With the Vytal Festival being just days away, I focused my free time on preparing a lot of food to bring to Levi's house since I need to make a good impression and such formalities and good etiquette. I don't think it would be really an issue, but I really want to make a good first impression to make up for the ruined hang out.

The plan is quite simple. Today is to catch as much fish as possible and buy vegetables so I can spend tomorrow cooking and mixing all the ingredients so the following day everything is ready and watch the Vytal Tournament. Surprisingly, I still do not know what to call that dish, Levi just calls it fish rolls while Blake refers to it as Mistralian food.

Such a simple schedule wouldn't have been possible if Blake didn't leave Menagerie for an urgent mission for the fang. She seemed worried but refused to elaborate, probably not wanting me to stress myself or something. I did suggest the idea to continue my training with other instructors, but she shot down my idea almost immediately.

Instead, I got a mini vacation which I am enjoying right now in my fishing spot next to a basket full of fishes. All paths lead to fishing.

After all, who am I to question fate?

I let out a yawn as I checked my haul. There is more than enough to feed a family, so I can cross that out from my mental checklist of things to do.

My attention shifts towards the plastic bucket filled with sea crabs. It is not like I can pick or decide what I will fish from the ocean, but they are still a pleasant bonus to get some pocket change at the market. That old man surely will be pleased with extra crustaceans. I could also cook them, but I'm not in the mood for crustacean meat.

My hand quickly reaches to cover my mouth as another yawn threatens to escape me while the other rubs my eyes to stave off the sleepiness. I guess I need a bit of rest before following with the activity of the day.

I take a seat on a rock and watch the sea waves crash against the rocks while my mind recalls yesterday's events and the sudden influx of memories. When I returned home, I jotted everything that could be understood with little thought.

Which wasn't much but a short fairytale story about a girl going through a magical land and meeting new quirky friends all together with the mission to stop the Wicked Witch of the West, which they managed to do so by pouring water over her. And then they meet the powerful wizard called Oz who rewards them with an ironic gift for each one of them before sending the girl back to her home with her family.

A very simple story to tell your kids before sleeping.

Why did that strange looking crystal suddenly give me those visions or memories?

I do not know.

And it left me with many doubts as there should be more of them somewhere. So I kinda got myself a lifelong quest to follow, though that sounds like a lot of work and nap sounds very tempting.

As right in cue with my thoughts, I almost snooze off on my rocky seat but my head jerked awake.

That quickly got my full attention because it is not exactly normal for someone of my age to be sleepy so early in the day, I haven't eaten heavy or dense food or taken medicine, and I've been yawning a lot since I arrived to my fishing spot, which is rather strange since I slept quite early yesterday and woke up at a good hour. So I shouldn't be tired, better said I don't get tired so easily. The world's standards can 't measure my stamina.

It is only logical to assume that something has to be wrong.

'Status'

Ma'iq Rakhan

Race – Feline Faunus

Age 17

Class: The pugilist

Level – 4 (33%)

Mentor – Blake Belladonna

Apprentice – None

HP – 410 [45 regen per minute]

MP – 1650 [350 regen per minute]

SP – 971/1850 [200 regen per minute]

STR – 26

END – 33

DEX – 30

INT – 27

WIS – 24

CHA – 25

LCK – 10

My heart practically jumps to my throat, almost choking me at the sudden disappearance of half my stamina. Something or someone has been zapping away at my stamina all this time, with me being a clueless idiot.

Is it a semblance? Or gas? Or they have drugged me without knowing?

I frantically check my surroundings with my eyes darting to every direction trying to catch anything or anyone, in all the time I spent, I have seen no one or anything get close to me, it is just me with my fishing tools at the seawall.

A new wave of drowsiness assaults my body sending me into panic as whatever is attacking me now knows that I know and yet I still have found no trace of my attacker anywhere in my vicinity!

For my hopeless situation, I opt to flee the scene.

Immediately, I drop everything at hand and make a run for it. Not caring about my destination as long as there are people nearby who will help me, I wanted to scream, but just like those nightmares, my voice produced no sound.

Then, to my horror, I could feel my feet slowing down, my sprint turning into long faltering steps while it set an enormous weight upon my shoulder while my eyelids struggled to remain open.

I can see the streets and the road full of people but they are still at a considerable distance that no longer closes when my legs finally fail me to keep me standing me and my knees drop to the ground forcing my trembling arms to continue the race by any means necessary, my hands grasping on the rough surface of the ground to slowly drag my body to the safety of the city but if my legs couldn't stand against the invisible force my arms fight in vain.

I extend my right arm hopelessly trying to reach for more ground, mentally calling out for help to anyone and nobody came, the embers of my strength finally gone. I lay on the ground grasping at anything to keep myself awake, my brain screaming orders to my body but failing to comply.

If I close my eyes, the game is over.

This isn't how my story should have ended. I shouldn't have gone fishing.

But I am too tired to regret it.

Too tired…

-?-

After watching the target finally collapse from exhaustion, it was the signal to leave her hiding place and let her skin recede back to her original color.

Slowly approaching the unconscious faunus, she lightly kicked his body to confirm his unconscious status and, after getting no response, she closed the lid of the barely audible music box. She still wonders how Atlas scientists could develop such a fearsome tool. The only intel they had on said instrument was that it is supposed to imitate the powers from a strange grimm by playing a specific series of notes at a specific frequency.

If it wasn't for her headset, then it would have affected her as well and it was time to report, which he promptly pressed the talk button on the right side, "Ma'iq has been neutralized."

"Did he resist or discover your presence?"

"He discovered that something was happening to him, but not what or who was causing it." She answered quickly.

"Good, continue with the plan. The supply ship is ready to set sail, so hurry up."

"As you wish, Lady Khan." With no time to waste, she quickly strapped the tempered face mask around his mouth and nose to keep him unconscious before picking him up and dragging him away from the light.

She still doesn't know the reasons for so much effort or plans for this specific faunus but she won't question Lady khan's orders because that's what outstanding soldiers do, obey orders.

-Ma'iq Rakhan, Unknown time later-

"Wake up. Wake up!"

I groggily open my eyes, answering the calls of the person practically screaming at my face, but multiple windows block my vision.

[Congratulations on finishing the tutorial!]

[Inventory is now unlocked!]

[A scroll has been added to your inventory.]

[50000 lien have been added to your inventory.]

Since I don't have time to actually read them, I only give them a quick glance before dismissing them as I rub my eyes to help myself wake up faster.

"Finally awake? Good, get the fuck out then. This is my spot." A raspy voice demands, causing me to scrunch up my face, looking for the source.

My gaze lands on a badly dressed human, baggy clothes filled with holes and colorful patches, but his long messy black hair stands out the most as it covers most of his head and face, connecting with an equally messy beard. The little area of his face that isn't hidden by his neglected long hair is covered with soot and dirt.

"You aren't retarded, are you? I'm being considerate because those guys beat you up quite badly, but I want my spot back." The hobo says with a hint of annoyance.

I look away for a moment and notice a metal rusty dumpster right next to me and the more I wake up, the more I notice the stench coming out from that container burning my nostrils.

"Fine, fine, no need to be an ass." Standing up I take a look around as I get away from the garbage but rather than see the green jungle I was accustomed to I only see a jungle of asphalt and bricks around me, "Where am I?"

"The slums, what other place looks like this shit?" The hairy guy answers as he makes himself comfortable in the spot where I first woke up, using his long messy hair as a cushion for his head.

I frown as I give another look to my limited surroundings, "slums?"

"Ghetto, shithole, hellhole, the hood, take your poison."

"Do you remember the people who left me here?"

He shrugs, "Besides being animals like you? Not a thing."

His commentary was completely uncalled for, but I cannot lash out yet. Too many doubts cloud my judgment.

I take another look at my surroundings, trying to take as much information with my eyes. The buildings are enormous that I cannot see anywhere but the skies since in every direction there are only ill maintained brick walls.

The floor is filled with sinkholes and littered with garbage and discarded newspapers. My alley or street where I am currently stand has two exits, to the right it leads me to a set of downwards stairs while the left connects to another alley.

I think of the likely places they could have stranded me in, Mistral, Vacuo and Atlas are out. The first option because the kingdom's city is similar to Kuo Kuana, Vacuo is a dry desert and there is no way Atlas would have a ghetto up in the sky.

That only leaves me with Mantle and Vale.

"This is Vale city, isn't it?" I discard Mantle as it is supposed to be a shining example of technology and progress second to Atlas. In other words, they would fill the skies with drones and airships, which is not the case here.

The human slowly turns his head and looks at me with wide eyes, "They really must have fucked up your head if you are asking something that obvious."

I bite my tongue to hold back any hurls directed at him and take one deep breath and exhale, "Just tell me where the exit of this shitty place is."

It is only logical for a beggar to know how to move through the city, after all.

"HA! Good luck, if the police don't catch you and kick your sorry ass back here."

"Kill yourself." I snarl at him, no longer holding back my tongue.

Instead of biting back, he flashes a sardonic smile, "I already tried. Death is for the rich."

I click my tongue in annoyance. There is no point in arguing with a low life in my current situation. I should think rationally and think of a solution instead of barking with that cynical bastard.

I look through my pockets and belt only to quickly realize how empty they are, my weapon is gone but more importantly my wallet is gone as well, the wallet which I worked so hard to buy and where I saved at least seven thousand lien, sending me back to square one.

Alone and without money with the slight difference of being in Vale and not Menagerie, if there is one thing I know as a matter of fact, people hate penniless bastards more than anything.

And I'm the unfortunate penniless bastard.

In my self deprecation, I hopelessly keep digging in my pockets and, much to my surprise, I find something inside my left pocket. Without losing a second, I bring it out hoping it is something useful but my eyes only see a piece of crumpled paper.

I fight the urge to toss it away, as it is the only clue I have. Taking a few deep breaths, I finally unfold the paper to read its contents.

'You might have the strength but are still too naïve of the world's grim reality and Belladonna didn't help you in that regard. Instead, kept you inside that bubble of ignorance. Find your way back to us and you will be fully accepted into our ranks.'

"FUCKING BASTARDS!"

My anger and the impotence of not being able to do anything instantly ripped apart the note in my hands. The white fang literally kidnapped me to leave me to rot in a different kingdom just to prove a point.

I don't personally know Sienna Khan besides what Blake told me about her, but now I fucking hate her, she could have just spoken to me. The audacity of that bitch, the sheer arrogance that she believes I will be thankful, that I will take her stupid test as a pilgrimage to the truth and reach illumination?

When I get out of this mess, I will punch her in the throat. That's my promise.

Does Blake even know about this?

And Levi…

Shit, they must be worried sick.

But I have no idea how to send back a message to any of them, and even if I could, I don't know their scroll numbers. So that door is pretty much closed until further notice. Unless I find members of the White Fang and ask for their help, but that bitch of Sienna must have notified them of my situation or something.

I just don't know.

Naturally, my gaze goes down with my mood, and I find a nasty surprise. All my clothes look as if I swam in mud. At least it doesn't smell bad, but hardly a good thing since I look hideous wearing them, "Where I can buy new clothes, I look as shit as you."

"Over there." He points to the right side with his thumb.

I look hopefully only to see the same broken dirt alley.

"There is nothing there but muddy ground."

"Of course. What did you expect from me?"

"Fuck you." I spat at him, turning around and leaving toward the stairs, mindful of the holes in the ground so I do not fall in one of them.

Reaching the stairs, I quickly notice how deep they go. Losing your footing on them can result in quite the nasty injury but thankfully it has a wooden railing, though it had seen better days. It gives the impression that it will fall off if you put a lot of stress on them.

Since is quite the walk I use the time to check the narrow passage, the walls stand out the most as they are an amalgamation of blocks put on top of each other, like one are is made of brick and next to it is cement, stones and reinforced concrete the only thing they share is the cracks forming all over the surface and illegible graffitis.

Except for a very obvious painted dick.

Vandalized to oblivion, not like it is a surprise since the place is isolated and I doubt is empty just because I happen to arrive.

Reaching the end, I am greeted by a new more spacious street yet the architecture and brutish vibe remains the same with the exception that groups of people are loitering around, none well dressed but not as bad as the homeless guy I first met.

However, my arrival is quickly noticed by everyone in the vicinity as all turn together to stare at me with ugly looks before losing interest and returning to their idle chatter. Half of the groups are faunus like me.

Even if they opted to ignore me, I know it is better to leave the place as soon as possible. Staying longer than necessary is asking for problems. but that gives me an additional problem, where?

I don't have a map and there are many connections to the streets leading to who knows where, at least where I first woke up the choice was a simple left or right.

Checking the area one more time before I cross the street and go through an alley on the right side, unlike the first area, there are doors and windows behind metal bars but they are finally there, which tell me I am in a residential area.

Not like it would help me much, but it gives me a reference to work with.

Though metal bars show the lack of security, and the gangs I have seen recently are proof enough, how unsafe this place can get.

Probably because I am dirty from head to toe and my clothes are ruined that they ignored me. What can they steal from someone that cannot even afford a decent shirt?

I am a bit mixed in that regard, glad for avoiding a potential problem but angry for such a low opinion of me, and I really want to find new clothes. I don't care if they are secondhand.

Anything to remove that shabby appearance from my person.

And I easily commit one of the first mistakes when walking through unsavory places. Never ignore your surroundings.

Someone abruptly throws one of those reinforced doors open and smashed against me, the sudden nature of the event catching off guard and throwing me off balance causing me to fall on the floor.

Thank the gods for aura or I would have gotten a broken bleeding nose by now, but that doesn't protect me from the pain it comes with.

Not soon after, multiple people came out from the building and surrounded me from every direction, and the cramped nature of the alleyway made it impossible to escape through them.

With a quick glance, I notice this hostile group wear matching outfits, a black hoodie with a simple skull logo on the chest area and a pair of jeans. The tallest asshole slowly approaches me while playfully spinning a metal stick in his hand, making it clear his intentions.

The thug aims for my head, but I block his attack with my right arm, grunting in pain as his weapon collided with my right arm. Immediately, my left hand reaches for the metal stick and gets a firm grip around it, preventing him from pulling it away.

Realizing his problem, he quickly tries to stomp me but I do not wait to pull his weapon from his hand using all my weight causing him to stumble forward.

Recalling my spar session with Blake, I do not waste time and kick his legs from below, causing him to release the grip of his blunt weapon so he can use his hands to stop himself from falling.

With an opening presenting itself, I use it to push myself from the ground and kick that piece of shit on the face, sending him moaning in pain of a broken nose.

"Fuck!" the asshole yells before pointing at me, "Don't stand there like idiots and do something!"

With those words spoken, the rest of the little gang are shaken out from the stupor of seeing their leader swiftly beaten before exchanging glances between them, demonstrating the doubt and hesitation to face me.

I don't know why they suddenly attacked me, but I won't stay down and take a beating. And now I have a metal rod in my possession, not like I can really use it effectively, but a weapon is a weapon either way.

And I'm still surrounded from all directions.

Except from above.

A plan quickly forms in my mind, and I leap to the wall, using the surface to impulse myself forward and land a spinning kick on one of the baffled cronies' necks, who drops on the ground clutching his neck in pain.

"He has aura!" One of them screams out loud. The revelation completely shatters the gang will to fight as they run away from me. Even the leader turns tail to escape towards the building before closing the door behind him.

Only the idiot who I struck remains in the scene, whimpering like a dog.

I didn't even need the stick to defend myself, just a flashy kick, and they scattered like rats.

Obviously, none of them had their aura unlocked, which is a good thing, or I would have been in deep shit.

Civilians just can't hope to match those with aura and they are smart enough to realize their hopeless situation.

I look at the metal rod in my hand and find nothing special about it, but I can give it some use in the intimidation department.

I look again at the whimpering guy, then I check myself, my summer clothes even more dirty than before, unlike his.

"Yours will do."

"W-What?" He stutters as he gasps for air.

"I need clothes. Yours will do for now." I announce my intentions before whacking him in the head with the metal rod.

Except he only cries out in pain rather than falling unconscious, making me internally curse for my stupid mistake. To make up for it, I quickly reach for a specific part on his shoulder and apply a lot of pressure.

If my memories serve me right, that should knock him out quickly.

Except it didn't.

He only screams even louder, drenching his face in tears.

I facepalm, "Goddammit…"

At this point, I give up.

I'm just torturing the poor bastard rather than making him a favour.

And I'm sure people are hearing us, but not doing anything out of fear or plain indifference. But it will attract others to the scene and put me into more trouble than is worth.

With no time to waste I grab the shoulders of the hoodie and forcefully pull it off, he doesn't put up any resistance out of terror of what I might do next; I wanted to take his jeans as well but with him awake it would make things more awkward than they already are, so only the hoodie will do.

The back is a bit dirty but is not that noticeable and it doesn't smell, so I don't mind.

I put on the black hoodie, which thankfully fits perfectly with my size but is a bit baggy on the stomach since it has a big stash pocket where my hands can keep warm.

With my goal partially met, I walk away from the scene with faster steps but mindful of my surroundings to avoid another door smashing my face. But I still carry that blunt weapon with me, it will give the wrong impression to prying eyes yet I don't want to throw it away.

Just in tune with my thoughts, the metal rod vanishes from my grip as it never existed in the first place. My breath hitches as I check everywhere around me just to be sure if it didn't fall by mere accident, as if magic took it away.

I stop my search and take a moment to think, it shouldn't surprise me the sudden disappearance of that object. I quickly recalled a system notification when I first woke up but quickly dismissed it since that idiot was being a nuisance. It mentioned inventory, a scroll and something else, and maybe it should work like the status window.

Every gamer has an inventory which is some sort of dimensional pocket space to store unlimited items, so by deduction the mere thought of storing it away has taken there my weapon.

No issue in trying it out.

'Inventory?'

The bluish window appears in a flash in front of my eyes, but not the big text with numbers, a very small paragraph to be exact.

[Ma'iq's Inventory]

Scroll (Soul Bound)

50000 lien

Metal club

It is a genuine surprise to see a new window that isn't my status or a level increase after all these months, but is a very welcome surprise that comes with many doubts.

I do remember the earlier message mentioned something about tutorial completion, so the other two items listed on the inventory are my rewards for finishing it. Thinking about it with more depth, my time in Menagerie was pleasant and one could even call it joyful. Everyone was willing to give me a helping hand for starters, and I learned many things regarding my system. So it would be correct to call it a tutorial of sorts, but I didn't voluntarily complete it.

Would it have been considered completed if I left the unrecognized kingdom willingly?

Then the first item on my list is a scroll, which is fantastic as it was my goal to get one, but the parenthesis next to it creates more doubt. What exactly does soul bound means?

And then the second item being lien.

Fifty thousand, to be exact.

More lien that I've seen in my life, so losing my wallet with all my savings is no longer a bitter memory, it still sucks because I worked very hard for it. Either way, I am no longer a beggar, only dressed like one.

That money is my ticket out of this hellhole. I only need to find the exit and better clothes before I can settle down in a more respectable place.

And the third and final item is the weapon that disappeared on me moments ago by a mere thought. Meaning that in theory, thinking it back should do the trick.

And surprise, surprise.

The metal stick materializes in my hand.

I hit the wall with it a couple of times, causing loud echoes through the narrow passage to test for any possible change before sending it back into my inventory after watching it perform normally.

Then I summon the soul bound scroll.

A small white handheld device appears in my hand with a rather wide screen. It differs completely from Levi's scroll though. Hers was holographic in design. I check the back of my scroll and find a strange geometric logo, a painted triangle inside a circle with a smaller circle inside the triangle.

Strange.

But I believe it is for the best to not put much thought into the little details. It could be only a strange design. After all, it came out of nowhere.

I press the power button and watch the screen load quickly, first branding the same logo from the back, causing me to frown as now I know is not a mere design but a brand logo.

With the booting complete, I don't waste time and check the date and time at the top right corner. The clock marking 3:21 PM.

I choke on my own saliva when I see the date marked September Twelve.

Five whole days I was unconscious before I woke up in this shithole.

Almost a week unconscious and of my disappearance.

I need to put my shock aside so I can focus again. While it is shocking to see how much time passed, I cannot let it get me. As there are more important matters to attend to, like finding a place to sleep.

And I don't feel hungry or thirsty, somehow.

Did those assholes force feed me or something?

I shake my head to dismiss those thoughts before I tap the dustnet icon, opening a search bar and automatically a digital keyboard appears on the screen.

My first search is a map of Vale city. Even if it can't track my location, I can still work with it. I am sure that following a general direction is enough to exit this labyrinth.

Much to my pleasant surprise, the search results are successful and convenient as the first result is the detailed map of the residential area, which I am sure is my current location.

I expand the image and thankfully it shows a small area designated as a young district, a rather respectful way to call a ghetto. This young district borders a river close to the industrial area, so if I find the river I only need to follow until I find the bridges.

It will be quite a walk but doable.

Now I just need to find said river.

-Ozpin-

"So what is the reason for this sudden call? Is out of our weekly scheduled meeting, my friend." The headmaster of Beacon Academy looked at the screen as he calmly placed his coffee mug away from the video call.

"You know why." The general growled.

"Pray tell, because I'm still in the dark about what you are trying to convey here."

"Enough games Ozpin. Did you or not leak the war hound location?" James Ironwood snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"I never approved the purchase of such a war machine James, why would I know anything related to it?" He wouldn't betray Ironwood's trust, even with all his faults, but it gives him a pang in his heart that James actually believes he had something to do with such an unfortunate event.

"That doesn't change the fact that those damn terrorists got their hands on it. I am no longer asking you, but telling you that we will send a recovery team and root them out, even if that means searching every nook and cranny of Vale."

"Your forces' presence in Vale would be… problematic, to say the least. You should put more faith in our police forces to handle these issues." No matter how noble the intentions are, people would assume the worst and reach wrong conclusions if soldiers started walking on the streets, and Atlas always had a bad reputation with Vale's citizens.

"Just like they protected it?"

He frowned at the hostile remark, "There have been no casualties but a couple of bruises. I understand your concern, James, but we cannot allow people to grow restless. Your forces will do just that and play right into her hands."

The mere mention of the biggest enemy of mankind quickly calmed down the general, but only momentarily, as he narrowed his eyes and looked directly into his eyes.

"And we cannot allow Atlas enemies to use our technology against us! That warehouse also had our manufactured weapons and vast quantities of dust!"

"That's… concerning." The report didn't mention any of that. He will have to look further into it and check who gave him such lacking news, "I can allow a maximum of two airships to patrol Vale's outskirts. And a small team undercover inside my city."

He needed to balance both sides, so it was the best solution he could come up with at the moment.

Ironwood wanted to protest; he had the face to speak his mind to try to convince him of more leeway, instead his features softened and let out a long-drawn sigh, "...Fine."

Soon after, he ended the call.

Ozpin leaned back in his chair with a hand holding his forehead, preparing himself for the oncoming headache. The council hasn't called for him yet but he knows the first topic of discussion will be the hijacking and somehow will try to pin the blame on him for the sole reason of his lack of approval of the purchase.

He knows how stupid it sounds, hell everyone can tell how stupid it sounds. But that's how politics work and he can only face it with a poker face.

And he needs to talk with the head of the police force to increase the number of patrols. The white fang will surely use their new weapon soon and he would rather be prepared than be caught with their pants down.

But that's work for later as a council member, he needed to focus on his job as the headmaster of Beacon Academy, thank the gods for Glynda unmatched administrative skills and implemented systems which make paperwork easier to digest, only leaving him the work to pass or reject. And with the approaching end of the year, the academy paperwork has increased tenfold with the sudden influx of applications just like every year.

So he grabs the first page from the small pile and starts reading the profile of a potential student, however the hairstyle and face of the girl in the picture is eerily similar to a specific woman he knows quite well.

"Yang Xian Liao? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a while."

AN: So finally I am done with the chaps for this story, though the last ones went through complete rewrites from what I had originally planned. Like, for example, there was supposed to be a big fallout between Ma'iq and Blake regarding politics, and Blake sticking with the fang just to spite him. Or have an extremely psychotic Adam nagging him and preaching race supremacy ideologies around Menagerie. Dumb ideas that were crossed out when I reached those points.

Now I can finally focus on the next chapter of You had your chance, it is already sketched out and a bit extensive, so it might take a bit time to flesh it out but since I'm free, I think I can do it in less than two weeks.

Don't forget to pump the stock by hitting the fav and follow boxes down below!