**** (POV)

That day Cayden brought a completely disgraceful individual into my guild. I got a report saying one of the first things he noted was the absence of alcohol. And that he was disappointed. Already at that point is a sign of mediocrity. I was expecting a lot from him since he was recommended and all.

Turns out that it was just that guy picking up a stray again. That is his main problem. He is too righteous for his own good. Also why he is stuck with a problematic group.

If he used all his energy toward training instead, I'm convinced he would already be a rank 3. That in itself is prestigious enough. Especially counting that there are only 3 of us in this town and that we are all in management positions nowadays except that old stubborn fool. Well, he does it to purvey his wife in raw meat.

I understand him a bit. Her cooking really is heavenly.

Going back to this new applicant. Not only does he not know how to write, but he does not even bother seriously filling the application. At that point, I still have hope. After all, there are many young masters traveling abroad to expand their worldview. Some tend to act like that. They do back it with extreme strength, however.

I face him in one of our storage/training rooms. He takes a stance. If that can be called a stance anyway. His center of gravity is extremely off. He is placed in such a way that he would more easily hurt himself than an enemy.

I'm flabbergasted. It contrasts a lot with my expectations. He says it is his first time using a sword.

Did he just buy that weapon to train with it? Or maybe misdirect his opponents to take him for a swordsman? He could then use magic and surprise them.

Nope. His answer is retarded. He uses whatever is lying around? That doesn't make any sense.

Training in a forest? Which one? The disaster zone doesn't allow such half-assed training.

I guess he is the spoiled kid kind. That trained for fun and never saw anything of the real world.

I hate that type. I'll quickly shatter his misconceptions and get on with my day.

He tells me he is ready.

I dash toward him, I do a small feint. That was already enough for him to miss track of my weapon. It now rests on his throat. I did not even try. How useless is he?

I really need to have a long conversation with Cayden about bringing nobodies here. This is not my job! I am in charge of hunters! Not dumb children!

He wants to keep going. Can he not admit that he lost already?! If this was a real fight he would be dead already. Yet he acts like he didn't just get defeated.

How much of a prideful idiot is he? Shameless to boot!

I tell him to get lost. I have no time for annoying trash like him.

He's insistent we continue.

I shout at this fucker. Hopefully, he'll get the message now.

And…. he's rushing at me. With the most predictable attack pattern there is.

What a fool. I easily flip him over.

Then I ask Katheryne to take care of it. Oh, and to tell Cayden to come and see me. I really need to talk some sense into him. This one takes the cake!

****

The night is refreshing. The moon beautiful. The surroundings quiet.

Perfect time for a midnight walk.

It is a habit I've had since my hunter days. I would enjoy taking the night watch in long-duration excursions. I took a liking to it. Both deadly and peaceful.

You never know when a monster will come out of nowhere to devour you. But before it happens the serenity is simply the best.

When I enter a small alley, I see someone stagger my way. He is flushed, obviously dead drunk. Shameful.

How he even stands up is a wonder. I see his face. That is the annoying newcomer.

The uselessly arrogant one. How much of a bastard is he? Here to ruin my precious calm stroll.

It has been 2 months since I last saw him. Here I was hoping he left town already.

Ah better just ignore him. Fighting the likes of him is beneath me.

[HICK. Who this? This handsome me, HICK, wants nothing to do with a beggar! Not again anyHICK! The last dude didn't even say HICK no homo at the end! Outrageous! OutragHICK!]

How irksome. Me a beggar?! Says the guy in obviously scavenged gear!

That's it! Time for me to teach him some manners!

This will a painfully enriching experience. For him.

I lightly punch him. After all, I am in no mood to hide a corpse.

Not that I would face any real punishment, but I'd rather not tarnish my image.

I hit him directly. He doesn't react?

Guess I punched too lightly. I add more power, he tries to protect his body with his right hand.

But why is it so high up? I am not some 10 meters tall l giant?!

Direct hit again!

Yet no reaction. Is he wearing some kind of inner armor?

Time to get serious. I target his collarbone. I can see his exposed flesh. I gather lots of strength and deliver it skillfully. This one he won't come unshattered. He can blame his bad luck for annoying me so.

*CRACK*

OUCH. WHAT?! My fist just broke. My knuckles are bloody. The pain I'm used to.

But what is up with this situation?

As I am trying to figure out the answer he starts retaliating.

He does a left punch. I try to evade it, but he goes for a kamikaze attack following me closely.

OUCH! I am taking some real damage here.

How is that guy so strong?

Especially given how wasted he is!

He goes in for another mutual-assured destruction punch. I draw my dagger, bypass his right hand (that is still nowhere near me), and plunge it deep into his stomach.

Or so I think.

A wave of pain courses through my entire body again.

Of the dagger, only a hilt remains. The blade disappeared into fragments upon impact.

Was he hiding his power?! But why?!

Then I realize. He did say he was using whatever he found in the wild to fight.

Why would he need a weapon when his body is sturdier than blades?!

He can just go in and bash whatever to death.

This guy is obviously a body-cultivating monk. Able to rip his enemies to shred with nothing but his fists. This is crazy!

This guy I am fighting is at least a rank 4 monk. Maybe even higher. I keep trying my best, but nothing works.

I try retreating but he manages to keep me stuck here.

The small alley we are in is the perfect hunting spot.

I have no room to maneuver around.

I am sure I will die here. With every left hook I see my body breaking down before my own eyes.

Why he is only delivering left hooks is a mystery.

After a long while, that feels like an eternity, I am sprawled on the floor.

A bloody mess.

Bones fractured, skin lacerated, and organs a mess.

I hear him leave loudly.

I do not even have the strength to grab the healing pills that I carry around.

Such a dumb way to die.

*Gasp of shock! *

"Guild master is that you?! What happened to you! Here take some medicine! You weren't coming back so I came looking for you!"

I feel my broken body heal slightly. Full recovery will take a few months at least.

Ah. Seems I will live another day. I really need to give Katheryne a rise when we come back.

Oh, and I will avoid that monk! At all cost!

If he comes to finish the job, I am dead!

"Guild master, what happened to you?"

I really want to curse my assailant right now. But I know I best not.

"I tripped."

"...…."