8 Questing Board
Because of the previous incident, Kazuma is a bit reluctant to go to the supermarket in case something like the previous encounter happened again to him. Although he didn't understand what Voltaire said most of the time, there is one thing consistent with what he called the incident earlier.
Qlipoth.
Kazuma recalled the holographic message before where it explained the work of the Kabbalah members and how he is also one of them. Qlipoth is the name of the abnormality that occurs now and then and is one of the main reasons the magicians are currently active. The Qlipoth are either creatures or phenomena that happen all over the world and are only being solved or destroyed by the "Magicians" which is what the people on the Kabbalah group call those who can use magic spells like him. Since Kazuma can use the spells, that also means he is now a magician as well.
However, remembering what happened earlier made Kazuma shudder. That was the first time he felt intense fear for the first time. Kazuma is not easily scared by horror movies and horror stories being told by other people, for him, all of it is either nonsense or just the work of mind. And although it wasn't about ghosts that he just experienced earlier, the situation is much more scarier as his life is on the line. For the first time in his life, he felt genuine fear.
"If I have known that the Qlipoth are like that, I wouldn't even have bothered becoming a magician. F*ck... looks like my curiosity has indeed backfired on me badly."
As he was trying to process his thoughts from before, he received a personal message from someone on Harmony. Kazuma opened his phone and check the new message. At first, he thought it would be the teacher who is the one handling him and his classmates. But instead of seeing the teacher, he received a message from a familiar man.
A message from Voltaire.
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Voltaire: Yo, Kazuma. I sent you a friend request. Although we just met earlier, it seems we could be good friends if we are gonna be brothers in arms from now on. Also, seeing you in a worse situation while facing a Qlipoth, I think I have forgotten about something that would be a good way for you to get used to the idea of Qlipoth. Since you have become a magician, one way or another, you will have to face one in the future.
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Kazuma felt a bit troubled, whether he accepts the request and talk to him, he has no idea what to do next. He wanted to ignore him for the time being but he also felt bad for doing that. After all, if not for him, he would have been a goner. Besides, since he is now a magician, sooner or later, he is indeed going to face the abomination that is the Qlipoth in the future. There is no point avoiding it so he wanted to at least have a good chance to fight them and survive in case he gets involved with them again. Due to this, he started typing his response to Voltaire.
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Kazuma: Hello, thank you for saving me earlier. I already accepted your request.
Voltaire: Great! Then, are you perhaps interested in getting stronger? Strong enough to deal with those pesky Qlipoth and live your life safe from them?
Kazuma: Is it possible to get stronger against them? It looks like they are otherworldly enemies we will be having trouble getting rid of.
Voltaire: Come on, we are magicians, not quack doctors and paranormal experts. We deal with the Qlipoth for the sake of making this world safe from Qlipoth's deterrence of humanity and to also keep the world from the corruption those monsters bring. It is also the best way to keep people unaware of the real situation of the world and thinks that it was just some mythical things and some urban legends passed around.
Kazuma: Shouldn't we reveal the real truth about this matter to the public so that they are aware instead of keeping it a secret?
Voltaire: Fear of the unknown is something that all humans have, right? And if that is spread to the normal populace, it will cause chaos in the world and chaos breeds fear, fear breeds panic, and panic breeds desperation this world would undergo rapid changes and everyone will no longer remain peaceful knowing things like the Qlipoth are destroying and killing people all the time. Would you like that?
Kazuma: So what is the point of this then? I don't think much of your explanation can even help me get stronger.
Voltaire: Listen, rookie. You are still a student, right? I doubt you are a working kid unless you are a working student.
Kazuma: I am a student but I do plan on looking for a job to earn some money to pay for my bills and expenses as well.
Voltaire: Then that means this next thing I will be telling you will be something that might be a bit interesting for you.
Kazuma: What is it?
Voltaire: Usually, this is only given to those magicians who have awakened and have fought against their first Qlipoth and succeeded. Magicians are given a first task by the head to ensure magicians are qualified to fight back against the Qlipoth. But you... have a different outcome.
Kazuma: Eh? Different?
Voltaire: I saw you earlier when you were engaged in a battle against the Qlipoth enemies earlier. I don't know about you but you defeated multiple Qlipoth enemies right there without any help. And that was a Gomaliel-level already, something you shouldn't have tackled, and yet you managed to survive and even killed a few remnants. That is impressive. Therefore, you are now qualified to use the Questing Board.
Kazuma: A questing board? Do you mean like some announcement boards or something with notices attached there?
Voltaire: Yep. It's more like requests but this is a place where we magicians undertake jobs in hunting these Qlipoths. You are looking for a job, right? Then the Questing Board will help a lot. Not only will you solve the problem of the Qlipoth enemies and phenomenons, protecting the populace from bitter truth and death, but you will also a fair share of reward, aka Money if the requests you take are successful.
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The moment Voltaire put the topic with money as a reward, Kazuma's attention shifted and instead of remaining passive, Kazuma sit down properly on the sofa to give focus on the topic.
He needed money for payment and expenses in the house and without anyone to support him on this if dealing with the Qlipoth will allow him to earn a decent amount of money, then perhaps he doesn't need to find a job and compromise his schedule a lot.
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Kazuma: Tell me more.
Voltaire: Hehe, good. No one can say no to money unless you are a rich guy. Anyways, taking and solving the quests that you take and receive from the Questing Board will allow you to receive rewards. Although rare, some quests give you skills as a reward, some are tools for magic, items like potions and the like, and sometimes, even some materials that are useful as well that can be either sold or used. And of course, money.
Kazuma: How much money are we talking about here?
Voltaire: Depends, really. Of course, the harder the requests are, the bigger the rewards, which means, the bigger amount of money given as well. The smallest I have seen is 10,000 yen and the biggest depends and averaging in a few million.
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Kazuma is now totally interested. 10,000 yen might not be big, but that is the smallest amount of payment which means that might be easiest from the looks of it. Still, he needed money, and seeing that undertaking quests like this and earning money after taking this job is enough for Kazuma to be interested.
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Kazuma: Can I actually see this questing board now?
Voltaire: Yes. I already reported it to the head and mentioned you there. I didn't know you were that new in Kabbalah. But seeing you already performing much better than some Malkuth trainees in other parts of Japan, makes me feel like you have a good potential to grow. And so I recommended that you unlock the Questing Board much earlier and gain access to it immediately.
Kazuma: You really went that far enough?
Voltaire: Why, are you angry that you get access to the Questing Board much earlier than expected?
Kazuma: Not at all. But I am still pretty weak and I don't think I am capable of dealing with a Qlipoth just yet.
Voltaire: Fair enough. It's your first rodeo earlier and that was an unexpected one to boot. And it's also quite amazing you became a magician without anyone guiding you to awaken. In fact, I am amazed you don't have a mentor at all to guide you.
Kazuma: Are all trainees possess a teacher or a mentor?
Voltaire: Not all. Some do need a few pointers here and there. I don't want you to go dying while fighting your first Qlipoth mission all of a sudden, therefore if you decided to pick up a job, then message me and I will accompany you on this quest. Don't worry, I won't interfere and ask for payment as well as half of the payment of your quest but I will teach you on dealing with Qlipoth and some tricks and tips.
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The conversation extended a few times before they ended the chat. As for Kazuma, he felt like he needed to examine the Questing Board first, after all, he needed money.
