"Why not?!" Fenrir asked.
"Because I don't even know where this tree you're talking about is located. Our best bet is a tree that was felled 2 centuries ago in a country called Norway. Another source says that it was located in Scandinavia. That's a region that includes 4-5 countries and a couple of islands and you want me to search for a giant tree there?"
"The World Tree is not just a giant tree! It's a divine tree that extends over the 9 realms! Its branches extend above Asgard and its roots even reach the land of ice, cold and mist. Its located a-"
"At the center of the universe. I heard that. But its not helpful information. There are multiple places on Earth that have been called the center of the universe. Do you have anything else that might actually help? I hardly had enough to pay for the Internet in this café. How are we supposed to travel all the way to some far off country with no money?"
"I thought all countries were united and you can always travel on foot, can't you?" Fenrir asked as if it was the most obvious thing.
"It would take me years!"
"Then get stronger until you can reach the place in a few days. Easy!"
"That would take me years as well!!!"
"You underestimate the value of the skills you stole- got from me. It won't take you more than a year or two to become that strong."
"Then how do I do that?"
"Go around and gobble up a few puny humans."
"Nope."
"Ok, here's the deal kid. Take me to Yggdrasil and I'll help you unlock the Beast Skill Tree."
[Quest created]
[Objective: Reach Yggdrasil]
[Reward: Unlocks the Beast Skill Tree]
"What the-"
"Woah, Mr.Screen could do that?" Arcus asked, amazed by the notification that was now floating in front of his eyes.
"Your time is up." a bored looking teen who looked like he was in his college years said as he opened the door to his cyber café room without any notice. Arcus panicked as the screen had not disappeared and was still floating in front of him. "You gotta pay if you want to continue using that."
"Uhh.. just give me another minute. I'll be out."
"Make it quick then." he said as he proceeded to close the door behind him.
"Do you think he saw the screen? Although holographic displays aren't that big of a deal, what if it pops up when I'm near someone? Won't they find out about my abilities? And how do I even close this screen?"
[This screen can only be viewed by you and no one else.]
[You can close and open the screen by thinking about it.]
"Oh great! So I was hallucinating all along." Arcus then searched for places that were offering jobs in his neighbourhood and wrote their addresses down on a piece of paper.
"Are you done yet?" a voice asked from behind the door.
"Yes." Arcus replied as he shut down the device he was using and walked out of the café.
"So, when are we getting there?" Fenrir asked impatiently.
"In two years."
"TWO YEARS?! Why do you need two years?!"
"I've got to attend Military school and I can't tend to remain like this forever. I have to get a proper job in the future."
"Then let's head to this place you're talking about! What are you waiting for?"
"First off, there's the graduation ceremony in two days. The Military school only starts two months after that. So there's nothing I can really do about it. Now don't ask me what I'm going to do in the next two months because I've got no clue either. I'll probably work somewhere until then. I won't be getting those free lunches anymore." Arcus said as he walked home.
He spent the next day making trips to the addresses of the list of places he had made the previous day. He finally found a job at a small café, few blocks away from his apartment. His graduation was quite eventful. Neither had he made an attempt in making friends nor had anyone approached him with the intention of being friends. So he had directly gone home after the event and the next day he began working at the café.
"We'll have Jack teach you the ropes for today. He's been with us for.. a very long time. Where is he anyways?! It's almost time for us to start. You can call me Amy and you're Arcus, right?" a girl with a boy cut and jet black hair said.
"Yes ma'am."
She was around 4 inches shorter than Arcus and was chewing on a piece of gum. She wore a look of annoyance on her face for some reason. They were seated inside a room meant for the staff to change. He had noticed the fact that she was unhappy and decided to stay quiet as they sat opposite each other around a rectangular table in awkward silence. A few minutes later, the door opened and a handsome boy with blonde hair and a playful smile walked in. He was as tall as Arcus and looked like he was around the same age as well. "Good morning princess and welcome newbie, I'm Jack Sullivan."
"Arcus.. that boy, he's not ordinary." Fenrir suddenly spoke.
"What?"
A pair of shoes flew towards Jack at a terrifying speed, hitting him right in the middle of his face, knocking him out in the process. "This is the last time you're calling me that!" Amy screamed. "I'm going to go open the store now and you! Try not to slow us down while working." She said as she stormed away leaving the two of them behind in the room.
"Are you sure about him not being ordinary or something?" Arcus asked Fenrir in his mind as he crouched down and pocked Jack's arm, who lay unconscious.
"I thought I sensed Jormungandr's soul energy from him but I'm not very sure about that now. It's been quite a long time, so I might have made a mistake."
"Jor who??"
"Jormungandr, the World Serpent."
"Wait.. isn't he your-" Arcus thought out loud, waking Jack up in the process. They stared at each other for a couple of seconds before Arcus brought out his hand to help him up. Jack smiled and took his hand. "Quite a feisty woman, ain't she?" Jack said as he got up, chuckling to himself.
"I'm Jack, I'm the same age as you. I've been working here for.. err, a very long time. I've been asked to teach you stuff today. So just follow me around and take notes or something. Don't hesitate to ask questions. So, have you ever worked in a café before?"
"Nope."
"Looks like it's going to be a long day. Let's start with the places you have to sign in when you come." Jack said as he started to show Arcus around the place. Although Jack looked and acted irresponsible, he was perfect at what he did. He was efficient and fast. Not only was he good at chores but he even brew the best coffee Arcus had ever drunk. There were even some regulars who specifically asked for their beverages to be brewed by him.
"He's the best after the old man. He even wants his daughter, Amy to get married to Jack so that the café would be in safe hands." Rick, another worker at the café told Arcus as they watched Jack whip out a caffe latte for a customer.
At the end of the day, Arcus found out that he was an utter failure when it came to brewing coffee. Jack and he sat down at the counter sipping on an espresso Jack had made for them. "I'm leaving now. You close the café today. Show the newbie how it's done while you're at it." Amy said as she walked towards the exit. "As you wish, milady." Jack said as he took a quick bow. Amy responded with a glare before she walked away, closing the door behind her.
"So, you stay nearby?" Jack asked, as he pulled himself out of the bow and sat down beside Arcus.
"Just a few blocks away." Arcus replied.
"Alone?"
"I have a father but he's hardly home. So yes, I stay alone. What about you?"
"Oh! I was brought up in an orphanage. The owner of this café found me sitting on top of a pile of garbage playing with a banana peel in a city run over by monsters. He took me to the orphanage near his house and visited me every now and then. Then we just got attached I guess?"
Arcus now understood why the owner of the café trusted Jack to the point where he wanted to marry his daughter off to him. Jack was starting to seem like a nice guy.
[Poison detected in the host's body.]
[Host has been subjected to a paralyzing poison.]
[Host has been paralyzed.]
[The skill Perfect Condition makes the host immune to abnormal conditions.]
[Host is no longer paralyzed.]