:)Ch53

"Yes, there is one thing actually." My left hand slides playfully under my chin and I summon my best attempt at a roguish smile. "You still haven't given me your name."

The waitress giggles lightly and I genuinely can't tell if it's an act or not. "My apologies sir. It's against business policy to flirt with customers."

"Flirting? Who me?" I laugh off, incredulity and faux-offense present in every syllable. "Nonsense. I'm just asking my stunning young server for her name."

"It's Laika." she finally breathes out. And only with a minor roll of her eyes to accompany it.

"See. That wasn't so hard was it? Now if I was doing this 'flirting' as you so viciously accuse, this would be the part where I offer to make you dinner tonight."

"You cook?" She asks with an actual hint of surprise. "I thought you said you were a bounty hunter." I take a moment to reposition myself in my seat, scoring a mental victory when her eyes briefly flick down to my bare muscled chest. "Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'a Jack of all trades'?" I supply smoothly. "I'm the one they've been talking about."

A challenging smile plays on her face, hinting at a sharp and mischievous intellect that I just know wants to come out for some fun. "Isn't the rest of that quote about being 'a master of none'?"

"Though oftentimes better than a master of one." I complete. "If you'd like, I would be happy to demonstrate proof of my above averageness in a...variety of categories...later this evening."

"Maybe… but then again maybe not." Laika stands up straight and gives the smallest of bows from her head. "If that is everything sir, I'll go check on your food." The brunette turns away and struts back to the beachside restaurant, giving me a truly delectable view of her derriere in the process.

"Cheeky minx." I mutter beneath my breath. That extra sway in her hips is definitely on purpose. Maybe my terrible flirting skills have worked for once. Maybe she's just playing me in hopes of getting a nice tip. Either way, I'm having a fun time.

I settle back into my sun lounger and stretch my arms behind my head with a comfortable sigh.

This place is amazing. I think my LUK is finally showing because I could not have dreamed for a better vacation spot. White sandy beach. Drop-dead gorgeous woman bringing me drinks. Cabanas available for rent just 30 meters from the waters edge.

This island is the fucking good life. Now you may be wondering why I bothered with that whole farce about not knowing my waitresses name...but you see, the thing is...I actually didn't.

Just before arriving here on Baterilla, I was digging around in the [Game]'s [Options] and found all sorts of interesting items. To name a few, there was an [Archive] that let me review past pop-ups the [Game] has presented to me, a [Statistics] log detailing where each piece of Exp I've acquired originated from, and most curiously of all, a toggle switch for titles [ON/OFF].

I say curiously because when I first saw it I thought, 'That's dumb. Why would anyone ever want to get rid of titles outside of some sick thrill of making life harder?'

But then the thought occurred to me.

I'm on vacation! Shouldn't I have five or six days to myself where I don't have to think about quests, or grinding, or having to worry about the life story of every person I pass on the road?

SO! For this week, I am off the clock! It's just me, my personal hammerspace containing over 10 million in cash, drinks on the beach, and hopefully some quality time with the oh-so-lovely Ms. Laika.

Besides. If for some reason a situation did arise requiring titles be back [ON], it would take me all of five seconds to fix it.

So no worries.

'Ah. And here comes my plate of scallops.'

Laika sets the tray down on the table beside me and I breathe deep as the foods rich scent fills my nose.

'The good life indeed.' The sudden jerk nearly rips the fishing rod from my hands. "Shitshitshitshit." I curse as the force of the pull actually slides me across the wooden pier.

I throw a boot up, stabilizing myself against a bollard, and while its enough to stop the crisis of myself meeting the water, my rod is now bending down at an angle it was definitely not designed to sustain.

'Holy mother of fuck something huge is on the other end of this line!'

I rip back against my unseen adversary, pulling the rod up and cranking slowly against the reel.

Three and a quarter turns is all I manage before the strength on the other side increases to equal mine. The handle jams up and the two us wage war at a complete standstill.

Some of the other fisherman are beginning to wander closer to watch my struggle, as is the norm when any man gets a fish on. "Looks like something's making a run on you." One jokes as he claps me on the back.

My face slightly reddens in effort, "You don't say." I bit back sarcastically.

"I told 'im not to cast that far out." I overhear a second whisper to a third. "Blue gets real deep once you pass 300 meters. Who knows what you'll hook."

"He cast over 300?" the third mutters back. "Shiiiit, my average is more like 75."

"...should probably just cut the line. No point exhausting yourself." A fourth chimes in unhelpfully.

"Gabe's got it right." the first one speaks again. "Whatever you've got is too big for a reel. You're just wasting energy."

"I...ain't...cutting..the...goddamn...line!" I growl out in parts. 'Nuh-uh. No way! Jack don't give up that easy.' [Adrenalin Rush] Activated!

STR (135 +70%) → (229.5)

The boost activates and I start reeling in like a madman. 'I got ya now fish! Jackie's got you now!'

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