Academy's Gumiho is a Magic Genius

Every TV channel was filled with news about me.

It was the same yesterday, but the breaking news today was completely different.

Until yesterday, the focus was on rumours and misdeeds about me, but now the main topic was about clearing Efnell's Garden.

"This should be fine, right?"

"...Did you really clear the garden?"

"Yeah, I get it. It's hard to believe that someone like me, who's considered incompetent, cleared an unclaimed dungeon."

South Korea is a powerhouse when it comes to hunters.

Numerous S-rank guilds are based on the Korean peninsula, and many top-tier hunters have emerged from here. Not to mention, the prestigious Seven Stars Academy, a world-renowned educational institution, is also located here.

In such a country, an unclaimed dungeon holds immense value. And now, one of those dungeons has just been cleared.

Baek Seok-ho's gaze sweeps over me, clearly startled.

His eyes are completely different from before.

The way he scrutinizes every inch of my body is incredibly uncomfortable, but it also shows just how shocked he is.

'He's completely on guard.'

Before the news aired, I could feel him dismissing me entirely.

But that feeling flipped the moment the news started.

And it wasn't just his attitude that changed.

The entire dynamic Baek Seok-ho had set up was overturned.

As he alternates between looking at me and the news, I realize this is the perfect opportunity to take control of the conversation.

"So, how do you want to handle this deal?"

"You couldn't have planned this conversation with this in mind..."

"The guy who cleared one of the three major unclaimed dungeons is actually a member of the Nine-Tails Guild. How about that? From a guild leader's perspective, that's not bad news, right?"

"Ugh...!"

From Baek Seok-ho's perspective, my proposal is quite tempting.

Accepting it would not only bring fame for clearing one of the three major unclaimed dungeons but also attract media and public attention.

The downside? His pride would take a hit.

After all, he'd be accepting a proposal from someone he's been ignoring—no, someone he was still ignoring just moments ago.

'Will he choose profit or his pride?'

Judging by his serious expression, he seems to be struggling with the decision.

Well, I have no choice.

I'll just have to push him a little.

"Isn't it a pretty good deal? If I do just one interview wearing your guild's badge, the spotlight will be insane."

"...I can't quite grasp what you're thinking, Family Head."

"Why? Is this really such a serious demand? I'm not asking for something outrageous like the position of a Nine-Tail."

The Nine-Tails.

It's the collective name for the highest-ranking executives in the Nine-Tails Guild.

Baek Seok-ho in front of me is the First Tail, and the remaining eight members are all top-tier in terms of skill and achievements.

Asking for that position is, of course, out of the question.

Even if he were to accept, it would only be a hollow title.

I casually brought up the highest position.

Now, the important part begins.

I leaned into my act of bluffing.

Calmly and naturally, I raised a finger.

As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, I added a condition.

"In exchange."

"Huh?"

I spoke softly.

This is the core of the deal.

"The position of team leader. And guarantee me autonomy."

"...You must know how absurd that request is."

"Normally, yes. But this guild is a bit different."

I tapped the sofa lightly.

The soft texture enveloped my hand, and it didn't sink at all.

Just that alone shows how high-quality this sofa is.

And it's not just the sofa.

Everything in this room.

In fact, most of the items in this building likely came from someone's wallet.

"The contract between the family and the guild. You know about it, right?"

"Of course. I am the leader of this guild, after all."

"Then you must know what comes next."

"...Oh, I didn't expect you to use your position as Family Head to threaten me."

Baek Seok-ho's face showed no sign of being swayed by the threat.

Of course not.

What can a powerless Family Head do?

It probably just looks like I'm spouting nonsense.

But surprisingly, he doesn't seem to dislike it.

In fact, he seems to be considering it favourably.

No, has he already made up his mind?

Even if he gives me the position of team leader and autonomy, it's a good opportunity and excuse to keep a close eye on me.

Baek Seok-ho is already planning to accept my proposal, but he's acting indifferent. Well, I have no choice.

I'll just have to drive the nail in deeper.

"Then let me add one more condition."

"...What do you mean?"

"The next dungeon I'll clear is 'Yotun's Hellfire.' How about that?"

Like Efnell's Garden, which I cleared today, it's one of the three major unclaimed dungeons. The difference is that Hellfire isn't just difficult to clear—it's practically impossible.

'An environment where humans can't survive or even approach carelessly.'

A terrain filled with flowing lava.

Fire giants casually walking across it.

A dungeon where you can't even rest, let alone sustain yourself. It's literally a hellfire dungeon.

I just declared that I would clear it.

"Are you out of your mind, Family Head?"

"Right now, I'd prefer if you saw me as just a hunter, not the Family Head."

"...That doesn't sound like something someone who was just flaunting their position as Family Head would say."

"Doesn't it?"

"Well, I have no choice."

At this point, there's no reason to hesitate.

Baek Seok-ho, looking like he had no other option, brought over a few documents.

Guild membership papers. I'll take them home and read them carefully.

After receiving the documents, I left the room without looking back.

I don't want to stay in that room any longer.

As I waited for the elevator, I thought to myself.

He's definitely stronger and more stubborn than I thought.

But it's not impossible.

'For now, I'll settle for being a team leader, but next time, I'll take everything.'

I'm determined to take all the power and authority Baek Seok-ho enjoys.

Whether it's the guild leader's authority or the position of the Fifth Elder, it doesn't matter.

This guild is doomed to fall apart in the later parts of the novel anyway.

It won't be a problem if I take it.

The internal politics might be a bit annoying, but I can handle that.

I have plenty of experience in leading military organizations.

'In fact, I'm looking forward to it.'

The underhanded political maneuvering.

That's my specialty.

My mind and experience haven't weakened like my body, so if I use my experience wisely, I can definitely pull it off.

With that thought, I left the guild building, and the evening sunset caught my eye.

It's about time to head back to the dorm.

I only took one day off, so I need to return soon.

"...What a tiring day."

From being dragged into meetings in the morning.

To meeting students in the dungeon and using poison to kill an assassin.

Then making a deal with Baek Seok-ho.

My body hasn't fully recovered yet, and I've already pushed myself too hard.

The tight schedule has left me physically and mentally exhausted.

But this level of fatigue is nothing compared to the injury my hand sustained.

"...It's a bit ugly."

I took off the tattered glove.

What was revealed underneath was a hand even more tattered than the glove.

The burns from the poison and flames were clearly visible.

Especially dipping my hand in the poison was fatal.

Despite not having high resistance to poison, plunging my burned hand into it left it in a grotesque state.

Well, it's not that bad.

The flesh isn't torn or charred black.

At this level, depending on the situation, it could even be considered fashion or a tattoo...

"No way. How is this fashion?"

Dragon or rose tattoos are cute by comparison.

But maybe because my hand is naturally slender and delicate.

Even with the ugly burns, up close it's a horrifying scar, but from a distance, it's somewhat bearable.

I guess I'll have to live with it.

This level of scarring can't be fixed with potions.

Unless I take another Elixir.

'It's not like I can use an Elixir that can save anyone from death on something like this scar.'

There's no other choice.

I'll just have to live with it.

The only silver lining is that I usually wear gloves.

Originally, it was just to maintain the dignity of a noble and guild master.

Now, I have one more reason to wear gloves.

'This one's beyond repair. I'll have to buy a new one on the way back to the dorm.'

Looking at the tattered glove, I felt the need for a new one.

Might as well get a better one this time.

Something that won't burn in flames or melt in poison.

Hmm, maybe I should just get a whole new set of equipment.

Today, and during the last attack, I had to fight bare-handed or shape flames into weapons because I didn't have proper equipment.

I've been so busy with every minute of my schedule that I haven't had time to get proper gear. But I should visit that person soon.

'At this point in time, he should still be around here, right?'

Hoping my memory was correct, I got into a taxi heading to the academy.

I ended up with the same driver as before.

Is this fate or something?

Meanwhile.

I suddenly realized I had forgotten something.

"Ah, right. I was going to look up some literature or documents about tails at the mansion."

Oh well.

I'll have to check next time.

I have plenty of time, and there are many days ahead when I'll need to show my face at the mansion.

***

"...This is ridiculous."

The guild leader's office was silent after Baek Seung-woo left.

Baek Seok-ho's pale face and tail were now flushed red.

His emotions were so blatant that the veins in his eyes bulged, revealing a hint of madness.

"I knew he was incompetent, but I didn't think he'd be this crazy."

To dare make demands of me.

And even resort to threats.

I want to tear him apart.

Under normal circumstances, I would've killed him without a second thought.

But the situation is too precarious now.

With Baek Seung-woo's tails increasing to two, the First Elder and neutral factions have taken notice. If I make a move now, there's no telling what the First Elder might do.

Moreover, among the direct descendants of the family, Baek Seung-woo is the only eldest son.

The Cheonho Baek family is an old clan obsessed with tradition and formalities.

Because of that, Confucian ideals are deeply ingrained. And not in a good way.

The family head must be male.

Since the eldest son isn't dead, arbitrarily replacing the family head is unthinkable. It's not Baek Seok-ho's style, and it would put him at odds with the First Elder, who holds the real power in the family.

Baek Seok-ho is not an incompetent man.

"Maybe I should push for Baek Seol-ha or Baek Seol-hee to marry and have a child soon."

Regency.

Have a grandchild as soon as possible and appoint that child as the heir.

Then, I can control everything from behind the scenes.

In theory, it's entirely possible.

Baek Seung-woo, who has no suitable lover and annulled his own engagement, wouldn't refuse. But the problem is.

"Those two."

The eldest daughter, Baek Seol-ha, and the second daughter, Baek Seol-hee.

My competitors who want to oust Baek Seung-woo and become the family head.

They're annoying in their own way, but if handled correctly, they could be useful pawns.

But if that happens, I won't be taking the family head position entirely on my own merit. That goes against Baek Seok-ho's principles.

"...I can't tolerate relying on others' power."

The proverb "The fox borrows the tiger's might" comes to mind.

A fox borrowing the tiger's power to act arrogantly.

But in the Cheonho Baek family, it's a bit different.

The tiger's might is worthless in front of the Cheonho.

So, it's not "The fox borrows the tiger's might," but "The tiger borrows the fox's might."

A tiger borrowing the fox's power. That's the correct proverb in the Cheonho Baek family.

But in his younger days, Baek Seok-ho couldn't help but wonder.

Why is the fox above the tiger?

Ecologically, that doesn't make sense.

But after experiencing it firsthand, he understood.

Baek Seok-ho was the tiger. The mountain lord who had no equal in the mountains. But his opponent was just too strong.

Even now, he can still see it when he closes his eyes.

A nine-tailed fox wielding divine powers and divination.

In front of that fox, the mountain lord was nothing but a mere beast.

'That day, I finally understood "The tiger borrows the fox's might."'

All the power young Baek Seok-ho had came from the nine-tailed fox. So, he couldn't even imagine defying the fox.

But now, the fox is dead, and there are three young children?

This is the perfect opportunity to challenge again.

This time, I'll bring down the fox's power and rise above.

That's what I vowed.

So why, now as much as back then!

"Compared to before, the life in him is disgustingly different."

In Baek Seok-ho's old memories, Baek Seung-woo was always consistent.

From the time he picked up objects as a baby, to his inauguration as the heir, to when his parents, who had achieved the realm of the nine-tailed fox, died.

He always had those dead eyes.

As if the person himself was out of place.

There was a strange, unsettling disgust.

"But back then, it was truly the uncanny valley."

There's a term called the "uncanny valley."

It refers to the revulsion people feel when something resembles a human but not quite. Young Baek Seung-woo's every expression gave off that vibe.

He was more like a living doll than a human.

No, maybe it's still the same now.

***

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