Dauntless Effigy

I knocked on the office door.

"Chief Borsalino, it's me," I said.

No response.

Today was the day I'd depart Cielo Verde, to explore Sin Nombre's offerings with Tsukino and Trixie. It'd be a fantasy land I still hadn't seen much of. Though after nearly a week since reincarnating into this world, it was time I left the nest.

"I'm entering." My hand turned a knob and pushed the door in—a slow, steady creak. Inside was a well-lit room garnished with gleaming glass cases; trophies and odd antiques were on display. It was apparent this place once functioned as a principal's office, but now it belonged to a tabloid tycoon.

"Hello?" I ventured farther in, looking around. Maybe Chief is running late? Wouldn't be surprised. We're all supposed to be here for our farewell ceremony, but—

"BOO!" a little boy sprang up behind the desk.

"E-Eh?" I raised a confused eyebrow, spooked but not enough to react.

"Huh? Why aren't ya' shaking in your shoes?" the orange-haired boy said. He wore an oversized mafia suit with sleeves hiding both his hands. "I am the epitome of fear!"

"You're a funny kid, aren't you?" I chuckled. "Now where's your grandpa? I'm surprised he even had a grandchild."

"Insolence! I am the Chief—Chief Borsalino! Your boss!"

"Hey, hey. Impersonating him isn't gonna—"

"Here. I'll prove it." The boy began rummaging through his desk. "Tsk. I'm out of cigars. But this will suffice."

"Huh?"

He pulled out a red lollipop and rammed it in his mouth. "Shee? The resemblance is uncanny! Bahaha!"

"I mean that's cute and all, but—"

"Oh hi, Aizawa! Hi, Chief!" Trixie the pixie flew in through the doors. Her white hair had been brushed and now sported a lilac hairclip that matched her eyes. "Watcha guys doing?"

"Hey Trixie," I said. "That boy's saying he's our Chief. Do you know him?"

"Yeah! That's Chief Borsalino. He's just a kid right now, hehe."

The mafia boy gave me the widest smug grin a kid could make.

"Oh my god!" I bowed towards him at a harsh incline. "I'm so sorry! I had no idea!"

"Bahaha! Funny as ever, Aizawa." Little Borsalino trekked behind his desk and sat on the chair, his head barely peeking above. "Anyways, where's Yuna?"

"She's organizing stuff in her room," Trixie replied. "She'll be here soon."

"I see. Yuna was only my temporary secretary for a few weeks, but she was rarely ever late."

"Yeah, but now that she has a new partner, we can go adventuring again! Yay!"

Borsalino's eyes fell on me. "Trixie calls it an adventure, but it'll be serious business I'll be paying you for. So don't slack off."

"Yes sir! And may I ask one question?"

"Go ahead."

"Why are you . . . a kid?"

He stared at me blank faced before chortling a laugh. "Ha! I just like feeling spry sometimes!"

"Spry?"

"Yeah. The church lets me import products from the demon continent—mostly cigars that are only produced over there. But occasionally I get the green light to import Youth-Youth potions."

"Chief always acts funny when he's a kid, hehe!" Trixie playfully buzzed around him. "We'd play tag or hide-and-seek!"

"So it's like, just a hobby?" I said.

"Ya' could say that. Sure I'm nimble now, but my magical circuits don't get repaired at all. So it's just a pastime that lets this old man feel young again."

"How long does it las—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Tsukino in her gray trench coat strolled through the doors. Annoyed.

"Oh," she said. "Looks like Chief is being cringe again. Maybe I should go."

"W-Wait, hey!" Borsalino waved his little arms. "We gotta do your guys' ceremony! The final one!"

With a slow roll of her eyes, she stepped back into the room then stood beside me. We waited, side by side, as we both faced our young boss.

"Ehem," he said. "Now that everyone is here, let's review what all your duties will entail."

Trixie sat on stacked books on the desk, paying attention to Borsalino's words just like me.

"As you all know," he started, "since a certain man's retirement, our main field unit has remained inoperative. Now with Aizawa, today you'll all depart on a long-term expedition specifically to follow around the four Heroes."

I raised my hand. "So you'd like us chronicling their activities?"

"Yes. Yuna will keep you aligned with our editorial guidelines, but your primary job is writing articles on the Heroes. The public loves hearing about their exploits—even just gossip. That's how we print money. Anything the Heroes do or say, record it. Report it. With certain exceptions, of course."

The mafia boss sent Tsukino a caustic glare, the first time he'd ever acted stringent with her in front of me. But she just nodded, bored faced.

"Oh! Chief! Chief!" Trixie on the desk raised her hand. "If you're paying Aizawa and Tsukino, does that mean you'll pay me now too?"

He half-smiled at her. "We'll pay you in grapes, like we always have."

"Yay! Grapes!"

Floorboards creaked as little Borsalino hopped off his chair and wandered towards a window. Daylight outside shone bright, but I could still barely see his pensive reflection.

"Continuing: like we discussed yesterday, two of the four Heroes will be in a neighboring town. This is a good opportunity to get reacquainted with them. And for you three to figure out how you'll strategize your whole journey."

"Question." I raised my hand again. "I thought you wanted us staying in the background? Isn't contacting those Heroes counterintuitive?"

"Heh." He grinned before pointing his lollipop at me. "Smart question! But you'll learn through experience—how much you can pester celebrities until they get annoyed!"

"We may approach Heroes for interviews," Tsukino beside me said, "but respecting their space is pertinent. We'll indeed be in the background for most of our job."

"Do well. I'll give you both bonuses."

Borsalino went behind his desk and opened a drawer, pulling out something heavy wrapped in a black cloth. Even from afar, I could sense malevolent auras radiating towards me—hunting for me.

"Sir?" Tsukino asked, concerned.

"Don't worry. This will be a gift for Aizawa; I'm sure he can handle it." His little hands slowly unwrapped a huge knife glowing black. Its handle—a mass of vivid stained glass—sparkled in sunlight. But dark energy along the blade created hypnotic dichotomies that attracted everyone's eyes.

"Wh-What's that?" I stammered, cautious.

"Behond the Dauntless Effigy. It's one of several blades forged from a dragon the Heroes defeated. Though it's quite cursed, haha."

"You're gonna give me that?"

"Naturally! Being a field journalist in Sin Nombre entails danger. Tsukino and Trixie can defend themselves, but you're a sittin' duck."

Can I even say no? "Won't using that knife kill me since I barely have magical circuits?"

"Sound theory, bad conclusion. Dauntless Effigy is actually a weak weapon. It doesn't consume your magical circuits, rather, it tries hijacking them. That's why you should consider this a last resort."

The blade kept leaking miasma. I could hear its whispers tempting me, begging me to grab hold of it.

Borsalino spoke as he struggled holding the knife with one hand. "Activating Dauntless will temporarily give you the skills and dexterity of an Assassin-class. Very useful for an NPC that otherwise has no skills. The drawback: the more you use it, the higher chances you'll be corrupted and essentially die."

"Not exactly an easy sell."

"Heh. There's one more special feature. Observe." The little mafia boy closed his eyes. There was a moment of silence before he yelled out: "Manifest: Dauntless Effigy!"

Crackling static erupted into red lightning as the blade pulsed uncontrollably. A crimson lightshow shone brighter than sunshine, almost blinding me and everyone else. The thunderous flashes continued until Borsalino began glowing bright.

Wh-What's happening with him?

Chief's child body started enlarging, aging. His arms snaked through loose sleeves until filling them. Pants bloated; shoes slotted themselves in with adult feet. A middle-aged man winced while Dauntless Effigy kept morphing him. Hairlines began receding. Fat lips soon puffed on his face before wrinkles and moles took shape.

In another moment the flashing thunder simmered. All that remained was an old, panting mafia boss holding a knife. What remained of his hair now blinked red and his irises glowed vivid crimson.

"C-Chief?" I said.

"Yeah, it's still me," he grinned. "Dauntless couldn't overtake me. And now you see the special feature: this knife cleanses your body of abnormalities, such as Youth-Youth effects. Perhaps this could save your life one day."

The allure of power was tempting, but I shook my head. "No. I'd rather avoid fighting if I can avoid it."

"Huh?" A vein popped on his forehead. "Idiot! Listen! I've been in this world for over forty years! I've seen people die for the stupidest reasons! You've already died once saving someone! And I bet you'd do it again!"

"Technically, that was only because—"

"Doesn't matter! Next time, at least have something that can help you save you! Here! Take Dauntless Effigy!"

With no other choice, I stepped forward and accepted the knife from him. Dark energy kissed the skin of my hand as I examined the long blade. But oddly, I felt more at peace by the second.

Chief's red hair returned to normal before he spoke again. "You'll get used to the aura. Your trench coat also has a special pocket on the inside just for Dauntless."

"Hmm?" I pulled open my coat and slid the knife down a snug pocket. "Well that's convenient."

An exhausted Chief Borsalino limped back to his desk. Trixie hovering above smiled and patted him on the head.

"Not everyone gets the luxury of being reborn as an NPC," he said to me. "The rest of us gotta fight until we can't anymore. That's why dying—or even dying to save someone—is a gift that's not always worth giving."

"The benevolence of ghosts is worthless," Tsukino beside me said. Her forlorn eyes were portals to a story that wanted to be told. "Let's just do our jobs."

We all heard footsteps running up the hall. Our heads turned to see someone panting in the doorway holding two backpacks.

"Sorry I'm late!" the Chief's personal guard said. He wore a more extravagant suit and fedora than normal. "Got caught between girls fighting over me."

"Kuroki," Borsalino said. "Give these guys what they'll need."

"Yessir!"

Tsukino and I were each tossed a hefty backpack. The weight almost caught me off balance, but Tsukino tanked hers like she was used to it.

Chief Borsalino pointed. "Inside those are what you'll want for your journey: food, parchment, spare clothes, tools, etcetera. And there's one more thing here you'll both be needing."

"Oh! Oh! I'll give them their badges!" Trixie picked up two laminated ID cards and flew over towards us. Tsukino accepted hers first, before I got handed mine.

Hmmm? Let's see this. The ID badge—the length of my hand, it boasted my photo along with my full name. In smaller fonts were the job title and badge number. And typed in fancy, gold lettering at the top was the company name "Borsalino".

"Those badges are officially recognized by the church," Chief Borsalino said. "Flash them, and you'll have an easier time getting interviews or accessing events. Should help with investigations too if ya' gotta collect info."

"They're gaudy." Tsukino fiddled with her badge before stuffing it in her trench coat. "Old ones were more minimalist."

"Ah! Yuna! I thought you'd love the colored photos!"

"No. And please don't address me by first name. It's unprofessional."

"Bahaha! Just let me enjoy this last day with my best secretary."

Tsukino sighed, not even bothering to argue anymore. Then she looked over towards me.

"Well, these badges aren't that bad." I slipped it into my coat's pocket. "Form over function either way, right?"

"Yeah!" Trixie hovered around me, excited. "I'm so jealous! I wish I could get a badge too!"

"Maybe someday," Borsalino chuckled behind his desk. "For now, it's about time you all got going. Go out there and make me proud."

Bored-faced Tsukino didn't even say anything as she strapped her backpack and departed out the hall doors.

"Woahsies! Wait for me, hehe!" Trixie buzzed along behind her, giggling all the way.

The room fell silent. All was quiet.

Kuroki leaned back on a wall and watched me put on my backpack, before I gave a deep bow towards Chief.

"Thank you for this opportunity," I said. "I'll try meeting your expectations."

"Bah, ya' don't gotta be so formal. Yuna gives enough of that."

"Sh-She's definitely something, haha."

"Yup. But look after her for me, will you? She's stone-cold stern, but still probably hiding buried emotions beneath that exterior."

"Of course, sir. Count on me."

"Thanks." Borsalino's face took on a nostalgic glow. "Yuna actually used to smile more. So I try acting familiar with her—so she'll feel more at home."

Eh? This was it—my perfect chance to learn about the woman who'd been giving me the cold shoulder. No matter how much I'd try asking about her life, she'd brush off my attempts. Tsukino was a walled garden full of thorns. And now I could just stroll in.

Was that right though?

I gave Chief another nod. "I'm sure she's had a complicated past. But I'll let her explain things as she feels comfortable."

"Heh. Ya' got your work cut out for you. Good luck."

I was already at the doors when I gave Borsalino and Kuroki one last bow. But just when I turned to walk out, Chief's voice rang out.

"Aizawa! Our darlin' will give you sass, but if you ever wanna get on her good side, she loves strawberries!"

Strawberries? I couldn't help smiling at someone so bitter enjoying something so sweet. Though maybe it was just another preview of that gentle, tender side she'd buried somewhere deep inside.

The halls were lively with coworkers wishing me well on my mission—a job apparently not many wanted. But maybe people could see the enthusiasm on my face.

Tsukino was waiting outside the office's front entrance, peering towards the sky. Her trenchcoat swayed around in a breeze while Trixie chased around leaves.

"Hey," I said. "Ready to go?"

"You're late." Her eyes were silver daggers as usual. "Did Chief say anything?"

"Nothing at all! Let's head out."

We all followed a rural road out through the countryside. Farms and fields were all we could see, until at last arriving at an encampment of pioneer wagons. Townsfolk boarded them like buses, some in groups, as other wagons departed out for the forest.

"Woahsies! Look!" Trixie pointed. "There's so many! Which one is ours though?"

"I'll check again." Tsukino unfolded a small paper. "This advertisement is for a wagon chartered by the church. So look for wagons with the church's insignia."

Insignia? Though I'd seen their blue flag in town before, I hadn't quite yet memorized their crest—an agglomeration of iron crosses shaped like a sun (or maybe a flower?)

Trixie took to the sky, while Tsukino and I moved through crowds. Just like in town, we failed at blending in, our noir clothes standing out amongst medieval peasantry. Even horses and oxen couldn't help staring as we paced by.

Gonna take getting used to all this attention, I thought. Where's our carriage though? Chief should've reserved it days ahead of time.

But as I stepped around a mud puddle, an energetic voice somewhere called out.

"Yo! Hey! Over here!"

"Huh?" I turned towards a distant band of wagons all lined side-by-side. Sandwiched between was a smaller, more compact wagon with a white canvas cover. It looked entirely normal, apart from a blue flag waving on top

"There's some guy bouncing up and down over there," Tsukino said. "I believe they're trying to get our attention."

"That's probably our ride. Let's go."

We dashed through the dirt field. Crowds of villagers boarding other wagons gave us confused glances as we raced by. But none were more confused than me when I came face-to-face with a bouncing cowboy.

"Yeehaw! Y'all gotta be those Borsalino fellas, right?" he said.

"Oh, uh, yeah? How did you know?"

"Your clothes!" he pointed. "Borsalino has a unique fashion sense in Sin Nombre! Everyone knows that!"

Actually kinda makes sense . . . After giving a little head bow, I questioned him: "So are you the person the church sent for us?"

"Yup! Church policy says I can't tell ya' my name, but just call me Cowboy!"

"Cowboy? Okay. Do you need to see our badges?"

"Yeah! Lemme see them pretties!"

Tsukino beside me couldn't stop wincing from cringe, but that was her usual mood anyway. Me? I felt excitement welling deep inside, like this officially marked the start of my new life as a background character.

And I don't think I really minded.