ALL NOVEL Chapter 29
Chapter 29. Spirit Master (2)
“You want to acquire our guild…?”
“Yeah.”
Acquisition.
A company acquiring the management rights of another company.
It’s slightly different from ordinary businesses, but a structure akin to a corporation exists in the hero world, where guilds can acquire other guilds.
Commonly, it’s said that a guild “devours” another guild, with larger guilds often choosing to acquire smaller ones to attract promising heroes.
Yoon Do-ha proposed this to Sweet Fun.
“Why?”
“Why? That’s what I want to ask you.”
“Sweet Fun only has two members…”
“The number of people doesn’t really matter for this proposal. Yoo Ji-han seems to not know the immense value of a Spirit Master yet.”
So far, around 20 Spirit Masters have been reported in Korea.
And with Yoo Ji-han’s appearance, that number increased by one.
If this fact were to be known, not only Korean guilds but also those in Japan, China, and even the United States might attempt to contact him.
Spirit Masters are that rare.
“I initially just wanted to bring Ji-han over, who I was sure was a Spirit Master. But after talking today, I noticed that the two members in the same guild are pretty tight-knit, and Kim Si-hu has a considerable charm as well. So, I want to acquire the whole guild.”
“……”
“Just so you know, that’s a compliment.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Kim Si-hu, receiving recognition from a Rank 1 Hero, bowed his head.
Praise from a Rank 1 Hero was a great honor as a Rank 4 Hero.
Moreover, Yoon Do-ha didn’t enjoy empty words, so it wasn’t just a compliment to make someone feel good.
“Hmm…”
The Guild Master of Sweet Fun, Kim Si-hu, pressed his lips together in thought.
Having another guild attempt to acquire Sweet Fun was something he had never imagined since he founded the guild.
“I’ve heard that some guilds are created with the aim of being acquired.”
Some new heroes establish guilds aiming for acquisition by large guilds right from the start.
A guild consistently standing out with a small number of members is quite an attractive investment.
Acquired guilds can cash in significantly when disposing of shares and may receive better treatment internally than just entering as a regular new hero.
Though there can occasionally be resistance from existing heroes during that process.
“What are the acquisition conditions?”
“By asking about the conditions, does that mean you’re opened to possibilities?”
“Of all places, it’s Dice, after all. I’d like to at least hear the story.”
“Okay. I have a few thoughts in mind. Let’s start with the most important part—money…”
Yoon Do-ha paused for a moment and said.
“200 billion for the transfer of all shares of Sweet Fun.”
“……200 billion? Are you serious?”
“I don’t joke about this kind of stuff. There will be additional complex conditions on paper, but the amount is certain. If you think it’s insufficient, I can offer more.”
200 billion!
That amount was comparable to the costs of the magical barrier covering this enormous building.
‘To acquire a guild with only one Rank 4 Party for 200 billion…’
Despite hunting mutations, with Sweet Fun only having experience in two Monster Areas, it was hard to say it was a validated guild in the hero realm.
To spend that kind of money on such a guild was quite unusual.
“I’ll create a party solely for the two of you. It’s fine to keep it as a duo like now, but if you want, you can also select heroes not yet affiliated with any party to enrich your party.”
Yoon Do-ha said he would allow the current party to stay the same even after Sweet Fun was acquired.
Furthermore, they could recruit new party members from Dice.
Heroes from a guild as established as Dice would guarantee talent above average at the very least.
No matter which hero was integrated into the party, it wouldn’t be challenging to create a capable party.
“I’ll personally teach Ji-han about Spirit-related know-how and provide ample support from behind. But I won’t interfere with the party’s activities. All of this will be included in a formal contract, how about that?”
“Th-this is a tempting offer that makes everyone drool…”
“And your answer?”
“……”
“I can give you some time to think. I would prefer a quick answer, though.”
With so many assurances given, they couldn’t easily refuse.
Thinking that, Yoon Do-ha looked at Kim Si-hu.
Kim Si-hu, who had been struggling with his words, turned his head towards Yoo Ji-han.
“Ji-han-hyung has shares in the guild as well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So, I want to hear your opinion. What do you think about Sweet Fun being acquired?”
Yoon Do-ha’s and Kim Si-hu’s gazes turned to Yoo Ji-han.
As if they were drilling holes into his face.
In the proposal for guild acquisition, the most decisive authority was Kim Si-hu, who owned 75% of Sweet Fun shares, but as a Spirit Master, Yoo Ji-han possessed even greater influence.
“Speak up. Your opinion is the most crucial for this acquisition.”
“I reject the proposal.”
“……!”
Finally, the chance to speak arose for Yoo Ji-han!
He rejected the offer without a hint of hesitation.
“Um….”
Yoon Do-ha briefly opened his lips and then closed them again.
Surprise showed slightly in his eyes, hidden behind sunglasses.
He hadn’t anticipated such a swift response.
Even Kim Si-hu from the same guild seemed a bit surprised by the reaction.
“Can I hear the reason?”
“It’s simple. I believe Sweet Fun can grow into a giant guild like Dice on its own.”
Yoo Ji-han recalled the moment he had sampled Sweet Fun as a guild.
‘There’s no need to be acquired by another guild.’
The basic acquisition amount of 200 billion offered by Yoon Do-ha was highly attractive.
If it had been another guild, he might have agreed right away.
It might be money that would be hard to touch even after a lifetime of work.
However, Sweet Fun was a guild with a 99% probability of growing into a giant guild in the future.
“You want to turn a guild with only two members into a giant guild right away…”
“Yes.”
“Ji-han, don’t you often hear that you’re a bit cocky around here?”
“I do occasionally hear that these days.”
Though the circumstances were a bit different from now.
Just not long ago, he had heard a similar remark from Lee Dong-ho at a promotion interview.
Yoon Do-ha asked Kim Si-hu.
“What do you think, Si-hu?”
“I’ll follow Ji-han’s opinion.”
“Ji-han is a guild member, while Si-hu is the Guild Master. It’s not good for an organization leader to be swayed by a member…”
Yoon Do-ha secretly hoped Kim Si-hu would agree to the guild acquisition.
If the leader, who held the most shares, consented to it, Yoo Ji-han with his shares would likely follow suit as well.
However, Kim Si-hu shook his head as if he was resolute in his decision.
“A leader must know how to bow to their members. We pursue a horizontal organizational culture.”
“Ugh…”
Yoon Do-ha raised both hands up in surrender.
“Okay. I concede, I concede. Acquisition is off the table!”
A clean declaration of retreat!
What could have been called the most dramatic 200 billion deal in Dice’s history shattered within ten minutes.
‘What a pity.’
Even if he offered more money for the guild acquisition, they wouldn’t be satisfied.
Even if he promised the best treatment in Dice, it wouldn’t be easy to persuade them.
There was no way to turn their firm hearts toward Dice.
“I anticipated this. It wasn’t an easy decision from the start to operate as a duo instead of a trio.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Understand? I expected it, but I can’t say I understand. In the past, such an offer would have been accepted without hesitation.”
Yoon Do-ha shrugged.
He too had once been a Rank 4 Hero like them.
Back then, the leading guilds in Korea weren’t just ten; they were still called the 4th or 5th guilds.
“But since we’ve come this far… I should give something.”
“Yes?”
Yoon Do-ha rummaged through his pockets.
A moment later, he pulled out a small box resembling a ring box.
When he opened the lid, a bluish gemstone the size of a fingernail was revealed inside.
“Oh!”
“That thing!”
Both Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu recognized it at a glance.
It was the red gemstone from the dagger bought at the recent open market.
It felt like an item with similar magical energy.
Since magic emanated the moment he opened the lid, the box must have had magic dampening applied to it.
“Have you seen this before?”
“I got something similar at the open market not long ago, but the Sylph devoured it.”
“You must have been incredibly lucky.”
“What exactly is that?”
“Magic Crystal.”
Magic Crystal.
Distinct from the magic stones artificially created to contain magic power, it’s something found only in a very small number of intruders and isn’t widely known.
Yoon Do-ha was one of the few who knew of its existence.
“Spirits can absorb the magic contained in this Magic Crystal to grow.”
Famous Spirit Masters must already be aware of information related to magical gemstones.
Yoo Ji-han’s assumption was correct.
“Now, this is a gift for Ji-han.”
“……?!”
Yoo Ji-han caught the gemstone that Yoon Do-ha flicked with his hand.
“Are you just giving this to me?”
“As a senior Spirit Master, it’s okay to give a little present to a junior, right?”
“In that case… I accept it gratefully.”
Yoo Ji-han didn’t refuse his kindness.
Holding the small Magic Crystal and examining it, he extended it towards the Sylph.
The Sylph dashed towards the Magic Crystal as if it had been waiting for this moment for its entire life.
Whoosh!
As the Sylph touched the gemstone, a slightly less intense light burst forth than the earlier red Magic Crystal.
It took less than three seconds for the very solid Magic Crystal to turn into gray powder.
As the gemstone rapidly turned to dust and fell to the ground, Yoon Do-ha burst into laughter.
“Ha ha ha! What a greedy spirit! Our Mumu doesn’t go crazy like that!”
“……”
“……”
The embarrassment caused by the Sylph’s behavior fell upon Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu.
*
“If we have a chance, let’s meet again next time.”
As Sweet Fun wrapped up their conversation with Yoon Do-ha and left the Dice headquarters.
“……Kim Si-hu?”
“Yeah?”
Kim Si-hu spotted a familiar face at the entrance.
“Jung Young-wook? Is that you?”
“Si-hu! It’s been so long!”
He was Kim Si-hu’s classmate from Hero Academy, who had joined Dice.
Kim Si-hu had thought he might run into him here, and they actually met.
Having finished all his business, Yoo Ji-han left first, while Kim Si-hu chatted with his reuniting friend for a moment.
“This is the first time we’re meeting after graduation, right?”
“That’s right.”
Kim Si-hu, who graduated as the top student of the Magic Department, and Jung Young-wook, who graduated second.
They were friends who had engaged in healthy competition at the same Hero Academy.
“So, why are you here today?”
“Uh… sightseeing the building?”
“Sightseeing?”
“There were no people since it’s under construction, so I got permission and came in for a bit.”
“I see.”
Kim Si-hu didn’t honestly share the reason behind his visit to Dice today.
If he probed deeper into the questions, he’d have to disclose information regarding the guild acquisition or that Yoo Ji-han was a Spirit Master.
Both were confidential information that couldn’t be recklessly mentioned outside.
“My party leveled up to Rank 4 a few days ago?”
“Congrats! I thought your guild’s name would have reached Rank 4… what was it again?”
“Sweet Fun.”
“Right, Sweet Fun. But I figured you’d have reached Rank 4 earlier.”
“Yeah, I was a bit late.”
“I’ve already been a Rank 4 for over a year.”
“I heard from other friends. They said you’re the fastest among our classmates?”
The party Jung Young-wook belonged to in Dice was promoted to Rank 4 about a year ago.
They aimed for Rank 3 now, having exceeded Rank 4.
To aim for Rank 3 just a year after reaching Rank 4 means that their party had considerable skills.
“Hey, Young-wook! Aren’t you coming?”
Voices calling out Jung Young-wook could be heard from afar.
They were party members belonging to the same party.
Checking the luxury watch on his wrist, Jung Young-wook said.
“I have a meeting in two minutes, so I’ll have to go.”
“Ah, sorry for stopping you when you’re busy.”
“Let’s set a date next time and meet up with other classmates.”
“Got it. Go on ahead.”
After saying goodbye to his friend, Kim Si-hu left the building.
Then Jung Young-wook rushed off to join the party members calling him.
“Hey, Young-wook. Who was that person you were just talking to?”
“Ah, him?”
In response to the question from a party member, Jung Young-wook looked back at the glass door through which Kim Si-hu just exited.
“I think I mentioned him to the older guys last time?”
“What about?”
“Someone who used to go to the same Hero Academy as me.”