Somehow, the massage plan fell through completely. Ryuseol kept refusing, citing her bad mood.
Time passed, and the final day of the training camp arrived.
[You have successfully completed the training camp.]
[All participants receive +2 stat points.]
Just 2 points, but their value grew exponentially as levels increased.
There was no formal graduation ceremony. Guilds were busy approaching pre-selected participants, offering contracts.
I turned to the party members gathered behind me.
“As I said before, we’re joining the Holy Cross for now. If anyone wants out, you can join another guild.”
Seo Eunha tilted her head and asked.
“Why specifically the Holy Cross?”
Han Soyoung chimed in.
“Yeah, I heard there’s a guild rumored to be stronger than the Holy Cross, even though the instructors keep it quiet.”
I smirked and shrugged.
“I looked into that one. Bad rumors. Their guild leader’s notorious—kidnapping women to use as sex slaves, killing anyone they don’t like.”
“Eek…!”
Park Minjun flinched, visibly scared, then glanced at Ryuseol beside him.
Ryuseol’s eyes narrowed coldly for a moment.
“…I’ve heard of it too. Probably Night Bloom.”
Approaching us, Austin added.
“Correct. Night Bloom. A guild entirely composed of women, except for the leader. Their infamy isn’t just rumors.”
His voice dropped subtly.
“Running brothels, abducting women… and there’s talk—rumors, mind you—of experiments crossbreeding male participants with female monsters.”
“My God… that’s insane…”
The party was shocked, and I was dumbfounded.
“What the hell? When did I ever run experiments with useless guys? That’s your sick fantasy, you lunatics.”
Unaware of my thoughts, Austin continued calmly.
“Night Bloom’s influence is weaker in the lower floors, but the higher you go, the more they dominate. Avoid them at all costs. Their elite forces are monstrously strong.”
“Gulp…”
Everyone swallowed hard, faces darkening at the thought of monsters, rogues, and now a notorious guild. To lighten the mood, I laughed and spoke up.
“Oi, oi~ Guild Leader, stealing my lines?”
Austin studied my expression, then smiled and bowed slightly.
“Haha, my apologies. …Now, an important step awaits. Please follow me. I’ll show you the Holy Cross’s base before you decide on joining.”
With that, Austin turned and walked, surrounded by dozens of Holy Cross members like an escort.
***
The Holy Cross’s base was on the 5th floor, right in the city center—a massive mansion visible from afar.
At the entrance—
“Wow…”
Han Soyoung let out a gasp of awe.
Marble pillars lined the sides, a massive chandelier glittered like jewels, and the floor was polished obsidian tiles. Magical devices glowed softly throughout the lobby.
It was on a different level from typical mansions or smaller guild bases.
“This… is a guild base?”
Even Seo Eunha’s eyes widened in shock.
“This guy said they built a new base… how much money did they pour into this?”
I chuckled, looking up at the ceiling. Beyond the opulence, the maintenance costs alone must be astronomical.
“This is our recently completed guild base,” Austin explained. “We pride ourselves on its size and top-tier facilities.”
He led us forward.
“Floors 1 and 2 are for regular members’ quarters and training facilities. Floors 3 and 4 are for executives. Above the 5th floor… you’ll find out when you reach that level.”
We took a floating platform to the 2nd floor.
Austin stopped.
“This is your lodging. Take a look.”
Inside was a spacious living room with sofas and tables, connected to individual bedrooms.
“Wow, this is amazing!”
Park Minjun’s eyes sparkled as he looked around. Compared to the training camp’s shabby dorms, this was paradise.
“Each of you gets a private room. Meals are served in the 1st-floor dining hall, or you can opt for room service.”
“Room service too…”
Even Ryuseol looked quietly impressed. Coming from the bottom-tier F-group, this treatment was unimaginable.
Austin continued.
“These are your guild IDs.”
He handed out metal cards engraved with names, affiliations, and ranks.
[Taeyang Geum - Holy Cross Official Member - Rank: Elite]
“Elite?”
I tilted my head, inspecting the card. Everyone else’s read “New Member.”
“Oi~ Guild Leader, what’s with this rank?”
“It’s due to your unique situation. Unlike regular new members, you’re granted significant freedom and authority, but with corresponding responsibilities.”
“Responsibilities?”
“To avoid actions that tarnish the guild’s reputation.”
His words carried a subtle edge. I smirked and pocketed the card.
“I’m not that reckless, you know?”
“I know, but just in case. Now, let’s head to the top floor.”
The rest was straightforward. We filled out Holy Cross membership forms, and our names were added to the guild roster.
***
The party members dispersed to their rooms, and I sat alone with Austin.
Leaning back on the sofa, I asked.
“So, why’d you keep me back?”
“As per our agreement… your first gift.”
He pulled out a small box from a drawer.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
Inside was a plain silver ring. Touching it triggered a system window.
[Memorial Ring]
- Rank: AA
- Uses: 1
- Stored Magic: Perfect Recovery
My eyes widened.
“Perfect Recovery? That’s top-tier healing magic.”
One use only, but essentially an extra life.
“Whoa, what’s this?!”
Austin said calmly.
“It shows how much we expect from you. Use it without hesitation if you’re in danger. And…”
He handed me a document.
“Your first mission.”
Skimming it, the title read [2nd Floor Dungeon Raid].
“2nd floor? Already?”
“You’ll be fine, but your party members were recruited at your request, so they need to prove their worth.”
I glanced over it and shrugged.
“When do we leave?”
“One week from now. Coordinate with your party until then.”
I smirked, spinning the ring between my fingers.
“You’re not sending us in without gear, right? Parachute recruits or not.”
Austin replied evenly.
“No worries. We’ve prepared for that. If your party proves themselves, we’ll provide top-tier equipment.”
“Well, with a gift like this, I can’t complain. …By the way, Guild Leader, I’ve got a request.”
“Name it.”
I grinned and snapped my fingers.
“Our party needs a healer. Assign one to us.”
“Understood. I was thinking the same. Anyone in mind?”
“Jessica. That blonde. Put her with us.”
Austin’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“Jessica…?”
“Problem?”
“No, it’s fine, but… Jessica isn’t exactly a woman. More… the other side. Is that okay?”
I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as they heal well.”
Austin stared at me, then smirked subtly.
“…Unique taste. Alright, I’ll inform Jessica.”
I stood, slipping the ring onto my finger.
“Cool~ I’m off then.”
***
Back at the lodging, the party was gathered in the living room.
“Oppa! What’d you talk about with the Guild Leader?”
Han Soyoung bounced over, clinging to my arm.
“We’re raiding the 2nd floor dungeon in a week.”
“Eek?!”
“Already?”
Park Minjun’s eyes widened in shock.
“Why so surprised? We’d have to do it eventually.”
I plopped onto the sofa, scanning their faces. Ryuseol’s expression was off.
“Oi, oi~ Ryuseol, something bothering you?”
She looked up, waving her hands hurriedly.
“N-no… just nervous about the dungeon.”
But her gaze kept drifting to Minjun, her face subtly twisting each time.
“Still hung up on the Jessica thing, huh.”
I smirked inwardly and raised my voice.
“Oh, and the Guild Leader assigned us a high-level healer. They’ll join our party starting tomorrow.”
“Who’s it?”
Seo Eunha tilted her head, and I shrugged.
“A healer named Jessica. You’ve probably seen them around the camp.”
“Oh! That super nice healer!”
Han Soyoung clapped excitedly. Ryuseol’s face stiffened.
“…Jessica?”
“Yeah. High-level, experienced. The Guild Leader really hooked us up.”
I grinned casually, and Ryuseol’s expression crumbled, her mask barely holding.
“Oppa… can we talk privately? I need some advice.”
“Ooh~ A private chat with Seol? Love it!”
“Stop with the weird talk… let’s go.”
Ryuseol walked out first. I followed with a grin, glancing back.
Park Minjun’s face came into view. He seemed bothered by how often Ryuseol and I were alone lately, his expression sour.
“Heh, I got you a pretty boyfriend, so go play with them.”