《REC Company》
Chapter 1: Unexpected Company
Dark clouds covered the sky and the vast grassland under it was painted red with blood. Dead bodies, broken weapons and machineries were scattered about. It was no better than a massacre.
Amongst this land of cold bodies, stood a man donning a bloody armor. This last man standing stared aimlessly; his eyes locked to the clouds, his silver hair slightly obscuring the view. He remained still and quiet as if the mountain of flesh around him was merely a distraction.
For him, it was Tuesday. After all, he was responsible for this bloodbath. The smirk on his face spoke the satisfaction the slaughter brought him, growing into a psychotic grin as a drop of blood trickled down his forehead.
Just how many more lives shall his blade claim till he is satisfied?
Suddenly, the thunderous roar of a thousand gallops was fast approaching. The smile on his face contorted into a scowl, his red eyes shifted to the direction of the sound. From there, he saw flags raised towards the dark sky, five hundred men on horseback rallying below and they didn¡¯t look friendly to him.
Those flags were the same as the one he was stepping on. Looking from afar, he readied himself. Nary a flinch, he tilted his head, an arrow whizzing straight by his jaw. Glancing upwards, he realized that a hundred burning arrows were raining down towards him. Gripping tightly on the hilt of his long sword, his body shook not from fear, but from extreme excitement.
It was time for another bloodbath.
Not giving a second to reconsider, he charged forth towards his enemies. He swung his blade wildly, batting the arrows aside before they could touch him. The fires they bore instead ignited the battlefield around, setting it ablaze.
The winds swept through those fiery fields, aggravating their wrath. Two armies were set to collide, an army of five hundred, and an army of one. Their war would begin in this ruined and bloodied battlefield, till only one shall rise above the other.
And so it began.
Clangs of weapons clashing echoed between the cries of battle. He was but one man, yet the army seemed to be fighting a hundred barbarians. His attacks reckless, heavy and quick; his movements too fast and random, he was impossible to follow, impossible to predict. Running circles around the soldiers, hysterical laughter escaped his lips as one man fell with every swing of his sword. With horses toppling over, agonizing screams replaced the triumphant battle cries. It was nothing more than music to his ears.
To take on five hundred men after taking down God knows how many more; such was the strength he beheld. Even so, everyone had their limits, and he was no exception. He could feel himself slowing down. Sooner or later, he may just fall over and get himself killed. Thus, he couldn''t relent. His rampage would rage on till everyone was dead.
The only thought that kept him going was, ¡°Kill everyone until your last breath!¡±
And so the war continued, soldiers dying one after another.
He couldn''t tell how much time had passed till only one soldier stood before him. That man, despite his allies falling before his very eyes, glared at his foe intensely, his weapon raised. He knew he never stood a chance against the monster before him, but after surviving this far, there was no way he could back out. Screaming with all his might, he ran straight ahead and...
Chak!
That man bit the dust.
The man pulled his sword out from his final opponent, a grin plastered on his bloodied face. As the last man standing, he raised his sword toward the heavens. Not only was his armour and weapon stained a crimson red, his face, arms and legs were drenched in blood, yet not even a scratch was etched on him. It wasn''t a battle, it was carnage.
And his name was Enzel Venera¡ª that was the name of the warrior that shall be written on the pages of history.
This was the pinnacle of his time, the greatest fighter of his era; the most formidable warrior that ever existed. This battle would become the hallmark that proved his worthiness of the title of the strongest. His glory would shine for eons to come; his legacy shall be passed from generation to generation. He was second to none. He was famous throughout the lands. He was even hailed as a God. He was--
¡°Food...¡±
He was dying.
Enzel staggered along the streets of a certain town he couldn¡¯t remember visiting as his glory days ran through his mind. Located near a forest, the town¡¯s entrance had an arch with a sign that spelled "Renner". Having entered without a second thought, he hadn¡¯t a clue what kind of town it was; warding off starvation was his only concern.
Who would have thought within those three years after the end of a war, he would turn into this poor state? He walked aimlessly, thin arms hanging down like vines. Slouching like he held the weight of a planet on his back, his head was merely half a meter from touching the ground and his weakened, shaking legs threatened to give out with every step he took.
¡°Hot...¡±
His parched lips could barely utter a word. To add to his misery, the scorching heat of the sun penetrated through his shriveled, dirty skin. Sweat trickling down his head; though he guzzled down litres of water from a river he happened upon, his throat dried out immediately.
As he went further in, the people he passed were looking at him with either fear or disgust. His tattered clothes certainly left an unpleasant impression. Despite the loathsome looks he received, Enzel couldn''t care less. After all, those lifeless eyes couldn''t see well anymore.
"Food... Hungry... Water¡¡±
He kept muttering those words, but his wishes fell on deaf ears. To the denizens, he was but a pebble by the street. Footsteps faltering slower and slower; his emaciated body, seen through the collar of his shirt, was soon to collapse.
He was already knocking on heaven''s door, but would heaven even let him in?
Eyes squinting, he hoped to find leftovers inside garbage cans by the alleys. However, with every step, his body kept weakening until he tripped over a small stone. The resulting thud was as quiet as a whistle. The silver-haired man was laying face first against the blazing grounds.
His sudden fall certainly did not go unnoticed. Some shrieked in terror, while others, for some reason, were hastily making their escape. None of them seemed ready to find help for the man standing between life and death.
This was it for him.
He couldn''t lift his body anymore. He couldn''t even feel his arms as he remained lying beneath the streaking glare of the afternoon sun. Even so, he paid no mind to the heat.
"Huh¡ So this is where Enzel Venera falls. I killed so many people back in my days as the strongest mercenary to live. I was an icon. Everyone admired me. Everyone was friends with me. Everyone respected me. I was second to none..."
Vision fading to black, he struggled to accept his fate.
"To think that I''d die of starvation. At least let my final moments be bathed in blood or in the heat of battle. Anything but this god-awful death."
He turned his head to the right so he could at least see the last place he would gaze upon before his final breath; all so he¡¯d remember where he died. And it was nothing, but a small establishment with a single hinge door on its left and a large display window on its right. As he glanced at the said structure, his eyelids slowly shut themselves.
And everything went black.
As luck would have it, someone opened that door, possibly alerted by the screams around Enzel. Coming out from the door, he heard the voice of a young lady.
"What¡¯s with the commotion? Did someone--¡± She gasped. ¡°Oh my god, a corpse! Hmm...¡±
Enzel felt soft and warm hands touched the back of his head.
¡°Performing appraisal. Item: human carcass. Condition: alive. Quality: low. Estimated price: twenty blueriels. Uhh... With this quality and price, I doubt this will sell. Guess I¡¯ll bring it to manager anyway. Maybe we could still make use of it.¡±
The strange voice speaking like a machine would be the last sound he would take into the afterlife or so he thought.
¡°Hey!¡± A familiar feminine voice awakened Enzel¡¯s consciousness.
¡°Wake up!¡± is what it said, but ordering Enzel to do this was like telling a rock to speak. He was well aware that he departed to the afterlife which meant no more good mornings for him. The final moments he had on the street were enough evidence and he already reluctantly accepted this. Perhaps it was an angel who descended to pick him up.
The gates of heaven accepted him after all.
¡°Hey! Open your eyes!¡± It was really close as if whispering right to his ear. He searched for it, but no angel could be found.
¡°Wake up!¡± It uttered the same words, growing louder every time it spoke. Why does she insist on waking up Enzel? Was she really an angel taking him in or a necromancer trying to raise him from the dead?
¡°Who are you?¡± He asked. ¡°Why do you keep telling me to wake up?!¡±
The angel simply ignored him and said the same thing. ¡°Wake up!¡± No way he could just open his eyes and stand up like a normal, living human and yet she pestered him to do so.
¡°Show yourself!¡± He yelled, but he only got another ¡°Wake up!¡± There was even a point when it shouted the words ten times. He was getting annoyed by the minute.
¡°Stop telling me to wake up! I¡¯m already dead! Are you here to annoy me or is ¡®Wake up!¡¯ the only sentence you know!?¡± Enzel¡¯s patience was being tested.
¡°How about you open those rotten eyes of yours so you can tell who you¡¯re talking to instead of sleep talking like an idiot?! You¡¯re still alive for god¡¯s sake!¡± She finally answered albeit harsh and it surely conveyed the same feelings Enzel had all this time.
His shut eyes squinted. ¡°You telling me I¡¯m still alive? Don¡¯t screw with me! Why don¡¯t you send me to heaven already! Didn¡¯t you come here to take my soul?¡±
¡°Ah you want me to take your soul huh!¡± Seemed like this angel only knew swearing other than ¡°Wake up!¡±. ¡°Fine! Since you really want to die that much, I¡¯m gonna freaking send you to hell! Go rot there for all I care!¡±
¡°The fuck did you say!?¡± Enzel groaned by the sudden change of plans. He was losing his composure every time she talked back. Taking a deep breath, he shouted angry words at the obnoxious angel.
¡°Don¡¯t fuck with me, you shitty angel!¡±
¡°Enjoy your stay in hell, war freak!¡±
A mad scream echoed throughout the room as a fist dropped onto Enzel like a giant iron pillar--a sure-fire wake-up move that pulled him out of his eternal slumber. Tears squirted from his eyes, snot shot out of his nostrils and saliva flew out of his mouth. The pain kicked in and he was about to lose consciousness again, but managed to hold onto it. The heavy punch pressed onto his body like a meteor crashing, slowly trying to split his body into two.
Then there was silence, smoke coming out of the fist that was still connected to Enzel¡¯s body. The killer knuckle pulled back and Enzel coiled up in pain--He felt like throwing up. Even he could handle a lot of physical attack like that; even a flurry of it, but that one just now was way too powerful for a single punch. It didn¡¯t come off as done by a human, but more like by a god trying to obliterate his existence. Lucky for him, he survived it.
Then he paused. As much as how baffling it was, he noticed and knew it. He could see, feel, and move. He couldn¡¯t believe it first, but he was indeed alive just like the angel said. Not as an undead, but as a breathing human. Not only that, but his body also didn¡¯t feel weakened. All the pain and scorching heat faded away along with his thought of going to hell. Lady luck was smiling upon him today. Perhaps that move was a healing spell that just required a bit of pain.
He thought he¡¯d jump in joy from avoiding death, but there was another thing coming for him which led to another question. ¡°What in the world happened to me and where am I?¡±
As the deadly wake-up call ceased, Enzel lifted his body, dusted himself, and then looked around. He found himself sitting on a dented couch. A few meters away from him was a shelf filled with books. As for what kind of books they were, he couldn¡¯t tell--seemed like his eyes were still not at their full functionality.
He turned to his left and a woman stood before him. She had a young face, probably around her twenties and had an average stature. Her short white hair adorned with a headband with braids tied at the back fluttered along the wind coming from the window behind Enzel. With her folded slender arms, her blue eyes stared him down.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
¡°Great... He lived... Yay... Thank god...¡± The woman celebrated, but her apathetic voice and expression didn¡¯t match her sentence.
Enzel examined her from head to toe. There was something about this woman that made him remember his past. He definitely saw her face before. He tried digging into his brain, but he couldn¡¯t get the right image, much less the name.
¡°You can now bow down and thank me for saving your sorry ass.¡± She proclaimed with a smug, her voice resembling the one in Enzel¡¯s mind. So it was just an ordinary woman, but her face was angelic or so he thought.
¡°Y-You saved me? W-who are you?¡± Enzel asked like an amnesiac.
¡°Why yes I did.¡± She placed her right hand on her chest. ¡°My employee saw you dying and brought you here.¡±
¡°You.¡± Enzel pointed to the woman. ¡°You looked like someone I know.¡±
¡°Oh?¡± The woman smirked. ¡°I wonder who that person could be.¡± Placing her hands on her waist, she continued. ¡°Could it be someone you know in a certain mercenary guild? Someone you bullied a lot and treated like trash? Someone who you see as a weakling and a burden? Are you perhaps recalling someone like that?"
The hints didn¡¯t even light up a bit of Enzel¡¯s dim memory. The woman delighted in looking at him racking his brain. Enzel¡¯s amusing struggle continued until finally coming to an answer. He stirred up in excitement and stood up before the woman.
¡°I remember you now!¡± Enzel shot a glance at the woman. ¡°You¡¯re Hazel Brazzer!¡±
The woman swung a karate chop, aimed at Enzel¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s Rachel Mariner, asshole!¡± Small cracking sounds were heard as it landed on his right cheek. It sent him flying towards the brick wall near the shelf hitting it headfirst, blood splattered around. It was merely a chop yet it had that same effect as the punch before.
Rachel looked down at the beaten up man in ire; Enzel¡¯s head down whilst his butt up.
¡°Do you remember now, you dumb piece of shit?!¡± She snarled. She wasn¡¯t an angel at all, but a demon from the darkest pits of hell.
Enzel slowly rose, holding on to the wound on his forehead, then turned around, darted his red eyes to Rachel and scanned her again, trying to picture the image of the woman he knew back then.
¡°So you¡¯re that Rachel? As in that Good-For-Nothing Mariner? The weakling mage?¡±
Rachel''s fist flew towards Enzel¡¯s chest, rendering him kneeling and coughing.
¡°Say something like that again and I¡¯ll break your neck next!¡± Rachel was dead serious that even Enzel could feel her bloodlust.
¡°I... Get... I... it... Urk! I¡¯m... so...rry...¡±
Rachel clicked her tongue. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for my employee finding you, I would be having my afternoon tea and reading time right now.¡±
Enzel slowly returned to the couch and rested his back as he does heavy breathing with mouth wide open. Rachel sat on the other couch across him and scorned the man. A glass table separated them.
¡°For starters, why don¡¯t you eat instead of running your pie hole?¡± Rachel gestured her hand to the table wherein Enzel¡¯s eyes followed. His face showed antipathy as he laid his eyes on a bowl.
¡°Uhm... Ms. Mariner?¡± Enzel called.
¡°What is it?¡± Rachel had a suspiciously bright smile on her face.
¡°You know I hate squid, right?¡±
¡°Oh my!¡± Rachel gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that. I didn¡¯t even expect that the great Enzel Venera was afraid of squid or any creatures with tentacles in general.¡±
¡°Stop screwing with me!¡± Enzel slammed his hands on the table. ¡°You know damn well how much I despise squid or any living monster similar to it! You did this on purpose!¡±
¡°You mean scared, right?¡± Rachel sneered. ¡°What a laughable phobia you have. Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t kill you. Eat it or I¡¯ll shove it in your stomach through your bottom.¡±
¡°Thanks for the meal.¡± Enzel quickly scoffed the bowl filled with squid swimming in warm soup. Rachel merrily watched the man gobbling his meal. It tasted good, but knowing it was the type of creature he abhorred, it wasn¡¯t a satisfying meal.
Enzel¡¯s stomach voiced its satisfaction, but he looked like he was about to throw up. ¡°I admit it was delicious, but I really hate squid. I think my stomach is turning.¡±
¡°Well?¡± Rachel crossed her legs. ¡°I believe I should be expecting something you must say?¡±
Enzel knew what Rachel was implying and what he had to say, but his pride prevented him to do so. However, the fact that she saved him and remembering his past with her just gave a regretful feeling.
He eventually gave in and bowed down. ¡°I hate to admit it, but you saved my life. Thank you very much.¡±
¡°And?¡± Seemed like gratitude wasn¡¯t the only thing Rachel was asking for.
Enzel sighed, still bowed down. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for all the bullying I did to you five years ago. I know it¡¯s pointless to ask for it now, but I hope you can find in your heart to forgive me.¡±
¡°Still a dick, I see,¡± Rachel¡¯s loathing slowly switched to euphoria. ¡°But seeing you doing this puts me in a good mood! The great Enzel Venera is bowing down before me! Oh what bliss!¡±
¡°Are you happy now?!¡± His pride was completely shattered. Not like he had any left.
¡°Never been this happy.¡± The smile on Rachel¡¯s lips almost reached her ears. She then proceeded to probing the dirty man. ¡°Still what¡¯s with the filthy look? You¡¯re a walking smelly shit. I don¡¯t care what happened to you after our guild disbanded, but my guess is that you wasted all your fortune on pointless things without even taking a new job.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not like I was fooling around.¡± He scratched his silver hair. ¡°It was just hard for me to get a new profession. That¡¯s all.¡±
¡°As expected of a battle freak like you,¡± Rachel snickered, ¡°nothing, but fighting in his mind. But if you really love fighting that much, why didn¡¯t you apply as an adventurer? That fits you to a T and it¡¯s the in-demand profession nowadays.¡±
Enzel rejected the idea. ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I have my reasons.¡±
¡°Ah still attached to the mercenary life, I see.¡± Rachel scoffed. ¡°What a prideful scum.¡±
¡°Cut out the insults already, will you!?¡± Enzel¡¯s patience was being tested. ¡°And what about you? You¡¯ve completely changed in both personality and appearance.¡±
He remembered the days he was with Rachel. Back then, she was shy, naive, and as he stated, weak. He briefly recalled her unable to cast even the most basic spell. But now, she was aggressive, violent and sharp-tongue--almost sadistic.
Not only her character, but Enzel also noticed the change in Rachel¡¯s appearance. The young girl with long white hair who used to don a robe and witch hat now wore sleeveless top that exposed her armpits, short skirts that only covered half of her thigh whereas a pair of stockings covered the rest of her legs. A pair of high-heeled boots completed Rachel¡¯s getup. The Rachel he was looking at now gave off a very different aura. She was astonishing even for Enzel.
¡°Compared to you, I changed for the better of myself.¡± Rachel was filled with pride. ¡°I made the best out of those five years and this is how I am now--a successful businesswoman!¡±
Enzel asked with a bored look. ¡°And what kind of business?¡±
¡°You¡¯re curious eh? Can¡¯t help it then.¡± Rachel puffed her chest. She then stood up, proceeding to the door. ¡°Follow me and I¡¯ll rub on your face the fruits of my labor.¡±
Shrugging, Enzel followed and stepped out of the door. The door, which was few meters to the left of the shelf, led to a larger room. Enzel found himself in a place filled with different sorts of items¡ªweapons, armors, accessories, treasures, decorations, materials and many more. He looked around in awe.
¡°You own a shop?¡± He asked while looking around.
Rachel turned around to Enzel and spread her arms. ¡°Welcome to Renner Emporium and Crafting Company. Oh it¡¯s not just a shop,¡± She pointed her right thumb to another door to the left. ¡°We also have our own workshop. I¡¯ve been managing this place with my two workers ever since I left that bloody guild for good.¡±
Looking at her right now, Enzel felt a surge of envy. He wondered if he could have been this successful too if he didn¡¯t fritter away. He continued touring his eyes around the store to hide the feeling in case Rachel started poking fun at him again. ¡°Good for you, I guess. Not like I care.¡±
Rachel raised an eyebrow whilst sniggering. ¡°It feels so good being successful in life then seeing someone you resent so much turned into a sucker. Really, I¡¯m tickled pink looking at your penurious state.¡±
¡°Then why did you even save me?!¡± Enzel retorted. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hate me?!¡±
¡°I do hate you and that will never change.¡± Rachel folded her arms. ¡°Did you think I¡¯ll forgive you that easily?! After all the bad treatment you bastards in the guild did to me in the past?! No way will I get over those!¡±
Talking it out or defending himself was futile now. Enzel was well aware that he was guilty for mistreating Rachel. Nothing he could do, but shut his mouth. ¡°Just let her rant.¡±
Then from a scowl, Rachel unexpectedly beamed. ¡°To tell you the truth, I was thinking of throwing your body into the forest, but I feared you might damage the ecosystem of the poor creatures there. So I resorted to plan B and thought of throwing you to the sea, but the possibility of the fishes getting an upset stomach if they ever eat you concerned me so I decided to just heal your rotting body so you can go to some wasteland and die there instead.¡±
¡°You!¡± Having enough of Rachel¡¯s jabs, Enzel snapped. ¡°You know, that tongue of yours is way too sharp! Ever thought of cutting it?¡±
¡°You know, you are a waste of oxygen. Ever thought of offing yourself?¡± Rachel¡¯s cold glare pierced Enzel. He threw his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. ¡°Fine, you win! I¡¯m alive and kicking now so I¡¯ll scram for good! That would make you happy, right?¡±
¡°It¡¯s good to know we¡¯re on the same page.¡± Rachel pointed to the door behind her. ¡°Exit¡¯s over there.¡±
¡°I really hate you.¡± Enzel shot one last jeer before taking off. ¡°I hate you more than squids.¡±
¡°The feeling¡¯s mutual.¡± Rachel crossed her arms. ¡°I hate you more than my parents.¡±
¡°Shitty mage.¡±
¡°Sword-wielding asshat.¡±
The two continued butting their heads, not noticing the door slowly opening until the chime jingled. The sound immediately diverted their attention to the entrance where five persons, who wore a variety of equipment, entered the store¡¯s vicinity.
¡°I¡¯m sorry customers, but the store¡¯s currently on lunch break--¡± Rachel stopped upon realizing something, leading to a suspicious look. ¡°How did you get in? That was locked.¡±
¡°That doesn¡¯t matter¡± An enrobed guy spoke, pulling out a staff. ¡°Anyway, open the register and give us the money.¡±
¡°Hey, hey! You blokes are adventurers, right?¡± Enzel pitched in. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t get enough payment that you resorted to robbery?¡±
The guy wielding the staff turned to Enzel. He seemed to be the leader as the other four followed when he ordered them to spread out. ¡°Who is this dirty lowlife?¡±
¡°You looking for a fight, mate?¡± A vein pulsated on Enzel¡¯s head.
Ignoring the dirty lowlife, the leader went back to the manager. ¡°As I was saying, Missy, get on the counter and bring out the blueriels.¡±
¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± There were no signs of fear on Rachel.
Then, a sudden burst of energy flew towards the cabinet just centimetres away from Rachel, causing an explosion and destroying it. The unexpected attack froze Rachel, the impact blowing through her skirt and hair. When she turned back, her eyes widened in shock.
¡°That will happen.¡± The leader warned; his staff produced smoke from its previous attack.
¡°You rats...¡± Rachel turned back, shaking and furious. ¡°That¡¯s worth five thousand blueriels! You either pay for it or I¡¯ll throw you into the sea!¡±
¡°Ooh scary!¡± The leader let out a mocking laugh and the others followed. ¡°What are you gonna do? Ask that hobo over there for help?¡±
Rachel¡¯s patience greatly dropped. Pissing her off didn¡¯t seem to be a good idea as an ominous aura slowly seeped out of her. She only uttered a single word.
¡°Die...¡±
Rachel raised her arms, preparing to cast a spell when Enzel suddenly blocked her way. ¡°Hey! Move it, you vagrant!¡±
¡°Rachel,¡± called the hobo, pulling out a sword from a container beside him. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I got myself in a fight and I always thirst for a good battle so as payback for saving me, I shall wipe out these clowns for you.¡±
The leader whistled. ¡°You gonna take us on alone? This guy here must be losing his mind!¡± And laughter dominated the store again.
¡°Well, try me.¡± Enzel readied himself for battle. ¡°See if you bunch of misfits can match against this all-time great fighter!¡±
¡°Look, I don¡¯t need your help so--¡± Rachel was cut off when the battle freak made his move¡ªHe already jumped in the fray before she could even prevent him from doing so. Rachel was caught off guard and the clash began.
¡°Wait! No! Stop! Don¡¯t!¡± She pleaded as one of the displays got hit. ¡°Ah no! Not that one! That¡¯s rare equipment!¡±
Enzel went for the leader first, but was cut off by the other two underlings; one possessed a katana and one lifting a hammer. The blade swung at him followed by the blunt weapon, leaving him no chance to escape, but he didn¡¯t intend to do so. Going for the katana, he threw his head and bit the blade, shattering it with his teeth; a grin plastered on his face. He then easily dodged the hammer and sliced its head in two, rendering both enemies armless. With quick footstep, he ran past them, blood spilled from their body. The move was lightning speed that nobody saw him lacerated the two, leaving the other three dumbfounded.
¡°You jackasses still wanna go?¡± Enzel¡¯s eyes hungered for more.
The leader gritted his teeth. ¡°D-Don¡¯t look down on us!¡± And the fight continued, wreaking havoc in Rachel¡¯s precious emporium whilst the latter falling to her knees; mixed feelings of fear, sadness and anger shown in her tearful face.
¡°Stop it already!¡±
All of Rachel¡¯s pleas fell to deaf ears as Enzel and his playmates continued their brawl. Blasts and clashing of weapons further ravaged the shop. Rachel could only watch in despair.
Time quickly passed and Enzel stood above five bodies inside a ruined store¡ªspilled blood, fragments and debris everywhere. Enzel huffed and puffed, basking in the pleasure of having a fight to death.
¡°Nobody can stand against me! The mighty Enzel Venera!¡± Raising his weary weapon, Enzel proudly declared his victory. And then he checked back on Rachel who looked pale, standing before him with her head down.
¡°Alright, Rachel! I paid you back by saving your store so were quits. With that, I shall take my leave!¡±
He waved his hand, bid his farewell then faced the large hole where the door used to be. But then he stopped when two arms wrapped around his body--they were warm, like a mother¡¯s hug. He knew who it belonged to, leaving him confused. Perhaps she was so scared that she couldn¡¯t help, but hug someone to hide her fear.
¡°Hey now, Rachel. Were you that scared?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not letting you go.¡±
¡°Eh?!¡± Enzel stiffened. What did she mean by not letting him go? Minutes ago she was blabbering on how much she hated him and now she was speaking the opposite. Why the sudden change in attitude now? The questions ran through Enzel¡¯s mind.
And then he felt his body slowly leaving the ground, his line of sight towards the ceiling and finally...
Crash!
He crashed headfirst on the marble floor, leaving a large dent on it. Rachel, who just delivered a head-crushing suplex, let go and stood before the twitching body.
Enzel¡¯s head was surprisingly tough as it didn¡¯t even burst a single drop of blood. Though he was about to pass out. ¡°W-Why?¡±
¡°Why, you asked?!¡± Rachel¡¯s blood was boiling; the aura she emitted even menacing than before. Her voice was coarse from shouting. ¡°After all the damage you imbeciles caused in my store, do you really think you¡¯ll simply get away with it?!¡±
Finally, Rachel announced with violent words. ¡°You are going to pay for all of these by working here! Don¡¯t even think of running away!¡±
Those were the last words Enzel heard before fading to blackness. The damage he took from the surprise move was too much for his already weakened body. He could only faint with bitter feelings. ¡°Fuck... no...¡±
Today marked the day wherein the strongest known warrior was completely defeated by the weakest mage he knew and knowing that he would be paying some collateral damage only added salt to his already searing wound.
Chapter 2: Company Slave
An hour passed since the incident and Enzel was still out cold.
Suddenly, his fingers twitched, and he was starting to regain consciousness. Lying on the dented floor, his head shook till his eyes were open. Though hazy, his vision was coming back slowly.
"What happened?" The damage he took on his head probably did a number on his memory. Within moments, the stinging sensation in his skull started to fade, and his mind was back intact. The events that transpired ran through his head.
"Damn! It''s scary how strong I still am." He smirked in thought, confidence brimming in the mass destruction he caused.
His back then started to feel itchy. He reached it with his arms, but he couldn¡¯t even move them. When he looked down his torso, he realized he was on his knees while his hands were tied behind him. Actually, his whole body was bound by a rope in a complicated knot. He struggled to undone it, but it was too tight and he couldn¡¯t muster any strength at all; seemed like the previous fight drained him that much.
¡°What the? Who tied me here?!¡± He could only think of one person that will do this to him. ¡°Where the hell are you, Rachel?! What¡¯s the meaning of this?!¡±
¡°Shut up, will you?! Your whining is ticking me off.¡±
Suddenly, his head was caught in the grasp of a hand from behind. It wasn''t fast, but strangely enough, he couldn¡¯t foresee this attack. Enzel squirmed as the hand''s grip intensified as if it were trying to bury its fingers into his skull.
"Owowow! Let go! Let go! It hurts!" Enzel wiggled his body, causing the rope to tighten even more.
"Don''t worry. I was only making sure you won¡¯t run away." The familiar voice behind him held no sympathy in her tone. There was no questioning who it belonged to. The hellish wrath in her breath was the only identification Enzel could ever need.
"Alright! Ow! I get it already! O-Ow!" Enzel found himself arching backwards with every second the hand dug deeper as if it were trying to tear his brain out. "Let go already, Rachel!"
Rachel released her clutch on Enzel and faced him. She stood in front of Enzel with a cold glare and flailed her hand; feeling that she had contaminated it simply touching his hair.
With the sharp pain easing, he looked at her angrily. "What¡¯s the meaning of this? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re into this kind of kinky stuff! Did you do this to those attackers too?!¡±
Her switch was flipped once more. Enraged, she immediately grabbed him by the neck, lifting him up into the air. Veins pulsated from her hands as she choked the poor sap.
"How say I give you a sample of what I put those rats through?" Her eerie tone grew more horrific with each word that she spoke.
Eventually, she let go, dropping him on the floor. He desperately caught his breath, coughing really hard. This was what kept raising questions the moment he reunited with her; that uncanny ability to inflict such pain on him. Since when did that weak guildmate of his grow so strong?
She wiped off her hand and then looked down the tied man lying on the marble floor. ¡°Anyway, now that you¡¯re awake, I shall now turn you into my slave.¡±
¡°T-turn me into your slave?¡± Enzel wondered with a face that shows confusion and irritation. He then came to a realization. ¡°So you really have this kind of fetish! I always knew you were creepy! Don¡¯t think you can enslave me that easily. I¡¯ve faced lots of women with far better technique than you!¡±
Rachel blushed upon Enzel¡¯s rebukes "W-what are you talking about, you lecherous pervert!?" She glowered. "You are going to be my slave as compensation for the damage you caused. I¡¯ll work your ass off you until you fully pay your debt!"
"Wait a minute!" He forcefully lifted his body upon finally understanding the situation he was about to get in. "Why the hell am I the only one paying for this mess?!" He moved his face close to Rachel as if he was pointing a finger to her, with his chin as substitute. "First of all, those goddamn thieves were the ones who attacked your store! I was the one who saved your sorry ass from them!"
Enzel then recalled the thieves who have mysteriously vanished. Looking around, he finally noticed that they were gone. "Speaking of sorry asses, where the hell are they? Shouldn''t they be working for you too? What''s with this unfair treatme-- Umpff!"
She covered his mouth tightly with a palm on his jaw. "Shut your hole! Don''t you dare prattle against me!" Enzel couldn¡¯t fight back at all. She was completely overpowering him.
"Regarding those thieves..." Rachel smirked deviously. "They already did their part, so don''t concern yourself over their well-being. Right now, they''re satisfying the sea creatures." She moved closer, whispering to his ears with frigid breath. "Or would you rather swim with them? Your body may be good nutrients for a certain King Calamari that lives around here."
"Not the tentacles!" Trembling, Enzel shook his head. Seeing his reaction, she took her hand back, wiping it with a cloth. A condescending smile emerged on her face. "Excellent. We''re finally on the same foot. I suppose we have a compromise?"
"I value my life more than anything else. So even if it''s against my pride, I''ll swallow it up to work for you," He said as he tried to get the sensation of Rachel¡¯s hand off his face. The thought of a giant creature with wriggly tentacles made him shudder. "I wouldn''t mind being eaten by another creature, but for the love of all that is holy, no tentacles.¡±
As he continued thinking, the brilliant idea of escaping crossed his mind. "I''ll just have to deal with her shit for now and then run away when I get the chance. Hehe. It''s great to still be alive and kicking, but there''s no point to it if I have to work for this pushover."
And while he was relieved that his life was spared, he was still flabbergasted, trying to digest the demon his old guildmate grew into. "Still, to think you''d feed people to a sea monster for simply destroying your store. Since when did you become so ruthless?"
"Forget about the small little details." Rachel shrugged off his question and started cracking her knuckles. "Let¡¯s begin the contract."
"Huh? Contract? What for? Why?" Enzel did not expect the requirement of a contract, which perplexed him. "Are you going to turn me into a magical girl or something?"
"Since I will be employing you, it is of utmost importance to form a contract with me, your manager, to ensure that your life is completely in my hands. Naturally, this would mean that you will have no means of escape."
"You sure are one paranoid wench." Enzel commented, hiding his inner thoughts. "I''m sure it''s just some flimsy piece of paper with written conditions that needs a signature. I''ll just have to steal it from her, tear it apart and finally, put on my vanishing act!"
"Fine, whatever. Give me the paper and I''ll sign the damn contract." He tried to reach his hand out, but then he remembered he was still tied down. ¡°But first, could you take this rope off me, like, right now?¡±
"Oh you¡¯re good just like that," she insisted. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the contract myself. I only need you to be conscious for this to work.¡±
All it did was confuse him. "Hah? Then what do you do?"
"This." She held her hand gently against his face, causing him to shy away.
"W-Wait a minute!" Flustered, he shook off Rachel''s hands with his head; the slightest shade of red on his cheeks. "W-Why are you touching me like that?!"
"Didn''t you listen? We''re forming a contract! Can''t you get it through that thick skull housing that tiny brain?" She grabbed his face again, squeezing down on his cheeks.
"You mean it''s not a written document?!" he screamed in his mind.
"Don''t resist. I don''t like doing this either, but it is compulsory in order to secure our contract." She placed more pressure on his cheeks, ensuring he won''t escape her grasp once more. Unlike him, she was completely composed and showed no reluctance in what she was about to do.
She slowly inched her head towards him until their foreheads made a contact. Enzel felt her warm skin and the floral scent of her hair pass through his nostrils, making him blush harder. "W-What kind of weird contract is this?!"
"Just shut up and close your eyes."
Under her orders, Enzel closed his eyes tightly. He could feel her breath lingering across his lips that were mere centimetres away from hers.
"O-Okay..." His heart was racing at the thought of what she was about to do.
"Alright. Here it goes."
Rachel slowly moved her forehead away. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her will. Holding down his cheeks harder, she seemed rather anxious about him moving away. It was as though she only had one chance. One she was not going to miss.
Enzel, on the other hand, was getting agitated at how long this contract was taking. With eyes still closed, he finally asked a question, "Hey, is it done alread--"
Before he could finish his sentence, he felt something moving closer to his face at top speed.
Unfortunately for him, it was not a pair of lips as he had expected, rather, an entire forehead.
"Urrrrrryyyy!"
Screaming at the top of her lungs like a madman, Rachel rammed her head against Enzel''s, causing immense pain to both of them the moment they collided. With a few seconds of skin contact, silence grew in the ravaged store.
Finally, the stinging pain kicked in. Rachel moved her head away and let go of Enzel¡¯s. She slowly stepped backwards, pressing her hands against the sore spots.
"Oooowwww! My head is going to break!"
"Ouch! Ouch! My head! Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"
While Rachel was somehow able to keep standing, albeit teary-eyed and a bit dazed, Enzel was rolling on the floor, suffering from the excruciating pain that he couldn¡¯t ease thanks to the rope that prevented his escape.
"Ugh! I did not expect it would hurt this much!"
"What the hell, you bitch! I thought you were about to kiss me!"
"Kiss you?" Rachel grimaced when she heard that. "Why would I do that for a contract? Not to mention, with a miserable scum like you! It''d be easier to convince me to feed myself to the King Calamari. Besides, I only need physical contact to seal the deal."
"Does it really have to be a freaking headbutt?!" Still lying down on the floor, he cried, "And kissing is also physical contact, you moron!"
"I need to force a huge amount of magical energy into you so that the seal could be embedded, which will authenticate the contract." She was visibly shaken, hand on her forehead. "Though I was considering kicking you in the balls instead of a headbutt. Maybe I should have gone with that."
Enzel immediately guarded his crotch by squeezing his thighs together. "On second thought, I''m fine with the headbutt." He paused for a moment. "Like hell I want your kiss anyway! I''d rather kiss a llama''s ass! It''s prettier than your face!"
"I should be the one saying that." She was twitching, crept out by the idea of kissing him. "Stop being disgusting, will you?!"
A few seconds after that painful ''contract signing'', a symbol of a butterfly with four wings appeared and immediately vanished on Enzel''s forehead. Only Rachel noticed this; her lips curling into a satisfied smile.
As the pain dispersed, she straightened her posture and crossed her arms. "Since the contract is now complete... Enzel Venera! From today onwards, you are officially my slave!"
"Did you give out too many headbutts?!" Still on his bum, recuperating from the ache, he looked up at her. "I''m not your slave, I''m your employee!"
"You''re a corporate slave. So technically, you''re still a slave." She insisted with a nose held high. "And stop calling me by my name. From now on, you are to address me as manager or master whereas I shall call you slave. Do you understand, slave? Must I repeat myself, slave?"
"Stop saying slave already!" he yelled at her. "I''m your employee and employees have rights!"
"No, you are a slave." With a tone of malice, she was forcing her perspective into him. "And slaves do not have rights. Accept it or accept the tentacles, slave!"
"You oppressive witch!" He was ready to explode anytime after all the abuse she was throwing, but the odds were stacked against him. "F-Fine! Do what you want! I''ll just have to work my ass off here, right? I''ll show you what I can do!"
"Oooh, confident, are we?" Rachel smiled sarcastically.
Despite being incapacitated, he managed to exclaim, flaring with confidence. "Who the hell do you think I am?! I am the strongest fighter in the history of time! I''ve taken down entire armies and slain thousands of monsters! Nothing can stand before me! All shall fall before the might of! The one! The only!" He tried to strike a pose, but ended up tumbling and hitting his head on the floor. "The great Enzel Venera! Also, remove the rope already!"
She just rolled her eyes, deriding his egocentric speech. "Yeah, yeah. That was like, three years ago. Move on from your delusions." Shaking her head, she continued. "And that has nothing to do with the work you''ll be doing here. Do you even know anything that doesn''t involve fighting?"A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Enzel had a crooked smile, veins popping on his forehead. "Hell yeah I do! You don''t know because you were always left behind in that guild like dirt! Since you''re such a useless mage, nobody wants to work with you!"
She failed to give him a reaction of any kind. Instead, she only shot back with a retort. "Funny. The strongest fighter in ''the history of time'' is now working under said useless mage. If that useless mage is nothing but dirt, then that fighter is lower than dirt. The fool who follows the fool is the bigger fool, after all."
"Why you! Useless! Weakling! You can''t even cast a basic spell properly!"
"I look forward to what that fighter can do for this useless mage who gave him a beating today without even using a basic spell she can''t cast properly."
Enzel gritted his teeth; clenching his fists behind from the ever growing frustration. Not only did he get beaten up good, he ended up becoming a slave--official worker to her, someone who was always inferior to him. He could only glare at her in anger, to which she responded similarly.
And while the two continued their glaring contest like a married couple in a feud, a group of children walked into the store. Since the door was destroyed hours ago, neither of them noticed their presence, as the bell attached to the door failed to make a chime.
It was only till one of them spoke up that they realized they weren''t alone.
"Ah! The store is wrecked! What do we tell big sis?"
They heard the voice of a boy, putting an end to their wordless war, diverting their attention to the kids. The group composed of two girls and four boys didn''t seem to be street children as they were properly dressed, but they didn''t look too luxurious either. Certainly, they were of average background.
When the kids noticed Rachel, they immediately approached her, but stopped halfway when they noticed her with a man doing what seemed to be a bondage play. The battered and tied down fighter sat beside her. The children froze upon the scenario of a woman and tied man together in a run-down establishment.
A girl, who was the shortest and youngest among them, pointed at Enzel and then looked at the manager with probing eyes.
"Ms. Witch, is he your husband?"
The innocent question of a lily-white child only brought a cold silence to the store.
Both the adults were utterly stunned. As if things couldn''t get worse, the other five followed suit, surrounding Rachel with a barrage of questions.
"Hey, Ms. Witch! When did you get married?"
"When did you two meet, Ms. Witch?"
"Why aren''t you wearing your wedding ring?"
"Do you have a child? Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Ms. Witch. Did it hurt the first time?"
Rachel, while surrounded, couldn''t contain her embarrassment and her cheeks gradually turned a shiny red, especially in regards to the last question.
"W-Wait a minute, kids! Why do you know something like tha--" She swallowed a breath, tackling the point of contention. "I mean no! He''s not my husband!"
"Me? Your husband?" Enzel pointed at himself. "You''re losing your marbles!"
"I should be the one saying that!" Rachel snapped back; her face still as red as tomato.
The girl who asked the first question pouted in disappointment. "Is that so? And here I thought you''re happily living with a man, Ms. Witch."
"I guess Ms. Witch isn''t really married to this man." The oldest-looking boy scrutinized Enzel with keen eyes. "Look! His clothes are torn and tattered, he has lots of bruises and wounds, and he''s dirty! There''s no way a scruffy hobo like him would be Ms. Witch''s husband. She has standards."
"You looking for a fight, brat?!" Enzel lashed out at him.
"That''s correct, youngster. It''s impossible for me to marry a fetid, penurious derelict like him." Agreeing with the boy, Rachel rewarded him with a gentle pat on the head, throwing fuel on Enzel''s fire.
¡°But why is he tied up?¡± A snot-nosed younger boy asked, which made the two adults pull their tongue back.
With the snap of her fingers, Rachel undid the rope around Enzel that dispersed into small particles.
"But!" the young girl answered back to the boy. "Maybe that''s just how Ms. Witch shows her love to him! Y-You know, by hurting him! You see, mama always tells me that papa shows his love by beating her up. There are even times he would tie her down and call her a bitch. Isn''t that the same with Ms. Witch?"
Rachel could only stare, having heard such a bleak statement from such a saintly voice. "Ugh... I feel bad for this girl."
"The things they teach kids these days..." Enzel, on the other hand, had a hard time stomaching what was said.
¡°Bitch? What¡¯s that? Do you know that, Ms. Witch?¡± Another girl asked when she heard an unfamiliar word. Meanwhile, the adults were silently in shock.
Rachel stuttered and failed to give a proper answer to the kids. After all, she couldn¡¯t just tell them the definition of such vulgar word and corrupt their minds at a very early age.
Instead, Enzel chipped in. ¡°You see kids, a bitch is someone who is really strong. Someone you must idolize because that person is amazing!¡± He then pointed his now free hand at Rachel. ¡°Like this woman here. She¡¯s a bitch.¡±
He was humbly rewarded with a kick to the face by Rachel after clearing up the question.
Before the topic could derail to something darker, Rachel decided to change it by entertaining her customers while the poor hobo wriggled on the floor like a dying caterpillar. "A-Anyway! Kids, I think Ms. Witch knows why you are here. Are you here to pick up your big sis'' order?"
"Ah!" The older girl exclaimed. "How did you know that? We didn''t even tell you! You really are a witch!"
While her reply was rather asperse, Rachel decided to let it slide as it was normal for children their age to behave that way. "Sure, sure. Whatever you want to say." Hands on waist, she sighed. "So I was right?" she smiled. "I''ll get it from the workshop, okay? Behave yourself, kids!"
In unison, the children answered with a loud, "Thank you, Ms. Witch!"
Convinced, Rachel nodded and started walking towards a door, a few meters to the right of the one that leads to her house. "Watch the kids for me, slave," she ordered as she left.
Enzel got up and just goggled at her lazily and when her back was turned, he stuck out his tongue like an immature brat.
With his manager off at the workshop, the slave looked back at the kids with his droopy eyes. They stared at him intently as if they were examining him from head to toe.
"W-what?" A few drops of sweat trickled down Enzel''s head. He wasn''t particularly enthusiastic about conversing with brats.
"Hey, hey, Hobro! What happened to the store?" The youngest boy asked.
"I-It''s a long story. Don''t ask about it!" Enzel froze when it hit him. "Hobro?"
"Hey, hey, Hobro! Let''s play!" The younger girl enthusiastically raised her arms like she was asking for a lift, all while hopping up and down.
"Stop calling me a hobo! I work here, you know!" He couldn''t help but sigh. Assuming his boss wouldn''t take too long, he decided to just go along with the kids. "Alright, what do you want to play?"
"Let''s play house!" The second youngest boy suggested.
The young girl was ecstatic when she heard that. "Yes, yes! Let''s play house, Hobro! You can be mama and I will be papa!"
"Yeah sure. I don''t care whoever plays papa." Enzel simply went along with it as he scratched his head in boredom.
"Yayifications!" The girl merrily jumped around like a bunny. "Then... Since I''m papa, I''m going to love you by beating you up!"
The ''mama'' buried his face in his palms, containing his emotions. "So pure, yet so deluded."
Sitting down to meet her eye level, he grinned. "Alright, you can beat me up if you want, but don''t hurt yourself okay?"
"Yepperonis!" The girl joyfully answered, twisting her shoulders.
He had a blank expression, not a shred of fear on his countenance. "Well, it''s not like those tiny hands can hurt anything. I''ll just let her do as she pleases"
"Are you ready, dear?" The girl clenched her little fists. "I''m going to give you lots of love!"
Enzel imitated a loving housewife with the most ear-grating falsetto. "Yes! Be gentle, darling!"
The girl took a deep breath and then launched a punch at him. "Hiyaaaaa!"
He remained in place, keeping to character. "Ahn! Darling! Don''t be so rough with m-- Guhoooooo!"
The girl''s fist buried into Enzel''s face before he could even finish his line. Though the girl barely stood above his waist, she was far stronger than she appeared. Her attack was more than enough to knock him down to the ground.
She stood there, looking down on Enzel with her fist raised proudly. "Hmph! You''re weak! Even mama could take more punches!"
"Do I look like your battered mother?!" he answered angrily, holding onto his reddened cheek. "Also, how the hell do you punch that hard?!"
The older girl had her nose held high. "We may be small, but we are strong!"
"Hobro, I thought we were playing house?" One of the boys asked.
Enzel lifted his body and sat on the floor. "Yeah that''s what I thought too." Defeated, he shook his head calmly. "Guess we''re playing wrestling instead."
"Wrestling?!" The children''s eyes glimmered with exhilaration at the mere mention of the word.
The necessitous slave was taken aback by this sudden boost of interest. "W-Wait a minute. Hey! W-What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Attack!" The oldest girl shouted, ordering the others like a warlord in the battlefield. The others heeded her command and immediately jumped to Enzel while shouting, "Wrestling!".
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!" A pig-like squeal was let out as the kids fell on his body.
"Kids, I''m back!" About thirty minutes passed and Rachel returned to the store with a hat in hand. Feathers all over, the hat looked like it had wings.
But what welcomed her back was her employee being wrestled by her customers. The boys locked their legs around his limbs, while the older girl had his head locked in her small arms. As for the little girl, she was simply jumping on his stomach. Repeatedly.
"Wow. Five years, and you''ve grown so feeble that even children can overpower you."
"D-Don''t ask! Ack! J-Just hel-uk me!"
As the children''s assault continued to torture Enzel, a young woman, somewhere around her twenties, entered the store with fretful eyes. "Excuse me, but did you see a group of--" She glanced towards the floor, finding the children tormenting some stranger. "Oh, hey! There you are!"
When they heard her, the children stopped, released Enzel from submission and turned towards her.
The woman let out a sigh of relief, pressing her hands against her coat which had long tails behind. Pairing with it was a short blue skirt adorned with yellow vertical linings. On her waistline was a belt with two swords attached, which indicated combat experience.
"It''s big sis!" The children exclaimed, releasing their victim. They then ran towards the woman, hugging her black, thigh-high stockings.
She fussed, tapping her brown laced boots against the floor. "Geez! I was getting worried! You kids were taking too long! Did you get lost?"
"No, we were playing house with Hobro over there!" The young girl pointed her small finger at Enzel who was down, sore all over.
¡°Hobro?¡± The woman shifted her gaze to Enzel''s beaten body, finding familiarity in his appearance. Tapping her chin, she struggled to recall who he reminded her of. Eventually, she shrugged it off and placed her attention back to the children.
"Kids, what was the basic move I taught you when you fight someone?" Her words sounded authoritative yet laid-back.
"Do a three-hit combo!" The children joyfully replied and big sis nodded in satisfaction.
The young girl tugged the woman''s blue coat. "But big sis. I just punched him once and he was already down. Did I do something wrong?"
She stared down at the anxious girl. "You knocked him down with only one punch?"
"I-I''m sorry I didn''t follow what you said." She was ready to cry as the woman''s expression turned stony.
Seconds passing, the woman sighed as she tipped her purple hat adorned with golden chains. "Nah! You didn''t do it wrong. In fact, if you defeated your opponent with one punch, then that''s just proof of your strength!" She gave praises to the young girl while patting her head, relieving her of worry. ¡°Guess the old man¡¯s training regime paid off, yeah?¡±
"Yayness!" The girl blushed and smiled, indulging the praise she received.
The woman then gazed at Rachel. "Ah is that my order?" She pointed her gloved hands towards the hat she was holding.
"Ah yes. It''s done." Rachel handed over the hat over to her.
"Thank you," she said as she received the item. "By the way, what happened to your store? It''s completely ruined." The woman started probing her new hat.
"It was attacked. That''s all."
"That so? Well, that happens a lot lately." The woman then stuck her right hand in the hat and spun it about. "Glad nobody got hurt." She glanced at Enzel. "Well, except for that poor sap over there."
Rachel immediately stopped the woman from pressing further. "Pay no attention to him."
The youngest boy tugged the woman¡¯s skirt. ¡°Big sis! Big sis! Did you know that Ms. Witch was married to Hobro and they were doing some game with a rope a while ago! They looked like they were having fun.¡±
She turned to Rachel with the most mischievous smile, her left hand hiding her lips ¡°Heh you¡¯re into bondage? Pfft! The things I learned today! But please don¡¯t show it in front of the kids. Also, since when did you get married?!¡±
¡°No! That¡¯s not true and I didn¡¯t get married!¡± Rachel violently disapproved the woman¡¯s statement. ¡°I was just preventing this guy from running away! He¡¯s my new worker! Don¡¯t twist the facts, will you?!¡±
The woman was already enjoying herself, but decided to drop the teasing and shrugged it off. "Anyway, thanks for the hat! I might order another one soon, so tell your craftsman in advance, ''kay?"
After paying Rachel, the woman walked out the store, prompting the children to follow.
Before they joined their big sis, the children turned back to Enzel and waved goodbye to him. "Come visit us at the orphanage sometime, Hobro! Let''s do another wrestling match, okay?! Bye-bye!"
And thus the children left, chasing after the young woman.
Enzel was left lying on the floor, his limbs still numb. As the cheerful clamours of the children faded into echoes, he only had one thought running through his mind.
"I hate kids."
Soon, the sun was setting. Behind the counter, Rachel waited idly for customers. She looked at Enzel who was still down on the floor. Bored, she decided to make small talk. "Surprisingly, you got along with the kids real quick."
"The fact that they have that kind of fighting prowess still bothers the hell out of me. That big sis of theirs sure is proud of her little devils. Who were those people anyway?" Feeling his limbs, Enzel was finally able to at least sit down on the floor.
"They come by every now and then." Rachel snapped her fingers, creating an invisible, box-shaped barrier surrounding the store. "Seems like I won''t be able to sell much today thanks to your misguided heroism so I''m closing for today. This barrier should suffice to prevent anyone from coming in through that hole in the wall."
"You should have used that from the very start." He stood up, stretching his arms.
She opened the door to her home. "You stink. Get in and take a bath. Bath''s just beside the stairs. Once you''re done, go upstairs and wait for dinner."
He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Wait. Are you trying to say that I''ll be living here with you?"
She turned around to face him, an icy glare in her eyes. "Do you prefer sleeping outside? I don''t mind giving you the boot."
"Uhm... No." He shook his head. "I was just surprised you''d let me stay here."
Annoyed, she explained, "All of my workers stay with me. That is at least one privilege I give to my employees. So be grateful, even though you''re a slave."
"Well..." He was scratching his neck shyly. "Thanks, I guess."
For some reason, that shy look on his face made Rachel blush a bit. She quickly averted her gaze so he wouldn''t notice her reaction. "Hmpf! Get inside already! You smell like shit so get in the bath quickly!"
Slamming the door, she left him alone inside the wrecked store.
"Uhh... Okay," he sighed, incapable of understanding her sudden fit of anger.
Cracking his neck, he stepped forth to wash himself up. It was strange how the little weakling he would pick on was now the one picking on him, but in the end, life was just full of surprises. There was no way to predict what would happen tomorrow. Enzel hadn''t a choice in the matter, but at least he has a roof for shelter now. If only the cons didn''t outweigh the pros.
Like it or not, his new life as an employ-- slave was simply beginning.
Chapter 3: Neighbour Company
The bright sun smiled upon the town, gifting it with another great day.
That is, for everyone but Rachel, who gazed upon her ruined store with bitterness. Looking back at what happened yesterday just added more fuel to the fire she suppressed. The man in question, Enzel, stood beside Rachel, looking proud at the power that took this poor establishment to ruins, which cost him a lifetime¡¯s worth of slavery.
¡°Maybe throwing you out to the sea was the better idea after all.¡± Rachel mumbled as she glared at Enzel.
¡°I thank you wholeheartedly for sparing my life and giving me a second chance,¡± He replied with a sarcastic grin, earning a punch to the gut.
¡°Is that so?¡± Rachel smiled devilishly; smoke seeping from her right hand. ¡°I guess it¡¯s time we start your oppression, then. You better work your ass to death for me, slave!¡±
Kneeling on the ground in pain, Enzel shot back an angry look at Rachel. ¡°Don¡¯t fuck with me! I saved your ass there! We had a contract. Treat me properly!¡±
Sadly, none of his words would register through Rachel¡¯s thick skull. Everything he fired at her, she fired back twice as hard. Palm on his face, she looked ready to crush his skull in her hand.
¡°Slaves like you should keep your mouth shut! Dogs should be quiet and obedient! How dare you bark at me like that when you¡¯re the one who freaking crushed my business! Do you have any idea how much profit I lost yesterday because of your misguided heroism?!¡±
Enzel furiously grabbed onto Rachel¡¯s arm before he dies from a crushed skull, trying to pull it away from him. ¡°Awawawaw! I¡¯m sorry, okay?! I underestimated my strength because I was starving for days! I¡¯ll do what you want so let go already!¡±
¡°Do what I want?¡± Rachel grinned when she heard the magic word. ¡°Then say ¡®I will do anything for my master, Rachel Mariner, even if it costs me my life¡¯.¡±
¡°Like hell I¡¯ll say that!¡± Enzel was desperately resisting against Rachel¡¯s iron grip. ¡°Is this the new play you came up with? You¡¯ll need to think of better ideas to get me hard¡ªAAAAARRRGGGHHH!!!¡±
She pulled back her hand, and stuck it in his mouth, violently tugging on his tongue as if it were a gum stuck to the wall. ¡°I think this dog hasn¡¯t a need for its tongue.¡±
Enzel finally resigned by raising both his hands. Rachel let go and the poor man fell on the stone pavement. Since yesterday, this kept on bugging him--this power that Rachel possessed. She never managed to cast the most basic of the spells back in their mercenary days and yet here she was, giving him a beatdown without a glimpse of a spell The possibility existed that she buffed herself through the use of magic, but his knowledge in that field was severely limited.
But that was only the tip of the iceberg as Rachel surprised Enzel once more by jabbing the air. Rather, it was more like she punched a hole into a different dimension. After moving it around for a few seconds, she pulled out; the hole closed, leaving ripples upon sealing up. What she seized of it was a rolled large piece of paper. Scratching his silver hair, Enzel stared in befuddlement.
¡°W-what was that just now?¡± He asked.
Rachel looked at him in disbelief as if she was watching a fish that couldn¡¯t swim.
¡°Right. You¡¯re all muscles and no brain after all.¡± Rachel drooped her shoulders and sighed. ¡°See, this is a pretty basic spell that anyone is able to use. It¡¯s called ¡®Inventory¡¯. You should at least learn this. Actually, can¡¯t you use magic at all?!¡±
¡°If I can, then I¡¯d have warped my ass out of here yesterday! I¡¯ve always had a small mana pool so I never practiced using magic,¡± Enzel stood up, dusting himself off.
¡°Thus the bottom feeder who insulted my magic abilities spoke,¡± Rachel snickered, and then shrugged. ¡°Nothing I can do about it. I¡¯ll just have to teach you myself then.¡±
¡°Ha?!¡± Enzel fussed. ¡°I don¡¯t need to learn shit from someone like you-- ¡± A gunshot echoed before he could finish his sentence. No bullet was seen and yet something that felt like it connected to his forehead, effectively knocking him down. There was only one person right now that Enzel knew can pull off such thing with all these strengths she was showing lately and it was none other than Rachel herself. Her left hand had its thumb and index finger sticking out like an assassin casually killing her target.
¡°Shut your trap and obey my orders. You have no say in whatever I want to do with you.¡± She stated like a sadistic master to her masochistic servant. ¡°Be grateful I¡¯m even going through the trouble of teaching you, feeding you, giving you a room and clothing for free when you¡¯re supposed to be a slave.¡±
Rachel was right. Despite being labelled as a ¡°slave¡±, what transpired yesterday evening didn¡¯t really feel like slavery to Enzel. What kind of slave gets to take a bath, a complete dinner, a spacious room with a comfortable bed and decent clothing? He could pass it off as her just being shy about wanting to help him, but the animosity she had towards him all this time said otherwise.
Or maybe it was her way of making him feel more indebted so he would work hard for her. Whatever it was, Rachel¡¯s treatment towards Enzel was weird in different aspects and the slave treatment could be thrown out of the window for good.
¡°Anyway,¡± Rachel handed over the item to Enzel, ¡°Take this map. I¡¯ll have you do your first errand.¡±
Enzel took the map and unrolled it. A detailed sketch of the town was drawn on it, complete with labels, legends and descriptions. His droopy eyes looked back at Rachel. ¡°So what do you want me to do with this?¡±
Rachel smiled, took the map from Enzel and rolled it again. ¡°Why, of course you crumple it then swallow it so you can choke yourself to death.¡± Immediately, she swiftly hit Enzel¡¯s head with the rolled map like they were bad comedians doing a stand-up. It was merely a piece of paper, but the force was strong enough to make him bow down. ¡°Of course you bloody use this to find and go to a certain place! Are you a full-fledged moron or a professional twit?!¡±
¡°It¡¯s the same damn thing and shut it with the insults already!¡± Enzel snapped. ¡°Just fucking tell me what you want me to do! Couldn¡¯t you give an answer that is not oozing with sarcasm or verbal abuse?!¡±
Rachel popped a vein. ¡°If you don¡¯t want a sarcastic answer, then don¡¯t ask a stupid question! God, I didn¡¯t think your comprehension skill was this low!¡±
¡°What was that?!¡± Enzel wouldn¡¯t let that one slip by. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I fulfilled all my missions excellently back in the guild and I¡¯m known to be a person that is easily instructed¡ª¡± He paused. ¡°Oh wait. You wouldn¡¯t know that cause you¡¯re always rotting away inside the gui¡ª Buhaaaaa!!!¡±
A fist flew right to his chin, sending him flying for a brief moment then falling down headfirst on the road. Enzel was down on the ground for the third time today.
¡°Are you gonna do this or not?!¡± Rachel¡¯s voice switched to an eerie tone and Enzel felt it. It was time he stopped screwing with her or he might not even see tomorrow.
He got on his feet again as if that attack was just a tap to his shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s not like I have a choice anyway.¡± He took away the map from Rachel. ¡°So what¡¯s the mission?¡±
Rachel looked away and held back a laugh. ¡°Pfft! ¡®Mission¡¯, he says!¡±
¡°Hey! I¡¯m serious here!¡± Enzel retorted, but even so, he was still rather embarrassed about the word he uttered. He was now a shop employee and not a mercenary, but it seemed like his past profession was still attached to his behaviour.
Still, that got his manager laughing at him. Looking at Rachel¡¯s happy expression, Enzel felt warm inside for some reason. He never saw Rachel smile back then so this was a first for him. He thought his red cheeks were of embarrassment, but at this point he didn¡¯t understand anymore if it was from the shaming or the woman with such heart-warming smile. And to make it worse, he cannot comprehend how she was able to evoke this feeling from him.
After a few good chuckles, Rachel reverted to her usual demeanor. ¡°Anyway, you will go to the center of the town. First, drop by the Merchant Guild and report the incident there then ask for repair materials. They will do the rest once you delivered the report. Next, visit the Town Hall and hire two adventurers.¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Enzel pointed out something from Rachel¡¯s clear and precise orders. ¡°Why the town hall?¡±
Rachel elaborated. ¡°The Town Hall also functions as the official Adventurers'' Guild here. That¡¯s the system nowadays. Not like I know much about it.¡±
¡°Well, whatever.¡± Enzel rolled the map and asked one last question. ¡°Is that all?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Rachel answered and then shooed him away while snickering. ¡°Now go and start your¡ª¡± She covered her lips, tears leaking out her sockets. ¡°Pfft! Mission! Kkkkkppfff!¡±
¡°Stop it!¡± Enzel shouted, crumpling the map in embarrassment. He turned away with his face as red as tomato when he was called by his boss again.
¡°Ah, one last thing.¡±
Enzel faced her again only to be surprised by a sheathed sword flying towards him. He still managed to catch it quickly, but receiving a weapon just for an errand only had him wondering.
¡°Bring that, just in case,¡± said Rachel, ¡°It¡¯s not like the town is filled with thugs and thieves, but there are some ¡®weirdoes¡¯ here, so keep your guard up. Now scram!¡±
Enzel narrowed his eyes. ¡°What kinds of people live here?¡± He wrapped the belt around his waist and placed the attached sword on his left side. Turning around, he stepped towards the inner part of the town. ¡°I¡¯m off.¡±
And so began his very first errand.
Enzel found himself in a not-so-busy street; houses made of brick and tiles lined up on each side. People walked past him, ignoring his presence like he was just another citizen of the town and casually treaded the road. Unlike yesterday when he wore tattered shirt and shorts, he now donned a cream shirt covered by a brown vest on top and a pair of baggy pants. A pair of brown boots completed his getup. He looked more human with his body in shape compared to his previous state where he was no better than a dead plant.
¡°Not a bad town she lives in.¡± Enzel thought as he toured his eyes around. He stopped upon reaching a stone arch at the end of the road he was taking. Many townsfolk were heading this way too.
¡°Port Ikzel.¡± Enzel read the text engraved on the arch. Looking from afar, what lied beyond it seemed to be stalls like a marketplace. Seeing it was called a port, he assumed there was one if he walked past the stalls. But this wasn¡¯t his destination so he had to save the visit for another time. ¡°I guess from here, I turn left and the road should lead me straight to the center? Okay.¡±
Following the direction on the map, he turned to the street to the left of the arch¡¯s entrance and proceeded on his way to the town¡¯s center. Soon, he reached a lane shaded by a stone hedge.
And then he stopped.
¡°Hm? I feel like someone¡¯s watching me,¡± was what Enzel had in mind. He felt a chill down his spine, but kept his composure. With a clear mind, he assessed the situation by pretending to look around as if he was lost so he could observe his surroundings. He was proud of his terrific observation skill that helped him exploit his opponent¡¯s weakness. However, there wasn¡¯t anyone remotely noticeable among the people walking along him. He would check the crates and barrels rested on the side of the street, but the suspicion would be put on him instead if he did that.
Still, he couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that he was being followed. It was like there were eyes behind him. He calmed himself by taking a deep breath. ¡°I don¡¯t know if this was someone who is after my life or not, but just to make sure, I¡¯m gonna deal with this chap before getting down to business.¡±
And so Enzel continued moving his legs again; casual but cautious.
Enzel ventured through different locations in the town for a good two hours, walking past a restaurant, a clinic, a bath house, a small graveyard, a shrine and a cathedral. He even reached the exit of the town and considered escaping, but recalling the contract and how Rachel just let him off easily like this told him not to do it. For all he knew, it would even cause him more trouble if he tried to flee now. It was no different from being house arrested.
But the threat was still after him as if it was tracking his trails. He could sense that it was always somewhere close to where he stood, but still failed to find it. At this point, he was definitely sure that it was someone who wanted to off him. No one would follow someone like him this long unless they need something from him and it wasn¡¯t like he had any money or any kind of wealth. Therefore, it could only be his life that the stalker was after. Since his presence was barely noticeable, he must be a professional, so Enzel thought. Still, this ability to keep hidden was something scarily potent.
If he cannot locate it with his keen senses, then there was another way for him to pinpoint the person. It was time to take some drastic measures.
Enzel pinched his forehead. ¡°Ahhh great! Rachel¡¯s gonna give me a beating again at this rate! Well, whatever. As long as I get this done before sundown.¡±
He turned his attention to a dead-end alley. ¡°But first, I need to pee. I hope the people around won¡¯t mind.¡±
He stepped in, then faced the brick wall and positioned himself to respond to nature¡¯s call. He pinched the zipper of his pants and started whistling.
Just as he was doing his business, something jumped down from the roof. The silhouette of a human dropped to where Enzel stood with its arms crossed, hands holding a combat knife on each, going for the kill as it inched closer to its target.
Unfortunately for the assailant, he saw this coming. ¡°Finally showed yourself, eh!¡± He turned his face to the left and grabbed it by the arms, pulling it towards him. As soon as he made contact, Enzel twisted his upper body to the right and threw the assailant with all of his strength. The attacker was about to hit the wall headfirst, but reacted just in time to spin and pressed his feet on the solid stone, preventing his crash. Using the wall as thrust, he spun again and safely planted his feet on the ground.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
It was then Enzel realized, the pursuer wasn¡¯t a ¡°him¡±, but a ¡°her¡± as she turned around to reveal herself to be a woman in a one piece dress covered by an apron on top. Her red, long, spiky, but well-groomed hair stood out in the shade of the alley. Enzel¡¯s eye met with the redhead¡¯s purple eyes that reeked of bloodlust.
¡°Not bad.¡± The woman spun her knives and dropped them inside the pocket of her apron. ¡°I¡¯m impressed by how you quickly responded to my ambush¡±
¡°Well, I could feel your menacing aura from the next town. Of course I would anticipate you coming for me, though your stealth ability is impressive.¡± Enzel answered, his face scowling grimly. ¡°The fuck you want with me?¡±
¡°At ease, rookie.¡± The woman answered calmly with her deep, militaristic voice. ¡°You have less worth dead rather than alive.¡± As she spoke, she fished out a revolver from the pocket and pointed it to her target. ¡°Still, I¡¯d still like to have some fun¡ª¡±
Enzel¡¯s toe reached the base of the revolver¡¯s handle, sending the weapon up in the air. Spinning for a few seconds, it then fell down to his right hand. The woman¡¯s words were cut off and her eyes widened in surprise. Enzel smirked and pointed the gun towards her. ¡°Sorry, but I have no time with your test of courage¡ª¡±
Just as he did, she already had another one on her right hand with the barrel pointed at Enzel. This time, it was not a revolver, but a pistol.
¡°I got twelve shots.¡± She wrapped her index finger around the trigger and prompted at Enzel. ¡°Ready?¡±
And then...
¡°Draw!¡±
Two loud gunshots echoed in the alley, but no blood was spilled. Rather, he and the woman dodge as fast as the bullet came out of the barrel with only Enzel having a graze on his left cheek. The stinging pain kicked in, but it was the least of his concern right now.
For a battle of life and death had begun.
The enemy had twelve bullets. Firing one now left her with eleven. Enzel was still at a disadvantage seeing his gun only had six and he already wasted one. At such a small distance, she could easily fill his face with holes. His best course of action would be to keep himself from getting hit until the redhead ran out of bullets. He entrusted his life to his natural speed, but was unsure if he could keep up. There was no time to take a good look at his opponent to find any weak point to exploit. Not like the woman had the upper hand as she was also in the same situation as Enzel¡¯s. Both readied their aim and at the same time prepared to dodge the next attack. They knew that just one shot from either and they¡¯re done for.
But the real trouble here was the woman herself. She aimed at his face faster than he could anticipate. He didn¡¯t underestimate this opponent, but he didn¡¯t expect she would be this fast.
Enzel hastily swatted the barrel away from him just a few milliseconds before the woman could pull the trigger. The bullet missed and bore a hole towards the wall behind him. Thanks to his instincts and agility, his left hand deflected the attack and he escaped certain death. But this bout was far from over.
He never had a hard time using ranged weapons like guns, but the situation and their position made it hard for him to fire back. She could aim at him with lightning speed so it was given that she could dodge just as fast. And given that he only had half the ammo compared to his opponent, he couldn¡¯t afford to miss or else he would be doomed. Enzel was being pressured by the minute.
Still, that didn¡¯t stop him from pulling the trigger as his quick counter managed to make a small opening. But just as he pointed it at her, the woman already slapped it away with her left hand, causing the trajectory of the bullet to change and miss its target. She quickly went for her third shot, but Enzel reacted just as fast and fired off another, forcing her to dodge it by cocking her head to the right. She found his reaction time to be pretty impressive for a man who looked like just another angsty thug down the street. She thought she¡¯d try to pressure him more by firing two quick consecutive shots. However, Enzel did not fail to amaze and avoided the first shot by moving his head to the left and redirecting the second one by flinging the woman¡¯s right hand away. Enzel retaliated with the same speed, and she grabbed Enzel¡¯s arm and pushed it away from her, stopping the man from pulling the trigger.
There were only three more bullets for Enzel and seven for the woman. At this point, what mattered now was who would be emptied first.
Enzel blasted his fourth shot, but the woman smacked the barrel upwards, sending the bullet flying towards the sky. In response, she fired her sixth shot, but Enzel prevented it by slamming the gun downwards, bearing a hole in the ground instead.
The swatting and firing transpired at insane speeds. Despite the alarming sound of the gunshots, neither blinked nor averted their eyes towards their target. The roaring gunshots and quaint surroundings held no meaning when both were this close to being killed. Neither of the two paused as they fired another one and dodged at the same time by leaning their head backwards as if their bodies danced to the sound of the guns.
The stakes only rose for Enzel who finally reached his last bullet. The woman knew Enzel was at his final shot, but she knew she couldn¡¯t be cocky. Despite being at an advantage, she was still at a dire situation. Enzel had truly shown her how excellent he was in the battlefield. She kept getting her hopes up every time they exchanged attacks.
But this was as far as he went, so she believed.
She aimed once more and to her surprise, Enzel grabbed onto her left arm and then flicked her right arm away. Before the grip tightened, she detached it away from him, but this was what he wanted¡ªthe opening he was waiting for. That was the signal for him to fire his last bullet. If he couldn¡¯t reveal a weak spot, make an opening on his own instead. And so he decided to target the woman¡¯s slender arms. Regardless of her speed, she couldn¡¯t possibly counterattack him with her hands up in the air.
Or so he thought.
He swore not to underestimate his opponent, but perhaps he got cocky upon seeing that opportunity to strike as he found himself completely astonished at her response to his calculated move. Two fingers¡ªthe index and the thumb latched onto the cylinder of his revolver, pinching it really hard, preventing the final bullet from firing. For a woman this slim, she had the physical strength to hold down something like this with just two fingers. He was bewildered at how her grip prevented him from aiming the gun.
And this gave an opportunity to stage her counterattack as he left a large opening for her to fire. With a swift swing of her right arm, the woman aimed the barrel to his face.
But he once again proved himself to be just sharper than he looked. Using his left hand, Enzel caught the hammer of the woman¡¯s gun, preventing it from firing the bullet. Thanks to his iron grip, she was unable to pull away.
It was a stalemate. Neither could move from their position for a slight twitch of their body could be exploited into an opportunity to strike. They were safe for now, but both were aware that neither could prolong this draw match. They needed to find a way to overcome their foe without the use of their tied hands.
To think that someone could match him so well, Enzel was impressed. This woman was quite the formidable opponent. It was as if assassinating had always been in her blood. He never recalled anyone succeeded in getting so close in battle as they were always cut down before they could draw their blades against him. Not even the best gunmen he met were able to scratch him with their bullets. She, however, wounded his face and even trapped him into a situation where both cannot attack nor defend. It was a new experience for him, a thrilling one. Never in his life did he encounter a woman of this caliber in combat.
That was why he had to prove himself once more as a battle prodigy. As their eyes fixated towards one other, awaiting a chance to strike, Enzel smirked, which alerted the woman. However, it was already too late for her as Enzel¡¯s leg darted towards hers. When it made contact, it tripped her, causing her to lose balance.
She wasn¡¯t going down without a fight.
As soon as she started falling down, she rushed her leg and hooked it around his, causing the man to fall down with her. When both crashed on the solid ground, a loud thud echoed in the alley.
They found themselves in a rather awkward position. Enzel laid on top of the woman who was pressed on the ground. Not like it mattered to him. She was after his life. His years as a mercenary thought him that mercy for the opposite gender spelt demise.
¡°Alright, woman.¡± He threw aside his gun and held her hands down. The pressure of his grip caused the woman to let go of hers too. ¡±Interrogation time. Why are you after me?¡±
As much as how menacingly Enzel glared at her, the woman was unfazed. Her narrowed eyes implied boredom, but her lips gradually arched into a smile. It wasn¡¯t a creepy one, rather, a gentle one which confused him.
And then she opened her mouth. ¡°You looked like a random thug with a little bit of promise, but you exceeded my expectation.¡± Her cheeks flushed red, drool leaking down her pink lips. ¡°Instincts faster than a speeding 9mm round¡ Eyes sharper than a sniper¡¯s scope¡ A chiselled build as tough and durable as an antique pistol¡ And a face that thirsts for blood¡! These are the qualities I seek in a soldier under my command!¡±
Her gibberish left him speechless. ¡°What¡¯s with this woman? Creepy...¡±
But she wasn¡¯t stopping there. ¡°Truly a weapon to surpass¡ª¡± But her words were cut when the shadow of a lady stretched across the alley. She tilted her head to eye the intervention and grimaced. ¡°Tch... She¡¯s here.¡±
¡°Hm? Who is that¡ª¡± But before Enzel could even see their interferer, he was sent flying back to a wall by a powerful gust of wind. After sticking to the wall for a second, his body dropped on the crates, crushing them under his weight.
¡°I knew this would happen.¡± That familiar voice could never be mistaken for anyone else. That terrorizing tone accompanied with the eerie atmosphere every time she¡¯s around him.
With a face contorting in disgust, Rachel glared at Enzel. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d go as far as touching a woman in broad daylight. Did the hobo lifestyle make you so desperate for a woman that you¡¯d even go for this freak?
¡°Hey! You¡¯re wrong!¡± Enzel objected, jumping out of the pile of broken wood. He then pointed at the woman and stood beside Rachel. ¡°This freak here tried to kill me! I don¡¯t know what her motive is, but I acted out of self-defence!¡±
Rachel moved her eyes to the assailant, receiving a smirk in response. ¡°You know, you gotta stop trying to recruit my employees through your brand of harassment. I might consider asking the mayor to give you a restraining order.¡±
¡°I wasn¡¯t harassing him,¡± she pouted, ¡°I was just testing his strength. You got yourself another good soldier, Mariner! But even if you outnumber our base four-to-two, we have just as much firepower!¡±
¡°Yeah, yeah. There she goes again with her war bullshit.¡± Rachel sighed, hoping to end the conversation.
Enzel interjected. ¡°Uhh... You know this nutjob?¡±
She turned to him again. ¡°Yeah.¡± She then gestured toward her. ¡°This weirdo is our neighbour.¡±
With a straight back and a salute, the woman introduced herself. ¡°Commander of La Campanella, Belle La Campanella, reporting for duty!¡±
¡°Your tiny brain probably forgot, so for your information, La Campanella¡¯s the shop across ours. This walking circus declared herself as my rival when she took over. Not like I care. As you can see, she¡¯s a military nut.¡± Rachel added.
Belle followed up by striking a pose. ¡°War, covert ops and assassination are my passion!¡±
¡°So by ¡®weirdoes¡¯,¡± Enzel pointed at Belle in disbelief. ¡°You mean this woman? You¡¯re telling me all that shit was just a fucking game?! That almost got me killed, you know! And no, I¡¯m not playing with you again!¡±
¡°What a killjoy, getting so upset over nothing.¡± Belle picked up the revolver that Enzel dropped and fired it at him. Since his guard was down, he wasn¡¯t able to dodge and toppled to the ground. The bullet couldn¡¯t tear through his skull, yet his body went completely numb.
¡°See, it¡¯s a paralysis bullet. It isn¡¯t lethal, but it will paralyze you for about five seconds.¡± Belle spun her revolver around her index finger then dropped it back into her apron¡¯s pocket. ¡°I specialize in stuff like this so if you¡¯re interested in playing this game again, drop by my shop!¡±
¡°You need to get your brain checked!¡± Enzel retorted with all his might despite being immobilized. After what happened, he couldn¡¯t just get up, brush it off and call it a day. It was because it was a massive prank that he couldn¡¯t laugh it off.
Rachel squatted down beside him. He nervously awaited her next move as they gazed into each other¡¯s eyes.
Then he heard a clicking sound and felt something wrapping his neck. ¡°Uh... What are you doing, manager?¡±
She flashed a cruel grin at him. ¡°Well, you failed to do a simple errand today so I¡¯ll be dragging you home. Like a dog.¡±
The paralysis wore off and Enzel got up, struggling to take the leash off him. ¡°Take this off me, you dominatrix! The day hasn¡¯t even ended, you know!¡±
¡°It¡¯s already past five, you useless lump of muscles! There¡¯s no point going there now! Everyone¡¯s gone home!¡±
Belle stared at the two who were bickering on the ground like children. She was barely thinking when a question escaped her lips.
¡°Are you two uh... having that kind of relationship?¡±
¡°Hell no!¡± Enzel and Rachel shouted at the same time.
The sun was touching the horizon when Rachel, who was pulling Enzel on a leash as if he were a dog, made her way home on a dirt road in the middle of two fields that led to their residence. Belle joined them, seeing as their destination was side-by-side.
She pulled out a cigarette pack from her pocket and offered one to the miserable Enzel. ¡°Want one?¡±
¡°No thanks, I¡¯m no smoker.¡± Enzel refused. ¡°You won¡¯t sway me into forgiving you so easily. I¡¯m still pissed off that you tested your products on me. Is that your advertising style? Cause that¡¯s one shitty business model.¡±
¡°Products? Advertising? Oh, no, those weapons were a part of my collection. I don¡¯t sell guns,¡± Belle answered, sticking a cigarette between her lips. ¡°LaCampanella is a clothing and flower shop.¡±
¡°Hah?!¡± Enzel¡¯s jaw dropped upon hearing that.
Rachel interjected. ¡°Yeah. She may look like a creep who gets off to guns and knives, but she¡¯s a top-notch tailor and florist here in Renner. You¡¯re wearing her product as we speak.¡±
¡°This?!¡± He scanned the clothes he wore. Despite his rough handling, it still looked brand new. For a moment, he couldn¡¯t even imagine how the woman who almost gave him a nightmare could create such well-done garment.
She only gave his astonished face a playful wink. With a snap of the finger, a small flame blazed on the tip of her thumb, which she used to light her cigarette. With two flicks of the wrist, the fire was extinguished.
They can almost see the shops a few meters away from them, but the pressing issue at the moment was the gazes they received from the townsfolk when they reached the residential area of the town. The people that walked past them cringed in horror at the image of two women walking beside a leashed man.
Enzel noticed this and asked Rachel politely. ¡°Could you please get this thing off me already? We¡¯re getting some really nasty looks from everyone.¡±
¡°No! You¡¯ll stay like that until we get home. You want the slave treatment, you get the slave treatment.¡±
¡°Tch. That¡¯s how you wanna roll huh?!¡± He had an evil grin plastered on his face. He remained quiet for a few seconds, which made her raise an eyebrow at this sudden change of behaviour.
And then his voice echoed throughout the area.
¡°Ahn! Master, it¡¯s not even that time of the night and you are already eagerly giving me such harsh treatment! This slave is grateful~!¡±
Rachel stopped and looked at Enzel blushing. ¡°W-what are you shouting?! Quiet!¡±
Enzel continued his disturbing act of submission. ¡°I cannot when I¡¯m in such pleasure! Save something good for later, master!¡±
¡°Uwaa...¡± Belle tensely backed away from the two of them, the cigarette dropping out of her mouth. ¡°I always knew you had some nasty kinks, but damn, you really are one hell of a dominatrix eh, Rachel?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not!¡± Rachel furiously corrected the assumption, but to no avail. Not only Belle, but everyone was gasping at her in horror. ¡°No, no! You got it wrong!¡±
Enzel was on cloud nine seeing Rachel humiliated ¡°Oh master! Please punish me mo¡ªBuhaaa!!!¡±
His fun came to an end when a pair of feet planted against his cheek, smashing him into the pavement. The rough surface of his collar made his fall even more painful.
He got up quickly as always. ¡°Hey! What was that kick for?!¡±
¡°D-don¡¯t shame me like that! If you¡¯re not stopping, then I¡¯ll really give it to you!¡± Rachel was catching for her breath. The embarrassment was perhaps too much for her.
¡°M-manager...¡± Enzel heard a familiar voice of a young girl and a boy along with the sound of cracking glasses.
¡°W-what are you doing, m-manager?!¡±
Turning around, Rachel shrieked as a girl with red hair tied in twintails and a bespectacled boy stood behind her shocked.
As if things couldn¡¯t get any worse, they returned at the wrong time.
The other employees, that is.
Chapter 4: Errand Company
A white-haired girl donning a white dress with tinges of orange burst out of the La Campanella¡¯s. It took her almost the whole day to notice, but her boss had escaped once more. From across the street, she noticed a small crowd gathering outside her store¡¯s main competition, ¡°REC Company¡± on its signboard that spelled ¡°Renner Emporium & Crafting¡± underneath the large letters. Was there a three-day sale or some special event? As far as she could remember, the store was destroyed yesterday so how are they still selling? A clearance, perhaps?
She turned to the left, and there she found the person she was looking for.
¡°Commander!¡± She ran towards her red-haired superior. ¡°Where have you been? Also what¡¯s happening here?¡±
¡°Oh, Arielle. You came,¡± Belle greeted, puffing a cigarette. ¡°You see, it turns out our neighbour Rachel here is into some kinky master-servant relationship.¡±
Out of curiosity, she stood on her tiptoes to see over a spectator¡¯s shoulder. Her face turned pale as a ghost, her mouth gapping the moment her eyes met the unsightly commotion.
There were four persons present in the disturbing scenario. She recognized three of them as the employees of the neighbouring company. However, she could never imagine them like this. The grumpy, sarcastic manager was frozen like a schoolgirl about to confess to her crush. Her young shop assistant was bawling on her knees, shaking her employer back and forth and the bespectacled boy standing behind had his jaw dropped, as if his soul flew out his mouth and up to heaven.
¡°Manager!¡± the young girl cried. ¡°I understand that you have your urges from time to time, but you didn¡¯t have to resort to just anyone! Especially this rotting man here!¡±
She had her index finger pointed to a bulky yet unconscious man with messy silver hair who, for some reason, was wearing a dog leash.
The girl continued with a hint of red on her cheeks. ¡°I-if... If you wanted to do some kinky stuff, you can always use me, your most loyal servant!¡±
The crowd gasped appalled at her brave declaration. The woman faced them flushing red. ¡°T-that¡¯s not right! D-don¡¯t get the wrong idea! I don¡¯t do stuff like that to my workers!¡±
¡°She really is a dominatrix,¡± Belle uttered with severe distaste, ¡°You even did it with your younger employees. Damn, that¡¯s some sick shit you¡¯re into.¡±
¡°W-what in tarnation is happening here?!¡± Arielle screamed, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Unfortunately, there were far more pressing issues at the moment. ¡°Anyway! You ran away from your job again! It¡¯s a good thing no one paid a visit today. I was tending to the greenhouse all day. But if someone did, that¡¯s lost opportunity for business! Please don¡¯t just run off like that, you¡¯re in charge of the front desk!¡±
¡°Ugh, stop nagging at me. It¡¯s not like I neglected my work. I just took a break, that¡¯s all. I closed shop early before I headed out, so it¡¯s no problem.¡± Belle answered in irritation.
Arielle wasn¡¯t satisfied with such an inadequate response. ¡°No. You¡¯ve just been slacking off again. Come, it¡¯s time to go home.¡± She pulled onto Belle¡¯s apron. ¡°It¡¯s almost time to prepare dinner, so stop watching some weird freak show and help me!¡±
¡°I wanna watch this until the end,¡± Belle insisted, feet planted on the ground.
Arielle tried to drag her away by tugging on her dress, to no avail. ¡°No, we¡¯re going home!¡±
Belle simply crossed her arms, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m gonna watch.¡±
The situation growing hopeless, Arielle was forced to abuse the four magic words. She leaned in to her boss¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll lock your armory.¡±
Belle¡¯s eyes widened, sweating profusely. ¡°So what¡¯s for dinner, my dear Arielle?!¡± she asked loudly, snatching her subordinate¡¯s hand.
Just by hearing those four words, she was easily swayed to go home. The two made their way through the crowds, Belle sorrowfully looking back as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see her fated rival make a complete fool of herself faded in her grasp.
Back to REC¡¯s storefront, everyone was lost for words as the ruckus turned for the worst. With every gaze piercing her like a rain of arrows, Rachel was on the verge of losing her temper; her clenched hands holding back a spell that she contemplated firing.
¡°Why are you all still here?! Get lost already! Can¡¯t you see we¡¯re closed?¡± Her face was as red as tomato. ¡°And I don¡¯t do nasty stuff like that! I swear! Don¡¯t listen to them!¡± Then she turned to Enzel who was still out like a light. ¡°This is your fault for causing this misunderstanding! Don¡¯t think you¡¯ll sleep soundly tonight!¡±
Unfortunately, the more she cursed, the more complicated things got for her. The crowd gulped when she uttered her death threats, which sounded more like perverse and erotic plans she had in store for her poor employees.
¡°No, no, no, no! That¡¯s not what I mean!¡± Rachel faced the crowd once more, denying her misleading words, but whatever excuse or denial she made, the more misunderstandings arose. Even her two most loyal personnel were completely dumbfounded by the situation and just stood there, petrified by the absurdity of the situation.
With the situation getting even beyond her control, Rachel finally snapped, ¡°Ahhhh! Screw it!¡±
By clenching her right fist as if she were pulling a string, her three workers were dragged together like magnets attracting each other. Rachel then quickly swung her right arm in a manner akin to handling a flail and sent them flying through the broken display window. A loud crash and screams of pain echoed from inside which sent shivers to the townspeople still within the store¡¯s premises. When they returned their gaze back to Rachel, the door was already shut, though with its battered state, the entryway was pretty much open. The audience was left puzzled and at the same time terrified.
For better or for worse, this new rumor might garner more attention for the store.
Enzel returned to his senses and found himself situated between a bespectacled teenage boy and a girl with fiery hair done in twintails sitting on their knees along the marble floor looking at their boss like puppies who were leashed for misbehaving.
¡°Alright, you three,¡± Rachel flashed a smile which only terrified the other two. Enzel sat back in a cross-legged position with a vacant gaze, still oblivious to the predicament the three of them were in.
And then she spoke in an eerie tone. ¡°Who wants to be friends with Mari first?¡±
The girl quickly grovelled before her, pleading. ¡°No! Please spare me! I don¡¯t mind the kinky play, but not with the giant squi¡ªOomf!¡±
The angry boss pressed her hand on the girl¡¯s cheeks, keeping her mouth shut. ¡°One more mention of ¡®kinky¡¯ and I will make you do kinky stuff with Mari.¡±
¡°But you just said it yourself,¡± glasses boy did a timid comeback, which gained him a death glare from his manager. He cowered in fear.
¡°Who¡¯s Mari? Is she hot?¡± Enzel asked. The other two looked at him bewildered at how he can stay calm like this before the terror that is their manager.
Slowly raising his right arm, the four-eyed youngster interjected. ¡°Umm... Mari is the King Calamari that lives under the sea around the cliff near Port Ikzel and well,¡± he averted his gaze whilst cringing, ¡°she really loves to play with people.¡±
¡°Ha?! You mean there¡¯s really a giant squid in this town?!¡± Enzel paused for a second then continued. ¡°Why is it called King when it¡¯s a she?!¡± and finally he shuddered, sliding away with his legs until he hit the counter.
The young lady took a gander at Enzel when she noticed him. ¡°Umm... Who is this hobo-looking person?¡±
¡°I am not a hobo!¡± He shouted, pointing back at them. ¡°Anyway, who are these kids? Yours? Who¡¯s the madman that let you lay his eggs?¡±
¡°These aren¡¯t my kids, you nincompoop. I¡¯m too young to mother them.¡± Putting aside their supposed punishment, Rachel proceeded with explaining what happened yesterday. ¡°See, this retard went and destroyed our lovely shop by playing hero when some piss-poor adventurers tried to rob us so he¡¯s working here now to pay his debt that costs more than his life.¡± She then tapped on the girl¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m gonna have you calculate the amount later, okay?¡±
¡°Huh...¡± She answered neutrally. Meanwhile, the boy was trying to recall where Enzel¡¯s familiar face came from. ¡°Hm? Aren¡¯t you that man from yesterday? Wait, this person here caused this?! Oh no! The workshop!¡± Realizing the possible grim state of the workshop, he quickly rushed to the door by the right of the counter in panic.
¡°Calm yourself.¡± Rachel halted him by pulling onto his coat, which almost made him fall down. ¡°Your workplace wasn¡¯t affected. I made sure at least that one did not take any damage. It¡¯s one of our biggest assets after all.¡±
¡°Manager...¡± He faced her, tears forming by how caring his boss really was. ¡°You can be so considerate when you aren¡¯t being a greedy tyrant. I don¡¯t know what will be of me when I lose my only job here.¡±
¡°Wanna know what would become of you, then?¡± Rachel started cracking her knuckles.
He quickly knelt and clasped his hands in fear. ¡°That was a joke. I¡¯m sorry!¡±
¡°Wait. So it was you!¡± the girl pulled on the collar of Enzel¡¯s vest like an angry thug. ¡°Bastard, how dare you wreak havoc in our business and then kinkshame our manager! You better work your ass off real good, punk!¡±
Surprisingly, the girl was strong enough that it felt like a giant was grabbing onto Enzel. Her grip was so tight that escaping was impossible. Such inhuman strength on such a tiny body rang all of his alarms. ¡°W-we already made a contract okay so it¡¯s not like I can escape from your boss¡¯s clutches anymore!¡±
¡°Good!¡± She threw him down like a bag of rice. Shooting a glare at him, she warned the man. ¡°Just so you know, I don¡¯t have much tolerance for incompetent workers that will not benefit manager at all. If I deem you useless, we¡¯ll throw you out without hesitation.¡±
¡°I¡¯d prefer that, to be honest.¡± He thought to himself.
¡°You¡¯re probably thinking that you¡¯d prefer getting thrown out than staying here, aren¡¯t you?¡± Rachel smirked. ¡°Worry not for it¡¯s not going to happen for as long as you have a debt. Get along with your co-workers now, okay?¡± He could only grimace before her pure evil. She probably didn¡¯t have any ill intentions in her words, but to him they sounded threatening. There was no escaping this job now.
¡°So?¡± The girl probed again. ¡°Who¡¯re you? I don¡¯t mind calling you human carcass or just carcass, but...¡±
¡°Who are you calling a human carcass?¡± He snarled. ¡°And it¡¯s Enzel! Enzel Venera! The greatest fighter in all of history! The strongest mercenary to face and take down an army. The most lethal warrior that killed many monsters. You better remember the name!¡±
Enzel¡¯s grand introduction only left the lass confused and looking at him with narrowed eyes. She went to Rachel with a concerned look on her face. ¡°Manager, as I thought, we should have dumped him or at least made use of his body. He¡¯s losing it.¡±
¡°Hey! I¡¯m not going crazy!¡± Enzel yelled in frustration. ¡°Also, what do you mean by made use of my body?! Did you attempt to dissect me?! Who is this insane runt?!¡±
¡°Ah, right. I haven¡¯t introduced myself, haven¡¯t I?¡± She coughed and then spoke with her childish voice. ¡°I am the fifth-born child belonging to the first generation of the Phobos family. My name is Teariel and I function as a business assistant specializing in haggling, salestalk and item appraisal. You can call me Tear for short coz I may look small and cute, but I can tear you apart if you piss me off.¡±
She pulled out a rosary under her one-piece dress covered in an apron where a number ¡°5¡± was embedded on the crystal in its center.
¡°What¡¯s with that extremely formal introduction?¡± Enzel wondered about her sudden change in her speech pattern.
Four-eyes then chipped in. ¡°And I¡¯m the one that works beyond that door that leads to the workshop. You can say I¡¯m the craftsman here.¡± He then smiled. ¡°My name is Louie.¡±
Teariel then put her arm around Louie like they were buddies. ¡°And there you have it. We¡¯re Manager¡¯s most loyal workers in this place. Technically, we are your seniors so listen to what we say, okay?!¡±
¡°Ah yeah...¡± Enzel lazily responded. ¡°Nice to meet you. I hope we get along. So what did Rachel use to blackmail you to work he- Ugh!¡±
A gut punch sent him writhing on the floor. The monstrous strength of the attack came from Teariel¡¯s petite hand. ¡°Hey, shithead. It¡¯s one thing you kinkshame my¡ª I mean our boss, but it¡¯s another thing that you accused her of those dirty deeds. You better watch your mouth or I¡¯ll really turn you into a crafting material even though you have shit quality.¡±
¡°Tear.¡± Rachel patted the little girl¡¯s head. ¡°We can¡¯t use him as crafting material, or any humans, for that matter. That¡¯s illegal, you see.¡±
¡°Eh?¡± Teariel had a surprised look and moved her attention to Louie. ¡°Is that true?¡±
Louie just nodded at her with a crooked smile.
Teariel backed away as if she discovered something she never wanted to know. ¡°You mean human parts are not crafting materials?!¡±
¡°When did you even get that fucked up logic?!¡± Enzel rose from the floor shouting at the innocent girl.
Rachel coughed to get their attention. ¡°Anyway, now that everyone understands the situation, you know what to do. Tear, I¡¯ll leave guidance of this slave to you.¡±
¡°Oh he¡¯s a slave?¡± Teariel¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°So do I get to whip him?!¡±
¡°No you don¡¯t!¡±
¡°Tear...¡± Rachel touched the little girl¡¯s face and her cheeks flushed red. ¡°I don¡¯t allow sadistic acts in my store, but if you really feel the need to hit him, you can just give him a good smack in the face and it should discipline him enough.¡±
¡°Understood!¡± Teariel nodded like a child taking order from her mother. ¡°If he ever screws up, I¡¯ll just gut punch him again!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Enzel screamed as if pleading. Louie, on the side, could only just bury his face on his palm. ¡°Manager... Please don¡¯t corrupt her.¡±
¡°Now back to the topic.¡± Rachel faced her employees who aligned themselves in front of her with Enzel forced to stand at the center. Teariel stood beside him reaching only up to his lower chest while Louie reached up to his shoulder.
Rachel began giving out orders. ¡°We need to get back to business as soon as possible so tomorrow we¡¯ll be getting this shop fixed right away. Louie, you¡¯ll come with me to the Merchants¡¯ Guild to ask for repair materials, and supplies.¡±
¡°What about me, Manager!¡± Teariel raised her hand excitedly.
¡°You and the slave will be going to the Adventurers¡¯ Guild to get us some manpower. Two should be enough.¡±
¡°I have a name, you know. It¡¯s Enzel.¡± He replied.
Teariel then quickly pulled his collar. ¡°Hey, you! No talking back to Manager! You really wanna get it huh?!¡±
¡°Let it go, Tear.¡± On Rachel¡¯s order, the girl let go of poor Enzel. ¡°While you¡¯re at it, give him a tour around the town so he doesn¡¯t get lost like what happened today.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t get lost. I was chased by that creepy neighbor of yours.¡± Enzel answered.
¡°Ah you got scouted by Ms. Belle too huh,¡± Teariel stared into space like a PTSD-stricken war veteran. ¡°I remember almost getting stabbed in the back when it was my first errand outside of the store.¡±
¡°I remember she sniped me from a distance and then tied me up in her shop.¡± The gleam on Louie¡¯s eyes faded. ¡°Then after that... Brr...¡±
¡°Ah, sorry. Must be a traumatizing experience.¡±Enzel sympathized.
¡°So is everything clear?!¡± Rachel asked.
The young ones nodded in response while Enzel just yawned. Teariel pushed her palm on the back of his head, swiped at his feet and with the escalating motion, smashed his face against the marble floor.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
¡°Good!¡± Rachel smiled like a proud mother. ¡°Now let¡¯s have some dinner and call it a day.¡±
Today should have been another day to start business again, if not for the fact that the shop was destroyed. Instead, it¡¯s errand day for everyone. After dropping the barrier around the store¡¯s premises, Rachel and Louie went on their way to the Merchants Guild. Enzel and Teariel were left to do the recruitment of adventurers.
¡°Okay. Let¡¯s get going, slave.¡± Teariel announced.
¡°It¡¯s Enzel. At least remember that.¡± Enzel corrected.
¡°Since manager told me to do so, I¡¯ll give you a tour around the town. Make sure to stuff those locations in that head of yours. It¡¯s not a big place so you should be able to memorize it right away.¡± Teariel started walking, but then stopped halfway and turned back to Enzel. ¡°You¡¯re not crippled, are you? Get your ass moving!¡±
¡°This runt.¡± Enzel couldn¡¯t hold his frustration and just followed.
They walked through the same route that he went through yesterday except this time, for the better or for worse, he has company in the form of this young girl who tied her twintails in peculiar cross-shaped ornaments.
¡°Hey, runt,¡± Enzel called, which prompted Tear to look at him with eyebrows meeting each other.
¡°I¡¯m not runt. I¡¯m Tear, but a slave like you should address me as Teariel.¡±
¡°Why does your name remind me of some loan shark fairy?¡± He felt a chill down his spine.
¡°The hell are you talking about?¡± She looked at him confused. ¡°Anyway, are you gonna ask me something?¡±
¡°Ah right,¡± He recalled. ¡°Tell me something about this Adventurers¡¯ Guild.¡±
¡°Ah,¡± She thought for a while. ¡°Well, it¡¯s pretty much what its name says. It¡¯s a place where adventurers gather. You sign up as one, get a job class, do jobs and get paid for it. It ranges from daily errands to dangerous ones. Why? Are you interested?¡±
¡°Nah,¡± Enzel replied. ¡°I was just curious about it. Back then, you only have mercenaries to do jobs. Dirty ones especially.¡±
¡°Ah well, adventurer stuffs are legal and monitored by the government itself so everything¡¯s organized and done in a proper fashion.¡± Teariel explained further. ¡°Course, they don¡¯t leash the adventurers that tight so they are still to take quests if they feel like it or not. Well, even if I do tell you about it, it¡¯s not like you¡¯ll be able to apply as one. I heard from manager that you¡¯ve made a contract already with her so you¡¯ll forever be a slave hehe.¡±
Enzel narrowed his eyes in frustration. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Like I said, I¡¯m not interested and it sounds like a pain to be an adventurer so I¡¯m fine with this shopkeeper job.¡±
¡°Do you even know a single thing about managing a business, even just a humble store?¡± Teariel asked anxiously.
¡°O-of course!¡± Enzel answered nervously. ¡°I¡¯m pretty much capable of many things! Who the hell do you think I am?!
Teariel sighed and whispered to herself. ¡°This is definitely going to be hard to deal with.¡±
They continued on their way to the guild with Teariel explaining more things about the town to Enzel like a tour guide. Despite being as sharp-tongued as her boss, she doesn¡¯t seem like to be a bad girl or so Enzel thought. He felt like he¡¯ll get along with her just fine.
A large sign with the word ¡°Adventurers¡¯ Guild ¨C Renner Branch¡± was on the top of a large building. Enzel gazed upon it in awe.
¡°This is the Adventurers¡¯ Guild located here in the plaza.¡± Teariel explained. ¡°It also serves as the town hall so both adventurer and town affairs are done here.¡±
¡°Amazing.¡± Enzel uttered. Looking around, several ironclad people, most in distinct outfits with various equipments went in and out of the establishment. This was his first time seeing an adventurer. Back then, they would just be called mercenaries, but even then, they all looked rugged and improper that time. Everyone here had an air of professionalism.
¡°Let¡¯s go in. Our task is to recruit at least two adventurers to be our manpower. Anyone will be fine. I¡¯ll introduce you to some as well.¡± Teariel prompted and the two of them walked inside the guild hall. As he thought, if it weren¡¯t for her satanic boss, she¡¯d be a good girl.
Inside the hall were even more adventurers were talking to each other, comparing armors and weapons and doing transactions. Some were looking at the large quest boards to the left and right where papers were tacked on it, looking for a potential job they can do.
Teariel and Enzel made their way towards the receptionist where a matured-looking woman was having a conversation with a few adventurers. After the person before them left, Teariel and Enzel went forward and greeted her.
¡°Good morning!¡± Teariel greeted. The woman, wearing a sweater and large coat and glasses with her hair tied at the back, looked at them with a stressed look on her face. ¡°Ah, good morning, Teariel. By the way, are the rumors true that Rachel is a dominatrix?!¡±
¡°No! Where did you get that nonsense?!¡± She angrily rejected the rumor.
¡°From some people who saw it yesterday.¡±
¡°They got the wrong idea!¡± Teariel defended. ¡°And it¡¯s this guy¡¯s fault that happened!¡±
The woman looked at Enzel. ¡°Who is this man? I didn¡¯t think you had such a handsome boyfriend.¡± Enzel shivered as she stared him down like she was about to eat him up. ¡°If you¡¯re not careful, someone might steal him from you.¡±
Teariel looked at her confused. ¡°What¡¯s a boyfriend?¡± Both adults looked at the innocent girl in disbelief.
¡°So he¡¯s not yours, I see.¡± The woman happily said.
¡°No, he¡¯s our new slave so he¡¯s technically ours and mine.¡± Teariel replied bluntly.
¡°Hey, I said I¡¯m not your slave!¡± Enzel retorted.
The receptionist laughed at their funny exchange of words. ¡°So you got yourself a new employee eh? Hey, big guy. What¡¯s your name?¡±
¡°Ah.¡± He introduced himself. ¡°The name¡¯s Enzel Venera and I recently started working at Rachel¡¯s shop.¡±
¡°It¡¯s Manager, you disrespectful slave!¡± Teariel pulled onto his collar.
¡°Please to meet you, Enzel.¡± she offered her hand at him. ¡°I¡¯m the receptionist here at the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, though I have an assistant, but she¡¯s on a sick leave. My name¡¯s Francesca Rekkermann. I also act as the secretary to the mayor of this town who also resides within this building.¡±
¡°Ah nice to meet yo--¡± they shook hands and Enzel felt a chill down his spine when his hand touched Francesca¡¯s.
¡°My~ Such big and bulky hand. You must be really beating that meat so hard every day.¡±
¡°Wha-what are you talking about?!¡± Enzel pulled away, feeling crept out.
¡°This slave can¡¯t afford meat!¡± Teariel interrupted, not aware of the real essence of their conversation.
Francesca laughed at her own mature joke. ¡°I was just kidding, but seriously you¡¯re pretty buffed. I¡¯m surprised you don¡¯t work as an adventurer with that build.¡±
¡°He¡¯s in our debt, that¡¯s why.¡±Teariel answered.
¡°I see,¡± Francesca adjusted her glasses, ¡°Must be hard eh? Rachel is known to be a tyrant and a cheapskate, but her products are of high quality and the crafting job of her shop is top notch so not many people really complain about it. Anyway, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re here to file a quest, right?¡±
¡°Ah yes.¡± Teariel tucked out two of her right fingers. ¡°We need two adventurers to help in the repair of our shop. It was attacked the other day and the interior was totally busted.¡±
¡°Oh sounds like a problem,¡± Francesca then pulled out a piece of paper from one of the drawers around her and handed it over to Teariel. ¡°Is it an urgent quest? If so, just fill this form and I¡¯ll pick an adventurer that suits the job to send to your place right awa--¡±
¡°There is no need for that. Ms. Rekkermann.¡± a somewhat smooth yet mature voice was heard from their right. The three of them looked at the source and there stood a young white-haired hotshot clad in a hooded vest, his dirty boots pressed against the receptionist¡¯s table, with a single arm on the countertop. ¡°If it¡¯s a job for Ms. Mariner, you only ought to call m--¡±
¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be working in the rice fields?¡± The guy almost fell down when Francesca interjected him.
¡°Ms. Francesca, you could at least play along and help me look cool! And I finished that job yesterday! Give me a break!¡±
¡°Who¡¯s this walking embarrassment?¡± Enzel whispered to Teariel.
The guy heard him and reverted to his cool demeanor. ¡°Allow me to introduce myself. I am the second top ranking adventurer in this guild and the only hunter-class adventurer in this town! The name¡¯s Hunter. Nice to meet you, brother.¡±
Enzel shook hands with him. ¡°Enzel Venera, an Enzel-class sl¡ employee.¡±
Hunter¡¯s mouth was agape. ¡°Uh, just so you know, Hunter¡¯s my given name. My parents, who were former hunters, gave me that name, and I hold it up with pride.¡± He lowered his head, locking eyes with Enzel. ¡°There is no Enzel-class, far as I know.¡±
¡°Well, there should be. Doesn¡¯t anyone know of the legend of the great Enzel Venera?¡±
Hunter shrugged. He looked at Tear who shook her head, then at France who smiled wryly at his delusions of grandeur.
Enzel slumped his shoulders. ¡°Dammit. Does everyone in Renner live under a rock? Whatever, at least we got our first adventurer.¡±
¡°Unfortunately,¡± Francesca came in the conversation. ¡°Hunter still had a lot of jobs to do so I can¡¯t approve him taking your request.¡± She then began working on processing a quest paper for them.
¡°Give me a break, Francesca!¡± Hunter complained. ¡°I¡¯ve been working my ass on Port Ikzel for months already! All those old-timers¡¯ fields and stores were tended by me! At least let me get some work done outside that place!¡±
¡°I¡¯d let you,¡± Francesca turned to him with irritation, ¡°but you still have like five more clients to work with! Why don¡¯t you get those job done first, huh?!¡±
¡°But!¡± Hunter insisted, ¡°This is the perfect opportunity for me to show what a man I am to Ms. Rachel! If I miss this one chance, I may never get another shot! ¡± He hunched over the counter, holding Francesca¡¯s hands. ¡°Please, just this once! I want a break from Port Ikzel already! I¡¯ve been doing nothing but change some dying geezer''s diapers the past week!¡±
Enzel wondered if this man was delusional or just really stupid. Does he have any idea what a huge bitch Rachel is?
¡°Whoa, how cruel can you be?¡± Francesca stared at Hunter in disbelief. "Mr. Barrenwort is a stroke victim! He needs someone to change his diapers every day."
¡°I don¡¯t want that coming from an S queen like you who drives all these adventurers like slaves!¡± Hunter quipped, but then eventually bowed his head in desperation. ¡°Let me just do this job and I¡¯ll get the rest done. It¡¯s not like I failed to complete my quests when they ask for me, right?!¡±
Francesca could only sigh at the sight of the desperate man pleading at her. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll have someone else take over temporarily.¡± Hunter¡¯s eyes brightened, but then Francesca continued. ¡°But on one condition.¡±
¡°What condition? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s gonna be those five pending jobs.¡± Hunter suspiciously asked.
¡°No, it¡¯s a different one and you¡¯re the only one who could probably do it.¡± Francesca answered. ¡°That one adventurer you live with has been missing in action for a week already so I want you to drag her ass back here.¡±
¡°Ah¡ Her, eh?¡± Hunter felt a headache incoming. ¡°The reason she¡¯s not doing any jobs was because she said she¡¯ll be on break until her best friend returns.¡±
¡°Ha?!¡± Francesca stood up, slamming the reception table in anger. She then took off her glasses and pinched her forehead. ¡°Good grief. That woman, I swear. As much as how she slacks off a lot, she still gets the job done. But this time, her listlessness is too much! Bring her here so you both can take this job or else I¡¯ll kick your ass back to Port Ikzel!¡±
Hunter flinched at the mention of that place. Straightening his back with a salute, he chanted, ¡°Understood! I¡¯ll bring her here even if it kills me! For the sake of Ms. Rachel!¡±
Francesca nodded and she returned her attention to Enzel and Teariel. ¡°So there you have it. Your hired adventurers would be Hunter here and that other one you will have to find.¡±
Enzel took the quest paper that Francesca handed to them. ¡°And who is this other person?¡±
¡°My dorm mate, Milfiore.¡± Hunter answered. ¡°She¡¯s a knight-class adventurer who embodies the sin of sloth. She would only work if she felt like it or if she¡¯s doing it with her best friend who¡¯s busy with matters outstation at the moment.¡±
¡°Ah¡¡± Teariel had a bad premonition. ¡°Milfiore¡ This is going to be a pain in the ass.¡±
¡°At this time, she¡¯s probably napping back at the orphanage.¡± Hunter deducted. ¡°It¡¯s a golden opportunity to ambush her, so if there¡¯s a time to strike, it¡¯s now.¡±
Wait, if you have parents, why do you live in an orphanage?¡± Enzel asked, wondering.
¡°My parents don¡¯t live here so I¡¯m pretty much just renting in the orphanage. We get lodging and food in exchange for donations and free babysitting. Anyway, every second is a second away from Ms. Rachel. Let¡¯s go!¡± Hunter quickly sprinted out of the adventurer¡¯s guild and followed by the disillusioned Enzel and Teariel.
About fifteen minutes of running and they stopped by a large stone house with a tall tree behind it protected by tall wooden fences. An iron gate stood in front of them.
¡°Alright we¡¯re here.¡± Hunter grabbed the gate¡¯s handle and pulled it to the left. When the sound of the gate opening echoed through the place, multiple small footsteps started coming to them.
And for some reason, Enzel was sweating nervously. He remembered something about an orphanage the other day too. He was hoping it wasn¡¯t that same orphanage. But to his fear, it was the same children that took him down running towards them. They welcomed Hunter with loving embraces.
¡°Big bro! You got home early!¡± The little girl who punched Enzel hard said.
¡°Big Sis Tear is here too!¡± A young boy pointed at Teariel and she waved back with a smile on her face.
¡°Ah!¡± One of the kids unfortunately noticed Enzel, which made him flinch. ¡°It¡¯s Hobro! You finally visited us!¡±
¡°Hobro?¡± Hunter looked at him confused.
¡°I¡¯m not a hobo! My name¡¯s Enzel! Remember that already, you squirts!¡±
On his side, Teariel was trying to hold a laugh. ¡°Pfft! Hobro¡ Fffft!!! Perfect!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t laugh!¡±
¡°But Big Bro Hunter,¡± another kid squeezed in, ¡°Don¡¯t you have work to do at the Port?¡±
¡°Ah well. We have urgent business. Where¡¯s your big sis?¡± Hunter inquired.
¡°Ah! Big Sis Milfiore!¡± The oldest-looking kid answered. ¡°She¡¯s at the backyard napping.¡±
¡°I thought so.¡± Hunter buried his face on his palm. The more he thought about his fellow adventurer, the more headaches he felt coming. He led the way towards the backyard along with the children. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s get her lazy ass up to work, shall we?¡±
They made their way to the backyard and what welcomed them there was the huge oak tree sturdily standing like a giant statue.
And on one of the larger branch was a woman latched on her stomach like a cat snoring peacefully. With each snore, a pair of what seemed to be cat ears attached to her pink hair wiggled. There was no mistaking it. This woman was that Big Sis that came to the shop the other day and the adventurer named Milfiore that Francesca wanted them to bring back to the guild.
¡°Nyaa¡Hina-chii~ You¡¯re so soft. Especially up there¡Mwehe~¡± She was drooling in her sleep as if she was having a wet dream.
Hunter, Enzel and Teariel could only look at her in ire. The children laughed at the stupid sight of their sleeping big sister.
¡°Haha! Big Sis Milfiore looks like a fat lazy cat!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t be like that embarrassing existence of an adult when you grow up, kids.¡± Hunter warned the children. ¡°And don¡¯t wake her up!¡±
Unfortunately for him, the woman¡¯s cat ears twitched and she opened her eyes. Hunter gasped and Milfiore stared at him blankly.
And after a few seconds of a staring contest between her and Hunter¡
¡°Blinken!¡± With a quick kick using her right leg, she shot her body in the air like a bullet. Hunter was alerted by her immediate attempt to escape.
Luckily for them, she was still half-asleep to even utilize her skill properly. She jumped so fast that she smashed her face against the hard brick wall of the house and fell on the ground. As soon as she was vulnerable, Hunter quickly apprehended her.
¡°What are you doing to me! Sexual harassment! Hunter is harassing me! Help me!¡± She screamed like a victim of molestation.
¡°Shut it, you!¡± Hunter struggled to keep Milfiore from moving, but she was too strong for him. ¡°Ugh! Why are you this strong when you¡¯re so lazy! Tear, help me!¡±
¡°Understood!¡± Teariel jumped into the turmoil and took hold of the target¡¯s legs to prevent her from attempting to perform her escape trick again.
¡°Argh!¡± Milfiore squirmed in pain as Teariel¡¯s vice grip squeezed her legs harder. ¡°Alright! Alright! I¡¯m not gonna run! My legs are getting numb argh! Let go already!¡±
¡°Can I trust your words?¡± He asked, still doubtful.
Milfiore, with all her might, turned her eyes with a sensual gaze to Hunter who was sitting on her back. ¡°I¡¯d trust my body to you too, if it¡¯s enough proof for my honesty.¡±
That only made him pop a vein. ¡°Alright. Tear, squeeze it tighter.¡±
By the man¡¯s order, Teariel put more pressure on Milfiore¡¯s legs. ¡°Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!!! Stop it! Please! I beg you! I¡¯m not escaping anymore so let go! Uwaaaaaaa!!!¡±
Milfiore started tearing up from the excruciating pain. Convinced, the two apprehenders let go of the poor woman. She knelt on the ground with her legs folded sobbing like a rape victim.
¡°I can¡¯t get married anymore.¡±
¡°Hey! Don¡¯t say misleading things like that!¡± Hunter snapped back at her.
The kids gasped as to what they heard. ¡°Big Bro! So you finally went and had it after one night of hard drinking again!¡±
¡°Not even in my nightmares!¡± He angrily rebutted. ¡°The last thing I wanna do is touch this woman! She¡¯s not as sexy as Ms. Rachel and she has cooties!¡±
¡°How rude! I¡¯m as clean as my dignity!¡± Milfiore, seemingly recovering from the onslaught, stood up to wipe her clothes off the dust. ¡°I have a nice body too, you know! Too bad for Hunter he won¡¯t lose his virginity on me or to anyone.¡±
Hunter clenched his fist, holding back his rage. ¡°I swear I¡¯m gonna strangle this woman one day.¡±
¡°So uhh¡¡± Enzel butted in. ¡°She¡¯s that other adventurer we¡¯ll be getting?¡±
¡°Hm?!¡± Hearing the voice, Milfiore turned her attention to him. ¡°Why if it isn¡¯t Hobro! How nice of you to pay us a visit!¡± There was a taste of sarcasm in her tone of speech.
¡°Stop with the Hobro already!¡± Enzel shouted.
¡°Milfiore.¡± Teariel called onto her. ¡°Ms. Francesca asked us to get you and work on our request.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t wanna!¡± The knight started rolling around on her back like a spoiled child. ¡°It¡¯s a pain in the ass and I¡¯m not working until Hina-chii returns from her quest!¡±
The attitude was even getting onto Enzel¡¯s nerves and so he spoke once more. ¡°Hey! The receptionist was really pissed at you for slacking off! Get back to work, you sloth!¡±
¡°Huuuuuuuuh?!¡± Milfiore¡¯s face quickly turned sour. ¡°Who are you, a hobo, to tell me not to slack off?¡± She started to look more pissed when she recalled something. ¡°Oh that¡¯s right! What do you think you¡¯re teaching the kids huuuuuuuuuh?!¡±
¡°Ha?!¡± He looked at her confused. ¡°The fuck are you talking about?!¡±
¡°I¡¯m talking about what you taught them the other day!¡± Milfiore angrily pointed her right index finger at Enzel. ¡°These kids have been calling me a ¡®bitch¡¯ since we left the shop that day. What are you trying to pull telling these innocent minds that a bitch refers to a strong person! Are you implying I¡¯m only strong in bed?!¡±
¡°Wait, no!¡± Enzel denied her accusation. ¡°I only said that to spite Rachel! I¡ªArgh!¡±
¡°Bastard, what the fuck did you just say?!¡± Teariel grabbed his neck from behind. ¡°Did you use these kids to make fun of Manager huuuuuh?!¡±
¡°Ack! I¡¯m sorry, okay?!¡± He was desperately tapping on Teariel¡¯s surprisingly thin arm. ¡°I just did it on a whim. I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d bring it home with them!¡±
Hunter could only sigh. ¡°Just because these kids already know things they shouldn¡¯t doesn¡¯t mean you can go around polluting their minds¡¡± He quickly called the attention of the children and corrected the wrong fact that they learned. ¡°Kids, don¡¯t use that word ever again, okay? It¡¯s a bad word. You don¡¯t want Gramps to hear that, right? Did Gramps ever teach you to be vulgar like that?¡±
¡°Is that so?!¡± The kids frowned, but smiled back at him afterwards. ¡°We understand! It¡¯s a bad word and good kids like us shouldn¡¯t speak it so we don¡¯t turn out like Hobro!¡±
Enzel popped a vein, ¡°What does that got to do with me?!¡±
Hunter nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Good, good!¡± He then turned to Milfiore. ¡°Alright, Milfiore. We¡¯re gonna get their request done so get ready for work!¡±
¡°On one condition.¡±
Hunter smacked his face on his palm upon hearing another annoying condition from a woman. ¡°What is it this time?!¡±
Milfiore grinned and then pointed at Enzel. ¡°Hobro!¡±
¡°It¡¯s not Hobro! It¡¯s Enzel!¡±
¡°Engel!¡±
¡°Enzel!¡±
¡°Whatever! Didn¡¯t you claim yourself to be a strong fighter? I also heard yesterday from Belle of La Campanella that you fared well against her!¡±
¡°What are you getting at?¡± He knew what was she about to say, but he asked anyway.
Milfiore brushed her long hair and pulled one of her sword attached on her belt. ¡°If you want me to accept that quest, then defeat me in a sparring match!¡±
¡°Huh?!¡± Hunter exclaimed. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have to do that! Stop being a pain, you!¡±
¡°Say, Hunter~¡± Milfiore looked at him with seductive eyes. ¡°Did Francesca make a condition that you¡¯ll get to work on Rachel¡¯s request if you got me in it? Then that means, if I don¡¯t accept this job, it¡¯s back to Port Ikzel for you~¡±
Hunter cringed. He got on his knees and pressed his forehead squarely against the grass. ¡°Please, Ms. Milfiore! I¡¯ll buy you as many drinks as you want tonight! Just give me this chance to impress Ms. Rachel, please!¡±
She laughed devilishly. ¡°Nyahaha! I¡¯ve had plenty to drink, thank you very much! All I want is a quick spar with this weakass hobo!¡±
Enzel reached his tipping point with the woman¡¯s snide remarks. ¡°Fine, you¡¯re on!¡± His eyes burned with rage and excitement. ¡°Don¡¯t cry when I beat you, alright? You¡¯re gonna regret calling me weakass!¡±
She looked back at him fiercely. ¡°Hoho! That¡¯s the spirit.¡±
The two stared down each other like two tigers preparing to clash.
Hunter went to Teariel. ¡°Tear, are you fine with this?¡±
She just shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s always like this with her anyway so screw it.¡±
¡°Then that¡¯s decided!¡± Milfiore struck a pose in front of Enzel. ¡°Fight and defeat me and you can do whatever you want with me.¡± She ended her sentence with a wink.
He could only grin like a predator prowling towards its prey. ¡°You¡¯re on!¡±
The kids exclaimed, ¡°Oh no! Hobro wants to forcefully take Big Sis Milfiore¡¯s virginity in front of Big Bro Hunter!¡±
The smallest of lot followed up, ¡°That¡¯s how mama said I was born!¡±
¡°No!¡± Enzel shouted back. ¡°Where are you kids picking this stuff up from anyway?!¡±
And thus an unnecessary fight which stakes Hunter¡¯s shot to impress Rachel begins. The day was only beginning and yet it was already hectic thanks to this female knight¡¯s annoyance. Regardless, Enzel was looking forward to show off his strength once more.
But soon he will learn the difference between mercenaries and adventurers.