"Welcome back." The receptionist whose name I still didn't know greeted me as I entered the Guild house.

"Thanks."

​​

Hmm, now that I think about it, what's the appropriate response to 'Welcome back'? Is it 'thanks'? Or 'I'm back'?

I'll need to look into it sometime later.

"Oh, Ms. Neia was asking for you."

"Was she, now?"

Did she need me for something?

"Yes. And she was asking weird questions as well, like whether you were alright, or whether you had your arms."

"Really?"

Well, that's weird. After what happened, I didn't think she would have it in her to worry about me.

Hmm, perhaps Neia left me in the forest as a joke and was intending to come back later? Yet I took that joke way too seriously and decided to do everything myself because I determined she couldn't be relied on.

Huh, how am I supposed to insult her for not being able to take a fucking joke now?

Well, I guess I'll just do what I do best and refuse to take responsibility and continue to insult her because hypocrisy is hilarious.

"Yes. She confirmed it three times before scratching her head and asking me to inform her when you come back."

"I see."

What's with Neia, anyway? First, she starts beating up a crippled me, then flies away without healing me or explaining anything like an absolute chad, and now she's worried about me?

The woman is clearly mentally unstable.

"Did something happen during the expedition?" The receptionist asked.

Well, well, looks like someone is a bit too fond of poking their nose where it doesn't belong.

"We just had a simple argument."

"Really?" Ms. Receptionist slightly tilted her head.

"Uh-huh." I nodded. "Anyway, please send Neia to my room."

"I'll pass her the message."

With that, I left her and came back to my room.

"I'll have to clean that…"

There was a pile of ashes in one corner of the room. It was the remains of the armour and clothes I had worn during the dungeon exploration.

They were clearly ruined as I had my arms sliced and exploded, so before going to the restaurant, I had returned to the guild to change and freshen myself up.

I also burned the clothes lest someone with an overly sensitive nose sniff the scent of blood soaking them and barge into my room with Noelle.

Anyway, I used some simple wind magic to transfer the ashes to the dustbin.

Ez peezy lemon squeezy.

*Knock* *Knock*

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened and Neia, the not-so-friendly Dragon stepped in, "…" She silently looked at me, her gaze affixed to my arms.

"You… you are alright…" She slowly eked out.

"So I'd like to assume, yes."

I had gulped down an entire bottle of that potion.

It should have completely healed every injury, treated any ailment I was suffering from and purged any curse I was afflicted with.

So it should suffice to say that I was perfectly alright.

For now, that is.

"B-but how…?" Neia looked at me with widened, baffled eyes.

"Well, the dark side of magic is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural."

"Wait, you used dark magic!?"

"No. That was just a metaphor for, 'I'm not telling you.'"

She's not the best at understanding sarcasm, is she?

"So, are you, like, perfectly okay?"

"Never been better."

"Oh…" Her eyes drooped.

A weird lull descended upon the room.

"Anyway, I'm sure you are aware of the reason I called you here."

"I think I do." She slowly nodded and bit her lips.

"Perfect."

I like people who know the reason behind their existence I mean why their boss would summon them.

"I'm sorry." Neia suddenly bowed her head.

"What?"

"I'm sorry." She repeated herself, but a bit louder.

"For what?"

The fuck is she apologising for?

"F-for…" She bit her lips again and clenched her fists, then calmed herself down with a deep breath, "For punching you even though you saved me, and leaving you alone in the forest."

Ahhh.

"Right, you did do something like that. I almost forgot."

Perhaps it's time to develop a new brain for myself because this one is so shitty.

"Wait, what?" She exclaimed.

"Oh, nothing."

"Did you just say that you almost forgot about what I did to you?"

"Hey, it happens to everyone, okay. No need to make such a big deal about it."

Like what, is this the first someone forgot the horrible things you did to them? Grow up, Neia.

"No one forgets about things like these!"

"Are you really going to shame me in my own room? I expected better of you, Neia."

Seems like just like Noelle, Neia is too eager to be banned from my room.

Maybe I should put up a notice saying, 'No entry to Assassins or Dragons' because frankly speaking, that's what these assholes deserve.

"I beat you up when you were helpless and left you alone in a forest!"

"Yes, very sad. Anyway, I called you here because I wanted some blood."

The potion I used earlier was the only one I had, so I need to make it again. And I need her blood for that.

"Wait, we're not done talking about this!"

"Haaah, what do you want, Neia?"

"Why are you like this?" Neia walked up to me.

"Don't know, don't care."

I have no interest in recounting my life story to a dodgy Dragon. Besides, the story is so long that I would probably die before finishing it.

I'd rather spend my time doing other productive things, like killing myself I mean sleeping like every normal person would.

"You have to care!" She suddenly grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes.

Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she would start punching me if I didn't start caring.

Sounds oddly familiar.

"Look, Neia. First of all, you, a child beater, has no right to tell me what I should and shouldn't care about. It's my life and I'm going to live the way I want it. And nothing you do would change that."

"Wha!?"

"Second, I have no interest in your pathetic apology or lightening your guilt by forgiving you; you simply should not have done those things if you were going to feel bad about them later on."

"…" She bit her lips again as her eyes drooped.

"So, give me your blood, and fuck off."