Chapter 113

“How’s that?” “Yes, even if we are separated for a month, I believe I can now properly carry out My Lady’s will.” “Oh yeah? Awesome.” Anubis opened and closed his hands as if checking for sensation, and Cayna gave a satisfied nod. “Here you go, Caerick. I’ll lend you Anubis.” “Haven’t we skipped a few steps?!” Cayna looked back at Caerick with open arms as if to say Ta-daa!, but her grandson’s only reaction was a cry of shock and distress. The beastkin glanced between the two and seemed to realize what was going on. He stood and gave a slight bow. That angle said everything about Anubis’s tonal shift between Cayna and Caerick. “Hmph. So I have been assigned to you for the time being.” “Yep. Caerick’s a little short on hands, so help him out. Oh, don’t use any life force magic, though.” Cayna couldn’t risk saying “Revival Magic” out loud, so she warned Anubis in roundabout terms with a wink. The summons quickly caught her drift and replied, “Understood.” “I am at your service, Master Caerick. I am well versed in the arts of subjugation and defense, and I am able to bear the brunt of any attack. I seek a bold occupation that will allow me to bring My Lady glory.” “Um, Grandmother?” Moments later, Anubis’s tattered robe transformed into the uniform of a veteran soldier. The beastkin was dressed in beaten leather armor and carried a sword at his side. By his impressive attire, one would think he’d just come back from hunting local monsters. Caerick stared at him in shock. “Anubis, I don’t think merchants are in the business of fighting monsters,” Cayna commented. “Hmph, I see. Then I’ll need to make a few adjustments.” He switched to a butler uniform complete with a necktie. “Grandmother… As respectable as he appears, is he truly fit for the job?” After brief contemplation, Caerick asked Anubis to help clean the warehouses. The summons obeyed without complaint, so he decided to just accept the situation for the time being. “Make sure you give really specific orders. He might throw out something important if you’re too vague.” “What?!” Caerick only meant for Anubis to supervise Sakaiya’s attendants during their various tasks and errands, but Cayna’s warning set him on edge. He got to his feet, determined to oversee the job himself and make any adjustments. “Guess I’ll be going now.” “My apologies, Grandmother. I had hoped to show you better hospitality.” “Not at all. I stopped by to make up for last time.” “I will be sure to pay you for today’s work in the near future.” “You can just send it along with Elineh’s caravan.” “Yes, I did consider that. However… I’m not sure Sir Elineh will agree to transport so much coin.” “How much are you giving me?!” This time, it was Cayna’s turn to yell. Anubis smirked but quickly straightened up when she gave him the stink eye. Cayna strolled around the market on her way home, then hurried back to the inn as night began to fall. At the first-floor tavern, Luka was enjoying dessert with several women from the caravan. The sweets were, of course, courtesy of Opus. “Mommy Cayna… Welcome…back.” “Hi, Lu and Opus. I’m back.” “Hey, you’re late. Did you get yet another ridiculous demand forced upon you?” Opus as well as her mercenary and caravan friends welcomed Cayna back. Cayna greeted everyone in kind and sat beside Luka. Her daughter carefully held out a spoonful of cake, fruit, and whipped cream, and she accepted it with a smile. “Mm, that’s delicious. Thanks, Lu.” “Uh-huh. Opus…made it…” “Wow, I am soooo sorry, Opus! I really put everything on you, huh?!” “You sound scary, Cayna. And why are you glaring at me?!” Cayna wanted to shout It means don’t give kids too much sugar! It’s hard enough to prevent cavities in a world where “dental hygiene” is salt and a hard brush! However, she couldn’t say anything when Luka looked so happy enjoying her treat. Cayna stifled her internal screams and settled for intimidating the culprit. “Yeah, I was kinda asked to take off a Punishment Collar.” “A Punishment Collar? Never thought you’d resort to something like that.” “I had no choice. I’m not around to babysit the guy.” Cayna told Opus about the events leading up to Luvrogue’s arrest while grumbling about how trouble followed her like a bad cold even though she only ever wanted to awaken Opus’s Guardian Tower. “Hmm, so there are players like him. I take it he still has room for improvement?” “Would you just lay off already?! Your terrifying definition of improvement has annihilate in small print! He’s finally turning over a new leaf, so just give it a rest!” “If you’re so willing to vouch for him, I’ll watch his progress with keen interest.” Opus had partly risen out of his chair but sat back down. Luka looked at him curiously, her fork still in her mouth. “Anyway, I can’t believe you met Exis and Quolkeh…” “He was so overjoyed to see me that he fainted.” “That absolutely wasn’t the reason.” If any Cream Cheese member was going to shudder at the very sight of Opus, it was Tartarus, aka Exis. Of their guild’s many oddball players, he was the one constantly begging for a shred of sanity. Cayna obliged on occasion, but if anything, she was responsible for keeping Opus in check. Fellow Skill Masters like Kujo used to hold their own open discussions. The participants included: Hidden Ogre, who always stood directly behind everyone and stared. Kyotaro, who mediated the Skill Master meetings. Liothek, who only showed up half the time. And Marvelia, who, although physically present, was usually paying attention to her own notes or jotting something down. The mere memory of these apathetic Skill Master get-togethers made Cayna want to cry. At least the non–Skill Master guild members had something to say. However, neither Cayna nor Opus had any idea Exis considered them both the same sort of headache. “Still, the numbers don’t add up. I recall there being a lot more players than those you’ve met so far.” “You counted the missing ones?” “As a former Admin, I memorized the discrepancy between logins and logouts.” “I was talking with Kee earlier, and it seems like people who got caught up in what happened on that final day arrived at different times. Humans and werecats stranded here two hundred years have most likely died from old age.” “Hmm. Old age…” “Maybe they left Leadale or went into hiding somewhere.” “If they left, wouldn’t that mean they died in vain without the system to support them?” “What?!” she exclaimed. This was news to Cayna. The whole of Leadale seemed to operate under the game system; in other words, she could never step foot outside it. “If the system is eliminating players…” “Stop, stop. The idea is too scary to even think about. That can’t be right!” Cayna hastily cut him off and dismissed the idea. For once, his honesty made her nauseous. “You seem pretty worried about the players. Is something going on?” “I just thought it would be useful knowledge for later, but there’s more I need to confirm…” Cayna was certain the Abandoned Capital was involved. However, all that aside, Opus now seemed open to any questions. Sensing the private conversation next to her, Luka finished her cake, drank some water, and excused herself. She returned her cup to the counter and, unsure of where else to go, wandered over to Elineh. “Oh? What’s wrong, little miss? Did your mom pick on you?” Arbiter asked. “Ms. Cayna wouldn’t do somethin’ like that. I’d be careful about spreading rumors, or you’ll find yourself in a right pickle,” Kenison warned. “Plus, this is Cayna’s daughter we’re talkin’ about. Would she really stop there?” “She’d blow him up, I reckon.” The mercenaries babbled on despite the person in question being well within earshot, but Cayna realized they were mostly joking and gave a wry smile. Knowing he would have definitely been sent flying already if he said the same thing, Opus cried a little inside. “Hey, Opus, there’s something I want to ask…” “Oh? What is it?” Cayna leaned over the table and spoke in a hushed voice. Opus followed her lead. “What happened to my uncle and Ako after I died?” “Right, those two…” Opus thought for a moment, and Cayna’s expression darkened. “Don’t tell me something bad happened to them?” The air buzzed with tension, and a heavy silence hovered as Opus let the suspense build. Then his eyes suddenly popped open. “I have no idea!” “Hwaaaah?!” Cayna cried, collapsing against the table in dejection. “What the heck, Opus?!” “They helped build the company, but it’s not like we got together on a regular basis. I was exhausted and had my hands full on that final day. How was I supposed to know what was going on in the real world?!” “Get off your high horse!” Cayna shouted angrily. Her shoulders slumped. She would have at least liked to have some idea of their fates, but moaning about it here wouldn’t change anything. Cayna hoped her uncle and cousin hadn’t sunk into despair. Her one regret was that she’d never been able to thank them for everything they’d done. “Well, we’re still connected to the other world. I’ll make a move once I settle a few other matters first. Look forward to it.” “Huh? R-right. What are you planning?” “You’ll have to wait and see.” Cayna didn’t yet realize how quickly Opus’s talent would ease her regrets.