Knowing she didn't get the contract, Olivia clenched her fists in annoyance. Akio remained silent even though he wanted to help. However, he was afraid that it would ruin the deal.
Meanwhile, Klaus remained silent.
"So you didn't want to recruit me in the first place? We came as a package!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Relax, Olive. We can talk about this later." Akio calmed her down.
"Hey! This isn't according to our plan!"
Naturally, Klaus raised one eyebrow, spotting their ulterior motives.
"What do you mean 'our plan'?"
"It's not what you think. We have no ill intentions or are trying to take advantage of you. We really need your help to help Michael." Akio tried to clear things up but was at a loss.
Klaus saw that Akio was telling the truth, but that man was hiding something from him. His attention was drawn to Olivia, who looked away because she had blurted out. Finding that they were not telling the truth, Klaus picked up the contract paper and held the end, ready to tear it in front of Akio's face.
Of course, the oriental-looking man began to panic. "Please, don't do it. Calm down, Mister Klaus."
"I can't calm down if you're hiding something from me."
While Akio tried to persuade Klaus, Olivia crossed her arms and silenced her mouth. She looked at the wall as if she didn't want to know.
"Well, then, I'm canceling our contract." Klaus tore the edge of the paper slightly.
"Okay! Okay! I'll tell you the truth. The House of Blacksmith did fire us, and I did make a scene. But Olivia's situation is different."
Raising his eyebrows, Klaus was interested to hear their story. Akio then explained the real story.
If Akio was terminated for making a scene, then Olivia was expelled because she did not meet the standard demands of the guild. She did not contribute much while joining the House of Blacksmith. In the dungeon raid, she did not kill a single monster or support the party significantly.
The guild loaned her to Rays of Hope in hopes that she would learn a lesson or make significant progress, but in the yellow dungeon raid in SoHo, she did not contribute at all. Klaus gave the House of Blacksmith a negative performance report on her, including reports of defying orders and endangering teammates.
As such, the House of Blacksmith decided to drop Olivia from their battle squad. With no severance pay at all.
However, the problems did not stop there. Olivia did not accept the guild's decision and created a stir after Benjamin dismissed her with scorn.
If Akio had just pulled the Guild Master's collar, Olivia ravaged the entire hall. She destroyed property and broke glass until dozens of awakeners restrained her. Luckily there were no casualties due to her actions, but she had to suffer the consequences.
The House of Blacksmith reported the matter to the Awakener Association and blacklisted her.
Every guild would automatically reject Olivia if she wanted to join them.
Meanwhile, knowing that Klaus was the son of the Conglomerate Family, Akio intended to seek help for Michael's treatment. Olivia begged him to be included. She promised to help him if Klaus refused his request.
Olivia really needed the guild. She realized she would not survive if she raided the dungeon with a random party. After learning that Klaus was the son of her mother's friend, she was sure Rays of Hope would be willing to accept him.
After hearing the long story from Akio, Klaus could not help but laugh loudly.
Olivia could only bow her head, hiding her face flushed with embarrassment. She learned from her mistakes and would not dare to cause trouble again, or her career as an awakener would be completely finished.
Klaus wiped away the tears in his eyes. "Oh my. You're not much different from Joanna. How old are you that you throw tantrums like that?"
"Yes, I know I'm childish. You don't need to make it clear." Olivia blushed even more as Klaus mocked her.
Not only was Klaus surprised, but Justin was too. It's common for rich kids to be spoiled and do whatever they want, but he didn't think anyone would go that far.
Taking a deep breath, Klaus calmed himself down.
"Fine, I understand the situation you're in. Since your mother contributed greatly to the guild, Rays of Hope has always opened its doors to you."
"Really?" Olivia was amazed.
And Akio breathed a sigh of relief that nothing untoward had happened.
"Alright, let's see your friend's condition," Klaus said.
"Wait!" Olivia exclaimed. "You haven't prepared a contract for me yet."
Klaus sighed. "Sorry, there is no contract for you for now. I can't have an awakener with poor performance be part of Rays of Hope. During your participation in guild activities, you will be paid 13 dollars per hour."
"What!?" Olivia was shocked.
Akio gulped as he heard the salary Olivia would receive. It wasn't much different from what a janitor made.
"This is an appropriate salary for your current condition. Right?" Klaus asked Justin for backup.
"Yeah, right. We need to see your progress to consider whether you can become a permanent member. In the meantime, you'll be an external member."
Klaus squinted as he glanced at Justin. He'd never heard that term before. It was definitely made up.
Of course, Akio knew, too, but he chose to keep quiet.
"I will prove to you that I am worthy," Olivia said through her teeth.
Justin and Klaus chuckled while Akio buried his face in his hands.
Klaus huffed. "Alright, let's see how your friend is doing."
Then, they left the room to visit Michael in the hospital.
...
As Klaus entered the hospital room, the smell of bleach and medicine wafted into the air. Besides being with the two former members of the House of Blacksmith, Klaus came together with Justin and Sylvia. The red-haired girl looked surprised when she saw Michael lying on the bed and the hoses connected to the machine attached to his body.
Akio stood next to the bed. His face looked sad, seeing his friend's condition.
"He's been lying here for almost three weeks. Although the hospitalization is covered by insurance, it doesn't cover the cost of the poison extraction treatment." Bitter words came out of Akio.
"His condition is getting worse. The heart rate is weakening as each day passes," Sylvia said. "I should have contacted my mother earlier."
Akio held her shoulder. "I told you, it's not your fault. I don't want you to ruin your dreams."
