Rankers like Van Wilder, Ketsu Hasu, and Silvera were neutral about the rank-up program.
In addition to doing what was asked of them, they kept taking missions side by side to avoid hindering their growth in any way. They didn't think of leaving the program just because it was getting difficult to continue. But they preferred if things stayed at the same level of difficulty while they enjoyed the resources the guild provided them.
Drin felt like he should be investing more time and effort into the program after all. The last mission made him realize something.
"I think that the rank-up program we have been through is only a qualifying round. The real-rank-up program will begin today."
Bianka heard Drin's predictions and had stress lines on her forehead. The routine and the tasks assigned to the program were challenging enough, to begin with. If it was supposed to be a warm-up, what would the real program look like?
***
Argo was in his miniature eagle form. The demon beast was very familiar with all the key White Raven members. He would approach them one after another and talk to them to see if they could provide him with some treats.
The bird brain was always hunting and hustling, looking for anything that he could eat or make use of. He would ask for some helpful ranking resources from the rankers he met, offering them advice, tips, or some puns in exchange.
The guild members had gotten used to his occasional visits as well. They would talk to him as if he was just another person. They offered him the resources he asked for since the advice he would give would always be multifaceted. They might not solve the problem completely. Sometimes, though, his words point them in the right direction.
Argo was also present in the hall. He landed on Tuan's shoulders before greeting him casually.
"Yo, T. What's up, dawg?"
Tuan was busy talking with someone on a spectral call in the corner, away from any group of rankers. There was a young woman on the other end of the call. She seemed to be frustrated with him from the looks of things. She canceled the spectral call when Argo came into the picture.
It was clear that Tuan had taken Eren's advice about getting back into the game. However, it seemed like he was still struggling when it came to having a stable romantic relationship.
Tuna sighed when the call was disconnected. He looked at Argo dejectedly before responding.
"It's good that you are a demon beast, Argo. You don't have to deal with these headaches. You don't know the pains and sufferings a chivalrous guy like me has to go through just to get his heart soothed. *Sigh."
Argo made a few guttural sounds, which sounded like he was dissatisfied with something. At least that's what Tuan felt. The demon beast scratched below his neck with his eagle feet before speaking up.
"Haah! You still suck in the game of getting puss… Grrrrr…"
Argo was about to speak in his usual cuss language when he remembered that his master had told him to tone down a few words that might come across as offensive. Especially when there were female rankers that were around him. So he turned the volume down on his voice before speaking up.
"You're still the same nutcase you used to be, you fool. You learned nothing from your wife betraying you, did you? Listen up, T. Chivalry is dead and bitches killed it.
I be learning a lot from my master's game. Let me impart you with some of that top-class wisdom if you are okay with giving me three of those D-Rank Crimson Fire Lotuses you have. How 'bout that?"
Tuan knew Argo wouldn't offer his "services" for free. He had taken after Eren after all. However, what he was asking in exchange was simply too much. He also wondered how Argo came to know about the fact that he owned exactly three D-Rank Crimson Fire Lotuses. The beast was pretty crafty for his age.
"*Cough. I… I'm ready to offer you one of those Lotuses."
Argo made a few more guttural sounds as if cursing someone under his breath. He cleaned his beak with his other eagle feet and responded.
"For someone so desperate for a change of perspective, you sure drive a hard bargain, T. Aight. Show me the merc first before we go any further."
Tuan pursed his lips before nodding. He took out the fire-element ranking resource from his storage and showed it to the demon beast. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the resource. As soon as he saw it, he quickly stored it in his storage space before closing the deal.
Argo educated Tuan about Eren's way of handling women in his life because that's what the demon beast knew most about. Tuan looked at the bird suspiciously because of the steps he suggested he take with his woman. He wondered if Argo was trying to mess with him.
Argo's suggestions were the opposite of what Tuan was used to practicing. But Argo convinced him nonetheless. One could say that the demon beast had his way with words, no matter how rough his language might sound to his listeners.
"You mean I should just leave if she starts arguing with me? Won't that aggravate the problem later?"
Tuan asked Argo in a voice laced with doubts. However, Argo was done with the fire-element ranker at this point. He had already provided him with advice worth one Crimson Fire Lotus. So the demon beast started wrapping things up.
"Bitches be crazy, T. You would want to avoid them when they are on their crazy.
A lot of guys get wrecked and have their shit flying because they become storm chasers. A normal response when you see a storm on the horizon is to run the hell away from it and think about the consequences later.
Of course, it's better to be surrounded by multiple storms. That way, you will be able to handle any storm. Hehe.
And speaking of storms and stormborns, my master's here. I'll see you around, T. Good luck."
Argo disappeared from Tuan's shoulders, leaving him with his question answered. However, the fire-element ranker's attention was quickly shifted to the levitating stage in front of him.
The guild master of the White Raven guild had come to address his key guild members.
AN: A slice-of-life chapter before we start the new volume Domineering Evil for real. ;)
