GLITCH

Who I am Before

“You all are a bit pesky. I would love to inspect you more out of curiosity but I don’t want to waste any more time.”

“GWOOOOOH…”

I should test if what I saw in my stats is good news or not.

I don’t have the concept of leveling up anymore, and even my mana is non-existent now. Ah, it’s not that I needed it with the peculiar set-up of my stats.

I’m fighting against twenty of the toughest mobs I’ve ever known. Eighty were down, but…

Thanks to their hidden status condition, these twenty Glitches are near-indestructible. Their toughness is twice as Ferni's, and their offense is as absurd as that golem I fought before.

“Here they come!”

One of the remaining calcium guys started attacking with better coordination. Their speed is already broken. It’s similar to Sven’s actually. I rolled on the ground, hoping to evade an attack but I hurriedly twisted my body and used my Tech Gloves to change my trajectory, or else I’m already dead. My body was thrown away to safety as the Skeleton Warriors hit the ground with force enough to shatter a skull – no, even more than that.

A thud could be heard, and the soil seemed to be cracked after their actions.

What power.

Just how many times I’ve been saved by my Tech Gloves?

“If I knew about this before I engaged at you lot, I would’ve eradicated you all at once. Sigh… This is what happens if I became a little too confident of my newly formed stats. I should have relied on it a bit more than just relying on my Tech Gloves alone. Alter was right all along in making me undergo this training.”

I guess I become too conceited huh?

Yes. It’s just like before.

I’ll be what I am before I got my Mantle.

•••

It’s been a long time.

I’m just like any other girl. Ah, well…I already got that cringe “Five Star Informant” title, so I guess that I’m not like any other girl.

I love being someone who ventures to quench my thirst for knowledge.

It started a long time ago when I explored an area by chance. I only have my Tech Boots and Tech Gloves, of course, and traveled through a cave located in the northeastern part of Ruby City – a city located at the northern part of the biggest mainland of the Lecrucian Continent, just below the Havoc Island.

I was asked by a young girl who’s living in the same establishment as I am to gather a certain material for her father’s birthday. Of course, I am soft when it comes to children. I can’t just reject her request.

I remembered that time. I found her walking towards her room with her head lowered. Concerned about her well-being, I called her out and approached her with a smile.

“Oh? What’s wrong, why are you so gloomy?”

“I don’t have the money, but my father’s birthday is in a week. I wanted to give him a present, and I am at a loss of what to do…”

“That’s sweet of you, little girl. I’m sure that your father is proud of raising such an adorable girl like you.”

“Do you mean it, big sister?”

“Of course, of course. I’m pretty sure of that.”

“Could I have a shiny Ruby Flower? I wanted to buy one for Father but I only have five hundred Omegas for selling candies… Will that be alright?”

Ruby Flower huh?

A Ruby Flower is an eye-captivating flower that could only be seen in Lavem Cave. It has the appearance of something similar to a daisy but as the name implies, it’s made out of ruby, a resource that’s quite a find. It's one of the few materials from Hollow Earth that has spawned on the surface. This is a flower that doesn't wilt even if plucked from its stem.

It is said that whoever got this will be granted eternal joy. No wonder the kid wanted to get one so badly she sell candies to raise her money up to five hundred Omegas. Even if that's a small amount, nothing could compare to her efforts raising it.

"Sure thing. I'll be back in a jiffy, okay? We still have a week, so you better cheer up now."

"T-thank you for accepting my request! Ah, about the payment—"

"Oh, you don't need to."

"No. That would be bad! Father says that the whenever you put up a request, you need an adequate payment!"

What your teaching to your daughter is quite complex, this child's father. I'm pleased to see that this lovely girl was taught by two good parents.

"Very well. Give me a hundred Omegas and I'll go to the Lavem Cave."

"Really? Thank you! But, isn't a hundred Omegas is too low?"

"It's a discounted price only for this moment, okay?"

"Okay! Thank you once more, big sister!"

The girl happily ran off, humming a joyful melody as she continued walking to their room.

It's a simple task actually. I've been there many times to collect some samples of it by some clients. I wish I could go back and time and experience that everyday life I once had.

I came back three days before she the supposed guideline, and she's happy upon seeing me.

•••

Ah yes, super nostalgic moments.

I'm not conceited. I am calm. And yet after obtaining a Mantle, I became too cocky.

I slapped my cheeks to vigor myself.

"I'll be more calming as ever."