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

A loud, slightly husky, and somewhat raspy female voice.

“Lilith, stay here and watch over Unahar.”

I firmly instructed her before stepping outside the cave.

A beautiful female character with blue-tinged black hair stood, facing off with Gio, flanked by a large man.

“So, you’re the subordinate of a woman named Rudel? Get your leader out here.”

So, word of me being the leader of these guys had already spread across the field?

Considering my future role as a guild leader, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Just as Gio was about to retort, I placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

“Gio, go back inside.”

Unlike the woman, I didn’t feel the need to keep Gio as a bodyguard. I could handle this alone.

With my arms crossed, I briefly assessed the woman before me.

Her deep blue hair contrasted with her slender neck and fair skin, wrapping sensuously around her voluptuous figure.

As she stepped to the side, her skirt’s high slit revealed a smooth, toned leg.

I quietly admired her beauty. She was nearly as striking as Lilith.

However, her mature and sensual aura was different from Lilith’s, making me think they would be an interesting pair together.

“What’s your business here?”

As I spoke, I discreetly checked her status window.

[Name] Shemarin / [Level] 40

[Gender] Female / [Age] 25

[Intelligence] High / [Killing Intent] Upper-Mid

“I’m here because you took my wolf-.”

She spoke in her low, drawn-out voice, twirling a lock of hair around her finger while looking directly at me.

If she meant the wolf, she meant Unahar?

“Why do you claim that wolf as yours?”

Shemarin’s eyes narrowed slightly at my demanding tone.

“In case you didn’t know, the wolf you caught is a human. A man I fancy. I intended to add him to my harem-.”

My expression grew more complex at her words.

“Harem…?”

“My man.”

I had known that characters could have romantic feelings, but here was a queen-like character challenging adult content ratings.

I didn’t intend to involve myself in her eccentric life choices, so I countered her with a different argument.

“Did you ask the wolf? Did he want to join your harem?”

“Probably not-. That’s why he ran away.”

“Then you have no right to pursue him. People’s free will must be respected. Go back.”

I added emphasis to my voice, raising my hand to indicate that I would use force if necessary.

“Listen further. I don’t force anyone to serve me if they don’t want to-. I’m pursuing Unahar because he wronged me. He stole something of mine.”

“…You’re not going to tell me he stole your heart or something, right?”

Shemarin shot me a contemptuous glare. Okay, maybe not that.

Realizing my comment was childish, I quickly apologized.

“Unahar seduced me first and then stole an item before running away.”

Shemarin sighed in exasperation, her short breaths sounding strangely attractive.

“Then my men caught him. Normally, I would have killed him for such insolence, but because I found him appealing, I decided to pardon his crime by making him serve me in my harem. Is that unreasonable-?”

She lifted her sleek arm, inviting me to judge her decision.

Having listened patiently without interruption, I crossed my arms and pondered.

Logically, I couldn’t find a strong counterargument.

Seducing someone with his looks and then stealing an item? Even I would seek retribution for that…

While it might be extreme to kill or put someone in a harem, it’s a matter of perspective.

Besides, in this death game, I couldn’t claim that killing was inherently wrong.

Unahar’s behavior of seducing to gain something felt eerily familiar.

First, I needed to know what the stolen item was to negotiate effectively.

“What exactly did he steal?”

Shemarin’s lips curled into a faint smile, as if pleased to have found someone reasonable.

“You’ll understand why I’m chasing him when you hear this-.”

After a dramatic pause, she continued with a smile.

“He stole an item that can awaken a unique ability. He ate it and gained the ability to transform into that magnificent wolf, so now he can’t return what he took-.”

“…!”

My mind raced.

“Could you explain the circumstances in more detail, if you don’t mind?”

An item that can awaken a unique ability? It sounded like nonsense, but I needed to know more.

“Hmph, I’d rather not.”

Shemarin quickly withdrew. Perhaps she didn’t want to reveal too much information.

I didn’t press further.

It wasn’t a big loss if Shemarin wouldn’t share more. I could always ask Unahar directly.

If I were in her position, I wouldn’t divulge information to a stranger either.

“For now, I’m protecting Unahar.”

This was practically a summit between the two factions. To avoid antagonizing Shemarin, I decided to be honest about my intentions.

Shemarin raised her dark eyes. Even her subtle movements were captivating enough to unsettle her opponents.

I followed up with a proposal that might intrigue her.

“You said Unahar stole an item that awakened his unique ability, right? While he can’t return it, what if I helped you unlock your unique ability instead?”

Shemarin arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my offer.

Lilith would have just widened her eyes in surprise, but Shemarin’s reaction, fitting her mature and provocative character, exuded charisma.

“If you have the unique abilities of ‘Pure Nature’ or ‘Soul,’ I can unlock them for you. If I succeed, will you consider Unahar’s debt paid?”

Instead of directly asking what her unique ability was, I first laid out the conditions I could fulfill.

Pure Nature or Soul. Both are abilities that Lilith and I have personally experienced and can verify.

(Of course, I also know the conditions for unlocking the Switch, but I need to keep that a secret for now.)

And naturally, I can see what Shemarin’s unique ability is.

[Name] Shemarin

* * *

[Ability Group] Soul

[Unique Ability (Locked)] ■■

[Potential Grade] A+

Luckily, it’s Soul. If it had been Pure Nature, I might have had to put her through a trial by fire, almost literally.

But with Soul, it’s relatively simple—she just needs to realize herself and swear her conviction.

A few persuasive words from me should do the trick.

“But why—? Why are you willing to pay Unahar’s debt?”

Shemarin smoothly shifted the conversation, smiling slyly as if to say, ‘Have you fallen for him?’

“Just recruiting a teammate.”

I gave a nonchalant nod at my own lame explanation.

In truth, I was intrigued by the dramatic potential of Unahar’s unstable wolf ability.

Shemarin frowned, trying to gauge the truth of my words.

“Soul.”

Shemarin whispered sharply, her expression turning serious as she decided to reveal the secret.

She didn’t forget to threaten me, either.

“If you’re lying, I’ll drag you away with Unahar.”

The large man standing behind her must have been there to drag Unahar away.

I glanced at him. He was as big as Gio.

It seemed he could easily take both Unahar and me.

“Is this man part of your harem too?”

I asked Shemarin while subtly pointing my chin at the man, pretending he couldn’t hear.

A few provocative and leading questions should be enough to draw out Shemarin’s convictions.

The man flinched but kept his silence, likely having promised Shemarin he wouldn’t speak.

Shemarin replied calmly without hesitation.

“Yes.”

“How many more do you have besides him?”

“That’s a secret.”

“So, at least five?”

I squinted disdainfully, deliberately provoking her.

“I don’t get it. Isn’t it vulgar to have so many entangled like that?”

Shemarin immediately took the bait, her thick lashes narrowing sharply.

“Take that back.”

I faced her calmly, pondering what words might further provoke a reaction. But it wasn’t necessary. Shemarin glared at me intensely and snapped back immediately.

“I may keep many at once, but if someone truly perfect for me appears, I’ll give up everyone else, and my people know that. They follow me knowing my thoughts. You can’t call them vulgar, even if you think I am.”

A strange wave rippled through the area, distorting the air like a mirage.

Soon, tough green vines began to sprout up from the ground, wrapping around my legs.

[Name] Shemarin

* * *

[Ability Group] Soul

[Unique Ability] Poison Vines

[Potential Grade] A+

[Congratulations! The unique ability has been unlocked.]

After the broadcast message, Shemarin’s character’s unique line followed:

[“I’m looking for the perfect man. Until then, I can help the men who pass through my life as much as I can, as a token of gratitude.”]

……Shemarin’s character had such a soft, curvy body that I didn’t realize, but looking at her status screen, she’s an A+ character in basic stats.

Stronger than Ispan or Gio.

A queen, indeed, but a truly strong queen with a determination to protect all the men who came under her.

I never expected it, but I guess even a life’s conviction could be rooted in such themes.

Well, it makes sense.