The Sky Hunter

"Well, if she's having fun with it, then I'd say those 1000 gold coins were worth it. At least she won't have to rough it out in the mountains for a week," Airi chimed in.

"Well, that's a good point. Alright then, let's go ahead and choose our quests," I said confidently.

"Mhm, okay," Airi replied with a thoughtful nod.

The quest layout seems a bit different from Marcellia.

As I scanned the quest board, my eyes caught sight of an individual quest about inventing something.

An idea struck me, and I exclaimed, "Oh, this is perfect! I think I'll take on this quest and show off my inventing skills."

+Quest Name: Shadowweave Invention Contest (Individual)

+Quest Description: The Annual Invention Contest is coming up and the city is abuzz with excitement.

The best and brightest inventors will be showcasing their latest and greatest creations, and you've been invited to participate! However, the competition is fierce and the judges are notorious for their high standards.

Do you have what it takes to come out on top?

+Quest Objectives:

- Create an innovative invention to showcase at the contest.

- Present and demonstrate the invention to the judges.

- Impress the judges and win the first prize.

+Quest Rewards:

- 500 Exp points and 5000 gold coins for completing the quest.

- Access to special inventing materials and tools

- Popularity across the world

[System: Accept quest?]

< Yes / No >

Yes.

[System: Quest has been accepted, good luck adventurer]

Shadowweave? Is that a new term?

[System: Shadowweave is the seventh month, the contest will be held on the first day of Shadowweave]

I see, so you're not useless after all.

[System: ...]

"Eh? And what am I supposed to do while you're busy tinkering with gadgets?" Airi asked with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Don't worry, Airi, there are plenty of other quests available. You can always choose an individual quest that interests you," I replied reassuringly.

"But I want to be with you," she pouted, her eyes pleading with me.

I paused for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions.

On one hand, I wanted to encourage Airi and make her happy.

But on the other hand, I had my own goals and objectives to achieve.

"I see," I finally said, my voice carefully measured.

"Hah? What are you even seeing?" Airi retorted, her pout deepening into a full-blown frown. "Hmpfh."

Feeling a pang of guilt, I quickly scanned the quest board and my eyes landed on a quest that could be done together.

"There!" I exclaimed, pointing at the quest.

"We can do this one together."

Airi's expression softened slightly as she read the quest description.

"Finding a robot assassin? But I'm not even that good at finding things," she protested.

"Don't worry about that. We'll work together as a team and play to each other's strengths," I reassured her.

"Hmm, okay then," Airi said, her face brightening with a smile.

+Quest Name: The Clockwork Assassin

+Quest Description: The city is being terrorized by a mysterious assassin who is leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Witnesses report seeing a figure clad in black, with glowing red eyes and mechanical parts.

The clockwork assassin appears to be invulnerable to conventional weapons, and the authorities are at a loss as to how to stop them. Your help is needed to put an end to this menace.

+Quest Objectives:

- Investigate the crime scenes and gather clues.

- Follow leads and track down the clockwork assassin.

- Defeat the clockwork assassin and discover who is behind it.

+Quest Rewards:

- 1000 Exp points and 8000 gold for completing the quest.

[System: Accept quest?]

< Yes / No >

Yes.

[System: Quest has been accepted, good luck adventurer]

"You need to finish one more quest for this month's requirement," I said.

"Let me see...ah, catching flying thieves," she pointed out, looking back at me.

"I don't even know how to fly," I said, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

She laughed out loud, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "No worries, I'll carry you," she said, smirking.

+Quest Name: Catching the Sky Bandits

+Quest Description: The people of Caelumoria have been terrorized by a group of sky bandits who have been raiding the cities, stealing valuable items, and causing destruction in their wake. Your task is to capture the Sky Bandits and bring them to justice.

+Quest Objectives:

- Gather information about the Sky Bandits and their whereabouts.

- Travel to the Sky Bandits' hideout and engage them in battle.

- Subdue the Sky Bandits and bring them back to the authorities for trial and punishment.

+Quest Rewards:

- 3000 Exp points and 1000 gold coins for completing the quest.

- The gratitude of the people of Caelumoria.

[System: Accept quest?]

< Yes / No >

Yes.

[System: Quest has been accepted, good luck adventurer]

"Alright, that will be enough for the monthly requirement, let's go to the city hall where the Caelumoria statue stands," I said.

"Okay." She replied.

With a spring in our step, we exited the guild and made our way toward the city hall.

---

Harvestmoon 26th, Caelumoria, City Hall, 10:20 AM.

---

As I stepped inside the city hall, my eyes widened in amazement at the sight before me.

The towering walls were adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient symbols, while the marble floor beneath my feet glistened in the sunlight that streamed in from the high windows.

The ceiling above was a masterpiece of artistry, with painted frescoes depicting scenes of valor and heroism.

The hall was spacious, with columns of stone stretching high towards the ceiling, casting shadows across the room.

A grand staircase rose to a higher level, and I could see that there were more rooms and chambers beyond, each more impressive than the last.

The furniture was elegantly crafted, with ornate chairs and tables scattered throughout the room.

The air was filled with the soft scent of flowers, and the sound of murmured conversations and footsteps echoed around the hall.

For a moment, I was speechless, taking in the grandeur and beauty of the city hall.

It was a far cry from the humble surroundings of Marcellia, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sight before me.

"Mika," Airi called out, her voice echoing off the marble walls of the grand hall.

"Mika," she repeated, her tone becoming more insistent.

Finally, she shouted, "MIKA!"

I turned to face her, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"The statue is over there," Airi said, pointing towards a towering figure in the corner of the room.

I took a moment to soak in the opulent surroundings, marveling at the intricate details of the floor and ceiling.

The walls were adorned with murals depicting scenes of battle and triumph, and the air was thick with the scent of burning candles and fragrant oils.

"Alright, let's go there," I said, tearing my gaze away from the surroundings.

"Why were you stopping for 10 seconds there?" Airi asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Just observing," I replied, a small smile creeping onto my face.

"Hmph," Airi huffed, her pouty expression softening slightly.

As we made our way toward the statue, our eyes caught the sight of a man, who claimed to be a cyborg.

His face was half-covered in metal, and machines were visibly attached to his upper body.

He turned towards us and spoke, "Hey, are you praying to the statue too?"

"Yes, we are," I replied, intrigued by his appearance.

"The quest is tough. I've been doing it for six months, and I still have no clue about finding the objective," the man said, a tinge of frustration evident in his voice.

Airi chimed in, "Really? That long?"

The man laughed, "Haha, yes. It's been a long and arduous journey."

I was curious and asked, "Is there any point in praying to the statue after receiving the quest?"

"Well, it might give you minor hints about where the objective is located, but I'm too indecisive to notice them," he replied with a shrug.

"Hmm, then do you want to do it together?" I asked confidently.

"I mean, yeah sure man," replied the cyborg, his mechanical voice adding a touch of surrealism to the moment.

He extended his metallic hand for a handshake, which I reciprocated with my fleshy one.

"Orion, Orion Sky Hunter," he introduced himself.

"Mika, just an ordinary high school student," I said, feeling a little intimidated by his imposing presence.

"And I'm Airi, Alaric's daughter," Airi chimed in, her voice a perfect contrast to Orion's.

"You mean Aureliana Ignatia Regina Imperius? That Airi?" Orion asked a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"Yep, that's me, but that's too long, so I just go by Airi," she replied nonchalantly.

We then proceeded to pray to the statue, hoping to gain some insight into our quest.

The statue towered over us, reaching towards the sky with its outstretched arms.

Its face was serene, with closed eyes and a slight smile.

The statue's hands rested on a grand piano, its fingers frozen in mid-play.

The intricate details of the statue were visible even from afar, and as we approached it, we noticed that it was made of a material that glinted in the sunlight.

We stood before it, silently praying for guidance on our journey.

...

...

...

How is it possible that I haven't learned her full name yet, even though we've been traveling together for months?