Corporate Request (Part 2)
In Esperro, every class had multiple types of set effects. Preferences varied depending on the build.
I figured the Weapon Summoner would have several kinds too.
First, I need to check what effects they have.
Weapon Summoner set items—ones I'd never used before. The thought of building something new had me absently tapping my thigh.
With that, April and I headed to Angela's.
"I've got a question."
"What is it? Ask me anything! I'll answer with all my heart for you, oppa! What's on your mind? Hmm, what I like? Nah, you seem more into fighting than that... Wondering what else I can do? Well, me... (omitted)."
She'd say something facing this way.
Then something else facing that way.
April shook her black bobbed hair, her head bobbing side to side.
I'd only asked briefly.
But her response was several times longer.
And the kicker? I hadn't even asked yet...
"You're not just wandering aimlessly. I figured you must have some goal."
"Oh, that? Hmm, no real goal..."
Odd. April cut herself off unusually short.
Her expression darkened a bit too.
"To be honest, I ran away from home?"
"...Ran away?"
Hmm, I'd half-expected it...
"Yeah. I ran away. I need to build my strength properly right now. I went through some bad stuff because I was weak... But at home, they won't let me do anything dangerous. So I left."
She seemed to have a story behind it.
Running away, though.
"Then why follow me? I'm not planning to do anything for you."
I had a itch to raise someone up.
But April didn't fully feel like my person yet.
I hadn't even voiced the idea of training her.
What was she thinking, tagging along?
"Truth is, no one else will take me in..."
"...Ah."
"But you did, oppa? Sounds pathetic, but right now, you're my only option. And the other thing—that time you put my sharrururu on your weapon. First time I'd seen my power used like that? I thought sticking with you might teach me a ton of stuff like that."
April rattled it all off without pause.
Two conclusions.
One: nowhere else to go.
Yeah, not easy enduring her level of chatter.
Two: she liked my fighting style.
Then she'd follow my training obediently.
Not bad.
Still more to learn about April, but I had a sense of her intentions now.
She wouldn't get in the way.
Might even be useful for my plans.
Oh, and she gave me that precious coffee bean.
Bringing her along wouldn't hurt.
"Over there, right?"
How long had we walked? April pointed at the request office sign and hurried ahead.
Kiiiek.
The door creaked open, revealing Angela.
Jena was greeting a customer.
"Long time no see? And you've got a girl on your arm now?"
She welcomed us, tumbler in hand as always.
But her eyes were sharp.
"You talking about me? I am a girl, but no need for that look. Hehe. Wow, so this is the request office? Always just saw the postings on the board, never been here... (omitted)."
"Wh-what the hell are you?"
Hmm, even Angela couldn't handle her.
Anyway.
"Heard Esteno Company put in a request?"
Flick.
Angela tossed a paper onto the bar and turned back.
"Read it. Seems like what you wanted. Found a few others too, but they didn't seem your thing."
It was exactly what I wanted.
Esteno's 'protection request.'
Why target Esteno's request? Simple: set items.
True, originals had no sets, but there were hints.
Later expansions revealed them as sets.
I can demand it as reward.
This was my shot at Esteno's set gear.
Bonus: could forge a sponsor tie with Esteno.
Depending on how I played it.
"Spot on."
"Company wants their goods guarded. You're not the only one hunting this—sent someone ahead already."
"Who else wanted it?"
"Deron. Halberd barbarian."
The swordsman with the halberd from my first request office visit.
Familiar... ah, that guy.
So far, the request details unchanged.
Deron was originally part of it anyway.
"Heard you prepped a few more. What're they?"
"Silver and gold grade ones. Monster nest clears, fetch quests, that sort. Can't hand over gold myself, but I'll handle it. Would be great if you took these too."
She was dead set on pushing me, as promised.
"Lady Angela worked hard finding them. Appreciate it."
"...Ahem."
Jena adjusted her glasses, dead serious.
Angela coughed awkwardly.
"Whoa, amazing! Oppa, you're such a big shot! Request office owner hooking you up with higher grades! This is huge, right? Totally picked right. Since I was little... (omitted)."
"Yeah, your oppa's amazing. Now get out? How long you gonna let her yap? Scram already."
Angela was back to her first-impression self, somehow.
* * *
Straight to Esteno's building.
Location: Elond, a small unguarded district near Brockton.
Inside: spacious lobby.
"How may I help?"
The desk attendant asked.
"Here for the request!"
She was pumped for the job.
Answered before I could...
"Ah! Right away!"
Situation must be dire.
Even the attendant jumped at 'request.'
She whispered urgently to another, who bolted off wide-eyed.
Moments later.
"You?"
Blond pompadour, glasses.
Tall, sturdy build.
Crisp suit accentuating his handsome face.
Esteno president Logan himself.
* * *
Logan led us to his office.
We sat on sofas by a massive table.
"Heard you've been waiting for our job. Correct?"
Courteous tone.
Looked thirties, young for a president.
"Yes."
"You seem to know something."
"Guessing who's targeting you."
"...You have?"
"Yes."
Logan couldn't hide his surprise.
But April's clattering pulled his gaze.
Annoyed look.
Not her looks.
Perfectionist type? Hates mess?
April noticed, hands off quietly.
"Ahem. Who do you suspect?"
"Haopen, probably."
"...As expected. Anyway. From the request office, so vouched—but we should confirm. If not too rude, could I see your abilities?"
Sudden ability check.
Different from other clients.
Something specific to verify?
Anyway, summoned a few weapons.
"Quite the rare ability. Request accepted. Have three others already—join them. Finish well, get more than quoted."
Logan approved on sight.
But I wasn't after pay.
"No need for pay. Want gear instead."
"Gear?"
"Yes. Know you have a set-effect piece in storage."
"Hmm, you know a lot. Fine. Success, it's yours."
Wary of my intel, but agreed.
To Logan, single set piece means little.
Not a collector chasing sets.
Wouldn't miss it.
Trading for pay? No loss.
Businessmen calculate sharp.
"Now, meet the others."
Logan stood, quietly fixing April's touched items.
Bothered him plenty.
Or something more.
...Anyway. Logan was scouting sponsors. Guilds essential for company growth.
The Logan I knew: half-mad success obsessive.
Here, ability users tie deep to corps.
Strong ones boost biz big.
Like turning monster mats into exclusive goods.
Or secret corp jobs like this.
Impress him now, snag a sponsor? Not bad.
Help Esteno grow huge.
They help me.
Mutual benefit.
Plus, their tech's useful.
Logan guided us downstairs.
Their tech vault.
Leaned on elevator wall, chatting.
"With that intel, you know what we're protecting."
"Somewhat. Gear-imbuing tech."
"...Impressive. Not easy info. Yes. Merging ability tech into normal items."
Already real—by Orion.
Secret still.
"This tech's vital. World could change. Wrong hands? Dizzying."
Logan feared misuse.
Already happening—Orion.
But Logan... better direction.
Knock knock.
Downstairs, thick steel door.
Opened slow.
Red lights, two ability users.
That guy's it.
One stood out: bowler hat, raincoat, halberd.
Deron from Angela's first visit.
"Thanks for coming. This one's extra."
"Hmm, from Angela's office?"
He recognized me.
Removed hat, offered handshake.
Gentlemanly, as he looked.
"Yes."
"Thought so—familiar face. Deron."
"Those red eyes are hot? Lips too. Mmm... wonder what those taste like? I'm Elisa."
A woman muttered, approaching.
Long red hair, revealing cheongsam-like dress.
Elisa smirked lewdly.
Tone, outfit—got her type.
Mind mage class.
"But you okay? Seem low power. Rumors say attackers are gold-grade request vets. So..."
Theirs: late 20s levels.
Calling out me and April's low levels.
Gap real, but no worry.
Damian's power's different league.
Side effects mostly fixed—closes the gap.
"Fine. Knew coming in."
"Hmm, alright then."
Said okay.
But Deron's face soured.
Can't help it—his employer's call.
"What, girl too? Pass on the guy. Girl's cute though. Right?"
-Grrr.
Corner: mohawked man emerged.
Long black leather coat, shoulder shotgun.
Black panther pet beside.
【Stealth】 hiding, huh.
"......"
April stared silently.
Mouth shut, her looks shone.
Cool beauty vibe.
Guy probably hooked.
Hmm, leave it?
"Whoa, face too icy? Elisa, you know me—how many cold girls I've melted?"
"Did you?"
Elisa shrugged, unlike with me.
"Kekeke, guy's nothing special, but me over him? Name's Benjamin. What's our lady's?"
Benjamin closed on April.
Asked, so answer time.
April swept bob behind ear, opened mouth.
"Hmm, Benjamin..."
April began.