Akira went to the river park first. The bank was grass covered 30 degrees slope ending with a 2 meters tall metal fence. She looked around and start checking her gear. she had 84Y and considering the prices from today's shopping she said:

"That greedy woman from the sex shop ripped me off badly!" Akira grimaced and looked at her wrist watch:

2:15 PM

I have to come home no later than midnight or Hina will get a heart attack. Akira took out the taser. The brand was not familiar but after some fiddling with the multi-tool she was certain it was operational and had probably 1 or 2 charges left. Note to buy an adapter for the battery recharging later. A pack of cigarettes and lighter. Or what the hell, I won’t live long probably with that type of lifestyle I am having. She took out a cigarette out and lighted it. Then laid on the grassy ground and took some smokes. Akira was not a heavy smoker but he often had a smoke on the classy meetings with some higher ups in the company or in the golf club. You know, some high-quality imported cigars and a glass of 24 y/o brandy. She was smoking and watching the skies. Soon the cigarette ended Akira stood up and look at the cigarette box in disbelief.

"What kind of cheap crap is this, is it a fake? I didn't feel even a tiny little kick from it".

"Kornelius, do you think my 9 vitality makes me immune to the intoxicating substances like nicotine cigarettes?"

"Hmm no, of course not, you are a very strong for your age regular human currently."

"I see "

"But the "soul fortress” passive skill is a different story.

"Huh let me check again" Akira

[Soul Fortress (passive) (RARE) - Shields user’s mind from outsides negative influences like demon miasma influence, mind control spell, different demon afflictions like succubus charm, vampire’s puppeteer and many more. This skill is obligatory for every commanding officer of FoL army since the the disaster in Vega sector. (see details in your local library)].

"Shields user's mind from outsides negative influences" read Akira and scratched her head"

"Indeed, the intoxicating effect that should make your judgement impaired is shielded" Kornelius

"Are you saying that I cannot get drunk or high?" Akira

"Well of course not, there are a lot of alchemy potions, mana rich alcohol and so on. For the alcohol I will recommend the dwarf beer, it is quite good and tasty. BUT not their heavy stuff. Wow I remember I tried their famous "stone cold" grog once in the academy. Then I found myself hugging a streetlight in the morning and the most severe headache ever.

"What about the non-magical stuff like these pills here, I got from demon claws. They look like drugs to me?"

"I am certain your mind and your ability to think straight will not be affected"

"One way to find out" Akira took out one pill and cut it in half

Then put it in her mouth and swallowed.

"To think that I preached Cristina ”do not take drugs". Ha ha what a strange world we live"

Akira laid on the grass and waited for the pill to kick in, and waited and waited...

"Alright, it has been 15 minutes. It is either a fake or I do have drugs immunity, but how should I know it is not a fake? I can't feel the effect. Akira removed her hat and scratched her head while thinking. The stopped and scratched again. Then took her knife and cut a small cut on her hand. She couldn't feel shit.

"Kornelius, can you heal me please"

"I haven't seen a report for damage but sure"

Akira watched her small cut healed in front the eyes in the mater of seconds

"Fascinating"

"I think this drug has a powerful painkiller effect and I am affected at least on that part" Akira

"Hmm, the pill affects the "peripheral nervous system" as well. The skill wouldn't cover that part.

"So, I still can get a tranquilizer dart in my butt and drop immobile?"

"I believe, yes. The skill that covers these types of effects should be something related to negating poisons".

"I should get a tranquilizing gun" Akira thought - noted in the quest book for consideration"

"Enough resting. Where should I go now. Hmm I will need to find a map of the city. "

Akira climbed the river bank and headed to the local shopping street, the one where she and her mother were shopping 3 hours ago. She entered a small bookstore and looked for a city map. While focused on some books, she felt the evil aura and a hand grabbing her butt and squeezing hard.

"Gahh" she jumped back and swiftly turned towards her assailant, red face of anger and humiliation, and fists tight.

"Would you need a help to find something, young lady?"

A balding spiderman about 50 y/o was staring at her and smiling lecherously" He was holding a steaming cup with the other hand

Again, Akira's brain went to overdrive.

Quick scan of the little shop - empty

the Enemy - short/ about 60 kg/ looks weak - physical overpower chance: easy

Identify:

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

demon larvae lvl 3

healthy

Options:

offensive chance of success very good. negatives - very close to home, possible break of undercover if police is involved in a shopping district accident

"Young lady did you hear me?"

"Ah yes I was distracted, can you find me a map of the city. You see I am from Kyoto and on a school trip here... and got lost" Akira

"A lost lamb from the heard hoho. What if a bad wolf comes to eat it??" The man was licking his lips. He left the cup on a board and went back to search on a rack. Akira quickly pulled out the pills bag and the knife and put her hands behind her to hide what she was doing. Then moved backwards to the cup staying on the rack. The spiderman turned around returning with the map.

"Shit I am not ready" Akira

"And I need a book with the local cuisine If you have?

"huh sure" the spiderman was startled and turned back to search into another book rack"

At the same time Akira had put 2 pills and was stirring the tea with the knife as fast as she can.

Then she said: "And a demon's church grimoire"

Ahh a devotee how nice, how nice hmmm, how good will be to be pleased by such a young devotee. The man was grinning.

"The Grimoire, sir" Akira reminded to the spiderman and once he turned back to look for it, she grabbed her bag and slipped out of the shop. Her heart was going to burst and she was shaking not from fear but with anger.

She walked briskly on the shop alley.

"That dirty bastard demon. So far only Caroline has ever touched my butt that way" grr Akira teeth were screeching, rage was going to overtake her soon. She was almost going to lose it when the shop lady from the bags store stood in front of her.

"Oh, isn't it the nice young miss from today. I recognize the bag I sold you today."

That put Akira back in focus.

"Oh, good day, lady shopkeeper, how are you?" Akira asked politely

"I am good, good. Not only beautiful, but polite and family devoted. Come, please come inside the store, I have some cookies for you.

Akira checked her watch: 2:40 pm

"I actually have some moment to spare and wouldn't say no to a cookie" Akira

.....

"Aaand on this photo is my son Benjiro winning second place on the "Toshi off road motorbike" race

Akira was nibbling a cookie. It wasn't bad at all.

"You know dear Ichika, my son Benjiro is very responsible and reliable man. He even has his own business with car repairs, but you know he has very little luck with the girls" said the saleswoman

"Oh my gosh, what kind of fate is it. Is she trying to hook me up with her son?" Ichika aka Akira thought while smiling politely

"I think my boy need someone just like yourself. I think both of you will be a great couple, and you will look stunning in the bride's dress. Imagine it Ichika, how romantic!" saleswoman

This was the third "compliment" that sent her off-track today. At this moment he imagined himself standing in a white.....

"no, I will not think of it. None. Shoo, shoo" Ichika ( Akira ) screamed in her mind and an shook her head vigorously in denial.

"Look lady I have to go home now. We live 2 districts away from here and mother is waiting for me for dinner, I really have to go now but I promise, I PROMISE I will think of your proposal" Akira aka Ichika said and grabbed her bag.

"Bye, bye little Ichika, you know where my shop is, come back soon"

Akira looked at her watch. 3:00.

She slowly moved to head back to the book shop

"I promised, I will think about her marriage idea. HMM... I think it won't work. Well I have kept my promise".

Akira arrived at the shop and peeked thru the window. It looked empty. She opened the door and shouted:

"Hellooo, Is the shop open".."Hello is anyone here"

... No reply...

She looked left and right, and entered the shop. The spider man was on his chair, his head laid on the desk. His eyes were closed like sleeping, and a little pool of drool was formed on the desk. Akira approached and kicked the spiderman's leg. No reaction.

Akira moved swiftly and turned the "Closed" sign. Then put the window blinds and locked the door.

[CONSUME]

[strength +1]

The spider man twitched but remained knocked down.

"Ok with two more casts left I will finish about 10 pm. Acceptable time table".

Akira spent the remaining time in the shop. She was lucky, there was a little WC behind the cashier.

“I have to devise a back up plan for escape if the things get out of control”

So, Akira spent the remaining 6 hours reading different books and maps

The world's political map was very simplified – there were just 5 countries or Empires as they were named

“Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia” empires…

It was obviously the demon’s doing as the things were different 20 years ago.

"If I have to escape the country, I should move to Shizouka. From there I can try to board a ship to the mainland".

“CONSUME”

[swiftness +1]

"If I have to make life as a runaway, I will need starting funds. May be there is a money or valuables stashed somewhere in the house.

"Sigh, I feel like shit even thinking of robbing my parents I mean Akira’s parents.

"I should not steal anything from the shop. When the pervert wake’s up he will find everything in order and even if he seeks help from police he will have nothing to base his accusations for"

10:12 PM

“CONSUME”

[Vitality +1]

[EXORCISE]

[+300 SU]

[mana 130/210]

Akira cast the last two ones in succession. He had enough mana and the spells used different soul pathways so it was allowed.

He checked his new stats

strength 10 swiftness 10 vitality 10 Intelligence 9 Soul 21 SU 1230 mana 130/210 soul deffense 210

"Very good! I have doubled my staring stats in the matter of 4 days. The progress is good, but I still feel I am lacking. I need to keep pushing for a better solution"

The librarian was still in his happy dreams, when Akira unlocked the shop, put back the “open” sign and the windows blinds. She looked back at the shop and after ensuring that everything was in order, slipped at the darkness outside.

Soon she was back home:

“Tadaima” she put her slippers and entered

There was a large dish of Tempura on the kitchen table with some juice and bread. She washed her hands and indulged in eating.

“Delicious” Akira smiled

Hina was watching her daughter dining with such a gusto and smiled. Then retired to her room.

Akira finished everything and put the dishes in the sink.

“I think, I have some free room for chocolates”

Akira was scavenging at the kitchen cabinet where she saw Hina kept the sweets.

“Bingo, she grabbed a box of chocolates and moved to her room”

In about 1 hour she was sleeping soundly in her bed.