"So we're calling his office the Lynx Office. Not a bad name eh, Olivier?"

"He's got a reputation for being one after all. According to the internet. A lynx can take down prey 8 times its size. His title as the lynx is no joke but because people only respect ranks here." Olivier said as they both headed inside the building. Going over to the receptionist who was a little flustered at the sight of the pair.

"Yes.. How can I help you?"

"We'd like to start up a Hunter Guild."

"Oh? So soon? Even after you just became Hunters yourselves?" The receptionist asked as she brought out the files.

"As you're both S-Ranks. There will be no issue. But you're not allowed to take F-Rank Albion 'Lynx' Herrington into your guild." Olivier and Roland turned to each other.

"Any particular reason for the ban?"Olivier asked.

"The Association finds his survivability to be a bit of a mystery and we also have heard suspicious reports of him leeching off higher ranked Hunters when he was employed as a scout."

"Any way we can get that lifted?" Roland's question was met by a snicker from the Hunters behind him.

"Lifted? Only way he can get that lifted is if he talks to the Association President himself. He's much too of a scaredy cat for that though!" A Hunter spoke up, laughing as Roland and Olivier ignored him.

"We do need to get this sorted out. I'll call him." Olivier said as he dialed a number.

"What? You want to bring that guy here? You do know that this rule exists cause the Association President put the rule in. Only way to get that cleared up is by going through it with the President." Another Hunter spoke up. A cocky voice that belonged to a man who was clad in adamantite armor, shouldering a great sword.

"So why don't you just ditch the loser and work with us? The Silver Guard's always looking for more Hunters." Olivier was ignoring him while Roland was just looking at the boards. Albion walked through the entrance, surprising the others.

"I heard of the rule. I thought it was just a bunch of rumors but to think it was a policy." Albion spoke as he stepped in with his Lynx helmet.Taking it off as he put the helmet aside.

"Why don't you call the President?" Albion said as he tightened the grip off his gloves and fixing the Arbiter's coat. The other Hunters took a moment, some began to snicker. Some began to openly mock Albion.

"He's just an F-Rank. He wants to go up against the Association? Is he serious?" The Silver Guard Hunter walked on over to Albion.

"You're not big enough to be worthy of the President's time. So why don't you just go mosey on back to the orphanage. I heard the Dust Pipes came to see it. Heard about a big mess too. Hehe." The Silver Guard Hunter kept on running their mouth, Albion didn't say a word. The receptionist herself was not entertaining Albion.

"Damn. I knew that F-Ranks get a bad rep. You look like you're being treated like a bunch of Grade 9s out here." Roland commented as they watch the atmosphere take a turn for the worse. The President wasn't the same person that Albion knew. He was used to President Mackam who was essentially a bulldozer who only cared for the strong. This one? She was a lady with white hair, covering her eyes with a blindfold.

"Oh President Villis! This.."

"Lynx. I am aware." She answered the flustered receptionist as she looked over to his direction.

"Your knowledge and survivability would be a great benefit to the Association. If you're all wondering about President Mackam. Don't be, he's currently down for the count.Now he's working as a guild advisor for his son's guild. The Gray Hounds."

"It took some time since the fight lasted for a week. I'll lift the ban. On condition you figure out strategies to increase lower ranked Hunter's survivability. F-Ranked Hunters need tactics and strategies."

Albion pulled out a book for President Villis who glanced through the book.

"Tactics for F-Rank dungeons. I'd like to do E-Rank dungeons next." President Villis gave a nod.

"Lift the ban. That idiot Mackam has no idea what he's missing. So what's the name of your guild?"

"The Lynx Office."

"Then today. The Lynx Office is established. You may head out to handle the dungeons as needed. Albion you will have to complete the assignments. E-Rank dungeons will be available for you to head into it. Every guild will have no option to say no to you." Villis said where Albion turned to Roland and Olivier who gave a nod.

"I'll take care of the rest of the documentation. You two go and see what's interesting by the board." Albion would be taking care of the paperwork while Olivier and Roland headed over to the board to see what it's like. Seeing a dungeon of a B-Rank that still had openings.

"How about this one?"

"Roland I think we should be r-" Olivier's words were cut off as Roland tapped on the acceptance pop up.

Where they both were teleported to the dungeon location.

"That's convenient."

"Still reckless of you Roland. We should have taken a moment to read it completely."

"Hey, who are you?" A group of Hunters were in front of them.

"We're from the newly established Lynx Office. Came here looking for work. This was the only one that had openings." Roland said as he scratched his head while Olivier was shouldering his spear.

"You're among the S-Ranks that just returned right? We're from the Night Owl guild. This is our debut for a B-Ranked Dungeon. It'll be assuring to have some high ranked people with us." They bowed in respect.

"We have the head count! Let's go!" Roland and Olivier joined the Night Owl guild members inside the dungeon. It was a barren plain with demons ahead of them. The 15 Night Owls were readying themselves. Winged demons with stretched limbs and eyes brimming with a desire for blood.

"Demons. This is going to be tough." A Night Owls member said, seeing Olivier and Roland step forward. Stretching their limbs as they both were whistling a tune.

"Hey even if you're S-Ranks. You can't just charge in!"

"Geon." Olivier said as the trigram formed over his hands, filling his body with strength while Roland tightened his gloves. Readying the katana from Mook Workshop, the demons made their charge. Where Olivier and Roland were the first to run in.

Roland leaped into the air, a fast draw with the katana as he sliced through the demons. Then swapping out for the great sword of Wheels Industry. Crashing down to break through the demon's formation, Olivier went in with his spear, grabbing a demon twice his size by the arm. Throwing it to its allies, while Roland readied his lance to charge straight through. Impaling 7 demons at once. While the demons began to surround Olivier first.

"Gon." Olivier switched to another trigram as a group of demons attacked him at once. Taking the blows head on while Roland went over with his short swords to carve a path through to Olivier.

"Gam." Healing his wounds as Olivier went ahead, as he pierced his way through the formation. Reuniting with Roland in the center.

"Demons huh? Seems like a bunch of fogey shit."

"Well. They behave like the distortions we faced before. Shouldn't be too difficult even for us." Olivier said as a pair of demons wielding swords began to interrupt them. The pair break away from one another.

"Ri." Speeding up his movements, Olivier was now a blurr to the demons. Dodging a strike as he struck the head of another demon's head.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

"Olivier!" Roland threw the great sword to Olivier's path where he grabbed it, swinging through dozens of demons as Roland cleaved his path back to his partner.

"Got enough Silence?" A nod from his partner as Olivier let go off the great sword that faded away.

"You?"

"Enough for my ultima." Olivier and Roland to use their abilities. Roland unleashing his Furioso. Firing off the handguns first, then charging ahead with his lance. While Olivier charged through with Impugnatio Ultima. Combining their attacks as Olivier cut through the demons while Roland swapped on over to his hammer to leave a big crack into the enemy forces. Roland jumped on Olivier's spear where Olivier used his power to send Roland into the air, using his katana to eviscerate the limbs and joints. Softening them up for Olivier to handle it with his ultima.

A series of fast swings that were breaking through the formation of demons. Then watching how Roland's weapons flew up into the air, crashing down as they were still while he wielded a pair of gauntlets. Clawing his way through the demons, then using a knife to slit their throats. Precise attacks, and whenever they struck Roland. They see him take a step back while holding the gloves, dodging the attacks. A smile on his face.

Olivier unleashed the full might of his True Trigram formation, two swings front and back. Which pushed the demons away from him while Roland flipped on top of his great sword. Landing on the handle. A backflip as he pulled the great sword out to hack down the demons ahead of him.

They began to chant magic, using spells to strike Roland. Only to be stopped by Olivier who had kicked them mid-way, giving Roland more time to get back his weapons. Unleashing his Furioso to a massive scale, Roland faded from their senses. Swinging his blade to tear through as many of them as he could. The silence was letting themselves into the voice boxes of the demons. Unable to speak or to scream as they watched their allies be torn to pieces.

By the end of Roland's Furioso, the demons were reduced to nothing. Olivier and Roland stood in the center of the battlefield with blood splashed all over their clothes. Roland smoked a cigarette.

"I thought you quit."

"Only to make sure Angelica and Roelica get off my back. I can smoke freely in dungeons." Roland offered one to Olivier, who took the cigarette.

"That's that and this is this." The two of them spoke as they looked at the chaos, mana stones and cadavers of a one sided massacre. It was far too gruesome to be called a war, this was something that was a little too much for those who had seen it. Then a pop up appeared.

Books obtained.

Demon Knight.

Demon Swordsman.

Low Ranked Demon.

Demon with elongated body parts.

These books can be brought to the library for use.

Can apply to librarians.

"So. It works the same. Beat enemies and get books for us to use. But we have our own combat pages so how does this work?"

These books will provide passives to add on to your powers.

Some may grant you ability to use magic.

Buffs, debuffs.

Or grant bonuses to your skills.

"I suppose that means we can get stronger, Roland."

That is correct.

This is due to the fact that the establishment of the Office has been conducted.

Due to lacking the Office, the books in previous encounters have gone missing.

The Floor of History has been awakened.

The Librarian Director may head inside first.

You may go back to the library if you wish.

The books that have not been sorted will be brought back where, Pinocchio, Heart of Aspiration and Snow Queen will help sort them out.

In its first day of being established. The Lynx Office had garnered a reputation because of Roland and Olivier's actions, being supplemented with Yan's acts earlier from the other day. The Lynx Office was now starting its duties. Roland and Olivier returned to the association office, looking at the Fourth Pack that came to get its orders.

A B-Ranked Dungeon Subjugation.

"These are our orders?"

"Advance team went in, they've gone quiet. I know rescue's not your forte. So you'll be joining the Association's Extraction Team. Your job is simple. If it's a threat put it down faster than the Extraction Team can see it. How you handle it is up to you Nikolai." Nikolai gave a nod as she left with the Fourth Pack, seeing the Extraction Agents who were equipped with draconite armor plates on their bodies with the high tier yilvian thread clothing.

Albion wasn't worried because the Fourth Pack was tenacious and evident by their actions with the werewolves. It's a different ball game when the prey turns to kill the predator. Albion checked his phone to see if anything interesting was afoot on the social media network side of things. Truth be told a number of things got interesting. Particularly the fact that people were posting photos of the Keter Librarians during the werewolf dungeon break. A photo of Argalia defending a child with his scythe, Angelica leading others to safety. The Rhinos charging through the werewolves. The Rabbits using 'Graze the Grass' to strike enemies at a distance, getting close to take the fight to the werewolves.

Nikolai who cut down a werewolf with the cigarette in her mouth, along with Ryn who was behind her with a pistol to cover her six. The photos had a headline to them. Yan's metal hands that were protecting people. A photo of Albion with the pillars.

#LynxOfficeDebut.

#WerewolfHunters.

#RescuesByHunters.

The comments were thanking them, saying that the Lynx Office had protected people without any expectation for a reward. Seeing people leave messages.

'Can anyone inform me if I can get in touch with the heroes?'

'They just established their guild, the Lynx Office. Their two S-Ranks went into a B-Rank dungeon to help out clear it. The Hunters from Night Owl said they've never seen S-Ranks fight so recklessly and effectively.'

Albion continued to read the comments but he felt something.

The Floor of History, Malkuth has awakened.

You may head back to inspect the floor.

The other Librarians will stay here to do their work. Occasionally going back to the library.

With the establishment of the Lynx Office. You've now unlocked the ability to get books of enemies that you face.

Essentially, when entering a dungeon as its guests.

The Rules of the Library will now apply.

There will be a time when the Office itself will be required to take a moment to defend the Library.

Various abnormalities and guests from different worlds are making their way to the Library.

Roland and Olivier looked at Albion who gave a nod.

"We'll take care of things here. You should head back."

"Thanks." Albion said as he ran out the entrance, moving into an alley where he vanished. Finding himself in the library, seeing Pinocchio by the reception. Gesturing to a key where Albion grabbed it.

'Floor of History's Key.' Bloodbath grabbed Albion's hand, leading him to the next section. Where a staircase was in the middle but three other doors were present. Albion stepped into the floor of history's path, unlocking the door as he went inside.

Unlike the mess of general works, Albion could see the many lanes that had led to the path. The Floor of History's First Path, had nothing but an Abnormality Suppression from the get go.

'Scorched Girl.' Albion stepped into the light, finding himself in a town with various silhouettes. Seeing the Scorched girl whose body was true to her name. Literally scorched, accompanied by a number of matches. Yet, Albion put his weapon aside. The sight of the Scorched Girl was a grim reminder to his sister's death. White eyes, a scorched pony tail and a match through her chest.

"You’ll leave me when the light of the last match goes out, won’t you?" She spoke as her white tears fell, Albion took off his gloves. Putting it to his pockets. She ran straight into Albion, who opened his arms for her. Embracing her as the flames began to wrap all around him. A tight embrace, Albion felt his face burn from the heat itself. His skin was screaming to run but his heart?

His heart was full of pity to the plight of the Scorched Girl. Sad because she? Was a person who had been taken by the flames because it was all that she had. Selling matches as a means of getting money. The last match, the fourth match flame was one that she had used until she had passed on. Reborn as an Abnormality.

To suppress it, Albion thought to fight but seeing her like this? Even if his skin melted away, even if the heat was going to claim him. He's not going to wait or give up. Hearing the cries of the Scorched Girl in his arms. His skin had melted off, so did his muscles. Leaving behind his skeleton frame. Albion kept holding onto the Scorched Girl, even after all that had happened. He wasn't going to back down.

Even if he was going to repeat each and every time. He would do it.

He died.

He died again.

He died once more.

He died.

Burnt to death until his bones turned to ash, but each time. He would hold the Scorched Girl in his arms and would never let go. Even if the flames were going to burn through his sanity.

Albion refused.

He refused to let it end.

Burning to death over and over again. Licked by the flames of the Fourth Match Flame that was ruthless.

"Get away girl!"

"I do not want to be late with my family!"

"Nobody wants your matches!" The sound of match boxes being thrown, Scorched Girl continued sobbing. Looking up to see Albion being burned again, patting her head. Smiling as he had tears on his face. His mind was filled with the girl's story. How she was thrown out with boxes of matches. Told to sell them and if she did a good job. There would be food and rest.

Yet, she perished and held on to that promise of a reward. The Scorched Girl cried as she looked at Albion turning into a skeleton. Again. He repeated it. Holding her in his arms.

"Why? Doesn't it hurt?!"

"It doesn't." A simple answer as the girl leaned to his chest. Albion hummed a lullaby as the Scorched Girl slowly closed her eyes and the flames died down.

Would you like to Actualize Scorched Girl?

"Is it possible for her to rest?"

Yes... It is possible but...

Scorched Girl is an abnormality.

She will return.

If you use actualization.

You will calm her down.

"Fine. Actualization."

Albion said as he watched the ash fade away from the Scorched Girl's body, revealing her pale skin with her white eyes still intact. Albion put on the Arbiter's coat over her shoulders. She was soundly asleep, Albion stepped out to the lobby, where the other Abnormalities were present, this time. They were taking care and making sure that the Scorched Girl's sleep would not be bothered. With Bloodbath moving the bed closer and Snow Queen tucking her in.

Albion could not help but chuckle. For a moment, even they were acting cute towards them.