Ragnarok

Chapter 1: A New Job

Milcren counted the days as he sat by a table. Nearly two months since his most recent contract. He wasn't one to flaunt his wealth like what many other snobbish rich, arrogant, nobles would have done. Instead, he'd be more thrifty and wisely spend his pay. As he calculated, he had one ruby as of now. Food, lodgings, he settled for them all with every passing day

This was the life of a mercenary: never staying at one place and answering to the requests given with no question. Milcren had long accepted that.

His hand heads over to the mug on the table, wrapping his fingers around the handle as he lifts it to his mouth. The beverage was… what did they call it… soda? It seemed to have some sort of continuously bubbling taste for the first few seconds before that was less felt.

Milcren takes another gulp of his soda before he sees his finished plate of food picked up by a Salazzle. "So, did you enjoy our meal?" She asked him with such a smooth tone.

"I did, it was nicely cooked and evenly seasoned." He told the waitress. She chuckled in response. "Of course, we work well to provide our patrons and customers satisfaction from our services…" There was a pause as she tapped onto her chin while she moved herself closer to Milcren.

Her mouth leans close to the side of his head. "But, if you wish for it, there are… other services we can provide." Her tone was sensual, attractive in a way to lure the tempted like a fish. As she spoke, Milcren could see one of those customers leave their table with an attractive Nidoqueen waitress towards the staircase leading to the upper floors of the building.

And from up there, his eyes caught sight of a door opening as a Meganium left the room with an Aggron looking from the slightly open space left with certain fluids running down on the leg seen from there.

So, that sort of service. He could feel the waitress's hip touching his thigh from his seat, his free hand guided to feel those voluptuous, shapely hips.

"I'll pass."

"I see…" she gets off him with a sigh, turning around. Before she walks, she turns to look at Milcren with a wink. "Well, come see me when you're ready to have some satisfaction~..." The waitress then walks off with his plate, shaking her hips as she makes the faces of patrons and customers alike go red around her.

Milcren bats his eye and resumes taking his drink slowly, savouring the taste of soda. Usually, when not on an assignment, he'd be fine with beer. Soda could feel like an non-alcoholic alternative, still having such an addictive taste.

Unfortunately, such tranquility was never meant to last…

He sees a pouch slammed onto the table he occupies and looks up, staring at the eyes of a youthful Cinderace. He didn't need a sign to know the reason for this.

Someone's hiring him for their request.

"Milcren Aelox, right?" A male's voice.

"...Yes." Came Milcren's reply. "And you're here for what?"

"Help me find Ragnarok." As that last word left the Cinderace's lips, Milcren paused momentarily. "...Ragnarok?" Milcren repeats to confirm what he just heard from this Cinderace's mouth.

"Yes, Ragnarok! Oh, I never introduced myself: Name's Alphi Nescott. I've heard of rumours of the legendary Ragnarok and I'm gonna find it. But I don't think I can do it all by myself: so I need a hand! Fifteen rubies's your price, right?"

Milcren silently looked at him, eyes fixated and he looked at the pouch, opening and counting it's contents. "...Yes." he answers. "But, let me tell you this: Many people have already gone on the search for Ragnarok and it either ends in the following: they were never seen again, they gave up after many days of exploration, or they were found as rotting corpses. Ragnarok's… only a baseless rumour with no evidence of existence. I'm not the type of person who goes for something non-existent. What makes you think you'll find it?"

"I've heard that Ragnarok has been seen!" Alphi replied.

"That isn't enough."

"If it's seen, then it's real!"

"Real, as in, a real sentence to death."

"If it can grant wishes, I know what I want!"

"That's wonderful. For if."

This Alphi… "...And why do you want to find Ragnarok?" Milcren asked.

"If I can find a legendary treasure, I can get people to know me as the one who found Ragnarok! I want to be recognized!"

" ...Just like the many others who went to search and were never seen again…" Milcren mutters under his lips.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Milcren sipped his soda again. He studied Alphi carefully. "You're willing to pay, aren't you?"

"Yes! You're a top mercenary around here!"

"..." Some silence from Milcren.

"I guess I'm a bit of a curious soul, aren't I?"

"...I'll give you several conditions which you must follow. If, and if, this Ragnarok physically exists…" He looked at a calendar and turned back to Alphi. "Starting today, you only have fourteen days left. There's this 7

rumour that Ragnarok doesn't stay long if it is seen, and will disappear from everyone's sight. So, once day 14 is over, our contract is done."

"Fourteen days to find Ragnarok…" Alphi repeats.

"Next… Don't do anything without informing me. We'll need to know each other's status at all times."

"Sure."

"Hmm… next up, don't use my status to get through anything. I'm not a public authority figure. ...For your sake, I'll add an optional condition, but if you fulfill it, I'll consider listening to… extreme orders."

"What is it?"

"Buy me soda whenever possible."

"Just… buy… that?"

"Like I said, it's optional. But if you give me soda, I'll be more willing to do extreme orders."

"Just asking, but… extreme orders?"

"Need a head down, I'm willing to shoot it." This made Alphi reel back slightly. "Told you it's extreme."

"Will you… really kill someone if I ordered you to?" Alphi chose to question.

"Yes." A neutral answer from Milcren.

"I… I see…" Alphi looked down. "...Let me think… about it." If Milcren didn't know better, this young lad wouldn't dare to take lives. "It's fine by me." He said. Milcren held his chin, looking down in silence before he nodded. "...I think those conditions will be enough, unless events that happen cause more to be placed."

"Okay… I understand." Alphi nodded. "With that, can we get going to find Ragnarok?"

"..." A pause from Milcren before he spoke. "...Yes. Let's depart from this place." Alphi nodded, fixing the travel bag on his shoulders just as Milcren picked his bag up. The Cinderace went on ahead, unnoticing Milcren's expression, nor the thoughts in his head.

" ...Why?"