"You have a girls' group chat too?"
[Fei: Yes. A friend invited me into it. In this game, the ratio of male to female players is roughly three to one. Women are already relatively rare—let alone those who've advanced to C-rank or above. They're practically unicorns. So one full-time housewife took the initiative and created a group chat like this.]
"A housewife…" Kurose Akira muttered, faintly surprised. He hadn't expected that.
"Is the group limited to women only?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
[Fei: What, are you trying to squeeze in and join the fun?]
"No, no," Kurose replied casually. "I just want to meet more interesting people. Expand my social circle a bit."
[Fei: That's a shame. The group owner has a strict no-men policy. Otherwise, I could've introduced you to a few wealthy ladies. With your looks and physique—and… well, I imagine they'd be very interested in you.]
"?"
Kurose sent a question mark back.
He had to admit—he was a little interested in that direction of conversation.
[Fei: Alright, enough teasing. Make your preparations. The group's organizing a live viewing of your match. I'll be there too. See you soon.]
"?"
He sent another question mark.
A cheering squad for a C-rank evaluation battle?
Wait.
Wasn't he the one advancing?
Why was the opposing side assembling a support group?
Just as he was about to press for clarification, Xu Feiyan's avatar dimmed. Offline.
Kurose closed the chat window and shifted his gaze toward Yvessa and the others.
For this C-rank guild evaluation, he could deploy all members of his guild.
Unfortunately, Lucia hadn't shown up at the guild again today. Kurose couldn't help but wonder what the Saintess had been busy with lately.
Time was short. He left her a message and turned to the others.
"Everyone, get ready. We're heading out for the C-rank guild evaluation."
"Guild evaluation?" The women looked at him, curiosity lighting their faces.
"Yeah. We're all going."
He knew how important this test was. He intended to bring every available member to ensure absolute certainty.
He would approach this battle at maximum difficulty.
After all, the opponent might be among the strongest C+ guilds—possibly just one step away from B-rank.
If he failed, the next evaluation would be delayed by three days. That would significantly slow his progress.
"A mere guild evaluation~" Mare Rhine casually set down the baby bottle she'd been holding and strode toward him with confident steps, flashing a fearless grin. "Let's go. I'll wipe them out for you."
Kurose smiled faintly at her confidence and activated the teleportation array.
Blue light shimmered.
In the next instant, the scene shifted.
They arrived at the designated area for C-rank guild evaluations.
A brand-new miniature world unfolded before them.
The sky and earth were washed in pale blankness. Ahead stood a colossal structure resembling a massive bird's nest arena.
"So that's where the evaluation takes place?" Aelice blinked her bright, watery eyes, scanning the surroundings with fascination.
"Probably," Kurose replied. "It's my first time here too."
He was just as intrigued—and keenly aware that the laws governing this world felt different. Some special divine authority seemed to permeate this space.
Just then, a white-metal humanoid robot entered their field of vision.
It wore a maid outfit.
Two sapphire-like eyes shimmered as they scanned every player and adventurer present.
"Great Guild Leaders and brave Adventurers~ welcome~"
The mechanical maid's voice was crisp and sweet.
The moment Kurose saw her, his gaze sharpened.
She felt like an NPC spontaneously generated by the world itself. Before anyone could react, she was already standing before them.
"This is Deep Blue Maid Unit 002 at your service~ Please follow me~"
With that, the machine maid turned and began leading them toward the evaluation site.
A few minutes later, they entered the interior of the bird's nest arena.
Inside was a spacious, brightly lit waiting room.
"Please wait here for a short while. Your evaluation will begin in twenty minutes~"
After delivering the message, the mechanical maid turned and left.
Kurose let Yvessa and the others rest while he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the battlefield outside.
The arena stretched wide and open, paved with pristine white stone bricks.
Under this world's special laws, no matter how fierce the battle became, no trace of damage would remain.
Suddenly—
Knock knock knock.
A knock echoed from outside the door.
Curious, Kurose opened it.
Xu Feiyan stood there, clad in a teal-green qipao that hugged her curves with breathtaking precision. The cut of the dress traced her silhouette flawlessly.
Behind her stood her adventurer, Petiko, those crimson eyes as captivating as ever.
Xu Feiyan gently fanned herself with a round silk fan and smiled.
"Guildmaster Kurose, won't you invite me in?"
"Of course. Please," he replied immediately, ushering the two inside.
As she stepped in, her amber eyes drifted across Yvessa and the others.
When her gaze landed on Elum, a flicker of surprise passed through her expression.
Another new adventurer had joined Kurose's guild?
Just as Kurose was about to close the door—
A sudden wave of elegantly dressed, strikingly beautiful women flooded in from the corridor.
The moment they saw him, their expressions lit up with delighted excitement.
"Wow~ he's so handsome!"
"Hey there, cutie~ how old are you? Come sit with big sis for a bit?"
"What a body. You're built and handsome. I'll give you fifty thousand a month—how about letting me keep you?"
"He looks so young. Still in college?"
"…"
They swarmed him, chattering at once, their eyes practically sparkling.
Kurose raised an eyebrow.
These refined, alluring women were probably members of Xu Feiyan's close-friends group.
Though they ranged from twenty-five to thirty-five, each was stunning in her own way.
"Hello," he greeted politely.
That single word only fueled them further.
"Wow~ his voice is incredible!"
"He gives off such adorable puppy vibes~"
"No way, that's totally big wolf energy!"
"Don't fight! This is exactly my type~"
"Stop talking and make a move! Don't let him get out of bed tonight!"
"You go first!"
"He's Xu Feiyan's friend? Didn't expect her to like this type~"
"I like him too~ bet his muscle lines are amazing~"
"Girls, behave!"
"…"
Amid the uproar, Kurose's mind was elsewhere.
Who exactly would he be facing?
At that moment, a woman with short, cool-toned blue-black hair stepped into view.
She looked at the swooning group and shouted:
"You're here to cheer for me—not to drool over some guy! Can you virgins act your age for once?!"
"?"
Kurose's gaze locked onto her immediately.
She wore fitted blue jeans, a white shirt, and a black jacket. Her entire look radiated sharp, confident energy.
"That's your opponent this time," Xu Feiyan whispered behind him. "Her name is Cheng Lan. She advanced to C+ just a few days ago. As for her strength… it shouldn't be difficult for you."
"Thank you," Kurose replied, nodding.
Now he had a preliminary understanding of his opponent.
Just then—
Another figure caught his attention.
A woman dressed in tight black leather stood silently at the back of the crowd.
A white mask covered half her face, adding an air of mystery. Her long black hair flowed gently behind her, her presence cool and distant.
Kurose turned to Xu Feiyan. "Who is she?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Xu Feiyan said with a small shrug. "She rarely speaks in the group, and she never joins activities. I was surprised to see her here too."
Then she added:
"But I can tell you this—she's the only A-rank player in our group. Currently ranked seventh globally. And the highest-ranked female player."
"An A-rank guild player?!"
Kurose's eyes widened slightly.
His interest in the masked woman deepened.
At the same time—
From behind her white mask, the mysterious woman was quietly observing him as well.
Her gaze carried something… deliberate.
As if she recognized him.