Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 106 Just Me

[Why did you create a guild!?]

[Because… I can. And all of you can join me too.]

[...What?]

With the news of Rhys being interviewed for the first time on national TV, everyone who had time to watch, and perhaps even those who did not, had no choice but to see Rhys's face as even the diners switched their channels to see him.

How could they not, when this was unprecedented news — a Lowborn, not being interviewed because he committed a crime or was a victim of it, but rather, he was being interviewed because he saved people… saved Commoners.

"Kobe, look. It's a Lowborn like you!"

"..." Even the Lowborns of the Surface, who usually just keep their heads down and just do their jobs without being noticed by people, were now looking up as they watched as one of their own was currently being… revered.

[The guild that I created… it is for everyone who wishes to belong somewhere, but can not find a place anywhere.]

Although Rhys was seemingly addressing everyone, it was quite obvious for some people who he actually was saying those words to — and Kobe knew, he knew that Rhys was talking to him.

[Whether you are a Lowborn, a Commoner, or even a Noble. Whether you are rich, or poor — all of those mean nothing. We will all be equals, untainted by the views of the world and unperturbed by the notions of the past…]

"Look at this guy, cringe. Does he think he is running for president or something?"

And while most jeered at Rhys's words and waved their hands at him, there were also those who kept their eyes staring at him.

[It does not matter if you can't fight, if you can't crush a stone with your hand, you will have a place in my guild…

…you will have a purpose.]

"!!!" Kobe's eyes widened, almost letting go of the mop he was holding as soon as Rhys's words whispered into his ears. He was already being scolded, but he could hear nothing else but the man on the screen.

[I do not need status, I do not need individuals. What I need are equals; as you follow my orders, I will also follow yours. What I need…

…are soldiers.]

[When… when are you opening up applications!? Can… Can I also join?] The Lowborn reporter tried his best not to get excited, but everyone could hear his voice fail him.

[If you are not comfortable with your job anymore, I do not see why not,] Rhys let out a small chuckle, [We will be opening applications soon. But for now, please watch our collaboration with the Laughing Bronze on their stream. That's all.]

[One more question, Mr. Wilder — Sylas West and your sister, do you have any opinions about the rumors of them dating?]

[I hope they enjoy their time together…

…as long as it lasts.]

***

"So… are we not going to talk about the obvious here?"

"That the Doc is in love with the Recruit like a rabbit in heat wanting to gobble its mate's balls?"

"Can't I just drive in peace without my name being dragged to whatever this is we're about to talk about?"

Back on the way home, Katarina's car was currently filled with all sorts of bags and boxes; carried by Rhys, Lina, and Ayesha on their laps as they could not fit everything they bought in the trunk.

"No, I mean — the monsters," Lina leaned her head to the side so everyone could hear her from all the boxes covering him, "Don't you guys think it's just so… convenient that they just happen to run amok right when we—when Rhys was there?"

"Zeus, woman. You are dense," Ayesha let out a small chuckle, "I already told you people, it's Rhys. His dingy ma dog attracts some wild things."

"For real? What do you think about that, Kat?"

"Well…" Katarina glanced at Rhys, who was also glancing at her and waiting for her answer, "...Won't it be better to just test that theory instead of guessing it? Based on everything I've seen so far, your… blood seems to be the most likely suspect."

"My blood…" Rhys quickly recalled the moment when Arachnea licked his blood, "...We can test it during the exploration with the Laughing Bronze."

"I'll bring a syringe," Katarina nodded.

"You know, Sir…" Lina tried leaning to the front seat, pushing all the bags and boxes away as she held Rhys's shoulder, "...I don't know if you're fucking aware or not, but you're the most famous person in the country at the moment."

"...I don't really feel it, Ma'am," Rhys glanced at Lina.

"Of course, you won't!" Lina groaned in frustration as she struggled to get her phone from her pocket, "You don't even bother to check the comments or look at the stats of your channels! I'm the one doing all the checking!"

"That's… sorry," Rhys scratched his chin and chuckled, "I'll try to learn how to navigate my way through it."

"What? No, I don't mind," Lina scoffed as she started fidgeting with her phone, "Look, look at this — you're currently the most searched individual in… wait, not just in our country, but the entire world!"

"Seriously?" Katarina tried glancing at Lina's phone while she drove, "You're famous, Rhys—no. You're more than famous."

"That makes you a high-value target, Recruit," Ayesha looked out the window and smirked, "People are going to be after you."

"..." Rhys squinted his eyes at Ayesha's words, before letting out a small but very deep sigh a few seconds after, "People already are."

"What!?" Katarina almost stepped on the brakes as she quickly turned to look at Rhys; her grip on the steering wheel, causing a small squeak to whisper in the air, "What do you mean!?"

It wasn't only Katarina, both Lina and Ayesha's eyebrows were also completely lowered as they waited for Rhys to say something. Rhys truly was going to keep what happened during the Exploration Test a secret from Katarina and the others, but it felt like he had to tell. Unbeknownst to him, however, Katarina was actually just pretending not to know, and Ayesha also knew he was attacked.

Out of the three, only Lina was completely unaware of what happened. Rhys also told them about how he met Sylas and Emilia a week prior.

"All of that… happened?" Lina leaned back in her seat and sighed, "I guess Sylas and the Cerberus guild are the only suspects, right?"

"You Surface people seem to be underestimating how many people don't want Lowborns to rise up in life," Ayesha scoffed.

"Maybe you should start disguising yourself from now on, Sir," Lina opened up, "Maybe just wear a hat to cover your hair or something. Or we can just… dye your hair. It's only illegal if you get caught."

"His face is already all over the internet," Katarina sighed and shook her head, "He only showed it once, and it's everywhere already."

"With a face like that?" Ayesha once again scoffed, "Even the gods are probably cumming on his picture right now."

"True… even if you change your hair color, once they see your perfect face…" Lina sighed.

"It's fine," Rhys could really only let out a small chuckle as he heard a collective sigh from the three, "I don't plan on hiding myself from anyone. Everything I am doing will only work if they see me."

"And what, exactly, are you trying to do, Recruit?" Ayesha's voice suddenly turned serious, "All that talk about recruiting soldiers."

"No," Rhys once again chuckled as he waved his hand; the smile on his face, however, slightly wavered as he looked at the view of the wasteland outside, "I was just…

…trying to sound cool."

***

"Is this it?"

"Ah, Rhys! Welcome! Welcome!"

The day of the joint exploration between Wilder's Harem and Laughing Bronze came, and Rhys arrived at the designated Hole along with his guild members… who were only the three women in his life.

And as soon as they stepped out of the car, Kenneth welcomed them personally — even ordering his men to assist them and bring their stuff to a tent built only for them. Suffice it to say, the setup of the Laughing Bronze was almost similar to what Rhys was seeing in the Underworld whenever he had to respond to a Dig.

There were machinery and buildings around the Hole that he had no idea what purpose they served. But considering a lot of people were running around seemingly busy, they must be important.

"Make yourselves and… your guild members comfortable," Kenneth had a wide smile on his face, but it slightly twitched when his eyes landed on Ayesha and the others. The last time he met them, he was completely unaware of their identities and thought that they were just Rhys's friends — after all, an insanely good-looking man like Rhys would definitely be surrounded by women.

But when he watched Rhys's interview, he finally realized how strong Rhys's companions are.

Kenneth agreed that Wilder's Harem would own everything they got during the exploration, clearly a mistake on his part. It doesn't matter now, however — because after Rhys's interview, his popularity skyrocketed.

And that means more views for the Laughing Bronze. The ad revenue alone would probably pay for everything he had ever spent on Rhys.

"Can my friends stay in the tent while we're exploring?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" Keneth could not help but blink a couple of times as he looked at Rhys.

"The Exploration, they won't be participating…

…It will just be me on our side."