The sun bathed my face in its warm glow as a gentle breeze caressed my skin. It felt invigorating to step out into the open after spending hours in the forest. I patted the bottom of the bulging bag slung over my shoulder where the mako fruits I'd gathered were. With a smile, I turned onto the street that led to Panayaado, the bar and café where miss Amina worked.
The cobblestoned sidewalks were lively, a stark contrast to the calmness of the morning. Women in aprons and everyday attire perused the wares displayed in the quaint shops, while some played with children nearby. Men in sturdy overalls attended to their business, and a few low-ranked hunters prepared themselves for their escapade into the forest, their weapons swinging at their sides.
Compared to the others I'm a mess. A completely tattered jacket, dirt-stained clothes, completely ruffled black hair with twigs and leaves sticking out and my skin now covered in dirt everywhere from head to toe. I stuck out like a sore thumb but no one paid me any mind since this kind of look was more of a common occurrence for many hunters that tried their luck in adventuring into the forests to face off monsters.
Amidst the crowd, I stood out like a dishevelled mess. My jacket was tattered, my clothes stained with dirt, and my black hair was a wild mess, with twigs and leaves sticking out. Covered from head to toe in grime, I resembled the hunters who often braved the dangers of the forest. But no one paid me much attention; this kind of appearance was a common sight for hunters.
Making a left turn onto North-East Way, the street that would eventually lead me to the bar n' café, I passed by a collection of shops that showcased various items. From basic garments to farming tools and fresh produce, the shops catered to the needs of the villagesfolk. This part of village was also home to our village's Guild branch, where hunters exchanged their hard-earned energy shards and monster loot for veris. It was a place to check our chip ranks, stat levels and acquired skills.
Crossing the street, I greeted familiar faces along the way until I arrived at a small two-story building. Boldly written on a board hung on the balcony of the second floor was the name "Panayaado's Bar n Cafe". Climbing the stone staircase, I entered the bar, the jingling of bells announcing my arrival.
The air was filled with the delightful scent of freshly baked pastries and the tang of freshly brewed beverages. The harmonious blend created a bittersweet aroma that enveloped the room.
Patrons sat around square wooden tables covered in simple yet charming tablecloths, engrossed in their conversations while indulging in drinks and delectable treats. The female waitstaff, adorned in red and black aprons, moved gracefully among the tables, serving the hungry customers, while a lone male waiter tended to the bar.
Panayaado's was always busy with patrons, especially during the late evenings when weary hunters sought solace and relaxation after a day's work in the forest.
"Table 9's order is ready to be served—"
"Miss Amina!"
I made my way to the long, dark brown counter where the bartender, Jane, stood, catching sight of miss Amina emerging from the back door, balancing a tray stacked with delicious-looking food.
"Ah, Edowado, you made it back!"
"Yeah, and I also got the Mako fruits you asked for"
Carefully placing my overstuffed bag down, I reached inside to retrieve the vibrant yellow and green fruits, still attached to their stems.
"Thank you so much for the fruits, Edowado. But goodness, look at you! You're a mess!"
Glancing down at my dirt-covered self, I couldn't help but recall my unfortunate encounter in the forest. The curious gazes from the customers only added to my embarrassment. I scratched the back of my head and let out a sheepish laugh, attempting to brush off her concerned expression.
"It's nothing really, I just tripped and fell when running through the forest"
"Really? It's unlike you to be so clumsy. And how could a 'small fall' leave you in such a tattered state?"
(Ah well, she's seen through me)
"Follow me to the back. I'll help you clean up, and then we can talk about your payment as promised."
"You don't have to do that or pay me anything—"
"I won't take no for an answer. Besides, what would others think of me? Leave your bag here in the kitchen; it looks like it's about to burst open any moment."
She turned and walked through the double doors behind the counter after attending to the orders. Prompted by her gesture, I followed her, finding a spot in the kitchen where I carefully placed my bag, ensuring the safety of my precious loot.
The kitchen, though relatively small, felt open and modern, with polished off-white porcelain floor tiles and pristine white walls surrounding the cooking equipment. It was an impressive workplace for a small remote village. A group of women, around the same age as miss Amina but a few years older than me, bustled about, fulfilling their duties. They were the ladies who worked alongside miss Amina.
"Good day Edowado, I heard you brought us a fresh batch of mako fruits today" Silvia, with her vibrant red hair tied up in a neat ponytail, smiled warmly as she greeted me.
"Hello to you too Silvia. Yes, I did" I replied, a smile forming on my face.
Beside Silvia, Violet stood with her flowing dark hair and mischievous glimmer in her eyes. She flashed me a playful smirk.
"Sheesh! Look at you all battered up. I hope our request didn't cause you too much trouble" Li, with her wavy brown hair and calm demeanour, chimed in with concern.
Violet, with her dark flowing locks framing her face, had an air of mischief about her. Her mischievous nature shone through her playful smirk, hinting at the lively spirit that dwelled within her.
Li, on the other hand, had wavy brown hair that cascaded down her shoulders. Her warm hazel eyes reflected her kind and composed personality. She radiated a calming presence, the steady anchor amidst the whirlwind of activity in the kitchen.
"What are you saying, Li? I think it makes him look cool, even manly. Or maybe 'appetizing' sounds better, ha-ha—Ouch!"
"Enough of that, Violet! Cut it out!" Li swiftly reprimanded Violet, striking her head with a napkin to stop her from uttering any more of whatever it was she was trying to imply.
"You shouldn't be saying such things to a person, Violet," Li scolded, her warm hazel eyes reflecting her kindness and wisdom.
Violet pouted playfully; her mischievous nature evident. Her dark hair fell over her face, adding to her playful demeanour.
"I'm just having a little fun with the kid Amina, don't be a wet blanket like Li"
"I am not a wet blanket! You know the mistress doesn't like it when we goof off."
Violet and Li were two other females who worked in the store, known for their culinary skills and vibrant personalities. Their banter added an extra layer of liveliness to the kitchen.
"Whatever am I going to do with you two?" Miss Amina sighed, shaking her head.
She then opened up a door leading outside the kitchen to the back of the café and beckoned me over. I followed her, stepping into a back alley. We climbed up a metal staircase leading to the second floor of the building and entered an empty room with comfy-looking couches and sofas arranged around a small centre table stacked with magazines and papers—a kind of break room, most likely for the workers.
"Okay, take a seat here on the sofa, and let me grab you a towel from the warmer," Miss Amina instructed.
"Alright," I replied, settling down on the soft cushion.
The room wasn't all that large, but it was cosy and inviting. Comfy blue seats were placed at all corners, and the walls were adorned with motivational quotes and pictures of the café's workers, including one of Miss Amina alongside an older woman, likely the café's owner, and her friends.
They really all did look like one big happy family.
As I was still focused on the posters, Miss Amina discreetly made her way towards the table, her eyes flickering nervously. She approached me, still seated on the plush sofa, and bent slightly, handing me a warmed, moist towel.
"Alright, here you go," she said softly. "Use this to wipe the dirt off your face and get rid of some of it stuck to your hair."
She walked up to me still seated in the plush sofa and bent slightly, handing me a warmed moist towel
"Thanks Miss Amina!"
"You're welcome, but seriously, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me miss? You make me feel ancient, even though I'm probably only a year or two older. Amina is just fine." she said with a pout, puffing out her cheeks in an all too cute manner.
I looked at her, initially confused as to why she had suddenly gotten worked up. However, her adorable expression quickly melted my confusion into an awkward smile, and I tried to do as she asked.
"Uh…alright, A-A-Amina-a. Is th-this, okay?"
This was the first time I've called her by her name without an honorific and I can't quite help but feel just a tad bit embarrassed causing my cheeks to burn ever so slightly.
Amina looked at me, her eyes wide with surprise, as if time had momentarily frozen. Then, she turned her head away quickly, attempting to hide her own blush.
"Al... right, uh... excuse me as I go get you your payment in a jiffy. Just clean yourself until I get back."
I only caught a glimpse of the tip of her ears turning pink as she dusted herself off and hurriedly walked away, not looking back. I watched her disappeared through another door and then refocused my attention on cleaning myself.
(I wonder what all that was about.) I pondered silently, feeling a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Cleaning mud from hair was incredibly difficult…and painful. I was glad to have been done with it. I placed the now dirty towel on the centre table and gave myself a once over using the window pane as a mirror.
I still looked like a mess, but at least my hazel eyes and messy black hair didn't look as bad as before.
I still looked like a mess but at least my hair and face didn't look as messed up. Taking a moment to straighten my rumpled shirt and brush off some dirt from my pants. I wasn't really someone who fussed over my appearance since I didn't consider myself particularly remarkable but for some reason, I couldn't help but feel a tad self-conscious.
Satisfied with my attempt to tidy up, I took my seat back on the couch immediately when Miss Amina err I mean Amina returned from wherever she had gone. This time, she had a neatly wrapped box in her hand, emitting a faint yet tantalizing aroma.
"Alright, this is for you as promised. The first batch of my famous pepper loaf"
I graciously accepted the parcelled loaves of bread, pure excitement written all over my face. Amina's baking skills were renowned, and being able to taste her creations was a true delight.
"Thanks a lot, Amina. I love your baking!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my enthusiasm.
I scanned over the neatly wrapped box of bread, its tantalizing aroma wafting up to my nose. My eyes were full of stars, completely captivated by the prospect of indulging in Amina's delicious creation. It was in that moment that I realized the impact of my words, as Amina's surprised reaction caught my attention.
"Oh?! T-thank you for the compliment, but it really wasn't me," she murmured, her cheeks turning a gentle shade of pink. "Just the basic Baker's Touch skill I acquired."
She turned away again, gently patting the hems of her skirt, attempting to smooth an already perfectly ironed outfit. I wondered why she had been doing that a lot today. Tilted to the side, facing her directly, I decided to speak up.
"Sure, it's a skill that you used, but don't forget the amount of time and effort it takes to master a skill, let alone improve your Utility stat level to use tools and equipment to boost the skill's effect. You're very impressive, Amina, and you should be proud. I wish I had a skill too."
"Would you look at that," Amina chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of playfulness and admiration. "I'm supposed to be the older one, but here I am being taught a lesson by you. Haha, maybe you're right. Maybe I am impressive... but would you look at the time? Uh-oh! I've got so much work today!"
She glanced up at the clock mounted on top the door frame, her face growing flustered for some strange reason. She quickly turned back, acting rushed and in a hurry.
Amina came up behind me, gently pushing me out the door and onto the metal staircase leading back down into the kitchen, her face now adorned with a bashful smile.
"Huh?! But the clock in the break room wasn't working," I protested, momentarily taken aback.
"What are you talking about? Of course, it was!" Amina replied with certainty. "I checked it out this morning. Don't be silly, ha-ha."
She continued to push me down the stairs and into the kitchen where she asked me to wait while she grabbed my bag quickly ducking behind some pots and pans hanging by their handles.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
"Hey Edowado, you got a sec—"
"Sorry Sil, he's late and has to go now!"
"Wait…huh?!—"
Without giving me a chance to respond, she guided me through the kitchen, and finally pushed me outside the back door.
"Whoops, sorry! And I'll see you later, Edowado. Thanks for everything," Amina said, her voice filled with a mix of flustered emotions and genuine gratitude.
And with that, she shut the kitchen backdoor, leaving me alone at the back of the café. I slung my bag over my shoulders and dusted myself off, trying to make sense of the adorable encounter that had just taken place.
"I'll never understand girls, will I?" I murmured to myself, confusion still lingering in my thoughts.
Deciding to put the puzzling encounter aside for the time being, I redirected my attention to the task at hand.
(I should probably go trade in all the shards I gathered at the guild office) I thought, making my way from behind the café and back onto the main street, setting a course for the guild branch in our small village.
---------------------
The streets where Edowado passed buzzed with activity as villagesfolk went about their daily routines, engaging in various transactions and pursuits. Though the atmosphere lacked the vibrant energy of larger cities, there was a sense of purpose in the air.
A young light skinned boy with black hair and warm hazel eyes maneuvered through the crowd, eventually reaching his destination—the guild branch office.
Compared to the surrounding buildings, the guild branch office stood out with its size and presence. While it couldn't match the grandeur of the towering structures in Grashire, it was far from being an ordinary village building. Bathed in warm sunlight, its polished stone and concrete exterior exuded a sense of importance. The smooth glass windows reflected the sun's rays, and the guild's official banner fluttered proudly, symbolizing its significance and authority.
As Edowado entered the building, a refreshing gust of cool air greeted him. His eyes took in the sight of the office space, adorned with glistening white tiles and elegant marble walls. Hunters lined up at checkout points, exchanging their shards for credits. Others interacted with neatly dressed employees behind protective screens, while some occupied the small waiting area, eagerly awaiting their status updates.
Observing a hunter vacate an employee desk, Edowado seized the opportunity and approached the front desk, wearing a mischievous grin instead of his usual smile.
"Good afternoon, sir Rio!"
Rio, a kind-looking young man with an androgynous face, black hair, and glasses, glanced up with a grin that quickly shifted to concern as he took in Edowado's dishevelled appearance. He was one of the guild workers and Edowado's sole friend among the three employees in village. Unlike the other two female employees, Edowado found it easier to interact with Rio, their friendship having grown over the past month.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the greatest hunter in village. What have you got for me now, eh? Damn! What happened to you?! You're a mess!" Rio exclaimed; his worry evident in his voice.
Edowado chuckled. "Haha, I had a pretty eventful day in the forest."
Rio shook his head, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. "You're going to get seriously hurt or killed one day, you know?"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, I can tell you everything that happened"
"No need, I can already guess what happened just by looking at you. Plus, that large egg poking out of your bag is a dead giveaway. Just look at it, it's going to rip apart anytime soon" Rio replied, his astute observation skills shining through.
Rio being a guild employee was also an incredibly astute and observant person difficult to scam or lie to under certain circumstances. This was one of the reasons he wasn't too favoured by male hunters who often tried to flirt and scam the other guild employees. Of course, they also never fell prey to any of such shenanigans but always found nicer ways of shooing off such people.
He looked up at the boy standing in front of him, partially dirty and in tattered clothes and only a few years younger than he, kind of like a little brother, unsure of how to feel about him at the very moment.
Taking off his glasses and cocking his head upward, Rio let out a sigh before bursting into laughter.
"You're an interesting guy Ed. So, how many shards were you able to gather on your most daring escapade?"
Edowado grinned, his teeth showing. He reached into his bag and pulled out a tied-up pouch containing the shards he had collected from the killer ant corpses, placing it on the desk.
"Well looks like your day won't be just eventful but profitable too. I'll head over to the exchange room to check the rates and bring you your veris. But would you also like to check your status update again?"
"Yes, please Rio! I want to know how much my levels have changed since this morning."
"Alright, you know the drill. Just show me your stigmata and place it above the reader." Rio instructed.
Rio slid a small cover down his table, revealing a square-shaped device fixed onto the desk. The device had a grid-like screen with a single faint red dot in the centre. Edowado pulled back the tattered sleeve of his jacket, revealing a small marking on the underside of his arm beneath his palm. This was his stigmata—a code or marking that enabled him to use the bare abilities of his chip and allowed machines to read and send data relating to his chip.
Hovering his arm above the device, Edowado positioned his stigmata above the dot in the screen's centre. The device emitted a beep, and a beam of light emerged, scanning his stigmata back and forth. After a final beep, the light retreated into the device, signifying the completion of the scan.
"Alright, the scan's complete albeit the servers on the upper floor seem to be acting up. The issue is almost resolved, so your report should be ready in no time. Just have a seat in one of the waiting chairs"
"Alright, thanks again, Rio," Edowado replied, making his way to the waiting area, joining the other hunters already seated there.
He sat in the only available seat, the one beside a gruff looking man. Edowado settled into the seat beside the gruff-looking man, carefully placing his bag on the ground.
He tried to ignore the conversation unfolding beside him, intending to focus on his own thoughts while waiting for his veris and status report. However, his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but eavesdrop on the snippets of conversation that reached his ears.
Though the man's constant arm movements and the way he held the paper made it challenging to get a clear reading, Edowado managed to catch a glimpse of the first few lines on the top of the page. The words sparked his curiosity, providing a clue to the content that had the group of men so engrossed in conversation.
As he pieced together the fragments of information, Edowado quickly guessed the content of the sheet and what the exactly the group of men were babbling about just before he got a good view of the sheet which the man exposed after unexpectedly throwing his fists in the air.
Edowado's eyes focused intently on the document, trying to discern its contents. The words on the top of the page became visible to him, allowing him to make out the key details of the sheet. It was a status report, detailing the man's recent advancements and changes.
Status Report
Name: -------
Role: Hunter
Affiliate: N/A
Chip Rank
Rank 1 >>> Rank 2
Strength: F -50- >> F -57- (+7)
Agility: I -18- >> H -24- (+6) Point Difference = 24
Defence: G -46- >> F -57- (+11)
Proficiency: I -02- >> I -02- (+0)
Skills
§ Virility [I]
[Grants a small boost to a person's strength (+5)]
Special Abilities
§ N/A
Edowado's eyes widened with surprise as he took in the information. "Woah, he just ranked up to rank 2?!" he thought to himself. "And he even has a skill unlocked!"
The men continued their boisterous conversation, their voices infused with distinct local accents. Edowado couldn't help but overhear their words as they revelled in their newfound achievements.
"Ya see boys, a couple more forest expeditions and I can leave this blasted village for the bigger cities, ha-ha-ha!" one of them explained, his voice gruff and filled with a sense of superiority.
"Aghta captain. Maybe we can pick up finer chicks than the sad for excuse ones over hear"
"Don't forgot we could even get away with way more money than this tiny guild branch scams us with"
"Fuck it! Once we get out of this dump village, we can have all the women and money we want!"
"Huh? Hey, watcha looking at, kid?!" the leader snapped, his voice harsh and demanding.
Edowado, trying to remain inconspicuous, inadvertently caught their attention. His gaze met the leader's piercing stare, causing a momentary tension to hang in the air.
Startled, Edowado stammered, "M-me?... N-n-nothing, n-n-nothing at all, just minding my own business, haha."
"He was probably tryna steal a peak at your status report. Pathetic kid wants to rank up too huh? Haha!!"
The group erupted in laughter, their mocking voices echoing through the room. Edowado, feeling the weight of their ridicule, remained seated silently, his gaze averted in shame.
A person's status report was considered personal and confidential, akin to a diary reflecting their journey and accomplishments. It was a rule among hunters that prying into someone else's report without permission was a breach of trust. However, the public display of a hunter's rank was acceptable and guild policies demanded it must be done. That was a necessary precaution that had to be taken for the sake of security and statistical analysis.
Ignoring Edowado as if he were no longer there, the men resumed their conversation, discussing their plans and aspirations.
"Alright, let's get outta here for some drinks to celebrate my ranking up!!"
"Yes sir!!"
The apparent leader of the group, the one who had ranked up, crumpled his status report and carelessly tossed it aside before leaving the room.
Edowado's gaze followed the crumpled paper as it fell to the ground, discarded and forgotten. Mixed emotions swirled within him. He felt ashamed for sneakily glimpsing at someone's status report, yet disappointment lingered, knowing he still had no skill and had struggled to make significant progress in his own stat levels.
Just as he was about to drown in self-deprecating thoughts, Rio appeared beside him, holding a small tied-up pouch and a neatly rolled parchment sealed with the red guild emblem. Rio had finished his tasks and retrieved Edowado's status update.
"You know, those kinds of people have never been my favourite since becoming a guild employee here" Rio remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of disapproval.
"Oh, Rio, you're back?"
"Yes sir, and I have your status report done and…here you go, your fee for all your hard sleuthing today" Rio said, tossing the small pouch to Edowado, who caught it with ease. He quickly untied the red ribbon, curious to see its contents.
"It feels lighter than I expected. Are you sure you didn't cheat me this time, Rio?" Edowado quipped, playfully raising an eyebrow.
"I might have taken a small compensation to calm my pounding heart as punishment for scarring me to death by wandering too far into the forests, he-he"
"Hey, no fair!" Edowado protested, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Rio chuckled to himself, giving a slight wink to Edowado before playfully patting him on the head. Edowado looked up at him with a suspicious glint in his eye but quickly smiled back, knowing it was all part of their usual joking exchanges.
"Ok, no more goofing around. This is the most you've ever gotten so far so congrats. I was getting tired of having to only swap out 5 veris for baby akrante shards."
"Hey!"
"Kidding, kidding"
The exchange between friends lightened Edowado's mood. His disappointment about his own progress momentarily set aside.
"But seriously, you're impressive, Edo," Rio continued, his tone sincere. "And because of that... I might have chipped in a few extras from my own coffers if you catch my drift."
"Really?! Woah, you're awesome, Rio! So, how much did I get altogether for today's adventure?" Edowado asked, unable to contain his excitement.
"I'd say about 195 veris in total"
Edowado's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's the highest I've gotten so far, but still... it really isn't much, huh?" he remarked, a tinge of disappointment lingering in his voice.
"Hey now, don't get all disappointed and sad on me now," Rio encouraged him, his tone gentle yet reassuring. "Sure, 195 veris isn't a buttload of cash, but you can still use it to get some new stuff. Besides, this being the highest you've ever gotten in one trip might also mean you got a significant status boost. Why don't you take a look?"
Rio handed the rolled parchment, Edowado's updated status report, to him and took a few steps back, giving him space to review the document. He understood the unspoken rule of not prying into another's report without permission, and the same rule applied to even guild employees such as himself.
With anticipation, Edowado unfurled the parchment, breaking the red seal with his finger and quickly scanning the contents. He hoped that his unplanned and gruesome escapade would have resulted in a significant level increase if not money.
Status Report
Name: Edowado Crestell
Role: Hunter
Affiliate: N/A
Rank 1 >>> Rank 1
Strength: I -10- >> I -13- (+3)
Agility: G -40- >> F -55- (+15) Point Difference = 41
Defence: I -07- >> H -25- (+18)
Proficiency: I -02- >> I -07- (+5)
Skills
----------
Special Abilities
§ N/A
"I've grown by almost half a hundred points?!!"
Edowado looked down at the figures written on the paper, wide-eyed and filled with disbelief. He turned the sheet over, offering Rio an opportunity to review it. Though not customary, Edowado trusted Rio enough to have him go over his status report.
"Well, who would've guessed? Another personal record broken. I told you so."
Rio smiled at the still awe-struck boy, who was shaking with joy in his seat. He adjusted his glasses and looked back at the sheet.
"But damn! Just how hard did the bird monster hit you after stealing its egg to have your defence go up by 18 points?!"
"Haha...well, I actually ended up running away from the akokↄ, so it must've been the killer ants that caused my defence stats to increase that much."
"Killer ants?! It wasn't just one monster?! I thought I'd figured it out but I guess not. You've got a knack for getting yourself into trouble, Edo"
Rio scolded him with a stern gaze, a glimmer of brotherly concern in his eyes. While Rio hadn't worked in major cities filled with hunters for long, he had heard stories and witnessed terrible things from veteran guild employees who closely interacted with renowned hunters.
The thought of encountering someone who was full of life in the morning, only to see them as lifeless husks later on, haunted Rio. He never wanted to experience such heart-wrenching situations. Becoming a hunter was no ordinary profession. It involved risking one's life, facing unimaginable nightmares, and staring death itself in the eyes. Seeing someone as young as Edowado engage in such perilous endeavours, like a cheeky little brother, stirred conflicting emotions within Rio.
"I-I'm actually very sorry for almost getting killed, Rio. If you're this worried, I don't know how my family will react to this…"
"—!"
Edowado's words interrupted Rio's train of thought. The stars in the boy's eyes vanished, leaving behind clear, sincere irises that peered apologetically into his own. Rio couldn't maintain his façade of calmness, and the boy saw right through it.
Shaking his head to regain composure, Rio adjusted his glasses again. He chuckled, as he always did, and smiled at the boy, instantly changing the atmosphere to a more relaxed one.
"What're you saying? Ha-ha. Just…promise to be more careful next time, Edo. You won't always be as lucky as you were today."
"Sure thing, Rio. But, hey, what are these weird writings down where the skill slot should be?"
Edowado pointed to the bottom of the sheet, still holding it in his hand, where the skill slots were supposed to be. Rio bent down and adjusted his glasses to get a better look at what Edowado was referring to.
"Hmmm, it must have been an error during the creation of your report. As I mentioned earlier, we've been having issues with the servers, but someone from the technical office is looking into it. They mentioned a bug and something similar occurring at the office."
"Alright. I guess it's nothing to worry about then."
"Mhm, so don't worry about it. Once he's done, I can reprint another report for you"
"Alright then. Thanks again Rio. You're the best!"
"Haha, I already know that. I'll catch you later, Edo and don't go getting yourself killed!"
Edowado picked up his bag from the floor and dashed out, turning back to wave and bid farewell to Rio. Rio waved back with his usual smirk still on his face before Edowado stepped out of the guild Office.
(Now all that's left is to send the egg home)
"Hey, Edowado, is that you?"
As Edowado stepped out of the office, a familiar voice called out to him from behind, beckoning his attention.
Edowado turned, his eyes alighting on a young man emerging from the very building he had just left. Clad in a pristine white lab coat, the man's vibrant orange curls and freckled countenance were instantly recognizable. It was Richard, a familiar face and a friend who worked alongside his mother at the village's cyber lab.
"Hey Richard!" Edowado greeted him warmly. enthusiasm.
A pair of glasses perched on Richard's nose as he adjusted them, his features adorned with an infectious, slightly mischievous smile. "Hello to you too, Edowado. I see you've returned from yet another adventure, though it seems this one was quite…rough?" he remarked, his tone laced with curiosity.
Edowado nodded, acknowledging the near-death experience he had faced, twice. "Yeah, today was a bit rough. By the way, were you the one fixing the guild 's servers?" he inquired, his eyes searching for confirmation.
"Mhm," Richard confirmed, a hint of pride evident in his voice. "Since your mother and I are the only engineers in this village and that she's currently occupied with a task, I came to lend a hand and solve the problem."
"I hope you can sort it out. Whatever the issue is, it somehow messed up my status report."
"Huh? Really?"
"Rio mentioned that you said it was a bug or something like that in the server."
A puzzled expression briefly crossed Richard's face, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, yes, that's what I thought initially, but it turns out it wasn't a bug after all. It was another mysterious encrypted transmission," Richard explained, striving to bring clarity to the situation.
The mention of encryption left Edowado even more intrigued. "An encrypted transmission? That sounds complicated. So, is like a file locked behind a passcode or something?"
Richard nodded; his gaze focused. "Precisely. These files are heavily guarded, making it incredibly difficult to crack the code. And believe it or not, a similar occurrence happened at our lab. Your mother and I were examining it, although the one here at the guild seem to have some unique variations."
Curiosity tinged with concern flickered in Edowado's eyes. "Is it something serious, then?"
With a shrug, Richard confessed, "That part is still unclear. Your mother is diligently working on decrypting the files on our servers, but I must hurry back to inform her about the new transmission that surfaced here. It's essential that I report it to her."
Adjusting his glasses one more time, Richard began to turn away. However, Edowado, seized by a sudden thought, quickened his pace and caught up with him.
"Wait, Richard!" he called out, his voice filled with urgency.
Turning back, Richard arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Huh? What is it?"
"Since you're heading back to the office, could you please let my mom know that I'd like her to return home early today? I have a surprise planned for her."
A warm smile crept across Richard's face; his eyes filled with understanding. "Of course, Edowado. I'll inform Miss Azune."
"Thank you so much, Richard."
With a parting quirk of his lips, Richard resumed his path, leaving Edowado to gaze after him for a moment.
(Ok now I can finally head home and have this egg cooked up at last)