A shifty looking man, wearing all black armour with a strange red crest of the pauldron stepped closer. “Listen here, we’ve heard the rumours of a Safezone that has been recently established and is run almost in form of a tavern.”

  I noticed Phima’s hand trembling ever so slightly, but she stood her ground firmly in-front of me—arms spread out defensively.

  “Phima… how are adventurers able to attack in here?” Her eyes glanced back and I caught her expression. It was pity.

  “We are happy to let this go, simply hand over your illegally acquired coin and walk away.” The leader snorting toward the end, then sucking his teeth. “Eugh… I mean, if you can at least. Crawling is always an option.”

  The other two burst out laughing hysterically, thigh-slaps and everything. Fuckers!

  But unfortunately my anger was not meant to be, since the pain was now reintroducing itself. Not with a polite knock, more like “404, kneecaps not found.” As I began to heavily breathe, noticing one of my arms struggling to move.

  Are you fucking kidding me, dislocated?!

  *Ding*

  [Warning! Safezone compromised]

  [Emergency Requirement Met]

  [Info: Safezones are not combat free by default, it is enforced by you]

  [You are in imminent danger Greg, proceed with caution]

  “Well that’s handy fucking information!” I screamed instead of thinking. Shit. The man stepped one pace forward.

  “What’s it going to be, death or submission?”

  Phima looked back at me—and smiled.

  “Sorry I can’t be of more use.”

  What?

  She lunged forward at an incredible pace, lining the adventurers up and past the threshold of the portal, disappearing along with them with the muffled yelling of the men involved.

  “Noo!”

  [Emergency Action]

  [Portal Override]

  [Sealing off Door temporarily]

  “NOOO!”

  “Nnngh, my stupid legs… why did you close it?!”

  But there was nothing but silence.

  I tried to move, but I was still firmly stuck against the metal sheet of my entry desk. “System! I don’t care what it costs me, I need help!”

  [Acknowledged]

  [You are given a once off choice]

  [Ready?]

  “Actually no, I’m kinda busy. You know, getting my hair done, trip to the… YES I’M READY!”

  [Option 1: Receive a skill relevant to your situation]

  [Option 2: A reward will be sent out to return Miss Estymerios to your care]

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  [Note: Option 2 does not guarantee a satisfactory outcome]

  “Ok, think Greg… fuck. Nnngh! Option 1, I don’t know, m-maybe. Maybe option 2?” Adrenaline was mixing with my panic and I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight.

  “Whatever! Give me option 1!”

  [Acknowledged]

  [“Private Healthcare” unlocked]

  [Private Healthcare: Spend 1 gold to receive emergency healing for yourself or others]

  “Yes, great. Let’s bloody go already.” I’m done inhaling pain through broken bones thanks.

  I swiped through my menus until I got to the skill, then confirmed the payment. Small price…

  The injured parts of my body began to glow, hearing faint crunching and squelching noises, but other than that—no pain.

  Within a matter of a minute, my body had recovered to 100% capacity. I almost felt reborn in a way.

  I got up, wiped the blood from my jeans further into the fabric and made my way to the door. Snapping off a piece from the chair as a makeshift club. “Open the door system,”

  [Not Advised]

  [Individual waiting behind it]

  Are you kidding me, they haven’t left?

  “Doesn’t matter, open the door!” My hands trembling with a cocktail of fear and rage—no umbrella and definitely straight.

  [Safezone open]

  [Good luck Greg]

  When the door opened, I flung myself into a viscous charge; flailing my arms about. When I was swiftly and without mercy, punched straight in the face. Sending me staggering back into the lemona… I mean entry desk.

  “You sure have an interesting way of hosting people. I thought you’d be pleased to see a familiar face.”

  Familiar?

  I looked up, hand still firmly clutching my nose. “LOMBER!”

  The friendly lizard man had returned and it couldn’t have happened at a better time.

  “How have you been, why was the door shut?”

  I interrupted him , getting to my feet and shaking him hard.

  “I need your help Lomber… 3 Adventurers. They attacked us in here. She pushed them out. The door was shut behind her.” My babbling ass not being able to slow down or even form proper sentences.

  “Calm down Greg, first things first. Who attacked you and when?”

  “About 10 minutes ago, just some human adventurers.” I paused, remembering. “They had a red symbol on their shoulders. Demanded money and my leaving this place.”

  “I see, and the ‘she’?” The lizard man enquired, patting me warmly on the shoulder. He was incredibly calm, showed no emotion or hesitation in his demeanour.

  “A Dragon-hybrid by the name of Phima. Please, you have to help me get her to safety.” My panicked self, now offering everything I had earned up until now. “I’ll give you anything, I have 1 gold coin and a bunch of silver. Bring her back and I-I’ll get you more.”

  “Dear Greg, you are fortunate that we met when we did. I am actually a Headhunter, but that means I only work when there’s a contract. Write one up and I’ll take the job, but my fee is non-negotiable. 10 gold for a life returned, fail to uphold your end—and I’ll kill you both.

  Jesus Christ, this dude isn’t messing around. “Fine, is that gold payment upfront?” Writing the terms of our agreement on a sticky-note from my kitchen. His eyes glancing at it at first, then shrugging.

  He took the note and answered.

  “This’ll do, but I’d prefer a nicer looking one next time. I also don’t require the full payment, just a bit upfront.”

  I pulled my only remaining gold coin from py pouch and pressed it into his chest. Slightly pushing him back. “Here, now please hurry!”

  “Not that easy, I need her scent. Otherwise I’d rely on tracks only.”

  My mind raced. Scent… what do I have that smells?

  “My bed sheets! T-They still have her scent!”

  The lizard smirked from ear to ear, tongue slightly poking out of his mouth. “I bet it does—amongst other things.”

  Eww you gross fucker.

  “Just come on.” Pulling him by his vest and up the stairs.

  When we got there he simply nodded and walked up to my bed, and then… started LICKING my covers and pillows. “What the Ffffuck are you doing you ssssick pervert?!”

  He looked back at me, confused and slight offence in his eyes. “I’m gathering her scent?” Then continued to keep flicking his tongue every which way till Sunday across my room.

  Eugh! Lucky there’s no black light in here, or we would have a very difficult conversation.

  “Got it. I’ll be on my way. But one question.”

  “It’s not my fault. It’s supposed to make it taste better.” Double-Pineapple blast my ass.

  “Oookay? I was going to ask if you had a quick bite before… you know what, it can wait.”