Blinding lights and noisy camera shutters welcomed me as I entered the conference room.
I, Louis Cromwell, guild master of Fantom Guild and a 47 year old SSS-Class Ranker, will announce something that will probably shock the nation.
As soon as I get on the podium, reporters and personels present in the room greeted me with.
"A very pleasant day to all who are present here and those who are watching this live press conference." I commenced. The journalists starts their questioning after formal introductions.
"Guild master, first of all, we would like to congratulate you and your main party for another victorious subjugation recently." Others followed suit.
"So, guild master Cromwell, what are you going to announce that you personally called for a press conference?" The hall became silent as people waits for my response.
"I am here to announce my retirement." A few seconds of silence before the consecutive camera shutters and flashes rushed. The crowd also began to make a ruckus while I just stared at their silhouettes.
"What do you mean by retiring? You're not yet too old to continue being a Ranker, aren't you?"
"Is it a personal issue? Do you have a grave illness?"
"Please answer our questions, guild master!"
Oh, I expected this already, but this sure is hectic. "It is not about my age, nor I have any health problems." I retorted, but they seem to not calming at all. "Then, what is it?" I deeply took a breath before answering.
"I... want to live my remaining life being an ordinary person. I believe I have served this nation quite enough as one of the top Ranker, for 26 years I am serving without regards to my own happiness and wants. Hah! I didn't even have the chance to have a girlfriend and get married for all I did was work, go on subjugations, and process paperworks as the guild master." They all listen to my words, none of them are interrupting, thus I got the confidence and comfort of letting out what's stored in me.
"I know most of you will get upset about my decision, and some may say that it is too late to give a normal life a chance. But, I still want to do this. And I... formally want to thank you all for supporting me all these years." I stepped down on the podium to give my sincerest bow.
All these years and I am this old now, yet I still get conscious and trembles in front of the media.
A few seconds of silence, then cheers and claps followed. I immediately lifted my head up and saw all the people in the room cheering for me.
"It's okay now, Mr. Cromwell! We still support you!"
"I hope you find living a normal life more satisfying!"
"Thank you for your service, Mr. Cromwell!"
I held my tears back and gave them an expression of gratitude instead.
Before the press conference ends, I will declare another announcement.
"Ah, another thing, ladies and gentlemen."
They momentarily stopped to allow me speak again.
"As I am retiring, I am also going to look for a successor! So, any young lads willing to be trained and picked by me, you can come at Fantom Guild's residential building starting tomorrow. Surely I won't leave this industry full of weak Rankers or this nation shall perish. Hahaha!" The journalists scratched the back of their heads from hearing my side commentary.
The master's office seems a bit gloomy as there are only little to none of my things left. I put down the storage box I am holding on my table to reminisce a little while looking around the office.
"Thank you for the great adventure. Sigh. Is it a common thing for oldies to get emotional as they age? This is so not me, hahaha!" The good time I am having with my self gets interrupted as a young lad entered the room.
"Guild master, the shareholders wants to see you." He informed.
"Thank you, I'll be there in a minute. And, uh... you can drop the title, I am not a guild master anymore." He bowed his head before leaving. I took another sigh and reached for the storage box I put down earlier.
"What do they want now?"
I strode towards another room, where the guild's shareholders are. As soon as I opened the door, their murmurs stopped in an instant.
"Good day, folks!" I greeted warmly in which they returned with a cold and indignant expressions.
"What in the hell are you thinking when you announced to the whole world that you are retiring?!"
"Don't you know other guilds started to make their move?! As soon as you leave, they will try to take over this jurisdiction!"
"Some stocks of Fantom Guild are backing out because they're loyal to you! I hope you understands that this event is not good for us!" They all clamored almost in unison, making my brow twitch a little as I bear with this creeping annoyance.
"I got it. I know where you guys are coming from. But, let me ask you a question. For twenty years in this industry, under my surveillance and protection, what did you guys do? What remarkable feat did you contribute to the guild?" I expressed irritation and annoyance through my face and aura.
Even though I have five persons as the guild's shareholders, I still hold the highest percentage of ownership even if they combine theirs. I own 51 percent while they own 49 percent in total.
"You are making a total mistake for doing this, Cromwell." I got fed up with their talks and so I make a decision to leave the room.
"You'll soon regret your decision."
I stopped my track but I didn't faced them. "I will still choose this path either ways."
I left the meeting room and go straight to the resident lobby. As I spoke of yesterday, I am going to train potential successors.
As soon as I entered, almost a hundred applicants filled the lobby. I confidently walk towards the reception desk, people gave way as they look at me with admiration in their eyes.
"How many interested Rankers are present today?" I asked the lady at the desk. "156 in total, Mr. Cromwell." Hmm, quite the number in this early day.
"Listen up!" My voice boomed in the corners of the hall and it immediately silence the people inside.
"First of all, I am very much thankful to all of you that gathers here. As you may all know, I am looking for a suitable successor that will take over this guild, as well as all my skills, knowledge, and items."
Everyone is elated upon hearing the benefits they will get once they get picked. Well, who wouldn't? I am an SSS-Class Ranker that owns a big time guild with lots of high-level items stored in my space.
"Will there be cash as well?" A young man with turquoise highlights on his hair raised his hand and asked.
I was in fact quite shocked that someone mentioned money. In my personal perspective, I don't like the idea of the things being centered by money as it could cause negative effects. But, as long as this boy's honest to what he wants, then I can't tell him to shut up.
"Of course, all the assets that the guild have will be under your name if you get to be my successor. All, including money."
As the mention of money, I can already sense some guys who have undesirable thoughts.
"I also have a question." A silver-haired guy with tall physique stepped forward. "Ask away."
"Is it true that the Blue Husk Chain is in your possession?" This guy seems to be interested in my collection items.
Blue Husk Chain, it is a chain weapon that restricts the opponent's movements while dealing great damage. But with my skills and fighting style, this weapon is no use for me so I just kept it in my collectibles.
"Yes, it's true." I answered.
"I see... thank you for answering." He stepped back as he seemed satisfied with getting his answer.
"Any more questions?" None raised their hands nor speak. "Alright! Let's start the screening!"
Out of 156 aspiring, I only passed 6 people. Sigh. At this rate, things will get easier, either for better or for worst. I browsed through the profiles of the six chosen Rankers once again before calling it a day. Their training and real challenges will start by next month, I just need to get things done on my end first.
I was on my way to the parking lot when I felt a barrier suddenly locked me in.
"A skill-preventive barrier?! Who could-" A skill-preventive barrier is a luminous barrier that prevents the one trapped inside unable to use any skills.
As Rankers depend mostly on their skills to fight and survive, not being able to use one eventually weakens us. Although, it's not really the same for a triple S-Class like me. Whatever attack is thrown to me, I can still handle it without any issues. However...
"I told you you'll regret your decision, Louis." The five shareholders of the guild showed up together with a... "A primordial invader?!" How can they team up with an enemy?!
"This guy here is at least SS-Class Invader. With you being held up in a preventive barrier made by an SS-Class Invader, even our attacks could now kill you." These fiends!
"You traitors! How could you do this to someone who gave you the life you thought you'll never have?!" They just laughed at me, the other one lights a cigarette in which the other asked for a stick and joins him.
"We're thankful with you for that, Louis. Really, hahaha! Now, die."
I wasn't able to do anything at all when a sharp blade from the Invader's weapon impaled my heart. I was also sure that the blade is coated with a concentrated poison. I'm dying. I will die, really? Now, of all times? By the hands of these fuckers?
I resent the idea of that, and I refuse to let them trample on me, after all what I've done for them. After finally wanting to have a normal life and prioritizing myself, I refuse to die like this.
['Scanning, Ranker Louis Cromwell.']
Huh?
['Scanning complete. Ranker is suitable to be a Character. Getting ready to transfer all the data to another body.']
What's this voice?
['The system is currently downloading all the data from Ranker Louis Cromwell... Downloading... 11%']
Data?
['Downloading... 27%']
['Downloading... 49%']
['Some unnecessary data are slowing the downloading process. Would you like to delete these data?']
What? What data are you talking about?
['Would you like to delete these data?']
Like I said, what data are you referring to?
['Would you like to delete these data?']
Argh! Fine, just shut up. Yes, delete. Whatever.
['Acquired permission to delete unnecessary data. Continue downloading... 65%']
['Downloading... 91%']
['Downloading... 100%. Download Complete. Now transferring Ranker Louis Cromwell to be a Character.']
['Transfer Successful. Congratulations!']
Yeah... Really, whatever.
['You Have Been Reincarnated']