Chapter 2

Rishido here. Lately I`m thinking about some things but I can`t remember what is it when I want to solve it. Maybe it was just small things like science books or problems that I forgot weeks ago. I might be suffering from short term memory gap, hope not.

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Days had passed after that meeting but things here were still normal. No heavy patrol guards roaming or any military movements, might be later this month or the next.

I needed to prepare or I would be the laughing stack of people if I fail this one.

I knew that we could participate events through the system but having direct quest from the duke himself was very rare. I`d read some post on the forums and one post said that having direct request give different reward than waiting for the system announcement like what happened with the scrapyard dungeon.

While I`m on the hunt for new quest and discovering the dukedom, I went to the library to find any books, manuscript or even a small hint about clockworks. The librarian-san was polite and told us… yes Leyla and Servira tag along with me but sometimes they separates with me for some unknown reason.

Back to the topic.

She told us that we could find history books about clockworks but it was very few at least 10 of them. I`m still grateful that there were books about clockwork than none but saying 10 was few what`s many for her anyways.

To describe the library it was an old looking 2 story stone building with small windows. The inside was covered with wood planks from the floor to ceiling then I thought why they would do that. I mean you had a stone building then you covered the inside with wood planks. What`s up with that?

I`m not an architect so I won`t bugged it anymore. Well the history books were located at the history section duh. This place was really organized that you could find what you`re looking for but sadly there`s no magic tome or books that could teach you magic.

That books can be brought through magic shops anyways.

While I took my books and started reading, Leyla and Servira said that they would find their books also, so I let them be. I`m still wondering what were the things making them busy when I`m busy with all of my stuffs.

First, I did selective reading to find how much information I could get from one books. I was very easy to know if the clockworks was just mentioned or do a big role.

Some books did told about the arrival, what happened, and how they end up. I`m somehow dissatisfied from what I read. Yes, they do mentioned the arrival of clockworks and construct and everything but there`s no vital information about their technology, way of living, etc.

The only good thing I received from reading those books was another access point inside the black card. Hhmm… so information even if very little could give me some benefits. The black card was inside my head so I could access it anytime.

Then a flash of memories or recorded mini clips of events flashes through my eyes like I`m watching a movie trailer.

We arrived at a foreign land to be our salvation against the corruption eating our world. At first, I don`t agree with this idea of world travelling but the Council told us that it is the only way to save our race from destruction.

Other planets were destroyed or corrupted and starts to attacked other planets. Only time would tell when ours would be attacked. I`m ordered to take care of every clockworks and construct with the help of other guardians that would join us but most of my squad will stay here to defend the metropolis until we evacuated.

Most residents with us was worker class but everything could be worked out if we just learn new things. When we arrived, everything was green and they were like breathing. The man and his team that helped us said that this was his world and they do rescue missions to other planets or worlds.

I trusted him as they fight alongside with us when the first wave of attacked came to our planet. I thought that would be my last battle. The enemies force and technology just surpass our machinery even though I achieved my mechanical perfection.

Days after our arrival, the man called Adam said that they rescued others that survived from the attacked but only few. Most of them were trainees and lower class soldiers. We asked them what happened after getting them repaired and they told us that the enemies overwhelmed them by their numbers.

I knew that the council could fight hundreds and survive but to be defeated by numbers was just unbelievable. They even have the ability to take the strongest version of themselves but if the enemies could defeat a council member on his prime mode then their overwhelming force might be just an understatement.

We decided to help every tribe in this planet as Adam said that they would be needing our help. He also warned us that don`t trust everybody in this planet as there were some people driven with desires.

If the Oracle was here with us, my only wish was to protect and guide us with our new home.

Then the video got cut as my notification keeps blinking.

You gained information about Machina. A race advancement of Clockwork. Needed more details to fully understand it and be able to transform into one.You gained information about class ‘Guardian’. Needed more details how to attain being one.You discovered a technology ability ‘Prime mode’. Needed more information to be able to learn how to use it.You discovered the God of your race The Oracle. Needed further details to understand the existent of Oracle.

Just wow… first I opened up my skill list and saw on my NWA (new world abilities) the question mark became Prime Mode. Those that mean that I had ideas to become one.

The advancement called Machina was intriguing also but I don`t have any idea except mechanical perfection as the video stated. Also a god called Oracle that was surprising to know that even clockworks do believed in God.

I picked up the girls, whose reading history about magic and told them that we will go window shopping but this time it would be the flea market at the downtown square where most merchants would sell their goods.

I`ve told Servira to use her mana scan to check every small items. There might be small items that was a quest item that would lead us to clockwork and construct history. The chances were slim but I decide to try our luck.

As we arrived, there were dozens of people shouting the items they sell or items that they needed. Guess things like this also happened in different games.

I didn`t bring Cerous as he`s too large for this crowded place. He might also attracted unwanted attention besides two was too much.

From time to time I saw some mana trails from antique items and asked the merchant about it. Some does have their stories while others were unknown but I kept on buying useless things from them. Leyla was ranting about me spending money like a spoiled noble kid but I told her that some might give us clues or quest so she stop talking and sat on Servira shoulders.

The price range was just around copper and silver coins. I do haggle the price when it reaches gold. I don`t haggle that much but I like to keep my lost in a minimum if this experiment fails me. The expensive ones were at my storage while cheaper things are at Servira`s bag. Some ruffians tries to steal from us but they just got their butt kicked by Servira. Looks like training paid off.

*

I scanned everything when we went back to the guild building where Cerous was. I paid the kids that looked after Cerous that also cleaned him.

Some were heirlooms while others were artifacts or enchanted items from ages ago. The enchanted items lost their magic or use but still hold some mana which was new to me.

I had a hunch that if I could revive this items back to what they were then maybe I could have clues but it was just a wishful thinking.

But there was one item that really intrigues me, it was a music box. The merchant said that this music box was locked and broken which was unrepairable because it was an old craftsmen art that had been lost for years and forgotten.

The answer on why did people forget about it, because of magic. People started to use magic on a different approached that was when bards or minstrels class boom. He also said that the music box was a complicated item to repair as there are many small parts inside.

The music box has weathered wooden cover and reinforced by rusty steel sidings. It got intricate wooden carving on the top while the sidings had floral etchings. It got a built in lock that for some reasons it release a small mana trail.

It was weird actually, but I guess the owner really want to keep it safe from other people. I could also see the vague runic symbols around the box protecting it from any harm like what I did earlier when I tried to poke the side if it was loose but what I got was a spark pushing away my screwdriver.

I guess, I have to postponed it for now and find a lock smith here or outside.

I`m starting to think that I`d developed a hobby of collecting all sorts of things. I was really weird for me but the feeling was fuzzy though.

It was just weeks ago but my habit of collecting stuff become more and more showy, I think. Then again, there was nothing wrong with it as long as it wasn`t disturbing in a way.

Wait. I remembered that I have tons of miscellaneous items stored in the bank. Gosh, I should list down my stuffs or I’ll forget them when I got more and be busier with quests and battles.

Weekends come and I could stroll around but I have a mission for today and that was to learn how to be a lock smith or just know how to unlock that old music box.

Lock smith nowadays were hard to find as the technology progress some skills starts to become forgotten like lock smith. Luckily this town had a restoration shop which could help me, I hope so.

The shop wasn`t much of an old garage or something like that but a big rustic shop with displays of restored item from the past like the barbers pole, a telephone booth, and other small items on the window display.

I`ve already contacted them that I’ll be passing by here to asked for help and maybe learn something.

As I entered the shop, I could smell the scent of some kind of old wood in the air and the cozy feeling like you`re inside your own home.

“Welcome to Rowdy Restoration, you must be Mr. Tadashi.”

I was greeted by the clerk-san while I was staring blankly around admiring the small pieces that was on display at the shop.

I do greeted her back and asked if I could be taught which she said yes shyly. Do I looked like a bad guy or an approachable one? Or she`s just a shy type? Enough of the details while I`m at work.

She guided me at the back of the shop where I saw a muscled guy hammering down a bend hood or something and he looks mad at it. Is he bald also?

Then we got approached by a more ripped guy, His chest was bulging that his shirt and jumpers can`t hold his muscles, his biceps was as big as my two arms. He also had a short mustaches and BALD! Damn, was this shop really a restoration shop or a gym? Wait did they also offer bodyguard or bouncer service here?

“Yow shorty who`s the wheeled Rapunzel withcha’.”

Hey, that`s rude to call me Rapunzel.

“He`s dad client for today.”

“Okay, I thought he`s your girlfriend.”

That ticked me off.

“The way you speak was very annoying by the way.”

“Ow sorry didn`t mean to hurt your feelings but I don`t care about it.”

Before he walked away from us he got hit with a book on his back.

“Stop insulting people Shawn. He`s an important client of dad so be careful.”

But He just shrugged her off like nothing happened. The clerk-san came back to me fuming and muttering something.

“I really about his behavior, he`s just like that ever since he became one of dad`s handy man here but he`s not that really bad.”

“I get it. Still, he`s annoying and rude to people.”

*sigh “I know even dad got some bad days with him.”

She helped me with my chair as we when to the work office. The clerk`s name was Marie and the daughter of the owner. If I would describe her she would be a shy nerd school girl. She just your average girl with glasses and long black hair. Stereotypical type of character in manga.

When we entered the work office and saw her daddy my first impression was… He`s their boss for sure. You know why? He`s FREAKING BALD ALSO!!!

I starting to doubt this shop as a restoration shop but a gym that could made you go bald after training and working. The only difference was he`s not a muscular guy unlike his employees.

“Oh, Hi Marie and Mr. Tadashi. Welcome to my office I`m Ray and sorry if this place was kinda messy.”

He laughed as he starts to tidy his tools and trinkets. Marie just sigh with his father`s antic and leave the two of us as she need to look after the shop.

“I would like to ask one question before we start.”

“Okay then, if you like to know anything before I teach you about lock smith go ahead.

I know it was an old corny joke but.

“Could you one punch people?”

“Uhm… no. Why would you asked that?”

I suppressed my grin as I tried to reply back but I sigh to release the laughter.

“Nothing. I was just an old joke I just remember.”

He looked dumbfounded with my answer but he ignored it and brought out a wooden box with a built in lock like the one that I had.

Our session about lock smiting was just around afternoon. It wasn`t really that hard to understand the basic but the actually was kinda tricky and hard to apply. He gave me few pointers about it and I also asked some advice on how to repair music box.

Well music box was composed of small metal parts that had different roles like who the gear works, the one that made sound, the timing, and everything to operate a music box. It was a complicated item like a wristwatch that has tons of small gears.

I went back to my condo after the session, of course it was paid. But before I reach my floor, I came across Martino who`s taking a break.

We exchange greetings and talked about what`s new things we do. Martino and the others were at the Dukedom also and planning on settling there for the moment because the warp gate was still unpassable because of the swarm season.

He said that until the swarm season was still on going the warp gate would be closed for us. He added that it was a one way service so we could be stuck where we want to go.

They`re right now discussing about where kingdom they will go. As of now, information state that we could access on five different kingdom including where we were the Aurum kingdom.

The other four kingdoms was governed by their own race like the Ryu Empire, the home of the dragons and other lizardkins. Loremane Kingdom govern by beastkin tribes. Diamon Hammer Kingdom where dwarves lives and other craftsmen stays to learn about blacksmithing and other crafting class. And last the Oriesta home land of elves and a matriarchal kingdom.

The Diamon was the best choice for them but he said that it would be crowded with people if the gate would be opened besides they had a team that would explore that place anyways.

Now that I think about it, I haven`t decided where to go next after this seasonal event. I have to find a missing link about clockworks and the best choice was the Diamond but that would mean I could get into troubles there as i`m a clockwork.

Maybe I should research more about before setting place to go next.

We bid farewell as we reach his floor and set off. Maybe I should think about my next move after this event also. I needed more information about my quest and I had to remodel Servira into a construct to progress with her quest.

Too much work, so little time.

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Right now i`ve choose to cut words as i realized that i`m giving too much info or something that might overload everything.