Novels2Search

Chapter 9

In the lively halls of the adventurer's guild, many of the adventurers were either drinking at the tavern zone or choosing quests. 

Some had grim faces, some had hopeful ones, others rejoiced, and even more cried murningful tears for their loved ones. One could say that this was a place full of emotions, which was true in a sense.

However, there was a stark difference between every adventurer. It was clear who were the 'elites' and who were the 'newbies'. One could tell by simply looking at the small badges attached to their chests or belts or by where they were sitting, as the veterans sat in the center whilst the newbies sat at the edges.

However, some of these adventurers didn't even bother wearing badges. Most of these had countless scars and very musclous bodies, whilst the rest of them had slim builds and possessed a very strong aura surrounding them.

As the doors opened, a young girl around 12 years old strolled in with an embarassed smile on her face. Some of the more questionable adventurers focused their gazes on her almost immediately, as if scrutinizing all of her. Others simply glanced at her before going back to whatever they were doing.

Making up her courage, the girl walked up to a free receptionist, whom looked at her with a gazze similar to that of a hen looking at her chick. 

When she finally arrived at the desk, she raised herself on her toes to look at the receptionist in the eyes. As for said receptionist? Her eyes had been filled with hearts the moment the girl had reached her desk. Indeed, the girl was very cute, guaranteed to become beatiful enough to topple kingdoms.

"Hello~! How may I help you?" The receptionist asked, her attitude turning towards that of a businesswoman.

"U-uh, right. Hi! I'm here to register as an adventurer!" The girl, obviously Sophia, said with renewed determination.

"O-oh. Are you sure cutie? Don't you think you're too young to join the guild? You still have a long life ahead of you..." The receptionist asked with worried eyes. Kids joining the guild weren't rare, but those were usually very poor or had been abandoned. This girl didn't look like either of them, hence her question.

"Well, I always wanted to become an adventurer. Are there age restrictions?" Sophia asked with sad eyes, making the receptionist shake her head with a wry smile.

"No, but we have to assign minors with experienced parties in order for you youngsters to learn from them. Of course, you can always just join a group of your own, but you have to have at least one C-rank in your group." The receptionist explained, suprising Sophia at the guild's fairness.

"Uh, I have a friend that should be coming soon... He's not C-rank, but he should be strong enough, is that fine?" Sophia asked with pleading eyes, making the receptionist shudder 'Dangerous!! She's too cuteee~!"

"Well dear, we would need to test him. When is your friend coming?" The receptionist asked with a small smile.

"He should be here anytime now... He said he needed to get geared up..."

Just as she finished saying this, the air in the room fell by dozens of degrees in an instant. Everyone's eyes, receptionist and Sophia included, instantly went towards the entrance of the guild.

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There, what could only be described as a steel monstrousity stood, towering over everybody. It's giant body high enough to almost reach the ceiling. 

It's whole body was covered in pitch-black armour, including it's head. A tail emerged from it's tailbone, longer then a normal man and as thick as a torso. It too was covered in armor, and tens spikes jutted out from it. 

Two horns emerged from it's temples, but those too were covered in armor. Not one bit of skin was showed, and the only part that allowed any onlookers to remotely look at the creature lurking in the armor was the eye slit.

Inside of it, two shining red eyes floated, making the creature look like an incarnation of slaughter. An aura of death constantly seeped out from the monster, making even the toughest of veterans have a river of cold sweat run down their backs. 

Slowly, as if time slowed down, the creature began walking. It's steps made the entire building shake. Although some of the magicians chanted spells under their breaths, everybody stood still, trying to determine wether this monster was friendly or not.

Finally, the monster reached a certain petrified receptionist and a curious young girl. Bowing slightly, it introduced itself "Greetings, ma... Lia. Forgive me for taking this long, but wearing this armor required some time."

Sophia sighed and said "It's fine, stop scaring everyone”, only to then murmur 'showoff' under her breath.

Although the veterans could tell the aura of massacre around the monster had lessened, it still remained. Although they felt uneasy, most realized that it was no danger, so they just tried to go about their business.

However, not all of them decided so apparently, judging by the 18-years old boy with short black hair and a foreign face that just decided to suddently get up, take out his sword and scream to the monster "What have you done to the poor girl? Challange me, and if I win, you will let her go free!"

The room quieted down once more, everybody's eyes having shifted from the armored monster to the crazy youngster. Even Sophia herself had a bit of an 'o' face. 

Then, the monster suddently turned it's head a full 180 degrees, making weird cracking noises. The burning red eyes in it's helmet's slit shining a dangerous light.

"... I decline. I do not accept challanges from trash, and besides, ma... Lia is already free. I would never dare do anything that goes against her will." It said in a mocking tone.

Widening his eyes, the youth grit his teeth as he attacked anyway, in front of several veterans and inside the guild. Nobody tried to stop him though, as almost everyone sane of mind knew that it would be a bad idea to have anything to do with the metal-man/monster.

"Naive and stubborn... You're exactly the kind of person that gets on my nerves the most!" The metal monster said, it's words resounding through the whole building, sounding strangely close to a death sentence.

"Shut up, monster! I'm the good guy here!" The youngster roared as his sword slammed against the monster's face. Normally, this would give a concussion or break some bones even with a helmet, however, the unthinkable happened instead.

Not only did the steel demon not budge an inch, the sword itself shattered into hundreds of pieces, sending them flying across the room. The youngster's eyes widened once more, but this time it was in fear.

Almost as if picking up trash, the metal monster grabbed at the youngster's neck with a singel hand and lifted him up easily. He tried to resist, kicking and punching, but it was all for naught.

With a slight press, the youngster's neck shattered: his bones broke and artillaries exploded. After the cruel act, the metal monster simply threw him away rather uncerimoniously.

Bowing to it's secret master, it said "Forgive me for the gruesome sight, Lia. I'm sure somebody will deal with the trash soon enough anyways, but I believe I should get going. I do not believe I am fit for the adventurer's guilds, and I'd much rather take on the mercenary guild." It said, before leaving once more, leaving the entire guild quiet.

Of course, nobody could hear what Sophia said under her breath, in a voice so light not even the devil itself heard it.

"Why do I feel nothing at the death of an innocent...? Well, he wasn't really innocent... but to think I'd feel nothing... Did my mind change along with my body?"

And so, the rumors of the 'Slaughter Knight' began circling around. Soon enough, many more nicknames would be obtained, and many brutal accomplishments would be earned.