Return of the Frozen Player

CH 208

Default Dyslexic Roboto Lora

ice sculpture, will you come to the Goblin Guild then?”

Seo Jun-Ho was someone capable of melting the Frost Queen's ice sculpture.
It was possible he possessed an S-grade elemental skill.
He would obviously become a necessary figure to raid the 3rd floor.

“I'm sorry, but I have no intention of entering a guild.
Not just the Goblin Guild, but any other guild.”

“That is unfortunate.
But I'll always leave the door open, so please knock if you ever change your mind.”

After the conversation, the two also left the Dungeon.
Shin Sung-Hyun immediately headed to the infirmary.
It was to meet Gong Ju-Ha, who was being treated there.

“What, you’ve already heard it all from Jun-Ho…”

Gong Ju-Ha nodded as she was being treated for the wound she received from Beary.

“That's right.
The Chaser of Frost was a very strong skill.”

“I see…”

This was the end of confirming any potential doubts.
Their sighs broke the silence that lasted for a while.

“Master, why are you sighing?”

“…It’s nothing.
What about you?”

“Oh, I…
think I need to buy some thick cotton blankets.”

“Winter is almost over, but a blanket?[1]” Shin Sung-Hyun smirked and left the medical office, patting Gong Ju-Ha on the shoulder.

‘A blanket, huh?’

He murmured, reflecting on what had happened today.
“Should I buy some, too?”

He decided to ask Gong Ju-Ha where to buy some later.

***

The Goblin Guild's Dungeon raid ended with the bitter reality of seven deaths.
If it were another guild, it would have made headlines with the title of it being a successful Dungeon raid.
However, they were one of the best guilds and one of the Big 6 as well.
The death of seven Guild members became a huge topic of discussion.

[Injured Goblin, 7 Guild members die in one Dungeon raid.]

[Guild Goblin pays huge compensation to the bereaved families…]

[The danger of monsters is confirmed once again, mankind is still in danger.]

…

Thud.

Shin Sung-Hyun put down the newspaper and ordered, “Take care of the media.
Take this opportunity to make sure that those who spread false information are thoroughly stomped down.”

“Yes, understood.”

“…And where is Player Seo Jun-Ho?”

“I heard he was getting ready to leave.”

“Tell him to stop by.
The reward is ready.”

“We will have to hurry.” Jang Kyung-Hoon left the office in a hurry.

Knock, knock.

After a while, Seo Jun-Ho visited.

“Come on in.”

When Seo Jun-Ho entered, Shin Sung-Hyun offered a seat and said, “I won't speak too much.
Player Seo Jun-Ho, you’ve made a brilliant contribution as a guest.”

“I don't deny it.”

In this situation, being humble was nothing short of being a fool.

“I had been thinking for a long time about what to give you that would be helpful… In the end, I have decided to give this to you.”

Shin Sung-Hyun held out an envelope.

‘Is there a check in there or something?’

Seo Jun-Ho picked up the envelope and asked, “Can I open it?”

“Please…”

Inside the envelope was a letter of recommendation.
Seo Jun-Ho showed an expression of understanding.

“Is this a letter of recommendation for nobility?”

“No, it's not.”

“Then what…”

“Have you heard of the Sage of the Observatory Tower?”

“The Sage of the Observatory Tower…”

Of course, he had heard of the Sage.
When he studied modern history in the hospital room shortly after his return, the Sage was someone mentioned all the time.

“I've heard that the Sage is a Player who understands the nature of things and can predict the future with incredible supernatural power.”

“That's right.
He doesn't have any desire for fame and material things.”

The Sage had no wants. Those who wished for his teachings were subject to his mood on when they would be able to meet him.
Even if treasures and rare items were presented, the Sage would remain unmoved.

“Including myself, the Six Masters of the Big 6, and the President of the Player Association have to wait a few months just to meet the Sage.”

“I didn't expect it to be to that degree.”

Weren’t they all people who commanded absolute power? Seo Jun-Ho looked at the recommendation letter in awe.

“Then perhaps, is this letter of recommendation…”

“No matter when, if you take that letter of recommendation with you, the Sage will make time for you.”

“…!”

It was a much more meaningful reward than Seo Jun-Ho had imagined.

'I thought it would just be an elixir or a unique-grade equipment at best.’

Seo Jun-Ho was happy with the reward.
He had wanted to meet the Sage of the Observatory Tower in person, whom he had only ever heard of in stories.

“I’ve received something great.
Thank you.
I'll use this letter of recommendation well.”

“I should also thank you.
I would have lost more subordinates if it weren't for you.”

Shin Sung-Hyun was different from Oh Dae-Sik, the Guild Master of the Blue Guild.
If Oh Dae-Sik thought of his Guild members as his family and younger siblings, then Shin Sung-Hyun thoroughly thought of his Guild members as his subordinates.

‘But no one knows which is more correct…’

Having observed Shin Sung-Hyun for a few days, Seo Jun-Ho knew that Shin Sung-Hyun wasn’t a person who abused low-level people using his position or status.
He was the textbook example of a 'competent boss.’ Although he seemed cold to outsiders, the Goblin Guild members trusted and followed him because he was leading them excluding his personal feelings.

‘It’s like looking at my past self.’

To be exact, Shin Sung-Hyun looked exactly like Seo Jun-Ho in his former days—of course, his Specter days.
By contrast, Seo Jun-Ho’s current self was living like Oh Dae-Sik in a way.

“I’ll see you next time, then.”

“Yes, next time.”

They hoped to see each other on a higher floor next time.
However, the two men swallowed back their words and shook hands.

1.
refers to Gong Ju-Ha’s misunderstanding in chapter 206, she wanted to bury herself under many blankets to hide from the embarrassment ☜