"Well, what do we have here?"
Captain Richard Marg was approaching the young man their Scouts had found.
Alshura Soura felt wary. She wanted to remind her Captain to be careful. But she remembered that the Captain was stronger than her. There was absolutely no reason to be worried.
She then glanced to the other young man. He was called Ruben Kang allegedly. He had jet black hair and was wearing a college uniform.
Soura had heard before that some of the universities found in Anira City required their students to wear uniforms. In her opinion, that kind of policy was recommendable.
However the person in front of them looked dubious at best. A disheveled hair, unbuttoned uniform coat, and a gloomy face.
Although Captain Marg prefers to not button his suits too. The Captain looked cool on that style. This guy on the other hand looked pathetic. There was absolutely no reason to trust the young man.
I don't like him.
Soura thought. She raised her vigilance in case something unexpected happened.
"Please. There's no need to use force. I pose no harm."
The young man named Ruben Kang said. Both of his arms were raised up. He was trying not to make any sudden movements.
Hmph, even if he does, Scout Driff was behind him. The officer was ready to strike at the young man if he dares to do something.
Captain Marg was now a meter away from the young man. He narrowed his eyes. He then asked,
"A Tier 1?"
"Yes."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Trying to grab some glowing stones. I needed the money."
Soura almost laughed upon hearing the answer. What kind of a joke was that? There really were people who are desperate to have some spare change?
She was not that desperate even back when she was still in Tier 1.
Scratch that. She broke-through Tier 1 at the age of 15. Then to Tier 2 at the age of 18. She became 22 this year and was now at Tier 3.
If her estimations were correct the young man was around their age.
Captain Richard Marg, Lt. Alshura Soura, and this Ruben Kang. One was a genius. The second was fortunate to meet the said genius. The third --- was just a failure.
Scratch that too. Even the surveillance sergeant of their platoon was also at Tier 1. And yet he never thought of plundering those glowing stones.
After the world transmigrated the educational system had been revised. In order to be admitted to a university, one must at least be at the Tier 2 cultivation realm. Although there could be special exceptions where a peak Tier 1 can be admitted as well.
However, upon prying on the failure's cultivation, Soura concluded that he was at the lowest levels of Tier 1.
A college student who was at the lowest of Tier 1. He was someone who was wasting resources --- he was just a no life!
"Rargh! Have you no shame? Instead of plundering, spend more time on cultivating!"
Soura could not help but blurt out. The trials she faced to raise her Tier were no joke. Yet in front of her now was just that.
"Shura enough of that. Though I agree, you should focus on cultivating instead."
Captain Marg reprimanded Soura. But he seemed to support her as well.
The no life smiled wryly,
"Alright-"
"That is if what you say is true."
Heat energy gathered on the Captain's right hand. In the next second, a spiritual sword made of compressed heat energy materialized. Captain pointed it towards the no life.
Soura was startled by what her Captain was doing. But she never doubted the Captain. She decided to remain calm. She then noticed the surprised expression of the no life. She grinned,
See that? The power of a Tier 3 is the real deal!
The no life should absolutely drop on knees and apologize for wasting resources.
But instead,
"What is the meaning of this?"
The no life asked after recovering from his shock. The Captain narrowed his eyes while smiling,
"There are secret arts that could conceal the cultivation realm of a person."
"""?!"""
Soura was surprised once again. Even the members of their platoon were startled by this revelation. They all raised their guards against the no life.
Silence enveloped the entire group for a few seconds.
Then the no life replied,
"That would be an interesting plot twist. Sadly, I'm really at the Basic-Tier. Like it or not, that is the truth."
Captain Marg pondered on what he heard. He seemed to be weighing his options.
Personally, if the Captain was feeling hesitant, Soura believed that they should just eliminate the possible threat. Whether they were right or wrong, who would mind the loss of such a no life?
However,
"Very well. I shall call your bluff. However-"
Captain Marg withdrew the spiritual sword. He then signaled Scout Driff and Scout Toba to move. He added,
"You will have to accompany us for a while. With hands bound at your back. You shall be set free after we accomplish our mission."
"By 'set free' you mean outside of the dungeon, right?"
"Certainly."
"Safely?"
"As long as not in the expense of the platoon."
"… Alright."
The no life seemed to have agreed on the terms set by the Captain. Scout Driff then tied up his hands behind his back. Meanwhile Scout Toba frisked the no life and searched his belongings.
There were indeed some glowing stones inside his bag. No concealed weapons were found though.
Upon hearing the results of the search, Captain Marg ordered the platoon to resume its exploration. He then signaled Soura to take the no life towards the back of their formation.
Officer Mink followed them. She checked the condition of the no life. She was the Tier 2 Healer of their platoon.
Healer is the main class that focused on the Spirit parameter. Spirit affects the potency of recovery-type and support-type skills. This parameter also attributes to the magical defense of an individual.
"You seemed to have depleted your SP, Mr. Kang."
"Yes. I spent it for running away from the monsters."
"That's no good. You almost fainted."
"My bad."
The no life could only smile wryly upon hearing the diagnosis. Perhaps he wanted to scratch the back of his head. Too bad his hands were restricted now.
Officer Mink turned towards Soura. She reported,
"Lieutenant, Mr. Kang needs some replenishments."
"We cannot afford to spend our consumables to a no life."
Soura rejected the request though. The no life reacted upon hearing this,
"Hey, I'm your guest now. Please have mercy."
"You're not a guest. You're a prisoner!"
"Even prisoners have their rights though."
"Rargh!"
Soura snapped when the no life tried to argue. Why would they have to pamper such a person.
Officer Mink tried to reason once again.
"Even water should be fine, Lieutenant."
"That's right. Water should be fine, 'Lieutenant'."
Soura was about to agree with Officer Mink's plea. But the voice of that no life irritated her. Hearing him say 'lieutenant' in a sarcastic tone struck a nerve for some reason.
"Officer Nawnu, give the young man a bottle of water. Take that from the share of Shura."
Captain Marg ordered. He halted his steps then turned towards the back of the platoon. He seemed to have heard their argument.
Officer Nawnu was the person in charge of carrying their supplies. He immediately followed the Captain's order. He handed the water bottle to Officer Mink. The Healer then helped the no life drink a few gulps.
"Captain! Why are you punishing me instead?"
" Captain?"
"Shut up! I'm not talking to you!"
Soura glared at the no life. She then faced her Captain with pleading eyes,
"Why are you doing this to me, Captain?"
Captain Marg flicked her forehead. He then explained,
"Because you should keep your emotions in check."
"Hawuu… I'm sorry…"
"And because next to I, you are the one with the fastest reaction time in our platoon."
"?"
Soura tilted her head in puzzlement. Her Captain sighed then added,
"I am leaving the guest in your care. Thus stop being too emotional."
He then hastened his pace to resume his place at the vanguard.
Captain wants me to keep an eye on the no life?
Soura wondered. She then realized that the Captain wanted her be vigilant at all times. And that he never trusted the no life in the first place.
Roger!
She nodded. She was now determined to follow her orders.
Meanwhile,
"It seems like the lieutenant hates you for some reason. Could it be that you have met somewhere before."
"That cannot be. I have never seen her before."
"Then could it be… you know…"
"What exactly?"
"Hate at first sight?"
"… I'll show up in front of her again then. Perhaps the second sight will be better.."
Soura almost snapped again upon hearing the conversation of Officer Mink and No Life. She was about to reprimand them when,
"Awooo!"
"Awooo!"
"AWWOOOOO!"
Multiple howls were heard along the corridor. Numerous footsteps were approaching the platoon.