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

I’m a guild leader. So, no matter what happens, even if the sky falls, I have to check the Champion Challenge announcement.

I read the text with bleary eyes, having not slept a wink since last night.

– A one-on-one PK with Champion Taggiros can be attempted in order of individual rankings within the current top guild.

– If victorious, the entire guild gains ‘Game Planner’ privileges.

– However, there is a penalty for defeat. Players defeated by Taggiros will be sealed and detained for the next quarter, unable to return to the guild fortress due to Taggiros’s unique ability.

“The penalty is too harsh! If Gio loses, he can’t come home for the next quarter and will be stuck in a prison? What about our Lilith then?”

Trying to calm my irritation, I spent twenty minutes rationalizing it and finally understood objectively. The penalty is probably a rule designed to balance the top guild and players.

If a player defeats Taggiros, they would break the balance of the game, so they’re exempted as a Game Planner. Even if they lose, the detention weakens the top guild’s power, giving other guilds a chance.

Before breakfast, I called Gio to ask his opinion.

“Gio, these are the rules for the Champion Challenge… Are you okay with this?”

The muscular man, who heard my words, surprisingly seemed to ‘think’ it over, tapping his foot while sitting in a chair. To me, he’s still a fool, but he is the man who recently defeated Aleon and became the undisputed strongest.

However, despite Gio’s victory, the characters mocked that a fool became number one, only praising Aleon. They even found his defeated form noble and charming.

But Gio dismisses them with a “Who cares.” He lives happily just from Lilith’s smile, regardless of the world’s insults or curses.

That’s why I expected Gio to be even more reluctant about this Champion Challenge.

“If you fail, you’ll be separated from Lilith for the next quarter. I wouldn’t accept that!”

I braced myself for his reaction, waiting for a while. Finally, he looked up with a resolute expression.

“I’ll do it.”

Even though I explained he might not see Lilith for a while if he failed… he’s unexpectedly calm about it?

“Aren’t you getting too cocky after beating Aleon once?”

It seems that the Tarzan who was in the forest has now found the joy of challenging hardships, especially after the raid. And if Lilith’s support is involved, even better.

Since cancellation isn’t an option and he’s willing to do it, I’m grateful.

“Do whatever you want, Gio.”

And Lilith always respects Gio’s decisions. (If Gio has an opinion, that is.)

When Gio saw Lilith, he suddenly lowered his head, turning bright red to his ears.

“If I win and come back, c-can you give me the kiss that we, we missed last time?”

…They still haven’t done it yet?

At this point, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for this muscle-bound beast. I gave a pitiful smile.

Gio firmly believes that Lilith is either a goddess or a fairy from heaven. Therefore, as a lowly beast, he feels he can’t even touch her and just waits for Lilith to grant him the grace of a kiss or whatever else.

Lilith let out a small, tinkling laugh. Then, she suddenly kissed Gio on the cheek.

“I can do it now. Next time, I’ll kiss you on the lips!”

Watching Gio turn beet red, looking like he was about to explode, I couldn’t help but laugh softly and turn away. 

Alright, as long as you two are happy. I’ll make sure you both stay happy. 

“The system provided Taggiros’s unique abilities. I’ll research them and try to find a weakness.”

Honestly, it’s easier to work than to deal with emotional battles. 

While examining Taggiros’s combat samples, stray thoughts kept intruding. 

Since it might be difficult for Unahar to face me now, I should suggest he stay at the subordinates’ dorm for a while. I’d also ask Nahean to keep an eye on him to prevent any mishaps.

As I looked at Gio’s stats, I habitually glanced over all the guild members’ stats.

“…?”

I was taken aback and shot up from my seat.

‘Why is Unahar’s Precision like this?’

[Unique Ability] Wolf

* [Precision] E

This is the usual Precision stat for the Mad Wolf. But now—.

* [Precision] A

Before my eyes, the text changed.

***

At the same time, Unahar was in the training ground, which had just become accessible again today. As the artificial mist receded, the gigantic outline became clear, casting long shadows in the brightened training ground.

The wolf’s blood-red eyes took in the vastly heightened view and looked down at its two feet standing on the ground.

‘How, why?’

The beast, like a newborn puppy, lifted and lowered its legs in bewilderment. Simultaneously, it raised its snout to survey its surroundings, confused.

Currently, he neither wanted to kill nor destroy anything. Inside the wolf now was the complete ‘Unahar himself.’

The mist quickly returned. A smaller, yet tall and handsome man stepped back into the training ground compared to the wolf.

“Hah, hah.”

His legs trembled. He sank to his knees as if collapsing.

* [Precision] A

He controlled the gigantic wolf solely by his own will, as if he had always been able to do so, with a nonchalant and brazen attitude. Whether he was happy or bewildered, he let out a hollow laugh. As he laughed for a long time, tears eventually streamed down his face. He felt like he was losing his mind.

If he had overcome it through his own efforts, or if Rudel had somehow saved him, it would have been much easier to accept. But of all things, the one who saved him was someone he had despised so much—.

“Akata… what did you do to me?”

***

The ‘Precision’ stat of a unique ability measures how much control a character has over that ability. Akata’s phoenix, with its F-level Precision, could move freely like an entity with its own personality, without the master’s control. Similarly, Unahar’s E-level Precision was related to his control over the wolf.

That wolf had acted like a beast trampling over Unahar’s will, violating his human dignity, and even injuring his comrades. But suddenly, overnight, without any particular reason, his E-level Precision had abruptly changed to A-level. 

Does this mean that Unahar will no longer be taken over by the mad wolf…?

It’s a good thing. Such good news that it left him stunned, unable to accept it immediately. Such a stroke of luck falling out of the blue seemed too good to be true. 

All elements of the game have reasons guided by the GMs. For Unahar’s defect to disappear without any prior indication was suspicious.

“Unahar, answer my call.”

I muttered to myself. Even though we were in the same fortress, I deliberately called him separately. I figured Unahar might find it difficult to face me directly at the moment. 

After a moment, the signal cut off and the connection was established.

“…”

I hadn’t expected much, but confronting Unahar’s somber mood brought a heavy guilt that rose to my throat. Suppressing my apology, I maintained a professional and decisive tone as a guild leader.

“I have to ask, disregarding propriety. Did anything happen to you?”

“Rudel, listen. The wolf doesn’t take over my consciousness anymore.”

As if he had been waiting to say this, he whispered in a low, hoarse voice. It seemed Unahar himself had already realized his condition and even tested it in the training ground.

“Is that true?”

I didn’t know whether to congratulate him or express relief. No words came to mind. Neither of us seemed able to escape the shock, with only his ragged breathing filling the silence.

“How?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Akata would know…”

Even as he mentioned Akata, his uncertainty lingered, trailing off without confidence.

“Akata? Why is Akata involved in this? What happened between you two?”

After a long while, I finally got to the bottom of the situation. Unahar explained their encounter in the PK arena, his voice growing increasingly timid and quiet. Even after crying so much because of me, he was still scared, worried about getting reprimanded.

When Akata got caught eavesdropping on us yesterday, I should have made sure Unahar didn’t direct his anger toward Akata. I hadn’t realized how mentally cornered Unahar had become. I had been careless.

“Alright. Don’t think about anything else right now. Just try to relax and be happy. …Nothing is tormenting you anymore.”

If I was this stunned, how must he feel? To be freed from his shackles overnight—it must feel unreal and overwhelming. He had suffered so much because of that wolf, to the point of becoming dependent and even obsessive towards me. 

Though I didn’t think his feelings for me would fade instantly just because this problem was resolved, the image of his tear-streaked face left a bitter taste in my mouth. After hesitating for a while, I ended the call.

Next, I went around the fortress looking for Akata. I eventually ran into Kanel, who was just leaving Akata’s room.

“Kanel? What brings you here?”

“Akata is in his room?”

“…Yes, but don’t go in. He’s sleeping.”

Kanel’s strong arm subtly held me back. What was this? It felt like Kanel was gently preventing me from entering.

We stared each other down. Eventually, Kanel relented.

“I don’t know anything.”

“Oh really? Then you must know why I’m here?”

“I really don’t know anything. All I know is that Akata and Unahar had a fight in the PK arena.”