Chapter 6: Monster Hunter
-POV ??-
It had been…what? Three? No, four days since Sol-san last walked through the doors of the guild.
Not that she was counting.
Ariel adjusted the papers in front of her, keeping her posture poised and composed, as any good guild receptionist should. Her quill scribbled neatly across parchment, responding to a recent quest report, but her thoughts… well, they drifted. Somewhere down that main road leading out into the fields. Somewhere in the direction of a certain newcomer.
She hadn't realized how used to his presence she had become, even with just the few interactions. He wasn't just another adventurer. Not entirely. He was different, something about him stood out. Maybe it was his polite way of speaking, his uncertain but earnest demeanor, his great smile, or the banter they both enjoyed. It was nice.
And oh, that last conversation…
Ariel pressed a knuckle gently against her lips, stifling the chuckle threatening to escape. That sheepish smile he gave when he mentioned treating himself. His eyes had sparkled when he talked about The Hostess. That's right. The way he practically daydreamed aloud about it had been…endearing.
And then she had almost said it. Just on the tip of her tongue: "Would you like me to show you around?"
She hadn't. Of course not.
Because that could have been interpreted as a date.
Not that the idea was…unwelcome.
She felt the faintest warmth stir beneath her cheeks and quickly cleared her throat, turning her attention sharply back to the form in her hand. Focus.
Still…she couldn't help but wonder. He looked really out of it after that guild quest from the Demeter familia, maybe he was still resting?
Or maybe he was injured? Did he take on a quest or a new job? Or maybe…he'd simply left. Moved on to another town.
Ariel frowned softly at the parchment in front of her. No, somehow, that didn't sit right. He would've said goodbye. Or something. She could tell that Sol-san was a genuine person.
She looked toward the entrance of the guild, her eyes lingering there a little longer than she meant to. Maybe she was being silly, letting her mind spiral.
Then again, a simple question wouldn't hurt.
Maybe she could ask one of the patrol guards. Or see if Landen-san had returned from his escort to Orario, maybe he would know? Sol-san is a part of the guild after all, and the guild takes care of their adventures. Nothing strange about that. Not at all…
Right?
She dipped her quill again, letting the motion calm her thoughts. Still, she found herself writing the wrong date before catching the mistake.
"Sol-san…" she murmured under her breath.
He'd better be okay.
——————————————————————
Another day, another steady hum of parchment rustling, quills scratching, and footsteps echoing through the guild hall. Ariel greeted adventurers with her usual warm professionalism, though a small part of her focus was reserved for thoughts far from the counter.
She had taken the initiative-subtly, of course-during her recent breaks. A few questions here and there. No one had seemed to find it strange; after all, she framed it as concern for a "new registrant" with no known affiliations.
What she learned surprised her.
Apparently, a stranger—presumed to be Sol-san—had been spotted, over this past week, training like a man possessed. Along the eastern fields, near the southern ridge, even just outside town. The townsfolk were already talking. One stablehand had said he saw the man sprinting uphill repeatedly until his legs gave out. Another merchant swore he saw him lifting heavy stones behind the lumberyard. "Like a madman," they said.
Ariel sighed softly, half-admiring, half-worried.
'Sol-san…just what are you putting yourself through?' she thought as her quill hovered idly above the page. 'It's admirable, really…but isn't this too much? Just what are you training for?'
She tapped the ink from her quill, brows knitting slightly. Maybe she should go see for herself. Just to be sure he hadn't collapsed from exhaustion somewhere. It wasn't unheard of. People pushed themselves too far all the time—especially newcomers who thought they had something to prove.
'Perhaps after my shift ends, I should—'
A soft shuffle of boots interrupted her thoughts. She straightened, clearing her throat as she prepared to offer the standard greeting.
"Welcome to the Guild, how may I help…you…?"
Ariel's quill stilled.
Her eyes lifted to meet the figure standing in front of her desk. For a moment, she said nothing—her breath caught just slightly in her throat. Then the recognition fully sank in, and the tension she'd been carrying for days began to ease.
"Sol-san…" she murmured, her voice softer than usual. Her eyes scanned him quickly, registering the subtle but clear changes. He looked different. Healthier. Slimmer. Stronger.
He was still himself, but somehow…more.
"You've been gone for a while."
Her tone wasn't accusing—but it held a trace of something else. Worry, perhaps. Not that she'd admit to it outright. She crossed her arms, tilted her head upwards, and had a teasing look.
"I asked around, you know," she continued. "Seems you've become the talk of the town."
Her eyes lingered on him and with a small smirk she added, "The townsfolk said they've seen a stranger training day and night. A 'mad man,' they kept describing."
——————————————————————
-POV Chico-
I stood there, with a slight sweat drop, hand scratching my neck, and a sheepish smile. An embarrassed chuckle shot out of my mouth. I looked at her, still composed, but there was something else in her teasing expression. A flicker of tension. Subtle, but there.
"I'm sorry," I said, genuinely.
I paused, searching for the right words.
"It's just…I started training, and I got tunnel vision. Every day I felt the gains, and it was intoxicating. I've never felt this good in my adult life." I pulled my arms along my eyesight, giving a slight flex.
"I didn't want to break that. I just kept going. While I don't want to presume…I'm sorry if I worried you."
Her expression softened and a soft smile replaced her teasing smirk, but she didn't speak yet.
"I respect you, Ariel-san," I said, more firmly. "You've been kind to me from the start. I…enjoy your presence, and I should've been more considerate."
A quiet moment passed between us before she nodded.
"I appreciate that," she said, her voice gentle but steady. "I was worried. Not just because you vanished from the Guild board, but because…I enjoy your company."
She looked down briefly, adjusting a loose sheet of parchment before continuing.
"Just…please be careful, I can see the results of your hard work. Just…Please don't overwork yourself."
Chico gave her a smile, but he would have to curve her expectations. Switching his smile with a smirk he said…
"Oh I'll be careful, but this Chico can't stop and won't stop, not until he achieves his goals."
Ariel gave off a mix between a sigh and a chuckle.
"I don't know what else I expected…though I am curious. What does this Chico have planned? What are you training for…if you don't mind me asking."
"Of course not. Well…my main goal at the moment is to become faster, stronger. I want to be able to protect myself from anything that wishes to harm me. I want to be the best me that I could be, and I'm taking the first steps."
"That's quite admirable." She gave me a look of approval, yet there was also something else that I could not describe.
"Though I am glad that you decided to check up, I don't doubt that this was the only objective you had in mind?" She gave an almost knowing look towards me.
"Ah…Yeah, my funds have been getting a bit too low for my liking. I was hoping to check around the quest board, hopefully find a job I can do." Which was indeed true, for most of the past week I've been eating 3 times a day, not only that but I've had to increase my wardrobe, and can't forget about the cost of the inn.
"Well, it has been a week since you last set foot here. There have been quite a few quests that have come and gone, like the Trellis harvest was just completed a couple of days ago."
"Ah…shame that, I would've liked to have given those vegetables a piece of my mind…especially after I put in some good training."
"Shame indeed…" She held a hand over her mouth to stifle any giggles.
'Even if it's only been a week, I missed this.' Though now wasn't the time to reminisce, he wasn't going anywhere for the time being…and neither was Ariel.
"Guess I'll be getting right on it then, see you when I see a quest that catches my eye."
"Good luck Sol-san." She gave me a small wave, and with that I turned towards the board.
——————————————————————
Chico scanned the quest board, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the variety of postings pinned across its surface. Escort duties, material gathering, errand runs—most were the usual fare, but none of them quite sparked what he was looking for.
And then he saw one that caught his eye.
Monster Quelling — Southern Verdantwood Perimeter
Reward: 3000 valis + 100-500 valis for each monster stone
Threat Level: Moderate
Details: Local wildlife in the southern edge of the Verdantwood Forest has been exhibiting unnatural aggression. Recent sightings suggest a group of lesser monsters may be encroaching. Group effort required. Weapons and armor recommended, but can be provided.
Status: Team Assembling
Chico's fingers tapped the edge of the paper thoughtfully. This was it. Exactly what he needed. A real field test. He hadn't faced any true monsters since arriving in Genkai, and if he ever hoped to stand among true adventurers—let alone survive in Orario—he needed this experience. Though he felt some amount of excitement…there was an underlying fear in his heart.
But he couldn't falter, this was his choice. He chose this world for reasons he's yet to truly find…but this would be a start.
He brought the quest notice over to the assignment desk. Unfortunately he didn't see Ariel anywhere. Regardless, after a brief conversation with a guild worker, he was directed to the front gate of Trellis.
——————————————————————
-Front Gate-
Once he arrived he was able to see a group of adventurers, all equipped with armor and weapons.
And that's when he saw him.
"Cole-san!" Chico's eyes lit up, he quickly made his way toward his friend.
The tall, broad-shouldered guard turned at the familiar voice. His eyes widened slightly before he grinned. "Chico-san! Look at you! You've trimmed down. Got some definition too," he said with a low whistle. "Been chasing minotaurs around town or something?"
Chico chuckled, clasping the man's arm. "No minotaurs, not yet at least. Just a lot of sweat, sore muscles, and pushing myself harder than I thought I could. Been training nonstop."
Cole gave a satisfied nod. "It shows. You look much better than you did the last time I saw you."
"And what about you?" Chico asked, motioning toward the light dust of travel still clinging to Cole's boots and cape. "Where'd you run off to? Seemed to have vanished a week ago."
"Escort duty," Cole replied, rolling his shoulders with a grunt. "Merchant caravan headed to Orario. Took three days to get there, two days to rest and resupply, another three to return. Standard route. Nothing too exciting."
Chico's eyes lit up at the name. "So, you've seen it? Orario."
"Plenty of times," Cole replied with a grin. "Still doesn't get old. Big walls. Adventurers everywhere. The Tower of Babel standing right in the center of the city like it owns the sky. The atmosphere is like none other."
Chico absorbed every word. "I plan to go there one day."
Cole nodded, his tone turning a bit more serious. "Then this quest'll be a good step toward that. First time facing monsters?"
"Yeah," Chico admitted. "I've read about them. But I have no doubt that the real thing will be much different."
"Then let's make sure you come back in one piece." Cole clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Stick close. It'll get real out there. Though I hope you have a weapon? If not, we should have a few extra."
"There won't be any need. I have a pair of daggers, though I prefer not to have them out." After all, I have no doubt that the Demon King's Daggers are among the most valuable weapons that currently reside in this realm.
Cole raised an eyebrow at that, but decided not to press.
After a few minutes of pre-departure check-ins and light gear distribution, the full group assembled. Eight members total—two archers, one rogue-type, two warriors, a spear-user, and of course, Cole and Chico.
The leader, a sharp-eyed woman with a spear strapped across her back, stepped forward. "Alright, listen up," she called out. "We split into pairs. Sweep and clear. Stay within signal range. Kill anything hostile. If it's too big, regroup. Don't get cocky."
Chico ended up paired with Cole, which suited him just fine.
The forest loomed ahead, sunbeams barely cutting through the thick canopy of branches. Somewhere within the forest, monsters waited.
Cole held a compass in hand, the pair deciding to head further north into the forest, the groups were each no more than 60 meters apart.
With the other groups out of sight, Chico checked his light armor for the upteenth time, he also decided to do a quick status check.
'Status.'
Status:
Name: Francisco 'Chico' Sol
Race: Human
Current Tickets: None
/Abilities\
-Active (1/1)-
Conditioning
Storage: Weather, Masochist Soul
/Items\
None equipped
Storage: Demon King's Daggers
/Skills\
None.
/Traits\
Elite - Leaf Clover
Common - Charming Smile
Common - Animal Lover
Common - Flexible
/Familiars\
Rare - Mimic
Just after the 7th night of his training, he rolled the Conditioning ability, once the morning came, and his soreness was gone, he slotted in the ability for M. Soul. So far the ability has been working slowly, but once he got going…he was confident that his body would improve even more so than when he was training.
Chico kept an eye on his surroundings, and he finally decided to summon his blades. He knew he would receive questions from Cole, but he felt he could trust his friend, he felt he wasn't the type to expose a friend's secrets.
For a brief moment he stopped in his tracks, he shut his eyes and focused, he held out his arms, as that's what felt right. And after a moment…there was a weight now firmly held in his grasps. He opened his eyes…
…and saw the daggers.
They gleamed with a wicked luster, the obsidian blades absorbing the forest light rather than reflecting it. Serrated edges glinted like a predator's fangs, and the deep crimson veins running through the metal pulsed faintly—as if the daggers themselves were alive, becoming accustomed to him. Each hilt was forged in an organic curve, with two distinct edge guard designs, a dragon, and a dragon's eye. They felt weightless in motion, yet impossibly dense when held still.
TheDemon King's Daggers.
Born of a realm where hellfire ran rampant, they were never meant for human hands. And yet… they now found him.
He gave them a light swing, the edges slicing through the air in complete silence.
Cole, who had taken a few steps ahead, paused mid-step. He glanced back and did a double take. "Those…are incredible blades," he said, brow furrowed. "Where did you…?"
Chico gave a small shrug. "Let's just say I got lucky."
Cole stared for a moment longer, his gaze sharp. Then he gave a low exhale and nodded. "You're full of surprises, Chico-san. Just make sure those things don't bite you."
Chico smiled faintly. "I'll manage."
They continued deeper into the woods. The further they traveled, the more dark their surroundings became. The trees grew tighter together, and the faint sounds of birds and insects thinned out into an unnatural silence. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Then—movement.
Cole held up a hand, signaling a stop. Chico froze, crouching beside a moss-covered tree. Cole took a slow step forward, his sword in hand.
From the brush ahead, a figure emerged.
It was small, hunched, and green-skinned. Its limbs were thin but wiry, and its yellow eyes glowed faintly with menace. A crude dagger hung at its side, and its jagged teeth were bared in an ugly grin. It hadn't noticed them yet—it was sniffing the air, eyes darting.
A goblin.
It wasn't particularly large, but it moved with feral sharpness. Its skin was marred with old scars, and it wore makeshift leather scraps for armor. Blood—dried and fresh—stained its hands and face.
Chico's grip tightened on his daggers.
This was it.
The real deal.
His first monster.
Cole whispered from in front, "Take the lead. Remember, surface monster's may be weak compared to those found in the dungeon, but they are still dangerous. This is a learning experience, I'll be right behind you."
Chico didn't respond. He took a deep breath, perhaps too deep, his heart was racing, the fear kept growing in his heart, anxiety plagued his mind…but he knew he had to face this, this was just a single step on a long road, his journey may truly begin here. In this moment.
The moment stretched thin, like a held breath before a plunge.
Chico stepped forward, one foot in front of the other, slow and deliberate. The goblin's head snapped up—eyes locking onto him instantly, and with a shriek, it bared its crooked teeth and lunged.
Fast.
Chico's heart lurched. He fumbled to bring his daggers up, hands clumsy, elbows wide. The goblin's dagger came slashing sideways—sharp, crude, and fast. Chico panicked, throwing his arms up and stumbling back. The blow missed, but barely. His heel caught on a root, and he nearly toppled over.
His right hand lashed out on reflex, a wild, untrained swing that cut nothing but air. The goblin ducked easily and drove forward again, blade raised in a backhand slash.
Chico twisted—too sharply—and nearly stabbed himself in the ribs with his own off-hand dagger. He recoiled in alarm, swearing under his breath, and the goblin pressed the advantage with a snarl, darting in low.
Breathe—breathe—move!
He wasn't trained. Not in form. Not in technique. His grip was too tight. His steps too heavy. But he wasn't frozen.
This time, instead of retreating, Chico held his ground.
The goblin leapt, bringing its weapon down in a jagged arc. Chico raised both blades in defense—not cleanly, but enough. Metal clashed, and for a heartbeat, they locked.
Then—the goblin's weapon shattered.
The Demon King's Daggers didn't even slow. The obsidian edge carved through the crude blade with a flash of violet light, cleaving it in half with a crack that sent the goblin staggering. The severed piece of its dagger spun away into the underbrush, glinting once before disappearing.
The goblin froze, stunned.
Chico acted.
No technique. No grace. Just raw instinct.
He lunged—his whole weight behind the movement—and thrust his right arm forward. The dagger plunged straight into the goblin's chest. He didn't aim for the heart—but he found it anyway. The blade sank in deep, and he felt the jolt as it hit something vital.
The goblin's eyes widened. A wet gasp escaped its throat.
Then it collapsed.
Still. Silent.
…
Dead.
Chico stood over the body, chest heaving, blood rushing in his ears. His grip on the daggers trembled. He stared down at the lifeless form beneath him—smaller now, somehow.
"…You okay?" came Cole's voice, low and steady, just behind him.
Chico remained still, his breath catching. "I-I don't know."
"You're alright…."
Chico still held his daggers tightly. "That was a mess." Chico said in a whisper.
"Sure was," Cole said, stepping up beside him, calm but not mocking. "But it worked. You didn't freeze. That's more than I can say for a lot of first-timers."
Chico gave a weak chuckle. "I nearly stabbed myself. Twice."
"With training, you'll get better. And you showed some instinct, that's important for a swordsman."
He decided to send one of the daggers back into his inventory? Storage? For now he would only utilize one dagger. The other still held low in his grip. It's dark edge pulsed faintly—alive, hungry.
He looked at it. Then at the goblin. He took a deep, calming breathe
And then, slowly, he gave a shaky exhale.
The fear in his heart slowly began to seep out. Though his mind was numb, he would have to get used to this…to killing.
He would be alright, he had to be, after all, this quest wasn't going to finish itself.
——————————————————————
It's been a few minutes since his first kill. Chico was thankful for Cole, he allowed him time to process. Once he got himself together, Cole began the explanation on what do to with monsters.
"…Alright Chico-san, we can't leave a monster corpse out here, we'll have to take out its monster stone, and I'll show you how.
"Usually you would want to have a knife on hand for magic stone collecting, but you can use your own blade, though it might make things harder."
"First," *Shink* "you want to carve out around the center of the chest area, that's where most monster stones reside, there are a few exceptions, but for most monsters that walk on two and four legs, you'll find it's stone in its chest." Cole carved a circular hole into the goblin's chest, showing that he had experience in doing so.
"And…here you go." He quickly pulled out a small, lightly illuminating, purple gem, it was just the size of a fingernail.
——————————————————————
The hours that followed Chico's first kill passed in a surreal blur of movement, tension, and quiet resolve. He and Cole continued their patrol through the forest, venturing further north, their senses alert for more signs of movement. The deeper they went, the more the air seemed to thicken with the scent of damp leaves and something faintly acrid—monster scent, as Cole described it.
They encountered five more goblins in total. The first pair was discovered near a shallow ravine, crouched and gnawing on bones. Cole took one down before it could react, and Chico—clumsy as ever with his blade—engaged the other. His form was still wild, unpredictable, and dangerous mostly to himself, but he managed to dance through the goblin's lunges, and when it overextended, he drove his dagger into its neck.
The second goblin Chico faced was more aggressive, nearly catching him in a flanking maneuver. But by now Chico had begun to get a faint, flickering feel for the rhythm of battle—the wild tempo of instinct, the echo of instinct in his limbs. He dodged a wild slash, stumbled forward, and cut a shallow line across the goblin's chest before landing a solid strike into its gut.
He got through both skirmishes without a scratch. Though he would never call it grace, some part of him—maybe that accelerating recovery or raw will—kept him moving and reacting just fast enough.
Cole praised him lightly but sincerely. "You're getting the hang of it. Not the form, not yet—but the heart for it? That's harder to train."
Chico also got firsthand experience extracting monster stones. His first attempt ended in disappointment—his dagger chipped the surface of the gem as he tried to pry it free, rendering it almost worthless. But Cole didn't scold him. He simply showed him again, patiently, until Chico could do it without breaking the gem.
By the time five hours had passed, the sky had shifted into a dusky gold, and the forest began to hum with the stirrings of twilight. The group, as planned, reconvened at the rendezvous point near the forest edge. All members had survived, though some looked more exhausted than others. Cuts, bruises, and dirt marred armor and clothing, but spirits were generally high.
Chico had slain three goblins and recovered two intact monster stones—a modest result, but a strong showing for a beginner.
As they trekked back to the Guild in Trellis, there was laughter, a few tales exchanged, and the low clink of monster stones being jostled in bags. Chico hung near the back with Cole, sharing quiet thoughts.
"You held your own," Cole said. "No small feat, considering your background."
"I've got a long way to go," Chico replied. "But…I didn't falter."
"That alone sets you apart."
When they finally stepped through the Guild's double doors, a warm, familiar light washed over them. The bustle of adventurers, the weight of stories told in worn armor and fresh wounds—it was comforting in a strange way.
Chico was just about to thank Cole for the guidance when he caught sight of the reception desk—and froze.
A male adventurer, slightly older, with a confident grin and freshly polished armor, was leaning against the counter—too close to Ariel. He was clearly flirting, and she seemed to entertain the conversation with a smile.
But Chico's attention lingered on her face, and he caught it.
The smile was strained. Her eyes weren't fully focused on the conversation. Then, her gaze flicked to the side, and met his.
And when she saw him, the tension eased. Her smile softened—just slightly, but enough to change everything. Her fingers gave a small, quick wave while the other adventurer turned away briefly, oblivious.
Chico's heart gave a faint, warm beat.
He nodded back, subtly, before looking away.
"Something on your mind?" Cole asked beside him, following his gaze.
"Ah…no, nothing important," Chico murmured bashfully.
They had completed the quest. He had faced his first monsters. Killed. Collected. Survived.
He had taken the first steps, and he would move forward.
It was time to collect his earnings. And maybe share a small chat with Ariel.
——————————————————————
A few minutes passed before the adventurer in front of them finally peeled away from the reception desk, leaving Ariel with a professional smile that immediately faded into something more genuine once he turned his back.
Chico stepped forward with Cole, the two of them approaching the counter with their guild-issued quest slips and monster stones in hand. Ariel looked up as they approached, her expression brightening.
"Welcome back," she said, her voice lighter now. "Looks like everything went smoothly?"
Chico nodded and placed the stones gently on the counter. "Yeah…smoother than I expected, honestly. Three goblins. Got two stones."
"You took a monster quest? Are you alright?" she said in a caring tone, while also professionally counting and verifying the stones with practiced hands. "No injuries?"
"None," Chico said. "…it was tough, the hardest part was after slaying my first monster, I've never done anything like that before, but I was able to continue." He gave a deprecating smile and Ariel smiled back.
"You did well," she said with that same caring tone. "These stones are a little scratched, but still usable." She slid a few coins into a small pouch and handed it over. "Here's your cut. The quest payment will come separately once it's all confirmed."
Chico accepted the pouch and paused for a moment before leaning in slightly. "Hey…about that adventurer you were talking to earlier…"
Ariel's smile thinned a little, though her expression remained composed. "Ah. Him."
"You didn't look very comfortable," Chico said gently. "Are you alright?"
She blinked, surprised by the observation, then chuckled softly. "You're perceptive. Yeah, I'm fine. He's just…one of many."
Chico tilted his head. "One of many?"
"Adventurers who try their luck," she explained, her voice lowered slightly. "Flirting Is practically a guild sport at this point. Some are harmless, some are persistent. I usually give them subtle signs I'm not interested…but most don't really get the message."
Chico frowned. "That sounds exhausting."
"It can be. But it's part of the job. Most adventurers see a girl behind the desk and think it's an open invitation to charm their way into something."
Chico smiled, then said earnestly, "Well…I'll do my best to not become like most adventurers."
Ariel looked at him for a moment, her expression softening again. "And that," she said with a quiet smile, "is why you are my friend."
Chico blinked. The words warmed him, even if they weren't exactly what a part of him might've hoped for. Still, it meant something. Maybe even more than he expected.
Before he could reply, Cole cleared his throat softly. "Hate to interrupt," he said with a polite tone, "but I'd like to get my payment and head home. My lady's probably waiting."
Chico perked up. "Lady? Wait—you have a girlfriend?"
Cole chuckled. "Wife, actually."
Chico's eyes widened. "Really? You're married?"
"Yup. Three years this spring," Cole said proudly.
Chico laughed, genuinely caught off guard. "I had no idea…but then again, I never asked. Congrats, Cole."
"Thanks, kid." Cole took his pouch from Ariel and gave them both a small wave. "Good work out there today. Take care, yeah?"
And just like that he left, leaving the adventurer and receptionist duo alone.
"Landen-san is a good person." Ariel said suddenly.
"Yeah…he really is, he welcomed me at the front gates when I first came into town, he was nothing but warm. He's a good man."
"Indeed. Ah, here we go, here is the 3000 valis upon completion of the quest. Good work today Sol-san."
He grabbed the small pouch, and before he left he decided on something.
"…Chico."
"Hmm?" Ariel replied.
"Call me Chico, since we're friends and I already call you Ariel-san." He said slightly nervous.
"…Alright. Chico-san." Ariel replied with a kind smile.
Chico replied with a bright smile, today was a good day, and it could possibly get even better. And with a wave, he left the guild, headed for the bathhouse, then a meal, and finally back to his inn, where hopefully a Gatcha ticket was waiting for him.
——————————————————————
After leaving the Guild, Chico made his way straight to the bathhouse. The warm water eased his sore muscles and cleared his mind. He didn't stay long—just enough to feel refreshed.
Next, he stopped by a local eatery for a quiet meal. The food was hot and filling, and after the day he had, it hit the spot.
With his hunger satisfied and his body clean, he finally returned to his inn. The sky had darkened by then, the streets quieter. He made it to his room, shut the door behind him, and let out a long, tired breath.
It had been a long day…but now…
'Gatcha?'
Feats achieved! Slay your first surface monster! Intermediate Guild quest: Monster Culling!
Description: You have slain a monster, your very first. You have also completed a monster quest without a Falna.
Rewards: Random Silver Gatcha Ticket & Silver Ability Gatcha Ticket
'Sweet.'
'Roll Gatcha.'
Rolling…
Intermediate Hand-to-Hand Combat (2.5 Rarity, 2.09% odds)-Uncommon Skill-You are a seasoned fighter, you know how to move your body to hurt people and can pick up most martial arts far faster than other people. You would completely thrash the average man in a fight.
&
Reroll (3.6 Rarity, 0.09% odds)-Rare Ability-
"Lucky" When you roll this ability, whatever ticket you got it with is rolled twice and this ability is removed.
"Reroll" rolling…
Lightning Spear (2.6 Rarity, 0.37% odds)-Uncommon Ability-
Allows the user to conjure a spear of lightning that they can throw as a projectile,(does not travel at lightning speed). This spear possesses penetrative power and deals increased damage against draconic entities.
&
Barrier of Light (2.7 Rarity, 0.33% odds)-Uncommon Ability-
Allows the user to create a barrier of light magic, while not as sturdy it is easy to deploy and is great for defending against curses, spirits and negative status effects.
…
'Lucky me I guess.'
So that just happened…4 rolls, with 2 tickets.
'Surely that's a feat, right Gatcha?'
…
'Eh… worth a shot.'
But holy hell. Two worthwhile abilities, and a solid skill. I am very satisfied with this. Yep this day has truly gotten even better.
Congratulations Player! 5 unique abilities have been unlocked
Reward: 1 Extra Ability Slot
"Oh yeah…it's all coming together."
End Chapter 6