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

Aichen looked around. Among them, the man appeared the largest and most physically capable, but he didn’t seem like the leader. Then, was it the person hiding and firing the cannon? Somehow, that person didn’t seem like the leader either. There was likely only one person who could be the leader.

The person pouring crimson flames that starkly contrasted with the white snow—her. Despite wearing winter clothing, the slender lines of her body were visible, yet the power of her flames was astonishingly intense. The woman kept glancing back at him, using the flames to ensure he couldn’t get too close, but there was no need for such effort. Aichen didn’t have the capability to jump into that scene and make any significant impact.

Though they struggled, they didn’t tire easily and persistently drove the monster back. Finally, the woman’s flames inflicted burns on the monster, causing it to halt and thrash about.

“Gio, finish it now!”

The woman directed, without breaking her focus from Aichen. Though it was just one monster, their victory was clear. As Aichen widened his eyes, ready to witness the monster’s end, an announcement rang out.

[Congratulations! You are the first to defeat a monster!]

…The monster before them was still writhing and very much alive.

“…?”

For the first time, the woman showed a perplexed expression. The man, too, glanced at the woman, halting his poised sword awkwardly.

“What happened?”

A figure emerged from the snow-covered forest, voice filled with confusion. It was a handsome man with blond hair that shone brilliantly against the snowy backdrop. Judging by the bazooka on his shoulder, he seemed to be the one who had been assisting with the artillery.

“Someone else has defeated a monster before us!”

Listening to the broadcast, the woman quickly grasped the situation. Her words caused the man with the cannon to show a defeated expression. Their chance to claim the first monster kill had been snatched away, despite all three of them giving their best.

“Nothing changes. Gio, just finish off this monster.”

The woman regained her composure swiftly. The man called Gio proceeded to slash the monster’s neck several times with his sword, finishing it off. However, unlike a minute ago, the burning determination felt like it had been doused with cold water, leaving only a hollow silence.

Only the first place gets noticed. No matter how close the second place is, it holds no significance. The special reward for the first monster kill was now someone else’s to claim.

“The situation isn’t that surprising. Of course, others would be hunting monsters as well. It’s not like we have a monopoly on them. We just need to keep hunting monsters.”

Upon hearing the woman’s words, the golden-eyed handsome man quickly erased the regret from his face and nodded.

“Let’s go back and rest. Gio, you still have energy left, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then go and hang around the people, just like last time. Gather all the rumors you can about the ‘first monster slayer.’ Once you return, we’ll eat.”

“Got it.”

The woman and the blonde man headed in one direction, while the man who had put the sword into his inventory went in the opposite direction. Aichen stayed where he was with his friend, pondering for a long time. 

He had been entranced by the woman controlling the fire just a moment ago, but the excitement he felt disappeared with the sound of the broadcast. His eyes became calm again.

‘Maybe the monster isn’t that strong. There are others besides them who are hunting it.’

Recklessly, he had already forgotten his fear of the monster.

‘If I’m going to ensure my safety under someone’s protection, I should choose the strongest person here.’

Aichen briefly looked in the direction the woman had disappeared. 

However, he soon turned away without hesitation.

‘The first monster slayer must be stronger.’

He left with his friend, heading in the opposite direction.

* * *

Maybe we should have caught the characters who were watching us earlier.

I’m not hung up on the title of ‘first monster slayer’ which has already slipped away. But the two characters who were hiding in the forest still bothered me.

We had allowed them to witness our battle to spread the word, thinking we would be the first monster slayers. But if we ended up being just another common hunt below the first place, it would lose its meaning.

“This is ridiculous.”

Unahar, still seething with anger, tossed aside the heated bazooka and plopped down in the cave carelessly. I approached Unahar.

“Relax. It’s disappointing that we missed the first hunt, but I’m still satisfied with our combined efforts.”

“Yeah, we caught the monster and came back safely without any injuries. That’s enough!”

Lilith, who had been briefed on the situation by me, added reassuringly. Unahar lifted his head slightly at her words.

“Rudel, weren’t you the one who was most disappointed? You planned the operation seriously and went into the battle prepared. For your sake, it shouldn’t have failed. The first hunt should have been yours.”

“It wasn’t mine, it was Gio’s.”

“Either way.”

Unahar, who didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic, was actually earnest about what I was doing. I was almost moved by his sincerity.

“I’m fine. Just because you try hard doesn’t always mean you’ll get the results you want. You did well. Your aim with the bazooka was impressive.”

As I turned to leave, I noticed Unahar placing his hand on the shoulder I had just patted. Was he hurt from my patting? That couldn’t be; my stats were only a C. Why was he standing there, eyes closed, with a silly grin on his face, holding his shoulder?

My thoughts were interrupted as Gio returned quickly.

“Did you get any information about the first monster slayer?”

Before answering, Gio took the hot dog Lilith handed him and ate it reflexively. With the hot dog in his mouth, he brushed the snow off his head and responded.

“No, I didn’t hear anything.”

“Why? Last time you gathered information pretty well.”

“Everyone stopped talking when I approached. They laughed and called me ‘the idiot,’ so I couldn’t hear anything.”

They’re still teasing him as a dumb Tarzan? Well, it has only been a few days since I found him naked in the forest. Still, calling a future ranker an idiot—I’m curious about those people’s futures!

“You should have eavesdropped! …Oh, there was nowhere to hide.”

With the monster having swept the field, the forest, and any large rocks or bushes, there was nowhere to conceal oneself. So, do I have to go out and gather rumors myself? The lack of cover was troubling, but I still had some stealth potions left with Lilith.

I hesitated. We failed to become the first slayer, so I need to emphasize my coolness to the viewers. But sneaking around with a stealth potion might seem cowardly. I shook my head. I was getting ahead of myself, thinking I was already someone important. I was still a weak character; I needed to focus on becoming stronger rather than showing off.

I’ll drink the stealth potion and quickly gather the information. I need to know my place.

As I was about to say I’d be back soon, I saw Unahar dozing off while sitting. Even asleep, he looked like a work of art. Viewers would probably capture that image and keep it, looking at it whenever they felt tired and worn out. But seeing him so exhausted now made sense. Given his unique abilities, he must have been mentally strained, almost freezing to death this morning, and then fighting right after warming up—it was a tough day for him.

“Gio, help Unahar lie down comfortably on the ground.”

“Not a chance.”

Gio rejected my request with innocent nonchalance, not batting an eye. It was only after I handed him a chocolate snack that he began to move, as if he were a paid informant. 

“Don’t carry him like a sack of rice, hold him down gently like you would with Lilith.”

Thankfully, I spoke in time. Gio, who had been about to sling Unahar over his shoulder, paused and then followed my instructions, gently laying him down.

“Lilith, keep Gio company. I’m heading out for a bit.”

“Aren’t you worried about going alone?”

“I’m not alone. I’ve got the stealth potion with me. Stay with Unahar!”

“I will. Be safe!”

* * *

As I wandered further away, I noticed that there were quite a few groups of brave adventurers trying to hunt monsters. Who among them could be the ‘first monster slayer’?

Our team had been fast and efficient. To have slain a monster faster than we did, that group or individual would need to possess overwhelming strength. But the area felt strangely quiet. The weaker characters should be panicking due to the sudden change, yet there were no signs of their nervous movements. There were no special news updates about casualties, so it wasn’t that they had all been eaten.

After wandering for a while, I finally found a couple of characters conversing atop a rock, safe from monsters. They seemed to have just met, maintaining a wary distance from each other.

“Are you going to follow him too?” one character asked abruptly, as if they had been discussing it all along.

Who is this ‘him’?

“Of course. Now’s our chance. Even someone as weak as me can be treated equally by his side,” the questioned character replied, clasping their hands together dreamily. They referred to him as ‘him’ with a reverent tone.

This felt different from the way people followed the tyrant Ispan. It was worshipful, with complete admiration and devotion. If there was such a revered character nearby, how had I not noticed them until now?

“Want to come with me then? I know where he is.”

“Really? Sure, let’s go together.”

Great, I thought to myself, following the two characters discreetly.