New Member Joins the Team

The cold wind blew across the grass, stirring up a series of faint rustling sounds. The sun rose from the horizon once more, signaling the arrival of a new day.

"Ugh..."

Lize opened her eyes.

The first thing to enter her vision was a dense cluster of golden light spots. She blinked, only then realizing it was sunlight flashing through the leaves by the window. A faint fragrance wafted from the fluffy, soft bed. The young girl squinted, hugging her pillow, and after a moment, climbed out of bed with some reluctance.

She finally had a home of her own.

Looking at this slightly simple yet cozy little room, Lize couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. She had never imagined she would possess a permanent residence, but now it had become reality. This meant that whenever she returned in the future, she would no longer have to stay in the crude guest rooms of the Mercenary Association or the local tavern, nor would she have to fret over where to put her favorite things like before. Now, she had a room that belonged to her, a home that was her own.

On the first night in this room, Lize had been so excited that she tossed and turned, unable to sleep for the entire night. Over the past few days, she had grown to love this place more and more, beginning to pour her heart and soul into it. The already clean room was swept and polished repeatedly by Lize, and she had even brought in a few small flowers to place in a vase as decoration.

"Mm..."

The young girl raised her hands high and stretched, then changed her clothes and freshened up slightly before walking out of the room. Currently, at the stronghold, Lize was responsible for the dual roles of housekeeper and maid. Of course, having her own home wasn't entirely a good thing; now, food couldn't be waited for like at the tavern, but had to be prepared by herself. Cleaning also had to be done by her own hands. Although Rhode had considered hiring a few servants to tidy up, they were currently short on funds, so they had to make do.

Perhaps it was because happy events bring a refreshed spirit, but Lize felt invigorated after waking up. Even though she had been exhausted from running around with Rhode all day yesterday, she didn't feel tired at all.

Speaking of which, how was Rhode doing?

After tidying her clothes, Lize arrived at Rhode's door and knocked lightly.

"Mr. Rhode?"

No response.

Was he not there?

Lize tilted her head in confusion, pondering for a moment. She knocked again, but still received no reply.

Just then, a bird's cry suddenly came from outside the window.

Having followed Rhode for so many days, Lize was naturally very familiar with it; this was the cry of the Soul Bird. The young girl quickly walked to the window and looked out, and soon, she saw Rhode.

He was standing quietly in the overgrown garden, his right hand held level. In front of his right hand, an Azure Green bird was spreading its wings and darting forward rapidly. A powerful air current erupted from behind it, and for a moment, a deep trench even appeared in the weed-choked grass.

Just as the Azure Green bird flew out, Rhode suddenly made a gesture. The next instant, the originally violent whirlwind suddenly transformed into a raging, burning fire, lunging forward aggressively. The scattered flames quickly condensed and gathered, drawing a distinct arc in the air before shooting toward Rhode. Just as it seemed Rhode was about to be swallowed by the surging waves of fire, the bright red suddenly receded, and a white longsword shining with brilliant radiance broke through from within.

"Swish!!!"

The sword energy swept past, cutting down blade after blade of grass. Under the effect of the whirlwind, they danced in the sky and ignited under the scorching energy. By the time they turned into specks of dust and fell to the ground, the area within three meters of Rhode had become a barren wasteland.

"Mr. Rhode."

Only when she saw Rhode sheathe his longsword did Lize call out.

"Lize?"

Hearing the young girl's call, Rhode raised his head, looked toward the sound, and gave her a slight nod as a greeting.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, sir."

Saying this, Lize felt a bit awkward. Although according to the rules she should address him as Guild Leader, their ages were so close that she felt embarrassed. Furthermore, in Lize's heart, her true Guild Leader was still Carter, and she couldn't yet bring herself to address Rhode as Guild Leader with complete ease. Fortunately, Rhode didn't seem to mind these trifles, and after Lize apologized to him quite frankly, he accepted this arrangement.

What a perfect man.

Looking at Rhode before her, Lize couldn't help but feel her heart race. Young, handsome (or perhaps beautiful), calm, and steady—and she hadn't expected him to be so diligent and hardworking. A man like this was absolutely the ideal in every woman's heart. Of course, she had to admit that he was quite arbitrary at times, but that only added to his masculine charm.

If only she could...

Thinking of this, Lize was startled and hurriedly shook her head. She then looked at Rhode, who had walked to her side, and handed him a towel.

"Mr. Rhode, will that old gentleman really come?"

Perhaps to cover her embarrassment, Lize quickly changed the subject. Although Lize hadn't been here for long and had met Old Walker many times, she didn't know that this old man actually had an unusual background. However, it was clear that Rhode seemed to know these things very well. Lize was accustomed to these little secrets of Rhode's and didn't ask.

"I don't know either."

Taking the towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead, Rhode gave an ambiguous answer.

"I have done everything I could; the rest depends on him. If he has even a shred of determination, then I think he will come. Of course, it doesn't matter if he doesn't; our plan will not change."

Rhode's speech was as direct and calm as ever. He didn't seem to intend to be questioned, let alone contradicted.

"I want you to be fully prepared, Lize. Pavel Cemetery is a very dangerous place. If only the two of us go, the risk factor will increase significantly. By then, the situation might be even trickier than it was in Mist Town."

"Yes, I understand, Mr. Rhode. I will be ready."

"Very well. I'm heading back now. Breakfast... the usual."

"Understood."

Since moving into the stronghold, the living habits of Rhode and Lize had changed. Due to a lack of funds, Rhode hadn't built a dining room, so the two of them currently ate their three daily meals in Rhode's study. They had grown accustomed to this life—one had to admit, habit was a terrifying thing.

Lize quickly went to prepare breakfast, while Rhode, after returning to his study on the second floor, began to contemplate the upcoming plan.

Even as someone called a "walking library," Rhode couldn't possibly recall every detail of the quest. What he was doing now was recording every potential danger he remembered might appear in Pavel Cemetery, then making targeted preparations. After all, if he were lucky, three people would complete the quest; if unlucky, only two. Many ideas and tactics from his time as a player had to be adjusted.

To be able to sit in the position of the first guild leader of the Dragon Soul Continent, Rhode hadn't relied solely on his talent. Effort, meticulous observation, and timely adjustments and predictions were equally important. This was why, when many were still bewildered and at a loss when facing a boss, Rhode had already led his team to secure first kills and achievements as cleanly and efficiently as chopping vegetables.

Details determine success or failure; this was Rhode's consistent policy.

Just as Rhode was concentrating on recalling the specific situation and threats regarding the cemetery, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

Who was it?

Although the visitor was only knocking on the door of the first floor, Rhode's perception had reached a remarkably sensitive level, and he quickly sensed someone's arrival. After a moment of thought, Rhode finally set down his pen and walked out. Had old Walker really been enlightened after being cursed out by him? To come knocking so early? That was truly rare.

Despite harboring such thoughts, when Rhode opened the door, he realized that reality still differed from his imagination.

Standing before Rhode at this moment was not that down-and-out old mercenary, but Hank from the Mercenary Association!

What was he here for?

Rhode curiously sized up Uncle Hank, who wore a somewhat awkward smile, and then shifted his gaze behind him, where a person wrapped from head to toe in a cloak stood. Although their face was hidden, judging by their figure, it should be a woman.

What was going on?

"Uncle Hank, do you need something from me?"

"Yes, Mr. Rhode. This... I wonder if we could go inside to talk?"

"Of course."

Rhode nodded and ushered the two of them inside.

It had to be said that the hall before him made old Hank's eyes light up. In fact, before coming, he had imagined how dilapidated the base of a mercenary group with only two people would be, but looking at this clean, tidy, bright, spacious, and somewhat imposing hall, Hank immediately overturned his previous assumptions. The look he gave Rhode held a hint of amazement; although old Hank had never entered this haunted house, he knew that a terrifying old mansion that had been abandoned for years and had seen many deaths could absolutely not look like this.

How did this young man manage it?

Only now did old Hank finally develop a keen interest in Rhode. He had worked at the Mercenary Association for so many years and had seen all kinds of people, but he had never seen anyone like Rhode. On the surface, he didn't seem much different from other young people, but now it appeared... his judgment seemed incorrect.

"May I ask what business you have with me, Uncle Hank?"

After inviting the two to sit, Rhode asked, while simultaneously glancing at the woman beside him. He could be certain that the reason Hank had come to find him this time was, in all likelihood, related to this woman.

Sure enough, faced with Rhode's inquiry, Hank revealed an awkward smile, then nodded and spoke.

"It's like this, Rhode. This young lady... wants to join your mercenary group."