Hitori was so startled that he immediately fell backward.
Standing before him was an incredibly beautiful girl.
She had long blonde hair, bright amber-yellow eyes, fair skin, and wore a white and gold dress.
There was an almost extraordinary aura about her.
Even while hidden among the bushes, with leaves and tiny branches caught in her hair, she still looked radiant.
Her smile was enchanting.
For several seconds, Hitori simply stared at her, unable to look away.
It felt as though time had slowed down once again.
Until his back hit the ground.
THUD!
Hitori: “What the hell is wrong with you, woman?!”
Hitori: “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, appearing out of nowhere like that?!”
Still lying on the ground, Hitori breathed heavily while clutching his chest.
Upon hearing that, the girl immediately lowered her head.
???: “I-I’m sorry…”
???: “I didn’t mean to…”
Hitori placed a hand over his heart, trying to calm himself.
Hitori: “I almost had a heart attack…”
Then something occurred to him.
His expression turned suspicious.
Hitori: “Wait a second…”
Hitori: “What the heck were you doing hiding inside those bushes?”
Hitori: “Are you some kind of pervert or something?!”
The girl jumped in surprise.
???: “N-no! It’s not like that!”
Hitori: “Then what is it?”
Nervously fidgeting with her fingers, she looked away.
???: “Well…”
???: “I was already hiding here before you arrived…”
???: “And… since you speak so loudly…”
???: “It was impossible not to hear you…”
Her face had turned completely red with embarrassment.
Hitori silently observed her.
Hitori: “Hiding…?”
Hitori: “Wow… she must be as much of a failure as I am.”
Then something caught his attention.
Above the girl’s head was a glowing number.
Level 25
Hitori’s jaw dropped.
The girl immediately noticed his reaction.
???: “W-What is it?”
???: “Is there something wrong with me?”
She hurriedly removed the little branches and leaves from her hair.
Hitori’s expression slowly hardened.
Hitori: “Why would someone like you want to help someone like me?”
His voice had become cold.
A Level 25 helping a Level 5?
There was obviously something suspicious about that.
The girl became nervous.
???: “Well… it’s because…”
But before she could finish—
Hitori narrowed his eyes.
Hitori: “Wait…”
Hitori: “I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
The girl’s body immediately stiffened.
Her heart seemed to race.
Her eyes trembled like those of someone defenseless, on the verge of being exposed.
Then Hitori finally remembered.
Hitori: “I know!”
He pointed at her.
Hitori: “You were with those idiots in the cave yesterday!”
The brightness vanished from her face.
The warmth in her expression disappeared.
???: “So that’s what it was…”
The girl looked saddened by something.
Hitori: “Did you come here to make a fool out of me again?!”
Hitori: “Did those jerks send you here?!”
Hitori: “ANSWER ME!”
The girl closed her eyes.
She seemed genuinely remorseful.
???: “I’m sorry about what happened yesterday…”
???: “What they did was wrong…”
???: “And no… I’m not trying to trick you.”
She tightly clasped her hands together.
???: “Actually…”
???: “I was hiding because of them.”
Hitori: “Them? You mean your friends?”
He sounded indignant.
???: “My companions…”
She hesitated.
???: “Just companions…”
???: “I didn’t feel right watching what they did to you.”
Hitori looked away.
Hitori: “But you didn’t do anything to stop them, either.”
The girl lowered her head even further.
???: “I’m sorry…”
???: “I’m weak.”
Small tears began to well up in her eyes.
Seeing that, Hitori realized that perhaps he had been too harsh.
He sighed.
Hitori: “Weak? You’re anything but weak.”
Hitori: “Someone who reached Level 25…”
Hitori: “That’s definitely not something a weak person could do.”
He laughed bitterly.
Hitori: “Speaking from experience.”
After several seconds of silence, Hitori spoke quietly.
Hitori: “Fine…”
Looking at her sorrowful expression.
Hitori: “I’ll accept your help.”
He said it almost against his will.
But he was stuck in this world without being able to get past Level 5.
Even if this was a trap…
He didn’t have many choices.
Without help, it was practically game over.
The girl’s eyes widened.
???: “Really?!”
Hitori: “Yeah…”
A huge smile immediately appeared on her face.
???: “Wow! That’s wonderful!”
The change in her expression was so sudden that Hitori froze.
She looked genuinely happy.
And somehow…
That made him feel strange inside.
Perhaps because she reminded him of someone.
But the only girl his age he interacted with every day was his twin sister—
And he found her annoying.
Hitori turned his face away.
Hitori: “Y-Yeah, yeah… just don’t overdo it, okay?”
Once again, he became aware of just how beautiful the girl was.
???: “Okay!”
She jumped happily.
For some reason, this girl made him nervous.
Then Hitori remembered something.
Hitori: “Wait…”
Hitori: “You never told me your name.”
Her smile disappeared once more.
For a brief moment, she became serious.
Then she slowly raised her eyes toward him.
???: “Yashina.”
Yashina: “Yashina Himode.”
She carefully observed his reaction.
Hitori: “I’m Hitori Senki.”
Upon hearing his full name, Yashina let out a strange sigh.
But she quickly smiled again.
Without warning, she jumped out of the bushes and grabbed Hitori’s arm.
Yashina: “Let’s go!”
Hitori: “H-Hey! Slow down!”
Hitori: “You’re going to rip my arm off at this rate!”
Ignoring his complaints, she dragged him through the streets of Elvrin.
Other players curiously watched the scene.
Player: “That Level 5 got himself a girl?”
Female Player: “No way!”
Hitori’s face immediately turned red.
Hitori: “YASHINA!”
Hitori: “At least tell me where you’re taking me!”
Eventually, after crossing several streets, Yashina finally stopped.
The two had arrived at a more secluded part of the city.
Turning around with a smile, Yashina pointed at a building.
Yashina: “We’re here.”
Yashina: “The Guild Center.”
Hitori: “The Guild Center?”
Remembering that Tea had mentioned it during the tutorial, Hitori looked up at the building.
Yashina: “A guild is the best way to level up in this world. That’s how I reached my current level in such a short time.”
She stepped inside the building.
The Guild Center was a two-story structure filled with corridors and rooms.
It was where all beginners had to register to participate in special events, receive mission rewards, and enjoy other privileges.
Hitori: “Wow… I didn’t expect this place to be so crowded.”
He looked around the main hall, where countless adventurers bustled about.
Then—
A heavy hand grabbed his shoulder and violently shoved him aside.
Hitori: “Hey!”
The voice that followed made his body freeze.
???: “Finally found you, Yashina…”
???: “You traitor.”
Hitori immediately looked up.
And recognized that face.
Long golden hair.
Silver armor.
That arrogant gaze.
It was the same player who had humiliated him inside the Skeleton Cave.
The anger inside Hitori instantly exploded.
His expression hardened.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the black dagger at his waist.
But before he could move—
Yashina seized his arm.
Yashina: “Stop, Hitori.”
Her voice alone froze his body.
Even though fury was boiling inside him, Hitori stopped.
Then he noticed something even worse.
Behind the blond warrior stood the rest of the party from the dungeon.
All of them stared at Yashina.
And she finally spoke.
Yashina: “I no longer belong to your group, Duskin.”
Duskin: “You abandoned the mission halfway through, and now you’re walking around hand in hand with this ignorant brat?”
Hitori blinked.
Hitori: “I guess the ignorant brat is me…”
Then he realized what Duskin had said.
Hitori: “Wait a second…”
Hitori: “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Duskin looked at him with utter contempt.
Duskin: “Shut up, you filthy little worm.”
Hitori: “F-Filthy…?”
His face twisted with anger.
Duskin grabbed Yashina’s arm, attempting to pull her away.
Beside him stood Melisa, who looked toward Yashina.
Melisa: “Come on, Yashina.”
But this time—
Yashina acted.
She forcefully pulled her arm free.
Yashina: “Let go of me, Duskin.”
Hitori immediately stepped forward.
Hitori: “Let her go right now, man… or—”
Duskin looked at him with disdain.
Duskin: “Or what?”
That was enough.
Hitori furiously charged with his dagger in hand.
The other members of the group drew their swords almost instantly.
The atmosphere became tense.
But before Hitori could attack—
Someone grabbed his wrist.
???: “Do not make that mistake, my dear fellow.”
Hitori’s eyes widened.
Standing beside him was a completely different player.
Spiky white hair.
Sharp blue eyes.
About 1.77 meters tall.
He wore a beige shirt covered by an elegant blue blazer, along with black pants accented with pastel colors.
Though he seemed calm, his aura was intense.
Hitori tried to pull his arm away.
Hitori: “Let go of me!”
The commotion began attracting the attention of nearby players.
More and more people turned to watch.
Yashina: “Hitori!”
Duskin laughed mockingly.
Duskin: “Idiot.”
Duskin: “You really are an ignorant brat.”
At that moment, Yashina completely released Hitori’s hand and looked at Duskin coldly.
Her eyes had changed.
The hesitation was gone.
Yashina: “I’m no longer part of your guild!”
Yashina: “I’ve already told you that!”
Yashina: “So…”
Yashina: “Please…”
Yashina: “Forget that I even exist.”
Duskin immediately noticed everyone around them watching.
His face twisted with irritation.
Duskin: “You’ll regret this, girl.”
He violently turned around.
Duskin: “Let’s go, Melisa.”
Melisa cast one final glance at Yashina before following him.
The other two companions soon followed.
Hitori watched everything unfold while his wrist remained trapped in the grasp of the white-haired player.
Finally, the stranger released him.
???: “There.”
Massaging his wrist, Hitori glared at the young man.
Hitori: “About time you let me go.”
Hitori: “I thought you were going to ask for my hand in marriage with how long you held it.”
The young man sighed deeply.
???: “You should be thanking me.”
???: “You were only a few seconds away from getting expelled from the game.”
Hitori: “What are you talking about?”
Yashina immediately answered.
Yashina: “He’s right.”
Confused, Hitori turned to her.
Hitori: “Seriously?”
Yashina: “Players are forbidden from fighting each other inside guild areas.”
Yashina: “These places are considered neutral zones.”
Yashina: “Anyone who breaks that rule gets permanently banned.”
The white-haired young man crossed his arms proudly.
???: “Do you believe me now, you ungrateful fool?”
Hitori: “Yeah, yeah…”
Hitori: “But don’t expect a thank you.”
???: “That’s exactly what I’d expect from someone like you.”
Hitori narrowed his eyes.
Hitori: “What was that supposed to mean?”
???: “That your personality is awful.”
Hitori: “Say that again if you’re a man!”
???: “Awfuuuul!”
Hitori: “ARRRGH!”
Immediately, the two grabbed each other’s clothes.
Player 1: “Another fight already?”
Female Player 2: “These newbies are so noisy…”
Yashina covered her face.
Yashina: “Good grief…”
Suddenly—
FLASH!
A blinding explosion of light erupted between them.
Hitori: “WHAT THE—?!”
???: “Oh no…”
Yashina’s magic unleashed such an intense burst of light that both boys were instantly blinded.
Hitori: “MY EYES!”
???: “MINE TOO!”
The two rolled around on the floor clutching their faces while the surrounding players silently watched.
fter a few minutes, the vision of both boys gradually returned.
Hitori wiped away the involuntary tears streaming from his eyes.
Hitori: “Are you crazy?!”
Hitori: “That was a dirty move!”
???: “Your dialect truly crawled out of a cave.”
Hitori: “Say that again if you’re a man!”
???: “You—”
Yashina slowly raised her hand, which glowed with golden light.
Yashina: “Both of you, stop…”
Yashina: “Or would you like me to use my magic again?”
The two immediately froze.
Hitori: “No thanks…”
???: “That won’t be necessary…”
At last, silence returned to the area.
The young man elegantly adjusted his clothes and turned toward Yashina with a charming smile.
???: “By the way…”
???: “May I know the name of this beautiful lady?”
Hitori: “…”
Yashina smiled gently.
Yashina: “Yashina Himode.”
The young man’s eyes widened slightly.
???: “So you’re the one…”
???: “The Prodigy Girl.”
He immediately activated the status-reading function.
A small screen appeared before him.
???: “Level 25…”
???: “Impressive.”
???: “My congratulations.”
Yashina blushed slightly.
Yashina: “Thank you…”
Meanwhile, Hitori silently observed the conversation with obvious displeasure.
The young man then bowed elegantly.
Kamero: “My name is Kamero.”
Kamero: “Kamero Hijikata, your humble servant.”
He delicately took Yashina’s hand.
She smiled softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Hitori immediately became irritated.
Hitori: “If the flirting session is over…”
Hitori: “Let’s get going, Yashina.”
Standing up, he crossed his arms.
Hitori: “I still have to register.”
Yashina blinked a few times before remembering.
Yashina: “Ah!”
Yashina: “Right!”
The two began to leave.
But before they could—
Kamero raised his hand.
Kamero: “Wait.”
Kamero: “I would like to accompany you.”
Hitori answered immediately.
Hitori: “Sorry, my esteemed gentleman…”
Hitori: “But we’re doing perfectly fine without you.”
Kamero smirked.
Kamero: “Clearly.”
Kamero: “Especially with someone who doesn’t even know the game’s basic rules.”
That remark struck Hitori’s ego directly.
Kamero: “Besides…”
Kamero: “The two of you can’t create a guild on your own, can you?”
Yashina’s eyes widened.
Yashina: “Ah…”
Yashina: “That’s true…”
Hitori: “What?!”
Kamero: “A guild requires a minimum of three members.”
Kamero: “Though five is considered ideal.”
Immediately, Hitori pulled Yashina closer and whispered.
Hitori: “This guy is way too suspicious…”
Hitori: “Let’s find someone else.”
Kamero heard every word perfectly.
Kamero: “Furthermore…”
Kamero: “Registering a guild in Elvrin costs fifty thousand gold coins.”
Yashina fell silent for a moment.
Yashina: “I have twenty thousand coins…”
Kamero: “I have fifteen thousand.”
The two then turned toward Hitori.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Hitori looked away.
Hitori: “Fine, fine…”
Hitori: “I have one thousand.”
Kamero let out a deep sigh.
Kamero: “I’m beginning to think I should’ve let you get banned after all.”
Hitori: “…”
This time, he couldn’t even argue.
Because it was true.
He really wasn’t contributing much.
Yashina suddenly placed a finger on her chin, deep in thought.
Yashina: “There is a way for us to earn more gold.”
Kamero looked at her curiously.
Kamero: “Oh?”
Yashina smiled brightly.
Yashina: “The Slime Farm.”
Silence fell.
Both boys stared at her.
Hitori: “The… what?”
Kamero: “That sounds incredibly suspicious.”
Yashina puffed out her chest proudly.
Yashina: “Trust me!”
Yashina: “It’s a perfectly respectable way of making money!”
Seeing her unusually excited expression, neither Hitori nor Kamero felt reassured.
And thus—
The first steps toward the creation of their guild began.