23 『Spawns』 (2/2)

Taking a power suit, a leather collar with a short metal chain attached to it, from his item box, he held it out to the Knight. ”This will increase your experience intake, but also weaken you.”

The Knight slowly took the item from the perceived master and stared at it. It reminded the Knight of what a slave may wear. His eyes then shifted up towards Jack as he placed his helmet down on the nearby stand and placed it on around his neck.

The item was rather large so it fit quite easily around his head and his neck.

”Your combat training will begin in several hours, if not the day after tomorrow. For the time being, use your skills and use the training dummies to your advantage,” he gestured towards the training dummies on the far end of the arena.

”Understood.”

”I will come back later to check on your status. Train for three hours, take a thirty minute break, and continue as so.” Jack ordered before folding his hands behind his back. ”Push yourself, but not too far.”

”As you say, My Lord.”

After a short while, Jack left the arena and made his way down to the seventh floor, this time utilizing his guild ring to leave the previous floor.

Appearing within what looked to be a modern arcade, he could hear the smashing of buttons. What was going on here?

”Come on! Kill him! You got this!”

Jack was pretty sure that was Teetle's voice, cheering someone on. Was someone playing an old time arcade game? Pursing his lips, he made his way down the various 'corridors' of games, and when he turned a corner he narrowed his eyes on Teetle and Nemu.

”I got him!” Nemu cheered, bouncing on what appeared to be a step stool. She even turned around and did a double high five with the lich, one who several hours ago she had been afraid of. ”I did it!”

His eyes shifted to the game they were playing and raised a brow, it was a bullet time game. She had completely discombobulated the final boss. ”Well done,” Jack finally spoke up, causing both of them to jump as he came walking out of the dim lighting and into their view.

”Jack-sama!” Teetle pronounced loudly, bowing his head. ”What brings you here?”

”Where's neechan?” Nemu asked as she looked on either side of Jack, before narrowing her eyes on the man suspiciously.

”She's resting,” Jack responded as he folded his arms over his chest looking her over. ”You did pretty well with that game, did you not?”

”Game?” Nemu smiled widely before looking over towards the thing she had been playing. ”This is a game?”

”Video Games, or Arcade Games.” Jack said as he gestured towards this entire floor which had mostly parodies of real games. Oddly enough, it seemed they all became real after transporting to the new world. Did that mean he could use the castle for financial gain as well? Like one of those fancy casinos in the past? He couldn't help but chuckle at the idea.

”Arcade games... I think the other kids at the village would love to play these!”

Jack sniggered at her observation, ”Perhaps... But for the time being, you cannot tell anyone what you've seen or done here.” He pointed a finger to her, as if to make her understand.

Nemu nodded and made a zipper sound as she ran her fingers across her sealed lips.

”Your sister is currently up at the hot spring baths up on the ninth floor.” He pointed upward, ”If you'd like to join her and take a bath, just ask Teetle to guide you.”

Nemu cutely hopped off the chair with her arms out for balance, before waddling on up to him, almost like a happy little duck. Without a second's notice, she threw her arms around the man. Smiling up at Jack.

”Why are you so nice to us?”

”If I told you, I'd have to eat you.” Jack simpered as he'd quip a joke.

Staring up at him with wide eyes, ”Oh...” She shrank against his legs. ”I don't think it'd taste to good, I taste like grass.”

”Cows eat grass all the time.” Jack teased as he ruffled her hair a bit. ”Don't worry, I won't eat you. Your life is currently too valuable to waste, nurturing you seems to be the best option.”

”Nurture...?”

”What if I told you, I could make you a powerful sorceress?”

She slowly lowered her arms as she let her imagination fly off the wheel. ”How powerful?”

”Perhaps... Weave straw into gold?” Jack closed one eye as he looked down on her, ”Maybe even turn a noble into a frog and serve him to the King.”

”Eewww...” The people of the village weren't to keen on nobility or really the King either. In their times of need, it wasn't the King who saved them. ”That's so cool though!”

”Well, I'll let you be... I've got some things I need to take care of.” With a light wave, Jack had vanished from their sight as if he had never been.