Chapter 15 - Intermission 1: Akigaia and the 'Companion' Event thing

Inside the Potion Shop near the outskirts in the City of Courage.

"Here"

I pulled out the dimensional pouch---given to me by the madam, so that the cylinder glass I am using to gather goo's from Scubily won't shatter during my quest, I reached it to madam after saying the word.

"Thank you, thank you very much! With this, we can save our business!"

The madam along with her husband---the dead-looking eye mister who has an errand the last time---and their daughter; simulataneously bow towards me. Thanking me for finishing the quests.

She then followed: "This is enough to lasts us for at least 5 years!" as she silently examine the pouch and a little bit of surprised. One by one, she pulled all the Glass filled with goo and reached the bag back to me:

"Eh?"

Ah right! I forgot to take my miscellaneous personal item off!

Because I didn't bring any belongings and the pouch is convenient to use and has free space other than the container for goo, I carelessly filled it with the monsters loot and the Bow from the rotten elf!

I frantically pulled all the item inside but madam stopped me from doing so. Her husband didn't complain either.

"Its alright, I'll give it to you as an extra reward"

"Hmmm, thank you!" Damn! I don't know its real value but the moment I receive it from her for the first time, I don't want to let it go, so I guess its my soul item from now on.

"Fufu, anyway as for your reward. Like what I said, this much liquid is enough to concoct a high grade potion or even greater in the near future. So I can give you one stock of potion once a week during that period"

". . ." I perplexed. Is that it? Is that my reward!? "How many potion in each stock? Mind if I ask?" Did they want rip me off?! Is what I actually wanted to ask. If its a potion or two, did I sacrifice my life for nothing? If Crypt is hostile, I might die there! Did a few pieces of potion is enough as a compensation reward? Even once a week is not that valuable. But then again, surprised and happiness filled me.

"Ninety-nine pieces per stock. Actually, that is the highest offer I can give, I'm sorry" She pleaded again.

That much!? "No! no no, i-its alright! I didn't know that much, I'm an ignorant one here, please forgive me!", I hate to bow down but it is my fault for doubting them. Its just that, I thought one stock of potion is only at least 12 pieces! Ah damn! With that, I just accepted the reward.

But before exiting, I questioned, "By the way. . .how come few Glasses of goo could lasts a year?"

The husband and wife look at each other and smile. "Well, a single drop could create tens and thousands of vial as it's purely poisonous, one needs a long process of cultivation to create a fully developed potion. After all, the stronger the poison, the greater its effect along the process but too strong and it still be poisonous. That is why, this recipe alone has the higher potential of providing greater potion in the near future. My dear here is an earnest alchemist, major in potion concocting, he has the ability to save----" blah blah blah, blah blah blah.

Yeah, the moment she started moving her mouth specially about her husband, she didn't stop blabbering. I only waited for her to finish and didn't absorb much about what she said after.

After then, I exited for good after saying "Give them to our Tea Shop then, goodbye, and thank you"

●○●○●○

"Hmm, Event you say?" As I'm too absorb in bounty hunting, there's this one time that Akigaia arrived in our Tea Shop. Him and some of his Guild member is our esteemed customer so when he loaf around inside, Asashi didn't mind at all. Well, he only and always waiting for my presence and that's not new.

Ever since my infamy resets back to zero, we converse around from time to time, especially when it was him who is waiting for me in the Tea Shop. I give him some face, after all, he is the only one I acquainted with this many Locusts and helped me from that dire situation I got into.

I just also felt comfortable when talking with him. Maybe because of his girlish act and voice but I didn't find it funny at all. Not once. Am I a homo though? Ah no, I sure am straight as hell! A real man!

And also, I don't care if he didn't pay me this once. He helped me so I guess we called what happened between us; even. So after hearing his offer just now, I can't help but surprise.

He followed: "Well, the registration has just started"

"Hmm? The Locusts-only event?" I asks.

"Locusts. . .Ahh well, you can say that, but as a participants, we need representatives coming from this world" He said as reply.

"Go on, then", 'this world' Ehh? I'm wondering what world is he talking about.

"Players---err, We or what you called Locusts need a partner coming from the 'local citizen'. In a nutshell, me and you have to team up versus another pair or maybe an all out battle with everyone, there's a little adjustment though"

"A battle? Hmm, sounds interesting"

"I don't know if that is the case, they didn't announce it yet but the requirements is what I mentioned, they called this event as: [The Companion]"

"Hmm I see, companion huh" I can't help but look at his eye, did I count him as companion? Did he saw me as one?

I don't know, reading one's thought is not my forte. But then again, I remembered: "You have that little gorilla, yes? Isn't that your companion? It counts as a 'citizen' of this world, right?"

Thereafter, he summoned a small creature the same height as my knee that play near our table. He then answered: "Yes, indeed, but this is the same reason why I seek your help"

Looking at my expression, he added: "Pet---rather, monster companion is too dependent on their owner, so its better if we partnered with NPC--people if this world . I'm sure that is the advantage between the two, please Boss! This is one of shortest way to gain fame using Virtuous Adept name! Please tell me how can I make you accept it"

Amazing. Is this how he usually negotiate? the 'No' answer is not even exists in his offer. Although I still can't get used to it, calling me as NPC that is..

In the first place, I won't bleed if I accept his offer and if I happen to decline, I won't know what might happened during then and my curiosity happens kicks in. Its just that, I almost forgot that Locusts are participating this so called event of his.

"By the way boss, this is out of topic but, did you give someone a quest after our first meeting? I'm curious"

As I am about to accept his offer, he asks out of the blue. What does that question mean?

"Ah forget it" he only awkwardly smile and brush that question hung.

Hmmm, sounds fishy.

In the end, I accepted his offer

And after a day or two, the so-called 'Companion Event' has started. And what the hell is that?

"Piggy Back running!? What the fuck!?" I cursed out. I wanted to back down after hearing the 'Voice of the World' but I and Akigaia teleported in a cramped space and in front is only a piece of fence, separating us in a vast field.

"Sorry boss"

"Sorry my ass! You know from the very start what kind of event we are doing, yes!?"

He nodded, seeing he flustered in shame like a little girl, I knock his head. Although its not common to hear the voice of the world, I didn't mind it for now as I am busy calming my pissed self right now.

"Damn! Stop with that girlish act! All we have to do is to win, right?"

He nodded again, of course that's the case!

"But there is one big problem" He murmured and follow: "The companion's level depends on the participant Player---Locusts, adjusted by the Event Administrator. So right now, yours is the same as mine, s-so. . .even though dying here is not permanent, what am I going to do!?"

What the hell? He muttered some word I could not comprehend which is questionable, what is he talking about in the first place? But because time is of the essence, I refrained from asking.

"Stop shitting me! Make sure to compensate me for the rest of your lives after this!"

"E-eh!? f-for the rest o-of my life?" This time, his face turned red as tomato.

"What!? Is something wrong with that? Tell me if you object, I'll back down right here!"

"N-no boss! Let's win this!" He clenched his teeth and fist then look at me, still embarrased and red. Damn it! Why is he so cute!?

Anyway, I said that word so he owe me for the rest of his life. He he he. I have one Locusts in my palm now. Next time, I will ask him to feed me information about his kind. Yes, the curiosity is killing me overtime. I'm sure he won't object after hearing that word, 'compensation for the rest of his life'.