Chapter 1304 (2/2)

“Nor is this a suggestion. The street will be switched to the main drag.” The terminal flicked off as Tatiana cut the line. And although she was curt with him, Arrietti didn’t mind. After all, he could only imagine the volume of work that she had to deal with in preparation for this event.

Bah, switching to the main street… the shopowners along there will go ballistic... I’m going to need a stiff drink before I can work myself up to making those rounds again… Arrietti hummed to himself as he went to his cabinet a removed a bottle of Donnyton barrel-aged whiskey. But as he was removing a crystal glass to drink it in, the door opened again.

I need to get a lock, Arrietti grumbled as he looked to see who walked through this time. To his surprise, he didn’t recognize the grizzled man standing in the doorway. From the way he stood, the man obviously had some military training. His eyes swept the room, seeming to take in every detail before they settled on Arrietti. Then the man’s eyebrows rose.

“Am I interrupting something?”

“No, I…” Elmer shook his head and laughed at himself. Then he shrugged. Why even bother to hide it at this point? It seemed like his office wasn’t nearly as private as he had thought. And his slightly exhausted state, it amused him more than anything else. “It’s been a long few days. So I was thinking about having a drink to wind down.”

The man closed the door behind him. “...can I join you?”

Perhaps Arrietti would normally say no to a stranger that walked into his office, especially considering the price of the alcohol bottle, but for whatever reason, he nodded. Perhaps it was how drained he was, perhaps it was the similarities in age and temperament between the two men, but almost immediately he felt a kinship.

Besides, if someone walked in now, it would be much easier to explain away the drinking if he wasn’t alone.

So he retrieved a second glass and poured two finger’s worth of liquor into each. As he handed the glass to the man, Arrietti asked, “So, who are you? I’m surprised you got through the precinct without me hearing about what your business is. Some of the officers can be… protective.”

“I’m Derek Moss,” The two men shook hands and then sat down. After tasting the whiskey and sighing in pleasure, Derek Moss continued to speak. “I have been… ah… selected as the Official Liaison between the Order Ducis and Affiliated Defense Forces for the Birthday of Randidly Ghosthound. So I’m here to… introduce myself. If there is a minor issue on your end, I’m who you can contact to coordinate with the defense forces at the actual event.”

“Ah.” Commissioner Arrietti felt an even stronger empathy to the man as he heard the weariness in his voice. “Certainly a… prestigious role.”

Derek grimaced. “I received it a single day after I arrived in Kharon.”

“Tatiana is very good at picking dupes out of a crowd,” Arrietti said with a smirk. Then he gestured to the sparse office around them. “How do you think I landed this job? I was trying to keep a moss spirit from landing on a slice of pizza and she tapped me on the shoulder.”

Chuckling, both men turned to their drinks for a minute. They were content to simply enjoy the well-made alcohol and sit in silence with a companionship that took only a short time to develop. It was positively divine. It was what Arrietti missed from the days before Heiffal and his men took over the bowling alley.

And of course, a notification that flashed across Arrietti’s vision interrupted it.

Congratulations! The fifth Danger Zone was cleared and the worldwide reward was selected! Due to finishing the assigned task before the deadline, the whole of Earth shall receive a bonus!

In addition to other bonuses, all people from Earth shall earn experience 50% more quickly while on Earth! All individuals shall receive an additional +5 Health, Mana, and Stamina per Level!

The quality of life energy on Earth has vastly increased! As a result, Skill Level growth will be slightly easier! All individuals on Earth gain access to the High Potential 0/200 Path! It is highly recommended that you complete the Path as soon as possible!

In addition, due to your exemplary performance, the Earth has gained access to the special event “Corrupted Invaders”! Three of the non-cleared Danger Zones have been secretly taken over by invaders to Earth. Find and destroy these three hidden bases before the First Calamity arrives to reveal an Epic Danger Zone! Failure to accomplish the task within the time limit will result in the inability to receive further awards, but the invaders on Earth will remain a threat until they are dealt with!

Both men studied the notification for several seconds. Then they both sighed.

“This world-” Derek Moss began, but he was interrupted by Arrietti’s terminal beginning to read.

“Don’t I know it,” Elmer Arrietti finished the rest of his glass and walked over to accept the incoming call.