Bab 6: Masks Chapter 2.2 : Broken in Two
Back at the Village, Max and the Village Chief were sat down across from eachother in a Building that was almost twice the size of other buildings.
Tayl took care of Lenn, bringing her back to the Orphanage. Rio and Mika were also there, playing with the other kids while Max is with the Chief.
"Before I begin, I should introduce myself."
Walking to the back of the room, she takes a Vest from her Chair, and puts it on.
It was a Red Vest with a Metallic Medal on her left side.
"My name is Narine Costat. I am a [Bear] Ranked [Holder]. I am also the Chief of this Village. Now, care to explain who you are and how you got here? The City isn't for Miles."
"...I don't know what this 'City' is, and I don't know where exactly I came from. I did not have a name until Lenn gave me one. My name is Max. I slay [Shadows] of my own accord."
Narine began writing something on a sheet of paper.
"Do you perhaps have amnesia? If you can't remember anything, then that could be the case. What's your [Rank]?"
"[Rank]? I've never heard of it. You did say something about [Bear] Rank earlier. What is it?"
"So you don't know that either... I won't report your Illegal Trespassing of the [Veil], but you shouldn't enter any more of them. Without a [Holder Card], you're not allowed into a [Veil], let alone slay a [Shadow]."
'Was there always a Rule like that? ...I don't think so. It might have to do with this "City" she talked about.'
"How do I get a [Holder Card]?"
"You just need to register at the City. It's the biggest building there, so you won't miss it."
"Interesting... I also would like to discuss something with you."
"Oh? What might that be?"
"The reason for Lenn running into the [Veil]. It wasn't her fault."
"Can you elaborate? What do you mean it 'Wasn't her fault'?"
[Deceptive Thought]
His Mask went Blank. The only thing to appear was a Circle with a Crack running through it on his Forehead.
"What the hell? How are you... and outside..."
"This [Mask] was used by the 'Boss' [Shadow], and it allows the creation or the increase of a specific thought."
"...I don't quite follow."
"Lenn wanted to fight [Shadows]. The 'Boss' intensified that thought. Not being able to resist the urge, she ran into the [Veil] without a second thought."
"If it really was a [Death Shadow], then I can see how it can slightly influence the outside of the [Veil]. And looking at your [Mask], I can see that you really did defeat it."
"Yes. If I didn't, then Lenn would have been in serious danger."
"...And what about the [Shard]? If you still have it, then it could go for a lot of money if you sell it."
'Sell it? Do they not use them to increase their power? ...Is that why they aren't very strong?'
"I don't have the [Shard] with me. It is possible that in my rush, it was left inside the [Veil]."
'I don't know what would happen if I told her about the [Shard Absorption]. Let's keep it to myself for now.'
"Is that so? That's a shame. It could have given you enough money to live leisurely for a while."
"Is that all I am needed for? If so, I would like to know the direction to the City."
"Hold your horses. You still have to decide on what to do from there. After you get your [Holder Card], what next? You don't seem to have any common sense, so you will surely perish if you don't have food, water, or shelter."
"Food, Water, and Shelter? ...How do I obtain those?"
"You don't even... Look, if you really want to learn more about it, then you can ask Tayl, or read the Books in the Library. There should be a few Books that could help you learn what you need."
'More things I don't know.'
"Where's the Library?"
"It's the Building directly next to this one. Just exit through the door and turn left."
"Thank you. Should I take my leave?"
"Before you go, I want to ask you one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to work here as a Hunter?"
"...A Hunter? What do you mean?"
"We harvest a lot of Fruits from the Forest, and Vegetables from the Crops that we grow, but we don't have very many Meat Products. We could Trade for Meat, but we would need to go there directly. There's no path for a Vehicle, so we have to walk to and from the City with Tools and Resources. It takes about 2 Days, and we don't have any Salt or Coolers to preserve the Meat before it spoils."
"Spoils? In what way?"
"...Meat and other Foods don't last forever. They rot and grow mold after a certain amount of time. We don't have too much money here because of our 'Village Currency' and the low amount of Products we can give. All of the food we grow, we eat. That, and we're mostly just too careless about Meat Products."
'So it's a lack of supplies... and attitude.'
"And, you even defeated the [Death Shadow], as well as fended off my attack. I would love to spar with you sometime, if that's alright with you.
"I don't see a reason to refuse. As long as I can learn here, as well as keep my promise, I don't mind working here."
"Promise?"
"I promised Lenn that I would teach her how to use a Weapon, A Sword, specifically, as long as she doesn't run away from the Orphanage."
"A promise like that? Are you sure you're up for it? She can be really stubborn."
"I intend to keep my promise. Now, what exactly are the Details of my job?"
"Right. The Payment will be in our 'Village Currency', Ren. The amount you get will depend on the Hunted Animal, as well as the Quality. As long as it isn't an endangered species, anything goes. Here."
She hands him a thin Notebook.
"There's just about everything on the Wild Animals in there. The Endangered ones are found in a different book in the Library."
Opening the Notebook, Max saw Drawings of Animals that had notes written beneath them.
"Did you make this?"
"I drew both the Images and wrote the Notes. I've been here for 14 Years. I just became Chief 2 Years ago. Can't be a Leader if you don't know your stuff."
"Thank you. Should I return this when I'm done?"
"I have multiple copies. There's not much work to do in this Village, other than to read a few papers from time to time, or listen to the scarce complaints of the people, so I have a lot of free time."
"I see. I should check on Rio and Mika. Where is the Orphanage?"
"3 Buildings to the Right when you walk out. That's all for now. Don't get into trouble. You start work tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Chief."
"See you tomorrow... or later if I can finish my paperwork early. We'll spar by then, and if you impress me, I might even allow you to become the Leader of the Hunting Team."
"I'll be waiting."
Leaving the Building, the first thing in sight was the Fountain at the Center.
'3 Buildings to the Right.'
Turning right, he began his walk.
'...What's a "Spar"?'
. . .
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone