Chapter 9: Reality is VERY Harsh

Agent 30 let out a sigh of resignation after his failed attempts to comfort the 2 women.

[The real James Bond would of succeeded....]

As he complained inside his heart, he heard the brunette woman in the corner speak. Her voice was so quiet he almost missed it, "Ummmm....are....y....you going to hurt...u....s".

Her voice trailed off as she finished the sentence, as fear tinged her words. Silence enveloped the room as both women waited in bated breath for his reply. Glancing at both of them for a moment, Agent 30 replied in a cold voice, "No. Come with me if you want to live."

A visible sense of relief hit both of them. The female mage spoke cautiously, "There is a potion in my bag that can help with my injuries, can....can you hand it to me?". Even though this man said he didn't want to hurt them, she still proceeded with caution. No one would trust a stranger suddenly after all. However, if she could recover her strength she would be more at ease since she would be able to fight him off if necessary.

[Why didn't you say this earlier when I asked?!? The pretty girls should of jumped into my arms after I saved them too! Damn you Hollywood!!!! Hahhhhh.... reality is harsh.]

Lamenting inside his heart, he picked up the bag she pointed out and threw it at her. She was barely able to catch it in her weakened condition and reflexively complained, "Why did you throw it so roughly?! Don't you see I'm injured... ove..r....here." Her complaint trailed off as she saw the look in the man's eyes. She immediately looked down and started going through her bag to find her potions in silence.

While the female mage began her recovery, the woman in the corner continued to stare at him, it started to make him uneasy.

[What? Are we going to go through the same thing again? I'm the good guy, I swear! Please just believe me already!]

Finally she shook her head as if she made up her mind and spoke, "Can...can you help me rescue my father? He...he will definitely reward you for it! Please! Please I'll do whatever you want! Just please save him!"

Agent 30 could almost see the bright yellow exclamation point over her head as he tried to control his excitement.

[It's my first quest request! Of course I'll do it!...Wait, why does she look like I stomp puppies for fun again? I haven't even said anything yet!]

Fear showed on the woman's face and she was starting to tear up. Befuddled by her reaction he tried to respond before she could reign back on the quest, "Fine. You, continue to heal yourself. This woman and I will go find her father." He stepped toward the woman to help her up as she involuntarily recoiled, never realizing that the most evil smile was plastered on his face.

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Sticking close to the shadows, the 2 of them arrived at a wooden door. The woman had listened to his words the entire time, and they had arrived here without any issue. They had headed toward the direction where he "sensed" the weakest lights. Agent 30 had guessed that these were most likely her injured father and the remaining adventurers she had told him about on their way here.

Looking through the barred hole in the door, Agent 30 saw 3 men in the room, all of them were stripped naked. He saw 2 men in a pool of blood on the ground, they were motionless. The last person, a portly man, was huddled in the corner. He had been badly beaten, but was in better shape than the other 2. He was at least still alive.

Looking at the woman he spoke in a low voice, "Look through the gap, confirm that it is him."

She switched places with him and after a moment excitedly whispered, "The Gods are kind! It is him and he is still alive!". Nodding at her, he switched places with her again. He wanted to be the first in, in case there were any unforeseen events.

Opening the door, he cautiously walked inside. He would of activated his "Sneak" skill a while ago to reduce risk if he were alone, but he didn't want to reveal any of his secrets to strangers. It had been drilled into him at this point, a good hitman thrives in anonymity. The man in the corner looked up, fear etched across his face, but it was immediately replaced with elation after Agent 30 let the woman enter.

As he blocked her from moving forward, continuing to look for traps in the room, the woman's eyes teared up as she spoke, "FATHER! Thank the Gods you are alive!"

[Good good, now thank me! This is it my moment has come! This is when she hops into my arms! I saved her AND her father! Mwhahahahaha]

Finally, Agent 30 let the woman forward after finding nothing in the room. She then proceeded to help her father up, and then both of them went up to him. The man was now able to see the details of Agent 30's face as he came up closer. Fear returned to his face, seemingly unable to look at him directly, he looked at his daughter and asked, "Who is he?"

"This is our savior father! He saved me and then was even kind enough to help me find you!"

After hearing his daughter's words, the man relaxed and the smile returned to his bruised face.

[Hahahaha, yes! I am the savior! Now come pretty lady, come and jump into my.... NOOOOOoooooo]

The naked man had suddenly let go of his daughter's support and stepped forward as if going in for a hug as Agent 30's left eye ever so slightly twitched.

[Reality is VERY harsh]