《Janitor and Blacksmith in a Foreign Process》


 Prologue: Ended and Restarted Elsewhere

    So, I''ve been killed by the entity of Mother Nature. Fan-fucking-tastic.... Welp, time to see how I lived...


    As I looked into the nothingness of an empty room, I was able to see my whole life flash before my eyes. So many opportunities, squandered and wasted by indecision and doubt. A career path, not taken nor explored because money was tight and no one wanted to take a shitty job that paid decently enough. If only I had sixteen more bucks from my check, I would be at home, minding my fucking business, likely looking for someone to have a night with or just game to my heart''s content... Bus was late and walking seemed like a good idea.


    I didn''t anticipate nor account for nature herself, having a bit of a tantrum and piss cats and dogs on me. A light shower turned into a moderate storm and then a raging thunderstorm. I though Oz was calling, but nope... A stray fucking bolt (fuck you Thor or Zeus) forced me into a random ditch, ass-side backwards with my skull caved in. Thus ended my life as ______ ______ (You really think I''m going to give you my name??? Nah, maybe once this has ended for good).


    So, I''ve been waiting for what seemed to be a short minute (the perception of time doesn''t matter for the dead because, well, you know, we''re dead already) when two "Beings of a Higher Nature" appeared before me. The feeling you get when you''re outclassed, outgunned and outmatched was the feeling I got when presented with them.


    "Hm... Not a remarkable fellow, are ya?" the snide fucking angel commented.


    "I wager that this fellow would do well in my ranks." the snarky piss demon added.


    Oh right, I need to describe looks:


    - The Fucking Angel: She looks like a typical angelic nun with the busted ass sandals and then matching cleanly pressed white robes to boot. She held a crown on her head and seems to be the angelic authority in this dimension... Her hair shimmered like false and manufactured white gold with a hint of aquamarine near the roots.


    - The Piss Demon: Ever see the likes of a demon in a goddamn suit? Well, this fucker didn''t have the suit, but was looking clean with some gothic business attire with a slick pair of shoes. Aside from the numerous of jewelry at several points on him, nothing screamed to me "Join this Fucker"...


    "So, I must be the latest one to make a choice."


    "Look, the human can speak."


    "I''m aware that communication is possible. Greetings, young one. My name is Laurel, Keeper of the Angelic Accord and current angelic presence for the Planet you''ll be heading to next." Laurel commented.


    "And I''m the MOTHERFUCKER that will SPRAY HER BUSTED SANDALS WITH PISS, Demarite, Hellbringer of the same place and current idol to the Cult of Savages and Death."


    I wasn''t moved nor impressed by their introductions. I just wanted to figure out what they were selling so I can decide and get to stepping.


    "My name isn''t relevant because I''m just going to get a new identity and just be reborn, correct?"


    "Look at this motherfucker, knowing his fucking fate. WELL, I GOT NEWS FOR YOU, LITTLE DICKWEED! You will go to the Planet, Culvurn, but not as a reborn. NAH, MOTHERFUCKER! You''ll be a transgressor!"


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    "Despite the vulgar language Demarite speaks, yes, you will be a transgressor on Culvurn. So, I offer you to become a hero for my legion and help tip the scales of battle against the ever-present dark forces that plague the planet."


    "NAH BITCH..."


    "Your profanity is become an irritant. Unless you want to go to war right now, refrain the liberal use of it here at least."


    "Fine then. Anyhow, join me and I''ll mold you into the greatest general that the world will ever know and perhaps get some sweet revenge on the mistress who sent you here to us."


    I didn''t know what to believe or think. On one side of the coin, I would be doing Laurel''s dirty work and be a hero in her legion. A notion I wasn''t too keen on pursuing at all. Demarite''s offer wasn''t any sweeter and personally, I wasn''t going to settle for either one and I wanted to just move the fuck on.


    "So, what''s the procedure for waste management?"


    "Waste management? I don''t believe that''s a relevant question to ask."


    "Stand aside! So, we just dump the bodies wherever for us!"


    "Disgusting. I always knew you were vile. You dare pollute my land with the stench of the undead and filth!?"


    "I''m not going to mince words. Demarite, you good sir is making a huge mess and a biological roadmap for the heroes to chase your forces and eventually defeat you."


    "See, if you just bury them and sanctify them, the glory I present would do you some good."


    "So, the unethical use of religious chemicals or is it an old-fashion burn pit?"


    "Look here, MOTHERFUCKER!!!!! I don''t GIVE A FUCK about what you think about waste management!"


    "I have to agree with Demarite here. There''s no need to concern yourself with the disposal of bodies."


    Upon hearing those two actually agree on something, I decided, fuck them and I''ll do the work myself. If they didn''t value the disposal of the dead, then I will.


    "I''ve made my decision."


    "You have?"


    "AH YEAH! So, you fin to join us?"


    "Sorry, but I''m going to decline your offer Lord Demarite."


    "You don''t need to be so formal with him. So, I take it you''re going to aid my cause then?"


    "Not a chance in hell or your world''s equivalent. Instead, I''m going to find a way out, get a tome or book with writing instruments and begin drafting a disposal plan and possibly make use off of the waste and recycle them into something worth a damn."


    "I see that two trash deities got rejected by someone with some common and logical sense."


    A third deity walked in and they were decked with the latest hippy wear you can get at a thrift stop nowadays. They had a rather interesting crown of thorns and bark and they walked like they held a purpose.


    "Jule...."


    "High Spiritweaver Jule, to what do we owe the honor?"


    "Oh nothing much, except the total rejection from a mortal that has something on their mind and wants to make use of it. You there, tell you what, join me and I''ll allow you to start this waste management plan and I''ll even fund you out of pocket for you to get right to work."


    Jule''s offer was far more appealing to me then being a fucking hero or villain.


    "Do I get to call the shots without your interference with day-to-day operations?"


    "Don''t listen to them! Join my legion and together we can conquer the evil on the planet!"


    "You sound desperate, Laurel. Personally, I don''t mind them joining Jule as they wouldn''t be allied with either one of us and they can do whatever they please, so long as it doesn''t pertain to my minions."


    "You''re conceding?"


    "Yes. What of it?"


    "You, you, you..."


    "Spit it out."


    "ASSHOLE! Never in all my centuries that someone like you don''t actively try to tempt them with power!!!! So, what makes today the exception???"


    "Jule is here and have we beaten Jule?"


    "I have... Once or twice."


    "The fucker let you to save face. I haven''t won straight up and it''s not happening today. So, I''ll concede this prospect for another one waiting in the many waiting rooms."


    *Sigh* "Fine. Jule, you win today. Take them and get lost!"


    With no further protest, I was now at he employ of High Spiritweaver Jule. Little did i know, joining up with them would send me on the trip in another lifetime...

 Case 1-1: Hightale, The Territory of the Enslaved and the Disgraced

    "So, I would like to apologize for taking a bit longer for us to meet. I was too, entertained by Laurel and Demarite. I''m the High Spiritweaver, Jule. I''m akin to your dimension''s ''Mother Nature''. I would like to make you quite the offer."


    "Go on. I''m listening."


    "This, waste management you speak of. I would like to personally oversee the process and do a better job at keeping the planet of Kinore, clean of filth. Peering into your life, you were quite the janitor. Some called you, ''Super Janitor''. I would like to see what you''re capable of."


    "What''s the tasks you require, the perks and benefits for the tasks ahead and finally, the base of operations for this to be conducted?"


    "All I require is that you keep the lands clean in anyway possible, no matter how small. Seeing that you''re a human from your dimension, you would be, feared and targeted by different races and natives of Kinore as humans are, a bit of a cancer since Laurel and Demarite have claimed residency here. I will offer you a chance to become the dominate race where you have your base of operations.


    As for that, I have three places in mind:


    - Hightale, Land of the Rabbit-born


    - Druger Peak, Mountain of the Stone Dwarves


    - Faebound, Forest of the Fae Elven


    These are the three I can offer you right now."


    As Jule presented the opportunities and I began to peer into the history of each territory (via a communal link) and the landscape for each.


    - Faebound: They are a prideful and rather annoying set of elves (but that''s to be very expected of their kind from what was depicted of them in my world) that have the very notion of, "communal benefit". They seem to be on and on about praising the work on the collective rather than the achievement of the individual. Something like that would help in the collection process, but would hinder me if I had to rely on them for small tasks.


    It also didn''t help that they really, really look down on the achievements and accomplishments from anyone other than themselves in addition to being openly racist to many, if not all of the other races in the land. As the "superior" race, they believe that it''s their fucking god giving right to be treated with the highest of respect without showing an ounce of even courtesy in return.


    My Rating: 2.6/10, I can only see them being useful once, maybe twice if a favor is owed to them. I can''t rely on them to further my efforts and I would be further hindered by the fact that they really don''t like to get physical for anything, particularly...


    - Druger Peak: The dwarves of Druger Peak are a hardy yet ignorant lot that hone the skills of smithing to it''s highest order. Each dwarf is in service to themselves with a communal effort when the territory is in need of the services of the collective. With alcohol is involved though, you get to see that they''re a toned down version the Fae Elves of Faebound. They''re more, vengeful to those who wrong them and have a misconception about cultural norms in other territories in Kinore.


    They don''t mind the labor. Hell, I failed to see them as lazy when work is needing to be done. So long as there is work or smithing to be had, they will be working diligently, a trait I find admirable. The only issue is Druger Peak itself. The mountain is not really a mountain as it is a contained semi-active volcano that periodically erupts, causing massive damage to neighboring kingdoms at the base of the peak. The dwarves have lava-proof homes and they themselves are highly heat resistant. It''s safe to assume that they can continue to work while the eruption is going on. A disturbing fact I rather not experience first-hand.


    My Rating: 7.2/10, A great opening for anyone that is in need of a start, but not a keen first choice. Though, I will have to require their services in the upcoming future.


    - Hightale: Hightale is a place where the tired can''t rest and the lazy continue to be as such. The rabbit-born in the area are a byproduct and a result of a war that they wanted no part of. They were enslaved by their former retainers to become tireless "citizens" upon new management (aka the winner of the war). The kingdom now holding the leash of these people, the Kingdom of Mot. The kingdom at first glance seems ok and fair, but that facade wouldn''t be hidden by the grim reality that, while the kingdom itself prospered from a recent war won, it came with the added suffering of the rabbit-born in the area.


    All the rabbit-born in Hightale live in fear and in a jittered state. The men are forced into the Rugu Caves to mine iron and bronze while the women and children are subjected to menial tasks and the occasional exploitive beating and "lustful" servicing (which is nothing more than sexual abuse and assault). The elder of the people suffers the most as he is tortured in a dungeon for his outspoken ways. If I can free them from servitude from such a kingdom, I would have a starting worker base that would thrive in my conditions rather than suffer under theirs.


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    My Rating: 8.7/10, I feel that this would be an excellent starting point and it would allow me to do some psychological damage to their kingdom. This is my choice for my base of operations.


    "So, I take it you''ve found a suitable place to start."


    "Hightale."


    "Ah, I believe your kind call this kind of start, a ''Hard Mode'' start. Is that not correct?"


    "That''s very correct. Also, because of the pelt color of the rabbit-born, I would like to have an ashen black pelt color."


    "Going to be the hero of legend, I see? This plays into Laurel''s plan."


    "No it doesn''t."


    "Explain."


    "Laurel is looking for heroes for her "holy" legion. What better way to give her the ethereal middle finger than to cut down the low level chosen, the weak guards and the rather corruptible slave traders."


    "I see. Doing this would look like an act of heroism in Demarite''s eyes while an act of defiance in Laurel''s."


    "Correct."


    "Well then, picked a name to identify yourself as, considering that your old name would be useless?"


    "Boa. Gender, Male."


    "Oh, keeping the gender and even the pelt color. A sense of pride or a mark of oppression?"


    "Both. Pride as a man of color while still in my world, but that comes with the scorn of being oppressed by those in power, such as the rabbit-born before us."


    "Well then, I will place you in the Triwell Woods, near a cabin specifically hidden from the sight of all. There, I''ve placed an anvil, a tome and a few commodities needed for you to get started. Scout the lands and be ready to fight when necessary."


    As Jule got me set for first contact in Triwell Woods, I saw a butterfly fly near me.


    "This butterfly is your current power. Right now, it''s white. As you develop yourself, more butterflies will gather and different species of butterflies will be attracted by you and your power. This butterfly species is a Blue Morpho."


    "Ah, a Blue Morpho. A symbol of survival at the most basic level.


    "I see you''re adapting to this well. What will you pick as your starting combat perk and your first tool for the process?"


    The skills Jule presented to me was as follows:


    - Stealth Arts


    - Dagger Proficiency


    - Rabbit Fencing


    While having {Rabbit Fencing} would help with direct combat with the guard and trash heroes, it would make me a pariah and a savior that would have my work, compromised at every corner. {Dagger Proficiency} would be a great help for ambushing and assassinations, but then I would be feared and the guard would increase their efforts. Not looking to have that done at all without some other skills and a viable weapon. {Stealth Arts} would benefit me the most because it''s not just limited to combat. I can manipulate it for espionage for valuable materials and locations of corpses and other byproducts not found in nature.


    "Stealth Arts would be fine."


    "A lurker within the light. I like that. Now, for the tools..."


    She wavered her hand with three instruments needed for my success


    - A Shovel


    - An Empty Bottle


    - A Broom


    All three would be of great help, but the empty bottle would be the least important right now. I can make a container with leather and glass, so I will wait a bit before pursuing containers for various forms of visceral materials. The shovel would be the middle because, digging holes is fine, but I''m not a huge fan of robbing a grave unless it is needed and uprooting the land is unnecessary when Jule is merely at my beck and call. The shovel can wait. The broom, now that has multiple uses from sweeping materials and things into piles to using it to blend in nicely with the locals.


    "I''ll take the broom."


    A perplexed look befell on Jule. More often than now, Jule was excited on my choices, but this would be the first time they expressed, disinterest.


    "I see. Why the broom?"


    "You may see it as a tool used by servants. In the eyes of a janitor, that very same broom can sweep evidence away neatly and swiftly, be a prop to fit into society and even be a better prop for infiltration into places that most can''t get access to. While the shovel is nice and all, it restricts me in places to access and the bottle does nothing because if the material filled inside is acidic or highly corrosive, that''s a waste of a tool."


    Jule''s eyes widen a bit. Likely from being a bit too narrow, they now understood the further applications of the broom.


    "Perhaps I was a bit too hasty on judgement. That would be the best choice. The Blue Morpho will store the skill and you''ll get your broom. Remember, each butterfly is different and the Blue Morpho can only have three skills before it''s at it''s limit. Learn what you can very closely and only accept what you wish to handle."


    "Understood. Let us begin."


    "Lets."


    As Jule doused me with an anesthetic to make the journey smooth, I began to fall into a deep sleep. No dreams, no nightmares, no thought, no visions. Just emptiness and color. When I awoke, I woke up being at the front door of my base of operations and essentially, my home. As I walked into the hut, the hut didn''t look too bad at all. It had a bed, three different tables, the anvil outside with plenty of space for expansion, an outhouse for me to use the little rabbit''s room, a pond for washing myself (though that is technically unsanitary if the water was contaminated) and finally, a desk to start my work.


    I looked on one of the tables to find a few plates, wooden utensils and some cups. Near the fireplace was a cast-iron cauldron that I decided to put into instant use. Using one of the five cups available, I went to the pond and gathered enough water to boil and test the purity of said water. After fifteen minutes of gathering water, I started a fire and placed the cool cauldron into the fire. A little while passed and while it boiled, I did some push-ups and some sit-ups which changed the Blue Morpho''s color from white to an orbital blue color.


    Once the steam appeared, I gathered the water in an iron ladle and poured it into a cup. I allowed it to cool and then I drunk the water. No initial response. After ten more minutes, an alert appeared in the form of a scroll.


    (Must be how I get alerted about a change made...)


    Water Results- Potable (after boiling)


    A tell-tale sign that the water after boiling was safe to drink. I retested the water, now without the heating control. I grabbed a cup, poured the water straight from the pond and took a sip.


    A Negative Response!!!


    The pain was similar to moderate food poisoning. The system alerted me once again.


    Water Results- Contaminated (Unknown Man-Made Toxin present)


    (A toxin, produce by human hands... This could be a problem because this pond is being supplied the water from a creek nearby. This will require an initial scout and investigation to begin to deduce the problem and the responsible party Well then, my first day will be spent in stealth. Joy.)


    I was already getting a headache (whether from the contamination or from the irritation of having no time to scout the lands proper and in peace) and it didn''t help that screams of agony and despair filled the air on this morning. The sun, barely arisen and already the fuckers began their work. Looks like I''ll have to start mine.

 Case 1-2: The Rotted Lake of Hevete and the Lost Child, Milve

    The sun was already moving into position for a late breakfast or early lunch when I decided to start my travels to discover the source of the contamination. My mind was racing a mile a minute and moreover, this was calculated explicitly to cull the rabbit-born numbers to manageable levels. Whoever orchestrated the contamination is somewhat high on the kingdom''s food chain and/or payroll. This needs to be furtherly address in the future.


    As I made it to the main river that the creek branched from, the water was definitely tampered with as it was an Alien Parasite in color. The color got heavier the further I ran upstream. No sooner than I reached a certain point in my travels, an alert popped up.


    Warning: Multiple lifeforms stationed 30m from your location.


    Recommended Action: Engage Stealth Arts


    (Well, well, well. Looks like I''ll be using Stealth Arts for the first time today.)


    "System, Stealth Arts Tree."


    As the scroll-like system expanded, I got to see what Jule was taking about. From what would be, a primitive status screen, showed a few things:


    - The number of butterflies in possession


    - A symbol that looked like a fusion function


    - The current pathing of the art in question


    - The current butterfly who is the custodian of the skill or art


    - The evolutionary path once all nodes in the path are achieved


    Looking inward, Stealth Arts had three starting paths and choosing one will lock out the other two:


    - Hidden Dagger Path


    - Shadow Bunny Path


    - Mimic Hare Path


    Each one of them had a skill that would correlate to the beginning of the path in question.


    (Looks like I''ll need to plan ahead with this in mind as I only get one shot at this. Time to look into the paths ahead...)


    - The Hidden Dagger Path started rather simple with a single stream, but it became a mess once nine nodes were active as it branched like a infected mosquito looking to suck as much blood as possible. The Dark Dagger materialized a dagger that would be used as a primary weapon. The dagger itself held no weight to the user and would open a few different options further down the line with the skill Black Crescent Dash becoming available once the path made it to the fifth stage. Other than that, no real quality was to be had here.


    - The Shadow Bunny Path started off nasty as it forced me into three choices consecutively from the first stage to the third stage of the path. What was particularly annoying was that despite this, all it provided was a shroud and a passive poison from the shroud to neutralize the targets. It didn''t "mask" or "conceal" the origin of the poison and as a result, easily tracible back to me. Can''t have that happening.


    - The Mimic Hare Path proved, unique. Firstly, it branched every even path, allowing me time to prepare and still be engaging enough for me to see what''s next. Secondly, it provided disguises and even a gender swap at the start for infiltration. Not looking to skirt on a possible chance to become a "woman", the path continued to be intriguing with it having no real combative applications except on the first branching path within the path. This would prove useful, if I survive that long.


    "System, Mimic Hare Path, Enable."


    Affirmative. The Mimic Hare Path is now engaged. The Hidden Dagger and Shadow Bunny will cease to exist.


    With that command, the other two paths were erased and I was able to gain my first skill.


    - Gender Swap was a simple task. By merely snapping my fingers on both hands, I would become a "woman" for a period of time. If I was attacked or assaulted in anyway, the first opportunity, I would return to my native gender (male in this case).


    Without another thought, I decided to test this out and get into a favorable position to maybe ambush some of the threats. As I snapped my fingers, I felt, pressure at the upper body and reduction at the lower body. Fortunately, I did take the time to analyze the anatomy of rabbit-born when looking into a base of operations and nothing perverse was to be seen unless the individual in question is in heat. So, as a "woman" I continued my travels.


    Eventually, morning was drawing to a close when I saw this scene: Two women, giving themselves for the almighty coin to three of the guards and two rabbit-born captives. The women were quick to seduce and undress and to keep this from getting further unsavory, I''m going to say that, the deed was done to all that were present (whether it was willingly or not). While keeping distance, I overheard and observed this conversation:


    "Hammon, get the private to escort these lovely ladies back to the kingdom proper. I''ll deal with these two "friends" personally."


    "Sure thing. Make sure to dump the body at the lake."


    "Yeah, yeah. I already know. Dealing with them should be as simple as doing this!"


    He swung his longsword and beheaded both of the rabbit-born and then proceeded to dismember them both until they were nothing more than sliced sinew and gristle with a skull being the only identifiable part of their miserable bodies. The guard quickly looked at my general direction and signaled his men away. He began to enter my field of vision and quickly swung. I instinctively ducked and got ready in fighting stance.


    "Well now! Look what I found. A female rabbit-born that wandered too far from home. Well, before I allow you to die, I''m going to have my fun with you, girly."


    (Poor fool. If only he knew that my knowledge on hand to hand fighting will end his miserable existence, he would have retreated quickly...)


    And knowledge was my advantage. As he got very close, the disguise ended and a swift back kick to the side of the head would instantly knock him flat out. Using his sword that he used to kill the other two, I beheaded him and then using the mud near the river and leaves in the area, i concealed him as best as I can.


    (Looks like I won''t get any further here and two rabbit-born were killed. Looks like I''m going to have to make another day to get back here and do something about this contamination. The longer I allow this to be an issue, the bigger the risk and the likelihood hat the damage may be irreversible. I''ll need to swift return at first light tomorrow. Time to go home with the corpses and see how to dispose and rescycle rabbit-born remains.)


    Taking their remains with me using a sack left behind by the private, I stuffed the bag with their parts and then proceeded home, knowing that they will shortly search for their missing comrade.


    The most extreme few hours ensued with me lugging the sack home (it was hot and fucking muggy. Ever had the devil lick your body? Yeah, it felt like that...), but I made it as the sky started to hint at sunset. As I got to my property, the hut flashed then recloaked itself as I got inside. Jule''s avatar greeted me.


    "I take it that your work was successful."


    "No. A prize, ill-gotten due to racism, borderline genocide. The water, polluted by a toxin created explicitly to cull unwanted rabbit-born numbers. Mark my words, I''m going to skullfuck every last one of the higher ups in Mot and then I''m going to skullfuck their families, after I fucking kill them. This is disturbingly gross. I don''t know the customs for rabbit-born but to make use of them, I want to produce some weapons using the remains and I want to see what they saw before their demise."


    "Granted."


    A green glow manifested within me. The Blue Morpho that was assigned to me saw two more butterflies (A Kaiser-i-Hind and a Island Marble) around the skulls of the fallen rabbit-born. As they gathered to mine, they fused themselves and an alert presented itself.


    Notice: Fusion is possible.


    "System, what happens with Fusion and what is gained with this Fusion?"


    Response: Fusion of butterfly vessels will offer themselves to the main butterfly. All skills, knowledge and legacies will be transferred to the owner of the main butterfly and an increase in potential becomes imminent. Some, discomfort will occur during the fusion process.


    "System, proceed and make it quick. The remains will attract pests and pursuers."


    Affirmative. Commencing Fusion.


    HOLY SHIT did I feel like one of those flies back at home who for zapped for getting to close to the moonlit zapper light. The pain was unbearable at times and agonizing the whole time. As I was being ripped apart from the ears to the feet, knowledge and my Blue Morpho was transforming. I know the little guy was in excruciating and unspeakable pain, but as long as we survived, we knew this wouldn''t be the last.


    After everything was done, I felt fairly different, yet, the same. The butterfly was in it''s pupa state but I did get to see what it was going to look like. It wasn''t going to be a Blue Morpho, but rather, a Dagger Tail Butterfly (notorious for dive-bombing anyone too close to their territory). As I saw it exit the pupa state an hour later (mainly because I needed a rest myself), it wasn''t what I expected... It was the Dagger Tail Butterfly, sure, but "she" only has the wings. It was a fairy or a sprite tat was about as large as my whole hand back when I was human.


    "Hello, are you the entity named, Boa?"


    "I am. You must be my butterfly that endured the agony alongside me?"


    "Yes. I was the butterfly from before. I''m a Dagger Tail Sprite with butterfly traits. I''m not sure how to process myself right now, but I''ll be your second pair of eyes and your archiver from hereon."


    "My, archiver?"


    "Yes."


    "We just call them, secretaries."


    "What is a secretary?"


    "A person who does clerical housekeeping and manage the books. A must larger role than just a simple archiver."


    "Do you look down on archivers?"


    "No. Quite the opposite. If it wasn''t for the archivers of old, secretaries wouldn''t exist today, at least in my world."


    "I see. So, I don''t have a name. Could I, get a name?"


    "Indeed. Since I''m Boa, you''ll be named, Selira."


    "Exotic. I like it."


    Selira was very pleased by the name and as she began to walk around and get used to her new body, I started my research on the disposal of rabbit-born refuse. I accessed the system and got my tome out with a pen and began to slowly dissect and examine the remains. Selira after a few moments, came to assist. As moved the vital and essential organs from the lumps of gristle and muscle while I began to separate the muscle from the bone. The pelt was a hassle to skin off of the upper flesh (thanks in part by follicles that were buried deep within the sweat pores) and once the initial dismemberment was complete, the sorting and real work began.


    "So, Boa, Selira. I''m going to be around, but I would like to have a report sent to me when possible. Could you have it ready for me within a few days?"


    "Of course, High Spiritweaver Jule."


    "Not a problem boss."


    "Boss?"


    "Boa, why call them, boss?"


    "Why not? They gave me a purpose I like to do and unless you want to put up with Laurel or Demarite, I think this is the best form or respect without making this, weird."


    "I like boss. Let''s go with that. From now on, you two will address me as Boss Jule or Boss."


    "Gotcha boss."


    "Yes, boss."


    "Good, I''ll be awaiting the results."


    With that, Jule waltzed out of the hut as we got started.


    "System: Begin Disposal Services Protocol"


    Affirmative, Disposal Protocol Enabled. You survived 80% of this day and accrued 100 points for upgrading the station. The system recommends that you get the Mana Refiner, pH test kit with Arcana and Divinity Options for testing soils and liquids, an upgrade to the anvil to produce tools and weapons, a smelter for forging recyclable metals and an upgrade to the hut itself for an underground lab.


    "Agreed. Current points required to make all the necessary changes to protocol. "


    Administrator Jule has deposited the necessary points and authorized all changes for today only without penalty. Do you wish to proceed?


    "Proceed as recommended. Also, Selira is with me as my secretary. She will be managing the system during times I''m away. I authorize her to have managerial access to the system."


    Designating Dagger Tail Fae, Selira, as manager-level user. She will have access to view all upgrades and also have authorization rights upwards to Level 3. Higher level upgrades will require either Administrator Jule or Owner Boa to approve of the change. Manager Selira will also have access to the shop. Wish to set spending limits without authorization?


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "What is the currency used by the shop?"


    Currency used is gold or platinum. Gold will be used for the public shop while platinum is used for the premium shop.


    (OF FUCKING COURSE... Can''t do anything without a fucking microtransaction blueprint...) "System, ways to obtain gold and platinum."


    "Gold is deposited daily from tasks and information done and distributed by Administrator Jule. Platinum is gained by discovering and sharing newly discoverable items, skills, weapons, etc."


    "So, gold is awarded for just doing the work while platinum is gained for innovation that is searched to the system."


    "Affirmative. Currently, you have 5000 gold and 250 platinum. Care to shop?"


    "Not yet. Work first, shop afterwards. System, upgrade the protocol and then go on standby while Selira and I begin the work. OH! Before I forget, I would like to upgrade your system using the one hundred points to gain sentience."


    Understood, allowing this system sentience will also recognize this system as a vital core member or resource to the operation. Are you sure of this change as it is irreversible?


    "Continued as normal with the 100 points debited for learning sentience protocol."


    Affirmative. Upgrades to the protocol and system initiated.


    Selira and I began to drain the blood from the muscle and did moderate cleaning while awaiting the upgrades to our work. A short while later (with the hut cleansed of blood and decomposition), the system returned online.


    Protocol updates and facility upgrades, complete.


    "Excellent. How are you feeling?"


    I, don''t know. This is a new experience for me.


    "It''ll take some getting used to. While working, I thought of a name for you. From here on, how''s the name, Relena sound?"


    "Boss, that kind of name is lame."


    No, I like Relena. This system will now identify itself as Relena and will operate with a woman''s persona.


    "Understood. Welcome to the team, Relena. Relena, prepare the pH test kit and Selira, the testable components."


    "Right away, boss man!"


    Affirmative. I''ll start the pH testing process.


    As Relena got the testing instruments materialized for me, Selira got some of the bladders of blood and a few pieces of the bone, muscle and pelt for the testing process. The blood was deposited first and JESUS, it was a problem. Rabbit-born blood was 2.2 on the pH scale. The blood was highly and potentially dangerous as it''s in essence, a fucking acidic agent that if transplanted or injected, would melt anyone from the inside out.


    "Relena, Selira, rabbit-born blood at it''s purest form is highly acidic. In the future, disposal of remains will require a complete blood drain and a through washing of all bone and flesh before any future work is done with this."


    "It''s that dangerous?"


    Understood. Annotating new disposal procedure for rabbit-born. Blood Removal process pending.


    "The blood will require a Sanguine Press with acidic resistances. Is there on on the market or will we need to develop it ourselves, Relena?"


    "The vampiric nation of Venyir would have the basic blueprint. Current relationship level with the Dukedom of Venyir, Neutral. I would recommend we produce a press with acidic resistant alloy in the very near future."


    "Agreed. Selira, your take on this."


    "Boss, I would think that for now, since you are a rabbit-born, that you handle the bloodletting until we get the tools for us to work this kind of material."


    I agree. Owner, you should handle that material for the foreseeable future.


    "Understood, I''ll handle it. Everything else isn''t needed for the pH test, so proceed with the Composition Analysis."


    Understood. Beginning Composition Analysis.


    Starting with the bone, the bone of a rabbit-born was incredibly brittle. Seeing that fucker behead two of my kind effortlessly, it would make sense that a sword would suffice for beheading them.


    Owner, due to the brittle nature of the bones, it would be useful as a liquid for future processes and products.


    "Agreed. Let''s continue."


    The muscle, adversely was incredibly tough and toned. A bit too tough as meat, it could be used for sturdier bladders and other elastic products. The problem is the muscle was the hide, so leathering would be a difficult feat.


    "Relena, rabbit-born hide is heavily elastic and sturdy. Recommendations. Selira, I would like your input as well."


    "Boss, I would think that we can maybe tender it up to create sturdy and elastic gourds for liquid storage."


    I agree with Manager Selira. A liquid storage would be advisable.


    "Ok. rabbit-born muscle tissue will be separated from the bone once the blood has been removed and properly stored. The muscle will be tenderized, via pulverizing, until sufficient density is achieved. A light tanning afterwards would be required before transforming the tissue into tools needed for day-to-day operations."


    Acknowledged. New annotation for rabbit-born hide has been added and the report is currently being generated. Permission to send to Administrator Jule?


    "Negative, we have a pelt to figure out."


    "Boss, while you were working on the muscle, I discovered that the pelt itself is useless, but when combined with an acid, it produces a toxin that enhances the senses before robbing them of them for a period of time."


    "Caffeine-like toxin??? Or maybe an energy toxin? Relena, mark the rabbit-born pelt for further research."


    Affirmative, designating Rabbit-born Pelt for research.


    "Anything else, Selira?"


    "Nope. That''s all for now."


    "Good. Relena, send the first report up. Selira, can I get a list of what skills you''ve adopted during the fusion?"


    "OH!!! I''ve been waiting for this! Are we going to be fusing skills now?"


    "Indeed. Part of our employee program will be to learn a portion of my skills into their package while getting money and resources to further themselves. To do that, we need a package itself."


    "Understandable! Relena, if you can, could you have a sub-protocol (?) done for fused skills?"


    Negative, a sub-protocol isn''t required for something this lofty. I would recommend a new system for fused skills and products for distribution. In that, I can provide the framework and the maintenance. All you would have to provide me is the information and blueprints necessary for the system.


    "WELL THEN!!! The first order of the manager is to create the {Fusion Marketplace}!"


    Understood, the creation of the {Fusion Marketplace} will be queued for service and be open to the public once enough fused blueprints are available.


    "Blueprints required for operation?"


    Twenty-Five blueprints will be needed for public operation.


    "Owner authorization #1, the creation of the {Fusion Marketplace} is to be queued during your standby while we rest. This way, you can relax yourself while creating the system with ample time to spare."


    Affirmative, {Fusion Marketplace} creation is scheduled for standby.


    "Selira, let''s begin."


    "OK! So, here''s what I have right now for you:


    - Mimic Hare Path, 1st Node


    - Bunny Hand-to-Hand, Unassigned, 3 Nodes available


    - Surveillance, Unassigned, 2 Nodes Available


    From your memories allowed by Boss Jule, here''s what I can find on you:


    - Translate, Max Level


    - Military Martial Arts, Path Completed


    - Special Forces Martial Arts, Unassigned, No Node Available


    - Scythe Mastery, Basic Level, 2nd Node


    - Sanitation Technician, Mastered and Maxed Level


    I can fuse three times. So, what''s the first fusion?"


    For me, this was a huge boon to look at as now, the {recycling} process has now begun. Here''s what I would look at from what she presented:


    - Military Martial Arts and Special Forces Martial Arts all land under the umbrella of the martial art, Sambo. Fusing both of them would be redundant so I would also fuse the Bunny Hand-to-Hand to create a new style of Sambo with higher mobility options.


    - Surveillance and Mimic Hare Path together is just fucking Hare Ninja Arts (Ninjutsu). But, that would help identify future problems, so I guess that would work.


    - Translate and Sanitation Technician isn''t needed for any fusion because they''re maxed already and in the case with Sanitation Tech, I also have that mastered! So, I''ll just make this work....


    "Selira, Fuse Military Martial Arts with Special Forces Martial Arts and then from the product, fuse again with Bunny Hand-to-Hand."


    "OK. So, you want me to fuse the two military fighting styles and then refuse them into the Bunny Hand-to-Hand?"


    "Correct."


    "Starting fusion now!"


    Selira began to glow and used the hexagonal representation of the skills to begin the fusion process. As she got the first skill {Recycled}, Relena was able to identify it for presentation.


    Attention: Fusion Successful. Advanced Sambo has been created. Congratulations, Owner Boa.


    "Thank you, but it was Selira who was able to fuse them together."


    Manager Selira, great success to you.


    "Thanks Relena, but it''s not done yet. I still need to redo the process, now adding the Bunny Hand-to-Hand."


    Selira then used the fused skill ad added it to the Bunny Hand-to-Hand. She struggled on this one, but the result was favorable. In my eyes, she did enough for an evening.


    Attention: Fusion Successful: Bunny Sambo created. Fusion system recognizes this skill with multiple paths that can be altered by who learns the martial art. Congratulations, team.


    "Thank you again."


    "*Wheeze* I''m tired. I need to do one more, though."


    "That''s enough for now. Let''s hold off until tomorrow''s trip. We have an early start in the morning."


    "I get you. So, we''re going to sleep?"


    "Yes. Relena, you''re officially on standby mode. Enjoy the rest. Selira, let''s get some sleep."


    "Yes. Now to a bed! Relena, materialize a bed before going into Standby."


    Understood, bed is already prepared. Good night everyone.


    As I got on my bed, it was meager, but suitable for my taste. I just needed somewhere to sleep for the night. Selira got something a bit fluffier for her and Relena has a light aquamarine hue as she enjoyed her first night on standby. Not much was remembered and as such, the first night began.


    The first light was upon us and I needed to move fast to the source of the contamination. Selira woke up a few moments later.


    "Morning."


    "Morning..."


    "Morning, Relena."


    Good Morning Owner and Manager. The {Fusion Marketplace} is ready and has currently two fused products ready for sale.


    "We''ll continue to proceed once more products are available."


    Affirmative. Owner, what''s on the agenda today?


    "Stay on Standby until our return. We''re heading to the source of the contamination."


    According to the map of Hightale, the nearest major water source is the Lake of Hevete. It''s part of a seven lake system that runs through the entirety of the continent of Jorat. Would you like a holographic map for guidance?


    "Negative, that would expose us. The element of surprise will be required at this moment."


    Understood. Will be providing standby support to Manager Selira when requested.


    "Excellent."


    "I really feel important! Lets FUCKING GO!!!"


    "You really need to stop probing my thoughts..."


    "But it''s good to know how you spoke in the past."


    I couldn''t refute that statement. Regardless, we headed out and headed to the Lake of Hevete. The sun was still rising when we got back to the point where I turned around yesterday, to be greeted with an unearthed mount of dirt.


    (SHIT! The fuckers dug him up and is probably going to take it out on the rabbit-born who had ties to the two I took yesterday. I need to get to the lake, but I''ll also need to be swift and silent so not to alert or attract unneeded attention. Hopefully, I can find the problem soon.)


    As Selira and I proceeded, it wasn''t too long until we got to the lake and DAMN!!! The lake was polluted to all hell and the Alien Parasite color was at its strongest here. The lake''s center was barren and devoid of anything purposeful, but what greeted us wasn''t just a polluted lake. Three guards (likely from the Kingdom of Mot) was about to push a cage of about nine rabbit-born into the pollution. I looked around to see anything that was the cause, but then it hit me. Bodies of the dead floated to the surface and a vast majority of them was rabbit-born. This was an execution spot for disobedient slaves and discordant criminals. A nesting ground of death, decay, disease and suffering for all those who lived nearby and those brought here to die.


    (This isn''t good. The water is likely contaminated by the dead corpses. Not to mention the amount or corpses that are present. There far too many to fully flush out in a few sessions. This is going to take a long time to even get the lake back to, manageable levels for any life to be present.)


    Just as I was ready to continue forward to get samples, the guards dragged a young rabbit-born with a tag on her ear to the cage. She was weeping profusely with ragged cloths with special attention of how little the cloth was present closer to the upper legs.


    "DO YOU THINK THEY DID SOMETHING TO HER!!!??"


    "Keep it down. It''s very likely that she''s in the midst of getting assaulted again. Likely as a bargaining chip to keep them alive."


    No sooner than I mentioned that, as if karma wanted to up the fucking ante, a second cage was brought over. This time, kids about her age in the cage and the number easily doubled the first cage, due to the age and size of the kids. I couldn''t stomach this shit, but to attack now would get me killed without a plan. Laurel''s principles wouldn''t allow me that time. A conversation and an ultimatum was about to be mandated.


    "So, rabbit-born slut. Service my men and I and I''ll allow you to pick who lives and who dies. Sounds good?"


    "*Unintelligible Speech*"


    "What''s that, I can''t understand you with out non-intelligence. Tell you what, we''ll get what we want regardless, but we''ll be nice. Pick a cage."


    The girl couldn''t understand them and didn''t respond. She got her clothes ripped and it exposed a horrible truth. Scars all over her body and her lower region in particular scarred and bloodied, as if she was manhandled the whole way without rest. She wept as I understood what she said.


    "What did she say?"


    "She said, ''I don''t understand you. Why am I assaulted and why is my family in cages? Your translator rabbit told me that you''ll release them if I disgraced myself to your boss. I did what you asked, now free them.'' She didn''t know that they never had the intention of letting her go. They''ll kill her after assaulting her again and her family and friends in the cages will be executed."


    "A Genocide!!!"


    "Correct. We can''t have that. Unfortunately, she''ll need to suffer a tad more if I am to get them out of here."


    "Poor girl..."


    With that, I sprung into action and stealthy got close to one of the guard that was taking a piss away from the action. The horror, screams and cries filled the skies, which was perfect for masking my first kill. Using the broom on my back, I ambushed that fucker and choked him with the shaft inside his fucking throat. One down, two to go. As I proceeded a tad closer, the other two stopped what they were doing after seeing that their comrade was missing.


    "Get armed. Push both cages and guard the bitch. I ain''t done fucking her yet."


    "Will do. Come here, bitch!"


    Grabbing her by the ears, the guard dragged her back away from the lake as the cage with the adults got pushed in. Nine rabbit-born were now sent to their deaths with eighteen more hanging in the balance. The second guard got close and using the sword I "acquired" from the first kill, I again, ambushed that fucker and beheaded him. The final guard got paranoid. His heartrate skyrocketed and held the girl at her limit.


    "LOOK HERE YOU FUCKING ASS! TURN YOURSELF IN OR I''LL KILL THE GIRL AND PUSH THE LAST CAGE! I''M FUCKING SERIOUS!!!!"


    With no other alternative, I came from the reeds to present myself to him.


    "I see. a rabbit-born we missed. A rather rare specimen with blackened fur. You would be an excellent slave to your majesty. Now, be a good fucker and walk this way, if you can understand me."


    I walked over, but he drew what seemed to be, an old fashion snaphaunce flintlock pistol.


    (FUCK. He''s armed with a firearm. He''s still going to kill everyone. I need to continue to get close.)


    A mistake that was about to cost eighteen more lives. As I advanced, he shot a safety that was blocking the cage and it slid into the water with the kids still inside. The girl, now terrified and enraged, bit the guard''s armed hand and then I quickly moved to behead him in the confusion. The girl grabbed the cage, but her stature wasn''t enough to pull it out of the water. The kids didn''t drown, but the high contamination began to melt the fur from the kids while the girl was also getting singed as well. After a futile yet valiant effort, the kids died in that damnable cage and she wept by the lake. Her fur wasn''t badly damage as it was a bit singed from the ankles down.


    The guard and I were fighting as he tried to make a run for it. The fucker withstood an assault of attacks to the arms and groin, all the while I was trying to get a good grapple in to end his life via suffocation. He kept his distance, but in his haste, he tripped and dropped his pistol on the ground. I got to it and he crawled, begging for mercy in drivel.


    (OH NO! You costed me workers and now, you need to pay with your life as compensation!)


    With the same flintlock he used to plunge eighteen lives to death, two quick shots to the head and the guard was no more. Far from a vindication, I breathed easier knowing that that fucker will do no more harm to anyone he considered slaves. The time for morality check was nigh as Selira slowly flew to me.


    "The fucker is dead. Selira, status report."


    "Aside from the girl, all others are dead. I''m sorry for the loss."


    "No need to grieve. We tried. Save that for the girl we''re going to bring home."


    "Understood..."


    The mood was somber as we went to the girl. She looked at us and cried into my chest.


    "What happened?"


    "I''m disgraced. I was forced upon by foreign, yet powerful people, drugged to no end, tortured for their amusement, all the while not being able to understand a single word. My family, my friends, now float in this damnable lake because evil people would do such a thing. Where is Laurel to save us?"


    "Hate to break it to you, but these are Laurel''s people."


    "What? Why? Why would they serve her and do such, disgusting acts?"


    "Welcome to human depravity."


    "These are humans??!!!?? How do you know?"


    "I was once, one of them in another life. So I know first-hand how disgusting and cruel they are. You''re welcome to leave, but your safety isn''t guaranteed at all. It''s very likely you''ll be hunted by the other guards once they discover that they didn''t return home. Then, if they recapture you, you''re likely to be used again, followed by execution."


    Her face twisted in horror. I could only imagine what was running through her mind as she came to realize that her savior was a human in another life. She clutched harder, enraged that the family she had and the friends she made are now, dead in the water created by humans with no sense or shred of morality. When she calmed down, she looked up at me with a serious face.


    "I don''t want that."


    Upon her saying that, she face lightened, as if to tell me, I trust you. I nodded.


    "Then allow me to offer my home. It''s not glamourous, but it has a cloaking system that will protect us as a whole. I''m in need of an assistant, but i won''t require you to man the role because, well, you know."


    Selira jetted swiftly to our location. She wheeze as she was wondering what as going on. The girl, now curious on why a fairy flew to us released herself and observed her.


    "Boss, are we going to get some samples here?"


    "A fairy??"


    "Oh. Selira here is my secretary and is placeholding the role as sanitation assistant until I find someone to fill the role."


    "Sanitation? What''s that?"


    "Sanitation is the process of keeping a place disease-free. Safe disposal of waste and proper decontamination of contaminated places is what the process is all about. I''m neutral. Fuck demons and angels alike. Fuck traditional religion and cults all the same. If it''s in need of handling, I''ll be there to reduce, reuse and recycle to have a world. While doing that, I''ll be creating products for profit and reselling to those who may desire it.


    I''m not the good guy or destined hero, but I''m not the villain or great evil looking to plunge a world into darkness. I''m just a rabbit, trying to make the place, habitable for any and everyone."


    The girl dried her eyes and hugged me. The look on her, the look of admiration and determination filled her. I can tell, she wanted in.


    "May I join the effort? I may not be able to be must help, but I can learn, I can adapt. Please, allow me to serve..."


    I had to put a stop to that right there. In my mind, I needed no one to "serve" me at all!


    "WHOA! No serving. You did enough of that when they forced it on you. If you''re going to aid the cause, we do it the right way. You help with the work, you get paid as such. Whether it is with coin or knowledge, I can''t have anyone be indebted to me without being employed by me. If you still want to aid the cause, I''m all for it."


    "Allow me a chance at revenge against the humans that did this! I want to work for you, but I also want vengeance."


    "Oh, you''re not the only one looking to skullfuck the corpses of these fuckers."


    Selira looked at me and then back at her. The look of confusion on the girl''s face was amusing, yet justified. She wasn''t used to slang.


    "What is a skullfuck and who are fuckers?"


    "Oh... Ok. So, do you know what they did to you, personally?."


    "Regretfully..."


    "I''m going to do that to their fucking faces and skulls. Thus, skullfucking and fuckers is anyone who makes our lives miserable and unnecessarily harder than it needs to be."


    "Then fuck them!"


    "That''s the spirit."


    The heartwarming meeting was interrupted by Selira, now frantically waving her arms and pointing towards the road.


    "Boss, we have contact in twenty lengths. I suggest that we get the samples and move."


    "You don''t have to tell me twice."


    "I don''t have a name. I was born to slavery."


    "Ok. Milve is your name. We can come with a new one once we return home."


    "I like Milve. Can I keep the name?"


    "Yep."


    The gang and I quickly got a few bodies, the water samples and with great speed, we left to head home. As we got in, Relena greeted us and recloaked the hut. Milve got a glance at the place and was already looking to tinker with anything that she could get her hands on. A refreshing pace from the frantic one a few minutes prior.


    "I like this place."


    "Welcome home, Milve."


    Milve cried a tad before wiping her eyes with resolve. I liked her look.


    "Boss, allow me to be your assistant. Selira should be able to navigate us and I should be at your side to help collect and fight. Again, I want revenge, but to do that, I need your help."


    "Without question. Relena, designate Milve here as Head Manager and 1st Assistant."


    Affirmative. Employee Milve will be designated as the 1st Assistant to the Owner and Head manager of the Main Branch


    "Looking at expansion before fixing our first problem?"


    "Not at all. Once the problem is solved, we''ll need controls and a SOP to maintain the status quo."


    "I might need to be educated on what is going on."


    Don''t worry, Assistant Milve. I''ll develop a training program that will assist you in assisting the Owner.


    "That''s a relief. Boss, what''s your name?"


    "My name? Just call me Boss or if you need my name, Boa is the name."


    "Thank you, boss."


    "No problem. We got work to do, let''s get ready for another rough afternoon."


    With salutes from everyone, the afternoon started....

 Case 1-2a: Results from the Lake of Hevete and Day 1 Report on a New Employee

    Boss Jule was was enjoying their afternoon tea when a detailed report landed in front of them. It came from Owner Boa and was was already extensive. It was only but the second report but this had an "urgent" identifier. As such, they took the time to read the report.


    Boss Jule,


    Boa reporting. We''ve discovered a few things about the Lake of Hevete:


    - Firstly, the lake is highly polluted with dead bodies and decomposition. This is very likely why the water isn''t potable to drink. I''ll have Relena forward you the pH levels of the lake as soon as we get all the numbers in order and will also come up with a viable solution to at least combat the issue.


    Jule was concerned and pissed. Dead materials in a lake, meant for living things was bad enough, but corpses??? Oh no, they weren''t amused at all. They continued to read the report.


    - Next, the culprits of the pollution is likely the royal guard of the Kingdom of Mot. A total of four guards have been neutralized over he course of a day and a half. It''s very likely they are body dumping the dead rabbit-born and other undesirables into the lake to avoid having to deal with the bodies themselves. Until more concrete evidence is gathered, this is only speculation.


    Jule suspected that Mot''s hierarchy was at the heart of the problem, but to include the royal guard meant to defend the kingdom was a bit of a tough pill to swallow, especially when it could be that some of their worshippers are involved in the situation. Cautiously, they continued.


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    - There was an incident earlier today involving three guards and twenty-eight rabbit-born. Two of the guards assaulted and got off on the only survivor. The cages were separated into two groups: Adults and Children. The adults met their end when I dispatched the first guard after several minutes of them getting in their twisted fun on the survivor. Sadly, the children weren''t spared either. They suffered a horrible fate by the hands of a guard with a flintlock pistol who became paranoid that his end was fast approaching. Sadly, I didn''t save them as I was more concerned with the guard killing everyone. I couldn''t cry for them, but I did vow to make all involving parties suffer a cruel and twisted fate.


    Jule was devastated that only one rabbit-born survived. Their heart sunk three inches, but they knew that the project was dead in the water if Boa didn''t handle the situation the way that he did. They couldn''t fault him for painting a bigger picture. The continued to read the report.


    - Milve was the name of the survivor of the incident and she has a slave tag on her left ear at the tip. Reading it, the slave tag belongs to a Joseph Gildermind. In a few days, after we start brainstorming solutions to the lake, I''ll infiltrate Mot, kill Gildermind, skullfuck the family then kill the family, followed by a skullfucking. If you didn''t realize, I''m fuming while reporting this. Never in my fucking life have someone created such a headache on my first two days on the goddamn job, no offense to you.


    Jule was amused by the fact that Boa was going to "skullfuck" on several occasions with one after the family was eviscerated. They were intrigued that someone, who enjoys the job of cleaning would be greatly distressed and disturbed by something that is commonplace all over the world. They continued to read.


    To conclude this urgent report, I''ll mention that the infiltration of Mot won''t be happening for a few days. The lake takes priority, but if I can save a few more lives, that''s more than enough to make a starter team to start surveying the area. The day''s findings and report will be ready tonight, via a transmission by Relena.


    Respectfully,


    Boa, Boss of [Insert Sanitation Company Here]


    With that read, Jule was determined to see the aftermath and observe the process that Boa''s team presented when discovering their findings. With vigor and curiosity, Jule made their way to the little hut, hidden in the territory of Hightale.

 Case 1-3: A Team and a Vendor

    Milve and Relena started the afternoon proper with some basic communication training while Selira and I sorted through the corpses left at the now dubbed "Lake Hevete Dumping Site". Selira began to do composition checks as I got out my tome and began to work on the first level blueprint to what I would call, the new facility. It wasn''t going to be easy as I had a discrete idea on what I would need. What would be an hour of deep focus on the basic foundation, Milve came up to me with a starry eyed look on her face.


    "Boss!"


    "Yes, Milve."


    "So, I was able to learn the basics about the world so far and got the overall scope of what needs to be done. I''m ready to start whenever you are, boss!"


    "I understand the enthusiasm and the vigor to start, but for all the excitement of field work, there''s mundane work that also needs to be done and that has a different vibe than being in the field. Right now, just observe how Selira, Relena and I work the process of safely recycling corpses and learning new things because, you may not know this but we can''t get experience like heroes and we can''t collect favor like the villains. We need to be able to grow and do the work ahead of us yet still be able to fight against both forces."


    "Wait a second... We''re not the good guys???"


    "Not at all, nor are we the bad guys. We''re in between that moral compass. Good enough to do the right thing, but just evil enough to defy the laws of civilization for the sake of work."


    Milve was utterly and profoundly confused. In her mind, she thought we were going to be a benefit to the heroes and smite evil. Little did she know, that we operate much differently from anyone else. She shook of the confusion and continue to inquire about things while Selira and I continued to sort out the bounty from a few hours prior.


    "So, boss. If we needed to, would we be working with demons and angels?"


    "Laurel, Goddess of the Light and the Grand Demon, Demarite would be potential "customers" to the process, but you won''t be dealing with them directly as of yet. Let me and my boss deal with them."


    Speaking of the Administrator, they are approaching.


    "Good, they must have gotten the midday report."


    Admiinistrator Jule came to the hut and in normal fashion, we halted activities to greet them. They returned the greeting and sat down on a chair they produced. As they sat down, they revealed a pair of rabbit-born legs. By the look of things, they were actually female. I''ll admit, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know more about them personally.


    "Boss, question. Do you identify as man or woman?"


    The room got suddenly silent.


    "Oh, Boa. Just to sate your curiosity, I''m a woman, but thanks for asking. Most don''t even take the time to address me properly."


    "It''s likely because you never take off the robe."


    Jule looked down. She wasn''t expecting that someone would ask about her disposition. She revealed herself and showed a rabbit-born body with a lot of scars and her face, slashed. While the girls looked in horror, I nodded with a look of indifference. She returned the nod with a puzzled look with a quizzing disposition.


    "You aren''t, horrified by what I look like?"


    "Why should I? You look fine aside from the multiple battle scars. I can understand that this isn''t your original body."


    "That''s where you''re wrong. This is my body. I''m a rabbit-born that ascended into a High Spiritweaver."


    I got the picture a tad too late. Jule became the strongest out of necessity, not out of desire. A rabbit-born that needed to be stronger for the sake of everyone but in the end, could only save herself. Her attire was that of a regal goddess, yet I wasn''t moved by it. The dress wasn''t practical for the job and for that matter, Milve''s attire wasn''t any better with too many portions of the body, exposed to the elements. I continued with that in mind.


    "So, boss. Need a place to stay, considering that where you''re at, you might be bored?"


    "If you''re offering me the hut I created, then no. If you''re going to expand and you''re offering me a place at the company in an active role, then I would be honored to be in an advisory role."


    "Boss Jule, Boss Boa, you two would make the best management team!"


    "I agree. Boa, seeing that you have things in motion, allow me to manage the process here."


    I was puzzled. Why would I deny the High Spiritweaver access to our inner workings? For that matter, why wouldn''t I include her in the plan? I smiled.


    "Why would I say no to the person who allowed me this opportunity? You''re welcome to join the team and it would be very much appreciated. But with that said though, team, let''s begin the disposal procedures."


    "Ok, Boss."


    I''m ready to give results. In addition, I was able to observe the process from your native world and I like this method of disposal.


    "So boss, what do we do first?"


    "The first order of business if to see about these corpses and get the right method of disposal."


    "YES BOSS!!!"


    READY TO PROCEED


    "READY BOSS!!!"


    "Well then, let me experience this for the first time."


    As the team got ready and the lights went from the candlelit color to Electric Lemonade, the room became a workstation of numbers and processes. The corpses were ready in a standing position with blank symbols next to them except for the rabbit-born, which has a acidic symbol next to the heart.


    "Boss, what does that symbol mean *points to the acidic symbol* ?"


    "That''s the symbol when something is highly acidic. The brighter green the color is, the more acidic the material is. In the case with our biology, our blood is highly acidic. Whether it is because of the water or if we were born with it, our blood is a weapon to some."


    "THAT''S WHY SOME OF THE FAMILY WERE GETTING BLOOD TAKEN FROM THEM!!!!"


    "Explain."


    "Some of the tribe were getting their blood taken from them by a few people in fancy clothes and sharp teeth."


    (Vampires.... And by the looks of it, they must be up on the political food chain. )


    "Moving forward for now, to the first specimen. Relena, body composition..."


    I was able to piece together from the decayed remains that the skeletal remains belong to a goblin.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "So, we have a goblin on our hands. Anything else from further examination?"


    Yes, a disturbingly large amount of black mana has been discovered throughout the body.


    "Hm... Likely from black magic exposure. What''s the percentage of residue mana to organic composition?"


    60-37-3


    "I take it that the 3% is unknown sources."


    Correct. A foreign substance entered the body, likely via the bloodstream.


    "I see. Thoughts?"


    "I have no thoughts as I''m still new to this."


    "From further review, the mana that is on the body is likely from a black mage or a necromancer."


    "We can also talk about cursed artifacts as well."


    "From what I''m feeling, a necromancer isn''t too far off. But, something is odd about the body."


    "Boss lady, what do you know?"


    "Usually, a mana signature is detected when identifying magic and the arcane arts. There''s no such signature that is traceable on the body at all."


    "Then we can rule out a mage of any kind. Sounds like an artifact is at the source of this mana. Relena, mark this body a tag that will be used by us to recognize that this body has been tampered with via an artifact.:"


    Affirmative. I will classify this body as "Tampered with an Artifact". Wish to proceed to the next body?


    "Of course. Let''s proceed."


    The next body has a unique composition. The skeletal system is on the outside.


    (An exoskeleton. And from the looks of it, an Arachne.)


    "How did an Arachne make it''s way to this territory?"


    "If it''s anything like I think it is, the Kingdom of Mot has a hand in that."


    "We really need to see if we can figure out why different species of society make their way to this, DAMNABLE, lake of mine."


    I can sense a layer of disgust from that last sentence she made. She didn''t appreciate the fact that the lake was polluted and contaminated while being a body dump for the Kingdom of Mot. She was holding back tears and Milve knew it. Milve hugged Jule and she recomposed herself.


    "Boa, no, Boss Boa. I want to work under you..."


    "Stop right there. There''s no need to let your emotions get the better of you. If you want to put someone or a group of people back in their place, we do it while doing the job. Better to have revenge served with tea than force feed it with spoiled milk. You''re going to be a vital role for administration and overall upkeep of the facility. So, be at ease and just follow my lead."


    "Of course, Boa. I''ll admit that, I''m also a bit new to this process. So, teach this naive ascended rabbit the way of sanitation and recycling."


    That goes without saying, Administrator Jule. But, you are halting progress.


    "OH! My apologies. Please continue the analysis."


    Understood. Boss Boa, the Arachne exoskeleton is very valuable for certain tools and armor. In addition, I''ve discovered a butterfly lingering around the corpse.


    "Current skill attached, Selira."


    "Gladly. The skill is Silk-Weaving. By itself, it''s unremarkable, but with another skill, I think you can push this skill to the limit."


    Agreed. Boss Boa, I''ve discovered during the nightly standby that you have a mastered passive.


    "What would that be, Relena?"


    Janitorial Experience. If you were to add that with Silk-Weaving, you could produce garments that would protect us from the elements, chemicals and other hazards.


    "I agree. Selira, can you combine my Janitorial Experience with Silk-Weaving without having to hurt yourself?"


    "Since that''s your innate skill, I can do it without any issues and you would still be able to use it near infinitely."


    "I see. Proceed with the fusion while everyone else take twenty-five."


    "Boss, what is "take twenty-five"? Is that some kind or order?"


    "I really need to educate you on my lingo and jargon. What I mean by "take twenty-five" is to take a break for that amount of time. Seeing that clocks and the concept of time is most definitely a foreign concept, whenever Relena alerts you, that''s when the break is over."


    Milve pieced it together as well as Jule getting a better understanding my realm''s method of tracking the hours of the day. Selira wasn''t straining as much as before and within minutes, I saw the new skill.


    - Uniform Maker: Using the knowledge from your past life, you can create fabric and clothing that will have different properties and hen distribute them to anyone identified with the "Worker" tag. Each department should have a different uniform to fit the task needed by them.


    Aside from that blatantly obvious tag at the end, the uniform process was going to be interesting.


    "Relena, without disturbing the others, how much silk remains in the corpse and can we make use of it?"


    The silk by the Arachne is contaminated and damaged to be of use. You''ll need to get a fresh spool of silk if you are to create the uniforms required.


    "The silk is only needed for what I want to do next. Can we still harvest it from the corpse?"


    Yes. Although, we''ll need to open the abdomen to get to the spinnerets to collect the residue silk.


    "Ok. Prepare laser precision cutter or something equivalent to that."


    Affirmative. Preparing exoskeletal surgical laser and proceeding with dissection of this Arachne. Permission to completely dissect the Arachne.


    "Permission Granted."


    Relena quickly got to work on dissecting the Arachne to get useful pieces from her. It was a shame that the body was dumped in the Lake of Hevete, but this would prove useful as we could study this body further and see how to properly disposal of any hazardous remains that is produced biologically by such a species. A few minutes passed and I collected everyone to begin the analysis, like a doctor bring his juniors on "the walk". Presented before us was six legs (two of them must not have made it), an entire torso, the abdomen (now dissected further to show organs) and what seemed to be, fur.


    Boss Boa and Administrator Jule, upon dissection, I''ve discovered that this Arachne was pregnant. While a number of the eggs didn''t survive, two of them are currently showing signs of life. How should I proceed with this development?


    "Boss Boa, I say we should incubate the eggs. The hut is the perfect environment for hatching them."


    "I agree. Killing off the unborn, despite potential dangerous afterwards, shouldn''t be considered until we know what dangers await us. If the children are just that, children, we should be able to educate them and they can be of great help to us. If they prove to be too dangerous, we may need to end them. Let''s hope it never comes to that. The last thing I want is to have a child''s blood on my hands."


    "So, Boa has a conscience..."


    "I don''t fancy killing the innocent unless I truly need to. Selira, place the eggs near the corner, but not by the fire. Relena, using climate control, produce an environment for safe hatching of the eggs and incubate them.


    "You got it, Boss!"


    Begin Arachne Research and Climate Control Protocol.


    As Selira moved the two eggs to the corner for safekeeping, Relena scoured the net and current databases to find the most effective way to safely hatch the eggs. We needed to finish the analysis before those eggs hatched and the offspring of this mother discovers that the mother has passed away. Time was against us in a few ways:


    - Firstly, the eggs. If those eggs hatch and the children see their dead mother, that could lead to disaster and having them hold a major grudge against us. We can''t have that happening without having a chance to break the news to them and explain to them who killed their mother.


    - Next, the lake. The longer we don''t have a definitive solution to the contamination problem, the less likely our team would be able to reverse the fate of that lake.


    - The Kingdom of Mot has now become a topic of discussion on how we need to deal with them. Upheaval would be the most suitable, but we''re not an army, nor will this team become that. Whoever the citizens of Mot pray to, we need to convince their enemy to deal with them in such a fashion, that they would never return. That would give us time to build and establish ourselves in the region.


    - A possible slave trade is afoot and if that is the case, it''s possible that the nobility has a hand in this filthy practice. I would need to nip this in the bud sooner rather than later while recruiting.


    - Finally, expansion would be necessary if we were to take this to the next level and go global. Manpower, resources and facilities would be paramount for that to be a reality.


    Boss Boa. Sorry for the interruption of thought, but an unexpected guest draws near.


    "Boss Jule, do you know this figure?"


    "I do and so do you."


    "Great... Demarite or Laurel?"


    "Demarite. He seems at odds with himself to venture further."


    "Milve, invite him in. We need to talk."


    Milve nodded and brought the great demon inside. His sheepish demeanor didn''t match the bravado he displayed a day or two ago. He looked as magnificent and yet, trouble followed him on this afternoon.


    "Well, hello there. Jule, Guy..."


    "The name is Boa. Great Demon Demarite, what brings you here?"


    "Normally I would cause problems, but I sense some of my people here. It seems like you''ve save a few of the Arachne that were enslaved by Laurel''s forces."


    "The Kingdom of Mot."


    "I see that your information network is active."


    "Not really, we''ve had to kill a few of them over the last day or two."


    "Well, it seems for now, our goals are intertwined."


    "Explain."


    "You wish to clean a mess and I want those fools at Mot, dead and eviscerated! They will pay for this slight against me."


    "Don''t put me into your fight. I''m only cleaning a mess. You mentioned that much."


    "Indeed. I, may have a way to, purify the lake. But, it will require that you plant something at the island there."


    Boss Boa, I detect that the seed he is holding in his pocket may be the key to purifying the water at the lake.


    "Your conditions, please."


    "I''ll allow you to grow this in peace to fix the problem at the Lake of Hevete. In turn, if it produces fruit, I would like to have a tributed share of the goods."


    "So, you want to profit from what we''re doing. Boa, I don''t like the idea of having to break neutrality so soon."


    Neither do I, but at this given time, the lake is getting worse. I had to consider what was at stake for not having clean water. The amount of lives I could save because the water is being purified, albeit through unconventional means. If a profit is all he requires, then I didn''t see a need to break our stance. It''s a win-win either way.


    "Great Demon Demarite..."


    "Please, Demarite is fine."


    "Ok then. Demarite, I''ll agree to those terms as long as we keep the stance of not getting involved with your agenda. Your beef with Laurel has nothing to do with us and if she sows up, we''re going to do the same. If the benefit to us doesn''t involve taking a definitive side in this conflict, we can make good on any deal presented."


    "So, as long as you don''t run my flag, we can come to a deal if it benefits you... I like your style. You allow me profit yet you stay neutral. I''ll respect the hustle as you would say "back home" and agree to this deal."


    "Excellent. Relena, designate Demarite as a vendor."


    Acknowledged. Grand Demon, Demarite is now designated as a vendor to the cause.


    "So, I''m providing you either a product or service?"


    "Both. It would be profitable if we get products from you and in turn, you get profits from us."


    "Again, I don''t like taking sides, but if Boa is allowing this transaction to happen, make note that I will cut you down if there''s ever a breach of trust..."


    "I understand, Jule. Just shut the fuck up while a few business men are talking business."


    "You do realize that she''s my boss."


    Demarite swallowed hard. He forgot himself and in the excitement of a new venture, neglected to pay the proper respects to Boss Jule.


    "Boa, my boy, I''ll take my leave. You lot take care of my man here! I''ll kill you the lot of you if you ever take that bitch''s side!"


    "Boss Jule''s or your rival''s side???"


    "Laurel''s side, duh!!!!"


    "I have a bone to pick with her. For now, if you follow the rules, you and I have no beef to be had."


    "I''ll respect Boa''s decision as long as you don''t betray his trust..."


    "Yeah, yeah. I''m not going to fuck this up."


    Demarite waved as he left the hut. All of us were left a tad uneasy by this transaction.


    "So, Boss Boa, what do we do now?"


    "We finish this and then go to the lake after we figure out this seed. This might be the piece of the puzzle needed to fix one of our many issues."


    Boss Boa, with the remaining chitinous pieces, may I recommend the use of shovels?


    "Indeed. We''ll need a basic custodial package that all workers, including myself, must have on person for any task. A shovel and the broom should be standard issue. Everything else will be team dependent. For now, process the rest of the pieces and then rest up. We got shit to do tomorrow morning."


    "Yes boss!"


    "Yay!"


    Very well. I''ll finish this task and then go on standby for the evening. Thank you boss.


    "Boa, you''ll make a great leader. I''ll retire for the night. Thank you for including me into your plans."


    "You don'' have to thank me. I''m just doing what I need to make sure we''re starting strong. You all have a good night,."


    As I mentioned that, I plopped onto my bed with the notion that sleep would come too soon. And sleep did come quick enough...

 Case 1-4: The Lake, The Tribe and The Seed

    The morning started off rather rough with a rather nasty thunderstorm raging since the start of the evening. Jule was restless throughout the night with her screaming every so often then thunder and lightning filled the blackened sky. Milve slept through everything and that in of itself was troubling because it means that if she was sleeping, anyone would easily pass her by without waking her up. Selira stirred while I slept light enough to be awoken by unnatural movement, but heavy enough to get rest. The night was rough, but it was manageable.


    This morning though, ugh.... It was dreadful. Relena was going through a series of updates that would eat up a good majority of the morning, leaving us without eyes for a few hours. That also came with the added consequence of having to teach Milve her basic skills without the assistance of Relena. Questions that wouldn''t be an issue for Relena (who didn''t mind the questions), was grating for the rest of us, particularly because I was also tasked to educate Jule as well in her responsibilities. A rough morning with training done, but no real progress otherwise.


    Relena was done with her updates mid-morning and just was she finished, the weather decided to cooperate. The rain was lifted, albeit for the moment and if we did go back to the Lake of Hevete, there would be a chance that the rain would resume, but that was a chance I was willing to make. As I got ready for departure, a concerned look on everyone loomed the hut. It was, suffocating to say the least.


    ¡°Boss, are you going to plant the seed?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You don''t need to go that far to get the work done. You''ll work yourself dead if you keep it up. Take a day to rest. The lake isn''t going anywhere...¡±


    ¡°I don''t think we have a say on what we can afford to delay. The lake is getting worse by the second and you''re recommending a day off when we still need to boil the water and it''s taking longer now to boil the water because of the contamination levels. I think we strike now or we risk having irreversible damage occur.¡±


    Jule nailed it in one. I observed the water going to shit and the boiling method is taking a lot longer to boil and decontaminate the water to a potable state. This was most notable when using water right from the source. Four hours to boil enough water to get a single meal and maybe a few sips isn''t going to cut it. The water needed to be filtered, NOW!


    Milve got ready as Selira, reluctantly, followed suit. As we got started to trek the river, the weather held out long enough to get a short break. We all sat down and began to discuss what we needed to do.


    ¡°Boss, we can''t swim to the center, correct?¡±


    ¡°Correct. There''s no way we live through something like that. But, Selira can likely fly over, plant and water the seed with the polluted water and fly back to us while we hold guard for anyone who is trespassing in this territory.¡±


    ¡°I guess, but what if there''s demons in the water? What is the water attacks me? What happens to me?¡±


    ¡°You''ll return back to me and we''ll try again tomorrow. We don''t have the luxury of failure, but we need more information on the water itself if it is an organism that is belligerent to a point that our work is compromised.¡±


    ¡°Well, it''s good to know that you''re looking out for me then.¡±


    ¡°I personally need you back alive. Do what needs to be done, but don''t do it at the cost of your life. This isn''t a rescue mission, nor is it a noble fucking sacrifice. Get the task done and lets go home so we can indeed, take the rest of this day off from work.¡±


    I don''t know if it was the thought of taking some time off from the task at hand or if it was that I didn''t need her dying stupidly, but Selira got a sinister grin on her face and was maybe, overly motivated to get this task done. With her wings flapping quickly and her zipping everywhere, it was time to get back on the trail. I took point with Milve in the middle and Selira covering our ¡°6¡±.


    We got to the the lake just before the first drops of rain returned. This was going to be tight and I hate having luck and the weather be a deciding factor. As I got the seed out, Selira was able to get herself together and psych herself up for the task at hand. She quickly grabbed the seed and her pouch of polluted water and began to fly. At first, it seemed like she was going to fall into the water, but she quickly got her flight in order and made it to the center island. While she was getting everything set for cultivation, Milve and I stood guard at the edge of the lake.


    "Boss, is it ok to be here? I know we have work to do, but I don''t want to fight anyone right now."


    I was taken aback with her question. I tend to forget that Milve''s age is equivalent to a kid in their early teens back home. For her to come out and be on guard alongside me, sickened me to a degree. This should be something adults do to protect the young so they can play and enjoy being a child. For her enjoyment to be robbed from her, this didn''t sit well at all.


    "If we can avoid fighting, we won''t fight. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to be my field assistant? There''s no shame or anger to be had if you wish to stay at the hut and just enjoy your youth."


    "I know I can stay at home and enjoy what was taken from me, but then I don''t get to see my revenge at all. The torture, abuse, assaults, everything. Someone of my age should not suffer like I have and that''s why I joined you. It''s selfish, but if I can change one person''s life with the actions we have to do, then it''s worth it."


    Milve was holding back tears of anger and sadness. I couldn''t imagine the horrors that my former kind have done to her. Nevertheless, if her revenge would mean work gets done, then I''ll gladly have her harbor the hatred of humankind just to make sure shit like this doesn''t persist further. I patted her on the head and smiled. She smiled in kind and got motivated to continue her guard. It was a small while, but Selira was traveling back. She was a tad tired, but with a smile on her face, she was pleased by the result. I carried her on my back as we couldn''t do anything further here. Milve did something odd though before we left; she gathered more samples of the water and with care, fished out what looked like remains of a fish and yet another corpse (which I took for her). We traveled back home from there.


    When we returned, Jule and Relena were relieved that we returned. They were worrying over different situations that would put the party at risk of failure or worse. Our return put those thoughts to rest.


    I detect that two new specimens are going to be analyzed today.


    "Yep. A corpse or two and more samples of the water."


    I just got updated from Demarite that he''s sending up samples of fluids from different areas of his domain. He collected the samples from Kige, the Lake of fire and Overx, Lake of the Damned. Current ETA of the samples is twenty earth minutes.


    "Good. Milve, I need you to handle the fire."


    "Why the fire, boss?"


    "Because today will be your very first day that you''ll be handling unknown fluids."


    Milve was gitty at the thought of actually doing one of my tasks. And what a task I was going to ask of her. She was going to learn and do a pH Test and a pA test (A potential of Arcana). While the pH test is fairly simple, I need to discuss what a pA test is. Much like the pH test, a pA test measures how much arcana is in the fluid or water. The lower the number, the safer it is to consume or use as it has less arcanical properties that make up it''s compounds. Conversely, the higher the number, the higher the risk using the fluid is as it has high or highly saturated mana that lingered or put into the fluid. For a pA test, there''s not a balance at all. It''s either safe or it is not.


    Milve tended the fire while Selira took a few to get her mind right. Relena got her scanners ready for use as I got the body and the fish skeleton onto the "table". Jule looked on with tome in hand to record any findings.


    "Boss, the fire is ready."


    Boss Boa, the fluids hasn''t arrived yet.


    "Proceed with the body composition analysis. Milve, standby for the specimens. We have time now that the seed is planted."


    "Yes Boss."


    Relena scanned the fish skeleton and was looking in her databases of information akin to our modern day internet.


    From the civilization of Urru, this fish closely resembles that of the Jet Striped Cod. A delicacy in a few places in this realm. The skeletal features show that this fish has been in the lake, a fair bit of time.


    "Bone erosion?"


    Plenty of it and from the looks of it, a high concentration of dark mana, likely produced by the lake as a byproduct of all the bodies being dumped.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "To add, this fish isn''t native to my waters, but it is native to the planet. So it must have migrated for mating season and never made the journey home because, you know..."


    "Indeed. So, seeing a brittle skeleton, what did the people of Urru do to dispose of the leftovers bones? Do they use them or do they just, consume them?


    The Urru Civilization use skeleton weapons but the materials are, odd to say the least. Metal traces were discovered in the most recent brand of merfolk and mermaid weapons and armor.


    (Bone Smelting. Instead of discarding the bones and innards, it''s likely that they used the innards for different salves, perfumes or potions while the skeleton was mixed with maybe coral or metals found at a shipwreck. This one skeleton isn''t enough to provide much, but with simple metals, perhaps I can create something for Administrator Jule for protection while here at the hut.)


    "Relena, what''s the probability of success if I used this skeleton with any metals that is sold at the recycling center?"


    Seeing that we can only obtain Iron at best, the probability of a fusion from the smelting station is 72%. For a new material based off of this skeleton using the same iron purchase is cut from 72% to 20% on any good day.


    "So, the likelihood of reinforcement is higher than creation."


    Under normal circumstances, yes. But seeing that our smelter has features and we just found a supplier for our metals in the future, we could start with our supply that we just received as a gift.


    "The name of our supplier."


    The Salamanders of the Azure Flame. Our contact is a Chief Blueblood.


    "Make contact with Chief Blueblood."


    Acknowledged. Patching in to Chief Blueblood.


    Relena made connection with Chief Blueblood of the Azure Flame while the rest of us began the work or took a well needed break. So, to not bore you with the results because it did take some time to get in full contact with Chief Blueblood, all future findings will have a separate report that will accompany events documented here. After about an hour of trying to get in contact with, the contact, he finally acknowledged the summons and was speaking to Jule and I, via a link with Relena.


    "Well, well, well. If it isn''t the High Spiritweaver and the newly appointed retainer..."


    "Watch your mouth, Chief. This is Boa, current head of... What are we naming ourselves, Boss Boa?"


    "Environmental Sanitation and Recycling or ESR for short."


    "Sounds like a task. So, we can provide you the metals needed for your operations, but at a 20% kickback of all profits you make."


    "You guys don''t need the gold."


    "You misread me. I mean 20% of all profits. Findings, Territory, Credit, anything of value really."


    I saw what Blueblood was going for: he was going to milk us while only providing whatever he was going to give us. It''s very likely that he would only give us what he wanted to give us and any advances will be met with rather steep increases. I wasn''t onboard for that and neither was Jule.


    "Relena, any other vendors that can provide metals to us?"


    We have many Dwarven families looking to do business with us without having to be exploitative.


    "Good. We''ll end current negotiations with Chief Blueblood and talk with on of them. Chief, we''re not an business nor are we looking to make profit that will put us into the limelight. This is covering what we need to do our job and if anything remains, then we''ll expand as necessary and maybe look for a modest profit margin. What you''re recommending is that we divulge our findings and surrender a portion of our findings and samples for your own personal greed. Either you amend your statement and offer or we''re going elsewhere for metal ore because I''m sure that a few Dwarven families would welcome our knowledge for smithing with recycled materials."


    Chief Blueblood was taken aback by the attack on his pride and the dismantling of his exploitative demands.


    "Listen, listen. I was only joking."


    "You were certainly not. Do you think you can lie to ME and thing YOU  can get away with it?"


    Jule showed a hint of disgust and a fair bit of annoyance by Blueblood. Blueblood''s demeanor changed when Jule got involved.


    "Ok, ok. Look, 10% of all profits..."


    "Denied. Let me make you a fucking offer, lizard..."


    That struck a nerve with him. Now, at the time, I didn''t know this, but calling a Salamander a "lizard" was hella racist and they consider that an act of grave disrespect.


    "NOW YOU SEE HERE, FUCKING RABBIT! WE''RE NOT FUCKING LIZARDS!!!! CAN A LIZARD BREATH FIRE OR RAZE A CITY TO THE FUCKING GROUND???"


    "Yes. They''re called dragons."


    Blueblood froze in fear and disgust. He was talking to someone who held no regard for, anyone or anything. He stood silent with tears in his eyes.


    "Look. Things got heated. Sorry for the comment, but we''re not in it for the money. The Lake of Hevete is a dumping site for the Kingdom of Mot. My people are dying and the world has no concept of recycling or sanitation. Now, not everything can be sanitized, but I want to at least clean the place a bit so people like you and I can live without ingesting toxins or breathing in various poisons in the air."


    "Silence. Just, be silent a second."


    I complied.


    "We''re a proud species. While I appreciate the fact that you did apologize for the comment, it shouldn''t have been said to begin with. I thought I was dealing with a merchant group, not a group looking to clean up our world. In that respect, I will apologize on behalf of my people. Allow us some of the recycled wares for our day to day and some for business and we can provide you the ore you''ll need."


    "That''s reasonable. We''ll produce our recycled goods and as a result for your people going the extra mile, we''ll permit you to resell the goods at a modest kickback. I won''t ask for any percentage as we''re going to be doing the same in different regions and outlets. Just inform us where you plan to do business and we''ll keep from interfering or undercutting you."


    "I can agree to those terms, Boss Boa. Keep from the north for the time being."


    "Sure. We''ll aim southbound. If they want to make the trek northbound to get the exact same products, that''s on them. So, is this acceptable?"


    "More than acceptable. Again, sorry for the rocky start to negotiations."


    "It''s ok. I''m glad that this didn''t escalate further. I don''t discriminate but I didn''t know that you guys held ties to actual dragons."


    "We''re considered 3rd generation dragonkin. The Saurian Race are our indirect ancestors. We''re more like the Frogites of old. I, appreciate the correction and understanding you showed after what I was offering."


    "Next time, understand what we need to do..."


    "Admin Jule, cool it. No need to scold him further. Mistakes were made and we don''t need to make this unnecessarily racist."


    Jule was taken aback while Blueblood nodded in agreement. Jule didn''t quite understand why I allowed continued negotiations. For her, the modern concept of "give and take" or "Quid Pro Quo" didn''t sink in for her. She continued to, process the transaction while Blueblood and I continued negotiations.


    "So, what can you provide currently that will not take from reserves or manpower?"


    "We have some, slaves from a recent battle serving time in the coal mines. If you can make use of the coal, we might be able to safely dig further for more, precious metals."


    Coal by itself could be useful, but since our operation is in constant need of fire, this was a boon to us.


    "The coal will be of great use because a lot of our testing and research requires fire of some sort."


    "Would it be possible for you to make use of a member or two of my tribe in your research team?"


    "I would appreciate the assistant for easy access to fire, but do you have a corpse of one of your own? The reason I ask is because I want to find safe methods for disposing the body while keeping to any tribal burial rituals you may have."


    "We usually dispose of the bodies of great warriors into our volcano to continue to fuel the lava."


    "Hm... If you sent me two members of your tribe and two corpses of common people who have died recently, I can see about how to make the volcano ritual a bit safer for you all."


    Blueblood smiled a tad. Anything to honor tradition I guess.


    "Sure thing. I can have them meet you near the northside of the Lake of Hevete in three days time. Will that be acceptable?"


    "That''s more than acceptable as it will give us time to make reservations and accommodations to your representatives."


    "Excellent. I''ll choose Warrior Lavaxe and Shaman Ashye to make the journey with corpses in tow."


    "Ok. I''ll personally make sure to greet them. What kind of boss would I be if I didn''t personally greet new arrivals?"


    Blueblood and I laughed it up as an alert popped up.


    "I do apologize for the sudden departure, but there might be an issue that I need to tend to."


    "But of course. I''ll need to inform my chosen about the dangers and properly arm them for any dangers ahead. We''ll talk more once they are in your custody and free from immediate danger."


    "Well then. Until we speak next."


    "Indeed."


    As comms ended, Relena held a perplexed, yet panicked look.


    Three unidentified entities have wandered onto the blueprint.


    "Vision."


    From what I saw, it seemed to be a small family of some kind of batfolk. They held bloodied dispositions and their young were in really bad shape.


    "I''m going outside to escort them in."


    I''ll deactivate the close-range cloaking protocol.


    "Good Idea. Admin Jule, care to help me?"


    "Not a problem. I''ll help while the young ones are resting."


    As Jule and i got outside the cloaking near the hut was deactivated. The family looked with startled eyes and sorrowful faces.


    "Lets get you inside. You can explain everything once you all are safe. Relena, reactivate the close-range cloaking and have climate control ready for the young one. Admin Jule, inside the satchel should be some simple medicine to administer to this one. Also, have Milve bring the first-aid kit for the parents."


    "Will do, Boa."


    As we got inside, the cloaking was reactivated. Jule got my medicine out and Milve got the first-aid kit. The parents had cuts and scars all along the winged muscle tissue and faces. The mother (?) got it exceptionally bad with a notched left ear from what seemed to be an axe. The father''s legs were bruised and scarred as well.


    "Relena, language needed for communication."


    Subterranean. I''ve already have that ready for you to start talking.


    "Excellent."


    I approached the couple as they looked on to their child. They held some distance, but didn''t stiffen themselves too much.


    "Thank you for rescuing us, but we don''t trust you at all."


    "Understandable. You kinda walked into our area, unannounced. All the same. You''re welcome to stay here until your wounds are healed and your child made a full recovery."


    The two of them looked at me, back at their child and back to me. They looked at the various tools we had and saw that we''re boiling the contaminated water from the lake.


    "You''re, boiling water?"


    "Yes. The lake is contaminated and until the seed''s roots are properly growing, we''ll need to boil the water to make it potable or drinkable in your case."


    "My love, they seem like kind people."


    "No Matter! They still can''t be trusted. What if this is some kind of trap, devised by those damnable humans?"


    "Let me guess, escapees from the slave owners?"


    Both of them stiffened quite a bit.


    "I just killed three of them a day ago."


    The mother softened a bit while the father sat down in disbelief. An understandable reaction considering that they escaped with their lives.


    "Names. Please, tell me your names!"


    "Lower your tone. Your child is resting. I''m Jule."


    "THE JULE??? High Spiritweaver Jule???"


    "One and the same. I''m the admin for this group of people that saved your lives. Best be grateful."


    "Boss, stop being arrogant to our guests. Sorry, the boss tends to get high and mighty when she''s recognized. I''m Boa. Your child has a fever, but nothing a little medicine and a few days in bed can''t fix. More importantly, you two took quite the beating. Care to explain?"


    They both looked at each other and then back to me.


    "My name is Tolmek and this is my wife, K''lai. The young one is Umri. We''re Noctyes, a kind of batfolk from the east. We were a thriving den until our home was attacked by humans clad in chrome. They showed no mercy as they killed all of the sentries, disgraced and abused our elder, violated women and children to the extent of forcing them into something called, prostitution..."


    Disgust filled the room by Milve while my rather calm look was introduced to a look of annoyance. Once again, the Kingdom of Mot had a hand in this attack, while the slave owners piggyback by taking the women for ho-ing while the children were likely going to slave camps. The guards and men were likely killed or joined the children''s fate with the elder likely going to a prison as a way to keep the Noctyes in line by threatening to kill the elder if any of them got too rowdy.


    "We barely escaped thanks to a few of the sentries, sacrificing..."


    K''lai couldn''t finish the sentence. She was devastated by what transpired.


    "This is getting out of hand..."


    "I agree. First the rabbit-born execution and exploitation and now, an attack on a Noctye den with blood trailing behind them. *Sigh* Look. I know you may not trust us and you might just leave, but if you wish to stay and join us, we''re going to see if we can rescue more of your den and get the elder out, provided they didn''t execute them yet."


    The two of them lowered their heads and kneeled. I already knew what was fin to happen and I began to halt that line of thinking.


    "Don''t. Just, don''t kneel to me. If you can assist with the work of cleaning up this world, along the way, we''re going to have your den recovered and protected the best we can."


    "I''ll join. Just tell me what I need to do."


    "K''lai, my love... Why join hands with them?"


    "You heard Boa. The task they have is monumental and if we''re to get back what we lost, wouldn''t be ok to put our lives in his hands? High Spiritweaver Jule is here as well as one of his own. I want to trust this man."


    Tolmek took a minute to look at their child. He held back tears and clenched his fist. I sensed revenge in his heart, but lacked the power to achieve it. Again, if revenge will help get this world in order with wastes of varying degrees, I''ll take it.


    "Boss Boa, you have my blade and my wife''s speed. I can wait on revenge, but the world can''t wait on change. Please, for our future, allow us to join."


    I nodded and extended my hand.


    "Welcome to Environmental Sanitation and Recycling. I''m Boss Boa, your direct supervisor."


    "I''m Milve, Boss Boa''s field assistant."


    "I''m Selira, Boss Boa''s personal secretary and scribe."


    "Again, I''m Admin Jule. I''ll be taking care of procuring things that we''ll need for the future."


    I''m Relena. Consider me your support away from home and your database while you''re here. Glad to have you.


    "Tolmek. I have specialties in Flight and Night Operations."


    "K''lai. I was an herb gatherer for the den. I don''t know if my skills will be of use."


    An herbalist at the very worst! This would help in natural medicines and recycled potion making.


    "K''lai, you''ve just made yourself one of the most important members of the team. You being able to gather herbs will allow you to be the company''s herbalist."


    "WOW!!!! I didn''t know that such a thing exist!"


    "K''lai, that''s excellent!"


    "Tolmek, don''t think I didn''t pay attention. You having flight and night-vision will be of great use for nocturnal operations in the future. So, as your boss and the owner of this company, welcome and let''s make a difference."


    "YES SIR!"


    With everyone on the same sheet of music, the Environmental Sanitation and Recycling team was born.