章 9: Insatiable Hunger
The delight of battle managed to generate a small amount of interest to the players who were passing by the Training Grounds, just to the satisfaction of the old man.
'There they come. Let the coins flow.' thought the old man at the sight being staged outside the Training Grounds.
Ladies and young girls alike stopped from their journey outside Valoria only to watch the handsome blonde warrior who put on a clinical display of swordsmanship against the scarecrow.
"Isn't he better looking than Kraugel?"
"Mmmm, is that even a question? Who is he?"
"Probably a supermodel that got bored outside and jumped into Satisfy?"
The gossip of the ladies didn't even reach Vecna's sensible hearing, instead, it broke when old man Alistar arrived behind the girls back like a ghost, wearing a sly, crooked smile.
"Young girls, do you wish to become strong? Strong just like that man fighting his soul away?"
"..."
"Then come here! You'll be able to get strong just like me!" remarked the older mercenary without a hint of shame that he was doing an advertisement for his services in the face of those flowers that might break if they ever sweated.
"I'm good just watching."
"Same, gramps. Please don't bother us."
"Kyaaaa, he is pulling his hair behind! Look! Look! Ahhh, he is so handsome."
"Old man, shooo. We're not interested in your services."
Alistar's entrepreneurial smile crumbled when he was rejected this badly by the girls, and with a serious glint in his eyes he turned to look at the one responsible for his failure, only to relax when the blonde man continued to train unbothered by all the attention he was receiving.
Minutes passed, hours went by like a fly, and there were continuous changes in the Training Ground.
From the girls that got bored about 15 minutes into watching Vecna train his sword, then by the hour the players who worked on hitting the Scarecrows left frustrated because of the insignificant gains earned on this action.
Only Vecna and a couple of 3 people remained in the Training Ground, but those three once they finished their quests of hitting the scarecrow 100 times, moved on with their adventure, leaving the odd one behind.
* Quest Clear Mark: [414/100]
Level: 1(48/100)
--Hah-- --Hah--
His body was covered in sweat and his muscles got tensed from striking so many times that he lost count of his actions.
He snapped back from his state of mind when he heard the system notification, telling him about the hidden piece referred to in the guides he scouted online.
[Strength has risen by 1]
'Hmm. Was there such a thing? Bonus stat gains.'
'I guess hard work finally is recognized by the world.'
Vecna pondered about this hidden piece, concluding in his mind that if one was to spend a set amount of time hitting the scarecrow until your Stamina reached a depleted state, you'll be able to raise your stats by one.
All independent from the status points you would gain from leveling up.
Taking a seat on the ground and stretching his tall body, he felt the silence of the Training Ground pacifying.
Now that his senses reached a monstrous state, his hearing barely managed to pick on the conversation of some distant players that were on their way out of Valoria City.
His vision was also enhanced that it made it awkward to adjust to a new way of looking at things.
--Sniff--
'I need to wash my character? Why does it stink so badly?'
A Vampire's senses were Supreme compared to humans, it could be said to be a blessing but also a curse in disguise. Sniffing around the bitter, salty smell of sweat, didn't settle pretty with Vecna who could just bare with it, and get the snowball rolling.
'That forum guy that mentioned this hidden piece, I can't find him on the Ranking Ledgers.'
'Mathias. I wonder what type of person you are? Maybe a fool since you shared the benefits you earned with the maggots.'
'System. Check Hunger State.'
[Hunger Meter: 65/100]
'Since I've taken a break. Let me check if human food works on me.'
Vecna took from his inventory some cuts of meat, cheese and vegetables that he spread out on a blanket, next to the food was a bottle of wine and a large loaf of bread that looked to be steaming, fresh from the bakery.
"Kid, mind if I join?"
"..."
His eyes turned predatory for a brief second when sensing the presence of someone else besides his shadow, but he placed on his professional persona since he still had to squeeze out the benefits from the Training Ground.
"Make yourself comfortable, elder."
"Of course I'll make myself comfortable. This is my place. There we go."
Alistar who ignored the presence of the players striking the scarecrows to clear his quest, joined on the meal of a special, mysterious guy that overperformed on the task he gave him.
Without expecting much, he received a wooden cup from this youngster and later on watched the cup being filled skillfully with wine.
Vecna used a dagger to cut the cheese, vegetables and meat, not minding sharing with the old guy, but the experienced elder could feel an invisible barrier forming already.
"You've already cleared my task, why don't you report back and get going like the rest of the kids?"
"I'll report when I feel ready." replied Vecna with a calm voice, taking a piece of cheese that melted swiftly in his mouth.
"Heh. You're quite the odd one."
"I guess."
Alistar felt strange around Vecna, a sensation that no kid that touched the grounds of his Training Ground could instill in him. Most of the players that visited him were those drawn into an easy cash-out of experience, impatient and rushed into clearing out the task he had given them.
Yet, there was no gain for the long run in their path as adventurers and warriors.
Only this guy that didn't even bat an eyelid when sharing his food and wine, remained resolute in his drive to improve his abilities and sword.
Whatsmore, from his initial observations of the blonde kid, he looked to be talented with the sword, which made him inquire about this subject.
"Have you learned the sword before reaching my Training Ground?"
"How could a beginner like me who just traversed this world know the sword?"
"Is that so?" remarked Alistar, with an expression that told he didn't bite into Vecna's lie.
Seeing that expression, Vecna first took a mouthful of wine, and shook his head, telling the truth as it was. Was there a reason to lie when he was caught red-handed?
"No. Pretty much I learned by watching others, and that's how I got to make my own style of sword fighting."
"I'm aware it's quite shitty since I didn't have some Grandmaster or Swordmaster teaching me, just fatasses wielding swords and thinking they are cool as they show some techniques."
"However, this much would be enough to slaughter some goblins, kobolds, and wild beasts."
The answer was far better than Alistar was looking for, and it even made him laugh, slapping his own tights as he poured himself more wine.
"Haha, not bad. Those dumb creatures would for sure collapse under your sword. However, you'll be limited when fighting against enemies with an average intellect."
"Can you imagine yourself fighting against Draconians? Those nasty sons of bitches would chew you to the bones if you dare display that lousy swordsmanship."
"..."
"Or some Death Knights raised by a Lich who could still use their past skills in the afterlife?"
"..."
"The world is far bigger and more dangerous than some goblin, kobold or lizard. Is funny that you surmount your expectations to just those vermin."
Vecna kept his silence, pondering about what was said, and with a serious look into his crimson eyes he asked the by now, mysterious old man.
"Have you experienced all that you talk about?"
"Experience? Bah! I've lived past those incidents!"
"I see. And whom am I talking to?"
"There's no need to know about me. You're not qualified yet."
"Yet? Seems that I have to continue training."
Alistar downed his cup of wine and later began laughing in a crazed manner, his eyes containing the glint of a beast. Yet in the process, he stirred the interest of the small number of players doing the Quest.
Meanwhile, Vecna placed all the items he brought out in his inventory, ending with a last savoring gulp of wine.
"So? Any advice for me?" asked Vecna while smiling at Alistar, showing his vampire fangs.
"Figure it out yourself, punk."
His next session of the training began, striking at the scarecrow and testing all sorts of variations and combos, building up at a snail pace his Sword Mastery experience, and gaining additional stats points whenever he would batter the crow to exhaustion.
Two hours of gametime which was his limit on the schedule stopped with the night sky of Valoria.
In that time, Jishuka claimed the items which filled his inventory with a colossal amount of gold, but for 6 hours he didn't chase from hitting the scarecrow, limiting himself to small breaks.
"This would be for today, old man. I'll return back."
"Whatever. Next time make sure to curry the attention of the ladies for this old man."
"Pay me."
'Status Window'
[Status Window]
User: Vecna / Class: Caine's Reincarnate / Race: Low-Grade Vampire
Level: 2(36/250)/ Title: The Fallen One / Avid Explorer / Sharp Lumberjack / Rookie Explorer / Novice Adventurer
----------------------------------------------------------
Health: 668/668 | Mana: 240/240
----------------------------------------------------------
Strength: 42 | Stamina: 26 | Agility: 30 | Persistence: 10 (From Lumberjack)
Intelligence: 30 | Charm: 30 | Dignity: 30 | Composure: 10 (Novice Adventurer)
Regeneration: 25 | Indomitable: 20 | Insight: 10 (Avid Explorer)
----------------------------------------------------------
Available Stat Points: 10
.
'My Strength and Stamina has risen. Same for Persistence and Indomitable. Decent enough.'
'I'll resume tomorrow with the quest.'
[Warrior's Initiation (E)] Quest Clear Mark: [1250/100]
'That Hunger meter feels strange. Since I reached the 30/100 mark, I've started having strange impulses whenever I would spot a female player or NPC passing by.'
'For now, I'll leave it for tomorrow. If I get into a frenzy like how Vampires do when craving blood, that might be interesting.'
Logging out from the game, he didn't waste time inside the Club House, taking on the safety of his home, but on his way out, the clerk at the Club noticed that there was a change in Vecna's temperament.
He looked to be in a good mood, which was a first for him. Thinking that Vecna was an Emo guy who had zero social skills and only would speak with people out of necessity.
Thoughts that were of no concern to Vecna who the moment he got home, started searching on Gold Exchange Services without any blamish records that would put his future in jeopardy.
--Knock-- --Knock--
"Yes? You can enter, mom."
"You're not working Adrian? I've heated up the lasagna I made today."
It was the voice of a woman in her late 40s, and with a turn of his chair, he offered the woman who clearly had a weak body a genuine look of concern and worry.
Getting up from his seat, he walked to the woman, and guided her to take a seat on his bed before asking her, worried.
"You took some breaks in-between? Mom, don't push yourself too hard."
"I'm fine sweetheart. Silvia helped me around the kitchen. Come, don't let the food get cold with your worries." said the woman with a loving smile on her face, patting Vecna's palms as if to tell him she was fine.
Yet the appearance didn't look fine, the woman was looking slightly pale and slim.
"Alright. Will you keep me company?"
"Heh, my baby boy still hates eating alone?"
"You know me best, mom." chuckled Vecna with a helpless face, moving the conversation to the kitchen as he enjoyed the hard work of his mother and sister.
Along the lines of a conversation that showed Vecna's worry regarding the woman's health state, it was soon the reverse when the mother noticed the expression her child was making.
"Is there something on your mind that you want to share with me?"
"..." He ate a spoonful of lasagna, keeping his silence for a while.
"Go on, haven't we promised each other to never keep secrets?"
"... Mom, what I tell you might take you by surprise and upset your health. I want you to get ready first."
"No, can't be. Don't tell me you've committed a crime?" She was worried about something totally different.
Vecna couldn't help but make a shocked expression when his mother misunderstood his intent, and waving his hand down to calm her down, he continued.
"I promised to not get in trouble with the police since that incident in highschool. Is different, not in a bad way."
"Phew, thank the Lord. What is it then? Adrian?"
Seeing how his mother calmed down, he shared an important piece of information about the events that occurred this day.
"Money. I've made enough money to no longer worry about anything. Enough to take care of us four, and it will not be the last stop at that."
She was confused, fully aware that her son was working two jobs that were paying him the average salary. She was proud and also saddened that her eldest son was this hardworking, and selfless, sacrificing everything he could for the wellbeing of the family.
The wellbeing of herself, and his younger siblings.
"Is that true, Adrian?"
"Half a million of dollars. I managed to contact a trustworthy company from England that will transfer that sum of money to my bank account."
"All the steps were concluded, from identification to confirmation. It only requires the transfer process."
So much money, that's all the poor woman could think, as she murmured to herself. "I doubt I can even count that sum of money."
"There will not be a need. Let me take care of everything, mother."
"Are you sure they are not bad people trying to steal your assets?"
"Those types of people wouldn't even care about the amount of money I told you. You'll no longer have to worry about the house mortgage, or the high costs at the hospital."
"I-I-I … This must be a dream."
Vecna's eyes turned slightly red when he saw his mother pinching herself on the face, and for once in God knew how many years he teared up, extending his hands to touch the face of the woman and put a stop on her silly and painful action.
"Promise me that you'll always think about your health first. Once I get the money, I will search for a Clinic in England or France that can fully commit their resources in helping you recover."
"We'll be staying overseas for as much as it is required. And if fate continues smiling at us, I think it would be better if we settle there, be it France or England."
"Son… You're my angel. My Guardian Angel." said the woman as she began crying her eyes off, sobbing as she hugged Vecna's body tightly after he walked by her side.
"Everything will be fine."
When he returned back to his room, the window of the email he had between an agent of a company that one couldn't doubt when it came to business.
--[Rothschild & Co]--
{Mister Adrian Avramesc, we're glad that we reached an agreement with regards to the exchange.
You can contact us when you're ready to transfer the sum of gold specified on the contract.
We'll send an agent to make sure nothing goes wrong with our trade.
-- Satisfy Gold Exchange Agent, Hannah Carter }
'To think this whole process would take about 30 minutes. Doing business with the richest family in the World sure has a certain flair to it.'
'I knew that those companies registered with S.A had to make binding contracts that would hold both sides accountable if a break is made.'
'These S.A guys thought about poor guys like me. At least they didn't suck up to the big Corporations wanting a share of the pie.'
He ended his day planting himself on the bed similar to a dead log, sleeping with an relieved smile.
It was a well-deserved sleep for Vecna who saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
The following day, he didn't abate from going to work, because deep down he was still uncertain about the Rothschilds, and that skepticism made him continue on with his day, only returning to Satisfy at the end of his waiter job.
"Boy, you returned! Help me get some business going. There's no traction at all."
"Those kids stopped dropping off to me."
Vecna was first greeted by the bald old man, appearing in his face as he showed around his empty Training Ground.
"You still have your Scarecrows. What's the overreaction?"
"You returned with a big mouth. I see. Then get back to work, boy!"
"Not now. I have some business to attend to." replied Vecna to Alistar, pushing down the idea of training for now.
There was also the problem with his Hunger Meter that was barely filled with food, something he decided to tackle after dealing with the Rothschilds.
'Whisper User: Lily'
#Vecna: Hello, I'm one of the customers that reached the final stages of transactions with the Company.
#Lily: I did get confirmation from the HR branch that I would get a customer. You made a lady wait.
#Vecna: My apology if you waited for me.
#Lily: No problem. Everyone has their difficulties. Conflicting schedules. Troubling Time-Zones and so on.
#Lily: This is your first transaction with us right? Should since I never heard of your name. Listen well.
#Vecna: Yes?
#Lily: Because I'm busy with a Quest, I can't waste time getting to your location. We'll use the mailing system so you can send me the gold coins. The moment I confirm the amount of coins submitted, I will let the Money Guys push forward with the Transfer.
#Lily: Are we fully understood here? There's no reason to fear getting "scammed" since you received the bidding contract. If you feel scammed, you can always submit a report to the S.A people, and they'll surely get my account banned and suspend my Company.
#Vecna: There's no reason to stress all those points. I'm aware you people have other bigger fish to catch.
#Lily: Good to see an understanding customer. And for the record, you're a medium-size fish on our list.
It didn't change much for Vecna to know he was viewed as a small fry in the eyes of the Rothschilds, and with his professional persona on his face, he approached the Post-Office again, spooking the clerk who didn't expect Vecna to return the second day.
"How can we help, dear customer? Have you encountered any problems with your previous mails?"
"Should there be any? I want to send a Mail to a friend."
Having the Mailing System opened at the interaction with the Clerk NPC, he didn't have to do much work in the transfer. Place the name of the beneficiary, and the sum of money.
[Will you send to the user 'Lily' the sum of 560.000 gold?]
'Confirm.'
Without any second thoughts he pressed the confirmation button, sending the mail to the unknown woman.
[You have sent the mail.]
Nodding to himself, Vecna started pondering about what he should do, let the Hunger Meter drop to 0 and see what would happen, or return to Alistar to continue hitting the scarecrows.
[Hunger Meter: 16/100]
'I don't want to risk and by chance kill an NPC at this stage.'
'This craving is barely manageable. Let's not go into absolute madness.'
Deciding on the next set of actions, he started walking toward the river at the heart of Valoria, navigating the complex streets until he reached a location that would make most people frown their eyes, it was the Slum of the city.
His crimson eyes shined brighter than ever when seeing the NPCs of the slum, triggering a nasty reaction that almost got him to stab a running child in his heart and squeeze him out of blood.
--Hah--
'This is dangerous.'
"Mister, do you have something to eat?" asked one of the slum children that were running around with the boy that grazed fates with Death.
"Something to eat?"
"Mhmm, we have it hard in the Slum. My parents told me it is hard to find work for us."
His predatory eyes dropped on the child's face, before observing his body. Seeing the signs of malnourishment, which reminded him of a dangerous past, he took from inventory pieces of beef jerky which he shared with the now gathered children.
"Try your best to survive as a child. There is light even in the darkest places."
"Thank you, kind sir."
"..."
"Kind…"
Passing the children, his crimson eyes grew colder.
The desire to quench his hunger on the tender flesh of those children was barely overcome with sheer willpower.
"Where is the brothel?"
"Aren't you an adventurer? What's got into you? Have you got lost?" asked the middle-aged man doing nothing but watching from the safety of his house.
[Hunger Meters: 12/100]
"The Brothel. Where is it?" asked Vecna again, with a cold voice, his aura sending chills down the spine of the onlooking man.
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