Second Genesis

Something clicked for Grey when he heard these words. Weren’t the goblins also referred to as savages in the introduction to the Last Goblin Swordsman?

Was that a coincidence, or was it linked?

"These Savage Races, it includes goblins?"

The one large eye of Memm blinked. "Yes, it does. But they... well, they are a bit different."

"Different how?"

"The Goblins, the Gnomes, and the Witches were truly godly Races in the past, but they’ve fallen. The rest of us... well, we once lived under their rule and benefited greatly, but we were never so great..."

Grey understood after hearing Memm refer to himself among this number. He thought about how many "odd" creatures he had seen in the city. Even the receptionist at the apartments had had a donkey tail. Was she also, perhaps, among these Savage Races?

The Holy Knights didn’t seem to have any of these features. In fact, they were quite human.

They had no tails or odd features. Granted, they could have been hidden beneath their plated armor, but Grey didn’t think so.

"If there’s such hatred, then why are you allowed to live in the city?"

"This is the kindness of the Holy Goddess. Not everyone accepts it, and it is best to keep our heads low when possible..." Memm said softly.

Grey nodded. "Then what are the odds I can get away with killing a Holy Knight?"

Memm’s head snapped up, his eye flickering with panic.

"Please don’t say such things in my presence. Please don’t say such things in my presence." He was so panicked he said it twice, and certainly would have attempted a third if not for Grey cutting him off.

"Then the shop? How can I get it?"

Grey was determined to take this route after reading the tutorial.

From his understanding, owning property in the city was among the most prestigious things you could do. It was a source of income, but it was deeper than that.

He wouldn’t be able to own the shop outright. First, he would need to rent it.

As far as Grey could tell, Zone 234 was not much different from any country on Earth.

If you wanted power, there were only really two ways.

Manipulation or money.

It was true that the tutorial was very vague about how you could become a noble, but there were certainly clues. The two most viable paths were to, one, find a way to join the Holy Knights, or second, become one of the richest citizens in the city.

The way Grey saw things, the richer he became, the more people "in the know" he would be able to rub shoulders with, and the quicker he would be able to learn exactly how to take the next steps to becoming a noble.

Memm was still hesitant to answer Grey’s question, though. But this time, Grey just stood there, waiting.

"This..." Memm eventually muttered. "It’s not easy to make a life as a technician. We’re seen as inferior to Mech Techs—."

"I’m not interested in all of that," Grey said. "Just tell me how to do it. I owe it to Globb to make sure his shop doesn’t end up in the hands of someone who would have hated his guts."

Those words seemed to push Memm over the edge, and the humanoid rat took a deep breath.

"Okay. In order to get the shop, there are two ways. If you are not a noble, your land has to be rented from one. The permit is transferable, but only if you were written into the will of the deceased. The wills of savages aren’t often respected, so I wouldn’t rely on that even if you did have it.

"The easiest way is just to get the favor of the noble that owns the land, and the permit will naturally land in your hands. But there are many people ahead of you on that front."

Grey frowned. "If the Savage Races are discriminated against, and you need the favor of a noble to get a rental permit, how did you and Globb manage?"

"This is the kindness of her Holiness. There are quotas of land rented to the Savage Races that all landowners must meet."

"I see... then how do I gain the favor of a noble?"

"Something valuable," Memm replied. "Something that can’t easily be bought with money. Usually, an Uncommon Treasure from the Ruins will be good enough."

"Who is the noble that owns the parcel Globb’s shop is on?"

"That would be Baron Giyoto."

A ping caught Grey’s attention.

—

Quest Received.

—

Operation: Blessing of Baron Giyoto

Quest Rank: Uncommon

Mission Type: Achievement

Objective: Bring back an item pleasing to Baron Giyoto

Description: Known for his kindness, Baron Giyoto isn’t a demanding landlord. However, as a devout follower of her Holiness, his love of holy items is great and could be considered his one vice. Find an Uncommon item of the Holy ranks to achieve your ambition. Speed just might be of the utmost essence.

Reward: Rental Permit to Globb’s Shop.

—

’Speed just might be of the utmost essence? Why’s that in there?’

The descriptions, from what Grey had seen, often held hints. For example, the Mechanical Jaw retrieval mission mentioned the Fog of Chaos. Now that Grey thought about it, that was definitely a warning. There was no reason to mention it otherwise.

Grey nodded. ’Speed it is, then.’

He had originally planned to learn from Memm as well, but if the Quest said this, then he’d better move now.

’If I’m lucky, maybe one of those treasures I was owed might meet the requirements.’

Grey tried not to think about how Globb’s tool belt just might have counted. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

It was time to go.

"I’ll be back," Grey said before rushing out without another word.

Notifications pinged Grey continuously. There wasn’t another round of messages, but the emojis were going crazy. A few clashing blades and blood droplets danced in the corner of his screen as though they were more bloodlusted than he was.

Grey’s eyes narrowed.

He knew that he was almost certainly being watched. They knew that he had left his apartment and would likely soon know he would leave the city.

It was all about doing the unexpected and moving before they could.

And if they came for his head...

To take theirs first.