed between the two of them.

-You two aren’t close, are you?

-Look at the atmosphere 

-Do something about it LOL

It seemed the viewers also couldn’t stand this stifling atmosphere.

As a broadcaster, I needed to lead the atmosphere.

“Hey.”

[Yes, yes?]

“What are you doing not guiding the guild tour?”

“…Ah, yes.”

The Paladin just kept repeating the single word ‘Yes’.

It was a little frustrating, but I endured it.

We entered the guild main building.

“Wow, this place is amazing too.”

Two staircases leading to the second floor, a luxurious rug and red carpet on the floor, and finally, candles creating an atmosphere and, as the finishing touch, a giant chandelier.

It was truly a spectacle.

-It looks like a medieval mansion.

-It’s really well made.

-I’m envious of guilds with skilled members, grinding my teeth…!

The most eye-catching thing was the huge frame installed in the center of the second floor.

“What is that?”

[It’s a reward given only to the rank 1 guild. There’s nothing special, just to the other room for a moment—!]

At those words, unable to control my curiosity, I quickly went up to the second floor.

A large and luxurious frame hung with a painting of all the guild members.

“Wow…”

-The painting is F*cking well done LOL

-Kuzu prepares the content rewards exceptionally well.

-I’m F*cking envious of the rank 1 guild.

I agree.

If I join the guild, will I be included in that painting?

“The guild members seem to get along well with each other.”

[That’s because we have offline gatherings about twice a year. Most of the guild members are friendly…]

-They even have offline gatherings here.

-Offline gatherings are essential for top guilds.

-Will the broadcast time decrease if she goes to offline gatherings?

“…….”

To be honest, I was envious.

I didn’t know anyone outside, and the only person I met was Rona.

The Paladin was polishing his sword in the corner of the photo.

He seemed to prefer inconspicuous spots.

“…Guide me a little more.”

“Alright.”

We toured the interior of the mansion, the garden, and the guest rooms in order.

Inside the mansion, there were spaces for guild members to rest and leisure spaces, and outside, a beautiful garden welcomed us.

‘Even the imperial gardener didn’t decorate this well…’

By my standards, the Gourmet Club’s garden was more beautiful than the imperial palace garden in the other world.

In the center, there was a beautiful fountain.

It was the most beautiful fountain I had ever seen.

-Is this the reward for being guild rank 1 in Season 1?

Looking at the chat window, that was also a guild reward, they said.

For reference, it is currently Season 18, and Season 1 was when Last Magic went through a long dark period.

“How long have you guys been playing, seriously?”

[I also joined in the middle, so I don’t know.]

It was truly surprising that they even had Season 1 rewards.

This time, we went into a glass greenhouse that received a lot of sunlight, and it housed a collection of flowers representing all four seasons in vibrant colors.

-There are even time-limited flowers given out during the open beta 

-How long have you guys been playing, seriously LOL

-All the guild members were seasoned veterans 

To think there were even open beta time-limited flowers, it was getting a little scary now.

Now, finally, we looked around the annex.

The annex was a dedicated building given only to guilds ranked within the top 10 on the server.

As I stepped into the annex, there was a large round table with 30 chairs around it.

[The annex is used as a meeting room. Guild Leader, that guy, said the atmosphere is better if we do meetings here instead of using Discord, so he specifically made this.]

“……?”

Suddenly confused, I tilted my head to the side.

[I had the same reaction.]

-The Guild Leader is unexpectedly crazy

-The pinnacle of inefficiency

To make the entire guild annex a meeting room just for the atmosphere, the waste was unprecedented.

I carefully observed the Paladin’s face.

[Why are you looking at me like that?]

“No, you kept looking displeased, so I was wondering if you don’t want me to join the guild?”

[……].

The Paladin maintained silence.

At this point, it was safe to consider it an affirmation.

-???

-Seriously?

Is it because I’m a mage?

‘Because I’m a mage…’

That wouldn’t be the reason.

As far as I know, the Paladin didn’t discriminate based on class.

“May I ask the reason?”

[…As expected, I can’t win against you. I told you I watch Ms. Chu Wang’s broadcast, right?]

“Yes, what about that?”

What does you watching my broadcast have to do with me joining the guild?

The Paladin scratched his head, seemingly hesitant to speak.

[It feels like it might interfere with my PK.]

[Yes?]

For a moment, I wondered if I had misheard him.

Interfere?

No way…

“You mean you think the number of users I can PK will decrease if I join the guild?”

“…Yes.”

“…….”

-LOL

-He’s F*cking concerned 

-This bich, you’re watching the broadcast to watch PK 

-Is this bich a fanboy?

No, I didn’t expect him to be this concerned.

How should I answer this…?

‘…Wait a minute?

Come to think of it, this is absurd?’

Who is he to be concerned about my PK?

“Don’t worry about things like that.”

I take care of my own broadcast!”

“…I’m sorry.”

“…….”

He apologized again, so I had nothing to say.

As the guild tour was coming to an end, the Brawler, who had finished her work safely, came towards us.

[I’m sorry!]

I had to leave in the middle!”

Is the guild tour finished?”

“It’s okay.”

The Paladin-ssi guided me well…”

[Then, joining the guild…?]

“Don’t worry. I will join the guild.”

It would be too shameless to run away after even doing a trial.

-Then can Chu Wang do raids too?

-This is the first time I’ve seen a guild accept a mage

The viewers also didn’t seem to have any complaints.

[Then let’s sign right away!]

The Brawler took out the guild application form from her inventory, and I signed it without a moment’s hesitation.

The words ‘미식회’ (Gourmet Club) were stamped on the game’s information window.

Now I was a proper member of the Gourmet Club.

“Is there anything I need to do if I join the guild?”

I asked just in case.

There might be something I was doing that violated the guild rules.

However, an unexpected answer came from the Brawler.

[No. Just do as you usually do.]

“Doing as I usually do means…”

[Yes! Just PK everyone you come across without hesitation! In fact, that’s what we want!]