The D-Rank Guild Master of the No. 1 Guild

When Unahar and Rudel met again at the fortress, Unahar acted as if nothing had happened. They ate together, conversed when necessary, and even exchanged smiles just like before.

However, even with the emotion reading feature turned off, Rudel could tell something was different.

Unahar had always been good at faking expressions. Now, he was deliberately pretending to be fine.

This was the first time Rudel had thought so deeply about one person for such a long time, and everything about Unahar appeared in a new light.

How beautiful and pitiful Unahar was, and how passionately he had liked Rudel.

The problem was that this was now painfully evident to Rudel.

‘You’re too precious to go through so much heartache because of someone like me…’

She banged his forehead on the table and then lifted it again.

‘How should I reject your big heart with the right words? I hope you can move on, even if you end up resenting me. But I worry that it might break you beyond repair.’

Ding. Lost in thought, a system notification appeared before his eyes.

What now? As if I wasn’t already troubled enough, especially after a tough training session with Gio at the training ground.

He opened the notification.

For a few seconds, she just blinked, taking it in slowly, and then she quickly read the text.

Condition: Limited to players aged 15-19

Minor players, haven’t you felt oppressed by adults all this time? Haven’t you ever felt unfair because of your small stature and build?

Here’s a chance to become an adult for free!

The announcement was in text, but Rudel felt like he was watching a home shopping network.

One unique feature of this game is that the notifications are always chaotic and their formats keep changing. Is it written by different GMs every time?

Maybe. Do the names of the GMs who write the announcements get shown to the viewers in reality?

A total of 5 players will be selected to receive this opportunity. So, what are the benefits of becoming an adult? Check out the perks below!

Basic stats will increase by at least one grade…? The lower your existing stats, the greater the gain?

Is that logically expected? If a child becomes an adult, they naturally get a stronger body.

Compared to the growth rate from sweating it out in the training ground during fierce guild battles, this represents a massive leap.

Other than that, becoming an adult might change the atmosphere and offer new appearances to viewers.

But it’s not necessarily advantageous for a minor character to become an adult.

It might just be my guess, but characters like Yudirei seem more popular staying as their “petite murderer” selves rather than becoming adults.

‘Wait, who are the minor characters in our guild?’

I slowly ran through the list of candidates in my head.

Among the lower-ranking players, there were a few from the subordinates group led by Nahean, and among the higher-ranking players were Lilith and… Akata.

P.S. This time it’s really a random draw. No manipulation. We’re staking the system control on this.

It seemed like the system was desperately trying to regain the players’ trust, but I didn’t care about that. I was too busy thinking.

‘…In the end, it’s not what I think that matters, right? The players’ wishes should come first.’

Having reached a conclusion, I first approached Lilith to ask her opinion.

“You mean I can suddenly become an adult? That’s amazing!”

Lilith didn’t seem to grasp the impact this event could have on future rounds.

She was more fascinated by the system’s technology.

“If you get selected, yes. Lilith, what will you do? Are you going to apply?”

“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do, Rudel!”

“Huh? You have to decide. If you don’t want to become an adult, I won’t force you.”

Imagining an 18-year-old Lilith two years from now… She’d just be prettier, right? Becoming an adult wouldn’t be a disadvantage for her.

“Oh! Then I’ll ask Gio! ‘Is it okay if I become an adult?’”

I reflexively grabbed her by the back of her collar as she was about to rush off.

“No. You don’t need to ask Gio… Just apply. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, sure!”

The thought of Lilith asking Gio, “What do you think if I become an adult?” and Gio’s face turning bright red was irritating.

No matter what, he’d probably say it’s fine, regardless of her appearance!

Thankfully, Lilith didn’t notice my ambiguous feelings and didn’t go to Gio.

Next, it was Akata’s turn.

“…”

My feelings and motivation were completely different from when I asked Lilith.

I didn’t even try to guess where Akata might be in the mansion. I just sat there.

I imagined how Akata would react to this.

…Since he likes me, he might want to catch up to my age, right?

If he gets selected, it would be a great thing. The stats of an adult Akata could rival the top rank.

But if Akata shed his incomplete form and became an adult, I might never see that small white bird again.

That would also significantly impact my nightly studies.

‘…’

After spending the entire day asking for others’ opinions and submitting their applications, I still hadn’t approached Akata. I was afraid he might say yes and actually get selected.

Running on the treadmill at the training ground, my mind raced with various thoughts.

‘Akata becoming an adult…’

If Akata transformed into the beautiful male form I was familiar with, and if his feelings for me remained unchanged,

What if he still ate with me, talked with me, and held my hand in that form…?

Thud, I stumbled on the treadmill.

More than the near fall, I was startled by my thoughts and steadied myself.

In the end, Akata submitted his application.

As expected, he nodded happily when I asked for his opinion.

The odds were 40:1.

In hindsight, worrying so much seemed excessive.

Sure enough, when I received the results, I returned to the fortress feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Other guild members, unrelated to this event, crowded around me. Unahar was the first to show interest and asked,

“What are the results?”

“Well, none of the official guild members got selected. The odds were terrible, so I don’t know why I took it so seriously…”

Thinking about my unnecessary worry made me feel ashamed. Especially with Akata, I had agonized over the decision.

So, Akata didn’t get selected.

I didn’t know what I was feeling. Somehow relieved yet also deflated.

Both Unahar and Akata had been making me feel very confused lately.

I thought I knew myself well.

I quickly shook my head and delivered the other news.

“But there is one winner in our guild.”

“Really? Who in the subordinates group is it?”

This time, Kanel, the instructor of the subordinates group, stepped closer eagerly.

I just smiled, not answering immediately, making Kanel a bit anxious.

“I think this alone is a huge stroke of luck.”

Someone whose growth could significantly impact the team, as much as Lilith or Akata.

“Our subordinates group leader.”

A while later, I and all the guild members headed to the subordinates group’s dormitory. All members of the subordinates group were already gathered around, watching Nahean.

“Wow…”

[Name] Nahean  

[Gender] Male / [Age] 20  

[Intelligence] Intermediate  

***  

[Stamina] 8333 / B+  

[Strength] 10057 / A  

[Agility] 7960 / B+  

Among our subordinates group, Nahean had the highest stats by a narrow margin, despite our overall individual stats being quite unimpressive. Now, he stood as a vastly superior, robust pillar within the guild.

“I guess there’s no one who can beat you in strength now,” I muttered absentmindedly while looking at the horizon, only to realize belatedly that I had to look up to meet his eyes.

He flashed a charming smile, his tanned skin adding to his appeal. “I didn’t realize Rudel was this short.”

However, Kanel’s reaction was lukewarm.

“…It’s a good thing, but now your stats are higher than mine. I guess I should step down as an instructor.”

“No way! My instructor will always be Kanel!” Nahean, despite his increased size, still showed affection towards Kanel, thankfully maintaining his personality, which helped ease the awkwardness.

It felt like the start of a new school year, discovering that a boy in the same class had suddenly shot up in height over the summer break. His features had become more defined, and his eyes, now sharper and more cat-like, stood out even more.

‘He could be an idol,’ I thought, while the subordinates group made a fuss around him.

“Our leader was always good-looking, but now he’s positively radiant!”

“He’s ready for marriage!”

“Who would be good enough for him?”

The subordinates group chattered boisterously.

I wanted to ask Nahean how he felt about becoming an adult, but the lively atmosphere made it difficult to find the right moment.

“Leader! What about me? If you’re looking for a bride, consider me!” a woman playfully raised her hand, nominating herself, only to be immediately teased from the side.

“Dream on. Keep dreaming!”

“If it’s not our guild leader, no one else is worthy of him!”

A sudden silence fell upon the room following the joke.