"Name it?"
Kurose Akira stared at the system prompt floating before him, a faint hesitation rising in his chest.
He had come up with several guild names in the past—idle fantasies scribbled in his mind during quiet moments. But now that the naming window was actually open in front of him, he was struck by a sudden, paralyzing case of naming anxiety.
Fortunately, there was no immediate deadline.
After a brief pause, he decided to skip the step for now. He could return to it later once they were back at the guild hall and he had time to think it through properly.
A new prompt blinked into existence.
[You have obtained one Rare Adventurer Recruitment Scroll (Purple Quality)!][Player Authority Unlocked — Sacred Adventurer Contract!][Sacred Adventurer Contract: You may bind one adventurer as your exclusive contracted unit. He/She/It will receive a full-attribute enhancement and, in return, provide you with a proportional full-attribute boost! (The amplification value is based on the adventurer's total attributes.)][Notice! Only one adventurer may be contracted. The contracted unit's Loyalty will immediately rise to MAX! (Gain the "Loyal" Trait.)]
"After signing the contract… they become absolutely loyal?"
Kurose Akira studied the detailed description of the Sacred Adventurer Contract, and a ripple passed through his thoughts.
He began weighing his options.
It was obvious—the stronger the adventurer, the greater the amplification he would receive as guild master.
And if the enhancement scaled according to total attributes…
Then there really wasn't much of a choice.
Mare Rhine was the optimal candidate.
On top of that, the [Loyal] trait would serve as a useful leash for that troublesome dragon who delighted in stirring chaos wherever she went.
"Hmm?"
Mare Rhine narrowed her golden eyes, sensing the strange look he was giving her. A flicker of suspicion crossed her expression.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Kurose Akira shook his head and returned his focus to the interface. Reaching C-rank had unlocked far more than just the contract.
[C-Rank Missions Unlocked!][Badge Missions: 3 remaining!][C-Rank Commission Missions: 5 remaining!][Daily Missions: 3 remaining! (Refresh at 00:00 daily)][Special High-Difficulty Mission: 1 available!]
"The mission categories really expanded…"
He scrolled through the newly unlocked panel, a faint smile forming.
Compared to C-rank commissions, daily missions were clearly easier and more manageable. The rewards were lower, but they refreshed every day and required minimal effort. He could simply dispatch idle adventurers—efficient, low risk, steady resource gain.
Beyond the mission expansion, the guild itself had unlocked several new systems.
[Guild Achievement Badges Unlocked — You may equip up to three badges!][Additional Guild Areas Opened: Simulation Combat Zone, Pet Training Area, Breeding Area…][Guild Wars Enabled!][Player Combat Talents Unlocked!][Current Player Level: 1 (Max Level: 10)][Complete corresponding challenges to earn attribute and skill rewards!]
The cascade of system notifications filled him with exhilaration.
The benefits of reaching C-rank and formally establishing a guild far exceeded his expectations.
But before indulging further in the joy of progression, reality pulled him back.
"Ahhh!!! How is that possible?!"
Cheng Lan clutched her head, eyes wide with disbelief. The adventurer she had painstakingly nurtured had been obliterated in a single strike.
Yes, the world's laws immediately restored her adventurer to full health—but that did nothing to soothe her pride.
Her adventurer's level had been higher.
So how had the battle ended in such a humiliating landslide?
Just then, her girlfriends stepped out from the lounge and gathered near the arena.
"Cheng Lan, that was kind of embarrassing~"
"Shut up!" Cheng Lan snapped, cheeks flushed with frustration.
"Hahaha, someone's not satisfied! I recommend an offline real-life PK!"
"Exactly~ Looks like this handsome guy's the real deal."
Their eyes turned toward Kurose Akira, appreciation obvious.
"Classmate Su—oh, sorry—Kurose Akira, can I add you on WeChat? Don't misunderstand~ I just want to be friends."
"My Moments have lots of good stuff~ Visible only to you~"
"…"
The enthusiastic older girls crowded around him in celebration of his victory.
Kurose Akira didn't linger. After exchanging a few polite words, he quickly led his adventurers back to the lounge.
Inside, Xu Feiyan sat waiting. When she saw him return, her lips curved into a slightly amused smile.
"You're quite popular, aren't you~"
"Did you need something?" he asked directly.
He had come back because she'd said she wanted to speak with him.
Xu Feiyan gently waved her folding fan.
"In two days, the ultra-high-difficulty Demon Abyss opens. According to the event flow, the Star Knight of the Star Kingdom will directly eliminate the boss inside. We players won't need to intervene."
"After that, the King of the Star Kingdom will personally present event rewards to the top three players on the leaderboard. I won't attend in person. I'll send Honglian and the others. If anything unexpected happens… I hope you can look after them."
"You have plans that day?" he asked.
She nodded lightly. "Something urgent came up in real life."
He inclined his head. "Understood. I'll take care of Honglian and the others."
A satisfied smile touched her lips.
"Now that you're C-rank, you'll have access to higher-reward missions. But remember—act within your limits. Don't be reckless."
"Got it."
He committed her warning to memory.
"Petiko."
At her call, Petiko stepped forward and respectfully presented a blood-red bracelet.
Kurose Akira accepted it. "What's this?"
"A storage item. It contains something you need."
He extended his consciousness into it.
Inside lay the portrait of the Vampire Progenitor.
"You're willing to sell it to me?" he asked.
Petiko shook her head slightly. "It's a gift."
"A gift? Thank you."
Ever since he first saw that portrait, it had lingered in his mind. He had even asked Xu Feiyan whether he could purchase it.
He hadn't expected Petiko to simply give it to him.
The moment he obtained the portrait, a notification flashed.
[Second Vampire Progenitor Portrait Collected!]["Vampire" Trait is transforming into […]][Please select one of the following prefixes (Cannot refresh):][Virgin] [Young Virgin] [Old Virgin]
"?"
Kurose Akira stared at the three options in stunned silence.
And they couldn't be refreshed.
After a long internal struggle, he chose the relatively normal option.
[Virgin].
[Successfully added the "Virgin" prefix to your "Vampire" trait!][Virgin: She has always maintained a pure and immaculate virgin body. Pain Sensitivity +100%. Sensitivity +100%. Recovery Speed +100%. All Damage Dealt +100%!]
"?"
He blinked.
She has always maintained a pure and immaculate virgin body?
Did that mean… it would endlessly restore…?
Cough.
He coughed awkwardly, forcing his thoughts back on track.
"Well, I'll head back. There's a lot to handle at the guild."
"Mhm."
Xu Feiyan nodded.
As he turned to leave, she added casually, "Those girls are a bit older than you. Being friends is fine—but don't start some online romance."
He paused, surprised. "They're only a few years older."
"?"
Her brows knit faintly.
He likes older women?
"Anyway. I'm off."
He waved lightly and led Ivsha and the others into the teleportation array.
Xu Feiyan watched him disappear in white light, rolled her eyes, and then glanced toward the lounge door.
"He's gone. You can come out."
A black-haired woman wearing a mask stepped inside.
"You know him?" Xu Feiyan asked, amber eyes sharp with curiosity.
The masked woman shook her head gently. "No."
"Then why are you here… Miss Su Jing?"
…
When the white glow faded, Kurose Akira reappeared in the guild hall.
He pushed the door open and immediately saw Lucya seated in the main hall.
She lifted her cool gaze to him.
"What were you doing?"
"We participated in the guild rank evaluation."
"Was it successful?" Her tone remained calm—but concern lingered beneath it.
"Smooth enough."
He sat beside her.
"Our guild is officially established now. But before anything else—we need a name."
"A guild name?"
Ivsha and the others gathered around.
"If anyone has suggestions, I'll consider them," he said seriously.
"If it's naming…" Alice tapped her lip thoughtfully. "How about 'Alice Protection Association'?"
"No."
Ivsha: "What about 'Praise the Holy Light'~?"
"Rejected."
Viola: "'Guardians of Nature'?"
"Doesn't fit."
"Human!"
Mare Rhine proudly declared, "I graciously grant you my name! Call your guild 'Mare'!"
"…(Idiot.)"
"If you truly cannot decide…" Lucya sipped her tea, eyes glinting faintly. "Then name it 'All Hail Big Sister Lucya for Ten Thousand Years.' I approve."
"?"
Even she had joined the chaos.
"Master, how about 'XX's Harem Squad'!"
"Ooo~ 'Holy Light Adventure'?"
"…"
Kurose Akira felt a headache forming.
His gaze shifted to Loserine.
She alone hadn't spoken.
Surely she would—
Her skull flickered with dazzling starlight.
…Right.
This topic had likely annihilated her remaining brain cells.
After a long silence, he said, "How about 'Seventh Heaven'?"
"Better: 'Married Women's Paradise.'"
"?"
Just then, Ivsha slipped silently behind him.
Heart-shaped pupils shimmered in her eyes. Pink breath brushed against his ear as she whispered sweetly:
"Mr. Kurose~ How about we name it 'Cream Puff Fantasyland'~? Doesn't it sound dreamy~? The description can say that any adventurer who joins can become…"
"O… okay…"
Under her irresistible charm, he hazily typed Cream Puff Fantasyland into the guild name field and clicked confirm.
The next second, clarity slammed back into him.
"Ivsha?!"
He stared at the finalized name in horror.
He frantically searched for a rename option—
Too late.
"???"
Damn it!
At that exact moment, a majestic golden plaque materialized in the guild hall.
Five radiant characters shimmered in prismatic light:
Cream Puff Fantasyland.
It was over.
Lucya frowned slightly. "This guild name…"
She clearly didn't understand its meaning.
"It's Mr. Kurose's favorite food~ Probably~" Ivsha smiled with satisfaction.
"If that's the case… then fine."
Lucya nodded. Compared to something like "Married Women's Paradise," she could at least accept a food-themed name.
Kurose Akira remained silent.
If Lucya ever discovered the true implication, she might draw her blade on the spot.
"Guild Achievement Badges…"
He opened the badge system. He currently possessed two:
[Pure Saintess] and [Silver Desire].
He equipped both immediately.
Then he reopened the Sacred Adventurer Contract interface.
His gaze fell on Mare Rhine, lounging arrogantly on the sofa.
The dragon with the highest total attributes was unquestionably the optimal choice.
"Contract."
"Hmm?"