Today, there was a guild meeting with the vice guild leader leading the session. The top adventurers were joining the fight. Dilek and his gang were present as well.
"And of course, we're invited. Gotta be why we're high level, aren't we?" Dilek said, looking ahead.
Diego grinned. "Of course, Saint. We are the best."
Nandita sighed. "Let's just go and hear what they have to say. We likely need to provide our side of the story."
"Yeah, I mean, I could tell Iris doesn't trust us," Marcus said.
"That's all well and good—we can give our piece to Iris and the others," Dilek said. "But can someone explain why she's tagging along?" He pointed at Ami, who was standing as part of the group.
"I am part of the group," Ami replied.
"No… no, you are not," Dilek sighed.
"Saint," Diego said, "I think having another person would be great in our team. So why don't we let her tag in?"
Ami cheered up. "See? That guy gets it!"
"You guys are here." A deep voice called out. Clarence appeared—still big and strong. After all, he was an ogre. He smiled. "Hey guys, remember me?"
"Of course, Clarence. Hey, what's up?" Dilek replied, while Diego and Ami just stood frozen.
"The monster is speaking formally with the Saint… no way, he even tamed the monster… I knew it, the Saint is all-powerful!"
"Whoa, is that monster talking to Dilek? Shit, is this guy a politician? How come he has so many connections—and is ugly as shit? He's the class definition of a politician. He even seems evil as hell too…"
Marcus and Clarence engaged in conversation as two new people appeared, introducing themselves.
"I'm Phenoma," the girl said, shaking Dilek's hand. "Pleasant to meet you. I heard a lot about you from Iris." She smiled, her red hair shining in the light.
Dilek just stared at her in shock before his eyes shifted to the guy beside her. The man was hunching slightly, wearing glasses, robes, and a witch's hat.
"I'm Jerome," he said, smiling politely.
"Pleasant to meet you, Jerome. So, you all have come for the raid boss meeting?" Dilek asked.
"Oh yeah, we are," Jerome said. "Iris told us not to tell anyone anything other than the raid boss stuff. If someone asks, we should just say we're preparing for the raid boss."
Nandita noticed people whispering among themselves, glancing at Jerome and Phenoma. "Are you two high-ranked adventurers?" she asked.
Phenoma laughed. "Oh, no, no. We're only 3-star adventurers. Today, Darkest Night will be joining. He's the only 4-star here."
"Wow," Dilek said. "Talk about an edgy name. I mean, who names themselves The Darkest Night? You gotta be some emo kid to pick a name like that, right?"
Phenoma chuckled. "You're funny, you know."
"I was being dead serious, lady."
She smiled. "My nickname is The Crimson Blood, by the way."
Dilek stared at her for a moment before turning to Nandita. "How come everyone's picking names like Crimson Blood? Isn't blood the same color as crimson? And Darkest Night? Isn't the night dark already?"
"I don't know," Nandita shrugged. "Isn't it the same as 'Hairless Baldy'?"
Dilek looked at her. "Did Ami teach yo—"
"Ami taught me," she completed.
"You all, please come inside." Iris appeared at the doorway of the guild. Everyone slowly walked in.
The guild's hall was massive—so much that even Clarence could fit comfortably, though he was still tiptoeing carefully toward the stairs.
Reaching the meeting hall, everyone took their seats, while Diego, Nandita, and Marcus stayed standing. Dilek and Ami sat down.
"Hey, get off my seat, dipshit," a boy with spiky hair said, approaching Dilek.
"I don't see your name on it," Dilek replied calmly.
The boy's voice rose. "Kid, I'll zap you up!"
Across the table, Ami was being threatened by another guy—buff, loud, and clearly overcompensating. "Hey woman, if you don't get off, I'll rip you apart!"
Ami clicked her tongue. "Hey, you're 2-star, aren't you?"
The guy froze. "H-how did you know?"
She smirked. "The smallest dogs bark the loudest."
Dilek laughed. "Look at her talking about herself from across the table."
Ami slammed the table. "YOU! YOU ARE THE SMALLER DOG!"
"Dog?? You bite people! You should be locked up in an asylum! No, even better—you'd be in Arkha—"
"Enough, stop fighting!" Iris cut in sharply. "Restarte, please wait—we'll get you seats. Bafole, stop threatening people."
She turned to the three. "Just a second. I'll get you your chairs."
Clarence simply sat on the floor with his back against the wall.
Soon, everyone was seated. Iris began. "Let's start the meeting. First, I'll tell you the problem."
"Dilek and his group discovered a Ruda…"
"What? Ruda?" Dilek thought. Is that what they call the goblin we encountered?
Everyone sat in stunned silence as Unoma spoke. "So it's the raid boss for this month? Shouldn't we discuss this with the Duke?"
"First, let's hear this Ruda's abilities," Iris looked at dilek as if he might slip up. "And Unoma—we have to discuss the strategies ourselves and present them to the Duke, understand?"
Unoma sighed. "Sure."
"I see… Dilek, please go ahead," Iris said.
Dilek stood up and explained. "The Ruda can summon goblins and control them. Also… the Ruda can make humans."
Everyone went silent.
"I'm not sure whether he makes the humans or controls them," Dilek continued. "It's hard to tell, but either way—it's dangerous."
Phenoma frowned. "If that's true… then how can we tell you aren't one?"
Everyone started murmuring after she said that. Iris looked at Dilek waiting to see how he responds.
Nandita stood up. "Communication. We can communicate well. The Ruda couldn't make them communicate properly. He was struggling with that. Also, he couldn't make multiple people he controls talk at once."
Diego nodded. Marcus sighed in relief.
Iris sighed. "Thank you for your part. Now, moving on to the next part—Dilek, you and your party can leave for now. We'll talk to you later, since you'll be leading the raid."
"Me… leading the raid?" Dilek asked.
Iris nodded before they were escorted out of the room.
Outside, his friends looked at him in amazement.
"Whoa, dude, they recognized you!" Marcus said.
"That's right, Saint—you're going to lead us to victory!" Diego grinned.
"Don't stress yourself out," Nandita smiled.
"Well, my money bag's growing," Ami said.
Dilek smiled too. His time was here. A successful victory means a successful status… and with that, he could start a cult easily. Main quest completed, then…
…Then what?
A thought appeared in Dilek's head. Why am I going toward the main quest? Would I go back to Earth?
His mind flashed to memories he didn't like—screams. He froze for a brief second. Do I really… need to go home? What is the main quest for, anyway?
"HEY!"
Dilek snapped back as Marcus called out to him. "You alright?"
Dilek looked around before replying quietly, "Yeah… yeah, I am."
He looked down at his hands. What lies after I finish my main quest…?