The Misadventures of Rodrick and his Assistant

A couple of minutes later, Madam Simone left the station.

With an intricate fan covering her mouth, she looked at the direction Rodrick left towards.

"We caught both of them. Sebastien is currently interrogating them."

"Good job. If Seb is on it, then we'll be able to squeeze some info before they die."

The man gave a single nod, his expression as stoic as ever.

"To think we actually caught an unrelated person. A petty thief." Madam Simone shook her head and sighed, "What kind of crazy person steals just a single apple? And in the Lineage District, no less?"

The man gave no answer.

"Do you know what he told the Captain? He said there was a voice that told him to do things. I'd normally think he was mentally deranged, but I don't think that's the case."

After voicing her thoughts, Madam Simone waved her fan and added,

"Go back alone. I'll be back soon."

"Alright. Good night."

The man bowed before walking in the opposite direction.

…

Somewhere in the Common Sub-District, in an unilluminated backstreet, Rodrick leaned against the wall and prayed.

"Please don't be a shit mission! Please don't be a suicidal mission! Please!"

At midnight, he heard the buzzing sound, followed by the disembodied and robotic voice of the System.

*Fourth Mission: Meet a Tooth fairy.*

For an entire minute, Rodrick stood there, completely dumbfounded. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Dumb Assistant, I didn't hear wrong, did I? I need to meet a Tooth Fairy?"

"Yes, User. That is the fourth mission. Never forget that the Grand Plan is mysterious and important."

Emotionally deflated, Rodrick sat down and grabbed his head. Unlike previous times, he didn't erupt in rage and anger. He seemed to have gotten used to such absurd missions that no one would expect.

'A tooth fairy? Aren't those just myth? What's next, do I need meet Santa Claus?'

His frustration notwithstanding, Rodrick chose to focus on more urgent problems.

It was midnight and most restaurants were closed, but he had seen a handful of food stalls still open. Before they closed, he quickly went to one of them and bought some food.

Food stalls didn't sell water, but by paying a little extra, they did provide him with two small water bottles.

Back in some secluded alley, Rodrick ate his food and drank his water.

"I don't understand the setting. It's both medieval and modern."

"I can explain, User. The Lineage District is unique. It's separated from the other districts by 200 feet long iron walls. What makes-"

"I don't care about the lore! Be quiet!"

"I was trying to satisfy your curiosity, User."

"If you're so eager to do that, then tell me what happened to the 68 Users before me."

"I do not have access to that information. They might still be alive and thriving."

"Or they failed one of the missions and died."

"All Users have been chosen after careful consideration and calculation. They are individuals capable of completing the Grand Plan."

Rodrick snorted, "If they're that amazing, it wouldn't have taken 68 of them to be chosen. A single capable person would have been enough."

"Each User has a part to play in the Grand Plan. Don't be discouraged, User 69. I will assist you the best I can."

Rodrick mumbled under his breath and chose to end the conversation.

'I wonder if there is a cheap inn. I don't remember seeing any… but maybe I'm just blind.'

Unwilling to spend another night in the streets, Rodrick slowly got up, resolved to find a roof to sleep under tonight.

He still had plenty of silver coins, so it shouldn't be difficult to rent a room.

However, after a couple of steps, he stopped and let out a gasp of surprise.

He quickly composed himself and smiled.

"Hello, Madam."

Madam Simone was standing a couple of feet away. Her creepy marionette was above her like a ghost. It was truly a nightmarish sight.

"Rodrick Dick."

"Y-yes?"

"Did you come from outside?"

Faced with such a question, Rodrick could only nod.

"Which District?"

'Assistant, help me! Give me some lore!'

Alas the A.I Assistant couldn't hear his thoughts. Fortunately, it was more sensible than he gave it credit.

"User, the District adjacent to Lineage is called the Oldlands."

"The Oldlands." responded Rodrick while sweating profusely.

"You're lying."

"I-I assure you I'm not. I managed to slip into Lineage through sheer luck."

"How? What route did you use? Who smuggled you in? Why did you come here?"

Madam Simone's eyes turned cold and her voice became sharper.

Having had enough, Rodrick just let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Look, Madam." The tension was gone, now replaced by a calm resignation.

"Why are you doing this to me? It's not like I offended you or anything. You mistakenly caught the wrong person and almost got me killed. Why are you bothering me? Just leave me alone."

"..."

"I don't care about the golden box or your identity. I'm just minding my own business."

"That doesn't answer my questions." She rebuked as her marionette began to twitch unnaturally.

"Do I look like I care? If you're here to kill me, then just do it, and if you're here just to get your questions answered, then…" He took a deep breath, his gazes locked onto hers "Piss off."

When she heard that, Madam Simone let out a chuckle, her figure soon turning blurry and then vanishing.

"Well done, User. I didn't expect such bravery from you."

"Shut up! I need to piss!"

Rodrick ran to a small corner, unzipped his pants, and began to piss, his hands shaking non-stop.