Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Three Generations

Arashi seeing Reiki turn his head widens her eyes and thought. The nerve on this kid. The woman behind the counter continued saying. "Although the three were just F ranks, the bounty on their heads was 5 silver coins (¥8,000) per brother. So your total payment will be 15 silver coins (¥24,000)." As the woman behind the counter put down three stacks of silver coins with each stack having five. Arashi, taking the payment from the countertop, walked towards Reiki and said. "Congrats on your first bounty Lil bro." As she held out her hand holding the fifteen pieces of silver.

Reiki looked at it and shifted his gaze to her saying. "You can keep it Hageshi-san. I'll pay you the rest if I ever get the money." As he took three steps Reiki felt a hand on his head that had a fair amount of strength on it making him stop. Arashi said. "Don't be like that Lil bro."

She made a pitiable face and continued saying. "I just wanted to test what kind of character you have. 50 platinum coins (¥18,000,000) is a lot of money even for me. I just wanted to see how you would react if I told you I wouldn't loan you the money. And instead of getting angry and shouting you calmly said some goodbye words and were already thinking of ways to make money. I'll be honest with you, I don't have 50 platinum coins, but if I can see how much you owe I can probably pay for it." 

Reiki asked. "Can you pay for it this Saturday?" Arashi replied. "Yes, I can. I can even make sure they won't bother you again." Reiki pretended to think when all of a sudden the voice said. [Don't tell me you're falling for this again? Do your plan, it will work.] Reiki thought. I know it will. I just need to pay it off this Saturday to make sure. The voice said. [Make sure of what?] 

He continued. To make sure those thugs don't come back on Monday and take Onee-chan away. This is when they went abroad and she came back home engaged to someone. Arashi said. "Lil bro are you okay? You've been quiet for a while now."

Reiki kept a calm face and said. "What about my condition about the contract?" Arashi replied. "We can work that out no problem. We can do it right now if you want." Reiki said. "Sure. Let's make the contract right here. Right now." Arashi rummaged from her grey string bag as she pulled out a piece of parchment and a fountain pen. Arashi wrote at high speeds while Reiki was waiting for her to finish.

More seconds passed and Arashi stopped writing and added her signature. She passed the contract to Reiki while saying. "Here ya go so just-." Reiki took the contract away from her hands as he started to skim through it. The voice said. [Shouldn't you be reading the entire thing.] Reiki thought. I should. But I just need to make sure the three conditions that I want aren't tampered with. It's the process of payment, who pays for it, and my privacy. Right now I'm just looking for abnormal clauses here.

After skimming through the contract Reiki said. "I'll sign the contract." Arashi smiled and said. "That's great-" Reiki interrupted. "But It needs to have three changes to it." Arashi asked. "What kind of changes?" Reiki pointed at the contract and saying. "First. How the payment is processed. It says here the moment you have the money in your possession you would clear my debt off. Meaning if someone were to delay the process of my payments via transactions I would still owe you." Arashi said. "That's an easy one to solve. Let me just."

She rummaged through her grey string bag taking out another parchment as she was writing the contract again. Reiki then pointed at another clause saying. "Second. It states here that I have to be the one who pays the debt in full. I want it to be written differently." Arashi asked. "Why is that?" Reiki said. "It can easily be interpreted as I have to be the one who needs to pay the loan. Which means I can't ask a third party to pay the difference." Arashi scratched her head and said. "I'll be honest with you Lil bro no bank or any other person is willing to pay off 50 platinum coins (¥18,000,000) for you."

Reiki made a small smirk and said. "I was able to find you. And it's not like I'll be finding another person to shoulder the entire loan. At most, they'll pay a platinum coin (¥360,000) if I'm lucky." Arashi pondered for a bit before nodding and wrote the new contract. Reiki continued saying. "Third. My privacy." Arashi said. "Alright, now what is wrong with this one? All it means I want to make sure you're safe."

Reiki replied. "Not happening. I'll only allow it on weekends but during weekdays, school hours, and anything related to the school curriculum. I want to be left on my own." Arashi said. "Really?... Alright, it's not like I have to be wary about you not paying me back." Reiki said. "And about the interest." Arashi interrupted saying. "Nah, there no need for interest Lil bro. I'm not that petty." Reiki continued talking. "Let's put the interest at 8 gold coins a month," Arashi said. "Hello! Did you even hear anything that I've said?"

Reiki replied. "It's for me." Arashi questioned. "How is interest on your debt a plus for you?" Reiki said. "It's not. It's to put me into a sense of urgency to pay it back as soon as I can." Arashi said. "Are you sure about this Lil bro?" Reiki answered. "Yes, I'm sure of my decision." Arashi was finishing up the contract and said. "Alright then."

She finished the contract she signed and passed it to him. Reiki once again skimmed the contract. The contents of the contract were the same as the previous one but a few alterations on three different clauses. She passed the pen to him as Reiki signed it. The contract glowed a light golden color the surround itself as it slowly disappeared. Arashi said. "With that, it's finalized. Meet your new person who you have to pay. Me." Reiki asked. "When you said you didn't have to worry about me not adhering to the contract what did you mean?"

Arashi said. "Easy. This parchment is from the contractors. They're an enormous powerhouse but they take a neutral stand on anything. As long as you don't mess with them they don't mess with you. They've been doing it for so long that they send over envoys when two major or minor parties are doing a transaction." Reiki asked. "What kind of transaction?" Arashi said. "Everything. And I mean everything, from business deals to gambling they make sure you hold your end of the bargain."

Reiki said. "Wait, I thought they were a neutral force?" Arashi answered. "They are. Every time you sign a contract with them you better uphold your end of the deal. Their leader doesn't like people who don't keep their word. That's the type of man he is. Since this world isn't fair as long as you signed the contract that they made. Whether it's illegal or not they don't care who wins or loses. Just make sure you don't sign anything you'll regret."

Reiki said. "Judging from the last sentence you've seen people sign that contract and was forced to uphold their bargain... And by the reactions of Yuki-san... You're not from around here aren't you Hageshi-san." Reiki narrowed his eyes as he stared at her. Arashi said. "Correct Lil bro. To answer your question. I'm from the Mainland. It's hell for the weak and heaven for the strong. If your strong no one would care if you raped someone in broad daylight. If you're weak you won't even be able to feed yourself."

Arashi squatted down and cupped his face as she looked straight into his eyes she continued saying. "Promise me one thing Lil bro. I don't care if you become a serial killer or a saint. Just don't go over there without my supervision. If you think the competition here is rough, wait till you go over there. The people smiling next to you want something from you and don't even think about helping someone else chances are you've fallen into a trap and you don't even know it." She stared unblinkingly right into his eyes.

Reiki not breaking the stare said. "Alright if it's that important to you then sure." Arashi sighed in relief as she stood up and said. "Alright let's get a move on, the two of us are going to a restaurant. Where you'll meet four more of the zodiacs. One more and you're already halfway there. This may sound like a joke to you but in reality, it's an incredible achievement since the twelve of us are either in seclusion or training in the world's most harsh environment." Reiki asked. "Restaurant? Where exactly are we going? And how will you pay for my debt?"

Arashi said. "Just tell me you're where you live and I'll have someone pay for it. Mind you I'm paying with my own pocket money so I expect you to do as I say within reason." Reiki said. "As long as it's within reason. I'll do what I'm told." Arashi ruffled his hair and said. "Then let's go I have a ride waiting for us outside already. And I hope you didn't eat too much cause we are going to a good one."

She started to walk outside the guild house. Before Reiki could start walking, a woman's voice said. "Young master! Don't forget about this young master." Hana held both her hands out. As he saw the doggy bag filled with bones from his meal Reiki said. "Thank you very much Hana-san," Hana replied. "It's no trouble, young master. Have a safe trip." Reiki gave her a light bow and walked outside the guild.

Reiki saw Arashi waiting next to a black colored military utility vehicle. Reiki asked. "Where did you even buy this? And do you even have a license to drive?" Arashi answered. "I got it a few days ago on a mission. They couldn't pay the full amount and gave this as part of the payment. Too bad they took everything out, no missiles and no guns. As for the license once you reach a certain rank in your guild card can also work as one. But you still have to take a test for it and if you decide to drive a tank for some reason the tank needs to have its launcher disabled with papers. Without a guild card, it'll take more official documents, and then you have to know a few people if you want to ride it. If not, it's basically for show." 

Reiki asked. "What else can a guild card do?" Arashi smiled and said. "With your rank all you have access to is the app for banking. It's gonna take a lot of catching up if you want to have special privileges like me. Come on, get in the car. The last thing I want is to get over there late when the five of them ate all of their stock." Reiki went inside the vehicle on her right as she sat in the driver's seat.

He asked. "Five? You said I would meet four zodiacs." Arashi strapped her seatbelt on as it positioned itself in the middle of her cleavage forcing her clothes to hug her skin. Reiki, seeing this, kept a poker face and did his seatbelt. With the sound of a powerful engine starting, she spoke after it, quieting down saying. "There are four zodiacs and a 3rd generation dragon." Reiki asked. "A third-generation dragon? What does that mean? And what generation does that make you?"

Arashi started to drive while keeping her eyes on the road. She said. "The other eleven animals have no numbers with them, there are plenty to count from if you know some history. The reason why the dragon has a generation is that there are only three of them in existence. All of them are in their senior years. The first-gen among the dragons is a woman in her prime countless martial artists wanted to be her disciple. Everywhere she went people would step aside just to avoid her wrath." Reiki said. "Her wrath?"

Arashi nodded and continued. "She's a fire type. So every time she breathed fire her face would always be the same expression. Making other people think she's furious but it got better over time she can smile now." Reiki said. "Anyone can do that." Arashi answered. "But some can't." Reiki nods his head a bit in agreement and thought. Can't say anything to that when it's true.

Arashi continued to talk. "A long time ago when the zodiacs were starting to settle in they had a competitor like the others. One day in a meeting they were discussing how to claim a mine that their competitor also wanted. They can't negotiate since the other party's price is too high but they can't just take the mine under their noses. That would take too much time and effort that could be used elsewhere. Hours passed as she finally got impatient and left heading toward the competitors HQ." Arashi then stayed silent with a slight smirk on her face.

Reiki rolled his eyes and asked. "What happened next?" Arashi said. "A slaughter. The enemy's base was littered with corpses and blood painted everywhere. They sent their best troops, they sent out their caged beast, and they even exhausted their very own underground mana vein by firing it into one shot with the hopes of killing her. A veinless force is a force in name remember that. To which the only ones remaining were the founder she said. 'With this, you won't be able to contend with the mine, right?' With that, she just left like she took a walk in the park." Reiki asked. "Then what about the other two dragons?"

Arashi said. "The second-gen dragon was trained by her. No one saw how she trained him and what his regimen is. And here's the kicker, the 2nd gen dragon is an earth type." Reiki was taken aback and said. "Aren't earth types... You know?" Arashi chuckled and said. "Yes, earth types are looked down upon. But only because there are very few earth types who can claim to be unrivaled. Not strong but unrivaled. Everyone thought she was insane for picking an earth type. When all she did was ask him. 'Do you want to be feared?' He only said. 'I just wanna be strong.' She replied. 'Follow me then.'"

She took a left turn and continued. "Fast forward a few years later other major forces all agreed the zodiacs were getting too powerful. They spread false information about a thousand-year-old lotus about to mature. The zodiacs hearing this sends the first-gen dragon to secure the lotus with a good portion of our reserve army. Three days later our main base was under siege by multiple forces from the mainland. No one in the zodiacs had the power or authority to do anything that large of a scale. And the only one who showed up to stop them was the second-gen dragon everyone laughed at. He only said this. 'I can let this slide if you all go back to your bases and give us compensation.' No one took it seriously. The next thing that happened was an earthquake."

The car slowly came to a halt just before a traffic light turned red. Arashi continued. "Every step he took resulted in the ground trembling beneath him. He took a deep breath and our main base was raised by a pillar of earth. No one took exact measures but some say the pillar was as tall as 500 ft (152.4 meters). The next thing he did was make a pillar under him and was rising at a fast pace. One of the soldiers who saw this screamed. 'Run!' As everyone started to run as far as possible the pillar stopped rising as he jumped off. He positioned himself something similar to the people's elbow. The moment he hit the ground…"

Arashi tapped her finger on the steering and continued. "Everything was crumbling beneath him. Everything within half a mile radius was just decimated... Of the soldiers who tried to run away not one of them escaped. Most of them were buried alive, some were killed due to the boulders of earth squashing them of the impact and the so-called lucky ones were crippled one way or another. The more powerful ones were able to dig themselves out using their hands until it ruined the others... Not so much."

The traffic light turned green as the vehicle started moving again, she continued. "After all that he fixed everything as best as he could. He didn't know how to fix houses or make plants regrow but he made the land flat again and slowly brought the main base down. And the most recent one, the third-gen who you're gonna meet is a water type. The same ordeal the 2nd-gen taught the 3rd-gen. But here's something weird about the newer one, the third one is a mage." Reiki's eyes widened and looked at her.

Arashi continued keeping her eyes on the road. "I'm serious Lil bro, the third one is a mage with fast reflexes, high mana regeneration, a handful of healing spells, monster-like endurance, and broad knowledge of martial arts. It might not sound good in writing but his biggest achievement known to the public is capturing a thousand man army single-handedly."

Reiki made a face saying he didn't believe in what she was saying. But she continued. "He may not have the most impressive record but if you asked anyone in the mainland who they didn't want to battle it would be him. Why? Because it's a waste of time. Why fight someone who would only deflect or dodge every move you make against them? If you're fighting him you're doing nothing in a fight. But waste time and watch as one by one your allies fall dead to the ground." Reiki said. "You didn't explain how he captured the thousand men army,"

Arashi said. "Ohh right. Well in short it goes like this. He was patrolling around the area on a mission to retrieve something. I can't tell you what. As he was patrolling he suddenly sensed the presence of the army. As they surrounded him in a circle they checked the bounty on him. Seeing it was a high bounty they didn't underestimate him so they attacked from all sides. After the first attack, nothing happened. No one was harmed and they all thought he dodged everything. The more the army attack one after the other the more he just deflected all of their attacks. The leader noticing this called for a retreat but as they ran away from him they noticed a wall made of water."

Arashi took a right turn and continued. "No matter what kind of attack the water would seem to just absorb the shock. The third-gen said. 'You people either kill me to get rid of the barrier or let me capture all of you.' The army refused to yield and decided to fight him again. Some of them using a medicine that would cripple their potential but would increase their strength and endurance for some time."

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Arashi took her hands the steering wheel and cracked her knuckles, she laced her hand back and said. "Two hours later all one thousand of them were gasping for breath on the ground while he was watching them all. Some of them died while he dragged them back to base due to severe dehydration. He didn't see the need to heal them since... Well you know they did try to kill him. And later the base found out they were from another force's secret army. Shocking. The base was able to trade them for a large number of resources and a good chunk of change."

Reiki looked at her and asked. "And you believe this happened?" Arashi answered. "I don't question if it happened or not." Reiki thought. Yeah, I thought as much. Arashi continued. "Because they are true." Reiki asked. "How so?" Arashi replied. "Memory crystals. They might sound fancy but think of them as really, really expensive movie players. Ever since the incident of the 1st-gen killing an entire enemy force alone she brought one of the familiars that falls on the class of observers."

Reiki glanced at the building passing by as they moved forward. Arashi continued. "They have no combat ability but have strong vitality, a long lifespan, and the familiar's master can see what it sees. And the memory crystals can be used to store it indefinitely, played, and preserved for years to come. The reason to use a memory crystal is that they are tough yet easy to carry around. Even a dragon might take half an hour to break it."

Reiki asked. "How do they work?" Arashi said. "They work like this. The memory crystals were originally a source of element of some kind. The matching element drains the crystals and the result is a large but hard crystal. Someone experimented with it and discovered they can use it to store different things. High-level magic, a refillable mana crystal, and you guessed it memories from the familiar. The bonus is that it doesn't have any drawbacks."

Arashi tapped her index finger on the steering wheel while driving, she said. "All the owner of the familiar has to do is touch the familiar's head and search its memories with the other hand touching the crystal. Some higher tier observers can even do it on their own with a command. What we accidentally found out while doing this is that familiar falling on the observer's category has an astonishing memory. Which in hindsight a given, but the fact that they can recall every detail perfectly makes them in high demand in any force when gathering information."

Reiki asked. "Then what abou-" But was interrupted by her parking in front of a restaurant saying. "We're here." As she undid her seatbelt and exited the vehicle. Reiki did the same and the restaurant he was looking at was a regular shabu-shabu one. 

Reiki said. "When you were explaining the restaurant I was expecting something fancy. I also had a thought that we would be underdressed." Arashi said. "Doesn't this place have good reviews online?" Reiki said. "Hageshi-san, you're asking a person with a massive debt. The last thing in my mind was to visit a shabu-shabu joint. It would've been cheaper to buy the ingredients and prep them, if you're asking me."

Arashi said. "Sometimes it nice to just eat and not do anything... By the way, when are you gonna start calling me Onee-chan again." Reiki replied. "I only called you Nee-san. Onee-chan is only for my elder sister." Arashi said. "I can also be-" But a male's voice interrupted saying. "See guys Arashi was already here. I told you we should've just left pig alone and stuff himself there. I bet he could still eat this place stock alone by then."

Another male's voice replied saying. "Ox bro that's not cool." And another male was laughing at the exchange of the two. "Hahaha!" Lastly, a female voice said. "Shut it you three." Reiki turned his head to see four people were walking towards Arashi.

One was a handsome man that was tall and brawny, his skin had a rich brown color with his hair brushed to one side, and was showing signs of a beard starting to grow but was neatly shaved. The man was wearing simple clothes that didn't hide his muscles. He also had a relaxed vibe emitting from him.

The one on his left was roughly as tall as him but was had the opposite body of the person on his right. He was somewhat chubby with a gut to show for it but other than that he seemed normal all around. The man next to the powerlifter was decently handsome with his short hair neatly done his skin was leaning toward the pasty side. As he was emitting a friendly vibe while wearing the same simple clothes but bigger and baggier.

On the somewhat chubby person left was a woman. Her hair reached to her shoulders, she was fairly beautiful, and could even be called a Japanese beauty. She had an ample chest, butt, and had graceful curves. She kept a poker face, unlike the others which made her emit a chilly vibe. And once again was wearing simple clothes just like the other two.

The last one on her left was another man. His hair was combed to the back making him look somewhat a delinquent. His skin was brown but not as rich as the one on the far most right. He had a toned body and had a smile that didn't match his hair making him emit a weirdly approachable vibe. As he was wearing the same simple clothes.

Reiki thought. A powerlifter, a food lover, an ice woman, and a delinquent in rehab.

Arashi pointed at the powerlifter and said. "That's Fuitchi, we call him Ox. The chubby one next to him is Enkei. We call him Pig. On his left is Yuko, we call her..." As her smile widens. Yuko gritted her teeth saying. "Don't! You! Dare!" Arashi continued saying. "Rooster. The one on her right is Igai. We call him Goat. So what do you think?" She leaned to Reiki's ear and whispered. "The reason she's like that is because we keep calling her chicken due to her cautious behavior." 

Yuko had a frosty expression on her face as she was threatening to kill her with her stare. Arashi ignored her and looked at him waiting for his answer. Reiki let out a small sigh and said. "To be honest... All I see is a powerlifter, a foodie, an ice woman, and a delinquent who has a crush on the perfect president and is trying to look normal... And what's with the clothes they're wearing?"

Arashi and the Igai were laughing while Enkai had a big smile on his face, Fuitchi had a lazy smile, and Yuko's expression froze before returning to a poker face. Arashi somehow managed to stop laughing with Igai still chuckling she said. "In truth, I don't know why they're wearing the same thing. So which one of you is gonna break it to us?"

Enkai was the first to speak. "We don't have any normal clothes so we just bought all this in one small shop." Reiki said. "It looks like a bad fashion statement if you ask me." To which Igai and Arashi started to laugh again. Yuko kept her poker face while Enkai and Fuitchi had a smile on them. Reiki thought. I wonder... God's eye. But all of a sudden there was a hand blocking his view.

[System: God's Eye has been forcibly interrupted.]

Then all of a voice next to him said. "That's rude. Didn't your parents tell you it's not polite to look at other people's stats without permission?" Reiki turned his head and saw a male that was roughly as tall as Arashi. He was wearing a blue traditional kimono and looked normal in every aspect except for his bearing. He emitted a subtle vibe of suppression if you were looking for it. But no matter how plain he looked Reiki's first thought was. This person is dangerous.

Reiki replied. "I don't know any spells like that." The man replied. "You don't have any reveal spells? Which academy are you from?" Reiki answered. "Majutsu Academy." The man thought. My intuition told me he was using some sort of reveal spell...

Igai said. "Arashi you haven't introduced your new friend to us." Arashi said. "I'm glad you asked. Guys meet the 4th generation dragon. Akihito Reiki" Everyone had a weird expression on their face as Fuitchi said. "Arashi that's not something to joke about." Arashi replied. "Since when did I ever joke about anything? Seijo-san you believe me right?"

As she turned to face the plain-looking man. Seijo said. "You can't just pick a random person off the street and make him a dragon. If some of the other zodiacs heard you they will kill him even if you were joking." Arashi said. "I am not!" Seijo stared at her and said. "Do you think he has the potential to be a dragon?" Arashi smiled and said. "He can already use internal force."

Everyone's expression turned serious as Seijo asked. "Are you telling the truth right now? Because if you are, with his age he should be able to match the first dragons potential." Arashi showed a confident smile. Seijo said. "Alright then." As he took out a red talisman as it glowed brighter each second and soon engulfed everyone.

When Reiki's vision returned to normal he all he saw was barren land as far as the eye can see. He turned around and saw a forest with lush greenery and a clean river. Seijo said. "Welcome to my world. It cost me my retirement fund but it was worth it. Now there are four zodiacs in front of you feel free to choose any of them as your opponent. They'll even let you pick the terrain between barren land or the forest behind you." Arashi shouted. "Wait! Why am I not counted!?" Seijo replied indifferently. "Because you might pull your punches." Before anyone else said anything Reiki said. "I choose Fuitchi on barren land."

Everyone had shocked looks on their faces, even Seijo. He said. "Are you sure?" Reiki nodded. Arashi shouted again. "Wait! He didn't understand the rules! Let him pick again when he can think straight!" Seijo ignored her and said. "Fuitchi you heard him." Seeing she was being ignored Arashi said to Fuitchi. "Don't you dare hurt him!" Fuitchi said. "Relax, I won't break his bones. I'll just see what he's made out of." As he walked towards the barren land with Reiki behind him he asked him. "What made you pick me out of the four?"

Reiki answered. "I wanted to see if you were as strong as an ox." Fuitchi said. "And?" Reiki replied. "And to see if Fuitchi is unrivaled as your name." Fuitchi made a small smile but everyone watching had their eyes filled with horror. Fuitchi said. "You know what. I think I might break a few of your bones." As Fuitchi suddenly disappeared he was suddenly in front of Reiki and made a fast punch aiming at Reiki's face.

[System: User has received 3,241 Damage.]

[System: User's right wrist is dislocated.]

[System: The user has tier-II bleeding effect. The user will receive 567 damage every 5 seconds.]

Reiki was punched into the ground as Fuitchi was walking towards the group. Arashi was furious as she was emitting a murderous vibe saying. "What did he do to you?" Fuitchi replied. "He started it. You know how many times I heard that joke back at the mainland. Frankly, it's gotten boring. And it's not like I killed him or anything." Arashi only got angrier as Seijo said. "Arashi, you know the rules. No infighting." Before she said anything everyone heard one voice. "Now that hurt." Everyone froze in place and turned around to see Reiki standing with his clothes covered in dirt.

Reiki was smiling as if he wasn't even punched to the ground a few seconds ago. His hair was even messier than before it covered his right eye as he kept a smile. The right side of his face had some dirt on it and half his teeth were coated in blood making it look like he had sharpened teeth on the right. Reiki used his left hand to reconnect his right hand making a loud sound of cracking. With the lighting of the sun, the right side of his face was covered in shadows except for his teeth and eye. His smile might have looked normal but half of his face made him look like an enraged beast. 

[System: User's right wrist has been relocated.]

[System: User has bleed 567 Damage.]

Reiki said. "Fuitchi, what's that look for?"

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