Guild Brawl, Gildarts Gets His Face Smashed

"Eternal mystery, eternal adventure. That is the meaning behind our guild's name."

Lu Chongwei froze.

He stared at the emblem, which seemed somewhat dazzling under the sunlight, while Gildarts' words echoed in his mind.

The name he had originally found somewhat comical now, with this explanation, suddenly seemed grand and profound.

It was a reverence for the unknown and a yearning for adventure.

This was not just a name; it was a belief, a way of life.

Lu Chongwei felt the blood in his veins begin to simmer.

"I see... eternal adventure, is it?"

He muttered to himself, the corners of his mouth curling upward involuntarily.

"It sounds like a very interesting place."

Seeing this, the smile on Gildarts' face grew even brighter.

He threw an arm around Lu Chongwei's shoulder and began to boast incessantly, like a salesman.

"That goes without saying! Let me tell you, this is the best guild in the Kingdom of Fiore!"

Gildarts spat as he spoke, thumping his chest in assurance.

"The ale here is the strongest, the jobs are the most thrilling, and most importantly, the companions here are the best! Everyone helps one another and loves each other; it's just like one big family!"

Lu Chongwei was filled with anticipation by his words.

He had been drifting in this strange world for a long time, and deep down, he had been longing for a place where he could settle down with peace of mind.

If it were truly as Gildarts described, then this might indeed be a good home.

"Alright, stop daydreaming and let's go in and take a look! Everyone will surely welcome you!"

Gildarts laughed heartily, and without waiting for Lu Chongwei to react, he reached out and pushed open the heavy doors.

Creeeak—

The heavy doors swung open slowly, as if lifting the veil on a new world.

Lu Chongwei took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and prepared to embrace a scene of warmth, harmony, and love.

However, the next second.

His expression froze.

"BOOM!"

A massive wave of sound, like a physical shockwave, surged out from within, nearly knocking him to the ground.

Accompanying the noise were various foul insults, the crisp sound of shattering glass, and the dull thuds of heavy objects hitting the floor.

Lu Chongwei stood stiffly at the entrance, the scene before him making him wonder if he had walked onto the wrong set.

In the spacious guild hall, a chaotic, lawless brawl was currently underway.

Some were laughing wildly while standing on tables, others were grabbing each other by the collars and spitting insults, and even more were locked in a brawl, trading punches with no mercy.

"Go to hell! You fire-breathing idiot!"

"What did you say?! You want to fight, you droopy-eyed bastard!"

Plates, mugs, stools, and even pieces of roasted meat from unknown origins flew through the air like projectiles.

A wooden ale barrel whizzed past Lu Chongwei's ear, slamming into the doorframe and shattering into a pile of splinters.

Lu Chongwei felt the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

This was the so-called "best guild"?

This was the so-called "loving family"?

He turned his head mechanically, his neck emitting a "crack" sound, his gaze locked firmly onto Gildarts beside him.

"Gildarts..."

Lu Chongwei's voice sounded somewhat hollow, laced with a deep chill.

"Is this the... wonderful guild you were talking about?"

The smile on Gildarts' face also stiffened, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

He clearly hadn't expected that right after he finished bragging, these brats would tear down his reputation so unceremoniously.

"Uh... this... usually, it's actually..."

Gildarts stammered, trying to explain and salvage some dignity.

Just then.

Whoosh—

A tattered leather shoe whistled through the air, crossing half the hall with pinpoint accuracy.

Splat!

A crisp sound rang out.

That leather shoe landed squarely on Gildarts's face, the dark, grimy imprint of the sole instantly stamped across the bridge of his nose.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.

The cacophony in the great hall did not cease because of this minor interlude; the brawl continued just as fiercely as before.

Gildarts slowly reached up and pulled the shoe, which reeked of salted fish, off his face.

His face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, the veins on his forehead bulging, and a visible aura of rage was rising around his body.

How humiliating!

It was absolutely humiliating!

He was a dignified S-Class Mage, at a critical moment to establish a towering image before his juniors, yet he had been smacked in the face by a piece of junk footwear!

These bastards were slapping his face in the most literal sense!

Not only had they interrupted his bragging, but were they also trying to scare away the potential newcomer he had worked so hard to trick—oh no, lure... that wasn't right either—invite here?!

"You bastards!!!"

Gildarts took a sharp, deep breath and let out a deafening roar.

The sound was like a thunderclap on flat ground, laced with massive fluctuations of magic power that instantly drowned out all the noise in the hall.

"Everyone, stop right now!!!"

The power of this roar made the very air in the guild hall seem to solidify for an instant.

The people who had been fighting tooth and nail were frozen in place as if hit by a binding spell, maintaining all sorts of bizarre postures.

Some were holding chairs aloft, some were pulling hair, and others were biting onto someone else's arm.

Every gaze turned in unison toward the main entrance.

When they saw the orange-haired man with a furious face and a terrifying aura, expressions of horror instantly appeared on their faces.

"It... it's Gildarts! He's back!"

Someone shouted, and the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Gildarts panted heavily, his chest heaving, his eyes sweeping across the room with a fierce, predatory glare.

Right in the midst of this awkward and oppressive silence, a slightly aged but tipsy voice drifted over from the direction of the bar.

"Yo... isn't that Gildarts? Back so soon?"

Lu Chongwei followed the sound.

He saw a short, elderly man dressed in a comical clown suit sitting on a high stool at the bar.

The old man held a giant beer mug, his face flushed red and his eyes unfocused; he had clearly had quite a bit to drink.

In his drunken state, he didn't look like a serious person at all.

Yet, the moment this seemingly unremarkable little old man spoke, the towering rage Gildarts had been exuding dissipated by more than half.

Gildarts reined in his aura, put his signature hearty smile back on his face, and strode toward the bar.

"Ah, Master! Long time no see!"

As he walked, Gildarts turned his head and waved at Lu Chongwei, who was still standing dazed at the entrance, wearing an awkward but polite smile.

"Uh... Lu Chongwei, come on over! Don't mind what just happened; everyone was just... er, just using a rather intense method to build camaraderie!"

Lu Chongwei stood where he was, listening to this pathetic excuse, and felt as if a flock of crows were flying over his head.

Building camaraderie?

Is smashing heads with chairs and spitting on each other also building camaraderie?

That's way too hardcore!

He felt like he had been scammed, the kind of feeling where you fall into a deep pit and can't climb out.

But seeing how desperately Gildarts wanted to change the subject, Lu Chongwei could only sigh helplessly and step forward to follow him.

He was already here; he couldn't just turn around and leave now, could he?

Even if this were a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, he would have to brave it today.

The two made their way through the chaotic hall, the guild members parting to clear a path, eyeing the black-haired youth following behind Gildarts with looks of curiosity and awe.