The Returnee’s Guild Must Grow Properly

“…What is this?”

The Spirit Master asked, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, as if questioning what bizarre thing he had just witnessed.

Clicking my tongue briefly, I raised the chain binding my wrist and the Dragon Slayer’s wrist so it was visible to everyone.

“You’ve probably seen this before, Mage. Spirit Master, this is your first time seeing it, right?”

“Yes, it’s my first time, but…”

“Well, when you’re bound by a chain like this, you can’t use your powers.”

Thanks to this, even if the Dragon Slayer tried to pull something, I could easily deal with him. Despite my thorough explanation, the Spirit Master’s expression remained disapproving.

I was about to ask what his problem was when—

“Is this kind of thing trendy these days?”

“It would never be trendy!!”

If something like this ever became popular, society would be thrown into chaos.

Amid this ridiculous conversation, the Demon King, who had been quietly sipping water, spoke in a disgruntled voice.
“Do Haun, do the same for me.”

“Do what? Shut up!!”

When I yelled at him, the Demon King turned his head away with a sulky expression. The Mage, noticing the Demon King’s reaction, smugly teased him about being capable of handling such chains as well.

“He’s going to get hit for sure,” the Hero remarked, and I nodded in agreement.

“How dare you attempt to insult me?”

The Demon King, seemingly serious, moved to strike the Mage. I hurried to intervene and stop him.

“…You’ve got your hands full.”

The one who’s been causing me the most trouble is you, you damned Dragon Slayer!

After much effort, I managed to stop the Demon King from grabbing the Mage by the collar. Hiding behind me, the Mage whispered into my ear.

“Guild Master, so… what are you going to do with the Dragon Slayer?”

His whisper was loud enough for everyone to hear, and the gazes of every guild member immediately turned to the Dragon Slayer. Their sharp stares made the Dragon Slayer flinch and look around warily.

The Demon King, visibly displeased, looked at the Dragon Slayer and said coldly, “Why don’t we cut off his head and display it?”

“!!”

As expected of the Demon King, he said something utterly horrifying without batting an eye. I asked hesitantly.
“…Where would you display it?”

“Of course, in front of the Hero’s shop.”

“Are you kidding me?”

The Hero retorted that if the Demon King wanted to hang the Dragon Slayer’s head, he should do it in front of his own house. The Demon King replied that if he did such a thing, his brother would kill him for it.

…That wasn’t the point here.

Letting out a long sigh, I declared firmly.
“We’re not cutting off the Dragon Slayer’s head.”

Even though he once tried to take mine. Besides, doing such a thing in 21st-century South Korea would undoubtedly land us in jail for murder.

The Dragon Slayer narrowed his eyes at my words and muttered in a low voice.
“…I don’t trust you.”

What’s there not to trust? Just believe what I’m saying, you damned Dragon Slayer!

Suppressing the urge to yell, I turned to the Mage.
“Mage, is the spell on the Dragon Slayer still effective?”

“It’s still effective.”

At the Mage’s words, the Dragon Slayer pressed his hand against the area where he’d been struck by magic. The Mage, seeing this, smirked mischievously.

“If you don’t believe me, shall I show you?”

His playful tone made the Dragon Slayer’s face contort in irritation. Fearing that the Dragon Slayer might actually lash out at the Mage, I quickly shook my head and intervened.

“No, there’s no need to show anything.”

I said this as I approached the Dragon Slayer. Seeing me draw closer, he instinctively took a step back.

Frowning slightly, I reassured him.
“I’m not going to hit you.”

“…How can I trust that?”

What’s with this lack of trust? I get it—you’ve got your reasons, but can’t you cut me some slack?!

Grabbing the chain bound to my wrist, I yanked it hard, pulling the Dragon Slayer toward me.

“……!!”

Caught off guard, he stumbled and nearly fell into me. Taking a step back, I let him crash forward.

Thud!

With a loud noise, the Dragon Slayer ended up rolling on the floor in an undignified heap.

As silence settled over the room, the Grand Duke frowned and remarked, “Ouch, that must’ve hurt.”

Harim, mimicking the Grand Duke, furrowed his tiny brow and babbled.
―Momma….

“It’s fine, dear. You’ll never fall. I’ll catch you before you do,” the Grand Duke cooed, extending his arms to embrace Harim.

―Momma!!

“Haha, dear, that tickles.”

“…….”

Everyone present in the shop exchanged unimpressed glances, watching the Grand Duke dote on Harim with sickening affection.

“Y-you…!”

The Dragon Slayer’s voice, muffled and strained from below, drew my attention. I shrugged nonchalantly.

“I’ve got to survive, don’t I?”

If I’d tried to catch him, I’d have ended up on the floor too. The Dragon Slayer, still disgruntled, pushed aside the fallen chair and got back on his feet.

“What’s the big idea, dragging me like that…!”

He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze landing on his wrist. I’d unfastened the chain while he was down, and I greeted his glare with a bright smile.

The Dragon Slayer rubbed his wrist and muttered in a low, irritated voice.
“…What are you trying to pull?”

Smiling slyly, I asked, “What do you think I’m trying to pull?”

“…….”

He just glared at me silently, his sharp gaze piercing, but I only raised the corners of my lips further.

“Guild Master! Why would you let him go?!”

The sudden outcry made me turn my head. The Mage and the others were ready to pounce on the Dragon Slayer at any moment.

Wow, my guild members. I thought you didn’t care about me, but I guess I was wrong.

Feeling a little touched, I reassured them with a calming smile.
“It’s fine.”

“‘Fine,’ my foot. If you’re going to do something stupid, at least take it outside and stop wrecking the shop.”

“….”

So much for thinking they cared about me.

Frowning slightly, I lifted a finger and lightly pressed it against the Dragon Slayer’s shoulder.
“Feel free to come by anytime.”

“What…?”

“Anytime. You want my head, don’t you?”

“…….”

His face twisted in frustration, but I just offered a crooked grin and pressed my palm firmly over the spot where the Mage’s magic had hit him earlier.

“But don’t forget. The Mage’s magic is still on your shoulder.”

“…I won’t forget.”

With those slow, deliberate words, the Dragon Slayer slapped my hand away. Ouch, that smarts.

Rubbing my stinging hand, I narrowed my eyes slightly. The Dragon Slayer, without another word, turned and headed toward the exit.

I thought he’d leave straight away, but he stopped abruptly in front of the Grand Duke.

“Strength.”

The Grand Duke flinched visibly, clutching Harim tightly as he glared at the Dragon Slayer. In the face of such obvious wariness, the Dragon Slayer frowned slightly and muttered.
“You should grow stronger.”

His quiet remark prompted a shrill response from the Grand Duke.
“I don’t want advice from you! Especially not from someone who got beaten by the Guild Master!!”

―Momma!!

The Dragon Slayer silently smirked at the Grand Duke’s angry shout before slipping out of the shop. As soon as he stepped outside, he pulled his hood over his head, a gesture that made the Grand Duke huff indignantly.

“He’s so infuriating!!”

The Mage chuckled softly and offered, “Grand Duke, would you like me to teach you some magic?”

“Of course I’d love to learn, but…”

“Yoo Daegong, clean the shop first,” the Hero interjected.

At her words, the Grand Duke slumped his shoulders in defeat. Harim, who was nestled in his arms, mimicked his dejected posture. The Hero, ignoring them both, turned to the rest of us and said, “The rest of you, go inside so you’re out of the way for cleaning.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Stretching lazily, I headed toward the small room in the corner of the shop. It was practically my home at this point.

Following behind me were the Demon King and the Mage, with the Spirit Master bringing up the rear and shutting the door behind him.

The five-pyeong (approximately 16.5 square meters) room quickly became cramped with all of us inside.

“Wow, it’s really tight in here. Someone should leave,” the Spirit Master quipped.

“Tight? What are you even talking about now?” the Mage retorted.

“It just feels especially cramped all of a sudden.”

Ignoring the bickering, I sprawled out on the sofa and grabbed an unfinished bag of snacks. But before I could pop them into my mouth, the Mage snatched them away.

“Hey!”

“You know lying down and eating turns you into a cow, right? I’m just trying to make sure our Guild Master doesn’t end up as livestock.”

The Spirit Master chimed in, “Honestly, I think she’s already lazier than any cow could ever be.”

“Mind your tongue, Spirit Master. Do Haun is the most diligent of us all,” the Demon King said firmly, denying the accusation.

At this, the Spirit Master let out a hollow laugh.
“Diligent? What part of the Guild Master is diligent? She’s been lying here doing nothing except keeping the Dragon Slayer chained up.”

“She’s been sitting too,” the Mage added.

“And eating,” the Demon King concluded.

“Enough, you jerks!”

Scowling, I sat up abruptly, glaring at the lot of them. The Spirit Master, leaning casually against the sofa, tilted his head and asked, “So, are you heading back home now?”

“No.”

My curt response made him frown.

“Then why did you let the Dragon Slayer go if you’re not planning to return home?”

At his raised voice, I covered my ears and shouted back.
“I let him go on purpose! There are people who egged him on to attack me, and I sent him to deal with them!”

“Egged him on…?”

The Spirit Master trailed off before narrowing his eyes.
“Are you saying someone instigated him to attack you?”

“Yup.”

“So you let him go so you could deal with those instigators as well?” the Demon King asked.

I nodded in confirmation. At this, the Demon King seemed deeply impressed.
“As expected of Do Haun. You’ve already calculated several moves ahead?”

“Well, I mean…”

The truth was, the only thing I had “calculated” was that the Dragon Slayer would inevitably come into contact with those tied to Gloria. Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I offered a vague smile.

The Mage, apparently seeing right through me, snickered.
“Our Guild Master didn’t think that far ahead, did she?”