Chapter 19 - Talk (1)

Gray's dismissal and James's smiling words had changed his impression in the eyes of the vestals.

It made it clear what James, a calm, courteous waiter and a gentlemanly brawler, did when the rules were not followed.

Although this caused a great deal of surprise and respect, no one had a negative opinion of James. After all, what Gray had done in the first place was unbecoming. James had taken it too calmly for them.

Siren didn't seem to mind, but she was actually quite surprised. Eclipse was indeed a famous restaurant and it was a complete surprise that Gray, who was supported by such a restaurant, came here for this purpose.

James looked at the gold framed system window in front of him as he returned to Siren under everyone's astonished gaze.

<Quest: Restaurant Chef's secret condition met.>

<Quest updated.>

<Quest: Restaurant Chef>

<Description: Restore Lucy Sweetapple's restaurant to its former popularity. Fill all the tables. Defeat the brawler who used to vandalize the Moonlight restaurant.

<Reward: 3,000 SP, 1 Level Up, Bronze Tier Module>

<Penalty: None>

The reward had doubled, but the mission's article had been updated. He had many questions, but he couldn't ask Fox in front of Siren.

Siren asked in surprise:

"Are you the enemy of the Eclipse Restaurant?"

James shook his head in denial.

"It's the first time I've seen it, but they probably had a hand in this restaurant's downfall."

Siren was confused.

"What do you mean?"

James glanced toward the kitchen and sighed. He had a lot of questions too, but he didn't want to ask them unless Lucy explained it clearly.

"Never mind."

Siren decided to not press him further. After talking a little more, she said she had a match and left the restaurant.

James continued to attend to the customers for a while longer and then informed his boss that he was going to the arena. He was on his way soon after.

On his way out, he heard everyone wishing him good luck and an involuntary smile appeared on his face.

As he walked down the road, he finally asked the question he hadn't been able to ask all this time:

"What does this quest update mean?"

Fox's voice came without much delay.

[I don't know. I've interfered with the system before to increase the reward, maybe it's related to that.]

James was surprised.

"You can do something like that?"

His surprise turned to awkwardness and curiosity as he realized he was the target of many puzzled looks as he walked. Normally he wouldn't have gotten so many puzzled looks. What had happened all of a sudden?

Fox, meanwhile, spoke up.

[Partially. I don't have complete intervention, but I can intervene to a certain extent. It's something I've been experimenting with for a while, and I guess I've also increased the amount of SP you get from matches].

James spoke with surprise and happiness:

"Well very good. Great job Fox!"

By this time he had finally arrived at the arena. Although there were many arenas, this one was the most popular and the one where all the tournaments were held, and James used it for a reason.

That reason was, of course, to learn the ways. This was the arena that was directly related to the dimension controller. He was not someone who knew how to move stealthily like a ninja. So all he could rely on was his role-playing skills. He pretended to be lost many times to learn certain places.

Well, the result could be said to have been fruitful.

He got a few strange looks in the arena, but he didn't mind and headed for the receptionist as usual. Luckily there was no line today.

"Hi Bran."

He had been talking to the same receptionist for a couple of days and had managed to make friends. According to James, the vestals were very friendly. Except for some bad apples.

The receptionist, named Bran, was surprised to see him for a moment. Then he asked:

"James… what have you done?"

James looked at him in surprise.

"What have I done?"

Bran looked at him. Then he spoke.

"I'm talking about you kicking Gray out of the restaurant."

James unconsciously scratched the back of his neck. He hadn't expected it to be such a big deal. Or that such a rumor would spread.

Meanwhile Bran kept talking:

"That's why Gray challenged you. I tried to persuade him to back down, but what you did... it seemed to anger him too much."

James raised his eyebrows, but then involuntarily the corners of his lips curled upward in a mocking sneer.

"Enraged? Good. I accept the challenge, let the challenge be made when it is appropriate. I wanted to challenge someone higher up anyway."

This was clearly an opportunity he wanted. He now had two hundred thirty-three SP for as long as he could remember. The system was mocking him, not even sending him simple missions, and it was extremely frustrating. Apart from the thirty from his first mission, everything else was his own labor.

The higher he challenged, the more SP he got. The system said that a hundred SP was worth one UP. With Fox's reinforcement, he could earn more UP and live comfortably without having to deal with the plot at all!

Bran was surprised, but then immediately worried. He spoke with concern:

"Are you sure about this? Well, I get it, he obviously treated you wrong when he threw it away, but-"

James interrupted him at that moment .

"It's fine. You set it up. I'll wait here."

James had a confident demeanor. He was very relaxed.

Bran couldn't push it any further. He just sighed and went about his business.

James went to a corner, sat down and waited. Involuntarily, his eyes fell on the painting of the first face.

The Siren was the first to catch his attention. Just like the Spectra Phantom and the five below it, she was in the winning streak with a burning flame mark next to her. She had risen from forty-fifth to forty-fourth right before his eyes.

"Why would someone who has risen so fast want to team up with me?"

He found this situation strange. He was like a puppy attacking wolves with many times his experience. Somehow he always won, but it was certain that this would not always be the case. Although his behavior attracted many people, you never knew who would come out on top in a tournament. Why did he want an uncertain variable like himself with him?

Shaking his head from side to side, he realized he was thinking too much. Just then, Bran's voice was heard:

"I've had to schedule you for the second match tomorrow, most of the other times are taken."

James nodded in agreement.

"That's fine. Good work, then, Bran."

Brand smiled.

"Thanks, you be careful too."

James walked away without a word. As he walked, he suddenly had the impression that he was being watched.