Raizel was indeed surprised to see Cecilia among the rookies.

He had almost forgotten her words—how she'd said she'd be waiting for him at the Apex Guild during recruitment. And here she was, standing like a poised flower in full bloom, just as promised.

Before he could fully gather his thoughts, Cecilia turned toward him and spoke calmly, "Hmm… Raizel, you're calling me by my name?"

She tilted her head slightly, "Don't misunderstand… I'm not offended or anything. Just surprised."

Raizel gave a small, confident chuckle. "Yeah, I just felt like it."

Cecilia's lips curled into a faint, amused smile. "Oh? You've changed, Raizel. Good.. Is it the effect of becoming a member of Apex Guild?"

"Maybe," he replied with a shrug. "But aren't you surprised to see me here?"

"Not at all," she said, her voice gentle. "Because I believed in you, Raizel. And I was waiting for you here. "

Her eyes sparkled like shimmering pearls as she took a step closer and reached for his hand. Her soft dainty fingers brushed against his right palm, her touch light yet deliberate.

Raizel's body trembled as a strange buzz surged through him, like an electric jolt firing through every nerve ending. Something stirred deep inside—something old, something familiar.

The lingering emotions of the predecessor who had held Cecilia dear before him stirred to life, trying to merge with his own.

His heartbeat faster like a drum, his breath hitched, but he masked the reaction behind a calm front.

Across the hall, however, the scene sent ripples of disbelief through the rookies.

The group of young men, previously admiring Cecilia from afar, now stood with mouths agape, completely stunned.

Their dream goddess, so cold, so unapproachable, was now gently touching another man's hand, right before their very own eyes.

"Damn, motherfuc*er got all the dog's luck to be able touch Miss Rose's divine hand… and with that expression on her face? Unfair, man… seriously unfair."

Their Grumbles, sighs, and defeated stares echoed quietly around the room as their dreams were crumbling silently.

And Raizel?

He was deeply confused inside. "Why is this girl suddenly getting so intimate? Did I miss something?"

"Ooh, looks like someone's definitely enjoying their time," Navarna said, snorting with disdain at the duo.

"Ahem..."

Hearing her taunt, Raizel slowly pulled his hand back with a polite smile, not wanting to offend anyone.

Just then, the glass door opened once again.

Everyone's attention turned toward the source of the sound.

A middle-aged man entered alone, holding a stack of documents in hand.

His tall frame and confident stride commanded attention. He wore a dark military-style uniform with golden trims, and his chest was adorned with the Apex Guild insignia.

The aura he carried was calm but firm, like a man who had seen countless battles and survived to tell the tale.

Raizel and a few others immediately recognized him. It was Captain Joshua, the same man who had overseen the Recruitment Tests.

Captain Joshua scanned the room, his eyes briefly pausing on Cecilia, then Navarna, and finally resting a second longer on Raizel, as if sizing him up once again.

"Good," Joshua said with a smile. "You're all here."

"I'm Captain Joshua from Branch 17. First of all, congratulations to all ten of you for becoming official members of the Apex Guild, selected from among a hundred participants."

Raizel and the others nodded silently, maintaining composure as Captain Joshua continued,

"Today, I will be your instructor and guide, responsible for teaching you the duties and missions expected of new members in Branch 17."

"But before we begin, why don't we start with introductions? Let each of you speak one by one."

Following his instruction, the ten new recruits began introducing themselves.

Raizel listened attentively, mentally noting a few individuals who stood out from the rest.

Among them stood two young men with red talents—just like Cecilia. The others were impressive as well.

It was clear: these people were the best of the best.

The two red-talented young men stood proud and composed. Surprisingly, there was no arrogance or disdain in their eyes.

Maybe the truly gifted and noble didn't need to flaunt their achievements—unlike those who begged for attention with every word.

After the introductions, Joshua stepped forward to speak.

"Now that we're done with that," he said, "I'll share some secrets most people don't know. So listen carefully."

His tone shifted, serious and grave, as though he were about to unveil a deep truth.

Some of the rookies remained nonchalant—as if they already knew what was coming.

But Raizel's attention was locked in, curiosity blazing in his mind.

Was he finally going to learn the hidden truths beneath their feet?

Joshua continued,

"Have you ever wondered why we live like this? In high-raised cities? Surrounded by concrete? Why there's no open land… no oceans?"

"You don't know, do you? Then let me tell you the bitter truth behind this so-called prosperous civilization."

"Our world wasn't always like this. We had land, oceans… space to breathe. Nature to enjoy."

"But—"

"We lost it all after the emergence of the Supreme Game a century ago."

"That's right. You heard it correctly. The Supreme Game is the reason we lost our freedom."

"But it wasn't entirely the game's fault."

"When we first gained access to it through the Awakening Platforms, we humans explored that magical world with reckless hunger."

"We explored, we killed, we stole. We took resources without care, treating everything like they were mere NPCs, as if they were fictional and emotionless."

"But here's the dark truth…"

"They were real. They are real. They had lives. Wills of their own."

"And when they could endure no more, they retaliated."

"They crossed endless space, time, and dimensions… and found their way to our world to exact revenge."

"To show humanity the cost of its actions."

"That's how the invasions began."

"Magical beasts. Spirits. Humans from that world. Dragons. Demons. They all came. A united force of wrath."

"It was the Great Catastrophe."

"Their numbers were overwhelming, and too strong."

"We fought with everything we had. Nukes, missiles… nothing was left unused in our desperation."

"And the result… was pure chaos and destruction."

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