He is hiding something

They spent the next two days training their skills.

"Frore , let's go to a B- ranked dungeon tomorrow. I think we are strong enough to clear that without anyone's help. But, unfortunately we still need a raid party to go in. Also, let's get our rank upgraded tomorrow."

"Take your rank upgradation test carefully, keep in mind to not reveal that you can create legendary - rank weapons . It will be troublesome if other people know about it. But, even without your rank should come out be at least B- rank"

Frore nodded his head in agreement.

The next morning , at the association building.

Blaze sat in the waiting area, he had already completed his test and was waiting for the results. Even though he already knew it would come out be A-rank , sine he used "Rank manipulation" again.

A few minutes later, Frore entered the room and sat next to him on the couch.

"Done with the test? How did it go?"

"...It was okay."

Ten minutes later, the receptionist handed them their upgraded licences. "Congratulations to both of you for having successfully raised your ranks." She said with excitement and surprise in her voice.

Well , her reaction was to be expected because although rank increment is possible , it is an extremely hard feat to achieve, to the point that people who went through it can be counted on one hand plus both Frore and Blaze are recently awakened hunters. So , it must have come as a surprise. 

Frore looked at Blaze's card and was confused.

The difference in our power is clearly much more than a simple single rank difference. Either there is something wrong with the evaluation or he is hiding something from me. The chances of the former happening are highly unlikely. 

Blaze thanked the receptionist.

"Can you please help me check , if there are any B-ranked dungeons available nearby which we can raid?"

"Ah, yes. Please wait a few minutes. But, you can't raid a dungeon alone , unless you are a S - rank. I suggest you to look at the notice board to find someone suitable for you."

As Blaze was about to go towards the notice board, someone called out to him.

"Excuse me. If I heard it correctly, you are looking for a party , to go to a B- ranked dungeon , right?"

Blaze turned around saw a beautiful women in a long brown coat with the curly brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Then , since we are two members short , would you like to come with us? I am Yena Hartfelt , the guild leader of 'Red- slash' guild. Nice to meet you."

Blaze was stunned for a moment , but quickly adjusted his expression and quickly introduced himself .

"Ah, yes...nice to meet you too. I am Blaze an A- ranked hunter and this is my little brother Frore , a B-ranked hunter" , he then shook hands with her.

Blaze was really quick in changing his expression, but it didn't escape Frore's eyes though. Frore felt a bit weird because of Blaze's sudden change in behaviour and also from being introduced as a little brother. He didn't know what this feeling was though.

The reason why Blaze was stunned was because , this women Yena was the first one to trigger Frore's blackening. 

She abandoned Frore (who was already tired from everything that had happened to him), after scouting him for her guild , and making him trust her and then, taking him to the dungeon with her, she ran away with a gate stone and left the Frore who was surrounded by monsters all alone.

When Frore made it out alive afterwards, he massacred her guild and killed her by slicing off her head.

Blaze's inner state of mind was a mess, although he appeared to be perfectly calm on the outside.

Hey system! Answer me! Why the hell is this women here at this point of time? Wasn't she supposed to appear a lot later? Is this because of the so - called penalty?

["Yes , dear user. That is correct. For the sake of the future, please agree to co-operate with her whenever she asks."]

Co - operate ? For the sake of the future? So that she can stab us in the back, whenever she feels like?

["...."]

Oi system! say something! hello...? 

Haa...looks like I have no choice.

"Yes, we would like to work with you. Since, it will be convenient for us, too."

"Great, then let's go . Here's the information on the dungeon."

Blaze took the documents from her hands and looked at it.

As expected, even that damn dungeon is the same. It's the 'beehive enclave' where monsters are famous for attacking in groups.

But , i am here now and Frore has nothing to do with her. So everything should be fine. Let's keep calm and not overthink . But, i still shouldn't let my guard down. 

At this point, Blaze still didn't know that what's to come next would be completely out of his expectations.