“On tonight’s news, a local man was found dead, presumably killed by a malfunction on his gammex headset. While details are still being unraveled, New Genesis, the creator of the hit game, The Brave Frontier, has refused to comment on the situation, stating that their gammex product was not at fault.”- Midgard News Network

  LOOT DROP Chapter: 24

  “You… want to recruit allies?” Crimson said, the large woman covered head to toe in flour from an experiment gone wrong.

  “Yes, non-immortals if possible, the guild hall does employ non-immortals in adventuring operations right?” Fisk asked, smacking Faith’s hand that attempted to reach out and grab a deformed cookie from one of the metal trays on Crimson’s desk.

  “For the dungeon quest you picked up?” Crimson said, the giant woman carefully putting on her tiny glasses to read from a large black ledger she produced from her desk. “Why not enlist an immortal?”

  Because I don't want them to learn of my capabilities. Fisk nearly replied but kept it to himself. In truth, after reading the forums about dungeon parties squabbling over loot, Fisk wasn't keen to invite that kind of drama or having what were akin to paparazzi following him around.

  “Personal preference.”

  Crimson paused, the creases of her eyes shifting ever so slightly as if contemplating something serious. After several seconds, she closed her ledger, finally looking up at Fisk.

  “Hmm. Since the Immortals showed up, there are less and less people signing up to be adventurers. If you are keen on not having immortals for help, there is a party available however they are inexperienced.”

  Fisk raised a brow beneath his mask.

  “How inexperienced?”

  ****

  In the training yard used to administer tests, Fisk pursed his lips, his eyes settled on two blue-headed teenagers in ill-fitting gear who appeared to be siblings.

  “H-hello Mr. Nobody! Miss Faith, I’m Will!” The brother of the pair said, the teen, dressed akin to a choir boy stepping forward with an ornate staff in hand that seemed as though the skinny boy was trying to hide his frail body behind the staff of twisted bronze and dried plant life.

  The sister on the other hand, armed with a longsword and red leather armor layered over metal, merely glanced at Fisk with the self-assured swagger of invincibility many teenagers had.

  The kind that got them into trouble or worse,

  Killed.

  Rich kids… Was Fisk's first thought, noting the range of jewelry, armor, and fine clothes the duo adorned their bodies with.

  “Hi! Pleasure to meet you,” Faith said, beaming a smile at the pair and shaking the boy's hand as Fisk looked up at Crimson.

  “When you said inexperienced, I didn't think you meant kids.”

  “They aren't kids, they're young adults, old enough and strong enough to make their own decisions,” Crimson replied.

  “THOSE… are children,” Fisk replied, pointing at the boy, “How old are you?”

  “T-thirteen a-and a half sir!”

  “A literal child.”

  “Under the eyes of the law, they're both grown adults. If they wish to be sellswords, the decision is entirely up to them, but so too are the consequences,” Crimson replied, more to the duo than to Fisk as she crossed her titanic arms. “You asked for non-immortals, this is what I can offer. Though they may not look the part of seasoned warriors, they are grade B, exceptional potential for their ages.”

  At the manager's remark, the girl adopted an almost smug look, one that Fisk didn't care for.

  “I asked for allies to delve a dungeon, not take on a babysitting job.”

  “Hey!” The sister of the duo yelled, pointing at Fisk, “Don't talk about us like we aren't here!”

  “Hush child,” Fisk snapped, his growl causing the girl to go pale as her brother took a step back. Even Faith went blank at the unfamiliar tone and threatening aura that oozed off Fisk.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Unbeknownst to Crimson and all nearby, seeing the young adventurers geared up to embark into a combat zone dredged up memories of his time in Africa, things he thought he had gotten over.

  He was wrong.

  “I'm not taking two kids with me to a combat zone,” Fisk said, turning and walking away despite the eyes on him.

  “Then I suppose they'll just have to go alone.”

  Fisk clenched his jaw and stopped dead in his tracks, Crimson's words baring his movement like a vice.

  After a moment and a sigh, Fisk turned around.

  “Fine, you, what class are you?” Fisk said, gesturing to the young boy.

  “I’m a support class caster s-sir!” Will replied, standing upright as Fisk towered over him, his mask visage terrifying the young mage.

  “Don't sir me, I work for a living,” Fisk replied, seizing the boy up whose skinny frame was so frail a light breeze could push him away. “And you?”

  Fisk turned to the scowling sister, the teenager oozing with angst as she glared at Fisk, apparently unimpressed by his demeanor and stature.

  “Tch, wouldn’t you like to know?” The blue-haired girl spat before turning to Crimson, “Lady Crimson, why are you saddling me with a babysitter? My scores in the academy were higher than anyone else, my blade faster, and sharper. Culling a few monsters is well beneath my skillset.”

  “This isn’t the academy. Nor is it a controlled environment, you'll be fighting monsters with no safeguards, teachers or runes to stop you from being hurt,” Crimson replied, earning her a scoff from the teen.

  “My skills are more than enough for a few goblins and slimes,” The girl said, planting her metal longsword into the earth. “And I guess Will is here to distract monsters for me too.”

  Fisk eyed the weapon, its metal bluish body adorn with glowing glyphs and strange markings that gave off a hum of power.

  Observe.

  [Treasured Blade Lexinda]

  -Water Magic

  -???

  -???

  -???

  -???

  -Bound to Selena Sarcena

  Fisk then turned his attention on the siblings.

  Name: Selena Sarcena

  Race: Human

  Stats:

  -HP: 60/60

  -SP: 30/30

  -MP: 130

  Class: Magic Fighter

  Special Skills: Ethereal Blade, Ice Hail.

  Name: Will Sarcena

  Race: Human/???

  Stats:

  -HP: 35/35

  -SP: 20/20

  -MP: 280/280

  Class: ???

  Special Skills: Cure LvL 2, Cura LvL 1, Curara LvL 1, Cleanse LvL 1, Bolster LvL 3, Reinforce LvL 2, Vitality+ LvL 1, Detox LvL 1, Barrier LvL 1, ???, ???.

  Fisk blinked noting he could see more information than when he used it on anyone else..

  Huh… this boy might actually be useful…

  “Have you killed before?” Fisk asked, drawing the girl's attention.

  “No, but I'm-”

  “Not experienced,” Fisk cut the girl off, turning to the guild manager while Faith chatted up the brother. “I want insurance.”

  “Meaning?”

  “If these two die I don't want whatever rich parents they come from coming after me. I have enough problems with the immortals.”

  “Don't let them die,” Crimson said, meaning to be deadpan however her voice and tone shifted just slightly. A tinge of care that was unmistakable.

  Then, suddenly a box appeared before Fisk, a menu he was all too familiar with.

  A quest.

  [Unique Request: Protect Selena and Will Sarcena in their incursion through Boarish Dungeon]

  -Reward: +1-100 Favor of the Sarcena Family, +100 Favor of Karja Crimson, Cookies Baked with Love x 5, 2000 XP, + 2000GP

  Fisk clenched his jaw, deciding to try and game the system.

  “Then give me a guarantee. Otherwise ask an immortal.”

  “I do not trust the immortals not to take advantage of them.”

  “And you think I won't?”

  “Our exchange of blows spoke volumes of what kind of warrior you are.”

  “Lady, you just met me.”

  “And yet your reluctance is exactly why you have cemented my decision for your parties to take this quest together. Do this for me, and I will see you rewarded.”

  The quest updated, this time with an added amendment.

  [Unique Request: Protect Selena and Will Sarcena in their incursion through Boarish Dungeon]

  -Reward: +1-100 Favor of the Sarcena Family, +100 Favor of Karja Crimson, Cookies Baked with Love x 5, 2000 XP, Protection of Retaliation from Sarcena Family in case of failure. +2000GP

  For a moment, Fisk thought the cross-armed titan was about to say please, yet she didn't, choosing instead to stare at Fisk as though she could will him into babysitting with her seemingly permanent glare.

  Fisk sighed, his hand wanting to pinch the bridge of his nose but only tapping his mask.

  “Faith!” Fisk said, jolting the woman who was enamoured by Will’s magic staff.

  “Huh? Yup?”

  “What do you think? Should we help them?”

  Faith blinked, pointing at herself, “You're asking me for my opinion?”

  “You're my teammate aren't you? You have as much of a say.”

  Faith’s face broke out into a wide grin that nearly went ear to ear.

  “I think we should do it! They need the experience and it'll be a fun adventure!” Faith exclaimed.

  Not wanting to dash her enthusiasm, Fisk decided to keep his mouth closed, instead replying with a grunt.

  “We'll get the job done,” Fisk said, turning to exit the training camp only to stop as Selena yelled “Hey!”

  “We never agreed to go with you!” Selena yelled, “What rank are you even anyway?!”

  “S,” Crimson said, causing the girl to go wide-eyed and mute for once as she stared at Fisk walking away.