The guild hall didn't just quiet down when the doors swung open. It froze.
A wave of attention rolled through Golden Vanguard like someone had cast a spell—forks stopped mid-air, mugs hovered half-raised, even the usual loud adventurers swallowed their voices as three figures stepped inside.
Kyle leaned back slightly in his chair, eyes narrowing. `So this is them...`
The first one was easy to spot—the hero's aura wasn't subtle.
A young man, maybe around twenty, wearing polished silver armor that looked almost too clean. A sword hung at his hip, its hilt decorated with a simple crest. Black hair, black eyes, and—
`...Isn't he too short?` Kyle's gaze drifted up. `He looks like a natural fantasy novel hero... but why does his height make him look like someone who gets bullied after school?`
The hero stood straight—confident, or at least trying to be. But his height, which appeared to be around 160cm, makes him look a little funny.
He walked like he wanted the room to notice, and judging by the way heads turned, it worked.
Beside him walked a woman with a bow on her back and a quiver resting diagonally near her lower back. She moved with the relaxed confidence—light steps, shoulders loose, eyes sharp.
Her hair was soft red and tied back in a ponytail. Her expression a strange mix—a bright smile... with brows that looked permanently ready to start an argument.
Kyle blinked once. `Yeah... She must be the fun one in the party.`
She glanced around the room like she owned it, then leaned slightly toward the hero and said something under her breath. He stiffened slightly, then tried to suppress his smile.
Kyle's eyes shifted to the last member. And for a second—he forgot to breathe.
White hair fell softly beneath a sheer veil, and blue eyes that looked like an ocean. Her dress was white with golden embroidery, elegant and refined in a way that made the entire grimy guild hall feel... unworthy.
Even the way she stood was different. She was neither proud nor aggressive... just pure and noble.
`...My God.` Kyle felt his throat go dry. `She's... beautiful.`
Kyle had seen attractive women in his world and in this fantasy world—Alara was striking, Mira was... Mira—but this was on another level.
`This is the kind of face a church would paint on a wall and call it holy.`
And the worst part? She didn't look like she was trying. It was as if beauty existed for her. The reaction from the guild proved it.
Some of the men stared openly. One adventurer near the bar actually stood up without realizing it, mouth slightly open. A staff member behind the counter dropped a pen with a loud clatter, then hurried to pick it up while turning bright red.
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Is that... really her?"
"The Saintess..."
"He's the hero? No wonder the prophecy—"
"Holy shit..."
Mira, who was still sitting at the table, leaned forward with wide eyes.
"Wow..." she whispered, almost unconsciously.
Leo's arms crossed tighter. His gaze stayed on the hero, like he was measuring him.
Weston's expression was composed, but Kyle noticed the subtle shift—his posture straightening slightly, like instinctive respect.
Alara, despite the lingering injury, didn't look surprised. She looked... alert.
"The Hero... Arthur." she murmured, recognizing him by name like it was already common knowledge.
"The Saintess..." Mira's mouth twitched. "She's really that pretty in person!"
Kyle glanced sideways at Mira. `I can understand why the men are staring... but even you, Mira?`
The archer noticed the attention and didn't look bothered at all. If anything, she looked entertained. Her eyes swept across the hall, then she grinned like she'd just walked into a party.
The hero Arthur, lifted his chin slightly, as if the admiration was his right.
Kyle watched him. `He likes the attention.`
Arthur's gaze drifted toward The Saintess for a brief moment—quick, almost automatic—like he was checking whether she approved of him basking in it.
The Saintess didn't react. She simply walked, hands folded neatly, expression calm and warm in a way that felt... practiced.
Before anyone could approach, the guild staff at the counter moved quickly, whispering to each other, clearly unsure whether to bow, salute, or scream.
Then footsteps came from above—heavy and measured.
Kyle's eyes shifted toward the staircase that led to the upper offices of the guild.
A man descended slowly—broad-shouldered, seemingly middle-aged, with the kind of calm presence that didn't need an introduction. A sword hung at his side.
Old scars marked one cheek and part of his neck—clean scars, not messy ones. The kind that came from real fights and real survival.
He looked like someone who'd killed enough monsters to get bored of it.
The entire hall quieted again—but this time, it wasn't awe—it was instinct from his aura.
Kyle looked at the man's badge pinned to his belt. `A-rank...`
The man stopped at the bottom step and looked at the three newcomers with a steady gaze.
"Hero Arthur," he said, voice deep, calm.
Then his eyes moved to the Saintess. "Saintess Celestia."
Finally, to the Archer. "And the archer Kaia."
Arthur straightened more. "Guildmaster."
The guildmaster nodded once. "Welcome to Golden Vanguard's branch in Stonehelm."
There was no dramatic bowing, no cheering, no over-the-top praise. Just a professional greeting from someone who'd met far more impressive people than a newly prophesied hero.
Kyle liked that.
Arthur looked slightly thrown off for half a second—then recovered quickly, smiling like he'd expected this.
Celestia stepped forward with a graceful nod. "Thank you for receiving us."
Her voice matched her appearance—smooth, elegant, controlled. It carried through the hall without needing to be loud.
The guildmaster's gaze lingered on her a fraction longer than necessary, then returned to Arthur.
"I was informed you arrived last night," he said. "If you're here to register, report, or request resources, we'll do it properly."
Arthur nodded quickly. "We have several things to discuss. The dragon—"
Celestia's hand moved slightly, not noticeably... but enough for the hero next to her to notice.
Arthur immediately paused and corrected himself. "We'd like to speak privately."
Kyle's eyebrow lifted. `It seems that the one who controls the party is not the hero...`
The guildmaster turned slightly toward the stairs. "Then come. My office."
Arthur didn't hesitate.
Kaia walked with a relaxed stride, glancing around like she was still amused by the whole scene. Celestia followed last, calm as ever.
And as they passed Kyle's table—Kyle caught it.
A brief glance from Kaia, quick and sharp, sweeping over them like she was sizing people up.
Then she smiled—just a little—before turning away.
Kyle watched them head up the stairs.
The moment their feet hit the upper level, the guild hall slowly came back to life like someone had released pressure from a sealed room.
Chatter burst out.
"You saw her, right?!"
"They're really here..."
"I heard the Hero's father—"
Mira exhaled slowly, like she'd been holding her breath. "That was... something."
Leo leaned forward slightly. "He didn't look that impressive."
Weston hummed. "Impressive isn't always loud. But... yes. He still looks young."
Alara remained quiet, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Kyle didn't join the conversation immediately. Because his attention was focused on something else.
There were three transparent blue screens floating in front of him. Their status screens!
Before they disappeared completely behind the upper railing, Kyle called up each of their status screens.
Although they weren't currently within Kyle's field of vision, as long as he has summoned the status screen before they disappeared from view, their status screen will remain until Kyle closes it himself.
Kyle looked at the status screens in front of him, then focused on the first one.
[Name: Arthur]
[Strength: 65 | Intelligence: 28 | Endurance: 43 | Agility: 49 | Magic: 36]
[Affection: 0%]
Kyle stared for a second.
`...Yeah. Stronger than me.`
It was to be expected. Although the hero's prophecy appeared a year ago, his stats were very high compared to his age.
On the other hand, Kyle had been in this world for less than three months. Despite this, Kyle's growth level was very high with the help of the system.
Kyle's eyes flicked again.
[Name: Kaia]
[Strength: 40 | Intelligence: 25 | Endurance: 38 | Agility: 54 | Magic: 16]
[Affection: 0%]
Kyle's gaze lingered on that agility, then nodded slowly. `As expected of an archer.`
Then—The saintess.
Kyle's eyes sharpened the moment he saw her stats.
[Name: Celestia]
[Strength: 23 | Intelligence: 47 | Endurance: 29 | Agility: 32 | Magic: 68]
[Affection: 0%]
Kyle's mouth went slightly dry again. `...Magic sixty-eight.`
That wasn't just talented. That was monstrous potential—especially at their age.
But that wasn't what surprised him most—it was her intelligence stats.
`It's the highest intelligence stat I've seen so far...` Kyle's expression darkened. `I won't be able to control her mind any time soon.`
He glanced at their status screens for a moment, then realized something. `Damn! I didn't summon the Guildmaster's status screen.`
His appearance and aura suggested strength, and he was the first A-rank adventurer Kyle had ever seen. He had been curious about his stats.
Now, he forgot to summon his status screen... But who can blame him? Anyone would forget something like that with such divine beauty in front of them.
Kyle wasn't the type to be swept away by beauty. Yes, he might like a woman and change some of his decisions or plans to get her. But he wouldn't put himself in danger or cloud his judgment because of her.
But the saintess... she wasn't just beautiful, she was also extremely hot! Her breasts were the largest Kyle had ever seen. Even Eleanor's breasts couldn't compare to hers.
Her wide hips seemed perfect for childbearing. With a large, rounded ass that jutted from behind, her dress slid off it like a waterfall.
Kyle sighed quietly and dismissed the status screens in front of him.
On the surface, he leaned back like he didn't care. Like he was just another adventurer watching a famous party walk by.
Inside? His thoughts were moving fast.
`So that's the hero party.`
A short hero who loved attention.
A playful archer with sharp eyes.
And a Saintess who looked like an angel... with the kind of magic that could erase a battlefield.
Kyle let out a silent breath, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
`Controlling them will be interesting~!`