Chapter 8

Crimson sat in his cell considering what had happened. Rhinese had come and spoken to him and offered him a job. He had accepted without any hassle; from what his [World Insight X] skill had told him it was the perfect position for someone like him who’d had no: training, experience, or possessions. It wasn’t hard to make the decision to join.

He’d been tempted to decline and instead join an Adventurer’s Guild instead, but he didn’t know what kind of conditions he’d have if he did. It might not be possible for him to even join! All in all Crimson felt content with his decision there might be better options out there but none were as good as this one.

Crimson remained in his cell for the next few hours as he waited to be released. Rhinese had told him that the paperwork would be finished at noon and a guard would come to retrieve him and show him around. It brought hope to him for an exciting life.

He glanced at his status a few more times as he waited. The [suspended] tag on his health regen had changed to a [Slowed] tag.

Not sure what [Slowed] means because my health is full but it does’t seem to be good. Rhinese’s spell was VERY effective.

Crimson got back to his feet and began pacing around his cell; marveling at the lack of pain and discomfort in his body. It was literally the best condition his body had ever been in with the exception of his time on those platforms.

He walked over to the bars and put his hands on them to feel the texture of the iron. On the other side he could feel a strange texture engraved into the bars. I can’t quite tell what it is but it seems to be some kind of design. Intrigued he tried to angle his head to see what it was but couldn’t manage it.

After trying for several minutes and getting his head almost stuck in the bars a few times he gave up and backed away. A cheeky grin slid onto his face as he decided to check out what is was when the guard came to get him. He went and sat back on the slab of wood that only had a passing resemblance to a bed and checked his Status again.

Name: Crimson Hokori

Titles: Delving Guard, Blessed Luck

Class: WorldWanderer

Sub-Class: [Empty]

Sub-Class: [Empty]

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Health Points (HP): 100/100 r/s 1.0 [Slowed]

Magic Points (MP): 100/100 r/s 1.0

Stamina (STA): 100/100 r/s 1.0

Strength (STR): 10

Agility (AGI): 10

Constitution (CON): 10

Vitality (VIT): 10

Intelligence (INT): 10

Wisdom (WIS): 10

Perception (PER): 10

Willpower (WIL): 10

Charisma (CHA): 10

Luck (LUC): 90

Crimson’s [Suspicious Prisoner] title had changed to [Delving Guard]! It probably meant that the paperwork was finished and he would be freed soon. He also took note of the two timers, they would finish at about the same time but the [World and System Guide] timer would finish a little sooner. It currently read: [18:39:15].

For the second time that day the sound of boots resounded through the prison as he waited on the ‘bed.’ This guard rounded the corner empty handed and looked at Crimson for a long moment.

“Your paperwork has been finished new guy let’s go show you around and get you settled,” the guard said.

“Yes! Thank you very much sir!”

“Don’t call me sir!” The guard said, glancing over his shoulder before looking back. “The Captain will have you running laps around the courtyard if you do. I’m not a ranking officer; addressing me as one is an insult to those that are.”

Crimson quickly nodded; there’s no reason to get on anyone’s bad side.

The guard opened the gate and told Crimson to follow him. He stepped out of his cell and quickly turned around to look at what was on the bars. It was a long and winding design; almost like a combination between a Chinese character and a Celtic knot with the Chinese character in the center and the Celtic knot built around it. After looking at it for a moment he turned and ran to catch up to the guard.

“My name is Crimson Hokori, I look forward to working with you. “

The man looked back at him and responded, “I hope you learn fast.”

Crimson grinned at him and shook his head, “I don’t think I do, but I’m willing to work hard.”

“That should be sufficient. Want my first piece of advice? Work hard, even if it’s easy.”

Crimson nodded then asked the guard about his name. The guard promptly responded that it wasn’t important for him to know; after that they walked in silence.

When they reached the outside he felt awe flood through him as he saw the high walls surrounding the prison. They were made of fitted brick and there didn’t seem to be a single gap in the entire thing. The portcullis they walked under had very study bars and he noticed the same designs etched into it that he saw on the bars of the cell he was in.

Must be some kinda magic?

The walked from the south-west part of the wall to the north-west part; passing a young man with brown hair who smiled at them kindly while he tended a patch of flowers. The path they were taking followed the wall along the edge.

When they reached the north-west part of the wall they were greeted by several soldiers in armor lazing around a barracks.

“Who’s the new guy?” One of them called out.

The guard escorting Crimson waved at them dismissively, then walked straight in to the office next to the barracks.

“Captain, I’ve brought the man that Her Highness recruited.”

“Good, you are dismissed.”

“Yes sir!”

The guard left the room and Crimson got his first look at the Captain. He was a large man that bore more than a passing resemblance to a bear he was clearly some kind of Bear-Kin. The first give away were the round ears on his head. The second was the fact that he had larger than usual hands with paw pads on them. He got a very close look at those when the captain tried to crush his hand.

“Welcome new recruit. I am the current Captain of the Delving Guards: Mars Ursidae.”

“It is nice to meet you Captain Ursidae. I am Crimson Hokori.”

“This is the first time that the Princess has ever recommended anyone for this position. You must have impressed her.”

“Not at all! I just answered some questions she asked me and then she offered me this position.”

“So I heard, but just answering some questions under your circumstances, yes I heard you were in the holding cells, would not be enough to be offered the position.”

Mars had cut into what Crimson was about to say like he was a mind reader. It appeared that he knew all or almost all the circumstances surrounding Crimson’s impromptu recruitment.

“Regardless sir, I do not believe I took any actions that could have impressed her enough to make her recommend me for this position.”

“Ha! It wasn’t a recommendation! I was told you would be joining us so long as you followed the rules and worked hard. There was no saying ‘no’ to the Princess. Well, I’m not bitter. As she said I reserve the right to eject you from the DG if you act up. Don’t give me a reason to kick you and we’ll get along just fine.”

“Yes sir!”

“Good! Now, have you taken a class yet?”