Quest Completed!
[The Voice!]
Objective: Win the contest tied to the Music Festival (Failed)
Bonus Objective: Place second (Failed)
Bonus Objective: Place third (Completed)
Reward: 50,000 Lien, 3,000 credits, 10,000 EXP, 1 Gatcha token, 1 Skill book
Level up 2x
I watch as the screen in front of me winks out of existence, letting me see my scroll once more. It's a little disappointing that I only got third place but I expected that I wouldn't get a very high spot. I was new after all and besides, third place is ok. I'm the third best out of hundreds of performers and don't have to deal with the severe disappointment of barely losing out to the first place guys, and trust me when I say that based on the online poles it was very close.
But that was just one of the things that I was looking at as for the past twenty or so minutes I was surfing the net and looking through the various social media sites about the festival. I was mostly looking for places to stay along with what attractions are the most popular.
Naturally the Music Festival was blowing up with comments and the likes from people around the world. Different bands being discussed and their popularity rising.
Disappointingly I was also one of the main topics of conversation on the forums and such, but not as Kane Brandt.
#RedBoy was in the top ten of all searches and comments about the festival.
I let out a sigh as I look up from my scroll. I have a feeling that the moniker Red Boy is going to haunt me for years to come. On my way to status of legendary figure it'll be Red Boy this and Red Boy that. I'll be known by a derogatory nickname given by a walking eggplant and it kinda pisses me off!
…Oh, hey! Remnant actually has Takoyaki!
-90 Lien
MMMMM~ So good~
Ok so what was I thinking about? Ah whatever. The taste of octopus in fried bread and with toppings is enough to lift my mood to the point where I don't even care about the name! Truly good food is the natural cure to negative emotions.
~So good~
Actually, not that I'm thinking about things a thought occurs to me that I haven't seen any of the relationship meters, like at all. It actually feels kinda embarrassing that I hadn't noticed it until now.
Why is that?
Apologies Kane
The notifications are turned off.
Let me fix that for you.
With a mental thanks I sit at my table and eat my delicious festival food as I feel something click into place and I am flooded with notifications.
+70 reputation with JD [70/100]
+40 reputation with Jewel [40/100]
+30 reputation with Wynonna Marin [30/100]
-5 reputation with Drole Plume [-5/100]
+15 reputation with all kingdoms [15/100]
+30 reputation with ? [30/100]
+15 affection with ? [15/100]
+10 reputation with ? [10/100]
…
The notifications went on for a bit longer as people around the world that I didn't know had positive reactions to my performance (except Fruity bitch). I didn't know who the question marks represented but only one of them had the affection attached to the reputation.
Affection and Reputation are accounted differently Kane.
Reputation is how well received you are in general.
Affection is how desired you are.
This just means that someone out the has a crush~
The idea that someone actually has a crush on me is kinda flattering, enough so that I can't help but laugh a little at the thought in giddiness. I may have gotten a few looks but between the food and the idea of affection I didn't care!
Careful Kane.
I could hear the amusement in TARI's voice.
Reputation and Affection are not permanent.
The numbers will go down when they forget about you.
You'd be yesterday's news so to speak.
Ah the bane of influencers everywhere. The immortal need to stay relevant. Well, I already have social media and videos of performances posted on WatchTower so that should help a bit. Might have to post something next week or two…actually that would be a great use for that new drone I got!
Now I just need to find a secluded place to use the Gatcha token and take a look at the skill book.
Finishing my food, I drop the tray at the dump bin next to the stall I got it from and walk off. On my way out of the I can feel all the eyes watching me along with the faint whispers that follow. Some of them look like they want to walk up to me while others just give me a judging look.
I'm not particularly sure why they are, but I ignore them anyways.
I'm tempted to try one of these game stalls but refrain as my Lien was far too valuable to spend on possibly getting a cheap toy. Which reminds me that I need to look into any general stores nearby for supplies in the morning.
*Vrrrrt!* *Vrrrrt!*
"Hello?" I answer my scroll wondering who was calling me.
"Kane?"
"Wynonna?" I ask in surprise at the red head calling me. I figured that she was still busy with closing up the festival.
"Kid where did you go? You just left out of nowhere." She sounded worried while the sound of shuffling happened in the background. "Didn't even stop by after."
"Oh, was I supposed to? I didn't think I needed to stick around after I was done so I went out to explore the festival." Now I'm a little worried that I forgot to do something. I really hate that feeling.
"Well for one you need to pick up your money." Wynn said in a matter of fact tone and I felt the urge to kick myself. Prize money was definitely a reason to stick around.
"Yeah, that does sound important."
"And for two," Two? "you need to stick around so that you can hitch a ride with me back to my place."
"I'm sorry what?" Now I'm confused. "Why am I going home with you? I thought that you didn't date musicians?"
"Wha-That's not the reason!" She snaps so loudly at me that I have to pull the phone away from my ear, though she did sound more flustered than enraged. "You little…! I'm offering to take you home with me so you can sleep on my couch or something after this is over."
"Ohhh! That sounds much less predatory." I admit.
"Really what kind of person do you take me for?" She sighs. "And don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question."
"Hey all I figured was that I was that I'm a catch." I admit as I moved out of the way of the crowds. "All the waitresses at JD's bar wouldn't leave me alone every time I came in!"
"Truly it must be so hard." Wynn's voice came out flat and without a hint of empathy.
"It was!" I push onward, ignoring her tone. "JD made me wear a bartender's uniform when he was teaching me how to mix drinks and they wouldn't leave me alone." And I wasn't joking. Despite the cooing and the compliments, they gave those women were setting off my [Instinct] constantly whenever they looked at me with too much intent. Especially this one lady who didn't take her eyes off me for over an hour. She had to have been pushing sixty, and not in a graceful way.
*Shiver*
"Anyways, not that I'm ungrateful by why exactly are you inviting me to your home?" I ask, pushing through the awkward memories.
"I figured that you don't actually have a place to stay while you're in Mistral and hotels are expensive." She explains. There's a moment of shuffling followed by shouts in the background getting fainter leading me to think she's on the move. "That and I can't in good conscience let a child wander the kingdom by himself. You'd probably get mugged going down an alley way."
I don't correct on the fact that all my money is stored in a pocket dimension nor the fact that due to a perk I literally can't be stolen from by any means. "You're not wrong that I don't have a place to stay but I'm pretty sure that I can handle myself just fine in case something happens."
"That doesn't inspire confidence at all." She responds blandly. "Just get back to the stage. I have somethings I need to finish but after that we can leave. I'm just about ready to crash."
"Fine, fine. I'll be right there. I already ate anyways and there's nothing that really catches my interest." I comment as I take another look around the fair grounds. The games look novel with shooting galleries and a fish catching but not enough that I want to waste money on them.
"Shit that reminds me I haven't eaten since this morning." I hear her mutter. "Anyways just get over hear and then we can leave."
The two of us exchanged goodbyes and then I was turning on my heel and heading back the way I came when I felt my [Instinct] spike. An unsettling wave washes over me, putting me on edge. It wasn't all that much of a spike to be honest, far less than those of the Grimm that I've killed, but it worries me because someone has their eyes on me with some kind of intention that I knew wasn't good.
Trying not to look to on edge I searched my surroundings, focusing more on the booths and attractions while looking at the people out of the edge of my vision
That was until I saw the three guys who were obviously together, with much nicer appearances and clothes compared to the rest of the crowd. My enhanced smell was easily able to pick up the rather pungent cologne they were wearing and I had to restrain myself from gagging because they went heavy on the amount. They each looked to be closer to their forties than thirties and were walking with the center guy in the front with the other two following behind directly towards me. It looked like an obvious display of hierarchy with the guy in front being the leader with the other two as followers.
I really didn't want to deal with this.
The moment that the crowd got between us I made my move and slipped away, walking with the various groups all heading away. I moved between groups, sticking close enough for a bit before breaking off to join another. I'm not an expert at evasion or anything but I could only hope that I could shake the three off my trail as I maneuvered between two booths and stashed my backpack and guitar in my inventory.
No reason to make myself distinct.
I practically held my breath as I hid behind a booth and watched the crowd pass by. Eventually the three strangers walked into view, moving a little too quickly to be casual and with heads on a swivel. I took the moment to observe them only to frown.
Skill Gained!
[Sneak] (LVL 1/25)
Okay that's convenient but not I need to pay attention.
Waving the screen out of the way watched the people passing. I don't really know what I was expecting but these guys were hardly anything impressive. Barely above average physical stats and slightly higher levels than normal but not noteworthy enough to even commit them to memory…hell I already forgot their names after they moved on from where I was hiding. I could have easily beat them, my stats were much higher than theirs and I had the element of surprise on my side because I doubt, they would expect a young teen to have the strength of a body builder.
Whatever. I'm not staying in Mistral for too long anyways.
With that it didn't take too long before I was back where I started with Wynn standing there tapping her foot. Her eyes moving through the crowd and even from where I was, I could see the bags under her eyes followed by a yawn.
A feeling that I could empathize with.
It didn't take long for her to find me and then the two of us were in her car and driving off to her modest apartment where I was graciously allowed to sleep on her couch after I showered. I did get my money for the competition, earning me 25,000 Lien on top of the reward that I got from TARI.
Thus began my stay in Wynn's apartment.
-0-
Dear Journal,
It's been about six days since I arrived in Mistral and performed on stage. When Wynn took me back to her place afterwards the two of us practically crashed after taking our respective showers, though Wynn looked like she needed it far more than I did. Poor girl had bags under her eyes.
Her couch was pretty comfy by the way since I wasn't sleeping with her in her bed.
Anyways it turns out that the person I met wasn't the actual Wynn as after she had a good night's sleep and food in her she was much nicer this morning. She was still blunt but she no longer had a resting bitch face and even smiled a few times!
She should do it more often, it's a nice smile.
Anyways, it turns out that Wynn only had to work the musical competition of the fair so that left her with plenty of free time now so she decided to go back to the festival with me now that she didn't have any responsibilities and since the festival was three days long.
It was pretty surprising but she insisted that she teach me how to enjoy it properly…and I have to admit that it was a lot more fun with her around. She guided me from food stand to food stand, trying things with me and sharing things from different stands. People did recognize me and tried to get autographs and other things but after sneaking away and buying a hat the number became far less as my bright red hair was hidden.
We even tried some of the games that they had set up. I was fairly decent in the throwing games, knocking down those bottles on the third try after one missed and another bounced off.
No scam artist was gonna cop me out of my money!
We spent hours going from different attractions, taking pictures on my scroll to post on social media, eating food and such that if we didn't look like an older sister with their younger brother, I would have looked conspicuously like a date…Except that the Affection meter wasn't that high at 40 with the Reputation meter at 75 and I don't think I've done anything to elicit a romantic response nor have I received anything that feels like it.
Maybe a sibling affection. The system doesn't seem to differentiate the variances between affection.
Anyways, the day after that 'not' date I asked Wynn to point me to a few stores so that I could actually buy things that I need like large containers for water, portable water purifiers, a few tools and parts for my bike, three magazines worth of standard bullets, a portable dust stove with extra dust cannisters, and about a month's worth of food all costing me a whopping…3,000 Lien!
I'm not sure if I've been sold the appropriate price but I do know that everything is acceptable quality. A little bonus to my craftsman class is that when I observe something I can tell how well it's actually made.
After that I spent the last few days exploring. I went to the Huntsman academy and looked around their campus. It was very nice even if tourists weren't allowed in the buildings. I went to a few other places like museums, tea houses and such. I tried to find a weapons shop but ended up getting over charged by the obviously racist human owner and left empty handed. I was also not allowed to go to the higher levels where the richer residents live by the obviously bribed police officers. Mother Fuckers didn't even ask for ID, just called me an animal and told me to piss off.
Fuck them.
At least I stumbled upon a shop that was selling instruments and managed to get a quality Shamisen. Now I just need some massive drums.
On a different note, I was only in three muggings since my stay here! Obviously, none of them actually got very far before I clocked them over the head but seriously the crime is bad.
Anyways today I am heading off to this shrine I found that looks really interesting. Wynn says she can't go with me but she did say she would drop me off where I wanted to go and to just call her when I was done. Apparently, some business came up and she wouldn't be free till later in the night.
But that was fine. I could kill a few hours by myself.
There was this historical temple that I saw while I was researching Mistral and it looked super interesting.
-0-
"Is this really how you want to spend your remaining time?" Wynn asked me as she eyed the stone steps that ascended up the mountain. Each step was worn from disuse with grass growing out of each step. "I mean it was fun but I don't think people actually like places like this." The sun was beginning to lower, casting the sky in slight orange tones.
The benefits of spring being the increase in daylight hours.
"That's because you all have no appreciation." I waved off as I snapped a picture of the one statue that stood guard of the steps, the other one having been broken in half sometime long ago. "I mean look at stuff like this. According to the kingdoms logs this temple is over two hundred years old and still run by the same family since before the great war. Doesn't that sound interesting?"
"Not really." Wynn yawned. "Though if you ever leave the music behind, I think you'd make a decent historian or archeologist."
"You think so?"
"MMMaybe," she hummed with some thought before patting me on the shoulder. "Can't say that I find the appeal. But when you're done with your adventure call me and I'll pick you up."
With a wave good bye I watched her descend down the steps and out of sight before looking up my own steps and starting the journey upwards.
-0-
"Ugh! Why is it that places like this need so many steps?!" I groaned as I took the last few steps to reach my destination. I wasn't really tired, in fact I could walk for hours, but the sheer number of steps it took to lead up to this place was, in my honest opinion, excessive. Though I would be hard pressed to say that it wasn't worth.
I could see the top of the stairs, a large bright red torii gate sitting there like a metaphorical finish line.
With quick feet I made myself [Dash] up the last few steps and…Hurk!
'W-What the hell!' I practically stumble as I pass through the gate, my body feeling much weaker than it was a moment a go. It was like my muscles were turned
Warning!
Entering a Sacred Area!
All stats are reduced by 20%!
I took a deep breath and stood up despite the weakness flowing through my body. "TARI? What the fuck was that?!" I hissed as I looked around. The temple buildings around me all resembled the architectural style of the Shinto temples in Japan, though with more stone involved in the designs.
Your racial class is reacting to the sacred grounds.
However due to your specific race it isn't as bad as it could be.
But still not enough to remain unaffected.
What the hell am I some kind of half devil? Ugh, just the thought makes me sick.
"Um? Excuse me? Are you alright?" A worried voice asked and I looked up to see a rather cute girl standing there looking at me. She was wearing a red frilled dress with a yellow tie and large white flowing sleeves; her cocoa brown hair was held together by a large red bow. Her blood red eyes looked on me softly as she leaned on a broom.
"Uh, yeah. Yep! Totally fine." I stood up as best as I could, trying to ignore the weakness that I was feeling. It was kinda like when you sleep on your arm and you wake up only for it to feel a little weak and numb, except it was happening with my whole body. "Just tired from the stairs, I mean seriously, it took me almost ten minutes to get up here."
"You do know that there's a train car that carries people up here, right?" The girl asks and points. I follow her finger to see a small trolley car sitting off to the side. It didn't look like it could hold more than fifteen people comfortably but it was obviously attached to a set of slanted tracks that went down the mountain. "If you wait at one of the stations the returning one could have brought you up."
"I did not actually know that." I groan and let my posture slump. "Nor did the friend of mine that dropped me off see fit to tell me."
The girl giggles at me right to my face.
"It's not funny." I shoot her a glare but instead it makes her giggle more!
It takes her a moment to catch her breath "It's a little funny. Though I guess that means that you aren't from the Central Kingdom." She motions to the trolley when she notices my questioning look. "Those old things were built more than fifty years ago. Everyone uses them to go up and down the mountain."
Now I just feel stupid for missing something as obvious as public transportation. Could have been riding those things instead of walking.
"Fine you caught me. I'm a tourist. Kane Brandt. A pleasure to meet you." I reach out and offer my hand to her but she doesn't take it. Instead, she get a really intense look as she practically invades my personal space, getting right up into my face. I could hear her muttering my first name under her breath and before I could question her, she suddenly gasps!
"You're Red Boy!" I internally cringe at the name but I can feel my smile almost crack. "You played at the festival!"
"Uh yeah. I did." I say as I took off my hat, letting my red hair run free now that it wasn't covered.
"Oh, my Oum you were amazing! I've even seen all the videos that you posted on WatchTower." She praises and I felt myself blush. She wasn't the first to come up to me and heap on the compliments and while I was getting used to it that didn't make that warm feeling in my chest go away.
"Oh, well I'm glad you liked it!" I gave her my best and most charming smile. Come on Kane! A cute girl just complimented you! You can hold a conversation better than that! Just act natural! Like with Wynn! "Did you see the festival live?"
Wait! Shit! She already said she saw me perform!
"Well, I only saw the tail end of the music competition." She says with a smile. "The rest I had to listen over the radio. I wasn't really allowed to leave the temple alone until then."
"So, there's more than just you here?" I ask as I look around but spy no one. The entire compound looked deserted if well taken care of…at least on the surface. When I look deeper my enhanced eyes are able to see the subtle ware around the place with a few structures and things looking like they might need some maintenance done to them.
"Well, there's me, my sister, Mom, along with a few other priestesses." She counts off. "Grandma used to run the place but she got way too old."
"What no priests?" I ask and she shakes her head.
"This shrine has only been run by women since it was built." Huh, I think I read about that when I looked the place up. "It's actually one of the reasons why it's still running today despite how most other temples were shut down after the great war."
"Really? Would you mind telling me more?" I ask.
"Not at all." She gives me a pleasant smile. "Though I have to apologize in advance as I don't know all of the stories about this place. That's more my mom's specialties."
"Eh, don't worry about it. I'm just glad to get a tour, and I'm sure that you'll be an amazing guide." I say with genuine interest. "Historical places like this are amazing. Who knows what kind of interesting stories it has?"
+10 REP and AFF
Huh? So that's how it works.
"Well, I'm glad you're interested." The priestess turns to give me a smile. "Not many people are willing to come by and visit the temple. The last person was this one guy with wacky hair that seemed like he was wired to the Underworld and back. Zoomed around and spoke a hundred words a minute. My mom looked like she was going to overload from all the questions."
"Sounds overwhelming." So that history teacher actually came her? That must mean that this place is historically significant. What was his name? Obsomething? No wait! It was Oobleck!
"A little." The priestess waved off before she twirled on her foot, a big grin on her face. "No, the compound is pretty large so I'll give you the choice of picking where this tour starts." The priestess looked at me expectantly for my choice.
I blinked a few times, not really expecting to be put on the spot like this. I mean I looked at an overview of the temple but other than that I knew next to nothing. I figured that she would lead me on a roundabout tour, showing me things until we circled back to the front gate. Well, if we had nowhere to start then how about the beginning? "Could you give me a brief history lesson on the temple? Why is this temple still open when so many were shut down?"
"Well, not the most original question but I guess context is important." The priestess responded with a nod. Now to start at the beginni—" "Wait!"
I suddenly interrupted the priestess as she began her history lesson, scaring her slightly. I didn't mean to but an idea just struck my head and I wanted to do it, so reaching back I took off my back pack and pretended to search around inside before pulling that little drone out of my inventory.
The little orb came to life in my hand and began to float when I brought it out. The priestess watched wide eyed as it floated in the air and flew a few circles at my command. I connected it to my Scroll and checked to visual and audio quality and found it to my satisfaction.
Operation VLOG is a go!
"Alright there." I said in satisfaction as I positioned it at the right angle to capture the two of us in the frame. "Now we can get started."
"Waitwaitwait. Are you not gonna explain what you just pulled out?" Now it was her turn to interrupt me. "What even is that? I don't Atlas even has something so small." She eyes the floating orb that was only slightly bigger than a softball. "They would defiantly show something like this off to the other kingdoms."
"That's because it's junk." I explain even if it sounded a little too fast to my own ears. "I got it mostly scrapped and put it back together."
"Why would they throw something like this out?" She asked in disbelief as she poked the drone sending it drifting back a little before it repositioned itself back to where it was. "It looks super cool for something so small."
"Welll." Rather than explain I sent the drone off in one direction until it stopped. She looked over to see that I was still issuing it the forward command on my scroll before bringing it back. "The thing has a very limited range, and, well if it doesn't carry guns then Atlas doesn't want it." I lie with a shrug.
Skill gained!
[Lying] (1/25)
Well, that doesn't make me feel good.
"Yeah, I can see that. It's always 'bigger is better' with them." Priestess nods in understanding anyways. "Though this is the first time that I've ever been on camera before. Honestly, it's just as exciting as it is nerve wracking."
"I feel that." I nod in agreement. The first time I ever performed for a group at JD's bar I froze on stage despite only being an instrumental part and my first time being the lead was just the other day in front of the world. It's always hard. "My advice? Don't worry too much. Cute girls always get a pass for mistakes."
+10 REP and 20 AFF
"…thinks I'm cute?"
She was speaking under her breath very lowly, focusing more on her shoes than me when she spoke that I only managed to get that last bit. "Did you say something?"
"N-No!" She waved off though her cheeks were a light red. It was only for a moment before she composed herself and was once again back to friendly smiles. "I think I'm ready. Being on camera actually sounds like fun!"
"That's the spirit!" I nod along before I turn back to the drone and turn it on.
-0-
"Alright let's get recording! This is Kane Brandt VLOG #1 at the Beniyo shrine and I'm here with…It just occurred to me that I never asked for your name." Kane scratches his head in embarrassment.
"Oh! Do you want to start over? We can try again?" The priestess offers and for a moment Kane thinks about it before deciding against it. "Alright then. My name is Hakurei Beniyo. Daughter of the head priestess of the Beniyo shrine. It's a pleasure to be a part of this." She politely bows to the camera.
"So how long has the Beniyo shrine been around for?"
"A fair question. Technically the Beniyo Shrine has been around for a bit longer than two centuries. Ownership has been passed from my family since, however the shrine itself has been around for almost a millennium."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. The original shrine was built more than nine centuries ago when the people of Mistral found out the land it sits in was blessed. They found that the area was naturally defensible and had the lowest population of Grimm compared to the surrounding areas. No one knows why but no matter how many people settled in the area the Grimm always stayed away. People began to worship the shrine as they believed that it was blessed by the gods themselves."
"Well, that's interesting. And there's nothing here that makes it any different?"
Hakurei shook her head. "Not that we know of. Plenty o people over the centuries have tried to figure it out and none have been able to solve the mystery. Maybe this land really blessed."
"Well, were not going to be solving that anytime soon, so maybe we should skip to a different mystery, like why only women are allowed to work at the shrine." Kane asked as the two walked past a shrine with a wooden donation box sitting in front and three bells hanging over head.
"That's not so much a mystery." Hakurei chuckled. "Before the Great War, when Mistral was still ruled by an emperor he heard about the shrine. Huntsman weren't really a thing yet as aura enhanced warriors either came from the noble houses or existing groups. The emperor, not trusting the noble houses decided the best form of protection was from those groups that wanted nothing to do with politics and so he offered to personally fund the shrine in exchange for dedicated guards…so long as they were female." The shrine maiden blushed as she said that last part and Kane let out an understanding 'Oh'.
"I-I see!" Kane tried to keep a straight face, but he failed to restrain a few snickers. "Should have guessed the pervert trope existed." He muttered under his breath.
"Anyways," Hakurei pushed onwards. "Even if the shrine maidens are no longer needed, we are still expected to undergo the training they did. Our training actually would qualify any shrine maiden to enter a Hunter Academy."
"Is there any way you can show me what kind of training you do?" Kane asked.
Hakurei thought for a moment before shrugging. "I don't see why not.
[CUT]
"Alright here we are at the shrine training grounds. They seem to go the old fashioned route with wooden punching blocks and some kind of area filled with bamboo poles sticking three meters out of the ground."
"That is for agility and balance training." Hakurei informed as she climbed up wooden steps and the leapt onto one of the poles. "You can't see it but they come in different sizes with some that are large enough to stand one with one foot and others so small you have to balance on your toes." Hakurei easily leapt from one pole to another, even doing flips and handstands in between movements. Her body seemingly glided through the air in an almost graceful dance, though she still had much to learn apparently as she had to steady herself a few times.
"I think I can do that." Kane said as he bounded up the steps in a giddy fashion.
"Wait what?" Hakurei asked as she didn't hear him only to go bug eyed as she saw him about to leap onto the poles. "Kane! Wait!"
But it was too late as Kane leapt onto one of the poles, which was sadly one of the thinner ones. The pole bended, throwing Kane off balance before it snapped. Kane to the closest and the process repeated itself before his luck finally ran out and he came crashing back down to the ground.
"Kane!"
"I-I'm okay!"
CRACK! CRASH!
"…Less okay."
"Oh sweet Oum!"
[CUT]
Kane sits in a seated position center screen as Hakurei applies bandages to his body though there seems to be very little in the way of actual injury, only some slight bruising. "Alright everyone, it think this is gonna be the end of the VLOG. I have apparently been prescribed bed rest by an angry priestess so I can't really do much more," said priestess takes the opportunity to slap his back while she works, making him tense up. "anyways, thanks for tuning in and see you next time."
-0-
"I told you I'm fine." I complain as I have the drone return to my bag. My healing should have dealt with any injuries so anything else was just dress up at this point.
"You feel three meters and were buried under bamboo. So shut up and let me assuage my guilt and patch you up." The priestess grumbled as she tightened some gauze around my arm.
"It's my fault, don't know why you should feel so bad. And its not like I was badly hurt." I tried to reason with her but she only looked more guilty.
"But I should have told you that they were fragile." Hakurei dejectedly sighs. "Those poles are meant to be used for aura training, pushing your aura into an object to make it stronger and such. They were never meant to be used by ordinary people."
"Hakurei! I'm home sweetie." A mature voice called from outside the room we were in.
"I'm in here momma! And we have a guest!" Hakurei shouted in response right next to my ear.
The wooden door opened and—woah.
An absolutely attractive woman in a shrine outfit walked into the room with a matronly smile. Her figure seemed to fill out the outfit like it was specially made with her bust almost spilling out of the robe.
"Oh, you poor dear." She practically enveloped my face with her very soft hands as she looked over my 'injuries'. "What happened to you?"
"He fell from the balance area. I forgot to tell him that only aura users can use it." Hakurei explained and the older woman sighed.
"Honestly Hakurei. You need to be more careful about these things." The woman said with a chastising tone though it came out more cute than authoritative to me. "What was he even doing there in the first place?"
"Uh, Miss Beniyo?" I raised my hand, saving Hakurei from any further scolding.
"Please dear. Call me Shion." She said kindly.
"Ok Mi—Shion. I actually came to the shrine for a tour and to learn more about it. I'm making recordings like a video journal to post online and may have got over excited." I admitted sheepishly.
"Well, if you've learned your lesson, however I can't let you leave the shrine for tonight. Your too injured and the sun is already setting so you'll be staying with us for dinner." The head shrine maiden said, putting her metaphorical foot down on the matter.
Not seeing a way to deny her, nor feeling the desire too I just agreed without complaint.
Shion just nodded in satisfaction before pulling her daughter out of the room. For what? I had no idea, but at least I was left alone for the moment and could look over what I did earn from my crash landing.
[Parkour] (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
The ability to move from point A to B in the most fluid way possible.
So, I didn't make a fool of myself for nothing. Parkour is a pretty useful skill for maximizing movement and everything, plus it looks super cool.
Actually, now that I'm alone I could probably use that skill book and Gatcha token that I got after the concert. I've been holding off since I was too tired afterwards and was staying in such close proximity to Wynn but that's not an issue now.
My hearing is good enough that I can tell that the two women were no longer nearby and the surroundings were quiet.
"Alright. Skill book first."
I pull the book out from my inventory. The pages were blank until I opened it and words started to burn into the pages.
Skill Gained!
[One Sword Style Mastery] (LVL 1/25)
A sword style from the world of One Piece. Compared to other sword styles this one does not require mana or mystical abilities to reach its fullest potential, merely skill, strength, and willpower to reach such heights.
-Allows for the creation of techniques using Stamina rather the Mana-
Oh Shit! A mastery from One Piece! I don't have to rely on magic to throw flying slashes, I just have to swing my sword…a sword which I don't have.
DAMMIT!
Now I'm gonna have to go find a sword or hope the Gatcha give me a sword.
I pull the Gatcha token out and watch it dissolve into motes of light.
Acquired!
1x Dimensional Key
The golden motes of light gently gather back into the palm of my hand, forming into a decorative looking purple key.
Observe.
Dimensional Key
A key that allows limited access to one of the various worlds in the multiverse. It is not the same type of world hopping used by normal gamers as the amount of time the user is allowed to stay is limited, however it allows for greater potential with the user's chosen 'destination'.
Well, the ending of that is hella vague but I won't lie and say that it doesn't sound exciting.
"Kane! We have dinner ready!" Hakurei's voice called from beyond the wall. I heard the sound of the door opening and I quickly shoved it back into my inventory.
She gave me a bright smile as she waved for me to follow. "Come on. Momma went all out on the food for tonight since we don't have guests to often."
"You all don't need to go that far for me." I try to wave off only to take a sniff at the air. Hakurei giggled and she must not have believed me in the slightest. I mean seriously! The air was filled with the scent of delicious goodness and I could feel my mouth watering at the smell!
"Come on Red Boy. The food won't stay hot forever." Hakurei giggled as she walked back to the dining area with me following along.
The walk was only a short distance but the smell seemed to make it seem longer than it was. God Dammit I wanted to eat whatever it was!
"We're here." Hakurei announced as she opened the door and I was hit by the full scent.
The room itself was rather nice with a large circular table with multiple chairs around it. At the center of the table was a large disc, one meant to rotate, with various foods placed on it ranging from dumplings that reminded me of Dim Sum to rice and meat based dishes and bowls of egg drop soup.
Sitting around the table were two elderly people who I had to guess were Hakurei's grandparents, a little girl that looked like a smaller Hakurei, and her mother who was preparing a plate for the little girl.
"Ah wonderful. You arrived just in time." Shion delightfully said as she waved us inside. "Kane, I would like to introduce you to the rest of the family. This is my youngest daughter Maia," Shion rubbed the girl's hair affectionately only to get her hand swatted. "My Father Kouki and my mother Aina who ran the shrine before me."
I gave a polite greeting back to each of them as I sat in my chair next to Hakurei.
"Now dinner is ready. So don't bother waiting, just take a plate and pick from the middle." Shion offered and the family didn't hesitate to grab food.
I didn't even waste a moment as I dug in and started to pile my plate with food, competing with others for different things. I mean I couldn't just pick one thing so I decided to get one of them all!
Though I felt like others were watching me.
"Hmm, so its seems that little Hakurei has finally managed to get herself a boyfriend." The elderly voice of the grandmother spoke out of nowhere. Hakurei practically doused me in the tea that she was taking a drink of which surprised me and almost made me choke on a dumpling!
"Nana!" Hakurei practically shouted with a red face.
Meanwhile I was beating my chest trying to dislodge this DUMPLING!
GULP!
"Oh, thank Oum." I gasped in relief that I didn't die by dumpling. That would have been embarrassing.
"He's not my boyfriend Nana!" Hakurei exclaimed which only made the elderly couple chuckle harder.
"Come now ReiRei," The grandfather said in a soothing tone but I could hear the underlying teasing. "There's no need to be shy. Why I remember when your grandmother first brought me home just like tonight."
"And still together after sixty years." The Grandmother finishes with kissing her husband.
"Ewww! Nana!" Maia whines as the two elders kiss and sticking her tongue out at how gross it is. Hakurei doesn't do the same but from looking at her the sentiment was probably shared. Though I wasn't complaining. If the food was this good all the time, I would consider dating the girl. It helps that she's actually really cute.
"Now now. There's no reason to embarrass Hakurei in front of a guess mom." Shion lightly chided only for her smile to shift into a grin. "We can save that for the baby photos."
"Momma!"
Snort!
"Don't you laugh at me Red Boy!" Hakurei shoves a finger in my face but I can't help but laugh.
"I'm sorry. But your face is so red!" I laugh.
"Just like his hair!" Maia helpfully supplies, making everyone laugh except Hakurei. The poor girl had gone crimson as the entire family took to teasing her before finally her mother stepped in.
"Alright everyone. That's enough of that." She then turns to me. "Now Kane why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?"
Not seeing any reason not too I opened up and told as much of my story as I believably could. I embellished my past and left out a few details but I told them of how I wandered the Kingdom going from town to town. I met people, performed at places, hitched a ride with a cargo company, fought bandits and eventually made my name on stage as Red Boy.
The entire meal was enjoyable and not just because of the food. The atmosphere was alive and enjoyable to the point that I actually forgot just how weak I was feeling due to the debuff the shrine was giving off.
Everything ended on a high note and after I (insisted) helped wash the dishes they gave me a room to sleep in for the night.
I did make sure to send a text to Wynn that I was sleeping here so that she didn't get worried after I posted the VLOG to WatchTower.
-0-
The next morning, I found myself wandering the temple all alone. Of course, I had a nice breakfast with Hakurei and her family but they had things to do around the shrine that would take up most of their day.
So I occupied my time in their training grounds practicing my hand to hand mastery on their training dummies (while also making the appropriate karate sounds). I managed to get it up to level 17!
But sadly, I'm thinking that its time for me to leave. While I do enjoy the company of the Beniyo family I can't just stay here for too long.
As I walked back to the main house to say goodbye to the family and thank them for their hospitality I passed by the main shrine. The three golden bells shone, reflecting the morning sun from above the donation box.
"…Might as well make a donation." Honestly the entire act was a whim on my part. I've never done any kind of church service, or at least I don't feel like I was some one who was apart of any kind faith, so the entire thing was a novel experience as I dropped the Lien in the box, clapped my hands and rang the bell.
It was a novel experience…until it wasn't.
A wave of SOMETHING washed over me like a flood from within the shrine. It didn't have a feeling of wrongness or anything but whatever it was clearly did not like my presence.
[WARNING!]
Sacred Zone Recognized! (LVL 125)
FUCK! What the hell is that!
There's an artifact within the shrine is reacting negatively to you.
I recommend retreating as you aren't strong enough.
Yeah, that sounds like quality advice.
I could feel myself sweating under the intense pressure of whatever was in the shrine as I backed away. It felt like an angry beast was staring me down, waiting for me to make the first move. My heart pounded in my chest as my blood sang!
Whatever was in there was putting me on edge and some small part of me wanted to test that edge against it.
But that part was drowned out by the instincts inside of me warning me not to fight this thing.
At least not yet.
Swiftly I walk in the opposite direction straight towards the Beniyo's main house where the family likely is. The door was open and I could hear the rustling of feet inside.
"Hello?" I called as I peeked through the door. Its only polite after all.
"Kane?" I hear Hakurei call from inside. She walked out to meet me at the front door, not in her shrine outfit but rather in a regular pair of shorts and shirt with an apron on the front.
"Hey Hakurei." I wave as she leans against the door frame. Her arms folding under her chest, making them seem bunch up and look bigger than they really are. "I just stopped by to say that I enjoyed staying with you and your family but I think its best if I head out."
"Oh?" she lets out with a little disappointment as she removes herself from the door frame. "That's…disappointing to hear. Everyone really liked having you with us."
"And I enjoyed staying here." I give a grateful smile. "But I try not to stay in any place for to long. Kinda the whole point of being a wanderer. I haven't really figured out where I'm gonna go next, maybe up north."
"Well, I'm glad you at least said goodbye." She smiled before she looked like she had an idea. "Stay right there."
She rushed back into her house, leaving me at the door for a few moments before rushing back with a large bundle in her hands.
"Here." She hands me the bundle to me and motions for me to open it. With a raised brow I unwrap the bundle and unfurl it revealing a map of Mistral with certain places marked. Most of them were marked with standard black marker while a few were colored red.
"It's a map of lost historical sights." Hakurei says eagerly. "Since you were so interested, I got you a copy of one of our maps and marked various sites around Mistral. Many of them were old temples and fortresses and such with a few of my own personal markings. See these red marks?" She points to them and I nod. "These ones were legends and such passed down in our family that I've managed to narrow down. The areas have been searched many times but everyone's come up empty, though I have faith that maybe you could find them."
"This…this is amazing! Thanks Hakurei!" I smile gratefully at the girl as I look over the map. "I can't wait to check these out!" One of the closest ones actually would lead me north and closer to Atlas.
"No problem." She giggles. "It's a pleasure to help the famous Red Boy."
"…That name will never die, will it?" I groan and the sound of her laughter is the only answer I need. "Well, I should probably go. It's almost lunch time anyways and the days wasting."
"Right, right. Oh, before you go. Let me give you my number so we can stay in touch." She motions to me and it takes me a second before I hold out my Scroll which she taps with hers. The devices let out a ding. "There, now we can stay in touch."
"Thanks again Hakurei, for everything." I smile and I get one in return though it twists a little as she looks at me. I want to ask her if there was something wrong but I was cut off as she lunged forward.
Something soft presses against my cheek for the briefest moment before the door slams shut in my face.
…
…
…
"B-Bye…I guess." I can feel my face light up like a bonfire as I stand there for a few moments.
I…should probably get going.
You should.
Make my way out of the shrine right now.
Your feet aren't moving Kane.
Okay! Okay! I'm moving! She just caught me off guard!
…I think that's the first time a girls kissed me.
A little bit later than most Gamers.
But Congrats Casanova!
I can't tell if your being sincere or sarcastic TARI.
I only hear laughter as I sit in the trolley cart that leads to the bottom, foregoing the process of walking down those long steps. What would have taken me almost twenty minutes of walking was cut right down to a short five minute ride.
"I really screwed myself by walking everywhere." I commented as I got off the trolley when it let out at the bottom.
The sun was already reaching its peak and I was behind schedule. With a flick of the wrist the motorcycle is deposited in front of me in a flourish of gold.
Oh, wait my hats in my back pack.
Where is it, where issss ittttt—
"Hello!" The voice of a man called out to me, pulling me from my bag. "Can we have a moment of your time?"
I turn from looking in my bag towards the voice as a group of four men are quickly making their way to me. Each one looked sketchy as hell and were eyeing me My instinct flare once again as they guys get closer.
"Uh," I was sure that no one was around here when I pulled my bike out. Were they just waiting for me? "Look if you want directions I don't live here."
The front man sauntered up, noticeably trying to swagger his steps. He was much shorter than the others and dressed in far more personalized clothing and jewelry than his associates, who were actually pretty large men. "No, no. Actually, we were hoping to have a word with you about…artistic opportunities." The guy gave me a greasy smile that he must have thought looked charming.
I began to speak but the guy just continued, cutting me off!
"You see Red," The guy tries to place a hand on my shoulder but I step away. There's a brief moment of confusion but that smarmy smile returns. "There are quite a few individuals that take an interest in the performers of the festival and many of them like to offer a, uh, sponsorship of sorts to those they take an interest in I've ev—"
"Look, guy?" I interrupt the guy as he was about to pull out what looks like papers. "I'm sure that you're just doing your job, but I'm not interested." I kick up the stand on my bike and hope onto the seat.
The motor starts as I pull the throttle but a hand slap down on my shoulder before I can take off.
I look back at the apparent goon that was preventing me from leaving. He was big, maybe 6'5 in height and clearly packing on the weight and muscle department with his large torso and hands like catchers' mitts.
"It's rude to leave during a conversation you know." His deep voice held a pressing tone as he tightened the grip on my shoulder.
"Look, I don't want anything to do with you or your sponsor. So, you can either let me go and we both go on our way, or I'm gonna break something of yours."
The others guys chuckle while the thug that was grabbing me just gave an exaggerated sigh. "Look you little animal—"
I already knew how this was going to go so I saved them trouble and skipped straight to the violence.
With my enhanced body returned I quickly grab one of the fingers on my shoulder and twist. There was a snap and a cry of pain as I most likely dislocated the man's finger.
The screaming made the perfect distraction as I went full throttle and speed away from them at full speed down the hill.
Maybe now is a good time to leave Mistral.