Freshwater Murlocs

The murlocs is a race that lives in the sea.

They have innate water domination skill, so it will be a disadvantage for humans who specialize in water element runic force to fight these oceanic creatures.

Yesterday, there was some disturbing news that the pope said to Zeon.

There are some weird footsteps similar to murlocs which are found near the east watergate that separates the river from the sea.

The only explanation for the high level members of the church is that the criminal organization Darkwave is trying to create a deceit to target some resource points in our empire.

"Zeon, come here, this is a good spot to fish."

Zeon observing the beautiful scenery of the riverside.

"Li, the scenery around here is really good."

There is a fishing sign that shows this is a legal fishing spot in the empire.

Some people also can be seen enjoying their fishing time.

The empire provides many stone chairs for those who want to fish along the river.

The place is so well decorated with flowers and trees.

Some pavilions can also be spotted at some point that can be used for rest or family picnics.

"Beautiful right? That's why as I said before that the pope is a real hero."

"Not only because he's strong, but he can also protect our holy empire so people can be at ease and express their talent to make the environment in the empire better."

"Everyone has been doing their best even though they are not strong."

"Zeon, not everyone can be so lucky to master a runic crest."

"Maybe many people can somehow use their runic force in this lifetime to help do some jobs that need that kind of requirement, but a lot of people are actually just ordinary civilians who didn't have any of those supernatural powers."

Zeon listening to Li's talking about the empire.

"Then we are really lucky right Li, we can already use runic force and not long after we will be able to create our runic crest?"

"Actually I'm not as lucky as you thought Zeon, I'm just an orphan found by the church branch."

"I'm actually from the principality, my parents died at the war with some criminal organization years ago."

"Maybe my talent comes from them."

"The church said that they are wonderful and kind people who died on duty while protecting the safety of many people."

"You should know the bombing incident on the principality by Dusk criminal organization years ago."

"It's still popular on the news archive."

"The Dusk is a criminal organization full of fanatics who only view human life as a sacrifice needed to create a good story for the gods, well.. it's all coming back to power."

While teaching me how to fish, Li talked a lot about his life experience.

As the sun set, we decided to continue our journey to another place in the empire.

"We are really lucky Li, we got a lot of fish today."

"Where do you want to go next, Zeon?"

"I don't know, let's just sightsee the empire scenery while walking back."

A boy with unkempt hair and dirty clothes walks past them and takes a rest at one of the pavilions on the riverside.

Taking a wasted looking bread from his jacket, he eats it while looking at the moon that started to form.

Zeon and Li noticed that boy.

"Sometimes, we can see someone who lost their way after losing all that they had."

"Usually they will be taken by the church, as we should know that the church is also working as an orphanage."

"In some special cases, they choose to live by themselves. It's their choice to choose, luckily our empire is quite safe even for someone who lives on the street."

"The church's patrol team always explores all corners of the empire."

===

The next day, Zeon and Li meet at the front cathedral and go on their way to tour the empire.

"Yesterday, we were fishing on the east side of the empire, let's move a little bit to the middle and tomorrow the west side ?"

"Alright, Zeon, why not visit some other places today?"

"Are there any interesting places you know, Li?"

"Don't worry leave it to me Zeon, this empire is like my own backyard, I know many of the best places here."

Then Zeon and Li toured some restaurants and food stalls eating many kinds of foods.

Zeon feels a little weird but doesn't mind it.

'Everyone has one or two hobbies that they like.'

'Who am I to judge?'

Days passed by just like that.

===

Finally the pope's coming back from the Federation.

He said that he will accompany me today.

"Today is the last day of my fishing journey, but I can't seem to catch the big fish."

"Well, it will be more fun with more people."

Zeon has been living in the white palace for a long time without the presence of his parents.

Walking to the front gate of the cathedral, he saw that the rebuilding of the new cathedral went well.

'Tomorrow, the new cathedral should have been completed and I can continue grinding some points from the system.'

[Generating Choice]

[1.Greeting the pope and Li. Reward : +0.2 STR]

[2.Going back to sleep. Reward : +0.1 STR]

[Countdown Time Begin]

[60.. 59.. 58..]

Choosing option 1, Zeon finally sees Li and his grandpa while smiling and waving his hands.

"Good morning grandpa and Li."

"A nice day for fishing ain't it!"

Opening his eyes slowly he felt a little unbelievable.

He sees his grandpa wearing similar clothes to Li usually with some different colors, but on the other hand..

Li is wearing his former church black coat with white shirt and long pants like he wants to attend a prayer and hear the holy one teaching from the pope.

[Ding! Successfully greeting grandpa and Li. Reward : +0.2 STR]

"Good morning Zeon, grandpa ready to fish today, we'll catch a lot of fish with my uncontested winner of many fishing competitions. Hahahaha.."

"Good morning Zeon, with the pope here, I trust that the holy one will bless our day to get a bigger catch today!"

"How's your time with deacon Li, Zeon?"

"Hahaha.. Li is very friendly, we've been touring a lot of places and trying some delicacies of our empire, why don't you appoint Li as my personal guard, grandpa?"

Looking at his grandson, the pope also thought of this idea.

'Zeon also needs a friend his age to play with.'

"Well grandpa agrees, but it's Li's choice to choose."

"Li, do you want to help me protect my grandson?"

"I'll give you a whole day to decide."

Li's in deep thought after hearing the pope's question.

Walking on the front, the pope led his grandson and Li on their way to the fishing spot.

"It's okay, Li. I only said that because I feel you are a good friend to talk with."

"If you don't want to, we can still meet again some other time."

Li keeps silent while walking, seems deep in thought about things..

===

Reaching the fishing spot of the east riverside, the party started their fishing.

'Well, he's still resting in there huh'

Zeon thought when seeing the child that he's been seeing on their first day fishing with Li.

While the pope and Li are fishing, Zeon tries to approach the boy in the pavilion.

The boy seems a little malnourished, but has a handsome face with a sharp eyebrow, clear eyes, and pointed nose.

Coming near the boy, Zeon is trying to make some small talk.

"Hello, good morning, my name is Zeon, the old man over there is the pope, and the young boy around our age beside him is deacon Li."

"I've seen you before with deacon Li on our first day fishing here."

"Did you get lost ?"

"I could help to find your parents, you know."

"Maybe you are not from the empire ?"

"Don't worry I'm not lying to you, our empire is led by the pope, the old man over there has many connections in many places, he should be able to help us find your parents."

Waiting for the answer of the boy, Zeon takes some food from his dimensional pocket.

"Here's some food, you haven't had breakfast right?"

"Here wear these clothes, it will be warmer."

The boy still hasn't answered his question, so Zeon started to leave the pavilion and continue fishing with the pope and Li.

While on his way, Zeon hears the boy speaking.

"The river is dangerous, you should leave."

"What do you mean? Did you see something dangerous on the river?"

"Maybe a big fish?" Zeon said while smiling

The boy looked at Zeon weirdly.

The boy didn't answer his question.

Going back to fishing, Zeon makes small talk with the pope and Li.

The pope: "What do you talk about with the boy, little Zeon?"

Zeon: "He said that the river is dangerous and we should leave."

Li: "Hahaha.. How can that be?"

Zeon: "Maybe he's seeing a big fish on the river, who knows.."

The pope: "Then it's great! We will catch a big fish today, hahaha!"

Zeon: "Grandpa, did the criminal organization you said last week really steal things?"

The pope: "Well, the Darkwave, I haven't seen them lately, the patrol team didn't find any reports of things being stolen."

Zeon: "Grandpa, do you remember what you said last week about the strange footsteps near the watergate?"

The pope: "Oh.. the murloc thingy? Of course, we haven't found any new sign after that day, so we think it's just some prank from young people that live near here."

Suddenly, the pope got up and stretched his back.

Zeon: "Where are you going, grandpa?"

The pope: "Just going to talk with the young boy over there, he looks pitiful, maybe we should invite him to live in the new cathedral. After that I'm going to search for some snacks. We should had a picnic this afternoon."

The pope walked to the pavilion and talked about some things with the boy.

After that, the pope really left to buy some things for an afternoon picnic.

The boy walked to Zeon and deacon Li while eating the food given by Zeon before.

The boy sat on one of the stone benches and didn't talk.

Li got close to Zeon and talked slowly so the boy didn't hear it.

Li: "Hey Zeon, this kid is really weird."

Zeon: "Hahaha.. Yeah, he didn't answer my question at all before, but he looks handsome, he's really similar to you Li"

Li: "No way, where's the points we are similar with, I didn't see it."

Zeon: "He's interesting, maybe he's a boy with a story behind him, just like you."

The boy: "I hear what you are talking about edgy meatball, saying someone weird on their first meeting is rude you know."

Li: "I'm not edgy! And I'm not a meatball! Maybe I'm a little fat but that's it, you won't understand."

Zeon: "Okay guys, please don't fight, it will scare the fish. Hahaha.."

A little far away from there, some monster looking heads come out to the surface of the river and observe the three little kids fishing near the riverside.

A moment later, it's heading back to sink in the river.