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"You're resourceful," Tanya's voice cut through the air, cool and detached. "I'll give you that."
"Just why are you trying to kill me?" I asked, peeking over the top of my ice shield.
"I'm a mercenary," she stated simply. "That's what I'm paid to do."
"Who paid you?"
"I don't have any obligation to tell my target."
"How much are they paying you?" I pressed.
"$20,000."
I didn't hesitate. "I'll double that if we can quit this right now."
There was a pause. "I want the cash up front," she said, her voice laced with suspicion.
"Deal."
I let my ice shield dissipate into a cloud of cold mist. I saw her futuristic pistols dematerialize from her hands. Keeping my movements slow and deliberate, I summoned a thick stack of bills, $40,000, from my inventory and walked toward her, but I held it up, just out of her reach.
"Who paid you to come after me?" I asked again, my voice firm.
I saw her pout, a surprisingly childish expression that caught me completely off guard. It was almost cute. "I don't know," she admitted, her tone laced with genuine frustration. "It was just a messenger. A blind drop. I don't know who actually hired me."
I watched her face, searching for any sign of deception. She was telling the truth. "Hmm, okay," I said, handing her the money.
She took the cash and tucked it away. Instead of leaving, however, she just stood there, her golden eyes studying me with an unnerving intensity.
"Hmm," she murmured.
"What?"
"Do you sleep much?"
The question was so out of left field that it completely threw me. "Th-that's none of your concern," I stammered, crossing my arms over my chest defensively.
Tanya then did something so incredibly out of character that I froze. She stepped closer and gently placed her hand on my cheek. Her touch was surprisingly warm. I was kind of scared, not gonna lie, but I forced myself to keep my emotions in check.
"So many nightmares," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with a strange understanding.
My eyes widened in shock.
"That's why you don't sleep much, isn't it?" she asked, her gaze filled with a look of profound sympathy that seemed so alien on her face. "You fight them even when you're not awake."
She pulled her hand away. "Until we meet again, Shiro." With that, she took off, flying into the sky with military precision and vanishing into the clouds.
'How'd she know?' I thought, my mind reeling.
'She's a skilled warrior and a tactician, partner,' Voltaris answered. 'I believe she saw the exhaustion in your eyes, the way you carry yourself. She put the pieces together and figured it out.'
Shaken, I teleported back to my shop. The first thing I saw was Sirzechs, admiring a beautifully crafted longsword on one of the display racks. He noticed me appear and smiled.
"So, how did it go?" he asked.
"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath to clear my head. "So, have you heard of a guild called Fairy Tail?"
"Yes, of course," he replied.
"Basically, it was two of their members. One was guarding the other, who was injured. And they were always attacked first. I know they're telling the truth because of a skill I have. I helped them, went to their guild, and now I'm officially allied with them." I looked him straight in the eye. "Sorry if this is a bit rude to say, but you need to make sure the people you send don't just attack first."
Sirzechs's friendly expression faded, replaced by a thoughtful, serious one. "I believe I need to have a long talk with the individuals who went," he said, his voice grim. "And find a proper punishment for their recklessness. But thank you, Shiro. For resolving this peacefully."
"No problem."
He gave a final nod and left in a flash of red light. As soon as he was gone, a cascade of notifications filled my vision.
Quest Completed!
Help Sirzechs Out.
Rewards: 40,000 EXP / $50,000 / Choice of Outfit.
Secret Quest Completed!
Be Trained by Wizards!
Rewards: 20,000 EXP / $20,000 / Choice of Weapon (If the weapon has powers, they will be included).
Secret Quest Completed!
Fight an Assassin!
Rewards: 30,000 EXP / $30,000 / 2 Skill Books.
I immediately focused on the last reward and looked at the new skill books that had appeared in my inventory.
[Gem Crafter]
Description: This skill allows the user to compress rocks and minerals into desired gemstones. These gems can be used to store and channel magical power.
[Metal Manipulator]
Description: This skill allows you to transmute any type of metal into another type, be it gold, silver, or something else entirely.
Would you like to learn these skills?
[Yes / No]
I thought Yes, and the knowledge flooded into me, the feel of different ores, the crystalline structures of gems, the alchemical formulas for transmutation. It was all there, as if I'd been a master craftsman my entire life.
"Shouldn't you tell Sirzechs that someone sent an assassin after you?" Voltaris asked, his voice a low rumble in my mind.
"No," I replied, my voice quiet but firm. "I won't worry him. I won't let anyone worry over me ever again. I'll be the one to worry about them."
"Remember what Makarov said," Voltaris pressed gently. "They want to help, but you won't let them. They hurt when they see you get hurt."
"I just don't want to lose them," I whispered, the fear a cold knot in my stomach.
"Our enemies are getting stronger every time we fight," he reasoned. "Sooner or later, we won't be able to protect them all by ourselves. They need to learn how to protect themselves. Train them, Shiro. This is for their safety, and for your own peace of mind."
I let out a long, slow breath. He was right. "I understand."
I pulled out my laptop and opened the system interface. A notification was blinking at the top of the screen.
[The Shop Has New Items!]
I clicked on it, and a new item at the very top of the list caught my eye.
"Revival Stone?" I murmured.
[Revival Stone]
Description: Allows the user, or someone the user chooses, to resurrect the recently deceased. Will not work on individuals whose bodies have started to decay or rot. Also works on the Gamer.
Cost: $5,000
Would you like to purchase?
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Hey guys if u like the fanfic and want to read ahead by 18+ Chapters or just want to support take a visit on my patreon.
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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