A crisp, swishing sound echoed in the hallway.

Sweeping with a broom in hand, Alice was cleaning the World Conqueror's HQ as usual while exchanging small talk with Hubert, who was on the other side of the wall.

Ever since she was adopted into Ren's group, this had been her daily routine.

"There aren't a lot of players today as well, huh?" Alice asked as she swept the floor.

"They'll get here soon enough," replied Hubert, eyes on the trinket in his hand. He was developing a new dud, but he seemed to be missing some components.

"This forest is like a non-ending maze. No wonder that it's deserted."

"It'll only take one player to reach this place for plenty to follow. By that time, you'll get sick of seeing players."

Hubert briefly shot Alice a look. "A lot of players will be here soon — that's for sure. But the question is . . . are you confident that you're ready to defend your base when that time comes?"

Alice bolted straight, causing her bones to crack from the force. "Of course! I owe Ren for finally letting me out of Jibblinplip's stomach, so I'll lay my life to defend this HQ no matter what!"

Hubert only looked at Alice under his monocle and muttered, "You're already dead, though. What life is there to lay?"

Alice pouted as she argued, "I'm not dead! I'm just cursed. They're different! Once I serve my due here, I will find a healer who can heal me."

"Exorcise, you mean?"

"I told you, I'm not a ghost!" Alice frantically waved her hands to make a point, but the force sent her arms flying in all directions.

"Oh, no!" Alice stared at her missing two arms. She quickly faced Hubert and asked with a troubled tone, "Can you help me with my arms again?"

". . ." Hubert exasperatedly sighed upwards, but he still got off his seat. "I don't know how many times this has happened already. You're lucky that I like you because you keep the place clean."

"Teeheehee." Alice giggled. "Don't worry. As soon as I'm healed, you won't be bothered again."

"Rather than that . . . I'm more concerned that despite your head rolling on the ground numerous times, you're still not convinced that you're dead," Hubert muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" asked Alice.

"Nothing. Here are your arms."

Hubert helped Alice attach her hands. The latter beamed as she said, "Thanks."

Back in the White Unicorns HQ, Yuji had just finished clearing another dungeon for the guild when Eric called for him.

"You want me and my unit to clear Frosty Cave?" Yuji asked, making sure if he heard what Eric said correctly.

Eric nodded, eliciting a stifled laugh from Yuji, who thought that he was kidding. But seeing Eric's ever-so-serious face, Yuji realized that the other party was serious.

"Are you sure? No one has ever cleared that cave, and I heard that it's harder than the other elemental caves. Those who challenged it were wiped out before they got to the Boss's room, or even if they did get there, they withheld any information about it. We have no information about that dungeon, yet you're planning to send us there next? With just twenty members?" Yuji couldn't believe his ears. If he were any brash, he would've berated their leader and called him crazy.

Eric wasn't affected by Yuji's reaction, though. He was expecting it. "It doesn't matter. I'm sure you've heard about Ren of World Conqueror, right?"

Yuji had gotten wind that Ren of World Conqueror had an unprecedented performance during their fight with the Primordial Thunder King. And that mage would be the one leading the team that would be sent to Frosty Cave, which didn't sit well with Yuji.

"You're giving the seat of leadership to an unknown man?" Yuji didn't hide his distaste. "This is my unit we're talking about. Why don't you send Roger or Ivan's Unit? They have already worked with this Ren. I'm sure they'll be more comfortable lending their units to him."

Eric ignored Yuji's complaint and got back to what he was doing at his desk, signing non-ending papers. "I've sent Roger and the others to a dungeon that needed their expertise. It's fate that your mission ended quickly, and since you're free right now, you can escort Ren to Frosty Cave. Besides, it's only temporary until we get all the second-tier elemental spells."

When Yuji realized that he couldn't convince Eric to change his mind, he wavered. ". . . Well, at least lend me more players. We need more players if we want to attempt that elemental cave." It would also put him at ease . . . somewhat.

Eric didn't even raise his head from what he was doing when he thoughtlessly replied, "Trust me, that many players are more than enough. Just do what Ren tells you, and everything will work out in the end."

". . ." Yuji was appalled by Eric's lack of concern about this whole matter. Was he the only one worrying too much about this cave?

In their venture to Thunder Cave, they brought two hundred players with them, and even Eric and Erica personally led the front lines. How come now that he was asked to clear the harder Frosty Cave, he could only bring twenty players? Yuji couldn't help but think that Eric wanted him to be a goner.

Did they want to see him fail so badly after the series of wins he brought to the guild? Was this their blatant strategy to find a reason to kick him out?

Yuji couldn't help but overthink, and his lips rose to the challenge. He would show them that he would emerge victorious from this campaign no matter how high the odds were.

"Very well. I shall deliver this dungeon to you, first blood and conquered."

When Yuji left the office, he met Ivan in the hallway. He caught up to the latter, wanting to inquire about this Ren of World Conqueror.

( . . . continuation on NOTES)