Chapter 31: Chapter 30
-Devils Deal is now in session
"Huh?"
Confuse at what I just saw, I quickly opened the Character Building Tool and began checking the Quest section.
Quest
Devils Deal: In session
-User is tasked to complete (Quest Subject: Heisenberg)'s test within 3 tries, as part of their deal for User's final test.
Failure of quest will result in user taking the Abyss Trials
Reward: 200 exp, Trait: Risk Taker
The hell...
Upon reading the thing more questions have been formed in my head.
What the hell is a "Trait" and "the Abyss Trials".
Wanting answers for my questions, I began checking the tool. But after a few minutes of messing with the thing, the results of my efforts were rewarded with nothing. It seems that I don't have any means of checking what these mysterious new things are. Disappointed by my findings, I began assessing what my understanding of the tool once more.
It seems that my past assessment was wrong. I indeed do randomly get a quest, if I'm tasked by people. But if said case is indeed true, then how come I didn't get any quest when I was tasked by other people.
With two conflicting evidences in hand, my head can't help but be confuse. But considering that I don't have the full answers for now, I've decided to tackle said issue for later.
With that said... It seems that at least one mystery of mine have been answered.
Checking the tool once more, I finally got the answer of why the sudden appearance of the quest from the ant incident occurred. It seems that ignoring the thing will automatically accept any quest that is undecided. That would explain the incident. But thinking more about this feature, I can't help but imagine the dangers provided by it. Having any quest accepted without consent might result in some potential danger if I fail to do its task.
And with said possibility in mind, I've decided to be more careful with the thing from now on.
Seeing how there's nothing more to do with the tool, I quickly continued my walk and entered the elevator. With me covered and smelling in sweat, I was reminded that I still need to take a shower.
With my training over, I guess deserve some sort of relaxation...
Pressing the button for the 3rd floor, the elevator gears started running and await to reach my destination.
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A few days after my Training with Heisenberg, I still continued my training with the hamster. Due to me not being able to use Heisenberg's room anymore, I began training in the facility's Training Room. The lack of machineries and tables in the place, made my training much easier to move. Adding the lights and huge space also made it easier to track the hamster from before. I kind of miss the old set-up if I'm being honest.
-Swoosh-Swoosh
Following the hamster's movement, I readied myself and wait for an opportunity to strike. Calming my senses and changing my mind set, I felt even more relaxed than I was before. Any sense of bother just feels like breeze of wind for me.
-Swoosh
Seeing the hamster quickly approach my direction, I calmly project my energy activate my Psionic ability.
Dominate Mind...
Forming a link with the creature, I composedly try to gain control of the hamster's consciousness. While ignoring the fact that it's heading in my way.
-Crash
With its soft and fluffy body hitting my face, I stand firm and not let the thing bother me. With my link to it still intact, I remain calm and continued my objective of controlling the creature. After a few seconds of casting my ability, I eventually succeeded in my objective. With the hamster's mind in my control, I quickly ordered it stopped bouncing all over the place.
-Squeak-Squeak...
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"Oh? I succeeded"
Still in my calm state, I was late to realized that I've already succeeded on doing my task. With the hamster, just standing in the floor and looking cute. I can't help but feel bad for mind controlling it. But seeing how I've already done what I did, I tried ordering the thing to come near me and ride my hand.
"Ohh..."
With its cute little feet making its way into my hands, I find it very cute to look at.
"I guess harmless creatures like these still exist in this world"
Putting the hamster back in the ground, I began ordering the creature to do some tricks before I cancel my ability.
"Roll over, play dead, ahh... shake hands?"
Wait... why the hell I'm I treating a hamster like it's some sort of dog
Seeing how the hamster perfectly obeyed all my orders, I'm quite amazed by how effective my mind controlling ability is. My first instance of mind controlling something was with the Psionic Ant Queen. But even then, I wasn't able to experiment much with it. So, seeing my mind controlling capabilities this close, is somewhat new for me.
Satisfied with my findings, I quickly put the hamster back in its cage and cancel my ability. With me succeeding in catching the thing, I didn't need to use any of its snacks to lure the hamster in. It was quite hard to lure the hamster back in its cage, the first time I practiced here. But with me succeeding in capturing the creature, said task may change in future trainings.
With me finished with my training, I began relaxing in the Training Room for a bit. With how everything is going so well, I prayed that things will stay the same. Safety and comfort are indeed the best, considering the dangers that loomed outside.
While busy relaxing in the place, I wasn't able to notice Lily herself entering the room.
"Oh? It's you. I thought someone forgot to close the lights again"
"Hmm? Oh, hi miss Lily"
-Sigh
"Nice to meet you as well. So, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing much, I was just training with my Psionics for a bit"
"I see... well I guess, I'll leave you be. So, continue with whatever training you've been doing and please turn off the lights after your finish. I'll also be going back to my work"
"Aren't you working a bit too much miss Lily? How about you try and relax for a bit"
"Relaxing while in the job is not part of my code of ethics, but I would like to thank you for your concern"
"I guess that's a bummer... I was expecting to know more about you"
"In what sense does in not knowing about me, disappoints you? Were you trying to gain some advantage over me?"
"I wasn't trying to gain some advantage over you or anything like that. I genuinely just want to talk, considering you pretty much spend a majority of your time being alone or in work"
"I talk to other people too, you know"
"Doc. Isaac doesn't count'
"..."
"See? You're so hung up about work, that you've already became a loner. You should try talking to anyone every once in a while, and who knows? You might make some friends, along the way"
"I don't need you to tell me that. I'm already content with my work"
"Say... miss Lily how did you and Doc. Isaac first met?"
"Are you even listening to me?"
"I am, but I'm seriously wondering how both of you met? You really aren't the engaging type, judging from my observations"
-Sigh...
"We first met when I was still studying in Foundation City. You happy, now?"
"Oh, come-on now... Don't leave me hanging, I want to know more than that. I'm seriously interested of how both of you met"
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"Fine... when I was still learning medicine in Foundation City, I got sick and went to see the school's clinic. Isaac at that time was visiting my school, so when he saw my health report, he immediately went to me and said that I have Psionic potential"
"I see... that indeed sounds like something that he would definitely do"
"Right... I have no interest with Psionics at that time, so I declined his offer of unlocking my Psionic potential. But he keeps pestering me about it nonstop. To the point where I eventually gave up and accepted his offer"
"So that's how both of you met and became acquaintances. It's quite a lovely story to be honest"
"Lovely story my ass... After accepting his offer, he immediately trapped me in a room full of bugs. I still can't forgive him, for doing that unannounced"
"Ahh..."
-Sigh
"Now that you've heard my story, may I at least ask why you were asking how me and Isaac met?"
"Nothing much, I was just curious"
"I can't believe I'd just wasted my time talking to you"
"Well aside from curiosity, I was also testing how you communicate in normal conversations"
"I'm I now some sort of anomaly, just because I'm a loner"
"Not really, I'm just surprise by how you lack some friends despite being normal"
"People do have their own preferences on things, so there's that. I'm already late because of you, so I'm leaving now"
"Good bye miss Lily"
-Sigh
"See you as well"
And with Lily leaving the room, I again was left all alone by myself. Seeing how I'm completely rested, I readied myself to leave the place and head back to my dorm. Grabbing the caged hamster, I turned off the room lights and quietly head out of the Training Room.
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-Bing...
With the elevator door slowly opening, I quickly tried getting off, like I always do. But just as the door fully open, I was shocked to see a familiar person waiting in the other side.
"Evee?"
"Oh! Bruce, I was about to look for you"
"What?"
"I've just accepted a mission from miss Katherine earlier, so I was looking for you because I want to party up"
"P-party up.. Wait why?"
"Well... miss Katherine has some businesses to do in Foundation City, so she's in need of some escorts. Considering that we already partied up before, I was hoping to recruit you"
"I see... I haven't done any missions lately and an escort mission doesn't sound too bad. How long will be staying there?"
"I don't know the full details but if it's what I think it is, then we won't be staying for too long. A day is my estimation, if my hunch is correct"
"A day huh... I can guess I can join you. But I do have to inform Claire, that I'll be out of the settlement for a day"
"Oh right... I forgot about Claire... If you don't want to accept the mission, you can just inform me"
"No, I'll definitely accept it. I just have to inform Claire about the trip. I would be a useless worker if I'm unable to join in said missions"
"I see... then I'll inform miss Katherine about it. If you ever change your mind, just call me"
"I will..."
"The trip will start at 9:AM tomorrow. We'll be waiting at the train station in middle Terracore"
"I'll take of that. Is that all I need to know"
"Oh, right. I forgot about one thing..."
"Huh?"
Having my shoulders grabbed by Evee, she suddenly strikes my gut without warning. Having my gut just kneed all of the sudden, I quickly fell to the ground due to pain that I experienced. The occurrence was so sudden that aside from the pain that I was feeling, I was also left confused of what just happened.
"A-aarrgghhh.. Why the hell did you that for?"
"I gave all your money back to Claire, just in case if you're wondering"
"Oh..."
I think I finally understand why she's pissed.
"Could you have at least accepted the thing and not returned it. I made some effort in sending it, you know"
"Effort appreciated, now stop pestering me about the bloody payment. I don't need it"
And with that over, Evee quietly left the elevator and went to the direction of where her dorm is located, while leaving me alone in the ground. Quickly getting up from where I was and brushing some dust in my clothes, I carefully scan the place to see if anyone saw what just happened. Seeing how there's not a single person in sight, I quickly leave the place and head straight to where my dorm is.
It seems that paying Evee of my debts is going to be a hard task.
Arriving at my dorm, I leisurely open the door and went inside. Arriving at the place, I was greeted by Claire who's holding a bag of silver monetas.
"Oh, big bro you're back! Sis Evee just came here and gave me 40 silver monetas. She said that she's paying back what she borrowed from you"
"I see..."
"Hey big bro, now that we had some additional money in our disposal. Can we maybe... buy some Mushboar steak for lunch?"
-Sigh
"Fine..."
"Yey! I love you, big bro!"
"But before we buy something for lunch, there's something that I want you to know"
"Hm?"
"Well you see... there a job that I have to do tomorrow. And it involves me going to a trip in Foundation City for a day"
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"No need to ask for my approval big bro, It's your job afterall. I'm just glad that you informed me about it"
"You really don't mind?"
"U-umm.. I'm sort of worried about you leaving me for a day. But if I just keep holding you back, then I'll be nothing but a burden to you. So please don't mind me, if you any future jobs similar to this"
"...Thank you Claire"
"A-aahh.. No need to thank me... I have to grow eventually. So, learning on how to not depend on you for everything, is something that I need to eventually learn"
"I don't think that you should be worrying about that, in your age"
"I'm not a kid anymore, big bro"
"Hahaha right... your starting to grow now"
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"Claire... please don't worry, I promise that I won't ever leave you"
"I know... big bro Is the strongest and I'm sure that he'll keep his promise to the end"
Having our conversation, Claire suddenly hugged me out of nowhere. Feeling her warm embrace, I can't help but hug her back in return. Despite me not being his real brother, all the conversations we had and all the times we've spent, somehow feels real to me. In this foreign and dangerous world, the fact that I have someone that cares for me is somehow ironic. Finding love and compassion for someone in a world where human sized murder Ants exist, is just funny to me.
"Thank you, Claire..."
-End of Chapter 30
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