A new guard in town

The wave of monsters had been repelled, but the cost was higher than anyone had expected. There were countless deaths and injuries among the citizens, and even the guards were not spared from such a fate. The inhabitants of the slums were reduced to a minimum, but perhaps as a form of consolation, they could now live within the citadel, thanks to the need for manpower. 

The citadel was in a pitiful state, and no one had time to mourn the dead. The reconstruction of the various buildings and walls took time, but after a couple of days, the situation seemed to have stabilized somewhat. 

The streets, once bustling with life, were now a sad reminder of the devastation suffered. Rubble and debris were everywhere, and the air was pervaded by a bitter smell of smoke and blood. The few survivors worked tirelessly, trying to bring some semblance of normalcy back to their lives. 

During those days of rest, Mark's wounds healed almost completely. Thanks to the careful treatment of the doctors, his healing rate was surprisingly fast, enough to leave the medical staff astonished. Obviously, no one suspected that the reason behind his rapid recovery was linked to the fact that he possessed something akin to the blessing of a god, but it forced Mark to try to pay more attention to such details. 

During his healing period, Mark received visits from the children and Agata. The latter first hugged him relieved that he was well, and then reproached him for his reckless behavior. Mark had to admit that being scolded, despite being mentally thirty years old, made him feel strange, but he didn't mind it too much. 

The children, on the other hand, were full of curiosity. They wanted to know how he had managed to escape and learn all the details of that evening's events since they had remained hidden the whole time. Their incessant questions and wide-eyed wonder brought a smile to Mark's face, reminding him of how important his new life was and the role he had assumed in it. 

During those days, the Guide also clarified Mark's doubts regarding the fragment. When he found out that it had been devoured by the monster, he felt like the world was crashing down on him, thinking that the fragment was lost, but the Guide reassured him. Due to Origon's protection, the fragments were practically indestructible, but the problem now was that to retrieve it, he had to kill the monster. 

"Anyway, it's better if I focus on this other matter now." 

When Mark was finally permitted to leave, he thought he could go quietly to the orphanage, but one of the guards of the citadel told him to follow him to meet Narak, and now he found himself in front of the beautiful villa he had only seen from afar. 

The villa was majestic and imposing, a building of white stone with elegant columns supporting a wide porch. The roof was adorned with red tiles that shimmered in the sunlight. Arched windows overlooked lush gardens, full of colorful flowers and meticulously trimmed hedges. The main entrance, a large carved wooden door, was adorned with wrought iron details forming intricate spirals and floral motifs. A gravel path led to the door, flanked by marble statues representing mythological figures, adding a touch of grandeur to the already splendid scenery. 

Mark was speechless at the difference compared to the citadel, just crossing a simple metal fence. 

Continuing to follow the guard, Mark looked around frequently, seeing various guards coming and going, but each of them cast an inquisitive glance at him. The reason behind this behavior was that word had spread of a boy who had saved Narak's life and had spurred others to fight against a level 2 monster, making him something of a famous figure. 

'That's not exactly what I wished for, haaaaa.' 

With a mental sigh, Mark entered the villa, and like the exterior, the interior was sumptuously decorated. Precious metals adorned every corner, reflecting the light in sparkling glints. However, the most extravagant element was the large number of women dressed as maids. They moved agilely and silently as if they did not want to be noticed. In the dull eyes of many of them, there was a lack of will to live, adding a melancholic air to the surrounding opulence. 

"Boy, it's not wise to stare at them too much. They are all possessions of the boss. I must say, if you behave well, you could get one, and given the feat you've accomplished, you might even get more, hahaha!" 

"...I see." 

It didn't take long for Mark to understand how those women were treated from the lecherous gaze of the man he followed, making Mark shake his head in increasing disgust. 

He followed the guard along a corridor lined with rich, soft carpets until they reached a large door finely carved from wood. The guard knocked lightly, and without waiting for a response, opened the door, gesturing for Mark to enter. 

The room was spacious and furnished with impeccable taste. A large mahogany table dominated the center, surrounded by chairs upholstered in red velvet. On the walls, tapestries and paintings of epic scenes and lush landscapes added a touch of elegance. On one side of the room, a large window allowed sunlight to illuminate the space, creating a contrast between the darkness outside and the brightness within. 

Narak sat at the head of the table, with two women of sensual physique serving him food, smiling flirtatiously as they felt Narak's hands on their bodies. 

There weren't many people there apart from a few guards, including the two Mark had seen at the walls with Narak, and some maids. 

"Well, well, here's my hero!" 

"You overestimate me. As I said last time, I was simply lucky." -Replied Mark, not seeming too humble or too arrogant. 

With a loud laugh, Narak gestured for the women to move aside and approached Mark. The two had a noticeable height difference, so Mark had to tilt his neck to look him in the eye. 

"Tell me your name." -Narak asked, smiling. 

"Mark." 

"Mark, huh... I like your eyes. There's grit and passion, but I especially notice strong courage, something that many of them lack." -He said coldly, shifting his gaze toward the guards, who immediately lowered their heads to avoid eye contact with him. 

"Anyway, let's forget about annoying discussions. Join me for lunch. Bring a meal worthy of my guest." 

Mark took his seat at the table, observing the maids moving quickly to serve the food. The variety of dishes was impressive: succulent meat, fresh vegetables, freshly baked bread, and exotic fruits. Despite the opulence of the feast, the atmosphere was tense. 

The lunch continued in relative silence. Mark could see the various people present there eyeing the different foods jealously, but he ignored them, continuing to ponder exactly what Narak wanted. 

When they both finished eating, the maids cleared away the leftover food, and at that point, Narak began to speak. 

"I don't want to beat around the bush. I want you to join my guards. Consider it my gratitude." 

Mark remained momentarily silent at Narak's direct manner, which, although it seemed like he was offering him a good gift, wasn't much different from putting a leash around his neck. However, he doubted he could refuse. 

"Really! So does that mean I'll receive the blessing of a god?!" 

Mark exclaimed with excitement like he was thrilled by the idea. He knew that achieving divine blessing was the aspiration of many, and he understood the importance of appearing appropriately enthusiastic; any hint of indifference could raise suspicions. 

At his words, no one said anything, except for one of the girls near Narak, who let out a small laugh, but immediately realized her mistake. She shifted her gaze rigidly towards Narak, her face pale as a sheet. 

"F-F-Forgiv-" 

/CRACK!/ 

Narak easily snapped the woman's neck, and her lifeless body fell miserably to the ground. 

"Take her away." -Narak ordered. 

No one seemed too shocked by the scene, but fear was evident in their eyes, so they obeyed without objection. Meanwhile, Mark was petrified. He couldn't understand why she had been killed, and even though he had begun to get used to the cruelty of that world, that scene was still too much for him. However, he tried to keep his composure. 

Narak turned back to him, his face now calm as if nothing had happened. 

"I don't tolerate distractions." -He said in a frigid tone. 

"As for your question, it's not possible to receive the blessing at the moment. I must first ensure that you are worthy. Usually, after ten years of service, one can apply, but I'm sure you'll prove your worth much sooner, won't you?" -He said, smiling, as if he hadn't just cold-bloodedly killed someone. 

"...Yes." -Mark replied, but his thoughts were elsewhere. 

'What a mockery.' 

If there had been someone his age and ten years had indeed passed, he would have missed the golden opportunity for his growth. This would have made it exceedingly challenging to attempt to level up, precisely the strategy Narak employed to thwart anyone from becoming too powerful. 

"Excellent. Someone will accompany you to the armory, where you can pick a weapon and your attire." 

After those words, he gestured to one of the guards to escort him. 

Mark followed the guard to the armory and there found a claymore identical to the one he used but in better condition, and he was given the clothes he would have to wear when moving around the city. They were comfortable and sturdy, but when he remembered what they represented, he could only look at them with disgust. 

Later, the guard accompanying him explained the various tasks he would have to take care of starting the next day, and at that point, he was finally allowed to go home. 

During the journey, he noticed how no one tried to approach him, or how others seemed terrified, eliciting a sigh from Mark. 

'At least now I don't have to worry about being robbed, even if it has been replaced with something much more problematic.' 

With a heavy heart, he knocked on the door of the orphanage, and when Agata opened the door, she almost had a heart attack seeing Mark's clothes, which led to him spending almost the entire day explaining the reason behind such a situation. 

/Sigh./ 

Towards evening, he lay on the bed letting out a deep sigh. Now that he had become a guard, many things would change, but not everything was negative, since that was his goal, even if it had happened sooner than expected. 

Since Mark had discovered that the fragment was inside the monster, he had thought of various ideas, when one seemed the most plausible. He would join the guards, and once he gained enough trust, he would lead them to that monster to use them as a means to kill it, and today he had solved the most problematic part. 

"Now all that's left is to gain some trust."