Chapter 3:
The Maid, The Elf, The Librarian and The Witch
System Online
~Ren's Room
[Quest Complete]
-Push ups: 200/100
-Sit ups: 200/100
-Squats: 200/100
-Run: 20km/10km
3 of 4 Rewards Claimed
Claim Reward - Status Recovery?
[Yes] [No]
Rewards Claimed - 10 AP, Random Loot Box, Irlam Forest Dungeon Key
'Turns out I can choose which rewards I want to claim, so that means I can hoard all of my status recoveries.' Selecting No, I go to sit at my desk, I inspect the item I was given for going over the amount needed for the daily quest.
Irlam Forest Dungeon Key
Rarity: D
'So there are dungeons, huh? At least there is another way to level up…' Putting the key back into my Inventory, I look over my new stat increases.
[Status]
Name: Ren "Maxwell" Fujimura
Level: 19 (440/500)
Fatigue: 08/100
Job: N/A
Title: The Player (Temporary)
Hp: 1000/1000
Mp: 675/675
Strength: 24
Agility: 21 (2)
Sense: 19
Health: 19
Intelligence: 26
AP: 20
'Based on my skills, Intelligence is probably the stat I should focus on the most. Even if I have Elsa's Kukri, there's the hassle of having to learn how to use them. I'll put 10 into Intelligence and hold off on using the rest of my AP.' Increasing my Intelligence to 36, my max MP goes from 675 to 925. Finally finished with all of my upgrades, I stand up and out of the wooden chair. 'Now onto getting directions from one of the maids.'
-Saving Complete-
Thankfully, Rem volunteered to show me the way to the forest, even with her very quiet and reserved attitude. I had asked Ram at first but she just said something along the lines of "As if I'd help a freeloader like you" or something like that. Finally reaching our destination, Rem stops in a forest clearing. "We're here…" Rem says as she turns in my direction, a strange look in her eye.
'So we are…' Pulling out the key, a new window pops up.
[Notice]
Suitable Location Reached
Using (Irlam Forest Dungeon Key)
Given no choice in the matter, I am transported into the dungeon with Rem as an add on. The sun's rays that would pierce through the tree's gaps being replaced by the moonlight. A small amount of fog that would come in everytime the wind blew. The sound of chains snaps me out of my observations.
Turning towards where the sound came from, I find Rem holding a flail? With a damn near hostile look on her face. "Wolgrams…Is this your doing?"
"Huh? Wolgrams? What is th- Ahh!" My questioning is interrupted by the sudden sharp pain on my right shoulder. Looking over at my shoulder, I find a dog biting it to the point of drawing blood.
-31 HP
Throwing the best punch I can in this situation, the dog seems to let go and runs away with what sounds like a whimper. Looking towards Rem, her hostile look gone, being replaced with a more confused one.
"Rem? Was that what you were talking about? Wolgrams?" That seems to snap her out of her confusion by the now more cautious look on her face.
"There's more of them…" And right she was, we were surrounded by these "Wolgram". Just looking at them has me intimidated, even if it doesn't show on my face. It doesn't seem to affect Rem though, she's already charging into battle with that flail of hers.
"Tch, Huma!" Summoning two shards of ice, I shoot them at the nearest dog. Both of them hit their mark. Unfortunately that does little in stopping the rest, if anything it probably aggravated them even more. Thankfully however, most of their attention was on Rem and not on me, so while she's on the frontlines, I'm helping out from the back taking out any dog that tries anything sneaky.
"Huma! Huma! Huma…"
After a whole lot of gore and violence that even those with a strong stomach would gag at, they finally stop pouring in from wherever they came from. Rem, whose maid outfit is now soaked in blood, looks around with an almost bloodthirsty look in her eyes. Keeping my distance from her, I look at the screens I had been ignoring.
Defeated Wolgrams x 16
400 Exp
Claim Dropped Loot?
[Yes] [No]
Selecting Yes, I am unpleasantly surprised by the amount of junk I am given.
Wolgram Meat x 11
Rank: F-
Wolgram Fang x 23
Rank: F-
Mabeast Horn x 7
Rank: F-
[Level Up!]
Skill - Huma leveled up x2
'I leveled up but why is it all junk? These drops are horrible.' Closing all of the windows, I look back towards the still very bloody maid. Our eyes connect when I catch her staring at me. She doesn't shy away from being caught and continues staring at me.
"Are you just going to stare at me or are you finally going to say something?"
"So you are not with them…" Is she being for real? I wouldn't be injured if I was.
"If it wasn't obvious, no I am not 'with' them. I seriously doubt they can understand me, let alone let me get close enough to try and communicate with them."
"...My apologies, Guest-sama. It was wrong of Rem to suspect you." Rem bows in a near 90 degree angle, apologizing wholeheartedly, at least I think she is.
"Err, Right. Don't worry about it, it's no big deal…We should probably go back to the mansion…" It'll be harder if she isn't here to help, but that means I'll get all the Exp.
-Loading Save-
Looking over the map that was provided to me by Beatrice in exchange for baked goods made by yours truly, only after begging Rem to allow me to use the kitchen. I find my current location to be in the easternmost nation. Before, I had heard the word Lugnica be thrown around repeatedly, but at the time I had no clue where Lugnica was located.
And that's not the only thing, it turns out the world is somehow flat. Yeah…I'm not going to question it.
Folding the map back into its original state, I grab one of the other books I picked up at the library called "Mabeasts". Opening up the first page, it starts off with a table of contents. Looking it over, I find the name "Wolgrams" in the earlier pages, page 14 to be exact.
On page 14 there is a drawn image of said Wolgrams and the title, and a whole bunch of text on the pages after.
"Wolgram are large wolf-like creatures with brown and black hide, protruding razor-sharp fangs, a set of spikes jutting out of their backs, red eyes, and a single spike like horn on their snouts. They are around one meter in length, weigh 30 to 40 kg, and move in packs which are typically led by a shaman who could shapeshift into an unassuming adorable puppy capable of Earth Magic." Huh, I'll be sure to look out for it next time I go into the dungeon.
"By biting a target, a Wolgarm could infect their victims with a curse that could only be dispelled by a talented mage or by killing the Wolgarm responsible. Upon activation, the curse would instantly transfer all of the victim's magical energy to the Wolgarm regardless of the distance, instantly killing the victim and feeding the Wolgarm."
"I'm cursed?" Worry slowly starts to seep in once I finish reading that last part.
You aren't.
"I thought I was going to die for a second, thank you system."
"Ren? Who are you speaking to?" Turning around I see Emilia standing at the door.
"Eh?...I mean, good afternoon Emilia! How've you been?" Surprised by her sudden appearance, I try to get the attention off of me.
"I'm fine, I just finished with my studies. But you didn't answer my question." Of course it doesn't work.
"I was just…talking to myself is all."
"Oh, alright." She believed that? She really is naive.
"So…Was there something you needed?" I ask.
"Oh, Yes! I mean…are you busy?"
"Um, not really? I was just reading something." I show her the book I was reading.
"I'm sorry for interrupting you, I'll leave if yo-"
"Woah, slow down a bit. You didn't interrupt anything, I was just finishing up. So? What's wrong?" I ask the now very flustered elf girl.
"I-I'd like to speak with you, if you don't mind of course…"
"Hey, of course I don't mind, take a seat. What's on your mind? Need help with burying a body?"
"No! Of course not, I would nev-" My sudden statement seems to snap her out of her funk. "Mou…don't tease me like that!" She whines with a pout on her face.
"Hehe…Sorry, you're too stiff, I just had to do it." That only serves to deepen her pout even more. "Alright I'll stop. So what did you want to talk about? Am I getting kicked out for bribing the librarian?"
"That won't work on me the second time, but I just wanted to talk." If only she knew. "I've been sooo busy with my studies that I've completely forgotten to spend time with you." What are you? My girlfriend?
"Well for what it's worth, I've been fine mostly. Except for when I got attacked by a pack of Wolgrams, thankfully Rem was there to save me from a very painful death."
"You went to the forest? Why?" Her face filling up with concern.
"I was curious about something, so I asked one of the maids for help. I came out alive, didn't I?" Rem healed me up, so I'm not too worried.
"You could've gotten hurt! You shouldn't be so nonchalant about it!" I did get hurt, but she doesn't need to know that.
"Meh…I'm fine now, aren't I?" She doesn't seem to want to drop it though. "Look Emilia, I appreciate that you're worried but even without Rem I would have been alright, so let's just drop it and talk about something else. Like…the weather?"
…
…
Why did I say THAT!? I might be a loner but even I know how awkward it is to say that!
"I think it's been quite lovely. The way the sun shines on the flowers, just makes them look even more beautiful." How…she actually just started a conversation from that.
"Do you like flowers? In that case give me a second… Inventory" Opening up my Inventory screen I take out the flower hair ornament and hand it to Emilia. "Here is a gift from me to you, as a way of saying thanks for bringing me here."
"I couldn't possibly take this. I should be the one who gives you something, not the other way around."
"I guess, but this is a gift from a friend so you can't refuse it." I say mostly joking.
"...Thank you! Thank you so much!" Emilia exclaims, the happiest smile on her face, holding the flower up to her chest. The setting sun's rays of light reflecting off her beautiful smiling face.
Feeling my face heat up, I try to avert my eyes but find myself unable to. I get the feeling that If I were to avert my eyes now, I'll regret it later on. "...Y-Yeah, no problem."
We'd continue talking till the sun finally set, the only light source being the small lit candle on my desk and the occasional piece of moonlight that would momentarily pierce through the clouds.
"It's gotten pretty late, I think It's time for me to go to bed." Emilia yawns while stretching.
"I can walk you to your room if you'd like." I say opening the door for Emilia.
"I'll be alright, thank you for offering…And Ren? Thank you for letting me be your friend. Good night." I barely catch that last part as she runs off down the hall. 'What a strange but nice girl.'
Closing the door behind me, I turn to face my book infested desk. 'I told Beatrice I'd be done with them by the morning, but I've barely even read half of them. Time to cram it all in one night, just like highschool finals.' Accepting my fate, I sit down at my desk and start with the closest book.
-Save Complete-
Forbidden Library
Sitting in her usual spot, Beatrice would stare at the blank pages in her Tome of Wisdom day in and day out. This would happen everyday and everyday nothing would change. 'Why Mother? Why would you abandon me?' Beatrice would ask herself that question, wondering why her mother stopped showing her her future through the pages of the ToW.
She had stopped crying long ago, now she'd only wonder why, but would never find a satisfactory answer. Putting her ToW aside, all she would do now is stare out at space and think of where she might have gone wrong. She'd think it over and over again, and would still come up with nothing. 'Everything seems to go right for everyone else. That clown is still being given information from mother, and Puck has already found someone to form a contract with. And yet I sit here destined to rot away with time in this quiet library, I suppose.' The sound of the door to library opening would take her out of her dreary thoughts
"Ah…It's you." The sight of the black haired boy carrying the pile of books he had taken out not even a day before surprised her. What surprised her even more was that he carefully replaced all the books in their right spots without asking her once. She could only stare at his back in bewilderment as he expertly placed every book back, almost as if he had worked in this library for years.
Once done, he turned back towards her and started making his way back. This time she could clearly see his face, and she noticed something even more surprising. With every step he took his eyes would close ever so slightly, almost as if he were struggling to stay awake. She also noticed he started talking, but she couldn't quite hear him.
"...ou for…borrow your books, Beatr-" He would never finish speaking, as he tripped on one his feet and collapsed right in front of her. He would continue laying there unmoving, and Beatrice would just stare at his prone form waiting for him to start moving again. She would continue staring at him for another minute or so until she'd notice the blood starting to pool around his head.
Alarmed, Beatrice would quickly stand up and rush to his side. Turning the boy on his back with a great deal of effort, she is quickly relieved to find the source of the blood coming from a smaller than average sized gash on his forehead. Placing both of her small hands over his wound, she starts to heal him back to normal.
"You owe me for this, I suppose." She of course gets no answer from the sleeping boy, blissfully unaware of his own injury. Once finished healing, she could only stare at his sleeping face. 'To fall asleep with such a wound, what did you do to be this exhausted?' She didn't have to wait long to find her answer.
"...Damn I-glyphs…" He mutters in his sleep.
"You idiotic boy." The blonde librarian says, the smallest of smiles on her face.
-Loading Save-
Castle Of Dreams
"Ugh, my head…The hell happened?" Sitting up from the ground I was laying on, I observe my surroundings. 'Where is this place? Did Beatrice throw me out of the mansion?' But despite my curiosities, my surroundings were anything but natural. Planes that would stretch on forever, no trees in sight, no sun or clouds in the sky and yet there was light, and lastly a patio table with an umbrella on a small hill.
Going towards the only sign of civilization, I start making my way up the hill. With each step a strange feeling I hadn't noticed before starts to grow stronger. Once close enough, I recognize the feeling, the feeling of danger. That if I step any closer, I may die.
'Its just like when I first met Lide…but less than then.' Pushing onward, I find a young woman, her pale white skin and hair contrasting with her all black outfit.
"Please, take a seat." Her soft voice rings out, and I can't help but obey her words. "You probably have many questions but before that, allow me to…Hm? Oh I see, my apologies, I have completely forgotten that my miasma might be a bit overbearing for those who are not used to it." So she finally noticed my struggle, the feeling slowly starts to fade away now.
"Now, as I was saying. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Echidna, the Witch of Greed. Welcome to my Castle of Dreams!"
-System Offline-
A bit on the shorter side but still one of the more progressive chapters. I have edited chapter 1 a bit, nothing too different from the original. I also changed a note I left at of chapter 1 that said Ren would have RBD, he won't.
I don't really have anything else to say so yeah, here's the status screen.
Name: Ren "Maxwell" Fujimura
Level: 20 (340/550)
Fatigue: 00/100
Job: N/A
Title: The Player (Temporary)
Hp: 1050/1050
Mp: 950/950
Strength: 25
Agility: 22 (2)
Sense: 20
Health: 20
Intelligence: 37
AP: 10
Skills
Huma - Lvl 3/10
Stealth - Lvl 1/10
Bloodlust - Lvl 1/10
Poker Face - Lvl Max
Redacted - Lvl Max
Baking - Lvl 7/10
Literacy Blessing - Lvl Max
Observe - Lvl Max
I added Baking on there cuz it was mentioned this chapter and Literacy Blessing cause I forgot to add it last chapter.
And you might be wondering what is Redacted if its not RBD? Well I'll let you guess for now.
That it, leave a review if you'd like to.
Buh-Bye!