* * *
A week later, the international airport bustled with people arriving from all over the world.
Despite their differing skin and hair colors, they all carried an air of distinction.
They were guild masters or elite hunters representing powerful guilds from various countries.
Since news of their arrival had already spread, the airport was packed with people waiting for them.
“Over here, please!”
“What topics will be discussed at this conference?”
“Michael, as a first-time visitor to Korea, how do you feel?”
Journalists and influencers flooded the internet and media with updates, stirring up excitement.
Naturally, attention turned to Chunho Guild, the host of the gathering.
The world’s first union meeting was set for 11 a.m. the next day in the grand conference hall, with over 200 attendees.
With so many people gathered, even a few exchanged words quickly filled the space with a hum of chatter.
“The noise never stops, no matter where in the world you go.”
Even before stepping inside, the voices slipping through the door made Doyoung shake his head.
“Shall we go in?”
Seeing how unfazed he was, Beom Sinje’s lips curled into a relaxed smile.
Casually, he draped an arm over Doyoung’s shoulder and pulled him close.
Doyoung hesitated for a moment before sighing softly.
But he didn’t pull away.
Noticing this change, Beom Sinje’s gaze softened.
“Let’s go.”
As they walked in, they remained close, making it obvious to anyone that they were something more than just acquaintances.
Naturally, all eyes turned to them.
Doyoung kept his gaze forward with confidence, though he avoided direct eye contact.
No matter how composed he seemed, he wasn’t shameless enough to meet their stares head-on.
Unlike him, Beom Sinje acknowledged the guild masters with a polite nod before heading to his seat.
[Na Doyoung!]
Just as they passed a table, a Latina woman abruptly stood up, her face filled with emotion.
[It’s an honor to meet you again! Do you remember me? I’m Fernanda from Gloria Guild, whom you met in Argentina!]
Doyoung blinked at her enthusiasm.
He did know Gloria Guild.
It had been a small guild he encountered in an S-rank dungeon in Ushuaia, back when he had been farming Beom Sinje’s sword, Levatein.
‘To be precise, I rescued them rather than simply met them.’
Despite only being a B-rank hunter, their government had thrown them into an S-rank dungeon.
Not to clear it, just to hold off the overflow.
[If you hadn’t saved us back then, my guild members wouldn’t have survived. I wouldn’t be standing here today, either. Thank you, truly.]
Of course, Doyoung himself hadn’t stepped in personally.
He had concealed his identity and wasn’t officially affiliated with Antithese back then.
[I didn’t even realize it was you at the time and never properly thanked you. But now, I finally have the chance…]
Her brown eyes quivered with deep emotion, making Doyoung a little uncomfortable.
He didn’t enjoy drawing this much attention.
[Nice to meet you.]
He offered a brief greeting in Spanish.
That only made her more excited.
[If it weren’t for you—]
She seemed ready to continue, but Beom Sinje interjected smoothly.
“Apologies, but we need to get going. The meeting is about to begin.”
He cast a glance around, and Fernanda quickly snapped back to reality.
[Ah, I’m sorry. I got carried away… But if possible, could we meet after the conference?]
Doyoung turned to Beom Sinje.
His displeasure was obvious—his brow arched slightly upward.
It seemed best to refuse. Just as he was about to decline—
“Go ahead, hyung.”
Unexpectedly, Beom Sinje gave a positive response.
“Really? Are you sure about that?”
Without thinking, Doyoung asked again, but Beom Sinje only gave him a look as if to say, “What’s the big deal?”
“Yes. I’m curious too. About how you performed back there. I don’t really know much about it, do I?”
“Well… I didn’t do anything that impressive.”
After all, his goal hadn’t been clearing the dungeon—it was the sword he would obtain afterward.
To be honest, rather than saving that small guild, it would be more accurate to say he had simply moved them out of the way so they wouldn’t be a hindrance.
“Then, let’s meet separately later and get going for now? Everyone’s waiting.”
“Alright.”
Doyoung agreed; they couldn’t afford to stall any longer.
Once they finally took their seats, Park Chanoh, who was hosting the meeting, stepped up to the podium.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Park Chanoh, a hunter from the Chunho Guild. It’s a pleasure to meet you all today. Now, let’s begin the first-ever Alliance Conference.”
For the first time in history, guild representatives from all over the world had gathered for a meeting.
However, rather than the formal atmosphere one might expect, it felt a bit like a lively neighborhood gathering.
The tables were filled with an abundance of refreshments, and with multiple discussions happening at once, the room felt free and energetic.
It was nothing like the government-hosted spectacle, ‘Hunters’ Night’.
And that made it all the more meaningful to Doyoung.
“This really feels like the true ending.”
Only now did he finally start to feel that his role was coming to an end.
The chaotic meeting, where countless discussions took place, ultimately concluded with the formation of the World Guild Alliance.
A total of 101 countries joined the alliance, and the leadership was structured with one chairman and 15 executive members.
Beom Sinje was unanimously nominated as the first chairman—but he declined, leading to a new debate about who should take the position instead.
“I don’t have the capability for that. I believe the head of the Hans Guild would be a far better fit.”
Beom Sinje’s recommendation was a guild leader from Switzerland, someone with over 30 years of experience, more than seventy years of age, and widely respected as a hunter.
Surprisingly, the other guild leaders didn’t strongly oppose the suggestion.
There were also various opinions on the selection of the 15 executive members.
However, when Beom Sinje refused to participate, many found it puzzling.
“Why exactly did you turn it down?”
Doyoung was just as curious, so the moment they returned to the guild leader’s office, he asked Beom Sinje directly.
“If I took that position, there would be way too many things to deal with. I just want to focus on guild matters for now.”
“But still, it’s a waste. It’s the first-ever global alliance, and you were chosen as its leader. Besides, it’s not like you’d be meeting that often throughout the year.”
“More importantly—”
Beom Sinje gestured for Doyoung to come closer.
He was already seated on the sofa.
Doyoung walked toward him, and in an instant, he was pulled in, his body tilting as he found himself pressed snugly against Beom Sinje.
An arm wrapped around his waist.
Soft touches traced from his temple to the curve of his ear, then down to the sharp edge of his jaw and the nape of his neck.
“Stop that.”
Even if it was just the two of them, this was still an office.
It didn’t seem appropriate.
He pushed Beom Sinje away—just a little.
“By the way, was there another reason besides guild work that made you turn down the chairman role?”
Of course, Beom Sinje wouldn’t let him go so easily.
Holding Doyoung’s hand firmly, he interlocked their fingers and rested them on his thigh.
That was enough to pull Doyoung’s attention back to him.
To be honest, it was a shame.
This was the first-ever alliance of global guilds.
* * *
