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

In the meantime, Akata, who had been under mind control, finally managed to break free.

Garam, who had lost control, bent over, panting heavily.

Though they had succeeded in binding Akata with the lasso, the white phoenix still circled him, preventing any attacks.

“Retreat!”

Garam shouted to Tian and Runehan, his face showing fear as if he were looking at a terrifying monster.

However, Runehan did not retreat. Instead, he stood protectively in front of Tian and faced Akata boldly.

He understood why Tian had engaged in a bloody battle with Akata.

She feared forever being considered a lesser version of Agasa’s guild master, Rudel, and wanted to break free from that shadow.

But so what?

To Runehan, he already had too many precious things to care about such titles.

Tian, with a dazed expression, touched her still-warm lips. Runehan glanced back and chuckled.

Yes, at least now, he was a person who matched his awakening speech perfectly.

[“No matter what happens, I won’t lose myself.”]

Without Rudel, he wouldn’t have the determination he had now. He wouldn’t have come this far.

In fact, he was grateful to Rudel.

But Rudel…

Runehan stared intensely at the man with the red hair fluttering around him. He spoke slowly and deliberately.

[“Have you really forgotten?”]

Always feeling indebted to Agasa’s guild master, he spoke despite knowing the penalties.

[“Your true love.”]

Akata froze as if paralyzed.

His face showed clear signs of confusion and panic. His eyes, larger than ever, were filled with turmoil.

[“What?”]

He reflexively asked back.

Until now, he had always ignored any mention of his past by other players.

Swish!

Just then, green vines shot out from all directions, disrupting the moment.

[“…!”]

Runehan dodged the vines wrapping around his ankles and pulled Tian with him, rolling to safety.

A low, husky female voice cut through the tension.

[“Hmm-. This has gone too far, Runehan.”]

Dark vines wrapped around Akata’s waist, seemingly binding him.

Shemarin appeared, her skirt billowing, and cast a cold gaze towards the ‘Meadow’ guild.

The vines climbed up Akata’s thigh. He flinched, then sighed softly.

[“…Thank you, Shemarin.”]

As the vines unwound from him, it became clear that the injuries on Akata’s waist, inflicted by Tian’s lightning, were mostly healed.

This was thanks to the healing properties of Shemarin’s vines.

Recently, there was a topic on the homepage’s Unique Ability Research Center that set it ablaze with discussion.

“Why is Shemarin’s Poison Vine classified as a Soul attribute? Shouldn’t it be Pure Nature since it’s a plant?”

Considering Shemarin is a first-generation character, this question arose quite late. Likely because, as the harem’s sovereign and strategist, she had hidden her true abilities for a long time.

“How did that Redmonarch guild member, was his name Mun? How did his injury heal?”

“Can those injuries heal with just a cool-down potion from the lookout?”

After thoroughly reviewing past videos, the mystery was finally solved.

The reason Shemarin’s Poison Vine was classified as a Soul attribute was that her vines could be used either as poison or as medicine, depending on the situation.

This dual nature was also why Shemarin, as a sovereign, could effectively use her men as valuable pawns in guild battles.

By the end of the third quarter’s final round, Akata had been targeted a total of 21 times, bearing the brunt of everyone’s attacks.

Yet, there was no upset.

**Guild Overall Top 10**

Redmonarch

…

…

**Individual Overall Top 20**

Akata

Aleon

…

…

[Redmonarch guild, please check the notice for the Champion Challenge round.]

[The first challenger for the third quarter’s Champion Challenge is Akata.]

With the Champion Challenge imminent, a regular event, the ‘Guild Coverage Special,’ was held for the users.

This time, it centered around a drinking theme.

[“Cheers!”]

The atmosphere in Red Monarch was unfamiliar yet joyous in the third quarter.

Having finally ascended to the prestigious first place, they had every reason to celebrate. Briefly clinking wine glasses elegantly, the men soon engaged in lively chatter.

At the head of the table, Shemarin sipped her wine with crossed legs. Her body and gaze were directed solely at one person.

Every time Akata met Shemarin’s eyes, he smiled, his expression slightly relaxed from the alcohol.

The coverage then switched to a lone, gloomy figure drinking heavily in the otherwise harmonious scene.

[“Hmph.”]

Muraul seemed displeased with the entire situation. He was the only one who didn’t rejoice when Redmonarch’s first place was confirmed.

‘It’s all because of that Akata guy,’

The focus on Muraul’s face blurred and shifted to Akata, who was watching Muraul from behind.

Akata then walked down from the head table.

[“Mind giving me a drink?”]

Akata sat beside Muraul, extending an empty glass.

It wasn’t just an oblivious attempt to start a conversation; the glint in Akata’s eyes was anything but ordinary.

After a while, due to Muraul’s belligerent and irritable nature, his encounter with Akata turned into a drinking contest.

The victor was Akata. Unlike when he mistakenly drank alcohol as a boy, his increased health now meant he had a higher tolerance.

Muraul, who was slumped over the table, trembled and then abruptly lifted his head.

[“Do you know why I hated you?”]

Akata’s eyes widened.

Meanwhile, the surrounding men, sensing the vice leader was about to cause trouble, started edging backward.

[“I knew from the start it wouldn’t be me! Shemarin had Zaet! But what about you? I could understand if it were Zaet! But you, who appeared out of nowhere—”]

Zaet quickly covered Muraul’s mouth from behind. Muraul struggled and mumbled as the other men carried him away.

[“…”]

Akata was left speechless, staring at the spot where Muraul had been. He couldn’t bring himself to turn and look at Shemarin’s face.

The woman sitting at the head of the table didn’t comment on the incident.

Instead, she waved her hand, signaling that it was time to end the gathering.

However, she did not turn off the recording camera.

[“Akata—come here.”]

Once everyone had returned to their rooms, Shemarin, with a playful smile, called Akata over from the staircase, one leg resting on a step.

Thus, the final scene of the special coverage showed Akata with a mischievous grin following Shemarin into her room.

* * *

[Redmonarch Champion Challenge Air Date: January 15th, 7:00 PM]

During the few months of the third quarter, I prepared to re-enter the game.

As a non-developer, predicting the exact situation was impossible.

So instead, I came up with dozens of plausible scenarios.

From where I would start if I returned to the game, to whether Akata could win the Champion Challenge.

I considered all factors that could significantly impact my plan.

‘Will Akata… win this time?’

I logged onto the Ranking of Soul homepage for the first time in a while to start reading through the discussions.

‘Even though searching past chat logs by specific keywords yields tens of thousands of results, I can’t read them all. But at least the comments picked for the characters through the draw are recorded.’

These draw comments are seen by all users, so they can be considered as representing public opinion.

As I read through the chats, more detached than usual, I noticed a recent comment at the bottom that no one had responded to.

‘I can’t quite bring myself to stan Akata.’

If Aleon was the top idol of the first generation, Akata was the top idol of the third generation.

But here was someone criticizing Akata, and no one had responded.

‘He feels too much like a perfectly crafted celebrity. Too perfect, it feels awkward…’

‘And I can’t really see his emotions…? Feels uncanny.’

I stared at the text for a long time.

Yes… That feeling of unease I had while watching Akata in the game was finally starting to make sense.

‘Maybe I’m just seeing what I want to believe.’

I logged back in with Han Nayeon’s ID and found that chat again.

My intention was to respond directly and preemptively shut down any further discussion that might draw attention to the comment.

‘Maybe it’s the contrast between Akata before and after his memory loss?’

‘That could be it…’

My casual response seemed to satisfy the other person, who then backed off.

* * *

[“Thank you for waiting. The second Champion Challenge begins now!”]

The broadcast started with a loud announcement.

When our Agasa guild challenged the Champion, there was no such fanfare.

Perhaps the solemn atmosphere of a Champion Challenge was meant to differentiate it from other rounds…

But in reality, there probably was a lot of hype and commentary to fill the broadcast time.

[“Redmonarch guild, always a strong contender! It seems like fate that Akata joined Redmonarch! Not only did he fall in love at first sight, but the woman was also the guild master of the top guild!”]

I watched Akata intently, more seriously than ever.

Beneath the masked Champion, Taggiros, dark clouds gathered, just like that day.

With tens of thousands of viewers watching, Akata firmly planted one foot on the ground.

Softly, the radiant light of the phoenix flowed out from his body.

The strategy I once shared with Gio, ‘Create your own space against the darkness,’ seemed to be the go-to method for facing Taggiros now.

Boom!

In an instant, Akata’s body lunged toward the Champion.

White phoenixes, three or four, followed fiercely like dragons.

The viewer chat on the right side of my screen scrolled rapidly as always.

‘No way, no way, no way!’

‘Is this actually happening?’

‘Is there any researcher in this room? Who’s going to win?’

In this context, ‘researcher’ referred to members of the Ranking of Soul’s unique ability research center who had achieved a certain level of expertise.

They were considered somewhat experts in the game.

‘I’m a researcher.’

‘This is happening.’

‘In VR, Akata’s graphics have more pixels.’

‘↑ What are you talking about lol’

‘lol Can we trust this guy? Not an expert?’

‘No, it’s real. Betting rooms are flipping right now.’

‘People who bet on Taggiros are freaking out.’

‘Wow, is the Champion going down today?’

‘Is the game planner coming out?’