"Do you think you’ll gain a placement in the upcoming ranking?"
"...Given your achievements in Malovia, luck or not, there’s no denying your contributions. Do you think it’s worth enough to achieve a ranking?"
"What do you think? Do you think he’ll achieve a ranking?"
The questions wouldn’t stop.
It was the same with the camera shutters, which clicked relentlessly without pause.
Click! Click! Click!
It was getting really annoying.
And yet, when I looked up, I saw Kyle, Zoey, and the others smiling and waving at the cameras. At times, they even paused, making sure to pose for better shots.
’Right, they’re used to this.’
I didn’t really feel the need to copy them.
Instead, I followed quietly from behind and ignored all the questions directed at me. It was one of the instructions I’d been given before the event, specifically by the PR team.
Something about building a ’mysterious’ image and whatnot.
I found the entire idea to be weird, but it worked out for me since I didn’t want to talk.
And so—
"Just one question. Please answer one question!"
"What do you think of the upcoming announcement? Are you aware of the fact that if any one of you manages to reach a ranking, the Guild will reach the King-Grade? There must be a lot of anticipation."
My steps suddenly paused.
For some reason, the last part of the question struck something within me.
’The Guild will reach the King-Grade if someone manages to get ranked? This is new to me.’
Nobody had told me something like this.
Looking up, my gaze landed on Section Chief White. Unfortunately, it seemed he had been chosen as our representative. He hadn’t done anything bad to me personally, but there was something about the way he looked at me that felt quite uncomfortable.
’He doesn’t like me.’
Of this, I was almost certain.
Thankfully, he seemed responsible enough not to cause any trouble.
"This way."
Past the reporters, we were finally guided into the main building of the event.
The space was grand, vast enough that my footsteps echoed clearly even as the crowd continued to file in behind us.
High ceilings stretched overhead, arched and imposing, lined with intricate patterns carved right into the stone. The polished marble floors reflected the lights above, each step forward producing a sharp, hollow echo that lingered longer than it should have.
The corridor eventually opened into a massive hall, and what immediately caught my attention were the long rows of banners hanging along the sides.
Each one bore a distinct insignia, proudly representing a different Guild, their colors and symbols filling the space with a quiet, overwhelming presence.
Rows upon rows of seats curved outward in a gentle arc, all of them facing a raised stage bathed in warm, golden light. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead like frozen constellations, scattering soft glimmers across the hall. Long crimson carpets stretched along the floor, guiding guild representatives toward their assigned sections.
It really did feel like one of those grand events I was used to seeing on TV.
Except that instead of actors and directors, this place was filled with people who could level entire cities.
Everywhere I looked, there were famous names, Guild Masters, Vice-Captains, and elites whose exploits were something that the news reported all the time.
Some laughed casually, others spoke in low, guarded voices. A few simply sat in silence, eyes sharp and calculating, as if judging every soul that passed before them. The moment we entered, I felt several stares directed my way as whispers followed.
"We’re here."
Section Chief White stopped, turning his attention back towards us.
"The event will begin in about ten minutes. Until then, everyone should find a seat. Our assigned seats are on the far left—Row 17, Section Z."
The Section Chief gestured toward our designated area. I was about to follow the others when he suddenly stopped me.
"Actually, wait a moment."
He looked at me through his gold-rimmed glasses, then gently nudged me aside.
"There are a few things that I need to talk with you about."
The others stopped, looking at us with questioning expressions, but I ignored their gazes and turned to the Section Chief instead. In the end, I nodded and mumbled, "Sure."
"Don’t worry. It won’t take long. You guys go."
After dismissing the others, the Section Chief led me toward the stairwell, where the crowd thinned, and there were fewer people around. Coming to a stop, the Section Chief looked around before adjusting his glasses.
The smile faded from his lips.
"I don’t like you."
Shocking.
This piece of news shocked me to the core.
No, it didn’t.
I saw it coming from miles away.
"...I don’t like how you’ve suddenly become the ace of the entire Guild while your true capabilities remain unclear. I acknowledge that you managed to resolve the situation in Malovia, but the fact remains. You’re still far weaker than most of the people present here, and your achievements pale in comparison to theirs."
Crossing his arms, the Section Chief paused as he looked to the side. A group of two appeared, and as they passed us, he gave them a nod before turning his attention back towards me.
"I honestly can’t understand why the Guild Master would place his hopes on you, when a single mistake on your part could cause our entire reputation to crumble. I don’t understand why the Guild Master is willing to take such a risk, but the facts are these, and I can’t do anything about that. That’s why I called you here to warn you."
Taking out his glasses and polishing them, the Section Chief’s tone turned harsher.
"Conduct yourself properly. From this point on, everything you do will represent the Guild. No more sloppy appearances. No more swearing on live streams, and no more crude behavior."
Putting his glasses back on, the Section Chief adjusted his clothes and proceeded to walk away.
"I hope you heed my warning. I’ll be closely monitoring you."
Clank—
He left right after that.
"....."
Staring at the door that led to the main hall, I didn’t follow him immediately.
Instead, I leaned back against the side of the wall and closed my eyes. Thinking about how he knew about the live stream, I couldn’t help but smile.
’...He sure is quite dedicated.’
***
Ranking Announcement, Main Hall.
One by one, the Guilds arrived. Camera shutters clicked nonstop as photographs were taken of every new arrival. The excitement hung thick in the air, and just as one group began to move on, another line of cars pulled up.
The moment the cars arrived, the entire venue turned quiet.
Then—
"They’re here!"
"Quick! Quick, they’re here!"
Click! Click! Click! Click! Click!
A wall of white.
That was the best way to describe the scene as the cameras flashed without pause. Soon after, the door to one of the cars opened, and a figure stepped out. A long black dress flowed down onto the red carpet, and her equally long black hair swayed gently behind her as she emerged.
A pressure that was different from any other that had come beforehand emerged, filling the entire venue as the reporters stopped at once.
Unlike the suffocating pressure exuded by Paragons like Luther, this presence was far more subdued. Yet undeniably regal. It felt as though it belonged to someone who naturally stood above everyone else.
Liora Halecrest walked forward, eyes ahead, never sparing a glance at the mass of reporters closing in around her. One by one, figures exited the car behind her. Their auras were sharp, intimidating enough to unsettle even veteran Guild members.
Yet they followed her without question.
As if that, too, were inevitable.
They crossed the carpet in silence, the crowd parting instinctively. At last, Liora spoke.
"You said that he’s here, correct?"
"...Ah, yes. He should be."
One of the people following behind her answered.
"He’s already arrived."
"Mhm."
Liora’s dark eyes flickered as she looked towards the entrance of the venue.
In all honesty, she wasn’t particularly keen on attending the event. Rankings meant little to her, especially when she already received more than enough benefits from her Guild. Nevertheless, it was still an event that she had to attend.
But she was curious.
"What do you think about him?"
Her pace never changed as they passed beyond the red carpet and into the Main Hall. Only then did the figure beside her answer.
"I’ve looked into him. His record is impressive, but not extraordinary. A promising talent. Exceptionally consistent. There are rumors he’s never failed."
"Never failed?"
Liora’s lips pulled into a thin smile.
She found it to be somewhat amusing.
"I was like that too, wasn’t I?"
"Yes, yes. You were also like that once."
"But eventually, I failed."
"That’s..."
"There have been many like him," Liora continued, unbothered. "Rookies who shine brightly and capture the attention of a lot of people. Still, in the end, we all fail. There’s no one who doesn’t fail. There’s bound to be a failure somewhere."
The entourage remained silent as Liora slowly turned her head, her sharp eyes flickering with a certain light.
"So tell me. Why would my grandfather bother sponsoring this one? Is there something that I’m not aware of?"
Chewing over her words, she and her entourage finally entered the hall.
All attention fell on them as they arrived.
How could it not?
For they were the representatives of Obsidian Bastion.
One of the Big Five.