Death's Disciple [Sys Apoc, OP Villain MC, LitRPG] Chapter 21: 1.21 Am I an SS-Rank Hunter?

Read chapter 21 of Death's Disciple [Sys Apoc, OP Villain MC, LitRPG] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

1.21 Am I an SS-Rank Hunter? Chapter 21 “You will need to keep in mind that your task, at all times, isn’t necessarily to complete the quest. It’s to show the System your ingenuity, your strength, and your dedication. Ruthlessness, for better or for worse, is what seems to be recognized by the System,” I said aloud, watching as Richard practiced with the sword in his hands. “If I don’t complete the quest, don’t I fail?” “Tutorial Rifts don’t seem to have a fail condition like the Common Dungeon Rifts. They are tailored to test you, not necessarily to kill you.” “Then why did so many die?” He scoffed. I paused at that, noting he had a bit of a point. The System Tutorials were not as brutal as the Common Dungeons, but they certainly weren’t easy. It was like a culling field, cutting away the people that it deemed unworthy. “Because sometimes, you cut away the atrophied flesh to make sure the organism survives.” “Sounds like what the military would say,” Richard lowered his sword to look at me, his brows furrowed. “A broken clock…” I waved my hand. “Gerard is right as well, power is corruption at its finest, and humanity will kill itself over it. Barry is also right, humans need to work together to overcome this. But nothing is ever so damn simple.” My own sword appeared in my hand and I stepped forward, positioning myself across from him. “Humanity is strongest when working together, but its flaws need to be culled, and its edge tempered. Sometimes, people wanting to help in the fight are more detrimental than they are helpful. It would be great if that wasn’t true, if the world worked as we think it should, but just as Death doesn’t care if you are a king or a peasant, neither does Life.” Richard only stared at me for a moment, his expression cycling through confusion, disappointment, to understanding, and resolve. “Can’t we change things, then?” “Yes,” I brought my sword up and waved him at me. “But only if you’re strong enough to enact that change.” Richard nodded and ran at me, his sword clattering against mine with barely any force. I moved slowly, carefully, as I trained him to use the blade. It had been nearly a week since this started, and he was already showing a lot of promise. I really hoped it would be enough. *** “So you decided to join us after all? Excellent, I’d hate to see the party split up.” Francis called out to me from across the lobby. I stood in the center of the ground floor to the corporate office-building for the Paragon Guild Headquarters. It was like being in a high-class hotel. Couches, potted plants, lush carpets accenting the marbled flooring, the whole nine yards. “Well, I couldn’t let you all be facing monsters without me, could I? You’d all end up dead after the first Dungeon.” We clasped hands as he reached me, and gave the standard manly half hug required of males afraid to truly share their feelings. “Barry will be ecstatic. He’s in a meeting right now, but he’ll be down in a moment.” “I hope he isn’t rushing on my account, it’s not like I have anywhere to be. Unemployed, remember?” “Not for long, though.” “True that,” I smiled and made a show of looking around. “Quite the set-up you all got going on here. I’m guessing the investors Barry was talking about are some big hitters.” “Things are truly moving, yeah. We got three rift contracts squared away already, and half a dozen more in the works. There are already four hundred applicants for the guild, and we are having a hell of a time trying to screen them all. Barry doesn’t want people looking for glory, or wealth, but the ones that meet our vision.” Then why the hell does he want me? I thought, though refused to say out loud. I gave an understanding nod instead. “Sounds like Barry, already got a plan and all.” “I just happen to have good people helping me out.” I looked up to see Barry walking towards us, and elevator doors closing behind him. I was surprised to see he wasn’t alone. A brunette woman in a smartly tailored blazer and pencil s