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

After the 10th round ended, I immersed myself even more in my work, sparing only the minimum amount of time for anything else.

When I return to the game, I need to seize control from the GM in just a few attempts.

Since I can’t directly storm the game company, I need to rely on quick thinking and skill in an unpredictable environment.

Thus, while staying at Han Nayeon’s house, I’m practicing anything related to game implementation that I can get my hands on.

It’s fortunate I have something to focus on; otherwise, I’d be burying myself in despair all day.

“…”

In the dim room obscured by blackout curtains, the only sounds were the clicking of my keyboard and mouse.

Outside, the afternoon sun was likely shining, but it had been a while since I’d seen it.

I was deep into making a practice game.

As the program loaded, a black screen appeared on the computer, reflecting my gaunt face.

I was exhausted from lack of sleep.

Unable to fight off my heavy eyelids, I put the computer into sleep mode and slumped over the desk.

Just two hours of sleep. No, three hours. The bed is too comfortable, so I’ll stay here.

If I sleep longer, I might dream.

I also wanted to finish this practice game today.

If I could create a game like this easily, I would have skills comparable to a Mijon programmer.

I got up, deactivated sleep mode, and ran the game.

The graphics moved smoothly, just as I had coded them.

“It’s working.”

I’ll finish the rest after a short nap.

* * *

A few weeks in the real world.

Unlike Rudel, who seemed to have returned to his old hometown, Kanel, Unahar, and Lilith had to learn everything from scratch.

They pondered over every meal and cooked it themselves. Without regular cleaning, the house quickly became a mess.

They learned about laundry from Han Nayeon, who they initially thought was disposable after one use.

Kanel, who had always lived with someone managing everything, especially struggled with this new lifestyle. He constantly left his room in disarray.

Today, Unahar grumbled as he picked up the socks and clothes Kanel had thrown around.

His roommate was quite a slob, and Unahar missed having his own room.

“…But I don’t miss anything else.”

Since coming here, Unahar’s biggest conflict was the small arguments over who would clean the room next.

There were no relentless rounds one after another, no threats from rivals.

Being a game player was like being an actor, providing content for the viewers.

Even after shedding all that… Unahar was still himself.

“Maybe I was never suited to being a game character.”

It was simple, but comfortable. For now.

The days of fearing that a wolf would take over my body if I fell asleep had disappeared. Consequently, my insomnia vanished as well.

‘It would be perfect if I could forget about the game and live here with Rudel forever.’

But that won’t happen.

…There is no more hope.

With a bit of peace in my life, Unahar reflected on his past. Over and over again.

Even in his dreams, he repeatedly found himself late at night in his private room, begging Rudel while holding her.

Every time, he said to the dream Rudel,

“Spend the night with me. Please, save me.”

At that time, Unahar was so engulfed in the despair of rejection that he couldn’t see anything around him.

He didn’t consider how Rudel felt, being the one to reject him.

‘I didn’t realize you looked like that. I made you sad.’

Finally, he opened his eyes, frozen by his realization.

‘Now I understand. I was the one pushing you unilaterally.’

But why did Rudel never express such dissatisfaction to me and only apologize?

If I had known that rejecting me made Rudel blame herself so much… I wouldn’t have made such a confession.

‘…Still, I had that much influence on Rudel.’

Feeling this sense of satisfaction in the midst of everything made him feel despicable.

However, Unahar decided not to censor himself anymore. He chose to accept even his cowardly self.

Because it was proof of his desperation for Rudel.

Suddenly wanting to see Rudel, Unahar used a plate of fruit as an excuse to knock on her door.

Receiving no answer, he quietly entered and heard the soft sound of her breathing.

He found her small back hunched over the desk, sound asleep.

“…”

Unahar placed the fruit plate next to her.

He gently lifted her by supporting her back and knees, and her small, round head soon rested on his shoulder.

For the first time, Rudel was completely unguarded in his arms.

Looking down at her delicate golden eyes, he continued his monologue.

‘Now I realize that the time I struggled so much because of the wolf was actually meaningless.’

There was a wider world outside.

If only I had known that it wasn’t something I could overcome through my own efforts. Then I wouldn’t have hated myself so much.

‘In the end, you saved me. …You and Akata.’

If she weren’t in such a deep sleep, his guild master probably wouldn’t have been able to endure being held in his arms.

She was someone who never showed weakness or fatigue.

Feeling the warmth in his arms, memories of past moments flashed through his mind.

For example, the time he tried to drag Rudel out of the training ground, even as sweat poured down like rain.

“How long are you planning to stay in the training ground?”

“Just until my stamina stat reaches 0!”

“It already has! I’m the one who calculates the basic stats for the guild members, remember?”

The truth was, Rudel hadn’t reached her target, but Unahar lied because he wanted her to rest.

‘You always lived in the training ground. You went to bed the latest and woke up the earliest, so I never had a chance to see you sleep like this.’

Then there was the day you furrowed your brows while staring intently at the screen.

“…I never thought they’d make our characters read negative comments.”

“Rudel, what is that?”

Back then, I sneaked a look at the text on the screen and was horrified.

‘Rudel acts smart over nothing.’

‘Are the players really that dumb? If Rudel is considered smart… lol’

‘I don’t understand why Rudel is more popular than Shemarin.’

‘Shemerin x Zaet had such hot scenes, Rudel should have swapped places.’

“Damn it, who would write such things-!”

“Ah, Unahar, don’t read this! I’ll handle it myself!”

‘You always lived fiercely, taking responsibility for the difficult and troublesome things.’

Your sleeping face was lovely and gentle. It was a face I wanted to look at for a long time.

Although I should have carefully laid you down on the bed, I didn’t want to let go and stood there holding you for a while.

Just like holding a baby to sleep.

* * *

What was meant to be a short nap turned into eight hours of sleep. I woke up to find I had been moved to a different place.

‘When did I come to this room?’

Rudel, having had a rare good night’s sleep, walked out of the room, looking bewildered.

“You’re awake? Come eat.”

The blonde man in an apron, who had been waiting, gestured for her to sit as he set the table with food.

Feeling it would be rude to refuse, Rudel sat down.

Unahar, who had been avoiding her until now, sat across from her, resting his chin on his hand and staring intently.

The intensity of his gaze made Rudel feel slightly uneasy.

But she didn’t immediately realize the change that had come over him.

As soon as their eyes met, Unahar smiled warmly.

‘It’s okay, Rudel. Thanks to you, I’m okay now.’

He loved this woman.

Even if he couldn’t have her, he couldn’t help his feelings.

…Perhaps that other person loved Rudel in the same way.

Despite feeling a sharp pang of sorrow, Unahar swallowed the intense emotion.

It was time to say something other than “I love you.”

“Rudel.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Rudel, not usually very perceptive about people’s feelings, seemed to grasp the meaning behind Unahar’s words this time.

The spoon she was using to eat paused for a long moment.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve thanks.”

“You’ve done a lot. All this time.”

Finally, the barrier that had been between them crumbled.

For the first time in a long while, they had a warm, everyday conversation as human beings. Rudel felt relieved yet melancholic, believing she would never again talk to Unahar like this.

Rudel finally confessed her feelings.

“Honestly… when you first said you liked me, I didn’t believe it. You were too handsome and perfect, so I thought there was no way.”

Unahar, laughing with a deflated smile, looked as handsome and polished as the day they first met.

Although Rudel had finished her meal, it seemed Unahar had more to say. His tone grew more serious compared to their earlier conversation.

“During the PK, Akata told me.”

He suddenly brought this up.

“He said he liked me quite a bit. So, couldn’t I at least give him a chance?”

With that, Unahar lowered his head deeply.

“…I guess I was reckless back then. It’s too late, but I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Rudel showed no reaction.

Soon, she turned away, saying she had to get back to work after finishing her meal.

Left alone, Unahar cleaned up the dishes she had left behind, murmuring to himself.

‘That’s how you avoid your confused feelings. Overworking yourself these past few days.’

She had been so flustered when he brought up Akata that she forgot to clear her dishes and hurried away.

‘Seeing you so shaken by the love line with Shemarin, it’s clear that…’

It felt like a dagger to his heart, but Unahar accepted what he saw. He acknowledged Akata.

‘But now, Akata is…’

“That wretch. You should have held on to your memories. No matter how much the system… the GMs manipulated you.”

Unahar spoke as if Akata were present.

“Come back, Akata. Come back to Rudel.”