S-Rank

Arthur begins to just wander aimlessly around the city fortress, taking in all the sights and people that are within the city. In fact, it is to note that these are some of the strongest people he has so far come across. Of course, not counting beasts, himself, or those so-called gods. But for regular people, they are decently strong. 

And although so far, he has yet to meet anyone who is of any threat to him, it does feel interesting to be wandering around a place filled with so many decently strong people. That is all Arthur does, is just walk around and look. Not a word was said, and not another action done. 

At least until he came upon a unique building that stood out from the rest. As not only was it one of the largest buildings within the city but also the most packed, with the majority of people hanging around this building. 

Arthur looks up and, using the newly learned language, reads the sign that is situated up above the doorway of the building.

"Adventurers Guild." Arthur mutters under his breath as he reads the sign. 

So they do have those in this world, just like the video games or like the novels that I used to read. Ah, so long ago with such a hazy memory that matters little anymore. 

With his curiosity peaked Arthur makes his way inside through the large crowd that is constantly entering or exiting the building. And once inside, is even more amazed by the sheer size and space of the building, as it is easily four to five stories. Not only that, there are nearly five hundred people milling about on the first floor alone. 

And because of all the space, it does not even feel packed. Most are just casually talking and drinking in various groups, while others are at some kind of board with paper attached, and a few are at the counters talking to the workers of the guild. 

It was also in this place that he felt some of the strongest people within the city gathered. Though still not a threat to him, they were at least interesting as they could at least be entertaining to fight if it came to it. They probably wouldn't die from a single slap, at least. 

After having satiated his curiosity enough, Arthur decided to leave as nothing else caught his attention within the guild. Now, he wanted to go check out the military barrack where the so-called city's strongest lived, the Commander of the Guard. 

But before he could walk out, some bozo stepped in his path, blocking his exit. 

"Eh, leaving already, newbie? What, didja get scared seeing all these strong people in here? Hehe, no need to worry; how bout you let me protect ya from now on, eh?" This skinny, colorfully spiked-haired man said with some kind of weird accent that Arthur had never heard before. 

The man was also occasionally taking glances to his side towards a somewhat beautiful warrior lady that he was clearly trying to impress or something along those lines. But she seemed to just be minding her own business or not even noticing what was going on. 

She wore some heavy metal armor that tightly accentuated her figure, which was nice, and her short brown hair came down on both sides of her face as she was casually talking with some other warriors standing next to her. 

It looked like this group was in some kind of party or team. Not that it mattered to me.

"No. Now move." Arthur states calmly. Not even sparing a glance or a second thought. 

"Huuuuuuh?! Is that any way to speak to an S-ranked adventurer? Show some respect, or are you just retarded?" The spiky-haired man says as he steps closer to Arthur and even places his hand on Arthur's shoulder, but it was only there for a moment. 

The next moment, only a light mist of blood existed where his arm once was. The entire thing was gone, just evaporated. 

"Hmm, weaker than I thought." Arthur mutters as he walks past the now dumbfounded group. 

As the spiky-haired man did not even cry out in pain. In fact, he felt no pain at all; he just felt that there was nothing there when there should have been. He just stared at where he once had an arm, only to see nothing and the still-falling mist of blood that floated about. 

"Leon!" One of the other armored adventurers yells out after the shock dissipated from his face, left only now with pure terror and confusion at the situation of his friend. 

"I-I-what?! Eh-how?" Leon, the spiky-haired adventurer, yelps out with a squeaky voice as the reality begins to set in. 

But by this point, Arthur was long gone, not even sparing a glance back towards the chaos that is now spiraling out in the adventurers' guild due to one of the strongest suddenly losing an arm out of nowhere. This was the first time something like this had ever happened here or anywhere from their knowledge, and so no one knew how to react to this event. 

Though not long after, Arthur left the premises, and as he is walking down another street towards the military barracks in the city, he suddenly came to a halt as he felt a presence running towards him from the direction of the adventures guild. 

Arthur turns around and puts his hand up as a face soon comes running right into his palm falling backwards onto their ass. He then looks down at the sudden visitor. 

And see's a woman, one he does not recognize; in fact, she does not even look human. This, in turn, piques his interest as this is the first non-human civilized being he has met in this world so far. 

"Who are you, and how did you follow me?' Arthur asks, as at his pace of walking, everyone should have lost his presence by now and no longer know where he went. 

"Owowow." She winces and mutters as she stands back up, rubbing her behind to assuage the pain. "Ah, my name is Lily, and well, I have a good sense of smell, hehe." This Lily lady states. 

Arthur then focuses on the fox-like ears adorned atop her head and the two fox-like tails coming from her back. 

"Some kind of beast mix-human?" Arthur mutters, thinking back to the hazy memories of such things from the novels, like beastmen and whatnot. 

"How rude! We are Therianthropes or call us the forest folk. I am of the fox tribe. I also have good hearing, as demonstrated." She says back as if proud of her abilities. 

"Hmm, so what does this forest folk Lily want with me?" Arthur says back, almost as if mocking her. 

"Well, of course, it is because you are strong! The strongest person I have met so far! Us Therianthropes worship strength above all else, so I wish to follow, Master!" She says as she bows towards me with her hands together in a prayer-like pose. 

"No." Arthur states simply before turning around and walking off.