When I woke up, I noticed that I was lying in the back of what seemed to be the briefing room? Though the room seemed to be empty with no one there… I headed downstairs to the elf receptionist to find out what happened.

“Ah, you are finally awake?” said the receptionist.

“Uhm… yes… can you brief me in on what exactly happened?” I inquired.

“You were brought here unconscious early in the morning and placed in the briefing room. I am not exactly privy to all the details, but a note was left for you about your results. I am not allowed to read it due to guild policy, but if you are not able to read, I can offer such services” explained the receptionist and handed over an envelope.

“No, I can read” I replied while taking the envelope.

I open it up and look inside.

Rank D Exam Result

Examinee: Shiro

Proctor: Daren Valse

Result: FAILED

Reason:

During the mission, Shiro and Todd encountered a Zombie Hound. Shiro fled the scene abandoning her comrade but ended up chased and attacked by the hound, eventually fainting. In the end, Todd killed the hound and saved Shiro.

Proctor Advice:

Stop relying on equipment and work on your individual skills. Personally, I do not think being an adventurer suites you to begin with as you clearly lack bravery and resolve.

“WHAT?!?!” I surprisingly exclaim.

“Is something wrong?” questioned the receptionist.

“Something wrong?!?! Everything is wrong!” I complained showing the nonsensical letter.

The receptionist reads it over and slightly frowns.

“I am sorry that you failed, but you are free to try again in a month...” conveyed the receptionist.

“That isn’t the problem! The one who ran away is this Todd person! There was a freaking [Wraith] there and he ran! Forcing me to fight it all on my own! I collapsed fighting the [Wraith]!… now that I think about it… Todd probably was afraid of failing for running away and blamed me instead!” I yelled in fury.

“I apologize, I am not privy about all the details… but there was no report of any [Wraith] showing up at the scene… not to mention... killing a [Wraith] would be impossible at your level, even with your equipment...” informed the receptionist.

GUH! WHAT THE HELL WITH ALL THIS BS?!?

“Can I at least speak to Daren Valse and clear this up?!?!” I demanded.

“I am sorry… but Daren Valse left on a quest with his party members to another town… He probably is not going to return any time soon… I suggest you don’t be discouraged and try again next time...” said the receptionist.

THIS IS FREAKING RIDICULOUS!

“Can I file a complaint with the Guild Master or something and have it investigated at the very least?” I urged.

“You can file a complaint, but the Guild Master is too busy to deal with minor issues like these... And an investigation would be a waste of the guild’s resources. In some exceptions we do offer refunds but since in this case there was already an exception made to offer the exam for free, there isn’t much you or I can do.” explained the receptionist.

GUH!

“Whatever! Screw this I don’t care anymore! Do whatever you want!” I retorted and exit out of the Adventurers Guild fuming.

Why the hell is everyone trying to freaking back stab me in this world?!?! I hate it!

After walking for a while and calming down a bit, I looked back at the blue boxes that I have been putting aside for the time being.

Level up!

Sentient Creature: +1 in all unlocked attributes +1 free attribute +20 HP +10 Stamina +10 Mental

Beastkin: +2 STR +2 VIT +1 AGI

Catkin: +2 AGI +1 DEX

Level up!

Creationist: +2 to all unlocked attributes +5 MP +5 Mental +2 PER

Sure, how I was treated was unfair and it sucked… but things are not all bad. I got two level ups! Meaning that I am just three levels away from my combat class! Not to mention that I got a true field trial of my equipment, so I have a much better understanding of my limits, which by the way are pretty good considering I killed a level 40 monster! And last but not least, I got an awesome skill like [Shadow Step]!

I still want [Stealth] though… * sigh *

Regardless… going forward… no matter what life throws at me, I’ll be ready! I’ll continue to get stronger and stronger in this world, then show everyone who is boss! So do your worst!

As I got closer to the Blacksmithing Guild, I noticed the guards standing by the entrance. Which means time wise, the exhibit market has started… Oh yeah! I forgot all about trying to sell my stuff to the adventurers I met! Darn! They were all in a party chatting with each other, making it hard to approach and I was unconscious on our way back… * sigh *

Maybe I’ll be lucky and someone will buy something today… even though I know the chance of that happening is slim to none…

Though there is hope in all this, even if I don’t sell things now. Since I can confidently make Holy-steel items with a quality score of 5 now, I can use that to advertise my wares! Even if they can’t see quality, if I discount a few Holy-steel items, there is bound to be buyers! Of course before that, I’ll confirm with the counter if there is any issues I should know about… since the church seems to have an almost monopoly on holy-steel, last thing I want to learn is selling it would be like picking a fight with the church, that would be bad…

Anyways, lets see if I have any luck selling today...

I walk into the exhibit market and… to my surprise… nobody is selling anything! Just like that time, they are all partying or chatting like some sort of holiday… considering a month has passed, I can also take in new bulk orders… isn’t this… CHANCE!

I quickly take up a good spot, take up my disguise and excitedly put down my wares!

Yup, things are definitely looking brighter already!

** POV Harold Asher – About 2 weeks ago**

Right now, I am situated in the middle of Jade Forest. We arrived here yesterday pursuing a Rank A mission from the adventurers guild. The payment for this mission is a pretty solid 36 platinum coins. Which makes this a pretty good paying mission, even by Rank A standards. We decided to camp here for the day and wait for the opportunity to take out the famous bandits situated in this forest. The goal is a complete wipe-out without anyone escaping, which can be quite tricky considering we are dealing with a rather large group of 142 bandits with only a few people.

“So then, how long till preparations are ready?” I asked my fellow adventurers.

“According to my [Smell Sense], all the bandits have returned and are in the base. Saron is also in position blocking the escape route” replied Brian, the dogkin [Ranger].

“My preparations are almost ready, maybe about 10 more minutes?” said the [Wizard] Tina.

Seeing things are almost ready, I prepare to give the order to move to the next step.

“Good, now then-”

“* yawn * I see everyone is already here? Lets take care of this quickly” said a voice from behind.

We turn around and out of the thick bushes came out a blond haired elf by the name of Ariel. She is 28 years old, and one of the top Rank A adventurers on this continent. Due to her beauty which is considered top class even amongst the elves. She is extremely popular, admired by both men and women alike.

Oh Dragon God, if you can grant this humble man one wish, just one wish! Please wipe that smirk off her face and set this psycho straight!

Unlike what most people think of her, she is a completely insane battle maniac. The only saving grace is she acts so dignified in public, that most wouldn’t even recognize her as the same person. They delusionally think this poor excuse for an elf is a figure to look up to, though I am not going to go out of my way to correct it either.

Ever since she has been exiled from the elven nation of Teris, the only job given to me by her uncle was to keep an eye on her and prevent her from toppling a nation. And I don’t mean with her beauty, I mean that quite literally...

At first, when I was given her profile information, I thought that she was just in her rebellious stage, and it was over-exaggerated. Little did I know the reports were actually being humble!

It has been 14 years since I first met her at her mother’s villa. From what I heard, her mother who was an elf noble died giving birth to her, and her father was nowhere to be seen. Rumors had it that her mother was secretly a mistress to one of the elf royal princes. Whether that is true or not, I have no clue, though personally... I don’t really care too much since it has nothing to do with me. Part of working as a mercenary is knowing when to mind your own business, and that mentality worked fine so far.

My job at the time was to provide security for the mansion as the captain of the guards, while the [Guardian] dwarf Saron acted as vice-captain. Since then, I have seen her cause so much mayhem, I do not know where to start. Eventually, despite the mansion already being hidden at the outskirts of the country, she was completely exiled due to all the trouble she caused.

From then on, she became an adventurer and continued like a hurricane decimating anything and everything in her path. Going from battlefield to battlefield virtually without end. That is how this battle junky somehow ended up as Rank A in only 11 years.

Of course it has been quite profitable for me as well. When I started this assignment, I was a mercenary who probably would be at about upper D to maybe lower C rank in terms of strength. Due to being tugged along, I somehow managed to make it to upper Ranks of B. If only she did not waste so much money during missions, I’d even tolerate her craziness to an extent. Maybe I am just getting too used to her crazy antics...

End of the day, she is a strong asset and a huge liability. This is why for missions like this, the plan was to first prepare to block off all the escape routes, then wake her up and have her help. But some numskull apparently woke her up ahead of schedule!

“Who woke Ariel up?” I questioned with annoyance in my voice.

“...Sorry Boss…” replied Brian

“Why did you do such a thing when I explicitly told you not to?” I inquired somewhat pissed.

“I am really sorry Boss… but elder sister Ariel..” Brian dejectedly tried to explain.

Not willing to listen to excuses, I stop him by lifting my hand.

“* sigh * whatever… Ariel you remember the plan from the other day right?” I confirmed.

“Sure, I just have to crush them right?” answered Ariel nonchalantly.

“Don’t pass this off so lightly! The opponent this time is someone at a level of an upper B to lower A rank adventurer. Add in the others, and it isn’t going to end simply. Even though I know how strong you are, if they focus on escaping, it would be extremely troublesome. So please follow the plan!” I insisted.

“Yeah, yeah I got you. I’ll be back soon” said Ariel and dashed forward.

* sigh * She didn’t get it at all…

“Everyone, change of plans! We take up positions now!” I exclaimed.

“But I am not ready with my preparations...” complained Tina.

“We have no choice! Get in positions now!” I yelled and headed out.

After running for 5 minutes, I get into my position and wait for anyone who plans to flee. The goal here is Tina using her [Mud magic] to lay a trap in the surroundings as we spread out covering the 4 corners. With Saron blocking off the main escape route. Though due to Ariel rushing in ahead of schedule, Tina was not fully done with her preparations and we are late taking up our positions.

Focusing my attention back to my role, I heard the sound of screams and ground shaking in the background as a massacre was occurring. It is times like this I keep being reminded that she is a total monster...

After about an hour, the screams and shaking stopped and an eerie silence takes over. There were a few stragglers, but I was able to finish them off without issue.

All that was left was flames in the background from what used to be the base of the bandits.

I then heard the sound of someone coming and took up my position. Soon I notice Ariel who was heading towards me. Now with her maniac expression gone, she reverted back to acting dignified and proper.

“You finished?” I questioned.

“Yes, it was no problem.” Ariel responded, then she held up her shattered steel sword “Oh and about this, next time we are in Hallion, take me to the craftsman who made this” she added.

“Must you really do this? At this rate we are going to run out of blacksmiths willing to sell to us” I pleaded.

“It is imperative” Ariel insisted then threw away the broken sword and headed to meet up with the others.

* sigh *

Given no other choice, I followed behind her. It did not take long for us catch up with Saron, Brian and Tina. And from there, after making sure no one escaped, we headed to stock up in the next town. Based on our schedule, we probably should be back in Hallion in around 2 weeks? Short of any surprises that is… and knowing Ariel, surprises are dime in a dozen.

Overall though, I kind of feel sorry for the poor lad. Ariel is one tough cookie. One of the reasons no blacksmith is willing to make weapons for her is due to her ridiculous demands of not only having a lot of weapons made in a short amount of time, but also demand they be of higher quality. But if it only ended there, the last Blacksmith that made weapons for her was nearly beaten to death for selling her “junk” as she called it.

Of course there is the option of having a higher level blacksmith make the weapons, but if we were to go that route, we would all go broke pretty quickly.

The reason why we need so many weapons, or specifically so many swords is to take maximum advantage of Ariel’s Unique Combat Class, [Thousand Blade Swordsman]. Which makes her stronger the more swords she uses. Combined with her Unique Skill, she is nearly unstoppable.

Either way… good luck lad… you are going to find out the hard way “Hallion’s Hero” is far from the idol you most likely imagine her to be...

And I am going to have to find yet another blacksmith willing to sell us in bulk * sigh *