"Don't underestimate me! While you were away, I've been training every day! I'm gonna pay you back for that humiliating defeat!"
"You idiot!!" yelled a voice from above—and suddenly a figure drop-kicked Cyndrith in the back, sending her crashing into the floor.
"Lucius, buddy! You're back!" grinned the attacker.
"Ramiel, you bastard!!" Cyndrith shrieked, scrambling up. "Get off me before I murder your ass!!"
Ramiel leapt into the air, his bird-like wings flapping gracefully. He was a good looking young man—brown-skinned with soft pink eyes, each marked by a faint 'X.' His ears were feathered, and his smirk was the very definition of smug.
"Tch. Always so loud, dumb vampire," Ramiel scoffed.
"What did you say?!" Cyndrith screamed. "You're the idiot who landed on me! Who does that to a lady?!"
"Lady, my ass," Ramiel muttered. "You were swinging your sword like a maniac."
"Says who?! I was rocking this summer dress and you ruined it! I swear, if I don't stab you today, I won't sleep tonight!!"
She charged at him, sword raised, as Ramiel barely managed to dodge, flying in wild loops while she chased after him, slashing with fury.
"...It's already so loud, and we just got back," Lucius whispered, tears of exhaustion welling in his eyes.
"Well, don't worry," Dandrol said with a laugh. "You two can sit in the lounge and meet the new recruits."
"Oh? We have new members?" Anisia asked, blinking.
"What's with that suspicious tone?!" Dandrol shot her a mock glare.
"Guild master, most people avoid our guild like it's cursed. We always have the highest injury rate out of all the guilds. Not deaths, but we're always dragging someone back with a broken arm or two," Anisia said dryly.
"That's 'cause we actually fight to protect others," Dandrol huffed. "The other guilds run when it gets hard. We stand our ground."
"True," Lucius chuckled, finally sinking into a cozy chair by the lounge.
A soft voice drifted toward them. "Anisia, I see you're as pretty as ever."
Anisia turned to see a young man leaning on the table nearby. He had short blonde hair, fair skin, and beautiful orange eyes. A rose poked out from his lips as he grinned at her.
"Glad to see you're alive too, Ivar," Anisia replied coolly.
"Marry me," he said smoothly, removing the rose and offering it.
"No way," Anisia said without missing a beat.
"So cold…" Ivar sighed dramatically—and melted into a puddle of translucent blue slime. His true form was a slime.
"Stop being dramatic, Ivar," a warm voice said with a laugh.
A woman stepped forward, balancing a beautifully decorated cake in her hands. The top was sprinkled with sugared berries and delicate frosting roses, a small flag stuck into the center that read 'Welcome Back!'
She placed it gently on the table in front of Anisia.
"Ehh… Peppermint… please, who is this for?" Anisia asked, her voice suddenly tense.
"For you, of course!" Peppermint said proudly, flashing a bright smile. Her wavy purple hair bounced around her shoulders, and her soft brown eyes twinkled with joy. She was one of the older guild members, graceful and elegant—until she stepped into the kitchen.
Anisia's smile froze. Sweat beaded down her forehead.
"P-Peppermint... did you cook it?"
"Of course!" Peppermint replied without hesitation, her hands on her hips.
A faint gasp came from someone nearby. Lucius visibly paled.
Anisia's lip trembled. "W-Well... last time I ate your food, I ended up in the sick ward for a while week."
"I promise it's better now!" Peppermint said with a little pout, clearly offended. "I've been practicing with Mei and following every recipe by the book."
The room went quiet. Dozens of eyes turned toward Anisia.
Anisia let out a shaky breath. "Alright. I'll trust you."
Everyone leaned in as she picked up a spoon and cut into the soft, creamy slice. The cake looked perfect—fluffy layers, glistening jam, crisp frosting. But the guild knew all too well: Peppermint's food looked divine and tasted like a magical disaster.
Anisia brought the spoon to her lips, swallowed… and went eerily still.
The silence stretched.
"Did… Did Peppermint's food actually improve?" someone whispered.
"I-It can't be…" another muttered.
Then—
"You guys," Lucius said, deadpan, pointing at his sister, "she's out cold."
Anisia's body slid sideways in her chair and collapsed to the floor with a soft *thud*.
A stunned gasp rippled through the hall.
"Her food sent an S-Class adventurer into a coma!!" a new recruit cried out in horror.
"I told you guys," groaned an older member. "Her cooking defies logic and reason!"
Peppermint huffed, crossing her arms.
"You're all just mean. No appreciation for the finer things in life," she grumbled. Then, she turned sharply. "Ivar, come eat the rest."
"Y-Yes, ma'am…" Ivar muttered, beads of sweat rolling down his temple as he stepped forward like a soldier going to war.