Chapter 77: Songpa Gate (2)
Aegis building conference room. The executives of the guild protecting Seoul took their seats.
Jeong-Chan Lee, a member of the Aegis Guild and working hard at the blasting site, informed them of the situation in detail.
"There was a total of 17 people in the group that attacked. Seven of them were killed, five fled, and five were captured. And among those killed, there was a man named Jo Sang-ho."
Jo Sang-ho's face, which he had taken with his smartphone, appeared on the screen.
"I don't know if you know this person, but Iza is a member of Poong-rim's guild who entered the Dark Star after killing two guild members of Poong-rim who were hunting together 7 years ago."
At Lee Jeong-Chan’s words, the executives were confused.
No matter how you look at it, Poong-rim and the Dark Star guild members seemed related.
"And there were 11 guild members of Poong-rim who were involved in this work, and the list is as follows."
The images of 11 Poong-rim guild members appeared on the screen.
Most of them were men between 40 and 45, and when mineral prices rose, they mainly hunted in the square of the Earth.
Of these, 3 were the leader, and 8 were also guild members who had been active in Poong-rim for more than 10 years, with vice-chief and general manager positions.
The guild executives here looked at the list with disbelief, as most knew.
At that time, Poong-rim's Master, Choi Baek-san, entered the conference room with two deputy masters.
Unpleasant eyes turned to Choi Baek-san.
Silence fell in the hall, and Daehan master Choi Jeong-han opened his mouth.
"It was nice to see and hear from your young friend. Can you spare me a moment? Baeksan must have something to say."
As Jeong-Chan Lee stepped out of the front of the screen board, Baek-san Choi stood there with his two submasters.
Baeksan Choi bowed his head deeply toward Junwoo.
When he raised his head, Baeksan Choi said.
"As the head of the guild, I apologize for not being able to properly control the guild members. We apologize to the Aegis guild members and the Master who must have been in crisis."
Baeksan Choi continued.
"It is not true that we, Poong-rim, have a cooperative relationship with Dark Star due to this incident. And I have no affiliation with them either. All my life, I have supported myself for peace in Korea. All of you here will know for sure."
The 54-year-old Baeksan Choi's eyes became slightly moist.
Baeksan Choi created a guild called Poong-rim, one of the guilds that protected Korea for over 20 years.
His achievements have been documented in history and cannot be underestimated.
Choi Jeonghan nodded and opened his mouth.
"I know, I know. We've been together for 20 years; don't you know that? I can assure you that you have nothing to do with Darkstar. But what can I do? I don't think the people below will believe me."
"It is an individual deviation… It happened because I was blinded by greed. Indeed, our guild members were there to extort in the Plaza of the Earth, but it was there… …."
Jeonghan Choi stopped talking.
"I have heard of such a story. But there are three leaders involved. Some of the dead Dark Star's guild members were Poong-rim's guild members. No matter how you look at it, doesn't it look like we've been in touch for a long time?"
"… … ."
"Even if it wasn't a partnership with Dark Star, it's also wrong to become a superior and not manage the people below properly."
Baeksan Choi kept her mouth shut.
No matter what he said, nothing seemed to change.
The media was reporting every detail of what happened there, starting with the story of Jo Sang-ho.
No words could change the mood.
Jeonghan Choi said.
"If it's an investigation, we'll do it, so go ahead."
"There will be no other guild members involved other than them. And I'm really sorry… …."
Baeksan Choi bowed deeply and left the meeting room.
As Baeksan Choi left, Jeonghan Choi looked around and spoke.
"It seems like all the faces of Seoul are gathered, so let's make a decision here. Who will protect the Songpa Gate, Songpa, and Hanam areas of Gangdong?"
Junwoo's eyes lit up at those words, and the heads of other guilds looked quite surprised.
The gold coin master Mansik Lee said cautiously.
"The investigation has not yet begun. Aren't you in a hurry?"
"Is there anything else to investigate? They became beasts and bit people. There are many eyewitnesses, and there is also a connection with the Dark Star. How will the subordinates view Pungrim? The reputation you've built up will be gone in a day. Hurry up and find a new owner. It seems that the owner is here."
At Choi Jeong-han's words, people's eyes turned to Junwoo.
Choi Jeong-han's eyes also turned to Junwoo.
"Do you have any plans to take charge of the area of Pungrim and protect it? Junwoo Lee."
Junwoo was very interested in Poong-rim Gate.
The 70-90 level quests all occurred at Poong-rim Gate, and there is a high probability that future quests will also arise at Poong-rim Gate.
And the local guild was able to receive tax and also could receive a fee for using the gate.
There was no particular reason to refuse, but it was so sudden, and he only wondered what Choi Jeong-han intended to recommend to him.
When everyone's eyes were on, Junwoo opened his mouth.
"It's lacking a lot, but if our Aegis is okay with it, we will protect the area managed by Poong-rim."
Choi Jeong-han let out a satisfied smile.
"Hey, I think I've made up my mind. First, let everyone know it has been appointed like this. If a guild is dissatisfied, why not try a guild battle with Aegis?"
In the Guild Wars, 10 people representing each guild fought in front of the observers and managed the area in case of victory.
It was a relic when battles were fought over a specific area.
Among these guilds, no guild other than Daehan and Geumhwa could be confident that they would win a guild war with the Aegis Guild.
Yongho Guild Master Park Han-soo laughed awkwardly.
"Heh heh heh, it's a guild battle. Master too. It's a word I haven't heard in a long time."
Jeonghan Choi said with a slight smile.
"Then you will know that everyone has no complaints. We'll have to wait a little longer, but let everyone know. Listen to the Young Master's testimonials and let this position go down."
Junwoo got up m his seat and looked around them, and said,
"There are many things I don't know. Please teach me a lot. In the future, we will work with you to protect Korea. Take good care of me."
As Junwoo bowed his head, Choi Jeong-han applauded.
When Jeonghan Choi applauded, the others applauded without noticing.
"I wish you all the best in the future, Junwoo."
"Thank you, Master."
Choi Jeong-han drew a satisfied smile.
Junwoo was a little puzzled by Choi Jeong-han like that.
The meeting ended, and Choi Jeong-han and Choi Shik-Hyeon left the meeting room.
When he came out of the guild building, Choi Sik-Hyeon asked Choi Jeong-han.
"Father, why did you entrust the area of Poong-rim to Lee Junwoo?"
"Why? Did you want us to manage?"
"It's not, but it's too sudden."
"The horns should also be removed in a short time. when we're together, there doesn't seem to be any other suitable person, and that's all because there must be a reason why that friend is located near the Songpa Gate."
"Are you talking about quests?"
"It is no coincidence that a young man who has not yet reached level 100 is trying to solve the pillar. If there is anything I can help with in the future, Shik-Hyeon will greatly help you. Although he is not from Daehan, his growth will help Korea."
"Okay, Dad."
Jeonghan Choi looked at the Aegis building once and hurriedly left the seat.
Junwoo, who remained in the Aegis building, called Murata and Yoshimura.
"Murata, when did Takane meet Choi Jeong-han?"
"Is it 20 days after you were imprisoned?"
"Didn't you two go together?"
"The joining was delayed because we both had business to deal with in a crisis."
"Where did you hear that you two met?"
"The men I went with said so."
"You don't know what happened?"
"I don't know."
Junwoo has always wondered why Choi Jeong-han, who leads Korea, did not fight Dark Star.
According to Murata, it was difficult for a Dark Star to be stationed in Korea if he cooperated with grudge guilds.
"Did you simply want to avoid an all-out war? … ."
"It was good to avoid each other's battles, but they probably didn't know where Linqiao was."
"Linqiao?"
"The Master of Dark Star."
"Is he that strong?"
"Well, nothing to say. It has reached legendary Level."
"Well… …."
"If Linqiao was in Gwanggyo Mountain, even if the grudge guild came to cooperate, he couldn't drive out the Dark Star. At that time, Dark Star was nervous because Lin Qiao was not there."
"Where was Linqiao?"
"Phuket. I haven't been out of the gate for months."
"You mean that Korea thought that there was Linqiao in Mt. Gwanggyo?"
"Even inside, Linqiao's existence was hidden, so he probably didn't know where he was."
Junwoo nodded slowly.
Simply put, Dark Star was strong, and Korea was weak.
Had he risked his life to fight the Dark Star, the country could have collapsed like Ukraine.
Dark Star did not cause any problems in Korea, so there was no reason for Daehan and other guilds to fight with their lives.
It is not sure that he, a native of his country, is in danger from the Dark Star. It was probably natural for them to give up on themselves.
He felt too narrow to hate them just because he hadn't saved them.
On the one hand, the head seemed to be refreshing.
Yoshimura, who was listening, said.
"If you don't come to help from Jeongnan or Sukudo, it will be difficult with Korea's strength alone. Jeongnan has a close relationship with Dark Star. Sukudo also had a good relationship with Takane, so Korea was isolated in one way or another. Above all, many talented people from China and Japan died during the Ulsan Gate backflow incident. At that time, even in Japan, resentment against Korea was no joke. Japan must have been passive because of that influence."
The number of Unique+ killed in the gate backflow incident in Ulsan was 10.
Two people were killed in Korea, three in China, and five in Japan who came to help.
Aside from that, a lot of people died.
It was an incident where voices of criticism from all over the world were high, saying that the body was stolen because it was Korea, which suffered the most minor damage despite the reflux that occurred in Korea.
The Ulsan Gate reflux incident was recorded as the largest reflux in Asia.
"Okay. Both suffered a lot. You can go out."
Murata and Yoshimura got up, and Yoshimura looked at Junwoo and asked a hint.
"Hey. The blasting work seems to have gone well. Can I expect a bonus?"
Junwoo smiled lightly and nodded his head slightly.
"Okay, so let's go."
"Oh-oh."
"Let's go, Yoshimura."
Murata led Yoshimura out.
"Did you really have to spit that out, Yoshimura?"
"Ah, you can ask for this much. Most of all, my brother suffered a lot. I had to manage it, and I had to fight."
"I will take care of it."
Yoshimura smiled lightly and said while recalling the picture she had seen in the conference room.
"Parkle died. Did Leon kill him?"
"Yeah, you were just looking for Parkle."
"It seems that the fighting style is still there. Attacking only ranged types that do a lot of damage."
"It hasn't changed much."
"That's too bad. I wanted to see a little bit of Leon's power. How much difference would it make?"
As they were about to go up to the 4th floor, they looked at Choi Baek-san on the TV in the waiting room.
Baeksan Choi, the Master of Poong-rim Guild, was making an apology to the public.
"I would like to apologize to those who may have been shaken by a series of incidents. However, our Poong-rim has absolutely no affiliation with the Dark Star. It is just an individual deviation, and we will faithfully engage in future investigations to reveal our innocence."
The investigation was carried out quickly.
Prosecutors entered the building of Poong-rim to collect data, and call logs and messengers of all guild members, including executives, were also searched.
No clue was found, but apart from that, the people no longer trusted Poong-rim.
There were 11 prominent guild members involved.
With no excuses, Poong-rim could not erase the stigma associated with Dark Star.
As rumors began to circulate that Aegis was in charge of the Pungrim area, the people of the area were rather fond of it.
And all five arrested were sentenced to death.
Handcuffs and shackles made of adamantium were placed on both hands and feet.
Baek Jin-seong, who lacks one foot and one hand, put a prosthetic leg and a prosthetic arm on the shackles connecting the body and limbs.
There was only one thing the state wanted from those who had been sentenced to death.
They had gold and items.
"Think about who you will give your gold and items before execution. 60% will be delivered, and the remaining 40% will be returned to the state."
About half of the gold returned to the state was paid as a reward to the catcher.
Baek Jin-seong looked at him and asked.
"Is that the end of the story to tell?"
"I know you have relatives. What you leave behind is… …."
"The meeting is over. I will return."
Baek Jin-seong went back to prison with the guards.
Inside, the Kyodo is made of adamantium. Baek Jin-seong walked and looked at the closed iron window.
Inside was a large man, wearing a prison uniform, not handcuffed to his neck and limbs, lying on the bed.
All prisoners here had to have their necks and limbs handcuffed, but they were the only ones without anything.
Baek Jin-seong passed by, looking at him who might be the last one.