Anemore thought as he looked around.

    He was certain that he had died.

    But why?

    There was still a lingering sensation, as if he were alive.

    Floating in the air, his body lay below him, clearly visible.

    But he could still think, and he could move.

    The problem was...

    Piiieekk?!

    Seong could see Anemore as well.

    At first, fear had risen within him, but that was no longer the case.

    In fact, instead of fear, emotions like trust, respect, and reverence began to bloom within Seong.

    Now, he realized that he could be a part of this great being.

    An overwhelming sense of emotion shook his form.

    No, although he was now a bodiless ghost, even his spirit trembled.

    If only he could offer strength to that magnificent existence, he would dedicate everything he had.

    As Anemore thought this, Seong approached and asked.

    "Would you come with me?"

    Piiieek——!

    Anemore nodded vigorously, clearly overjoyed.

    Once again, Seong proved why he was loved by all ghosts.

    Even though he had slain the very enemy who once opposed him, he fully received that love.

    It was a frightening power, no doubt.

    But it had always been the case with Seong.

    He didn''t pay it much mind and accepted Anemore.

    After all, he needed to make use of the ghost''s power.

    It was likely quite powerful, after all.

    Wouldn’t his stats rise considerably?

    As Seong absorbed Anemore’s memories and experiences...

    [You have achieved something impossible at your current level due to the "Unknown Power."] [Strength +2, Agility +10, Health +3 are permanently increased.]

    ‘Oh?’

    When Seong absorbed the memories and experiences of the Beastman Barfur, he gained a total of 8 points.

    Anemore, however, had gained 15 points, which was more than the Beastman Barfur.

    He had absorbed a stronger soul.

    The additional reward was more than satisfactory.

    What was more...

    [Your level is too low to turn the target into a "Soldier of Death."]

    This phrase appeared as Seong looked at Anemore’s body.

    It meant that if his level were high enough, he could turn him into a soldier.

    Although it wasn''t clear when this would happen.

    It would likely be stored in the Underworld just like the Beastman Barfur’s body.

    Hadn’t he done the same when he obtained the Beastman Barfur''s corpse?

    Later, Anemore would become a powerful ally.

    As Seong basked in his satisfaction, he was interrupted by...

    I dedicate this victory to my Lord.

    I-I offer this loot...

    Valtar and Fiora bowed and praised Seong, holding Anemore’s body as if it were a tribute.

    Looking at this scene, Seong thought:

    ‘Is this the next Legion Commander?’

    Anemore would surely serve as a worthy commander.

    As anticipation grew, Seong immediately opened the gate to the Underworld.

    The two, realizing his intent, took Anemore’s body and entered the Underworld.

    When all the soldiers re-entered the Underworld, Seong temporarily placed Anemore’s ghost into a vacant Giant Killer Bee Undead.

    Since the only undead currently flying was the Giant Killer Bee, it seemed like the best fit.

    With that matter settled, all the soldiers entered the Underworld.

    Thus, Seong could not hear the conversation between Valtar and Fiora.

    To think it’s really Fiora. Incredible.

    I-I''m happy to meet you too, Valt... Valt...

    Fiora, to think that your soul is now with the Lord—this means...

    Yes, yes!!! Helena-sama will also be with the Lord!!!

    The two exchanged words, genuinely thrilled by the prospect of reuniting with their old master who had once shown mercy even to a pathetic hero and sacrificed herself.

    However, Valtar, somewhat confused, asked:

    If your soul is here, what happens to your body? Without a soul, doesn’t the body remain unmoving?

    Ah, yes... That’s right...

    Hmm, I believe the Lord must have a plan. For now, you should remain in that body.

    I-I think so too.

    In a place where Seong couldn’t hear, the reason for the failure to awaken the baby shapeshifter was being revealed.

    0.

    Seong, having closed the gate to the Underworld, gathered Anemore''s body and spirit.

    Next on his mind were the raid rewards.

    The things he had just obtained were secondary rewards.

    Now, it was time to open the real rewards.

    The Luna team was still dazed, so it seemed like a good time to check the rewards.

    There were quite a few things to go through.

    First, he checked the title that was likely the lowest grade. He always saved the best for last.

    This time, Seong had received three titles, all related to the raid.

    They reacted with disbelief at Hwawol’s words.

    It was a time that other teams could only dream of. Yet Seong had defeated Anemore in that time.

    Would anyone surpass this record in the future?

    Would any team?

    At least from Luna Team’s perspective, they were certain that no one could.

    “The first hunt... a solo raid...”

    “... Isn’t this the first raid itself?”

    “Hm, was there ever someone like that~?”

    “Damn, there’s no way!”

    Hwawol spoke in frustration, but no one dared to challenge her words.

    No one could fail to understand how she felt.

    This was an utterly insane record.

    At first, there had been jealousy and envy.

    They had felt that Rapid Guild was training its members with all their might.

    And Luna Team was considered one of the best among the rookies, wasn’t it?

    That’s why Longfeng, Hwawol, and Elzahar had also shown some signs of jealousy.

    But now, they couldn’t even feel jealous.

    Jealousy was only possible if there was some kind of gap.

    There was no one here foolish enough to feel jealousy after seeing an overwhelming gap.

    And this record? No one, not just in Rapid Guild, but in any guild had ever heard of such an achievement.

    Not just in the East Asia server, but across the entire world.

    Which meant...

    ‘Hah.’

    ‘Hm.’

    ‘Unbelievable.’

    ‘...Perhaps.’

    A thought began to form: Could Rapid Guild be acquiring a new single-ranker?

    It was still a far-off idea, but...

    As they all entertained this thought, Luna suddenly remembered.

    Rapid Guild was one of the guilds that had been around since the early days.

    Yuna, too, had been part of that guild.

    But Luna knew that no one had managed to keep up with Yuna, and she still hunted alone.

    Though Yuna herself liked being alone, Luna remembered a time when even Rapid, the guild leader, had expressed some concern.

    -“I really wish I had a team member to back up Yuna. If it weren’t for that, we’d be in the top 5 by now... It’s such a shame.”

    Yuna had shrugged it off, saying it was fine, but those words had stayed with Luna.

    Because of this, Luna made a new determination and spoke to her team.

    “...I don’t think it’s time for us to just focus on individual activities anymore.”

    “...Then?”

    “Hm~ Let’s join forces?”

    “....”

    “I heard Yuna doesn’t have a backup team and has been leveling alone. If she had a team backing her, her rank would have already been much higher.”

    At this, everyone’s gaze wavered.

    Not just Luna Team, but everyone in Rapid Guild respected and admired Yuna.

    In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say everyone felt that way.

    That’s why so many were eager to back up Yuna, even if it meant helping her in her hunts.

    But the gap had grown so large that catching up wasn’t easy.

    Most had come to terms with this fact.

    And now, with Luna’s words, everyone understood.

    “If we keep going like this, Seong might end up the same...”

    “....”

    “....”

    “...”

    “Even if he might not need our help... how about we at least do our best to be his backup team?”

    Luna’s words seemed to hit them like a blow to the head.

    Everyone had the same desire to become the best.

    But what if they ran into reality?

    And what if they discovered someone who fit that role better than they did?

    Wouldn’t it be right to prepare to make him king?

    If they couldn’t be the king...

    “We make him the king.”

    At these words, everyone’s eyes lit up.

    Everyone nodded in agreement with Luna’s words.

    In a way, it could be seen as cruel reality, or perhaps a pathetic sight.

    It could be said that they had given in to reality and resigned themselves to it.

    But that didn’t matter.

    They would do whatever it took to become Seong’s backup team.

    As they solidified their resolve, someone approached and asked.

    “What were you all talking about?”

    Of course, it was Seong, and Luna, surprised, screamed out.

    “Ahhh!”

    “...?”

    Seong looked at her, confused.

    Why was she so upset seeing him?