Head still woozy from the sudden offer that was given to him, Natsuki leaned across the wall to his right, sliding down until he fell to the ground, where he cradled his hands. Unable to comprehend the rollercoaster of events, Natsuki gazed at the ceiling, where he contemplated his decision. He knew that there were other, better, decisions. Still, being a newbie with strength weaker than cocaine bear, he would've been extorted within nanoseconds, with not even bones left after the scavengers had their way with him (the Temporal merchants that is).
Seeing him so downcast, Knoxis focused his attention towards the young, despairing man. The longer he looked, the more he realised why he had the urge to bring him back:
He looked just like him, when he was betrayed by his party members and left for the dead after defeating the Demon King
Sighing, Knoxis rubbed his hair. "Kid, I don't know what you went through, but just know this – every single person who works with us all have their sad story, some worse than others. So don't mope around and stand up; no man should act like a pussy and let themselves be beaten without a fight! So if I were you, I'd take the offer..."
Motivated, Natsuki slowly drew his gaze up.
"I'll take it..."
Eyes slowly rekindling, Natsuki turned to look at Knoxis. "Old man, where do I sign up?"
Seeing how the despondent young man had rekindled his will, Knoxis couldn't help but compare Natsuki with his younger self. I wish I were as strong as you when I was young...
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"Ehem! I'd like to welcome you to our newest member of Throway Transportations (for now, an intern), all thanks to the grateful contribution of Mr. Scaramond himself! Everybody, clap your hands for our newest member, Natsuki Fujimaru!"
Hearing the venom in her voice, everyone gave their nervous applause, sending daggers towards their cybernetic compatriot. Sinking his hat lower than the morale of a fat kid, the cyborg of a man slinked back into the shadows (or at least tried to). Rolling their eyes, they all looked at their new provisional employee, wondering what quality he had that made him so unique to be able to join the company. "Anyway, here are the heavy hitters of our company:
Dhravi Gautam
Vylara Krismond
Scaramond
And last but not least...
Knoxis Fyldwell!"
Standing to the side was a tall, 2m giant of a man, clad in a mixture of Buddhist and Western apparel, with the nine dots on his head. Staff strapped to his back, he held his hand in the standard Buddhist greeting, bowing his head towards him. Standing beside him was a gothic, punk-like girl, chewing something in her mouth.
Clad in scant, her torn shirt and ragged jacket drew her in as a problem child, with her flipping her ragged red-and-purple hair every so often, all the while popping bubbles from her mouth. Her slender, jade-like feet drew in his attention, making him nearly drool at the sight of the delicious thighs, not to mention her sizable assets on her chest. Upon realising where his gaze was, she gave him the death glare, prompting him to turn his gaze elsewhere, cheeks burning brighter than an over-ripe tomato.
But the most damning of them all was the asshole who stood to the far edge, smoking a vape as quietly as he could
Body covered in all sorts of biological modifications, Natsuki could hear the whirrs as the gears on his chest spun at very high speeds, wires crackling every so often. Despite wearing only thick pants and a thin shirt, he could not hide how badass he looked, even if he was responsible for his near-death experience. Wearing a cowboy hat, he tipped it lower than ever, too ashamed to meet Natsuki's face.
As Natsuki revelled at the sight of the gang before him, the tall man, Dhravi, asked him something that confused him greatly...
"Brother Natsuki, what Tier are you in now...?"