The group had just completed all their field study assignments and were heading back to their hotel when, just like in the game, Jusis was picked up by his family's butler at the command of his father. Rinwell watched the scene quietly, her expression tightening for just a moment before she turned to Rean and the others.
"Excuse me, I need to do something real quick," Rinwell said suddenly.
Before anyone could question her, she ran into the closest general store. A few minutes later, she came back out carrying a bag full of items, her grip firm and her expression focused.
"Okay, we can go now," she said calmly.
Rean frowned slightly. "What did you—"
"Oh, something we definitely need right now," Rinwell cut in quickly, not slowing her pace.
Once they were back in their hotel room, Rinwell immediately grabbed Machias by the arm and pulled him toward the bathroom.
"Hey, Rinwell, what the hell are you doing?" Machias protested as he was dragged along.
The others were left outside as a series of loud noises echoed from behind the bathroom door, thrashing sounds and muffled impacts making everyone exchange uneasy glances. After several tense moments, the door finally opened.
Rinwell stepped out first, chuckling to herself. Machias followed, looking completely different. His hair was now blond, his glasses gone, his eyes glowing red, and his uniform replaced with rough, punk-style clothing that made him almost unrecognizable.
Emma stared at him, eyes wide. "What's going on?"
"Oh, I'm almost positive the guards are about to arrest Machias for some fake crime, so he and I are going incognito until we can get back to Trista," Rinwell said casually, as if she hadn't just turned him into a completely different person.
Rean hesitated. "Aren't you being a bit paranoid?"
"No, she's right," Fie said, her tone serious as she leaned against the wall. "The Provincial Army's been acting strange all day, and they've been giving Machias the stink eye. I honestly think we should all get lost while we can."
Rinwell shook her head slightly. "If we all go, they'll know we know, so it's better if just me and Machias disappear and you three play dumb. And if nothing happens, cool, we'll come back. See you later."
With that, Rinwell grabbed Machias again and pulled him along, hustling him out of the hotel and straight into the wilderness before anyone could argue further.
------
As Machias and Rinwell sat by the campfire, the flames crackling softly between them, Rinwell's watch suddenly beeped.
"Mandatory update beginning."
"I beg your pardon?" Rinwell said, her eyes widening as she lifted her wrist. The watch now displayed a glowing progress bar alongside the message.
"Twelve hours remaining."
"Oh, whatever. Best to not worry about for now," Rinwell said dismissively, lowering her arm and shaking her head brushing the problem aside.
She stood and stretched her arms above her head.
"Hey, Machias, I'm gonna go see if I can catch us some fish," Rinwell said casually, rolling her shoulders.
"Okay, just don't go too far, and shout if anything happens," Machias said worriedly, glancing toward the dark tree line.
"You got it," Rinwell said cheerfully, giving him a quick wave before heading off.
Several hours later, Rinwell returned to the campsite carrying a couple of rabbits. She sat down near the fire and started to dismantle them, her movements sloppy and unpracticed.
"You'd think this would be included in the cooking skill, but no," Rinwell said in frustration, scowling as she worked.
After some effort, she carved the meat off the bones and set it to boil, making a simple rabbit soup over the fire. When it was finally done, she glanced over at Machias.
"Sorry it's so plain, Machias. I forgot to bring spices," Rinwell said apologetically, rubbing the back of her neck.
"No problem, Rinwell. It's still better than going without dinner. Let's get some shuteye," Machias said understandingly, offering her a small, tired smile as the fire crackled low.
------
The next morning, Rinwell woke up and immediately checked her watch. The display flickered to life, reading:
[Update complete. Numerical stats replaced with a tiering system.]
Rinwell frowned slightly and quickly checked her stats, only to see that only her health and MP remained. All of her other stats were gone, replaced instead with a single line that read:
[Building Level]
"Well, that's cool, but something tells me it was only added because the boss was tired of keeping up with all the numbers," Rinwell said bluntly, unimpressed as she scrolled through the interface.
As she did, a new notification popped up on the screen. She paused, eyes narrowing in curiosity, and opened it.
___________________________
[New Skill]
Dismantling – Novice
User now knows the basics of dismantling the carcasses of defeated animals or monsters.
_____________________________
"Sweet," Rinwell said with a small grin as she lowered her arm and turned her attention to the still-sleeping Machias.
"Machias, we need to move soon, just in case they're looking for you," Rinwell said, reaching down and shaking him awake.
"I'm up," Machias said groggily as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Rinwell turned back toward the campfire, about to prepare breakfast, when her ARCUS unit suddenly started ringing. She paused, pulled it out, and answered immediately.
"Hello? Fie, what's going on?" Rinwell said, her tone sharpening.
She listened quietly for a moment, her expression darkening.
"Got it. We'll be on our way soon," Rinwell said before ending the call.
"What's wrong?" Machias asked, now fully awake as he stood up straight, tension creeping into his posture.
"I was right. They were after you, but since they couldn't find you and Rean refused to give you up, they arrested him instead. Now Emma and Fie have a plan to rescue him, but they need us for it to work," Rinwell explained quickly while gathering their things, her movements brisk and focused.
"Alright, let's move quickly then," Machias said, immediately stepping in to help, urgency clear in his voice as the two of them prepared to head out.
-------
Rinwell and Machias met Emma and Fie on the street near the waterway, the distant sound of rushing water echoing faintly nearby.
"So how long ago did they take him?" Rinwell asked seriously, as she folded her arms.
"About three hours ago. Since then, me and Emma got a hint about the underground waterway. Apparently, it runs all over the city, including under the guardhouse," Fie said casually.
"Then we'll head there immediately. We'll sneak through the tunnels, kill any monsters that get in our way, and then bust Rean out," Machias said confidently.
"That's as good a plan as any," Emma said, nodding in agreement as she adjusted glasses.
"Then let's go," Rinwell said, already heading toward the waterway entrance, not waiting for the others to follow.
(Authors Note:Sorry I've been gone from this project for so long and sorry again for the short chapter more will follow soon)