The main hall of the Crimson Raid guild buzzed with celebration, its stone walls echoing with the clink of goblets and hearty laughter. The four core members of the renowned guild raised their drinks, toasting their latest triumph.
“For the further growth of Crimson Raid!” Julius Rodenburg’s voice boomed, his deep amber eyes glinting with pride. At twenty-three, he cut a striking figure, his long black hair brushing the shoulders of his extravagant knight’s armor, polished to a mirror sheen—the finest money could buy.
“Hahaha! I can’t believe how fast our guild’s climbed to the top!” Byron, the group’s tank, grinned broadly. His imposing muscles strained against his tunic, a testament to his rise from a baron’s son to a powerhouse wielding a great shield and longsword.
“True. We’ve recruited so many talented individuals, and it’s earned us fame. Even the Church of Light holds us in high regard,” Victoria said, her pink twintails swaying as she sipped her wine. Her nun’s habit, pristine and adorned with holy sigils, marked her as a member of the Church of Light. Her decision to join Crimson Raid was said to be a divine revelation from the Goddess of Light herself, and none dared question her influence.
“At this point, I wonder if any guild can even compete with us. I bet people will beg for our support in large-scale raids, fufu,” Miriam purred, her witch’s robes clinging to her curvaceous figure. Rumors swirled that Julius recruited her for her beauty, but her mastery of spells had proven her worth time and again.
“Obviously. We, the Crimson Raid, are the strongest guild. It only makes sense for people to show us respect. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Church offers us a sponsorship,” Julius said, a smug edge to his voice, his eyes flickering with ambition.
“Anyway, Julius-sama, isn’t it time to address that issue? You did receive the letter from your father, after all,” Victoria said, her tone sharp as she set her goblet down.
“Sheesh, Victoria, you’re as cold as ever. You know it’s his birthday today, right?” Miriam shot her a playful frown.
“What’s the point of sugarcoating it if the result’s the same? I won’t deny it—Experience Boost is convenient. It’s why we’ve attracted such strong members. But he hasn’t raised his level at all in six years,” Victoria said, her voice cutting through the warmth of the hall.
“Isn’t that because we keep him in the back, never letting him fight or kill monsters?” Miriam countered, her brow furrowing slightly.
“Are you taking his side now?” Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“No, just pointing out it’s not entirely his fault. But I agree—our abilities are more than enough now,” Miriam said, glancing away.
“Yeah, and some of the new members give us weird looks when we drag the kid along,” Byron added, crossing his arms. “It’s bad for our image.”
“Oh, my. What troublesome friends,” Julius said, his smile tight, betraying a flicker of unease. “But I suppose you’re right. Pity’s a waste of time at this point. We’re all in agreement, then? It’s time for some fresh air. Call for my little brother.”
“Just now… what did you say?” My voice trembled as I stood in the guild hall, the festive air replaced by a suffocating tension. I’d come expecting a surprise birthday party, maybe laughter and shared drinks like the old days—nights when Julius would sling an arm around me, boasting about our victories, or when Miriam would tease me over a shared meal after a raid. Those memories felt like a cruel joke now.
“Magnus, we don’t need you anymore,” Julius said, his amber eyes cold, devoid of the warmth I once knew.
“Simply put, you’re dismissed. Discharged. Fired. Is that clear enough?” Victoria’s words were like a blade, precise and unyielding.
“What’s the meaning of this, brother? I thought I contributed to the guild with my skill!” My heart pounded, disbelief clawing at me. I’d spent six years supporting them, amplifying their strength with Experience Boost. Hadn’t that been enough?
“Maybe I should rephrase,” Victoria said, her voice dripping with condescension. “We no longer need your ability. We’ve reached the peak. No one can surpass us now. You’re not needed.”
“We have a reputation to maintain,” Byron cut in, his massive frame looming. “Carrying deadweight like you around is a burden. Everyone in the guild’s at a high level, but you? You haven’t leveled up in years. You’re a hindrance.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Friends? We’d shared meals, laughed over campfires, celebrated victories together. I remembered the time I stayed up all night mapping a dungeon’s traps so Byron could charge in safely. Now, they looked at me like I was nothing. “But… I haven’t leveled up because I’ve been supporting you all! Haven’t I done enough to compensate?”
I’d carried their bags, stood watch longer than anyone, honed my mapping skills to navigate mazes blindfolded. I’d memorized magic formulas, not to cast spells but to spot weaknesses in enemies, crafting strategies that won us battles. I poured my heart into this guild. My voice cracked as I pleaded my case.
“Huh? You call that skill? Anyone can do that,” Byron scoffed. “Quit whining and accept it like a man.”
“Magnus, the guild officers all agree on this,” Julius said, his tone final, though his eyes flickered with something—guilt, maybe, or pressure from the expectations weighing on him. “Sorry.”
“Are you sure, Julius?” My voice was barely a whisper. I thought of my Experience Boost skill. It amplified their growth, but it had a hidden side effect: interest. If I canceled the skill, a portion of the experience they’d gained would transfer to me. Six years of accumulated power. The guild would feel the loss, and I’d gain something colossal. “The guild won’t be the same.”
“Tsk. Enough already!” Julius snapped, his patience fraying. “Why I ended up with such a pathetic excuse of a brother is beyond reason. Even Father agrees with me.” He pulled a letter from the desk, the Rodenburg seal glinting in the torchlight. “Starting today, Father disowns you. You’re no longer fit to carry the Rodenburg name. Don’t even think about returning home. Your engagement’s canceled too. There’s no room for trash like you in this world.”
The words hit like a physical blow. My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor, tears streaming down my face. Disowned. Discarded. My family, my future, my place in this world—gone.
“My, oh my. It seems reality was too much for you to handle,” Julius said, his voice mocking. “I’m not a complete monster, so here.” He tossed a small bag of coins to the floor, where it landed with a dull clink. “Fifty thousand eris. Your birthday gift.”
Eris, the currency of Magnolia, circulated in bronze, silver, and gold coins. One bronze was worth 100 eris, a silver 1,000, a gold 10,000. Five gold coins would’ve sufficed, but Julius’s gesture felt deliberately cruel, scattering loose change at my feet.
“Now get lost. I wish you the best of luck, brother. And happy birthday.” Julius turned away, his armor gleaming coldly.
Byron grabbed me by the collar, his grip unyielding, and dragged me to the guild’s entrance. With a shove, he tossed me onto the cobblestone street. They didn’t look back. Clutching the bag of coins, I ran, my legs carrying me through the bustling streets until I stumbled into a dark alley, collapsing against a damp stone wall.
“Why…?” My voice broke as I clutched my knees, the ache in my chest mirroring the loneliness of my past life in Japan—nights spent alone in a cramped apartment, dreaming of a better future. “Why is this happening to me? I thought I’d finally found a home, a family. How can they just cast me aside?”
My fist slammed against the wall, pain shooting through my knuckles as blood trickled down. In that moment, rage replaced despair. “Fuck you! If you don’t need me, then I don’t need you either. I’ll take everything back—everything you owe me for this suffering.”
I raised my right hand, my voice steady with resolve. “Skill Release,” I said, snapping my fingers.
A voice echoed in my mind, cold and mechanical: “Calculating the interest accumulated over six years…
Calculation complete. 1.27 billion experience points will now be transferred.”
Billion? My mind reeled. Before I could process it, a surge of power coursed through me, like lightning searing my veins. My body trembled, my skin prickling. My vision blurred, and a searing heat pulsed in my chest. I screamed, the sound raw and inhuman, before darkness claimed me.