The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 11: The Guild (1)

“But Your Majesty, is the person you’re introducing me to this time also a member of your royal lineage?”

Hyude asked as we headed toward Jeong Ye-rin’s house.

“No, I only have one blood relative, Lee Seo Yeon. The woman I’m introducing you to this time will be my alchemist. She could also potentially be Roberto’s successor.”

“Roberto’s successor?”

Hyude, who was following behind, suddenly stopped.

As I descended the neighborhood stairs ahead of him, I responded.

“Yes.”

“Forgive me for being impudent, but are there candidates of such caliber in this world?”

Standing still on the stairs, I looked up at Hyude. A faint trace of disbelief flickered in his slightly widened eyes.

“Are you doubting my judgment now?”

“No, no, not at all! I was just…”

Hyude rolled his eyes.

It’s understandable for him to act like this. Although not to the same extent as me, Hyude holds Roberto in high esteem after me.

That such a successor to Roberto would be here is hard to believe.

“Forget it. You’ll find out soon enough. Use your own eyes and make a judgment.”

“I don’t know how to thank you for even considering my insignificant opinion.”

“Just come down. How long do you plan to look down on me?”

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

Startled, Hyude quickly set his foot on the stairs. He felt awkward standing neither beside nor behind me.

I let out a chuckle at the uncommon sight.

“It’s a joke. Follow me.”

“Yes, as you wish.”

In the end, Hyude decided to stand behind me, bending slightly at the waist.

***

“Although it’s shabby, please come in…”

As we entered Jeong Ye-rin’s house, Hyude subtly furrowed his brows.

‘Hmm….’

Dim light came in through a small basement window, illuminating floating dust. The flask on the table in the narrow living room emitted a faint light.

Although it was clean, it didn’t feel particularly bright.

‘How dare she bring His Majesty the Demon King to such a humble place…’

I wanted to reprimand her right away, but I held back because of the Demon King’s specific instructions.

“But… who is the person standing behind you?”

The violet-haired woman before us looked at herself somewhat apprehensively.

Huh, how dare a wretch like you question the esteemed Demon King.

Stepping forward, Hyude greeted her politely.

“Pleased to meet you, Alchemist Jeong Ye-rin.”

Articulately.

“I am Hyude, who will be managing and handling the accounts for His Majesty from now on. Simply put, consider me as a secretary.”

“Ah, yes! Nice to meet you! Hyude, you seem to be a very refined person.”

Of course, as it should be.

If one wishes to follow even the footsteps of His Majesty, maintaining such refinement is essential.

You’re incomparable to that dreariness you embody.

“Your Majesty, so she’s the one who’s set to be Roberto’s successor?”

“If all goes according to plan, yes.”

“…I see.”

Hmph, how did such a woman become Lord Roberto’s successor?

I’m not doubting the Demon King’s judgment, but I can’t help but feel a sudden sense of discomfort.

“Introductions are done, so I’ll give you the ingredients now. Get to crafting.”

“Ah, yes!”

The golden snake that had been wrapping around the Demon King’s arm spat out the ingredients onto a clean sheet of plastic on the floor.

Various ingredients like purple tails and apricot-colored mushrooms filled the floor.

“Wow…”

…Wait, what is she doing?

The Demon King is bestowing materials upon you, and yet what is with that attitude?

Those stiff knees! That raised neck!

Shouldn’t you be kneeling on at least one knee and bowing your head?

What is the meaning of just staring with those big, bright eyes!

Ah, how can there be such an improperly formal woman.

I want to find fault, but…!

I held my tongue because the Demon King had told me to.

“Can you make it right away?”

“Yes, I’ll get to it immediately!”

Jeong Ye-rin went to a table filled with various tools, holding the ingredients.

…Well, since she was chosen by the Demon King, her crafting abilities must be exceptional. I shall observe the outcome with my keen eyes!

“If you keep watching, it might make her uncomfortable, so let’s wait outside until it’s done.”

“Ah, wait a moment!”

Then, Jeong Ye-rin shouted.

“…What? Need something else?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Jeong Ye-rin averted her gaze, her eyes swirling around.

“Would it be okay if you stayed and watched? I find it pleasant to know someone is watching.”

Hyude examined the fidgeting Jeong Ye-rin, then looked around the house again.

The lone set of dishes, signs that she had been living alone in this semi-basement.

The only thing welcoming her here was the sunlight streaming through the narrow window frame.

These traces were enough for Hyude to recall her past.

Eating alone in this small space…

Engrossed in research alone at that shabby table…

Sturdily living without anyone’s help…

And yet not giving up on her dreams with her strong mentality…

…Ah, so that’s how it is.

“Ah, if it’s not alright, then—”

Thump. Thump.

The applause.

The applause doesn’t stop.

…So that’s it. That’s how it was.

Born humbly, but striving to shine. Working hard to achieve her grand dreams.

Ah… Truly, she is a glorious talent who will make the world shine.

A figure truly fitting to be by the Demon King’s side.

How could I have judged such a dignified person by her appearance?

Regret. And admiration.

“…You are magnificent, Alchemist Jeong Ye-rin.”

Hyude was so moved that he shed hot tears…

***

“…??

I looked at Hyude, who was shedding a single tear, with a puzzled expression.

“Though born with a frail body, you possess a mentality stronger than anyone else’s. Initially, I found you lacking, but now I see you are more than capable of being the Demon King’s alchemist.”

Hyude went in front of Jeong Ye-rin and knelt on one knee.

Then he looked up at her with an expression full of admiration.

“I, Hyude, vow to sincerely assist Master Jeong Ye-rin, the elite alchemist, from now on. Would you please forgive my previous rudeness?”

“Huh? What?”

At this, Jeong Ye-rin showed a puzzled expression.

I grabbed Hyude by the scruff of his neck and pulled him back.

“Just ignore him and continue making the potion. I’ll watch over you as you’ve requested.”

“Yes… I will…”

Jeong Ye-rin nodded awkwardly and turned back to concentrate.

I sighed and pulled Hyude further away.

It’s no big deal; things like this happen all the time. He gets emotional on his own and jumps the gun. It’s the same case now.

“Then, I’ll start crafting now.”

“Sure.”

And thus, Jeong Ye-rin started crafting a potion for me.

***

“It’s done!”

After 30 minutes, Jeong Ye-rin’s shout was heard.

“Check it out! Even if I made it, I must say it’s really well-made!”

Inside the flask that Jeong Ye-rin handed over, a deep red liquid swayed elegantly.

I grasped the potion and manifested [Roberto’s Knowledge].

[…What is this? Who made this?

Firstly, the ratio of the ingredients is perfect, without a single error. Even if you use good ingredients, if the ratio is off, the effect will change.

On top of that, it’s a perfect detoxification… Whoever it is, they’re unbeatable in the field of potion-making.

You must kill them, Your Majesty, immediately.

You might wonder why we should kill someone capable of making such a potion, Your Majesty.

I will list 13 significant reasons below.

Firstly, if you have a potion-maker like this around, strange people will be attracted…]

===

I didn’t read any further.

For now, this confirms that the potion is something even Roberto would find astonishing. It seems Jeong Ye-rin’s talent is beyond what I had expected.

Jeong Ye-rin cautiously asked,

“How is it?”

“Truly magnificent, Master Jeong Ye-rin the Alchemist!”

Hyude interrupted with abundant praise.

I deliberately ignored him and responded,

“…Excellent. How many more can you make with the current ingredients?”

“Th, thank you! Um, with the current ingredients, I think I can make about 60 bottles. That would be at least 600 million won based on the potion’s price…?”

So, one bottle is 10 million won. Considering it can even reattach severed limbs, it’s a fair price for a life. It might even be cheap.

Let’s set the price at 20 million won until demand decreases.

There’s no need to worry about an imbalance between supply and demand. Not only in the hunter industry, but the potion will also be used in hospitals.

It will undoubtedly extend overseas as well.

“Right now it takes 30 minutes for one bottle, but as I get more familiar, I could produce 3 to 5 bottles in 30 minutes. With the ingredients you provided today, I think we can make about 60 bottles. We can replenish the ingredients with the money earned from selling the potions. Do you know what this means?”

“What?”

“It means we can duplicate money! If the speed increases and we have enough ingredients, even 50 billion won a week would be laughable!”

Jeong Ye-rin spoke passionately and was excited.

But it’s too early to celebrate.

“Any changes on your end?”

“Changes?”

“Yeah, like your eyes becoming clearer or maybe gaining a new ability.”

“A new ability…?”

Jeong Ye-rin looked puzzled as she opened her status window.

Her reaction afterward was the same as Lee Seo Yeon’s.

“Ho, holy…!!”

At first, she seemed surprised and was purely delighted. Then, she explained my ability to me without missing a single detail while jumping around the room. Her talent, [Hand of Midas], had awakened.

I simply responded with a faint smile.

Jeong Ye-rin, who was showing great enthusiasm, suddenly regained her senses due to a concern that popped up.

“Ah, but how do we sell this…? The efficacy isn’t proven yet and I’m still unknown, so no one would buy it if it’s expensive…”

“Don’t worry about that. I have a plan.”

I had already thought about the distribution channels.

First, I’ll provide a bottle of the potion to the Dawn Guild. Then, the response will surely come, and we can sell it through them.

The Dawn Guild is a subsidiary of the Dawn Group, so there would be other connections as well.

“In that case, I will focus on making the potions.”

“Good. Prepare for tomorrow.”

“… Prepare? For the attention that will pour in?”

I know it well. If this gets distributed, the course of the world will change. And that strong flow will naturally come toward us.

However, now is not the time to talk about such a natural phenomenon.

“Jeong Ye-rin, do you know when humans feel the greatest joy?”

“When is that?”

The joy changes dramatically depending on how you utilize or use that wave, much like a surfer waiting for a massive wave.

“It’s when you take revenge on someone who didn’t expect anything from you.”

“…You can’t be serious.”

Jeong Ye-rin had only been swept away by that wave up to this point. Therefore, that wave must have only been frightening for her.

But now, she has the ‘alchemy’ as her smooth board.

I showed a wicked smile.

“We have to take revenge. Against those Alkebury guys who brutally drove you away.”

Now, their positions will be completely reversed.

***

Alkebury Seoul Branch Manager, Ahn Daehyun.

He was racking his brains because of a document sent from the Dawn Guild.

“Why the hell do they want to terminate the contract with us!”

Ahn Daehyun slammed his office desk in frustration.

This morning, the Dawn Guild unilaterally notified that they would not extend the supply contract of Alkebury’s ‘Best 1 Potion’.

There was no violation of the contract conditions.

With only one month left in the contract, he was planning to sit down and discuss it again soon.

But this morning, that bolt from the blue came crashing down.

“Damn it, the Dawn Guild is a subsidiary of the Dawn Group. We absolutely can’t lose them… Why are they suddenly cutting off the contract?”

Ahn Daehyun pulled his hair in frustration.

The ‘Best 1 Potion’ accounted for a whopping 30% of Alkebury’s sales.

The termination of the contract meant that 30% of Alkebury’s sales would evaporate.

“Could it be that they found a better potion?”

The secretary standing next to him speculated. He was the man who had driven Jeong Ye-rin away.

“No, that’s absolutely impossible. It’s a masterpiece created over years by the chairman and the branch managers.”

There was conviction in Ahn Daehyun’s voice. It was a potion he was proud of.

After biting his lip for a moment, Ahn Daehyun spoke.

“Cancel all scheduled plans for today. If this reaches the chairman’s ears, I’m done for. Right now, nothing else is important. I have to meet Kim Jin-woo directly.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ahn Daehyun grabbed his coat hanging next to him and stormed out of his seat.

…If I can’t remedy this, losing the branch manager position is certain.

He felt that in his gut.

(To be continued in the next episode)