The Charismatic Genius’s Guild Management
Jonathan
매력 천재의 길드 매니지먼트 Jun 08, 2026 17 views
Chapter 4
Guild Management of the Charm Geniud
At the very top of the Ido Group.
An old man was furious.
“So what are you going to do about it first?!”
His face was red with anger as he looked around.
But everyone avoided his gaze.
That timid attitude finally shattered the old man's patience.
“I!”
BANG!
“Asked you a question—!”
BANG!
The symbol of Korean industry.
Distribution, logistics, home appliances, electronics, construction, telecommunications, semiconductors, automobiles...
A corporation that had never surrendered the top position across virtually every industry.
The undisputed number one conglomerate in Korea.
Chairman Lee Sang-byeok of the Ido Group.
That was the old man's identity.
“Hey, are you all deaf? Lost your tongues? Why aren't you saying anything?! Are you trying to make this old man die from high blood pressure? Hey, Distribution! Is that really what happened?”
“I'm sorry!”
“Materials!”
“I'm sorry!!”
“Don't just apologize, speak! Speak!!”
BOOM!!
There was a saying:
Number One is written as 'First Place' and read as 'Ido.'
It perfectly reflected Chairman Lee Sang-byeok's obsession with being first.
Everything had to be the best.
Anything less than first was worthless trash.
Number one in the industry.
Number one in profits.
Number one in value.
Even employee salaries had to be number one.
If another company paid even one won more?
Salaries would be raised immediately.
Once, a television variety show ranked corporate cafeterias.
The Ido Group cafeteria came in second.
That alone wouldn't have been a problem.
Unfortunately, Lee Sang-byeok happened to watch the program.
He immediately threw down his spoon while eating and issued an order.
The cafeteria was completely overhauled that very day.
The manager in charge was demoted as well.
His obsession with being first bordered on madness.
Which was why he simply couldn't accept this situation.
Being pushed into second place in the Magic Stone Processing Bid.
“It's Korea. My territory. Ido's territory! And you're telling me we lost to those damn giraffes and came in second? That's right. You're trying to make me collapse from high blood pressure and end up in a hospital bed. That's the only explanation.”
““We're sorry!!””
“Sorry! Sorry! Anyone who says 'sorry' from now on loses their head!”
“......”
“Haa... Vice Chairman, you talk. Let's hear what you have to say about this disaster.”
At those words, Lee Young-bin, Vice Chairman of Ido Group and Lee Sang-byeok's eldest son, raised his head.
Knowing his father hated excuses almost as much as apologies, he skipped straight to the point.
“It's because of Magic Stones.”
“Magic Stones?”
“Our inability to significantly contribute to the supply of Magic Stones was the deciding factor.”
Magic Stones were such a crucial energy source that the government legally monopolized them.
The collected Magic Stones were then distributed among corporations through a bidding process.
However—
“Currently, the Giraffe Group operates the largest guild in Korea. Since the government requires massive amounts of Magic Stones every year, they have no choice but to pay attention to their largest supplier.”
“Furthermore, Giraffe Group has established a close cooperative relationship with the current administration. Magic Stones, monster extermination, research materials, even the conquest of specific Gates. The government openly favors them.”
“Looking at it objectively, supporting Giraffe instead of us benefits the government more.”
The government had sided with whoever provided greater benefits.
At first glance, it seemed simple and rational.
But only if one didn't know what was happening beneath the surface.
BANG!!
“That's complete nonsense! You're telling me we got pushed aside for such a ridiculous reason? Are you kidding me?!”
Within Korea, the influence of Ido was overwhelming.
People openly called the nation the Ido Republic for a reason.
Even the government had long passed the point where it could merely call Ido burdensome.
How exactly was anyone supposed to stop that dinosaur?
Despite occupying a position where he could wield absolute authority if he wished, Lee Sang-byeok had surprisingly chosen to restrain himself.
He wasn't interested in flaunting pride or superiority.
He wanted sustained growth while remaining number one.
For that, he needed a stable market.
And a stable market required competition.
Which was why he had reluctantly given up the guild he had wanted so badly.
In exchange for accommodating the government's demands, he had been promised numerous privileges, including the Magic Stone processing rights.
Given all those arrangements happening behind the scenes, how could he possibly feel right now?
He had been stabbed in the back.
He, Lee Sang-byeok!
“Last year's presidential election was the key factor.”
“I knew it! That son of a bitch Choi!”
“Although the president strongly denies it, the connection between President Choi Dae-han and Giraffe Group is already common knowledge among those who matter.”
Many words.
One conclusion.
Political corruption.
Corporations providing support while politicians returned favors.
A tale as old as time.
“There really is truth in old sayings. Give people favors long enough and they start treating them as rights. So Choi and those Giraffe bastards think they're on the same level as me now?”
“......”
“Hmph... Fine.”
Suddenly, Lee Sang-byeok's voice became calm.
Everyone flinched.
That was the sign that he was truly angry.
“Get out.”
Because he didn't even want to look at them.
Everyone backed out of the room.
After they left, Lee Sang-byeok lit a cigarette and picked up the phone.
“Send Cheol-ong in.”
A moment later, Yoo Cheol-ong, the Chief Secretary and the chairman's closest confidant, entered.
Lee Sang-byeok referred to even his own children by their titles.
Yet Yoo Cheol-ong was one of the few people whose name he spoke directly.
The gray-haired man bowed and silently lit the chairman's cigarette.
“Cheol-ong, you heard?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Good... Then I suppose we'll have to move up the schedule.”
The old secretary lifted his head.
A sharp light flashed in his eyes.
“We've already completed initial contact. If you give the order, our people will begin monitoring them.”
“Good. Spread plenty of gifts around. Make sure there are no loose ends.”
“Even the lowest-ranking civil servants have been taken care of. Local council members will support us as well. The justification will be regional development and reducing the gap between the capital and local governments.”
“That handles Yeouido. What about the guild side?”
“We've already reached an understanding with executives at the Central Awakened Management Headquarters. They've promised to look the other way. We've already selected candidates. Would you like to review the list?”
“No need. I know how well you handle your work.”
He exhaled a cloud of smoke.
“Hah... Those idiots outside seem to think they've put a leash on Lee Sang-byeok. Just because they blocked one guild. Cheol-ong, do you think so too?”
“That's nonsense. Everything proceeds according to your will, Chairman.”
“Exactly. Ido gave up its guild because I desired peace. And Giraffe's guild became number one because I allowed it.”
But that goodwill had been repaid with betrayal.
There was no reason to keep wearing those pathetic shackles.
Lee Sang-byeok released the anger boiling inside him and declared:
“As of today, Ido Group will establish a guild.”
That single sentence would shake not only Korea but the entire world's guild industry.
The man Yoo Cheol-ong served possessed that kind of power.
“Understood. Then we'll dispatch personnel to each region according to the plan. As for your grandchildren...”
“What is there to discuss? Follow the plan. If they've inherited Lee Sang-byeok's blood, they should be able to control a guild.”
“Understood. However, Chairman.”
Yoo Cheol-ong spoke carefully.
“And Young Master Lee Shin...”
The moment Lee Shin's name was mentioned, Lee Sang-byeok's face darkened.
“Don't even mention that delinquent brat in front of me!”
To Lee Sang-byeok, Lee Shin's name represented a different kind of anger than the failed bid.
If measured purely by rage, Lee Shin irritated him even more.
The bidding issue could be solved through power.
That reckless grandson repeatedly escaped his control.
Crunch!
That damned brat.
How many opportunities had he given him simply because he was the eldest grandson?
Lee Shin was the first—and only—grandchild Lee Sang-byeok had ever personally raised.
The boy resembled him greatly as a child.
Because of that, he had cherished him more than anyone.
He had given him everything.
Anything he wanted.
Anything he desired.
And what was the result?
Drugs.
Women.
Violence.
In the end, Lee Shin had disappointed him.
What more could he do?
How much longer was he supposed to tolerate him?
The fact that he hadn't taken everything away already was proof of extraordinary patience.
As Lee Sang-byeok ground his teeth in frustration, Yoo Cheol-ong cautiously continued.
“Still, shouldn't he be given the same opportunity as everyone else?”
“I said enough! Why do you keep taking his side?”
“Well... because you care about him.”
“!!”
Care.
Caught off guard, Lee Sang-byeok froze.
Then he stared at Yoo Cheol-ong with a calmer expression.
“You know me too well.”
“My apologies.”
“Forget it. Enough about him. This is company business. How can I entrust it to that delinquent?”
Then he suddenly remembered something.
“That brat is still under confinement, right?”
“Young Master Lee Shin has been restricted from leaving the house, just as you ordered. The Vice Chairman made sure of it.”
“Good. Make sure he doesn't hear a single word about this matter. Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. Don't leave any unnecessary openings. Understand?”
“I'll remember that.”
“You may go.”
Yoo Cheol-ong bowed and left.
Once the door closed and silence settled over the office, Lee Sang-byeok finally released a sigh hidden beneath his anger.
“Haa... stupid brat...”
Looking at his reflection in the window, he seemed to be searching for someone.
In the heart of a city filled with skyscrapers.
People walking the busy streets gradually turned their heads in one direction.
“...Wow. Look at him.”
“Pfft. What is that?”
“He actually came outside looking like that? The confidence is insane.”
Slippers exposing his toes.
Bright blue training pants.
A wrinkled shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows.
Messy hair that looked as though it had survived an explosion.
He looked like someone who had jumped into a laundry basket without showering and simply worn whatever came out.
But when their eyes reached his face, everyone reacted the same way.
“Ah...!”
“Huh?!”
“Holy... shit...”
Someone once said that fashion is completed by the face.
The man before them proved it.
Slippers?
Tracksuit pants?
Wrinkled shirt?
Who cared?
That face was unreal.
His charm was overflowing.
Meanwhile, several observant people tilted their heads.
“Feels like I've seen him somewhere.”
“Doesn't he look familiar? Is he a celebrity?”
The crowd grew noisy.
Like a giant brainstorming session, everyone threw out guesses.
Then someone found the answer.
“Isn't that Lee Shin?”
“Huh? You're right!! I think it is!”
It was.
Lee Shin.
People were so accustomed to seeing him in suits worth as much as a house that they failed to recognize him dressed in such cheap and ordinary clothes.
Or perhaps his country-bumpkin appearance had simply thrown them off.
Either way, Lee Shin ignored the commotion entirely.
Like a tourist from the countryside, he kept looking around in wonder.
“Ooooh...!!”
In the game, familiar company names that should have begun with H or L had been replaced by names from Guild Management.
How could he not be excited?
The city felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
And that gave him a strange sense of joy.
Then he stopped walking.
Among all those names, he finally found the one he had been searching for.
