Completing the missions

While Edward stuck more contracts on the board, Damien went through the papers, selecting many simple quests like fixing fences and removing weeds and rocks.

There was an overwhelming amount of these, and Damien could say with confidence that it wouldn't be impossible for his level to reach at least 15 today. 

He thought about distributing his free attribute point but decided against that as it would most definitely affect his performance if he didn't control his strength well.

While he thought about his plans, Edward left for somewhere else, leaving him all alone and once Damien was done choosing his mission Damien immediately made his way out of the Guild.

******

Hours passed, Damien continued to do his quests, Damien used his superhuman body to complete as many of them as fast as he could and as he went, he slowly used up his free attribute point so he could get used to it.

He fixed fences, rebuilt fallen walls, repaired elevation and even did some odd jobs like washing dishes for free and slowly but surely his reputation increased.

[Ding: Gleyma Reputation Point: 24]

Before long the increase in reputation was starting to have an effect as some of the older inhabitants that stayed in the village came to offer him some extra rewards for his efforts increasing his coins from 8 silvers to almost 50 silvers.

Younger inhabitants passing by helped him move some of the materials he needed, and kids that passed by him as they played around, tried pulling him along.

Although he didn't want to waste time, he followed them and after a few minutes of playing, he completed a Hidden quest, getting another Reputation point.

Being kind paid off!

As such, Damien quickly accumulated Reputation points, and in no time at all, it surpassed 30.

Damien took a stopped working to check his reputation point and it had increased again.

[Ding: Gleyma Reputation Point: 36]

The effects weren't immediate though and he understood well that it wasn't realistic that an increase in the number would immediately make everyone love him unconditionally.

Like in real life, rumours and information take time to travel, and soon enough everyone would treat him well.

Even if not, he at least expected to not be treated in the same way the guards did to him when they first met.

And with a smile, Damien went back to work, hammering away and clearing the path, making a small corner of the town a bit more bearable.

*******

*A few hours later*

*Bang! Bang!*

*Bang! Bang!*

"Phew… About time, finally." Damien mumbled to himself as he sat on a nearby rock.

He looked around him, he had finished yet another one of the houses.

In order to maximize his time, Damien chose the Quests that awarded the most possible amount of Reputation while taking into account the approximate time needed for completion.

'I think I finished this batch of quests… Now for the next few…'

"Hey! Young sir!"

Damien's thoughts were interrupted as he turned his head to see a young woman that looked to be in her late 20s with a basket on her head.

"Hello miss, nice to meet you." He said politely as he got up from the ground.

He wanted to give her a handshake, but he pulled them back after realising how dirty it was.

She smiled at this sight, grabbing his hand as she said:

"It's been a while since I've seen such a hardworking and polite youngster such as yourself… I don't mind about your reasons for coming all the way here at the end of the world, but I want to thank you for working this hard on such menial tasks."

"We've had visitors before, but most of them weren't nearly as honest as you." She said with a kind smile.

She took a single fruit from her casket and gave it to him, it looked like an apple.

"Thanks, but there is no need for this, I'm being paid anyway." Damien tried to refuse politely.

She shook her head.

"Honest work is honest work… Besides, I don't think I've presented myself… I am Ella, owner of the only operating Inn in our village… If that is something to be proud of."

Damien smiled and said:

"Honest work is honest work, right?"

She smiled and looked at him, chuckling slightly.

The two chuckled a little before she told him her true reason for coming here, offering him a room in her inn.

Obviously, Damien agreed as he took a bite from his gift as she went on her way.

"UGH?!"

He was almost knocked unconscious due to how sweet it was...

The lady laughed and chuckled as she walked away in the street...

And as he looked at her departing back, Damien said to himself:

"Is this an effect of my rising reputation?... It seems a bit too quick for that though..."

Damien could obviously pick the hint that she was flirting. 

'Regardless, it just means that I'm on the right track!'

Damien turned around and ran back to the Adventurer Guild.

*******

"Again kid? Are you sure you are doing these tasks well?!" Edward asked with a frown as he saw Damien return with a small stack of contracts.

"If I find out you've been doing these half-heartedly…"

"Guild Head, don't worry, there is no way I can run away even if I wanted to so if there is a problem I can redo it."

"... Sigh, fine."

Edward turned around as he started to process the papers, taking out a pen as he started to write above the counter.

"A question... Why is this even necessary? I mean, it's not like there is anyone for you to report to..."

"Good question, one that is simple to answer."

"This isn't for me, it's for the Inspection team, even if we are falling apart, we're still part of the proud Adventurer Guild... Or at least, we once were."

"They only come once every decade or so due to how remote this place is, in fact, one such team is scheduled to arrive this year."

"Had it been 4 or more years until then... I would've just thrown these on a shelf and forgotten about it, but since we've resumed operations for the most part, I decided to clear myself of the trouble by doing it all now."

"I see."

[Ding: You have completed 'fix the fences']

[Ding: You have completed 'kill the rat in the warehouses']

[Ding: You have completed 'Repair the walls of the houses']

[Ding: You have completed…]

[Ding: You have received 930 EXP, Gleyma Reputation +3 and 21 silvers]

[Ding: You have Levelled Up]

[Ding: You have Levelled Up]

[Ding: You have reached level 15]

[Ding: You have received 6 free attribute point]

"Guild head, can I ask a question?" Damien asked.

"Sure go ahead."

"Guild Head, what led to the city's destruction?"