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

At that time, as a real estate broker, I circulated a confidential survey among the guilds, asking whether they wanted to leave their guild fortresses and the reasons for their choices. 

About 30% of the respondents expressed a desire for independence.

“That means 70% want to continue living with their comrades. The atmosphere seems good. If my companions weren’t Gio, Lilith, and Kanel, I would have chosen to live alone a hundred times over.”

On the other hand, there was a guild where every single member wanted independence, or rather, escape.

“I can’t live with Lady Yudirei any longer. Living with her has cut my lifespan in half.”

“But if we all leave, Lady Yudirei will be left alone…”

Oh? I found myself eavesdropping on the conversation of the Slaughterer’s guild members out of curiosity.

They weren’t afraid of Yudirei’s wrath; instead, they seemed a bit concerned about leaving the young girl alone.

“Yudirei, you’ve managed to earn some degree of trust from your guild members?”

Anyway, they reluctantly returned to Skull Castle, where Yudirei was surely waiting for them.

But when they reached the individual rooms, they found all their belongings thrown outside.

“Finally, I can kick those bastards out. No one will live in my Skull Castle after today.”

Thus, the murderous girl made her guild members cry once again.

They felt all their worries were for nothing but dared not complain for fear of being struck by their guild master.

However, unexpectedly, Yudirei, watching her guild members pack their belongings with tearful faces, mumbled while avoiding their gaze,

“Well, you can visit sometimes. You need to check on the animals you stuck to the columns of Skull Castle.”

By animals, she meant the plants growing on bone dust or the flesh-eating iguanas.

In a way, this turned out to be the best happy ending for the guild members who decided to become independent, but it made me even less inclined to visit Skull Castle.

Recently, Yudirei has been trying to invite me to Skull Castle, but there’s no way I’m falling for that.

Having finished explaining Yudirei’s recent activities, I got up from the bench again.

With Akata and the cameraman in tow, I continued to rush around.

By sunset, we managed to capture most of the seaside village on camera.

“Now, we’re almost done. Are you sure Tian agreed to the interview?”

“Yes, he said we can come to his house now.”

My diligent assistant Akata replied.

“I’m surprised Tian, who is as socially awkward as Akata, agreed. Maybe Runehan influenced him?”

Tian, who doesn’t like people much and spends his days hammering metal and stoking fires as a blacksmith, lives in a somewhat isolated place with Runehan.

I decided to conduct this interview alone.

As I carried the camera and walked up the stone path, memories from the past resurfaced.

I had revealed the truth about the outside world to most of the guild masters.

This included the second-generation guild masters, the newer characters.

However, I had told Runehan something extra.

I had shared with him about Aria, the existence that only Akata and I knew about.

According to the Mijon employees, Runehan was a character created at Aria’s suggestion.

On the surface, it was to keep me in check by instilling a sense of inferiority in him, but…

Just as Aria had used me for her purposes, I suspected there was another reason for creating Runehan.

In other words, he wasn’t entirely unrelated to the affair between Aria and me.

“So, I was born to hate you…?”

Hearing the truth, Runehan finally understood. Despite the shock, his high intelligence allowed him to accept it all.

But accepting the truth and deciding what to do about it were separate matters.

What he said to me first at that moment still surprises me to this day.

“I’m sorry. To you.”

“To me?”

“Yes, to Rudel.”

It was the first time Runehan had called me by my name.

Since then, he had started using it more naturally.

“It’s like saying you were born to be hated by me.”

In a way, Runehan, a significant victim of Aria, acknowledged that I was also a victim of hers.

Shaking hands with Runehan, I felt a satisfying sense of having gained another strong ally.

It felt like the game that had trapped us was finally ending.

“You’re different from me. You’re kinder. If our positions were reversed, you would have apologized to me.”

At that moment, Runehan’s face, telling me I was kind, resembled mine so much it left me dazed.

After walking a bit further along the deserted path, a wide open view appeared.

A beautiful wildflower meadow spread out behind a charming cottage.

As expected from someone who loves flowers, Runehan’s home was almost like a botanical garden. Various potted plants, like those in a flower shop, lined the outside of the gate.

Walking around to the back of the house, Tian’s blacksmith workshop came into view, standing back to back with the cottage.

After recording the entire scene on camera, I knocked on the door of the cottage.

The sound of sharpening a blade, which had been coming from the flower-filled interior, stopped.

“Welcome.”

The door opened, and Tian greeted me. As always, she was tall enough that I had to look up to see her face.

Tian and I were still nothing more than acquaintances, and if anything, our relationship was more of a strained one due to Akata. However, ever since Runehan extended a friendly gesture towards me, Tian’s attitude had also shifted. I guessed that Tian would no longer be as confrontational when meeting Akata alone. She was rational, always separating her professional and personal life. Now she also knew that Akata had undergone rigorous training just like her and that their relentless battles were due to the system.

“Runehan was filming with Junias and Garam earlier. I thought he would come here, but he’s alone? Can I at least take some wedding photos of you two?”

“Do as you wish.”

Runehan and Tian were quite a popular couple. While the viewers would love to see their happy updates, I’ll hint at their relationship with wedding photos and an album. Giving just enough to keep them wanting more.

The only common ground in their hobbies was Tian making pruning shears for Runehan to trim flowers. Despite this, they shared and enjoyed their hobbies, living an enviable newlywed life.

Tian set aside the sword she was working on and brewed some tea. Sitting lightly across from me, she asked about my busy life.

“How’s the busy life treating you, miss?”

The title…?

“Runehan told me to address his sister that way. I read it in a book.”

“Well, it’s true, but it’s not necessary… I’m not his real sister.”

“Runehan quite regards you as such.”

Tian offered to let me take a sword or accessory with me.

“It would look good hanging on your wall.”

Knowing this was Tian’s way of showing affection, I picked a metal ornament. I couldn’t help but smile at the ‘flowers’ made of iron.

“But where did Runehan really go after the interview?”

“He went to meet a friend.”

“Not Garam or Junias, another friend?”

“To Runehan, everyone in the world is a friend.”

Tian’s only friend was Runehan, making them a very contrasting couple.

According to Tian, Runehan asked her to come with him, but when she declined, he went out alone, sulking. She seemed a bit concerned about her sulking husband but soon switched the topic to her beloved weapons.

“A true sword must cut through flesh without getting stained with blood.”

Come to think of it, Tian, like someone else, had a narrow social circle and a penchant for bloody combat.

“How about you have a meeting with Yudirei?”

I still hadn’t managed to include Yudirei in the interview. That little troublemaker was really giving me a hard time.

“She’s undoubtedly the biggest problem child in the game world. She needs to start seeing people as friends rather than just meat to slice with her sword. In the game, it was one thing, but we don’t live just playing games anymore.”

I complained, sounding like a worried parent.

“I think you and Yudirei might have some common ground. Could you meet her?”

Tian’s hand, resting on the table, tightened, her fist trembling and causing the table to crack.

“You survived saying that because it was you. If anyone else had said it, their bones and flesh would have been separated.”

“…Sorry. I didn’t realize it was that offensive. I apologize.”

The real swords and various blades surrounding me on the walls suddenly felt very present. I quickly made my exit.

As the door closed, I glimpsed Tian looking wistfully at the now-splintered table.

“Runehan cherished that table.”

And before the door fully closed, an arm suddenly thrust out, startling me as if I had seen a zombie.

“Get me a table identical to that one.”

Her face was quite desperate, not wanting to upset her husband.

“Do I look like a genie from a magic lamp?”

“I think you’re close enough. Hurry.”

“Uh, by when?”

“Before Runehan returns.”

“I’m not done with my video! Find another supplier! Like Blance.”

“Speaking of, why are these things so flimsy? Can’t they be made sturdier—”

“I don’t know, contact Ifrea for furniture repairs!”

I managed to escape, in every sense, barely.