Half a year ago, that voice brought me to this world through my room’s door. Half a year ago, I met two people, Otoko and Onna, now known as Totshigui Sorah and Qawasumi Ruri. And during those six months, I’d remained at Level 0, without any signs of progression. Except for my Lingual Cognizance. At first I thought I wouldn't mind it, but the constant reminder of being powerless in conflict messed with me.
Ruri and I left the townhouse to rendezvous with other Kokmin members in an undisclosed area in Laolu Fang. Ruri specifically had been given directions, so I followed her along the shikumen’s dilapidated alleyways and empty streets. Eventually we reached a ruined pavilion, with no signs of gentrification. The stone path cracked, and the buildings shuddered in dust. Shadows grew large at the sun’s angle, as a few people gathered under the shade when we neared.
“Your sign.”
Ruri showed one of them the red charm we’d received from Naqata in Port Lungchiang. To the Kokmin, this was verification of a member. However we were perhaps honorary ones for the time being.
A woman, Aymy, clapped her hands. “Okay, I know everyone here knows that two of the three wanted posters, are present today. They just arrived in Great Zhou a day or two ago, and they are affiliated with Totshigui Sorah with the intent to find the Totshigui family.”
“‘Kaizenji Kawari’ and ‘Qawasumi Ruri’...” One of them said aloud and made a thinking posture. “Totshigui did relay to us a while back that he had some associates. I understand. Let’s share what we know.”
Aymy acknowledged with a nod. “I want to keep this meeting quick, so the Royal Marshal ain’t hot on our tails. Regarding the Totshigui family, the Kokmin has sighted a large group of around five all with silver hair passing through several Great Zhou cities.”
“You guys have?” I stepped forward. I had to ingrain this into my memory as much as possible.
“Yes. Only a few people possess that hair color. They were first sighted in Yanqi and Quinsat, and were moving southward. Does anyone have a map?”
I raised my hand, before digging in my vest for the one I’d just bought in Lungchiang. Handing it to her, she pulled a random box from one of the buildings and set the map down flat. [https://i.imgur.com/qEVq7dQ.jpg]
She circled the area of Great Zhou with her finger. “Only possible route reconstruction is that they reached Lungchiang by boat, and traveled directly west to Yanqi and Quinsat, before crossing the Grand River into Kucha. By then, they had already reached Wakh’an Pass. But there is a problem…”
“Our reconnaissance in Kucha reported the Totshigui splitting into two groups at Wakh’an Pass.”
Ruri spoke forward. “Splitting? What happened? Were they caught?”
The other member looked at Aymy, then looked back at us. “We don’t know. Whether it be the Royal Marshal or some D’Orientois, the mother and father each took some of their children and ran in separate directions. The father apparently was facing south. The mother continued west.”
“And? And then what? If they went through Wakh’an Pass, then they are practically heading into Aquitaine by now.”
They shook their head. “We don’t know. Kucha and Wakh’an Pass are the outer stretches of Kokmin outposts. Any further is the contested region between Koroné and Aquitaine.”
With that, the meeting ended just as quickly as the revelations they’d given us. Even though we’d received more information, it only opened more possibilities to where Sorah’s family could be. No, perhaps it narrowed down our places to go. If the father went down south towards Koroné, and the mother towards Aquitaine, then the nation of Koroné would be the next destination. We weren’t prepared for what even awaited in Aquitaine, the home country of the Royal Marshal.
However, before Ruri and I would be able to continue traveling, we needed to save a bit of money. For me, I needed to get stronger.
“Tahblo.”[https://i.imgur.com/FTWznmH.png]
I summoned my chart a day later, upon arriving at Yang Lianhua Pharmaceutical Company. Nothing changed except for my Lingual Cognizance. I guessed that my hostel uniform didn’t even count as an equipment.
“Hiya, Saquisaqui! Whatcha doing there!” Kang appeared before me and came to my side. “Hm hm, checking your chart, aren’t you? Let me see!”
I couldn’t let her see it. If anyone saw that I was at Level 0, just like that Guild employee, then they would become suspicious of me. My hand jerked to block her view as the screen dissipated. “That doesn’t matter.”
She pouted and put her hand on my shoulder. “Wow, why won’t you show me? Are you secretly crazy strong then?”
An awkward smile came across my face. Actually… it was the opposite.
Today was my first day of the job as a data entry clerk. Kang guided me to a desk inside in the main room, and explained to me each of the work supplies and equipment. Old fashioned company seals, opening and closing various scrolls, and a traditional ink brush. But before I could even get started, she told me that she needed to teach me how to read Zhouhua.
“We get hundreds of invoices every few days, so you just have to file them into categories,” she explained, pointing to one of the papers. “See these Zhouhua logograms in the top right corner? As long as you learn how to read them, they can be organized into several sections. You can sort them into companies, amount, payment method, due date, all of the information comes from that seal. I’ll teach you how to read these logograms, got it so far?”
My back straightened up. I almost wanted to give a salute. “Yes ma’am!”
For a mundane job such as this, I had to give my enthusiasm for the first desk job of my life. In a different world, though. If I’d gotten a desk job and passed the interview in the first place, then I wouldn’t be here.
[System Announcement]
Lingual Cognizance UP
1670 >>> 1731
+61
“Yuanyuan and Mister Quirisaqui, you two are free to go on lunch break,” Doctor Yang said a couple hours later from his office, taking off his bifocals. “Mister Quirisaqui, I would especially like you to keep an eye on her. I know she’s quite intense.”
My face remained deadpan. “Yessir.”
“Hey, isn’t it supposed to be reversed? Who’s ‘intense’? Doctor Yang!”
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As we departed the building, Laolu Fang was awfully quiet as ever. Even if it wasn’t for this situation, a person looking to relax from the big city of Xanton would come here for a breather.
But for lunch, Kang and I decided to head back into the busier districts. The hustle and bustle grew louder as crowd density increased, more shops and vendors setting up along the walkways with hanging lanterns and oriental gates.
“Doctor Yang seems to care a lot about you.” I played the contrary of starting the conversation. “What’s your job in the clinic? You’ve been helping me out a whole lot today.”
“Ah… Well I usually run around doing appointments for people in need.” Kang scratched her head, ignoring my first remark. “Basically a traveling medic in the vicinity of Xanton.”
“That must be tough work.”
She ran ahead of me and turned around. “Not at all. I’m the one that picked this job, so I’m super happy about it. Giving to people is my number one priority～”
“Salve!” A squeaky voice called out from the side of the road. We both turned our heads. In a little stall cramped between two bigger vendors, was a petite woman with white-azure hair beckoned Kang over. She wore a red coat, with red ornaments in her hair. “Young Zhounese woman! You look like you would be adept with the sword! With my training, I could get you up to speed in combat?”
[https://i.imgur.com/qBMA7Rd.png]
“Eh? Sorry, young lady, but I already have a job.” Kang put her two hands together and winked. “I hope you find someone else?”
The petite woman frowned. “Who’re you calling young lady!”
The sword? Training? Maybe I could learn a thing or two from this woman. Before Kang began walking, I stopped her and walked towards the short lady. “Greetings, young lady. Unlike Miss Kang, I am interested in the offer. Am I worthy of discipleship?”
“Hm…” The short woman scratched her chin, inspecting me carefully with her blue eyes. “I can’t get a good read on you, young man. Sorry.”
I forgot that Ruri and I established a routine of using the Masking skill on ourselves. This person probably couldn’t observe my movements and mannerisms too closely. The Masking skill was messing with the petite swordswoman’s keen perception.
Even so, I wanted to become stronger. If I had to work for it, then I would. “Please reconsider.”
“Is that so? Then how about you defeat that ruckus-making D’Orientois for me there.”
Kang and I turned to where she pointed and sure enough down the road was a tall man arguing with a vendor. They were yelling at each other, while the seller furiously pointed at their fruit and products. D’Orientois… were they always looking for a bone to pick? The two in Han’ei I fought were raring to go also, so maybe it might’ve been a cultural behavior. I heard that D’Orient is a place in Aquitaine, anyway.
Following the petite woman’s challenge I leapt forward. My feet took me down the road as I prepared to tackle. I’d taken a few D’Orientois before, so maybe I could fight one. My body stopped in place. I collided with an invisible force, sending me flying a different direction. At that point, I remembered.
Unlike the fight in the hostel, I was unarmed. Taking on a giant would be almost impossible for me. While I fell to the floor, motivation forced myself to my feet. Access the situation. The man had a barrier that stopped me.
“Fils de pute…” He turned around slowly, malice radiating from his bearded face. The trader cowered in fear behind him. It seemed I pulled the anger towards me. He brought out a saber. In a blink of an eye I crashed into the wall.
[System Warning]
Low HP
14/40 HP remaining
The sharp point punctured me as he tacked down. Blood poured from my side. I was Level 0, so a single attack from someone would damage me severely… Not enough Max HP or DEF. This was bad. How could I survive in the future when the first attack dealt twenty-six damage?
He retreated backward. I held my side, crimson staining the stone ground. It felt as if my insides were violated, my breathing unstable. I didn’t know what I choked on.
Kang held out her hand towards me. “O magic of demihuman’s land, obey me through the laws of the system. I bestow you Koroné’s blessing—Quick Heal.”
Light gathered around her hand as I felt my puncture alleviated. Though it still bled.
[System Announcement]
Skill Activation [Quick Heal]
HP UP
14/40 HP >>> 29/40 HP
+15
The sun blinded my view. I could see the D’Orientois’ silhouette brandishing his saber. Kang stood from a distance, her hand still raised from that healing spell she gave me. I nodded and gave her my thanks. Now that my health had been restored slightly, it gave me fresh thoughts.
Throughout all the times I’d fought in this world, I relied on my agility. It was how I could disarm people and evade their movement. But this time I had no weapon. I grinned as I taunted him with a hand gesture.
“Miss Kang! Do you have any support spells or skills?!”
He rushed to meet my taunt. The man swung down while I stepped to the side, remembering the move I did when fighting Officer Guiral.
“Speed burst forth, the general heeds you. I bestow you Great Zhou’s blessing—Winged Feet of Zhaoyan!”
[System Announcement]
Skill Activation [Winged Feet of Zhaoyan]
Base Speed UP
+15% Speed (3 minute duration)
My feet lightened up as if I’d lost weight. The D’Orientois turned around and slashed at me. I voided the attack and stepped right into his range. What part of the arm would suffice in rendering his saber useless? Maybe the elbow. I grabbed his elbow and pushed it sideways. The man jerked left while I brought him lower than me. Then I felt it again.
The barrier activated as I stumbled back. That really was a problem. How could I disengage that skill of his? If it activated whenever I got within close-range of him, then maybe I could exploit something from it.
Looking around I picked up a brick from the wall I crashed on. This would do. The local constable would arrive soon, so I needed to prove myself now. It was time to test out my theory.
It was my turn to attack first. My agility brought me over to him immediately. The D’Orientois sliced upwards and clipped my manbun free. I lowered myself and gripped the brick in my hand. If I ran with my normal speed I would’ve been dead by now. I kicked the man in the stomach and his shield activated again. My body ricocheted off and I threw the brick at him. It bopped his face as dust flew.
I landed on my feet and I charged again for the final tackle. I took his elbow first and drove him to the ground. He couldn’t use his saber. Having pinned him on the ground, I thought of possible options. I could bash his head in, but I shouldn’t kill. I could strangle him, or take his weapon. He held his saber with a death grip. So I put my arms around his neck.
“Do you give up? If you won’t harass anyone again then I’ll let go.” I talked down to him, as he struggled to stand. It was hard to keep him pinned down due to his weight.
“Taiz-toi! Tu ne sai pa que...” He huffed and puffed, suffocating in my arms. “Mez amis son ici.”
My awareness of my surroundings did not click until I noticed multiple shadows overtake my own. I looked around to see a mob of D’Orientois staring at me strangling this one man. I guessed that I’d overdone it. I prepared myself to prostrate and beg.
“Halt there. You’re done, young boy.” The short swordswoman shoved even the biggest of men to the side, her calm strides parting everyone. “I’ll clean up the rest of these guys for you.”
It was a split second. Two of the men went for her but she already moved on to the next enemy. They fell to the ground bleeding as her blade drew blood. It was a white single-bladed sword, much smaller than a katana and longer than a knife. She smiled.
The rest of the men activated their skills via their charts, but the petite woman slashed through their barriers and chopped them down like butter. She sheathed her sword within her coat and turned to me, her face dripping with red. “So, what’s your name?”
“...Quirisaqui Saqui.”
“Nice moves you had there, Young Saqui. Call me Maîtresse from now on, ‘cause you’re in for a rough ride.”
I passed her qualifications. I could do nothing but prostrate myself. “Thank you very much! I will be in your care, master!”
“It’s Maîtresse!”
“Uwah… Why did this have to happen?…” Kang walked up to me sobbing.
I had acquired a master. One I could learn from. In order to defend myself, Ruri, and the door, I needed to get stronger. It was a given.