RIZZE [2]

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**Dan:** "No, I haven't joined any guild yet. But Emma, it might be less trouble if I join one. How about I join yours?"

**Shelly:** "You'll need to pass the test first."

**Dan:** "What's the test?"

**Shelly:** "It's simple. It—"

**Emma:** "For you, I'll make the test simple."

**Dan:** (Grinning) "That's my friend for you. So, what is it?"

**Emma:** "Simple—give me your first kiss."

**Dan:** (Laughing) "Okay, Shelly, explain it to me. What was the first option you mentioned?"

**Emma:** "But she didn't even say! The second option is easier."

**Dan:** "Rip it, Payco."

**Shelly:** "The test is straightforward. The number of monsters you defeat determines your top score."

**Dan:** "Some people said they'd check our backgrounds."

**Shelly:** "A hunter should have a powerful backing. Don't worry, you have Emma and my recommendation as well."

**Dan:** "Okay, Shelly, explain the test."

**Shelly:** "In the Sunshine Guild, people don't care about your rank, only your skills. If you kill an A-Rank monster, you qualify for Sunshine. The number of monsters you defeat matters. If you want to retake the test, you need to be the strongest hunter on your floor."

**Dan:** "Interesting. What about the 23rd floor?"

**Shelly:** "That's—"

**Shelly:** "If you want to become a member on the 23rd floor, you have to be on par with James Park for 12 minutes."

**Dan:** "James Park? Isn't he—"

**Emma:** "That's right, he's my dad. An SS-Rank hunter with 12 abilities."

**Dan:** "I've heard so many stories about him. He cleared an A-Rank dungeon all by himself."

**Emma:** "The portal is also called a dungeon. The monsters' ranks depend on the portal's rank. A portal has 3 levels:

1. The first level - 30-50 B-Rank monsters.

2. The second level - 10-30 A-Rank monsters.

3. The third level - S-Rank or SS-Rank monsters, depending on your luck."

**Emma:** "James Park is so powerful that he cleared an A-Rank dungeon alone. He even defeated an S-Rank monster by himself, which is twice as strong as an S-Rank human hunter."

**Emma:** "There hasn't been an S-Rank dungeon for many years. They say there was one, but James cleared it. The boss was SS-Rank and incredibly powerful."

---

**Dan:** (Reflecting) "That must have been so difficult for him. I heard he cried a little. And when he went alone right after his dungeon raid, he was heavily injured."

**Dan:** "I think he only appeared in public once or twice, right?"

**Emma:** "Yeah, he doesn't like making public appearances. He stays on the 23rd floor and rarely comes out. I handle all of his smaller tasks. For big tasks that I can't manage, he appears, deals with them, and then retreats to his room."

**Dan:** "Why is he isolating himself on the 25th floor? Why won't he show his face to the public?"

**Emma:** "He was embarrassed on the day of the A-Rank dungeon raid, showing his vulnerable side to people."

**Dan:** "It must be hard for him."

**Emma:** "So, when will you take the test?"

**Dan:** "How about tomorrow?"

**Emma:** "Okay, wait a sec. Shelly, go bring the leftover participation sheets from the bar."

Shelly brought a paper, filled it with my details, and signed it.

**Shelly:** "It's my recommendation, so you won't have trouble waiting in line."

**Dan:** "Thank you, Shelly. See you tomorrow."

**Haku:** "Kyuuuuuu."

**Dan:** (Startled) "Holy crap, Haku, you scared me! Didn't you say you wanted a treat?"

**Emma:** (Feeling a chill) "Why am I getting chills down my spine?"

**Dan:** "Emma-chan, you said you'd treat me today, right?"

**Haku:** "Kyeea."

**Emma:** "So that's the reason... I'm going to go bankrupt today."

Emma, Shelly, Haku, and I had a great time, but we emptied Emma's pockets. I forgot to go home for three days—I hope no one robbed it.

**Emma:** (Remembering) "Oh, I forgot to mention something."

Emma threw a set of keys to me.

**Emma:** "That's a new villa I bought for you yesterday."

**Dan:** (In shock) "Whaaaat?! A new villa for me?"

**Emma:** "Why so serious? Don't worry, all your stuff from your old house has already been moved to your new place. Shelly said you had a lot of trouble paying the rent."

I started crying and ran to hug Emma.

**Emma:** (Playfully) "Are you coming to hug me again? Okay, but it's the last time."

**Dan:** (Grinning) "Hey, move aside."

**Emma:** "Huh?"

I hugged Shelly instead.

**Dan:** "Shelly, you're the only one who really cares about me."

**Shelly:** (Blushing) "(Blushes)"

**Emma:** "Hey, I bought the new villa for you!"

**Dan:** (Laughing) "Shelly, from now on, you're my best buddy."

**Emma:** (Annoyed) "Hey, are you even listening to me?"

**Dan:** (Teasing) "Yeah, I forgot about you!" I hugged Emma too.

**Emma:** (Softly) "Now, now, don't cry—"

**Dan:** (Defiantly) "Hey, who's crying? It's your duty to take care of your friends."

She playfully hit my head, and I ran away with her chasing after me. We had fun the whole time, and Haku was there too. We both got tired and fell asleep. I think Shelly carried me home and left.

---

**In the dream:**

**Rizze:** "You had a good day, kid. I didn't expect you to turn out more handsome than before. I thought you'd look scary with that tattoo, but you made it look stylish."

**Dan:** "Jemmm... Huh? Who is this? What, it's the cheater who cheated on me! Hey, show me that cloud girl again!"

**Rizze:** (Offended) "What, cheated? I'm not your girlfriend, right?"

**Dan:** (Annoyed) "Shut up."

**Rizze:** (Laughing) "What? I'm not that beautiful 17-year-old girl!"

**Dan:** (Mocking) "Let me rephrase that. You're an ugly 'trillions of years old' grandma."

**Rizze:** (Laughing) "Can't forget the kid who wet his pants when he first saw me. Now he's making jokes about me!"

**Dan:** (Defiant) "I was a kid before, not now. Now I'm your user, and you're my spirit."

**Rizze:** (With angry, dominating eyes, giving off a fearsome bloodlust) "What was that again?"

**Dan:** (Fake laughing) "Haha. How was my joke, Malam? I got a bit angry yesterday, don't take it to heart, Malam."

**Rizze:** (Loosens her bloodlust) "Okay, we're even now. Your little companion is cute and special. She came to my world with you, and she's also sleeping."

**Dan:** (Alarmed) "What?!"

**Rizze:** (Impressed) "An SS-Rank monster would fear my blood, but your dragon is sleeping soundly. I'm impressed with how deeply connected you two are."

**Dan:** (Proud) "That's my little princess for you."

**Rizze:** (Smiling) "Nice, I want to give your princess a little gift."

She made a pill with her blood and threw it onto Haku's body. Haku's body absorbed the pill without her even knowing.

**Rizze:** "This girl absorbed my gift so easily while sleeping. Her body is really special. You've got a legend as your companion, kid."

**Dan:** (Confused) "What legends again? Am I a legendary hero to attract so many legendary things?"

**Rizze:** (Looks at him stupidly) "Kid, you're so full of yourself."

**Dan:** (Laughing) "I was just kidding! Which legendary dragon is it again?"

**Rizze:** "I'm not from this planet, so I'm not sure yet, but it's a very powerful dragon. It may even evolve and turn into a Dragonoid."

**Dan:** (Excited) "What, Dragonoid? You mean my little princess will turn into a beautiful lady? Oh, how cute she'll be!"

**Rizze:** "Yeah. A human-form dragon. Tomorrow is your test, right?"

**Dan:** "Hey, how did you know?"

---

**Rizze:** "I know everything you do in a day, kid. I'm your spirit."

**Dan:** "Hey, call me Dan! I'm not a kid anymore."

**Rizze:** "Only close people who are important to you can call you that, right?"

**Dan:** "Hey, you just said it yourself, you're my spirit, which means you're my soul, so you're the closest person to me."

**Rizze:** (Blushing) "What? Soul? Idiot."

**Dan:** "Hey, did you just blush?"

**Rizze:** (Blushing) "What the—who blushed?!"

**Dan:** (Laughing) "Can't believe a girl who scared an entire planet is blushing!"

**Rizze:** "Don't tease me, Dan. Now, back to your world. You'll be surprised by my gift during the test."

**Dan:** "Hey! Don't go, I haven't even—don't change the topic, you blushed! Wait, did I wake up from the dream again? Where's Haku?"

**Dan:** "Haku? Haku?"

**Haku:** "Kyuuus."

**Dan:** (Finding Haku under the blanket) "What? You're under the blanket? Come here, my princess. Are you hungry again?"

**Haku:** "Kyuuu."

**Dan:** "Come on, let's eat until our stomachs burst in today's match! Wait, I didn't notice, but this room is awesome. Wait, did Emma say she bought me a new villa? Is this it? Let me see the villa first—what the heck, it's a three-floor duplex house! Who's going to stay here with me? And there's a swimming pool too, it's so large! Each floor has a big hall and four master bedrooms, a big kitchen, and a bathroom with a bathtub and a TV in front of it. I love you, Emma! Hey, as a friend, this villa is awesome!"

---

**Dan:** (Freaking out) "Haku, that's enough. You've played a lot, and you might catch a cold. Besides, today is our test, and you should be completely fine for it."

**Haku:** "Kyuu!"

I put on the nice clothes Emma bought me. Wait a second—I don't even know the route to Sunshine Guild from my new house! I slept in the car yesterday, so I have no idea where to go. Is this villa surrounded by trees? Is it in the forest? Next time, I should copy someone's flight ability. Wait, can't Haku turn large and fly me to the guild? That would make things easier. Let me ask her.

**Dan:** "Haku, can you turn into a big dragon to carry me to Sunshine Guild? I'm not forcing you, but if you can't—"

**Haku:** (Transforming into a big dragon) "Kyuuuu!"

**Dan:** (Amazed) "Even after turning into a big dragon, you're still cute. Let's fly to Sunshine Guild!"

**Haku:** "Kyuuuuu!"

I stood on Haku, and she floated gently into the air. It felt like I was standing on air. Just then, I got a call from Shelly.

**Shelly:** "I'm sorry, I'm on my way to pick you up."

**Dan:** "No need! Go directly to Sunshine Guild."

**Shelly:** "Wait, how are you getting there without a vehicle from the villa?"

**Dan:** "I'm flying on Haku's back."

**Shelly:** "What?! She can fly? She turned into a big dragon?"

**Dan:** "Yep, I was shocked at first, but it's awesome to fly."

**Shelly:** "Be careful! Don't—"

**Dan:** "Okay, bye!" *Whoooo!*

It was my first time in the air, but I wasn't afraid. I was shouting with excitement. When I saw the Sunshine Guild building, we started to land. People began to murmur.

**Person 1:** "Hey, look! It's a dragon!"

**Person 2:** "What?! Is it another monster that came out from a portal? But it's cute, though."

**Person 3:** "Are you blind? Can't you see someone riding it? It's a familiar, summoned by a Summoner."

**Person 4:** "How can someone summon such a beautiful dragon like that?"

I landed on the ground. As soon as I did, Haku turned back to her original size and rested on my shoulder.

**Person 5:** "Did you see that? The dragon turned into a small one and is now resting on his shoulder."

**Girl:** "That man is so stylish and hot. And that dragon is cute. They look good together."

People were staring at me. From the crowd, two people stepped out. They introduced themselves as Kelix and Crystal, and apparently, Kelix is Crystal's brother.

**Crystal:** "I'm a B-Rank hunter with three abilities. Nice to meet you, sir. May I ask your name?"

**Dan:** "Oh, me? My name is Daniel, a B-Rank hunter with two abilities."

**Kelix:** "Haha, I'm Kelix, a C-Rank hunter with one ability. Nice to meet you."

**Crystal:** "Sir, can I touch your dragon softly, please?"

**Dan:** "Sure, go ahead."

Crystal touched Haku, but Haku didn't act cute. She thought Crystal was going to eat her because Crystal was drooling over Haku's cuteness.

**Crystal:** "Aww, so cute! What's its name, Mr. Daniel?"

**Dan:** "Haku."

**Crystal:** "Haku, haha, that's adorable."

**Kelix:** "Sorry about that. My sister is addicted to cuteness."

**Dan:** "Oh, I understand. Girls can't resist cute things."

**Kelix:** "Thank you for understanding. By the way, are you a participant too?"

**Dan:** "Yeah, I came on a recommendation."

**Kelix:** "A recommendation? That's rare. Who recommended you?"

Before I could answer, the announcer began announcing the test.

**Announcer:** "All participants, please form a line. I think everyone knows the rules, so let's not waste time. If you're afraid of dying, don't participate. We need hunters who have no fear of death. If you die during the match, we're not responsible. Use your mana carefully. If it depletes, just give up."

He continued, "For those who received a recommendation, please go to the other side of the arena."

**Person 6:** "Hey, who in the Sunshine Guild can recommend someone anymore? I don't think there's anyone here who could recommend anyone."

As I walked toward the recommended participants' zone, people began to murmur again.

**Person 7:** "Look, someone's going to the recommendation zone!"

**Person 8:** "He's the same guy who flew in on the dragon. He's a Summoner! Who in the world recommended a Summoner? Hahaha."

**Person 9:** "Nah, that guy's just showing off. Someone probably fooled him into thinking they were from Sunshine Guild and took his money. Poor guy. I pity him."

When the announcer checked my form, he announced:

**Announcer:** "The participant has been successfully recommended by the Sunshine Guild. Please go straight and take a left. Your test will start soon."

**Dan:** "Oh! Thank you."

**Person 10:** "What?! He was really recommended? Who in the world recommended a B-Rank hunter?"

Suddenly, from the crowd, two familiar faces emerged and started protesting. It was Elena and Logan.

**Elena:** "Hey! Can't everyone see? That guy is a B-Rank hunter with an A-Rank familiar! He probably stole the dragon."

**Person 11:** "Yeah, that might be it. Who could have recommended someone like him? He shouldn't be allowed to take the test."

**Logan:** "I'm a low-floor member of Sunshine Guild, and I object! This guy must have stolen someone's familiar."

**Random Girl:** "I thought he was handsome, but he's a thief!"

The announcer, who was an A-Rank hunter, got angry and shouted:

**Announcer:** "You worthless insects! He was recommended by Commander Shelly. Do you still object now?"

The crowd immediately went silent. I didn't know why, but one thing was clear—Shelly wasn't someone with a low position in the Sunshine Guild.

**Elena:** "That might be a fake recommendation!"

**Crowd:** "Yeah, it might be fake! How could Commander Shelly recommend someone like him?"

**Logan:** "I'm a low-floor member of Sunshine Guild, and I order everyone to kick him out!"

**Emma:** "I'm the official owner of the 23rd floor. If anyone tries to kick him out, they'll deal with me."

---

The scene was set, and Dan's trial by fire had begun. He stood ready, facing the unknown challenges ahead with a blend of excitement and determination. With the support of his friends and the aura of his powerful familiar, Dan was prepared to prove himself and carve his path in the world of hunters.

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