Chapter 54: Affiliated Symbols (3)
JACOB ANTLERS
“Haa…”
A man sitting on the gutter ruins his hair in frustration. Baskets of wood pile together waiting to be delivered in some noble family’s house. But that is not his problem right now. It's the panel in front of him that is obviously invisible to others' eyes.
[Participant’s File]
Name
Jacob Antlers
Age
24
Gender
Male
Title
<11th Participant>
Job
Race
Human
Affiliate Symbol
???
Status
Level
24
Next Lvl.
96.45%
Punishment received from grandfather:
Tasked to be a woodcutter on weekends and a porter for adventures on weekdays.
Punishment will be lifted within 1 month.
(12 days remaining)
‘Just… What in the world is all of this? It's not I can ask anyone, it doesn't seems they can see it...’
It all started 19 days ago. When I’m about to go down the mountain, a bunch of goblins blocked my way, but that did not bother me at all because I am a trained assassin, trained by my grandpa who is an all-arounder, though I chose to be an assassin only. Anyway, I finished them off in an instant as usual, but the monsters did not stop there. Several monsters appeared out of nowhere, orcs, kobolds, ogres, hobgoblins, etc. it was like an army of monsters preparing a war, but unfortunately, I was caught up with it. It was a near-death experience when some voice asked me out of nowhere what my greatest desire was, then grandpa popped into my head, and answered him, to prove my worth to my grandpa. At that moment I felt cold and my breath was slowly fading until he asked me to become part of his plan if I want to continue living. Whoever it was must be someone powerful because after I accepted the offer, my severely wounded body immediately healed and the army of monsters was wiped out.
But… Who’s the devil I signed a contract with?! I didn’t even get to ask about the condition due to fear of death… What if he made me do something inhumane? Did I just sell my soul to him?
Then suddenly these floating things appeared out of nowhere. 11th participant? Is this supposed to be a new recruiting magic scroll to recruit some adventurers to go on an adventure? Because there are missions included.
[11th PARTICIPANT: MISSION LIST]
Affiliated Symbol: --
● Find the affiliated symbol (Class C) - (Incomplete) (20% progress) (Reward: ???)
● Join an affiliate symbol (Class S) - (Incomplete) (0% progress) (Reward: ???)
● Pledge allegiance and loyalty to your affiliated symbol (Class SS) - (Incomplete) (0% progress) (Reward: ???)
● Make yourself trustworthy (Class SSS) - (Incomplete) (0% progress) (Reward: ???)
● Make yourself stronger (Class S) - (Incomplete) (0% progress) (Reward: ???)
● Greatest Assassin (Class SSS+) - (Incomplete) (0% progress) (Reward: ???)
Arrrghhhh!! No one will answer even if I ask. But something changed about a week ago. When I encountered that scary man in the woods I thought I'd lose my life again when he attempted to bite me. I ever wondered if he was a vamp, but…
*blushes*
“Arggh! What the hell?!” What the hell was I thinking???
He is terrifying and handsome. Ahh, shit, I’m not gay but I admit he is handsome… no, more like beautiful to be called a ‘Man’. I am probably certain that I looked like a squid next to him, how unfair…! Anyway, the change I was talking about is not my beauty preference but the panel itself when I met that man. It said…
[Notice!]
New! You found ‘Spade’.
* Spade
* ---
* ---
* ---
* ---
Spade. Then the first mission increased by 20% progress. The only conclusion I come up with is that I need to find the four other affiliated symbols to reach 100%, but I don’t know what will happen after I reach 100%.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
I 'touch' the ‘spade’ out of curiosity…
*dingg!*
[Notice!]
● Join an affiliate symbol (Class S) - (Incomplete) (0% progress)
Do you want to join ‘Spade’ as your affiliate symbol?
‘Hoo… What will happen if I join? I still don’t know what the Affiliate symbol is… I just assumed it’s some kind of guild or something that developed this system.’
I click ‘No’. I need to gather more information about this first to be certain.
"Hey, Jacob, I need some wood. Do you have a spare basket for sale?" Said the man in the bakery shop, he's a baker named Barnet.
"Ahh, yes, I have some extra here, Mr. Barnet." I gave him the basket of already cut wood, while he gave me 5 silvers and 1 slice of cake…?
"That was just a leftover from my daughter's birthday yesterday, you weren't around so I saved some for you." Mr. Barnet pats my head, "It must be hard to climb the mountain and be a porter for adventures every single day, but you should take care of your body now that you're still young. You wouldn't want to have a weak and hunchback body when you're older, do you?"
"Hahaha… who would want that? I still want to have a nice body in my 80s if it's possible." I scratch my head, then I remember Grandpa who still walks straight and strong as of today… I guess it's possible.
People on this street do not know but I'm from the middle class, even so, I don't view them as lower than me. These people were the ones to accept and accommodate me when Grandpa punished me, he didn't give me money and I couldn't return home. The only way for my expenses is to work, but these people sometimes give me extra payment just so I could have a little bit of extra meal or could rent a small room for a night. I won't forget their kindness.
In 12 days, the punishment is about to end, from then on, I don't have to stay here and do the work, but maybe I could go visit them sometimes.
"Speaking of which, there's a birthday party in the Cavelier's Mansion today, I heard it was the youngest daughter of the Marquess. I think it'll be grand this time, though this is my first time hearing they celebrated birthdays. Haa… Nobles are weird sometimes." Mr. Barnet massaged his beard, "Alright, since we're both busy I'll be going ahead now. See you tomorrow, Jacob"
I wave to him goodbye and I return to the other baskets. So the noble to whom I'll deliver these things to is the Cavelier's Mansion, will grandpa be there? Come to think of it, Caveliers never celebrated birthdays before since the day the Marchioness died. How odd. Not that I care, anyway, after I'm finished with this punishment, I go visit father in the Cavelier Territory. Haist... why did he have to agree to manage the territory while the Marquess is here? He should've been here instead of Grandpa.
*bumps*
"Watch where you're going!" A man wearing a nice coat glared at me with irritation.
'What's his problem? The path is too wide for both of us… Tch, people these days really are unreasonable-- Wait… That smell is…!'
"Butler Motia! STOP RIGHT THERE!" Three knights were pursuing the man I just dumped with.
“...Blood.”
The man named Motia did not look back and continued to walk somewhere. Butler Motia? Is he a criminal? What a waste… I swear after this punishment I’m gonna focus on taking care of my own face so that I won’t get jealous of some criminals just because of their fine looks. I ignore the man and proceed to where I'm heading too.
-*-
JASPER MOTIA
Tch. How long will they pursue me?! They’re goddamn persistent--
*bumps*
Shit! I bump my wounded shoulder into someone on the street, I glare at the man who looks like a commoner… Argh!
“Watch where you're going!” I would not get angry if my shoulder wasn’t wounded, but heck it’s painful!
I ran towards an alley and entered one of the doors that were hidden. I had no idea where it was but it’s not important right now, I need to lose my pursuers and plan my next move.
“Hey! Who are you?! What are you doing inside my kitchen!” A teenage girl holding a pan yelled while aiming the pan at me.
This medieval era always amazes me. How come she resembles Rapunzel wielding a frying pan?
“Just let me hide here for a second, I won’t harm you or anything, there are some bastards who want to capture me.” I said while sweating, I need to get my shoulder treated… that damned bitch had gone mad.
“A-Are you a criminal? I saw some knights running around, they won’t do that unless someone commits a serious crime.” She warily said, still pointing the frying pan toward me.
‘Tch.’
“I escaped.” I said. Her eyes widened and were about to run outside but I said something that stopped her. “I was about to get raped but I escaped. Those knights are from Countess Evergreen, if you know her reputation then you must know the reason why I’m here.”
“Oh my god. That notorious man-eater?!” She let go of the frying pan and covered her mouth in surprise. “How did you get out? Everybody knew that no one could escape her grasp once she set her eyes on them… umm… What number are you then?”
‘That fucking number calling! That woman… how dare she treat men as playthings! Her men in that mansion are ranging from 18-70, including servants, hostage commoners, and slaves. She even tried to lay her hands on me- that bitch! Hope she contracts STD’
“I am not one of her men so I do not have a number.” I coldly replied.
I heard footsteps passing the door and waited a little more to assure I lost them. When I check outside, no one was there, but the girl tugged the sleeve which made me wince
“What is your problem?!” I hissed.
“I-I’m sorry! I-It’s just that… you’re bleeding.” She pointed at the floor and I saw some of my blood trails, shit… the wound must’ve opened when I bumped into that man. “A-Are you alright? I-I have some bandage with me, is it fine if I dress your wound? I-I swear I won’t tell anyone you were here.”
“Fine. But do not touch me anywhere else aside from my shoulder.” I warned her. I might have a trauma because of that damned pervert, tch.
I remove my coat and reveal my bloody shoulder. Goddamn it, it hurts like hell! That woman tried to stab me when I told her not to touch me… ever since I woke up in this place, I have come to know the personality of Jasper Motia’s Master, who became my master to serve now. And just like this girl said, Countess Evergreen is a man-eater, she keeps everyone who she thinks is handsome. She’ll do anything whether through threatening, bankruptcy, etc. by any means as long as she gets them.
Jasper Motia is someone who used to do those things, originally she didn’t bother to touch him because Jasper has never failed any mission she gives him and even rewards him with new things… until I took over his body. Because I am adjusting to this world, I failed to do Jasper Motia’s tasks and that reached Countess Evergreen’s ears, she examined the change in me and that's when she noticed my face… no, Jasper’s face. She starts advancing, touching me anywhere she likes… Then she entrusted to me the valuable thing she kept for a long time, the Transformation Goblet. And that thing got stolen. She was mad and tried to vent her anger on her men sexually but her anger did not persist at all after a couple of days until she saw me… that is when all of this happened.
“It's good now. I tried my best to dress the wound well, even if you have a large movement, it won’t get undone. But I suggest you ask for a healer to heal it so it won’t get infected.” She steps away from me, while I wear my shirt and coat.
After I opened the door to re-check the area, the girl spoke. “If you're having trouble where to hide… Then may I suggest a route?”
“Where is it?” I asked without having a second thought, what’s important right now is that I could escape, far from here so they can’t trace me.
“You may have heard the news about the dungeon, right? The person who was rumored to clear it was from the Cavelier Family, as of now, it’s just a rumor but I assure you it’s definitely true. My friend was helped by him by finding his brother in the dungeon and she believes that man is always ready to help anyone who is in need, why don’t you seek him, he might help you in your circumstances.”
‘THAT man?? He was the one to cause my situation in the first place. If he didn’t steal that thing then I wouldn't be in this kind of situation. But… Come to think of it, why don’t I present him to that bitch? Since he’s the one to steal her thing… That’s not a bad idea at all. I could completely escape her when she’s busy eating him.’
“Do you know his appearance? I need to know some of his distinguished features so I could find him right away.” I asked. That’s not it. I just need to know if he’s handsome or not so I could bait him into that bitch who loves handsome men.
“Ahh. My friend told me he is delicately beautiful, hehe… even I wanted to see him to confirm it myself. She even added that he looks like a prince straight out of a fairytale book. Now that I remember, my friend and her brother were both invited to the second Lady Cavelier’s party today. Lady Cavelier is Mr. Randall’s cousin you see, he might be present there too.” the girl excitedly stated.
‘This girl naively gives away information she shouldn’t have. Should I trust her to keep my whereabouts…? What if some knights try to ask her later in this case? Tch. Hope she doesn't.’
"Alright. I'll go now, but if someone happens to ask you about me, just tell them you did not see anyone matching their description just in case." I said in a serious tone, "Take this as thanks for dressing my wound." I toss her a gold coin and I left without looking back
I use the narrow alley to escape though I see some homeless people resting in the alleyways, I know some of them are just pretending to be one… that's thanks to my knowledge from my own world, there are some movies featuring this kind of scenario. Two men stood up stealthily as I pass them. As expected, I knew what those kinds of people are after…
I hurried my steps until I reached the crowded place, they couldn't tail me in this crowd… but of course, I never let my guard down as this place is the pickpocketer's playground.
I'm lucky enough to take my spatial coat before I escape, my money and other stuff are kept here though I didn't keep first aid materials with me. Next time I'll prioritize those things and also healing potions since those are widely available in this world, unlike mine which only has doctors.
*bumps*
'Hiss… Again!'
Unlike before, this time I fell down due to the impact this time.
"Hm? Ah, isn't this Countess Evergreen's loyal dog?"
The one I bumped asked, I looked up while glaring at him… Who the fuck is this?