BEAST

CHAPTER ONE Wicker's POV "Ahhh, God! That was exhausting." I'd just finished a guide job in a low-level dungeon with a group of beginner Raiders. My entire body felt like it was about to fall apart. The moment we returned to the guild, I slumped into a chair, ready to enjoy a well-deserved rest. Unfortunately, my peace didn't last long. "Mr.Wicker?" I raised my head to see a beautiful lady standing before me. She wore the guild's uniform and had a pleasant smile on her face. "Yes?" "Congratulations! You did well." She said this as she led me towards the manager's office. My face immediately brightened. She thinks I did well? I straightened my suit and adjusted my tie. Of course! How could she not? Just look at me! Perhaps it was my dressing that had caught her attention. After all, I'd made sure to wear my best suit today. A man had to look presentable, especially when dealing with beautiful women. But that wasn't the most important thing. I'd finally thought I had a chance of joining a reputable guild as a guide Raider. For those unfamiliar with the occupation, guide Raiders helped develop beginner dungeon Raiders by teaching them the essentials of dungeon exploration, monster encounters, and survival. It was an honest job. A respectable job. And, most importantly, a job that could earn me a lot of money. Just imagine it! A respectable position in a reputable guild. A comfortable house. Enough money to live without worrying about tomorrow. And, of course, a beautiful housewife. Preferably someone like the darling beside me. Oh, God! I can already picture it! I imagined myself returning home after a long day of doing absolutely nothing. My beautiful wife would welcome me with a warm smile, take my coat, and embrace me lovingly. Ahhh! What a wonderful life! I could practically feel her in my arms. "Mr.Wicker? We're here." "Huh? Oh, right!" I hurriedly followed her into the manager's office. And that was where my beautiful dream came crashing down. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wicker, but we've decided not to accept your application." I stared at the manager. "...What?" "We appreciate your efforts, but unfortunately, you don't meet the requirements we're looking for." For a moment, I couldn't speak. Then my face twisted in disbelief. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS?!" My voice echoed throughout the office. "Do you have any idea how much effort I've put into this?! I've guided beginners through dungeons! I've endured all sorts of trouble! And now you're telling me I don't qualify?!" The manager remained unmoved. "I'm afraid our decision is final." Final? FINAL?! I clenched my fists. "You'll regret this! Just you wait!" With that, I stormed out of the office. Well, I tried to storm out. I stumbled over the doorway instead. Damn it! Even the door is against me! I straightened my suit and continued walking as though nothing had happened. I wasn't going to let a little rejection ruin my day. After all, there were plenty of other guilds in the world. Probably. As I approached the guild's main hall, I noticed a commotion near the entrance. A group of Raiders had just returned from a dungeon raid. And judging by their equipment, they weren't ordinary Raiders. They wore expensive armor, carried impressive weapons, and had the confident expressions of people who had stared death in the face and somehow made it regret showing up. S-rank Raiders. Every single one of them. Whoa. I slowed down to watch them pass. These people had just returned from a high-ranking dungeon, judging by their equipment and the amount of loot being transported behind them. Unlike me, they actually had the strength to accomplish something worthwhile. Must be nice. I sighed. Then something caught my eye. Among the treasures being carried into the guild was a peculiar golden object. It rested inside a glass case, its surface gleaming beneath the hall's lights. I stopped walking. My eyes followed the object as it passed. That's pretty shiny. I tilted my head. I wonder how much something like that would sell for. The thought lingered for a moment. Then another thought crept into my mind. A rather questionable thought. One that any sensible person would have immediately dismissed. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling particularly sensible at the moment. I'd just been rejected from a job I'd desperately wanted. My dreams of wealth, comfort, and a beautiful wife had been brutally crushed. And now, right before my eyes, was a shiny golden object being carried into the guild's storage facilities. I slowly grinned. "If I can't get away with a position..." My eyes narrowed as I watched the glass case disappear around the corner. "...I might as well get away with that." I checked my status window. [Reincarnation: Cooldown in Progress.] An hour and a few minutes remained before my next reincarnation became available. My only skill. The very reason I'd managed to survive for several centuries. Unfortunately, it was still on cooldown. I couldn't afford to die before it was ready. If I did, who knew what would happen to me? I had no intention of finding out. After a brief calculation, I decided to wait another thirty minutes before proceeding with my little heist. That should give me enough time to ensure my reincarnation was available if things went south. With that settled, I changed into a cleaner's uniform and began monitoring the item and everyone's movements in the hall. Ugh. Just looking at the uniform made me feel disgusting. Me? Wicker, a man who had lived for centuries, reduced to pretending to be a cleaner? What a disgrace. Still, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Besides, I wasn't planning to remain in that ridiculous outfit for long. I continued mopping the floor while keeping a close eye on the golden item. I paid attention to the guards, the Raiders, and everyone else who might interfere with my plans. Everything was going smoothly. Perhaps a little too smoothly. Just as I was beginning to feel confident about my brilliant plan, one of the S-rank Raiders noticed me. And she started walking in my direction. Huh? I immediately lowered my head and concentrated on mopping the floor, pretending to be the most hardworking cleaner in the entire building. Don't look at me. Please, just don't look at me. But that didn't seem to satisfy her curiosity. She continued approaching until she finally stopped right in front of me. Oh, crap.