(Morcster Chef) - An old friend...? - Ch. 61 (Patreon)

“Right, that’s fine,” Belmont said as he straightened up and wiped the sweat from his brow. “We’re ready, let’s do this.”

“Eager, are we?” The barkeeper asked.

“Let’s just go!” Belmont said, glancing over his shoulder to see if the Starpiercer guild had followed them into the adventurer’s guild. However, they were nowhere to be found.

“Very well. Come along, then. I’ll be the administrator for this examination to ensure everything is fair. The identity of your judges will not be revealed.”

The barkeep led them past the tables of adventurers, who watched them with mild curiosity, and down a long hallway. It was decorated similarly to the outside of the guild, with sloping white walls covered with beautiful murals. Even the doors looked like works of art. They came to a stop beside one of the doors, although it didn’t look any different from any of the others.

“This is your room,” the barkeeper said, looking at Arek.

“Wait, we split up?” Arek asked.

“I’m afraid so. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Ah – no. Good luck, everyone,” Arek said.

The others mirrored his words as he pressed a hand against the door. It swung open soundlessly and he stepped inside. The administrator shut the door behind him. The room he’d stepped into was smaller than the orc had expected – it was little more than office.

A man wearing pitch black robes sat in a chair behind a rather pitiful desk. However, the robes were clearly different from the Starpiercer guild. These were meant to conceal someone’s appearance rather than look intimidating.

There was a small wooden chair in front of the desk. The man didn’t say anything as Arek slowly walked forward and sat down in the chair. They sat silently for a few moments.

“Not going to say anything?” The man asked. His voice was rough and gravelly. It almost sounded familiar, but Arek couldn’t quite place it.

“I didn’t have anything to say,” Arek replied.

“I see. Then you can start by taking off that mask,” the examiner said. “False appearances are not allowed during the exam.”

Arek grimaced, but he reached up and removed the mask. His form shimmered and he returned to his normal appearance. The orc half expected the man to attack, but he didn’t budge. The examiner just sat there for several moments. It was impossible to tell what he was doing under the heavy robes, but Arek could practically feel the man’s gaze on him.

“Are we going to do something, or were you just planning on watching me?” Arek asked.

“Apologies,” the man said. “I was distracted.”

He extended a hand. The orc paused for a moment, then reached out and took it. The examiner was human, but he was quite large. Arek’s hand was only a little larger than his was. The man’s grasp was firm.

Before Arek could pull back, the examiner pulled Arek closer with surprising strength. He peered down at the orc’s hand and let out an interested grunt before letting it go.

“You have runes on your claws,” the examiner observed. Arek’s gaze narrowed.

“I do,” Arek said.

“Interesting. Orcs don’t tend to have magic, but not many think to use runes to gain access to it. A dangerous process, that. Are you a mage or a warrior?”

“I’m a chef,” Arek replied. “But I suppose, for the purposes of whatever test the guild wants me to do, I’m a warrior.”

“I suppose you would be,” the examiner mused. “Those runes of yours are quite peculiar. You see, I’m somewhat familiar with them, and I’m quite sure there wasn’t supposed to be an ugly line going through the center. That seems like it might be weakening them significantly.”

Arek rose from the chair and took a step away from the desk. His eyes narrowed and his muscles tensed.

“Who are you?” Arek asked.

“I’m hurt, Arek. Do you really not remember your teammate?” The examiner asked, pulling his hood back. His aging face was shaven, with the beginnings of a white beard sprouting on his chin. A ropey scar covered one of his eyes. The other one was bright blue.

“Vell,” Arek breathed, his eyes widening. “Why are you here?”

“Come on now, Arek. You went missing for ten years, but how many talking orcs do you think there are? When I heard the rumors from Greenridge, I took a detour to pass by the area and check it out. Imagine my surprise when I found out you’d joined a group and were up for a promotion exam,” Vell scoffed. “A G ranked promotion exam at that.”

“Why are you here, Vell?” Arek asked. The shock was still evident in his expression, but he was quickly regaining control of his features.

“You left with nothing more than a letter!” Vell exclaimed. “I am – was – your friend, Arek. I carved the damn runes on your claws. The ones you damaged, for some reason. Is wondering after a friend so much to ask?”

“I gave my reasons in the letter,” Arek said coldly. “The constant fighting and killing – I couldn’t handle any more. Clearing dungeons is one thing, but do you even know how many people we killed on the Bludon kingdom’s orders?”

“They were enemies of the kingdom,” Vell replied. “A threat to the people.”

“Not all of them,” Arek growled. “And even if they were, I was tired of it. I’ve dealt enough death, Vell. I’m a chef now. I bring happiness, not death.”

“And you chose a G ranked team to do it with?” Vell asked.

“They’ll be F ranked by tonight,” Arek said.

“Only if you pass,” Vell said.

“Are you going to fail me, Vell? What happened to old friends?” The orc asked.

“It’s ridiculous,” Vell continued, ignoring Arek’s question. “A C ranked adventurer, taking a G rank exam. You know, the rest of us became B rankers, Arek. You could have had all the money you needed.”