Chương 154: Chapter 144-Chosen Job

Bleh. A job. Who needs a job when you can [Steal] everything under the sun? The candle holders, the furniture, even the bedsheets. Everything you can find in a house is worth [Stealing] and then selling… or you using. Now, it's not like I haven't tried to be employed. There was a brief stint in the early days after Ashfall when I tried to make an honest living. Let's just say… People don't employ 8-year-old Vashrins. Much less homeless ones.

So, thievery and skulduggery, learned that one recently, were really my only avenue of survival. Which, in retrospect, is funny considering what I'm doing now.

"[Clean]. There you go, Ma'am. Your kitchen is spotless," I say with a charming smile.

"By the Gods. You really do have [Clean], and here I thought you were going to rob me blind. Look at this countertop! It's absolutely stunning. Here, your payment. You know you're one of the good ones," she says with a disturbing smile.

"Thank you. I'll be off now," I say as I grab the coin pouch and leave as quickly as possible. The moment I'm out the door, I let out a long sigh. Why is it that everyone I've [Cleaned] for has to mention that I'm one of the good ones? I already know the answer. Let's see. With this, I now have… 55 Gold. 55 Gold in three days. Hmm. My 33 in [INT] is telling me that the math isn't mathing. I need 6 Platinum coins, which is 600 Gold coins. 55 doesn't equal 600. Why can't I just [Steal] the fucking thing?

"I don't really see the problem. If you need money, why don't you go hunt some monsters in the Nightmare Forest? They fetch good coin," Blue says as I sit on a bench.

"Well, Blue. It's been a while since you've been alive. Let me give you a quick reminder on how the living do things. We try not to die. Okay, quick reminder done."

"Blue, CJ is scared of heading into the Nightmare Forest," Black teases.

"You're Gods damn right I am. It's called the Nightmare Forest. Emphasis on the nightmare part. No way in any of the hells are you going to convince me to head in there… Also, where is the Nightmare Forest? Not so I can go, but so I can avoid it with all my being."

"The Nightmare Forest is located at the northernmost point of this continent. If you value your survival, I recommend you never go there," Yellow says in a condescending manner.

"See, Blue, even Yellow agrees with me. I can't take any of the monsters that far north. I mean, look at my [Stat Window]."

Stat Window HP 115/115 MP 165/165 General Information Attributes Name Carlos "CJ" Juárez STR 19 - Race Half-Vashrin DEX 27 - Age 18 CON 23 - Title Fake Chosen One(+1) CHA 41 - Blessing N/A INT 33 - Level 16 LCK 53 - Skill List Name Level Description Name Level Description Throw 7 Throw with Skill Taunt 5 Taunt with experience Lie 7 Lie with Skill Cook 4 Cook with Expertise Steal 6 You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Steal with Prowess Poison Res.

3 Resist Poison Garden 6 Garden with Prowess Soul Res. 1 Resist Soul Disguise 5 Disguise for 25 MP Gamble 1 Gamble for 100 MP Clean 5 Clean for 5 MP N/A N/A N/A Woah! What in the hells happened to my [Stat Window]? It wasn't always like this before, right? I'm sure I would've noticed if it was always this wide. I kind of hate it.

"Ah, you reached ten [Skills], congratulations," Blue says.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I ask as I look over the new [Stat Window].

"Once you reach ten [Skills], the [System] automatically switches over to a different [Stat Window] that can more easily accommodate the number of [Skills]. Trust me, as someone who ended up with 20 [Skills], it becomes necessary," Yellow laments.

"I guess I don't have to scroll as much, but I don't know if I like it. I mean, it changed the order of my [Attributes]. Why even do that? Also, what's with the empty column over here?" I ask with a hint of annoyance. Your complaint has been recorded.

"Now you've done it," Black teases.

"Done what? Don't just say ominous shit like that without elaborating," I say as I wave the blade around in frustration.

"It's nothing, CJ. Black is just trying to scare you. The complaints don't really matter. Look at me. I got some, and I'm fine," Blue says from The Chosen Blade.

"Blue, you're dead. That's not really making me feel better about this whole complaint thing. I mean, I only have two of these so far. That shouldn't be too bad, right?" I ask the group.

"Just be careful, CJ. The [System] is listening," Black says as she gives an evil laugh.

"Alright. Enough of this. Blue, what kind of monsters are in the Nightmare Forest?" I ask in defeat.

"Really?" Blue asks with glee.

"Really?" Yellow asks with concern.

"HAHAHAHA," Black laughs.

"Yes, really. I have less than four days left to buy these earrings, and I don't even have half of the gold needed. So, what kind of monsters are we talking about?" I ask with a hint of hesitation.

"Gorgons, Manticores, Giant Snakes, Unholy Knights, Nightmare Makers, and my personal favorite, Hydras," Blue quickly lists off.

"You know what? Maybe I'll think a little harder about what can make me money," I say as I get up and begin to walk back to the University.

"What?! CJ, these are weak creatures. I'm certain you can take care of them. I saw how you handled yourself when you fought Tyranus. The way you moved and struck was impressive," Blue says without a hint of doubt.

"Yeah, that's because I had [Unbreakable]. Without it, Tyra would've killed me at least five times before I even hit her. Do I have to show you my [Stat Window] again? I don't have crazy good [Skills]. I have [Clean], [Lie], and [Throw]. Ain't going to do much with those," I remind him as the gates to the University come into view.

"You've been doing well so far. Let's just try it. See what happens," Blue insists.

"Blue, that's enough. I may not like him, but we need him until we find The Chosen One. Reel your thirst for battle in just a tad," Yellow says with his usual condescending tone. With Blue and Yellow bickering, I almost don't notice Axel as he ducks into a nearby alleyway. Huh… What is he doing out this late, and in alleyways of all places? That's supposed to be my domain. Should I follow? It seems like it's none of my business, but… The memory of his string of fate comes to mind.

The way it coiled around his neck and the look he had on his face. Maybe I should check to make sure he isn't getting into trouble. Not minding my own business, I nonchalantly sneak into the alley with the grace of a street rat. Ah, my natural environment. I almost missed the smell of urine and garbage. Gods, how far did Axel go, and what is he even doing out here? I've got a bad feeling about this. As if proving my suspicions, I spot a group of three thugs.

From their tattoos and the area we're in, they're Hornets. Not odd to see them in the alleys, but what is weird is that. Axel pulls up a mask as a dagger made from blood is created in his hand. He's not going to… A shimmer of purple gleams in his eyes. Ah, shit! Before Axel can move out of the shadows to strike, I grab his arm and pull it behind his back. With a heavy shove, I [Throw] him to the ground. As he struggles to get up, I grab him by the scruff of his jacket and drag him further away from the Hornets.

"Let me go!" he yells.

"Okay," I say as I [Throw] him at the dead end. He slams hard into the wall. That's probably going to leave some bruising. With seemingly no care in the world, he stands back up and charges me.

"Is that any way to thank me for saving your life?" I [Taunt] as I dodge his dagger. As he passes me, I trip him, giving his face a meeting with the ground. Before he can regain his senses, I stomp on his hand. Can't exactly let him keep the dagger, now can I? He groans in pain as I flip him over. My string of fate suddenly tightens as I sense danger. Falling back, I barely avoid the Leech dagger that Axel threw. Oh, shit!

The blood in the dagger explodes out as blood spikes stab me in my arm, leg, and lower stomach.

"That hurt, you asshole!" I yell as I [Throw] a couple of rocks at him. As he struggles to get up, I hit him right on his head, sending him back down. With a pained groan, I pull the blood spikes out of my leg.

"Chosen One?" he asks in confusion.

"Yup," I say as I give him a swift kick to the head, knocking him out. Ah, what a fucking pain! Falling down next to him, I struggle to catch my breath. Why'd he have to stab me with blood? Couldn't he be like a normal person and stab me with a knife or something? I hate getting stabbed.

"Vashrin, you know he's-""I know, Yellow. I recognize symptoms," I say as I roll Axel over and open his eyes. A faint shimmer of purple fades from his iris. Damn it! Fucking [Level Mania]! What have you been doing, Axel? With a groan, I stand back up and pull the blood spike out of my stomach along with some or a lot of my own blood. I [Gamble] that I can wake him up in the next minute.

"Hey, wake up," I say as I slap the shit out of him. Axel groans in pain as his eyes flutter.

"Did you kick me?" he asks.

"No. Did you know you're an idiot?" I ask as the wound in my stomach heals just enough for it not to be life-threatening.

"I messed up… didn't I?" he asks with a hint of sadness.

"Depends. Have you killed anybody yet?"

"No, but I was close. I could feel myself rationalising it. I think I need help," he says as tears stream down his face.

"Yeah. Luckily you're only experiencing the beginning stages of [Level Mania]. That can be treated, although it's going to suck. Another [Level] and you probably would've been a lost cause," I say the solemn truth.

"I just wanted to get stronger. I just wanted to be of more use to my group. I didn't think it was dangerous. I mean the Teleportation Nexus is just open for us," he says as the blue light of the moon shines down on him. That fucking Wrathborn. Still messing with people's lives even after death.

"At first the [Levels] just didn't feel as nauseating, and then I didn't feel anything at all. I barely even noticed them."

"Then they felt good? Like a rush of joy that you've never felt before and would never feel again?" I ask as the memories of the Turf Wars resurface.

"..."

"Axel, we're going to go and talk to Professor Stargazer. She'll get you the help you need, and I'll be with you the entire way, okay?" This isn't the first time I've seen someone suffer from [Level Mania], but it'll be the first time I can help, or at least I'm going to try.

"Will you do that for me?" he asks, his voice cracking ever so slightly.

"Of course. We kicked each other's ass. Where I come from, that means we're friends," I joke. A small laugh escapes him as he hides his face.

"Thank you, Chosen One. I really didn't want to kill someone."

"I know."