Kaze stood at the entrance of the manor, gazing at the grand structure that would soon become the home of his newly formed guild. The place had been prepared for him, courtesy of the king's approval. The sheer size of the building was staggering—its towering spires and elegant arches almost felt like it belonged to a royal family, not a single man and his growing band of adventurers. Luna stood beside him, her quiet gaze taking in the surroundings, while Princess Anisa flitted around, inspecting the design as well.
After a brief tour, Kaze found himself drawn to the largest room in the manor, the one that would serve as his personal space. It was spacious, luxuriously furnished, with large windows letting in streams of sunlight. The bed in the center was enormous—clearly meant for a king, not an adventurer. Kaze dropped onto it with a sigh of relief, testing the softness. As his head sank into the plush pillows, a rare thought crossed his mind—he had never really had the luxury of comfort in his past life. But now, with the responsibility of leading a guild, it seemed oddly fitting.
As he lay there, Kaze's thoughts wandered back to his *status window*. He hadn't checked it in a while, and his curiosity piqued. Maybe there had been some kind of change—after all, he'd been involved in some rather significant events lately. Perhaps he had leveled up?
Kaze opened the system menu and immediately saw the familiar screen pop up in front of him. His eyes scanned the list of titles and information. His temporary titles, the ones that had marked his strange journey thus far, were gone. All that remained was his title as the **Saint of Despair**. The fake notification still lingered by the side, indicating he was an SS-rank adventurer, but the numbers and stats didn't seem to align with that grandiose status.
The most troubling realization hit him like a wave. His **level had not increased at all**. In fact, it remained at level one.
Kaze blinked and rubbed his eyes, almost not believing what he was seeing. **He hadn't killed a single monster**. Not even one. Sure, he'd *commanded* them, but that was different. He hadn't *earned* the experience. There was no shared experience system in this world, it seemed, and Kaze couldn't help but feel a deep pang of regret.
*So, this is my fate…* he thought bitterly. *I'll be level 1 forever.*
The realization crushed him internally, but he quickly buried the emotions. No one could know his weakness, not even his guild. He had to build Veilborne into the strongest guild in the kingdom, if not the entire continent. It wasn't just for power or status—it was for his own safety.
As he steeled himself, the sounds of the manor around him reached his ears—Luna and Anisa talking in the distance, likely discussing the details of the guild's formation. He wasn't ready to face them just yet, so he decided to focus on what came next.
---
Later that day, Kaze stood with Luna and Princess Anisa as they discussed the next step of their guild-building plan. Kaze knew that the key to his guild's success would be finding strong recruits. And while he didn't have much experience in this new world, his gut told him that he had a knack for finding *luck*.
That's when the thought hit him.
*The slave market.*
He hesitated for a moment, not sure if such a thing even existed here. His gut told him it did, and he turned to Luna and Anisa.
"Does the slave market exist in this kingdom?" Kaze asked, his voice quiet but filled with curiosity.
Luna raised an eyebrow. "It does. Though, it's heavily regulated. Why do you ask?"
Kaze's eyes narrowed, thinking of the potential for strong recruits. "I want to see it."
Anisa gave him a pointed look, clearly skeptical, but nodded. "I'll have some guards escort us."
---
The journey to the market was swift, and soon Kaze found himself standing before rows of cages and stalls, each filled with various individuals. Some were injured, others looked malnourished, and a few appeared downright hostile. He knew he was looking for potential—people who had strength, talent, or skill that could be honed under his guild's banner.
As he walked through the rows, he noticed the strange feeling of the status windows that popped up. He couldn't see abilities or stats clearly, but he could sense the level of power each individual carried.
That's when he noticed them.
Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, locked in the same cage. The twins, Chris and Ana, both around fifteen years old, had a quiet, observant air about them. Their status windows appeared dim, but Kaze could feel the power radiating from them. They weren't ordinary.
He asked to see their status windows, and after a quick scan, he understood. Neither of them had abilities that Kaze could see, but both were listed as **level 50**.
His breath caught.
*Level 50?!*
"That's unusually high for their age," Luna muttered beside him. "They must have been through a lot. But how did they end up here?"
Kaze didn't have an answer, but he did know one thing. These two had potential. His luck had struck again.
He turned to the twins, his voice steady. "I'll buy you. You'll be free. And in return, I'll offer you a place in my guild."
The twins blinked in surprise, but their eyes softened with gratitude. Chris stepped forward, his face serious. "We'll be loyal to you, Kaze Arashi. We promise."
Kaze smiled slightly. "I'm counting on you."
---
As the purchase was completed, Kaze turned to face the matter of his guild's structure. He quickly decided that Luna would serve as the first S-rank member of Veilborne, taking on the role of general.
"I trust you, Luna," Kaze said with a nod. "You've got the experience. I'll need someone I can rely on."
Princess Anisa, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow. "And me? What role do I get?"
Kaze grinned, already anticipating the question. "Vice Guild Master. You're the best choice for that position."
Anisa blinked in surprise. "Really? Vice Guild Master?"
"Of course," Kaze said, shrugging. "Who else?"
---
Back at the manor, preparations for the guild's future were underway. Kaze left the design of the manor itself to Princess Anisa, trusting her instincts for grandeur. It would become the heart of Veilborne, the place where his guild would grow strong. Meanwhile, Kaze sent word to Aaron, the seasoned Aether Guild guildmaster, to help with the construction of a new building—a separate quarters for his guild members.
"Let's get ready for the future," Kaze murmured to himself.
---
And so, with the manor set up and the first members of his guild joining, Kaze's journey as the leader of Veilborne had officially begun. What would come next, however, was far from certain...
---
Days passed, and the estate that would become Veilborne's stronghold continued to take shape. The manor, with its towering spires and lavish architecture, exuded an air of authority. Kaze dedicated most of his time overseeing the construction, carefully planning the future of his guild. However, a quiet undercurrent of excitement was spreading, both in the city and beyond.
It began with rumors—whispers among adventurers and merchants alike. An SS-rank adventurer had formed a guild, and not just any adventurer, but Kaze Arashi, the *Saint of Despair*. The news spread fast, traveling from the capital to neighboring towns, and soon further across the kingdom. The word was carried by traders, adventurers, and travelers eager to share the gossip.
Some were intrigued by the prospect of joining a guild led by someone so exceptional. Others saw it as a challenge—a new rival they would need to contend with in the future. The news reached far and wide, and the streets began to fill with people, eager to see what Veilborne had to offer.
Kaze sat in his study, gazing out over the busy streets below. He wasn't worried, not in the slightest. The surge of interest only reaffirmed that he was on the right path. His focus remained on one thing.
*The Five Shadows.*
Luna, the first to join him, had already taken her place as a key member of Veilborne, but Kaze knew that the guild would need more than just strength. It needed structure, leadership, and capable individuals to help it thrive. His thoughts drifted to the other *Shadows* he would eventually need. But for now, he had to solidify Luna's position.
"Luna," Kaze said, his voice calm but determined. "You're the first of my shadows. I'll need your loyalty and strength to help me build this guild."
Luna nodded solemnly, her expression serious. "I'll give you everything I have, Kaze Arashi."
"That's exactly what I need," Kaze replied.
---
Later that day, Kaze called Princess Anisa to his study. He had been considering the next steps for the guild—particularly its operations. The guild was growing quickly, and he needed someone to manage the front desk, someone capable of handling the flow of adventurers and ensuring everything ran smoothly. He didn't have time to focus on the day-to-day logistics while managing more pressing matters like recruitment.
"Anisa," Kaze began as she entered, "I need your help. I want you to recommend someone to manage the front desk. Someone with organizational skills and a sharp eye for detail. I can't handle everything myself."
Anisa raised an eyebrow. "You want me to choose someone? You don't have anyone in mind?"
Kaze shook his head. "No, I trust your judgment. You know the kingdom and its people. If there's someone reliable, I need them here."
Anisa took a moment to consider before nodding. "I'll look into it. I know a few capable candidates, but I'll make sure they have the skills to manage the demands of a growing guild."
"Exactly," Kaze agreed. "We're building something special here, Anisa. I need all the help I can get."
---
As the days passed, the news continued to spread, and Veilborne began to take on a life of its own. Adventurers from various regions came to the capital, eager to see what Kaze Arashi's guild had to offer. Some came out of curiosity, others driven by ambition, and a few were drawn by the rumors of the powerful Saint who commanded shadows.
Kaze, however, paid little attention to the growing crowd. His focus remained on the guild's future, specifically on recruiting the remaining *Shadows*. Luna, as the first shadow, was an excellent start, but Kaze knew the others were essential. He couldn't rely solely on luck.
---
Kaze sat in his office one afternoon, reviewing his plans for the guild's future, when he received a visitor—a messenger from Aaron, the guildmaster of the Aether Guild, an S-rank adventurer renowned for his experience in building guilds. The message was simple, but it carried immense weight.
Aaron had agreed to help Kaze with the construction of additional guild quarters. This was a crucial step in establishing Veilborne as a true force in the kingdom.
The messenger handed Kaze a set of blueprints and a map. Kaze studied them carefully, his mind racing with possibilities. With Aaron's assistance, Veilborne's future was looking even brighter.
---
The next day, Kaze stood in the courtyard, watching the bustle of activity around the manor. New faces were arriving daily, adventurers eager to join, to be a part of Veilborne's rise. But his thoughts remained focused on the future.
Luna stood beside him, observing the crowd. "The guild is growing fast, Kaze. Are you prepared for what comes next?"
Kaze nodded, a steely resolve in his eyes. "I'm ready. And I'll make sure this guild isn't just a legend—it'll be a force to be reckoned with."
---
With Luna at his side, the guild taking shape, and the future uncertain, Kaze's journey was just beginning.
But with the news of Veilborne's rise reaching far and wide, one thing was clear: the world was watching, and the challenges ahead would only grow more intense.