Chapter 9: I was once a man

I'm not sure what the saddest thing in the world would be, but for the most prideful of men out there, the greatest lost would be of one's dignity.

I woke again to be greeted by the warm hearted smile of Arthur. Just imagining the thick scissors on my you-know-where brought shivers down my spine. The audacity of him to smile at me after what he's done...

I quickly fumbled through my pants to assure that my down under was safely intact... and yes it was. There didn't seem to be a single thing wrong with it.

"No worries, it's basically the same as it used to be, we attached it back perfectly. Not a cell loss!" Morgan, or should I call her the priest... reassured me?

The fact that it was removed and attached brought another wave of tremors down my back. I thanked the heavens that I had fainted right beforehand.

"Arthur"

"Yes?" (Arthur)

"I... I'll go home for today" I trembled despite the cold having disappeared.

He gave me a grim nod, and I proceeded my way out of the store. The stares of pity from Yu and him really hurt.

Ah. I shall have a nice cup of hot chocalate... this all never happened...

Sighing, I made my way out of the hotel.

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[ Arthur POV ]

"And there he goes" (mage)

Appearing out of nowhere, Merlin spoke. From then and now, she's been as mysterious as ever.

"We have done all that we can now. I guess it would be a while until we see him again" Morgan remarked.

"Fate huh..." I smiled.

"The chosen one of this era huh?" a grin inadvertently aroused. I recalled when I went by that title; When I pulled a sword out of a stone and of the adventures I went through thereafter.

"So what do you think?" Merlin inquired.

"He's the same. In the past, and now...or should I say the future and now?"

"I do feel pity for him though... and seriously we just made him run into danger again and again... though I know we have to but still..." Terry approached from the back and spoke. Amongst us, he was definetly one of the more sentimental ones.

"Your Majesty, shouldn't we at least teach him how to use a sword?" Terry asked, his voice filled with worry.

"I'm afraid that this is all the aid we can offer, isn't that right Merlin?"

Nodding her head, she pulled out a Gavhnot scroll. One of the only few in existence.

In it, the contents remained the same.

"We have to start preparing as well" I urged.

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As I walked out of the hotel and was halfway back home, I realized I could've just asked for a teleportation scroll. I mean, there's no way that they would refute me after what they've put me through!

I felt a little bump in my thigh pockets, and to my surprise, the ring that I had chosen was in it with a tiny note.

"Channeling energy into it conjures a sturdy barrier" was all that it said.

So much for a fantasy item I guess, I was expecting it to have some name and background text as well. Guess that was too much to ask for. Speaking of which, they didn't tell me what rank it belonged to. Could it be something super amazing...?

Looking at the ring ... nah no way that could be the case. Then again, it was an awakened item that I could live in luxury if I sold it... no no that would be rude.

Anyways, it's the first loot that I got in a Dungeon so it's probably luckier for me to keep it. Besides, it's not like I'd find myself starving or anything anytime soon.

Actually, instead of hot chocolate. I'm starving. Maybe I'd get some WcDonald's instead?

Heading into the nearest mall named "Northzone" I located the WcDonalds near the entrance. Honestly, these were everywhere. But I did hear something about them being a real estate company so it does make sense that they are in all the good locations.

Heading into the restaurant... this place didn't look like the WcDonalds I knew. Sure the automated counters were still there to order but there was the same scanner at the entrance as the one by the clinic. It's definitely going to measure my ability isn't it? But then again it should still be a restaraunt right?

Moving into the store, the scene around me changed, and I looked at the counter serving alcohol and cuisines I have never seen before. A bouncer eyed me at the entrance and stopped me from entering. The mortal world that I knew faded before my eyes and the scenery completely changed. What was this... this was shady as hell!

"What's the password young lad?" the bouncer glared at me. I looked behind to see that there were muscular men already behind me.

With all the brain power I could find in me, I recalled the WcDonalds motto.

"I'm loving it" I uttered.

The bouncer smiled and stepped aside. I was granted access to the otherwise shady area.

"Sorry about that, I was a little worried since you looked like a new face" the bouncer chuckled. He then went to a seat near the counter and ordered a drink.

"Come here lad, what will ya have?" he offered.

I have no idea what did I just get myself into.

"Double filled 'o' fish " I replied and sat down next to him. The atmosphere turned cold as he glared at me.

"What kind of sick fuck likes that?!" his glare was almost chilly.

"Is what I would say but I honestly love it too, Jacob serve two of em will ya?" the bouncer chuckled.

The burgers came as I expected it would, with a similar packaging. The burger itself was nothing to scoff at however, the fish filled was massive and smelled extremely delectable, more so than any fish I've tasted.

"Delicious ain't it boya?" the bouncer struck up a conversation.

"So what brings ya here? Weapons? Slaves? Or ya need something to be smuggled?" the bouncer continued to question me.

"By the way, the name's Befthand, the head of this branch" he smiled and offered his hand.

Alright. I guess it's one thing after the other around here?

Shaking his hand, I introduced myself.

"Name's Fayn, I'm just here to eat" I answered him.

"To eat huh?" he smiled.

I could feel a strange pressure coming from him, like that of Yu previously, if not weaker. Staring at him, he stopped and smiled.

"I ain't a clue on how ya hide ya skills but I think this meal might interest ya" Befthand smiled.

"What meal?" I asked.

"Midas's treasure came out ya see. Real ones, and our client got his goods stolen right outta his hands. TFC bastards. No honor amongst thieves " Befthand continued. This wasn't the meal I was talking about at all though...

"We gotta get back what's ours" his accent disappeared and he spoke in a serious tone.

"I need someone to infiltrate and get it back, word on the streets is that it's back at their headquarters in WethierStreet. Someone who can disguise themselves would be amazing isn't it?" he looked at me.

Finishing my meal, I stood up. Ready to leave this place and wash my hands clean of this matter.

"Good to see ya so enthusiastic. Ridley over there will guide you." he pointed towards a black haired cat person that began to walk over here.

"He'll give ya the specifics" (Befthand)

Losing my chance to escape, I let a small sigh leak as the cat person opened his mouth.

One thing after another I guess...