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

Thanks to Akata’s efforts, we safely crossed the coastal path connecting the islands and entered the rocky area of the second-largest island.

Boom-!

Today, Unahar was our artilleryman. Since we decided to put aside the wolf issue for now, this was the best combat approach. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder when this blond, handsome man became so adept with a bazooka. Now, he could fire it with his eyes closed, even holding the muzzle backward and shooting without looking. Every shot hit its mark.

“Is a cannon supposed to have such a fast firing rate?”

“It’s because the weapon is enhanced.”

“Isn’t that something most people wouldn’t normally do? Did the blacksmith manager in the shop agree to that so easily?”

“He was reluctant. Said that with a faster firing rate, the user wouldn’t be able to handle the vibration and heat.”

Hearing that, I reached out to touch the front of Unahar’s cannon. Unahar quickly pulled back.

“No, it’s hot.”

How can you hold that scorching thing with just one glove?

Despite my skeptical glance, Unahar grinned slyly. It reminded me of the brighter Unahar from the past, before the wolf issue overshadowed him.

…Even without the wolf, Unahar is still such a valuable asset.

‘If only that wolf causing you so much pain didn’t exist.’

As I watched Unahar fire off more shells from the rear, I couldn’t help but smile wistfully. Unahar noticed and, interpreting it somehow, gave a tentative wink.

“….”

With that exchange, some of the awkwardness from our previous encounter, where I had made him cry after a date, seemed to dissipate.

Meanwhile, Kanel’s machine gun was effectively clearing our path through the rocky terrain.

We still hadn’t found the subordinates group summon button. It might have been taken by another guild.

“…When did we get surrounded?”

Our marching speed had gradually slowed until we eventually stopped altogether. Zombies had encircled us in a tight ring. Without Gio raising the ground to deter them, we would have been their breakfast.

The second island was packed with zombies, teeming everywhere.

“Our six members with 18 Stones of Aspiration are attracting too much attention.”

There were certainly other guilds roaming this island, but it felt like all the zombies were converging on us.

Analyzing the zombies’ infection method, it was similar to what I’d seen in other zombie scenarios—scratching or biting to spread the infection. However, the zombies here prioritized those with Stones of Aspiration, temporarily ignoring players without them.

The number of zombies Unahar’s shells hit could build a mountain. The endless swarms of zombies eventually wore us down. I made a decision.

“Let’s split into two groups.”

While the five of us moved, protecting each other’s backs, Lilith stayed in the middle, timidly shielded by us. She was startled by my suggestion, but I quickly reassured her.

“It’s fine. Many other guilds are split into groups of two or three. We’ll split into groups of three, and whichever group finds the subordinates group summon button first will signal the other. Kanel, you have to go separately from me because you have the sub-leader communicator. Gio, you’ll go with Akata to balance the unique abilities.”

Thus, the teams were divided as follows:

[Rudel’s team: Rudel, Lilith, Gio

Kanel’s team: Kanel, Unahar, Akata]

I felt a bit worried about the other team, but it was just a vague unease since I couldn’t see them directly. Kanel, who I once thought was somewhat aloof, had recently become an indispensable companion to both guild members and subordinates. Unahar was reliable as ever, and Akata had grown significantly, both mentally and physically.

Wasting no time, I entered the forest with Lilith and Gio to search for the subordinates group summon button. We meticulously searched every corner. According to the system, this button looked like a red switch attached to a pad and moved around randomly rather than staying in one place.

Since splitting the team, we had hardly seen any zombies, thanks to Gio’s ability to clear the ground before they could appear.

“It’s been a while. Remember when it was just the three of us in the first round?”

The nostalgia brought a faint smile to my face. It felt both distant and fresh, as if the memories could easily paint the scenes in my mind. It might be because those early days in the game were imprinted on me like childhood memories.

Living and eating together in caves, those memories surfaced vividly, almost tangible at my fingertips.

“But why am I left talking to your back?”

I heard a grumbling voice behind us but paid it no mind. Instead, I focused on patting Lilith’s hand.

Lilith, sharing my nostalgic expression, smiled sweetly and then turned around, extending a hand to Gio.

“Gio, come here.”

Gio hesitated but eventually placed his hand on top of hers. His large, heavy hand quickly began to turn red.

Well, I’ll let it slide.

I gave a slight nod, permitting Gio to come closer to us.

Lilith held Gio’s hand in one of hers and mine in the other, smiling as if she were the happiest person in the world. Her smile was so beautiful it could make viewers sigh in admiration, spreading a serene aura that made us forget we were on an island crawling with zombies.

“Back then… I never imagined you and Gio would become so amazing.”

Gio’s face flushed as he grinned, while I awkwardly glanced at him, feeling embarrassed.

“And I look forward to seeing how much more amazing you’ll become. I wonder what kind of people Gio and you will be.”

Her soft voice flowed into my ear, reaching my heart. Though Lilith probably didn’t mean it that way, to me, it sounded like, “I, Rudel, must transcend the limitations of being a game character and become something greater.”

Rustle-

At that moment, Gio was the first to react to a sound coming from behind the bushes. The ground beneath us vibrated lightly before stopping, a signal that Gio had brought the surrounding land under his control. Zombies didn’t make such subtle noises; they crashed through the underbrush with a limp. This was a player.

Lilith, tense, hid behind me, but upon seeing who it was, she sighed in relief.

“Rudel!”

The blue saint, Aleon, emerged from the forest with a broad smile. Behind him were many members of his Ice Castle guild, putting us at a significant numerical disadvantage. However, Aleon would never attack me first unless I challenged him. Since Aleon wouldn’t attack me, neither would Ifrea nor the guild members.

I quickly scanned the scene. Though I couldn’t see their backs, I could roughly estimate the number of ‘Stones of Aspiration’ they had by the faint glow they emitted. It seemed Aleon’s group had evenly distributed their stones, with Aleon’s glow being the brightest, suggesting he held about ten stones.

Aleon stepped forward, looking like he was about to hug me.

“Ah.”

I signaled with my hand for him to stop. The message was clear: ‘Even though it’s you, I’ll maintain minimal vigilance given the circumstances.’ Thankfully, Aleon mirrored my gesture and stopped in place, showing a kind smile to indicate he wouldn’t come closer.

“That outfit makes you look even more distinguished.”

“We’re all wearing the same outfit.”

“Still, it feels nice to be matching with you.”

The top idol of the first generation continued to treat me with utmost respect.

This might cause some resentment among other characters. I could see Aleon’s subordinates still glancing at me with envious expressions.

“By the way, why are you with only two others? It could be dangerous. Although, the person beside you is exceptional, so there’s no need to worry—”

“We split up for strategic reasons. We’ll rejoin soon.”

If another guild leader had asked, I might have tried to throw them off with a lie like, “Actually, the others died in an accident.” But I didn’t feel the need to deceive Aleon. However, Gio had a surprising reaction when Aleon mentioned him. He flinched slightly, but then he stared intently at Aleon with a look I hadn’t seen before.

It’s the first time I’ve seen this fool look at someone other than Lilith with such intensity. Once, this foolish beast had set his life’s first goal to surpass the unwavering number one, the blue saint, with his own strength for Lilith’s sake. No one can yet say if that effort will bear fruit…

More than anything, it chills me to see how this fool could ‘change everything about himself’ for the woman he loves.

I placed my hand in front of Gio’s chest to hold him back.

“Not yet.”

“…Okay.”

Gio obediently bowed his head. He had long realized the truth that things go much better if he listens to me.

It slightly bothered me that Aleon and Gio, even from a distance, weren’t clashing over the top spot right now. But it’s not the time yet. The viewers will have to wait patiently. This isn’t a scene you can see easily.

Moreover, the debuff from the Stones of Aspiration introduces too many variables for it to be a pure contest.