Interlude #1

I came to this inn every day for the past 10 years being in the tower. I was known as “That depressed thief” by the locals for many years. Kids feared my tattoos while I treasured them with my whole life.

I spent my days on the streets helping people and earning money on the side. I was no longer a thief, but my class said otherwise.

Bo’lee was the only person that understood me. It was a shame I couldn’t understand one bit he mumbled without that tongue of his. But at least he never left me.

“Bo’lee, I heard a newbie appeared in the town today. Do you think he or she will come to your inn?” I asked with a hood over my face.

Bo’lee shrugged, it was his way of saying he doesn’t care.

“How could you not care! It means another patron! And another person that will look down upon both of us!”

Bo’lee looked at me with sympathy and I have shut up for the time being.

The entrance bell ringed and a fur-clad young girl entered the inn.

The entrance hall was dead silent. I continued to sip on my beer and ignored her. She must’ve experienced a lot.

“One room please.” She came up to Bo’lee and asked for a room. I guess she had a pretty good eye for discerning who’s the owner.

Bo’lee looked at her and waited for her to give the money needed for the room.

The girl’s hair was pink and dark brown at some places. She wore a pony tail which was quite fuzzy. I think I might’ve started to like her if she continued to amuse me.

“1 room please!” she told Bo’lee again.

I interrupted her. “Girl, you need to pay up, Bo here can’t talk. It’s 20 copper per night.” I told her.

“2 nights please.” She took out 40 copper coins and took the key Bo’lee gave her. “Why can’t he talk?”

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“He lost his tongue in a battle a long time ago. What’s your name girl?”

“Camille, and yours?”

“Ak’li.” I took my hood off and smiled at her. I’ve seen many people being shocked by my appearance but this girl was different.

“Ak’lee? Are you sibling?” She didn’t even react to the dragon jaw tattoo all over my lower jaw

“It’s L-I and not L-E-E.” I corrected her and continued. “Nice to meet you Camille, as you have guessed we are siblings. Twins, as a matter of fact.”

“You guys look so different to be twins. What race are you?”

“We are humans.”

“But he has horns.”

“His class is a bit special.”

“Classes can affect your physical appearance?” She asked me. It seemed that she still hasn’t noticed the tattoo over her left eye.

“Here, take this mirror.” I took out a mirror from my robes and gave her to check on her face.

“What is this!?” she touched her arrow tattoo furiously.

“You can’t get rid of it. It is called a Brand.”

“I’ve been branded? Then yo-?”

“No, these were made by Bo’lee.”

“Why would you do that to yourself.”

“We lost our privileges to continue to rise up the Tower. So we decided to start a tattoo shop and a inn. We used hollow snake bones to create the iconic Twin Dragon tattoos both of us have.”

“You guys sound like one interesting pair of siblings.” This girl was interesting. I wished to keep her. We would’ve been quite good sisters. Too bad she would probably blindly advance to the level 10 zones and die like the rest of them.

“Ak’li, I wanted to ask you this, but-“ She seemed to be hesitating.

“What is it? Ask me anything.” I smiled.

“It’s a bit rude to ask this I think. Where are the bathrooms?”

“You want to wash yourself? Does the blood bother you? Follow me.” I stood up and placed the hood over my head again.

“Thank you!” Camille, the girl I met that day. Was someone unforgettable.

I remember the first day I met her even today.

“The Tallest Daisy. Heh, that title. I wonder how she is doing today.” I smoked a cigarette and smiled as I puffed out smoke.

“Ak’li, would you mind cutting your hair any time soon?” A male voice came from behind me.

I grabbed my disorderly hair and tied it up in a ponytail. The Twin Dragon tattoo on my back shone green for a moment as I stood up and went to greet the man standing behind me.

“Hi, long time no see Rig!” I smiled bitterly.

"What's up my former comrade? What brings a smile to your face at these times when my position as the number 1 is being challanged?"

"I was just reminiscing about an old friend."

"Did that friend of yours die?"

"Nope, she should be coming for you sooner or later in my opinion."

"Oh great, another suicidal bastard that wants to fight me. What did you tell that friend of yours this time?" Rig asked her.

"Nothing, it was her own decision after she heard our story. I never mentioned your name though."

"Great..." Rig laughed out load and grabbed Ak'li's shoulder. "Let's go get a drink. I need to speak with you both."

"Sure." I looked down into the streets and a streak of pink flashed through the streets. My eyes must've fooled me for a second. I thought I saw someone from the past...