Maids VS Apocalypse

"So... what is it like? Being Peace Keepers, I mean."

Mark’s question caused another wave of silence to spread over the room. He didn’t think it was anything serious, but seeing his new squadmates look at each other and hesitate to answer, he felt that there was something wrong with his new profession.

"If I had to describe it in two words, it would be pest extermination."

Franco’s description sounded confusing at first, but Mark was quick to catch on to what he meant.

"It’s just as the old man said." Elya followed. "We’re a ground force so most of our job is to go around and kill Fallen."

"It’s not that bad, though," Alex added. "We get to visit a bunch of other worlds!"

"And what’s so good about that?" The petite one frowned at him. "Most of the worlds we’ve been to were already destroyed, and we barely get any time for tourism."

"Sounds tough," Mark commented.

Natalie might’ve dressed it up as a noble career where one helps stop world-ending events, but looking at it from another angle it could be said that the whole thing was nothing more than apocalypse-level damage control.

"Well, I’m guessing we won’t have to do that for long," Franco smirked as he said that.

Mark didn’t get what he meant, but from going by the way Ben kept smacking his belly as he laughed it seems to have been some kind of joke.

"Lad, you don’t have to worry about doing grunt work." The big guy said. "With that Level 5 of yours, you’ll be in a cushy office very soon!"

That didn’t make the previous point any clearer so Ramsay decided to jump in and spill it out for him.

"They’re hoping you would pull them up once you’re in high places."

"I’m not going to beg for any favors," Elya said. "But if you decide to help us out, I wouldn’t mind accepting the offer."

Mark froze, having just been on the receiving end of a tsundere routine. Fortunately for him, it was not of the violent kind. Thinking for a few seconds, he finished his drink and leaned back.

"To be honest, it sounds like a pain." He said. "Taking a high position, I mean."

"It sure does!" Ben added.

"Hey hey, don’t tell me you’re one of them fighting maniacs." Franco let the corners of his mouth drop. "You shouldn’t put yourself in danger when you clearly have a better choice!"

"I for one enjoy my job," Alex beamed. "Nothing beats hunting a powerful foe!"

"Speak for yourself." Elya frowned. "I want to live in the Inner Walls, wear nice clothes, and eat good food! No way I’m spending the rest of my life moving from one apocalypse to the other!"

Mark let them bicker a while before he spoke again.

"You just told me the Overworld folks don’t like us. To be honest, I’m not looking forward to dealing with the pain those privileged assholes would bring."

A big organization such as the Peace Keepers was sure to have some complicated politics happening on the inside. Being a Level 5, Mark could already tell he would be disturbing the peace just by existing.

Some will be looking to take advantage of him while others will want to push him down. Taking sides, choosing allies, looking out for enemies. It was going to be a very difficult game to play, and worst of all, it wasn’t even the kind he enjoyed.

’I mean, I don’t plan on sticking around for too long.’ He thought to himself. ’Getting too deep would be...’

"You can cry about it all you want," Ramsay leaned against him out of nowhere and placed an arm over his shoulders. "You aren’t getting out of this, Mr. Protagonist!"

Mark was creeped out beyond word, and seeing the Sergeant’s expression only made it worse. His breath reeked of alcohol, and from the looks of it, the effects were already showing themselves.

"Hey! Let go of-"

"Don’t even think about running!" Ramsay broke into a fit of laughter before downing the contents of his cup. "You’ll get in there and kick those snobby bastards in the butt! It’s your job as the MC to face-slap all the young masters in this story!"

For some reason, every word he said was clear despite him looking absolutely hammered. Mark seemed to be the only one who caught on to what their Sergeant was saying so his first instinct was to shut him down.

Of course, with one being a trained super soldier and the other not even reaching the human average, the outcome of the struggle was decided from the start.

"What the hell are you babbling about?" Elya was clearly annoyed by the drunk’s behavior.

"Do you want to know, little hobit?" Ramsay replied.

"Sure. Killing you can wait." She said with a smile.

Unbothered by her threat, the Sergeant rose to his feet.

"You see, and you might not believe this-" he swayed slightly before straightening up. He then pointed at the seated Mark. "This little shit over here thinks he’s in a novel!"

The words were like a spear that came down to stab him, and speaking of spears, Mark had already equipped the enchanted CFBW type 05 (+1). Lara was the only one to notice that he had done so, but she had gone to the kitchen at some point, only sparing him a glance before continuing with whatever she was doing.

"No way..." Elya’s expression seemed to melt with disgust. "You’re one of them?"

Her reaction seemed to contrast that of the others. After a long battle ending in their loss, Alex, Franco, and of course Ben as well, all three of them started laughing uncontrollably.

"No way!" The blonde one kept leaning until he fell on his back. "This can’t be real!"

"I had a feeling when I saw the maid, but..." Though his laughter was more subdued, Franco still ended up coughing.

"I’m sorry, lad," Ben held his shaking belly. "This is the funniest thing I heard in a while!"

"You should have seen it." Pausing, Ramsay’s expression shifted dramatically. ""I’m sure the readers are dying to know more about the lore." He said that to the Head General’s face! I almost passed out on the spot!"

The guys once again burst out laughing, leaving Mark to contemplate ending his story right then and there. Only Elya seemed to share some of the pain he felt. As for his maid, she was back by his side silently enjoying a dessert she got for herself when no one was looking.