8 08 - Girls' Day Out, Xiao Bai and Chain Quests
Walking through the street of the Frontier Town were Xiao Ning Er, Su Ling'er, and Su Yan as they were giggling about one amusing topic to another. Three beauties happily chatting as they were browsing through the stalls made a picturesque and a soothing sight for all the men nearby... and occasionally some women as well, but they wisely chose to ignore that. The fact that Su Yan released her 'Battle King' realm pressure from to time is the only reason why no one had dared to approach them yet.
Their first meeting was nothing short of awkward however, after resolving the 'misunderstanding' between the two, Su Ling'er and Su Yan, had with Fang Lin, they became fast friends. The 13 year old energetic girl introduced herself as Su Ling'er while the 16 year old elf girl is named Su Yan and is apparently the guard of Su Ling'er. Fang Lin and co likewise shared their names.
During their introductions, Su Ling'er for some reason sounded a bit anxious with some hope glimmering in her eyes. Although Fang Lin and Ning Er noticed this, they chose not to question it as they didn't know anything about the girl yet. Su Yan who grew up with Ling'er on the other hand knew the reason right away but could only sigh in her heart and looked at Ling'er with sympathy.
Growing up in a big fluencial family, Su Ling'er never had anyone she could truly called a friend. Everyone that did however, always had a motive or another designed at her family. As soon as people learned of her name, the other party would be cowed into submission almost immediately. Then come the fawning to try and curry her favor and by extension, her family's favor. Although she was close enough to Su Yan to call her 'big sis', she didn't really count as a friend as she is technically her guard.
So with anxiety, Su Ling'er uttered out her family name half hoping that Fang Lin's party would still treat her the same as before while half expecting them to start trying to curry favors. Fang Lin and Ning Er who were still ignorant on the workings of this world of course barely had any reactions to the word 'Su' and 'Ling'er', who is widely known as the princess of the Su clan. Su Ling'er who noticed their non reaction, was stunned and after awhile, smiled the brightest smile Su Yan had ever seen in years.
Fang Lin on other hand refused to call them by their names for the whole week when they decided to travel together towards the Frontier settlement. This is not out of spite due to the anxiety they caused him earlier or anything. Fang Lin just found their reaction too cute to let it pass whenever he called them 'Hentai Shoujo' #1 and #2. To Su Ling'er's pouting or Su Yan's blushing faces, he couldn't help but have this strange feeling surging in his heart, urging him to tease them more. He also never seem to forget reminding Su Ling'er of her getting a nose bleed after checking out his naked body. Perhaps he was a closet sadist and didn't know it? He'll meditate on this self realization on a later date.
Back to the girls and their window shopping, their range of topics changed to boys and love matters after awhile. Fang Lin who is a 'boy', would definitely by a part of this topic.
"Ning Er, tell us about you and Fang Lin! How did you guys meet?" Su Ling'er asked excitedly and looked at Ning Er with stars in her eyes. Su Yan was also quite curious about Fang Lin's identity especially due to his wine red eyes, the telltale sign of a member of the illustrious 'Fang Clan'. His family name being 'Fang' only served to reinforce this image though she never brought this up to the others.
Under the pressure of two pairs of curious eyes boring into her, Ning Er could only tell them the abridged version with some truths into it. She told them of her forced engagement due to family pressure, how that led to their first meeting 6 months ago, her first impression of Fang Lin, and basically what they've done up until now including their encounter with those bandit group. She of course would never mention the existence of the 'system' nor the fact that Xiao Bai had 'Sacred Beast' blood in her. Who knew how the people of this world would react to informations like that. As for Ning Er telling them about situation with the Winged Dragon and Sacred family, it wouldn't really matter as they're not even in this world and wouldn't really affect her much.
While listening to Ning Er, tears began to form in the eyes of Su Ling'er.
"Waaah! It's okay Ning Er! Just tell me where that Sacred whatever family is and I'll help you deal with them!" said Su Ling'er as she engulfed Ning Er in a hug. Su Yan also nodded her head in consent. As a woman herself, she sympathized with Ning Er's situation, even more so now that they've become friends. Since she's never even heard of those two family names, they're probably just clans with little to no influence. Heck, she probably wouldn't even need to even do anything personally considering the power the Su clan possessed. A little word here and there could easily solve this problem.
Ning Er couldn't help but a get warm feeling in her heart at their willingness to help deal with her situation. She couldn't allow that however as the 'Winged Dragon Family' and 'Sacred Family' don't even exist in this world. And so, she politely refused and told them to allow Ning Er and Fang Lin to deal with this. Hearing this, Su Ling'er could only put the matter to rest while Su Yan nodded in agreement. If Fang Lin really is from the 'Fang Clan' as she believed, then he could easily deal with this matter.
"Speaking of Fang Lin, why did he looked so uncomfortable earlier? You know, when the stall owner complained about the shortage of 'boar meat' these days?" Hearing the inquiry of Su Ling'er, Ning Er could only softly giggle before telling them. "Aah... that... do you remember that scar he has on his stomach area? It seems he's gotten that from his first fight with an 'Ironhide Boar', although he would always refused to give any details of what happened, And after that day, every time he sees any magical beast that remotely resembled a boar, he would immediately drop everything to kill it with extreme prejudice."
At that, Su Yan and Su Ling'er was stunned and wore confused expressions but later just chalked that up as one of his quirks. After wards they just laughed so hard until they started tearing up. Seeing their initial looks, Ning Er once again giggled as she remember the title Fang Lin got from the system and its effect.
[Title: "Pig Slayer"]
[Pig Slayer: The natural of enemy of all boars. Granted to those that's killed over 1,000 boar type beasts in a short period of time. (Effect): Cause all boar type enemies within immediate area to become extra aggressive and will cause them to focus their effort solely on the bearer of the title. Grants 50%+ damage dealt to all boar type enemies.]
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Back with Fang Lin who was enjoying his food in one of the 'outdoor' restaurant of decent repute suddenly had a sneeze. Rubbing his nose, Fang Lin narcissistically thought in his head (there must be some beauty out there somewhere thinking about me...---sigh--- sure is hard being too handsome). Unknowingly, a crowd of women started to gather around Fang Lin however, he didn't notice any of that as he was too focus on enjoying food he didn't have to personally make for once.
The manager of restaurant bore the widest grin possible as he came up with many ways to make Fang Lin stay as long as possible. He even went as far as bringing in food he didn't order free of charge. It seems Fang Lin's presence alone made their business experience the biggest sales in months combined. Xiao Bai whom was hanging out with Fang Lin today is even more happy because of the free food.
"Xiao Bai, how come you're not hanging out the rest of the girls today?" Fang Lin suddenly asked.
"I was at first... but I couldn't follow whatever they were talking about..." Xiao Bai's voice resounded through their bond. Hearing her answer, Fang Lin let out a soft chuckle as he pat her little head. No surprise there... even if she's also a 'girl', age wise, she's just a little child after all. There is no way she can keep up with the topics of teenage girls... whatever it is they talk about, Fang Lin definitely don't want to be apart of it either, hence his temporary separation.
The surrounding crowd of women swooned at Fang Lin's gentle expression as he was petting Xiao Bai. There is a reason why no one thought Fang Lin was kicked in the head for talking and laughing by himself with a magical beast. It seems to be common knowledge that people could communicate with their contracted beast through their bonds. This was the reason why Fang Lin, who learned of this some time ago dared to chat with Xiao Bai without a care.
Suddenly Fang Lin thought of Xiao Bai's origin and realized he didn't know much about her past.
"Hey Xiao Bai, how come you were there at that lake? What about your parents? Judging by your 'Title', they must have been really powerful magical beasts." Fang Lin was immediately regretting his choice of asking her this as he felt a wave of depression washed over their bond.
"I... I don't know. I never knew my parents faces, their names... even my own. It was you who gave me the name 'Xiao Bai'." she said depressedly. Fang Lin who heard that now bore a somber expression. Before he could say anything to help her feel better, she continue on "I just remember one day... I woke up in the area surrounding that lake. It was a day before I found you sleeping in my usual spot actually. I just hope to one day... become strong enough and find my parents. I want to know why... why they left me there..."
Fang Lin who was sitting at the side is now wearing a serious face. With a firm decision, he voiced his decisions through their bond. "Xiao Bai, let's get stronger together. Stronger than anyone in this world. And when we do, we'll go find your parents together. You are not alone. We, Ning Er and I, are you family now. If you need help then just tell us. We'll be there for you." Feeling the strong determination in his voice, Xiao Bai got misty eyed gave a strong reply of her own. "YES, BOSS!"
Their nice bonding moment was fated to be ruined by the 'heartless' system however as suddenly a sound rang in their minds.
*DING!*
[Grand Quest Activated]
[Quest Part 1: "Find Xiao Bai's parents"]
[Rewards: 1x Mysterious Fragment, 300,000 AP, 300,000 EP, 300,000 IP, 300,000 UP]
[Failure: Death]
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stats update;
***************************Status***************************
Name: Fang Lin
Title: "Pig Slayer"
Lv: 43 (0%)
Tier: "Mortal"
---
Physical Level: 4 Stars Mortal
Soul Level: 4 Stars Mortal
---
Traits: "Serene Mind", "Pain Tolerance"
Skills: "D-Sword Mastery", "D-Cooking Mastery"
Bloodlines: "None", "None"
Equipments: "Black Dao (Mainstream)"
Items: "Basic Camping Set", "C-Spatial Ring (small)"
Summons: "Xiao Ning Er", "Xiao Bai"
AP: 2,800
EP: 200
IP: 35,000
UP: 15,000
***************************Status***************************
Name: Xiao Ning Er
Title: "Shinigami in Training"
Lv: 43 (0%)
Tier: "Mortal"
---
Physical Level: 4 Stars Mortal
Soul Level: 5 Stars Mortal
---
Traits: "Loyal", "Pain Tolerance", "Determined"
Skills: "D-Sword Mastery", "Inner World"
Bloodlines: "C-Shinigami", "None"
Equipments: "Asauchi (Mainstream)"
Items: "C-Spatial Ring (small)"
***************************Status***************************
Name: Xiao Bai
Title: "Sacred Beast Descendant"
Lv: 43 (0%)
Tier: "Mortal"
---
Physical Level: 6 Stars Mortal
Soul Level: 6 Stars Mortal
---
Traits: "Lightning Rod"
Skills: "Bone Hardening", "Lightning Manipulation"
Bloodlines: "Thundercloud Warcat", "Celestial White Tiger(Sealed-70%)"
Equipments: "None"
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