12 Meeting With the Scapegoat

*Loudo Guild HQ*

A few minutes before the call....

'I wonder what the Guild Master is thinking. Surely he isn't going to abide by the request of that man. But then again, after watching the video one could easily tell how skillfully experienced the man is. And the item which he used...Remia was it?'

Nobara stood before the Guild Master's desk in the main office of the Loudo's Guild HQ deep in thought after watching the intriguing footage of the masked man who called himself Remia clearing the Lair.

"Hmm..."

The Guild Master leaned back in his chair to stare at the ceiling.

"What do you think, Nobara?"

Without fidgeting, the Guild Master inquired to Nobara.

But for a few seconds, Nobara was hesitant to answer.

His body became tense, not daring to make eye contact with the Guild Master.

Nobara then lowered his gaze with a polite bow.

"My opinion matters not. This matter is solely upon your decision,"

Nobara kept his head lowered but if one were to look closer, his body trembled like cold jelly.

The Guild Master coldly glanced at Nobara not even for a second.

"Then I've decided. I will contact him,"

'Thank goodness he didn't take it any further. Seems today I'll escape my faith,'

"Very well,"

Nobara lifted his head before slowly turning around to hastily exit through the two giant doors of the Guild Master's office.

'That pressure. I can't stand it. Why are we being treated like this?'

After exiting the doors Nobara's countenance wrinkled into a vicious, unhappy frown.

*Back at Aimer's Villa*

*opens* *closes*

Aimer exited the villa and halted his movements after closing the door.

'Being able to see my mother before I leave was very convenient. In one night she made progress from absorbing that Sky-Dweller monster cores and became an Ascendant Dweller (lvl: 215). The next Lair I enter, I will make sure to bring back something good.

And this isn't just from a guess, I'm pretty sure due to my [Luck] and my Title I will gain some valuable rewards within the Entrances. Anyways, why don't we go meet the Guild Master?'

Aimer looked up the bright sunny sky that lit up his courtyard. But when he lowered his head, in a far distance behind his gate stood two figures.

'Oh? I have visitors?'

Skill [Fade] has been activated!

*whoosh* Aimer vanished from the entry of his villa and appeared a few inches from within the inside of his gate.

To his surprise, the two figures that stood on the other side he knew all to well.

'His long time bully, Louis and and his ex-girlfriend, Genevieve'

"Well, what do we have here? Were you two invited to my sacred grounds?"

Genevieve, who faced the gate was startled when Aimer suddenly appeared before her but the moment she attempted to say something she was interrupted.

Louis, on the other hand who had his back turned towards the gate while restlessly tapping his feet had quickly turned around.

"YOU! WERE YOU THE ON...."

"...!!!"

Though Louis turned around infuriated, that only last a mere second after recognizing the person before him.

'IMPOSSIBLE! It's Aimer!! He's the one who stole my villa! B, b, but how!? This doesn't make sense!! He shouldn't have such luxury's to afford this villa!!'

The fear that had once felt, grasped him again causing him to come short on his statement. His expression became horrific while he unintentionally stepped back from the gate.

'Why!! Why are you smiling at me!! Why are you doing this! This is the second time I've been humiliated in my life!! And what's worst...it's by someone who I used to look down upon!'

Louis had now became sweaty, his entire face shivered as if he were hit by an extreme cold.

Skill [Intimidate] has been activated!

"What's the matter, Louis? Didn't you have something to say?"

*opens gate*

"Why don't you continue?"

Aimer opened the gate and unhurridly walked pass Genevieve towards the frightened Louis.

"No! Stay away from me! Don't come any loser!"

*thud*

Louis fortuitously fell to the canvas, lowered his head, and reached out his arms in the form of an 'X' hoping Aimer doesn't approach any closer.

'What! What's going on with Louis!? Why does he look so scared of Aimer!?'

"Aimer!! What are you doing!!'"

Genevieve who seemed to be flustered by the entire situation finally decided to say something.

*stops*

Aimer feet stopped a couple inches away from Louis.

*turns*

"I guess he didn't tell you what happened the other day? But it's not like it matters now, does it?"

Aimer flashed a happy, innocent smile, however, from Genevieve's perspective it was if she stared at a ticking time bomb that could explode if she made the wrong move.

'Just now, what was that? It felt like I could've been swallowed by something!'

And so, she kept her next words to herself.

Realizing that she became reluctant Aimer turned back towards Louis who on the floor.

'He's trembling? That's good, if he wasn't scared then there'd be a problem'

Aimer kept a steady, emotionless gaze at Louis who was slightly crouched up in ball of fear for a second before once again tuning back towards Genevieve.

"To think that my ex-girlfriend would date the person I hated most. No, it'd be better if I say you're dating a coward."

That aside, both of you listen well. If either of you think of stepping on my province again uninvited...I'LL KILL YOU!"

For a brief moment, there was an unsettling chill that caused Genevieve's body to desire to do one thing.

[RUN!]

But even though that's what her body desires, she was to unnable to move. Aimer's skill didn't allow here move an inch from her spot. That was how much pressure both Genevieve and Louis felt from Aimer.

Skill [Intimidate] has been deactivated!

Aimer closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"I'll give the two of you 10-seconds to get 'TF' out of my sight,"

"10,"

"9,"

'What! Is he serious! No, I can't contemplate myself. I have to move...I have to run. And I have to take that b*tch with me! If only she had warned me it was her 'ex' who bought the villa then I wouldn't have even come here! Instead I would've devised a plan!'

"8,"

"7,"

"Hurry you b*tch! Let's goo!

Louis had sprung from his position after now being able to think rationally but not without snatching Genevieve's arm to make a run for it.

'Shit! Look at her!! She's lost it! It seems he affected her more than he did me'

Louis dragged Genevieve who now had a pale expression across her face.

'They're gone! But they still had 3-seconds. Oh well, I think I made the right decision. I only scared them to buy me some more time. I can't keep having nuisances interrupting my plans. By then, even if Louis makes contact with his father, the leader of the Shadow Guild I should be strong enough to defend myself.

Because if there's one thing I learned, it's that my [Empathy] skill can be broken by someone who has a strong willpower. So it'll be out of the question when dealing with him...that's why I need to become even stronger and gain as many asset as I can'

Aimer had now placed his furry hood atop his head and put on his mask ready to visit the Loudo Guild.

Though his actions all happened after Louis and Genevieve both disappeared in the far distance.

Skill [Fade] has been activated!

******

*Loudo Guild HQ*

'It took me thirty minutes to get here. Does this skill not have a time limit. The reason, why I ask, is that I remember my [Adapt] skill having a time limit when I was in the Lifeless Abyss. Speaking of which, I haven't used it in awhile. Anyways, why am I thinking about such things right now! I should get going...'

Aimer tapped himself on his head before approaching the ginormous five-floor hotel-like building with the words 'Loudo Guild' written boldly on the front.

"Hm? Is that...?"

"What is it.."

"Oh, that's the individual the Guild Master told us to be on the lookout for"

Two guards discussed to one another after glimpsing a masked man approaching the entrance they guarded.

When Aimer closed the distance between them one guard stepped aside while the other...

"...Mr. Remia, I shall escort you,"

'Hm? It seems he informed his members well'

Aimer nodded to the guard who drew his attention. That said guard then turned around to enter the building and Aimer followed suit.

*opens*

The guard pushed open the two silent glass doors and Aimer came to have a spacious view of the main floor of the Guild's HQ.

Both Aimer and the guard strode across the marble floor with a pentagram-like symbol on that said floor.

Directly ahead of them was a large desk-like counter decorated with lively plants that had three members operating at their respective computers.

On either side of the floor were chairs rested against the glass interiors of the building where bountiful Guild members chattered.

That was until the masked man striding towards the front desk caught their attention.

Eyes stared, lips murmured and tongues rolled.

'Is that him?'

'Yes, I think so'

'How important could he be to meet the Guild Master'

'Well, maybe he's joining our guild'

'I don't know about that but order are orders'

*smirks*

'They're a noisy bunch. I guess I should try that then..'

Skill [Truth-seeker] has been activated!

Aimer scanned the entire floor and the Dwellers within it.

'What is this!? Not a single soul is above the Ascendant Title! No...something is definitely wrong here. With their current man power it make sense why they have such a low success rate in clearing the Lairs. Especially when it comes to the Horizon and Sky grade Entrances'

Aimer became flustered as to why so many of the Dwellers were below the Horizon Title. For a Guild this big it was reasonable as to why Aimer reacted the way he did.

'I have to get down to the bottom of this. We can't have a Guild that's not producing results can we?'

Aimer drifted-away in his thoughts when...

"Sir! Sir! Are you hearing me?"

"Oh! Sorry, I was meditating,"

'Meditating?'

"Nevermind. I just wanted to tell you that I've confirmed your visit as I will also be the one to lead you to the Guild Master's office,"

"If I may ask, where is the Guild Master's office?"

"It's on the fifth floor sir,"

"I see,"

Item [Sharkanha's Mark] has been equipped!

Aimer used his Sharkanhas item and instead of scanning the floor he scanned the entire building using his highly accurate long navigation ability.

'Hmmm...there you are'

"I'll get up there myself. It was nice meeting you,"

"Sir! What do you..."

Skill [Fade] has been activated!

"Sir! Sir!"

The guard reached at Aimer but only to grab a strand of fur from his furry hooded coat.

"What just happened!?He's gone!!"

The guard including everyone else was left baffled after Aimer vanished into thin air.

*Guild Master's office*

Skill [Fade] has been deactivated!

'This must be it'

Aimer had land before two opaque glass doors with the name 'Guild Master' carved onto a golden banner. Aimer proceeded to knock but before his knuckles could make contact with the door.

"Enter,"

'...!!'

Aimer was slightly surprised but progressed to enter the office.

*click*

Aimer pushed opened the door before entering through the minuscule entrance. As Aimer closed the door behind him that's when he felt. An immense pressure that forced attacked him from above.

WARNING: target has used the skill: Intimidate

*smiles*

'So you decide to test me'

*crack* *crack*

Aimer flexed his neck before completely turning towards the Guild Master as if he hadn't felt a thing.

'Sadly, it won't go your way'

From behind his mask Aimer made direct eye contact with a man who amassed laid back black hair that harmonized with his dark brown eyes.

He was also dressed in a flashy all green suit and tie.

'

Interesting...he brushed of my [Intimidate] skill as if it were nothing. He must be the real deal..'

The Guild Master used an [Intimidate] skill similar to that of Aimer. But the difference was that Aimer received his skill from an Horizon-type monster.

Signifying that the Guild Master received his skill from an inferior monster making Aimer's resistance to that said skill abnormal.

'How foolish of you'

Aimer strode just before the Guild Master's desk and pull out the chair then took a seat.

"My, my. Is this how you invite your guest?"

"If you weren't able to handle that then what would be the point?"

"I can't deny you make a good argument. But what if I wasn't this calm headed. I could've easily created chaos within this building,"

'I, is this man threatening me? In my own domain'

The Guild Master suddenly became slightly irritated.

"Simple. We would've taken care of it,"

For a brief moment Aimer didn't respond instead..

Skill [Truth-seeker] has been activated.

'What the...!? He's almost a Sky-Dweller! Just ten levels away at that. If he's this strong shouldn't his Guild be farther along with their progress? Unless...oh I see now.'

As Aimer closely speculated the man before him he was constantly being bothered by something. But it didn't take too long for him to figure it out due to his very high [Intelligence] stat.

Which is also one of the reason Aimer was able to survive within this world.

"Hm? What are you staring at?"

The Guild Master questioned Aimer after noticing him sitting there not saying anything.

"Oh, its nothing. Why don't we get down to business?"

"I've been waiting for you to say those words."