Chapter 36

### Protagonist's Side: Yuriy Priliera

So frustrating...

So frustrating, so frustrating, so frustrating, so frustrating, so frustrating, so frustrating!

To be unable to retort to someone who is definitely weaker than me!

The situation I'm in right now is the worst.

My sister did something terrible without my knowledge.

Because of that, she fled from the Mercenary Guild's pursuit and is now a wanted person.

Because of her, people think I'm involved in the same wrongdoing.

I'm still a soldier rank!

That's why I need to achieve results without any wrongdoing.

However, since my sister's incident, most of the receptionists have started treating me coldly and refusing to give me missions.

I was getting anxious, so I started picking fights with various people.

The fight with that creepy otaku was part of that.

I kind of knew it.

I knew that winning fights wouldn't change anything.

While feeling irritated by the creepy otaku's words, I headed towards the counter in the lobby.

As expected, the receptionists either stood up or looked away, clearly trying to prevent me from getting a job.

At that moment,

"Please come this way."

A receptionist called out to me.

She was petite with a slender build, had blue eyes, and her long, silky blonde hair was neatly tied into a single braid.

I think she's a new receptionist, but there's no way she hasn't heard about me.

There's a possibility that this is some kind of trap.

Or maybe she's being forced to do this as a punishment game among the receptionists.

But if there's a chance to get a job, I'll grab it, even if it's a straw!

"I want to take a job..."

"Let's check your rank."

"Sure."

I did as she said and scanned my wrist terminal on the inspection machine.

"You're a soldier rank. Here are the missions you can take."

She showed me a list of various missions.

Of course, they were all for the soldier rank.

But with my strength, I should be able to handle the same or even more difficult missions as that creepy otaku!

"Show me the king rank missions."

"What do you plan to do with them?"

She looked surprised and puzzled at my words.

"I want to take a mission. And I'll show them my strength!"

I declared in a strong voice.

As expected, she replied with the obvious.

"I'm sorry, but that's not possible."

"Why not?"

"There are no missions. King rank missions are rare, and they are usually completed quickly by king rank mercenaries."

That's what you'd expect from a king rank.

"Then, queen or bishop rank missions will do!"

"Sorry, but no."

When I asked for the next lower rank, she refused.

Is this some kind of harassment?

Creating an atmosphere where I might get a job and then rejecting me at the last moment.

What a cruel joke!

I was about to yell at her in anger but stopped myself.

What am I thinking?

There's no way a soldier rank person would get missions for bishops, queens, or kings.

I understood this and sighed deeply.

At that moment, she said,

"I know what you've been through. If anything, you shouldn't take on unreasonable missions. You should focus on completing missions that match your capabilities."

She spoke to me with a serious expression.

"But, I don't know if I'll be able to get the next job..."

I was shaken by her words and expressed my anxiety.

Then she said,

"It's the job of the receptionists to arrange missions for mercenaries. We can't refuse."

That means she will properly handle my request.

I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my eyes.

Since my sister's incident, most of the receptionists have treated me coldly.

But she reached out to me.

"Thank you! I... I'll do my best!"

I couldn't help but cry and grip her hand.

### Protagonist's Side: End

After finishing the shooting training and returning to the lobby with the counter, I saw Hero-kun being attended to by Zeistoll-san.

The scene looked like a handsome young mercenary and a beautiful receptionist having a conversation, but both were men.

Hero-kun, due to his sister's incident and the resulting behavior, was no longer being treated by the receptionists who had been pretending to be kind to him.

Yeah, I can understand how sad that must have felt.

I've been in that state since the moment I registered with the guild and still am.

So for him, this might be the first time in a long while that a receptionist... or receptionist staff, has treated him properly.

He was crying with gratitude and gripping 'his' hand.

Well, I think Loanz's uncle would have given the same response.

And, of course, there were receptionists who were looking away and others who were glaring.

The ones glaring must be the ones who turned their backs on him, right?

There are a lot of them... probably 60%.

The ones looking away might have felt a bit ashamed.

And, of course, there was no doubt that a group of female staff and mercenaries were staring with bright eyes, as if they could make a hole in the space, and breathing heavily as if they were hyperventilating.

Is the Mercenary Guild really okay?

And, as expected, there was also a group of men glaring at Hero-kun.

Truly, the protagonist is already set up for an event to rise from the bottom.

By the time I finished my guild business and left the building, it was past 1 PM.

I hadn't had lunch yet, so I decided to buy something from a convenience store and go home.

If I wander around and get into trouble, that won't do.

Just then, a familiar face appeared on the street screen.

"Nosweil-san! Congratulations on winning the Starkust Cup this time!"

"Thank you."

It was Scoona Nosweil, who survived the same incident as me during our student days and is now the ace pilot of the Planet Race Team 'Crystal Weed'.

It seems she won another race.

"How was the race in the Flintlock Belt this time?"

"Flintlock is indeed dangerous, but they don't fire at you."

"Got it! As expected of someone who has experienced real combat!"

It seems Nosweil-san is also doing well.

I sighed in relief that it wasn't her in person and hurried home.

Anyway, I'll spend all day watching anime tomorrow!

I apologize for the lack of scenes for the minor characters.

When you cause trouble, it's common for people's attitudes to change.

I can understand the receptionists' feelings, but how about as professionals?

Thank you for your comments, opinions, and any typos you notice.