"Please drink this. This is my take on Cola in this world. I managed to create this prototype after 6 months of trying. I hope you like it."
"That's amazing. How did you manage to carbonate the drink without any equipnt or ingredients?"
"Hehe, sheer will and dedication."
Leo was surprised to see that the girl he was looking for managed to create sothing like cola in this world. The taste was a little bit off, but the carbonation and the refreshing feeling were there.
He was grateful that the girl was still adapting to this world and didn't throw away her previous world's knowledge.
The two were now sitting on a bench outside the restaurant, talking. Leo was surprised to see that the girl, Sherly, didn't seem to be scared or shocked when he showed up so suddenly.
After listening to her talking about the cola for a whole 5 minutes, Leo decided to ask.
"Cola and stuff... I believe you ca from Earth, right?"
"Yes, I did." Sherly nodded, "And that suit. You also ca from Earth, no? I was surprised to see such familiar clothes after a year in this world. And the handshake... Well, that's just a simple gesture, but it shows a lot about the kind of people you are."
That confird it.
Leo was sure that the girl in front of him was also a person from Earth. The way she acted, her mannerism, and even the way she spoke and wrote, it was clear.
'She's from Earth, alright. But... Did she co from the sa Earth as or not is the question."
How he moved would be different depending on that.
Right now, he was in a different world. There was no guarantee that his Earth was the only Earth out there. There might be a multiverse or sothing.
Not even he knew about sothing beyond his understanding like that. For example, who sent him here. But, based on what the girl said, there was a possibility that they both ca from the sa Earth. For now.
"You must have a lot of questions, right? I can answer them." The girl smiled, her eyes full of confidence. "But, first, let introduce myself. My na is Sherly. Sherly Parker. I used to work as a freelance writer, but now, I'm a cook. Well, in this world, you might know as Xue Rou. But, I prefer my real na."
"Sherly Parker. A writer, huh? That explains the unique style you have." Leo nodded. "As for , I am Leo, Hallowed Insect and rcenary Union's leader. Right now, my group seems to be in a war against your father's group, Murim Alliance. I don't know why, but he seems to hate a lot. We haven't even t yet."
He shrugged and smiled, his tone light and friendly.
"My father's? Ah, you an that old fart. Yeah, he's not really my father. He's just soone who took in and forced to be his daughter because he apparently saw a Martial Art talent in . Yikes, it was a horrible ti." Sherly shook her head. "I only agreed to be introduced as his daughter because I was desperate at that ti."
"Hmm, interesting. What about the banquet to introduce you in two days? I've heard you're about to celebrate your birthday. And isn't the banquet held to celebrate you reaching a new height as a martial artist?"
"Yeah, yeah, my father is forcing to attend the banquet. He wants to show off as a strong heir or sothing. Not like I'm going to be one anyway." Sherly shrugged. "To be honest, I never cared for his business. And, he knows it. That's why he's forcing . When I think about it, isn't this your fault? He held the banquet to show off because of you. It's all your fault!"
She glared at him, her tone playful and sarcastic.
Leo smiled and raised his hands, surrendering.
"And you were the one who gave him the idea to divert news instead of blocking it, no? Essentially, it's your fault too." He chuckled, "Well, I was never at fault to begin with. All I did was to create a new force to work. And yet your petty father got offended by it and declared hostility toward us. What can I do about that?"
"You're a troublemaker, aren't you? Hehe, you sound a lot like the MC of those novels. I wonder what it's like to be the main character. To have that kind of power and influence, and be able to shape the world around you." She suddenly asked, "Tell , have you ever read any web novels? Or played gas?"
"I could say I read a lot and played a lot. To the point that I was transported here while playing a ga and left a bad review on a webnovel. It's not sothing that I'm proud of, but it's the truth." Leo shook his head. "How about you? How did you co here in the first place?"
"As for , I don't know how I got here. I was just minding my own business and then... poof, I woke up here." She answered, her tone relaxed. "But, since I was stuck here, I might as well make the best of it. I imdiately realized I am in Murim and thought, 'What if I can beco a powerful martial artist? Won't that be amazing?'"
"So, you're trying to get stronger by learning martial arts?"
"Yes. I didn't expect it to be that easy. I reached 6 Stars with a technique I created by myself. Well, I was lucky that your group showed up. If it weren't for the rumors about a group that doesn't follow the Murim Alliance, I wouldn't have dared to co out and try to get a better life."
"What do you an?"
Leo was confused. What did this girl an?
Wouldn't dare to co out and try to get a better life?
As Leo looked at her weirdly, she suddenly smiled and raised her fingers, creating a peace.
"I ran away from ho." She said, her voice clear and determined. "I want a better life. And, I won't let anyone hold back. So..."
Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and leaned close to his face. Her eyes were sparkling, and her voice was passionate.
"I want you to kidnap ."
Hearing that, Leo connected all the dots.
Why did the Murim Alliance suddenly change tactics? Why did she give advice to soone she called an old fart? Why did she suddenly want to beco a powerful martial artist?
Everything made sense.
'It's all her plan to escape Xue Wang. She knew that staying here would only endanger her, making her a pawn of a bigger power. That's why when a group appeared that could fight back and stand their ground, she took a gamble and risked everything to get her freedom back.'
Leo didn't bla her for that.
Rather, he was impressed by her wits and determination.
'I want her.'
She had the courage to leave her past and start a new life.
And, with the help of the rcenary Union, she can achieve that.
"Kidnap you?"
Not too fast, though. Leo didn't want to rush anything.
"Yes, yes, kidnap ! Co on, don't you have a harem? I've heard about the girls around you. Even if I look like this, I am confident in my service, you know? I can be a maid in your place~ Of course, I don't want to be too restricted so I will need 2 days off every week and so pay."
Her voice was playful and mischievous, showing that she didn't really care about anything but her freedom.
'Her information gathering is also good. Is she really here only for roughly a year? She acts and speaks like a seasoned information broker. Her background is a mystery, and her personality is wild and unpredictable. I guess this is what they call a free spirit. She will be a valuable addition to our team. If she can be trusted, that is.'
"And, what do I get from kidnapping you?" Leo turned serious.
This was a business now, no longer a small talk between two people from the sa world.
No matter who they were, a job was a job. And he would get paid for sothing he did.
"Eh, is my charm not enough? I can do household work for you. And, look! I can make a coke! I'm a good cook, and I can handle a few errands for you. Aren't I the best maid out there?"
Sherly puffed her chest and put her hand on her hip. She looked so confident, but he noticed that her body trembled slightly.
'She's scared.'
While she did reach 6 Stars faster than anyone else, Sherly was a girl from Earth. Unlike Leo who had survived in the real world and even played a VR rcenary ga, and arrived with trusted comrades, she had nothing but her intelligence and knowledge.
In her current state, she was still a weak person. Not physically, but ntally.
And, while she did not show it, Leo could tell that she was nervous. His smart lenses were able to scan it all.
'But, she has guts.'
"Best maid, huh? Are you trying to be the Cinderella of this story? Or maybe a reverse Cinderella, knowing that you literally can be called as the Murim Alliance Princess right now."
"Reverse Cinderella? That has a nice ring to it. But aren't I more like an independent woman who can handle anything that cos her way? Like a strong female MC who fights for her freedom and justice, or sothing like that? I love a grim-fantasy with a female MC, by the way. That's my goes-to genre and my specialty!"
"You're talking a lot. Well, how much can you pay ? As you know, I am a rcenary. So, money is very important to ."
"About that, I have a plan. Listen."
Sherly leaned closer and whispered to him. When he listened to her, he realized there was also that option.
It wasn't like he never thought about it. But it was just too... risky and dangerous.
'If I ss up, we will lose a valuable asset and have the Murim Alliance after our neck. It's too much of a gamble. Especially with the recent incident happening, I don't want to stand out, but...'
This opportunity to make fun of the Murim Alliance and show their worthlessness was just too good to pass.
And, this girl's idea was brilliant.
It would not only benefit them but also her.
"Let's do it."
Leo made his decision and carried Sherly on his shoulder.
"Hey, wait! I can walk by myself! Put down!"
She yelled, her face red.
"Don't complain too much. Right now, I am kidnapping you."
"At least make look graceful. Hey, hey! Don't start running!"
"You're too heavy. Stop moving so much!"
With a sigh, Leo started to run toward the gate without trying to hide himself.
Now the ga of hide and seek had begun.
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