Classless Ascension

The villa belonging to Madam Evelynn in Metropolis-D was going as crazy as its owner!

Guards were trying their best to find the intruders as they roamed the place. Their shouts echoed every second as they checked every new emplacement. But the more time passed, and the more uneasy they were getting. Where the fuck were the enemies?!

They all had the feeling that a sharp blade was hovering right above their heads yet had no way to get rid of it. From time to time, they would find corpses, badly mutilated ones. How was this possible?! They were always walking together!— or they were supposed to. 

The warriors did their best to keep their mistress informed of the latest news. But, every new death only served to dig into her already faltering heart. It had reached a point where she was convinced she would die. 

The once arrogant woman was shaking, barely resisting wetting herself, with tears streaming on her cheeks. Amidst her blurry vision, she could only distinguish one man. He casually stood there, the only sign of calm in the chaos. 

She found herself repeating like a mantra: "General Roderick, please help me! Please help me. I'll do anything, please!" 

The soldiers nearby were gasping in shock at this scene. What the hell was going on?! Their extremely arrogant boss was begging someone else?! Even being slightly humble was "beneath" her! But, they couldn't understand, for they hadn't felt that killing intent. 

Josh had wisely sent it her way alone. Since no one else had felt it, they didn't suspect foul play. Sure, his appearance and timing were awfully suspicious, but he hadn't shown any sign of being their enemy— even with how the mistress had treated him! 

"What happened to me being a fake?" Josh slowly uttered with exaggerated confusion. 

"I was mistaken! I was blind. Please forgive me! Please help me! I don't want to die!" She even crawled his way. In her shaken mind, he was her only path to survival.

Guards tried to take her away, to escort her to her safe house as per protocol, but the crying mess that she had become objected: "No! I need to convince the general first! I'll go if he escorts me there!" 

Her men stared at her in shock. Should they force her to accompany them?! Some started giving pitiful looks to Josh, begging him to say something. They couldn't help but get their hopes up when the man sighed before speaking up.

"I was ready to help as a favor to Markus, but after the insults, this option isn't available anymore. Lip service won't fix it either. Here, this is what it will take for me to help." Josh handed her a magical contract. 

But, this action instantly put the members of her staff on high alert. Would the real General be so scheming? No way! "Mistress, be careful! He's trying to scam you!!" Signing a magical contract was an incredibly unforgiving matter. 

The arrogant lady seemed to suddenly come back to her senses, her business instincts kicking in. Even in her panicking state, she managed to scan the whole thing. She had unconsciously switched to bushiness mode! 

She glanced at Josh, her eyes showing clarity for the first time. The thief by the side felt like crying. They had been so close! Before, she considered him a true general, but now she had seen through the ruse! What would happen to them? 

The soldiers also heaved a sigh of relief. Their calculative and bitch of a mistress was back to her senses. They couldn't even picture the fate that would await them were they to allow her to get scammed under their watch! 

But what followed next rendered them all speechless. She hurriedly signed it seemingly without an afterthought! They couldn't help but feel like going insane as the magical contract disappeared into light particles. 

She sighed profoundly, standing straight for the first time. "I apologize for my earlier disgraceful display and all the insults. Thank you for your help, General Roderick. Now, shall we head to the bunker?" She proposed as everyone soon began moving. 

The bystanders couldn't understand anything that was happening. How had she concluded that he was an ally after all this?! What the hell had been on that one magical contract?! The guards knew better than to ask, but the thief couldn't resist the temptation. 

"Psst— what happened just there?!" 

"You mean the contract? It's just a small deal that will profit both the MTA and one of our allies. This is the least I can do as a general, don't you think." Josh winked at him. 

At this moment, the guards that overheard them finally understood. This "scam" was one that only a member of the MTA would try pulling. Was there any better guarantee of his identity?! 

A few shrewd ones couldn't help but wonder if this had been his plan all along. Was this why he hadn't produced an identity token in the first place? Had he been baiting them all along for their mistress to contribute more to the MTA?! 

Others couldn't help but find it strange. Would a general be so scheming?! But then they suddenly remembered that he had come here under the order of Markus. The man may be considered benevolent, but he remained a politician. Was this his doing?! 

In any case, the many parties were in awe at both Roderick and Markus for pulling such a stunt. 

The mistress didn't even mind such a slight loss. It even reassured her: the General was legit, and this new ally wasn't stupid either. How would she react if she learned that neither Roderick nor Markus had anything to do with this?! 

The thief couldn't help but be mind-blown. Had this guy just pushed a deal that was worthless to him to "prove" his identity?! What a freaking mad genius! Wait, what if he really was a general? Oh god, even he was beginning to be swayed! The mind games! 

Amidst the constant shouts of the guards, they made their way toward the safe house. It was situated right in the middle of the villa's manor and could only be opened by the mistress herself. 

During the whole trip there, everyone was agitated— well, almost. Josh was happily looking everywhere relaxedly as if on a museum tour. This manor exuded wealth, with gorgeous art pieces everywhere! He would excitingly point at them and comment. 

The guards were about to go insane. What the fuck was he doing?! Just as they were about to protest, he suddenly stopped them. The General grabbed a nearby decorative golden chandelier and threw it forward to everyone's consternation. 

As it met the floor, there was a click sound and then…..BOOOOMMM! A pressure mine exploded. What the fuck?! As they all turned livid, they heard the man's calm voice resounding once more. 

"I know I'm handsome, but don't just stare at me. You should observe the surroundings too." They were all frozen in place as they finally realized how mistaken they had been about him! "How about we keep going?" Josh nonchalantly proposed. 

They spent the rest of the journey looking at their surroundings with paranoiac tendencies. That's how they managed to avoid a total of 3 more mines. 

This whole thing was eerily scary. The entire way toward the bunker was booby-trapped, and yet none of the other guards had triggered it?! How?! Was their destination a trap too? Was the enemy just trying to scare them away from this safe zone?! 

They felt lost, fearful, stressed, and confused. In contrast, the General was living his best life! He still looked like he was touring the place! He remained strangely calm, all until they reached their destination. 

The guards couldn't help but sigh in relief. The door the bunker sported was so thick that it wouldn't be breached! The mistress opened it, and then was the time to enter it. "General, let's go inside together." She begged.

"Sure." Josh nodded, turning to the thief. "Are you coming, kid?" 

The thief could only nod awkwardly. The owner seemed slightly displeased with this arrangement, but she didn't contest it. 

As the trio went inside the bunker, they were welcomed by opulence. This didn't feel underground at all! No, it looked like a goddamn penthouse! The door closed behind them, and it was as if they had entered a new world entirely. 

Madam Evelynn instantly headed to the nearby mini-bar. It had seemingly been carved out of precious stones, and who knew what was more expensive between it and its content. 

She began fixing herself a cocktail. As she vigorously shook it, she started coughing from the exertion. As soon as she regained her bearings, she kindly offered: 

"Would you like one too, General? Any preference?" 

"I'll have what you're having. I have to admit. You sure have good taste in bunker design." Josh commented as he headed to the heated jacuzzi in the middle of the room with a smile. 

The thief remained frozen in place near the entrance as he gawked at this place, completely flabbergasted. What the heck was wrong with this place?! Why was it so over the top?! What was wrong with these people?! How could they enjoy themselves at such a time?! 

He felt as if his worldview was collapsing. Was this how it was for the rich? He felt this scene was so surreal. Once again, he couldn't help but feel so confused. Who was this man he had followed here?! 

Was he just a regular candidate? Why did it seem like everything that was happening was under his control?! No, this wasn't possible. He hadn't seemed to have a solid grasp over the evaluation. Then, how?! 

The thief didn't know what to think or what to do with his own body. He sat near the bunker's entrance, wondering how his colleague would deal with their present mission. 

Meanwhile, the other two were now happily swimming and drinking. Was now a good time for such frivolities?! At least, they had an incredible lead on the other candidates. No matter what they tried, they wouldn't be able to enter this place. 

Their success was just a matter of time!— or so he naively assumed. 

Suddenly he heard a noise. Glancing at the source of it, he couldn't help but shake in fear. Josh, who had been blissfully soaking in the jacuzzi, could now be seen spitting a mouthful of blood.

The red liquid blended with the water, giving it an ominous look. That's when he noticed their host. She had been smiling, but she was now grinning. Her face seemed to be constricting, giving her an incredibly unnatural look. 

What the heck was this?! It was as if she had been turned into a puppet. Then, she turned toward him, stiffly winking. The thief's heart began thumping in unease, but it was too late. 

That's when he heard the sound of the bunker door opening….