#936 Gold and Silver’s Rivalry

“But even if you tell me that...”

The words of  Golden Bat, the S-rank adventurer who suddenly showed up, leave Silver Wolf, another S-rank (just for today), half perplexed and half dismayed.

It seems he wants him to cancel Silver Wolf’s retirement.

“Retirement is a personal decision, not to be swayed by the opinions of others—not even if it’s the Guild Master talking.”

Silver Wolf, as always, reasons with impeccable logic.

“So even if I, as Guild Master, tried to block your retirement, it wouldn’t hold any water. The reverse holds even truer. Simply put, your words don’t obligate me to reconsider my retirement. That’s all there is to it.”

“Of course, no one, not even I, can restrict my actions. But since it’s me saying so, you should probably listen.”

And as always, Golden Bat remains impervious to reason.

One could only imagine the trials Silver Wolf had faced over the years, dealing with such a character.

A deep, heartfelt sigh escapes from his dog-like muzzle.

“Enough is enough. How about we go out with a bang for old times’ sake, huh, meow?”

“Let’s not. Our stepping down only increases his value as a guild’s figurehead. We shouldn’t sour his mood unduly.”

Silver Wolf is already thinking like a Guild Master.

Even though he’s been juggling roles for a while, he’s quite the character.

“Hmm, well...”

After a long, thoughtful clearing of his throat, Silver Wolf speaks up, “What exactly bothers you about my retirement? I can’t think of any disadvantages it poses for you. An explanation would be helpful.”

His tone is as if he were patiently explaining something to a child.

I’ve never even used that tone with Veil.

“Do you remember, Silver Wolf, the day we first signed up at the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Digging up quite the old tale, aren’t you?”

Silver Wolf scratches his head, looking troubled.

It’s a historic moment as the two legendary S-rank adventurers face off, with an audience of would-be S-rankers watching intently.

“That’s right, we joined on the same day.”

“Not the same! I was three minutes earlier!”

What’s with the petty specifics?

“True, you were in line before me at the registration desk. I remember waiting for my turn behind you.”

If they were lined up, then Golden Bat’s claim holds some water...

“Not just that! I was the first to move from F to E rank, then D rank, and up through C, B, and A ranks. I even received the special medals for dungeon conquests and other achievements first. Of course, I became an S-rank before you did, too!”

“Ah, yes, I always seemed to be following in your footsteps.”

Silver Wolf’s face grows increasingly bitter as he recalls the memories.

“And yet, here you are retiring before me? I’ve always been ahead! I must retire first; my pride demands it!”

“Hah, I see. I see...… I see.”

He understands Golden Bat’s words, but it feels like his heart is refusing to accept them.

Repeating ‘I see’ over and over seems like he’s trying to convince himself as much as anything.

“But doesn’t this change the context of things? Climbing ranks and achievements are positive, brag-worthy even. Retirement, on the other hand, has a negative connotation. Surely it’s better to remain active as long as possible?”

“No, being first in everything is superior!”

“What a hassle…”

Silver Wolf looks utterly exhausted.

That person does seem like a handful.

“...But when I think about it, I realize I’ve never actually beaten you in our entire adventure career.”

“…!”

Silver Wolf speaks solemnly.

“It was always frustrating, especially in the early days. No matter what I did, you were always a step ahead, achieving milestones with flair. ‘If only Golden Bat weren’t here,’ I often thought to myself...!”

It’s natural to feel that way.

If you’re not upset about losing, you’re not truly invested.

“Yet, that frustration might have shaped who I am today. Every joy and every frustration has all been part of my journey as an adventurer. And now, all of that is in the past.”

“Well done, meow.”

Black Cat, his wife, stands by him as he sums up his career.

The crowd, moved, begins to applaud spontaneously.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...!

“Bravo!”

“Thank you, Lord Silver Wolf! You are truly one of the greatest S-rank adventurers!”

“Your deeds will not be forgotten!”

“Good luck as Guild Master!!!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...!

“Wait a damn minuteeeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

Just when things seemed to be wrapping up nicely.

Who would rudely interrupt?

Golden Bat, obviously.

“I told you, I won’t allow you to retire! As long as I’m here, you keep going! Don’t retire until I do!”

“Really now, there’s more at stake here than just personal desires... There’s also the issue of guild management to consider...”

“Hand over the guild management to someone else. Anyone can handle that! You’re the only rival I have! What am I supposed to do if you leave?!”

His interference might be too much.

Silver Wolf, due to their long acquaintance, seems unable to strongly object. Maybe it’s time for a third-party intervention.

And that would be me, the protagonist, right?!

“Quiet down, meow!”

“Guboboeah!”

Before I could step in, Golden Bat was sent flying with a kick.

The kicker was none other than the black panther, Black Cat.

“Stop your whining, meow. Is this how an S-rank adventurer behaves?”

“S-Stay out of this… it’s a man’s—ouch!!!”

An unrelenting second kick landed right in the face?!

A move executed with no mercy, clearly a kick of someone who has done this before!

“As time went on, our rivalry as S-rankers became precarious. Decisions couldn’t be based solely on our wills, leading us to deadlocks.”

Silver Wolf explains, even though his wife is beating the guild’s representative adventurer to a pulp.

“And when things were on the brink of falling apart, she would always step in... Black Cat. As a fellow S-rank adventurer, she’s on equal footing and can speak her mind. Whenever he and I were at odds, she usually helped us find common ground.”

“Interventions like that?”

Yakuza kick, yakuza kick, cat punch, yakuza kick.

“Usually, if Golden Bat agrees, things tend to fall into place...”

What a terrifying way to negotiate.

“You’re being selfish, meow. You’re just throwing a tantrum because you’re lonely, meow.”

“Ugh!”

Was that confusion at being hit with the truth, or just the pain of the kick?

“Your life as an adventurer, striving to beat Silver Wolf, was your only challenge. You’re tired of the usual praise, and the only thrill left was outdoing him, meow.”

“Eh?”

“That’s why you don’t want Wolfie to retire, meow. But the thing is, he’s about to shoulder the responsibility of guiding all adventurers. Know your place, meow.”

Ahh.

So that’s the deal.

Despite achieving ultimate prowess and accumulating all possible honors, he only ever felt truly fulfilled by his rivalry with one other person.

“...Then what’s so bad about that? Waaah, don’t retire! Let’s keep competing forever! And let me win every time! Boo-hoo!!!”

Finally, the greatest adventurer begins to flail his arms and legs.

Unabashedly and selfishly insisting on his own desires amidst his emotional outburst.

“Hmm, it’s flattering you thought about it so critically...”

“So you’ll reconsider retiring?!”

“About that, there’s the matter of my new role as Guild Master...”

“Waaaaah!!!”

Clearly, Golden Bat’s plea is in vain.

“Fine! If you won’t listen even now, I have other plans! I’m quitting as an adventurer!”

“Huh?”

“And I’ll start my own guild! From now on, it’s a battle of guilds! Who can build the bigger, better one? It will be me! Hahahahahahaha!!!!”

And just like that, Golden Bat was off, wings spread into the sky.

“...So, does this mean another S-rank is leaving the guild?”

Silver Wolf is once again faced with a vexing issue.

Always overworked, the poor guy.

And with that thought, the long day of S-rank promotions concluded.