Ch. 39: I'm Already Dead

(POV: Melania)

The person I assumed to be the boss was standing in front of me. He hasn't spoken since before.

What does he want?

What did I do wrong?

Is he also getting attracted to my body? I exhaled.

As I continued to wonder in my own head, he suddenly approached my ear, whispering, "Cavendish talked to you, right?

"No need to be evasive, I know you talked to him the other day. Eyes are everywhere here. So... where did he go?"

After he said that, he pulled his head back and looked at me sarcastically and sharply.

His gaze was like a predator about to pounce on its prey.

If it had been me back then I would have shivered in fear, but now... I didn't care anymore.

I let out a long breath... should I tell the truth that I don't know at all?

But... I'm sure he won't believe me, right? It seems like he'll doubt my words even if I tell the truth.

Besides, if you have so many eyes, why do you need to ask me that? You should know where he went instead of me. How stupid.

As I was thinking about how to answer him, he suddenly approached my ear again.

He was wearing a black mask, but I could tell he was smiling just from the look in his eyes.

"You want to be free, don't you? Then you should know what needs to be done."

I swallowed. Freedom... I grinned. "He told me that he's going to the next region, Liyue, I heard that there's a festival there, if I'm not mistaken the name of the festival is Lantern Rite Festival, it seems like he wants to do something "Wow!" there... other than that he didn't say anything else."

The person standing in front of me was speechless, his body still. He was holding his chin with both fingers. It seemed like he was thinking about what I said earlier.

Good... think whatever you want, be it negative or positive. Assuming he will betray you... what will you do?

Believing in my words has its pros and cons... muttering like that made me grin once again.

A moment later, this person suddenly nodded.

"The next two days... meet me, I'll decide what your fate will be in the future."

After that, he turned away and left my presence.

I shrugged, smiled, and shook my head.

Then, as the atmosphere grew quieter, I let out a long breath and looked up.

I didn't care anymore...

I am already dead... inside, as well as outside.

And you say that you will decide my fate?

I smirked... "Don't make me laugh."

At the moment of saying that, I heard the clapping of hands some distance away from where I was sitting.

It was like a girl's hand clapping. I could tell because I had the same palm.

And the clapping sounded very, very annoying.

I immediately turned my head towards the source of the sound.

However... I didn't see anyone there.

***

(POV: Charles)

This morning we did the same activities as usual. It was getting repetitive and made me let out a long sigh.

This time too I haven't managed to hurt Keqing, but I'm getting a better understanding of her fighting style and movements, I guess if I keep practising I don't think it'll be difficult to fight evenly with her.

Imagining how surprised her expression would be made me smile. I really want to make her be shocked by my progress!

Emmm... if that really happened, I'd like to give her a present.

Golden Shrimp Ball? I think it would be boring to give that gift all the time... also the price once again makes my wallet scream. No matter how many times I think about the price, it always leaves me speechless.

While I was engrossed in myself, Keqing suddenly, stood up, dusted off her clothes, as if to hurry away.

I tilted my head. "Going to work?"

Keqing nodded, turned to me, then smiled stiffly. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to hear your story today. I've been really full lately."

I shook my head. "That's okay, you can hear the story next time, just keep up your good work."

Keqing smiled for a moment, then, she let out a long breath.

"If you're really tired, I can help you out."

Keqing paused for a moment. "Thanks, Charles, but honestly it's not necessary."

Man, even today was rejected... I looked up at the cloudy sky. Birds were flying up there.

At this moment, a quest notification appeared in front of me.

[ MISSION REPUTATION LIFTED ]

I'm not too surprised anymore by sudden notifications.

I'm getting used to this.

Thinking about it, since I haven't used the description skill to see the quest for a long time, should I just use it right now?

As long as I don't use it until it runs out, I shouldn't be affected.

With that in mind, I read the description and nodded.

Alright, it's time to work again.

The description of the quest was to help the residents complete their work.

With the current situation, the Liyue residents needed a worker who volunteered to help. Then I will gladly accept!

Which favour do you deny, dude.

***

Man, this is really tiring... I think it's still better to train with Keqing than to work hard like this.

I actually wanted to compare it to the work as Treasure Hoarders. However, on second thought, this one is still fairly light.

Treasure Hoarders, I have to kill, rob, and do other ruthless work. While this?

Dude, I'm embarrassed that I'm still complaining!

The sun was very hot this afternoon. I already looked like someone who had just taken a bath. I was sweating profusely. These people, who were passing by carrying groceries, started looking at me and questioning whether I had taken a shower while wearing clothes.

Funny, isn't it?

Sometimes they burst out laughing. And me? responding to them with a joke.

It would be dangerous if I took them seriously... my reputation would suffer later.

Exhaling, I began to work on the job that had just been given to me. It's actually not that hard of a job, it's just that the sun is too cruel to me. I really want to curse it man!

F*ck you, sun!

But what can I do, I have to finish this for the quest.

A few hours later, I started to lose my strength completely.

My breathing started to become labored and I collapsed under the ceiling of the house.

At this moment, I tried to close my eyes, my ears picking up the voices of people, some gossips, as well as the citizens of Liyue who were talking about me, it was said that they viewed me as a kind-hearted man for helping out so willingly.

Hearing the word kind makes me smile happily.

Heh, they didn't know I was listening.

CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING THE QUEST

[ MISSION REPUTATION LIFTED ]

YOUR REWARD IS NOW STORED IN YOUR INVENTORY

Seeing this notification, I immediately opened my Inventory.

This time, I also got a purple crate. Rare Crate!

I immediately opened the crate. And my eyes were opened instantly.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE BEEN REWARDED WITH A +2 INCREASE IN ENDURANCE STATS

***

Please throw a power stone to keep me motivated!

hope you guys like it. support me with ko-fi so I can upload more :)

https://ko-fi.com/junxt