DEB 43

“Aha, Huiyun.”

The man with his cheeks being pinched out muttered painfully. 

Amidst the commotion, Huiyun had managed to drag Juan to the guild master’s office, narrowing his eyes and mercilessly stretching the cheeks of the man who had caused the incident.

“Why on earth did you say I was your master?”

Thanks to Juan, life at Ash Guild had become spectacularly chaotic. Even now, thinking about the guild members who had gasped in awe as he dragged Juan away made him dizzy.

How did people like that end up in Ash Guild?

No, considering Juan’s personality, it made sense that such people would join. So, the real question should be:

How did Ash Guild become the number one guild in the country?

Based on what he had just witnessed, it seemed unbelievable. One would expect the top guild to be more systematic, authoritative, and hierarchical.

But the sight of Juan being dragged by his ear by the vice guild master and the guild members surrounding Huiyun with childlike curiosity didn’t match that image at all.

Doubting the nation’s strength, Huiyun rubbed his forehead and mumbled about how such a guild could be number one. Juan, seemingly unaffected by the criticism, slipped out of Huiyun’s grasp and rubbed his stinging cheek.

“That’s because we only pick the strong ones, so we’re number one.”

“What?”

“Other guilds review profiles, evaluate personalities, and check backgrounds. We don’t do that. When it’s time to recruit, we post an announcement, and the team leaders duel with the applicants at the training ground. Only those deemed strong enough are accepted. Simple, right?”

Claiming that it was pointless to complicate things in a society where the strong prevailed, Juan yawned widely.

“I haven’t slept well lately, so I’m really sleepy.”

It wasn’t an empty complaint; Juan’s eyes had dark circles. 

Stunned by the absurd recruitment method, Huiyun watched as Juan slumped over the desk, thinking about the guild members he had just met.

Their energy was undeniably strong, though their impetuousness, talkativeness, and exhausting personalities left much to be desired.

In a way, Juan’s method could be the most practical.

But…

“What if you end up recruiting someone like a terrorist? Or someone with a criminal record who disrupts the guild’s atmosphere?”

Choosing the strong was good. However, in a hierarchy where the strong ruled, many guilds evaluated personalities for a reason.

It was to prevent a few bad apples from spoiling the guild’s environment.

Following Juan’s method could lead to criminals flocking to Ash Guild. This could turn the guild’s nature violent and illegal. 

Pointing this out, Huiyun saw Juan smirk while resting his chin on his palm.

“What’s the worry? I’m here.”

“…”

“After recruiting new guild members, I monitor them for a week. If anyone suspicious appears, I kick them out. If they escape my notice, they’re either insignificant or have modest goals, so there’s no need to worry.”

This explained why Jiwook could confidently say he had planted spies in Ash Guild.

To Juan, having someone infiltrate Ash Guild from another guild wasn’t a big deal.

Understanding why the vice guild master treated Juan so harshly, Huiyun felt sympathy for the thin, muscleless man he met at the entrance. The vice guild master had sighed deeply and complained of headaches before collapsing.

Despite the shocking scene, Ash Guild members had calmly moved the vice guild master as if it was a common occurrence. With such a guild master, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone collapsed dozens of times a day.

“Please be kind to the vice guild master.”

Feeling sorry for the collapsed man, Huiyun suggested, but Juan frowned.

“Why should I? Why do you care about him when you just arrived? You should care about me.”

“I meant because he seems to run the guild in your absence. Without him, Ash Guild might have already fallen apart.”

On their way to the guild master’s office, Huiyun overheard that the vice guild master was a founding member who had established Ash Guild with Juan. Mentioning this, he explained that it was likely due to the vice guild master’s efforts that Ash Guild had smoothly risen to the top without major incidents. Juan responded indifferently.

“It wouldn’t matter if it fell apart. I created this guild to find Yasha.”

“What?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s called Ash Guild.”

Juan shrugged and sat on the desk, looking down at Huiyun slightly.

“I spent ten thousand years searching for Yasha without success. I tried everything I could, but nothing worked. So, I thought it might be better to make him come to me and created this guild. It wasn’t established for some grand purpose but to make myself known. And now…”

Mid-sentence, Juan jumped off the desk and stood before Huiyun. He gently touched Huiyun’s fingers, pulling his hand and placing it on his head with enough force that Huiyun could resist if he wanted. Juan smiled slyly.

“Now that I’ve found him, there’s no need to become more famous or pay more attention to this guild.”

“…I feel like I’ve told you a hundred times that I’m Yasha’s disciple.”

“Sure, Yasha. Everything you say is right.”

“…Ha.”

Realizing that words wouldn’t get through, Huiyun sighed openly. Juan tapped Huiyun’s hand on his head, signaling him to pat him. Finding the demand shameless, Huiyun withdrew his hand and stepped back.

“What have you done to deserve praise?”

“Why not? I established the guild well, didn’t I? Was it because I introduced you as my master at the entrance? Okay, let’s correct that. I’ll say you’re a fellow disciple.”

A fellow disciple.

Huiyun clenched his fist at the title, which showed no respect for his master. He wanted to say it was exactly what he wanted, but his pride kept his lips sealed. Juan, oblivious to Huiyun’s internal conflict, urged him on.

“Hurry up. I’ve done well to get here. Praise me.”

Judging by his demeanor, it was clear he wouldn’t let it go. Resignedly, Huiyun placed his hand on Juan’s head, ruffling his hair like scrubbing a dish. Just then, the light in the guild master’s office turned red.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

[High-level Gate occurrence, support request from the Hunter Bureau. High-level Gate occurrence, support request from the Hunter Bureau.]

A tense voice echoed from the speaker on the wall. Juan, who was receiving a head pat, clicked his tongue and stood up.

“What are the Bureau hunters doing that they’re sending support requests all the way here?”

His tone had an unusual coldness to it.

Soon after, the door to the guild master’s office shook urgently.

“Guild Master! There’s a support request! It’s a level-4 high-level Gate, and since it’s within 3km of the guild, the request came directly to us! What should we do?”

Frowning, Juan put his hands on his hips and tilted his head back. With a short sigh, he hugged Huiyun and lifted him into a princess carry before opening the window.

“Juan! What are you doing?”

“Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“There’s a support request. We need to go.” 

“Why should I go there?”

“We agreed to stick together. Besides, I’m weaker than Yasha, so Yasha should protect me.”

Feigning weakness, Ash placed a foot on the window sill. Huiyun looked at the man who lied so easily with disbelief.

How could he be considered weak?

Although Ash might be weaker than Yasha, it was nonsensical given Huiyun’s current situation where he couldn’t use his powers properly.

This is absurd.

“Juan. I may look fine, but I’m actually a mana hypersensitivity pati— You crazy bastard!”

Before Huiyun could finish, Juan jumped out of the window. Huiyun, feeling his body lift off, urgently clung to Juan’s neck, cursing him. Juan only laughed, saying he liked being cursed at.

I’ve raised a lunatic.

Landing steadily, Juan nodded to the waiting assault team. Those who were preparing their weapons for the support request approached them, surprised to see Juan and Huiyun.

“Is he coming with us?”

“Yeah, I told you he’s my master. Huiyun will help.”

“Wow, as expected….”

Their eyes filled with respect directed at Huiyun. Feeling awkward receiving respect from strangers while his own disciple was right there, Huiyun closed his eyes tightly, seeing Ash Guild members not doubting Juan’s words.

How could they think this frail body, incapable of even slicing a leek, could be Juan’s master?

Despite his pale complexion from mana hypersensitivity, the guild members only remarked on how extraordinary he was.

‘No wonder it’s called Ash Guild. Only lunatics are here.’

Biting his lip in frustration, Huiyun noticed Siho, who had followed them down and was clinging to his pants leg, yipping.

The ‘Disciple Education Book for Reincarnator’ reacts!

[Disciple Education Book for Reincarnator, Chapter 2]

– For a disobedient disciple, strength is the answer.

Show overwhelming force to an unruly disciple to establish discipline!

Condition: Achieve the highest contribution in a mid-level or higher Gate attack

Reward: 5% progress, 1 command draw

“Siho, you too….”

Both Juan and the system seemed intent on sending him into the Gate. Huiyun sighed deeply, asking Juan to put him down and reluctantly joined the assault team. Knowing Juan wouldn’t let him go, he figured he might as well clear the quest.

He needed to cure his mana hypersensitivity to make it worthwhile.

Huiyun’s tired eyes glanced over the Ash Guild members. Though it was unsettling to use his powers in front of others, he trusted Juan to handle keeping their mouths shut.

He’s only dependable at times like this.

His tongue felt dry like a cat’s due to the surprising usefulness of his disciple.