Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 48: Joining A Guild II

Chapter 48: Joining A Guild II

Ryuen’s brows curved deeply. If there was anything he hated more, it was being on a team.

He never liked it.

He operated as a sole assassin, and he was reminded of how bad teaming up was when he almost lost his life.

Now, fate had decided to bring it back to him.

He wanted to refuse or ask for another option, but Sora gave him an assuring smile.

"Relax, I heard what happened to you last time." He paused to watch Ryuen’s reaction.

Unfortunately, he kept it neutral—in other words, cold.

"You will have to undergo a few tests so we can determine where you belong."

"If you’re lucky enough, you’ll have a lot of ladies around you."

"I do not have any issue with that, as long as they have self-control."

’Decent, outstanding,’ Sora thought and rose to his feet. "Your records don’t actually show how much of a gentleman you are."

"People who tend not to mind their business are usually the ones who die early."

Sora chuckled, amused and excited. "They were right about you," he said, crossing his arms. "Who else knows you’re the Masked Crusader?"

"The royal family in Mirath."

He replied sincerely since there was nothing else to hide anymore.

He was just annoyed by how people kept digging up information about his past life.

And he didn’t even care how—they just needed to stop.

"So, do you accept?"

"Yes, but..." Ryuen trailed off and dipped his hands into his pocket. He brought out a list he had made and placed it on Sora’s desk.

"....I want all of this."

Sora lowered his gaze to the piece of paper, scanned through the list, and then smirked.

"That’s quite the demand. Where will you keep them, and what do you intend to use them for?"

"Revenge and battle mostly, and I have a stash."

Sora nodded, perfectly understanding Ryuen’s case.

"I’ll have someone conduct the test. I just hope I won’t be disappointed."

"Do not hold your breath, Mister Manabu."

Seconds passed after Ryuen spoke, and the door opened.

A lady wearing a half-burnt cloak stepped in, carrying the scent of smoke with her.

Black hair fell over her shoulders in loose waves, with a few strands falling over her face.

Her silver eyes glowed faintly behind her hair, which was totally normal—until Ryuen’s gaze landed on the bandage wrapped around her face.

She set down the bag filled with weapons on the ground with a low thud and straightened herself.

"You called?"

"Sorry for calling you to another sector, Yurei."

Sora apologized as he sat back in his chair and leaned against the table.

"Ryuen, this is Yurei Shinigami Eto, Class SS."

"And Yurei, that is the Masked Crusader, Class D for now."

She glanced at Ryuen for a brief moment and then turned back to Sora.

"Alright, sir, but why did you send for me?"

"Apparently, you’re the only one off duty for now since you’re on a weekly leave."

"So, I would like you to carry out a test to determine which guild he’ll be joining."

Her eyes narrowed, already seeing through his facade. "Don’t tell me you already want to hand him over to Tsukiyama."

Sora chuckled at her sharp intuition but said nothing immediately.

He simply observed Yurei’s reaction, amused by how quickly she saw through him.

Which was not really a surprise, she understood him more than anyone.

Ryuen, on the other hand, remained silent, his gaze move between them.

He didn’t know much about this Tsukiyama, but judging from Yurei’s tone, it wasn’t just any ordinary person.

Yurei sighed. "You’re really pushing this, huh?"

Sora shrugged. "Ryuen is... unique. If anyone can handle him, it’s Tsukiyama."

"Or he could kill him," she added with a flat almost bored tone.

Sora smirked. "Well, that depends on how well he does in your test."

Yurei clicked her tongue in irritation, but she didn’t argue further.

Instead, she turned to Ryuen, fully assessing him now.

"Fine," she muttered, exhaling. "I’ll take him to the testing grounds."

Sora clapped his hands together. "Good! Then I’ll leave him in your care."

Ryuen clenched his jaw slightly, but he didn’t let his annoyance show.

He already hated this entire process. He worked alone for a reason.

But if this was the only way to leave the city, then he had no choice but to go through with it.

Yurei bent down and grabbed the bag of weapons she had brought.

Then, without another word, she turned and walked out of the office.

Ryuen followed her, still analyzing everything about her in silence.

The scent of smoke that clung to her was strong, but it wasn’t just from fire.

If it was then he had to keep his distance.

Her bandaged face, the way she carried herself, the way she looked at him as if she had already measured his worth before even testing him.

It all told him that Yurei Shinigami Eto was no ordinary woman...no she even looked younger than that.

And that made him curious.

As they stepped into the long hall of the Vanguard HQ, she finally broke the silence.

"You don’t look like much," she said bluntly, not even glancing at him.

Ryuen smirked. "Neither do you.".

Lies.

She looked even scarier than the grim reaper.

For the first time, she turned her head slightly, considering his words.

Then she scoffed, a hint of amusement showed in her silver eyes.

"Let’s see if you can survive the test," she uttered, and took a turn, leading him toward the testing grounds.

And for some reason, Ryuen felt like this was going to be more interesting than he originally thought.

And heer silence wasn’t awkward at all, nor was it hesitant.

It was like, it was permanently printed on her.

Ryuen matched her pace, unfazed by the lack of conversation.

He preferred it that way.

Words were often wasted on meaningless exchanges.

And from what he had observed, Yurei seemed to share that sentiment.

They moved through the halls in a quiet, steady rhythm, their footsteps the only sound between them.

Vanguard HQ was like a maze, some lined with torches, others illuminated by dim, artificial lighting.

Combination of traditional and modern.

The deeper they went, the fewer people they passed.

Eventually, Yurei halted in front of a reinforced door.

Without a word, she pressed her palm against a sigil engraved on the surface. ..A soft hum resonated as the door unlocked, swinging open with a creak.

She stepped inside first. Ryuen followed.

The testing grounds were vast—an underground training facility designed for high-intensity combat.

Yurei set the bag of weapons down and finally spoke.

"Rules are simple," she said, rewrapping the bandages from her hands with practiced ease. "Survive."

Ryuen raised an eyebrow. "That’s it?"

She nodded, silver eyes flickering. "I’ll be your opponent."

His lips curved slightly—not quite a smile, but something close. .

He had suspected as much.

Yurei cracked her knuckles. "No restrictions. Use whatever you want."