Danger In The City

— On the outskirts of the garden, there is a young man pruning the bushes; he is an "invoked" gardener and has noticed a couple leaving the mansion. —

— Oh, how did we end up in this situation? I, who was supposed to find love dressing as the protagonist of my favorite romance anime “The Boss and Her Enamored Gardener”, am just doing a daily mission — the gardener says with a sad and bitter expression.

— Wait a moment, the butlers and maids don’t exit through the main door, but through the service door! They must be "invoked" , I’m sure of it. I will remember their faces — thinks the gardener, filled with joy at making new friends, while he continues pruning the bush.

Ren and Rio left through the main door, crossing houses and buildings, encountering different people, even of different races! However, they maintained their composure and tried not to attract much attention.

Without incident, they arrive at the market entrance, and upon entering, they see several metal figures at some stalls. However, all of these are very luxurious objects, many with embedded stones and, according to some merchants, most serve as “protections,” and the cheapest one they could find exceeds their budget.

Disappointed and with time running short, they decide to go to the academy.

— Rio, I have to fill out this application and sign a responsibility sheet, I won’t take long. Meanwhile, go to the blacksmith; he is on this street, two blocks away — exclaims Ren, nervous about the paperwork and the lesson.

— Yes! It’s lucky they’re not far; I’m going to see him. I’ll be back in a moment! — says Rio, excited to see the blacksmith at work.

Upon arriving at the blacksmith’s workshop, Rio sees him finishing a long iron sword, hanging it on a rack. Then he turns toward her.

— Good day, young lady! My name is "Huge", the blacksmith. How can I help you? —

— Hello, nice to meet you, my name is Rio and I’m a maid. I’m looking for a “normal” quality iron figure, no inlays or anything fancy! Something simple, if it’s not too much trouble — Rio says, remembering that the expensive ones might be due to the stones.

— Sure! It’s very easy for me to make what you’re asking for. But you know what? I need some material to continue making tools; if you bring it to me, I’ll give you the figure for free! — exclaims Huge, rubbing his hands.

— Material? What kind of material? — asks Rio.

— Salt. Coarse salt. Bring me a kilo from the market, that’s all I need. — says Huge, touching his head and winking.

Rio, recalling the prices she saw at the market, wasn’t sure if the figure she imagined was cheap enough that just fetching salt would be worthwhile, or if he urgently needed the salt for another reason. Regardless, she wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.

— Of course! I’ll be back in a moment, Mr. Huge — Rio exclaims joyfully.

— Of course, young lady! If only she knew that I’m sending her because I hate going to the market... —

With the exact price for the salt in hand, Rio went to see Ren intending to leave the rest to him, since she feared he might lose it or it could be stolen.

Ren, already dressed in a suit, receives Rio and proceeds to tell her what happened.

— Please keep it in your locker, but if they charge you for anything, pay with my coins. However, there is a problem: the coins still belong to me. In my interface, they say ‘Rio Ryuusei’s coins.’ — Rio mentions, looking at the interface, unsure of the full details.

— But we don’t know how to change the ownership; it’s better if we connect with FAQ so it explains — said Ren.

When linking and asking the sphere, it replies:

— Hold the item you wish to give in your right hand, place both palms forward, and say "Change of ownership." This will transfer the object's ownership. If it's a sale, use your left hand to receive the payment. For multiple items, make a contract. —

Following the sphere’s instructions, they managed to exchange ownership of the coins. Rio, surprised and excited to try the exchange with someone else, ran towards the market, wishing Ren good luck.

Exhausted and just two blocks away, before even reaching the blacksmith, Rio exclaims:

— Uuuf, uf, it’s so hot today, isn’t it!? —

To her surprise, a voice replies:

— This weather has been the norm all year — says the FAQ sphere.

Far away, a surprised Ren, having stopped to watch Rio run excitedly, exclaims:

— What just happened!? Why did I hear FAQ speak!? —

— Your companion asked me: “it’s hot today, isn’t it!?” and the closest answer found was what I said, Mr. Ren — responded the mini sphere.

Both froze; although they were about ten meters apart, the sphere was still connected! They had forgotten to disconnect it, and it still saw them in its field of vision.

Ren, understanding a bit how the FAQ system worked for them, said:

— In your system, is there any result for: “Rio, I’m Ren, can you hear me?” — he asked, reflecting on whether the question was correct.

— There are no results for: “Rio, I’m Ren, can you hear me?” — exclaimed the mini sphere.

Rio, even more surprised than before by hearing this last part, thought it was definitely Ren’s doing, barely distinguishable in the distance.

She then remembered that FAQ answered one person at a time when connected, so, finishing, she proceeded to ask:

— Is there any result for: “YES! YOUR WORDS HAVE REACHED ME!, eh, reached me?” — Rio asks hesitantly, recalling she had to ask something.

Ren heard the answer through FAQ; he was incredibly excited by this discovery because he thought he could talk to Rio all the time, but he had to test it:

— Rio, do you remember that the FAQ mentioned something about the field of vision?, I’m going to hide behind the wall and ask a question to see if I get an answer, okay? If I don’t, I’ll ask FAQ to connect us. — Ren said before hiding.

The response reached Rio, but instantly, the sphere’s “animation” returning to her indicated they had disconnected.

— “Ren Rikawa! We will begin the introduction, please attend the main hall of the Dojo,” — a very masculine and strong voice sounded, loud enough that even Rio could hear it from afar. 

Hearing this, both decided to continue with their tasks.

Rio arrives at the market and makes a transfer with the merchant; however, on a nearby rooftop, a “player” was patrolling the area looking for trouble.

The “player” scans the area frantically, checking each individual like a scanner until reaching where Rio was.

— That face, that hair, that dress! That figure, she is, she is!! YES! It has to be! She is… beautiful!!!! — the “player” hallucinated as if Cupid had shot an arrow at his heart.

While watching Rio’s kind gestures after the purchase, her dignified walk, and putting on a hat, the “player” couldn’t stop staring at her.

Not wanting to lose sight of her, he moved to avoid being seen, as his plan was to keep watching her be “herself.”

This player saw Rio enter the blacksmith’s shop and, unable to see her from above, decided to stay hidden a couple of blocks away, very close to where Ren was.

The player couldn’t believe how someone as burly and unkempt as the blacksmith had such a graceful maid, and although she looked delicate, he couldn’t help imagining a version of Rio making a weapon for him.

While the “player” drooled over his fantasies, Ren had finished the introduction course, so, showered and dressed again in his butler clothes, he took a few steps toward the door, then stopped abruptly, having noticed the player’s aura.

An air of terror loomed over him; he realized the player kept staring at the blacksmith’s shop and couldn’t know if Rio was inside! The uncertainty only grew as seconds passed.

Frightened, he hid behind the wall, peeking just his head, although wanting to do something, he couldn’t come up with an effective plan to escape the player’s gaze.

— Should I enter the blacksmith’s? No! It’s impossible. But if I walk past? Maybe Rio will see me and we can leave! No, NO! It’s a very risky plan. What do I do, what do I do!? — Ren thought desperately.

Almost begging for it to work, he could only try to connect with FAQ, which they had just discovered, but it was discouraging because there were obstacles between them, and Rio had to try to connect too.

— Thank you very much for the figure, Mr. Huge — said Rio, amazed that the blacksmith had given her a maid figurine, apparently of herself.

— You’re welcome, young maid, come back anytime! —

Rio left the shop while the “player” hid even more from her, nervous to meet her that way, as he thought their encounter could be more “charming,” worthy of a lady like Rio and a gentleman like him.

Ren, meanwhile, was breathing heavily, his heart pounding so hard he could hear it beating. Between thoughts, he desperately thought about running to her, making his last connection attempts with the system.

— Connect FAQ to Ren — Rio whispered softly, excited to hear another message from Ren through her.

— Not found: “RIO! Thank heavens! Listen, a player is watching you!! Don’t come here!!! It’s very dangerous!!!! Go to the mansion, take refuge there, I’ll try to stay in the system’s field of vision so we don’t disconnect. Don’t do anything out of place, just keep walking and you’ll be safe! — The sphere transmitted Ren’s urgent warning to Rio.Disconcerted by not spotting the player, Rio obeyed Ren’s instructions. She made her way back to the mansion, her nerves tingling but her focus unwavering. 

Despite the absence of any sign of the “player,” she walked steadily through the streets, observing children darting about, vigilant young guards, bustling merchants, and busy housewives. Still, no players appeared.A flicker of doubt crossed her mind: perhaps Ren was playing a prank on her. She quickly pushed the thought aside and continued walking, her steps calm and resolute.

Upon reaching the mansion, Rio felt relief; although she never saw the “player,” she knew she would be safe inside.

Inside, the “invoked” gardener was finishing his work. As Rio walked by, he noticed she was possibly “invoked” as well, since it was unusual to carry an iron figurine of herself. Then, crouching down, he greeted her:

— Hello! You’re like me, right? — says the gardener with confidence.

— Not now!! They’re chasing me! — exclaims Rio, having reached deep enough inside the garden to feel safe enough to speak.

At that moment, the gardener turns toward the door and notices the golden aura, panics, and immediately returns to his duties.

— … So this is where she lives — wonders the “player,” leaving the mansion and going back.

Ren, chasing the “player” and in the middle of the street, doesn’t react to his retreat and stands still. In a brave gesture influenced by all that happened at the academy, he resumes his butler posture.

Ren decides to take a step and then, without stopping, heads toward the mansion. Each moment he gets closer.

At one point, Ren and the “player” pass side by side…