CH.206 Don’t exploit my weakness
<span style="font-weight:400">I woke up in the morning. Woohoo! Something abnormal. Waking up in the morning.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, that means I’m not evolving. Good. Let’s leave that forter. I’m not in a hurry to evolve.
<span style="font-weight:400">After saying good morning to Ria, I jumped into the factory.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good morning, Brian.” Just after I got there, Lua also appeared there. I wonder if she knows that I’m here in the morning, or does she juste for some other reason. She is surprisingly good at catching me. I guess Mia might tell her about meing here. And Laura might be in cahoots with them as well. Well, whatever. I enjoy seeing her in the morning.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good morning. How are you feeling? No level up sickness or anything right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m feeling just fine. I even used the level ups on others yesterday, just so I wouldn’t get any bad reactions.” She answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh. Good.” I said before noticing something wrong with her. Well, something was missing. “Your avatar. It doesn’t have wings.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It doesn’t?” Lua seemed to question, as she turned around, trying to look at her back. It doesn’t work that way, you know. She then moved her hands to her lower back where her wings came out, but there was nothing there. “... wow. How?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I guess you never updated your avatar. Your hair is still short as well.” I added.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Is it?” Lua questioned as she felt her hair.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure is. Do you want a mirror?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... do you have one?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think I analyzed one a while back.” Mirrors were most definitely a thing, and I think I analyzed one back in Alewatch when I analyzed basically everything in the room I slept in. Back before I named Christina the DM.
<span style="font-weight:400">I used it as a base to make arge mirror and ced the mirror against the wall that was next to the round table which Laura and Mia often sit at.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... wow. That is amazing. This ce really is strange.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, I could do that with Dungeon Founder outside as well, but here it costs no points, so it is nice.” I reminded her. “So, do you think you should update your avatar?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Brian, a question.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Go for it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Do you prefer short or long hair?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... do you need to ask? Have you looked at Laura? Why isn’t she here by the way?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I can be.” She answered, as she realized next to us.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, that was fast. Were you busy with something?” I asked her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No. Just let you two be by yourselves first.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I turned back to look at Lua, and she had changed her avatar. She is getting better at it.
<span style="font-weight:400">She had grown her hair to even longer than it now was, her wings had appeared and her outfit was a bit different. It was still based on her adventuring gear, rip that clothing because it was turned into a dress, but now it had a hole in the back for her wings. It also seemed a bit closer to her skin than it was previously and her overcoat now only covered her shoulder and arms, leaving her midriff without it<sup ss="modern-footnotes-footnote " data-mfn="1"></sup><span ss="modern-footnotes-footnote__note" data-mfn="1">still has a shirt covering that area. Just the overcoat doesn''t reach it., and now she also didn’t have her hood. But she hasn’t been having her hood up as often these days, when I visit the vige. Even before the entire dress incident.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Do you like it?” She asked, noticing that I was gazing a bit too long.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s … nice. But I think it might be a bit too tight, around your midsection. You might get some unwanted stares.” I warned her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“But it''s fine here. No one but you and I cane here right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, other than all of my monsters, Laura, Tahlia and Fantasia, no.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... I see. Brian, would you help me? Could you help me make something even better?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. Let’s try.” I agreed. “Actually, Laura, did you run that experiment with Tailor of the Fickle and Lua’s unique skill?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. We did try it with Maria. It does work. But whatever she is wearing at that moment will still be consumed by the dress making process.” Laura said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Will the monster be left … naked?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“In basic underwear, not naked.” Laura answered. “Though that does also depend on the monster and what kind of equipment they have.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Brian? What are you talking about?” Lua asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Making some OP equipment for you.” I answered. “I have a spell card called Tailor of the Fickle. It can swap the equipment from one person to another. Or in this case, from one of my monsters to a person.”
Spoiler
[copse]
<span style="font-weight:400">“But there is a problem.” I continued. “If the monster that that equipment originally belonged to gets unsummoned, the equipment will disappear as well. BUT if you happen to be able to fundamentally change said equipment, say make it into a dress, the equipment will stay even after the monster gets unsummoned.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eh? Br-Brian? Are you saying that I can..?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That you could take the equipment from any of my monsters, use your skill and make said equipment into a dress which you can keep forever. Yes. That is exactly what I’m saying. And ording to Mia, your skill keeps the properties and stats of the original equipment that would mean that your dress should be extremely defensive, as long as we pick the correct original piece.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... really? Would you do that for me? Brian. You … you need to stop that. You can’t just…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why? It won’t cost me anything. Well, a few minutes of time, but other than that. In my opinion, that is a small price to pay.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... yes. If you really would do that for me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. Let’s try it next time Ie to the vige. It should be the day after tomorrow, unless something bad happens again.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please don’t call my evolution ‘something bad’.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh. Sorry. Well, unless an emergencyes up. Also, you should probably experiment with your unique skill here. You can just use it over and over again, so you’ll learn how much you can control the finished product. Then just make new clothes for your avatar. That way, whatever you make from the monster''s equipment will be perfect.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. But where should I do it? I’d rather not do it in the open like this.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Laura? Any ideas?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think one of the houses in the Vampire Kingdom should do just fine. Or we can give her an entire room to y with, if you allow that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That should be fine. We aren’t out yet, right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, but running a bit low.” Laura warned. “But we should get more when Fantasia levels up.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Too bad it didn’t happen when I hit 70, huh.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Brian? You reached level 70?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. Yesterday evening.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“We are the same level then.” Lua said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... I guess we are. Anyway, Laura can you deal with the room thing. Lua, sorry but as we are low, I won’t give you an entire room. But a house in the Vampire Kingdom room will be fine, won’t it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. And what would I do with all of the space one of these ‘rooms’ have? I don’t need that much.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No. I’ll still give you one. When Fantasia levels up. You can use it for anything you want. Maybe if you get a deck for your Card Summoner, you can have your monsterse there when you don’t have them summoned.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I … yes. Then I’ll take it. I just need to work even harder, so I’ll get Card Summoner leveled up as well.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just don’t overwork yourself.” I warned. “You should take breaks and maybe go around seeing my monsters. I think Fantasia will be more than willing to apany you during that. You know, just so you can pick what monster will have the best stuff for you to use.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’ll let me choose?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. Why not? I can also give rmendations, if you want. Though the only one I have at the moment is Vampire Red Baron. His armor is some sort ofposite of blood iron and vampiric steel, so that would be good for you. Or something like the armor of BLS, but that is another thing entirely. Just find something you like and we can do that.” I told her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. I’ll try to find something.”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">After breakfast, it was off to the guild with us. Like most times, the guild was quite quiet when we arrived. But unlike the previous times, this time, we had some … interested parties.
<span style="font-weight:400">The few parties that were there were pointing at us and saying things like: “That’s the dragon summoner.” or “Look at that harem master.” Hey! I resent that. I’m not actually romantically involved with any of them. Well, you could argue Alice because of that whole idental proposal thing, but that still doesn’t make it a harem.
<span style="font-weight:400">One younger adventurer was even brave enough toe up to me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Excuse me, sir, but are you the one that summoned a dragon?” He asked, looking a bit scared, but also excited.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yep. Sure did. What about it?” I casually answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... could … could you do it again? I’d like to see a dragon as well.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry, but the guild, and the knights, don’t really like when I do it in town, so I really can’t.” I exined.
<span style="font-weight:400">“oh… I understand. Sorry for asking.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t be. Asking is never a bad thing.” I reassured him.
<span style="font-weight:400">… I kind of liked that kid. He reminds me a bit of Kurt. You know, that kid … why am I calling him a kid? He is like 15. Well anyway. The adventurer who had his hand burned by my Dark Magician card way back.<sup ss="modern-footnotes-footnote " data-mfn="2"></sup><span ss="modern-footnotes-footnote__note" data-mfn="2"> In <span style="font-weight:400">But yeah. He does remind me a bit of Kurt. Because he, like Kurt, was willing to go out of his way to do something that might be dangerous and might make me angry. Well, not that I get mad that easily.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sir, if possible, could you go see the guild master before you head out. He would like to see you.” The guild employee said, as we epted the, for now,st safety check.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... is this going to be another problem?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I- I don’t know. But the guild master did reprimand sir Caiden afterst time, so…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Paulina, what do you think?” I asked for the ‘quest givers’ opinion.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As long as it won’t take too long. But if what I think will happen happens, it will only be a few minutes.” She answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alrighty then. I guess we can see him. Can you take us there?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“O-of course. Follow me please.”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">A set of stepster, we were in the guild master’s office. It wasn’t too far from the one I saw in Alewatch, except that this one was a lot more messy. I guess Alexander really liked keeping his stuff organized.
<span style="font-weight:400">The guild master was arge burly man, probably somewhere in his fifties. He had a decently long beard and short dark brown hair. If he wasn’t over 1.9 meters tall, I would guess he is a dwarf, just based on his beard.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry for this, but I would like to take a bit of your time.” The guild master began. “Right. I’m the Guild Master of Sawyer city’s adventurer’s guild. The name is Gordon.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Oh? Mr. Ramsey is the GM? … Okay, bad joke. They don’t really look alike at all.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. No problem. What did you need?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Straight to business then. I like that. First of all, allow me to apologize in the ce of my assistant master. He has some … history with adventurers that cheat on their quests, so he can be a little … unadaptable when an abnormal like you shows up.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... alright. Apology epted. Even if calling me abnormal sounds almost like an insult.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t even.” Paulina cut in. “We all know you are abnormal.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Perhaps I am. So was that it?” I asked the GM. “Or are you actually going to rank me up like your assistant promised?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. That as well. I hope you understand that he has no authority to do that. And even I would likely struggle getting permission for it. Simply put, even though I understand you have power way beyond your rank, you haven’t been a guild member for long enough. There is a certain expectation for adventurers of B-rank and above by the general public, so we do have to be somewhat more careful when we grant those ranks. So I truly hope you understand when I say that ranking you up at the moment is simply not possible. Even if my foolish assistant did promise it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. I kind of expected that.” I admitted. I never really took the AGM’s bet seriously. I just wanted to shut him up. “So, anything more?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. I have just one question. The hydra. You did defeat it, didn’t you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... are you doubting me? Even after the little show I put upst time?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, no. Of course not. I more that believe you could do it, considering the report about the wyverns. But you know, Le told me that you said that the two girls next to you were the ones who actually fought the hydra. So would you rify, was it you, or the two of them?” The GM asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“They are the ones that took down the hydra.” I answered honestly with no hesitation. “I just helped with the aftermath, like setting out a forest fire and dismantling the hydra.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... hmm. I see…” He muttered before speaking up. “You two,” he asked Alice and Ria. “What are your guild ranks?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m D-rank.” Alice answered, getting out her guild card.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m not a guild member, as I can’t join.” Ria said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Really now? A D-rank and a non member. Miss, might I ask why you can’t join?” He asked Ria.
<span style="font-weight:400">“A dhampir cannot join unless they are stable.” Ria answered. “I’m still in the process, so I cannot join.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see. A dhampir, huh. You keep some interestingpany.” He said, turning back to me. “Are you not worried about being sucked dry?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why? I know Ria wouldn’t, so I have no reason to fear her. And if she tried, I’d just have to overpower her. Kind of necessary as I’m the one watching over her for the approving process.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... overpowering someone who can fight a hydra? Well, if you say so. But let’s get back on point. Miss…” He began, focusing his eyes on Alice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alice. Alice Watchman.” Alice realized what he wanted and introduced herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Watchman? … I see. Well, Miss Watchman, if you really do have the power to fight a hydra, having you as a D-rank is bad for the guild. How would you feel about taking a rank-up exam?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes please!” Alice agreed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good. As for you, Brian, would you allow us to turn your current quest into the exam?” The GM asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure.” I agreed before thinking it over. “Wait, are you just using this as an excuse to send an observer with us?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tisk. Smart as well. Yes, I was. Is it really that detestable? Are your techniques that secretive?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... no. Not really. But I just know how it will go. Anytime I show it to someone new, they always have the same reaction. And honestly, the guild doesn’t need to know about it. Sure it won’t matter even if you do, but still.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see. I shall arrange another exam for the miss then.” He said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Brian.” Alice got my attention. “Can’t we do it? Please.”
<span style="font-weight:400">… no. That’s illegal. You can’t just turn your eyes into stars. I have a weakness for starry eyes. Just ask Laura. She would know.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Guild master, say I allow this observer. Who would it be?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I would do it myself, considering the situation.” He answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And everything you find out during that time, regarding me at least, would be kept a secret at a level where only other guild masters will know about it, right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you would like it that way. I know some of your information is already guild master locked, so we can add to that.” He answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">… he is good. He knows how I operate. Between not telling the guild about B.E.S. Big Core and letting the starry eyes Alice down, I know what is the lesser thing. I’ve already told plenty of people about Big Core, so what is a few more? Having Alice be sad is way worse than that.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... fine. I’ll ept turning this quest into Alice’s rank up exam. As long as you are the observer.” I agreed with the GM’s offer.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you, Brian!” Alice jumped into me and hugged me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you for agreeing. Give me just a few minutes and we can go.” The GM said.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, I really hope I won’t regret this. Let’s just hope the GM will keep his word. I think he will. Probably. And if he doesn’t, will it really matter? Probably not.