Chapter 291

Chapter 291

While listening in on their conversation, I wondered why Seo Dawon had been feuding with Lim Jisoo for such a long time, "So... How did you come to know Lim Ji-soo?"

Seo Dawon answered without hesitation, "We crashed into each other because of a commission. Lim Jisoo's business usually starts with collusion and fraud. Her victims saved up money and hired me."

As soon as the Mage finished speaking, Kim Olim frowned slightly, recalling that event. "A few low-profile Users won some scenario rewards through their innovative ideas, and Lim Jisoo decided to visit and extort them after hearing rumors about them. Our request involved protecting the client's safety until the auction start date for their item."

I was a little surprised to hear that [Red Lotus] also participated in mercenary work. Woo Ragi must have also been a part of the guild during that request because, as he leaned against the back of the sofa and rested his chin crookedly at the top, he said with an arrogant expression, "That was one of the last chances to hire the [Red Lotus] for hundreds of millions."

Kim Olim smiled bitterly, "Actually, it wasn't long after the guild was founded; so, we were running at a deficit. We tried to meet with many investors, but everyone thought the way we wanted to clear the 'Scenario' was too reckless. That's why we also took on part-time jobs as well."

"We also carried people through dungeons many times, too. Going around all day with pieces of shits who are more useless than a dog's penis... Haah."

I was quite surprised at their statements. I knew that [Red Lotus] had a sensational debut from the beginning and immediately became one of the large guilds, so I didn't think they would have suffered from a lack of money.

Seo Dawon looked at my wide eyes and said mischievously, "Should we have just sold fans?"

"Hey!" I looked askance at the mage, but I wasn't too offended by his words. Rather, I wanted to hear more about the [Red Lotus]. I docilely closed my mouth.

The Mage slowly continued the story, "At that time, Lim Jisoo was a ranker Mage well known for utilizing the [retrograde] tree. She was more recognized and famous than us, who had just become Users. Honestly, though, rather than her skills... she was more notorious for committing all sorts of dirty deeds in the name of money."

Kim Olim also pitched in, "During that commission, Lim Jisoo surrounded us with dozens of assassins. At first, she told Seo Dawon that if he handed her his client, she would spare his life. Of course, that would have been a lie as well. Few people survived throughout the course of Lim Jisoo's crimes."

"Then... Did you all win there? Three against dozens of opponents?"

"The client also fought as well. It was about 40 against 10."

Even so, the assassins still outnumbered them by four times; the fact that they survived was a huge deal.

However, Woo Ragi clicked his tongue as if he weren't satisfied, "We should have stolen away Lim Jisoo's breath at that time. Because we needlessly let her go..."

"You sustained injuries. Things would have been difficult if we hadn't given over Lim Jisoo in hostage negotiations."

"Tsk."

Woo Ragi was seriously injured during the fight, but it seems they had escaped the siege by taking Lim Jisoo prisoner. With twinkling eyes, Garam asked his guildmaster, "Hyung, you probably fought her 1 v 1 right?"

It was Kim Olim who answered, "No-he was against 10 others. If it had only been Lim Jisoo, he would have dealt with her a long time ago."

"Kyaa~ As expected from [Red Lotus]'s guildmaster."

"You didn't get hurt back then?" I asked, startled; the servants' gazes lingered on me for a while. Other than the perpetually smiling Seo Dawon, the others' expression seemed to convey that I was being unnecessarily fussy over the Mage. Honestly, though, it's not like I'm wrong to ask something like this...

'Ugh, they're acting as if they're looking at a couple's overt PDA...!'

I lowered my head, embarrassed; Seo Dawon replied in an affectionate tone, "I wasn't hurt. Ragi had attracted an unnecessary deluge of attacks because of his reckless dashing."

"What do you mean reckless? I created opportunities for you."

"I see-no self-reflection at all, even though you got injured enough to be unable to raise a sword for a while." Kim Olim looked at Ragi with a stern expression. Woo Ragi avoided her eyes-a rare behavior for the swordsman.

Looking at Woo Ragi now, I faintly recalled how he had helped me to escape Koo Hui-seo's nightmare by cutting off his neck or his arm.

Not long ago, my memories of that day gradually returned. Should I say that, afterwards, I reevaluated my thoughts on Woo Ragi? Though everything he said was still annoying and despicable, I believed he was able to secure such a stable position in the guild due to his dependable personality.

Kim Olim's thoughts must run similar to mine as, though she still stared at Ragi with a stern face, she seemed to be genuinely worried for him. Seo Dawon looked alternatingly between the two with a soft expression before turning towards me again, "Because of that incident, we earned Lim Jisoo's grudge. Naturally, she sent assassins to our families and sent us photos-threats. Well, in the end, I guess I was the one to act first and kill her younger brother."

"... Then, have you been threatened with assassination ever since then?" I asked, fed up with Lim Jisoo's persistent obsession.

However, all three shook their heads.

"No, those gradually diminished."

"Perhaps it became difficult to hire an assassin once the [Red Lotus] started to grow in size. Not even an idiot would challenge a commission he was sure to fail."

"We also did our best to consistently run our own schemes... Well, by the time the [Tower of Command] raid commenced, things were quiet enough that we almost forgot about it."

Lim Jisoo probably not only had difficulty hiring assassins who could match [Red Lotus]'s notoriety but also probably felt that she may die if the [Red Lotus] continued to grow. Perhaps that was when she joined hands with Bae Jaemin.

"But... How did Lim Jisoo and Bae Jaemin come to work together? Did the two have history together?" I asked-I had long been curious about this.

Seo Dawon closed his mouth, briefly contemplating.

"If we grab Ryu Hyerin this time around, we can ask her." Kim Olim stated coldly.

Flapping his feet and laying back on the sofa, Woo Ragi said almost sarcastically, "Or, we could ask Bae Jaemin directly."

"If you catch Jaemin-ie, you'll hand him over to me right?" Jung Garam grinned as he joined in on the conversation. His eyes gave their usual sparkle-his cheeks healthily flushed-at the thought of inflicting cruelties.

At that, Choi Kyung-sik made a request to the young Assassin, "Garam-ah, I'm sorry, but can you leave the corpse in a good state? There are a few experiments I'd like to conduct."

"Mmmmmm~ Fine. There are ways to break him without cutting into him."

"Good." Choi Kyung-sik's face brightened.

As expected of a member of [Red Lotus]; Choi Kyung-sik also looked forward to Bae Jaemin's end. What would the downfall of a man always supported by the media look like? Will he kneel at their feet and beg, just as the previous revenge targets had done before?

"The Geum Miyoung case is sure to shake that side; there will definitely be some action," Seo Dawon calmly said. Every servant, even those that seemed lost in thought, turned towards him. He continued, "However, Bae Jaemin won't be able to do a single thing. There will surely be a response-as [HaHae] was able to avoid tax investigations so far; it'll take weeks to resolve this suspicion. So, Ryu Hyerin is more likely to move on his behalf. Even the move to meet with Lim Jisoo shows that Ryu Hyerin is currently acting as his proxy. Thus, we'll have to target Ryu Hyerin as our next target."

I had to hold myself back from reading the Mage's [current mood] when I saw his emotionless demeanor. I didn't want to do something like that.

Meanwhile, Seo Dawon calmly explained his trap to capture Ryu Hyerin, "Lim Jisoo has a habit of enjoying the nightlife. As such, the hotel she's staying at is located near a private club. I believe Ryu Hyerin is also aware of Lim Jisoo's proclivities, so the Priest arranged the living situation in that manner."

"Nightlife...?"

"According to our investigations... She apparently likes to drink with several men, though we aren't entirely too sure what happens inside the room," Then, as if he felt a little disappointed, he added, "I was going to try and arrange an infiltration by disguising you as a receptionist, but the club's interview process is quite tricky. It's impossible for Lee-kyung-ie to infiltrate there. The building's also enveloped by artifacts, so simple skills like 'warp' don't work inside."

"Still, once we enter the club, Lim Jisoo won't be able to use her skills, so I don't think it'd be difficult to overpower her."

"Lim Jisoo is always accompanied by more than 20 subordinates when she goes clubbing. I decided on forgoing capturing her there since the summoning skill won't work inside either." With that said, Seo Dawon took a moment's pause-one beat-before continuing, "Instead, we'll wait for Ryu Hyerin to exit after they enter this building. Since these clubs are known for *that sort of activity,* I believe Ryu Hyerin will, for her image, disguise herself or visit during low foot traffic hours."

"Then..."

"Since she'll strive to meet and leave without being conspicuous as much as possible...she probably won't bring much protection detail. That'll make our approach easier."

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TL: I'm... so soft for the oldest three of the Red Lotus guild being soft for each other. Tbh, if Woo Ragi can get over his homophobia, the Seo Dawon/Kim Olim/Woo Ragi/Choi Lee-kyung ship might be amazing.