100 Questions

10

- Not that word! And if a newcomer to the guild, then he can only have a partner from there. And I will not be accepted into any decent guild of the Recognized, especially on favorable terms. Comfortable for me, of course. So I do what I stagger, die and drink beer. There is nothing else to do! At all. This bastard really set me up. And all because, you see, I didn't fuck with him. Although I said from the very beginning that we can only have one time, we are just partners. So I knew it would hit him.

- Only once?.. Did you bet him at cards, or what? I asked in bewilderment.

This world, it turns out, is even more complicated than it seemed at first.

- Never mind. In general, this is such a fucker. I honestly don't know what else to add. Is the beer even tasty?

“Yes, very much,” I nodded, and immediately drank a couple of sips. Little ones. Savoring.

The taste was very familiar and the body accepted it willingly. I felt like I was back to something familiar.

- Well, drink, enjoy. Deserved, at least listened. And then there are a lot of rumors about me, no one really communicates. And Jerome is already tired of my tears.

- Jerome?

- That skinny bartender who treated you to beer. He usually even manages to sell such urine, so he obviously liked you. Jerome is probably the only friend I have now... And there is no one else left.

- That's it, - I fell silent, trying to put in my head everything that I heard.

- Tell me something. You're new. Have you seen scarecrows? Looks like they're in the area too. Although I don’t know for sure, I don’t like to wander around the city. And who even patted you so hard that your arm was broken?

I suddenly felt a surge of peace. Even considering everything I've heard. It became somehow comfortable at the thought that I was warm, drinking beer in a tavern, where the good-natured Hero runs everything. That they poured out their soul to me, as if to a friend. So I decided not to hold back.

He also told about the elf, albeit only in a whisper and without many details. At times the sorceress laughed, at times she was surprised. And about how he barely hobbled to the city. How the scarecrows received me, and how, having gorged myself on the grubs of the guild, I fought with him. He told, in general, everything, hiding only the details of the Snake Throw skill and his memories. It started to become a kind of mystery. Especially the cooldown time of the skill.

The girl listened to me with interest. She nodded, sipped her beer, and continued to look at me, resting her cheek with her palm.

- It hit you hard, of course. Not like me! Before that, far away, another five or ten betrayals. But interestingly, everything started for you, - she ran her finger along the rim of the mug, nodded to something in her thoughts, and said: - Well, I wish you success. And with treatment, and with further adventures. If you want, we can become friends, sometimes you will tell something funny. At least read something interesting.

- In the sense? .. - I was taken aback, feeling how the comfort inside quickly crumbles. - Won't you heal me?

- M? The girl rolled her eyes sleepily. - Cure? As I said, it's only through companionship. A contract for a month at least. You need to swing, and not share experience with someone there. You will lose more than you gain.

- But wait! - I was confused, trying to put the words together, and not drunken delirium. - We can help each other. You will cure, I will pump up, you will pump up too. This is a good option.

- For me - good, - yawning, the girl answered. - But for you - extremely crappy. Listen and don't interrupt. First, you will lose half the experience from all simple actions. And this, consider, is already a farewell to twenty experience points. Farewell forever, only if you don't get the Auto-da-fe. Go ahead. You will lose half the experience from killing all simple monsters and beasts. Go ahead. You will lose half of the experience from all the outlandish adventures that are available in the area. Go ahead. To the main. Companion quests are combined and become a problem for both. I have a quest for revenge on that bastard. You can offer to ignore it, but the System will begin to fine. Because she doesn't like to ignore quests. Doesn't like it very much. And this is one of the reasons why I lost most of the characteristics. The penalties are getting bigger every time. Do you want to take revenge on who didn't do anything to you? Nope. I don't think.

- Maybe I want to take revenge on the one who offended my girlfriend? I asked sullenly.

- In terms of?..

The girl was taken aback, stopping running her finger along the rim of the mug.

- Without meaning. You were firmly pressed to the ground with your head. And whoever did it still hasn't paid. This is pretty unfair. Even in my opinion. And if you imagine how much revenge you crave... I don't see anything wrong with punishing a dishonorable person.

- These are big words, - the girl's face darkened before her eyes. “Right now, the System is watching us very closely. There is no need to throw out passionate speeches if they do not coincide with what you really feel. This will affect your quality. Earning the "Lie" skill is not the best thing you can do for your reputation.

- But for now, I have the Speech skill. And he helps to tell only the truth, - I tapped my temple with my finger. - This head is incredibly empty, and I still do not fully understand many things. However, there is something in the world that is understandable even to a baby whose heart is pure as ice. The bad guys have to suffer. Your quest won't complicate my life. And the experience that I can lose because of our contract will be the payment for treatment and tips. I have a lot to learn, and you know a lot. So the mutual benefit remains the same. Without treatment and advice, I will die more often than I would like. We both understand it. Maybe the math will turn out so that with you I will lose less than without you. What do you think?

For some time the girl was silent, looking at me with a vague set of emotions. And then she suddenly burst out laughing, which caused all the few visitors to look at us, and Jerome smiled enigmatically.

- Here you go! And where only such Heroes are found? - the sorceress wiped her tears and looked at me seriously.

The truth is serious. Lights lit up in her eyes that had never existed before. Her face smoothed out, and it suddenly became prettier.

- Well, convinced me, the Japanese. We will sign a contract tonight. Here is my promise to you and the System. Do you agree?

"Yes," I replied indignantly.

The girl suddenly stood up and, approaching, whispered softly:

- Be healthy, Hero.

The goosebumps that ran over her skin from her warm breath were replaced by something else. The body was suddenly enveloped in warmth, before the eyes went dark for a second.

And then everything lit up. The girl was already sitting sipping her ale. And both of my hands lay quietly on the table top, clutching the mug. I moved my fingers, my left shoulder in surprise, and realized that there was no pain. In sight. Although a few hours ago I could barely squeeze the well rope.

- The shoulder was not broken, but the injury turned out to be really severe. You could run around with her for a week, maybe longer. Until I flew to the rep. I think that even a local healer would not have helped you to the end, and he would have broken the price, - the girl said all this with pleasure, savoring every word.

- Are you that good? - I was surprised, not ceasing to move my hand, kneading it. - And what are you so happy about?

- I'm not saying that I'm good, - the girl shrugged her shoulders with an innocent smile. “It's just that the magic that works for companions is stronger than the one that works for everyone without exception. And I am pleased that after a bunch of months I cured someone again. Still, I like this business, it's good that the class has not changed.

"So we're partners now?"

- And then! You won’t get off sooner than in a month, ”a friend whose name I don’t know winked. - But you still wait, it will be necessary to finish with the formalities.

Jerome came up suddenly, placing two mugs of ale in front of us, and laughed:

- I told you that you will find a new partner before my eyes. Trust the bartender, we often give birth to prophecies.

And then the young man turned to me and said, but much more quietly:

Take care of her, Hero. If you do something wrong, I will release all the hounds of the Underworld on you. And it's not an empty threat, it's just a friendly warning, - slapping me on the shoulder, he went back behind the bar.

I scratched the back of my head in puzzlement, but when I saw how the girl drank ale, I caught myself. Two mugs of good beer is a worthy reason to throw the excess out of your head.

..You are receiving a number of awards, but before that, we will notify you.

Given the achievement of the second level, it was decided to transfer you to a different notification format. Comments System you will receive during the rest. In the wakeful phase, you will only receive notifications about the receipt of rewards and their size. Congratulations! Take this as a way out from under our vigilant guardianship.

In a short time you were able to find yourself a companion. Congratulations! Joining forces with other beings leads to increased efficiency. However, do not forget to share with your neighbors.

With your ingenuity, you were able to accurately track down the target, knowing only its appearance and habits. As a reward, you get the Pathfinder skill.

You actively used your meager intellect. As a reward, you receive one unit of progress.

You spoke beautifully and convincingly. Your Speech skill gains one point of progress.

You actively studied other people's reactions and emotions, for this your Empathy skill gains one point of progress and an additional feature.

You rescued a girl who got into a difficult situation. For this you are rewarded with one unit of Recognition.

You had a busy day and tasted the local ale for the first time. You receive one point of experience.

Please note that the deadline for activating the companion contract is the next night. At dawn, with an unsigned contract, half of your total experience will be irretrievably lost. Good luck!

- Did you get it too?

The girl laughed when she saw my dumbfounded look.

“Great powers, you can’t even focus your eyes on me!” So much text?

- Yes... - I answered absently, reading the long message. - So many. But I was promised that soon it will be much less.

- Oh, congratulations! The girl took a sip of beer. And she laughed again. - Although you are probably shaking already from this word.

- There are a few - I embarrassedly looked away.

- What did they give?

I gestured to wait and took a sip of my mug. "Half of the total experience?! If we don't sign the contract, are we going to be punished that much?!" pounded in my head as the pictures floated in the background. For example, parchment could not be found. Or they spilled ink, and at night they are nowhere to be found. Or...

What is my signature?

- So what? repeated the sorceress. - Why are you so nervous?

- Yes, so ... Maybe we will sign a contract already?

- What? - the girl was dumbfounded. - Are you serious? So can't wait?

Her gaze didn't just darken. He became darkness itself, unpleasantly piercing the heart. And he made me confused.

- Did I say something wrong?

- You know, I didn't expect such a hasty proposal from you, - the girl got up from the table, narrowing her eyes in a bad way. - It's disgusting...

Something was wrong. Without knowing exactly, I could only guess. The girl was offended, and it was not just indignation or resentment that overwhelmed her. She seemed to hate me. Like I'm a great evil that needs to be destroyed.

Something is very very wrong. And worst of all - I didn't know what.

- W-wait! I stuttered, trying to think.

You need to cut the truth-womb. With the biggest sword in the history of this world, I must now throw out all the truth that was only in me. And pray that this is enough to activate Eloquence. But what truth must be told?

- What should I expect? the girl hissed. You didn't even ask my name.

"I don't understand, really," he muttered, leaning back into his chair.

“Of course you don’t understand, it’s not you who were used and abandoned, breaking your whole life! the girl got up.

And I can only rejoice very much that, as a warrior, a girl ...

Jerome?!

The young man was aiming something hissing in my direction, which very much resembled a miniature cannon. Only thin...

Musket? Where did he even come from?

- Stop! I shouted.

The patrons stared at our table with bated breath. And the girl, meanwhile, slowly backed away. As if she already knew that the bartender was ready to ... Kill me?

- It's a misunderstanding! I don't know what's wrong and I'll be glad if you explain! I'm ready to apologize!

Panic twisted his guts, making him desperately desire only one thing: to be in the house one on one with Rusk and never show his nose again.

- What can I explain to you? the sorceress smiled.

- Okay, then I'll explain! I just care about the experience! The system said it would charge half if the contract wasn't activated before dawn! I just want to sign and close this issue before it's too late.

- Signature? - the sorceress asked with disgust.

Jerome suddenly lowered his weapon. Moistening his fingers with saliva, he calmly put out the fuse.

"He's telling the truth," the bartender said calmly, and put the weapon under the bar. - Get it right, kids.

The girl turned at first with incredulous indignation at Jerome, but he was already busy with work. Then she turned to me.

- If you need a hint, - the young man suddenly said, giving out beer to the visitor, - then I will give: he is the second level. And the third day is in this world. I almost forgot about it. The guy does not know anything about the contract at all. That's where he got silly.

The sorceress froze, considering Jerome's words. She suddenly threw back her head and laughed at the top of her throat. She collapsed onto a chair, threw her legs up, at which the bartender looked with a shadow of displeasure, but remained silent.

And only I, being a complete idiot, looked at the guy behind the counter, then at the girl, then at the visitors, who had already returned to their conversations. Finally, he asked uncertainly:

- Can I breathe?

- Oh yes of course. Sorry about that, - the future partner answered slightly dryly. I'm just not used to dealing with newbies. Drink ale and don't think bad, I'll cool off for now.

Grasping the mug, he poured seven sips into himself. The girl almost made me sober to death, and now suddenly it turned out to be groundless. I felt very uncomfortable.

- Don't worry about the contract. He will be signed. And it can't be undone.

There was a sense of detachment in the healer's voice. It was like she was talking about something very bad. And I couldn't figure out why.

- Contract with me - such a terrible idea?

- What? .. - they looked at me with pure surprise.

Well, you react like something terrible is about to happen.

- Never mind. It's already getting dark outside. I need to go on business, - the girl got up. - At the same time, I'll clear my head of unnecessary thoughts. Jerome, tell the guy what to do next. See you, partner.

At the last sentence, she gently patted me on the head. And she left. Didn't even finish the beer.

"You got her, boy," Jerome grinned. - Get the beer behind the bar. And grab a chair. She needs to cool down. And you - listen to a couple of tips.

Two working hands are clearly better than one. He placed four mugs on the seat, picked up a chair and moved it behind the counter. He sat down in front of a battery of unfinished ale and prepared to listen. Jerome was silent for a while, and then broke the silence. Asked an unexpected question:

- Did you tell about the Recognized and Outcast?

- Yes. I AM...

- Tsyts. Answer questions briefly and to the point. And talk less. Time is short.

- Okay, - I was confused.

I decided, since such a thing, to fill my mouth with beer. Less temptation to give a detailed answer.

- Drink, well done. Who told?

- Local, - he answered briefly and, noticing that they were waiting for more, he added: - Gildeyets. Rusk.

You won't hear anything from him. Ordinary bum. Pumps strength, intelligence. Small fry of the fifth level with a small plus in karma.

Jerome was clearly unhappy. He rubbed the mug, looking at her with a very bad expression.

- Did the elf give you a knife?

- Yes, - I'm not even surprised that the bartender knows.

“Don’t say a word about her to anyone else. They ask about the knife - you say that Jerome gave. Do you want to play?

- Into what?

- Yes or no.

I hesitated. Shrugging, he nodded uncertainly.

- Guess I'm Recognized or Rejected.

- Recognized.