We crossed half the city. The two of them walked ahead, chatting, while I trailed behind like a bodyguard.

Why didn’t I walk side by side with them? Simple. I’d suddenly become a hot topic. Not famous, just… notorious.

“Hey! That guy’s a lolicon. He talks about little girls all day, even brushes his teeth with his sister’s holy water! Hentai!”

“So what! That’s a real man. You don’t get it. Girls are impossible. What’s wrong with men being perverts?”

“You—you dare curse me!”

“I’ll curse you all I want. A bitch who doesn’t understand men’s romance? I don’t need you.”

A couple started fighting because of me.

“Get lost! The farther the better!”

“Hmph.”

The girl squatted and burst into tears. The guy turned and left without a trace of hesitation.

Listening to them, I sighed. Man, I’m a sinful creature.

Along the way, voices were endless. Some supported me, some insulted me. The whole forum split into six factions over it.

When I opened the forum, it was already a warzone.

Siscon faction—plus the incest crowd—holds 35%. Slogan: Siscon forever, incest is not a crime.

Little-girl faction—people who like little girls—holds 2%. Liking little girls doesn’t make you a bad person.

Loli faction—people who like lolis—holds 30%. Lolis have three perks: gentle voice, soft body, easy to topple.

Panties faction—people who like their little sisters’ panties—holds 5%. If you don’t even like your sister’s panties, dare you call yourselves family?

Holy Water faction—people who like the holy water of sisters, lolis, little girls—holds 3%. Holy water is humanity’s greatest romance, the sum of all desire.

Same-sex faction—people who like the same sex—holds 25%. Same sex is true love; opposite sex is only for reproduction.

The first three, fine, I won’t comment. But the last two? What the hell. Pantsu and holy water—are you going to spend a lifetime with those? And what kind of stock is the same-sex faction? Get real! I like girls. Girls in black stockings. Girls with sexy thighs!

Most depressing of all, that faction is at twenty-five percent. This world is doomed! Out of three hundred thousand people, one quarter are same-sex!

Just thinking about it makes my spine go cold.

I’ve heard men can get so wild women don’t matter, but how are you going to pass on your lineage like this?

For this world on the brink, I offer a moment of silence. I hope they’re just joking…

Imagining couples everywhere being guy-guy, girl-girl, my stomach turned.

Ugh—

Nope. An overactive imagination is a sin.

I braced against a tree and couldn’t help throwing up.

“Snowfall, what’s wrong? You okay?” The Guild Leader came over, patting my back.

“I’m fine.”

“Is that man pregnant?”

Pregnant, my ass! Men can’t get pregnant. I’m just disgusted, okay.

“Ah! He’s the pervert who likes little girls, makes his sister serve him naked!”

Where’d lolicon go! And what the hell do you mean “serve him naked”? Did you even watch the video? And why do you look both pleased and jealous saying that? World’s doomed.

I shot the two of them a cold look.

“Oh no, he looked over!”

“Run! He’s a gay pervert! I’m so handsome and dashing—if he falls for me, I’m done!”

Screw you. Get lost.

I memorized your faces. Don’t let me run into you, or I’ll make you cry.

“Are you okay? You don’t look great. Want to log off and rest?” The Guild Leader gently rubbed my back.

“I’ve already joined the guild. If you’re tired, go rest. Even without you, the two of us can manage.” Alicia said.

Like hell you can! A melee fire mage and a holy mage with only healing, no damage—how do you “manage,” exactly? Also, why does something meant to be caring sound even more infuriating from your mouth?

“I’m fine. Let’s head back to the guild base. I’ve got some ideas for our future growth.”

“Mm. Tell us if you get tired. Don’t force it.”

“Hmph. A man who keeps pretending he’s fine just burdens others.”

So pissed!

3

Guild base.

For now, it’s just a twenty-square-meter room in an inn.

A square space built from ice. One table, two chairs, one bed.

On the way back, I stopped by a furniture store and bought a chair for Alicia.

The Guild Leader rested her chin in her hands, quietly watching me. She said nothing.

Alicia hummed a little tune, glancing east and west, ignoring the serious mood.

“Ahem.”

I stood from the table and looked at the two of them.

“Our guild has three members now. So next, besides self-intros, let’s share our goals. As the one proposing, I’ll start.”

I opened my stats and projected the semi-transparent panel.

ID: Worldshaking Snow Level: 12

Class: Swordsman Corrupted by Ghosts and Gods

Innate Skill: Godslayer (Passive)

10% chance to inflict Desecration on divine/demonic races (healing and regen blocked for 15 seconds). 5% chance to deal 500 fixed damage. 1% chance to reduce their max HP by 5%.

Weapon: Sharp Enchanted Longsword (Blue)

All other gear is white.

“Innate skill, Godslayer? Your character’s scuffed… Isn’t that rated one of the worst innate skills on the forum? Didn’t you use your two rerolls?” Alicia said.

Divine/demonic monsters only show up after level 60. So the forum big shots trashed it for slowing tempo, losing at the starting line, wasting early growth. Even newbies who roll it usually abandon it.

“Didn’t use them. This is a god-tier skill. Forum clowns love misleading newbies, acting like they know.”

“Tch.”

Alicia crossed her arms, clicked her tongue, and fell silent.

“My goal is just one—the royal road.”

“Royal road? You think this is an RPG?”

I ignored Alicia’s jab and looked at the Guild Leader.

“You said you want the world. Then I’ll give you the title ‘Emperor.’ In this life, I swear to crown you my king. I’ll carve borders with my blood for you. Will you accept the realm I win?”

“Eh~ Did I ever say something that grand?”

“I agree. If it’s the Guild Leader, why not give her the world? I, Alicia, am the first to support!”

For once, Alicia and I were on the same page.

“Hmm. ‘Emperor’ seems like the game’s final goal. Ruler of the continent, standing above millions. I haven’t thought that far. I just want to have fun with my friends.”

The Guild Leader blinked, not betting much on a distant dream.

“Do you want it?”

I looked at her, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly, waiting for her reply.

“Hmm. I do. If you two are willing to support me, tasting the peak sounds nice. More importantly, the three of us can chase one dream.”

She placed her hand on the table. Alicia and I nodded and put our hands on top.

“I have three months before I get married. I want to leave some good memories before then.”

Three months from now, my fiancée and I get married. I don’t know if I’ll be as free after, but before responsibility lands on me, I want to play hard.

“You have a girlfriend? And you’re getting married soon? Normie, eat my fist!” Alicia exploded, swinging at me and chasing me around.

“Hey, hey! Quit it! Stop!”

“Hey,” the Guild Leader suddenly asked, “do you love your fiancée?”

She half-squinted, a gentle smile on her lips. A breeze from nowhere lifted her hair.

She looked like she stepped out of a painting. Too beautiful to describe.