Rank assessment

Entering the guild, Sam got a lot of weird looks. That suicidal look in his eyes seemed to have faded, and he seemed weirdly close to these five goblin girls. Rumours started floating, but now and again, a guy said to cut him slack because of his loss, giving Sam a smooth walk to the receptionist. At her desk, Sam asked for a rank assessment, something he hadn't done in a long time after repeated setbacks and failures. Yet, now he was doing it? NOW the rumour mills were floated and people whispered and gossiped, watching as the receptionist was equally as shocked as the crowd, going to the back to get the branch manager.

Long ago, the branch manager told Sam not to come back till he truly believed he had improved enough to stake his life. Now that Sam was here, that could only mean one thing, so the receptionist knew she had to get the guild master, rather than putting in the request that would simply float over his desk.

It was clear when the guild master heard about Sam, because their whispers suddenly fell silent as a strong aura flooded the room, a killing intent that gave a ringing in their ears. As the guild master came out, those who hadn't seen him thought a giant was in the guild, only to realise the guild master was the same man in the portrait, a giant in human flesh. The guild master, Rufus, was scowling, but he calmly took Sam to the combat area, telling everyone to get out as Sam and the guild master separated. Although knowing the answer, Rufus asked if the goblins would be joining Sam in this duel, to which Sam admitted. Rufus sighed as he spat out his cigarette, bringing his giant fist up as an imposing gesture that made some of the goblins go "oh shit" in their heads. Still, the girls didn't run, standing their ground with Sam, already entranced by his kindness.

When fighting Rufus, he held back for the sake of the rank assessment, but Rufus was still overwhelming, even while holding back. Araceli used six different damage dolls to save her teammates, with Kyra blocking a few blows before Kiana had to step up as a tank. The group was doing their best to protect Sam and Arlet, but Rufus was too strong, removing Arlet and Kiana from the equation. Sam tried to for a throat slash, but Rufus was too fast, getting blocked thanks to Sam's pummel, but still doing notable damage. Still, everyone continued, slowly being taken out one by one, all the way until it was just Kiana left.

There was no mistaking it, Sam got fucked up in this test, and as a result, he passed. Sure, Rufus pulled back his power, but he was still OP as shit. Winning wasn't the objective; merely proving his strength was enough, happily getting approval from Rufus that Sam had passed, and getting promoted three levels. But only because the goblins were counted as part of his strength.