Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 70: The Guild’s Home Base II

Chapter 70: The Guild’s Home Base II

Ryuen stepped into the sister organization, still dragging Hwa behind him.

She walked past a group that stared at him like he was a strange being.

Not only that, the looks on their faces made Erina wonder what he might have done to deserve those expressions, which she assumed were rooted in fear.

And she wasn’t wrong.

Not only was he taking confident strides, but the aura emanating from him was nothing like they had seen before. It wasn’t much, but it was terrifying enough.

He stepped into the elevator and finally let go of Hwa’s clothes, but she didn’t look pleased with it.

No, she definitely wasn’t, but she remained silent.

Soon, they arrived on the floor where Renji’s office was. Ryuen knocked gently on the door, waiting for a response.

But instead, the door opened on its own, giving them a view of Renji’s grand office.

Renji was seated in his chair, leaned back with his eyes closed, as if he were sleeping.

"Ryuen," he greeted, his tone neutral, devoid of any emotion.

"I’ve been expecting your report. I assume Mirath is... resolved?"

Ryuen nodded. "It’s done."

Renji’s eyes slowly opened, then moved from Ryuen to Hwa, then to Erina. "And these two?"

Ryuen gestured to Hwa first. "Hwa Jin A. Daiki called for her, so I decided to add her."

"She’s not human?" Renji asked with an amused expression on his face. Then he smiled. "Unique Elf? Or I’d say a hybrid."

Hwa smirked, stepping forward. "I prefer ’indispensable,’ but I’ll take unique," she said with a wink.

"Why would you bring a mixed blood here?"

Ryuen shrugged nonchalantly. "She’s part human, so I decided to let her join us."

Renji’s gaze sharpened. "Join us? On whose authority?"

"Mine," Ryuen replied flatly.

For a moment, the silence that fell in the room became so loud it annoyed the two men.

Then Renji finally sighed. "Very well. But she’ll start on probation. I’ll assign her tasks and evaluate her."

Hwa grinned, clearly pleased with the decision. "I’m sure I’ll exceed your expectations."

Ryuen’s attention shifted to Erina. "And this is Erina. She’s my companion now."

Renji’s gaze softened slightly as he regarded Erina. "A companion, you say? Isn’t she the king’s daughter?"

"Unfortunately, yes, but she’s with me. She’s got..." Ryuen’s gaze lingered on her before he continued. "Potential."

Renji nodded slowly. "If Ryuen vouches for you, I won’t question it. But know that a companion bears significant responsibility."

"I’m ready," Erina replied with a shaky voice, this time not because she was scared Ryuen would do something to her.

But because the man before them had no aura.

Yet the energy he gave off reminded her of Althea’s mother—or maybe something more.

Nevertheless, she was glad Ryuen hadn’t killed her or handed her over to anyone as a slave.

"Good. Then let’s see how ready both of you are," Renji said as he handed Ryuen a sealed letter.

"Your next task. You’ll find the details inside. Report back here once it’s completed."

Ryuen took the letter without a word, nodded once, and then turned to leave.

As they exited the office, Hwa nudged Ryuen with her elbow.

"You’re surprisingly good at convincing people. Almost charming, really."

Ryuen shot her a sidelong glance. "Don’t push your luck."

Hwa chuckled.

Erina walked beside him, still in silence, her head lowered, unaware of Ryuen’s gaze on her.

Back in the main hall of Vanguard HQ, the group met in the reception area.

Akari was resting with Yuki and Yurei nearby, while Daiki returned from his debrief.

Ryuen glanced at his group with an exhausted look in his eyes.

"We’ve got another mission. Rest up. We leave at dawn."

"You know," Hwa said casually, "I’ve seen a lot of leaders. You might actually be the first one I don’t want to stab in the back."

Ryuen’s lips twitched into the faintest smirk. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

_____

Daiki stepped forward, his arms crossed as he addressed the group gathered in the reception area.

His gaze moved from Ryuen to Hwa, then to Erina and Yurei.

"The organization has arranged an apartment for the guild alone," he began in his usual composed tone.

"It’s close by, fully furnished, and has enough space for everyone."

Hwa’s face lit up with a sly grin. "An apartment for us? Fancy. I call dibs on the best room."

Yurei, standing off to the side with her arms loosely folded, glanced at Hwa but said nothing.

Her silence, as always, spoke volumes.

Daiki ignored Hwa’s remark and continued, "This is for guild members only. Akari, Yuta, and Kenta aren’t part of the guild, so the organization didn’t arrange anything for them."

Ryuen’s brows furrowed slightly as he processed the information. "I’ll figure something out for them."

Daiki raised a brow.

"You sure about that? The organization’s resources are allocated for guild members only. If you take responsibility for them, you’re on your own."

Ryuen nodded without hesitation. "They’ve earned it. I’ll make sure they’re taken care of."

Hwa smirked and leaned closer to Ryuen.

"You’re making this ’leader’ thing look way too easy. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re starting to care."

Ryuen shot her a bored look. "Don’t make me regret bringing you."

Hwa chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, don’t worry, boss. You’d miss me."

Daiki sighed, rubbing his temple as though her antics were giving him a headache.

"Enough. Let’s stay on track."

Erina, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke hesitantly. "So... what now?"

Daiki turned his gaze to her before addressing the group as a whole.

"We move tonight. Start packing up your things. Meet back here in two hours, and I’ll take you to the apartment."

Ryuen’s brows furrowed, he slid his hand into his pockets and exhaled, "Can’t you just give us the location or something?"

"I might not be patient enough to wait here."

"And what happens to the others?" Daiki asked, also frowning, like he was actually serious, but he let out a chuckle.

"I forgot we even lived together."

"No kidding," Ryuen replied with sarcasm laced in his tone.

"Let’s move before midnight, that way I’d know how to approach Renji to get my files."

"Why haven’t you collected it yet?" Yurei asked, displeased, by the fact he would let something so important slip his mind.

Even after he was told it was important.

Ryuen just replied with a shrug, "Too stressful to ask for, I’ll meet him tomorrow."

"I wonder how you got such a build with how lazy you are."

"What can I say, I’ve got a sleepers build."

Lies.

Out of everyone in the group, it was safe to say he was the most hardworking, but he worked I silence.

Which was by far the best way to work, and grind too.