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

Aleon’s lips gradually parted, and his blue gaze was so intense that I felt like I might freeze. Perhaps no one had ever seen him as an equal, offering simple yet sincere comfort without expecting anything in return, even in just a few days. His eyes brimmed with fervor as he looked at me.

Suddenly, Aleon sprang up and clasped my hands in his, exclaiming, “Rudel, thanks to you, I’ve found enlightenment! I owe you a great debt!”

“Uh, right. Sure…”

All I did was utter a few cheesy lines, and he was looking at me as if I were a life-saving hero. Game characters, really…

Aleon seemed eager to say more, his lips twitching before he finally spoke. “Rudel, can I stay here for just one day? Today is the 12th day, the end of the first round. I’ll leave after that.”

“Alright.”

I hadn’t asked Aleon to join my group, and he didn’t seem inclined to do so either. Despite his innocence, Aleon was born to look after others, driven by benevolence and compassion as his primary motivations. 

He couldn’t be under me. We both instinctively knew we couldn’t stay together. Our differing life philosophies would clash too much.

“And Rudel, let me be brave and say this! Would you consider coming back with me? Will you be my partner?”

We can’t be together—.

What?

My eyes must have had question marks in them. Aleon held my hands tighter, kneeling on one knee like an excited boy.

“I heard from one of the people I cared for that the closest relationship one person can have with another is to be partners! Rudel, you’ve given me immense strength! If you stay by my side, I feel like I can face anything without fear! What do you think, Rudel?”

Um, Saint, do you even know what ‘partner’ means?

When I asked indirectly, he confidently replied, “Of course I know! Besides a strong bond, it means experiencing passionate love too!”

Aleon suddenly leaned in. His breath, cool and fragrant like frozen flowers, washed over me.

“But love can grow over time, can’t it? Others have called me pure and enchanting. What about you, Rudel? Do you find my face and body captivating enough?”

“……”

I don’t know about that, but I do know this is overwhelming!

At that moment, Aleon’s blue hair was grabbed by a long, white hand.

“You…”

The voice belonged to Unahar, who was clenching his teeth.

Aleon wasn’t the only one facing dark shadows. Kanel, wearing a similarly grim expression, stood beside Unahar, and the two young men’s voices united.

“You must be really confused and overwhelmed. If you’re tired, go rest in a corner,” Unahar said, his voice steady.

“Get some sleep and leave as soon as you wake up,” Kanel added, echoing Unahar’s stern tone.

Seeing two of my companions stand up for me as if it were their own problem filled me with a warm sense of solidarity. Who knew Kanel and Unahar would work so well together? It looks like our new guild member integration is a success!

However, I expected Aleon to be taken aback by their harsh response, but instead, he just smiled brightly at the two men.

“Thank you for your kindness! I’ll take your advice and rest!”

Is this character oblivious or just incredibly naive? Even Gio isn’t this clueless, and Lilith isn’t this unaware of hostility!

Unable to believe it, I checked Aleon’s status window again. His intelligence was still listed as average—not below average or low, just average. Yet, he seemed more innocent than a newborn. Oh right, he was born just eight days ago.

No wonder he ended up almost getting assassinated by those scavengers. While he was distracted, I quickly withdrew my hand from Aleon’s grasp and addressed his proposal swiftly.

“For now, I’m not interested in romantic relationships. So I’ll have to decline your proposal. But I can still comfort and help you whenever you’re in trouble.”

“Really? I’m truly grateful!” Aleon beamed.

He clearly didn’t grasp the full meaning of ‘partner.’ To him, it seemed equivalent to ‘friend.’

But in retrospect, promising to help someone who isn’t even my companion was a bit reckless. I must have been thrown off by his sudden proposal!

Despite that, it’s not a bad outcome. Aleon, with his immense power, could be a formidable ally. Perhaps even more reliable than Shemarin.

And honestly, I don’t mind looking after someone as genuinely kind as him.

* * *

Contrary to his appearance, Aleon insisted on eating with us, despite me setting a separate table for him.

“Looks like Aleon really loves being around people…”

Thus, we ended up sharing a meal together. Gio was too busy stuffing his face to care, while Kanel and Unahar seemed to have found a common cause in dealing with Aleon.

On Aleon’s left was Unahar, and on his right was Kanel, both giving him wary looks.

But Aleon, oblivious, continued eating the vegetable stir-fry I served him. Like Lilith, he turned out to be a vegetarian. Is this a trait of kind characters?

He didn’t even notice Gio eyeing his food, wary that it might get snatched.

“Aleon, what was your awakening phrase?” I asked, suddenly curious as we ate. Lilith also paused, chopsticks in hand, looking intrigued.

“What is that?” 

Aleon didn’t even know what an awakening phrase was. Did he say he woke up from within the ice? How could no one know his awakening phrase when it was broadcasted across the entire field?

It was possible we didn’t hear it. If he awakened at dawn, we were probably all asleep.

But then Kanel raised his hand.

“I might have heard it. It was early in the morning when the 7th day turned to the 8th. If that was his awakening phrase.”

Oh, Kanel wasn’t with us at that time.

[“My birth will bring light to you.”]

…Seriously?

Hearing Kanel’s words, I pursed my lips. Oh, how noble. You are the light of the world, aren’t you?

A rival, if not a friendly one. Anyway, I had fed and provided a sleeping bag for my future rival.

The Saint, who had lost all will to live just a few hours ago, recovered quickly. He soon regained his vigor.

“It’s not too late. Start collecting your points now,” I advised.

Taking my advice, Aleon quickly stepped outside and began freezing monsters again.

In truth, my advice wasn’t purely out of kindness. If I ever had to face him or compete in rankings, it was crucial to understand his abilities.

I began observing Aleon closely, analyzing his unique ability.

On closer inspection, a water stream always rose first before the freezing process began. He couldn’t freeze something without first creating water…?

But why was his ability named ‘Ice’ rather than ‘Water’? Maybe the water didn’t possess the characteristics of water until it was frozen? Perhaps the water was an illusion?

Could I touch it directly?

Rustle.

At that moment, the snow-covered forest rustled with someone’s presence. I immediately turned my head, almost touching Aleon’s water. Aleon also stopped and looked in that direction.

A figure emerged from the bushes.

A woman with short, dark brown hair and a sharp appearance, dressed in black combat gear with several daggers strapped to her belt.

“I’ve been searching for you,” she said to Aleon, indicating she was likely from the Ice Castle.

Aleon started to greet her warmly but then remembered what had happened and hardened his expression.

“…Have you come to ask me for something as well? Do you expect me to follow you back and pretend nothing happened?”

Aleon’s tone was notably cold.

Good. I was worried he would forget being treated like a fool and be overly enthusiastic.

Despite Aleon’s rejection, the woman’s gaze remained steady and serious. She didn’t react much to his dry response, as if expecting it. Instead, she knelt before him.

Watching her, I realized her demeanor mirrored how Kanel acted towards me last night.

Just as I have Kanel, Aleon has this woman.

“Aleon, you are stronger and more beautiful than anyone else in this field. You can do whatever you want. You don’t have to return to the Ice Castle. You can ignore what I say.”

She paused for a moment and then continued in an unwavering voice.

“But if only for a moment, please come back and look at the attempted assassins I’ve captured… no, restrained.”

What the, that’s scary.

The short-haired woman glanced at me.

“And I’ve also tied up the one who tried to turn you against Aleon.”

Even among many ordinary characters, if you look closely, there’s always a special one.

Those bound by a unique connection.

Isn’t that woman such a presence for Aleon?

The saint looked at me. Until just now, she had been trying hard to maintain a cold expression, but now she looked very confused.

“Do you think it’s okay if I follow her?”

Will Aleon’s actions change based on my answer?

I just smiled.

“You have to decide that.”

I was being generous. She’s not even my comrade, yet I’m saying this much.

“If another problem arises, you can always run back to me.”