Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 91: Cleave's Astonishment & Thalia's Confession

Daisuke's lips stretched into an awkward smile as Cleave circled the towering mass with childish exuberance. I bet that excitement would immediately turn to panic if I had released the Orc, too.

"The larger monsters," Cleave gushed, his eyes wide with wonder, "most of them are Floor Guardians! You..." he turned to face Daisuke with disbelief. "You didn't just escape from that dungeon, did you? You completely dominated it! Just who are you, exactly?!"

"You make it sound as if I cleared the entire dungeon all on my own," responded Daisuke in a humble tone, hoping to keep a low profile.

"You can try to play it down as much as you'd like," said Cleave, shaking his head in awe, "but this is impressive no matter how you look at it."

Daisuke flinched back nervously. He's not buying it at all, is he?

"This is going to be a lot of work, so I may need to call in some help," Cleave informed with glee, more to the tower of corpses than to Daisuke. "Come back tomorrow; I should have everything done by then."

"Sure thing, thanks."

***

"What happened?" exclaimed Thalia, her eyes widening as she took in the disheveled trio before her. They looked like they had been run over by a herd of wild minitaurs. "Are you three alright?"

"We were chased by a group of goblins on our way back from a quest," one of the girls whimpered tearfully.

"We barely managed to escape!" whined a young boy.

"Didn't you receive the guild's summons over four weeks ago?" Thalia's tone turned grave. "You three were required to be part of an important curriculum tailored to help you become better adventurers."

"Sorry, but we lost our license. It happened when we fell down a waterfall while running away from a Lipanthyer," muttered the second girl in embarrassment.

Thalia sighed heavily, a combination of pity and annoyance. "For now, why don't you three make your way to the clinic and get fixed up. I'll begin working on the paperwork for your replacement IDs and your enrollment into the guild academy. Report back to me as soon as you're able."

"Yes, ma'am," the trio answered in unison, their voices tinged with regret as they hung their heads and shuffled away.

Thalia rested her head on the counter with a grunt and blew upward at the wisps of hair on her forehead.

"...Looks like you're having a pretty rough day."

Thalia perked up like a puppy about to be fed, her eyes sparkling like lanterns. "Haxks! You're back!" she beamed, even more so when she noticed that Elena was no longer by his side. "I'm so happy that you're okay. I take it everything went well?"

A group of guys in the line advancing to the next counter grumbled at the heartwarming scene. "She's never been that excited for us before," they murmured indignantly.

Thalia shot them an icy glare and growled threateningly. In response, the men immediately straightened up and pressed their lips into a thin line.

Daisuke chuckled awkwardly at the sight. "I see you're as popular as ever."

"More importantly," Thalia smiled warmly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You're back and in one piece—thank you for not disappearing for another three weeks again."

Daisuke turned to the side, his hand absentmindedly tousling the back of his head. A flicker of recognition danced in his eyes as he caught sight of a familiar figure by the guild's main entrance, visible through the glass windows. Instantly, his expression hardened, the once playful curve of his lips now replaced by a stern twist.

Without a word, he turned on his heel and marched away, his departure as swift and decisive as the storm brewing within him.

Thalia had her gaze lowered in a coy manner, fidgeting with her fingers nervously as she mustered her courage. "Um, Haxks," she began softly, "...after I finish work today, if you don't mind... would you like to—"

"Yes! Yes, whatever it is, yes!" an enthusiastic voice interrupted.

It belonged to a stranger who eyed the young clerk with unsettling desire. Startled, Thalia lifted her gaze to find herself the object of his predatory stare. She recoiled in shock as he poked his head over the counter, invading her personal space.

Thalia reacted with a cry, her hand darting forward like lightning to deliver a satisfying punch directly to the creep's face. The impact sent him stumbling backward, crashing to the floor in a heap of humiliation.

As laughter filled the lobby, Thalia's worried gaze swept the room. Haxks, she thought anxiously, where did you go?