The Ancient Genes

Demon Slayer Guild, Ocien.

"What are you planning to do now?" Eren asked Axel as he followed him behind, and the two came down the stairs. He saw what had happened earlier, and it could be said that Axel had failed to achieve his objective.

"It's still the same, a bit more annoying though.." Axel muttered in a light voice as he finally came down with everyone's gazes on him. People were definitely curious about him. But, Axel knew very well that it wasn't the right time for him to approach them. He had to make the right impact on them, and he knew the best way to achieve that.

His eyes slowly turned towards the Quest board, and he could see different missions posted up there. Actually, most of the missions were available on the site of the guild, or at the counter. As for the Quest Board, it contained those missions which hadn't been completed since a long time ago and people had failed it again and again.

The Quest Board had another name in the Mercenary circle. It was called the Death Board. There was probably no need to explain why it was called so. As for the missions listed here, they could be found in any of the Guilds around. After all, the issuer of the request didn't mind who completed it. And, this was actually a good way for the guilds to boost their reputation.

Axel slowly walked towards the Quest board, and it immediately widened most people's eyes and no one dared to move their eyes away from him.

In front of everyone's eyes, Axel slowly raised his hand, and pulled the pamphlet stuck at the top row. There were only three of them there, and he gave it a look before grabbing one. His action immediately sent the people around in a frenzy.

After all, it wasn't everyday that some went to seek their own death.

"Who is he?! Has he gone crazy?!" One of the guys asked in disbelief.

"He must be another fellow seeking fame, just not knowing their limit!"

"I can't even sense any imposing aura from him.."

People were whispering to each other, but some of them had amused looks on their faces. They knew that a guy who could just walk up into the place and meet their branch leader was definitely not an ordinary person.

'I wonder who this guy is…he doesn't seem to be much old..' A man sitting in the corner smiled as he looked at Axel.

"Do you think he can handle it?" A girl sitting in the bar asked the guy next to her as she saw Axel's action from their place. After all, the ground floor was an open area.

"Who knows..but we would find out if Louis's words are true or not.." The guy next to her replied in a calm and serene tone.

Louis obviously had no idea about Axel's action. If she did, she would really have gone crazy because of his actions.

"Wait! Look at the Quest he took!" One of the guys suddenly screamed in shock, and soon everyone noticed it as well.

"..."

The next second, the entire place descended in silence.

"Madman!!!"

"He is a madman!!" Someone finally broke the ice, and the entire hall immediately went into an uproar.

"Damn!! I didn't think there would be a person who could match our Branch Leader, but this guy! He really is going to give her a run for her money!"

"Idiot! Lower your voice! You want to die!!"

"I don't know about me! But that guy surely does!"

The people here had a reason to freak out. It would have still been fine if Axel had chosen the other two quests on the board. After all, there were chances of being alive even if he failed, or he had a change in mind, and just decided not to do it anymore.

But, the one he had in his hand right now was not a Quest. It was a f*cking death certificate. It didn't matter whether you completed the quest, or dropped it, or had a change in mind. The moment you touched that thing was the moment you sealed your fate.

It was a death sentence!

"Our Guild won't be implicated right?" One of the guys asked the man near him.

The other person hesitated for a bit, but then shook his head, "Probably not, they had allowed that Quest to be on the board as a form of challenge, and deterrence. It is obvious they want to show their might. Since they did it like that, they probably won't take it out on the Guild. If they do, then it is obvious that all the Guilds around the continent would unite against it. Even they wouldn't like to face us in that situation…..probably."

His words, especially the last one which came after a pause, it sure didn't sound reassuring. But, it made sense honestly.

Eren looked at the pamphlet in Axel's hand, and it seemed that his soul had suddenly left his body. His whole life flashed right in front of his eyes at this instant.

Axel on the other hand headed to the counter, and placed the pamphlet in front of the receptionist.

"I would like to take this…" He spoke in a calm manner.

"S-Sir..this is.." the lady gulped as she looked at Axel with horror in her eyes. She was clearly sweating.

"I know.." Axel replied with a nod.

"G-Give… me a second, I will ask the Branch Leader.." As she was about to leave, Axel suddenly took out his crest, and kept it on the desk.

"Do you think I need her permission?"

His words weren't loud, but it definitely wasn't low either. And, the hall immediately turned silent upon hearing that. When has there been a person who dared to challenge their Leader's authority like that?

The receptionist really felt like crying. But, she knew she couldn't do anything. Axle could literally fire her after all.

"Sir, may I have your name…" She asked him with a teary face.

"Fenrir.."