Walking Disasters and Me-Quest-ionable Rewards – Ch 46

Walking Disasters and Me-Quest-ionable Rewards – Ch 46

Akiko gently sets me back down as we cross the threshold back into my room, letting me quickly rush over to the bed and yoink the battle dress off the bed where I left it. Thankfully it's not too complicated to put on and before long I am dressed up all proper and lady like. Take that Samantha. I feel the slight bit of heat flush through me remembering that whole awkward and confusing encounter as I walk back over to the door where Akiko has been silently watching me this whole time with a pleased smile still on her face. I return it as best I can before I move to the privacy enchantment and flare some Qi into it.
Once I'm satisfied that we have some time without prying ears picking up on our conversation, I turn to Akiko as I cross my arms over my now mostly covered chest. "I know you've already said so, but you're
sure
that was Samantha being... friendly?" She simply rubs my head softly a few times while nodding toward the couch, the unspoken ask is answered as I follow her sensual gait to the comfy furniture. As we sit back against the high cushions, she turns to me and pats her lap.
Well, don't tempt me with a good time~! I promptly lay my head on her soft thighs, feeling her fingers begin to weave through my long crimson hair, the prickling and soothing sensation melting away all thoughts other than comfort. As I hum deeply and pleasantly at her attentions, I hear her give me a reply through the quickly filling cotton of contentment in my ears.
"Indeed. If I recall correctly, it was a
much
more combative affair when Gerra and Samantha met the first time. Gerra, as I am sure you've either noticed or will no doubt pick up on in the near future, is quite a straightforward and driven individual." I feel her giggle softly before continuing, "Samantha's tendency to be protective of me and distrustful of new members is endearing as much as it can be vexing at times. Underneath it all is still a very playful and sweet girl that I met all those years ago, and I assure you that
that
is the true Samantha. She can still be a bit... intense in her jests and demeanor, but the actual confrontational aspect is merely a front she uses when faced with a challenge. Specifically new members to my harem."
Her nails continue their lightly scraping dance across my scalp as she gives me some reassurance, and I'm so relaxed it's actually hard to take in all of that information. She's damn near putting me to sleep! I wiggle a bit so that I'm flat on my back and looking up at her. Well, as much as I can considering her two huge assets dangling over my face. It takes all my willpower to resist the urge to reach up and mess with them from such a vantage point~. No! Bad Aims, stay on task!
As I'm trying to get the train off the horny station, I remember something Jun Li told me regarding Samantha that Akiko just alluded to. "Well, she is certainly much more in my face than I was assuming she'd be given what you and Jun Li have said about her and her reactions to me so far. But maybe that's more on me for jumping to conclusions in the first place. Books and covers, right? Uhm..." I swallow a little bit of trepidation and try to gather my courage to see if I can get more information about Akiko's past from her own lips.
Before I can rally back, I see her gorgeous face poke out from over her massive chest as she looks down at me, "Yes, my dear?" A couple tails come up to gently lay across me, something that I notice she does when she is trying to comfort or reassure me when I'm having a small moment. The thoughtful act always makes a silly, warm smile come to my face, and I nuzzle further into her thighs as I hold her eyes with mine.
In a quiet voice, trying my best to will the words out I ask, "Why
is
she so protective of you with new members? You're like, the most powerful person on the planet, right? I figure her and Gerra and Miss J are strong too, don't get me wrong, but like... do you even
need
protection like that?"
For the first time in a while, I see that distant look of harsh sadness flash across her face, even her tails that were comforting me begin to become quite heavy as she her mood makes them droop. The scene makes my heart ache, and I instantly regret even bringing up such a sensitive topic that I should have just waited for her to tell me about when she was ready. I wiggle a bit so that one of the heavy as a boulder fluffs stops smushing my right tit awkwardly, pushing it slightly off me before turning in and hugging her tummy. My slightly muffled voice comes out from her middle, "Shit, Akiko, sorry. If you don't want to talk about it we don't have to! I was just curious, Gerra and Jun Li seem so laid back and accepting, so I was wondering why Samantha is so aggressive off the rip like that. Sorry, again, if I pried too much."
I feel one of her soft, yet powerful hands come up to stroke the back of my head and hair as she leans further back into the cushion herself. In a voice filled with regret, pain, sadness, and so many other emotions that I have rarely heard from her, Akiko finally speaks up, "You are fine, my dear. I am not surprised you would be curious about such a thing after the information I gave you. It is... a rather sad and painful tale, with moments therein that I am not proud of. From either myself or those I considered close at the time. After we get to know each other with more familiarity I will share the story with you in full, but for now all I shall say is that Samantha does indeed have her reasons for her actions. While I find them charming to a point, I also cannot find it in my heart to dissuade her from what she feels she must do for me after what transpired to us. So long as she doesn't lose herself, of course."
I feel a pit of sorrow sink into my chest at her words. I already kind of know some of what she is referencing thanks to Jun Li's slip up, but to hear the amount of anguish and hurt still in Akiko's voice - something I never thought I would ever hear given how composed she usually is - as she gives the barest amount of details nearly brings tears to my eyes. Knowing that such a lovely, radiant person like her is still wounded from whatever happened, all these many years later is almost enough to make me cry... Oh shit, no, it actually did as I hear myself sniffle into her stomach. Damn empathetic brain!
I feel those same strong hands reach down to scoop me up, putting my ever so slightly tear stained face on full view for Akiko as she coos softly, "Oh my precious girl, are you crying for me?" I nod a bit and wipe the last errant release of liquid emotion as it trickles down my soft cheek.
"Sorry, I just have never heard you sound so sad before. It must have been something pretty horrible if it shakes even you, and that thought is kind of what made the water works start. Knowing you had to go through something like that and it left scars that haven't healed yet." I sniffle out once more as I lean forward and rest my head on her chest. I feel her breathe out a warm, light breath as she pulls me into a deeper hug, her head resting on mine.
"My~ What a kind and gentle soul you are Amelia. Promise me you will always keep that light inside you when you are with the ones you cherish, do not let this world - or this universe - dim that torch of compassion for your loved ones and the downtrodden." Her breath ruffles the top of my head as I feel a few stray ruby locks gently dance beneath her words. I nod gently against her, trying hard not to disrupt the cuddly embrace as much as possible.
"Thank you, my dear. You warm my heart immensely just by being you and keeping that promise. Before we move on from Samantha, I would also ask you to not judge her too harshly for now. That same kind empathy you shower me with should also extend to her, as she went through that ordeal just as much as I. I truly think you two would be fast friends given enough time~. But if it becomes too much, let me know and I shall have words with her." Akiko adds on as she slowly traces her hand up and down my arm as we hug. The sparks and goosebumps from her fingertips lighting up my skin like fireworks almost makes me miss what she said.
I sigh, "I'll... try Akiko. Seriously, I didn't know if she wanted to goad me into a fight or the bedroom. I think that is the part that has me so worked up; I didn't know how to approach her or get a read on her. I've literally never met someone who acts like that before."
She gives a full-bodied laugh, which makes me giggle and smile hoping that the previous heavy conversation has lifted off her spirits, "Knowing her it was likely both. She is much more... submissive when her and I interact, but she likes to make it a sort of competition with the others. Gerra and her can go for
days
, and truthfully, I think they both come out of those 'matches' the winner given how flushed and glowing the seem afterwards."
I regretfully pull back from my new favorite spot in the whole wide world as I look to Akiko with a frown, "Like, actual fighting during sex? Cause you know I'm not really into painful stuff."
She giggles uncovered, which is a rarity, since she is still holding me in an embrace, and my heart nearly bursts in a pink hued explosion at how incredibly cute she is~! Her top canines poke slightly over her plush, red lips while the rest of her immaculate white teeth stay corralled, her eyes squinting down in amusement making her nose crinkle slightly at the bridge. Ugh! It's too much!
Thankfully before I go into full tachycardia, she says, "No, my dear, not
actual
combative sex. More like... playfully angry sex? I struggle to define it as she prefers not to do that with me, but rest assured there is no violence to it. Perhaps you should ask Gerra next time you have a moment with her or, if you're feeling brave enough to ask her, Samantha herself."
"Not Jun Li?" I ask with a confused look, my face turning into a tomato at the thought of such scandalous and enticing activities.
Akiko gives a wicked smile that makes me shiver for multiple reasons, "To my knowledge, Samantha does try that particular approach with Jun Li from time to time. Every time they emerge afterwards, Jun Li seems as radiant and confident as can be, while Samantha looks like she has just been through a nonstop tribulation~."
Oh fuck. Sounds like I misjudged Jun Li too if she can overpower that chaotic menace at her own game. "Wow... That's uh... unexpected to say the least. I thought Miss J would be a bit more like me in those regards. Guess I'm
really
learning that lesson about making assumptions today huh."
Akiko still smirks as she nuzzles my cheek before softly whispering in my ear, "Perhaps that is still the case, and Samantha is in for a surprise once you and her start to get along~." I feel my full body erupt in fire as it shudders and I lean into Akiko's neck with a whimper bordering on a moan. She gives a victorious couple of laughs at no doubt succeeding on teasing me yet again before she moves me back down to her lap proper.
"You are such an adorable creature, my Amelia~ But come, let us discuss with spirit Ios while you ruminate on our little talk, hmm?" She says as she turns toward the projection box, "That is, if you are agreeable to that spirit Ios?"
We are blessed by the smartly dressed, sun kissed skin illusion of Ios who's wearing a short sleeved plain T with some tastefully long jean shorts, big oversized shaded sunglasses adorning her face. Her hair is completely down and wild, and she isn't wearing shoes or socks of any kind, exposing her little piggies for all to see. I guess it's summer on the beach in hologram land this morning.
"It would be my pleasure girls~! Right, so since you're both here I'll display the quests visually in Zerian, so that you can keep practicing Aims honey, and then we can talk about them. I'll start with the generic system ones first, and then one's I've made using the system admin privileges." Before either of us can voice our assent, the wall of newly-not foreign text flows like a vertical river in front of us:
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Formation Creator!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level formation creator on Mara.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 100 Shop Points, 5 Skill Points, 25 points into Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Talisman Creator!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level talisman creator on Mara.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 100 Shop Points, 5 Skill Points, 25 points into Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Runic Array Creator!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level runic array creator on Mara.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 100 Shop Points, 5 Skill Points, 25 points into Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Inscription Creator!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level inscription creator on Mara.
Reward: 75 Ability Points, 250 Shop Points, 10 Skill Points, 50 points into Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Progress: 28.76%]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Blacksmith!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level blacksmith on Mara.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 100 Shop Points, 5 Skill Points, 25 points into Strength and Constitution.
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Alchemist!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level alchemist on Mara.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 100 Shop Points, 5 Skill Points, 25 points into Dexterity and Wisdom.
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Poison Maker!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level poison making on Mara.
Reward: 50 Ability Points, 100 Shop Points, 5 Skill Points, 25 points into Dexterity and Intelligence.
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
[Quest Started: Become an Apprentice Level Spiritual Cook!
Gain enough knowledge to be considered an apprentice level spiritual cook on Mara.
Reward: 100 Ability Points, 500 Shop Points, 30 Skill Points, 25 points into all stats except Charisma and Luck.
Rewards will increase as your crafting rank increases.]
Wow, that's a lot of information just beaming by us here. Looks like there's one for every main profession on Mara, and apparently spiritual cooking and base level inscriptions are valued more? "Okay, good to know I have extra motivation behind becoming jack of all trades, but why are inscriptions and cooking giving more rewards Ios?"
"Right, well for inscription's case it's considered a base skill, while the others are considered offshoots of that skill, at least according to the system. To maintain some sense of balance, it put more rewards into inscriptions because you can really only level that up once, while the others can each have their own branches and ranks outside of it. Spiritual cooking is also an outlier because you'll need to use all of your stats when you perform the craft. You'll need Strength to cut and butcher meat, Dexterity to flip a pancake, Constitution to stay in a blisteringly hot kitchen or glacial cold storage space, Intelligence to know what is edible or not, and Wisdom to know what spices and ingredients to add and when to add them. Ergo, the skill requires more effort, so the system rewards you more.
It's also probably the hardest skill to master in the long run too, but I would suggest you talk to Gerra about that if you want to know more. She'd be able to give you much more concrete information than me considering its her bread and butter. Hehe~ Get it? Bread and butter?? Cause she's, ya know!" She giggles uproariously at her own silly joke, and that's eventually what breaks me. The joke itself was meh, but seeing her be such a goof is so infectious.
Many chuckles between all of us later, Ios continues on. "Okie dokie! So those were the profession quests, you can use
[Inspect]
on the quests to get more information about what is required to be considered an apprentice for each one too. You also have a whole slew of weapon mastery quests, but thankfully these are mostly uniform and the only difference between them is the name of the weapon. The quests for ranged weapons are also similar but buff different stats, we can go over those in a second. I'll show you the spear one, since
technically
the beamed in knowledge we got you before your tribulation doesn't count for the quest, but the next time you swing the thing in practice you'll get a complete notification on this first step."
[Quest Started: Gain Basic Proficiency with Spears!
Learn the ins and outs of the weapon class known as: Spears.
Reward: 25 Ability Points, 50 Shop Points, 2 Skill Points, 10 points into Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
Ios floats back after we quickly read the singular text blob. "Now, I know what you're thinking, seems a little underwhelming,
right?"
She is right, the rewards kinda suck for these so far, sans inscriptions and cooking. I nod to her which she takes as her cue to carry on, "Well, there's a reason for that. Technically, these are all base level skills that should have been gathered, and quests that should be done, as a mortal. Or at the latest a 1st Realm of the 1st Rank cultivator. But! The rewards seriously do ramp up, I promise. I sneaked a little snippet of the full quest tree for this weapon since you liked spears so much. You'll probably get to the stage after basic within a week of practice, Aims, due to your learning skills and titles and your familiarity already with spears." Again, another burst of script flows into the air:
[Quest Started: Gain Advanced Proficiency with Spears!
Learn advanced formations, stances, and combat usage of the weapon class known as: Spears.
Reward: 250 Ability Points, 500 Shop Points, 25 Skill Points, 100 points into Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
Single time effect of current Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution x 25% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Quest Started: Gain Mastery Proficiency with Spears!
Become a world leading master of the weapon class known as: Spears.
Reward: 2500 Ability Points, 3000 Shop Points, 150 Skill Points, 1000 points into Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
Single time effect of current Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution x 50% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Quest Started: Gain True Intent Proficiency with Spears!
Become the embodiment of the weapon class known as: Spears.
Reward: 250k Ability Points, 100k Shop Points, 5k Skill Points, 100k points into Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
Single time effect of current Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution x 150% (After previous increase applied).
Gain Active Skill: [Spear Intent Level 1] if you do not already posses it.]
I nearly fall off the couch, the only thing stopping me from doing so is Akiko almost tumbling with me before she plants a few tails on the ground and a couple wrapping around the both of us as our eyes nearly bulge out of our faces. W... What the
fuck
?!? What are with those numbers!! And the multipliers!! Dear god!
"Ios..." My voice comes out like gravel across sandpaper, "You said... You said that
EVERY
melee weapon quest works like this one, right? So they all have basically the same rewards?"
Akiko follows up in a reverent whisper after me, "And at the end of the mastery of a given weapon, they
all
would give young Amelia an Intent
for that weapon?"
Either choosing not to see our dread and terror, or likely continuing on just to make it worse, her chirpy smiling reply dooms Akiko and I further into stunned silence.
"That's right~! Teehe~!"

.
!
Quest-ionable Rewards – Ch 46