Beyond Fate and the Stars [Self-Published]

The Tigress and Her Pride

Third Draft

By GingerbreadPrincess

"The Tigress strikes again! Highly-revered guild leader dominates the monster-infested Tower of Hyperion."

"Crazy Ambush maintains #1 spot for the most sought-after guilds in the world of Arcanum."

"Crazy Ambush ranked as the richest guild in the world."

"Mina 'The Tigress' Ludenberg rated as one of the strongest warriors in Arcanum."

Oh, how I loved it when numerous headlines feature you and your guild. I couldn't help but smile whenever I read newspapers or watch television shows featuring us. Every day is a great day, especially when your guild accepts a lot of requests to undertake. Imagine the satisfaction whenever you kill challenging monsters and successfully fulfilling tough requests.

Imagine the townspeople revering you wherever you go. Imagine all of them bowing before you, even offering gifts whenever you pass by. Imagine the exposure you get whenever you get invited for interviews or your guild gets featured in TV specials.

Now imagine your fame and glory crumbling into pieces.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new guild at the #1 spot for the most powerful guild in the world of Arcanum!"

"The Funeral Parlor replaces Crazy Ambush at the top spot for the most sought-after guilds in the World."

"The Funeral Parlor breaks world record; eleven High Arcana monsters slayed by guild."

"Reason for Crazy Ambush's fall from grace: poor reception from townsfolk."

Every time the newscaster's words echo in my head, I would scream and smash the glass of beer in my hand. How come a low-level and low-class guild like them became instant hot-shots? My eyes would water and my fists would clench every time I would think that a mere, commoner guild like them would outclass us.

And how come we got poor reception? We always complete our quests on time. All our members are high-class. We are the strongest. We are the best.

I can't accept the fact that we lost to a ragtag bunch of misfits like them.

"M-Miss Mina..." the barkeep called out to me. I was in the Skycloud, a tavern famous for being the unofficial headquarters of the Association of Mercenaries. I don't know how many glasses I drank or smashed already. I'm not content yet.

"What, you dipshit?!" I slurred as I slammed the glass, some of its contents spilling out to my hand.

"M-Miss Mina, would you please stop breaking our glasses? You destroyed seven of them already."

"Well, who the fuck cares about your glasses? I'm the one paying your drinks, anyway. Another one, please!" I shouted. The barkeep just nodded and grabbed another glass to fill.

Ugh. I'm still not yet content yet I feel like shit.

"Well, look who's here," a jeering voice came from behind. I turned around only to see three bearded men grinning at me.

"How the mighty have fallen. How does defeat taste like, Tigress?" The man at the center smirked at me.

"Do you have any business with me, you shitheads?" I snarled at them.

"Oh, we just want to check you up to see if you're doing well. Looks like you're not."

"Serves you right, anyway." The man at the left sneered at me. "Looks like The Funeral Parlor showed how pathetic your guild actually is."