-301- [ Moonlit Black Cats ]

"That..."

Rozen's question left Keita and his group somewhat speechless. The implication of this question was clear, and anyone could understand it.

"This is the familiar that 'Magus' is famous for. If we get our hands on it, not only could we sell it for a hefty sum, but if used properly, it might even help us become top-tier players."

Rozen spoke these words almost as if he was talking to himself.

"Since we have the chance to encounter something so rare, no matter what, we should at least try to see if we can tame it. If we could succeed... don't you all feel the same way?"

Rozen's nonchalant words silenced Keita and his group.

Especially Ducker, Tetsuto, and Sasamaru seemed like they were struggling with what to say. It was evident they had considered this question.

On the other hand, the girl named Sachi, who had been holding onto her lance all along, looked uneasy throughout, as if worried about something.

Keita, seeming to understand Sachi's thoughts, gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Saying that we haven't thought about it would definitely be a lie."

Keita met Rozen's gaze as he spoke.

"We're members of a guild too. Our dream is to one day become top players and join the clearing group."

Indeed, that was an admirable dream.

After all, it wasn't easy to achieve.

From their equipment, it was clear that Keita's group's levels weren't particularly high. Being on the 11th floor, a middle-tier floor, the members of their group who reached level 20 were considered high.

In contrast, the clearing group's players had an average level of 40, with Rozen being at a high level of 48 and even Kirito at level 44. The gap between Keita's group and the clearing group was quite significant.

Furthermore, the clearing group's players were always at the forefront, battling and gaining experience, money, and drops far superior to middle-tier players. They even regularly faced small bosses, mini-bosses, and even high-level boss monsters, resulting in a growing disparity between them and middle-tier players.

So, while achieving this wasn't impossible, it was certainly not easy.

However, Keita probably wasn't lying.

These five players did belong to the same guild, as evidenced by the black cat-like emblem on the upper-left corner of their HP bars.

"'Moonlit Black Cats'—that's the name of our guild."

Keita scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly as he seemed to notice Rozen's attention on their guild emblem.

"Though it's just a small guild with only the five of us, and we're pretty inconspicuous among all the guilds. We can't compare to the strongest guilds like 'Crimson Wing.' But it's precisely because of that, we can make choices like this."

Rozen already had a good idea of what Keita was trying to say.

In other words...

"Such a precious thing, even if we manage to obtain it, it's sure to attract the attention of other players," Keita's expression turned dark, "I don't want my companions to be in danger, let alone encountering orange-name players in the field, not to mention orange guilds or even red guilds."

—"Orange guilds."

As the name suggested, these were guilds formed by orange-name players, specializing in activities like robbery, theft, and banditry. They wouldn't hesitate to use any means to achieve their goals, including attacking and even killing other players.

Among these orange guilds, there were even some that existed solely for the joy of killing players without any specific purpose—criminal guilds. These especially malicious guilds were even further classified as "red guilds."

Thinking about it, once "Moonlit Black Cats" obtained the second Rainbow Butterfly on the entire server, they'd be targeted by orange guilds without a doubt. Not to mention various other solo orange-name players or green-name players with ulterior motives, who might resort to fraud and deception.

For the sake of huge profits, these individuals certainly wouldn't mind luring Keita's group out of the safe zone, into traps that would end with their deaths and the looting of their spoils.

Back on the 1st floor, many players had fallen into a life of robbery for money. Now, nearly half a year later, those players must have increased in number.

Just thinking about it made Keita choose to give up.

"Furthermore, such a powerful familiar, even if we were to possess it, it might end up being wasted. It's better to hand it over to the clearing group, to you. That way, it could be more beneficial for the clearing efforts," Keita said earnestly, "If it could help with clearing and rescue, making it easier for players to advance, that would satisfy us."

Keita's words were filled with sincere emotion as he spoke.

Hearing this tone, never mind Rozen and Kirito's reactions, even Ducker, Tetsuto, and Sasamaru, who were hesitant earlier, now had expressions of helplessness, yet they looked refreshed.

Clearly, while these three weren't as self-aware as Keita, they were good-hearted people.

Sachi, however, felt both relieved and extremely guilty when she looked at her companions.

Keita's group didn't see this scene, only Rozen and Kirito did.

The two exchanged a glance, but didn't reveal their understanding.

However...

"You're all good people."

Kirito spoke from the heart.

Even Rozen wore a rare genuine smile and nodded towards the group.

"Your dreams are remarkable. As a member of the clearing group, I'm looking forward to fighting alongside you someday. Keep up the good work!"

Rozen's encouragement led the players of the 'Moonlit Black Cats' guild to show excited expressions.

"Did you hear that? Tetsuto! The top player of the clearing group acknowledged us! And he's a member of 'Crimson Wing'!"

"I... I heard it!"

"We'll do our best!"

Ducker, Tetsuto, and Sasamaru responded in succession with great enthusiasm.

"Thank you very much."

Keita also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Rozen.

"Fighting together..."

Only Sachi lowered her eyelids slowly, not saying anything.

Kirito keenly noticed this and seemed somewhat concerned, his brow furrowing.

Though Rozen also noticed, he still turned to Keita.

"In that case, could you help us navigate?"

Upon hearing this, Keita nodded, and Ducker, Tetsuto, Sasamaru, and the others all agreed.

It was only at this point that Sachi finally spoke up.

"The area ahead is a high-level monster training ground. Is it okay for us to go in like this?"

Sachi expressed her unease.

However...

"What are you afraid of, Sachi! It's fine!" Ducker said confidently, "We have top players from the clearing group with us. The monsters on this floor are nothing to them!"

"Yeah!" Tetsuto nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry." Sasamaru smiled.

Seeing their reactions, Sachi could only close her mouth, and her expression eased slightly.

With that, the group entered the forest together.