"Yeah, I'll do it." Tryx replied. "I'll join the subjugation force."

"Didn't expect you to agree immediately, newbie."

Tryx raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

"Most people would back down when they faced an orc but you... You just agreed to fight them right away."

Tryx scoffed, "Let's just say I have some history with them."

"History?"

"I fought them once and I ran away the before they could surround us."

"I see..." Seele nodded. "But you're quite stupid for trying to fight them head on."

"I know, my mistake." Tryx gladly took the job, it was quite blunt but there's hardly any hatred in her tone.

"Anyways, follow me, newbie." Seele began to walk ahead of the gamer.

"Woah, woah, wait!" As he catches onto her, Seele simply pasts by the line and head towards upstairs. While following her, he was baffled wondering why didn't she line up for registration. The girl kept moving on ignoring the hectic crowd below them. As soonest they reached the first floor, Tryx asked. "Yo, Seele..."

"What?"

"Aren't we joining the subjugation force?"

"Yes we are." Seele kept walking.

"Then, aren't we supposed to line up for the registration?"

"We don't have too."

The situation has starting to get even confusing for Tryx. First they agreed to join the subjugation and yet, they didn't even register at all. Instead, they head towards the first floor and walk into the unknown. Its like, something was off. First, she gets all friendly with him and then she's bringing him into some weird corner of the guild. Worries and anxiety brewing inside of him as he follows the girl. He couldn't help but thinking that Seele might've planning something bad for him.

Seele stopped walking and tilted her head, "You must be thinking something rude, aren't you?"

Seele's word struck him off guard. He kept forgetting that she can tell one's intention.

"N... No! No, I'm not!" Tryx tried to lie but knowing her ability, it was pointless. "Well... Maybe a little. But really... why are you bringing me up here?"

Seele sighed, "I have to commend you to be wary of the situation, newbie. But rest assured, I have no intention of harming you."

"Well, if that's the case then..." Tryx was still hesitant. Unlike her, he couldn't tell if she's telling the truth. The only thing he could do is to trust her.

After a few more steps, they eventually arrived at their destination. A solid oak door stood before them with a gold plaque nailed at the door adorned with 'Guild Master' on it. Once again, the gamer was surprised. Before he could say a single word, Seele had already knock the door. Then, a voice could be heard from behind the door.

"Who is it?"

"B-rank mercenary, Seele the Crimson Demon along with her partner. I'm here on the request of the Guild Master." She declared formally.
Tryx was a little bit surprised, to see the brash and edgy girl to speak formally it means that the person behind the door is some big shot. Well, considering how the guild master declared an emergency mission earlier it means that this guy is not to be reckon with.

"Oh, Miss Seele? Come in!"

"Behave yourself newbie. Don't humiliate yourself and most importantly, don't humiliate ME. " Seele glared at him.

"Y... Yeah. Whatever you say, senpai..."

"Good." She pulled the door opened and stepped into the office.

Tryx muster up his courage and followed his senior in the same fashion.

His eyes quickly scanned the room, he can see the guild master sitting behind his oak table. The room was fairly decorated - the wall was was painted in brown- yellowish paint with the wooden floor covered in blue carpet. There are two bookshelves and a cupboard at the corner and some other decors around the office. There are also 2 sofas and a single coffee table nearby the entrance, probably serving as resting area. The only light source in the room would be a single window that faces to the courtyard outside of the guild house along with a single lamp generated by self-glowing stones hanging above the room.

Tryx thought it was quite mediocre but it fits for a guild master. A mercenary one at that.

Baron Olaf who was sitting behind the desk dropped the paper he was currently reading as soonest the two enters.

"Ah, good to see you again, Seele." Baron Olaf then took notice of the gamer standing next to Seele. "You must Tryx, the newly registered member."

"Y-Yes, I am, sir!" Tryx nodded. He also felt a little awkward.

"Please, take a seat you two." Baron Olaf implored gesturing at the two chairs parked in front of his desk.

"Thank you." The two said in unison.

While Seele replies formally, Tryx replied with a little stuttering as he wasn't used to meeting big shot like this guy. He was a little anxious and he could feel the adrenaline rushing through brains and his entire body. He was barely calm. For Seele, she already met him couple of times ever since she joined this guild. Seele just hope that he doesn't spout stupid shit due to his anxiousness.

As soonest the two took their seat, Baron Olaf coughs signaling he's about to begin.

"Now let's get to the business." Baron Olaf switches his tone, "Also, please take your hood off, Seele."

Both Tryx and Seele was surprised by his order.

"Sir?" Seele questioned.

"I know how you feel Seele but this is still a formal meeting. You can keep wearing your hood but not in my office."

Seele grits her teeth, she glances at Tryx who was also surprised as much as she is. The girl was hesitant to reveal her face towards the newbie. But alas, an order is still an order. Whether she like it or not.

Seele removes her hoodie revealing her messed up look.

For the first time, Tryx gets to see what she looked like.

"HOLY FUCK." Tryx dropped his jaw, his eyes widened at the girl's feature. "SHE LOOKED LIKE A DRUG JUNKIE! FUCK, WHAT DID SHE TAKE? A METH? SOME MAGIC POWDER?! IS DRUG EVEN EXIST IN THIS WORLD?! OH GOD, THOSE EYE BAGS! DOES SHE EVEN SLEEP PROPERLY?! DID SHE PULL AN ALL NIGHTER OR SOMETHING?! IS THERE EVEN A REHAB IN THIS WORLD?!" He was not struck by her beauty. Rather, it reminds him of something even sinister. "THIS IS NOT GRUNGE, DEFINITELY AIN'T ONE! SHE LOOKED LIKE A HOBO! NO, EVEN HOBO HAS BETTER STANDARDS! DOES SHE EVEN TAKE A BATH?!"

As he was giving his impression, Seele snapped at him with her eyes full of rage.

"YOU THOUGHT OF SOMETHING RUDE JUST NOW, AREN'T YOU?!"

"EEEP!" Tryx startled in his seat. "N-N-N-NO! I WASN'T!"

"LIAR!"

"I SWEAR!"

Baron Olaf simply laughed out loud, "First time seeing her without the hood, Mr. Tryx?"

"Yeah..." Tryx replied as he scoots the chair further from the angry girl. "But it didn't expect her to... look like that..."

"Maybe I should gouge your eyes right here, right now!" Seele threatened.

"PLEASE NO!" Tryx lifted his hands up in the air out of fear.

"Okay, that's enough playing around you two." Baron Olaf ordered. The two eventually sat in a relax manner, though Tryx increases his distance from Seele giving him more space. His eyes were directed at the gamer and he begins his question, "Now, do you have any idea why you're here?"

Tryx shook his head, "No, sir." even he himself was wondering why would Seele bring him here. He couldn't help but something big coming up.

"Well then, allow me to explain." Baron Olaf cleared his throat and locked his fingers together, "Do you have any idea how to raise your rank?"

"Uhh..." Tryx tried his hardest to remember on Raymond's explanation but he couldn't. He had to admit that he knows nothing... With a straight face, he admits "I forgot."

Seele simply scoffed at his statement, "What an idiot."

"At the very least, I'm not a muscle head!" Tryx retorted.

"Say what?!"

"Okay, that's enough you two." Baron Olaf stopped them before it went further, "Alright Tryx, let me explain how it works. You see young man, mercenary can rank up by participating a war with the military forces and show an exemplary in the said battle. However, as large skirmishes are quite rare these days the mercenary guild have decided to appoint these soon to be high ranked mercenary by evaluating them instead. You see, lower rank can raise up their ranks through several high profile quests. Once you settled enough, you'll are eligible for rank promotion."

"OK, sounds easy."

Baron Olaf smirked, "Not quite young man."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"You can easily rank up from rank F to rank D in a few months but when you reach rank C, however... There's where things started to get even hard for you. If you wish to promote to rank B, you are required to take an evaluation test to raise your rank."

"Evaluation?"

"Yes, you see... Miss Seele here is currently taking that evaluation. As you know, she's currently a B-rank and she's going for the A-rank."

"Huh." Tryx glanced at Seele who simply looked away from him. "When you think about it..." He remembered that Raymond did say something about her not taking her A-Rank evaluation task seriously. "So, that's what Raymond refers too?"

"And as you know, she failed it."

"Eh, why?" that came out suddenly. Tryx was baffled.

"Her task was to guide a new member of the guild, which is you..." Baron Olaf pointed at Tryx, "... on your first mission. However, she deliberately left you after receiving her first stamp at 29th Lancers' office instead of taking you along. Since both of you returned separately, we couldn't tell get your feedback on her actions. Furthermore, she's been dodging this task for ten months now."

Tryx was surprised, "What?" He looked onto Seele who simply sat there with her eyes closed. Raymond did mentioned that she didn't take this task for a while now and even rejected newbies that she was supposed to guide with but he did not expect it to be this long! "Why would you do that?"

"None of your concern." Seele replied coldly.

Tryx didn't utter a single word anymore. He just couldn't handle her cold attitude. Not that she's a beauty anyway.

"So, what does it have to do with me? You need my previous testimony, is that it?" As soonest he said that, Seele tightened her fist knowing the worst bullshit he's about to spout.

"Since she's been avoiding the task and the fact she failed the task in her last mission, we've decided to give her another chance. We appreciate your testimony on your previous mission but it is too late. So, its not longer valid."

"Is that so..." Tryx nodded.

"That was close..." Seele muttered under her breath.

While Tryx was neutral about it, Seele was glad that she doesn't need to hear his made up bullshit. Though, she was more worried with what Baron Olaf have prepared for her. Before he plans something troublesome for her, she quickly proposed a plan.

"Permission to speak, guild master."

"Go on, young lady."

Seele cleared her throat, "Sir, I would like to extend my gratitude for giving me another chance. You see, we have decided to join the Orc subjugation force. I have decided to team up with him for the second time and I will make sure to guide him properly. Once the subjugation has done, you'll have his feedback about me. You have my words, guild master."

Tryx was impressed by her tenacity and willingness out of sudden. Maybe she have started to take her task seriously. For Seele, she just hope that the old man in front of her take proposal serious enough. She wants this whole temporary partnership ordeal to end up immediately.

After a long silence, Baron Olaf nodded.

"Nice proposal Miss Seele, I was thinking of same thing as well."

Seele smirked, "Thank you, guild master."

"However, I was thinking of something more better..."

Seele was dumbstruck, "What do you mean, guild master?"

The guild master's eyes turned cold along with his tone, "Mr. Tryx."

"Sir?" Tryx gulped.

"You will evaluate Miss Seele's worthiness as the next A-rank mercenary. You will not only evaluate her but also becoming her partner as well. The evaluation period is two months, you will stay by her side under any circumstances whether its an emergency mission or a normal quest. Do you wish to partake this evaluation test?"

There was an awkward silence as soonest the old man debriefed him.

Tryx blinked, "Excuse me, how long was it again?" he raised his hand in the air acting like a comedian.

"Two months."

"MASTER!" Seele stood up from her chair. "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!"

As soonest he stood up, Tryx quickly scooted his chair further fearing possible worst outcome that he might be targeted as well.

"What is unacceptable?" Olaf leaned on his chair.

"I thought that the evaluation period only lasts for one mission! How can it turned into Two months?! I'm fine if its one or two weeks but TWO MONTHS?! That's just outrageous!" Seele demanded an answer. "I'm fine with if you set it for a week or two but TWO MONTHS?!"

"Miss Seele, may I remind you that you have been postponing this evaluation task for 10 months?"

"I..." Seele stuttered.

"I would've gone my way to follow Damien's suggestion to demote you for you lack of cooperation towards new members." Olaf glared at her. "If it were me, I would have settled for having you working at the frontline for 10 months because that's what you deserve, young lady."

Seele tightened her grip, she wanted to fight back but she couldn't. Her entire body was trembling, her heart beat thumping faster and she can feel everything she about to puke what she ate this morning. There was an immense and menacing aura leaking intentionally from Olaf, he was well aware of her power and abilities. She couldn't utter a single word and lowered her gaze in defeat.

"I understand."

Tryx watches the scene unfold. It was his first time seeing her expression without the hood and it was also the first time he watches the Crimson Demon got defeated. Looking at the state of the girl next to him, he understands one thing - Despite her power, Seele is just another normal girl. She's no match for someone who was far more superior and stronger than she is. He can see it in her glowing purple eyes, she was utterly defeated.

Once Seele reluctantly sat down, Olaf turn back towards Tryx.

"So, what do you say young man? Do you accept the proposal?"

This has turn into a quite difficult situation. Tryx was keen on working together again but considering her attitude, she ain't gonna change it once they walked out of that door. Plus, he doesn't want to get into complicated matter but if he turned down, what would happen to Seele? Will she get demoted? Or will she hunt him for this matter?! Imagining it just made him shivering down his spine.

Tryx made a fake cough, "So, what do I get in return?" he asked.

That was the most relevant question he could thought of. If they want to get him in this game, he hoped for something return. Plus, he's a mercenary - he doesn't do something for free. And he always wanted to say that line, it made him like he's some sort of protagonist in a story because it sound bad ass.

"Any mission that she take be it two or three, you will also receive similar rewards. Not to mention, we might raise your level if you manage to give some feedback once the evaluation period over."

"Is that it?" Tryx asked as he was expecting more.

"You are free to make your amends if you feel necessary, only if you accept my proposal that is. You are free too think about it, you don't have too..."

"I'll do it." Tryx said instantly, he doesn't need a time to think.

The dazed out Seele quickly turned towards the gamer. Her eyes widened in disbelieve. Did he just agreed to the deal immediately? Even the old man was quite surprised as well.

"Are you sure? This task is..."

"I'm fine with it, sir. If she's ranking up then, so am I. Can't stay at rank F for the rest of my life, am I?" Tryx was brimming with confident. He doesn't want to get left out by that edgelord.

Watching the man smirking full of confident, Olaf chuckled. "Well then, this means that you will agree to become her temporary partner for two months and willing to stay by her side against all the odds even at the expense of your life?"

"Yes, I do." He smiled bitterly, "Did he just say at the expense of my life?"

"I like you young man, you full of confident." Olaf offered his hand to shake in which Tryx gladly accept it.

"Thank you, sir."

"But don't get too confident, boy. That's how you die."

"OK... Now I'm starting to get worry." Tryx made an awkward laughter.

"And as for you Seele... I want you to do your best as well. This is your last chance. There will be no next time."

"I... Understand, guild master..." Seele bowed. Tryx couldn't help but sympathize her.

Deciding to lift up the mood, he asked another relevant question. "So, when do we start this... evaluation thing?"

"I want you to start evaluating during the battle against the orcs. And that also includes after the battle and all the quests that both of you undertake. " Olaf replied. "Anymore questions?"

Tryx tried to think of any question but nothing came to his mind. He looked at Seele hoping that she might have questions to ask as well but seeing her solemn and gloomy look on her face, she sat idly in silence. Seeing that that are no further inquiries, Tryx decided that he has all the information he needed.

"No. I think we're good."

"Alright then, I wish both of you luck in these two months. You may dismiss." The two bowed towards the guild master and began to take their leave. As they opened up the door,readying to leave Olaf spoke. "Before that..." the two stopped in their tracks looking at him, "There will be a strategy meeting in two days, you have to attend it and I will personally report to the staff to register both of your names in the subjugation forces. I'll have Raymond prepare the necessary documents for your evaluation test as well."

"Thanks for the head up, sir." Tryx replied.

"That is all."

With that, the two leaves the office. Once the door closes, the two walks ahead with Seele leading. After a long silence, Tryx was the first to talk.

"HOLY FUCK!" The gamer exclaimed, throughout his entire life of gaming he had never felt such intense atmosphere. "That was intense!" he could adrenaline rushing through his body. His hands and legs trembling like he just struck by a frostbite. "Fuck man, I didn't expect to meet him straight like that! I mean, look at his eyes! He was of that warrior shit!"

"Baron Olaf is a veteran." Seele replied monotonously.

"Baron, huh? Is he some noble of some sort?" Tryx was impressed.

"He used to be apart of the Kingdom's Army and he attain the title years ago. After the mercenary guild was established, he became the guild master for this region after his retirement."

"Like that, huh? He must be some tough bass guy!"

"Newbie."

"What?" Tryx didn't realized that she had stopped. He turned around and saw the girl stood there, glaring at him with cold stern eyes. "Seele?"

"Why did you accept his deal?"

"Oh... That." He grimaced. "Well..."

"Its useless to lie."

"I know, okay?!" Tryx replied blatantly, truth to be told he was gonna lie. Tryx rubbed his temple and took a deep breath, "Look, I'm only interested in raising my rank. That's it." he said but he was holding back another reason why he took his offer. And Seele manages to detect it.

"Then, what's another one?" Tryx stuttered as soonest she asked. "Don't even try to dodge that question, answer me."

Tryx sighed, he was defeated. "Another reason was..." He paused, clearing his throat, "I took pity of you." Now, he felt embarrassed saying that. "She must be laughing deep in her heart right now." Tryx thought, after all this is not some cheesy anime trope world that he got reincarnated to. "Yeah, that's it. I took pity of you because that old man isn't holding his punches against you. You ended up like a kid who got a piece of her mother's mind. So yeah, I'm willing to help you because I pitied on you."

Seele remained silent as she closes her eyes. She haven't heard that word for a long time - pity.

When was the last time she heard those words? She tried to recollect the memory thinking of the past.

"Ah yes." she thought, the faces of her old comrades flashes before her faces. She opened up her eyes, "It was that time." and right in her sight, the gamer stood in front of her. Looking at his face, who was serious in offering his pity towards her. Staring at him, she could feel a hot feeling within her heart. "He pitied me... It feels... DISGUSTING."

Seele donned her hoodie and walked past Tryx.

"Seele, wait..."

"I don't need your pity, newbie." Seele replied coldly. "And I WILL NEVER BE YOUR PARTNER! Remember that! We're only doing this for the rank! Nothing more, nothing less!" With those final words, she steps down the stairs and disappeared among the crowd.

Tryx was disbelieved but it was expected. He could only give a long sigh, he just have no idea how to handle his newly reunited partner but also how to connect with her. She was indeed a troublesome girl.

He had went through a lot today. It was the time for him to return to the inn.

---

21:43 p.m
Today's dinner is a roasted fish with black pepper sauce with baked potato at the side. Despite not knowing the type of fish, it was delicious as the Salmon. The fish was cooked well and the black pepper sauce was good. To top it off, instead of serving wine they serve a 'Ovlak' juice. It has the tangy of an orange and even has the same color making him wonder if the fruit really an orange.

Even with all of this, the dinner was tasteless with what happened earlier.

She shows more hostile intention than grateful for what he did.

"That girl... She should at least show some respect after what I did for her!" Tryx bites off the last fish off from his fork and gulped the juice in one go.

Tryx left the tavern for his room, he simply shut himself in the dark room. Tryx still couldn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't thought of why would she act hostile to anyone.

"Did she have some terrible past or something? Just what kind of face would she made when meet again next time..." Tryx scratched his head. The more he think about it, the more his head spins. In the end, he decided to brush it off. Now, he had bigger problems. He sniffed both of his armpits and he cringed, "Fuck, I'd better take a bath." He grabbed the towel off from the chair and heads out once again. 

As soonest he stepped out, he didn't another figure coming his way. Tryx took the hit and fell down. 

"Fuck..." Tryx rubbed his shoulder, it felt like he was just got hit by a train. He quickly sat back up and looked at the other person, "Hey, you okay?" 

Right at his side, he could see the person who had bumped him. It was a girl, she had a disheveled deep auburn hair, eye bags underneath her eyes, wearing a plain white tank top that covers her C-cup and a red skirt underneath. Like Tryx, she was also surprised. 

The two recognized each other. 

"Seele?" Tryx uttered the word. 

"N... Newbie?!" Seele blushed. 

"EEEEHHH?!" The two yelled in unison in the middle of the night.