The Returnee’s Guild Must Grow Properly

“To think I’d die from being enchanted! What kind of nonsense is this?”
A voice, full of frustration, exclaimed, and I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.
“That’s just how it works.”

The Sudden Test of Aptitude isn’t about dying or passing out—it’s purely about survival. There are only two outcomes to this test.
This isn’t a problem for me since I’ll pass the test anyway.
The real problem is what happens after I pass. I’ll inevitably be dragged to the center for all sorts of evaluations.

Why is that an issue? It’s because people like us—returnees—don’t get recognized as “candidates” by the system, even if we pass. That’s the same reason Kang Hasu, despite appearing on countless variety shows, is known as a regular person, not a candidate.

The Spirit Master, who seemed to share my concerns, asked, “What happens if you don’t participate?”
“Didn’t you read the last line? You die enchanted.”
I clicked my tongue briefly and reviewed the request submitted to the guild. The trusted Northern Grand Duke and Hero still hadn’t accepted the task.

Should I consider this fortunate or unfortunate? I wasn’t sure.

[Class S Relic, “The Score of the Wraith Caller,” has been stolen by an unknown entity and has made its way into the Sudden Test of Aptitude held at H-Entertainment.
Retrieve the stolen Class S Relic, “The Score of the Wraith Caller,” from the test grounds.]

▷ Guild Reward: Command of one legion of “The Fallen Celestial.”

Well, I suppose I should consider myself lucky in this case. I’ll worry about the aftermath of the test later.

For now, I accepted the request.

【00:42:11】
▷ Failure Consequence: The H-Entertainment building will collapse.

I blinked at the consequences of failure.

A message popped up, saying the seal partially placed on my title, “Godslayer,” had been lifted, but I ignored it.

“Why did you accept this request? It should’ve been taken by some mage or even the Demon King.”
In silence, I shared the request with the Spirit Master. He gave me a look, clearly questioning what I was thinking.

[The Spirit Master has accepted the request share.]

The Spirit Master’s eyes widened to the point of almost popping out of their sockets.

“This… this can’t be…”
He gaped at me with his mouth hanging open, and I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“If we fail the request, one of us will end up destroying the building. You or me. Probably from being enchanted by a Siren, though.”

“…”

The Spirit Master’s open mouth showed no sign of closing. I started to worry about flies flying in.

Whoosh!

What the—
Huge flames began to engulf the Spirit Master’s body. And that wasn’t all. Among the flames surrounding him, I noticed water droplets forming.

Wow, this guy. He can do that too?

As I marveled at his abilities, Kang Hasu rubbed his face with one hand and took a step forward.
“Are we just going to stand around? We need to deal with this Siren or whatever it is and retrieve the score.”

“Look at him moving as soon as a building’s collapse is on the line.”

“What choice do I have? Do you know how many mouths I have to feed?”

Feed them? It’s your agency’s artists feeding you, not the other way around.

Swallowing the retort that nearly slipped out, I surveyed the empty building.

H-Entertainment may be considered a mid-sized entertainment agency, but it was still quite a large facility. In other words, this place was enormous.

In the limited time given, not only did we need to deal with the Siren crawling onto land, but we also had to find the score.

“I can find the score quickly.”
“And how exactly will you manage that?”
In response, I raised a hand and lightly tapped the corner of my eye.

[Authority, “Eye of Truth,” is now active.]

The Spirit Master stared intently at my eyes before slightly furrowing his brows.
“…Is that the power of the Godslayer?”
“Yup. I can track anything imbued with the power of the stars.”
“So you’re leaving the Siren to me, then?”
“Wow, you’re pretty sharp, Mr. Representative.”

Even though I meant it as a compliment, he didn’t seem pleased. His expression soured noticeably.
Ignoring his reaction, I walked past him, following the faint traces of the celestial power radiating from the stolen relic.

“I’ll go find the score, so could you handle the Siren for me?”

If I ended up running into the Siren while looking for the score, that’d be an unexpected bonus. But if not, it was better to split up.

Before I pushed open the emergency staircase door, I turned back to Kang Hasu with one final piece of advice.
“Be careful not to get enchanted, Mr. Spirit Master.”
“You should be the one to be careful!!”

His shout followed me as I shrugged and ascended the stairs.

*****

“Apologies, Roun. Things are so urgent right now that I didn’t have time to consider your situation.”
“It’s fine! You must be worried, Guild Master Hajun.”
“……”

Do Hajun glanced at the H-Entertainment building cordoned off with police tape and offered a weary smile.
“I believe everything will be fine.”

The 9th Circle Archmage and returnee, Hae Roun, who had inadvertently ended up tagging along, pretended not to notice Hajun’s trembling hands and gave a reassuring smile.
“Yes, it will be fine.”

At those words, Hajun’s eyes widened. He’d expected words of assurance, but the confidence in Roun’s voice caught him off guard.

Hajun turned to face him. Roun, seemingly unaware of Hajun’s gaze, smiled faintly as he observed the cordoned-off building.

[Private Chat: 9th Circle Archmage]
Archmage: Guild Master~?
Archmage: Master?
Archmage: Hey, Master?

With no response forthcoming, Roun excused himself and pulled out his phone. Feigning a phone call, he spoke in a voice laced with amusement.
“Why aren’t they answering? How tragic.”

[Private Chat: Godslayer (Guild Master)]
Godslayer: YOU LITTLE BASTARD!!!!

Roun chuckled as he read the sudden response, then slid his phone back into his pocket.

Archmage: Our Guild Master seems perfectly fine, doesn’t he?
Godslayer: FINE?! YOU PIECE OF $#@%!!!!
Archmage: (૭ ᐕ)૭?
Godslayer: AHHHHHHH!!!!!

Hearing the messages practically screaming with rising blood pressure, Roun burst into laughter once more.

******

“The damn mage—what’s with his antics all of a sudden!”

Climbing the stairs, I stumbled as a message came in. Though the Saintess’ power healed me instantly, the mage’s sudden obnoxious chatter had my blood boiling.

I stepped out to get some fresh air, and somehow, I found myself in this mess.

“Ah! This is so annoying!”
I shouted as I shoved the door open with all my strength. Still, thanks to that obnoxious mage’s chatter, I had at least figured out how to handle the aftermath of the test when I’d inevitably be sent to the center as a “candidate.”

The place I’d arrived at was labeled F17, an area with heavy, scattered doors that looked like they led to recording studios.
This place was ridiculously massive.

I needed to quickly find the celestial relic—the stolen score—and return to the Spirit Master. With that in mind, I started heading toward where I could feel the overwhelming energy of the stars.

Suddenly, all the previously closed doors swung open in unison, as if on cue.

―Ah, aaah…

From those open doors, figures poured out, grotesque and wretched, as if they’d been scalped or beaten. Just looking at them was torment.

To make matters worse, their outfits were something you’d never see in 21st-century Korea.

―Ah, Saintess…!
―Why… Why did you abandon us?!

They reached out to me, calling my name from my time in Gloria.

“…Now I see why this building ends up destroyed.”

I stared at the approaching figures with indifferent eyes as they stretched their hands toward me.

“I can handle this, but… will the Spirit Master get enchanted?”
That would be a problem.

[Authority, “Sanctuary,” is now active.]

Boom!

Under the oppressive weight of my power, the approaching figures were crushed to the ground.

―S-Saintess…!

I slid my hands into my hoodie pockets and resumed walking, my steps no longer halted. Up close, their translucent forms were clearer. A score that summoned wraiths? This thing didn’t summon ghosts; it called full-blown evil spirits.

―Saintess…!

One man, with only one eye left, reached out to me from where he lay pinned to the floor. His hand passed through me, unable to grasp anything. Looking down, I noticed countless hands below, desperately trying to grab me.

Their attempts to cling to me like leeches were almost laughable. I let out a breath of dry laughter and kept moving.

“Go ahead, try your best.”

Not that they’d succeed.

I turned my gaze away from the pitiful creatures and focused on the celestial energy that grew stronger with each step. I made my way toward the deeper part of the recording studio, where chaos reigned.

“…!”

―Heh, heh-heh-heh.

A hand suddenly grabbed my ankle, and I scowled, looking down. A woman with a shattered skull was gripping me tightly, her nails digging into my flesh as she let out a creepy chuckle.

“Ah… what a bother.”

Her nails were so long they pierced my skin, leaving wounds behind.

How she even managed to grab me was beyond my understanding. Clicking my tongue, I shook my leg hard to free myself from her grasp.

[Authority, “Divine Punishment,” is now active.]

Blue lightning struck down on her as an added bonus. The woman let out a piercing scream before vanishing. The sound of her nails scraping against a chalkboard reverberated in my ears, causing me to grimace.

―Ugh… Uuugh…
―She’s angry. Gloria is angry…

The beings that had been reaching for me huddled together in a corner, trembling in fear.

I smirked at them, letting out a derisive laugh, before turning and continuing deeper into the recording studio.