Part 1 – Some Problems....
“So....where exactly are we?” I asked.
The reason why I'm asking is that we're....well 'I' was being pointed by spears in a small town and this place doesn't seem to be a bad place.
I was holding up my hands to show that I will do no harm to them but I doubt its working.
“According to the maps, this place is called Tour Town in the Kingdom of Davion. Its currently under the supervision of the Guild 'Tasters'. The guild is a medium size guild that has a number of towns under their control. They have a guild rivalry with the guild 'Cookers' and have fought them many times. Remember those three we party with before. They were from the 'Tasters' guild. Is that all you want to know?” said Alexandra with a smile.
“Great.......and how come I'm the only one getting the cold treatment?!”
“Because your a criminal.” stated Alexandra.
“You killed people” said Viv bluntly.
“You guys.......”
I started crying due to the fact that my companions are such cruel people.
[The truth always hurts the most]
“State your business or die!” said one of the men pointing his spear at me.
“Relax, I'm just passing through.” I said trying to clam them down.
However the opposite occurred. They did not calm down. Their body stiffened in the fear that I would do something. What I saw was fear of their own safety in my presences.
Sigh...
“What did I do to deserve this...” I muttered.
“You killed 50 men single-handedly” replied Alexandra.
Yeah...don't remind me how I got in this situation again.
I looked at the men that were now even more scared at the sight of me, especially since they now know that I took out a large number of people single handedly. I still had my hands up but that doesn't seem to be working.
“Alexandra, can you resolve this issue?” I ask almost pleading with her.
She took a moment to think about it. Obviously deciding whether or not deciding to let me be tormented by this state of affairs.
“Sure.” she said but I know that what she was truly saying was 'I'm helping you so you owe me now'.
She walked up to the men indicating that she also means no harm and why should they. She unlike me did not have the murderer mark for starters and was affiliated with the churches that people respect and align themselves with in their times of need. Plus she was a high ranking member as well with her class, armour and title.
“Please put down your arms.” she said in her saint like voice.
The men were dumbstruck for a moment before comprehending what she said.
One of the men whom was older and most likely more wise and less prone to attacking random people replied to her.
“But surely the churches of this land would want to rid any and all evil.”
His words were true. Over the times, the churches that under the rule of the Gods have fought against the forces of evil and never spared any kind of sympathy for them. However this only applied to the worse of the worse. They often with some 'charity' spare the sinners since they've done a 'good deed'. This kinda pissed some people off, especially the poorer people that cannot afford to act in such a way and be spared.
Alexandra placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “This one is under my care, and besides the sins he had accumulated so far was under self-defence when others, in numbers attacked him.”
Chatter Chatter Chatter
After some time the residents decided not to try and kill me and let me in...under the extreme supervision of Alexandra....great my luck seems to get better by the day. With this issue 'resolved', we, well 'I' was granted entry into the town. The town as I noticed from a far distance away had a wall surrounding it to prevent invasions from monsters and humans alike. It was kinda fortified since it was partly made of stone which was much stronger than wood. According to some residents this was due to the recent donations from the guild to ensure better 'growth and development' of the town.
Right now I was stuck with Alexandra due to the agreement I made while Viv was running around exploring the place which was very strange for someone so shy around other people. Was there a reason why he was doing this? Well I rather not go into his reasons. I'm sure he has some secrets that he doesn't want others to know like me.
“Hey.....is there anything to do?” I asked this very bored person next to me.
“Other than to wait for night to come and go?” answered the very bored person next to me.
We were sitting next to each other staring at the town from afar on a bench. It was currently twilight so we should head back in somewhere to avoid the bugs that made annoy us in the night. But both of us don't seem to have any kind of motivation to head inside.
“Hey, aren't you going to log out?” I asked since llyfr wasn't trying to make conversation with me and I have nothing to do right now.
“Not at all. Why don't you log off?” she replied.
“I won't. I have my own reasons.” I replied.
We sat there saying nothing for a couple more minutes. The sun already set by now and we really should go inside. The elder, the head of this town had volunteered to house us for our short stay in his generosity. We both at the same time stood up and headed inside the house that was slightly more fancy than the other houses in the town. As a place sustaining 300 residents and on average 100 houses, this place was fitting to supervise them all at top of the hill where the elder can see the entire town at ease.
When we entered the house we were met with the elder. He wore simple clothing despite living in this fancy house with his grandchildren. According to the residents, his kids were conscripted during war and never returned. Some years later, a soldier showed up with children that were apparently the children of the elders kids that died. The elder never questioned the fact that it may be a lie to get rid of excess luggage but for some reason there are a larger quantity of kind people in this world then mind so.....it may make sense to do such acts of kindness. However when you climb the ladder of social standing the more it looks like my world. Everything consumed in Greed and Hatred.
“How do you do, younglins?” asked the elder.
He was with some of his grand kids. In total he had three of them and this one was the youngest at the age of 5. Sometimes children grow up really really fast via the power of Gods or other entities. Other times they grow up normally but with all those wars that are happening in this continent, there must be really high birth rates else humanity would've been extinct.
“We are doing fine.” said Alexandra before bowing in respect to the elder.
I did the same and we proceeded to have some conversations about some minor things. The elder was a great help to us knowing more about the town. He was living here for the majority of his life, the years out was due to his service as a foot soldier. With respect to his achievements in several fights, the Count awarded or rather entrusted him with the supervision of the town he grow up in which was being rebuilt after an enemy raid. I can't even imagine how bored he must be over the years permanently stuck in this place.
“Hey hey, lift me up!” said the small child.
Unfortunately I didn't catch her name but she was still kinda cute.....I'm not a paedophile. Everyone has a soft spot for small creatures and children. I held the child in my arms and lifted her up with one go putting her on my shoulders. The elder gave me a look of approval while Alexandra had a suspicious look.....hey I'm not doing anything wrong!
“So talllllllllllllllllllllll! How can I grow up like you big sis?” said the child in her amazement.
“Uck!”
I tried not to expressed my discomforted in this child's choice of words. I am a MAN. I may look like a woman but that was mistake in my character creation. Besides I your character will age as well and I don't want to remake my character and restart any time soon right now.
“Hey big sis! How come your breast are so small like mine? The other bog sis other there has much bigger ones” said the child.
This time she raised her hands to emphasise the size difference.
“Pfft”
“Hahahahahaha”
At looked at the two that were laughing at my situation with discontent. Damn these two are enjoying my misfortune right now......how come children always hit the places that hurt the most?
[They say children have sharper senses when it comes to these kinds of things. On the other hand you don't exactly have that ability to toy with other people stronger than you]
Don't you start! I'm depressed as it is right now but I have to cheer up else this damnable child will notice something and comment on it as well......
PAT PAT
“Hey, why are you sad? Is it because you don't have breast?”
Oh....fuck.
“Puhahahahahahahaha”
“God this kid is perfect!”
I want to strangle this kid right now.....
“DAMNIT I'M A GUY!” I shouted out loud.
I was sick of these damnable misunderstandings. The laughing still continued nevertheless. Why do I even bother even trying right now.....
“Right right, anyway its time for bed for the children” said the elder.
We went up and picked the child off my shoulders and placed her on the ground gently. He then prompted her to go to her room to sleep. After a very positive response from the child, she ran off somewhere, probably to her room. Now there was only me, Alexandra and the elder. The elder now had a serious look on his face. It seems something is happening in the town that he needs help with.
“Any way I need some help from you two and the other one running around. Recently the town under the protection of the guild 'Taster' has raised the tax on the town to a high level. I know that they are preparing for another fight with their rival guild but this time the taxes are to the point that many of us are considering leaving the town including myself. However I do not wish for this town to be deserted nor have to endure unfair tax levels. I wish for you two and the other one to negotiate with the guild to lower the tax levels.”
Ding
Lower the Tax levels of the Town under the protection of the guild 'Taster'
The Elder of the town has complained that the tax levels are too high however the guild has not done anything to resolve this issue. Many are considering leaving while others unable to abandon their homes are considering revolting against the guild. Convince the Guild to lower taxes or be forced into the revolt.
Rank: E
Reward: Knowledge of the Elder
Restrictions: Gain the trust of the Elder
You cannot refuse the Quest
You have accepted the Quest
Eh? Did I just get a quest? Why.......now two quest slots are forcefully filled up. Why does this always happen to me. Oh, while I'm still on the subject, for those who cannot remember, you can only have three quests at a time which restricts you greatly but it makes sense since the continent is very big to the point where if you had hundreds of quests, It is impossible for you to complete them all. Well back to the story.
The moment that the notification appeared, Alexandra dragged me away from the elder that's now satisfied that his problem is in 'good' hands.
“Umm...Eden did we just get a forced quest?” whispered Alexandra.
Was this the first time she got a quest forced down her throat? Well I was kinda used to it ever since the first one and I had a number of quests that I could refuse but couldn't refuse due to my relationship with Dan and Rug which essentially allows them to use me for granted. I once put some pepper in Dan's drink before as payback. Fortunately Dan still payed me that day.
“Yeah we did. We just have to finish it to get rid of it right?” I replied.
“Wait a second! There's a part that says that we may be involved in a revolt.”
“In that case, we just have to is successful for it not to happen. Your status as a member of the church will help a lot in convincing the guild. Anyway its night so let's go to sleep”
I started walking to the room that the elder kindly rented out to us for a very very cheap price of nothing!
Tug
I looked behind me to see that Alexandra stopped me. Why did she stop me? Well I might as well ask her since I'll won't get an answer if I don't.
“What is it? I'm sleepy”
I was kinda irritated that I was being prevented from sleeping. Then I saw Alexandra's teary face. This was new.....was this some sort of plan to shift all the work onto me? Perhaps I'm going to be used as a gift to satisfied the guild. I can see her laughing like an evil person and selling me off to the guild for her own benefit. This was the type of person Alexandra was.....well I would do the same to her if I got the chance but....it would be painful to get new comrades...not in that way be it would be a pain to find someone strong to party with and accept that I'm some sort of monster.
“Are-aren't you scared that we may fail?” said the now harmless beast next to me.
Let's see....if I fail the mana fragment collection quest then I would be attached to another object, by an inclined plane wrapped helically around an axis. In other words screwed....really screwed....basically I don't have time to worry about the small, very small details of failing this pitiful quest forced on us and rather have to focus on getting stronger as fast as possible and collect all of the mana fragments in order to preserve my life. But I can't really tell this to this 'thing' attached to me right now so I'll have to make a good answer.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Sleep first, think about the details later when it matters” I replied to very simple question that has a very complicated answer somewhere.
With that I started walking to the guest room.
Three steps later I noticed that Alexandra wasn't following me. Why isn't she following me? She knows that we have to be together in the town in order for me not to get lynched by the residents. Is this some sort of plan to get me killed or at least running for my life in the middle of the night? Well I'm letting her get her way.
I walked back to Alexandra whom still had that gloomy face and dragged her to the room. I have a feeling what this looks like to another person.....a person whom was a murderer dragging the innocent fair maiden to his den in the middle of the night. Well I don't exactly look like a man so it'll look like one girl pulling another girl to her room.
That night I slept peacefully in the first time in a while.
Part 2 – Negotiations
The guild building was on the opposite side of the town. It made kinda sense that it would be there because it would take some time to travel between the two and they both have power in this town. I also think it's because the Elder still has more power in the town and the guild doesn't want the Elder to directly oppose them. The guild building itself looked more expensive than the Elder's home. Instead of it being slightly fancy it had the message 'steal from me because I have a lot of loot inside' pasted over its design. There was also a sign that said “Guild Members and Business with Guild only” on the front door. Well we did have business with the Guild.
I opened the door to find that there were some players inside the building. They all looked at least level 100 at the minimum and some of them looked like they were over level 200 with all that fancy gear they have. And they all drew their weapons against me. Damn.....
“Wait a second!”
Alexandra was in front of me blocking the swords and other weaponries from piercing me. So you want to be a human shield for me, fine. Thankfully Viv wasn't here since he was sleeping in. Well its not like he can do anything in this situation as well....maybe convince them to keep him as a pet.....or maybe not.
There were in total 13 players in this building. 7 of them were in front of me trying to kill me while the others were shattered around the place. One of the 7 went off to call the others which means in a couple of seconds it will be 13 against 2 which isn't in our favour if we want to finish the quest.
While I would like it if Alexandra started the negotiations already, she waited for everyone to appear which is making me nervous. And also llyfr doesn't seem to want to advise me as well for some reason.
“So what does a player killer want with us? Judging by the fact that you didn't start attacking us means you have some business with us.” said one man in the middle.
He was kinda handsome I think...I can't really tell about these things and Alexandra doesn't seem to be fazed or anything.....he was wearing no heavy armor from what I see but he had the feeling of being strong. I think he was one of the higher level players here. He wore a sort of fancy suit that looked like it was painted black to make an impression. He was most likely of the a rouge type class since he didn't have any apparent signs of fighting head on. Well I might as well talk to him.
“We are here due to a quest associated with your guild” I plainly said.
The other player did not show any sign of sheathing their weapons any time soon so I continued.
“The Elder has requested that your guild to reduce the taxes on this town.”
The man held up his hand and ordered the other players to stand down and leave. After some grumbling from the players we were left alone. The man did not leave his gaze off me during this time. Probably to keep me in check since I'm a player killer. Well it almost been 24 hours since I've killed another player so the murderer mark will disappear soon enough.
“Well now, let us start the negotiations. The current tax rate is at 50% on this town and you have to convince me to reduce it. Also I can end the negotiation whenever I want” said the man in charge of the situation.
Negotiations has started
Ding
You are now able to temporary see the town's tax rate. In order to prevent a revolt, you must reduce the tax rate to or below 20% where the satisfaction of the residents is higher than their dissatisfaction.
“How this works is that you'll give me a reason or bargain in order to decrease it and the system will automatically decrease the tax rate in respect of the of how it benefits the guild. I can also counter your argument and undo your progress” added the man.
He was waiting for the first thing I or Alexandra will say. This man was not our ally. He was the enemy in the sense that
“I'll start then. The residents of the town is complaining about the high tax rate.”
Tax rate has been lowered to 40%
Wow! This will be easier than I expected. However the man just smiled and started his own argument to counter mine. This was sort of like a debate and I have to win if I don't want a revolt to involve me in it.
“Towns in these areas usually have high tax rates. Its normal for it to be high.”
Tax rate has increased to 45%
Hmm...his argument undid 5% of my progress. I only have 25% more to go and I expect it will get harder to lower as I go.
“Setting the tax rate to 50% isn't normal. If it weren't for the good will of the residents they would've left already!”
Tax rate has been lowered to 43%
Damn, not enough progress. I'm going to keep the good arguments for later just in case. I have a feeling that it'll get harder to come up with counter arguments as this continues. Alexandra was also looking worried but she has the card of being a member of the churches which can benefit anyone massively and can be used to tip the scale.
“There has been many cases where a tax rate of higher than 50% has been implemented for the sake of the Kingdom as a whole.”
Tax rate has increased to 46%
Hmm.....this is getting nowhere but I have to continue.
“Even during war, a tax rate of 50% or higher was very rare, especially in smaller town like this one. This is taking advantage of those without as much power and influence and you are exploiting them for your own sake!”
Tax rate has been lowered to 31%
“High tax rates are used to fund military projects. We are currently under attack from another guild and we need money to defence the lands we currently own. Even this place is in danger and we can't leave this place undefended so the residents must endure in order for safety.”
Tax rate has increased to 40%
“What's the point of defending a place that has been deserted by its residents? Lower it or people will leave.”
Tax rate has been lowered to 35%
“People leave all the time. Others will fill the gap."
Tax rate has increased to 39%
“Others won't come if they know of the high tax rate. You will be forced to reduce it or get rid of it altogether in order to attract new people to this town.”
Tax rate has been lower to 34%
“Well then, it won't be a problem if we don't let them go right? They do live for our sake and we do have the power to restrain them.”
Tax rate has increased to 45%
“The people are sick of your treatment of them. Many are already considering leaving while others that want to stay are planning a revolt against you. I see that there are only a few of you guild here and are vastly outnumbered, I wonder what will happen if the other towns under your guild's control learns of this? Will they not also revolt since your treatment is awful? Lower the taxes or be forced to leave!”
Tax rate has been lowered to 10%
Yes! Now the quest will...shit...this guy is smiling....is this bad. I screwed up. He has a counter to that argument!
“If that is the case then I have to report this to the King that some citizens that are no longer citizens are upsurging this rule. The army will come in and clear this place out much to my inconvenient in money making.”
Tax rate increased to 50%
Ah shit......I have to use Alexandra's card then. I nudged Alexandra to use her trump card right now. I just how its enough to lower it to 20%.
“I am part of the churches of this land. If you claim that you can bring an army here then I can and will bring together every last person associated with any church and force you to get out of this land permanently as well as be Killed on Sight by any member of a church in the entire continent. I'm sure many many Popes and High Priests would like to know how you mistreated the helpless while they were fighting to prevent evil from rising.”
Tax rate has been lowered to 20%
Good.....we managed to finish the negotiation.
“Well then I have to say that the guild does not want to lower the tax on this town. Negotiation ends.”
Tax rate has increased to 21%
Negotiation has ended up as a failure
“Wha-WHAT?! You can't just say that and end the negotiation?!” I complained.
The man just smiled at me and said, “Too bad. I am the rules here. Now get out.”
We were kicked out of the guild building and found ourselves in a crowd of the residents of the town. I can see on their face that they were hoping that we succeeded on the negotiations. But we failed. The Elder came to us and asked us how did it go.
“We managed to lower it to 21% but the guy whom represented the guild cut the negotiation off the moment he raised it from 20% to 21%.”
A number of people sighed at this. Certainly this was a good thing but the guild will just lower it temporary and raise the tax level up again in a moment's flash. A man came out of the guild with a sign that said “Taxes will be lowered to 21%” and went back in. A moment later another man came out and took the sign that was placed and placed another sign that said “Taxes will be raised to 50%.” That was a pretty dick move to do.
Negotiations have failed. You are now forced to continue the quest as a member of the revolt.
“Well then, when does the revolt happen?” I asked out loud making sure a number of people heard me.
“Today.” said the Elder calmly.
Continue Misfortune?PreviousExitNext
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes:
-This may be a boring chapter. Sorry about that
- Word count is about 4500~
- Well the original script for this was that the Duo asks them to leave and he refuses but lowers the tax and was planning to do something evil later on. This was just added in since the original script didn't make much sense.
- I finished vol.4 chapter 7 yesterday and chapter 6 the day before....it was really long (28 pages and 12 pages respectively). In the end I didn't make them all die though they all had 'fun' experiences with boss monsters individually. Eden of course had the worse experience with a trap filled maze again. That chapter is kinda important for the plot overall since 'stuff' happens.