[ Leo's POV ]
A short break of two hours was announced once the round of 32 ended and it was during this break where the scouting agents for various big guilds became active.
Almost everyone who had made it to the round of 16 received an invitation to join the prestigious Night Guild, with both Leo and Lin being no exception.
" Your talents have been recognised by the Night Guildmaster himself!, will you pledge your loyalty to the guild?" The talent scout told Leo as immediately a system notification popped up in front of him.
[ System Notification:- You have received an invitation to join an NPC Guild, Player 'TheBoss' belongs to the actor class and cannot join a guild.
You must reject the invitation ]
Leo's excitement immediately turned to anguish upon reading the system notification as his cursed actor class would not allow him to join a guild at all.
" What are the benefits that he would receive upon joining your guild?
Will you promise to nurture him with at least 2500 gold coins worth of elixirs a month and your best techniques?
My brother Jin is a bit dumb, but don't think you can scam him to join your guild without giving him proper advantages" Lin Mu said as she rejected this proposal by the scout before Leo could even utter a word.
" Ho, ho, ho, what an energetic young lady" the lead scout said as sarcasm was evident in her voice.
" NO- the conditions you speak off are excessive. Joining the night guild is a privilege for you younglings, and we won't be overextending ourselves for above average talent at best.
You're not the night guild leader's son or a once in a generation talent that we promise you our best techniques before even joining.
You must join the guild and earn your way to those scrolls through contributions and merits like everyone else.
The best I can do is promise 500 gold worth of elixirs every month, which is a standard practise of our guild" the lead scout said as Lin Mu shook her head and rejected her offer on behalf of both of them.
" Sorry. The Mu clan doesn't like these terms, let's talk again with hopefully better terms once next round ends" she said as the lead scout scoffed at her confidence.
" Very well, however, I shall rescind my offer should you lose the next round" the lead scout said before walking away as the second she left. Other scouts swarmed in towards Lin and Leo with offers that were far more lucrative compared to what the Night clan offered.
" The poison frog guild promises to provide you with 3000 gold coins worth of elixirs every month! Alongside full access to our top poison making recipes.
Please join our organization-"
" No! The Black mamba guild promises to provide you with 4000 gold coins worth of elixirs every month!
But not only that, we will provide you with an expert ranked combat instructor, give you an apartment in the royal capital and even provide you with our guilds famous venom strike technique" The Black mamba scout said as his offer immediately caused the poison frog scout to become outraged.
" What famous poison strike technique? That's a ( rare ) ranked technique.
Although you're offering him more money, only a fool would choose your shitty organization, a fool which Mr.Jin is certainly not" the poison frog scout said as a verbal spat ensued between the two.
For Leo, none of it mattered however, as he could not join a guild anyways.
Let alone 4000 gold, even if someone offered him 4 million gold he could do nothing with it as his stupid class would not allow him to join an organization.
'What's the point of taking part in this Assassin Alliance Entrance exam if I can't join a guild?' Leo thought to himself as he felt truly depressed at his own circumstances.
He had taken part in the Assassin Alliance Entrance test in hopes of joining a guild and training under them to become an accomplished warrior like the stupid DarkEmperor suggested, however, apparently his stupid class won't let him join one which defeated the whole purpose of this exercise.
'I can't even run away at this point because it would reflect badly on Lin Mu and would mess up my active quest of playing the role of Jin Mu the black sheep' Leo thought as it seemed like he needed to continue participating in this test even if there would be no personal gain for him at the end.
" Sorry, I won't be making a choice about joining any guild right now" Leo said as he moved away from the crowd, leaving Lin Mu, who was seriously deliberating her options behind as he headed out for some peace and quiet.
Not too far away from the arena, Leo sat atop a small bench as he planted his face in his palms and contemplated just what he was doing amongst these NPC assassins.
In his mind right now, he felt like the last 24 hours had been a complete waste and although he learnt more about the Mimic skill and had fun, he did not achieve anything tangible by coming here.
"Why so sad young man?" A voice suddenly said as when Leo raised his head, he was surprised to see the old man who was the gatekeeper when he entered the Assassin Alliance sitting beside him now smoking the same pipe as before.
" Old man gatekeeper? How did you find me?" Leo said surprised as the old man chuckled and took a deep drag from his pipe.
*FUUUUU*
Exhaling slowly, he let Leo wait for his answer, and only after exhaling fully did he say " I watched your match. Also, you breathe too loud.
A dead giveaway that you ain't one of us"
Leo's eyes widened in surprise but then he too exhaled sharply, sighing more than exhaling as he said " Yeah, I guess the assassin world ain't meant for me"
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/// A/N - Chapter 3 of 5 of today's mass release.
This Bonus chapter has been sponsored by patron Cervantez91, please thank him in the comments for the same! ///