(Quick update as an apology for last chapter's various mistakes. Already fixed it.)
[System]
Name: New Name
Level: 19
Experience: 400/800
Health: 72/72 (+23) [RF+2] [IF+9] [HM✬+12]
Mana: 69/69
Fatigue: 29/100 (peak)
Class: [Fighter]
Subclass: [White Knight]
⬬ [Prowess Minimized] … >>
Perks: [Serene Life], [Righteous Fury], [Gluttonous Approach], [Telekinetic Bulwark II], [Mark of Decrepitude], [Iron Frame II], [Adaptive Predator], [Survivor], [Soothing Touch II], [Venomous Presence], [Wind Dash], [Friendliness], [✬Efficient Recovery II✬], [✬Single Minded Fool II✬], [✬Unique Battle Sense II✬], [✬All About Me II✬], [✬White Knight's Resolve II✬], [✬White Knight's Constitution II✬] … >>
Talents: 『Icarus』, 『Borrowed Time』
[System]
Fighter perk upgrade: [✬Single-Minded Fool II✬]
Description:Grants the perk user high resistance to fear and dread and provides a slight resistance to mental interference effects.
Fighter skill upgrade:
Description:Significantly increases neural processing of information speed, allowing the user to perceive the world in near slow-motion for 20 seconds. (8)
"Slowly getting there..." Frizz reminded himself. His goal to become the strongest is still present. He turned to his two new coworkers, tidying up the place and awaiting Hei's return.
Despite the welcoming party, Frizz felt uneasy and full of doubts. (I also have to guide Yani with her system.)
Frizz approached Nathaniel Macaraeg, wanting to confide in him about something. "Listen... a few days ago when I was raiding another compound... I think there was someone following me."
Nathaniel Macaraeg stopped his mopping, turning to Frizz. "What?"
"It was the sole reason why I wasn't able to head home and indirectly caused my whole family to be kidnapped," Frizz admitted, rubbing his nape.
Nathaniel leaned the mop against a wall and crossed his arms as he slowly registered the new information. "We were supposed to keep an eye on your family; however, something urgent came up that we had to deal with." He paused, sighing. "We didn't think the cartel would pull off something like that so fast. We got complacent. We apologize."
Frizz kept silent, gauging his reaction and noticing that the timing was way too perfect. These people wanted him to join their organization, and to their own admission, his second-rate system was a rarity.
(They'd do anything to let me join. That eyeball really wanted another second-rate leveler on his roster.) Frizz mused while a chilling breeze passed through. The two were unflinching since they have a higher resistance when it comes to different temperatures.
(These people are watching me and my family most of the time, yet for some reason this 'threat' wasn't intercepted?)
(Then they suddenly came and saved the day, volunteering to clean up my mess and offering a chance to remove my family's traumatic memories?)
(It's like a ploy to get me to join, but these two are probably just following orders from that eyeball.)
(There is also a possibility that these people probably are just opportunists, making the most of every moment to get what they want...)
Frizz was immersed in his own thoughts, making Nathaniel feel awkward since he didn't receive a reply. The sound of a footstep approached the silent duo; it was Divine Hesoyam Rosa.
"Something wrong, Frizz?" Divine inquired, noticing the silence and fresh out from a warm shower and wearing nothing but a towel as she dried her hair, a sweet scent wafted through the air. Her figure caught the two off guard, but they nevertheless ignored it.
Frizz darted his gaze away from Divine; her almost revealing figure was distracting.
Trying to break Frizz from his thoughts, Nathaniel added, "Hei told us that you raided another compound, but this time you called the police after you were done and went away," he said with an inscrutable tone while also trying to ignore Divine.
"Maybe it was Hei? You mistook his surveillance as some threat?"
Frizz exhaled, deciding to finally express his true feelings. "Everything was just so perfect for you two!" His expression caused his two new coworkers to perk up. "?"
"I felt a strange presence, and that made me hesitant to head home because I didn't want it to know where I lived." He continued, raising his voice. "Then suddenly my family got kidnapped, and I had to rescue them, and then when I was busy kicking their asses, someone had held my brother at gunpoint, and then you guys came in and saved the day."
"Then you guys offered me a chance to revive my family's memories in exchange for me joining your organization. It's way too fucking perfect!"
"That eyeball spies on me all the time, but for some reason you two didn't know what was happening until the last minute? No cap?" Frizz ended his rant, raising his two hands in disbelief.
Nathaniel stepped forward, slightly offended and also raising his voice. "Yes, we didn't know! We don't even know how Hei works most of the time. He gives us orders and equipment, and we follow him," he said in full confidence, willing to overlook some flaws.
"We get that you're suspicious, but we really had something urgent that we had to prioritize; it's probably the reason why Hei wasn't here with us," Nathaniel added, continuing his point of view.
"Hei ordered us to protect your family! We fully well know what a person like us levelers can do if they were to be robbed of their loved ones!" Nathaniel emphasized his point, aware of the results caused by an emotional instability from people with power.
"What do you think would happen if a second-rate leveler like you were to lose all control and inhibitions? Nothing to hold back or lose?"
"A single earthquake spell was enough to destroy a city block! Hundreds of millions worth of damages and several losses of life! Now, imagine that on a bigger scale!"
The room's atmosphere went tense as Frizz glared at Nathaniel. "People with power like us aren't meant to lose control because that would mean the loss of the status quo! We protect the status quo for us to be able to live meaningful lives!"
"Yes, probably!" Nathaniel admitted, with a rough tone. "This is all Hei's machinations. I wouldn't be surprised. That wouldn't be the first or last time he'd manipulate events to his favor."
"Hei, at some point, manipulated us too." He continued. "But we still want to work for him because we support his philosophy."
The atmosphere grew tenser. "If it weren't for him, I would be dead, and Divine would've been some unwilling whore of a fucking multimillionaire," Nathaniel added, their futures had Hei not intervened in their lives.
Divine bowed her head, her past somewhat stinging. "It's all true..."
Frizz clicked his tongue, appalled by Nathaniel's willingness to defend the possible manipulations and orchestrations of their leader, Hei. "Ever seen those videos where the owner of a dog feigned throwing a ball and the dog was scurrying around looking for said ball?" he said with an incorrigible expression.
"That's exactly what this is all about."
The two argued, not willing to take a step back. An overpowering pressure emanated from Nathaniel, pressuring Frizz, but he managed to hold his ground. The two quietly glared at each other, waiting for the other to make a move and swiftly counterattack.
A single reason was all they needed.
"Tadaaaa!~" Divine exclaimed, pulling the towel that was covering her figure and revealing her wet and slightly steaming naked body. Her skin glowed, highlighted by the light from above.
The two gazed at the naked figure, eyes almost bulging and jaws almost dropping. The tense atmosphere faded away, replaced by the sudden shock and surprise of a distracting naked figure.
Divine put her hands on her hips, leaning closer to the two as her double frontal assets swayed and clapped at each other. Several beads of water dripped from the tips.
The room fell in total silence; the two who were at odds earlier were now unable to register what they were looking at. "Stop fighting! We have no need to fight. We must all be working together!"
"Nathaniel, please be kind to our guest. His suspicions are valid, and you had the same paranoia when you first joined; be understanding." Divine shouted, facing Nathaniel as her frontal assets swayed.
"Frizz, I understand what you feel, but please give us a chance. We are not your enemies; we've been protecting you from the shadows," Divine pleaded, flicking away the sweat from her figure.
Divine picked up the towel and covered her figure; a big yet almost cracked smile was plastered on her face. The atmosphere has lightened up due to her decision. "Now, can we work together?"
Frizz looked away, surprised by what he had just witnessed. (Weirdos, levelers like me are weirdos... Is that what's going to happen to me soon? No longer caring about how the world perceives me?)
Nathaniel coughed, looking away and picking up a mop. (It's been a long time since the last time I had a similar sight, but why does it have to be her!? I am not even attracted to her!)
Divine crossed her arms in her chest, reeling from the impulsivity she'd shown. (Oh my god! No, I can't believe I have done that. Oh my god, I'm so ashamed. I can't even look at them in their eyes anymore!)
(No, no! I am the leader. I have to exude confidence. Make it seem like it was nothing.) She concluded, breathing deeply as she turned to the two.
"Frizz, when will you be able to acquire new talents? We need you to be strong."