Chapter 2 - Busy Business

Few days passes by since we arrived in this City. . .

Unlike our village, this city is hundred times larger in activity, the economy is bustling and people are bubbling.

There are Locusts that strayed from here to there as they try to make an affection out of me.

Such as by giving me something I needed---eating in our restaurant for example. Or a tip but thereafter asks if I can give them quest or whatnot.

Of course I follow this City Rules and give this Locusts what they desired---like giving an errand to buy recipes for our business and at the end, give them a few copper as a reward. Some fumed while some cursed their lungs out.

Haha its refreshing if I say so myself.

Its irritating sometimes but at least this City has not that many Locusts like in my village, so its acceptable, I guess?

With a small sigh, I saw my reflection from the crystal window of our neighbouring house. I won't be surprised as the setting is always like this.

The reflection of yellow question mark above my head is not fading no matter what I did---by trying on holding it but I touch nothing, or bump my head but as you can see, nothing happened. Jeez. . .

I don't even know what is this thing in the first place, or when it showed. But one thing is for sure, Only I can see it. So the answer I'm seeking, I don't know where to start or am I doing it right?

". . .ter, Mister, Mister"

My thoughts returned back as I felt someone is pulling my sleeve down. For the record, what I'm wearing is a green robe woven and has flower design as a motif for our business, our Tea Shop.

"What is it little girl?" I questioned the little one who pulled my sleeve. I remember this girl as she's with us in that desert, and unlike her father she's a bit energetic.

"Mister mister, It was you right? You're with them right?"

"What do you want, little girl?" I ask while nodding at her question

"Hmmm? Is that little girl the daughter of that creepy old man?"

This time, one of my co-workers arrived. This person is one of those who defeated the Centipede, thanks for selling its meat and shell why we are renting this place and doing this business smoothly. We are running it and also an employee at the same time, so its a win-win situation.

As for the others? Well, like in the village, we have our own and they have theirs. So the moment we arrived here, we separated our path and just count ourselves as an acquaintance. So I can say, this little girl is also one of them.

"Papa is not creepy, he has some sleeping disorder, that's all" The little girl protests, protecting his father who has the dead-looking eye.

"Eh, so that's why he have this big eye bags around his eyes----yawch!"

This man, he never know when to get serious. Thanks to it, his knee has been kicked while teasing this little girl's father.

Shaking head from these comedic scene, I asks:

"You need something, right little girl? As far as I remember, your area is at the other corner of this City, why are you here alone?"

"I'm currently giving quests, but it seems like Locusts and Mercenary can't win over the Monster we needed so my Mama seek for a soldier from the last time"

Hmm, I once told to that man with dead-looking eye that I'm also a soldier and looking at his reaction, he seemed to brought it. I also informed that they are running a branch business in here.

That thought aside. . .

To think, I myself received this so called quest just like how Locusts are doing. I don't know what's the fun of getting a quest and a few rewards.

Either way. This Locusts are unknowingly created this system

A Quest or Mission.

Only a handful of jobs like Soldiers like us, Knights, or hired Mercenaries are using its system but thanks to this Locusts, that word is pretty common such from harvesting plants and ingredients, to House Construction to Killing monsters. In short, from mineal to hard task. Though the same system and rules, I can still see the difference. After all, a soldier or a Knight won't accept the job of picking up plants for a few rewards.

Still, this looks fun. How about I should try it for once? I'm not a soldier right now, but the smell of adventure and my spirit is kicking in.

"Oi oi oi, from your grin just now, are you going to accept this Quest? I remember correctly that a word 'low key' was left from that small mouth of yours the last time, what is this, huh??"

Hearing him, the little girl pout her cheek with piercing glare. Haha, you found your nemesis, my friend. I'm sure you will accept it if I happen to reject her proposal. Is what I wanted to say.

"Just this once little girl" I declared after a few pause.

Unconsciously, I saw my own reflection yet again---then look at this kid, this guy here and the people around. . .They didn't saw what I see. Or rather and more accurately, only I can see it.

"Uhmm!" The girl happily nodded and stick out a piece of paper inside my palm and run away.

"Jeez! I Should start to work, then" My companion scratched his head and leave.

"Tell Asashi I'll be back, get me covered Saiha. . Thanks in advance" I said.

"Alright, Alright and that name sounds creepy, I can't get used to it" He yawn and wave his hands and entered our tavern.

Well, we have to get used to it. We don't have much of a choice after all.

●○●○●○

Troublesome. . .

Really, troublesome. . .

Arriving at the Potion Shop of this little girl's parents. I am now at my wits end, almost exhausted.

Why? Damn Locusts keep on pestering me again! They strike a conversation wherever I go. Once I shut the others, it replace by another. I actually want to slit their throat but. . .ahh well, I need to finish this Quest fast.

As our eyes met, the little girl's Mom is now looking at me in a bit of worry so she reached out a vial of potion. Of course I look at her in confusion.

"You seemed to drain your stamina, drink this"

"Is that your payment for the Quests?" I questioned and only stared at the vial she is giving.

She just shook her head and accept her potion, but I didn't drink it and instead stares at it from my grasps. We only stir and drink herbs in the village so lets say that this is the first time I saw a purely concocted potion myself. This crystal clear yet bluish color is the calmest water I'd ever seen in my life.

I'll treasure it then. . .

"Did you read the paper?" Little girl's Mom asks after a giggle after seeing me alienated from the vial she gave. Of course I nodded, although I raised to be a soldier and not a scholar I can still read, so. . .

"I see. . .well, truth is we are concocting a newly version of Potion" she convey

"And?"

"That's why we're in this City. One of the hardest ingredients to obtain is nearby--"

"---that even the Locusts couldn't finish the quest you give, is that it?" before she could finish her sentence, I added. Though I only repeat what her daughter had said.

"Uhm, I'm sorry that this is too sudden but I assume only you and your companion can do this"

She looked depressed. I turned around and found out that it's a yes, although this is a Potion Shop, I'd never seen any customer to entered so far or leave even before my arrival . ."You will lost your business if this continue, is that it?"

She nodded. . .If the city is bustling with people, why they don't have any customer as of yet?

As if she knew what's on my mind, she answered: "Its the Locusts, they concocted a potion resembles ours and sell it to much lower price at every entrances of the city. I---We can't compete with them so this is the only thing I can think of, if this continues we might go bankrupt" is what she said

I smiled, Nope. . .you never tried asking them, they're your business nemesis and there's no way you hired them, alright.

Maybe you hired a Mercenary but I doubt you also seek Locusts help. Is what I wanted to believe.

looks like I am stypid but I'm not that dumb to the bone O' dear missy. Oh well, not that my problem but still, this quest, I'll still accept it. . .

She bowed down with her child, begging. . ."Just this once. And as long as you give sweet reward" I said so in confirmation.

"Of course I will, thank you very much!"

"Thank you, Mister!"

A couple of minutes later, I exited out of their Shop. I was also informed to announce the Quest I got towards the Merchant Guild at the very center of the city as they are the mediator between the Quest Giver and the Questor as a form of formality.

After all, a business needs to follow the rule, breaking it might leave them bankrupt for real as a punishment, or worst they won't get the permit to run any kind business in this city anymore. As for how a business works, I don't really know as our Tea Shop is running by Asashi and others as troublesome works should be handled by meticulous and laborious people. . .