4 - Rose

"Hmm… This seems to be a good place."

Having left the city of Rover, Tom had walked for about an hour into the nearby woods before he was satisfied he wouldn't be disturbed as what he was about to do was undoubtedly illegal.

INTERFACE_CONFIRMED:_ACTIVE.

CONNECTION_SECURE.1045_POINT(S)_AVALIBLE.

(I need hard currency to infiltrate the slave hub and get information. 10 gold coins should be enough.)

QURREY_COMPLEATE

STATUS:_AVALIBLECOST:_10_POINTSCONFIRM_PURCHASE_Y/N?

"Wait, what?"

While Tom had even doubted that he could get cash out of the system, he was sure that if he could, it would be very expensive.

Apparently not.

"... Yes please."

Confirming the purchase, Tom watched with disbelief as the requested items appeared in mid-air, there was no doubt they were gold coins in the same design as the silver and copper ones he had liberated from the slaver.

(This changes up my plans a bit…)

"How much would a single X-91 Lance cost?"

REQUEST_CONFIRMED:NOW_SEACHING.

STANDBY.

For the first time in a while, Tom's resupply system needed to search for his request, but given he had never tried to get grenades out of the system it was understandable.

QURREY_COMPLEATE

STATUS:_AVALIBLECOST:_200_POINTSCONFIRM_PURCHASE_Y/N?

Given that they were consumable, 200 points for a single X-91, was a lot for Tom, but he happily paid the price and a black, cylindrical grenade appeared in the air the same way the gold coins had earlier.

(All in a good day's work I guess…)

Putting away the gold coins and the grenade, Tom started heading back to Rover when he heard a scream in the distance.

Stopping in his steps, Tom was both glad and annoyed he had decided to bring his M-909 and had even taken the time to fit the LNX scope on it.

(I might as well see what all the fuss is about…)

Starting his trek through the forest with no particular hurry in his step, Tom's eyes had long since glazed over and turned cold as he kept his rifle ready in a low stance. Hearing another scream, this time significantly closer, Tom sped up and scanned the terrain finding traces of blood on the forest floor along with signs of fighting.

"Shit."

Finding the first dead adventurer, Tom realised what he was up against judging by the fact that the adventurer was practically torn apart, his blood, gore and intestines all over.

Finding 2 other mutilated corpses after the first one, Tom was about to suspend the search for survivors when he heard another scream, only this time he was close enough to hear words.

"AAAAAARRRGHH! STAY AWAY!"

(Target acquired…)

In a clearing under the shade of a gigantic tree, some kind of multi-headed bear was digging at the tree's roots where an adventurer was presumably hiding.

"Hey, fuckface! Do all your faces take after your mother? Because they're all fucking ugly!"

Getting the bear's attention, Tom took a shooting position and started with the bear's middle head, hitting both of the others before it dropped dead.

CORRUPTED_CREATURE(S)_DESTROYED

1000_POINT(S)_AWARDED

END_OF_REPORT.

Earning enough points for 5 more X-91's, Tom lowered his rifle but remained alert as he spoke up.

"Are you alive down there!?"

Not getting an immediate response, Tom figured that the bear might have gotten to the final adventurer before he could intervene, but as he got up and was about to leave a slightly timid voice spoke up.

"I-I'm alive! I-is that monster dead!?"

"Of course it's dead. Come on out or I'll leave you here for dead, with this much blood in the air it'll only be a matter of time before you get attacked by something nimble enough to wiggle into your little hidey hole."

Picking up his spent brass while he waited, Tom was eventually met by a shivering kid clutching her broken bow as if it was going to protect her.

"Come on, let's get going."

Not bothering to wait for the brat, Tom turned around and started walking as she started following him like a lost puppy.

"Erm… Shouldn't you take the core from that monster?"

"I don't really care about that."

"What about that weapon of yours? It-"

"That's none of your business."

"Bu-"

"You realise I can still just kill you and just leave your corpse here in the forest, right?"

Finally getting fed up with the young adventurer bombarding him with questions, Tom stopped and faced the brat as he eyed her down. Wearing what could only be cheap leather armour which would do absolutely nothing to protect her from something like that bear monster, the adventurer had bright green eyes which peaked nervously out from underneath her locks of bright red hair. Judging by the lack of long ears, a tail or other strange features, the most abnormal thing about the adventurer was the freckles which covered her face from ear to ear.

In other words, she was not one of the people Tom had been summoned to save, thus he didn't have a lot of problems leaving her behind to die.

(I can't run a charity with my current resources… If she continues blabbering about my rifle I'll need to off her to prevent any rumours from spreading.)

"I-I'm sorry sir, I'll be quiet…"

Perhaps due to Tom's changing tone, the adventurer apologised as she finally piped down and started quietly following him.

The walk back to Rover was otherwise uneventful, with the adventurer keeping quiet even when Tom stopped to remove the scope from his M-909 and wrapping it in leather to conceal it.

Reaching the gates of Rover, Tom stopped to face the adventurer who quickly got the hint and bowed down.

"Thank you for saving my life, sir!"

Seeing the brat was at least raised properly, Tom softened a little as a sly smile crept onto his face.

"A piece of advice kiddo, quit while you're ahead and stop being an adventurer, you're not cut out for it."

"And why wouldn't I be suited for it?"

Still not getting what Tom was hinting at, he was forced to spell it out, but the fact that he did it loudly enough for the surrounding people to hear was purely for the entertainment value.

"In my field, we have a saying: Merch's who piss their pants in their first fight aren't really suited for it."

"WHA!- FUCK OFF!"

Realising the state of her pants and the dark patch on them, then that people were staring at her with grins on their faces, the young adventurer quickly kicked Tom's shin before running off with her entire face turning bright red.

Having a good laugh to himself all the way back to his inn, Tom spent his time leisurely maintaining his rifle as he waited for evening.

As the sky started to turn orange, Tom headed out, leaving behind his rifle as he went further into the centre of Rover than he had ever been before. Gradually, the shoddy inns, brothels and stores turned into brick buildings, then into mansions with fancy large gardens as Tom reached his destination.

(... This really screams 'I'm a fucking douchebag with too much cash'.)

Finding the mansion which fit the deceased thug's description Tom walked in through the open gate and immediately found himself surrounded by people who looked down on him because of how he dressed. Reaching the courtyard, Tom entered one of the smaller buildings which had a bit of foot traffic. Although it wasn't quite as large as the main buildings, the inside was lavishly decorated and plenty of fancy-dressed 'goods' stood on the dual staircase which flanked a countertop where a group of butlers stood acting as cashiers.

(Yup, this is a brothel alright… Once you've seen one of them, you've seen all of them.)

Walking up to the counter, Tom was initially ignored until he finally spoke up to one of the butler-like people behind the counter.

"Do you get paid just to stand there like a statue?"

"My sincerest apologies, sir, what can I help you with tonight?"

With an entirely insincere apology, the butler looked like he was refraining from pinching his nose in disgust as he finally addressed Tom.

"I heard you have quite a fancy board in this here fine establishment. How much for a night with her?"

Sighing audibly to himself once he heard what Tom was after, the butler got ready to call for security as he informed Tom of her price.

"Indeed, we're the only establishment here in Rover that has a demi, as such she is quite expensive, you would have known that if you were a bit smarter."

"Oh, I really want to bash your teeth in right now, but I'm in a good mood so I'll let that slide. How much is she?"

Answering in kind to the butler's remark, Tom didn't need eyes in the back of his neck to know that two guards were currently approaching him from behind.

"She's currently 10 gold a night, but I doubt-"

"Deal."

Cutting the butler short, Tom slammed the 10 gold coins he had gotten from his resupply down on the countertop with a smile which radiated slight bloodlust.

"... Understood sir, one of our associates will guide you, have a pleasant night."

Once he was presented with payment, the butler had no choice but to accept it as he signalled for the guards to back off.

"Thanks, buddy~ But a quick word of advice: watch your back outside this mansion from now on, judging by your attitude you aren't bound to live very long~"

Waving goodbye to the butler with a sleazy smile, Tom followed a quiet maid all the way to the top floor of the mansion where she finally turned to face him.

"Dear customer, in the event you somehow injure or degrade our product we will come for your head no matter where you hide, now please enjoy your stay."

"Will do~ Now let's see what I paid for~"

Still acting like a sleazy customer until he was out of sight of prying eyes, Tom opened the double doors in front of him and entered the lavishly decorated bedroom, making sure to close the door behind him and take off his shoes. Turning serious as he entered the room, Tom was nevertheless blown away when he was greeted.

"Greetings dear customer, my name is Rose and I am honoured to be of service to you for tonight."

Sitting on top of the bed on her knees wearing only a silk robe, Rose was every bit the insanely beautiful elf she had been rumoured to be. With pale blue eyes, golden hair reaching down to her shoulders, vibrantly applied makeup and the body of a supermodel, the only 'flaw' Rose had was that her left ear had been chipped slightly, losing a bit of its length.

"Hello, Rose… Can anyone hear us in here?"

Not exactly how to broach the subject, Tom decided on the direct approach as he started looking at the walls.

"I'm sorry?... Oh, dear customer, what happens in here is strictly between just the two of us. Please rest assured."

Most likely misunderstanding what Tom was talking about, Rose got a slight smile, which quickly disappeared when she was corrected.

"I serve the Hunt, and I'm not here for what you think I am."

"... Oh, that's a fascinating claim, young human. Why don't you try another joke, I'm sure whatever it is, it'll go over far better."

Judging by how cold Rose's eyes had turned, it was clear she didn't believe what Tom was saying, although she had been annoyed enough that Tom realised his statement could convince her if he could prove it.

Sitting down on the floor, he closed his eyes to focus.

INTERFACE_CONFIRMED:_ACTIVE.

CONNECTION_NOT_SECURE.1835_POINT(S)_AVALIBLE.

Even before Tom could wonder what it meant that his connection wasn't secure, he was grabbed by the neck and kissed by Rose. Quickly as the events unfolded, the door to the bedroom was suddenly opened as the maid from before barged in without even knocking.

"MMMmm!"

"Ah, Alicha, I'm sorry, I got a bit too excited… Can you leave us alone now? We're busy."

"... Very well, Miss Rose. Please refrain from using mana again."

Sighing loudly to herself, the maid left the room again as Rose continued making out with the frankly stunned Tom.

"... Get over here now."

Finally removing her tongue from Tom's mouth, Rose wiped her lips with the scuff of her robe before she dragged Tom with her deeper into the room, pushing him onto the bed before mounting him.

"Listen here lady-"

"Don't fucking call me that, and don't try and use that kind of magic in here again unless you want to lose your head."

Having lowered her voice quite a bit, Rose's tone was nevertheless imposing as she spoke straight into Tom's face and her flowery, business smile was long gone.

"... Do you believe me now?"

"Yeah, at least I believe that you're clearly suicidal, dense as a gob, a child or all 3 at the same time."

Speaking quite a bit faster now (while also being quite rude) It was clear that Rose had completely abandoned her 'business' attitude. Given that fact, Tom decided to be truthful and honest in order to gain her trust.

"Well, it hasn't even been a week since I arrived in this world so cut me some slack, the Hunt has tasked me with fixing that world and I'm trying my best to do that here…"

"..."

Falling silent, it was clear from her perplexed expression alone that Rose was at least considering what Tom had said and taking it at face value.

"Are you completely daft?"

At least somewhat at face value.

"At least not that I'm aware of, but it has been a few years and a life since I let those freaks in white coats touch me and do an examination."

Thinking back to his previous life, Tom remembered all too well the times when a 'routine checkup' would turn up multiple complications which of course led to extremely expensive treatments, all of them ineffective of course.

(Man those fucking white suits and their fucking insurance lawyers can go fuck themselves… I wish I could have gotten the chance to pepper spray a few more of them before getting tased.)

"... Are you really from Her?"

Getting snapped back to reality (oops there goes gravity?) by Rose, it took Tom a few seconds to process what she had said.

"Ah, the Hunt? Yeah. First I'm dead due on the job, next thing I know is that I'm floating in a white space completely nude, and in front of me is this gigantic divine entity which looks like a mix of a leviathan, a woman and deer made out of some kind of liquid metal floating in front of me."

"... What did-"

"She… Them… It?... Wants me to fix their world, I accepted as getting a second chance at life not under USIE's bureaucratic thumb sounded pretty sweet and I'm totally okay killing, maiming and skinning slavers alive due to what they put me through in my last life."

Seemingly too stunned to speak, Rose stared blankly at Tom's face for a few moments before she broke into laughter from the absurdity of it all.

"Aha ha ha aha! You really are daft Tom!"

"Well, I'm at least glad I could entertain."