11:42 a.m.
Temple of Priests Private Compound, Luxen City.
Vivian's eyes slowly opened and she found herself lying on her bed in the dorm room. And as usual, she was the only person remaining.
Pop.
Pop.
She turned and then stretched her body, causing it to make popping sounds before she slowly sat up from her bed.
Pop.
Pop.
She made some popping sounds with her neck and then let out a sigh.
I finally got out of the arrangement with those kids…
And now I'm dealing with another potential problem…
A meeting with that old woman to fulfill a favor…
Tch!
Vivian clicked her tongue.
Why can't I just grind in peace…?
I'm starting to miss the days when no one was bothering me and all I had to worry was about making money, leveling up my Masteries and figuring out things about this world…
"Fuck all these people, man"
She got up and did her morning routine.
***
1:11 p.m.
Adventurer's Guild, Luxen City.
Vivian was wearing her usual attire and had a sword on her left hip as she stepped into the main lobby and immediately turned her sights to Pana's counter.
Pana wasn't busy and she noticed Vivian, so she smiled and waved.
Vivian returned the gesture and as she headed towards her.
"Is she here?"
"You mean your scheduled meeting with Mrs. Belfair? Yes, she arrived here about an hour ago and is waiting inside one of the Meeting Rooms," Pana said and then turned to one of her coworkers.
Her coworker nodded before stepping out of the counter and heading over to Vivian.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Honored Priestess Vivian," the female receptionist said and bowed. "Please allow me to lead you to where Mrs. Belfair is waiting."
Mrs. Belfair, huh...
"Okay."
The female receptionist led Vivian to the hallway and then stopped in front of a door.
"Mrs. Belfair is waiting inside. In case any of you need some assistance, you can come find me at the main lobby."
"Thank you."
"Please excuse me," the receptionist said and bowed before leaving.
Vivian placed her hand on the doorknob and let out a sigh.
I'm really not in the mood for this…
Ka-cha!
She opened the door and then entered.
The Meeting Room was plain but presentable. It had two large glass windows with curtains parted to the sides, a small fireplace with a painting on top of it, and in the middle were two long sofas and single-person sofas with a coffee table at the center.
Seated at one of the long sofas was an old woman in her early 60s happily eating cookies and drinking tea. She placed her cup down on top of the cofee table and then turned to Vivian.
"You're finally here!" she said with a bright smile.
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
This woman didn't even bother to properly greet me…?
She shook her head mentally.
She's old…
"Hello, it's nice to see you again," Vivian said with a forced smile as she made her to the other long sofa and sat down.
"I didn't expect you to become a Priestess! I was --"
Vivian held out her hand.
"Ma'am, I don't mean to be rude but please tell me right away what kind of favor you need because I still have so many responsibilities back at the Temple but I left them just so I can meet you and return the favor I owe you."
Mrs. Belfair picked up her cup, took a sip and then placed it down.
"I understand. I want you to assist my grandson in training his Magic Art."
"Like an Awakening Ceremony?"
Mrs. Belfair shook her head.
"My grandson's [Fire] and [Lightning Mastery] are already open. What I want you to do is to assist him with healing magic while he's training."
"How long?"
"A week or two will do."
Vivian shook her head.
"Sorry, but I can't do that."
"I'll also provide compensation."
"2 silver coins per heal."
2 silver coins per heal…?
Didn't Marie said that [Heal] is 5 silver coins and [Greater Heal] is 1 gold coin…?
And that's the price if it's within the vicinity of the Temple of Priests' building…
Outside is 1 gold coin for [Heal] and 5 gold coins for [Greater Heal]…
This old woman is already lowballing me…?
Vivian shook her head once again.
"Sorry no, I'm really busy with so many things.
"In the morning, I will be doing Holy Missions.
"In the afternoon, if I have time, I will be taking a Quest and also train my Physical Arts.
"And in the evening, I will be training my Magic Arts.
"So ask for something quick and not time-consuming. Also, it should be something that I don't need to travel outside the city."
I also have to prepare for the upcoming Ranking Match and reach at least the Top 3 in order to win the full-plated set of armor made out of Mithril…
I already wasted so much time playing house with those kids...
I can't afford to waste any more time...
A confused expression flashed across Mrs. Belfair's face.
"But didn't you promise that you would grant me a favor when I helped you with that contract? And you're Priestess."
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"You mentioned that you're going to take a Quest in the afternoon. You Adventurers need to complete Quests in order to gather points to rank up. I can just hire you for a Special Quest."
"Again, did you hear what I just said?"
"But you owe me."
Vivian pursed her lips for a moment.
"Ma'am, first of all, I'm going to ignore that fact that you're only offering me 2 silver coins per heal which is way below the standard pay. Secondly, I'm going to ignore the fact that you're asking me, a member of the Temple of Priests, to interfere with one of the main incomes that my Temple offers. And thirdly, although you helped me with the contract, in the end, I neither worked nor stayed under Madam Stonia's care. So for you to ask me to train your grandson for at least a week is too much."
"But what about the favor you owe me? I helped you."
"Okay, let's say I help you. What if I get in trouble of going against the Temple of Priests' healing services? What if I lose my license Priestess? How are you going to compensate me?"
"But I helped you and you owe me."
"You're asking for something unreasonable."
A disappointed expression flashed across Mrs. Belfair's face.
"And you're supposed to be a Priestess… I'll just ask for another favor then, but I need time to think about it first..."
"How long do you need to think? I still have so many matters to attend to."
"I'll give you my answer tomorrow afternoon."
Vivian got up and then went over to the door.
Ka-cha!
She opened the door and left without saying a word.
Outside the hallway, she gritted her teeth so hard that her jaw started to ache. She balled her hands into a fist and suppressed the urge to punch the wall.
FUCKING USELESS OLD HAG...!
HOW DARE YOU DEMAND SOMETHING FROM ME…?!
When she finally reached the main lobby, she immediately put on a calm demeanor and Pana was surprised to see her.
"Vivian!" she called out.
Vivian stopped and turned around to face her.
"The meeting is already done?"
"It's been postponed."
"Oh, I see. Where is she?"
This bitch…!
It all started with her…!
Vivian recalled the 10 gold coins they each received from Stonia.
Fuck…!
But still…!
FUUUCCCKKK...!!!
"She's still inside the conference room. I'm just here to take on a Quest."
THERE BETTER BE THE BUKAROO QUEST OR I MIGHT KILL SOMEONE RIGHT NOW…!
Pana nodded.
"Oh okay. By the way, there's a Special Quest waiting for you."
Vivian gritted her teeth for a moment before calming down.
"A Special Quest?"
"Yes, a client issued this Special Quest and wants you to do it. And you're going to like it," Pana said and then flashed a mischievous smile.
Vivian recalled telling Pana that she didn't want to receive any Quests from creepy people or Quests that put her in a position where she had to leave Luxen City.
"What is it?"
"The Quest is for you to hunt 20 Bukaroo tails and the reward is 100 copper coins!"
Vivian knitted her brows.
"Huh? Why?"
"They think that you're an expert in hunting Bukaroos."
Vivian knitted her brows deeper but didn't say anything.
Pana raised her hands.
"Okay, okay, I give up. It's from Madam Potts. She heard that you always pick the gathering of Bukaroo tails Quest. I think she wants to get close to you."
"Tell her I'm not interested," Vivian said and then resumed heading over to the Quest Board.