Shopping Crisis [NQ: SOLO]

**Masami** · Wed Nov 04, 2020 11:04 pm

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

Previously: When the Clock Struck Thirteen

They rode a mana-infused vehicle on the way to Magnolia City. Along the way, while they still have not yet reached their destination, Masami had the book opened as it lays down on his lap. The boy that brought the book to him had fallen asleep – his head lay on Masami's arm. "It's not good to read inside the vehicle," said one of the sisters; Masami chuckled in response, looking at her once, and then back into the book. "I know," said Masami in response, "but I'm too excited. I'm trying to memorize as many characters as I can—then, it'll be easier for me to study by tomorrow." The old book that Masami is holding is written by an old general—ancient general, rather—in the country of Sin. When Masami saw the front cover, he understood what book he was exactly holding. It's the Art of War, written by a military strategist named Sun Tzu. Knowing that Joya had borrowed lots of Sinese culture, Masami had respected also mostly anything that is Sinese. Fond of culture, Masami joyfully ran his fingers through the parchment pages of the book.

Come to think of it, this exact same book was previously owned by a certain lich—Aegis, he was Penumbral Guard's guildmaster—rather, he was the true guildmaster. It was a shame that he had to hide now; I wonder why Tomoe decided to suddenly betray the guild, with that thought, Masami has closed the book shut, and rested his back against the seats in comfort. It will take at least a few hours until they reach Magnolia City, so it was better to relax for a little while. While enjoying the wind and the view from the outside, hopefully, his drowsy self does not meet slumber in the next few seconds.

302/2500

北正美

**Masami** · Wed Nov 04, 2020 11:30 pm

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

The Joyan performer would sigh; there must be a better reason, other than "I decided to follow my dream," or other beliefs. Even though Masami didn't want to listen to the demon soul, Lucifer was right when he said that Tomoe was being delusional, through Masami's own lips. Now that Masami started to recall every occurrence on "that" day, one by one, he'd gently tap his forehead with the whole book. So stupid, he'd think, his eyes tearing up once more, no, I can't cry now, ahh... It would have been better if Masami could immediately regain control of his expressions. He hasn't been alone for quite some time now, so it was hard for him to recover through solitude. He kept the book tapping his face as is, and he didn't want to remove it as to hide his face of grief. Truly, an entertainer—despite that fact, Masami didn't want to allure people with his tears for now.

"We've got a job for you," said one of the sisters that sat in front, turning his head to look at Masami that was right behind them, "we didn't know that we were acquainted with someone so famous! How about you help guard the store of my nephew?" Her voice was somewhat old and raspy, and her laugh in the end sounded more like a cackle than a ladylike chuckle. Masami raised a brow, slowly bringing the book down to face them—naturally, Masami would agree. "Store? What for?" even if he had trusted these people from Kardia Cathedral, he still needed to be formal and ask details for the request. Ever since Masami has left the guild—rather, ever since it had disbanded, Masami no longer had access towards the mission boards. Getting requests like these are pretty rare nowadays, yet just like before, asking for miscellaneous details must be conducted.

The old woman hummed, one of the sisters patted her leg and indirectly telling her that it's not nice to support one's nephew by asking just anyone. They started to nag each other; What an awkward state, the performer thought. What matters is that he'll still get payed in the end, isn't that right?

668/2500

北正美

**Masami** · Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:43 am

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

"You see, my nephew has been receiving blackmailing threats for a while now," explained the sister, "and they said they'd strike later at nighttime... it's better to be safe than sorry." Then, she'd shrug in accordance to her message, which makes sense for Masami. It's just guarding anyway, so what's there to decline? Masami couldn't find a reason to say "no," after all, when they sheltered and gave the boy a home, he knew that he had to make up for them someday. "I... I guess that's alright? I'm okay with guarding for the night," was the boy's response, and it was enough to make the sister clap in joy, making her open her palm to grab Masami's head, shaking him. "Oooh, you! Such a good boy, you are!" she said as she aggressively shakes the boy, and then flicking his forehead afterwards. "Oww," it was just a banter, though, it's nothing to hate. Traveling to Magnolia City and being given a task already, what an adventurer!

"How many more hours until we get there?" when Masami asked this, he hand gently touched the boy's head that leaned against his right arm, keeping him in place despite the rocky road. He seemed to be in deep sleep, as much as Masami could notice when he looked into the boy's closed, sleeping eyes. "Not more than an hour or two," one of the sisters responded, "you can still sleep. You have enough time."

Masami hummed, leaning his head against the edge of the seat, "It's fine, I'd like to enjoy the breeze for a bit," then, he looked outside the window and wondered, I wonder where the rest of the guild members are? and recalled the faces of the people he met in the guild. Now that the guild is gone, then it won't be a surprise if those faces were dead, too. What a waste, it was wasteful; tired of worrying and tired of being scared, it was all too wasteful. Here, I thought I was finally safe.

1006/2500

北正美

**Masami** · Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:55 am

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

What Masami remembered before waking up to morning light was the stars shining brightly outside the windows when he let his head out for a quick peek, and then the trees they passed along the road in the middle of the woods. "Spirits," they'd say when spotting light in the middle of the night; perhaps someone was summoning those said spirits, or perhaps they decided to make themselves physical. Usually, they'd teach the children to avoid the light and go back home, as soon as possible. Masami never believed such a thing, even if it was a scary tale or an idea. Indeed, those sort of tales scared many children, but only because they have no other choice but to fear them.

As a child, Masami would watch the other children shriek in fear whenever they'd tell each other silly, spooky stories; he'd have his spine chilling when listening to them, too. But, even if the idea of roaming evil spirits were scary, even to Masami, he feared humans more than spirits. Thus, he'd chuckle at the thought, Must be why you took me as your vessel, Lucifer, yes—he remembered this thought even after awaking to sunrise and the noisy atmosphere. Finally, they have arrived in Magnolia City, around six in the morning or so. Ugh, what a noisy morning... this city, he'd think, brushing the back of his head. Even if Masami didn't want to leave his seat right away, the boy that had been accompanying Masami for quite a while now, is wide awake and has been forcing the Joyan performer to accompany him.

"Alright, alright," Masami responded, picking himself up to leave the vehicle and, instinctively, flashing to check if the book was still around him. Surprisingly, it was; "Phew," worried about thieves, more than being afraid of spirits, Masami is glad that the book is still present and not-stolen. When he held unto this with both palms, he finally left the vehicle; his wooden soles touched the cobblestone road. Masami is finally in Magnolia City, once more.

1348/2500

北正美

**Masami** · Thu Nov 05, 2020 2:46 am

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

Right in front of Masami now is the large Kardia Cathedral, right in the middle of Magnolia City's very busy streets. Masami took his time to gasp and see how large the building is. To his amazement, he didn't notice the different buildings and sections of the cathedral until now. After all, the first time he was here, he came unprepared and puzzled, so he didn't take his time to appreciate the structures and the different cultures as much when he was here last time. "Let's go inside," the boy held Masami's wrist and pulled him towards the entrance of the church, ignoring the warnings of the nuns about tripping or falling down, as well as startling the orphans that were still asleep inside the cathedral. Regardless, the boy opened the large doors for Masami and while holding the Joyan's wrist, dragged him all-around the cathedral. Nothing's too special about it, but the boy was excited.

"Err..." oh, right, maybe now's the time, "I forgot that I haven't asked you for your name yet," so, what could it be? "It's Alceste," the boy responded after halting on the spot, right in the middle of the hallway, "You've met me before! I've grown a bit now, I guess you didn't notice," he was right. Masami's jaw dropped, and then clapped. "Ah, you! I remember you!" at least, he remembered what their faces looked like, him along with his younger sister. Come to think of it, where is she, the one capable of using magic? "How about your little sister, I think her name is Giulia..."

Then, it was as if Alceste imitated Masami's hum, he stopped on his spot to think. "She's in the orphanage, probably still asleep at this hour," the location lingered a little—didn't they have parents before? Why are they suddenly in the orphanage? Did their parents die in the guild hall? thought Masami, remembering once more the vision he had encountered when Tomoe vividly described how the guild was slaughtered into pieces, and how the members got tainted and humiliated before their deaths. Usually, the reaction Masami would give is anything related to grief, however...

"My parents," Alceste started to explain, "were members of a guild in the city and... well, I'm not sad anymore." At that point, all the energy Masami could only feel was anger, remotely close to hatred, or perhaps he blamed himself for taking part of something and then regretting that he had met them in the first place. The book was still in Masami's hands, but it felt as if it wasn't there in the first place. "I see," he'd respond. At this point, he's no longer sure whether he truly is alright, or if he was being a fraud until now.

1809/2500

北正美

**Masami** · Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:52 am

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

Fortunately, the two didn't go too far. They were near enough to be approached by one of the nuns, and she was mainly looking for Masami. "There you are," she said while approaching Masami; she would then touch his shoulder and then scold the boy. "You might wake the others; come, now, Masami," she would pull the Joyan away, leaving the boy on the spot. While Masami and the sister walked away, Masami looked back in pity and waved a hand to assure Alceste that he'll come back. "We'll play later!" he must've said that a bit too loud to get shushed by the nun. Regardless, Masami soon watched himself turn to different corners, and then brought to a closed quarter. Which, seems to look more like a modern principal's office, similar to Masami's office in Hosenka's Hinoki Theater, but this one is a bit more modern and, of course, Fiorian.

The door behind Masami was gently closed by the nun. "We have been waiting... to give you this," then, as the nun spoke, she held out a brown envelop that included numerous files inside, and it was obviously filled by paper just by the sight of it, especially when Masami finally held it between two hands after bringing the Sun Tzu book down. "What is this? Err... I have a hard time—well, reading Fiorian is a little..." Masami opened the envelop and slid out one set of files, "ah...? It's written in Joya," now, it seems that he is enlightened, and rather more motivated to read them all. "Rune Knights?" and, by how Masami read it, had given the both Masami and the nun a slightly serious atmosphere.

I think I've heard of them before, it seems to be a letter dedicated to Masami himself... rather, it seems to be a whole file dedicated to him. "What is this?" Masami faced the sister and, despite her calm, old facial structure, she seemed to be too awfully serious than what Masami can even comprehend. There, when he had described this scenario in his head, Masami had started to keep his mouth shut. "Today, you will be part of the Rune Knights, and you will not have any other choice."

2179/2500

北正美

**Masami** · Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:15 am

Jewels :

6,631,800

Rank :

X-Rank

Race :

Human

Experience :

1,039,500

Reputation :

24,700

Class :

Spellsinger

Aura :

Emperor

Strength :

1

Speed :

121

Constitution :

96

Endurance :

255

Intelligence :

501

Mana :

7,425

Head :

Momijigari

Companion :

Winged Lemur

Pouch :

1x Scroll of Captum (C-Rank), 1x Scroll of Captum (B-Rank), 1x Legendary Lvl. 5 Custom, Death's Coin x1

"I've got no other choice?" Masami repeated; what is going on? It was just recently that his guild hall has been burnt to dust, and now Masami is going to join an association without even his consent at all? "I don't understand, why would I suddenly—" Then, it was almost as if the nun had to beg without moving from her spot, nor saying anything else other than: "Please, we need you."

Now, suddenly, Masami is needed. He had gulped, "What... why does Penumbral Guard—how important is that guild?" it was better to misplace his words than to stutter – it was much more humiliating to do the latter. At this moment, Masami had no other choice but to feel nervous—anxious?—afraid?—he was out of words, and that he'd unintentionally stare at the nun's eyes. He couldn't read her at all; at the same time, he couldn't even think of anything else except recall how he had envisioned the scene when his ex-guildmaster had explained such vivid descriptions of how Penumbral Guard was destroyed.

How Penumbral Guard was destroyed...? Once again, Masami could hear his own heartbeat, and his quiet breaths felt like earthquakes. The nun was quick enough to respond to this feeling and held both of Masami's shoulders. "You have to do more than performing now," she said, "for the sake of the witnessed deaths." And, what is Masami supposed to say this time? He had remembered the name of the demon soul—so far, they weren't reacting, despite Masami being in church. It was either the presence of the cathedral had burned the demon, or that it liked what it was witnessing.

The Joyan performer would gulp, knowing that if they found out that a demon soul resides within him, surely they would call him out a villain. "Ma'am..." he whimpered, looking away now—specifically, he was trying not to look into her eyes. "My magic, it doesn't seem to fit—" and, he was cut off from when the nun showed him a file which included every personal information of Masami, including the magic that was listed in. "We know," she said, tapping at the 'Magic' section, which lists 'Demon Soul,' and every other history of magic that Masami had recorded. "We knew since the start, and we have accepted you for it."

2567/2500

北正美

Shopping Crisis [NQ: SOLO]

Wed Nov 04, 2020 11:04 pm

Wed Nov 04, 2020 11:30 pm

Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:43 am

Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:55 am

Thu Nov 05, 2020 2:46 am

Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:52 am

Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:15 am

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