Chapter 1

Oh! It's already this late.

I checked the moon visible through the window and stopped the work I had been doing.

I stretched, trying to loosen up my stiff body.

Sigh... Today, I only did paperwork...

I understand that, given my position, doing paperwork is more important than going out to earn money.

But, it hurts my heart to let the guild members take on dangerous jobs outside while I, their leader, stay safe inside the guild and do nothing but paperwork.

Especially since the guild members are like children to me.

I want to go out and work too...

But everyone always stops me...

Do they really think I’m that useless? It’s a little... no, quite sad.

Sure, I’m not as strong as everyone else, but I used to travel alone before I formed this guild.

Of course, I’ve faced many dangers and managed to get through them on my own.

So, I think I can handle the work...

I take out a picture that I cherish.

It depicted the faces of the guild members.

By the way, I drew this myself.

For someone as unskilled as me, I’m quite proud of how well it turned out.

As I look at each face, I smile wryly.

Ah... Still, I end up doing whatever these kids ask.

I can’t bear to see them sad if I refuse their requests.

When they were younger, several of them cried when they saw me working.

It was just a simple wall-painting job, but apparently, my serious expression scared them.

Well, it would be strange to grin and bear it while working, but I started doing something in response to their reactions.

I always smile.

No matter what, I always wear a smile.

This way, they don’t cry or get sad when they see me; they smile instead.

It was tough at first, as I couldn’t express my emotions freely, but now it feels unnatural not to smile.

“Hey, are you done with your work?”

As I was thinking about this, a woman spoke to me from behind.

She had long, beautiful black hair and smiled at me.

Her smile was as beautiful as a goddess.

Her ample chest and hips were noticeable even through her clothes.

I try not to let my eyes be drawn to them...

After all, my guild members also have excellent figures.

They always want to get close to me.

If they ever realize I’m looking at them lustfully, they’ll definitely hate me.

I have to avoid that at all costs, so I’ve become quite numb.

No, I’m not sad...

“You’re really dedicated. Working on requests this late...”

She looks at me with a mix of admiration and exasperation.

Of course, I am.

After all, the members are risking their lives on these jobs.

If the requests are unreasonable or strange, I can’t let them take them.

Since I can’t do much of the outside work, I have to do this much at least.

“Still, working on paperwork for twenty hours straight is not normal.”

She gives me a wry smile, and I smile back.

Is she worried about me?

Still, it’s impressive that she can come in here.

She’s not a member of the guild, but she often visits my room.

“Haha, well, it’s easy for me to enter the master’s room. ...But, if I stay too long, the father complex will notice.”

She must be talking about the guild members.

They’re strong, so they can probably sense things like that.

“Still, it’s not normal to be able to sense my presence.”

She smiles wryly and scratches her cheek.

No, no, to be able to enter my room without being noticed by their alert system, you’re pretty impressive yourself.

“It’s nice to be praised by you. ...Hey,”

Huh?

“Have you decided to accept my offer from last time?”

She suddenly approaches me and looks up at me with her slanted eyes.

The offer from last time... Ah, the one about becoming yours or not?

“Yeah, that’s right. If you become mine, there are many benefits. Your lifespan will extend, and you’ll even transcend the human race...”

She tells me about the various benefits... Hmm. They don’t appeal to me.

Unfortunately, my lifespan, despite being human, has already surpassed the norm.

I don’t know why, but I don’t seem to be dying anytime soon.

I wonder when my time will come...

So, I tell her I’m sorry.

“...Muuu”

She puffs out her cheeks.

How many times have I turned down her invitations now?

I wish she would give up already.

No matter how attractive the benefits, I can’t become hers.

Because I have very important guild members.

“...You really do love the guild, don’t you?”

She says this as if she’s giving up.

Yeah, I guess so.

To be more precise, I love the guild members.

“If they had such a kind master, they would love you too.”

Wait, do they actually like me?

We’ve been busy with work, so we haven’t talked much, and I’ve been a bit worried.

Oh, that’s a relief. I’m so happy.

“I can understand why they would want to give you the world as a present.”

...

...What?

The word "present" made me happy.

But the content of that present sounds terrifying. Am I just imagining it?

“Oops. I might be noticed by them soon. I’ll be going now.”

She steps back from me.

I noticed her beautiful black hair and overly ample chest sway, but I don’t have the time to focus on that.

Wait. Please. Listen to me.

“See you, Master. I’ll definitely make you mine someday.”

She says this with a charming smile and then disappears without a trace.

Wait! At least tell me what the present is!

‘Give the world as a present’? What are they planning to do!?

The ominous words make my heart race!

Come back!!!