A Damsel in Distress

Lake was dumbfounded when he saw the details. He knew that something must've been wrong when he saw the feelings in her eyes, but he never thought the system would make it a mission.

And that ending statement felt a little out of place for the soulless system. It kind of felt patronizing...

"System what is EXP?" He asked after seeing the reward for the mission.

[EXP are experience points, they can be used to increase skill levels as well as unlock a new function of the system. EXP is also the only reward that'll reappear with different mission.]

Lake's eyes shone, the functions already unlocked were powerful as they were, he was already anticipating how powerful the new function would be.

"If it unlocks a new function there's no way I'd miss this chance, accept!"

[Mission accepted! Failure to complete results in no rewards being issued. Good luck User!]

Lake had a strange face when he heard the system encourage him like that. Especially when the voice was usually so mechanical.

Ignoring it Lake walked out of the building and watched as a sleek black hover car flew off.

"Damn it, I already missed them?" He sighed when he suddenly remembered one of the functions of the system was the minimap.

Quickly activating the minimap he locked onto the three green dots that were moving down the street at high speeds.

When he saw them turn to the right at the end of the street he activated Quick Feet and ran off after them, but to avoid being seen he ran along the alleyways, out of sight. His minimap luckily showed him there positions regardless of if they were in his line of sight.

He kept close to them while running at high speeds, just when he ran to the point of exhaustion he saw the dots stop moving.

Peeking his head out of the alleyway he was in he saw them get out of the car and walk into a restaurant. From the outside it was easy to tell that it was for high-class people. There was an eastern style to it that added to its grand air.

Quietly cleaning himself up he waited a little bit before he walked across the street and entered the restaurant. The inside was just as spectacular as the outside, full of a tranquil yet luxurious air.

He quickly noticed that Selena and Iyer were sitting inside one of the booths for reserved customers. Before he could do anything a female server had come up to him.

"Hi little brother, what are you doing here? Where are your parents?" She asked with a graceful smile, you could see that she was well versed in her job.

Thinking quickly Lake put on a charming smile and said cutely,"Hi beautiful big sister. I was hungry and wanted to have a meal, would big sister like to join me." While saying that his eyes roamed across the server's nice figure.

Chuckling she said,"You little rascal what do you think you're doing. Very well then, big sis here will have a meal with me, but little brother this restaurant is quite expensive, are you sure you can afford it?"

"That's not a problem big sister, even if I don't I can just pay you back another way."

The server was taken aback for a second before chuckling and leading Lake by the hand towards a table near the back. And to Lake's luck it was near to the booth that Selena and Iyer were in.

When they sat down Lake took a quick look at the menu and was instantly terrified. The price of a single dish would take Lake about a week at the armory to be able to afford.

With Lake's current funds he could barely afford it. "*cough cough* Big sis Amy, you weren't lying when you said it was expensive." He said with slight embarrassment.

While walking over to the table Lake learned that her name was Amy and that she had worked there for a few years at this point.

Giggling she replied, "I told you little brother but don't worry, let big sister treat you for today."

Lake wanted to reject since he didn't want to make a woman pay for him but looking at the prices again, he couldn't help but relent. "Sorry big sister."

"So where exactly are your parents Lake?"

"It's just my mother and she is working at the moment so I just came out for a meal hehe."

"Then I hope you enjoy your food, tell me more about yourself then."

Lake continued to speak to Amy while the food had arrived. Taking a bite he was immersed in the taste immediately. "Incredible! The taste is delicious big sister."

Just as he finished speaking he could feel a change in his body, he could sense and absorb the energy around him more easily. 'No wonder the prices are so high, it's worth it for these kind of effects.'

Seeing Lake enjoying the food so thoroughly made Amy quite happy and they continued speaking.

Though they were talking to each other Lake had a great amount of focus on Selena and Iyer's conversation as well. With the Swallowing Star technique his hearing ability had increased tremendously allowing him to hear the specific conversation in this noisy atmosphere.

"So my dear Selena, are you enjoying the meal." Iyer had a charming smile on his face but it couldn't hide the cunning glint in his eyes.

Selena coldly snorted in response. "Enough of these games Iyer, I've already done what you asked. Please own up to the deal and heal my sister."

'It seems that Selena's sister is ill and she made a deal with Iyer.' Lake figured out the problem pretty quickly, but what puzzled him was why she didn't go to any other alchemist for help.

With her fame it shouldn't have been a problem to get someone to help her without this much work.

"Oh about that dear, I'm afraid I will have to add another part to our deal." While saying this Iyer's eyes were wandering around Selena's body filled with lust, especially around her ample chest.

"You dare?! Do you think you're the only alchemist in Itor?" Fury filled her face as she spoke in an angry tone.

"Oh? Then by all means find another alchemist, but I guarantee that only I'll be able to cure her." He said with light laughter.