"That looks good."
"I didn't know that you had such strong minds to think about the betterment of the guild, haha."
The old geezer Lee Seolho remarked, but no one laughed with him.
"..."
"It's only normal," I muttered.
'As I said, he's deranged...'
I didn't know just what old men like Lee Seolho had contributed to the Blue Guild in the past. Seeing how Lee Sang-hee showed respect for old men like him made me think that they had a deep connection with the absent Guild Master, but I suppose knowing didn't matter.
It already felt unsettling to know that the intention of my party and his plans matched.
"We've already gained our third jobs, so that would definitely help," I remarked.
"Ah, you're all really amazing... Worth the money..." Seolho commented.
"Isn't it all thanks to the guild's support? Hahahaha..." he added.
Hwang Jeong-yeon gazed at Lee Seolho with suspicion. It was only natural for her to do so. The man was never known for being an optimist, so his sudden pleasant disposition naturally warranted some scrutiny from the others who knew how he truly was.
"Though there are others who willingly went to participate, there're still others that insist on staying to guard the guild. Don't you ever think about participating before pushing someone else to do it?"
I knew the remark was made for everyone too scared to join. It wasn't just Lee Seolho's expression who crumbled out of embarrassment upon hearing this. The others who were present also showed the same expression.
"W-Well..."
"It will be hard for us to stand in the front lines..."
"I don't think we can provide the needed power..."
"Doesn't everyone here play a different role to keep the guild running? We're non-combatants in the first place. Even Seolho Lee is retired. It will be difficult for us to gain the momentum needed to stand in the front lines."
"I don't know about that. To me, it looks like you're avoiding responsibility."
"You talk too much."
"I don't think I'm wrong. Just be honest and say that you don't want to go."
"Huh... Isn't that being a little too harsh?!"
"I think you know who among us here is being selfish right now."
Emotions clashed with each other. It was natural for Hwang Jeong-yeon to make this assumption. Anyone else would've done the same. However, we wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
They were undoubtedly part of the non-combatant forces. It wouldn't make sense to bring them along with us. They would probably prove to be a hindrance.
"You really are all so shameless..."
It might be a delusion, but I could almost see Lee Seolho and the others wishing for our immediate deaths in the upcoming expedition. It would be the perfect opportunity to take control.
If all combatants were unable to return alive in the hero-level dungeon, they would infringe on a new system, based on the influence that the Blue Guild had cultivated, with Lee Seolho in the center.
The world was changing, so there was no way an old geezer like him could bring the Blue Guild back to its former glory. Rather, it would make perfect sense for them to sell the guild.
