Since Loretta was reluctant to let go of me, I had to buy highest-grade health potions, mana potions, and some crossbow bolts with high-grade magic imbued in them. After that, I headed to the guild house. Of course, getting Loretta off of me was quite some work.

She chortled, “I’ll be the lady of the house eventually anyway!”

I sighed. “Don’t you get tired? Even if you come, you’ll only see two sweaty men fighting each other.”

“I want to go even more now!” she gleefully shouted.

I pleaded, “Ah, go away!”

When I finally arrived at Marianne’s Garden, I saw Hwaya sitting under a parasol and reading in the garden. The garden itself had now become spacious with the old residents Flame Drake (aka Pookie) and Giant Iron Boar (aka Iana) moving out. It was a rather strange scene.

She raised her head and greeted me, “Oh, Shin. Welcome back.”

I looked at her, somewhat confused. “Hwaya? Why are you out in the garden? You’re not doing anything either.”

She explained, “Ina’s going to come soon. She’s hunting the 45th Floor Master right now.”

“Ah. Um…Sorry. I have to train with Ren for a while, so I’ll have to shamelessly ask you to take care of Ina.”

Hwaya smiled lightly and answered, “It’s fine. I’m calculating each and everything anyways. I’m thinking about the reward I’ll get out of you with all the points I’ve accumulated. A hug, kiss, dinner, date, and…Huhu.”

I looked at her suspiciously. “Huhu? What is that supposed to mean?”

She giggled with a hand against her mouth. “Ahaha, I’m kidding. Well, half-kidding. For the record, I have 2.7 Huhus saved up.”

“You’re not even trying to hide your indecent desires, right!?”

Hwaya narrowed her eyes and smiled. Then, she tapped the seat next to her and gestured to me to come over.

She cajoled, “Stay for a while. Leave that lionhead alone. We can spend some quality family time with Ina. How about it, Ina’s Daddy?”

I smiled wryly. “Really…That’s an enticing offer, but I’ll have to pass for today. It’s an important time for Ren…I have to teach him how to wield the world’s power too.”

Hwaya pursed her lips. “Hmm, so you’re feeling responsible for making him a Hero. Ah, I want to take your place as Earth’s Hero. That way, I might get stronger than you and you’ll try your best to protect me too.”

“Hmph, this power is mine. I won’t give it to anyone.”

When I retorted curtly, Hwaya’s smile got bigger.

“I was kidding, Guild Master. I’ll be the one to protect you. Although it would be nice to be in the Hero’s position, I don’t really want to be a princess to be protected,” she said sweetly.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t like just being protected either. Oh, that reminds me…”

When the guild advanced to rank B, it had gained a new function. I could now appoint a vice-guild master given that the guild had more than ten members. A vice-guild master could officially complete guild-related business like accepting new guild members or kicking out existing guild members. Vice-guild masters of the First Dungeon’s powerful guilds all held great authority. Though, I couldn’t say whether Revival would also be like that.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, “Hwaya, if it’s okay with you…can you be our guild’s vice-guild master? You’ve done a lot until now, and you’re really the only one I can think of who can fill that position. You have the ability and sense of responsibility, and you’re even close with everyone in the guild. How about it?”

“Is that a proposal?” she asked mischievously.

I shook my head. “Of course not. Good try though.”

“Tsk.”

Hwaya pouted. Though she was older than me, she was really quite cute. When I patted her head, she spoke with a softened expression, “…Okay. To be honest, I also think I’m the only one who can be a vice-guild master.”

I smiled brightly. “Great. Something like this should be done through votes, but I’m going to ignore all that and use my authority as the guild master to appoint you the vice-guild master.”

“Mm, charming.”

[Hwaya Eleni Mastiford has become guild Revival’s vice-master!]

After confirming that Hwaya became the vice-guild master through the notification message, I took my hand off her head and extended it toward her.

“Continue with your excellent work, Vice-guild Master.”

“At your service, Guild Master.”

Just like that, Revival’s vice-guild master was chosen.

[Guild Revival: Guild Rank B]

[Guild members: Kang Shin (Guild Master, First – Gold), Hwaya Eleni Mastiford (Vice-guild Master, Second – Gold), Daisy Ectradion (First – Platinum), Lebuik Vandeon Granaris, Kang Yungoong, Su Ye-Eun, Ren Verotude Goldlion, Palludia Gren Ehuir, Shuna Aren Lihita (First – Gold), Illina Alexandrovna Mikhalova, Kang Yua (First – Silver), Minami Violet Sumire (Second – Gold), Edward Walker (Second – Silver), Sophie Brightman (Third – Gold). Total: 14]

“Hm.”

After saying goodbye around the time Ina arrived, I went into the mansion and opened the guild status window. In truth, I was rather surprised. Ludia and Shuna had become Gold rank explorers before I noticed. Since I also knew that Daisy had broken through Beyond’s 13th floor and entered the First Dungeon’s 81st floor, I naturally now knew when Daisy first entered Beyond.

Hwaya would reach Platinum rank soon and would be able to advance to the First Dungeon. Considering the talent Sumire showed in our spars, she would probably follow suit. As for Walker, he’d advanced to the Second Dungeon without telling me anything about it. Apparently, Xin Shaomei’s ability was helping him greatly. That said, after he reached the Platinum rank in the Third Dungeon, he went down to the Second Dungeon’s Silver rank instead of Gold rank. I pitied him slightly. He must be either lacking in achievements or some other conditions.

As for Ina, there wasn’t much to say about her. Even before she became an explorer, she was almost as strong as Hwaya and me. The dungeon was merely a playground for her as she could use her magic power as much as she wanted. She cleared the 45th floor today and would soon become Gold rank. Only then would her speed slow down slightly. Perhaps, she might even enter Beyond.

I was only really worried about my sister, Yua, and the young lady of nobility in charge of a conglomerate, Sophie. Although they were both elites who weren’t lacking in qualities deemed desirable in society, their constitutions didn’t look like they were suited to physical activities.

However, I was worried for no reason. The two SS rank abilities I took from Luca Bruno and Joshua Brightman found their respective owners, and they were shining more and more as the girls climbed the dungeon.

Yua had tamed all 278 mantis larvae, and she was now learning the dungeon’s system step-by-step as she obtained and raised new skills. At this point, she probably wouldn’t need more tamed beasts. After all, fully grown mantises could even fly. Ordinary mantises couldn’t fly for long, but the ones she tamed came from the Evil Mantis Queen. Their genes were undoubtedly superior. With Yua’s ability supporting them…I stopped thinking about it as I started getting goosebumps on my arms.

As for Sophie, who was the second most passionate woman in the guild after Hwaya, she was surprisingly in the guild house at the moment. With her brilliant blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and wearing a tank top and hot pants, she was sparring with Ye-Eun in the underground training room. Ye-Eun was also wearing casual clothes, so they looked quite nice together.

“Haa!”

“Ugh, coming from the back again!’

“No, both sides!”

Ye-Eun was right in front of Sophie’s eyes, but her dagger flew toward Sophie from behind her. Sophie quickly spun around and blocked it with just two fingers, but surprisingly, it was a clone. Ye-Eun was still in front of Sophie, and in an instant, Ye-Eun’s elbow struck Sophie down.

“A clone?” I asked.

Ye-Eun shrugged. “I just added mana into my shadow and gave it mass. Master said it was one of the most simple techniques!”

“No, your Master is strange. Please come to that realization now.”

While I pointed out Ye-Eun’s faulty statement, Sophie got up as she groaned. The spar must have been quite intense as a Gold rank explorer such as herself was dripping with sweat.

“Huu, huu…So strong.”

Ye-Eun grinned proudly. “Huhu, of course. I’ll become a Beyond explorer after all!”

Sophie huffed. “Hmph, when I become Platinum ranked, I’ll advance to the Second Dungeon’s Gold rank, and when I become Platinum there, I can become the First Dungeon’s Gold rank explorer!”

Now that she mentioned it, it was rather scary how fast she advanced. Since she was on the Third Dungeon’s 75th floor while ravaging through all Floor Masters alone, she would undoubtedly advance to the Second Dungeon within the next month.

“You might even catch up to Walker at this rate,” I commented.

She shook her head. “No, I’m only trying so hard so I can be with Edward.”

I stuttered, “I, I see. Well, good luck, Miss Sophie.”

She continued, “Edward is advancing quickly too. By the time I advance to the Second Dungeon, he’ll be Gold ranked. Don’t underestimate his desire to improve!”

“Maybe he’s just working hard so he doesn’t have to be with…Er, nothing, nevermind,” I replied weakly.

Mm, her spirit was already stronger than Joshua Brightman’s. Sophie getting his ability was definitely good for Earth!

“So why are you with Ye-Eun?” I asked, changing the subject for my own sake.

Sophie explained, “Her fighting style is the most similar to Walker’s out of everyone in the guild. I’m trying to learn how to work with Walker by sparring her. I have a lot to learn from her, really.”

“Ehehe.”

Right, as Ye-Eun specialized in sure-kill attacks, Sophie probably had a lot to learn by sparring with her. For example, protecting vital areas, feeling killing intent, dodging and the like. Though, I couldn’t really say out loud with Ye-Eun making such a happy-go-lucky face.

“Why is Shin here? To spar with Ren-ssi?”

Sophie asked, “Oh, that reminds me. I wanted to ask when I first saw him. His ears…are they real?”

I nodded. “Yeah. He’s a beastman. Other continents have all sorts of different races. Ren, say hel…Huu.”

Sophie’s words had reminded me to properly introduce them to each other. When I looked back, however, I saw Ren fidgeting in front of two girls he’d never talked to before. He really was completely stiff. I slapped his back to bring his consciousness back.

“Ren, snap out of it,’ I said jovially.

He whispered in a panicked manner, “I can’t, Crown Prince. They’re both too beautiful, I can’t look at them! Plus, t-their clothes are too revealing!”

I suppressed a smile. “It’s okay, Ren. Unlike you, they don’t really mind it that much. Try to man up.”

He looked at me pitifully. “That’s a bit hurtful, but regardless, it’s too much for me!”

Really, not even teenagers would be like him. I sighed. Then, a question suddenly popped into my head.

“Isn’t Lebuik just as beautiful as the two of them? Aren’t you really casual around Lebuik? Why is that?”

He stuttered, “T-That’s because I’ve known Lebuik ever since I was little…She’s not someone I can see as a woman.”

Did he just drop the bomb…?

He continued hastily, “Of course, Lebuik is also very beautiful. Her popularity among the knights was through the roof, and there were endless streams of proposals flowing in from every country in Panan. She had elegance and beauty, and she even had a kind personality. When I was young, I looked up to her too. However, that’s it. Lebuik is my Master and someone akin to my mother. I don’t see her as a woman.”

“Ah…” I didn’t know what to say.

If Lebuik heard about this, it wasn’t going to end well! I found it quite funny, but when I imagined how dejected Lebuik would be when she found out, a sigh naturally came out. Sophie’s and Ye-Eun’s expressions also became rigid as they instantly realized the situation.

Ye-Eun asked, somewhat unsure, “L-Lebuik is the cat-eared unni, right?”

Sophie mumbled, “Can’t see her as a woman? Then he has to be…”

“Whoa, hold it there. You can’t impose your beliefs on others. Let me deal with this.”

When I cut them off, they widened their eyes and looked at me.

“Can’t impose our beliefs?”

“What are you trying to do, friend?”

I rubbed my nose. “Mm, I can’t impose anything on him, but I can help him change his mind. Usually, by beating him up.”

“Isn’t that the same thing!?” Sophie hissed.

I just had to make him miss Lebuik. I just had to beat him up until he wanted to cry in Lebuik’s embrace! I looked back at Ren and smiled.

“Alright, we’re done with the introductions. Let’s start, Ren.”

He looked away. “C-Crown Prince, aren’t you more spirited than before? Did I do something wrong?”

I grinned broadly. “No, nothing at all. You didn’t do anything wrong. Once the thrashing phase is over, everyone will be happier.”

“Something did go wrong!” he shrieked.

Ye-Eun and Sophie were done with their sparring for the day, so they sat down nearby. It seemed the phrase, ‘thrashing phase,’ had interested them. Realizing this, Ren’s ears perked up and sweat began to appear on his face.

He pleaded desperately, “Ha, hahaha. Really, Crown Prince. Are you trying to beat me like a dog in front of these beautiful ladies?”

I slowly cornered him. “Ren, how can you say that? I’m not beating you like a dog. I’m just thrashing you for your own sake.”

“That’s the same thing!” he wailed despondently.

An evil glint appeared in my eyes. “Now, now, let’s begin.”

“Uwuuuuuuuk!”

For the next thirty minutes, Ren and I both squeezed out our power as Heroes and clashed. While Ren wore a full set of armor and equipped himself with a wooden sword, I only had a wooden spear without any armor. It looked like I was lacking in terms of defense as my armor was in its bracelet form and my spear in its choker form. I wasn’t affected by their attack and defense power, but I was still affected by their additional effects.

My stats were already miles ahead of Ren. With the additional effects from my items added on top of my superior martial arts, there was no way for him to defeat me. Not even if he was a Hero!

“Crown Prince is too strong! Too strong I tell you!” he shrieked.

I stalked closer. “You only just found out? Don’t think about running away, come at me! Come on, hurry!”

“Kuk… Kuaaaang!”

I scolded him, “Having a wild nature isn’t bad, but we’re doing this because you can’t control yourself!”

“Kuak!”

I mercilessly smacked Ren’s back with the wooden spear. Immediately afterward, I smacked him three more times.

“Ugh…!”

“Are you going to sleep? Counterattack!” I shouted.

He retorted, “Even if you didn’t say that, I was about to do it! Kuak!”

Sophie and Ye-Eun were still watching from the side. When they heard his pitiful cries, they began adding to the conversation.

Sophie muttered, “Wow, he really just beat him up for thirty minutes straight.”

Ye-Eun exclaimed, “Shin is so cool!”

Ren howled, “Crown Priiiince!”

I side stepped him easily. “You have more strength in your sword, but you’re still wide open! Didn’t you learn anything from Lebuik!?”

“Kuhuk!”

Thirty minutes wasn’t enough to expend Ren’s stamina. We had both vastly changed compared to when we first met on the 20th floor. As such, I beat him up for an additional two hours. My goal was to help Ren hone his bestial instincts while maintaining his cool. If he could respond rationally even while in his wild mode, Ren could be a powerful warrior.

“Kuaaaaang, kak!”

I chided him, “Just because you open your mouth while you run, the enemy won’t let you bite him!”

Of course, he was still far from that point.