A white-haired girl donning a white dress with tinges of orange burst out of the La Campanella’s. It took her almost the whole day to notice, but her boss had escaped once more. From across the street, she noticed a small crowd gathering outside her store’s main competition, “REC Company” on its signboard that spelled “Renner Emporium & Crafting” underneath the large letters. Was there a three-day sale or some special event? As far as she could remember, the store was destroyed yesterday so how are they still selling? A clearance, perhaps?
She turned to the left, and there she found the person she was looking for.
“Commander!” She ran towards her red-haired superior. “Where have you been? Also what’s happening here?”
“Oh, Arielle. You came,” Belle greeted, puffing a cigarette. “You see, it turns out our neighbour Rachel here is into some kinky master-servant relationship.”
Out of curiosity, she stood on her tiptoes to see over a spectator’s shoulder. Her face turned pale as a ghost, her mouth gapping the moment her eyes met the unsightly commotion.
There were four persons present in the disturbing scenario. She recognized three of them as the employees of the neighbouring company. However, she could never imagine them like this. The grumpy, sarcastic manager was frozen like a schoolgirl about to confess to her crush. Her young shop assistant was bawling on her knees, shaking her employer back and forth and the bespectacled boy standing behind had his jaw dropped, as if his soul flew out his mouth and up to heaven.
“Manager!” the young girl cried. “I understand that you have your urges from time to time, but you didn’t have to resort to just anyone! Especially this rotting man here!”
She had her index finger pointed to a bulky yet unconscious man with messy silver hair who, for some reason, was wearing a dog leash.
The girl continued with a hint of red on her cheeks. “I-if... If you wanted to do some kinky stuff, you can always use me, your most loyal servant!”
The crowd gasped appalled at her brave declaration. The woman faced them flushing red. “T-that’s not right! D-don’t get the wrong idea! I don’t do stuff like that to my workers!”
“She really is a dominatrix,” Belle uttered with severe distaste, “You even did it with your younger employees. Damn, that’s some sick shit you’re into.”
“W-what in tarnation is happening here?!” Arielle screamed, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Unfortunately, there were far more pressing issues at the moment. “Anyway! You ran away from your job again! It’s a good thing no one paid a visit today. I was tending to the greenhouse all day. But if someone did, that’s lost opportunity for business! Please don’t just run off like that, you’re in charge of the front desk!”
“Ugh, stop nagging at me. It’s not like I neglected my work. I just took a break, that’s all. I closed shop early before I headed out, so it’s no problem.” Belle answered in irritation.
Arielle wasn’t satisfied with such an inadequate response. “No. You’ve just been slacking off again. Come, it’s time to go home.” She pulled onto Belle’s apron. “It’s almost time to prepare dinner, so stop watching some weird freak show and help me!”
“I wanna watch this until the end,” Belle insisted, feet planted on the ground.
Arielle tried to drag her away by tugging on her dress, to no avail. “No, we’re going home!”
Belle simply crossed her arms, unwavering. “I’m gonna watch.”
The situation growing hopeless, Arielle was forced to abuse the four magic words. She leaned in to her boss’s ear and whispered, “I’ll lock your armory.”
Belle’s eyes widened, sweating profusely. “So what’s for dinner, my dear Arielle?!” she asked loudly, snatching her subordinate’s hand.
Just by hearing those four words, she was easily swayed to go home. The two made their way through the crowds, Belle sorrowfully looking back as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see her fated rival make a complete fool of herself faded in her grasp.
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Back to REC’s storefront, everyone was lost for words as the ruckus turned for the worst. With every gaze piercing her like a rain of arrows, Rachel was on the verge of losing her temper; her clenched hands holding back a spell that she contemplated firing.
“Why are you all still here?! Get lost already! Can’t you see we’re closed?” Her face was as red as tomato. “And I don’t do nasty stuff like that! I swear! Don’t listen to them!” Then she turned to Enzel who was still out like a light. “This is your fault for causing this misunderstanding! Don’t think you’ll sleep soundly tonight!”
Unfortunately, the more she cursed, the more complicated things got for her. The crowd gulped when she uttered her death threats, which sounded more like perverse and erotic plans she had in store for her poor employees.
“No, no, no, no! That’s not what I mean!” Rachel faced the crowd once more, denying her misleading words, but whatever excuse or denial she made, the more misunderstandings arose. Even her two most loyal personnel were completely dumbfounded by the situation and just stood there, petrified by the absurdity of the situation.
With the situation getting even beyond her control, Rachel finally snapped, “Ahhhh! Screw it!”
By clenching her right fist as if she were pulling a string, her three workers were dragged together like magnets attracting each other. Rachel then quickly swung her right arm in a manner akin to handling a flail and sent them flying through the broken display window. A loud crash and screams of pain echoed from inside which sent shivers to the townspeople still within the store’s premises. When they returned their gaze back to Rachel, the door was already shut, though with its battered state, the entryway was pretty much open. The audience was left puzzled and at the same time terrified.
For better or for worse, this new rumor might garner more attention for the store.
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Enzel returned to his senses and found himself situated between a bespectacled teenage boy and a girl with fiery hair done in twintails sitting on their knees along the marble floor looking at their boss like puppies who were leashed for misbehaving.
“Alright, you three,” Rachel flashed a smile which only terrified the other two. Enzel sat back in a cross-legged position with a vacant gaze, still oblivious to the predicament the three of them were in.
And then she spoke in an eerie tone. “Who wants to be friends with Mari first?”
The girl quickly grovelled before her, pleading. “No! Please spare me! I don’t mind the kinky play, but not with the giant squi—Oomf!”
The angry boss pressed her hand on the girl’s cheeks, keeping her mouth shut. “One more mention of ‘kinky’ and I will make you do kinky stuff with Mari.”
“But you just said it yourself,” glasses boy did a timid comeback, which gained him a death glare from his manager. He cowered in fear.
“Who’s Mari? Is she hot?” Enzel asked. The other two looked at him bewildered at how he can stay calm like this before the terror that is their manager.
Slowly raising his right arm, the four-eyed youngster interjected. “Umm... Mari is the King Calamari that lives under the sea around the cliff near Port Ikzel and well,” he averted his gaze whilst cringing, “she really loves to play with people.”
“Ha?! You mean there’s really a giant squid in this town?!” Enzel paused for a second then continued. “Why is it called King when it’s a she?!” and finally he shuddered, sliding away with his legs until he hit the counter.
The young lady took a gander at Enzel when she noticed him. “Umm... Who is this hobo-looking person?”
“I am not a hobo!” He shouted, pointing back at them. “Anyway, who are these kids? Yours? Who’s the madman that let you lay his eggs?”
“These aren’t my kids, you nincompoop. I’m too young to mother them.” Putting aside their supposed punishment, Rachel proceeded with explaining what happened yesterday. “See, this retard went and destroyed our lovely shop by playing hero when some piss-poor adventurers tried to rob us so he’s working here now to pay his debt that costs more than his life.” She then tapped on the girl’s shoulder. “I’m gonna have you calculate the amount later, okay?”
“Huh...” She answered neutrally. Meanwhile, the boy was trying to recall where Enzel’s familiar face came from. “Hm? Aren’t you that man from yesterday? Wait, this person here caused this?! Oh no! The workshop!” Realizing the possible grim state of the workshop, he quickly rushed to the door by the right of the counter in panic.
“Calm yourself.” Rachel halted him by pulling onto his coat, which almost made him fall down. “Your workplace wasn’t affected. I made sure at least that one did not take any damage. It’s one of our biggest assets after all.”
“Manager...” He faced her, tears forming by how caring his boss really was. “You can be so considerate when you aren’t being a greedy tyrant. I don’t know what will be of me when I lose my only job here.”
“Wanna know what would become of you, then?” Rachel started cracking her knuckles.
He quickly knelt and clasped his hands in fear. “That was a joke. I’m sorry!”
“Wait. So it was you!” the girl pulled on the collar of Enzel’s vest like an angry thug. “Bastard, how dare you wreak havoc in our business and then kinkshame our manager! You better work your ass off real good, punk!”
Surprisingly, the girl was strong enough that it felt like a giant was grabbing onto Enzel. Her grip was so tight that escaping was impossible. Such inhuman strength on such a tiny body rang all of his alarms. “W-we already made a contract okay so it’s not like I can escape from your boss’s clutches anymore!”
“Good!” She threw him down like a bag of rice. Shooting a glare at him, she warned the man. “Just so you know, I don’t have much tolerance for incompetent workers that will not benefit manager at all. If I deem you useless, we’ll throw you out without hesitation.”
“I’d prefer that, to be honest.” He thought to himself.
“You’re probably thinking that you’d prefer getting thrown out than staying here, aren’t you?” Rachel smirked. “Worry not for it’s not going to happen for as long as you have a debt. Get along with your co-workers now, okay?” He could only grimace before her pure evil. She probably didn’t have any ill intentions in her words, but to him they sounded threatening. There was no escaping this job now.
“So?” The girl probed again. “Who’re you? I don’t mind calling you human carcass or just carcass, but...”
“Who are you calling a human carcass?” He snarled. “And it’s Enzel! Enzel Venera! The greatest fighter in all of history! The strongest mercenary to face and take down an army. The most lethal warrior that killed many monsters. You better remember the name!”
Enzel’s grand introduction only left the lass confused and looking at him with narrowed eyes. She went to Rachel with a concerned look on her face. “Manager, as I thought, we should have dumped him or at least made use of his body. He’s losing it.”
“Hey! I’m not going crazy!” Enzel yelled in frustration. “Also, what do you mean by made use of my body?! Did you attempt to dissect me?! Who is this insane runt?!”
“Ah, right. I haven’t introduced myself, haven’t I?” She coughed and then spoke with her childish voice. “I am the fifth-born child belonging to the first generation of the Phobos family. My name is Teariel and I function as a business assistant specializing in haggling, salestalk and item appraisal. You can call me Tear for short coz I may look small and cute, but I can tear you apart if you piss me off.”
She pulled out a rosary under her one-piece dress covered in an apron where a number “5” was embedded on the crystal in its center.
“What’s with that extremely formal introduction?” Enzel wondered about her sudden change in her speech pattern.
Four-eyes then chipped in. “And I’m the one that works beyond that door that leads to the workshop. You can say I’m the craftsman here.” He then smiled. “My name is Louie.”
Teariel then put her arm around Louie like they were buddies. “And there you have it. We’re Manager’s most loyal workers in this place. Technically, we are your seniors so listen to what we say, okay?!”
“Ah yeah...” Enzel lazily responded. “Nice to meet you. I hope we get along. So what did Rachel use to blackmail you to work he- Ugh!”
A gut punch sent him writhing on the floor. The monstrous strength of the attack came from Teariel’s petite hand. “Hey, shithead. It’s one thing you kinkshame my— I mean our boss, but it’s another thing that you accused her of those dirty deeds. You better watch your mouth or I’ll really turn you into a crafting material even though you have shit quality.”
“Tear.” Rachel patted the little girl’s head. “We can’t use him as crafting material, or any humans, for that matter. That’s illegal, you see.”
“Eh?” Teariel had a surprised look and moved her attention to Louie. “Is that true?”
Louie just nodded at her with a crooked smile.
Teariel backed away as if she discovered something she never wanted to know. “You mean human parts are not crafting materials?!”
“When did you even get that fucked up logic?!” Enzel rose from the floor shouting at the innocent girl.
Rachel coughed to get their attention. “Anyway, now that everyone understands the situation, you know what to do. Tear, I’ll leave guidance of this slave to you.”
“Oh he’s a slave?” Teariel’s eyes brightened. “So do I get to whip him?!”
“No you don’t!”
“Tear...” Rachel touched the little girl’s face and her cheeks flushed red. “I don’t allow sadistic acts in my store, but if you really feel the need to hit him, you can just give him a good smack in the face and it should discipline him enough.”
“Understood!” Teariel nodded like a child taking order from her mother. “If he ever screws up, I’ll just gut punch him again!”
“Don’t!” Enzel screamed as if pleading. Louie, on the side, could only just bury his face on his palm. “Manager... Please don’t corrupt her.”
“Now back to the topic.” Rachel faced her employees who aligned themselves in front of her with Enzel forced to stand at the center. Teariel stood beside him reaching only up to his lower chest while Louie reached up to his shoulder.
Rachel began giving out orders. “We need to get back to business as soon as possible so tomorrow we’ll be getting this shop fixed right away. Louie, you’ll come with me to the Merchants’ Guild to ask for repair materials, and supplies.”
“What about me, Manager!” Teariel raised her hand excitedly.
“You and the slave will be going to the Adventurers’ Guild to get us some manpower. Two should be enough.”
“I have a name, you know. It’s Enzel.” He replied.
Teariel then quickly pulled his collar. “Hey, you! No talking back to Manager! You really wanna get it huh?!”
“Let it go, Tear.” On Rachel’s order, the girl let go of poor Enzel. “While you’re at it, give him a tour around the town so he doesn’t get lost like what happened today.”
“I didn’t get lost. I was chased by that creepy neighbor of yours.” Enzel answered.
“Ah you got scouted by Ms. Belle too huh,” Teariel stared into space like a PTSD-stricken war veteran. “I remember almost getting stabbed in the back when it was my first errand outside of the store.”
“I remember she sniped me from a distance and then tied me up in her shop.” The gleam on Louie’s eyes faded. “Then after that... Brr...”
“Ah, sorry. Must be a traumatizing experience.”Enzel sympathized.
“So is everything clear?!” Rachel asked.
The young ones nodded in response while Enzel just yawned. Teariel pushed her palm on the back of his head, swiped at his feet and with the escalating motion, smashed his face against the marble floor.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Good!” Rachel smiled like a proud mother. “Now let’s have some dinner and call it a day.”
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Today should have been another day to start business again, if not for the fact that the shop was destroyed. Instead, it’s errand day for everyone. After dropping the barrier around the store’s premises, Rachel and Louie went on their way to the Merchants Guild. Enzel and Teariel were left to do the recruitment of adventurers.
“Okay. Let’s get going, slave.” Teariel announced.
“It’s Enzel. At least remember that.” Enzel corrected.
“Since manager told me to do so, I’ll give you a tour around the town. Make sure to stuff those locations in that head of yours. It’s not a big place so you should be able to memorize it right away.” Teariel started walking, but then stopped halfway and turned back to Enzel. “You’re not crippled, are you? Get your ass moving!”
“This runt.” Enzel couldn’t hold his frustration and just followed.
They walked through the same route that he went through yesterday except this time, for the better or for worse, he has company in the form of this young girl who tied her twintails in peculiar cross-shaped ornaments.
“Hey, runt,” Enzel called, which prompted Tear to look at him with eyebrows meeting each other.
“I’m not runt. I’m Tear, but a slave like you should address me as Teariel.”
“Why does your name remind me of some loan shark fairy?” He felt a chill down his spine.
“The hell are you talking about?” She looked at him confused. “Anyway, are you gonna ask me something?”
“Ah right,” He recalled. “Tell me something about this Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Ah,” She thought for a while. “Well, it’s pretty much what its name says. It’s a place where adventurers gather. You sign up as one, get a job class, do jobs and get paid for it. It ranges from daily errands to dangerous ones. Why? Are you interested?”
“Nah,” Enzel replied. “I was just curious about it. Back then, you only have mercenaries to do jobs. Dirty ones especially.”
“Ah well, adventurer stuffs are legal and monitored by the government itself so everything’s organized and done in a proper fashion.” Teariel explained further. “Course, they don’t leash the adventurers that tight so they are still to take quests if they feel like it or not. Well, even if I do tell you about it, it’s not like you’ll be able to apply as one. I heard from manager that you’ve made a contract already with her so you’ll forever be a slave hehe.”
Enzel narrowed his eyes in frustration. “Yeah, yeah. Like I said, I’m not interested and it sounds like a pain to be an adventurer so I’m fine with this shopkeeper job.”
“Do you even know a single thing about managing a business, even just a humble store?” Teariel asked anxiously.
“O-of course!” Enzel answered nervously. “I’m pretty much capable of many things! Who the hell do you think I am?!
Teariel sighed and whispered to herself. “This is definitely going to be hard to deal with.”
They continued on their way to the guild with Teariel explaining more things about the town to Enzel like a tour guide. Despite being as sharp-tongued as her boss, she doesn’t seem like to be a bad girl or so Enzel thought. He felt like he’ll get along with her just fine.
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A large sign with the word “Adventurers’ Guild – Renner Branch” was on the top of a large building. Enzel gazed upon it in awe.
“This is the Adventurers’ Guild located here in the plaza.” Teariel explained. “It also serves as the town hall so both adventurer and town affairs are done here.”
“Amazing.” Enzel uttered. Looking around, several ironclad people, most in distinct outfits with various equipments went in and out of the establishment. This was his first time seeing an adventurer. Back then, they would just be called mercenaries, but even then, they all looked rugged and improper that time. Everyone here had an air of professionalism.
“Let’s go in. Our task is to recruit at least two adventurers to be our manpower. Anyone will be fine. I’ll introduce you to some as well.” Teariel prompted and the two of them walked inside the guild hall. As he thought, if it weren’t for her satanic boss, she’d be a good girl.
Inside the hall were even more adventurers were talking to each other, comparing armors and weapons and doing transactions. Some were looking at the large quest boards to the left and right where papers were tacked on it, looking for a potential job they can do.
Teariel and Enzel made their way towards the receptionist where a matured-looking woman was having a conversation with a few adventurers. After the person before them left, Teariel and Enzel went forward and greeted her.
“Good morning!” Teariel greeted. The woman, wearing a sweater and large coat and glasses with her hair tied at the back, looked at them with a stressed look on her face. “Ah, good morning, Teariel. By the way, are the rumors true that Rachel is a dominatrix?!”
“No! Where did you get that nonsense?!” She angrily rejected the rumor.
“From some people who saw it yesterday.”
“They got the wrong idea!” Teariel defended. “And it’s this guy’s fault that happened!”
The woman looked at Enzel. “Who is this man? I didn’t think you had such a handsome boyfriend.” Enzel shivered as she stared him down like she was about to eat him up. “If you’re not careful, someone might steal him from you.”
Teariel looked at her confused. “What’s a boyfriend?” Both adults looked at the innocent girl in disbelief.
“So he’s not yours, I see.” The woman happily said.
“No, he’s our new slave so he’s technically ours and mine.” Teariel replied bluntly.
“Hey, I said I’m not your slave!” Enzel retorted.
The receptionist laughed at their funny exchange of words. “So you got yourself a new employee eh? Hey, big guy. What’s your name?”
“Ah.” He introduced himself. “The name’s Enzel Venera and I recently started working at Rachel’s shop.”
“It’s Manager, you disrespectful slave!” Teariel pulled onto his collar.
“Please to meet you, Enzel.” she offered her hand at him. “I’m the receptionist here at the Adventurer’s Guild, though I have an assistant, but she’s on a sick leave. My name’s Francesca Rekkermann. I also act as the secretary to the mayor of this town who also resides within this building.”
“Ah nice to meet yo--” they shook hands and Enzel felt a chill down his spine when his hand touched Francesca’s.
“My~ Such big and bulky hand. You must be really beating that meat so hard every day.”
“Wha-what are you talking about?!” Enzel pulled away, feeling crept out.
“This slave can’t afford meat!” Teariel interrupted, not aware of the real essence of their conversation.
Francesca laughed at her own mature joke. “I was just kidding, but seriously you’re pretty buffed. I’m surprised you don’t work as an adventurer with that build.”
“He’s in our debt, that’s why.”Teariel answered.
“I see,” Francesca adjusted her glasses, “Must be hard eh? Rachel is known to be a tyrant and a cheapskate, but her products are of high quality and the crafting job of her shop is top notch so not many people really complain about it. Anyway, I’m sure you’re here to file a quest, right?”
“Ah yes.” Teariel tucked out two of her right fingers. “We need two adventurers to help in the repair of our shop. It was attacked the other day and the interior was totally busted.”
“Oh sounds like a problem,” Francesca then pulled out a piece of paper from one of the drawers around her and handed it over to Teariel. “Is it an urgent quest? If so, just fill this form and I’ll pick an adventurer that suits the job to send to your place right awa--”
“There is no need for that. Ms. Rekkermann.” a somewhat smooth yet mature voice was heard from their right. The three of them looked at the source and there stood a young white-haired hotshot clad in a hooded vest, his dirty boots pressed against the receptionist’s table, with a single arm on the countertop. “If it’s a job for Ms. Mariner, you only ought to call m--”
“Aren’t you supposed to be working in the rice fields?” The guy almost fell down when Francesca interjected him.
“Ms. Francesca, you could at least play along and help me look cool! And I finished that job yesterday! Give me a break!”
“Who’s this walking embarrassment?” Enzel whispered to Teariel.
The guy heard him and reverted to his cool demeanor. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am the second top ranking adventurer in this guild and the only hunter-class adventurer in this town! The name’s Hunter. Nice to meet you, brother.”
Enzel shook hands with him. “Enzel Venera, an Enzel-class sl… employee.”
Hunter’s mouth was agape. “Uh, just so you know, Hunter’s my given name. My parents, who were former hunters, gave me that name, and I hold it up with pride.” He lowered his head, locking eyes with Enzel. “There is no Enzel-class, far as I know.”
“Well, there should be. Doesn’t anyone know of the legend of the great Enzel Venera?”
Hunter shrugged. He looked at Tear who shook her head, then at France who smiled wryly at his delusions of grandeur.
Enzel slumped his shoulders. “Dammit. Does everyone in Renner live under a rock? Whatever, at least we got our first adventurer.”
“Unfortunately,” Francesca came in the conversation. “Hunter still had a lot of jobs to do so I can’t approve him taking your request.” She then began working on processing a quest paper for them.
“Give me a break, Francesca!” Hunter complained. “I’ve been working my ass on Port Ikzel for months already! All those old-timers’ fields and stores were tended by me! At least let me get some work done outside that place!”
“I’d let you,” Francesca turned to him with irritation, “but you still have like five more clients to work with! Why don’t you get those job done first, huh?!”
“But!” Hunter insisted, “This is the perfect opportunity for me to show what a man I am to Ms. Rachel! If I miss this one chance, I may never get another shot! ” He hunched over the counter, holding Francesca’s hands. “Please, just this once! I want a break from Port Ikzel already! I’ve been doing nothing but change some dying geezer's diapers the past week!”
Enzel wondered if this man was delusional or just really stupid. Does he have any idea what a huge bitch Rachel is?
“Whoa, how cruel can you be?” Francesca stared at Hunter in disbelief. "Mr. Barrenwort is a stroke victim! He needs someone to change his diapers every day."
“I don’t want that coming from an S queen like you who drives all these adventurers like slaves!” Hunter quipped, but then eventually bowed his head in desperation. “Let me just do this job and I’ll get the rest done. It’s not like I failed to complete my quests when they ask for me, right?!”
Francesca could only sigh at the sight of the desperate man pleading at her. “Fine. I’ll have someone else take over temporarily.” Hunter’s eyes brightened, but then Francesca continued. “But on one condition.”
“What condition? Don’t tell me it’s gonna be those five pending jobs.” Hunter suspiciously asked.
“No, it’s a different one and you’re the only one who could probably do it.” Francesca answered. “That one adventurer you live with has been missing in action for a week already so I want you to drag her ass back here.”
“Ah… Her, eh?” Hunter felt a headache incoming. “The reason she’s not doing any jobs was because she said she’ll be on break until her best friend returns.”
“Ha?!” Francesca stood up, slamming the reception table in anger. She then took off her glasses and pinched her forehead. “Good grief. That woman, I swear. As much as how she slacks off a lot, she still gets the job done. But this time, her listlessness is too much! Bring her here so you both can take this job or else I’ll kick your ass back to Port Ikzel!”
Hunter flinched at the mention of that place. Straightening his back with a salute, he chanted, “Understood! I’ll bring her here even if it kills me! For the sake of Ms. Rachel!”
Francesca nodded and she returned her attention to Enzel and Teariel. “So there you have it. Your hired adventurers would be Hunter here and that other one you will have to find.”
Enzel took the quest paper that Francesca handed to them. “And who is this other person?”
“My dorm mate, Milfiore.” Hunter answered. “She’s a knight-class adventurer who embodies the sin of sloth. She would only work if she felt like it or if she’s doing it with her best friend who’s busy with matters outstation at the moment.”
“Ah…” Teariel had a bad premonition. “Milfiore… This is going to be a pain in the ass.”
“At this time, she’s probably napping back at the orphanage.” Hunter deducted. “It’s a golden opportunity to ambush her, so if there’s a time to strike, it’s now.”
Wait, if you have parents, why do you live in an orphanage?” Enzel asked, wondering.
“My parents don’t live here so I’m pretty much just renting in the orphanage. We get lodging and food in exchange for donations and free babysitting. Anyway, every second is a second away from Ms. Rachel. Let’s go!” Hunter quickly sprinted out of the adventurer’s guild and followed by the disillusioned Enzel and Teariel.
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About fifteen minutes of running and they stopped by a large stone house with a tall tree behind it protected by tall wooden fences. An iron gate stood in front of them.
“Alright we’re here.” Hunter grabbed the gate’s handle and pulled it to the left. When the sound of the gate opening echoed through the place, multiple small footsteps started coming to them.
And for some reason, Enzel was sweating nervously. He remembered something about an orphanage the other day too. He was hoping it wasn’t that same orphanage. But to his fear, it was the same children that took him down running towards them. They welcomed Hunter with loving embraces.
“Big bro! You got home early!” The little girl who punched Enzel hard said.
“Big Sis Tear is here too!” A young boy pointed at Teariel and she waved back with a smile on her face.
“Ah!” One of the kids unfortunately noticed Enzel, which made him flinch. “It’s Hobro! You finally visited us!”
“Hobro?” Hunter looked at him confused.
“I’m not a hobo! My name’s Enzel! Remember that already, you squirts!”
On his side, Teariel was trying to hold a laugh. “Pfft! Hobro… Fffft!!! Perfect!”
“Don’t laugh!”
“But Big Bro Hunter,” another kid squeezed in, “Don’t you have work to do at the Port?”
“Ah well. We have urgent business. Where’s your big sis?” Hunter inquired.
“Ah! Big Sis Milfiore!” The oldest-looking kid answered. “She’s at the backyard napping.”
“I thought so.” Hunter buried his face on his palm. The more he thought about his fellow adventurer, the more headaches he felt coming. He led the way towards the backyard along with the children. “Alright. Let’s get her lazy ass up to work, shall we?”
They made their way to the backyard and what welcomed them there was the huge oak tree sturdily standing like a giant statue.
And on one of the larger branch was a woman latched on her stomach like a cat snoring peacefully. With each snore, a pair of what seemed to be cat ears attached to her pink hair wiggled. There was no mistaking it. This woman was that Big Sis that came to the shop the other day and the adventurer named Milfiore that Francesca wanted them to bring back to the guild.
“Nyaa…Hina-chii~ You’re so soft. Especially up there…Mwehe~” She was drooling in her sleep as if she was having a wet dream.
Hunter, Enzel and Teariel could only look at her in ire. The children laughed at the stupid sight of their sleeping big sister.
“Haha! Big Sis Milfiore looks like a fat lazy cat!”
“Don’t be like that embarrassing existence of an adult when you grow up, kids.” Hunter warned the children. “And don’t wake her up!”
Unfortunately for him, the woman’s cat ears twitched and she opened her eyes. Hunter gasped and Milfiore stared at him blankly.
And after a few seconds of a staring contest between her and Hunter…
“Blinken!” With a quick kick using her right leg, she shot her body in the air like a bullet. Hunter was alerted by her immediate attempt to escape.
Luckily for them, she was still half-asleep to even utilize her skill properly. She jumped so fast that she smashed her face against the hard brick wall of the house and fell on the ground. As soon as she was vulnerable, Hunter quickly apprehended her.
“What are you doing to me! Sexual harassment! Hunter is harassing me! Help me!” She screamed like a victim of molestation.
“Shut it, you!” Hunter struggled to keep Milfiore from moving, but she was too strong for him. “Ugh! Why are you this strong when you’re so lazy! Tear, help me!”
“Understood!” Teariel jumped into the turmoil and took hold of the target’s legs to prevent her from attempting to perform her escape trick again.
“Argh!” Milfiore squirmed in pain as Teariel’s vice grip squeezed her legs harder. “Alright! Alright! I’m not gonna run! My legs are getting numb argh! Let go already!”
“Can I trust your words?” He asked, still doubtful.
Milfiore, with all her might, turned her eyes with a sensual gaze to Hunter who was sitting on her back. “I’d trust my body to you too, if it’s enough proof for my honesty.”
That only made him pop a vein. “Alright. Tear, squeeze it tighter.”
By the man’s order, Teariel put more pressure on Milfiore’s legs. “Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!!! Stop it! Please! I beg you! I’m not escaping anymore so let go! Uwaaaaaaa!!!”
Milfiore started tearing up from the excruciating pain. Convinced, the two apprehenders let go of the poor woman. She knelt on the ground with her legs folded sobbing like a rape victim.
“I can’t get married anymore.”
“Hey! Don’t say misleading things like that!” Hunter snapped back at her.
The kids gasped as to what they heard. “Big Bro! So you finally went and had it after one night of hard drinking again!”
“Not even in my nightmares!” He angrily rebutted. “The last thing I wanna do is touch this woman! She’s not as sexy as Ms. Rachel and she has cooties!”
“How rude! I’m as clean as my dignity!” Milfiore, seemingly recovering from the onslaught, stood up to wipe her clothes off the dust. “I have a nice body too, you know! Too bad for Hunter he won’t lose his virginity on me or to anyone.”
Hunter clenched his fist, holding back his rage. “I swear I’m gonna strangle this woman one day.”
“So uhh…” Enzel butted in. “She’s that other adventurer we’ll be getting?”
“Hm?!” Hearing the voice, Milfiore turned her attention to him. “Why if it isn’t Hobro! How nice of you to pay us a visit!” There was a taste of sarcasm in her tone of speech.
“Stop with the Hobro already!” Enzel shouted.
“Milfiore.” Teariel called onto her. “Ms. Francesca asked us to get you and work on our request.”
“Don’t wanna!” The knight started rolling around on her back like a spoiled child. “It’s a pain in the ass and I’m not working until Hina-chii returns from her quest!”
The attitude was even getting onto Enzel’s nerves and so he spoke once more. “Hey! The receptionist was really pissed at you for slacking off! Get back to work, you sloth!”
“Huuuuuuuuh?!” Milfiore’s face quickly turned sour. “Who are you, a hobo, to tell me not to slack off?” She started to look more pissed when she recalled something. “Oh that’s right! What do you think you’re teaching the kids huuuuuuuuuh?!”
“Ha?!” He looked at her confused. “The fuck are you talking about?!”
“I’m talking about what you taught them the other day!” Milfiore angrily pointed her right index finger at Enzel. “These kids have been calling me a ‘bitch’ since we left the shop that day. What are you trying to pull telling these innocent minds that a bitch refers to a strong person! Are you implying I’m only strong in bed?!”
“Wait, no!” Enzel denied her accusation. “I only said that to spite Rachel! I—Argh!”
“Bastard, what the fuck did you just say?!” Teariel grabbed his neck from behind. “Did you use these kids to make fun of Manager huuuuuh?!”
“Ack! I’m sorry, okay?!” He was desperately tapping on Teariel’s surprisingly thin arm. “I just did it on a whim. I didn’t think they’d bring it home with them!”
Hunter could only sigh. “Just because these kids already know things they shouldn’t doesn’t mean you can go around polluting their minds…” He quickly called the attention of the children and corrected the wrong fact that they learned. “Kids, don’t use that word ever again, okay? It’s a bad word. You don’t want Gramps to hear that, right? Did Gramps ever teach you to be vulgar like that?”
“Is that so?!” The kids frowned, but smiled back at him afterwards. “We understand! It’s a bad word and good kids like us shouldn’t speak it so we don’t turn out like Hobro!”
Enzel popped a vein, “What does that got to do with me?!”
Hunter nodded in satisfaction. “Good, good!” He then turned to Milfiore. “Alright, Milfiore. We’re gonna get their request done so get ready for work!”
“On one condition.”
Hunter smacked his face on his palm upon hearing another annoying condition from a woman. “What is it this time?!”
Milfiore grinned and then pointed at Enzel. “Hobro!”
“It’s not Hobro! It’s Enzel!”
“Engel!”
“Enzel!”
“Whatever! Didn’t you claim yourself to be a strong fighter? I also heard yesterday from Belle of La Campanella that you fared well against her!”
“What are you getting at?” He knew what was she about to say, but he asked anyway.
Milfiore brushed her long hair and pulled one of her sword attached on her belt. “If you want me to accept that quest, then defeat me in a sparring match!”
“Huh?!” Hunter exclaimed. “He doesn’t have to do that! Stop being a pain, you!”
“Say, Hunter~” Milfiore looked at him with seductive eyes. “Did Francesca make a condition that you’ll get to work on Rachel’s request if you got me in it? Then that means, if I don’t accept this job, it’s back to Port Ikzel for you~”
Hunter cringed. He got on his knees and pressed his forehead squarely against the grass. “Please, Ms. Milfiore! I’ll buy you as many drinks as you want tonight! Just give me this chance to impress Ms. Rachel, please!”
She laughed devilishly. “Nyahaha! I’ve had plenty to drink, thank you very much! All I want is a quick spar with this weakass hobo!”
Enzel reached his tipping point with the woman’s snide remarks. “Fine, you’re on!” His eyes burned with rage and excitement. “Don’t cry when I beat you, alright? You’re gonna regret calling me weakass!”
She looked back at him fiercely. “Hoho! That’s the spirit.”
The two stared down each other like two tigers preparing to clash.
Hunter went to Teariel. “Tear, are you fine with this?”
She just shrugged. “It’s always like this with her anyway so screw it.”
“Then that’s decided!” Milfiore struck a pose in front of Enzel. “Fight and defeat me and you can do whatever you want with me.” She ended her sentence with a wink.
He could only grin like a predator prowling towards its prey. “You’re on!”
The kids exclaimed, “Oh no! Hobro wants to forcefully take Big Sis Milfiore’s virginity in front of Big Bro Hunter!”
The smallest of lot followed up, “That’s how mama said I was born!”
“No!” Enzel shouted back. “Where are you kids picking this stuff up from anyway?!”
And thus an unnecessary fight which stakes Hunter’s shot to impress Rachel begins. The day was only beginning and yet it was already hectic thanks to this female knight’s annoyance. Regardless, Enzel was looking forward to show off his strength once more.
But soon he will learn the difference between mercenaries and adventurers.