I will become the ice jellyfish queen with the Chat Group

[Grey's POV]

I opened the Group Shop, scrolling through the endless list of items, looking for something cheap but useful within my budget of 14,500. I needed something practical, something that could give me an edge in battle or serve as a failsafe when things went south.

After an hour of searching, my eyes landed on something unexpected—a flying ship named The Lion's Pride, priced at 12,000.

Without hesitation, I clicked [BUY].

A flying ship? That wasn't something I'd normally go for, but having a mobile fortress might come in handy. Whether for escape, transport, or unleashing hell from above—it was an investment I wouldn't regret.

A thought crossed my mind as I sat back, processing my new purchase.

Why hasn't anyone come to see me yet?

Normally, that old woman, her granddaughter, the prince, or even a maid would have already barged in—asking for advice, gossiping, or simply chatting like usual. But today? Silence.

Something felt off.

…Well, not my problem.

I turned my attention back to my purchase. The Group Shop was offering a 50% discount on my first crew purchase, meaning I could recruit either [The Knights of the Skulls Order] or [The Acolytes of Prime Stone] for just 2,500 points.

Knights or mages?

Both had their advantages—brutal warriors in enchanted armor or spellcasters capable of devastating ranged attacks. Tough choice.

Then I noticed an option:

[The Knights of the Skulls Order & The Acolytes of Prime Stone] – 5,000 points.

Wait… Can't I just sell something?

I quickly opened the Sell Menu—something I'd never really looked at before. My eyes landed on one of my Level-Up Bills and saw that I could sell it for 50,000 points.

SOLD.

With a grin, I didn't just stop at buying both factions—I also snagged the [Assassin Dark Order], which came with [Training {Level 5}], for just 3,000 points.

Now I had elite knights, powerful mages, and a deadly assassin unit—all stationed aboard The Lion's Pride, safely tucked away in my space storage.

After that, I got up and slipped on my gloves—wouldn't want to accidentally kill anyone with just a handshake or a touch. With everything set, I exited my room, heading straight for the soldiers' training grounds.

I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

[One Hour Later]

I stood in the middle of the field, watching the chaos unfold. Ash, the soldiers, the party members—all of them were running.

From me.

I cracked my whip, the sharp snap cutting through the air like thunder.

I smirked. Now this... this was proper training.

[Grey]: Run faster, you dogs!

They scrambled. Some tripped over their own feet, others desperately tried to climb the walls of the training grounds. Terror was painted all over their faces.

[Next Hour]

The soldiers lay panting on the ground, barely able to stand. Sweat dripped from their brows, their legs shaking from exhaustion.

[Grey]: Good. Now we start with the real training.

I clapped my hands.

[Grey]: Release the wolves.

A metal cage creaked open, and twenty wolves burst out, fangs bared, eyes gleaming.

The tired group barely had time to react before the beasts lunged at them.

[Next Hour]

The surviving soldiers clutched their wounds, some with bite marks, others nursing bruises. But they were still standing.

[Grey]: Not bad. Now, form teams of five to ten. Your next task—fight me.

I cracked my knuckles.

[Grey]: Use your fists. Anyone who fails? 100 push-ups.

A moment of hesitation. Then, ten soldiers charged at me.

I stepped forward.

One punch.

Ten soldiers hit the ground.

[Grey]: Next group. Ladies first.

[Next Hour]

The entire training ground was a mess. Soldiers lay groaning, some still attempting their punishment push-ups, while others sat in groups, nursing bruises and broken pride.

I placed my hands on my hips, looking over the wreckage of exhausted bodies.

[Grey]: You all did well… for a warm-up.

I grinned. Tomorrow, we go even harder.

[Five Days Later]

I stood in front of a group of monsters. No, not literally. These were the same soldiers from before, but now?

They were punching wolves to death.

[Grey mind]: {Wow. That was a fast improvement}

I nodded in approval as one of them drop-kicked a wolf so hard it flew into a tree and didn't get back up.

Beside me, Ash sat in a wheelchair, sporting an eyepatch and a very unimpressed expression.

[Ash]: Miss Grey, I don't know how you did it… but I expected something else.

I turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

[Grey]: This reminds me, how exactly did you slip and break your leg… on a clear field?

Ash's expression twitched.

[Ash]: Why don't you ask that dire wolf you let loose at me when I stopped running?

I blinked.

Then, I laughed.

I laughed so hard I nearly doubled over, but Ash? Oh, he wasn't laughing. Not even a little. He just sat there, arms crossed, his expression a mix of irritation and resignation.

[Ash]: This isn't funny.

[Grey]: No, no, you're right,"

I said, wiping a tear from my eye.

[Ash]: It's hilarious you call a baby wolf a dire wolf.

[Ash]: That was not a baby wolf! It was the size of a damn horse!

[Grey]: Oh please, it was barely the size of a pony.

Ash groaned, rubbing his temples, while the soldiers—now hardened warriors who could wrestle wolves for fun—tried (and failed) to suppress their laughter.

[Ash]: I'm never trusting your 'training methods' again.

[Grey]: Come on, you're stronger now, aren't you? Besides, I even let you keep the eye patch. It makes you look cool.

Ash gave me the flattest look imaginable.

[Ash]: Gee, thanks. That totally makes up for my broken leg.

[Grey]: Exactly! Now, onto the next phase of training—

The entire group collectively tensed. Some of them even visibly paled.

[Ash]: Oh no. No, no, no—

[Grey]: —Survival Training! I'm dropping you all in the middle of the forest tonight. I hope you like camping. Ash, drink this and go with them!

Ash just buried his face in his hands.

[Next day]

I looked at the returning soldiers, their silhouettes eerie against the flickering torchlight. Wolf fur cloaks draped over their shoulders, bone weapons clutched in their hands, and at the front—Ash, wearing what looked like a massive wolf skull as a helmet.

[Grey]: Did you guys go to war with wolves?

[Ash]: We didn't start a war. The wolves did.

I crossed my arms, my gaze flicking between them. One of the soldiers adjusted his helmet—a hollowed-out wolf's head, complete with snarling fangs.

[Grey]: Okay, I need details.

[Ash]: No. You need to burn that cursed forest to the ground.

[Soldier]: We were just setting up camp like you told us to. Then, out of nowhere, they appeared. But not normal wolves, no—these ones were organized.

[Soldier 3]: They had tactics.

[Soldier 4]: They had a leader.

I blinked. Excuse me?

[Grey]: You're telling me you guys got ambushed... by a wolf army?

[Ash]: Not just an army.

He sighed, rubbing his temples.

[Ash]: A kingdom.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

[Grey]: So, just to clarify—we either committed genocide... or declared war on the Wolf Kingdom?

The soldiers exchanged glances, shifting awkwardly.

I groaned, running a hand down my face.

[Grey]: Great. Just great. This is why I don't do survival training often. Now look at you—all turning into a pack of wolf-skin-wearing barbarians.

[Ash]: We adapted.

I blinked. Just days ago, these guys were barely keeping up with the training. Now? They looked like seasoned war veterans straight out of a dark fantasy novel. Even Ash—the same Ash who whined about training every single day—now had the aura of a rugged beast hunter.

[Grey]: Alright, I'll admit it. I'm impressed.

Ash smirked, stepping forward.

[Ash]: Yeah? Well, now it's your turn.

My eyes narrowed.

[Grey]: My turn for what?

[Ash]: You dropped us in the forest to survive? Now we're dropping you in the mountains. Let's see how you like it.

The soldiers grinned, cracking their knuckles as they closed in.

And that's when I realized—I might've created monsters.

[Grey]: This reminds me, Your Highness, my reinforcement has arrived.

As I said this a missive flying ship entered their view, it was my ship with the crew that I had bought, my pets, and a friend who knew how to lead.

[Chapter end]