Edited by: KenChi死

I walked into Guild hall once again, and once again I was carrying a baskets bigger then myself. With inhuman effort and strength I headed into the direction of the counter, where the requests are given and, after finishing it, taken back. I was usually (twice) reporting back to Mike, a cheerful, yet professional young man, this time a catgirl was sitting, behind the counter. Maybe she was even a cheerful person, yet she must have been extremely skilled in hiding it, for on her face she had plastered a bored expression. She didn’t even looked at me when I the put enormous baskets right in front of her.

Aaaand I was at a bit of a lose. This is one of those kind of situations that I had no idea how to behave. Normally I would wait a few seconds, then I would try to gently redirect her attention at me… aaand then I would start behaving bit less kindly. (Un)fortunately I didn’t have to wait long.

With a slightly angry expression, as if I offended her just by showing up, she asked not exactly politely.

“What da ya want?” I definitely don’t like her attention. “Is Mike anywhere around? I can already tell, that I will not like negotiations with you.” “We are switching shifts, he has something important to do, you are stuck with me, handsome, aaand I am stuck with you.” “I took a request to gather herbs…” “Sweet. And?” “… I.. want to report back? Herbs are right in front of you.” “Sure. 20 coppers will be enough?” “You are joking, right? For the same batch Mike gave me a silver AND 20 coppers. Just yesterday.” “You would MAYBE be given that, if in those baskets I would find herbs of at least high quality.” “Aaand what are you thinking that you will find there?” “Mostly unworthy weeds, regular grass which you would try to sell me as river grass. I am the one who will have to work my ass over separating herbs from grass. Take coin, or leave … Do you even know, what’s the difference between Rimia herb and common sow-thistle?”

Looks like our grumpy lady is somewhat educated, yet she was not skilled enough to get a better job. Maybe she is from the bottom of her class, and as she was forced to work here, she is boosting her self esteem by mocking, and ripping off, adventurers.

“Unfortunately for you, I do. You see, I am an alchemist. I turned down the request of the alchemist guild to work for them, and in my spare time I cook a potion or two… for personal use. If you think, that there is a person within this guild, who knows anything more about herbs morethan me, point him or her out, and I will prove you wrong. And now, you will either do your fucking job…” “Or what? You will yell at me? You will report me? Spank me? …Well the last option would certainly break the monotony of this place…”

Guuuyz… Do you remember, when I said I need a lab rat to try my poisons on? I think. that I have just found a volunteer.

I almost answered. Bah, I almost hit a woman… not that I am considering women to be a lesser being, that don’t deserve being hit… But you know what I mean…

The reason why I did not answer that unworthy piece of… eh. Putting things clearly, we were no longer alone. Yet another beastwoman, this time an adventurer, came in.

“Wait for a call, Kimi.” The woman behind me said “Will it take long for you to deal with this gentlemen? I am a in bit of a hurry, today.” She said in an apologetic tone “And answer it.” The grimy expression of the catgirl brightened up “No, it won’t… we are negotiating… right now.”

Wait for a call and answer it… You are from a faction that worships the devourer. YOU FUCKING MAGGOT! YOUR GOD IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU! REJOICE, EAT DUST FROM UNDER MY FEET, AND GIVE ME MY FUCKING MONEY SO I CAN LEAVE AND NEVER SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN!

“He? Is that so? Sir, sir! Is there a problem? Is my sister troubling you?”

Ho? Sister?

“No, she just simply wants to give about six time less money than I deserve. It’s nothing, really.” “And I tell you, that it is simply impossible for you to gather so many herbs in the nearest vicinity of town! I saw your quest log! You take this quest every day, and bring much more than possible, I am already polite enough to not report Mike for making false repots and…”

I pushed one of the baskets, making perfect specimens of herbs fell all over the table.

“Find me one weed. One. And I will give you all of these for free.” “But… it is impossible… what with pollution… deforestation… It is against nature for there to be so many…” “I am the Nature. Now, Mike gives me 1 silver and 20 coppers. Your offer?”

Our little stubborn kitty got red all over her face.

You have finished [Herb gathering] QuestExp: 60

Gold: 00g01s20c

“Thank you kindly, madam.”

And I left, still overflowing with anger. The night was still young; I wasn’t tired, if I would walk into the inn section, I would probably be forced to drink to death. I also had no intention to become a punching bag for guild master today either. What to do… what to do… Uh, normally I would try to get promoted to a higher rank… but with that lady behind the counter it would be impossible. The sun was still glowing pretty brightly… maybe I should pay a visit to the library? So, again to the Academic district!

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN BY TELLING ME THAT I AM NOT ALLOWE IN?!”

Ok, so I did overreacted, but hey! I was already angry when I left the guild! And here obstacles just kept stacking right in front of my nose.

“Please calm down, sir… We are not the one to blame, please sir, put yourself in our position. We are just following orders…” “… No, I am the one who is sorry. I have had a really long bad day. Do you know, who should I bribe or kill to get in there?” “S..sir!” “Pardon me one more time. While stressed I make such jokes. Any ideas?” “You would either need to be a part of an organization connected with the Council… so any magical guild, research team, member of a fighting group…” “Ain’t going to happen. I will not be a dog on a leash.” “… you may have access to library if you are either student of Academy or be a graduate...” “Please… have some mercy! I am an adventurer, do you think I have a time to sit for 10 hours a day and listen to what I already know? For how long? 3 years? 5?” “a…a usual time needed to one to graduate is about 8 to 10 years.” “Jesus Fucking Christ…” “W..Who?” “Don’t mind it. Anything else?” “It’s actually a bit tricky and hard to get… but you can have a higher nobility to intercede in your name. Yet nobility rarely does it. In the end by doing so, they will basically ask for a favor, that one day will be reclaimed… Maybe if you would be a friend of a family…”

Tsh, so here my hopes lies dead… or wait… no, I don’t know any noble… especially from those… what ya callin’ it? Greater houses… Maybe Daralon… nah, I already owe him to much… Adventurers? Nooo… not a chance. Hanna-sensei? That may be a nice shot… Ruby? Hell n… Wait… she had that boy waving his tail around… how was he named? Blackwood?

“Would you mind telling me once again names of Greater Houses? I am always twisting them…” “Silverthorn, Redwing, Blackwood, Whitefang… S..sir, where are you going?” “I am going on an adventure!” I just couldn’t resist myself. It’s nerdy. I know. I am sorry.

Ruby was walking alongside with her newest friend back to the room she rented talking and laughing all the way. Just in front of her door, she said her farewell, and walked inside.

You can only imagine the face she made, when she saw a young man lying casually on her bed with her book in his hands.

The man shut the book, after a second of a delay he looked at her and said

“Hello Ruby, I have been expecting you.” “… well, this is my room so…” “And that is why I knew you would come here… does it count as expecting? It does. Shut it.” “Zari… would you mind telling me… How the hell you entered my room!?” “I made a few friends… some of them are surprisingly good at picking locks. Oy, I know it’s pretty sudden, but I have a favor to ask… do you still have this young lad walking somewhere near you? The Blackworm?” “… Blackwood, Zari… you better watch your tongue while speaking with them… they may not take jokes about their name to well…” “Happens often, when a man has nothing more to show but his name…” “Zari! You will get yourself killed one day by speaking the wrong words to the wrong person.” “But it will be a death with a smile on the face!” “… and how exactly did you get information about him?” “Isn’t that obvious? I am spying on you!” “YOU DO WHAT!?” “Now, we can either start arguing about this not so important fact, or you can get me a date with him.” “ZARI! PLEASE! STOP! I don’t even know when you are joking and when you are serious…: “Okay… I need access to the library. That’s all. This is why I need to kidnap your new boyfriend and threaten his family to…” “Zari…” “Eh, I want to ask for a favor, paying with a favor.” “Why do you need to get in there so badly?” “For porn magazines.” “For what?” “ehhh… how to describe it… Nah. Forget about it. I just have too much free time and lacking knowledge. The politicians started being interested in me, so I have no other option left, but to start being interested in them too.”

Maybe I am trying to hide too much information for myself? Maybe say a few more things… I need to convince her to set up meeting.

“Ruby… I am in deep shit. In very deep shit. I was thrown into a mess I do not understand, everyone waits for me to pick a way, but I don’t know the destination of the path they wish me to follow. I need knowledge. Knowledge is within books. Books are in the library. The library has a limited access. Access is in position of nobility. The only person with connection to nobility I know would be you… Are you with me so far?” “… you’ve became an asshole lately..” “Lately I have lots of stress. Council meetings at 8, business negotiation at 12, visit of assassin in the evening… Just your average Monday. I am always paying debts. If your Blackberry friend would help me… I would help him. And yes. I will behave… if he won’t be a jerk.” “He won’t.” Ruby turned herself to the commode to take a bottle of not-the-worst wine “I will talk with him tomorrow… anyway, as you are already here, would you have a drink?”

Ruby once again faced Zari, or this is what she intended to do, but the boy was no longer there. She was sure, that the door was not opened