'Crap...what the hell am I going to do?' Phina thought to herself bitterly. 'I have no money, no knowledge, and no equipment. This is impossible to do!!'
Phina walked through the streets of Lonely Strife Town. She wanted that mask, but she was completely broke. She then sighed and approached someone on the streets. It was a young human boy.
"Hey, kid." Phina called out as the kid turned to her. "Do you know where I can earn some Beast Repellants?"
"Y-You can help protect the town from Beast Waves if you're strong enough." the boy eyed Phina suspiciously. "You can go to the Mayor for how to enlist."
"Thanks." Phina thanked, her smile hidden by the shirt around her face.
"What a weird one." the boy said to himself.
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Phina asked around and found the Mayor's office. It was surrounded by four Beginner-ranked guards with spears, two to the sides of the building and two at the door. She approached the building, then the guards crossed their spears, blocking her from entering. "Who are you? Do you have an appointment?"
"Hello, I'm Se- Shira. I'd like to talk to the Mayor about defending the Beast Waves, and inquire a bit more about it." Phina said with no fear. These were Beginner-rankers, and judging from how they are handling their spears, they were complete amateurs! They were only slightly better than she was back when she first arrived in this world. She could beat them with no problems at all, even without her dagger.
"I see..." one of the guards said, he then whispered something in the other guard's ear. The second guard rushed into the building, while the first one just continued looking at Phina.
A few moments later, the guard comes rushing back. "Mayor Mayo will meet with you."
"Alright." Phina was then led by the guard into the large building, guiding her to the Mayor's office room.
Phina entered the office as she looked at an old Angel man, who turned to her at the same time. "You must be Shira, correct?"
"I apologize for the mess. It's just that there was a lot of property damage during the last Wave." Mayor Mayo apologized as he gathered the paper documents on his desk and handed them to a guard behind him. He then turned to look at Phina, "Alright, I was informed that you had some inquires about the Beast Waves?"
"Yes. How much exactly will I be paid?" Phina went straight to the point.
The Mayor smiled bitterly then sighed. "You will be given 1 Beast Repellant for every Adult-rank Beast, 2 for every Adult-rank Elite, 10 if you get an Adult-rank Lord."
"Are they all at the Adult-rank?" Phina asked.
"Miss Shira, Lonely Strife Town is on the border of the Dull Dessert. No Beast would come here voluntarily." Mayor Mayo sighed. "All the ones that end up here are the ones that ran away from the frontlines at the Elven Hellzone."
"I-I see...alright then. I want you to leave as many Lords as you can to me. How many Lords usually show up per Wave?" Phina asked.
"Around three...Miss Shira, it is not that I am underestimating you, but an Adult-rank Lord can fight toe-to-toe with and a Beginner-rank! Maybe you should go after the Elites, they are safer to hunt, not to mention that there are dozens of them." Mayor Mayo advised. "If you kill five of them, it would be the same as killing a Lord."
Phina laughed. "Hahaha! I'm...I'm sorry! It's just that...it feels nice."
"What does?" the Mayor was thoroughly confused.
"To have someone worry about me again." Phina said as her laughter ended. As much as she didn't like to admit it, she missed Kara's worrying over her. Jack also worried in his own way, though he usually hid it. She missed it. Back at the Exodia, everyone treated her as if she was a monster. A pinnacle unreachable by them, so no one worried about her. If something could threaten Seraphina, then what could they possibly do?
"I won't stop you, but I do advise you to step back and have a test. Try your luck against Elites. The Beast Waves aren't going to stop any time soon." the Mayor pleaded once more. Enough volunteers had died already. If one more died, he might never see a volunteer again.
"Alright. If I find them too easy, I'll go for the Lords instead. Deal?" Phina reached her hand out.
"Deal." Mayor Mayo weakly smiled.
"By the way, can I borrow 52 Beast Repellants?" Phina asked.
"E-Excuse me?" Mayor Mayo was flabbergasted. 52 Beast Repellants was no small amount!
"I'll prove to you my strength, I'll arm wrestle anyone you choose. If I win, you loan me the money. If I lose, I'll work for five Waves for free. What do you think?" Phina asked with open arms.
"...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested. What's your rank, Miss Shira?" Mayor Mayo asked as he played with his long mustache.
"It's a surprise." Phina winked.
"Very well then." Mayor Mayo smiled. His guard stood at attention. This guard wasn't like the other guards. He was an Intermediate-rank!
Mayo smirked. "You'll be facing me."