"So the people in the guild have dinner with each other?"

"Not quite, this is optional and only for people who are down on their luck moneywise."

"Hmmm, makes sense."

Ryan and Tio are walking down the empty halls of the Guild, on their way to the cafeteria, while making small talk. Ryan is beginning to get used to his new body as he was very stiff when he came into this world. Ryan's ultimate goal, for now, is to figure out if this is game or reality and then figure out whose love he is supposed to accept but he assumes everyone has the same goal so he will leave that quest for someone else. He kinda wants to become a G Rank Mercenary just for the fun of it, seems like it would be easy enough, that is if he is able to be Cindered again. He has about a fifth of his actual potential available for use and he intends to figure out how to unlock the rest of it. He wants his title as the 'God of Miracles' to be respected once again.

The two finally reach the cafeteria and Tio opens the door to a dismal sight. The place is dimly light and it reeks of some sort of drugs which makes Ryan slightly cringe. Tio seems to not be affected by this as she casually walks up to what seems to be a bar and asks for a drink Ryan has never heard of. She waves Ryan over and pats the bar stool next to her.

"So, do you drink?"

"On occasion yes, but not as a daily occurrence."

"Hmph."

Tio is slightly surprised by this as she expected someone who had lost all of his comrades to want to drink away his sorrows. Especially being so young, he should not be as hardened as a Veteran when it comes to war but since she did make him a Rank A right of the bat she should think more highly of him. The dark-skinned bartender brings 3 glasses over to Tio and Ryan and pours a yellowish coloured liquid into all three.

"Geez, alcoholic much Tio?"

"No, I brought these 2 for you and I, newbie. People call me Mountain by the way."

The name Mountain was fitting as the man was about 8' tall, and has enough muscles that makes him look like he could break anyone like a twig in mere seconds. Ryan can notice the scars all over his arms and faces and is able to tell this man is a seasoned fighter.

"I'm Frew."

Not denying a free drink, Ryan lifts his glass towards the man named Mountain as thanks and takes a big sip. His throat begins to slightly burn as he can taste the familiar taste of whiskey. He likes whiskey and actually loves the burn from the harder liquors. Mountain looks at Ryan as if expecting something but has a disappointed face after a few seconds. Tio ignores the two as she downs the whole drink in one massive gulp. Tio starts coughing maniacally and starts to pound he chest as if trying to punch away the burn.

"You gave us *cough* Dwarven whiskey?!"

"Yeah T! It is a special occasion!"

Mountain begins to laugh at Tio's pain and even Ryan lets out a chuckle. Tio already has tears in her eyes and she is even beginning to become red-faced.

"Can't hold your liquor huh?"

"That's not it! *cough* I had ordered a drink that wasn't that strong and didn't expect to get the strongest drink to ever exist *hiccup*!"

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Mountain is laughing to the point where he is almost going to cry and his laugh is loud enough to rattle the bones in your body. He slams the table while continuing his fit of laughter and sends everyone's glasses into the air, while Ryan easily snatches Mountain's and his glasses without losing a single drop of whiskey, Tio, on the other hand, tries to catch hers but fumbles with it for a few seconds and it drops to the floor, shattering. Ryan hands Mountain his drink and they both chug the rest of their whiskey at the same time. Ryan and Mountain clasp each other's hand and look at one another, looking like they are getting to arm wrestle.

"You are good with your hands newbie, and telling by your grip you must be pretty strong, wanna test that strength?"

The drink is beginning to make both Ryan and Mountain intoxicated, and when Ryan gets intoxicated, he can't hold back from a challenge. Ryan pauses for a second to make a mental note about how he can feel intoxicated, unlike the last game and the burning feeling is a little too realistic for a game but who cares right now? He is making a new friend!

"Sure old man but are you sure you're bitting off a little more than you can chew, maybe you should lay off the drinks."

A vein pops out of Mountain's head and he begins to laugh at the skinny rookie, his eyes begin to burn with a fighting spirit that can melt your soul and his muscles flex to the point they rip his arm sleeves. Tio becomes worried and tries to stop it but to no avail.

"Mountain! Stop! You are going to hurt the poor kid, you both might be Rank A's but that doesn't he is as strong as you! You don't have to go all out!"

"Don't worry T, I can tell this youngin can hold his own, plus I want to see if he deserves the Rank A title you gave him."

A wicked smile forms on Mountain's face and he begins to stare into Ryan's eyes. Tio would think Ryan would be scared at this point as very few men in this country can handle Mountain's strength and presence but she was completely wrong. Ryan also has a wicked smile and his eyes have a slight shine in it as if wanting this and he truly does. This man named Mountain reminds him of one of his 4 comrades, named Crucifix, the God of Power, but Ryan knows him as Edwin, the man aspiring to be a pro wrestler.

Edwin and Ryan are childhood friends and seeing someone with his same personality lights up Ryan's fighting spirit. Plus he wants to test out his own strength as well. Knowing that she can't stop the two horrifying people, Tio just sits back and enjoys the front row seat to what might be the Arm Wrestle of the Century while wondering who is going to clean up the shattered glass on the floor, then again this place isn't the cleanest.

"Ready rook?"

"As much as I'll ever be."

"You better pray so, go!"

Tio had expected that Mountain had got Ryan off guard and would win in less than 5 seconds but something was off. Mountain seemed to be straining to move Ryan's arm down but was failing to do so. The worst part was Ryan was not even breaking a sweat and still had the same wicked smile on his face. Mountain begins to grunt with each push and is even drenched in sweat already. After about 30 seconds of not moving at all, Mountain starts to chuckle.

"You're much stronger than I thought! Looks like I'll go all out! CINDERED STRENGTH!"

Ryan's face becomes slightly worried but changes back to the same demeanour as before. Mountain's arm begins to burn with fire and ashes begin to fall off the fire.

Ryan can feel the burn through his leather wraps but he can't lose this now since this isn't a test of strength but overall power, he will have to fight back with his own powers, besides he needs to learn how to control this curse if he wants to be as strong as possible. If viewed from the outside, it would seem Mountain is winning but if you were able to look through Ryan's leather wraps then you would be able to see Ryan's veins are beginning to grow bigger and seem to wiggle as if having their own conscience. Mountain's face that was once full of confidence is now one of horror as his special technique that has been able to overpower any challenger he has ever fought is now being overpowered by a newbie.

The worst part is that Ryan is staring into Mountain's eyes and Mountain has done the same, but Mountain noticed a huge change. Ryan's left eye has turned into a solid red dot and reminds Mountain of a wild, Corrupted monster. Before Mountain could truly think over what Ryan has inside of him, his arm begins to be pushed towards the table but Mountain has never backed down from a challenger and won't now. He will have to do something that could break Ryan's arm or even his whole body.

"Transformation: Abyssal Demon!"

"No Mountain DON'T!"

*SNAP*

Tio scream is drowned out by the sound of bones shattering and the roar of an injured man.