Chapter 13 Off to the Guild

Leaving Fera in good hands at the inn, Kai set off toward the guild at the city center. The journey took nearly a day, but he pushed forward with a determined pace. With each step, his frustration grew. He wasn’t just angry at Gregory—he was angry at himself.

Why did he care so much?

This was supposed to be just another world, filled with NPCs, yet here he was, getting attached. He kept trying to convince himself that none of this mattered. But every step toward the guild felt heavier, like he was dragging his conscience behind him.

He thought back to his childhood, playing an old avatar simulation game with his best friend. In the game, you controlled an avatar, a god-like figure whom NPCs worshiped. As the player, you could punish or reward them at will.

His friend had loved being a tyrant, razing cities for fun. Kai never could. Even in games, he’d played the benevolent god, always picking the “good” choices in visual novels. It wasn’t that he liked being a hero—it was that he hated seeing anyone suffer. Even fake people.

And now, in this world, he was following the same pattern.

All he wanted was a simple life. Eat, sleep, have some fun, work, and repeat. No unnecessary drama. But Gregory had made this personal.

Good thing this was still his dream world. And in his world, his rules applied.

First, he’d get Skye to safety.

Then, he was going to beat Gregory senseless.

Kai’s footsteps echoed through the narrowing streets as he neared the guild district. The closer he got, the fewer people he saw. The usual racket of adventurers—shouting, laughing, banging mugs on tables—was gone. Instead, there was silence so thick it felt like the air itself was holding its breath.

His instincts screamed at him. He slowed his pace, eyes flicking side to side. This was a setup. It had to be.

Then—

A massive fist crashed into his face. Pain exploded behind his eyes. He staggered, tasting blood. Before he could even raise his arms, another punch slammed into his jaw, followed by a kick to his gut that felt like it came from a horse. The force hurled him backward into a stone wall. He felt something crack.

Kai grunted, wiping blood off his mouth. “Okay… hello to you, too.”

A deep voice boomed from in front of him. “Now that we’re ready for you, there’s nothing you can do. This time, you face us at full strength—the same strength that defeated the Demon Lord.”

Kai squinted at the hulking figure stepping into the light. The guy looked like a walking mountain—built like a tank, veins bulging across thick arms, grinning like he was about to get dessert. Kai had no clue who he was.

Kai spat blood. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

The man sneered. “Name’s Brick. Remember it.”

Kai raised an eyebrow. “Brick? Seriously? Like… a brick?”

Brick’s grin turned mean. “You’re about to find out why.”

Before Kai could reply, a smooth voice purred from behind him. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me already.”

Something soft and strong wrapped around his shoulders. Kai realized, a second too late, that a woman had jumped onto him, legs locking around his neck. Her thighs squeezed, dragging his face dangerously close to places he’d rather keep his distance from.

“Take a good long look,” she cooed, voice a mix of silk and steel. “It’ll be the last thing you see.”

Kai’s face turned red. “This is… not how I thought my day would go.”

She twisted sharply, flipping him over her head. He slammed into the ground with enough force to rattle his teeth. He groaned, trying to push himself up, but she landed beside him in a graceful crouch, already reaching for him again.

Kai lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of her long, silver hair and yanking her close. He forced himself upright. “I don’t know who you are, lady. Or your musclehead friend. I just want Gregory. And Skye. Give me either, and this ends peacefully. Give me neither, and I’ll mop the floor with both of you.”

She blinked at him, then gave a low laugh. “Oh, honey. I thrive on this kind of affection.”

Kai tilted his head. “Then how about this?”

He kissed her. Hard.

For a second, she froze. Her eyes went wide, shock painted all over her face. When he pulled away, her legs buckled. She dropped to her knees, touching her lips as if trying to process what had just happened.

Kai wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Next time, maybe buy me dinner first.”

Brick stared at the woman, eyes bulging. “Patrona… what the hell are you doing?”

Kai blinked, pointing at her. “Wait. Your name’s Patrona?”

She blinked up at him, cheeks flushed. “Unfortunately for me… yes.”

Kai muttered, “Great. So now we’re on a first-name basis.”

Brick’s lip curled. “Patrona’s weak if a kiss takes her out. I’ll deal with you myself.”

He raised his massive cleaver and charged. Kai braced himself. “And here I thought we were done introducing ourselves.”

Brick swung the cleaver down like he was trying to split Kai in half. Kai caught the blade between both palms, his arms shaking under the weight. Sparks flew as metal scraped metal. Kai hissed. “Okay. Point taken. You are… very brick-like.”

He shoved the blade away and drew his batons, spinning them into a blur. Brick swung again, but Kai ducked under it and slammed the batons into the cleaver’s edge. Sparks flew. Brick roared and tried another swing, but Kai darted around him, battering the cleaver with precise hits. Crack by crack, he chipped away at the blade. Finally, with a loud snap, the cleaver broke in half.

Kai stepped back, panting. “Looks like you’re unarmed.”

Brick roared and lunged at him barehanded. Kai rolled his eyes. “Seriously, man. Learn when to quit.”

Brick threw a massive punch. Kai ducked it, then slammed both batons into Brick’s ribs. The giant staggered. Kai spun and cracked him across the jaw with a sharp smack that echoed off the buildings.

Brick swayed, blinking in confusion.

Kai exhaled. “Night-night.”

He drove his knee into Brick’s stomach. Brick’s eyes rolled back as he dropped to the cobblestones like a felled tree, completely unconscious.

Kai shook his arms out. “And stay down.”

Before he could catch his breath, a sharp crack split the air. A chain whip lashed around Kai’s neck, cutting into his skin. He choked as he was yanked off his feet, hurled backward into another wall. Stone splintered behind him.

He gasped, searching for air. From across the street, he heard Skye’s voice, sharp and terrified.

“Leave him alone!” she shouted, tears streaming down her face.

Gregory stepped forward, winding the chain around his hand. His smirk was cold. “What’s wrong, Kai? Feeling lightheaded?”

He gave the chain another savage tug. Kai slammed into a second wall, a cloud of dust exploding around him. His ribs burned with every breath.

Gregory sneered. “Thought you could play hero forever?”

Kai coughed, blood staining his teeth. Another yank came, but this time he was ready. He grabbed the chain in both fists and pulled with everything he had.

Gregory’s eyes went wide as he stumbled forward. Kai lunged, slamming his fist into Gregory’s face with a thunderous crack. Gregory hit the ground so hard the stones underneath him buckled.

Kai staggered, chest heaving. Every inch of him hurt, but he forced himself forward. He stumbled over to Skye’s cage. He curled his fingers around the lock and crushed it in his palm. The restraints on Skye’s wrists fell away with a metallic click.

Skye leapt forward, flinging her arms around his neck. Kai stood frozen for a second, surprised. Then he slowly hugged her back, breathing her in. She smelled like flowers and warm summer air.

It reminded him of home. Of the hugs from his kids. Of the ones he gave his wife, though she never returned them.

He swallowed, pushing the memory away.

A voice cut in, polite but exasperated. “Excuse me!”

Kai blinked. A petite woman in a sharp suit stepped carefully over a pile of debris, brushing dust off her skirt. She cleared her throat. “Mr. Kai, is it?”

Kai sighed. “Who’s asking?”

Skye elbowed him. “Don’t be rude.”

The woman adjusted her glasses. “I’m Lena, the guild’s secretary. We need to discuss the damages.”

Kai glanced at the shattered walls, the rubble, and the unconscious bodies littering the street. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “And why would I pay for this?”

Lena lifted her chin. “Oh, don’t worry. The hero party will be covering their portion. Plus an extra ten percent for starting the fight. And a month-long suspension from adventuring.”

Kai raised an eyebrow. “And if I refuse?”

“Then we’ll have to drag you to prison.”

Kai scoffed. “Yeah, I doubt that.”

He stepped past her, still holding Skye’s hand, and shoved open the guild doors. “Where do I sign? And my partner is coming with me.”