"Actually, there is something…"

"Yes, what is it?" John was elated, finally getting somewhere after another while of comforting and feeding.

"It's just – I-I." Angelina didn't seem to want to say it aloud. She had done the same when she asked John to kill the fifty tainted rats. Her voice dipped into nearly inaudible levels. "I need you to kill again."

"There's no shame in that," John comforted. "They're only monsters."

"Yeah…"

"So, what do you need me to kill?" John asked impatiently. He knew the answer, but Angelina needed to say it for the quest to activate.

"In the northern Yessif crater," she whispered. "There's a monster that roams near the edge…"

"Miss, there's a lot of monsters in the tainted lands."

"I need a big one... Deer."

[Hunting Elite Tainted Deer]

A – Grade Difficulty

Angelina is grateful for your help in hunting the tainted rats. Although regretful to bother you, she requests your help once more.

Slay three Tainted Elite Deer, level 10 or over, to help Angelina. Return the heads before she feels abandoned.

Elite Tainted Deer Heads: 0/3

Time Limit: 2 days

Rewards: Variable affinity with both members of the family

That was interesting. John was positive about this part of the chain quest – Jade Cookies had specified it was one elite monster, not two, and certainly not three. The quest line was changing. It was nothing big at the moment, but that too might change. Each quest was harder than Jade Cookies' quests as well. Was there something that was causing this? What was so different from Jade's playthrough of the storyline? John had no idea.

But in the end, be it one or three, killing any elite tainted deer was hard at this point in the game. Three would just spend a few more resources and time.

The elite tainted deer, like most tainted organisms, was larger than its traditional version. But they were aggressive and had several quirks like poisonous antlers on male deer. Their hide had the usual toughness associated with the taint and their hooves were far nimbler and sharper. They were at least level 7, which was good for level 9 teams. However, Angelina wanted level 10s, within a time limit too.

Essentially, the quest was impossible at the moment.

John gave a regretful smile. "I'm afraid that might be too difficult at the moment. I will need more time."

"No, no, no. It's alright. That's quite alright." Angelina quickly said. "Don't bother, I'm asking too much."

[Quest, Hunting Elite Tainted Deer, is on hold.]

John could see the quest slipping away. He had lost a quest in the past before because of a similar reason. "I know I can do it. I just need some time, a bit more strength," he asserted.

"I can't impose on you; I really can't," Angelina insisted. She bushed a bit and returned to her quiet self. "I mean, you're a stranger, aren't you? You've helped so much already. It's wrong for me to be so dependant on someone I just met..."

John then pulled out some of the cheesiest stuff he ever said. In the past, he was really inexperienced with these kinds of story quests and he was even more so with children.

It was a line straight out of the movie with slight adjustments.

John recited, trying his best to keep a serious face and tone. "Is it wrong that I bring you food? It means that I share your hunger. Is it wrong that I speak with you? It means that I want to learn." He took a breath, trying to be dramatic, just like in the film. "Is it wrong to guide you, to help you, to kill you – err – to kill for you? It means that I –" He froze. The original line was 'I love you', but John couldn't say that without any negative connotation. He stammered in hesitation. " I-I-I… care."

John clenched his teeth, hope his false sincerity was enough. 'Please…'

Angelina fell silent and her vibrant, blue, little eyes shimmered with the purest color. It was the result of the refraction of a tear, the translucence in the rumpled, but beautiful hair, and the tainted sunlight that somehow felt clean. Then she quickly hid her face, turning away from the thief.

[You have gained 15 affinity with Angelina.]

'Yes!' John exclaimed in his mind. That line was more difficult that any monster he had ever fought. 'Also, isn't this affinity stupid easy to get?'

Angelina suddenly gave John a hug. She seemed to forget that he smelled like shit, that she might later get the bed dirty. The shoulder was extremely firm – well it might have been the leather armor; low-leveled players weren't that buff – and it had a certain warmth, even if it was smelly. Such was the power of a newfound fatherly figure in a distraught girl. They might have met recently, but Angelina found John's awkward affection very genuine.

"Um…" John felt weird. He might have been old enough to be a father in the past, but surely not for a ten-year-old daughter. Moreover, his character was only seventeen, just like his real body. "Angelina…" he mumbled.

"I'm-I'm-mm – sorry," she wailed, snot dribbling on John's coat. "It's just been… And mother... I can't – can't be weak…"

Then John gave up. He had guaranteed the obtainment of the quest and pretty much every chain quest after that. This would be an immense profit in the long run and John was certain he could make it to the top through the rewards. It wouldn't hurt to let her have her way for a bit. He wiped Angelina's nose and awkwardly put his arms around her tiny back and disfigured shoulders.

"Trust me," John added, almost forgetting the last line of the film's monologue.

He immediately realized that that might have been a mistake. Hadn't Angelina reached her breaking point exactly because she trusted someone? John looked down at the little mess of blonde hair in his arms who was sobbing with an uncharacteristic loudness. 'Thank god she didn't hear that.'

"Well…" John made it out of the embrace eventually. "I should get going."

"Alright," Angelina said, retreating knowing what she had been a little odd and also a little forceful. She wiped her face and lay back on the bed, forgetting about the smell.

"And, the deer – I'll kill them."

"Please."

[Quest has been updated.]

[Hunting Elite Tainted Deer]

A – Grade Difficulty

Angelina is grateful for your help in hunting the tainted rats. Although regretful to bother you, she requests your help once more.

Slay three Tainted Elite Deer, level 10 or over, to help Angelina. Return the heads before she feels abandoned.

Elite Tainted Deer Heads: 0/3

Time Limit: 15 days

Rewards: Variable affinity with both members of the family

"I'll get it done as soon as I can," John said, masking the glee in his voice.

[Quest has been accepted.]

"Thank you."

John almost danced out into the alleyway, humming a tune. He put the metal sheet back where it belonged and skipped into the street.

"Damn you Jade Cookies!" he hollered when out of earshot. Laughing, John shouted again. "Damn you and your depressing, ill-explained, quests!"

The NPCs on the street all stared at him, like an idiot or maybe someone to mug, but he didn't care. In the dimly lit lower levels, he was like a ray of sunshine.

'Still, isn't it amazing I got so much from one line?'

Indeed, 15 affinity and a 13-day extension from a couple of dozen of words was unheard of during John's time. A few words might give a few affinity at best but nothing of this scale.

'Did I do something else?' John couldn't help but wonder.

He shrugged and dismissed it. Unknown situations weren't at all uncommon in RISE. It was possible that Jade Cookies had received or would have received something similar. She hadn't detailed any of her conversations with the family which made sense. From the nature of his talks, John judged that Jade had likely also found the quests endearing and personal.

Yes, John did find the story captivating, despite his negative opinion of it. It's because captivation wasn't exactly what he was looking for. John had been given another chance to reach the top. It would be fine if he made relationships along the way, but he couldn't let an NPC distract him from his goal.

That was one of the most common things that prevented star players from climbing the ladder. NPCs, even if users considered the artificial intelligences as what they were: virtual, intangible, became nearly indistinguishable from human. It was difficult to call them anything other than living. Many a good player had lost their lead due to this.

But John wasn't climbing the ranks for the first time and he wasn't climbing it alone. Fate had given him another chance, not only for himself, but for Chelsea, for Kevin, and even to some extent, for Lupe.

"Hey, mister, aren't you awfully chipper?"

John realized he had strolled back to the fountain. His mood instantly went placid, hearing that youthful, but filthy voice. "Kid…"

"Yes, mister?" Chelan asked.

"Why are you here? I gave you the money didn't I?"

"Yes, five coppers. And I thank you for that."

"Then we have no business."

"Well, I was looking for you for another reason," Chelan admitted. She was upfront about it, unlike Angelina, which John would have appreciated if he actually wanted to talk.

"What, did you grow a conscience?" John asked, resuming his walk.

"Well, I thought about what you said," Chelan said, keeping up with John. "And I want your help."

"Kid, you don't gain a conscience from a stranger helping you," John said annoyed. "Maybe by helping a stranger."

"No, about being a thief. I want to learn how to be a real thief. And I can help you, I can."

John stopped for a moment. This sounded exactly like someone wanting to be a follower. Of course, John didn't meet the requirements to take a retainer, but that didn't mean he couldn't better a relationship for later. However, would a hungry orphan be worth anything?

Generally, good followers like Sergeant Kriens were hard to come by and certain conditions needed to be met before they would accept a master. But to fill the demand for retainers, there were other options. Most players would find it easier to recruit weaker servants and build them up. However, it was easy to pick a man off the streets and give him a sword, but hard to make him a swordsman. You could dedicate them many resources, but they might still be capped by their potential and never ascend the tiers.

John squatted down to Chelan's eye level. He squinted into her eyes, examining her. "Why do you attempt night-time burglary rather than, say, pickpocketing or theft?" John pointed towards some other parentless kids at the fountain. "That's what most of them resort to if they have the guts to even try."

Chelan stared back at the almost closed black eyes. "Is this a test?"

"Genius!"

"Oh, shut up."

"Then answer. My lips are closed, and my ears wide are open."

Chelan pondered hard for a few seconds like it was a decision of a lifetime, which it probably was. "People are smart. They keep their copper coins in their pocket. They keep their silver coins in their purse. They keep their gold coins in their homes."

"…"

John couldn't keep the serious eye contact anymore. He thought he had misheard the oddly poetic declaration. Wasn't she just blatantly admitting to overwhelming avarice?

"So, do I pass the test?" Chelan asked with expectant eyes.

"Have you ever succeeded with your little games before?"

"No..."

"Look, kid, I don't want an apprentice," John finally said, leaving Chelan behind.

Her bright eyes died a little. "Wait, mister, wait!" she called, chasing after John. She tugged at his hand.

"Just forget it, you're too wet behind the ears."

"What does that even mean?" Chelan said.

John kept moving.

"Wait! No, please, I don't want to be stealing forever, I want to be a thief."

John was astounded. Did that ugly little mouth even hear what it was saying?

"C'mon mister, you helped Angelina. I know you can help me, and I know I can help you."

The little orphan was getting annoying. John turned around and placed his hands on Chelan's small, ordinary shoulders. "Alright, here's the deal. You still have those five coppers?"

Chelan nodded.

"There's an organization on the twentieth floor, southeastern corner. It's a branch of the Thieves' Association and it's five coppers to join as a beginner. Register there and prove yourself."

Chelan didn't reply.

So, John turned her shoulders and pushed her off in the direction of the stairs. "Off you go, kid."

Chelan walked forward, her legs moving repeatedly like a robot. When she realized what she was doing and turned to face the thief, he had disappeared into the mess of people and twisting streets.

…

"Done with that train wreck," John said in satisfaction. He really didn't want to deal with the little orphan. Without the retainer management tools, he couldn't check Chelan's potential, so he could only let Thieves' Association deal with the rascal. If fate brought them together again, he would be happy to deal with her.

'Now, how to kill some elite tainted deer?'