Volume 1 Chapter 22 The Fallen Guildmaster [Irankus IV]
While Guildmaster Act was thriving, at that time...
The Guildmaster who ousted him, Irankus, received orders to report to the Guild Association headquarters in the Royal Capital.
Clack... clack... clack...
He entered the building, heading towards the Headquarters Chief.
"...Hey, check it out. There's a fallen Guildmaster here."
"...All the Guild Members ran out on you, didn't they?"
"...That guy's still in this industry?"
"...You should just quit already. You've got no talent."
The gossip echoed in Irankus's ears like a swarm of buzzing insects.
Grit.
"What are you staring at...! YOU BUNCH...! I'M NOT A FREAKIN' SPECTACLE, YOU IDIOTS!"
He glared around with bloodshot eyes.
Only sneers answered him.
"Hey there, Irankus."
"! Y-YOU'RE THE DEPUTY GUILDMASTER!?"
A man who once served under Irankus in the Guild [Trueborn Hero], smiling smugly.
"YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE SHOWING UP IN FRONT OF ME!"
"Well, well, it's all in the past, isn't it? Besides, I'm not the Deputy Guildmaster anymore."
"W-WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"
A golden badge gleamed on the man's chest.
A bird's wing—symbol of freedom.
"Y-YOU... BECAME THE GUILDMASTER OF THE ADVENTURERS GUILD...?"
"Yes, that's right. I've started a new Guild this time."
Irankus stared at the badge.
The same golden wing that he wore on his chest.
The same as Act.
The mark of a Guildmaster.
"Starting from the lowest C-rank, but yeah, I'm having fun. At least more than when I was under you."
"DAMN IT... WELL, FINE! SINCE WE'RE BOTH GUILDMASTERS NOW, WE'RE BUSINESS RIVALS! SHOW MORE RESPECT, YOU'RE RANKED LOWER THAN ME!"
The man's eyes widened for a moment.
Then—
Guh... guh-guh-guh...
"Hahahaha!"
Suddenly, he clutched his belly and burst into laughter.
Slap!
His hand struck his thigh as he laughed.
"WH-WHAT!? WHAT'S SO FUNNY!?"
"This is hilarious! You still consider yourself the Guildmaster, huh?"
"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?"
The man shook his head, his grin sharp.
"Oh, nothing at all. Well then, Mr. Irankus, I'll take my leave... though we may never meet again, you know."
Chuckling, he walked away.
Tap... tap... tap...
"HMPH! I SURE AS HELL WON'T BOW DOWN TO THAT PIECE OF TRASH AGAIN... BUT..."
Irankus's hand tightened around the badge on his chest.
"As long as I have this, I'm still the Guildmaster."
Clink.
His fingers scraped over the metal.
"Watch, Vice-Guildmaster... I'll show you a comeback like a phoenix...!"
...That was as energetic as he got.
---
Knock knock.
Irankus stood in front of the Headquarters Chief's room.
"Oh, you've come, Irankus. Well, have a seat."
The two sat across from each other.
"How's business been lately?"
"Frankly, it's not going as well as it used to."
"Yeah. You're in a tough spot now. Guild members quitting, no new recruits. The [Trueborn Hero] was once a popular Guild."
"...Yes. BUT! I CAN STILL DO THIS! I HAVE A PLAN TO TURN THINGS AROUND!"
"Hoo... what kind of plan?"
"It's Act!"
"...Huh?"
"IT'S ACT AGE! IF HE COMES BACK TO ME, THE GUILD CAN REGAIN ITS FORMER GLORY!"
"........."
"I'M CURRENTLY REACHING OUT TO ACT! SOON, HE WILL COME BACK TO ME!"
"...Enough already. That's enough, Irankus."
Thud.
The Headquarters Chief leaned back, letting out a deep sigh.
"To be honest, you have the drive. Even in tough situations, I was hoping you could pull through..."
"HEADQUARTERS CHIEF...?"
"But here you are. Still trying to pass the buck to solve problems. It's already too late."
"...Huh?"
The Chief reached forward, snatching the badge from Irankus's chest in one smooth motion.
Snatch!
"Irankus, effective today, you are removed from the position of Guildmaster."
"...What? ...WHAT? DOES THAT MEAN...?"
"It means [Trueborn Hero] is disbanding."
Crack.
Something inside Irankus broke.
"NO WAY, RIGHT!? DISBANDING IS A LIE, RIGHT!?"
"No. The Headquarters Chief has the authority to appoint the Guildmaster. And the power to dismiss one deemed unfit."
Shiver.
Irankus trembled violently.
The cold sank into his bones.
"I DON'T WANT TO..."
"What?"
"I DON'T WANT TOOOOOOOOO!"
He wailed, collapsing to his knees.
Thud!
He clung desperately to the Chief's legs.
"I CAN STILL DO IT! I CAN STILL DO THIS! HEADQUARTERS CHIEF!"
He clung tighter.
Grip.
"PLEASE! CANCEL MY DISMISSAL! GIVE ME BACK THAT BADGE!"
The Headquarters Chief held the badge tightly in his hand.
"No way. You're already too far gone. I can't trust you with the Guildmaster role."
"I DON'T ACCEPT THAT! I CAN STILL DO IT! I CAN STILL PUSH THROUGH! SO! SO GIVE IT BACK! PLEASE GIVE IT BACK TO ME!"
"ENOUGH ALREADY!"
The Chief shook off Irankus's hands with a sharp jerk and stood up.
Wham!
"That's all there is to say. We'll contact you later regarding your next steps."
"NOOOOOOO!"
Irankus lunged after him, but—
Thunk!
He tripped and fell to the floor.
"Just rest. You're not fit to be the Guildmaster right now. Take a moment, think calmly, and consider your next moves."
"UGAAAAAAAH! NOOOOO! AAAAAAH!"
The Headquarters Chief glanced down at Irankus with pity.
"...You used to be a good guy. That version of Irankus is long gone, huh?"
With that, he turned and left.
Step. Step. Step...
"HOW DID IT COME TO THISSSS! WHERE DID I GO WRONG!?"
Only Irankus's heart-wrenching cries echoed in that place.
Echo... echo... echo...
...His downfall had yet to stop.
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