65 Difficult Choice

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Mission: Report the Infiltration of Team Minato in the Village Hidden in the Grass

Mission Summary: Third Shinobi World War. The Village Hidden in the Grass has been invaded, and now serves as an important front between the Hidden Stone Village and the Hidden Leaf Village. The Kannabi Bridge within the country is a vital pathway to Hidden Stone Village's line of supply. Team Minato of the Hidden Leaf Village, led by the newly promoted Jonin Hatake Kakashi, is given the mission to destroy it

Mission Objective: You are a rogue practitioner seeking asylum within the Hidden Stone Village. But to get the privilege you must report the infiltration of the Team Minato with proof and their current location to the Stone Village's Ninjas

Mission Time Limit: 5 days

Mission Difficulty: E

Mission Hint: You can ask for the assistance of Genins

]

'Ninjas…' That was the only word that struck familiar to Kai. Yes, familiar and mouthwatering!

Even more striking thing about the Mission was that it was extremely simple. From the summary, Kai had easily understood what he would need to do, unlike his last mission.

But there were also a few things that were completely unknown to him. 'Jonin? Genin? And war…' Kai repeated the words, feeling a little apprehensive. 'An infiltration team won't be weak, right?'

There was one more word Kai didn't repeat. Because he didn't need to for him to know its gravity.

Proof!

From the very mention of it, Kai could tell what the game was about. Kai had trust in himself to scout and spy on others. But gathering solid proof needed more than silence.

'It will get ugly,' Kai thought, chewing on his lips. He wasn't scared, but he lacked the information. And without going to the Random World, he won't be getting much of that, he knew.

'Sigh!' Kai shook his head, putting the tumultuous thoughts at the back of his mind. He adjusted his eyes and looked at the second Mission then.

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Mission: Thwart the Assassination of Jon Arryn

Mission Summary: Year 298 After Aegon's Conquest. King Robert of House Baratheon had dethroned King Aerys II, claiming the throne for himself. After his coronation, King Robert had named Jon Arryn, styled Lord of the Eyrie, as the Hand of the King. The Hand, Jon Arryn, has recently uncovered a secret that will cost him his life. His enemies have hired many assassins (including Contestants) to kill him before he can reveal the secret.

Mission Objective: You will act as a page, newly hired by Jon Arryn, in the guise that he has become old and the younger pages don't suit his needs. In truth, you are a sellsword who will be given exclusive duty to guard the Hand against the assassins.

Mission Time Limit: 1 week

Mission Difficulty: E

Mission Hint: You don't need to hide

]

'Page?' Kai deliberated over the word. 'Isn't that the title for a servant to Nobles?'

Kai looked at the Mission for a few moments. Then he looked more, but he couldn't find it. 'Where is it? Kai asked himself. Where is the danger?'

The first Mission had mentioned Ninjas, Infiltration, and war. There was nothing extraordinary about the second one, though. 'Nothing magical!'

Kai didn't consider the Contestants a danger by now. Assassins meant the Contestants would come alone, and Kai didn't fear anyone of the same floor. Even if someone at Desmond's level would come, Kai was sure he could hold his ground. The real danger, as Kai had found out, would come from Characters within the Random World.

'Not if they are ordinary humans', Kai scornfully thought. 'Something is odd here. Something sinister. What is it? What?!'

No matter how much Kai pondered over it, though, he couldn't put his finger on it. The only thing he could say for sure was that the essence of this Mission lay not in the secret, but in finding out who these enemies were.

'Once I find the source,' Kai thought, his eyes narrowing with understanding, 'I can put a stop to all the assassination attempts.'

But this left him in a dilemma Kai did not know what to do about.

Chaos came for help then.

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If you are uncertain about which Mission to choose, you can still ask for a recommendation, Kai Stormborn

]

Kai licked his dry lips. 'I…' his thoughts run amok for a few moments. 'I can't ask it,' Kai reflected, finally reining his uneasiness. '225 MC, that's what I have left, and I need them for two more things.'

One was an amount of 100 MC for the Miscellaneous Rent Box.

The other…

'You would need 100 Mission Credits to change your face,' Roland had told him. 'But the amount can differ based on the Mission Time and Difficulty.'

So even if Kai could spare a few MCs, he wouldn't without knowing the actual amount. It would be a blunder if he didn't have the needed Mission Credits, Kai knew.

The question remained, though. The conundrum persisted. Which to choose? How to choose? 'Choices decide life and death,' the System itself had told Kai. It felt less a blessing and more a curse now.

'Fuck it!' Kai cursed. His face became ugly as if taking a decision he had no control over. The choice would be his, it couldn't be denied. Yet, Kai also knew he may as well have tossed a coin and still get the better feeling about it.

"I choose the second Mission," Kai declared, gritting his teeth. "And I would like to change my appearance."

The first mission promised the best environment, but Kai felt odd about the hint. "You can ask for the assistance of Genins" would mean "You will need the assistance of Genins", Kai knew for sure. The second Mission at least told him he would work alone. Kai had tasted the teamwork in his last Mission, and now he wanted to understand solo Missions too.

'This is still a start,' Kai told himself. 'Not even a proper beginning. The World of Ninjas, huh? Perhaps next time.'

*******

AN: Damn! Thank God. For a moment, I thought Kai would choose the Naruto World. Not even the Plot Armor could have saved him then. Phew!

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