Just because I've been busy with other things doesn't mean my job magically finished itself. Those ship containers had to be loaded with that stupid dust, and, as expected, finding and convincing people to help me with the job was impossible thanks to Cinder's action. Needless to say, it left her pretty ticked off, mostly angry.

  I could have ughed at her misery, but Cinder had a knack for taking out her frustrations on others, so I wisely kept it to myself.

  Surprisingly, Cinder dispyed a hint of self-restraint and, in the end, managed to come up with a quick solution to our logistical predicament.

  Her solution? Putting ALL of us to work.

  Yes, that's right, even Roman Torchwick, the infamous thief of Vale, ended up working as a cargo errand boy.

  Believe it or not, that simple act brightened my day and improved my opinion of her. Barely nothing, but hey…

  It's a big leap of progress for that stuck-up bitch.

  With the combined efforts of six aura-powered individuals, we managed to complete the task in a single day, packing all three containers full of Dust. It left me with barely any time for sleep. Now, in the early hours of the morning, I find myself sitting atop a container tower in the port, watching as other dock workers use their heavy machinery to load the three containers onto a big cargo ship.

  I'm tired but not exhausted, after this job is over I will take a quick nap. In the meantime, I enjoy a chocote bar that I got from a vending machine. There is something special about chocote that makes it irresistible, although not at the level of Pepsi. I still have a voice at the back of my mind telling me to buy Pepsi.

  I'm not addicted. I just really miss that delicious drink, but money is really tight right now.

  But those thoughts are beside the point as I look back at the scene below. Junior was right; this line of work couldn't be handled with just broken bones and guns. It's surprising to see how far Roman's network can reach; he's practically responsible for the entire exportation operation, and the authorities conveniently keep their distance from the area.

  Yet I can't figure out why Cinder needed all that dust shipped off so urgently. That's another reason why Roman was fuming. Something about this sudden and urgent costs even more money, not that it would bankrupt the guy, but it's enough to wipe that smug, carefree attitude off his face. Which is always a plus in my book.

  And to top it all off, we still need to get more dust for her. 'A lot more than measly three containers', her words, not mine.

  Luckily, I'm here mainly to keep watch, and I'm not alone in this task. The ever eccentric Neo, sitting next to me, seems to be enjoying her ice-cream cup, her attention far more focused on her cold treat than the scene below.

  To be honest, I'm not paying much attention either. We're mostly here as muscle, just in case someone decides to be foolish enough to steal the shipment, or if the authorities show up for some inexplicable reason. Roman bought them off, so I don't really worry about them.

  As for me, I'm engrossed in reading a small collection of books on my scroll, finally getting around to finishing the short story of Davy Jones. It's a weird story for a fairy tale, in my honest opinion.

  Like, what should I learn from it? Is that love isn't all cutesy and nice stuff? Or that love is destructive?

  "Can I have some?" I ask Neo, gesturing towards her ice cream.

  With another sweet bite, Neo locks eyes with me for a moment. She then happily settles herself right beside me, scooping some ice cream and personally feeding me with her pstic spoon.

  Always trying to get a reaction from me, and this time is no different.

  So, I simply accept her offer and explore the taste of the ice cream in my mouth, causing my ears to perk up in surprise at how good it tastes. She never disappoints with her choices; that creamy strawberry fvor is tasty, to put it mildly. And how it melts in my mouth.

  "Thanks." I say, and Neo responds with a warm smile, her legs pyfully swinging back and forth as she takes another spoonful of her icy sweet.

  I turn my attention to her, raising an eyebrow as I finish my chocote bar, uncertain about her intentions this time. Instead, she meets my gaze with her heterochromatic eyes and offers another smile, along with another bite of her sweet treat.

  Free food, so I accept it, allowing the blend of chocote and strawberry to intertwine within my mouth, creating a surprisingly pleasant fvor mix.

  But I quickly look away, focusing back onto the ship, attempting to distance myself from the tug-of-war within my thoughts caused by her pyful antics. I mean, like she always teases and provokes me just to get a reaction out of me, and I don't think she is getting one. I mean, like I'm just normal and not feeling anything…

  And my stupid tail is at it again… just great.

  And if things couldn't get any worse, Neo leans in closer than before, sporting a wide grin pstered across her face before giving me a wink, prompting me to avert my gaze.

  Fuck, she knows.

  Betrayed by the tail.

  I wish I could get rid of it. More trouble than it's worth!

  But fuck this.

  Determined not to let doubts cloud my mind, I pull Neo closer, wrapping an arm around her petite frame, utilizing our height difference as I rest my head on hers.

  Neo responds with giggles, poking my stomach a few times before settling more comfortably against my chest, seeking a better position.

  I don't make any further moves or say anything, content to sit there with her, observing the scene below as a crime unfolds as a normal business day.

  Fuck if i care that it is a crime with potential ramifications.

  She feeds me another spoonful of her ice cream, and I accept it calmly, savoring the sweetness as it coats my tongue. Maybe next time, I'll ask one for myself too.

  As the cargo loading concludes, both of us stay seated in that tower, our focus shifting to the rhythmic crashing of the sea waves against the walls. The sun ascends from the horizon, its golden rays bestowing a pleasant warmth upon us.

  This is actually nice.

  [Affection with (Neo Politan) increased by 3, 20/100]?Oh right, I forgot that this thing existed.

  -Hours ter-

  I'd been meaning to meet up with Jeanne for ages to showcase my gdiator css, but fate seemed to conspire against us. She turned out to be the unluckiest girl or, perhaps, her unfortunate co-worker earned that title after getting shanked and ending up in the hospital st night. The fast-food joint lost a team member, burdening the rest of the crew with extra shifts. And, of course, Jeanne drew the short straw for the early morning shift, given her proximity to work.

  Once again, our pns fell apart due to external circumstances.

  We had agreed that if it happened again, she'd skip that day. To hell with fate.

  But hey, at least she's earning extra cash with those extended hours.

  Left with a few precious hours to myself, I made the impulsive decision to venture into the forbidden Emerald Forest. Breaking the rules to hunt Grimm and gather more experience points seemed worth the risk; after all, who would care if I trespassed to level up my skills?

  Humans? Ha…

  And that's how I premiered my gdiator css, facing yet another group of killer ants surfacing from the ground, while Beowolf packs recklessly charged against me.

  Calmly, I removed my sword from the monster's head, watching it dissipate into nothingness. I scanned my surroundings, half-expecting more creatures to emerge from the bushes or the ground. However, as nothing occurred, I let out a sigh.

  The wave is over, a break for myself to rest and time to think. Or move away from the scene so the waves don't get worse. At least that's how I think it works. Without a specific destination in mind, I turn eastwards and start walking, knowing I can always head south to reach the city walls; getting lost in Emerald forest is nearly impossible.

  After covering some distance, I stumble upon a serene sight—a pond bordered by a colossal rock, doubling my stature. It seemed like an inviting spot, a pce to lounge and rex for a while, maybe even steal a brief nap if not for the constant threat of man-eating monsters lurking in the forest.

  But one thing is for certain.

  A big rock.

  And I must climb that rock.

  Why? Why not just jump?

  Because climbing big rocks is cool as fuck.

  Taking my time, I ascended step by step, exaggerating the effort as if conquering the greatest mountain, adding a touch of childish drama to my little accomplishment.

  Reaching the top, I settled down, pcing my weapons beside me, a chuckle escaping my lips as I shook my head.

  I guess I couldn't resist a dumb temptation.

  Drawing a deep breath, I gaze up at the blue sky. The towering trees don't cast a shadow rge enough to cloak the sun, yet they provide ample cover. Regrettably, I can't revel in it. I am certain the secret timer is nearing its end, preparing to unleash another, possibly stronger, wave of Grimm upon me. Maybe not a horde this time, but perhaps a single, powerful Grimm. Honestly, I would prefer to take on a group than a single but bigger monster, those I cannot predict.

  After scanning my surroundings once more, I get up and grab my weapons, readying myself for the next wave. Switching back to the Pugilist css crosses my mind, but the fluidity of my gdiator css and the effectiveness of a weapon capable of piercing those bone shells are good reasons to maintain my css.

  Moreover, there are new moves to master, to impress Jeanne.

  The spin attack is a recent favorite.

  A smirk teases at the corners of my lips, causing me to shake my head and dismiss those distracting thoughts. My focus needs to remain on the imminent threat of oncoming Grimm after all.

  Strengthening my resolve, I narrow my eyes, keeping a vigint watch over the forest from my advantageous position. I look for the smallest indications of movement, preparing to act accordingly. Yet, the only presence is the natural silence and the whispers of the wind.

  It struck me as odd; by this time, something should have already happened.

  Inhaling deeply, I focus on staying calm, my mind clear as I keep all my senses alert. Suddenly, a peculiar sound catches my ears, a strange noise emanating from below.

  Reacting according to my instinct, I try to look downward, but my eyes barely register the sight of the nearby water body before my hand, holding the shield, swiftly rises to protect me. It absorbs a powerful blow directly, shattering my stance and sending me hurtling and crashing to the ground.

  "Fuck!" I curse as I tumble across the ground, pain radiating from my abused arm. Without even looking, I know and even feel the metal shield disintegrate into pieces, scattering around me with a mere touch.

  Checking my arm, I find only the handle pieces left in my grip, the rest of it strewn around. A single shot shattered it, but it spared me from what could have been a fatal shot. Discarding the remnants, I force myself upright; staying still is not an option.

  My focus snaps back to the water pond, where rge bubbles surge on the surface, escating into violent spshes that scatter in all directions. Amidst this frenzy, another bullet is shot directly toward my head, forcing me to drop and narrowly evade it.

  Before I can register the projectile's trajectory, it strikes the tree behind me. I whip around at the thunderous crash of a falling tree, shocked. That single shot managed to cleave a tree in two, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom, sending debris flying in all directions.

  Dangerous.

  Shaking off my surprise, I divert my gaze back to the water pond, now a maelstrom of spshing chaos. From its depths emerges a colossal silhouette, charging toward me with a ridiculous speed, impossible for its size.

  As its sheer size casts a looming shadow over me, leaving little time to gauge its form as another torrent of water rockets towards me with full intention of killing me. There's no chance in hell I'd dare to block such a relentless force.

  The water torrent strikes another tree, sending it hurtling groundward, the massive trunk aimed directly at the now revealed Crab Grimm. It halts its charge, lifting both colossal pincers to intercept the falling tree and snapping it effortlessly in half.

  Its crimson elongated eyes fixate on me before it throws the fucking tree in my direction.

  Dodging becomes my only recourse. I leap away to a safer distance, but my heart leaps to my throat as I watch the Grimm charging at breakneck speed, one cw raised high, ready to strike.

  Before I can react, the cw crashes down with terrifying force.

  I manage to evade the impact zone, but the sheer force of that smashing attack sends tremors through the earth. A small shockwave ripples outward, causing me to stagger and nearly lose my footing.

  Swiftly, I react, pnting my foot firmly to steady myself, turning to face the monstrous entity. Surprisingly, it doesn't follow up with another attack; instead, it bellows a cacophony of noises, struggling to free its pincer, now lodged deep into the ground.

  That reckless attack turned out to be a colossal mistake…

  And a golden opportunity for me.

  Seizing the opportunity, I leap into the cw and sprint toward the creature's body, a spot where it can't reach me, offering multiple targets for devastating attacks.

  The creature's red eyes fixate solely on me, its crab-like mouth foaming, emitting a sinister hiss that triggers primal instincts, urging me to move out of harm's way.

  I leap forward, narrowly dodging another water bullet, my eye watching how it misses its target and instead strikes the trapped arm of the giant crab. A loud shriek echoes through the dense forest as it writhes in agony.

  But I pay no heed to its pain, I nd atop the massive white shell, dashing towards its right eye. With a decisive thrust, my sword plunges deep into the eye socket.

  Instantaneously, the giant Grimm thrashes wildly, attempting to dislodge me. Yet, I cling fiercely to my sword, driving it deeper into the creature's body as it convulses in a frenzied attempt to shake me off.

  Aware that I can't maintain this precarious position indefinitely, I focus on maximizing the damage or, ideally, incapacitating the creature. However, my limited vantage point offers scant opportunity for a strategic move besides keeping my grip.

  The crab spins furiously, attempting to fling me away. Despite my unwavering grip, the spinning induces a dizzying effect, sending shivers down my spine and blurring my vision. I grit my teeth, struggling to maintain my hold.Amidst this chaotic struggle, our gazes lock, the remaining red eye meeting mine.

  A wild grin spreads across my face as a solution materializes before me.

  As a st gamble, channel all my strength into my arms, pulling myself closer to the elongated eye. The crab intensifies its erratic actions in desperate response, but it's too te. With a bold lunge, I seize the red eye and, without hesitation, squeeze it between my fingers, causing it to detonate in a burst of bck energy.

  The Grimm, in a final act of retaliation, unleashes a force that sends me hurtling through the air, unable to maintain my grip on my sword.

  Now completely disarmed, and the monster crippled but alive and kicking, I switch csses. A brilliant fsh envelops my body, and as the light fades, my hands feel the weight of my razor-sharp cws, itching to put an end to this. But first, a safe nding.

  My body twists mid-air in the right position, nding firmly on the ground on both feet.

  However, the colossal monster experiences a starkly different fate. It shrieks and thrashes wildly, careening into trees or wildly sshing at empty air, its attacks increasingly erratic. Amid this chaotic dispy, a cw finally strikes the massive rock and then directs its rage towards the inanimate object. I could only raise an eyebrow, watching as cracks form, the creature's relentless assault slowly chipping it away.

  Dodging those lethal pincers remains my top priority. But despite the beating it took, that monstrous crab persists in its fight, and I need to put an end to it to cim my victory.

  My gaze falls upon my sword, still lodged deep in its eye socket. I consider driving it in deeper, hoping it will reach the vital parts to ensure its demise; the same tactic I used against the Ursa Major in the past. If that pn fails, then I could utilize the Grimm's own strength against it to crack its shell, rendering it vulnerable for a decisive strike.

  It's a simple pn, but it'll have to suffice.

  Raising my fists, I propel myself towards the Grimm, closing the distance swiftly to put an end to this relentless foe. My sudden move catches the giant crab's attention, and it instantly turns to face me.

  Foam begins to froth again in its gaping maw, prompting me to brace myself, anticipating its next attack. However, my caution proves futile as the Grimm doesn't shoot a single bullet. Instead, it releases a torrent of water from its mouth in all directions, without a specific target. Each fired projectile misses me by a ridiculous margin.

  Against my better judgment, I slow my approach, almost imperceptibly inching toward the crab with deliberate slow steps, each one of them carefully calcuted to minimize the sound.

  The Grimm turns once more, its massive form shing out with wild strikes toward the rock, its movements a frenzied dispy of desperation.

  I stomp the ground with as much force and noise as I can muster, compelling the monster to whirl around yet again. It responds with another frantic deluge of water, a panicked attempt to ward me off.

  Blind and scared.

  Perfect prey.

  A predatory grin creeps across my lips as I realize how fast and easy this will end.

  I edge backward, one slow step at a time, creating space before assuming a poised stance, using my own breaths as the final countdown.

  On the tenth breath, I explode into action, sprinting toward the crippled Grimm. My approach is purposefully loud, drawing its complete attention and eliciting its readiness for a counter-attack. But I don't charge straightforwardly; as I near the creature, I spring high into the air.

  A calcuted move to reach a blind spot, because it won't hear coming from above.

  The force of gravity finally pulls me down. Using the momentum, I stomp onto the impaled sword, driving it deeper into its body and crashing it heavily to the ground. The shell cracking, if not outright, exploded into millions of pieces, flying in every direction.

  The crab momentarily freezes, a futile twitch in its long legs betraying its st attempt at resistance and hold on to life.

  Moments ter, its corporeal form begins to disperse into swirling tendrils of darkness. I jump away, watching as my sword cngs against the ground, the once giant creature dissipating into nothingness.

  "Each new bastard always has something new." I murmur, a heavy sigh escaping me as I run a hand through my disheveled hair and reach my neck, which I rub, a quick massage.

  But I won, that's what matters.

  [Congratutions! You have leveled up!]

  Ma'iq RakhanRace–Feline FaunusAge 17Css: The pugilistLevel–12 (2%)Mentor – Bke BeldonnaApprentice– Jeanne d'ArcHP – 500/580 [50 regen per minute]MP – 1412/2120 [350 regen per minute]SP – 1991/2510 [200 regen per minute]STR–41END–44DEX–53INT–40WIS–36CHA–33LCK–10?

  Wait…

  That's a big increase in my stats, way too big.

  And the only thing I did differently this time was to unlock and level up that Masseur job. How does Masseur correte with the strength stat?

  Not like I'm compining, but still, I didn't expect these results.

  And sure as hell, I'm taking full advantage of this.

  Neo will be happy too.

  A win-win situation.

  Now, I just need to leave this fucking forest as soon as possible. No way I'm fighting a bigger Grimm.

  -Later that evening-

  Despite the big task earlier in the morning, there's no reprieve from the day's responsibilities. I find myself back at the warehouse, grappling with endless stacks of crates. These containers aren't filled with dust anymore, thankfully shipped off to some unknown destination and no longer my problem, but the monotony remains as I continue shuffling these mundane loads.

  As I move another heavy crate, the rumble of a cargo truck draws my attention. The vehicle parks inside the warehouse, and a furious man storms out, smming the door behind him.

  "Who does she think she is?!" Roman Torchwick grumbles angrily, his face contorted into a scowl.

  Attempting to concentrate on my task, I try to let him vent on his own. However, my attention is drawn back when I notice he's adorned in a delivery uniform. The sight of him sporting that ridiculous red hat is too much, and I can't hold back my ughter.

  The man shoots a gre in my direction, but I only burst out in ughter at how stupid he looks and his pathetic dispy of intimidation.

  "Shut your trap, or won't pay you shit!" His voice bellows, jabbing his cane in my direction.

  The threat silences me instantly, my scowl deepening as I swallow down my rising anger.

  "Get to work," Roman commands, pointing toward the truck behind him.

  Taking a deep breath, I quell my frustration, heading toward the truck. Roman moves closer and opens the door for me, revealing a startling sight, a vast cache of weapons. Crates upon crates filled with firearms, ammunition, and even explosives.

  Explosives?

  "Weapons now?" I examine a small pistol and a knife closely before tossing them back into an open crate. "Why does Cinder need these many weapons?" I question aloud, trying to make sense of the situation.

  "Fuck if I know!" The thief throws his hands in the air in exasperation. "And this shit is what is left. I had to spend most of the day buying weapons, no preparation or deals, straight up buying at those ridiculous high up prices because she wanted them today. Not next week, not tomorrow. Today."

  He kicks the truck's wheel, a grimace etched on his face. "Now I'm stuck with leftovers I have no use for."

  "Why not sell it to bandits?" I suggest. "They're an easy target to offload this stuff, and they wouldn't compin. With this many weapons, they'd likely jump at the chance. And if they try to strong-arm us, we could just persuade them, break a few legs until they see things our way."

  My casual suggestion seems to rub the fmboyant thief the wrong way. He halts abruptly, turning with a forced smile pstered on his face. "Oh, how could I have overlooked that brilliant idea? Of course, I know just the random bandit group to sell to, led by a spokesperson who adores attention within city limits. Excellent idea, kitten. In fact, you're now in charge of our delightful dealings with our new bandit friends."

  My body tenses, ears drooping against my head. "Wait, I didn't mean—"

  "Shh, no backpedaling now, dear," Roman interrupts, raising a finger to silence me. His forced smile remains as he pats my shoulder and slips a piece of paper into my hand. "Sell it for more than this, and you get fifty percent. Seems fair, doesn't it?"

  Struggling to voice my protest, I falter as his gre intensifies, compelling me to look down at the slip of paper.

  My eyes widen, my chest tightens in disbelief at the ridiculous figures scrawled on the paper.

  That's a lot of money.

  "Adieu." Roman mocks with a bow before striding away, leaving me alone with the cargo.

  Fuming, I watch him leave before frustration bubbles over, and I crumpled the paper into a ball, smming it onto the floor. "MOTHERFUCKER!"

  What the fuck I'm supposed to do with all that shit? How can I even sell it?!

  And to who?!

  I run a hand across my face, exhaling a long sigh to release the pent-up frustration. Reluctantly, I retrieve the crumpled paper, straightening it out. With a defeated sigh, I return to the cargo truck, examining the crates once more.

  With the list in hand, I start inspecting each crate, trying to devise a pn to offload this immense amount of illegal stuff before touching each crate to send it to my inventory.

  [Weapons crate has been added to your inventory]x23?As the cargo truck becomes empty, I swiftly file the receipt into my inventory. Just as I'm about to return to my duties, a mischievous idea strikes me, causing a malicious grin to spread across my face. Summoning my cws, I waste no time in puncturing one of the truck's tires, defting it and leaving the vehicle uneven and a problem that's now Roman's to deal with.

  Satisfied with my impish act, I nod approvingly and casually stroll away from the scene.

  With a clearer mind, a new idea lights up my dark thoughts. There's a man I know who could potentially connect me with others or provide information on pces where there's a demand for weapons.

  Moreover, an opportunity presents itself—a chance to finally take my new bike for a ride. I may not know how to ride one, but I skimmed through a quick guide on its operation, which I believe is sufficient.

  "Twist the thingy on the handle to accelerate and pull the left thing to stop. Pretty simple," I recall.

  So, I decide to put my theoretical knowledge to the test in real life. With a mere thought, the motorcycle materializes in front of me, its keys dangling in the ignition.

  With a single twist, the motorcycle's engine roars to life, its powerful sound reverberating through the empty warehouse. As the space is deserted following Roman's departure, I decide to take advantage and give the bike a short ride inside the premises. My feet shuffle, settling onto the seat, both hands gripping the handles. A swift kick of my foot disengages the device that prevents the bike from tipping to one side.

  My left hand pulls the lever, while the other twists the handle, causing the engine to rev and the entire bike to vibrate. Oddly, it doesn't move an inch, prompting me to furrow my brow in confusion before attempting once more.

  And again

  And again.

  Frustration boils over, and I kick something on the bike, eliciting a click and an abrupt silence as the machine shuts down. I throw my hands up in exasperation, a snarl etching across my face. This stupid machine refuses to budge.

  The manual was genuine, and I followed the steps outlined. The bike should be moving, not just making loud noises!

  I close my eyes, taking several deep breaths to quell my rising frustration. Despite my efforts to remain calm, I can't shake the feeling of confusion and annoyance.

  Am I missing a step? If so, which one?

  As I position my hands back onto each handle and pull the lever, my right hand twists the ignition key once again, and the engine roars to life.

  Unexpectedly, the bike lurches forward abruptly, catching me off guard. I'm yanked off my feet, my entire weight behind it as the bike unexpectedly lifts off the floor. I struggle to maintain bance but end up falling headfirst as the bike moves a bit farther before toppling over, sending me crashing to the ground.

  "Fuck."

  Grimacing, I grasp my throbbing head. Despite my aura mitigating most of the damage, the fall still inflicts a painful headache.

  Physically, I could easily get up, brush off the dust, and try again. Yet, at this moment, I ck the motivation to do so, to lift even a finger.

  Instead, I y there, gazing up at the high ceiling, my thoughts drifting through empty spaces. Oddly enough, the floor feels rather pleasant, not cold, but oddly soothing.

  'If you wanted driving lessons, you should have just told me.'?A familiar pink text obstructs my vision momentarily before dissipating, repced by a pair of amused, mismatched eyes peering down at me.

  "Have you been watching me the whole time?" I slowly push myself up from the floor, settling into a seated position as I observe Neo, who takes a few steps back, maintaining her amused expression.

  Neo tilts her head, putting a finger under her chin in a mock contemptive pose before eventually shrugging, eliciting a sigh from me.

  "Fine, suit yourself. And no, I don't need driving lessons from you," I retort, wincing as my head still throbs from the fall. "I still remember your little joyride. … Never again."

  The enigmatic girl rolls her eyes in response.

  'I wouldn't ride like that if I didn't know how to handle myself.'?I furrow my brow, acknowledging the partial truth in her statement. She wouldn't have taken such risks without the skill to back it up. Nevertheless, I still loathe that experience.

  In a calm manner, Neo strides toward the fallen bike, effortlessly lifting it into the correct position before seating herself on it. With a pyful tap on the back seat, she invites me to join her for a ride.

  With crossed arms and a frown, I maintain my resolve. "I made a promise to myself never to ride with you again."

  The memory of that chaotic ride remained etched in my mind. It was an experience I didn't wish to repeat.

  The first and st.

  Neo responds to my refusal with an angry pout, tapping harder on the backseat. 'I won't go fast…much.'

  "That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence." I remark, raising an eyebrow. However, seeing her persistent pouting, I release a long sigh. "Besides, I cannot fool around right now. I need to go to Junior's and hopefully find buyers for Roman's garbage."

  The pettiness of Roman's task grates on my nerves. The generous commission won't compensate for being coerced into this undesirable job.

  Yet my plight doesn't bother her at all, as she merely shrugs. 'He will wait. He didn't give you a time limit. I'm sure of it.'

  "That's…true." I concede, recalling Roman's words. He hadn't specified a deadline for the stupid task. "As long as it doesn't take months or years, he won't give a shit about it."

  I can work with that.

  Her mischievous grin widens as she nods in agreement, tapping her back seat once more.

  I groan, feeling conflicted. As much as I don't want to take another ride with her, I realize she's offering a solution that I might need. Without her help, I'd be stuck racking my brains for a solution.

  "I will fucking regret this."

  Slowly, I rise from the floor and make my way back to the stolen motorcycle. I gnce back at Neo, who offers yet another pouting face, and I let out a defeated sigh. Reluctantly, I take a seat behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.

  This time, her hair has a pleasant vanil scent.

  And much to my surprise, she doesn't try to tease me or anything funny. Instead, she swiftly maniputes something with her legs, igniting the engine and smoothly accelerating, making it all seem far easier than my initial assumptions.

  As we leave the warehouse behind, I brace myself for what I presumed would be another wild ride and a potential chase involving police cars.

  But she keeps her promise.

  Maintaining acceptable speeds, Neo offers a chance for me to take in our surroundings without the looming threat to my life. We navigate through the maze of cargo containers stacked in the dockyard—a pce we'd been earlier that morning, yet now devoid of people and without a rge cargo ship docked.

  However, it's not devoid of something else—ample space to maneuver, to drive.

  The realization strikes me: this is the perfect pce for a novice like me to practice riding. The open expanse invites exploration and offers an opportunity for me to familiarize myself with the bike without the usual risks.

  Neo finally halts the bike and swiftly dismounts. As I attempt to follow suit, she seizes my hands and redirects me toward the primary seat, positioning my hands above the handles, adjusting them in a much more optimal grip than I had moments ago.

  Only then does she ignite the engine in my pce, the sound roaring back to life. Neo once again takes hold of my hand, guiding my fingers toward the levers on each side, assisting me in pulling them fully.

  'Now shift the to first level' She instructs.

  "What?"

  With a roll of her eyes, Neo points downward, directing my gaze toward a lever near my feet. 'The lever thing close to your feet, move it up.'

  Following her instructions, I comply, causing my bike to emit a familiar odd noise, reminiscent of the one that caused me to fall off the bike earlier.

  'Now release your brakes and the clutch very slowly.'?Confusion clouds my expression. "Brakes and clutch?"

  Amused, the shorter girl giggles and pces a hand on my right hand.

  'Brake.'?Then she moves it to my left.

  'Clutch.'?Ah, so that's what those parts are actually called. Good to know.

  Taking a deep breath, I release the brake and, as directed, gently ease off the clutch lever at a slow pace.

  The motorcycle begins to move, gradually but steadily picking up speed.

  As I continue to let go, the bike gains momentum.

  However, I immediately close my hand, halting the bike abruptly.

  "Wow…" I mutter in awe, my gaze fixed on my new ride under me.

  My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of enthusiastic cpping, emanating from Neo, who sports a wide grin as she signals for me to continue riding.

  Nodding in acknowledgment, I replicate the same process—releasing the clutch gradually, gaining momentum until it's fully engaged. The rush of wind against my face invigorates me as I speed ahead in a straight line. Gncing back, I catch sight of Neo waving at me; her figure growing smaller as I ride further away.

  However, I notice I've strayed quite a distance from our starting point, facing a looming wall of containers. Firmly gripping the handles, I make a swift left turn, retracing my path back to where I began, maintaining the same speed.

  But that pace feels mundane.

  Against my better judgment, I twist the throttle, increasing the velocity drastically. The engine's roar grows louder, yet the thrill of speed outweighs any concern.

  Yet…

  Doesn't that make me a hypocrite?

  No, it doesn't.

  Shaking off the thought, I refocus, only to realize that I've passed Neo again. I swiftly make another left turn, heading back to where she's standing. She stays there, arms crossed, wearing a smug grin that unmistakably screams, "I told you so!"

  I bring the bike to a complete stop by grabbing the brake and shutting off the engine. Before dismounting, I recall Neo's earlier actions and replicate them, ensuring the bike is parked perfectly.

  Stepping away from my motorcycle, I rub the back of my neck. "That was something."

  Neo giggles once more and pyfully pokes my stomach before strolling toward the bike. She circles it, leaning in closer, causing a hint of confusion within me. Her mismatched eyes carry a scrutinizing gaze before she returns to my side.

  Then she turns to me with a serious expression, which quickly morphs into a mischievous grin.

  'Naughty kitten, stealing again?'?"As if that matters to you," I scoff, crossing my arms. How could she attempt to py the morality card against me when her actions have been far worse than mere stealing?

  If anyone should cim the moral high ground, it should be me!

  'At least remove the pques.'?"What?"

  Without a word, Neo steps toward the front of the motorcycle and delivers a powerful kick, sending a piece of metal flying that cngs against the floor several times. Moving to the back, she forcefully removes a rectangur piece of metal engraved with numbers and letters, casting it aside.

  "Why does that matter?" I ask, eyeing the discarded pques, as Neo referred to them.

  Neo gnces back, tilting her head. 'You know, that's how people identify their cars, right?'

  "Really?" I scratch my head. "I guess I keep learning new things today."

  She nods, offering another smile and pointing at the vehicle again.

  'You should also give it a new paint job just to be safe.'?"I actually like the colors," I reply, considering the additional expense, something I'm not keen on at the moment. Although, once I have the means, I pn to repaint it in bck and blue.

  Rejecting her suggestion earns me a shrug from Neo. She taps her head as if contempting something essential until suddenly, a lightbulb materializes above her head.

  And no, that wasn't figurative speech. A literal light bulb materialized on top of her head and it lighted up before shattering into nothing.

  'You need a driver's license.'?"Why would I need a license?" I start, then furrow my brows, studying my partner in crime. "Do you even have one?"

  She blinks once and then retrieves a small pstic card from her pocket, dispying it for me to see. On the card is a picture of a bck-haired girl with long twin-tails posing for the camera.

  "That's not you," I remark, a hint of concern creeping in. It seems like a recipe for disaster in the making. If she ever gets stopped.

  But Neo just rolls her eyes and snaps her fingers. Her entire body is suddenly engulfed in a pink glow for a brief moment. As the glow fades, the same girl from the license picture stands before me, leaning closer with a smug smile as she flicks my nose, prompting a groan as I rub the spot.?

  "Okay, I forgot you could shapeshift as well. My bad," I admit, feeling pretty stupid for stating the obvious.

  She nods firmly in response.

  "Whatever. How do I get one?" I consider the cost-saving opportunity, realizing that having a license will reduce my taxi expenses significantly and ease the financial pressure on my wallet.

  The shapeshifter waves her hand dismissively.'Don't worry about it, I will get it for you.'

  "Oh… well, thank you." But the gratitude I express also brings a twinge of worry. I owe her more favors than I should. While her help is appreciated, even if she saved my sorry ass, I shouldn't be so indebted to her.

  And now I cannot take my words back. Just one more favor.

  I only sigh, feeling my shoulders drop thanks to more weight pced on my shoulders.

  Gncing at my scroll, I note the time indicating the evening, a reminder of how te already is. But also the perfect time to pay Junior a visit and to take my new bike for a real proper ride on the highway.A first-time experience worth having.

  "See you tomorrow?"

  Neo pouts, pcing both hands on her hips. 'Aren't you forgetting something?'

  I roll my eyes and shake my head. "Thanks for the help and for teaching me how to drive."

  Her pouting expression swiftly transforms into a grin.

  -Time ter-

  "Are you trying to fund an army?"

  "What?"

  "Nobody's going to buy that many weapons from you, especially not at those prices,. The crime boss expins, with a hint of impatience.

  "You have to be shitting me." I mutter, feeling my shoulders slump as my hopes for an easy solution vanish into the air. "Aren't there, like, those shady characters or some spokesperson for the bandits or whatever?"

  "Yeah, but no one with a name worth a damn would set foot in a city." With those words, he crushes the st flicker of hope within me, making me drop my head onto the counter in defeat.

  "Ah…fuck."

  The big man pays no attention to my frustration, resuming the meticulous cleaning of the bar counter surface, then handling an empty cup.

  "Would you like to …"

  "No." He preemptively cuts me off, firmly pcing the cup down.

  I release a sigh, lifting my head. "Figures..."

  My hand reaches for the small drink in front of me, and I gulp it down in one go, grimacing as it singes my throat and stomach. "Ugh. How can people drink this shit?"

  It even fails to alleviate my mounting stress. It's literally the only fucking job of this garbage!

  The burly man snatches the cup from my grasp, his expression far from friendly. "Then do it yourself."

  "Hah?"

  Junior proceeds to wipe the cup with a white towel. "You always bitch about drinking, then make one yourself."

  He firmly sets the empty gss in front of me, issuing a challenge.

  "Oh …"

  Fuck, my mouth getting me into trouble yet again.

  But…

  Is it really a problem?

  I am an Adept Culinarian, after all, a fact that makes me smirk in full confidence of my most developed skill.

  "Fine, watch me."

  My body moves swiftly as I rise from the bar stool and vault over the counter, earning a disapproving gnce from Junior. Ignoring his pointless stare, I stride toward the gss wall lined with shelves, scanning the vast selection of drinks avaible for mixing.

  My gaze lowers to a small horizontal fridge and a dispy case stocked with an array of fruits and other drink ingredients.

  An idea for a concoction forms in my mind. I begin by retrieving a couple of bottles, uncapping each one to take a quick whiff, selecting only those with the sweetest aroma.

  Pcing my chosen bottles on the counter, I kneel and grab a couple of lemons, accompanied by a sharp knife, both id out on the chopping board.

  Taking the mixer, I pour the selected bottles in even quantities, adding ice cubes before sealing it shut. I shake it firmly in my grip, setting it down beside the chopping board where I proceed to slice the lemons into thin, even pieces.After setting the knife aside, I gnce around, catching Junior observing me with keen interest before he quickly averts his gaze. It doesn't matter. I reach for the gss cup he had just cleaned.

  Only then do I open the mixer, pouring the concoction with a gentle flow until it fills three-quarters of the cup. I grab one of the lemon slices, pcing it delicately on the cup's edge.

  The drink emanates a pleasant aroma, the mixed fvors working in perfect harmony. Intent on savoring my creation, I lift the gss, ready to indulge in my final work. However, a flicker catches my attention. The return of Junior's gaze to his tasks. Smirking, I lower the gss and slide it towards him.

  "Go ahead."

  His eyes meet the drink, and he slowly picks it up, first bringing it close to his nose to savor the aroma before cautiously taking a sip. His eyes widen momentarily, a surge of emotion that he swiftly suppresses, nearly smming the gss on the counter.

  "Beginner's luck." He gruff, giving me a narrowed gaze.

  Fuck you, I win.

  His reaction confirms my overwhelming victory, making it increasingly challenging to suppress the smug grin forming on my face—a grin that only seems to agitate the gang boss further.

  With my triumph secured, I finally pour myself the drink and mockingly offer him a toast, which earns me a scowl. He, however, grabs his own drink and takes another sip.

  Chuckling, I finally take a sip, closing my eyes as the delightful aroma matches the taste. Yes, it's an alcoholic drink, but mixed in a way that doesn't scorch my mouth; just a faint tingling sensation on my tongue.

  Sweet and satisfying without the need for added sugar.

  My Culinarian job is truly the best thing.

  "I didn't know you could mix drinks."

  I lower my gss as Miltia's voice breaks through the atmosphere. Watching her approach the counter, she takes a seat on a stool in front of me, followed by Menie, who settles beside her, both eyeing my newly made drink with curiosity.

  "Natural talent," I reply, a smirk pying on my lips.

  "Beginner's luck," Junior grumbles, his bitter tone falling short as he takes yet another sip of my sweet and delicious creation, and he fuckings knows it.

  I shoot another grin at the disgruntled man before I pour the remaining drink into two clean gsses, passing one to each of the twins.

  Menie hesitates at first, mimicking Junior's scrutiny to find any fws, while her sister dives right in for a sweet taste.

  "This is really good," Miltia compliments, taking another sip.

  Menie abandons her scrutiny, tasting the drink herself, and her eyes widen in surprise. She lowers her gss, licking her lips. "Indeed, it is, sister."

  She shoots a quick gnce my way before returning her focus to the drink, taking another sip.

  Miltia savors her drink at her own pace.

  From the corner of my eye, I notice Junior's half-empty cup. Without dey, I reach for my own drink, fully enjoying my drink despite my disdain for alcohol. If I'm the one preparing it, then I'll drink it.

  I pause, a sigh of pure satisfaction escaping me as I gaze at the half-full cup in my hands. A memory surfaces, a convenient recollection.

  "I recall you promising to appoint me as a bartender once you finished with the club repairs." I announce loud enough for Junior to hear. "Did I pass the test?"

  The twins swiftly turn to look at their boss, their expressions silently urging him to uphold his initial promise.

  The big man scowls, still nursing his drink. His annoyance prompts him to down the remainder in a single gulp before gently pcing the gss on the table.

  "Fine."

  No longer unemployed.

  I beam with triumph and return to the wall of bottles, starting a new selection. There's no better way to celebrate my new job than by crafting a drink for my eager co-workers who observe my work, anticipating my next masterpiece.

  Their interest in this particur skill begs the question: what would their reaction be to something more... personal?

  I steal a gnce at the girls. They seem like the type who'd appreciate a good massage.

  -Bonus Scene: Ozpin-

  Ozpin scrutinized the video recording once more, fixating on the peculiar Faunus boy as he battled yet another unregistered Grimm within the confines of his kingdom and his academy.

  Once is happenstance. Twice is a coincidence. Three times…

  Three times is an enemy action.

  Her action.

  "You need to postpone Beacon's initiation, Ozpin," the General of Ats decred with a firm tone. "This situation demands further investigation, more yers of security."

  The headmaster reclined in his chair, removing his gsses for a swift cleaning of the darkened lenses. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I cannot, in good conscience, maintain the same dates and risk the lives of both students and aspiring hunters." After polishing his gsses, he pced them back on. "I have to postpone the initiation for at least two weeks, or a full month, in the worst-case scenario, but I cannot dey beyond that and risk panic."

  "It will have to be enough. With your permission, I will send more of my agents to assist your investigations."

  Ozpin nodded and clicked the video feed again, freezing the frame at a moment that provided a clear shot of the Grimm. He zoomed in as much as possible without sacrificing image quality.

  "What concerns me the most is that some of these new Grimm aren't recent appearances, but have been roaming our world for a long while. Yet, their existence and records were never published," Ozpin mused, minimizing the video and opening a new folder with a collection of pictures featuring the small subterranean Grimm. "For example, this species is called Myrmidons in Menagerie, and according to your reports, a tide with these Grimm as the main force formed in Mountain Glenn."

  "Which my forces promptly destroyed." The general quickly reminded him.

  "And I'm thankful for that, my friend," Ozpin replied with a faint smile, soon repced by a darker look. "But I know your forces couldn't kill the alpha, which raises another concern. An alpha variant so close to the city and one strong enough to destroy one of your warhounds with full artillery support."

  An image of the completely wrecked War Machine appeared on the screen.

  General Ironwood maintained his silence, a deep frown marring his features.

  "That reminds me," the headmaster adjusted his gsses and looked at the general. "Have your forces found the missing warhound yet?"

  He might not have approved the purchase of the war machine at first, but it was still missing property of his kingdom and could be a potential danger to the popution in the wrong hands; it was expected to raise concerns.

  His old friend sighed. "Regrettably, they haven't made much progress. No trace of where it could have been taken. But in our investigation, we came across interesting information."

  "Oh? Do tell." He raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

  "A mining outpost is soon to be attacked."