Chapter 3: Finding Damara

The evening was calm and a perfect change of pace. After returning home, Ignis showed me to my bathroom. White porcelain walls and an ocean-blue floor gave the bathroom the appearance of something I’d only expect to see in a luxury hotel. A single massive shower head hung from the ceiling.

After washing and shamelessly buying myself another burger from the Celestial Market, I found Ignis dusting the foyer. He showed me to the manor’s master bedroom. The door had one large keyhole. As I raised my hand to try the handle, a key materialized in my hand.

I looked at Ignis. He didn’t seem bothered in the least. I entered my new room and, after familiarizing myself with the layout, went to sleep, excited, maybe for the first time in my life, for tomorrow.

I woke to a red, blinking system alert. It was insistent on ruining my morning plans of sleeping in. Mentally clicking on the alert opened the Market system. An item was circled in red crayon, the words ’SALE!’ stamped next to it. Looking closer, the item was a cellphone. The uncanny similarity to cellphones on Earth filled me with nostalgia.

My stomach dropped when I spotted the price. 1,000 Favor... More than I currently had thanks to my midnight snack. Realizing that even with the device, I’d still have to get her number anyway, a wave of relief passed over me, allowing me to re-relax my shoulders.

Clothed and ready for the day, I walked down the hall looking for Ignis, wondering if he was still cleaning. After a few rooms, I gave up the hunt in favor of heading into the village to explore.

I sprinted down the path Damara had shown me yesterday, taking care not to trip over anything. The jog was short-lived since my house was not far from the village. As I reached the clearing, the busy sounds of village life filled my ears. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dancing shadows on the path.

"Hey, watch out!"

An orange, spiky-haired woman on all fours blitzed past me.

"What the hell... is that a tail?"

Undeterred, I continued forward. I had a woman to find and an ocean of people to sift through. When a gap opened in the crowd, I slipped through and joined the morning rush. Signs for businesses flashed on either side of me. Some stores even had employees outside demonstrating their products. The crowd oohed when one demonstrated a fire-encased sword.

The path seemed to lead toward a massive building. Banners and flags waved from its crest, each bearing the same strange sigil. The entire structure glittered in the sunlight, almost every brick set with a jewel.

"Guess I’ll check there first," I muttered before breaking from the crowd. "Dark-skinned with rams horns... Honestly, she should stick out like a sore thumb."

The air inside the building felt different, almost electric despite being completely still. Conversations filled the room, nearly loud enough to drown out my own thoughts. Four identically dressed receptionists sat behind a counter that stretched the length of the building.

"Hey, uhh..." I said, walking up to one of the women. "Could you possibly help me find someone? See, I’m new and..."

The look she gave me could melt ice.

"Right. You’re probably busy." I cleared my throat. "I’m looking for a woman. She’s about this tall," I said, holding my hands apart. "Dark-skinned, red eyes, and she has horns on her head."

"Damara can be found at the Inn just down the road. She should be working, so I’d imagine you can find her there."

She paused, looking me over.

"Was there anything else you needed?"

I had already started my retreat. "Thanks! Maybe next time I’ll come with more ’official’ business."

This district of the village was less busy. Markets and shops quickly turned into large, long strings of housing. Each was nearly identical. The Inn sat between two smaller homes. The sign in front read: THE HEARTHWORM INN. Loud yelling could be heard inside. I ran for the door when I heard a glass bottle break.

Opening the door revealed a man standing over Damara, his fist raised. She had her arms covering her face, shaking. The man brought his fist down, but I grabbed it well before it could hit her. I hadn’t remembered moving, but my vision ran red as I held his fist back.

"So you like beating on cute defenseless women, huh? Scum," I spat at him before letting go of his wrist. "Get the fuck out of here. Now!"

He scrambled to his feet and grabbed his things. Quickly making for the front door, he continuously looked over his shoulder, tripping on a barstool before leaving. The Inn erupted in applause and hoorahs.

I felt a warm embrace as a pair of dusky-skinned arms wrapped around my waist. The air was nearly pulled from my lungs as she squeezed. She was still shaking. An alert rang in my mind as my vision was invaded by a system box.

[ NOTE: Your act of bravery has resulted in a spark within Damara. ]

[ REWARD: 500 Favor. ]

I mentally dismissed the notification and turned around to make sure she hadn’t been hurt. There was a light-red handprint on her cheek along with a streak from a dried tear.

She tilted her head and smiled. "Thank you... I’m not sure what I had done wrong, but he was pissed. Nearly hit me with his beer." She sniffled and rubbed her cheek. "Glad you showed up when you did."

"I only did what any sane person would do," I explained, waving my hands in front of me. "You sure you’re okay? That handprint looks pretty bad..."

She didn’t answer right away. "...Yeah, I’m fine..."

"So this is where I’ll find you on any given day? Nearly panicked when I realized I only knew your face and your first name. You’re the first friendly face I’ve seen since I arrived."

"How about after my shift we grab something to eat? I’ll pay to repay you for saving me," she suggested as her eyes sparkled. "If that sounds like something you’d be interested in."

The familiar ping of my system slammed my senses. I had received a new quest.

[ QUEST: Dinner With the Demi-Human Damara ]

[ NOTE: Thanks to your valiant efforts, Damara’s affection level has risen to compatible levels. Continued exposure could lead to more positive outcomes. ]