The guild buzzed with whispers after Renji's return.
Adventurers glanced his way with new eyes—not as some newbie kid with a cheap dagger, but as someone who took down a D-rank boss solo... and exposed a murderer in the process.
Renji leaned back in one of the lounge chairs, arms crossed, resting after dragging Kaine and his goons into custody.
"Renji Akatsuki."
He looked up.
A tall guild staff member in a black vest stood before him, serious expression on his face.
"The Guild Master would like to see you. Now."
The lounge quieted. A few adventurers raised their brows.
"…The Guild Master?"
someone muttered.
Renji looks surprised.
"Did i mess something...?"
"Hughh..if Guild master is calling me it must be something important"
Renji stood up.
"Lead the way."
The staff member brought him through a tall wooden door in the back hallway, past several security checkpoints, up a staircase. At the end of the hall sat a wide door marked:
[GUILD MASTER'S OFFICE – Authorized Personnel Only]
The staff member knocked once. A deep voice answered.
"Enter."
The door creaked open.
Inside sat a tall, broad-shouldered man with a white beard and stern eyes. He wore dark armor beneath a formal coat and had a massive sword propped in the corner.
Papers were scattered across his desk, but his eyes were focused on Renji.
"So you're the rookie everyone's talking about."
Renji gave a light nod.
"Yes. I'm Renji Akatsuki."
The Guild Master gestured for him to sit.
"I heard that you drag in Kaine like a sack of potatoes."
He chuckled.
"It's been years since anyone had the guts to stand up to that bastard, let alone beat him."
"He picked the wrong target,"
Renji replied calmly.
The Guild Master leaned forward, folding his hands.
"So what bring me here for?"
He pulled out a sealed scroll from his drawer and slid it across the table.
[Urgent Subjugation Quest – C Rank]
Target: Berserker Troll (C-Rank Mini Boss) Location: North Ravine Reward: 350 Silver + Promotion Eligibility
Renji's eyes flicked over the quest details.
The Guild Master continued:
"This is normally above your pay grade. But considering you took out the Forest Howler, I'm giving you this chance."
"And what if I complete it?"
The Guild Master nodded firmly.
"You'll be promoted to D-Rank. Officially."
Silence hung for a moment.
Renji picked up the scroll and stood.
"Woww.. Really?"
"Then I'll take it."
The Guild Master grinned.
"Thought you would."
Renji turned to leave.
Just before he exited, the Guild Master added:
"One more thing, Renji."
Renji stopped, glancing back.
"You're making waves already. That's good—but be careful." "Some people don't like it when rookies rise too fast."
Renji nodded once.
"Then I'll clean them when it happened."
And with that, he left the office—scroll in hand, and a new target waiting beyond the northern ravine.
"This is my chance to get more stronger!!"