Nora walked along the nighttime street, her steps a little lighter than usual.
In her hand was a sheet of waxed paper holding five remaining meat skewers. It was still warm.
The thought that she would be earning ten silver coins a week from now on, and could get all three meals a day at Ron's shop, filled her with excitement.
As she thought about it, her gaze fell to the waxed paper in her hand.
She wouldn't have to worry about food anymore...
Ron had said the skewers wouldn't taste good once they got cold...
Nora hesitated. Saliva gathered in her mouth, and she couldn't help licking her lips.
So she opened up the waxed paper, glanced around almost unconsciously, then crouched in a corner and happily polished off the remaining skewers.
So delicious...
If only she could eat these every day...
After saying goodbye to Nora, Ron returned to the study on the second floor.
Even now, he was still a little dazed.
He'd originally approached Nora, a homeless child, simply because he needed a reliable employee.
After all, she had once beaten up three street thugs on his behalf in exchange for a meal of roasted meat. She seemed like a decent person.
But who could have guessed that she wasn't just an Orc—she was also a cat-eared girl!
As a shut-in in real life and a gentleman online, Ron had seen countless women and explored all sorts of unusual tastes. Cat-eared girls were naturally among them.
But those had only ever been his fictional waifus. Now he'd suddenly met a real Cat-kin, and Ron still hadn't quite recovered.
Especially those living, pale-black cat ears—their soft, fluffy fur made him want to reach out and touch them...
This had absolutely nothing to do with the task the system had issued!
As a decent young man from his old world, Ron certainly didn't discriminate against Orcs. He was mostly just curious and welcoming toward Nora's identity as Cat-kin.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Nora wore a maid outfit, with her cat ears and tail on display, while she worked in the shop?
But when he thought of the wary look on Nora's face, he dropped the idea.
Working in the shop meant being seen by the public, after all. It would be better not to reveal Nora's Cat-kin identity.
Ron didn't care what other people thought, but there was no need to make Nora endure the cold stares of certain customers.
With that in mind, Ron left the study again, went downstairs to the clothing shop next door, and asked the owner if he had any ordinary work uniforms for shop employees.
The clothing shop owner welcomed Ron warmly and recommended several styles.
Ron picked one: a long-sleeved white shirt on top, with a loose skirt of the same color reaching down to about the ankles.
Then he chose a work cap. It had plenty of room inside, so it wouldn't press down on Nora's cat ears and would be more comfortable.
Ron bought three sets of the simple uniform and took them back to the shop, planning to have Nora change into one when she came to work tomorrow.
What a shame. If only he could buy her a maid outfit to change into...
Ron still had his fantasies.
The Glorious Mercenary Group's office.
Jasper called over five trainee mercenaries and brought them to the training ground.
Holt was among them.
Jasper held a Golden Red Chrysanthemum in his hands. He looked over the five men and said, "I've read your records. You're all old hands in our mercenary group. Even the latest recruit has been here for more than three years."
"After failing to advance to First-Order Warriors, you took on clerical work in the group, but you've still kept up your daily training at the training ground."
"I've noticed all of that."
Jasper opened with a few words meant to win them over, and the five men in their thirties, who had given up hope of becoming First-Order Warriors, were visibly moved.
Jasper was an important figure in charge of all the Glorious Mercenary Group's affairs in Chaos City. The fact that he had found time to pay attention to minor figures like them was enough to stir their hearts.
Seeing that his words had worked, Jasper nodded slightly and raised the Golden Red Chrysanthemum in his hand. "This time, the mercenary group has an opportunity for you. It's up to you whether you want to seize it."
"This flower is called a Golden Red Chrysanthemum. Its leaves and petals can help form a Battle Qi Vortex, and might help you advance to First-Order Warriors."
"But I need to make one thing clear: I only just got this plant, so I can't guarantee that it really works. I don't even know whether it's harmful to the human body."
"So you must think carefully before making your decision."
"If you're happy with your current position and don't want to take the risk, just say so. I won't blame you. If you choose to try it and something goes wrong, the mercenary group will take responsibility."
"I'll give you three minutes to think it over."
With an opportunity like this right in front of them, what was there to think about?
Even when they'd had no hope at all, they'd kept up their daily training. Wasn't that because they were waiting for a chance like this?
So, within seconds, all five of them agreed.
Jasper handed out the Golden Red Chrysanthemum petals.
Before long, waves of Battle Qi began to stir throughout the training room.
Holt sat cross-legged on the training room floor, performing one standard training movement after another. His face was solemn and composed.
As he moved, he began to squeeze wisps of "energy" out of his body. They traveled along his meridians, circulating throughout him.
To Holt's delight, after he consumed the Golden Red Chrysanthemum petals, his body gradually filled with vitality, as though a lion that had slept for ages had opened its eyes.
The amount of "energy" he squeezed from his body this time was far greater than ever before!
A trainee warrior's success or failure in forming a Battle Qi Vortex depended on the quality and quantity of their "energy."
The quality of the "energy" mainly depended on the cultivation method, though the amount of time spent training also played a part.
The quantity of "energy," meanwhile, required long-term conditioning and good physical health as its foundation.
Of course, if someone had a high enough talent for Battle Qi, neither of these would be a problem.
Holt cleared his mind and followed the cultivation method provided by the mercenary group, guiding the "energy" through the meridians throughout his body, step by step.
Once his body had gradually adapted to the flow of "energy," Holt began to control it throughout his body, drawing it toward his lower abdomen.
Following the instructions in the cultivation method, Holt gathered the "energy" while continuing to perform various movements, squeezing out more to replenish what he needed.
Time passed slowly.
A quarter of an hour later.
Whoosh—
Like a rising tide, a faint but unmistakable wave of Battle Qi surged out from Holt's body.
Holt gradually stopped moving. Sweat had long since soaked through his clothes, and he was breathing slightly hard.
His eyes were full of delight, and they grew a little red.
Ever since he'd failed to advance to First-Order Warrior several years ago, he had never imagined he might one day successfully form a Battle Qi Vortex.
But now, hope had become reality!
Almost a hundred thousand words... I think I've hit the hundred-thousand-word itch... Looks like I'll need recommendation votes to get through it...
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