Sage slowly turned around to see Gregor walking toward him.The echo of his boots against the marble floor was faint, yet somehow commanding.

As he moved through the crowd, adventurers instinctively parted for him. Several warriors straightened their postures, some offering small nods while others bowed their heads slightly, respect and admiration evident in their expressions.

Gregor returned a few nods with ease, even smiling at a familiar face or two. His presence carried a weight that stemmed not from authority but from reputation, one earned through experience rather than bestowed by title.

Sage watched this scene unfold with narrowed eyes.

So this is what real prestige looks like.

When Gregor finally stepped into the lounge area, he stopped just a few paces away. He didn't sit or relax; instead, he fixed Sage with a gaze that traveled from the little girl perched on his shoulders to the banners behind him and then to the vast hall beyond before settling back on Sage's face with unmistakable disdain.

"Look who's still alive," Gregor said flatly. "The incompetent Guildmaster himself."

A twitch ran through Sage's brow as he shifted slightly to adjust Mina's weight on his shoulders and glared right back.

"What kind of look is that?" he shot back. "Mind your eyes. I'm the Guildmaster, the one feeding all of you. So know your place."

Gregor rolled his eyes dramatically. "Guildmaster?" he scoffed. "A Guildmaster who couldn't even warn his own members about the nature of the dungeons? A Guildmaster who nearly turned half his roster into corpses?"

Sage exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples as if already weary of the conversation. "I've told you before, it was an honest mistake. I didn't realize the dungeons worked that way. Besides, didn't I compensate you? Generously, even. So why are you still holding onto this grudge like a child with a broken toy?"

Gregor shrugged lightly. "I'm not clinging to anything," he replied nonchalantly. "It's just that your face looks really punchable, and it irritates me."

Sage froze in disbelief. "…What?"

"I said," Gregor reiterated calmly, "your face makes me want to punch something."

For a moment, Sage was speechless. He had encountered many things since arriving in this world, nobles plotting schemes, mercenaries boasting of their conquests but never had he expected someone to declare that his very appearance provoked such feelings.

"…Is my face really that irritating?" he muttered more to himself than anyone else.

Before Gregor could respond, a small giggle floated down from above.

"Petty Uncle Sage," Mina chimed sweetly as she leaned forward from her perch on his shoulders. "Green bush is right! Your face really does invite punching. It's very irritating."

And before Sage could react, her tiny fingers pinched his cheeks and tugged them outward with mischievous delight. "You have no idea how many times I've held back from punching you!"

Sage hissed softly and playfully slapped her leg in mock anger. "What nonsense are you spouting? You ungrateful little creature! Do you know who you're talking to? I am an esteemed and dignified Guildmaster!"

"Esteemed?" Gregor echoed skeptically. "Dignified?" He snorted derisively. "You built a statue of yourself."

Sage straightened up indignantly. "Jealousy is unbecoming, Gregor! It's my money and my property; I can build as many statues as I please."

Gregor opened his mouth...

"Big brother."

The voice was soft and clear, gentle like the wind rustling through leaves.

Gregor's demeanor shifted instantly; the cold disdain melted away into warmth and tenderness as his posture relaxed and a wide smile spread across his face.

Sage and Mina followed his gaze, and then they froze.

"…Wow," Mina whispered.

"…What a beauty," Sage breathed out.

Standing behind Gregor was a girl who seemed entirely out of place in the hall filled with steel, scars, and blood-stained armor. She appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, tall and slender with an elegant yet reserved posture.

Her long emerald-green hair cascaded down her back in soft waves brighter than even Gregor's own locks, catching the crystal light and scattering it like silk woven from sunlight.

Her eyes sparkled with a vivid green hue, gemlike and radiant, reflecting the hall's glow as if light itself resided within them.

Her face was a masterpiece of symmetry, soft yet striking, with a delicate nose, faintly flushed cheeks, and lips the color of ripe cherries. She wore a short dress in shades of green and white, adorned with leaf-like embroidery; the fabric was light and elegant, complemented by beautifully crafted shoes that seemed more suited for gardens than guild halls.

She appeared less like an adventurer and more like a blessing.

Nearby conversations faltered. Several adventurers stopped in their tracks, openly staring with awe etched across their faces. Her presence didn't dominate like Valeria's; it illuminated.

"Hey," Gregor snapped sharply, stepping forward. "Shameless Guildmaster! Snap out of it. Stop looking at my sister like that with those perverted eyes."

Mina blinked and flushed slightly, clearly caught off guard by her own reaction. Sage, however, straightened up instantly, his shamelessness returning like a well-trained soldier.

"What do you mean perverted?" he scoffed. "I'm admiring art! This is divine creation deserving appreciation."

He shot Gregor a sidelong glance. "You wouldn't understand, you're ugly."

Mina nodded vigorously. "Yes! Green bush, you're ugly. How are you even siblings? It's unfair to the world."

Gregor's lips trembled with barely contained frustration. Drawing in a deep breath, he exhaled slowly.

"Little sister," he began, turning just enough to face her, "this is the shameless Guildmaster I mentioned. The one who's been taking advantage of me. His name is Sage. And this little girl on his shoulders? That's his partner in crime, Mina. Don't let her size fool you, she's incredibly strong. Even I find it tough to handle her."

He gestured towards Sage. "Guildmaster, meet my dear sister, Lyana Windsoul."

In an instant, Sage's demeanor transformed. He straightened his posture, brushed his damp hair back, and donned the most sincere, welcoming smile he could muster.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said with warmth. "Don't take your brother too seriously. He's just bitter because I'm a bit wealthier and more successful."

Mina waved her hand excitedly. "I'm Mina! And petty Uncle Sage is right. Green bush is just jealous. I'm a sweet, innocent girl!"

Gregor and Sage shared a knowing glance; there was nothing weak or innocent about Mina.

Lyana covered her mouth lightly as she suppressed a laugh, her eyes shining with amusement as she looked between them. "It's nice to meet you," she said softly. "My brother does… like to talk."

"That's because he's old," Mina responded with a serious expression.

Gregor let out a quiet sigh.

Sage turned his attention back to Lyana, his demeanor growing more focused. "Gregor mentioned you're looking for work."

Lyana straightened, her initial shyness giving way to a sense of purpose. "Yes. I want to find something meaningful to do. He said the Adventurer Guild is expanding and that you're hiring."

Sage stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That's one way to put it."

He gestured around the bustling hall. "This place has grown faster than I can keep up with. Right now, it's just me and another rather large fellow running the show. It's not a sustainable setup."

Lyana blinked in surprise.

Gregor snorted, unable to hold back his amusement.

Just then, a loud voice broke through the chatter at the entrance.

"Boss."

The tone was familiar and boisterous.

Sage's lips curled into a grin. "Speaking of the devil."

He turned towards the entrance, and in came Boren, jogging with cheeks jiggling and breath slightly ragged, a stack of freshly printed guild notices tucked under one arm. The buzz of the hall continued around them.

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