When my girls shook my shoulders and shouted my name, I snapped back a bit. Without delay, I used Initial-level first-step spirit element – "Pacification" to suppress negative thoughts, letting me breathe normally and my heartbeat steady.
Too bad I lacked moral strength to tame thoughts via direct element control; had to use the spell. Now busted the element to Lin Lin. Ugh, awkward. Need to turn in the quest quick and retreat somewhere private to sort my thoughts. Suppressing them constantly with spells isn't viable.
"Ha-ha Lin Lin, you really surprised me, nothing else to say. Guess I misremembered your birthday; happens to everyone. Anyway, we need to turn in the quest fast, then I have some business. You can book a hotel; I'll be late," I said in a serene tone.
Apparently cast "Pacification" sixth-step on nerves. Now I'd walk zen monk-like for a bit. Luckily, it'd wear off in an hour.
"Mu Bai, you really okay? You were totally off, like a massive panic attack. You don't fall like that from a simple age mix-up about a teammate," Jiao Jiao asked worriedly, stroking my back instead of shaking. TuTu supported from the other side.
"Yeah, all good. Gather claws from the fallen Red Sea Demons meantime; we need them as proof," I tried changing topic, but girls' faces said I failed miserably. Still, they obeyed my order – perks of built authority.
"I won't ask about the spirit element now; see you're not up for proper talk," Lin Lin spoke after girls stepped away.
"You really sixteen? Or are you pranking me after all?" Last bid to reclaim normal worldview.
"…Don't know why it matters so much, but yes, sixteen," she sighed.
"Got it." Convo died.
Pikachu and Bul returned then, having finished stragglers. On my order, they helped girls collect claws, hauling water-dead monsters ashore. Meanwhile, to avoid awkward silence, I figured how to haul the Commander's full carcass to the mayor.
Saying we killed the Commander and showing a claw is one thing; bringing a fresh corpse another. Bet they'd give bonus and note the kill in our Hunter files. That's a boost for next rank-up.
Five Hunter ranks exist: Apprentice, Intermediate, Advanced, Master 1-7 stars, and Senior Hunter, aka Hunter King. Like Du Xiao from Ancient Capital, who briefly resisted a top Warlord and even damaged him. Hope I save his life from Abyssal Zombie this time. If events even happen…
Lin Lin's currently three-star Master Hunter, pretty badass. Masters are usually veteran High-level mages. The Kowloon guy I fought could claim one-star Master in a year or two, stacking contribution points from quests.
Any High-level mage can relatively easily hit Master Hunter via superior power on quests, but only up to four stars. Further needs not just strength but knowledge and experience; points alone insufficient.
In original, Mo Fan and Lin Lin solved Drowning Curse, netting big points and pushing past four stars.
We and girls jumped to early Advanced Hunter via prior tough quest's points. After this, we could cover half the rank.
Keep tackling hard quests through year's training end, we'll hit Master for sure. No surprise; by then we'll break High-level, no barriers to promotion.
High Hunter rank gives global status; Hunter League's international, veterans respected for power and deeds. Example: a six-star Master's assistant girl got promoted to her country's finance minister for the connection.
Not unique. Higher we climb with girls, higher status. I need high status minimum for my plans. If still relevant post-Lin Lin age reveal…
Snapping from distracting thoughts – filler to avoid pondering my past-life/canon knowledge worthless – I asked a girl stuff the amphibian's corpse in her spatial ring. Mine was packed with trade resources for otherworld cash/gold, artifacts, junk… Order needed.
In thirty minutes, we gathered all needed claws and headed to city hall. Jiao Jiao stored the Commander carcass; TuTu's storage was junk-full already. I'm no better, can't judge.
Familiar secretary let us skip queue; we entered mayor's office smoothly.
"Here to clarify something?" city head asked, looking up from desk papers. Too soon for him to think we'd finished. Time to surprise.
On my nod, Jiao Jiao dumped the Commander corpse from her ring. Right on pricey rug, but mayor didn't care. Mouth agape, he stared at the carcass filling his spacious office.
"Here's the Commander's corpse as proof of job done, plus two sacks of his pack's claws. Lucky we passed by; by numbers and habits, Red Sea Demons might've hit your city soon," Lin Lin bullshitted, reeling shocked mayor for bonus. Little goblin; at least something stable in this unstable world.
End result: five million yuan bonus, plus solemn promise of top Hunter League review for our team. Double profit.
As said, post-quest I bid girls goodbye and headed private. What's more private than our wipeout spot?
Sitting shore-gazing water, I pondered. "Pacification" influence gone; grim thoughts refilled head, but I reined in. That calm hour prepped me.
Reviewing major events since rebirth, no canon/past-life diffs found. So maybe not as bad as first seemed?
Yeah, Lin Lin's age off, but rest matches. Looks same, unawakened mage. Probably late-awakening anti-talent. Like world bends to canon despite changes.
Silly hoping no other changes, but I'll optimist till proven otherwise. Won't stop prepping adventures tighter for sudden shifts. Won't take girls to Hangzhou/Ancient Capital now. Don't wanna risk losing them unforeseen.
Decision made, I stood, brushed sand off pants, trudged back to team. Soul burden not fully gone, but no block to rational thought/hope.
Hope dies last. Mankind needs it bad.