The next morning, Jesse finished his morning jog. This time, he didn’t venture into the forest because the encounter with the wolf was still vivid in his mind.
After reaching the yard of the vast mansion, he saw gardeners and servants taking care of the beautifully manicured lawns and flowerbeds.
At the front door, he saw the butler, Sebastian, talking to a short-haired servant. The servant then nodded and returned inside the mansion.
Sebastian then heard footsteps and turned towards them. He smiled professionally and said. “Young master, welcome back.”
“Good morning, Sebastian.” Jesse replied, walking past him and entering the mansion. But then he turned around and asked. “I have some stuff to do at Nocklund. Can you call a taxi?”
“Taxi?” Sebastian looked surprised before shaking his head. “The young master of the Rothsmith family won’t use a taxi. I can take you there. Mind waiting here for a minute while I prepare the car?”
“Oh, sure.” Jesse nodded, still unfamiliar with his new status as the young master of a very wealthy family.
After a while, Sebastian returned with the keys to his sleek, black luxury car. He then brought the car from the garage, and Jesse entered the backseat.
Then, with the car roaring powerfully, they drove off the Rothsmith Estate and entered a road that led to Nocklund.
…
At Yagarasu’s bookstore, Whispering Pages.
A brown-haired customer browsed the shelves in search of a good book. However, the young man clearly had ulterior motives as he threw a glance towards the front desk.
There, a beautiful young woman was reading a book, seemingly lost in its pages.
The young man grabbed a random book from the shelf and walked to the front desk.
“Hello, Miss Bella!” He greeted her with a smile and placed the book on the desk.
“Hey, Lucas, back already?” Bella looked away from her book and smiled at him. “What can I help you with today?”
“I was hoping to return this book and check out another one.” Lucas took out another book from his bag and placed it beside the other book on the counter.
“Of course, let me take care of that for you.” Bella took out a book that had the names of every book rented and who rented it.
She removed Lucas’ name and added another one.
Then Lucas placed five silvers on the counter and took the book with a smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Bella replied, smiling back at Lucas.
Lucas’ cheeks flushed, and he then turned around, about to walk out of the store, but then he slapped his cheeks and cheered for himself.
He turned around and opened his mouth.
“M-Miss Bella, d-d-do.”
Ding—the bell above the book chimed, announcing the arrival of new customers.
Lucas closed his mouth and turned to look at the new customers. His breath got stuck in his throat as he saw who stepped inside the bookstore.
It was a group of players wearing edgy black cloaks and masks that covered half of their faces.
“Welcome…” Bella greeted them with a strained smile. The group of players didn’t look like they would enjoy books.
They looked more like they were ready for a game of mischief and chaos.
Tap, tap—hurried footsteps came from the stairs as Emma returned from upstairs with a book in her arms.
It was her favorite book about White Rabbit.
“Hmm…” A masked player browsed through the shelves but then saw the young woman at the counter.
He whistled and leaned on the counter with a smile behind the mask. “Hey, pretty lady, I have a question.”
“What is it?” Bella asked, trying to force a professional smile on her face.
“Why would anyone play this game just to work?” The masked player asked while his friends chuckled behind him. “I find it very pointless. Well, I suppose it’s a good way of earning silver.”
“It’s something I enjoy doing.” Bella replied professionally and asked. “Are you here to rent a book, perhaps?”
“As if I would spend my silver on some books, haha.” The masked player laughed and then leaned over the counter. “Speaking of silver, where are you keeping yours?”
Bella’s smile faded as she realized the masked player’s intentions.
“B-Bella?” Emma tugged on her sleeve and hid behind her. She didn’t like the looks of the masked players.
“Here…” Bella took out a brown pouch and placed it on the counter. She then looked at Emma and smiled, trying to comfort her.
“Oh, well, thank you!” The masked player smiled and accepted the silver with a heartfelt smile. “You should use your looks to make silver rather than in this dump.”
He winked and then turned around to leave.
Emma looked at the masked man with displeasure. She knew that he was not a good person and didn’t like the way he was speaking to Bella.
The book in her arms slowly slipped from her grip and fell to the ground.
Thud—the book bounced on the floor and landed right beside the masked player’s feet.
“Oh, a book?” The masked player took it and smiled at Bella with a grateful look. “Thank you; I forgot that this is a bookstore. Of course I can’t leave without a book!”
His friends laughed and began departing from the bookstore.
“Give it back!” Emma shouted and wanted to run after the book, but then Bella embraced her and stopped her from chasing after those players.
The masked man chuckled and licked his lips. As he walked towards the exit, he saw the frightened young man.
“Boo!” He shouted, causing the young man to scream and fall on his buttocks.
“Bye bye~” The masked man kicked open the door and entered the streets, leaving with his laughing friends.
“M-my book…” Emma cried on Bella’s shoulder.
“It’s alright; I will buy you the same one.” Bella tried to comfort the little girl by patting her head.
“Thank you, Bella,” Emma sniffled, wiping away her tears. She saw the sadness in Bella’s eyes, but she was trying to hide it to comfort her. That made her even sadder. “B-b-but, that was the first book you gave me…”
Emma choked on her words, feeling a sense of loss.
It was her most treasured possession because it was the first book Bella ever rented when she started this store.
Back then, Emma didn’t know her, but found this bookstore by luck.
After that day, she visited that bookstore daily and became very close friends with Bella.
“It’s fine; it’s just a book.” Bella rubbed her hair and smiled reassuringly at Emma. “I am going to get you a new book from upstairs. Let’s read it together, alright?”
“Mm…” Emma nodded with a sad smile and watched as Bella walked upstairs.
She slowly clenched her tiny fists and hatefully looked towards the exit of the bookstore.
“They bullied her. I won’t let that go!”
She then opened her interface and logged out.
…
“Whew.” Jesse finished completing his computer setup. He bought a powerful gaming PC and a 244 hz monitor, a brand new stereo system, a new mouse, and a new keyboard.
It cost him 1500 crowns, but he was thrilled with his new setup.
“I still have plenty left.” He stretched his limbs and saw that it was only a few hours until the update arrived.
He planned to test his computer until then and check the most famous streams when it was finally time for the update to come.
At that moment, his door swung open loudly.
“Eh?” Jesse turned around and saw Emma panting loudly with tears in her eyes. “Emma? Why are you crying?”
“Brother!” Emma launched into Jesse and wrapped her slender arms around his waist. She cried in his embrace while choking on her words.
“What happened?” Jesse’s expression turned serious while he was internally happy after being called brother.
However, his worries overwrote the happiness.
“I was at the bookstore with Bella; she is a good friend of mine, but then, then, then!” Emma spoke in a hurry, not sure where to begin.
“Calm down.” Jesse crouched and ruffled her hair. It calmed her down as she began taking calm breaths. “Start from the beginning.”
Emma nodded and then began talking about what happened. After recalling the event, she tugged Jesse’s sleeve and asked through tears.
“B-brother, please, can you get my book and Bella’s money back? Please! She is very sad, and I can’t stand seeing her like that!”
“Uh…” Jesse looked at his crying little sister and struggled to speak. ‘I am locked in prison. It would take me several days to even get out of there, then another day to reach Yatagarasu.
‘How am I even supposed to find those players? No matter what I do, I am sure I will disappoint her…’
“Please?” Emma pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation. “I need your help. Mom said that I should come to you if I need help.”
‘I promised Anna…’ Jesse looked at her teary eyes and smiled while patting her head. “Of course. It might take me a day to reach Yatagarasu. Can you wait for a little longer?”
“Mm, thanks!” Emma planted a small kiss on his cheek and rushed out of the room with a smile on her face.
“…” Jesse stood up and rubbed his neck. He then walked to his headset and looked at the golden visor, which reflected his face. He then suddenly smiled, showing a crazy look in his eyes.
“No one is going to bully my sister and get away with it.” Jesse whispered under his breath. “Those fuckers will pay.”
He laid down, put the headset around his head, and then pressed the start button. 𝐎𝐯𝐥xt.𝗇t
The first-ever prison break in the history of Martial Online commenced.