"Nnngh!?" I gasped in pain while clutching my wrist, having fallen to the tatami floor too hard.
"Ah!? Sis, you okay?" Toku said while worriedly looking at my pained face, inspecting my hurt wrist.
"Y-yeah, it's no big deal. I guess I just lost my balance at the end there and fell awkwardly." I wryly chuckled. "I'll go get some ice to put on it."
Ignoring my younger brother's protests, I carefully picked myself up and left the dojo. Heading back towards the house.
Toku was currently helping me train my reflexes and hand-to-hand combat. It was going pretty well until I miscalculated, and a wound that I had got during school caused me to lose my balance.
Hopefully, he doesn't get suspicious.
But man, getting beat up by your own sibling who's two years younger than you really does hurt your pride...even if that sibling has won multiple tournaments.
Still hurts.
I'm pretty sure all the big siblings out there understand what I mean as well.
My ego has been wounded~
I need to heal my soul in Sapphire. Yup, let's go find the overseers and then get some PK points!
Oh, I should restock my arrows and consumables as well. I guess I'll drop by the auction house once again.
Maybe I should just make a storage room and fill it up so that I don't need to go through the trouble every time…..but that's a thought for later!
Taking a quick shower and then changing out of my training clothes, I immediately hopped into my capsule and logged into the game.
I had plenty of return scrolls, so I used one without hesitation and appeared back on the town teleport pad.
Alright! Let's go find this Overseer.
Heading towards the building that my mentor had directed to, I walked up to the pair of guards who were standing at the front gate.
"Hey hey hey, look! There's another newbie trying to see the Overseer." Mocked a swordsman who was watching nearby.
Motioning for his buddies to follow him, he sauntered towards me in an arrogant manner.
"I can help you get in you know!" He declared while disgustingly eyeing my appearance. "But in exchange, I will need you to do me a little favor…"
Ugh…..I just have the luck to meet the worst type of person today. Obviously, he must have some sort of quest that lets him inside the gates, but I'm sure that it only works once.
After all, I did notice plenty of other people approaching the gate before me and getting turned away.
But why did he choose me…..how troublesome.
Ignoring him, I turned away and kept walking towards the gate. Seeing me brush him off, blood rose up to his head and he shouted in rage.
"You little bitch! Don't come begging to me when you're rejected!" He screamed while stopping his advance and crossing his arms with a nasty sneer.
I just ignored him, people like him don't deserve attention.
Taking out Abest's badge, I showed it to the guards.
"Ah, excuse me, kind sirs, I need to see the Overseer on Marshall Abest's orders." I politely asked while watching them check the badge.
Apparently, they found it quite real, without hesitation, they opened up the gate and let me in with friendly smiles.
"Of course, young miss."
"Yes, our master is expecting your arrival!"
Oh? How welcoming.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the previous rude man who had approached me earlier. Heh, well he looks very shaken up. His name's Hitman? I'll note it down for later.
"Thank you very. I'll put in a good word for both of you!"
[Affinity with Theodore has risen by 10]
[Affinity with George has risen by 10]
Nice one Yuri! That was a really good play right there. Hopefully, I don't forget though.
I was ushered by a butler into the mansion and gestured to wait in a waiting room. Looking around the place, it was very well furnished and luxurious, as expected of the top dog!
While waiting on a very comfy sofa, a message arrived in my inbox from Lyssia with all the details I had asked for included. Skimming through the contents, a few I very interesting things caught my eye.
Fufufufufu looks like this game will only get more interesting from here on out! Lyssia is more resourceful than I thought! I'll make good use of her.
Typing back to her, I gave her orders to test her abilities.
---Lyssia, do you have the capabilities to track certain people and give me more information on them?
---Of course
Well, that was a quick response.
---Fang, Heavenly, Tahoe, Lapis, Tomoe, and Beryl. Give me as much information on them as you can. At the meantime cover up anything that might lead towards my real identity, because I know that you know it.
---...As you wish.
---Oh, also, get someone to kill the player named Hitman a few times. I got annoyed.
---Yes, I will set to it immediately.
Satisfied with her response, I closed my tab while standing up to welcome the butler that had just entered the room.
"The Overseer will see you in his office, please follow me." He said in a monotone voice while gesturing for me to follow him.
Silently nodding my head I trailed behind him as he led me through a long hallway and in front of a very imposing door. I made sure to remember every detail of the inside of the mansion, never know when it might come in handy later.
"You may enter." The butler said with a refined bow.
Dang, I'm getting nervous.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped in.
Only to find a cute little girl sitting behind the desk trying to put on a stern look.
…
…
"Pfffft!"
Crap I couldn't hold back my laughter...uh oh.
The Overseer's aura immediately changed, and she stared at me with eyes that seemed to see through everything. She looked as if she was in second grade, with short silver hair and sparkling blue eyes. If she stood up, she would most likely only be one meter tall.
"Ahem, nice to meet you Abest's disci-bel. I-I'm the Overseer of Zircon, Izzy." She stated with high pitched voice, accidentally slipping up and getting flustered.
Oh my god, she's so cute….! No, but I have to keep my self-control...mini-me, shut up!
I tactically decided to completely ignore her fumble and bowed deeply with a respectful face. She ignored my laugh, so I'll also ignore her super cute slip-up! Win-win situation.
"It is my greatest honor to meet the magnanimous Overseer of Zircon. I pray that you will treat me well, I am in your service."
[Affinity with Izzy has risen by 25]
Oh my, she must have been quite embarrassed huh. Ahhhh so cute!!! I desperately tried to hide the grin that was threatening to surface. Keep it in Yuri, for the sake of my mentor's reputation!
Straightening back up, I told her why I came.
"My mentor commanded me to come here and meet you, ma'am."
Calling her ma'am should make her happier right? Because all little kids or lolis want to be treated like adults! I remember I did at least.
"Ah, yes. In fact, you are the first adventure that I've met so far, if all adventurers act like you then how great would that be!" She happily exclaimed with a pleased expression. "Marshall Abest is really blessed to have such a dignified and polite disciple. So what is your name?"
"This humble adventurer's name is Lynx, but I greatly beg of you to keep that a secret from others. Due to certain circumstances, I beseech thee to simply call me Yuka." I begged in an exaggerated fashion while once again bowing my head deeply. "In addition, I have promised to include a good word on Theodore and George, who are performing excellently at the front gates."
It would be troublesome if someone found out my identity due to loose ends.
Noticing my desperation, Izzy wore an understanding smile and readily agreed.
She's quite wise, I wonder why she looks so young….but I probably shouldn't ask her for her age huh. That wouldn't be smart.
"Right, I'll make sure to tell them how good they are doing. Abest must have had you come to officially sign up as Zircon's soldier, is that alright with you, Yuka? I know that it may take some freedom away, but I will ensure that there is no big difference as being an adventurer of this town. I will also give repercussions and benefits if you agree. After all, this town needs talented people like you, and you must be very special if Abest chose you himself!"
Becoming a soldier of Zircon? Errrrr, I do like having my freedom, but it sounds like the pros overweigh the cons.
"If I may politely ask, can I see the list of rules and benefits that being a soldier gives me, ma'am?"
She energetically nodded. Taking out a sheet of paper, she handed it to me.
"This is the contract, feel free to take your time to read it over! I'm not too busy today."
"Thank you very much, ma'am."
Taking the parchment, I carefully read over every detail.
[Soldier of Zircon - Growth Contract
-Affinity with NPCs in Zircon will rise
-Title: 'Soldier of Zircon'
-No waiting in line or gate tolls
-Doing deeds will raise your reputation
-Promotion requires 100 merit points, you can gain them from protection citizens or slaying bosses -nearby
-Pay of one gold a year
-'Badge of Zircon' - can be worn for buffs
-Discounts in all NPC run shops
-You are under the jurisdiction of Marshall Abest and must report to him at least once a week
-You have a responsibility to heed all emergency and defensive calls
-You have the ability to send NPCs and Player to prison for one hour, but only once per day
-Free access to all training grounds
-Own private bed and cabinet in the Ranger Barracks
-More permissions will be granted the higher trust you receive from Abest or Izzy]
T-this...isn't this really good?! I practically report to Abest every day even without being a soldier, and I won't have to pay the gate fee! This is amazing, no way I'm letting this chance pass me up. The good outweighs the bad by ten folds, and I even have a chance of being promoted.
Without hesitation, I signed the contract and handed it back to Izzy.
"I accept, from now on I will be working under your benevolence. Thank you for this chance, ma'am!" I proclaimed while getting on one knee.
I don't know why I kneeled down, it just felt right? At least she looks pretty happy at my behavior!
[Affinity with Izzy has risen by 10]
"That's great! It's nice having you Yuka, you can report back to Abest that you are now officially a soldier of Zircon." She cheerfully responded while getting off her chair and patting me on the shoulder. "I'm sure you will do great things. Here is your badge and advance payment of one gold, welcome to the military!"
At her words, a few notifications popped up. I'll be sure to check them once I get back to my house.
"I blessed to have the opportunity to serve this town."
"You're dismissed then. Have fun!"
"Of course, if you will excuse me."
Getting up and bowing once again, I left the content Overseer and exited the room. I found the butler waiting to guide me back out of the mansion.
Ahhhh, that went better than I expected! A new title, a new item, and new benefits. This meeting has really made me even more overpowered in this city. I bet I could get even more if I'm promoted, let's hunt some bosses tomorrow to see how much I get! Although I'm not sure how I'm supposed to protect the citizens...by sending players with PK points to prison? I guess we can test that out as well then.
Walking out the front gates, I cheerfully greeted the gatekeepers and told them that I had put in a good word for them. Waving goodbye, I walked to the auction house in a good mood.
Let's go buy some arrows and stock up on interesting things!
Oh right, I almost forgot about Abest.....hehehe oops.