I headed down when I received a message from Yasmine. I couldn't see into the blacked out windows but I knew it was Yasmine's car because the man from last time was standing there next to the door.
He bowed lightly to me and introduced himself.
"Good evening Mr. Franz. My name is Brunelli, Ms. Heath's servant."
I looked at him and nodded.
"I'll be in your care tonight."
He smiled and opened the door for me. I climbed in awkwardly. I have never been in a car as luxurious as this, and I was afraid of getting something dirty. When I finished sitting down comfortably the door was closed and a sweet voice entered my ears.
I looked to my left and saw Yasmine sitting in a lovely black dress. However if I were being honest I didn't care at all about the dress, instead I was staring at her and I forgot to say anything.
She smiled brightly, brushing her loose black hair behind her ear and asking in her playful voice.
"Do you really think I look that good?"
Stupidly I nodded unable to say anything. She laughed and brushed a tear out of the corner of her eye.
"You really are interesting... By the way you look almost like a different person from a month ago."
I looked down at myself for a moment and looked back at her.
"Is it too casual? I don't own a suit so this is what I had."
"Mm mm, you look good, I was actually talking about your body. The beard is definitely new. Your hair is stylish and you've lost a lot of weight. Also... The look in your eyes have changed slightly."
I flinched slightly because the change she was talking about was definitely from me becoming a little colder. I had worked through the guilt of killing and viewed the world a little differently. Cee Cee told me that she could see it, but I didn't know regular people could see it.
"Ah... Well I have been busy with working recently and my life improved so I decided to take better care of my looks..."
While not entirely a lie I left out how I got the haircut and clothes just to see her. She made a hard to read expression before it disappeared and she smiled.
"What do you do for work by the way?"
"I... Fix electronics and resell them..."
I didn't feel ashamed of what I did, but I felt it was a bit unimpressive when compared to what she must be used to.
"Hm... That's a bit surprising to me. Your art was so impressive that I would have thought you painted for a living, but there is nothing wrong with that. A lot of people do things they aren't passionate about just to make a living."
When she said that, I couldn't help but feel that her tone was a bit hopeless. I looked at her and thought that at this moment there was not a single trace of the bright woman I had painted. Instead I saw someone who looked incredibly lonely and unhappy.
Unsure of what to say exactly, I decided to speak what I felt.
"I guess we're all fighting for our own piece of happiness in this big world... But I want to believe that if we work hard enough one day it will be ours."
Her expression stayed melancholic for a while before she turned back to me and adorned her smile. However now it didn't look like a bright smile from pure happiness. Instead it now looked like a well made mask.
'Will I get to see what's hidden beneath that one day?'
"It looks like we're here."
I looked out the window and saw a large event building. Brunelli drove us to the entrance where he opened the door for us. Once we both stepped out a valet took the car away. Yasmine and I walked alongside each other, with Brunelli right behind us, making our way to the entrance.
Large security guards stopped us to check our identities. When they heard it was Yasmine they quickly let her pass and there weren't any issues at all.
"Wow... Much different than my previous experience at getting in an art show."
"Haha, well I'm a bit well known in the Upper City, also..."
She pointed her finger up and I followed it. The name of the building was illuminated in big letters.
[Heath Hall]
"I own the place."
I walked with her while in a bit of a daze.
'Rich people live in a different world than the rest of us...'
We then went inside where the walls were lined with banners with names of artists and sponsors. Once we made it to the actual event room there were temporary walls set up with each cubicle being a different artist.
I wanted to immediately go and start looking at art with Yasmine, but the moment we stepped inside she was swarmed by dozens of people all in fancy suits and dresses.
I stepped back since I felt not only uncomfortable by their presence, but also slightly annoyed by the looks in their eyes. They had smiles on their faces but I didn't see a hint of warmth in it.
'This has to be exactly why Yasmine feels so lonely... Opportunists everywhere and fake friendliness.'
I waited patiently for her to finish exchanging greetings with everyone before she excused herself and walked over to me. We finally began to walk around to look at the art.
"Sorry about that."
"You don't have to apologize. It looked draining."
"Yes... It is really tiring, but unfortunately it is part of the job unfortunately."
I nodded and we continued walking while looking at the art. We had yet to stop anywhere to admire anything, but we continued making comments as we walked.
"They're a bit..."
I finished her sentence.
"Empty. The technique is good and it's clear they put in a lot of effort... But they're just pretty pictures. There is no emotion."
Yasmine nodded in agreement to my statement. Both of us seemed to like the same type of art that invoked emotion. Technique was secondary to us. While we were walking around people would come up to Yasmine and greet her. During those moments I would stand back and look around absentmindedly.
Eventually we made it through the the entire show but failed to see anything amazing. Deciding it was a good time to leave, Brunelli left to get the car, and we left soon after.
When we got to the restaurant Yasmine asked for two separate tables. One was for Brunelli and the other one was a private one for the two of us. We were seated at a very private table that had an incredible view of the city. I was staring out the window as Yasmine ordered for us. She knew I didn't know anything about fine dining so she ordered what she thought I would like.
The waited soon took the menus from us and walked off. Another waiter arrived with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. He filled our glasses and stepped away after Yasmine confirmed that she liked it. Yasmine took a sip before she finally spoke to me.
"Is the view out that window really that beautiful?"
I answered immediately.
"Yes.. I can see why people are willing to do anything for this view. If I saw this long enough I might believe I was somehow better than others."
She laughed lightly at this but didn't deny it. Instead she looked out the window and slowly sipped on her wine. I was going to turn back to say something when my attention was drawn to something else.
[System update complete.]
[Inspect function added.]
However I was not expecting what happened next.
When I looked up at Yasmine, I saw her eyes were just as wide as mine, and I speculated it was for the same reason as me.
[Lvl. 13 Alchemist]
"You-"
"You're-"
Brunelli had suddenly stood up and was already standing between Yasmine and me. I could now see a nameplate above him as well.
[Male Human - Brunelli Vistorica]
He tightly gripped a sword by his side and glared at me.
"Who are you? Your response could be the difference between you living or dying."
Realizing it wasn't a good situation for me, I opened my status and used the feature to summon Cee Cee. A portal opened and Cee Cee calmly stepped through. She didn't know what was going on but me summoning her suddenly couldn't be good.
Startled by her appearance Brunelli and Yasmine both stood up in defensive stances. Yasmine pulled a sort of gun and a belt of vials appeared on her waist.
Realizing the situation was getting out of hand I stood up and held my hands up.
"Hold on!"
Yasmine looked at me with seething rage.
"I don't care who you are... But answer me this: Did you approach me knowing who I was?"
I looked at her wait a pained expression.
"No. I didn't know you were a player... I became one a week before I met you but it's been inactive for the past month. All of a sudden it came back online just now and now I am able to see your nameplate."
However that didn't seem to mean much as she still had her hands on her weapon and was still in a defensive position.
Sighing in defeat, I lowered my hands and stepped back with Cee Cee.
"I don't know what is going on, but I mean it when I say I didn't know who you were... I don't even really know what a player is or why are players."
They didn't move so I walked forward and tapped Cee Cee's shoulder.
"Let's go."
We were about to leave when Yasmine stopped us.
"Wait!"
We turned around and Yasmine let out a sigh.
"Sit down, I'll explain everything. Brunelli, do you mind eating with his servant?"
Brunelli nodded and bowed lightly. I then motioned for Cee Cee to go with him. Although it was just a feeling, I could tell that Cee Cee could probably rip Brunelli in half while unarmed. He was a human while she was an Orc.
After they sat down Yasmine and I also sat down. She had put away her weapon but I could tell she was still on guard from me. She took a deep breath before locking eyes with me.
"You said you don't know what a player is... To be honest, I don't exactly know either, but what I do know is that there are players hidden all over the world."
She then went on to explain everything she knew.
Players were seemingly randomly selected individuals who were given access to the Trials of Ascension. However information was not freely shared, instead it seemed like someone or a group of people out there were purposefully censoring it.
She had remained hidden but there have been threats to her life. All the other Players she had met have tried to kill her. When I asked why I was surprised to find out that my system was very different from other's.
"Well that's because when you kill another player... You can take their traits and items. With only having one trait, being able to get another one is is a huge advantage. Also since I am not much of a combat class I am an easier target than most..."
"Why don't you just switch to a combat class and then switch back to your alchemist class when you need it?"
She gave me a look like I was insane.
"You can't change your class though? Your class is random."
It was my turn to look at her like she was insane, but then I remembered the message that said the Rogue-Like System was the best fit for me.
'I'm fundamentally different from them?'
I then proceeded to ask questions and found out more about how different our systems were.
The difficulty of our trials had a big difference. A non combat class like the Alchemist was able to reach level 15 just by completing a single stage a day. They also were only able to attempt the trial once a day, and the rewards were much better than mine.
They grew quickly, but they were unable to gain traits like I could. Their skills were also restricted to their class.
When compared to them, although my growth was slow, I could go much further than them. I didn't reveal everything to Yasmine but I let her know that my system was different from hers. If my system was different, there was a chance that there were others with different systems as well, and that she should be careful.
Our food arrived and we awkwardly ate in silence. We still hadn't came to an understanding about how we would go forward, but we didn't seem to want to hurt one another. When I finished the steak she had ordered me I wiped my mouth and took a sip of wine before asking her something.
"If you're working alone... And I'm alone..."
She was about to put a piece of cut meat into her mouth but she slowly set down her fork while looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Why don't we... Work together? I mean I can't offer anything other than helping you when I can, but in time I think I'll be strong enough to help. Also I think Cee Cee is stronger than Brunelli, so she might be more useful than me by herself, but if you ever ask me for help I swear to show up. As long as you do the same."
She looked at me with a serious expression and locked her fingers.
I braced myself for a harsh rejection, but instead she began laughing.
Confused, and a little offended, I asked in an annoyed tone.
"What are you laughing about..."
"Ahahah... Haaaahhh. I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you its just you really are funny unintentionally... You essentially just said we should form an alliance and that you have nothing to bring to the table."
I opened my mouth to argue when I suddenly realized that was exactly what I just did. Realizing that I closed my mouth and looked down awkwardly.
"Yeah... but I did say in the future I would be more helpful. Look, if you don't want to we do-"
"Let's do it."
"-n't have to... Wait what?"
My mouth was still open as I looked at Yasmine's laughing face, she collected herself again and wiped a tear from her eye.
"Your idea to team up. I accept. As I said before, I'm not a combat class and having one by my side that I could trust would ease my mind a lot. Maybe it's a mistake but... I trust you."
"I'll trust you too then, Yasmine... Then here is to a new partnership."
"To a new friend."
We tapped our wine glasses together and took a drink. We continued talking and getting to know each other more. It was close to closing time when we finally finished talking.
I learned that Yasmine was not born wealthy. She had been much like me, although a little better off, and had made her fortune by selling her potions in the real world. The international trade business was simply a front.
We got up to leave after we finished eating, and the restaurant was closing. Brunelli brought the car around and we all go inside. Cee Cee sat in the front with Brunelli. I didn't know what happened between the two of them, but they oddly got along well.
Maybe it was because they both bonded over being strangers in this world.
Yasmine and I both sat in the back together. As we were about to leave Yasmine proposed something.
"You know... It will be pretty hard to be my body guard if you live all the way in the Lower City... How about you live in one of my guest rooms? Of course there will be rules but for the most part you simply have to not cause trouble."
I was about to decline but I thought about Cee Cee. The apartment I lived in right now was too small for two people. With Yasmine as a sponsor of sorts food would no longer be an issue and I could focus whole heartedly on pushing further in the trials.
'I can't think of any reason to decline other than pride, but my pride doesn't put food on the table.'
I looked back at Yasmine and nodded.
"I accept... But can you let us work for our pay? I don't want to freeload off of you."
"Haha, sure. You two will be hired on as my bodyguards. Brunelli!"
Yasmine picked up a phone from the wall and spoke into it. Brunelli, similarly, picked up a phone from the front console and replied.
"Yes, Ms. Heath?"
"Take us home... Draven and his servant will be staying with us for now."
Brunelli nodded and turned the car in another direction.
As we drove along I stared out the window and admired the Upper City as we drove by. It was all surreal to me.
'I'm... Leaving the Lower City.."
My parents had died when I was young and I never had friends growing up so I really had nothing in the Lower City to stay for. Yet, strangely, I still felt a feeling of attachment to the city.
Soon we arrived at a gated manor. The door opened smoothly when the car pulled up to it, and I saw that there were guards at the checkpoint. When I inspected them there was no nameplate that appeared so I knew they weren't from other worlds.
Noticing my gaze Yasmine spoke.
"They're just normal people. Servants are hard to come by so I was surprised you had one."
"Ah, I didn't know that but I guess it makes sense. Does Brunelli have his memories from his world? Cee Cee doesn't, and I was curious if that was normal."
"Sadly no he doesn't remember his previous life, but he retained a lot of the skills he had. He was a village chief so his administrative skills are pretty good. He mostly helps me with looking into people's backgrounds or organizing my schedule."
When I heard all the things Brunelli was good at doing I looked at Cee Cee picking her ear in the front seat.
'Why did they choose to make her human form so beautiful when she acts like that?'
As if she could sense that someone was talking about her she turned her head and made eye contact with me. Trying to be as casual as possible I turned my head back to Yasmine and asked her about her class.
"I became a player when I was 17. At first I was scared and I didn't want to be a player. It only got worse when I got the Alchemist class. I didn't know much about video games but when I looked it up I found out that Alchemy was not very useful in combat."
She pulled out the weapon I saw earlier and the belt she previously had equipped.
"These were items I received from other players. We traded for them, but I definitely got the worst end of the deal. I got these two measly Magic Grade items while they received dozens of potions... Because of my lack of combat strength I've been taken advantage of a lot in my life... Even the wealth I had now is only because I am invaluable to other players as a potion maker."
I looked at her with sympathy.
The weak, in all aspects of life, will end up being used by the strong. It was just the way that life made things balanced. Even if it was unfair.
The way things worked for Yasmine was that she had to challenge the Trials to get better recipes, but she wasn't strong enough to clear the highest trial she could challenge. Without the new record bonus she was unable to reliably unlock better potions. It was a never ending cycle of not being strong enough.
I felt that my system was incredibly generous in a lot of ways, even though the difficulty was higher, that difficulty came with better rewards though.
We went inside the manor. The moment we stepped inside right before us was a large room with a large staircase and several doors along the sides.
"To the left is the main living room, which is connected to the kitchen, but that back left door also leads to the kitchen. The doors along the backwall lead to a hallway. On the opposite side of that hallway are the pantry, a door that leads to the basement, and an empty room. The doors on the right are to a parlor and a room where I store art."
She then led us upstairs. At the top of the stairs she pointed to the right.
"You two can take any room on this side. They're all empty. The left here is my part of the house. My personal lab and my office are over here. My bedroom is at the end of the hall. Brunelli's room is the first one here. My parents don't live here, but they might come by randomly... If they do just ignore them."
Saying she was tired Yasmine headed towards her room first. Brunelli bowed lightly towards us before following her. Cee Cee and I looked at each other for a moment sharing the same thought.
'This place is a little uncomfortable.'
We walked down the hallway checking out each of the rooms. Eventually I chose the room at the very end of the hallway, since it had the best view of outside, and Cee Cee chose the room next to mine. We would have to move my computer over but that shouldn't be too much of an issue tomorrow. For tonight Cee Cee would have to make do with her phone.