****(POV) 

In a large complex in District-H, an alarm was currently resounding loudly. Men and women could be seen dashing through the place as if it was about to blow up. In fact, they would have been calmer had been calmer. 

Shouts could be heard as people ran toward the main courtyard for the gold division. Some were already there, as straight as poles. 

"Hurry up! Someone from the adamantium division is coming!"

"Look sharp, people! If your uniforms are even a bit crumpled, there will be Hell to pay!" 

"You want to make a good impression at all cost!"

"It's fine. I have a plan. I will be on my best behavior! Well, best depending on who they send, of course!"

"Remember, people, if it's Holy Paladin Josef, you want to do everything by the book. If it's Daryl the Bored Mercenary, you want to do as little as possible not to get singled out. Then if it's Joey, look pretty and shake your ass." 

This was the reality of the world. There were two easy ways to go up in the societal hierarchy. The first one was uncontested power, and the second was to be a godlike ass-kisser. 

One of these mercenaries was Brad. He looked handsome, young, full of life, and very bothered. He was currently in the process of straightening out his outfit. He couldn't help but grumble about such horrible timing. Just as he had arranged for a few call girls to meet him nearby, this shit had started. 

Ever since his encounter with that bitch from Draconic and the two idiots, he had been extremely unlucky. He still couldn't understand why she had intervened in that silly altercation. 

She probably didn't know them in the first place. He had checked out their info and one guy was a loser from an unranked guild called Flaming Phoenix (Talk about cheesy!) As for the other, he was Classless. 

That's why he hated meddlesome Rankers. They would impose their wills unto others, but most wouldn't even have the decency to remain honest, and they would find excuses. 

But even that wouldn't be as annoying as the upcoming inspection. The wolves were one big family. One so big in fact that their superiors, the A-Rank guild, would visit from time to time to remind them who they were under. 

There were the Adamantium Wolves, the Golden Wolves, the Silver Wolves, and even the Iron Wolves. Sometimes people would joke around that they didn't have an S-Rank section because they didn't know of a metal better than adamantium. On the opposite, some wanted the creation of a cardboard division.

Whenever someone showed promise, he would be bumped to the division above and become a nobody again. Well, inside the mercenary group. The status outside would rise a lot. 

Every newcomer would observe their surroundings carefully as they came before relaxing. They were in time, and Daryl wasn't anywhere to be seen. The man had once surprised them by sleeping in a tree at the edge of the training courtyard. 

Then, when two poor blokes had tried leaving, they were spotted and fired from the guild for leaving the troop's inspection without permission. Since then, they all took very good care not to mess up. 

That is when the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard. Josef was evidently the one coming, with his full plate armor. Instantly, the courtyard became silent as the faces of everyone hardened. As long as they didn't make a bad impression, they'd be fine. 

He could have easily hidden the sound he made, but he let it resonate as a warning­. Judging by the people gulping and sweating, it was working. Ah, but he wasn't alone this time. There seemed to be two others with him. 

Was it possible that all three had come?! They all wanted to check badly, but they kept looking forward. That is when came a deep voice. 

"Is he here?" Josef uttered. 

"Yes, Sir." Came the mellow voice of a woman. Somehow, Brad had a bad feeling about this. That's when his superior continued. 

"Everyone from Golden Wolves. I have an announcement to make. Ah, actually, perhaps I should introduce myself before. You there! You are new, right? Who do you think I am?" He questioned a new recruit that was trembling from head to toes. 

"Sir! You are the valiant magnificent, and powerful Sir Josef of Adamantium Wolves! You are my idol, Sir!" Brad had to agree. The powerful reply and the ass-kissing were on point. The kid would have a bright future. 

"Alright, then I'll go straight to the point! It turns out that someone here has hired escorts to meet him at the door. Can you believe it? Here of all places!" Josef shouted. 

Oh shit! Oh shit! Brad knew at this moment that he had fucked up. But why were they here?! He had given them Rendez-Vous a few blocks away! Wait, no. Surely they weren't the ones that he had….Fuck! They totally were! 

He couldn't believe his bad luck. That's when Josef spoke gain. "Alright, girls. Point the offender out." As they extended their hands toward the group Brad could hear his heart beating so damn fast! 

But then, they pointed at someone else! Oh my god! This was amazing! He almost felt like laughing out loud—poor guy. The escorts had probably remembered that he was a VIP client of theirs. It was their fault they were even on the premises after all. 

"What?! It's not me, I swear!" The bloke was trying to save himself. But he was obviously fucked. He kept arguing for a good thirty seconds before Josef spoke again. 

"Don't worry, I know it's not you. Brad, step forward." What?! God, these bitches! They had totally sold him out. It was their fault too! He advanced and stood in front of the paladin, awaiting what would follow.

"How dare you hire hookers!" 

"Sir, I can assure you I have never called any lowly hooker in this sacred place." Brad stood firm. If he admitted any wrongdoing here he'd be royally screwed. 

"They have just singled you out of an entire crowd. Do you think this is a joke?!"

"No, Sir! I know these two are lying!" He really hadn't asked them to meet here. 

"Let us test it with the light of truth. You two, is it true that he asked you both to join him here?" He then waved his hand, and a light white glow emanated from it. 

"Yes! I swear that to be the case!" They both answered. 

Yet, there wasn't any lie being detected, how?! Was he cheating?! Ah…what if they answered the question as 'here' being Metropolis-C?! Fuck! 

"There you have it!" Josef said smugly. 

"Sir, I'm afraid they are confused, that is all. A deeper analysis will reveal that I am innocent!" 

"Alright, follow me." As soon as they were farther away, he resumed speaking. "I perfectly know what you did and didn't do. You've been a stain on this guild since forever. You used to be spared because you kept climbing the ranks. But, it seems like B-Rank is your limit."

"Spared?!" Brad couldn't help but cry in shock. 

"Simply put, you disgust me, and I'm kicking you out of the guild. You know, I'll really have to thank Draconic. You having a conflict with the powerful Kasha is enough to tip the balance and not in your favor." Josef chuckled. 

That's when Brad understood. It was a set-up. He had forced the escorts to single him out. Of course, they wouldn't anger an A-Rank to protect a B-Rank even if he was their customer. 

"Effective immediately, we are freezing your guild savings account and seizing all your possessions as per article 34-B of the guild membership contract!" Josef smugly said. 

Brad felt like he was in a nightmare. Why was this happening to him?! What had he done to deserve this? This guy was just horrible! Brad handed out all his items as he pictured himself piercing the man's throat. But he knew he wouldn't be able to. 

"Why?" Brad could only utter softly. 

"Why? Because three years ago, you drove my sister to kill herself after she learned that you cheated on her. I'd kill you myself, but I'm one of the good guys. I'll let you live in poverty from now on." As he said that, Brad became confused. Josef kept going: 

"Whenever you try to Climb in society, I will be there to crush you. I'll make sure no guild under A-Rank dares to recruit you. As for A-rank and S-Rank, we both know you don't have what it takes." He chuckled as he left. 

Brad was left behind, stunned. Cheated on his sister, was it? He did know a girl that had died three years ago, but it wasn't by suicide. She had been hit by a truck while crossing the road. He hadn't cheated on her either. 

He had loved her too much, way too much for that. He could remember her smile and — No, she was gone already. He had to forget her!

He had been devastated back then. In fact, it had taken him a while to get out. He had done so with some escorts that a friend had hired to bring him out of his miserable state. Since then, he had trouble committing to one girl, for he was afraid he'd lose her again and would feel the same despair.

Anyway, that was all in the past. Why should he care about it? Josef was her brother, eh? It seemed like that guy was delusional. 

He kept sighing as he slowly exited the guild. All his work had just crumbled instantly. He wouldn't just give up, but right now, he just couldn't deal with this. He headed for the bar that he often frequented, often enough to have his own tab there. 

Good thing because he was broke and really needed a drink right now...

Creator's Thought

Some cherish their memories like the most precious of treasures while others do everything in their power to forget. Is there one that is better than the other? No, we all have our own way to deal with loss. The cook was bottling it all up, this one was going into excess.