331 Roz
In COVENANT, Black Lion's headquarters.
Roz swept the floor as this had become his everyday job. His role in the guild was doing menial tasks — making sure that the guild headquarters was spotless, running errands, fetching ingredients, and sometimes, foraging with a group.
As a classless probationary guild member, Roz had never even considered that he would be promoted to a regular member.
In the four months he played COVENANT, the only role he had played was a cannon fodder. He didn't have free time, unlike those regular members who had the privilege of searching for clues about the rare classes related to theirs.
Newbies might see Black Lion as an appealing guild to get into, but for people who lacked skill and were nameless, they were better off not signing the contract. Why? Because it was far from favorable. Not only would they be on their own, but they also wouldn't receive anything from the guild except the bare minimum allowance.
It was like free labor. The task they were given was more than the allowed average hour per day. But since there was no department of labor that regulated this kind of things, every guild were exploiting some of their members who had no choice but to labor hard for scraps of money.
There might be times that they'd be invited to join dungeon raids, but there was only one role they were allowed to take — a cannon fodder to buy time for the main attacking unit. They would also only be allowed to go out if they received orders to go foraging or fetch something for the guild.
Players like them were never treated as members. At most, they were just a helper or an enslaved person. Roz didn't like it, but there was nothing he could do. Besides, he was still getting paid despite it being the bare minimum. And that was the most important thing.
"I heard that Black Lion will have a new leader?"
Roz overheard the other members' conversation.
As someone working in the hallway near the gardens, that topic was the one he'd been hearing the most lately.
"That won't happen. Invayne wouldn't allow it. And who will replace Scar? No one here is closer to being a leader material than he is. Do you know how many clears he achieved for Black Lion? I don't think he'd be replaced anytime soon."
"Rather, we should be concerned about ourselves."
"What do you mean?"
"Rumours have it that Black Lion would reform from the inside. Starting with our probations. Those who had no significant contributions to the guild would be kicked out and be replaced with a fresh batch, probably ones more powerful than us. After all, a guild can only have a thousand members."
"Huh? That's unfair. They never even let us out to prove ourselves."
In the middle of the gloomy talk, another suddenly butt in.
"Enough with all this depressing talk. Have you heard? Black Lion had invited a celebrity today!"
"Huh? For what?"
"I don't know. Maybe for publicity."
"I heard she's super famous. In the real world, she's an influencer with four million followers!"
The players were in awe of the news. Roz was about to say something when they suddenly exclaimed.
"It seems like she is here! Let's go and see her. We might get a chance to meet her directly. Who knows? We might get an autograph!"
"But what about our job?"
"Who cares? We'll get fired anyway!"
When the sounds of mops rattling against the ground echoed, Roz knew that the others had really left and that it was all up to him to finish everyone else's tasks, as well as clean the mess they had left on the ground.
The garden, which had become like a mini forest, was back to being quiet once again, saved for the occasional sounds from animals and insects.
As he worked in silence, Roz thought about Leonel. At least one of them was doing well in the game. Leonel must be filthy rich right now. Maybe he should just resign and ask for his help.
Roz shook his head. He had caused so much trouble already. He and Leonel weren't even friends. If anything, that man had been a nice guy who helped a complete stranger like him.
Although if he did get laid off from Black Lion, he planned to apply to World Conqueror.
"Hey, you!"
Roz turned around in surprise when a voice sounded from behind. It was a girl wearing pink armor that looked sturdy enough to protect her even if she got hit by an arrow. Her hair was long and pinkish with pastel blue highlights, cascading from her helmet's side and resting on her shoulders. She wore a helmet that made her blue eyes pop.
"I think I'm lost. Where's the main hall again?" she then paused and squinted her eyes to get a better view of Roz.
"What are you doing here?!" she suddenly exclaimed, shock and anger lacing her tone.
Roz frowned. "Do I know you?"
The girl took off her headpiece and showed him her face. Her features were beautiful, and her skin was fair. And she sarcastically smiled at him.
Lira! Roz's face immediately darkened. It was the same girl who made his life a living hell in the real world.
"I heard that Black Lion is still keeping you, but I didn't expect that you would last this long."
She laughed.
Roz's forehead crumpled even more. "What do you mean?"
Lira smirked. "Ever wondered why you're stuck doing miscellaneous jobs? That's the agreement I had come up with Black Lion, three months ago when I still wanted you fired. But now . . . I simply don't care anymore. Watching you clean is much more entertaining."
She had no intention of showing any mercy to the kid who had stolen her table before. In truth, she had even forgotten about Roz, but now that they had met again, she couldn't just back down.
Despite her desire for revenge, there was still a part of her that felt pity for him — but it was so minuscule, and vengeance weighed heavier.
"Well, do carry on." Lira sweetly smiled. "Be a good kid, and make this place spotless."
Roz clenched his fist. He had never felt this angry in his entire life. Just when he could have a peaceful life and start anew in the virtual world, his nightmare showed up as if it was following him.
He was wrong! As long as this girl exists, she will continue to terrorize him.
Roz wasn't aggressive, and he never laid a hand against women. But right now, all he could think about was to slap her. Maybe that would humble her and make her humane.
Just as Roz was deliberating whether he'd really do it or not, a woman appeared from behind Lira. The woman wore a white dress and had long black hair. She was tall and had an imposing figure.
( . . . continuation on NOTES)
