"Ugh...." murmured Zero as he slowly open his eyelids, finding himself staring at the underside roof of a house. Bright sunlight seeped through the window blinds.
"Where am I?" questioned Zero as he scan the unfamiliar surroundings for clues.
From his lying down perspective, the room appeared fairly simple with a cupboard and dressing at one side and some art decoration scattering about. A picture of a couple hugging each other was sitting on top of the dressing table.
"I must be inside someone's bedroom." reaching a conclusion while putting strength into his limbs in order to sit up.
As if on cue, the pain assaulted him causing him to cry out in agony which fortunately only lasted for a split second. His eyes zoomed down towards the source and saw the areas of his body exposed by the blanket, was tightly bound by bandages.
"Ugh.., They must have really given their all for me to feel the pain even now." grimaced Zero. "To think that this amount of pain is not even 40% of the real thing."
Feeling dejected, Zero did what he felt should be first priority. "First of all, I need to know what is my current status."
“Stats window", mumbled Zero while anxiety envelop his mind. Lost in his emotion, he fail to register the sound of footsteps getting closer.
Status WindowNameZeroPrimary ClassN/AHealth100Mana100Level1Strength10Agility10Wisdom10Intelligence10Luck0Stamina10Vitality10Attack0Defence0Magic ResistanceFire0%Water0%Earth0%Dark0%
Just as he was checking out his stats, the door swing open and a well-endowed lady stepped into the room looking concerned.
"What happened?"
As she face towards him, a gasping sound left her lips. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"I'm fine," meeting her gaze awkwardly. "Never felt better."
Zero hurriedly sat up and bowed in the direction which he determined, to be his savior.
"Thanks for saving me back there..., If you just left me as it is," his body shuddering as he spoke. "i'm afraid to even imagine it." Zero recalled, clearly perturbed at the thought.
"There's no need to thank me, i just happened to chance upon you." the lady responded with a faint blush on her cheeks.
Straightening herself up, she followed up with a question. "What happened?"
Zero recounted the incident that led him to this sorry state and ended it by saying how grateful he is for her kindness.
After listening to Zero's story, her lips straighten out and her eyes narrowed.
"There is no such thing as free lunch in the world, if you catch my drift." said the lady.
"Yeah..", agreeing with her.
*Rumble*
At that moment, Zero's stomach decided that it was time to eat. Blood pooled in Zero's cheek causing him to reflexively turned away and focus on an art decoration as if it was some priceless artifact.
As she view the scene occurring before her eyes, her mood perk up and a faint giggling sound escape her lips.
"Before we get started on the lunch that i had prepared, my name's Morrigan. What is yours?"
"Zero," he replied. "Name's Zero"
Eating over the dining table, Zero found the food to his liking and complimented Morrigan on her cooking, this action unexpectedly cause familiarity between them to rise and he concurrently secure an oath to teach him cooking.
Watching Morrigan taking the plates, he tried to divert the responsibility of washing it to himself but was instantly met with an unyielding look in her eyes and an explanation that he didn't have to do this in order to repay her kindness.
With nothing better to do, he sat back the place he was at a while ago and ask Morrigan if there was something he could help in.
"Yes, you can help to cut the wood blocks in the shed which is at the back into firewood. My husband is only coming back later tonight and that is when you can ask him for a job." answered Morrigan as she meticulously wash the dishes.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
After removing the bandages wrapped all over his body, Zero promptly make his way to the shed and peer around inside in order to pick up a axe for use.
While doing so, he spotted massive amount of logs piled up at the back, stacks of firewood lined out at one side and pieces of logs on the other. A stump with cuts around the edges was stationed at the center.
After locating the axe, with signs of it having seen better days at the back of some logs, Zero place one of the shorten logs above the stump and began slashing it, once, twice, thrice. After the third, the log severed into 2 which he placed the half on top and sever it into half once again. Next he did it again for the other half. Lastly,he place the wood which he has finish onto the top of the pile thereby increasing it.
As he repeated the process over and over, his hands were gradually getting accustomed to the weight of the axe and the sense of aiming at the dead centre of the target.
As sweat dripped from his body and clothes clung on to him, he continue cutting with a frenetic pace.
*ting*
Strength increased by 1 point. (+1 STR)
"Finally," remarked Zero to the message. Tired by all the repetitive work, he sat down on the floor and took a drink from the canteen. He checked and found his satisfaction factor has fallen to nearly 25%.
When he was about to make up his mind to continue on regardless of satisfaction level , an emphatic voice which matched Morrigan's rang out, informing him that her husband has returned and to meet up with him.
Zero swifly tidy up the place and dash to the front of the house. Dim lights of the house glowing like a beacons in the dark reveal where they were. There, he caught sight of the pair embracing tightly and looking one another lovingly.
"Ahem," making the sound of clearing his throat. "Sorry to interrupt but i'm Zero," introducing himself while giving off a vibe of awkwardness.
The pair, shocked by the voice, hastily separated themselves. As Morrigan hurriedly disappear into the house looking embarrass, the man walked towards Zero.
With a height spanning almost 2 metres and exhibiting well-built muscles all over his body, he stopped in front of Zero.
"Gustav here," he announced, raising his hand.
"Nice to meet you," shaking Gustav's hand with his own.
"Heard you wanted a job..., it's gonna be tough," warned Gustav. "It involves a lot of physical labor so you think you have what it takes?."
"Yes!" answered Zero intensely.
"Good!, that's what a man all about!," responded Gustav heartily. "Here."
*ting*
Cutting Logs for Firewood
Gustav has been looking for personnel to give work to as he can no longer cope with the orders. Due to seeing you having no place to stay, he will also provide lodging and meals. However payment for job rendered will be lesser than usual starting at 5 coppers a day.
Difficulty level: E
Quest requirements
Recommended by someone close to him.
Acknowledged as trustworthy by the woodcutter.
"I accept!" resolving himself to it.
You accepted the quest.
"Ok!, then how about we go and have our dinner now" said Gustav in a cheery mood.
As Gustav neared the door, he rotate his head to face Zero. "Oh before i forget, somewhere inside the shed lies my old axe for you to use."
"Found and used it," exclaimed Zero.
"What!, You have already started," responded Gustav with astonishment written all over his face. "I see potential in you."
"Thank you for the compliment," Zero replied as he stepped into the house.
As they arrive into the dining room, Zero abruptly flinched at the booming sound materializing beside his right ear, asking him to stop playing and get his sorry behind down there right this instance.
Quickly apologizing to both of them for not being able to attend the wonderful dinner, Zero logged out and headed to where both his parents are.
NEXT CHAPTER>>>