"Thank you for your purchase. See you next time!"
I stepped out of the shop and strolled down the pedestrian road. Today was quite sunny, with little to no clouds in the sky and sunlight spilling over the street. I could feel the warm breeze against my skin. Somehow, the weather felt almost alive. How does that work?
I walked into a park. Maybe it was because it was evening, but hardly anyone was around. The ducks that usually swam in the pond was gone, and the ice cream vendor who was always by the path was missing.
Humming quietly, I found a small beach and sat down. After this, I planned to go to a gate to finally clear a few quests. The one I had in my mind was easy. Well, it should be. But anyways.. I took out the strawberry soda that I brought at the corner shop near my apartment.
pop.
The cap came off, and I downed it in one go.
gulp gulp gulp
'…'
"That disrespectful brat.."
After saving those two girls from some awakened, that kid had the nerve to call me an old man? For goodness sake, I was still in my twenties! Do I look that old?
'tch'
'Hey, what's your number? Let's add each other, and you can come to my place soon!'
'I'm not saving a kid's phone number, so i'll pass.'
'You're so rude, Ahjussi~'
In the end, she gave me her address and told me to come by for dinner one day.
'My grandma is great at cooking, she manages a small take away. Come by, okay? I'll make sure to repay you then! By the way, the food taste heavenly and it'll be free too.'
After that, we went our separate ways. So I had decided to go buy a drink. My first shop had been a local store. It was near my area and the store was quite new, seeing as the place was still finishing their construction.
I thought about what had happened when saving the two kids. Before meeting them, I had planned to go to the gates earlier to try out the new items I had. However, I had heard some strange noises coming from my window.
'Kekekeke!'
Luckily, I had my windows opened so I was able to stop the men from harming her. If I didn't, who knew what would have happened to the girls?
'Anyways, I wonder what happened to the men. Did the association officers handle them safely?'
.
.
.
.
'Please! Please be something good!'
I looked inside and what lay before me were treasures Id never thought I get to see. Let alone take.
"Oh my?"
My heart was beating with excitement. "I can't wait to try them out. Should I use them now?"
{Hermes' shoes}. A S-rank item that allowed the user to run at a faster pace and cover more distance. If used correctly, it allowed the user to walk in the air for a few minutes.
Isn't this artifact perfect for a F-rank like me to run away? 'I've got the jackpot! You're telling me this is just the starter pack? Isn't this over the top?'
"My cheeks are starting to hurt.. ahaha, this generous system!" I beamed with happiness. At this rate, would my cheeks fall off? I might just end up looking like a ghost instead!
And the surprise didn't just end there.
"Hm? What is this?" I dug into the box and picked up a.. scroll?
"Uh.. what's this supposed to be?" I inspected the scroll, looking for any hints as to what this was supposed to be. The scroll looked ancient and felt very rough. The scroll was sand-coloured, dusted with flecks of gold. The edges was covered with red paint and I could feel a faint trace of mana inside it.
However, the problem was that I've never seen this before. Meaning, I wouldn't be able to understand how it works..
"Oh, whatever, i'm too impatient to uncover the purpose of this item. I'll just keep it away for now." I glanced at the box. "Hehe, shall we see what else is here?"
I dug into the box more, feeling around the package.
"Argh! All this stupid wrapping inside this box! Is this even necessary?" I grumbled.
tuk.
Aha, found one! I yanked it out of the box quickly and was met by the light radiating off it.
"Gah! Ow, ow.." I dropped the item and rubbed my eyes. 'Ah, I should've been careful!'
I opened my eyes slowly, and glanced at the fallen item. The light had finally gone down and I was able to pick it up.
Uhh, a staff? I'm not even a mage, though?
…
"Wait, don't tell me?" I quickly checked the details of the staff listed on the paper that came with the box.
"{Flameheart staff!… Goodness, isn't this perfect for me to protect myself? It's even an A-rank item! I should be able to clear those gates pretty easily now." I laughed with glee, swinging the staff around. "And it's even light! That's perfect!"
Ah, wait! Since there's a list here, shouldn't I be able to understand how the scroll works? I placed the staff lightly on the side of the table and read the context of the list.
"{Appraisal skill scroll}..An item that allows the user to inherit the ability of appraisal.. oh?.. oh!?" I've really hit the jackpot now! I can get abilities too from this system? Hey, isn't this way too OP? "Anyways, to use it..rip the scroll in half….that's it?
Okay, let's try it! I eagerly picked the scroll up and ripped it in half.
…..
Uh, is anything happening? No way, have I did it wrong? Isn't there supposed to be some cool light coming off of me? "Hey system! What's going on?"
Yet there were no answer.
I sighed, feeling down. I glanced over at the staff and suddenly details popped up in my eyes in the shape of a system.
"woah!"
{Flameheart staff}- A-rank. A staff that has been imbued with the power of a phoenix. The staff can erupt with flames that can burn enemies within reach.
Hidden use ???
So this is how it works! But this staff has a hidden use, how neat! But how do I unlock it? I shook my head, 'I'll figure it out later.'
I glanced at the system before me.
'This skill was highly sought after in the hunter industry! Back then, people were lining up after the appraisers to offer them guild memberships!' I bristled with excitement. Before I regressed, there were only a small amount of appraisers back then. With most of them already being in a guild…If I stay as a freelancer, won't many people come running to me?
Anyways, i've gone off track.
'Shall I see what else is inside? There should have been one more…'
I went over to the box and grabbed on to a small.. cube.. The hell is this now? Why is the system giving me the most random stuff ever? I stared at the object in my grasp.
{Sub-space}- S-rank. A cube that can shape into anything. It can hold many items inside. Isn't it a very convenient item? ;)
"You're right. This.. is a very convenient item!" My face brightened up. Wouldn't this allow me to store my things inside without having to worry about getting it stolen? Indeed, this starter pack was so generous to me! I was starting to get worried about what would happen if I just leave my staff alone in my apartment.
Let's see..I held the cube in my hands. What should I change the cube into? Earrings? No, what else? I pondered for a bit, thinking of many scenarios. In the end, I decided to go for a ring. I made sure the ring was plain. Just a simple, silver ring. Surely it isn't too suspicious?
…
Should I just keep it as an earring?…
.
.
.
.
.
I stood outside of the gate. F rank. This gate was located far away from the city so I wouldn't be easily caught by some officers. After all, I hadn't registered to be a hunter after all.. 'If I get caught, it's game over! I wouldn't be able to handle the fees at all..'
I stepped closer to the gate, letting myself prepare mentally. I felt the slight change in the atmosphere as I walked closer.
How was I feeling?
Well, it's as if I'm going to faint from fear. Even if It's F-rank, I felt like I was going to an A-rank gate.. I sighed, pushing those thoughts down.
I glanced at the quest again.
Quests (Beginner)
Kill 5 monsters in a gate (0/5) Reward: 5 points
Clear a gate (0/1) Reward: 10 points
Purchase something from the shop (0/1) Reward: Bonus box
More coming soon.
If I just quickly clear this gate..I should be fine. So why is it that my instincts is telling me to turn back? Well, it's only F-rank, so nothing should happen right?
…
I should've just listened to my instinctsand ran away when I had the chance.