Chapter 0045

Erica never understood the pain of ‘grinding’ as the other 2 refer to it. She followed them like a good little follower, however when Sylphie told-slash-ordered them to kill the pixies, Erica had every intention to put in the least amount of effort to get the job done. She intends to treat grinding as an unwanted task nobody want to do so the boss decided to foist it on her, with utmost care and grudge. She ignored the fact that she had never worked for anyone in her life.

She started Erica, Landsling and Park right after she graduated from college. It was always her who foist the job onto her subordinates.

Then the pranks began.

They were simple childish pranks an elementary school kid would do, like tickling, pulling on her hair, put an animal down her clothes, though in this case it was the pixies themselves who went under her clothes.

She no doubt the mischievous pixies will flip up her skirt if she was wearing any. Luckily pants were the default clothing.

Soon, a once odious chore became joy.

“You bastards dare prank me huh. Well pay the price! My time isn’t cheap!” Erica snarled as she swung her swords only to miss.

Pixies maybe low-level mobs but they are quick and agile. The zipped, dodge and dance between Erica’s swings to harass the Ruse Marren.

Erica swung haphazardly a couple more times before activating Agile Slice and killing one pixie.

“Haha, come at me you annoying bastard. I’ll kill you all.”

As if they were angered by Erica’s declaration, every pixie in the area swarmed the Ruse Marren.

Sylphie proved to be an attentive group leader. She cast a HOT spell on Erica, drawing some of the pixies her way while Leviene also cast her HOT spell, pulling more pixies off of Erica.

With 2 stacking HOT and a better grasp of her skills, Erica began a pixie genocide.

While actively venting her frustration, ah no, it’s grinding, Sylphie came and pull Erica away.

“Sylphie, what are you doing?” Erica had rarely seen Sylphie act like burglar breaking into a house. Her eyes darted here and there as if the cops are after her, her shoulders hunch, body bent low to reduce her visibility, stride large and fast while her grip on Erica never loosen.

Once they got to a safe area, Sylphie relaxed her stance while Erica remains tense.

“I forgot to tell you.” Sylphie said as she watches Leviene mow down the pixies faster than an out of control lawn mower.

“Tell me what?” Erica asked, never letting her guard down.

“When Leviene gets like that,” Sylphie pointed towards the zone out killing machine name Leviene, “stay far far away from her.”

“What are you talking about?” Erica studied the mechanical Leviene. The Ruse Marren notice the usually hyped up Leviene become very subdued. Since Erica didn’t spend much time with Leviene in the past, she notices the major changes in the short Perrian Let but she doesn’t understand why Sylphie is concerned.

Children hopped up on sugar calm down after the sugars go through their systems. Leviene may act like up she’s doped up on drugs but Erica is sure the poster child for ADHD is relatively mellow most of the time.

Seeing Erica’s confused expression, Sylphie understood the Ruse Marren never knew the danger she was in.

“Whatever image you have of Leviene, throw it out of your head right away. Leviene was never the saint everyone calls her. Leviene is human, just like you and me. A bit more introverted, but human.”

“Introverted...”

“Leviene bottles up her emotions. It isn’t good or healthy to store all these emotions insides of her. I notice Leviene would zone out from time to time. She’s playing the game, but she’s not acting normal. After a while, I joined in the game and she nearly killed me for helping her kill her target. I realized that whenever she’s frustrated, she’d zone out and vent in game. Leviene isn’t aware of her actions at all. I asked her about it before. She knows she’s farming but she isn’t aware of the particulars. From the way she’s going through the mobs now, she’s very frustrated.”

“What does she have to be frustrated about? She’s the darling of the family!” Erica refuted Sylphie’s claim a bit more vehemently than necessary. Envy and jealousy crept into her voice. What Leviene want, she got. Everyone doted on her.

Erica wanted what Leviene has. She isn’t ashamed to admit it. She wants brothers to dote upon, parents who love her unconditionally and family to support her when she needs it.

Erica ignored the other part of the relationship. She has to have brothers before they can dote upon her which is impossible since she’s an only child and if she does have siblings, the chances are it is she who is doing the doting.

Another thing she forgot is supportive family. Family do support each other, for the good of the family as a whole. Erica has to give before she can take.

Sylphie gave Erica an indescribable look. “There are a good side and a bad side to every story.”

“What does a rich brat like her knows?” Erica scoffed.

“Leviene isn’t rich.”

“Her family is rich.”

“Jason and Maylin Calbot aren’t rich. They can be considered upper middle class at best.”

“You are rich.”

“What does my money have anything to do with Leviene?”

“Leviene has access to your money.”

“Leviene does not have access to my money. She can approach me to borrow money, but what she takes, she has to pay back.” In one of the rare times, Sylphie sneered at Erica, “Did you think my money was communal property for my family? That they can take how much ever they want without paying it back? There is no such thing. If it were to happen, then it wouldn’t be my money.”

“Family should share their wealth!” Erica spoke in an agitated manner. Family sharing the wealth is what she’s been taught since childhood. Now, Sylphie comes along, challenging her preconception, challenging one of foundation her life was built on. If what she said is true, the why has she been working so hard for?

“Parents have an obligation to raise their children to adulthood. Morally, children have an obligation to take of their parents when they are old, however there is no law that requires a child to take of their parents.” Here, Sylphie smiled like she was dealt a winning hand where she and Erica went all in, “If my parent were to take my money without asking, then it is called stealing.”

“It’s not stealing if you let them take the money.”

“Once they take the money, it isn’t mine anymore. If they continue to take without giving back, then it makes them no better than parasites. I have no obligation to give and give without demanding anything in return. Why should I work for the leisure and enjoyment of someone else?”

“Because they are your family.”

“Oh, Erica, how naive are you? In the wealthy upper class, the person you have to be careful of is your family because they have the most to gain upon your death. Tell me, Erica, what would you do if your parents use your disappearance to drain Erica, Landsling and Park dry?”

“It won’t happen. I won’t let it happen!” Erica denied.

Sylphie simply smiled, which was more dangerous than her regular stoic expression.