13 Scapegoat Aquired

"So, what is it you have to propose?"

The Guild Master leaned back in his chair with both arms folded, greeting Aimer with a serious look.

"First off, isn't it polite to give me your name first?"

Even though Aimer knew the Guild Master's name from his past research and studies of all the Guilds. He desired to keep his knowledge a secret.

"Hahah! Yes, yes your right. My name is James Nectar,"

'Yes, that's just what I wanted to hear'

"Good. Now, before we get to my proposal let me ask you a question,"

James arched one of his eyebrows signifying he was now interested in what Aimer had to announce.

"How many Dwellers in this Guild can correlate to my skills that you've discerned on the footage?"

For a moment, James balked to respond. Even though, previously he doubted Remia's skills, the situation was now different.

'Not even the strongest person in my Guild can deflect my skill the way he did. This man has cleared my suspicions of him being a fraud at first'

"To answer your question. None,"

"Not to be cocky but I was expecting that. Which leads to my proposal. I would like to be an acquaintance of the Loudo Guild. Specifically speaking, I would like to help in the entering of any Entrances in your territory and clearing the Lairs within,"

'With this, I can use them as a scapegoat. Because I can't just enter the Entrances within a Guild's territory without the right authorization of being affiliated with that said Guild, this will have to do'

That was what Aimer was thinking.

As for James...

'This is good. I was already thinking of reeling him into our Guild but with this proposal of his, he's like a good to took the worm on my hook'

James leaned forward onto his desk, meeting Aimer face to face.

'Lets test him'

"This is good and all, but what's in it for me?"

"Simple. Your reputation and success rate could rise immensely. And of course, with fame comes great fortune and with fortune comes power, and with that power comes control. What do you think Mr. Guild Master?"

'I didn't expect this response from him. But what he's saying is perfect to go with my plan. With his help I can finally become a Sky-Dweller after ceasing all the items or skills he retrieves within the Entrances. Since my Guild hasn't been completing their assignment lately I can just use him'

*smiles*

"I'm quite surprised. You came up with this marvelous proposal. I take it you should know what my answer is right?"

James leaned back in his chair with one hand rested on his desk using his index finger to restlessly tap it against it.

Aimer closely monitored James' every action before sharing his thought.

"I take it...that's a yes,"

James seemly looked a if he was about to respond until they were interrupted.

*knock* *knock*

James looked up at the door behind Aimer with a wrinkled frown.

"What is it."

"U, um, sir! Could I please enter first? This is important information from the Lair Keepers,"

'Hm? The Lair Keepers? There must be an appearance of an Entrance'

Aimer's ears had leaked up but he decided not to show his reactions after hearing those words.

"Come in and make it quick!"

"Ahh, yes! Yes!"

*opens*

The person that entered the Guild Masters office was now other than Cassie.

"Oh, it's you Cassie? Could you hurry and relay the information,"

Cassie had a lowered head and a shivering body just by standing in the presence of the Guild Master. Even though he had noticed the masked man from before it seems it was him who he was scared of.

"Cassie. Are tho going to keep me waiting?"

"N, no, sir,"

Cassie barely managed to utter those words.

Aimer sat their calmy criticizing the situation playing out before him.

'Somethings wrong.'

Skill [Perception] has been activated!

'Huh? What is this? Is Cassie scared of something? Wait...'

After filing a bit uneasy about what's transpiring before him Aimer finally had a chance to use this particular skill.

'Could Cassie be afraid of his own Guild Master? Judging Mr. James's attitude towards Cassie and Cassie's manner towards Mr. James it's safe to say that he truly is scared.

*gulp*

Now, this is unexpected. I think I've figured it out. The reason why the Guild is developing properly. And it's because of the Guild Master, James Nectar'

*smiles*

'Tch! Has he been playing monopoly? He must have been using the Guild for his desires. If my theory is correct, he's been using the Guild to also feed his strength. Now I understand. But to clarify my speculation I'll have to have a cat with the Guild Members.

Anyways, what harm can it be to help him out'

Skill [Empathy] has been activated!

With that Aimer closed of his thought and continue to watch the drama before him.

"Um, sir! The Lair Keepers had just informed us that a Horizon grade Entrance has appeared within our terrify and we are tasked to deal with it,"

For the first time in his life, Cassie had managed to speak formerly towards his Guild Master. Even he was surprised as to how he pulled it off.

But unbeknownst to him, it was the help of Aimer skill that allowed him to have the confidence to do so. To never falter.

*smiles*

'Seems like it worked'

Aimer slightly lowered his head in satisfaction. All this while Mr. James observed Cassie's attitude.

"Seems like something has changed within you Cassie, I just hope you don't think too highly of yourself. As for the Entrance, don't fret because we have him,"

Cassie glanced at Aimer who his Guild Master was pointing to.

'Him? He's going to be joining us at this Entrance! Should I be happy or should I be concerned as to why? Nevermind, I guess we can find out at a later date

"Oh, will he?"

"Yes, he will. Now I think it's the appropriate time to make good on your words,"

Me. James declared after turning to Aimer.

"You don't have to tell me twice. I already got the memo,"

Aimer rasoed from his seat before approaching Cassie, stopping just before him and whispered in his ears.

"You did well. Let's go,"

Skill [Fade] jas been activated!

'I did what!? What is he...'

Aimer placed his hand on his shoulder and they both disappeared before Cassie could ponder his thoughts.

'Hmmm? Is that a skill? And where did he get it from? If only I could have it'

Mr. James sat there in his chair with one arm rest against his jaw as he watched Aimer and Cassie vanished in front of him.

*Main Floor, Loudo HQ*

Skill [Fade] has been deactivated.

After deactivating his skill and landing on the main floor of the building with Cassie, Aimer realized there was a group of Dwellers who stood in the middle of the floor conversations.

Though, that only lasted until his approach drew their attention.

One of the Dwellers amongst that group was Nobara, who stepped forward after seeing the masked man, Remia appearing.

"You. Your still here? And for what?"

"Ahh, we meet again! Nobara was it? I don't have time for idle conversation so Cassie will fill you in in things. Right Cassie?"

Aimer pushed the flustered Cassie ahead of him.

'What! I was in the middle of processing my...'

"Cassie? What does he mean?"

'Dammit...now there another one impeding my thoughts'

Cassie gave Nobara a hidden frown before facing him directly.

"Well, you see the Guild Master is allowing Mr. Remia here to join us in entering this Entrance,"

After hearing Cassie's statement, everyone present was taken by shock. They all seemingly took a step back with wide-open eyes gawking at the masked man Remia before them.

'What! H, he's joining us! I don't know whether I should be relieved or worried. The last time he confiscated all the items and we had all gotten scolded. Dammit! And the sad part is that we didn't tell the Guild Master it was him.

Partly because he did take care of that damn Entrance which would've been a hassle even for us!'

"I, I see,"

After thinking deeply, Nobara responded.

"Good. Now let's move out!"

Aimer walked by ahead of a group of Dwellers as of he was their leader. But after seeing both Nobara and Cassie quickly following along, the rest decided to do the same.

In the group was a girl who stared at the masked man's back.

'He's cool'

*USA, Masonova*

Leading the group of Dwellers that finally arrived at the Entrance was Remia.

They all exited the car before striding towards the Entrance, which was as usual being monitored by a few Agents from the Lair Keepers organization and reporters and broadcasters.

"Hey! Look! The Loudo Guild finally appeared,"

"Yes, it seems so,"

A reporter notified the broadcaster of the incoming group who then lifted his recording device to take aim at them.

'Hm? They're here as early as ever'

Aimer glanced around at the people who stood a few inches away from the Entrance.

*stops*

Aimer suddenly came to a halt that had a domino effect on the rest behind him. And without turning towards them...

"Before we enter, I want you all to know that I will let no harm come to you. By following me, there will only be one result and that is success. No matter the danger we will be facing in there, I shall make sure that every single one of you leave here alive and unharmed,"

Aimer's words struck an unfamiliar feeling within the Dwellers behind him. The confidence in his tone uplifted all their worries. It was the first time they've felt such a feeling.

They felt as if they had someone to rely on, someone who they can trust and someone who will always protect them.

Even though they know nothing of the masked man, Remia...if there was one thing they believed it was what he just said.

'What is this feeling? I don't feel as if I'm being pressure or held down. More like I feel as if I'm being motivated? I wonder...can this man set us free?'

The entire group behind Aimer, though they thought separately, that said thought was shared amongst them.

'I hope this motivated them enough'

"Now, lets head in,"

Aimer began striding into the giant Entrance when the Agents step aside to make way. And so the group followed suit.

*shhh!!*

They all entered the Entrance which turned from the color of all white to a complete pitch black color.

"Huh? What's happening to the Entrance?"

"Hmmm...I'm not sure?"

*reachs out*

"Oh? It seems my hand can still pass though but why is it black?"

Three of the five agents became confused as to what happened to the gate but soon brushed it off as if it were nothing important.

In the meantime, Aimer and the group came to view the cave-like Lair that was covered in debris. The instant they took a few steps in, the ceiling began shaking before dropping more tiny debris below them.

The alarmed group looked in all rooms as they felt the minuscule earthquake.

"What's happening!!"

Nobara inquired to Remia who paid him no mind.

Aimer looked up.

'It seems their coming from above'

And as Aimer looked down, something embarked his view.

*DING*

"Your training begins! Survive the Invasion! Both skills and items are available"

Reward: [Skill] - Erase

'Oho? It's been awhile since I've survived one of these. I'll be looking forward to this new skill'

*smiles*

As the notification vanished, Aimer could now see the incoming wave of monsters.

"What's happening...is that they're coming! All of you, stay on guard, watch my back and I'll watch yours,"

Item [Morphling: Elgar's Composite Sword] has been equipped!

Skill [Adapt] has been activated!

Skill [Animal Instincts] has been activated!

As usual, when activating these skills Aimer relaxed to a calm, collect and emotionless state. Focused on one thing...the monsters before him.

Aimer locked his cold gaze on the horde and held his sword tightly.

In a swift motion, the group behind Aimer became baffled with eyes that almost popped from their sockets when Aimer disappears from his position and appeared before seven Kobold monsters that ran ahead of horde.

*slash*

With one horizontal slash, Aimer's composite sword elongated itself and beheaded those seven monsters in a row.

*SCREEEEECHH!!* *GRARRRGH*

They all weeped in agony.

And as their purple blood splattered against Aimer's masked he had one thought...

'...Let the training begin!'