Episode 52: Deck Consulting
Fire God Guild’s Seo Joo-hyun.
He still couldn’t shake off what happened at the Elf Fortress.
“Hertia… just how are we supposed to raid that monster?”
Since that day, he’d gathered every scrap of info on her.
Most were things he already knew, and no raid guides existed anywhere.
‘Where did she come from, and why?’
Without the Witch of the Apocalypse, it would’ve been an easy win.
But her appearance provoked the elves, turning his main summons into pincushions.
His reserve Fire God team was wiped out in the ensuing raid.
‘Such rotten luck. Right before the deal was sealed…’
A little more time, and Radiance or anyone else would’ve bowed to him.
He’d have been Korea’s star again.
Now? Not a star—a traitor.
“Master. I mean, Byung-chul hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Are we just sitting here?”
“No way. Why should we be treated like traitors?”
Seo Joo-hyun’s eyes blazed.
“Exactly! Why are we the bad guys? After all we’ve done for this country. Let’s show them what happens without us.”
“What, defect? Didn’t Japan reach out recently?”
Seo had received offers from multiple countries.
Back then, he wasn’t swayed.
The nation worshipped him as “Lord Seo,” media sang his praises, and public support was his.
All benefits revolved around him—it felt natural.
But now?
That damned rookie changed everything.
Attention stolen, support gone, public opinion flipped, DMs filled with hate.
‘This country… needs to crumble once.’
He gritted his teeth.
He wasn’t a patriot.
He just needed a country that recognized him.
And now, this one had betrayed him.
“Hyung, let’s move together.”
“Together?”
“The whole guild.”
“What?!”
“Not reckless—an opportunity. Let’s wake this country up, obsessed with one rookie.”
After long thought, Park Byung-chul nodded.
“Alright. Set up a meeting.”
“Yes, hyung!”
But Seo didn’t stop there.
“Hyung, don’t you think Sword Realm’s Min Soo-yeol might agree?”
“What, drag him to Japan too?”
“Doesn’t have to be the same country. We can move separately but act together.”
“I’ll reach out to him.”
As Park left, Seo leaned back, letting out a hollow laugh.
‘Let’s see how you handle carrying Korea’s burden, rookie.’
***
The next day, I contacted Ascend to meet CEO Son.
He had something to discuss too.
The meeting spot was a private room café near the office.
I wondered why not the office, but seeing the reporters camped outside explained it.
‘Ugh, don’t get caught.’
I pulled my cap low, dodged their gazes, and reached the café.
CEO Son Tae-ha greeted me warmly.
“You’re here.”
“Yeah. Keeping you busy, huh?”
“Busy, but I love it.”
As we sat, Son got straight to it.
“You had something to discuss?”
“Yeah, I’m thinking of moving. My place is too cramped, and my family’s looking for a new house too, but I don’t want to be too far from them.”
“Oh! The government mentioned supporting you with housing.”
“The government?”
“Yes, to thank you for your efforts. They’re ready to provide whatever you need.”
I did want to move, but government housing felt off.
There could be “listening ears.”
Plus, I’m capable enough to handle this myself—it’s less hassle.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass on the support.”
“Got it. If you need anything, let me know. The government’s eager to help.”
I’m already getting plenty from them—family safety, personal info protection, things money and power can’t easily secure.
My real name hasn’t leaked to the public, so they’re putting in real effort.
Not that it matters much now if it does.
They’ve also helped source items and summons, even from overseas.
“Understood. I’ll politely decline to the government. For the move, we’ll find suitable properties. Any specific conditions?”
“Not too big—about 30 pyeong. Good security, safe area, close to my family’s new place.”
Son nodded, scribbling in his notebook.
Then his eyes lit up.
“Oh, before you arrived, Radiance called.”
“Radiance?”
“Yeah, they requested deck consulting, citing your promise at the fortress.”
“Right. They’re quick. I’m free anytime, so schedule it when it works.”
“Got it.”
I was about to bring it up myself, but Radiance beat me to it.
They’re driven by duty, and with Taepyeong as their parent company, like Ascend, they’re perfect to fill the top guilds’ vacant spots.
‘Good attitude. Their decks were lackluster at the fortress, though.’
Looks like I’ll have plenty to say.
***
Radiance Guild, led by Yoon Hae-joon, arrived at Ascend Management.
Seeing the sleek building for a new agency, Yoon said to Son Tae-yeon:
“Impressive setup. Taepyeong must’ve invested heavily.”
“No investment. My brother sold his entire stake to our grandfather to fund this. If it flops, he’s on the streets.”
Son said it lightly, but he didn’t think Ascend would fail.
They had a monstrous talent.
Radiance was here to tap that talent’s wisdom.
“Master, are we sure about this? Deck consulting means exposing our full strength. What if it leaks?”
Yoon Hae-joon hadn’t overlooked the concern.
But he believed their outdated setups held little value.
Hadn’t Oh Hyun-woo shown them at the Altar of Radiance?
A deck leveraging off-meta summons.
Even without Azas, Hyun-woo’s deck-building skill was leagues ahead.
“It’s already settled, so no worries. Besides, this might be our only chance.”
“Why?”
“That guy’s too busy to give us time otherwise.”
Yoon was certain.
It wouldn’t take long for Oh Hyun-woo to hit global rank one.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes!”
***
Shocking.
I suspected as much, but seeing it firsthand left me speechless.
What kind of setup and deck is this?
And this artifact?
Their budget isn’t the issue—the deck’s mostly legendary-tier, with mythic-grade aces.
But the synergy… how do I even describe it?
“Hyung, should I be blunt?”
In-soo, tagging along to observe, whispered to me.
“What?”
“Their decks are a mess. High specs, but no thought to synergy.”
I saw it too.
Instead of considering summon traits, they’d forced summons into desired roles and gear.
The setup was incomprehensible.
I cautiously asked the Radiance member in front of me.
“Did you build this yourself, or get advice?”
“Oh, you noticed! I commissioned this deck with pride. Pretty good, right?”
Good, my foot.
What do I do with this pure soul?
The setup’s purpose is beyond me.
“So, whose work is this deck?”
“My noona, of course.”
“Noona?”
“Son Tae-yeon. She’s got an eye for summons.”
An eye, alright—in several senses.
“There’s no single answer to deck-building, right?”
“Of course! It depends on the opponent and my goals. That’s basic knowledge!”
I’m fuming inside.
Is this the state of a top Korean guild?
The rest must be worse.
“…Can I see Son Tae-yeon first?”
“Oh! Yes, sure!”
What was Son Tae-yeon thinking with this deck?
I’m curious about her mind.
***
Son Tae-yeon rushed to the meeting room at Hyun-woo’s call.
“What? Why me all of a sudden?”
“No idea. He wanted to see you first. Probably impressed by your deck-building.”
The guild member’s words brought a small smile to Tae-yeon’s face.
‘He was right.’
Tae-yeon became a deck maker because of her long-time first crush—no, first admiration.
The person who extended a helping hand in a tough, unfamiliar world.
She still couldn’t forget him.
He helped her overcome her darkest times, enabling her to stand here today.
Knock knock.
Tae-yeon entered.
Hyun-woo sat across from her.
Though they’d met a few times, his face always surprised her—a face too striking for an ordinary life.
“You called for me…”
“Yes. I reviewed the deck you built. I’m curious about your intent behind it.”
“Oh, that? I tailored it to his style. He wanted a fast, strong deck, so I used his resources to make it.”
Before she finished, Hyun-woo’s expression darkened.
“There’s no right answer to deck-building.”
“Right. I know that.”
“But there are wrong ones.”
“…Are you saying my deck is wrong?”
“Yes.”
Tae-yeon snapped to attention.
It didn’t sound pleasant.
But she’d seen his skill firsthand.
She wanted to know his alternative—how he’d fix the deck.
“Then what’s the right answer, Mr. Oh? How should this deck look?”
Hyun-woo showed her a table on his laptop, turning the screen.
“The main summon is this one, right? The user’s most comfortable with it.”
“Yes.”
“Then swap its gear with this other summon.”
“Huh?”
“I get your intent—fitting each summon to ‘standard’ roles. But often, a setup tailored to their traits and synergy works better.”
Tae-yeon studied the detailed notes.
‘Even the operation method’s included?’
The precision was staggering, down to decimal-point speed calculations for turn order.
As she marveled, Hyun-woo spoke.
“Did you learn this on your own?”
“Self-taught… but I learned a bit long ago. I was a Legend Seven player too.”
“You might’ve learned wrong. Whoever taught you seems to have missed something—”
Tae-yeon cut in.
“No. It was so long ago, I probably misunderstood. My teacher would’ve taught me right.”
“Oh? Well, yeah, the meta’s changed a lot since then.”
“It’s the student’s fault, so let’s not drag my teacher into this.”
“Right, sure…”
“Are we done? I’ll call the guild member back.”
“Go ahead.”
Tae-yeon stepped out, exhaling deeply.
‘So high and mighty. My teacher’s someone you couldn’t even touch.’
She glared at the door, lips pursed, but guilt soon hit.
‘I’m sorry, Teacher. Your unworthy student shamed you.’
Sighing, she called to the guild member in the hall.
“He’s asking for you. Go in.”
“Uh? Oh! On my way!”