Chapter 8: Evening Talks
Guilds
"Ring!..."
The ringing of entrance bell rang which meant that currently, someone had entered the guild. Allen who heard the sound immediately raised his head and found that Rayleigh and Shakuyaku had returned where both of them were currently seen carrying a bag on their back. The bag is not large, but only small enough to accommodate several needs.
"Ready to do the mission again?"
"Well, hopefully, there are interesting quests to be found within the kingdom's territory."
"As long as you are not a voter. Many interesting missions can be carried out with a wide variety of prizes received. Even in some cases, some missions are quite easy to do in the kingdom where the pay for these missions is comparable to the fees for the missions you did before."
"Oh? What mission is that?" Shakuyaku immediately showed interest in this.
"You guys can just go take a look. There are many types of missions like that and I think it's a bit tiring to explain them one by one."
"You're just too lazy to explain. How can you be a place keeper when you are lazy?"
Allen shrugged his shoulders casually without minding Rayleigh's words.
"...Then, let's go in first."
"Um,"
Rayleigh and Shakuyaku immediately rushed back into the dungeon and it took them several tens of minutes to return with the mission papers they were going to do.
"I want to take this mission"
Shakuyaku was the first to report the mission he wanted to carry out. Allen immediately took the mission paper that Shakuyaku wanted to do and looked at it.
[It takes a woman who has good skills to be a maid. The mission reward depends on the amount of work time done by the woman where the calculation of the mission reward for one hour of work gets a reward of 20 bronze coins plus 50 Exp points. This mission was issued by the Axis Restaurant]
"Oh? You found one of those missions." Allen smiled looking at Shakuyaku, "This is a bounty accumulation mission. The longer you carry out this mission, the greater the payment you can receive."
"Well, although the reward is still less than the one received by me before. The difficulty between the two missions is very different, I think I feel this mission is suitable for me to do right now until my stamina recovers"
"Um,"
Allen nodded and immediately confirmed the mission carried out by Shakuyaku. The sound of information immediately sounded in Shakuyaku's head and knowing that the mission could be carried out, without waiting for a long time, Shakuyaku immediately rushed into the dungeon to carry out the mission she was carrying out.
"Now it's my turn. This is the mission that I want to do"
Rayleigh smiled and then handed his mission paper to Allen. Allen immediately received the mission paper and was a little surprised by the mission Rayleigh wanted to do.
[It takes someone or a group to help clean up the trash that is in every sewer in the kingdom's territory. The reward for this mission depends on the amount of trash that has been removed from the culverts. The more trash you pick up, the bigger the mission rewards will be. The value of 5 kilograms of trash is 2 bronze coins plus 10 Exp points. This mission was issued by the Imperium Empire's Cleaning Department]
"Oh? This is also the same" Allen said then his gaze glanced at Rayleigh with a smile.
"What's with that smile?"
"Hehehe ~ I didn't expect someone like you to carry out a mission like this. You know, as long as any outsiders from the dungeon know about this, they will give you a strange nickname."
"That is as long as they see it" Rayleigh rolled his eyes, "There's no way anyone but, Shakky and you know. Moreover, this mission undertaken by me had pretty good rewards. It's not wrong for me to do it"
"Hmm, why don't you take on a mission to do baby care? If I'm not mistaken, you've taken care of babies in the past right?"
"Don't!" Rayleigh shook his head and immediately refused, "Rather than taking care of a baby, I'd rather be chased or fight several enemies. Honestly, taking care of a baby is more troublesome than having to fight a large number of enemies."
"…I think I know the reason behind you and Shakuyaku until now not having a child"
Rayleigh rolled his eyes and was too lazy to reply to Allen's words. Allen also immediately confirmed the mission that Rayleigh wanted to carry out.
"Then I'll go first"
Rayleigh immediately moved toward the dungeon to carry out the confirmed mission.
Some time passed.
The time finally entered the afternoon when Rayleigh and Shakuyaku had returned after carrying out their missions. The two of them weren't carrying out team missions and were only focusing on their missions during this period. Rayleigh through his mission managed to collect 500 kilograms of trash where he got a prize of two silver coins plus 1,000 Exp points. While Shakuyaku went through her mission of working for six full hours at the restaurant and managed to collect a prize of one silver coin and 20 bronze coins and 300 Exp points.
Status Panel
Name: Silver Rayleigh
Title: -
Fellowship: -
Level: 1 [1,585/3,000]
Status
Strength: 5 [+15]
Speed: 5
Defense: 5
Stamina: 5
Free Points : 0
Ability :
Conqueror's Haki [SS]
Armament Haki [S]
Observation Haki [S]
Sword Skill [B]
Equipment :
Sword [Normal] [Level 1] [+15]
Skills :
Friend :
Animal :
Status Panel
Name: Shakuyaku
Title: -
Fellowship: -
Level: 1 [885/3,000]
Status
Strength: 5 [+15]
Speed: 5
Defense: 5
Stamina: 5
Free Points : 0
Ability :
Armament Haki [S]
Observation Haki [A]
Arrow Ability [C]
Equipment :
Bow [Normal] [Level 1] [+15]
Skills :
Friend :
Animal :
After carrying out the mission, the two of them did not want to continue carrying out the mission and chose to go back to rest and continue tomorrow. Even though both of them had the desire to go relax in the dungeon. As soon as they remembered the number of prices offered there for adventurers, that desire immediately disappeared and preferred to relax at the bar owned by Shakuyaku.
"Hmm? He just finished his mission now?"
Allen, who was sitting casually in the guild, suddenly got confirmation of the mission previously carried out by Marko. Allen had previously been worried about Marko where there was a possibility that Marko could die in the dungeon due to being attacked by a monster whose strength was far above his. Allen even planned to go in to inspect this matter when it was already nighttime.
Allen's doubts immediately disappeared when he received confirmation of the mission.
"Did something happen to him in the dungeon?"
It didn't take long for Marko to finally return to the guild where it was clear that the clothes he was wearing were not the same as before. There were lots of holes and also dust currently on the clothes.
"...What exactly happened to you?"
Allen who saw Marko's arrival immediately asked strangely.
Marko's expression immediately turned embarrassed at the question. He had previously thought the missions undertaken by him previously were easy and he might be able to complete them quickly. However, there was a situation where he was truly on the verge of death.
Marko scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "I wasn't careful during the previous mission."
"Lack of vigilance?" Allen asked while raising his forehead.
Marko sighed and then began to tell the whole chronology.
The situation that Marko is currently experiencing is due to him being attacked by Goblins where all of the Goblin troops have the power above him. The lowest goblin had strength that was at level two while the highest was at level five. The Goblin troop attacked Marko while he was recovering his stamina after he had just been involved in a battle with the Red-horned Ox.
With the huge difference in strength plus his stamina which had just returned a little, Marko could only run desperately from the pursuit of the Goblin troops. He received attacks from Goblin troops starting from arrow and spear attacks. Some of the attacks managed to hit his body while others shot off.
Finally when he was surrounded by the Goblin troops. His stamina has finally started to recover and with that amount of stamina, he can properly use his devil fruit ability. Luckily, none of the Goblin troops who previously surrounded him had flying skills, which caused Marko to escape the attacks by the Goblins and immediately flee to a safe area while also choosing the stamina and damage he received using his devil fruit ability.
The result of the escape apart from causing Marko to be required to restore his stamina. He is also required to collect items again to be able to complete the mission he has.
"Slap!"
Marko, who recalled this incident, had a very angry expression on his face followed by him slapping the table in front of him hard, "Damn those monsters! Just wait! As long as my strength is enough! I will hunt them all down!"
"…If you want to do it, then, get stronger quickly," Allen said casually, "As long as you can't do that, perhaps, they will be chased down by other parties like Rayleigh or Shakuyaku"
"Well," Marko slowly calmed down his emotions and asked, "Rayleigh and Shakuyaku, have they returned from the dungeon yet?"
"They're back" Allen nodded "A while ago, the two of them had completed the mission they took on earlier and have now returned home to rest."
"They're not going to continue the mission back?" Marko asked strangely.
"You think…Your current levels can allow you to go on hunting missions at night?"
"..."
Marko was instantly silent listening to Allen's question. Hunting at night will be very different from hunting during the day. The strength of the monsters will increase several times compared to before and that also applies to the amount they have.
"I have confirmed the mission you did. This is your gift"
Allen immediately took out some silver coins from under the table then pushed them towards Marko then continued back "Another reward has also been entered and you can check it directly on your status panel"
Marko nodded and immediately opened his status panel.
Status Panel
Name: Marco
Title: -
Fellowship: -
Level: 1 [950/3,000]
Status
Strength: 5
Speed: 5
Defense: 5
Stamina: 5
Free Points : 0
Ability :
Tori-Tori No Mi Model: Phoenix [S]
Armament Haki [A]
Observation Haki [A]
Equipment :
Skills :
Friend :
Animal :
Marko immediately closed the status panel again after confirming the mission reward he had received.
"In that case, I also want to go. There are a few things I'd like to discuss with Rayleigh."
"Go, I also want to rest this time"
Marko immediately turned around and walked out of the guild while Allen, who knew that there was no way a guest could be present at this time, immediately went up to the second floor to rest.
********
Area 13, Shakky's Ripp of Bar.
"Ring!..."
The ringing of the doorbell hanger sounded which meant that a guest had entered the bar. Right now inside the bar, no one other than Rayleigh and Shakuyaku were relaxing on the sofas.
"We have a rare guest." Rayleigh already knew Marko's arrival and immediately looked at him with a smile and immediately a change in expression occurred when he saw Marko's current clothes. "What happened to you?"
"Hehehe~ Some things happened to me while carrying out the mission in the dungeon, Yoi~" Marko replied embarrassedly at his current situation.
Shakuyaku immediately rose from his seat and said, "Drink?"
"Free, whatever can be prepared for me"
"Uhm," Shakuyaku nodded and went straight to his workplace preparing the drink that Marko wanted.
Marko casually immediately walked to sit on the sofa currently occupied by Rayleigh, "Rayleigh, have you told Akagami about this place?"
"Well," Rayleigh nodded without hiding it, "He is one of our members and of course, I can't tell him about this place" Rayleigh smiled slightly and continued, "Besides, I need his help"
"His help?"
"Resurrection item," Rayleigh said with a slightly more serious expression than before, "With my strength, it is difficult to obtain the item alone even if my strength within the dungeon is on par with my strength in the outside world at my prime, it would be difficult for me alone. search for the item yourself."
"Are you planning on resurrecting Roger?"
"Yeah." Rayleigh's face which was serious before suddenly turned into a smirk, "An interesting place has appeared and it would be a shame if Roger didn't see that place. I want to revive him and go on an adventure with him"
"Roger, well…" Marco muttered under his breath, "He's been gone for 21 years. How will his appearance at the time of resurrection be? Is it possible that his appearance is still the same as before?"
"Who knows? Maybe it will look the same or maybe not. We can only verify that once he is resurrected." Rayleigh said casually.
"Here's your drink"
"Thank You"
Shakuyaku arrives and immediately hands Marko a drink. Marko then immediately glanced at Shakuyaku and said "I didn't expect that you weren't an ordinary woman"
"Information about me should already be known to you, right? I'm guessing, Allen should be the one to share my information, right?"
Shakuyaku casually sat on the same couch as them. With her status, it was fine for her to sit together with people who had big names in this world since she also had big names before.
"Well, Allen told me about your information, Yoi~" Marko said and thought back, "Actually I know about you. However, when you were active before, I had also joined Oyaji and several times received news about the movements of the Kuja pirates who were still under your leadership. But, it's been a long time news and I've forgotten about it. I didn't expect that you are currently living together with Rayleigh"
"Hehehe ~ He has a strong charm to pull me to be with him"
A proud smile was shown by Rayleigh hearing this and then he said, "Information about this place should have been conveyed by you to Newgate, right?"
"I told you earlier" Marko nodded then drank the drink that was in front of him, "The fastest estimated time for Oyaji and the others will come three days from now and the longest will probably be five days. Depending on how fast or slow they can coat the ship"
"The ships you use are very large and it takes a long time for the coating process," Rayleigh added.
"That's right" Marko nodded and said back, "What about Akagami? How long does it take him to get here?"
"Just as Newgate's time is coming," Rayleigh said, "There is a possibility that both of them will arrive at this place at the same time."
"Same time?" Marko immediately showed a shocked expression then smiled, "The arrival of these two will cause huge waves. Two Sea Emperors came to Saboundy Island, all forces will start to move to investigate it. "
"The fastest move is the Marines" Shakuyaku said casually, "As long as they know of the disappearance of Whitebeard and Akagami in the New World region, they may immediately make a move."
"Well," Marko nodded then his gaze glanced at Shakuyaku, "What about the Kuja pirate group? Did you tell them about this place's information?"
"They have known about it and are now on their way to this place. It is estimated that they will be here soon tomorrow." Shakuyaku exhaled the smoke from the cigarette she had just inhaled, "Even though I'm not there, this place is still my hometown, where I was born and raised. I am the former Empress there. Of course, I don't want that place to disappear. Something bad will happen. The only way was to give them this information so they could move quickly. As long as they can move swiftly now, they can become one of the strongest groups within dungeons."
"Well," Marko didn't refute the words of the Shakuyaku, "Whoever knows the information of that place in the first place, has the greatest possibility of becoming the ruler of that place."
"…Whitebeard's pirate group, Pirate group, Akagami, Kuja pirate group, and us…There is quite a lot of information now—"
"There is one more person who has information about this place and is currently moving here with Shanks."
"One more person?!" Marko was surprised to hear this, especially knowing that this person was moving together with Shanks toward this place.
Rayleigh smiled and said, "The current World's Strongest Swordsman - Eagle Eye - Dracule Mihawk."
"What?!" Marko immediately exclaimed in surprise, "How does someone like this know about this place? Wait-"
"I said it," Rayleigh said casually, "It just so happened that when I shared this information with Shanks, he was right there. He also listened to the information and is currently moving here to come to that place."
"...He's coming too?" Marko then sighed, "Plus him…This place would be impossible for us to cover. Even if all the power between us moves to hide the place, it shouldn't be possible."
"Do you have the confidence to do it?" Rayleigh asked strangely, "You think Allen would let you do that kind of thing?"
"..."
Marko immediately became silent listening to this.
"That fellow even though he doesn't seem to be interested in anything even if he doesn't do what others normally do when opening a business, he won't allow any person or group to interfere with his affairs," Shakuyaku said calmly, "As long as someone dares to do it, he will move. As long as he moved… There shouldn't be anyone in this world who could resist his movements. Someone who can control 50 worlds freely. What do you think? Is it possible for us to be able to do something to him?"
"..."
"Right now what we need to pay attention to is getting stronger quickly," Rayleigh said in a relaxed tone again, "Take advantage of the opportunities these few days have to increase our strength. At the very least, before the entire force finds out about the information regarding that place, we have to create a large gap with them."
"Uhm," Marko nodded in agreement to Rayleigh's words.
"By the way, I am quite curious. What happened to you?" Shakuyaku asked with great interest as his gaze glanced at Marko's clothes which were already falling apart, "Did the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates have trouble in the dungeon?"
Marko's face immediately flushed with embarrassment hearing this.
"Hey, I'm also interested in this" Rayleigh immediately smiled like a profiteer, "How about we tell us about your first experience in the dungeon? We can also share our experiences there with you. An equal exchange, no?"
The conversation between them continued and Marko began to tell about his experience in the dungeon. The same thing was done by Rayleigh and Shakuyaku where they shared their experiences there. The three of them shared their experiences there while also talking about various things until late at night.