“So, Brother Heecheol, what you’re aiming for is the Gwangcheon Restoration scenario?”

Lee Han-ye asked.

“Not exactly.”

When I answered, Han-ye looked puzzled.

“But after destroying Forward, there are only two Gwangcheon scenarios, right? Restoration or closure. If you think about the rewards, then obviously restoration makes the most sense.”

“You just said it yourself earlier. Our interference can change the original progression.”

“Oh.”

Han-ye’s face shifted as if she’d just realized something. Then she asked again, “So what is it you want, brother?”

From her reaction, it looks like the Gwangcheon scenario I never saw wasn’t from this branch.

“Brother?” she pressed when I didn’t answer right away.

“I’ll tell you later. For now, nothing’s set in stone. I might even have to steer things toward restoration midway.”

“I see… alright.”

“Anyway, I should go check on the others.”

“Haa, this sucks,” Han-ye sighed.

“Why?”

“There’s no one except you that I can reveal myself to. Because I ended up possessing this old lady, I can hardly do anything. I can’t even go meet my favorite characters. I mean, I caught a glimpse of him at the HAUT ceremony, but I didn’t even get to talk.”

“Who’s your favorite character?”

“Toby!”

I nodded.

There’s a zero percent chance Gwangcheon’s principal would ever be close to Crystal’s star student, Toby.

“And it’s still early, but next year at Martial God Academy, Suha! He’s bound to enroll.”

I nodded again. Another pretty boy—though in his case, more like a beautiful boy.

“It would be nice if you could meet them.”

“Sigh. If only I had possessed a hunter trainee like you, brother. That would’ve been amazing.”

“……”

Her words reminded me of the countless times I’d wished I had ended up in someone other than Nam Yein.

Looking at it now, though, I guess I still drew the better lot compared to her.

The protagonist of Latessai is at least a hunter trainee. If you ended up possessing someone else—a character with a different identity—you’d practically have to give up on most quests.

Simple example: Im Sungyeon could never have joined HAUT.

“Let’s just clear this and go back.”

When I said that, Han-ye nodded emphatically.

----------------------------------------

2 p.m.

Together with Lumina, Meiling, and Yui, I sat facing two men from All Around.

One was the guild master himself, Zeke Richard.

The other was Abel Crown, who had served as our instructor during HAUT. As always, he wore that easy smile.

“First, sorry to intrude on your day off,” Zeke began.

“Did you meet with Chairman Oh Sungcheon and Chairman Ahn Hyunggi yesterday?”

“Yes.”

I gave a short reply.

“I see. Then today, we’ll present our proposal. Abel.”

At the cue, Abel placed four bundles of papers before us.

“Contracts,” Zeke explained.

“The details are written there, but to summarize: we want to recruit all of you as official members of All Around.”

He continued outlining the important points.

The moment we signed, we’d become full members.

We could participate in guild activities on weekends or whenever we had time.

We’d share in the profits and items gained on those days.

And until graduation, they’d provide us with equipment and items necessary for guild work.

“Plenty of trainees have been supported by All Around before,” Abel said with a smile, “but none were treated as specially as you.”

“As full members, you’ll train and fight alongside us. You’ll have access to all All Around’s facilities: training grounds, shared storage, forges, lounges, archives—and even our exclusive dungeons outside Seoul.”

Oh.

Three things caught my ear.

First, the shared storage.

In a guild’s shared storage, materials and relics gathered from dungeons pile up—things too valuable to discard or sell but not quite useful to the members who found them. Those items often became the foundation for younger members’ growth and activity.

For me, that meant easier access to crafting materials.

Second, the archives.

All Around’s archives held records on dungeons, monsters, items—everything.

Back in the game, after winning HAUT and first receiving All Around’s ticket, I had gone straight to the archives. The weaknesses of monsters, dungeon strategies, and countless notes made the game so much easier.

But here in reality, it would be different. In the game, you only saw what the developers prepared. Here, there might be unknown treasures hidden in their files.

The third was the exclusive dungeons.

In Latessai, certain dungeons could only be accessed through quests or status. Naturally, those places dropped unique materials and items not found anywhere else.

Shared storage, archives, exclusive dungeons.

Temptations strong enough to make anyone bite.

“What about the lounges?” Meiling asked.

“Swimming pool, baths, sauna, massage rooms, restaurants, bars—all free.”

“Wow…” Lumina’s jaw dropped.

“So, what do you think?” Zeke asked, turning to me.

“What about you, senior?” I asked Seo Yui.

“……”

Instead of answering, Seo Yui carefully read the contract.

Zeke and Abel’s eyes shifted to her.

“May I ask one thing?” she said at last.

“Of course. Anything.” Zeke gave her a reassuring smile.

“If I wanted to leave All Around later to do something else, what restrictions would there be?”

“Ah, good question. Normally, members must serve at least three years. And when they leave, they can’t reveal any internal guild knowledge—that’s about it. But in your case, because it’s a special contract, the obligation is extended: from the moment you sign until three years after graduation.”

Seo Yui nodded, then looked at me.

I gave her a nod in return, then turned to Zeke and Abel.

Both were clearly waiting for me, as team leader, to respond.

“One more thing I’d like to confirm.”

“What do you mean?”

Zeke asked.

“If we join All Around, that means we can’t join any other guilds, right?”

Abel tilted his head, wearing the look of someone who thought the question was obvious.

“That’s correct. The contract clearly states that dual membership is not allowed.”

Zeke, however, answered my question with a serious face.

“Then, if we were ever pressured or attacked by another guild, would we be able to count on All Around’s protection?”

At my words, Abel’s expression grew serious as well.

“Of course.”

Zeke nodded.

“A guild is obligated to protect its members. But… another guild attacking you? Has something happened?”

“I think I might’ve upset President Oh Seongcheon.”

I gave a wry smile.

“I turned down his invitation to join Black Hound.”

“Ah.”

Abel smirked knowingly.

“I see… so that’s how it is.”

Zeke nodded and allowed a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

“Then I can say with confidence—joining All Around will benefit your future far more than joining Black Hound ever would. An excellent choice. From the moment you sign, you’ll be under our protection. That, I promise.”

I nodded and exchanged glances with my teammates.

Together, we all signed the contracts.

Once the signatures were complete, Abel gathered up the papers.

“Welcome to All Around.”

Zeke smiled brightly.

“We’ll be holding a welcoming ceremony for you all soon. Details will be delivered later.”

“Here.”

Abel pulled several items from his bag. Four of each.

One was an armband bearing All Around’s crest.

The other was a device—part communicator, part keycard, with the same crest engraved on the back.

“Armbands must be worn during guild gatherings. And this device is both a guild-only communicator and your access pass to headquarters. I’ll send you your ID and password by midnight. Don’t lose it.”

“Understood.”

“Honestly, when we came here today, I thought you might reject us. I didn’t expect to leave with signed contracts in hand. It’s a real joy to have such outstanding prospects as juniors.”

Abel beamed.

“We look forward to your active participation as guild members. Please take good care of us.”

Zeke extended his hand.

“Yes. We’ll do our best.”

I shook his hand lightly.

After Zeke and Abel left, we gathered on a bench near the dorms.

“So we’re officially All Around members now.”

Seo Yui spoke.

I nodded.

“……”

“Meiling. What’s with that look?”

She was sitting with her arms crossed and her lips jutting out.

“Are you sure about this? Doesn’t this mean we can’t move as freely anymore?”

“They probably won’t interfere much until we graduate. What All Around really expects is from us after graduation.”

Even at my reassurance, Meiling still looked sulky.

“What, are you scared of meeting strangers?”

“What!? Don’t talk nonsense! Who do you think I am, some socially awkward shut-in!?”

Usually when Meiling snapped like that, cheeks and ears turning red, it meant she was hiding her true feelings.

“Um, Yein.”

“Hm?”

I turned to the nervous voice and found Lumina looking at me.

“Do you… think I can tell my parents that I joined All Around?”

“Of course. Tell them right away.”

Her eyes widened, then her face lit up with joy.

“Okay! I will!”

Just then, my smartwatch buzzed.

A message from Han-ye.

If I was done, I was to come to the principal’s office. The stiff tone told me she was fully in character as Im Seongyeon again.

“Who’s that?”

Meiling asked, arms still crossed.

“The principal. We didn’t finish our conversation earlier.”

“Again? What more could she possibly have to say? Gonna cling to you and beg you not to transfer to Crystal?”

…That’s how it started, yes.

“But now she probably wants to know how things went with All Around too. Anyway, I’ll head there. No one else is coming today, so you can all rest easy. You too, senior.”

“Alright.”

Seo Yui nodded.

“Hey, Nam Yein. You’re eating dinner with us, right?”

Meiling’s question made me nod, then I headed toward the principal’s office.

----------------------------------------

[Well, well. Isn’t this our great Forward’s future successor on the line? What brings you to call me today?]

A deep voice came through the receiver.

Hearing it, Oh Seongcheon’s lips curved upward.

“Mr. Len. I have a favor to ask of you.”

[Oh? A request for me? And what sort of request would that be?]

“I’d like to teach a few arrogant brats, who don’t know their place, a little lesson about how the world works. They had the audacity to turn down the chance to join Black Hound.”

[Hoo. Hoo-hoo. Hohoho!]

Seongcheon had to hold the phone slightly away from his ear.

[That certainly calls for an immediate education. Who are these brats?]

His voice climbed in pitch, brimming with excitement.

“This year’s HAUT champions.”

[Oh. Ooooh. Oh-ho-ho! HAHAHA!]

[But… are you sure about this? Aren’t those kids from Gwangcheon?]

“Of course. Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility. All you have to do is enjoy yourself. Bring your men if you like. Just make sure the limbs remain intact.”

[My, my, my…! How can I not adore you, sir? Understood. When shall this lesson take place?]

“Tomorrow morning. I’ll have a car and men sent by 7 a.m. The rest is yours.”

[Understood. Loyalty, loyalty! Hahaha!]

Seongcheon hung up and smiled coldly.

“Maybe I should’ve told him it’s fine to cut off their arms and legs too.”

A low chuckle slipped from his lips.

(End of Chapter)