As I walked into the lobby, I could feel the countless stares directed towards me. Even the guild receptionists were giving me death glares. It wasn't until I looked over myself and the path I walked that I saw the problem. I was covered head to toe in blood and led a pretty bad blood trail where I walked. I became fully desensitize to it while being here. Back home, any average joe would faint seeing this much on a person. But now, look at me, I've changed. I could see the same receptionist that checked me in walking my way. The best description I could give her would be a dark elf. She is shorter than the average elf. Around 5'9", it didn't matter much because the unique elvish beauty still stayed. With rouge colored full lips and silver hair wrapped in a bun, even the simple uniform she was wearing complimented her curvaceous figure. In simple terms, she was stunning.

"Mr.Talbot, I understand this is your first time at the training grounds, but please be mindful of your surroundings."

In a slow deep tone, I spoke, "I didn't know how dirty I was?" Looking into her dazzling red eyes, I felt drawn to her.

She started scolding me like a teacher would a disruptive student: finger waving and all.

"I understand, Mr.Talbot, but even so, you should be mindful of your fellow guildmates. If you wouldn't mind, please {Purify} the area. So that this mes-

I caught her left-hand mid-sentence. I moved closer, placing her hand over my chest." I haven't learned to use {Purify} yet. Could you help clean me up?"

She moved closer and lessened the already small gap between us. I could see a devilish smile appear and vanish in a split sec on her warm lips. Once she spoke, it was in a soft sweet tone.

"Mr.Talbot, I don't mind" She extended her right hand and moved her left from what I thought was a firm grasp. She pulled our heads together and gently placed my forehead on hers. Being so close, I could smell the fruity aroma naturally coming off her body.

"May all that is impure vanish and the light from Elskeve wash over all who witness."

I noticed she used a different incantation than Emilia and Chole. She finally pulled away and spoke", Now Mr. Talbot, if you ever get dirty again, come tell me, can you promise me?" She said in a low, hushed tone.

I felt my heart race and skip a beat and fluttered like a butterfly in a mid-day breeze. Before I could answer, a green hand landed on my shoulder, and I could feel mana enter my body and wash away the horn dog dazed state that latched on to me. I took a good look at the giant of a man. Realizing it was Hogard, I let my guard down, not wanting another demonstration like before.

"Maricela, you know damn well you can seduce recruits." I presumed a tight clasp on my shoulder to follow the anger he was clearly showing. Instead, the distant feeling of foreign mana slowing moving through my body persisted.

"You're no fun, Hogard, we were just having fun, plus he came onto me." The seductress that had me mere moments ago under her thumb. In a snap of a finger, she turned into a bratty little sister. She was just playing the best-suited role in the situation.

"This one is off-limits. I'm reporting this to Captain Qiana. Expect a reprimand. Understood Maricela.

She responded sheepishly, "I understand Specialist Hogard."

"Dismissed"

She walked back to her station behind the desk, and I'm guessing her friends started asking questions about what happened.

"Jack, next time, control your dick. She's a Succubus-Elf half-breed. Young males like you are prime targets for stat siphoning. Probably drain your measly Qi cultivation with it."

I looked back towards what I thought was a Dark Elf with a devilish charm I noticed before. "Thanks, Hogard. I don't know what came over me. Are you here to train to?"

"No, Jack, I'm looking for you. We need to talk. Let's head to the cafeteria."

I was taken back, to be honest. "Ah, ok, I just heading there."

The walk there was quick and suspiciously quiet. I couldn't wrap my head around what he needed to talk to me about unless it had to do something with Hanguk. As we entered the cafeteria, he told me to get what I wanted and find him near the window table. I only looked toward the free buffet option; all guild members gain access to it. Plain meat, salad, and water were all they had. I still haven't eaten seasoned meat in this world yet, but it should be excellent, if anything, similar to the unseasoned variety. I'm gaining a +2 to all stats from this meal alone; at least I could eat my fill here.

I walked towards Hogard, sitting across from him. I started eating, waiting for him to speak.

"Jack, you've done pretty well. I can see you racked up several considerable skills since we last met" His statement took me by surprise. I tried my best to keep a neutral face and body posture.

"How are you able to read my status screen, Hogard? Is there a hidden setting I've missed?"

"The two copper bracelets you've been wearing" I looked at the copper bracelets. That still doesn't tell me how. Until it hit me, magic. Dammit, Jack. The thought had never crossed my mind. First, they fuck me over with the contract. Now they're tracking me with the gear.

Before I had the chance to take the bracelets off, he spoke.

"Listen before you do something, boy," he snapped his fingers, and the bracelets visibly tightened around my wrist. "Those bracelets help negate, store and transfer energy, take those off, and you're an open book."

I just let him talk and ate my food. I couldn't let his words bother me. I have to keep a level head from now on. The more I know, the better, even if it means they're tracking me. Seeing I wasn't going to respond, he continued talking.

"Jack, I'm not your enemy, neither am I, your ally. The guild heads voted to allow you to live in Algasta, join our guild, and use our facilities. You probably believe you're nothing more than a slave to the guild but your not. Let's clear this up immediately. [Reborn] are rare occurrences, and with rarity comes money."

A shiver ran up my spine as I could guess where this was going, and I didn't like it.

"Just about any kingdom would buy you for 50k Platinum minimum. [Reborns] usually aren't that special, but the skills they acquire are."

I had to respond, "So why the serfdom and not just sell me off? I couldn't stop you or anyone in this guild if you forced me to do anything."

"My clan is against the practices of slavery or selling lives for monetary value. So this serfdom contract was made as a compromise between the five guild heads and my clan leader. You simply got lucky." "I'm going to help you out if you can take off the bracelets without breaking them within four days. I'll train you for a week."

"Why are you telling me all this, offering this help. You could easily let me drown in my own debt and waste away in my pity. I can still remember when you snapped my neck with a finger flick."

"My kid brother came home yesterday, talking about how this guy named Jack came outta nowhere and saved him and Chole from an [gollaptor] ambush. I put two and two together, and here we are. I repay my family debts".

I knew I couldn't hide it from him, but I wasn't expecting him to offer free training. But I need to up the ante. I was gracious for the offer, but I needed more a week wouldn't work and four days ain't shit.

"Let's raise the stakes. We both know four days is way too long... Give me one day and one month of training. 36hrs, give me one day starting 12:00 today. While training earlier, I went through a Qi deviation. I know I need a teacher, I can't make it on my own, and I get that I truly do. That doesn't mean I'm willing to take your scraps. We both know a week ain't shit."

"You have Pride, Jack. I admire that." Most people only see the numbers that make the man but not the man behind the numbers.

"Deal? Battle Specialist Hogard" I needed this more than he did, but if what he said was a good sign, I needed to close the deal.

"Deal, Jack Talbot" He rose from his seat and extended his hand. Remembering the captain from before, I was hesitant to accept his handshake." Just a handshake between men, no trickery."

I accepted the handshake. His hand eclipsed mine, but never less agreement between men was made.

" You should probably get going. My brother and Chole should be arriving at the gates by now."

I checked the time, and it was already 11:50. Damn, I'm going to be late. "Where should I meet you tomorrow?"

" Just come back, here around 24:00 system time. I should be done with my mission by then."

He really just gave himself an entire extra 12 hours by specifically stating this planet's time while using system time as the deadline. The wording is everything in a contract; at least it wasn't system bound. A dim {Torch} is a useless one indeed; let's see what Jack boy is capable of.

" Ok, Hogard, I'll see you then, don't count me out just yet," With that, I ran out to the town gates to meet Hanguk and Chole. It' 12:00; they must be running late. I still haven't checked my stats yet. Let's see what I got.

[Status Charmed] You have fallen under the charm effect of the Succubus [Maricela] Charm has been dispelled by foreign mana assigned to entity [Hogard] Jack Talbot Race: Human Level: 4 EXP: 10/486 Health: 414/414

Stamina: 368.4/368.4

QI: 381.92/381.92

Mana: 318.17/318.17 GP Unallocated: 0 QI Efficiency 38% Mana Efficiency 30% Stats Base Total Modifier GP Allocated Strength 16 22.08

0

38%

1

Constitution 22 30.36

0

38%

1

Agility 17 23.46

0

38%

1

Intelligence 19 19

0

0%

2

Wisdom 11 17.33

6.33

0%

0

Health regen 19 Per Min 31.46 Per Min

0

20%

0

Stamina regen 19.5 Per Min 32.29 Per Min

0

20%

0

Qi Regen: 22.41 Per Min 34.5 Per Min

0

48%

0

Skill List Skills Level {Corrupted Dantain Manipulation} 2 → 3 {Corrupted Mana Manipulation} 1 {Corrupted Qi Augmentation} 6 → 7 {Survivalism} 6 {One Who Questions} N/A {Kicking Mastery} 1 {Grappling Mastery} 2 {Fist Mastery} 3 {Astral Projection} 2 → 3 {Deception} 2 {Meditation} 4 {Running} 10 →11 {Fire Mastery} 1 → 2 {Soul Fire Mastery} 1 {First Aid} N/A New Skills Acquired Skills Level Description Effect {Qi Construct} 1

By utilizing your Qi you are now able to make physical constructs

100 Qi to create a construct.

All constructs will persist for 1 min, for every 100 Qi given to a construct at its creation.

Distance, Durability & Strength is based on the user's will

(.2% decrease in Qi construct requirement per level)

{Soul Fire Mastery}: Updated

1

Qi Conversion

Can now use Qi as an energy source at a 10:1 ratio

New Established Foundations Foundation Description Effect Artificial Qi Vessel The network of vessels in the body through which Qi flows.

Effects added to Low-Stage Root Realm.

-5% Qi storage to sustain Artificial Qi Vessels

Low-Stage Root Realm Foundation enhanced by Qi Vessel True potential lies within the first door has been unlocked

Increase Str, Agi, Con by 20%→ 25%

Increase Qi Efficiency by 10% → 25%

Increase Qi Regen by 5% → 10%

Increase Qi Storage by 35% →30%

My base stats didn't actually increase at all. I wonder why I trained for three hours that should have done something for my constitution. My new rank skill {Artificial Qi Vessel} gave me a plus 15% overall but negative 5% on Qi storage, so it's still back to neutral setting to 10%. With {Qi Constructs}, I could make something I never had access to start with. My 3 parts all missing pieces. I'm the outline of a puzzle with no center. Looking over everything, I didn't really gain much, but I learned that every part of me has something missing. It's my responsibility to build it back one piece at a time. This is going to be a complicated endeavor indeed, too much thinking, not enough doing. I could see Hanguk and Chole coming by, and ragtag trio adventures start.