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Volume 2 upgrade specialist chapter 18 – harsh words

2 hours (and 15 broken knives) later I was disturbed from my training.

Alice: hey Solomon, I've got some food here for you.

From outside of my compartment, I heard Alice calling to me. Her voice didn't sound oddly less cheerful than usual. Unsure if I misheard, I decided I was overthinking it. With the loss of my intense concentration, my bodies hunger caught up with me, causing my stomach to rumble.

Solomon: GRRR

Collecting all of the molten scraps I began to leave the room, towards the tents common area. As I opened the flap to exit my room the rich smell of cooked meat filled my nostrils. Sitting on a chair in the centre of the room Alice had placed two bowls on the table.

Placing the scraps down in the corner I made my way over to the table, sitting down across from Alice. Only now did I notice that she had a scowl on her face.

Solomon: uh, did I do something wrong? If it’s the knives I'll pay you back for them.

After hearing what I said she deepened her scowl.

Alice: why didn't you ask me before inviting Aries to the team?

Now understanding why she was angry I answered her.

Solomon: after going through this part of the mission today, I've realised a crucial problem we have. We lack members. A guild should have a considerable amount of members, without allies we will be pressed to complete mission every week. After spending the day with her my assessment of her is rather good, being in a tight spot I'd rather take the risk she betrays us than fail the mission.

Hearing my reasoning she seemed to become even more agitated.

Alice: you should have consulted both me and Gareth before making this decision. You might be the leader but we are a team, decisions should be made together.

Arguing against my actions Alice explained her views.

Solomon: we don’t have the luxury of democracy in this world, here the strong rule. As the strongest fighter, I am the leader. If you want to be part of the team you have to follow my instructions. If you're not prepared to do that you should leave the team.

Though I didn't intend to be so harsh the words flew out from my mouth before my brain could catch up. Surprised by my own words I instantly regretted what I had said. standing up she glared at me, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes.

Alice: maybe I just will.

Delivering those final ice cold words she ran out of the tent, tears flowing from her eyes. I watched as one of the closest people break down because of my actions. The anger that had been sitting in my gut was turned upon myself. Bolting to my feet, I chased after her.

As I exited the tent I couldn't see her. Our tent was in the middle of several other tents, blocking my sight. From the direction of the base's gate, I heard several shouts.

Random shout 1: LADY BOSS, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

Random shout 2: BOSS, WAIT IT'S DANGEROUS TO LEAVE AT NIGHT!

It was past sunset at this point. Other than the light emitted by the campfires in the base, there was no light to be seen. Looking out into the pitch black of the forest I felt my heart tighten. Dashing towards the gate I caught site of several unranked panicking.

Solomon: what's happened?

Unranked: SIR, LADY BOSS HAS RUN OUT INTO THE FOREST. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Looking at the genuine concern on the faces of these unranked, it seemed that Alice had made these men accept her.

Solomon: calm down, I'll go out and get her. Go find Gareth and explain what's happened. He's in charge for now.

Unranked: YES SIR!

Turning to face the forest I utilized the enhanced eyesight of my race. In the ground a few feet away were distinct footprints, leading off into the darkness. Speeding off into the darkness I followed the trail. A horrid sense of foreboding seeping into my bones.

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having been upset by Solomon's words Alice had ran off into the forest. At this moment she just wanted to be alone.

Since having been brought into this world she only had Solomon supporting her. Though she also got along with Gareth he had no special attachment to her. Having just had her pillar of support threaten to abandon her had thrown her into despair.

over the last week or so she had developed quite the attachment to Solomon. Several times when she was in danger he had saved her, if it wasn't for him she wouldn't have even survived the test mission. Even though she was only a weak girl who burdened him, he had always looked out for her. On several occasions even risking his life for her.

As her feelings mixed together into a pool of confusion she sped up, eventually running too fast for her feet to follow. As she fell to the ground the welled up emotions in her bared down on her. Collapsed on the floor in a little clearing she curled up into a ball.

Laying on the floor all of the experiences she's had the last week ran through her mind. All of the trauma making her fearful, as well as all of the fun making her happy.

Disturbing her from her recollection a deep, low pitched growl echoed throughout the clearing.

Growl: GRRRRRRRRRR.

Alice: huh.

Standing up all of the hairs on her body stood on end. She could feel an intense stare on her back. Turning around she saw a pair of pearlescent yellow eyes gleaming out from the forest. As she met the eyes with her own her body was held in place. As she stared in horror the eyes slowly walked out into the clearing, revealing the creature. With a 3 meter tall body of a chicken, as well as scaled skin and piercing eyes this creature met the perfect match of a cockatrice.

She watched as it skulked towards her never losing eye contact. Standing before her it lifted up one of its claws, preparing to split her down the middle. As the claw began descending time seemed to slow for her. Watching the slow movements coming to reap her life she felt deep regret. If she knew death would come so soon she would have confessed her feeling to Solomon. Only in her last moments did she realise how she truly felt.

Suddenly she was being pushed from her side, moved away for the attack. Now having broken eye contact she was no longer held by the beasts gaze. Looking back to where she once stood, the body of Necro stood in her place. Cut in half at the waist he had given his life to save her. The front half of his body lay at her feet. With his last ounce of energy necro said.

Necro: run, mistress.

When his last breath left his body his body he turned back into a card, falling to the ground.

Seeing her subordinate die before her made her fill with fear. As she stood back to her feet the beast turned towards her, smashing its head into her. Falling to the ground winded, the front of her t-shirt had been caught in the monster's beak. Now laying on the ground injured and exposed she lost all hope. As the beast prepared to finally finish her of another roar emitted from the forest.

Roar: GRAAAAAAAGH!

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having followed the trail for 10 minutes I hoped I would soon find Alice. In this darkness even with my enhanced senses making out the trail, causing me to lose the trail several times. The trail eventually straightened into a line allowing me to sprint forward.

As I broke through a hedge I found Alice. She was in a clearing being attacked by a chicken creature. Seeing her laid on the floor, the front of her chest having been exposed. Seeing this infuriated me. Before the beast could attack her I planned to incinerate it. But before I could act a roar shook the air.

Roar: GRAAAAAAAGH!

A few seconds later a claw descended into the clearing, slightly smaller than the beast, smashing it into the ground. As I looked up I saw the new creatures whole body. Several stories tall, with red scales and 4 long limbs. It fit the traditional image of a European dragon. Landing in the clearing it leered down at the chicken creature. Under this new creature's gaze, it shrivelled with fear.

Looking away from the chicken the dragon looked towards Alice. Fearing that it was going to attack her I sped out to stand in front of her.

Dragon: what are you doing? little lizard, why do you protect a human.

The dragon spoke in a deep voice similar to humans, surprising both me and Alice.

Solomon: I apologise, great dragon, but could you let her go?

The dragon tilted its head to the side.

Dragon: does little one wish to take my prey, you should not try to take from me, I'm not very forgiving.

Seeing the conversation going downhill I made a gambit. I began speaking in dragon-tongue, hoping to convince him.

Solomon(in dragon-tongue): great dragon, a fellow dragon has told me to look after this human, I would hope you could respect your fellow dragons wishes.

As soon as I began speaking in dragon-tongue the dragon's eyes filled with surprise. When I had finished the dragon spoke back to me, also in dragon-tongue.

Dragon(in dragon-tongue): you speak dragon, small one.

The dragon seemed to struggle speaking the language as if it had not got a complete understanding of the language.

Solomon(in dragon-tongue): I do, a fellow dragon of yours bestowed the language to me, searing it into my mind.

Hearing my explanation the dragon immediately knelt down. Speaking again it conversed in English.

Carbones: I am carbones, little one I'm surprised you know a greater dragon.

Confused about what a great dragon was I asked.

Solomon: I am Solomon, I'm afraid I don't know what a greater dragon is great carbones.

Looking at me like I was an idiot Carbones explained.

Carbones: a greater dragon is a dragon capable of transmitting into others mind. They are always supremely powerful beings.

I guessed that this was most likely a standard to judge dragons in this fiction. From what I could tell this dragon revered the title greater dragon. Using this to my advantage.

Solomon: great Carbones, we have been tasked by the greater dragon to deal with some bandits in the area, if you helped us I'm sure they could repay you.

Carbones thought for a few seconds before replying.

Carbones: I would like too little one, but if this is your task the greater dragon wouldn't want me to complete it for you. Though I have a counter offer. I'll ensure your safety and help you train, this should be enough to gain benefits for us both.

After weighing the risks I decided it was worth it.

Solomon: I'm good with this deal, let's do it.

Ourous: secret missing objective completed, gain Carbones support. Invalidates secret mission, kill Carbones.

rewardsfor completing the secret mission, gain Carbones support, are as follows. contestant responsible rewarded 400 points and 2 G rank tokens, all other G rank contestants rewarded 1 G rank token and 200 points, unranked contestants rewarded 100 points.

Surprised by the sudden voice of Ourous, a smile crept onto my face.

Solomon: great carbones, we have ally's nearby would you follow us back there.

Nodding his head he replied

Carbones: I will do so.

Turning back around I spoke to Alice.

Solomon: I'm sorry for what I said Alice, please come back with me to the base.

Being brought back from her fear she suddenly jumped up hugging me. Through her touch, I could feel that she was shaking. To calm her down I placed my arms around her.

Solomon: don’t worry, it's all okay now.