Chapter 188: Rat Problem (1/2)
”Okay, with this one, we are done for the day, Aiden! Let's report back to the guild and get the rewards!” Cole spoke with an unmasked enthusiasm, as she struck his blade down and killed the last of the large horrendous rats that infested an emptied mansion at the edges of the Noble District.
”Sure, get its tail and we can go back.” Aiden spoke with a friendly smile on his face as he looked at the enthusiastic Cole. Remembering the credits his friend now had, he added with an unmasked appreciation behind his voice. ”With this quest, you will be finally eligible for the Rank Up test, right?”
Already expecting such a question, Cole confidently nodded while pulling his bloodied sword out from the nape of the now-dead large rat. Sheeting his weapon, he pulled out a smaller dagger and crouched down, reaching for the beast's tail to take it as proof of the kill.
”Yes, as soon as we get this done, I should have just enough to qualify. I could do the test now, but…” He revealed a slightly troubled expression as he continued. ”...I don't feel that I am ready for it, like… at all.”
”Although I can't say that I know what it is like… but on my test during my registration I had to face a seasoned, rank 2 adventurer and was told to hold against him. I wasn't required to win, they were judging my performance, not the outcome.” Aiden spoke, thinking back to his test against that scarfed roguish fellow.
”So, just do your best, and you will be fine. Try to defend against him for as long as you can. Nobody expects you to be the victor of the duel!” Aiden tried consoling his worried friend.
”If that's the case, then did you win against your opponent then?” Cole retorted accusingly, already expecting the answer.
”Well…” As expected, Aiden had a wry smile on his face as he had to face his friend's question. ”I did, but that was different, you know that. Anyways, just calm down and do your best, okay!”
”Heh, of course, you won…” Cole sighed, picking up the severed tail in the process. Then, standing up, he stretched his back, turning towards the door. ”Let's just go back and finish the day.”
Heaving a sigh, he walked towards the door, leaving Aiden without giving him a chance to continue the conversation. As the door to the mansion was pushed open a small group of the staff hurriedly approached the heaving brown-haired boy.
Amongst them, a larger, middle-aged woman, wearing a traditional chef's garment, spoke the loudest.
”Mister, did you finish the job?!” She asked with clear impatience in her voice. She was holding a large, wooden, cooking spoon in his right hand that she kept waving in a threatening manner as if it was a lethal weapon.
Forcing a smile on his face, Cole weakly responded.
”Yes, the mansion is clear once again. The dead bodies of the rats still have to be cleaned, but there are no live ones left, you are safe to return.”
Shock settled on her face, hearing her words, which soon was replaced by anger, as her facial muscles contorted. Waving her lethal weapon in the air fervently she yelled at the boy.
”What do you mean, the dead bodies have to be cleaned?! Do you expect us to clean up after you? What is this service?! We sent a request to clean out the rats, not to litter their corpses all over our Master's mansion like that?! You better go back and clean up after yourself, otherwise, I will go and place a complaint with the guild right NOW!”
Cole was about to surrender and acquiesce to her demand when his friend's cold voice resounded from within the mansion.
”Go ahead and complain to the guild.”
Hearing the clear voice of the previously silent long, black-haired youth speak with such coldness, alerted the middle-aged plump woman. Looking at the new arrival standing at the right side of the brown-haired lad, she had an incredulous expression.
”W-wha... what did you say?!”