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

Why am I like this? I’ve become so soft-hearted. At the start of the first round, I was filled with determination to reach the top and uncover the game’s secrets. Even when I first met Akata and realized the helplessness of a game character, I managed to steel my resolve again.

But now, it’s different.

The hesitation crept in more frequently: “If I have to sacrifice my guild members to reveal the game’s secrets, maybe it’s better to just give up…”

To steady my wavering heart, I bit my lip and gestured to Kanel.

“Kanel, come here.”

I couldn’t keep focusing on Akata alone, so I asked Kanel to oversee his training. At the same time, I made sure to give him strict instructions.

“Make sure not to overwork him. Adjust his condition and let him take it easy.”

Kanel, being diligent, would ensure that if Akata pushed himself too hard, he’d make him rest forcibly, even if it meant knocking him out or giving him a sedative. Well, maybe knocking him out was too extreme?

Feeling uneasy, I went straight to find Lilith. It was late, but it was time to delve into her unique ability.

[Ability Group] Soul

[Unique Ability] Warmth

[Grade] D

“…”

Warmth.

It suited Lilith’s gentle nature, but at first glance, it seemed to have no practical use other than providing a cozy breeze. I had Lilith use her ability repeatedly, analyzing it from different angles.

To my surprise, I discovered an unexpected effect.

“R-Rudel, what just happened…? Did I, did I do that?” Lilith stammered, trembling with fear.

I stroked her arm to calm her, though I was just as shocked. At the same time, I felt a pang of frustration.

Who on earth named Lilith’s ability “Warmth”? What kind of developer designed her unique ability after drinking? I could strangle them.

I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to have such a guild member. And to think it was our Lilith who had this power.

Lilith, your ability is actually…

***

Round 3: Commander Battle

– Escape from a damp cave with hundreds of paths. Only five routes lead to the exit.

– If both of the lowest-ranked guild members reach the exit, the guild earns up to 2 scores.

– The guild leader or commander is not classified as a participant within the round and thus cannot affect the score. Instead, they use the provided map to guide the two guild members to the exit.

– A giant tentacle monster guards the exit. Participants who reach the exit have one opportunity to attack the monster. Additional points are awarded to the guild based on the damage inflicted on the monster.

Looking ahead, when the third round concluded, a variety of evaluations poured in from the real world. The third round was somewhat polarizing among users.

First, the criticisms:

– “The third round was a bit disappointing. It was the second round of the first generation ranking settlement, but the scale was small and underwhelming.”

– “There weren’t many explosive scenes.”

– “It lacked the popular main characters, which made it feel lackluster.”

– “Aside from a few, there weren’t many recognizable lower-tier characters, so expectations dropped even before the round started.”

On the other hand, there were also praises:

– “The game company demonstrated their prowess in graphics with the implementation of the [Crystal Characters] in the third round.”

– “While there were no battles involving the main characters, their new roles as supporters showcased different facets of them.”

– “There were some quite charming lower-tier characters. Their chemistry with the main characters raised expectations for the upcoming fortress special.”

– “If the second round of Death Run was an exhilarating game, the third round Commander Battle focused more on human drama, appealing to a significant portion of the players.”

– “It was a great opportunity for previously overlooked characters like Lilith and Akata from Agasa Guild, and Zaet from Red Monarch Guild, to shine.”

***

Pre-round Waiting Room

Lilith, who hadn’t expected to participate in the guild war so soon, squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them nervously.

‘The third round involves finding the exit in a dark, damp cave…’

Her abilities were not yet as impressive as those of the other guild members, and the overwhelming burden still made her feel small. However, she wanted to overcome her fears and do her best at least once.

As she was steeling her resolve with a trembling heart, the announcement for the start of the Commander Battle rang out.

“The third round is starting now.”

Her vision darkened swiftly.

The key aspect of this map was whether the players could overcome the fear generated within the dark cave. Already, distant screams from players echoed through the cave.

“Hey! I think there’s been a spawn error! Is this really the starting point for the third round? Admin!”

“I can’t breathe! Let me out!”

The pre-round viewer warning about ‘claustrophobia’ was spot on—it was pitch black.

“……”

Lilith couldn’t see anything in the pitch darkness. Somewhere in this labyrinthine cave, Akata was probably isolated too.

Even the younger and weaker Akata would give his all in this round, so she couldn’t show any less determination. With a firm resolve, she began to feel her way forward like a blind person. Soon, she found a blocked area.

The cave wall felt slick with moisture and was so cold it made her shiver.

“Don’t be scared. You’re just mapping out the shape of this space. There has to be an exit somewhere,” she muttered to herself. Initially awkward, talking to herself soon became second nature. Hearing her own calm voice provided some psychological stability amidst the sounds of dripping water and occasional participant screams.

Is this why Rudel told her to talk to herself frequently?

“Why do you want me to talk to myself?”

“Because your voice is pretty?”

Sometimes Rudel said things that made no sense. Was it because she wasn’t smart enough to understand her intelligent and beautiful friend’s words?

Lilith always wondered what went on in Rudel’s head. What was inside that small head of hers? How busy and lively was it?

If it were Rudel, she might have already found a way out of this space. When would she ever be able to support Rudel?

Following the wall around yielded no visible gaps for escape. The space was so small that she could quickly tell she was circling around.

Rumble!

Suddenly, a loud noise came from the wall in front of her. The wall that had been confining her was collapsing from an external impact. Lilith barely suppressed a scream. Rocks tumbled down in the spot she had hastily backed away from.

With the rush of wind, small lights like fireflies entered the cave along with a silhouette.

“Rudel!”

The silhouette’s mouth formed a smile that glowed white and blue.

Wow.

Lilith was mesmerized by her friend’s star-like shimmering appearance.

[The following are additional rules for the Commander Battle:

– The commander’s physical body remains at the watchtower, but up to two clones can be deployed into the round.

– The commander’s clones are visible only to their guild members and take on a translucent, spirit-like form.

– The commander must guide both participants safely to the exit using the two clones to succeed.]

The translucent spirit form made Rudel look as if she were made of crystal. The light from the cave reflected off her icy form in rainbow hues.

Lilith gasped in admiration, and Rudel smiled even wider, her ice-like lips parting in a bright, soundless laugh. Rudel then silently gestured behind her, indicating it was time to move. She had already mapped out the cave structure through the provided map.

“Right? …Oh, yes. That’s right.”

Lilith wondered why Rudel remained silent, but then she remembered the other rule of the Commander Battle. Participants had to choose between ‘sight’ and ‘hearing’ before the round began.

If they chose ‘sight,’ they could see the clone but not hear its voice.

If they chose ‘hearing,’ they could hear the clone’s voice but not see it.

Lilith had chosen ‘sight,’ which meant she could see the crystal-like form of Rudel but couldn’t have verbal conversations.

Rudel used gestures, almost like sign language, to communicate with Lilith.

“There are five correct paths? …And we’ll choose the one with the least people?” Lilith asked.

Somehow, understanding Rudel’s gestures was surprisingly easy. Rudel wasn’t exactly fluent in sign language, but Lilith was miraculously able to interpret everything because of her deep affection for Rudel.

“How do you know which path has the least people? …Because you’re smart, a genius, and amazing? …You didn’t say that?”

Without Rudel’s voice, it felt like Lilith was talking to herself. When Rudel made an embarrassed face at being called smart and a genius, Lilith laughed out loud.

Rudel extended a transparent blue hand. Though the clone couldn’t physically touch participants, Lilith pretended to hold her hand anyway.

Even in the damp and eerie cave, moving alongside Rudel felt like those times they giggled together in a cozy cabin.

“Right, Rudel, what about Akata?” Lilith asked, suddenly looking worried.