Chapter 40

First Mission

“What?!” I jump out of my seat in looked at Alexander who was calmly sampling his soup.

“Calm down, or else we’re going to get kick out the restaurant.” I look around to see once again everyone attention was on me. I sat back down in my seat and try to pretend my little outburst didn’t happen.

“What the hell do you mean by successor?”

“I mean exactly what I meant, someone is trying to create a new Demon King.”

Even though that was his second time telling me that, my brain still couldn’t process what he said, but I’m sure anyone in my situation would react the same if they found out someone is trying make a copy of them.

“So do you have any proof? Or do you expect me to believe every word that spews from your mouth?”

“The proof is all around us, you just haven’t been paying attention to it. The monsters weird behavior, the orc attacks, and the ambush in the forest.” Alexander turns his attention to the window. The statue that greeted me when I first arrive here, was standing right next to the building we’re in. Just like early when I first past it, groups of people was gathering around it to meet there friends and family.

“You said you heard about monsters evolution from rumors right? That means in a way, everyone is aware of the impending threat, they just don’t realize how dangerous it is yet. It’s kind of like a shadow, you know it’s there, but you don’t pay attention to it until it takes an ominous shape."

Was that his cryptic way of saying that the monsters are waiting for something? I would ask him why are they waiting and what are they waiting on, but I’m sure I’ll just get nothing but riddles from him if I try. I’m better off asking questions that doesn’t involve monsters.

“Why are you telling me this? I mean this is the first time we spoke to each other and yet you’re confessing your secrets like we’re best friends.”

“Well that is the reason why I brought you here, I want to become friends with. Listen Anna, I know James probably told you a lot about me.”

“Yup, he told me to stay far away from you.” And also that you possess powers very similar to mines. Obviously I won’t tell him that, since he’ll most likely run away with all the information I need on Alice. So right now I’ll just pretend I don’t know that much about him, of course I don’t plan on letting him go Scott-free. One of these day I will beat every little secret he’s hiding out of him.

“I understand why he told you that. He probably still hates me for what I did, to be honest I hate myself for the things I done. You being the child of James I hoped that befriending you will help me move on from my past mistakes.” Alexander sounded so sincere that if I was a regular human, I might have forgiven him for all the things he’s done. But I been around long enough to know that the kind smile and sweet words he was feeding me were fake.  Even without my ability to sense people’s desire, it would still be painfully obvious that he wants something from me. His cold blue eyes told me that he saw me as nothing more than a disposable tool.

“Why don’t you quit with your poor acting and tell me what you really want.”

“What do you mean?”

“C’mon, I’m not an idiot. Someone like you wouldn’t invite me out here to eat unless they’re trying to get something out of it.” The puzzle look on Alexander slowly transform into a sinister smirk.

“You really are something else Anna. It amazes me how different you are from your father.”

“And it amazes me how much you talk. I ask you question and you failed to answer it.”

“Sorry about that, I get like this when I find something interesting, and you’re fight with the orc leader fascinate me.” Remembering the orcs cause an unpleasant chill to run down my spine. The ordeal I went through facing them was something I was trying my hardest to forget. Especially their creep of a leader who trying to turn me into his sex slave.

“I don’t see what was so interesting, I barely survive that fight.”

“It was interesting because you survive. I’m not really an expert when it comes to fighting, but even I knew that the orc you was facing was far stronger than you, the fact you was able to beat him shows how skilled you are.”

“I see where this is going, you want me to fight these so called shadows of yours right?

“You catch on quick. Yes, I want you to join my team, your skills would be greatly beneficial to stopping these continuously evolving creatures.”

“That sounds like a lot of work.” I lean back in my chair trying to digest all the information Alexander threw at me.

“I understand exactly how you feel, I’ll give you time to think about it.”

“That’s pretty generous of you, but I don’t need it, I already made my decision.”

“You did?” Alexander’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Yea, but before I tell you my answer, I want to know does the hero know anything about the monsters evolution.” The surprise looked on Alexander face became bewilder, which is understandable since the question I asked had nothing to do with the hero. But I needed to know, if he knew what was going, because something bothering me, yes there something I found more disturbing than the things Alexander told me. And that was Alexander himself.

The way Alexander talk felt like he knew every little secret the world hid, yet strangely the hero who is part of Alexander’s team looked surprise when the monsters ambush us in the forest. Which means either Alexander is lying to me or he’s withholding information from the hero.

“No, I doubt he’ll be able to handle such a heavy burden.”

“So you think I, a sixteen year old girl is capable of handling this task better, than a guy who was literally chosen by a god to protect this world?”

“…..I’m assuming this is your way of declining??”

“Your assumption is correct.” I nonchalantly replied to Alexander who had a mixture of disappointment and anger on his face.”

“If you’re worry about the pay then….” I raise my hand to stop Alexander pathetic pleading

“I’m not worry about the pay. In fact I’m confident I can easily get rich working with you. The problem is I just don’t simply trust you.”

“I told you she would decline.” The samurai walk past me to stand near Alexander like the loyal servant he was. “It’s better this way, we don’t need a mad dog like her on our team anyway.”

“Mad dog? That’s an interesting way of calling me a bitch.”

“Enough Miyamoto.” Alexander takes a deep breath and turn his attention back to me. “Is there any way I can make you change your mind?”

“No, I’m afraid not.”

“I see…” Alexander reach into his pocket and tosses two gold coins on the table. “Even though I’m disappointed with your answer, I’ll honor my promise and tell you what I know about Alice.”

“Go on, I’m waiting.”

“Alice, was a secretive person. She really didn’t talking about herself, because she was paranoid that someone might try to capture her. But even though she was tight lip about her past, I did find out she was born in a small town just past these mountains.

How convenient, the person I’m looking for hometown just happen to be nearby. This is probably another one of Alexander’s lies.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“You said she afraid of being capture? Who would try to kidnap her?”

“I don’t know, you tell me.” Alexander gave me smirk as he got up from his seat. The fact he was being cryptic again means that the monsters are the ones that’s after Alice. Although I have no idea why simple minded beasts would be chasing her. I grew irritated as I found myself with more questions than answers.

“Oh yea before I leave, I have to say that you are strong Anna, but as I said before, things are only going to get worse from here. So be careful, or you might lose someone precious to you.”

“Hmm, is that supposed to be a threat?” Alexander let’s out a laugh while waving his hand to dismiss my accusation.

“No not at all, I’m just telling to stay safe.”

Yea right, that was obviously a threat. While he did worded it to make it sound he was concern for me. I knew secretly he was saying “I’m the only one that can ‘protect’ you and everything you care about, so you should work for me.” Or something along those lines.

“Well Anna, I hope the next time we meet, you’ll change your mind about joining me.” Giving me the kindest smile he can muster, Alexander wave goodbye to me before leaving the restaurant.

…What a guy, I think that was the kindest threat I ever gotten. I would be concern if I had something to care about, but the only thing important to me is myself.

"That's a lie."

“Huh?” I turn around to face whoever whisper to me, only to see a couple making out. At first I thought it was the lady whispering to me since the voice sounded feminine, but my suspicion quickly faded seeing that they were trying their hardest to devour each other faces.

I’m sure how long I was staring at them, but it was long enough for the guy to notice me. Now normally when people are caught doing something so intimate in public they would stop out of embarrassment, but apparently this guy doesn’t know any shame, since he wink while still trying to eat his girlfriend’s face.

Watching the man trying to flirt with me while still making out with his girlfriend cause my entire body to shudder in disgust. I quickly turn back around in my seat so I wouldn’t have to watch that vomit inducing scene anymore.

“Ok….. So they wasn’t the one whispering to me.” Then again I doubt anyone can get that close to me without me noticing, except for the samurai, but he left with Alexander, which means, I must be hearing things. Great, it was already bad enough that I catch myself occasionally talking to myself, now I’m starting to hear things. I guess the only thing I need now is to see dead people, then I can officially call myself insane.

Heh, heh the God of Corruption is a psycho path, who would’ve thunk it? I laugh at myself as I twirl my noodles around on my plate. Seeing my noodles mix together with the red sauce that was also on my plate made my stomach turn. I guess watching the couple ‘go at it’ destroy my appetite.  Seeing that I wasn’t going eat anything, I decided to leave the restaurant. It was a good thing Alexander pay for my meal before he left, because I couldn’t afford it.

The moment I step outside I found myself staring at a grey blanket that cover the sky. The lively chatter that surrounded me begin to fade as delve into my mind trying to figure out what my next plan is.

I was able to get information on Alice, but I have no intention on visiting the town Alexander told me, until I have concrete proof that’s her birthplace. For all I know I could be walking into a trap going there. I would love if I could just tie him up and make him cough up everything he knows, but that’s impossible with that samurai and the hero watching his ass.

“So visiting that town is currently out the question, and interrogating Alexander is impossible, then what should I do?”

“Hey lady! Stop daydreaming in get out are way!” Two guys shouted at me as they sprinted down the street. I quickly step out of the way before they could run me over. A brown paper flies out one of the men hands as they race towards the city entrance.

“What the hell was so urgent that they couldn’t find time to walk around me?” I reach for the brown paper hoping it’ll tell what those guys were running towards. My left pocket suddenly gave off a blueish glow the moment I touch the paper. For a few seconds I stood still trying to figure what cause the glow. The only thing I should have in my pocket is my I.D, unless Aaron put something in my jacket after he wash it.

I slowly reach into my pocket to find what Aaron place in it, strangely my I.D was the only thing I could find and also for some reason it felt something was added to it.

Alias: Anna

Sex: Female

Age: 16+

Race: Human??

Occupation: Adventurer

Mission (incomplete): There’s been rumors going around that there are monsters setting up ambushes in the forest near Athens. A group of skilled knights have been dispatch to investigate these rumors. It’s been two days since then…..

To the brave souls that accepted this mission, please find the missing knights and eliminate the monsters before they can harm any more travelers.

Threat Level: S

“Well that’s new…” I guess my I.D copy whatever was written on that paper, since it says the exact same thing. Now that I think about it, this is the first mission I took as an adventurer, all the monsters I kill up till was done for free. Well, I hope this have some good rewards, and maybe killing a couple of monsters will help me come up with some ideas. I head towards the city entrance where a lot of people that was carrying weapons were gathering.

“Stop right there miss.” A knight walks in front of me cutting me of from the city exit. “Sorry, but right now no civilians is allow to leave Athens.”

“But I’m not a civilian, I’m an adventurer.” I show the knight my I.D since I knew he wouldn’t believe me, although I feel like that made it worse, since he was now giving me a puzzle look.

“Why is there a plus sign near your age? Does that mean you’re older than sixteen?”

“My age doesn’t matter, what does matter is that I’m an adventurer, so can you let me pass?”

“Do you have any partner?”

“Huh?”

“Because how dangerous missions have become, I’m not allow to let any adventurers or knights leave here unless they have a partner.”

What a stupid rule. I guess I’ll run back to the inn to get Aaron, although I have no idea if he’s even there, and even if he is someone might complete this mission before I can make it back.

“She’s with me.” I felt someone place there hand on my shoulder. The moment I heard that cocky voice I knew who it was. Against my better judgement, I turn around to face him. For some reason the person was wearing a black cloak that cover his entire body, but his blue eyes and white strand of hair that stuck out from his cloak was enough info for me to confirm it was the hero. A smile spread across his face the moment our eyes met.

“How about it Anna, you feel like teaming up with me?”

A/N: I'm such a slow writer, sorry for late update. Anyway next chapter things will start getting intense since it'll be introducing a new.....

I hope you enjoy, thanks for reading