Author's Preface
By the time Blue arrived at the Buckeye Guild the next morning, the atmosphere shifted. Blue had spent the last week relaxing, enjoying things he had forgotten about during his time in Murim. Comics, tv, general laziness. Something that wasn't afforded back in Murim. That changed the moment he reached the guild. Blue sighed as he opened the doors to the guild. "Ugh, back to it I guess. Maybe being a normal person with no power was worth it."
A group of five men were standing in the center of the lobby, already geared up and waiting. The leader of the group approached Blue as he walked on. "You're the new guy?" He asked as he looked Blue up and down sizing him up. He smacked his teeth. "Tch... D-rank." He gestured to the men behind him. "This is my team, we are running this gate. Just so we are clear, you're here to earn your keep. This isn't a free ride for you."
One of the men stepped forward. "Don't worry, we'll try not to make it too hard for you."
The leader smiled. "I'm one clean raid away from being able to take the C-rank trials. Two if they decide to be stingy." He stepped close and put his face within inches of Blue's. "Don't fuck this up for me." He leaned into Blue's ear and whispered. "I don't give a damn if your Eve's friend or not. A newbie D-rank doesn't know a damn thing about raiding gates." Blue looked at the 4 other men who were all smirking, arms crossed. The leader continued. "Just stay in the back, watch our six. And try not die."
Blue didnt respond. He watched as the leader walked back to his men and they started chatting. Murim never sounded like this. Not even among rivals, let alone allies. Strength demanded respect. Here strength was currency, staus. A ladder everyone was trying to climb, even if it meant stepping on the person next to them. It wasn't truly about strength on Earth though, rather the benefits that came along with your rank. Being humble had no place here. Blue shook his head. "This ought to be fun."
Blue followed the group to a van waiting outside that took them to their assigned gate. The van took them to a deserted area between the Association and the Buckeye Guild. The gate pulsed in the back yard of an abandoned warehouse. Its energy rippled across the area, killing every blade of grass around. Turning the once lush green area into a an area of dry, cracked earth. The leader opened the door and hopped out. "Let's go boys."
One by one they stepped out of the van and walked through the gate. Blue followed last. As the gate swallowed them, Blue made a quiet decision to himself. "I won't correct them, I won't argue. I have to prove nothing to them, at least not here. Not like this." If the world Association measured strength through results, then he would let them it his strength the only way they understood.
Two hours later the group stepped out of the gate. It's glow shifted from red to blue. Clear and stable, the signal that it had been cleared. Two guards stood nearby and watched them emerge. "Congratulations, Tim." One of them said. "I hear you and your team are up for a promotion raid soon.
Tim grinned and turned back to his team. "You hear that boys?" Six months less than other trash D-ranks to get promoted to C-rank."
"That's right boss, before you know it. You'll be A-rank and on the list of top rankers!" One of the men responded gleefully.
Tim smiled. "Did you ever doubt me? Let's get some drinks. I'm buying!"
Blue followed behind them, carrying a bag filled with materials and drops from the gate. His expression didn't change. He hadn't done anything. The entire raid, he had been treated like a porter. Blue shook his head as the men circled Tim and boosted his ego. "I could've cleared that by myself, in half the time." He muttered to himself. Blue tossed the bag into the van without a word.
"Don't worry new guy." On the men called out. "You'll get your split after we sell everything at the Association."
Tim looked back at Blue as he stepped into the van. "You're a good porter, maybe I'll let you stick with us after we hit C-rank. Ya know, since you follow orders like a good D-rank should."
As Tim was hopping in the van the two guards straightened, one cleared his throat. "Good afternoon, Guildmaster. What brings you out here?"
Time froze for a second, then immediately hopped out of the van. He walked by his team and slapped one. "He must've heard how good we are, came to see us in person." He approached Aaron. "Good afternoon Guildmaster."
Aaron nodded once. "Afternoon."
As Tim opened his mouth, Aaron walked by him bumping into him, forcing him to stumble backwards. Aaron's eyes met Blue's and walked straight to him. "So, what did you think?"
"They did okay." Blue said as he stared at Tim who's mouth was wide open.
Aaron turned to Tim. "You're promotion assignment will be coming soon. You and your team have done well." Aaron pointed his finger, waving it at Tim. "Uh...uh."
"Tim. My name is Tim." Tim said.
"That's right...Tim. Good job." Aaron smiled and looked back at Blue. "Want to spar again?"
Blue smiled. "Not at the moment, but I'll take you up on that invitation soon."
Aaron sighed. "Fine, but you better mean it. I'm heading to the Association. Yall were on the way. So, i thought id drop in and see if yall were finished. I best get going." Aaron patted Blue on the shoulder and left.
Tim walked up to Blue as Aaron walked away. "We aren't going to have any problems are we?"
Blue tilted his head slightly. "Excuse me?"
"You heard the Guildmaster, my promotion exam is coming. He knows me by name now. Making sure you aren't going to cry about being mistreated, or some nonsense." He held Blue's gaze for a moment. "We all know you're here because of Eve. So don't go trying to ruin my promotion."
Blue looked at him for a moment then let out a small amused giggle. "Don't worry, I'm not concerned with you becoming C-rank." Blue patted him on the head. "Besides the Guildmaster KNOWS your name now right? Why would he possibly listen to the ramblings of a meager D-rank." Blue turned and walked away as Tim and his team loaded onto the van.
Blue made his way back to the guild and stopped by the two ladies who sat behind a desk in the lobby. "Excuse me?" Blue leaned on the desk. "Where is the cafeteria?"
"Just down the hall, to the right sweetheart. If you see a weight room you've gone too far." One of the women said. Blue nodded and walked away. "Did you see his hair? And his entire vibe. He's kind of hot." One of the women said as she walked Blue walk away. The other slapped her on the arm. "That's Eve's friend. I wouldn't if I were you."
Blue stepped into the cafeteria. The room was loud, voices overlapped, trays clattered, people coming and going after their runs and training. He grabbed a tray and paused briefly, scanning the room. "This feels like high school again... and I fucking hated high school." Blue sighed. Awakeners were different. Focused. Driven. And more often than not, only looking out for themselves. Blue moved down the line, grabbing what he needed. As he turned, he paused and scanned the room for an empty table when he spotted Eve sitting with a group. The moment she saw him, her face lit up, and she waved him over. Blue walked over and took a seat beside her.
“This is Blue, everybody,” Eve said with a smile. “Blue, this is everyone.”
A man across from him leaned forward, offering a hand. “So you’re the one Eve’s been talking about since she got here. I’m Chris. I’m a shield knight. Got lucky... my core’s Earth-based. Nice to meet you.”
A woman beside him gave a small wave as she continued to eat. “Samantha. Elemental mage.”
“Darrien,” another added. “Aether user.”
“And I’m Cynthia,” the last said. “Flux user. I support them during raids.”
Blue nodded to each of them. "Blue. I use qi.”
“Sooo, how’d your first raid go?” Eve asked. “Went well,” Blue said. “No issues.” He picked up his fork. “A little too easy, honestly.” He shrugged. “I’m hoping I rank up quickly. Otherwise… I might get bored.”
Chris chuckled. “I get that. But it takes time. Took me two years to hit A rank.” He gestured lightly around the room.
“There’s only about fifty of us in the Buckeye Guild. Even fewer make it into the top hundred nationally.” He nodded toward Eve. “She’s sitting around fifty.” Then toward Samantha. “And she’s what... eighties?” Samantha nodded, still eating.
Eve leaned over slightly, gently rubbing Blue’s back. “Just take your time,” she said. “There’s no rush.”
No rush. Blue stared down at his tray for a moment. There is a rush. The thought came immediately. He didn't have time to waste, he couldn't wait years to climb the ranks. He needed freedom to move around and find the pendant. He needed to start his own guild to freely train people and send them to Murim like Seori asked.
Everyone wanted something from him. Needed something from him. And he still didn’t know where to start. Blue exhaled quietly, pushing the thoughts down. When he looked back up, he gave Eve a small smile. “…You’re right,” he said. “No rush.”