Chapter 15
The next morning, Elsesz stood once again in front of the guild.
This time, however, she made sure to keep some distance from the entrance—yesterday’s unexpected encounter with Cassian still weighed heavily on her mind.
She stared at the signboard bearing the guild’s name, recalling his words.
“You. Join my guild.”
The Guild Master himself had extended an invitation.
When a master personally scouted someone, that person’s standing and treatment within the guild improved significantly.
Most people would have been thrilled at such a stroke of fortune. Elsez, however, couldn’t bring herself to feel simple joy.
I did say I’d think it over…
Cassian had told her to take all the time she needed. But as someone desperate to earn money quickly, Elsez knew that the sooner she joined a guild—any guild—the better.
Just as she was mulling this over, a small head popped out of her breast pocket.
“Why are you standing around like that, human?”
“I’m thinking. A very serious matter.”
“Thinking?”
“You wouldn’t understand—”
She stopped herself mid-sentence.
Wait… we’re one body now, aren’t we?
Elsez decided it might be worth asking Ruti’s opinion.
“Ruti. What would you do in my shoes?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I join a guild, I can get more candy, faster. But if your power is discovered, Cassian might kill us. What would you choose?”
“What a simple thing to ponder.”
Ruti spoke without hesitation, as though the answer was obvious.
“Kill him, then join the guild.”
“….”
“And then eat lots of candy! Of course, with my power right now it would be a little tricky… but that guy? I could manage.”
Elsez sighed deeply.
Why did I even bother asking…
Deciding to ignore her puppet’s “advice,” she drew a steadying breath, resolved at last—when suddenly, a hand tapped her lightly on the back.
“Ace!”
“Eek!”
She jumped in alarm and turned to find Jack and Pers waving at her.
“What’re you standin’ here for? Somethin’ inside scare ya?”
“N-no, let’s go in.”
Together, they stepped into the guild.
There were a handful of members already there collecting quests, but the atmosphere was far calmer than in the evenings.
Elses glanced around cautiously. No sign of Cassian. Relief washed over her.
Summoning her courage, she turned to Jack.
“Jack, I need to tell you something.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting and raising your hopes, but… I think I need more time to think.”
Jack frowned at first, then seemed to guess her reasoning.
“Is this about beatin’ up those bastards the other day? Don’t worry. The Ones punks won’t say a thing now.”
“That’s… reassuring, but…”
Elses trailed off, unwilling to admit the real reason—that she wanted to avoid Cassian. She needed another excuse.
But Jack filled in the gap himself.
“Or what, don’t like the terms?”
“Huh?”
“If that’s it, I can cut your fee. How about it?”
He clearly thought she was dissatisfied with the guild’s commission.
Elses quickly waved her hands.
“No, that’s not it. Wait—you can just lower the fee like that?”
“Our boss don’t care about age or gender. If someone’s got talent, he’ll take ’em in. You’ve got talent—so yeah, it’s negotiable.”
“My talent? Where did you even see that?”
“When you cracked that bastard’s jaw the other day. Damn, I was impressed.”
Pers, who hadn’t witnessed the event, gave him a confused look. Jack, however, raised a triumphant thumb.
“Well… you can’t judge talent just from something like that. I’m not exactly a skilled fighter.”
“No one’s great from the start. Our guild doesn’t measure what you are now, but what you could become. Not skill, but potential.”
It was, admittedly, a fitting standard for a guild founded by Cassian.
Nice of them to think highly of me… but still…
Elses wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or troubled.
“So? If I cut your fee, will you stay?”
“I told you, it’s not about money—”
She wanted to shout that there were bigger issues at stake, but Jack leaned close and muttered in a conspiratorial whisper.
“Five percent.”
“Ugh, I said it’s not—”
“Three.”
This time, Elses fell silent.
Jack’s expression hardened, as though sealing an oath.
“Three percent. And ten quests a month, commission-free.”
It was a deal far too generous for any ordinary guild member to hear.
Elses lowered her gaze, sighed, then looked up again.
Her golden eyes gleamed brighter than ever.
She clasped Jack’s hand firmly.
“I’ll lay my bones here. With Eternity—forever.”
Indeed, money conquered all.
“Here. Sign this.”
Jack slid the guild contract across to her.
Its terms were simple enough:
1. The guild shall allocate a minimum of thirty quests per month to the member _____. The guild ‘Eternity’ shall take a 3% commission from the rewards.
2. Under no circumstances may the member _____ inflict harm upon civilians while undertaking quests.
2-1. If the member violates Clause 2, the Guild Master may expel them. At such times, tracking magic may be invoked if deemed necessary. (Members may also track the Guild Master.)
3. This contract is valid for one year from the signing date, automatically renewing every six months. Termination requires one month’s notice.
4. This contract is bound by standard magic and cannot be broken without mutual consent before expiration.
Clause 2… very Cassian.
Skimming through, Elses signed her name.
The paper ignited, burning to ash that seared itself into the back of her hand as a magic circle.
The contract was sealed.
Jack and Pers extended their hands.
“Welcome to the family, Ace.”
“Welcome.”
“Glad to be here.”
She shook their hands.
“Well then, I’m off to clear that monster quest.”
“Hmm. If those bastards passed it up instead of takin’ it themselves, it must be rough. You sure you’ll manage?”
“If it looks dangerous, we’ll come with you.”
“No worries. I’m Ace, remember?”
Flashing a confident grin and a thumbs-up, she earned a booming laugh from Jack and a solemn nod from Pers.
Elses waved as she headed for the door.
“See you later.”
Once outside, she reached into her pocket for the quest scroll—only to pause at the glowing mark now etched on her hand.
No turning back. She was, without question, a member of Eternity.
Cassian’s the guild master. Would he really have time to deal with a lowly member like me? Surely not…
She justified her choice to herself. After all, it was the best place to gather information on the Mage Tower. She’d just have to settle things before Ruti’s power grew too strong.
Pulling out the scroll, she accidentally freed Ruti as well.
“Where to now?”
“To get a very big candy.”
Unfurling the parchment, she read:
Quest: Slay the Mamarung and bring back its Core
Location: Deep within the Isolid Forest
Reward: 50 Luc
Progress: 0/1 Core
Despite its cutesy name, the Mamarung was a massive slime—classified as a low-tier monster, but requiring an entire party to subjugate.
For Elses, blessed with demonic power, it was trivial.
Which meant…
I get to keep the full 50 Luc for myself!
Her eyes glittered like gold.
One Luc equaled roughly fifty thousand won. A party of five would each earn just 10 Luc—but working solo, Elses could pocket the full 50, about 2.5 million won, in a single day.
“Perfect. Off to the Isolid Forest—”
She barely took a step when a large hand darted out and snatched the scroll from her grasp.
“Red mark?”
Cassian.
Elses froze, staring at him in disbelief.
Correction. Definitely has too much free time.
