Endless Evolution as a Centipede in a Game-Like World

After Amelia left the office, the room turned eerily silent. Alfred sat behind his desk, staring at a sheet of paper that held a copy of all my stats and skills.

"Your stats are a bit below average. You have the strength of an unathletic high school student. Your speed is average, but your defense is slightly above average. You may have a lot of skills, but they seem strange, and there isn’t anything particularly eye-catching. I can’t imagine any guild would hire you, and normally, I wouldn’t even speak to someone with such mediocre stats." He sighed before setting the paper down on the table; his expression turned stern.

"Look, don’t think I’ll help you out just because you came here with heiress of the Veylmont guild. The only thing that buys you is the time to impress me. I have half a mind to throw you out, so tell me: what bloodline, class, magic affinity, or system do you have that would stop me from throwing you out right now?"

This Alfred guy was arrogant, but his arrogance seemed to come from his strong sense of confidence. He had good reason to be so. In fact, this entire brokerage belonged to him, and he served as the broker for many top guilds.

I was lucky to be standing in front of someone like him, and if it wasn’t for Amelia, I wouldn’t have gotten the chance. I had to tread carefully. I couldn’t act too arrogant, nor could I be submissive either. I was a player, after all, and even just the title alone required me to act and carry myself a certain way.

I could walk over and kill this man where he sat and with the right guild backing me, I wouldn’t face any consequences. But just like kingdoms, brokers were also under the protection of certain guilds and messing with one could mean war.

This man had many top guilds protecting him which was why he was so confident.

Taking a deep breath, I took a seat on the chair in front of his desk.

"I understand what you mean, but I would rather not reveal the full extent of my strength." I said.

My words caused him to raise an eyebrow, but before he could shut me down, I quickly made my point.

"Instead, I want to prove my strength to you by other means."

Alfred leaned forward in his seat, his chin resting against the back of his hand.

"What other means do you have in mind?"

Speaking in a calm composed voice, I answered his question.

"Being a broker, I’m sure you’re familiar with monster cores belonging to dungeon rats. What would you say if I told you that by tomorrow, I’ll bring you a hundred monster cores, all belonging to dungeon rats?"

"I’d tell you that you’re full of shit. You forget I have your files right here. You had your microchip implanted just the other day, so there is no way you have enough experience to handle a horde of dungeon rats without a party. You’re neither a part of a guild nor a part of a party. I’ve seen talented newbies put together in parties chosen by their own guild get wiped out by these week beasts. Players with high potential, wiped out by beasts that are considered the weakest.

No matter how talented they are, once the panic set in, its over. Once one of them gets killed then it turns into a snowball, and all of them eventually die. That is why an experienced player is being added to every newbie party as of recently. I have a long list of promising players who have awakened just recently, and you’re not on the list."

Hearing his words, I cracked a smile and stared him dead in the eyes. I wasn’t only putting on a show; I was confident that I could do it. This seemed to irritate him.

"Ha! Your stats say you wouldn’t last a minute against a single dungeon rat. To say you can kill a hundred, do you understand how insane you sound? If you could pull something like that off, then I will become your broker, no problem."

I nodded before extending a hand forward.

"OK, then I’ll return tomorrow."

Alfred’s smile twitched, but he had nothing to lose from this deal, so with a confident smile on his face, he accepted the handshake. His grip tightened on my hand as a confident smirk appeared on his face.

From this handshake alone, he could tell that he was physically stronger than me, even though he wasn’t an awakener. He looked like someone who frequents the gym. This made him even more confident that I wouldn’t be able to fulfill this task.

"Amelia Veymont has terrible taste in men," he muttered before he suddenly pulled me in close and whispered something in my ear. "Do you even know the family you’re getting involved with, kid?"

My expression remained neutral, even as his grip was compressing my hand under his bodybuilder-like strength.

"I hope you take a reasonable commission when I return with the monster cores," I said simply ignoring his statement completely.

His smile cracked further, and his grip loosened.

"It will be on the house if you manage to make it back alive, kid. Good Luck."

With that, I left his office.

"So, how did it go?" Amelia asked as we walked back to our small apartment, a look of worry crossing her beautiful features.

Smiling at her, I patted her on the top of the head, and a pout appeared on her face. She then stared up at me with a look of curiosity.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Have you gotten taller? We were the same height before."

"I haven’t noticed." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Though my muscles were more toned than before. I didn’t know if it was because I started exercising or just the result of my level going up or maybe just both.

"Also, I’ll be gone for most of the day tomorrow. Can you make sure my body is safe while I’m away?"

"Sure."

"Thank you..."

"But if you’re gone for more than a day, I’ll have no choice but to think that you’re flirting with a shy mage girl in a flimsy robe. I’ll have no choice but to put a pillow over your face while you’re unconscious. Or better yet, I’ll make sure you won’t be able to do to any poor girl what you did to me."

Amelia said with a teasing smile but scarily, I couldn’t tell whether she was joking or not.

"I’ll make sure to keep that in mind in case I get tempted."

"Good."