After the outrageous series of events in the headmistress's office, I walked out with a new, unexpected ally. A cool beauty who was the emotionless, and frankly intimidating, daughter of the headmistress herself. Tiffany Watson walked silently by my side, her expression a perfect mask of indifference. I'd already sent a message to the inner circle, telling them to meet at our usual spot.
On the way to the abandoned school building, she finally broke the silence, her voice as crisp and cool as an autumn morning.
"Why did you name your guild 'The Hunter's Guild'?" she asked, not looking at me.
I shot her a sideways glance, a small smirk playing on my lips. "You'll know when you meet them."
"Acting mysterious," she stated, a hint of something—annoyance? curiosity?—in her tone. "Okay. I'll wait." She was quiet for another moment before speaking again. "How are you even planning to win against those bullies? You have a pathetic and weak army of nobodies."
Her question was blunt, but she was right. It was a fair point.
"Have you ever thought about what an emotion is?" I asked, changing the subject slightly.
She gave me a look, as if questioning my sanity. "It's a set of random physiological and psychological reactions happening within us," she replied, her answer sounding like it was pulled straight from a textbook.
"Absolutely right," I said with a nod. "And anger is also an emotion."
"Yes. Then what?"
"Anger is an emotion caused by an adrenaline rush," I explained, my voice turning more serious. "When someone is on an adrenaline rush, they can exceed their physical and mental limits. The members of my guild… they are a force of pure, repressed rage. They have years of trauma, years of anger, just waiting to be unleashed. All they need is a guide. A leader to point them in the right direction. When I do, they will create havoc in this whole school. I assure you, this is a strategy, not an impulse. They have so much energy stored up; I just need to polish them into weapons."
She was quiet for a few minutes, processing my words. "You're right," she finally conceded. "But how can they beat their tormentors? Don't they have years of trauma holding them back?"
"That's also a very good question," I replied. "It won't happen in one day, and it won't be easy. But I assure you, when they finally overcome that trauma, when they turn that fear into fuel… they will become living weapons. Unstoppable."
She looked at me then, her piercing green eyes studying my face. "You know," she said, her voice flat, "you talk like a psychopath."
I just let out a small giggle. "Am I?"
With that little bit of banter hanging in the air, we reached our discussion room. The moment I pushed the door open, I found the whole crew already there. Anna, Jack, Padro, Ken, and Qasim were all sitting around our makeshift table, waiting. Then, just as I was about to step in, Isabel came running up from behind me, linking her arm possessively with mine and giving Tiffany a quick, almost imperceptible glare.
We all entered together. As everyone settled into their seats, I discreetly activated my [Appraisal] skill. First, I peeked at Anna's status, curious to see the effects of the "Grow Up" item.
Status
Name: Anna Brown
Strength: 90 (+40)
Agility: 150 (+20)
Endurance: 77 (+47)
Mentality: 200 (+30)
Intelligence: 277 (+27)
Mana: 60 (+60)
Potential: SS
Skills: [Expert Data Analyst], [Advanced Hacking Proficiency], [Experienced Programmer], [Great Escaper], [Master of Hiding], [Engineering]
Passive Skills: [Claustrophobia], [Nyctophobia], [Phasmophobia], [Glossophobia], [Agoraphobia], [Monophobia], [Phobic Resonance]
Superpower: [None]
The stat increases were incredible, and she'd gained two new skills. [Engineering] was interesting, but it was the new passive skill that caught my eye: [Phobic Resonance]. I'd have to ask the System about that one later.
Then, I turned my gaze to our newest member, the cool beauty sitting opposite me.
Status
Name: Tiffany Watson
Strength: 265
Agility: 223
Endurance: 250
Mentality: 356
Intelligence: 311
Mana: 0
Potential: A
Skills: [Psychologist], [Unparalleled Determination], [No Slacker], [Mastery in Archery], [Excellent War Strategist], [Stock Market Analyst], [Chess Champion], [Continuum Combat]
Passive Skills: [Fear of Loss], [Toxic Boss], [Superiority Complex]
Superpower: [None]
I don't know why, but every woman I met seemed to be ridiculously powerful. Her stats were monstrous, far higher than any of my Elites. Her skill list was insane—a psychologist, a war strategist, a master archer… she was a one-woman army. Her passive skills were… concerning. [Toxic Boss] and [Superiority Complex] sounded like a recipe for disaster. I felt a flicker of unease. These women could be a threat to me if I wasn't careful. I couldn't show any vulnerability.
"How is everyone doing?" I asked, my voice calm and confident, breaking the silence.
A chorus of "We're fine, Leader," came back. I looked at Anna, who was fidgeting nervously. "Are you okay, Anna?"
She looked up, startled, and gave a small nod. "Yes, Leader. I'm feeling fine," she replied in her usual timid voice.
"Good," I said. "This is the second official meeting since our guild was formed, and we have some important matters to discuss today. But before that, I want all of you to welcome two new core members to the Hunter's Guild. First, Miss Isabel Wilson. She is my stepsister."
Isabel stood up, a confident and radiant smile on her face. "I will be in your care," she said, her voice ringing with a strange energy. "And I hope we all do our best to achieve our goal."
The moment she finished speaking, I felt a new surge of motivation and determination wash over not just me, but the entire room. Ah, I thought with an internal smile. That's her passive skill, [Spirit Booster], at work.
"And," I continued, gesturing to the girl beside me, "please meet Miss Tiffany Watson. She will also be joining our Guild."
Tiffany stood up, her expression as cold and emotionless as ever. "I will also be in your care," she said, her tone flat.
"Now, I want all of you to introduce yourselves to our new members."
Jack went first, stammering a little under Tiffany's intense gaze. "I-I'm Jack Mullar. Adam and I are best friends. Thank you for having me."
Padro shot up from his seat. "Good morning, everyone! I'm Padro Escobar, and I am dead set to knock those bastards out! Also, this is my friend, Qasim Khan." Qasim just gave a respectful bow.
Then Ken stood up, and I braced myself.
"I am Ken Pots!" he declared, striking a dramatic pose. "The royal guard and right hand of my majesty, the Leader!"
Everyone just stared at him with weird expressions. I could understand how cheesy it sounded, but he said it with such unshakable confidence. That was his own special skill, I guess.
Finally, Anna stood up, her head bowed. "I… I'm Anna Brown, from the first year. Thank you for having me."
I noticed that while everyone had clapped for each other, no one had clapped for Tiffany. Her cold aura was clearly putting everyone on edge. I decided to ignore it for now.
"Now, it's time to designate positions," I announced. "First, the Vice Leader. Does anyone have a suggestion?"
Tiffany's hand shot up instantly. "I want to become the Vice Leader."
Her bluntness was almost impressive. I looked around the table at the others. "Does anyone have a problem with that? You can speak now."
No one said a word. They were all too intimidated by her.
"Good," I said with a nod. "From now on, Miss Tiffany will be our Vice Leader. She will manage things when I am not available. With that, we can wrap up this meeting. It's time we addressed the rest of the guild."
We all filed out of the small room and into the main hall of the abandoned building. Today, there were even more than thirty students waiting, their eyes filled with the same vengeful fire as the first day.
I looked at Tiffany. "You asked me a question earlier, about why our guild's name is The Hunter's Guild. Now, you'll get your answer."
I walked to the front, my passive skills activating, a palpable aura of leadership radiating from me. I stood before them, a king before his army.
"How are the members of the guild doing?!" I shouted, my voice deep and powerful, echoing off the high ceilings.
The room erupted in a roar. "Leader, we are improving ourselves!" "We will do everything you say, Leader!" "We just want to torment our tormentors!"
I let their energy build, a wild, chaotic symphony of rage and hope. Then, I raised my hand, and silence fell.
"I have selected a few from among us who will be assisting me in achieving our goal together," I announced. "They are our core. Please applaud them."
I introduced each member of the inner circle, who were now standing beside me. "These are the senior members in our guild. I want everyone to know them."
I paused, letting my gaze sweep over every single face in the crowd.
"Now, I will ask you a question!" I continued, my voice rising. "Why do we call ourselves 'The Hunter's Guild'?"
They shouted back in perfect sync, their voices a single, thunderous roar that made the floor tremble. "BECAUSE THE HUNTERS HUNT THE ANIMALS!"
"WHAT IS OUR MOTTO?!" I screamed.
"TO BECOME A NIGHTMARE FOR THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE NIGHTMARES!"
"I DON'T HEAR YOU!" I roared, pouring all of my power, all of my rage, into my voice. "DO YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT THEM WITH THAT LITTLE ENERGY? I WANT TO FEEL YOUR POWER!"
They responded with a scream so loud, so full of pain and fury and a desperate, burning hope, that it felt like it could shatter the very sky.
"TO BECOME A NIGHTMARE FOR THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE NIGHTMARES!"