[Gained Well-Rested Buff!]
[Regen UP, XP gain UP!]
Jack gave a wry smile as he remembered the previous night's event and Pumpkin Girl's endearing blushing face. The morning was sunny and warm, auguring a great day.
"Are you there, blind fairy?" he called toward the Fairy House.
"Hey, I'm no longer blind!" The tiny little creature came floating out energetically before blushing as she twirled her thumbs hesitantly. "About yesterday—"
"It's fine, I understand." After all, Fairies were a magical race with some concepts escaping them. "Rather than that, it's time for training."
She obediently came to rest on his shoulder as he patrolled his domain, teaching her a new technique: mana infusion.
Magical races could use it, but it required a very high affinity with them. As with anything else in Infinite: the higher the power, the harder it was to attain. In this case, his Fairy Hero title would allow this to work.
"Focus and send your mana inside me. You have to open your heart and lower all your defenses for this to work, leaving yourself vulnerable." He had barely explained that she was already doing it.
He felt her energy course through him. It carried the happiness of the wind, the calm of a lone grass blade, and her unbelievably high trust in him. Her breath was already getting rougher and rougher from the exercise.
"?!?" As she sent her mana inside him, she could feel his! He was inside her!
"You got this," He gently encouraged.
Her small pointy ears twitched non-stop as her green hair covered her eyes. Was she worried about failing? In any case, hearing his voice finally helped her to calm down.
They sat in the courtyard, the others standing guard for them. He could sense the wind become stronger and stronger with every mana revolution, even if it wasn't.
It was his affinity to the wind that was growing….all until.
[Congratulations! Learned Wind Magic!]
[Wind Affinity Increased by 10!]
[Acquired Wind Manipulation F!]
"Good job, we did it." Breaking into a smile, he rubbed the fairy's small head. It had taken them all morning, the sun reaching high.
But before they could celebrate, a commotion happened. The trees at the edge of the farm started swinging from side to side.
"Intruders?" Jack couldn't help but frown. The only one that ever visited was that Masochistic Monk, and he was a training addict, not that he was one to talk.
"Hehe, no need to worry, Teacher. The Braves will retreat soon enough. They often come around this time." The fairy remarked.
They often did?! Then why was it the first time he was hearing about it? He glanced at Pumpkin Girl as she silently mouthed: mere pests, no need to worry.
"As a proper host, I should still welcome them, no?"
The party dedicated prayers for the troublemakers….
━━━━━━ POV ━━━━━━━
Loitering around the Pumpkin Farm was a daily ritual for all of them. They knew it was safe as the Demon King would have long gone hunting.
There were farmers with their pitchforks/straw hats, boisterous players proudly displaying their faction symbol, and even seven men heavily dressed in black not minding the warm weather.
All of them had complaints:
"Goddamn Farm. I can't believe our FF organization made a deal with that bastard! Now he's under Boss Frank's protection!"
"It can't be helped. He did bring Magical Fairy Soil back from the forest. Didn't we both receive a bit of it?"
"A bit? What will a bit do?! Can it revive our harvest trampled by the macabres? No way! All it can do is speed up the healing process: our fields are still fucked! Meanwhile, look at this guy!"
Verdant luscious trees creating a natural barrier was all they could see. Just seeing the edge had them purple with jealousy! They'd probably throw up blood if they saw the actual pumpkins!
A player chuckled:
"I guess I'm the only one enjoying this sunny day? As far as surveillance missions go, staring at the Pumpkin wench isn't half-bad, a shame we can't see her from here…."
"Tch— You're too easygoing. That evil fucker's the one that sent Macabres to mess with all of us! I'm telling you all. It's 100% his doing!"
"It's a rumor for now. We need actual evidence, but how are we supposed to gather any? Can't go in because of the damn trees, and no one will help because of FF!"
This last comment quickly started a round of bickering between the players and the farmers. But even then, the last group remained entirely silent. Also, for some reason, they weren't looking at the farm but the sky.
Many couldn't help but send curious glances their way. They were taciturn, dedicated, and obviously weren't here to waste time. But what exactly was their objective?
That's when someone suddenly jumped down from a nearby tree. They instantly recognized who it was, their faces showing shock. Why was he here?!
Jack glanced at the farmers, players, and mysterious men.
"Jealousy, anger, and finally greed: such ugly emotions for such a beautiful day. I know exactly what you guys need to cheer up. How about buying a delicious fresh pumpkin?"
"It's very cheap, only 5 G for one. If you don't want any pumpkin, then I'm afraid you'll all have to leave."
They clicked their tongues in annoyance: this guy was obviously making fun of them! Still, was he seriously trying to sell stuff to people sent to spy on him?! How shameless!
"Alright, I'll get one!" Replied the only cheerful player in the lot. Coincidentally he was also the one who had used the term wench.
While everyone else was scorning at them, they happily completed the trade.
Jack + 5 G!
Random Player + 1 Pumpkin!
"Damn, it's almost as big as that girl's tits!"
"Yes, they're very high quality and very delicious. Would you like to buy another premium pumpkin, esteemed customer?" He flashed his greatest business smile.
"No thanks! One is plenty enough for— ARGGG!" The man suddenly cried out in pain, his body turning stiff. A white streak came out of his back, and a weird cluck resounded.
"Then have a safe trip to town, esteemed customer. Please remember, mind your manners next time." He enjoyed gazing into the eyes of the man as life left him. Then he was gone.
Disrespecting Pumpkin Girl? Death!
A Green Gem (faction symbol) dropped from the body along with a bow and a few coins. The poor bastard was an archer, eh? Should have kept his distance…
He pocked the loot, turning toward the rest of them, an overpowering aura surrounding him. He was ready for war!
The farmers were already backing off in fear. Sure they were relatively high-level NPCs, but that didn't mean they wanted to fight directly! They preferred nagging by far!
The players drew their weapons. They had the superiority of numbers, but they knew it wouldn't do shit against this guy.
Still, they wouldn't just accept getting slaughtered that easily. But just as they thought he would charge at them, his eyes rested upon the men in black.
"How about you take me to your Boss?" He uttered what felt more like a threat than a request.
He seemed to know their identity! He didn't seem pleased either….