The Survival of an Inferior

(Vol3)95. Birthday



Today is 3.4 Bestolo. Translating to my original world's date is the third of February.

It's been a year since my sly alter-ego bastard self returned control. At first, it feels wrong to proceed with his plan but over time, the feeling of guilt numbs. Something is affecting me...

After the banquet, I actively participated in missions to gain experience and recognition. 

Since I rarely had free time, I wholeheartedly used every single second to train as much as possible.

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Name: Samuel Turner(Alias: Arsto)
Title: Pioneer of Manafication
Class: Aura Slayer
Lvl: 167

Hp:100000/100000
Mana: 20000/20000

Atk: 322[+]
Def: 278[+]
Dex: 159[+]
Mag: 321.5
Luck: 100[+]

Free stats: 110

Skills:
[Aura Swordsman]
-Mana Boost(lvl 1)
-Piercing Slash(lvl 4)

-Cooking(lvl 3)
-Throwing(lvl 1)
-Potion Brewing(lvl 1)

-Side Step Swordsmanship(lvl 5)

Passive:
-Luck(lvl 3)
-Beast Hunter(lvl max)
-Mana Sense(lvl 4)
-Pain Resistance(lvl 3)
-Mental Resistance(lvl 3)
-Demonic Immunity(lvl 3)
-Great Demonic Affinity(lvl max)
-Eyes of Analysis(lvl max)

Blessings:
-Fairy
Turner Bloodline awakened
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---------------------
{Weapons mastery}
Firearms: 3283
Dagger:8002
Sword:97221
Bow:0
Spear:0
Heavy:0
---------------------

However, this rate of training is inefficient if I want to face Zerstorung in the near future. It's time I move on to the next step.

I stare at the bottle in my hand. Everything comes at a price. I don't know who but someone knows I am a Demonic Human and wants me to grow stronger.

"I will take it," I mumble, putting the bottle into my storage ring.

"Arsto?" Melissa calls out from the end of the corridor. It's late at night so it's not unusual to see her here at the dormitory. She is in a simple comfortable cotton white shirt and long grey baggy pants.

"Captain Melissa."

"Drop the captain when we are alone. How many times must I tell you?" She nags.

"Alright...Melissa."

She smiles. "That's better."

She waves her hand and gestures for me to follow her. I tilt my head, confused, for it is pitch dark outside but follow her regardless.

We arrive at the empty cafeteria in the BOV building. She takes out a small container from cold storage for storing food ingredients at the back of the kitchen.

In the darkness, only light illuminates from the kitchen to the rows of empty tables.

Melissa is taking quite a long time inside the storage.

...

I walk into the storage and check up on her. She is crouched down inspecting and muttering something.

"Melissa?"

"Ah!" she jolts. "Uhm...I..." She stands up and brushes the dirt off her coat.
"S-Since you and Audrey celebrated my birthday a few months ago despite everything and you even gave me a valuable pill, I wanted to...well...return the favour."

She looks down, irritated and disappointed in herself.

"It's embarrassing but I...made you a small cake. It's gone though..."

...

"Pfft..." I couldn't hold in my chuckle and grins. Melissa pulls her fringe over her face to hide her flushed face.

"Thanks for that. It's the thoughts that matter." I say.

The longer I stay in this world, the more confidence I achieve. My introverted self gradually diminishes. If it was me from 2 years ago, this situation would be awkward.

"Uhm...at least take this. It's my gift. Although...it cannot compare to yours." Melissa hands me a bracelet made from emerald jade beads.

------------------------
Melissa's Bracelet(Special)

+20 luck

A bracelet made with longing and wishes. Melissa spent a fair amount of time off work learning how to sew the beads together. The beads each represent love and happiness.
------------------------

Special grade?!

"Arsto...?" Melissa says when I stare at the bracelet. "I-I can get something better...once I save-"

"No no, it's better than I expected. It's really beautiful." I reply.

Special grades can only be obtained from events and are randomly found. They are the rarest type of gear with exceptional effects. 

"Thank you!" 

Melissa blushes and nods.

"Ahem...anyways, why are you in your jacket? It's late." Melissa asks.

"Oh, right. I want to file a request for an exemption." I say.

Melissa freezes. "Why? You want to leave?"

"Not forever. There's somewhere I need to go and it will be a while."

"Where?" she persistently digs.

"Clamore, The City of Miners."

Melissa lights up. "T-Then do you want to join me? There's an order to investigate a dungeon around Clamore. I was trying to find the right time to ask you this."

--------------------
A Main Mission has been created.

Find out what is happening within Clamore.
--------------------

!!!!!!!

I haven't seen this death panel in a while and I hoped it stayed that way. Shit...

"Alright. Let me join in," I say.

I don't have a choice.

Melissa grins and nods. "Well then, have a great night's rest. We will be departing tomorrow. As for your celebration, I'm sorry but I will treat you to something next time. Just the two of us."

"Sure."

---------------------
Melissa is delighted with your quick response and reaction.

+5 favourability
---------------------
---------------------
Melissa Levia
Title: Divine Eye
Class: Master Marksman
Lvl: 237

Hp:200500/200500
Mana: 100000/100000

Atk: 521
Def: 201
Dex: 622
Mag: 699
Luck: 52

Skills:
-Bullet Eruption(lvl max)
-Mist Step(lvl 4)
-Side Step Swordsmanship(lvl max)
-Reversal Outflow(lvl 2)

Passive:
-Mana Sense(lvl 1)
-Pain Resistance(lvl 7)
-Mental Resistance(lvl 9)
-Divine Eyes(lvl????)

Blessings:
-Serpent Revenant

Favourability: 90
---------------------

A mission ushers a large ill omen. I need Melissa alive; I should follow her.

However, I have never seen a dungeon in Clamore before...

I bid good night to Melissa and went back to my room, Melissa goes back to her office for some paperwork before she takes a rest.

However, I sneak back out again when the coast is clear. Kae meets me at the slope leading from the building of the BOV down to the city. We walk across the empty streets in silence.

"The spies stopped following us," Kae whispers. 

"It's about time. Let's go."

We change our route and go to a blacksmith. This is the blacksmith that Kae mentioned with suspicious activity. We enter the blacksmith, rows of weapons and armour line the display cases, and the man at the counter jolts at our appearance. "S-Sir Arsto! Welcome!" He bows. Both Kae and I nod in response and walk behind the counter to the door next to it. The door leads to a basement. 

"Don't let anyone in," Kae says.

"Understood boss." 

We descend into the darkness until a room of light. Several boxes are stacked around shelves. A teenager wearing spectacles with black eyes and hair sits on a chair and smiles at me, a few men, who are the teenager's subordinates, bow at both me and Kae. 

"Brother Arsto!" The teenager says and stands up. We exchange hugs and the teenager slips something into my pocket. 

This is Red, one of the orphans I saved. In an attempt to help me catch Despair, he infiltrated the underworld of Rodgof a year ago and rose to be a leader of a team that distributes illegal drugs. An organisation called Pearce in the underworld hires thugs to do their dirty work. Red had the ferocity and mindset of a scheming bastard thus he easily fit in. Still, his heart is in the right place; He is somewhat similar to my sly alter ego.
Almost every customer of Red was swiftly dealt with by me, increasing my reputation and contribution. 

I take a peek at the slip of paper inside my coat, Red grabs my hand and stares at me in the eye. 

He does not want me to look at the paper now.

...

I nod and continue. "So, what do you have for me?" I ask.

Red snaps and a subordinate grabs two boxes and stacks them beside me. I open the boxes and find the blue crystal drug. "The customer this time is a member of Despair, and a high-ranking one too." Red passes me a thin piece of paper. The paper states: "Huke Pie, Miasto Mansion 3.4 Bestolo." 

Huke Pie...that's a Despair noble in a mansion at the border of Haeru, he has been on my radar for some time. Due to his high status and heavily guarded palace, it is difficult to infiltrate without causing much commotion.

"Brother and Uncle Kae. We are going to deliver this, do you want to tag along?" Red asks.

I grins. This is the perfect alibi. "Sure." 


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