New Lotus Master's Guild:
"Incredible!!! These are, Shadow wolf fangs and ogre tusks?!!! Sir! On your first run?! As expected of the first S rank... ... "
"Oh?! Isn't he that guy that threw Deputy Master Hyun-Seo through the guild master's door?"
"Who does he think he is?!!!"
"I bet I could beat him in a fight"
The crowds murmured and whispered, rumours flying left and right.
"Ah~"
Min-jun groaned, bored of all the unwanted attention. He leaned over the counter, coming close to the receptionist's face. "Is Chairman Kang-min around?"
"Ah, y-yes sir! I'll inform him of your arrival".
The receptionist's face was beet-red, covering her lower face with the sleak black tablet in her hands.
"Don't bother, I'll go up there myself. There's something urgent to discuss..."
Walking away from the counter to the elevator that led to the last floor of the guild building, Min-jun felt hollow from the constant soul piercing gazes of the guild members and officials. He lowered his gaze, still in his mask as he trotted calmly to the door at the end of the hall.
On his way, he encountered a sleak female figure, black sneakers, a sleak blue-black jeans and a baggy, red T-shirt that covered the majority of her waist. Wearing a black cap and a nose mask, she passed by Min-jun, her purple hair swaying without effort.
Min-jun was nonchalant, an air of calm about the way he ignored her presence. Before he could get to the Chairman's Office, she called out.
"Might I ask your business with the chairman?!"
Min-jun turned, a sense of disdain in the way he sized her up with his gaze.
Preferring his Secrecy, he shot back with an unpleasant reply.
"What I have to do with the old geezer is my business. Stay out of it!"
He turned, hands in his coat pockets as he walked towards the door. The girl stood silent, her fists clenched in fury as her gaze narrowed. The next moment, her dull black eyes shot to life with a vibrant purple glow.
Stretching out her hand, she summoned a sword from thin air.
"I won't ask again!! Who are you?!!"
The atmosphere had clearly taken a drastic shift. The aura was so pungent that the Chairman felt a chill up his spine.
An hour earlier... ...
Chairman Kang-min sat with his fingers interlocked, a cup of black coffee sitting piping hot on his desk top. Across from his desk, a purple haired beauty sat laxly in a lounge chair. With her baggy red T-shirt drooping over her shoulders, she inquired of the Master's reason for summoning her.
"You know I was preparing for the Marigold City raid when I received your message... 'You need anything Chairman Min?!"
"Yes, it's about the raid... You've heard of the newly awakened S rank card master, SHADE. Haven't you?!".
"Yeah! Wasn't he the guy that broke my record. He wears this ancient mask that covers his entire face?! I wonder why he doesn't show his face, what a coward!!"
"You might be wrong about him. His personality might clash with yours but, he's not that bad..."
"Why are we talking about him... Wait! Don't tell me!!! You want him to join the raid?!!!!"
"Yes, I do!"
"Not happening guild master! This was my big break! A chance to level up to s rank card mastery!!"
"I know, but still. He's our only chance of being able to clear more floors and towers in record time. Some Strongholds are not going to remain neutral for long!! They may place us under their thumb because of that!!!"
"AAAARGH!!! Don't give me that!! Haaah!! I'll be taking my leave now..."
"I'll take your silence as acceptance. Do me a favor, just don't cause any trouble with him. He may seem quiet, but he's quite the temperamental person"
Present Day...
"Do you think I care just because you aimed a sword at my face?!". Min-jun was curious to know just how strong New Lotus City's strongest female master was. Analyzing the blade of condensed light before his eyes, he couldn't help but marvel.
"Hmm! Indeed, the City's strongest master... Word of advice, your constructs, they aren't as tangible as you think. But for a non player who awakened from the merge disaster, it's impressive.
If you want solid constructs, stop prioritizing agility over intelligence during upgrades. You're a magic knight, not a regular one..."
"Huh?! How dare you tell me what to do!!!"
"Fine, you can choose to listen if you wish to. But, point that at me again and I won't be so lenient".
Min-jun turned away, preparing to walk to the office door. From behind, Seo-ah was still furious, gathering her strength she thrusted the blade forward in an attempt to scare Min-jun and put him in his place.
[Snap]!!
"Huh?!"
Looking at the blade in her hand, she noticed that it had shattered, even before she could get close to Min-jun.
"See, I shattered it without you even noticing".
Opening the door to the master's office, he left her standing, awe-struck by the events that unfolded. In the Chairman's Office, Min-jun sat on the lounge chair without a care in the world. He looked up at the chairman, his crimson eyes carrying a heavy presence.
"Well old man, I'm here to discuss the raid operation. But first, my conditions. If I lend a hand with your little errand, I need specialized master access to every single tower in the Stronghold, without fail. Also, I will not be joining any affiliated guilds. I am strictly independent. Lastly, I want a thirty percent raise on my monthly master salary".
The air in the office grew stale, a heavy silence falling as Chairman Kang-min considered his offer. He knew that with just Seo-ah, there was no way that they could ensure the safety of the public. They needed another strong figure.
"Alright! We will consider your offer. The mission is about three days from today. We will meet at the guild armory station across the fourth city district..."
"Fine then, I'll be taking my leave".
The guild master was still tense, clutching the cup of coffee on his table, he asked in a worried tone...
"Did you happen to run into Seo-ah on your way here?!"
"Yeah, she doesn't seem too happy about this. But, I don't really care. To me, anyone who can't compromise being surpassed and becoming stronger, is weak".