Chapter 63
After introductions, it was time to apply to establish the guild.
That was why I'd asked everyone to gather here at the 〈Guild Application Desk〉.
To establish a guild, we had to meet three requirements.
They had to verify that we'd met them, as well as confirm the identities of everyone joining.
Everyone filled out an application and submitted it at the desk. Then all that was left was to scan our student IDs.
"What would you like to name your guild?"
The young female employee at the counter asked us.
I'd already decided on the answer to that question.
"〈Eden〉."
I answered without hesitation.
It was the perfect name for my real-life 〈Dan-Katsu〉 experience.
A paradise that had come to me out of nowhere after my dream came true.
There couldn't be a better name.
"Let me confirm. 〈Eden〉, is that correct?"
The receptionist asked all five of us.
"〈Eden〉? I like it! It's got a nice ring to it."
"Yes. I have no objections."
"I like it too. It's kind of growing on me."
"Yeah. I think it's great."
All four of them seemed to like it.
I'd prepared second and third choices in case the princess balked and rejected it, but I'm glad our top choice made it through. It was worth racking my brain yesterday.
"Understood. Your application to establish a guild is now complete. My heartfelt congratulations on the founding of the F-Rank Guild 〈Eden〉."
We accepted her congratulations with smiles.
And so, our guild 〈Eden〉 was officially approved and founded.
After receiving the guild room key, the important notices, and the guild approval documents, our application was complete. The princess spoke, looking like she couldn't wait another moment.
"Hey, let's go see our guild room right now!"
"Sounds good. Since everyone's here, let's go check it out!"
That was what we all wanted, so we headed straight to the guild room.
Estelle asked where it was, and we checked the room number on the documents together.
"Lord Zephyrus, where is our guild room?"
"Let's see... Oh! Looks like it's on the fifth floor of Guild Hall Building A."
Talk about VIP treatment. Well, I guess it's because we have so many people who deserve special treatment, like the princess.
After all, this academy has over a thousand guilds.
That's why there are five buildings called Guild Halls, just for F-Rank guilds.
Building A is for people of importance. The top floor had been VIP-only in the game, inaccessible unless you were on a quest in New Game Plus, but things like this were different in real life.
When we went outside to head to Guild Hall Building A, I felt a stir go through the people nearby.
We'd attracted attention again.
The students' gazes were fixed on me in my 〈Sky Series〉 gear, the princess following behind with her 〈Silver Tiara〉 sparkling, Estelle walking beside her as her guard, and Shiera, the daughter of a count from a family famous as the 〈Royal Family's Shield〉.
Hanna was hiding in my shadow to avoid their gazes.
"Hey, isn't that..."
"What is that amazing lineup?!"
"Princess Rana, the rumored 【Hero】, the talented knight Estelle, and Lady Shiera of the Shield family..."
"I can't see the last person..."
"Yeah, but they must be someone who can hold their own among that incredible group."
"Did they form a party?"
"No, that building is supposed to house the 〈Guild Application Desk〉."
"Th-then does that mean they just applied to form a guild? And they're still first-years?!"
"Look at the proof on 【Hero】's chest. He's got the 〈Grassland〉 proof on."
"What?! He already cleared the mid-beginner level?!"
From what I overheard, that made sense.
The women seemed to be quite famous, too. If anything, I almost felt like they were getting more attention than me.
Meanwhile, Hanna's stock had shot way up. All I could do was wish her luck.
"How annoying..."
Shiera was fed up with all the stares, but the princess and Estelle didn't seem to mind.
Maybe they were just used to it.
Once we reached Building A under the weight of everyone's attention, the onlookers scattered off somewhere.
There was only one reason people would think we'd gone into the Guild Hall.
The rumor that we'd founded a guild would surely spread throughout the academy by the end of the day.
"Phew, we finally made it."
When we arrived at our guild room, Hanna let out a weary sigh.
I took out the key, unlocked the door with a click, and went inside.
F-Rank guild rooms were usually bare. They only had ten chairs and desks.
But the VIP room had somewhat brighter wallpaper, along with white desks and chairs that were a little more luxurious. Still, even VIP treatment only went so far for an F-Rank guild. It was just as bare as ever.
Hanna staggered over to one of the chairs, sat down, and slumped over it.
"Oh, Hanna, are you all right?"
"Lady Shiera, this has been a lot for me..."
"Honestly. I've told you that you can call me Shiera."
"I couldn't do that..."
Hanna trembled and muttered in fear, "Did I really join some kind of outrageous guild after all...?" Shiera tried to comfort her.
Well, she'll get used to it. There was no way I'd let Hanna leave at this point, so she'd just have to adjust.
The princess and Estelle were wandering around the empty room, looking curious.
"Hey, what are we supposed to do in this room?"
Apparently satisfied that there really wasn't anything in it, the princess came over with Estelle, looking perplexed. They'd rushed in all excited earlier, but the bare room had left them disappointed.
"Well, the first thing we should do is put this up."
As I said that, I took a household shrine and the sacred object of us 〈Dan-Katsu〉 players, 〈Lucky Cat-sama〉, out of my 〈Item Bag (Capacity: Large)〉.
"A white cat plushie?"
"I-It's cute."
Oh, it seemed Estelle liked stuffed animals. I'd keep that in mind.
But 〈Lucky Cat-sama〉 was a sacred object, so I couldn't let anyone touch it.
I put the shrine where the blackboard would normally be, then placed 〈Lucky Cat-sama〉 in the center.
In an instant, a pale-orange glow effect spilled out and filled the room.
"W-What is this?!"
"...It's beautiful."
The princess cried out in surprise at the sudden phenomenon, while Estelle's eyes sparkled.
Hanna's tears temporarily dried up as she looked around the room, and Shiera's eyes widened at the sudden sight, too.
"〈Lucky Cat-sama〉, 〈Lucky Cat-sama〉, please grant us 'Good Fortune.'"
I clapped twice and bowed my head in prayer.
Then, sure enough, the 'Good Fortune' Skill appeared in my status.
"All right!"
That was the power of 〈Lucky Cat-sama〉.
Its official name was 〈Cat That Brings Good Fortune〉, and it was a guild placement item. Displaying it in a guild room granted the Skill to everyone in that guild.
There were many other guild placement items, but I only had this one at the moment. And F-Rank guilds could only place one item, so we couldn't place any others.
After having the princess, Hanna, and Shiera check their statuses and confirming that they'd all gotten 'Good Fortune,' I pushed the desks together and took out a feast from my 〈Item Bag (Capacity: Large)〉.
Every dish had been handmade by Hanna.
Hanna's cooking was amazing, so the princess-class group would be satisfied. No question.
I'd had Hanna make it yesterday and this morning, anticipating that this might happen.
The glowing light filling the guild room created a lovely atmosphere.
Wouldn't it be perfect to have a party in a place like this? It was a celebration of our guild's founding, so let the festivities begin!
"All right, does everyone have a drink?"
"I've had mine for ages!"
As guild master, it was my job to lead the toast. I checked that everyone had a cup.
No need for a long speech, so I'd keep it brief.
"Then, I look forward to working with all of you! To Guild 〈Eden〉—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
After a modest toast, everyone took a sip from their glass.
It had been just under three weeks since I started playing 〈Dan-Katsu〉 in real life. I'd finally founded the guild I'd been aiming for.
The real fun of 〈Dan-Katsu〉 starts after you form a guild!
I'm going to enjoy this world of real-life 〈Dan-Katsu〉 to the fullest!
―――Real-Life 〈Dan-Katsu〉: Guild Founding Achieved.
Chapter One — End —