' Thief'?
'Did..did she just call me a Thief'?
Ray wondered in disbelief; as soon, loud footsteps could be heard. As a group of burly men,- possibly the security of this infirm arrived standing in front of Ray in a seemingly provocative manner.
"That's him right there!". The receptionist shouted. Her Ember eyes glowing with an otherworldly frenzy as she chuckled inwardly at Ray's situation.
She could have simply shouted at him to stop before he got to the door. There was simply no need to escalate the situation and shut down the damn building.
But well, she wasn't going to, but the attitude of Ray, made her snap!
'How dare this low life! not even a thank you?, after forcing this beauty to even heal you! He should be honoured I even helped him'. She thought; her mind briefly flashing to the interaction between her and Ray few minutes ago. A subtle trace of anger mixed in her facial expressions.
"I..I am no thief!". Ray stuttered- the absurdity of the situation getting to him.
'All I wanted was a damn beer at the bar! Can this day get any worse '?
"You know what? How much is it anyway, I will pay no need to cause trouble with you guys". Ray stated, trying to diffuse the situation.
The demeanour of the guards visibly relaxed as Ray opted to smoothen things out before it escalated.
"You dare try and negotiate after almost running off without payment?. As expected from a lowlife; you lots are scum". The receptionist bellowed. Her hands tightening; her knuckles turning white.
From a glance, one could tell- this woman was pissed off.
"I will give you five bronze coins is that enough?" Ray said, although one could feel the anger emanating from him. His eyes had already narrowed down to deadly silts as he managed to squeeze out the words from his mouth.
Feeling like he would punch the girl in the face if he kept looking a her, Ray diverted his gaze to the security guys- the previous question he asked hanging in the air.
The guards in return, turned their gaze to the receptionist. Who with a snort replied; "Normally it would be 5 bronze coins but because of your clear atrocity it would be double. Pay up or prepare for a beating, for daring to rob this infirm!"
'okay this is just bullshit ' Ray thought. The annoyance on his face clearly visible now. Even the guards flinched at the harsh words the receptionist said.
Ray turned to the guards, a silent plea for justice against this blatant day light robbery. But they coincidentally snapped their heads to the side. The walls of the infirm seemingly looking very interesting to them at the moment.
'Bastards' Ray cursed, as he squeezed a smile and reached his hands to his pocket. As much as he wanted to punch this bitch of a woman in the face, he couldn't because well she was a gifted!
And as much as he hated his life right now, he didn't want to die....at least not yet.
With a heavy sigh, Ray payed the ten bronze coins. The receptionist collecting the coin with a wide grin- finally putting this good for nothing scum in his place.
The doors of the infirms opened once more, as Ray finally made his way to the bar. His eyebrows creased together as he gritted his teeth.
He had brought the 30 bronze coins to treat himself to something nice after a successful awakening. But well....we all know how that went.
Okay now he wanted to be sober and drink himself to forget his problems but noooooo!
Now,
Now he was ten coins less!
The more he thought about it, the more he scowled in frustration. If he had awakened, he wouldn't have to go through all this bullshit.
He was pissed!
Angry at himself, angry at society, and most of all angry at his weakness.
While lost in reminiscing, Ray hadn't even noticed that he had arrived at the bar.
The sign 'Midnight Rhapsody ' was bold, as it was beautiful. The subtle glow of the sign,even in daylight, seemed to whisper to him like a wife's honey coated words to her lover- trying to invite him in.
Ray, at the doorstep, could already feel the buzz and excitement in the air. The rich and vigorous energy from the bar already reaching him even as he stood there.
Slightly taken aback for a moment, Ray stepped in the bar. The laughter and noise even clearer, now he was inside.
All sizes from the young and youthful to the old and frail were in his sight. Seemingly in an endless stream as his gaze moved from one corner of the bar to another.
The thick scent of sweat and body odour was high- subtly mixing with his already foul smell.
Tearing his gaze off, Ray wandered off looking for the bartender, or at least a place to sit. Until a young girl probably around the age of seventeen approached him.
"Esteemed sir, how can our establishment offer its services to you today". She said
Ray with a causal glance observed the young lady- her brown eyes blended well with her short neck length brown hair, a perfectly acentuated face, definitely put her well above average. Coupled with her figure which was well endowed even with her work clothes on, definitely put her on the 'breedable' list.....at least for people with power.
And power and Ray, were never found in the same sentence.
Snapping himself out of his thoughts, Ray gave a weak smile. Her gaze held no condescending look nor scorn-thus he had no reason to refuse an generous offer. Plus! She was pleasing to the eye.
"Just direct me to the bartender and maybe a pint of beer would do". Ray said
The girl with a nod, beckoned Ray to follow her, steadily approaching the front bar, where he could see an old man with grey hair, casually cleaning some glasses.
Ray sat on an empty chair, the girl moving ahead of him, speaking to the bartender about his order, before walking off possibly to attend to other customers.
With a subtle nod, the old man began to prepare his order. His hands moving with speed that should definetly not come from someone that looked that old and weak!
Unless...
'Gifted'
Ray concluded. His face again creasing in annoyance.
'why is everyone I'm seeing today just gifted!' he screamed internally.
*THUD*
A pint of beer was placed in front of Ray; the old man already in front of him as he served Ray his order.
'when did he get here?'
Ray thought
..'ah forget it, let's drink to stupor '.
"Say lad, you seem pretty distracted"
The old man suddenly said- seemingly trying to start a conversation with Ray.
And Ray... already not in the best of moods had no patience to partake in the ramblings of this old folk.
But before he could speak further, the old man continued.
"Judging from your face, you should have just turned eighteen, yes? So what is it? was it your awakening test?" The old man inquired seemingly with an amused smile. As he watched Ray's facial expressions contour with a mix of shock, embarrassment and....anger?.
"Oh? You....you didn't awaken did you".
The old man continued; having deduced the story behind Ray's sour mood already.
"Mind your damn business old man" Ray said his voice dripping with coldness as he shot the old man a glare. He had come here to have a drink and get drunk, not listen to the ramblings of some damn old gizzard.
'seriously! First the test, and that bitch! Now this old man! What is wrong with today?'. Ray couldn't help but sigh. Anger resurfacing in his eyes once more as he remembered the receptionist and how he got robbed of an extra five bronze coins.
"No need to throw hands at me lad, I just sense frustration in you and just trying to help" The old man said, chuckling to himself. He grabbed a chair, bringing it opposite Ray's seat.
The rude words of Ray seemingly falling on deaf ears as the old man watched Ray's expression with visible amusement.
"Tell me lad, you didn't awaken did you?"
He said.
Ray said no words- although his facial expressions gave him away.
"Hahahahaha" a loud crisp laughter resounded from the old man's mouth.
"Lad! Me' boy no need to be sour because of some damn test, it can't possibly be the end of the world- even non -gifted ones like you can achieve something." The old man said after recovering from his fit of laughter.
Ray, who was about to explode from anger upon the old man's laugh, scoffed -
"Easy for you to say old man, you're a gifted".
Ray said.
"Ahhh Lad, you've got it all wrong. You can still achieve great things you just need hardwo-"
"Just cut the bullshit old man, you and I both know that without awakening, life for the ordinary folk is treated worse than dog shit. So spare me the hard work and determination crap; heck even getting a good position as a non -awakened is hard if not nigh-impossible! So just stop...stop alright".
The old man was visibly taken aback by this seemingly naive lad. But before he could open his mouth to speak, he froze his gaze shifting to the door staring at the street. His eyes narrowing immediately. As suddenly-
*BOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!* A loud bang was heard a few blocks away from the bar. As a large spatial fissure appeared in the streets- curtly followed by the sounds of screaming.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Screams of horror echoed round the vicinity as even the bar quietened down with people rushing into the bar screaming loudly.
"Quick! Call the awakends! An F-Rank Dungeon just spawned!"