Level Up Machine

Chapter 79 “I accept that proposal (7)”

A heavy silence hung in the air. Park Si-a’s cold voice broke the silence in the Leviathan Guild conference room.

“We have no excuses. It was a complete defeat on our part.”

She spoke in a low voice, looking at Tiria seated in front of her and Yeong-sik standing beside her.

With his dragon transformation undone, Yeong-sik, who had unwittingly exposed his naked body to everyone, quickly dressed and entered the conference room with them.

“…I never imagined that there would be a summoner who surpassed Cheon Tae-hwang among the 61st summoners.”

Park Si-a spoke to Yeong-sik with a sigh. At her words, Yeong-sik slowly shook his head.

“No, I was also very surprised that Cheon Tae-hwang possessed more power than I had anticipated.”

“Would it be rude to ask how Yeong-sik, who is only level 73, could possess such power? Including the fact that a gun came out of your body.”

Recalling the weapons Yeong-sik used, which were completely different from those of ordinary summoners, Park Si-a asked.

Cheon Tae-hwang also used power that was quite different from that of ordinary summoners, but it was at least understandable.

However, Yeong-sik was different. To call him a fellow summoner, or even a fellow human being, he was too ‘alien.’

“I think it will be difficult to give a precise answer. I can only tell you that I have a hidden class as a mechanical engineer, and I use the abilities of that class to employ these modern weapons.”

“A hidden class… is that so?”

Hearing Yeong-sik’s answer, she looked at him with a skeptical expression. No matter how hidden the class was, it was hard to believe it could grant such extraordinary power.

“Let’s move past this topic.”

“…Understood.”

Park Si-a nodded, still looking puzzled. She had many suspicions about his true nature, but it was not polite to interrogate a summoner who wasn’t even a guild member about how he gained such power.

“Instead, about the promise you made in this match… You’ll keep it, right?”

Yeong-sik looked at Park Si-a with a subtle gaze. Park Si-a nodded with a heavy expression.

“Yes, of course. The Leviathan Guild will fully protect the Salvator Guild for the next year. However… if the Salvator Guild shows signs of intentionally revealing their identity to the kingdom, we will handle it at the guild level.”

Park Si-a spoke firmly with a sharp expression.

At her words, Yeong-sik and Tiria nodded. They had no intention of revealing the guild’s identity in the next year anyway.

“That won’t happen, so rest assured.”

“I trust you, Salvator Guild Master.”

Tiria extended her hand to Park Si-a. Park Si-a grasped her hand and nodded.

“Ah, and as Kang Ha-rin mentioned before the match, you’ll also provide the reward of 300,000 gold, correct?”

“Of course.”

Yeong-sik grinned and asked Park Si-a. Achieving the protection of the Leviathan Guild for a year was already a success, but it was best to gain as much as possible.

“Ugh… understood. We will provide that after the dungeon exploration is complete.”

“Haha. As expected of the Leviathan Guild. Very reliable.”

When Yeong-sik chuckled lightly, Park Si-a glared at him with a displeased look.

Yeong-sik imagined Kang Ha-rin being thoroughly scolded by Park Si-a after the current situation was resolved, and his expression brightened with amusement.

“So, where is the dungeon that needs my power?”

At Tiria’s question, Park Si-a swallowed hard. She glanced around the conference room, looking at Han-seong, Yeong-sik, and Tiria in turn with a deeply settled gaze.

“The dungeon we discovered this time is called the ‘Tomb of the Forgotten.’ It is located beyond the northern border, in what used to be the territory of the Ingrim Empire.”

At her words, Tiria and Han-seong’s faces showed shock.

Not only were they stopping the monsters coming down from the north, but they were also advancing beyond that border!

If it were not the Leviathan Guild, it would be an unimaginable and reckless endeavor.

“Ingrim Empire…”

Tiria muttered the name, feeling a certain wistfulness.

Once, it was the most powerful nation located at the center of the continent. It was a formidable country that single-handedly held off the monster hordes splitting into three divisions and even dragged the conflict into the ‘Great War.’

“So… you’re saying we have to go beyond the northern border to enter the dungeon?”

Yeong-sik asked sharply, his eyes gleaming. In response, Park Si-a nodded slightly.

“Yes. We’ve already secured a route to the dungeon. All we need is Tiria’s help to open the door leading to the lowest level.”

“So the Salvator Guild only needs to open the door to the lowest level?”

“Yes.”

Park Si-a let out a heavy sigh.

“At first, I only planned to ask for help opening the door… but after witnessing the battle between Yeong-sik and Cheon Tae-hwang, my thoughts changed. The summoners remaining in the Salvator Guild are all high-level summoners, so it would be greatly appreciated if you could assist us in conquering the lowest level this time.”

“Of course, we will also provide additional rewards beyond the 300,000 gold for your help.”

Her words left Han-seong, Yeong-sik, and Tiria deep in thought. Yeong-sik looked at Tiria and spoke softly.

“We will leave this decision to the Guild Master.”

“Understood.”

Tiria closed her eyes for a moment, lost in thought. A brief silence ensued. Slowly opening her eyes, Tiria spoke.

“The Salvator Guild will assist the Leviathan Guild in conquering the lowest level of the dungeon.”

“Thank you.”

Park Si-a smiled broadly and nodded.

At that moment, Tiria whispered cautiously into Yeong-sik’s ear.

“I wanted to know why the Leviathan Guild needs angelic power in that dungeon and what they’re trying to obtain by going to such lengths.”

“You don’t have to explain everything in detail. If it’s the Guild Master’s decision, I’ll follow without any complaints.”

“Still, I thought it would be good if Yeong-sik knew.”

Tiria blushed slightly, feeling embarrassed as she spoke to him. It was easy to see how much she emotionally relied on Yeong-sik.

“So, when is the departure for the dungeon?”

“We plan to leave once the collapsed northern border stabilizes to some extent. Also, Tae-hwang needs to heal from the injuries he sustained in the recent match.”

At her words, Yeong-sik recalled the moment when Cheon Tae-hwang used the Unification of Divine Sword. Despite its name, the skill was essentially a broken skill.

Even though Yeong-sik had power comparable to a ranker based on stats alone, he was momentarily overwhelmed.

“There can’t be no restrictions on a skill like that.”

Thinking about Kang Ha-rin’s words and the sight of Cheon Tae-hwang collapsing at the end, it seemed clear that the skill came with considerable drawbacks.

“Then, please notify us when the preparations are complete.”

“In the meantime, feel free to use our guild’s annex. With the current size of the Salvator Guild, you should find it quite comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

At Park Si-a’s words, Tiria nodded with a bright expression. She had been worrying about their accommodations, and the Leviathan Guild’s offer resolved that concern completely.

‘They’re already trying to conceal information about us.’

Yeong-sik realized that Park Si-a’s offer wasn’t merely out of goodwill.

‘It’s actually more convenient that way.’

In Yeong-sik’s mind, plans to exploit the Leviathan Guild as much as possible over the next year were taking shape.

“Oh, there’s one last request I’d like to make to the Leviathan Guild.”

“What is it?”

Han-seong, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward and spoke.

Park Si-a turned her head towards him with a look of interest.

“I’d like to purchase a large quantity of mithril, saronite, and iron ore through the Leviathan Guild.”

“Minerals? Why minerals…?”

“We have a use for them. We have ample funds, so we’d appreciate it if you could arrange a supply.”

Han-seong remembered Yeong-sik’s request and aimed to procure a large quantity of minerals through the Leviathan Guild.

“Hmm… There are many merchant guilds we’re connected with, so I think we can help with that.”

At her words, Han-seong smiled broadly and took a seat in front of her.

“I’ll stay and discuss this further with the Leviathan Guild Master and then head to the annex. Guild Master and Yeong-sik, please go ahead.”

Han-seong adjusted his round glasses and his eyes sparkled. Being meticulous about finances, Han-seong was sure to check each merchant guild to find the best quality goods at the lowest prices.

Chae-rin, her eyes sparkling brightly, approached Yeong-sik. He turned to look at her.

“What is it?”

“You said your body is mechanical, right?”

“Yes.”

Chae-rin grinned mischievously, placing her thumb between her index and middle fingers as she continued speaking.

Her thumb moved up and down suggestively.

“Then, does it vibrate when you do that kind of thing…?”

-Smack!

Before Chae-rin could finish her sentence, Yu-na’s palm struck her head with lightning speed.