In This Rebirth, The Male Lead Is Mine [BL]
Chapter 78: Annual Guild Convention (2)

Chapter 78: Annual Guild Convention (2)

They really came...

Rise strode the familiar halls, lost in his thoughts. After he managed to get a hold of the participant list, he immediately looked for the individuals he was interested in.

When organizing his future knowledge and the sets of instructions and timelines he gave Dino, Rise also remembered them and set his eyes on them.

They were not really part of the plot, but they would be a huge help to him. He did not only need an information network; he also needed a covert but powerful force.

A force that was distinct from his information network and could not be easily distinguished as part of the underground world at all.

More like... an assassin guild. It sounded cliche, but he needed them.

"If only I could have Eubin." Rise valued Eubin’s ability. However, he was loyal to Kamille, and Rise also did not want his comrade to be his subordinate.

And so, he set his eyes on the next big thing.

A small and inconspicuous guild... Who would have known they would become so famous in the future? Only Rise.

"If I get my hands on them..." Rise mumbled, but loud enough to be heard by the surrounding people.

In no time at all, they all make way for Rise, afraid to even offend him or make an impression. Rise was still in the Union headquarters and walking the halls, and so, people could recognize him.

More than just recognizing him, they were avoiding him like a plague.

Compared to Dark Crimson, the people here were truly familiar with him and saw his ways, not just heard through rumors. Naturally, they were more afraid of Rise.

Rise swept his eyes around, his lips curling into a sweet and beautiful smile; his exquisite eyes sparkled.

This really makes me nostalgic. Truly...

He did not make any trouble though and just peacefully went on his way to the next building. Rise was not part of the Dark Crimson, and all his faults would now be criticized to the Guild Leader, at least he would not provoke anyone first.

Humming with a tune, he returned to his room without much hiccups. Rise was already immune to discussions or unkind gazes, finding them boring.

After a while, Rise left his room and decided to look for the guild leader next door. Knocking once, no one answered.

Eh? Was the Guild Leader asleep?

He was about to knock once more when the door behind him opened.

"You’re looking for Guild Leader?" It was Hayes.

Rise looked behind him and nodded. "Yes, but maybe he’s asleep."

Hayes shook his head. "No. The Guild Leader is in a meeting."

"A meeting? Suddenly?" Rise exclaimed in surprise, he only left for an hour at most, and then there was a meeting all of a sudden. "What for?"

Hayes adjusted his glasses before answering. "How would I know?"

Rise narrowed his eyes, which made the man somehow panic.

"I really don’t know! As far as I know, they only summoned the guild leaders."

Then, Hayes explained what happened. Not long after Rise left, the Union had sent a representative and invited Kamille for a meeting. Hayes also thought the vice leaders were included but was told it was unnecessary.

"That’s the gist of it... I really have no clue about the meeting." Hayes adjusted his glasses once more, a sign of his nervousness.

Rise was not really pressuring Hayes, but he nodded, assuring the other he understood. Hayes sighed in relief, only to see Rise walking away.

"W-Wait... Where are you going?" He kept up. "Don’t tell me, you’re going to crash the meeting?" Hayes was not really serious with this, after all, even with how troublesome Rise was... Surely he would not go to that extent, right?

But perhaps, he did not know Rise well enough.

Rise gave him a playful glance. "How did you know?"

Hayes paused, as if processing what Rise meant by that. A while later, he exclaimed. "Are you serious?"

Rise did not answer, only gave a loud laugh. This Hayes was so much cuter than his future counterpart.

"Guess?" He smiled.

Hayes fumed inside. He hated it whenever Rise did that, clearly the other was playing with him.

Both entered the elevator, Hayes could not help asking again. "Rise, are you really crashing the meeting?"

He sounded serious now.

Rise looked at him and finally could not hold it in; he laughed at his face.

"This is not funny."

Rise shook his head. "You’re funny, though."

Hayes’ expression darkened, adjusting his glasses a few times, his teeth clenched. Rise laughed harder. He loved teasing Hayes because he was always poised as a well-mannered kid and took his position seriously, he obviously wanted to fight Rise but did not dare to.

In other words, he loved that pissed-off face that Hayes tried to control.

When he had enough, Rise patted Hayes’ shoulder gently. "Don’t worry, I’m just joking with you."

Hayes gave him a side eye, obviously unconvinced.

"If you don’t believe me, then keep your eye on me."

"As if you would let me stop you." Hayes finally could not help it and rolled his eyes. He knew, with his abilities, there was no way to stop Rise.

This made Rise laugh again.

Hayes’ look darkened again. This guy really thought of him as a clown.

"So, you’re still aware."

Hayes did not say anything more. He felt like his lifespan was decreasing just by talking with Rise. How hateful, especially when he knew he could not do anything to him!

Rise’s laugh reverberated inside the elevator. The two then arrived at the ground floor. While Hayes claimed Rise was too hateful, he still accompanied Rise.

Rise did not take notice of it either. Instead, he led them to a restaurant he knew. Occasionally giving comments, which Hayes attentively listened to.

Hayes had to admit that being with Rise was more convenient than being alone, at least no one obstructed them along their way. The people also magically gave way as though they were in such a cliche romance film.

"Are you used to it?"

"Used to what?" Rise focused on his food. He never wanted to waste anything of any delicacies.

Hayes swallowed and gathered the courage to be direct.

"Used to people avoiding you?"

Hayes really thought it was convenient, but... At the same time, it gave him this stifling and suffocating feeling. He was the type to overthink a lot, and it only grew intense after he became the Vice Leader of the guild.

He had nothing to speak of, he was not strong either, and compared to top guilds where their Vice Leaders were S-ranks, he lagged so far behind.

He could only work so hard and protect his image to not become a laughingstock for the Guild Leader and the Guild’s reputation, even to the extent that he had to hold back his temper on so many occasions.

Hayes noticed just how Rise’s life seemed carefree but also exhausting in a way; he could not imagine himself being subjected to the same treatment.

"Oh, that?" Rise did not even look up and casually answered with a simple tone. "I did not get used to it."

"Huh?" Hayes became confused.

"It never bothered me from the start."

Hayes could not help but stare at Rise.

His words were not a lie. He did not care. Hayes could sense this. And so he became curious... Was Rise always like this or...

He had to be like one.