Stacking My Abilities

'Is there something you regret in life? Something that makes you wish: 'Only if I could start over again, and fix it.''

'I do. If I took a different path, maybe I wouldn't have lost Lord Rammus.'

'Pink ice cream was a bad idea after all...'

Holding a fishbowl in one hand, an umbrella in the other, Jeff walked down the street.

"Hey! Mister Mission Machine! Can I take a photo with you?"

"Sure thing!" Jeff faked a smile.

*Snap Snap*

'But without it, I wouldn't get this respect. I'll probably be that loser college graduate struggling to find a job. And end up working as a cashier... Can't pay my student debt.'

'So maybe things aren't all that bad for me.'

'...'

'Are there people you'd like to meet again in life? And make them go: 'Dang. You are doing so well now!''

'I... Maybe not. Especially not that cashier lady.'

'You ate pink ice creams for little girls... Now you this well off? Does your girl know about this?'

'Oh hell nah.'

'Man, I feel pathetic...'

'I miss my turtle...'

In a moment, Jeff had reached Alice's Bistro.

Pushing open the front door, Jeff lightly shook his head. Ever since experiencing the void's gaze, Jeff had been in a low mood.

"Hey. Mission Machine, are you alright sir?" A guest looked at Jeff with a concerned look.

Jeff's wondering mind returned to the present moment.

"Yeah." Jeff apologetically nodded at the guests. "Sorry. Had a bad day at work. And my old pet died. But I'm feeling alright now."

"Hope you feel better sir." A mid-aged lady looked at Jeff with an empathetic gaze.

A round of mumbling encouragements and some encouraging nods.

Some people looked at Jeff with a raised brow though. They looked rather surprised. The mission machine had feelings?

Before, the mission machine was this high-up undefeatable hunter. A powerful being to be revered.

Now, Jeff seemed more like... just another human to them.

Without knowing it, their gazes changed from a distant reverence to a closer approval.

Hearing these wishes, Jeff nodded at the guests. "Thanks guys. Bon appétit."

Leaving for the kitchen, Jeff lightly sighed. Apparently, he'd just become a new chatter topic.

"Hey Jeff." Alice's head popped out of the kitchen entrance. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." Jeff held up his fishbowl. "I even got a new pet."

Inside the fishbowl, a goldfish swam around.

"What's the name?"

"Her name is Nami. Princess Nami. One day, she's gonna grow up, and become a mermaid." Jeff nodded in certainty.

"Cool~" Alice squatted towards the fishbowl. Widening her eyes, the girl took a better look.

"She looks lonely though." Alice faintly smiled. "I'll buy a goldfish too."

"Oh?"

"I'll name him Fizz."

Jeff: ...

Wait... This girl knows?

Jeff pointed at Alice with squinting eyes.

"Have been a master since season 1." Alice stood a little taller. "If the game still exists, I can easily carry you, you know."

"What a coincidence." Jeff confidently flicked his brows. "I've been a master since season 1 as well."

(^ League of Legends reference. Master rank didn't exist in season 1 by the way. So yep.)

"Erhm. Don't you need to." Jeff pointed into the kitchen.

"Nope. Lunch service is all done. Wanna do letter reading?" Alice offered.

"Sure."

"Wait a second. Let me change."

...

A moment later...

Second floor, in the home office room, Jeff took off his suit.

Sitting behind his desk, Jeff took a look at a notification letter.

Hunters Council meeting in 2 days at 3 PM.

Yep. There's a Hunter's Council now.

Without much effort, or any effort actually, Jeff became the president of this council. This kind of made Jeff the boss of the hunters.

Initially, the other S-rank hunters didn't accept this outcome. They believed that Jeff was too... chill, or lax for the role.

(Lax: not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful)

Sure. They didn't like Jeff. But they absolutely hated each other!

So by general relativity, these S-ranks absolutely loved Jeff!

Turned out, Jeff was the only guy with sufficient strength and reputation for this role.

Apparently, by having just borderline decency and manners, and not being an asshole, Jeff became the most popular S-rank. He was 'the nice' S-rank now.

Crazy world.

*Tap*

Alice entered the room. White shirt. Tight black dress. Metal lensless glasses. Her hair was tied into a ponytail. The girl was dressed like a secretary now.

Alice carefully placed a cup onto Jeff's desk. "Your coffee, Mr. Norman."

It looked and smelled like coffee. But this wasn't real coffee. It's made of a mixture of mist foods. The result: a taste 99% similar to the real drink.

Yeah... Alice was getting really good at this.

"Thank you secretary Finley. What mail do I have today."

"Sir. You have a thick stack of mail as usual." Wearing a serious expression, Alice pushed up her glasses.

Walking over to a files cabinet, she took out a stack of letters. "I will report the letters of the highest importance first."

"I'm listening." Jeff leaned back.

"The Randolph Financial Group has offered you a consultant position. They are willing to pay 1,000 credits per month."

"Randolph?" Jeff raised a brow.

"Yes sir. It's formed by a group of 5 S-ranks who left their settlements. They have gathered up their forces, and joined up into this new organization."

"This organization is currently the biggest mercenary group in Berrystone."

"They provide escort services, research consulting, investments, logistics, body guarding, and a various number of services."

"Ok. And what do I have to do?" Jeff asked.

"Do not deny this title in public."

"Oh? They just want to use my name." Jeff tapped his desk.

"Yes sir. Basically." Alice nodded.

'So they are concerned about possible retaliation from their old settlements? Seeking my protection? 1,000 credits a month as protection fee?' Jeff paused in thought for a moment.

"Tell them, make it 5,000 credits a month. I can offer conflict mediation when trouble comes, but I will not engage in battle with any settlements." Jeff took a sip of coffee, not coffee, basically coffee...

Free money. Why not.

Alice quickly noted the information down.

"The Berrystone Tournament will take place in 3 Months. The hosting organization gave us 10 free tickets, and asked if you will be present to watch."

"Sure."

"Can they use this information as advertisement."

Jeff thought for a moment. "Sure."

The hosting organization would get more audience. But Jeff didn't have anything to lose either.

"If there are any starlets, would you consider taking in apprentices?"

"No."

"Berrystone News wants your approval for this cover." Alice leaned forward and slid the front page of a newspaper to Jeff.

Jeff took a peak and gulped. Boin-Boin...

"Erhm. Yeah. The cover is fine."

"Ok..." Alice took a quick note. Then she went back to the files cabinet.

Pulling the bottom drawer open, Alice tried to pull out a cloth sack. It was a little stuck.

With a forced pull, the sack flew into the air.

Plushhh...

It hit the ground. Letters spilled out that sack.

"S-Sorry boss. I-I-I'll clean this up." Alice squatted down, quickly picking up the letters.

"Hmm..." Jeff walked over and squatted down as well.

Lifting the girl by her chin, Jeff squinted. "Ms. Finley, you should know, we don't tolerate mistakes here."

"S-Sorry boss. Please. I really need this job." Alice looked at Jeff with watery eyes.

Jeff grumbled and pulled down his tie. "You will have to be punished for this..."

The two locked gazes.

This room started to heat up...