Qingyi, who was beside them, cut in before Zhu Yuan could react and immediately took over the conversation.
"Actually, we're supposed to be on vacation right now, but the municipal government just issued a new directive to increase street security, so Commander Bringer assigned extra personnel to every district."
With Qingyi starting things off, Zhu Yuan quickly caught on and continued the explanation:
"As a result, since the Public Security Bureau was already short on officers, we ended up being severely understaffed. So, I applied to return to duty early to help out."
At this, Qingyi glanced at her hardworking junior with a look of fond exasperation.
"With my own junior working this hard, I'd feel too guilty to keep resting as her senior, so I just decided to come back as well."
Knowing her own passion for work shouldn't drag others who wanted to rest into it, Zhu Yuan repeated the same words she had said many times before:
"Senior, I really think it would be better for you to continue your vacation. You don't need to come back just for me."
In response to Zhu Yuan's words, Qingyi simply closed one eye and waved a finger casually, speaking in a lighthearted tone:
"My adorable junior became a leader and is still striving so hard. As her senior, how could I just leave her to handle things all on her own~"
Although Qingyi's tone was teasing, her resolve was firm. Knowing she couldn't convince her, Zhu Yuan sighed and gave up trying to persuade her further.
Then, as if remembering something, she turned to Andrew and asked:
"Andrew, speaking of which, how come I haven't seen you around Sixth Street these past few days?"
Andrew didn't hide anything in his reply to Zhu Yuan's question.
"Oh, I went to the outer ring to rent a warehouse. Then, while I was buying a motorcycle, I helped someone out with a small problem and also managed to get some forging materials. It took a while, so I just got back today."
Hearing where Andrew had been, Zhu Yuan instantly grew a little tense.
The main reason she'd returned to duty early was that a never-before-seen monster had appeared in the outer ring yesterday. To prevent similar monsters from appearing in New Eridu, they had started assigning extra personnel to all the streets.
From a Public Security Bureau collaborator who had just reported to her, she learned that this monster was incredibly powerful.
"The outer ring? You didn't run into any danger, did you?"
"Not really. I did run into a few monsters, but it was a total cakewalk. I've faced way bigger dangers than that before."
To be honest, the only thing on this trip that could even be considered dangerous was the Vicious Claw Wyvern that suddenly evolved at the end. But even that didn't really register as a serious threat to Andrew.
Completely oblivious that Andrew was talking about that monster, Zhu Yuan assumed he'd just encountered some common Level 1 or 2 creatures and nodded, her worries assuaged.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhu Ying decided to truthfully tell the shopkeeper, with whom she had interacted many times and built a solid level of mutual trust, the reason for the increased patrols.
After all, the reason for the secrecy was to prevent panic. But given her relationship with Andrew, telling him the truth would be more effective at keeping him out of harm's way than hiding it.
"A special monster appeared in New Eridu recently. According to intelligence from Commander Bringer, there might be other monsters in New Eridu as well, so you need to be extremely careful when you're out."
Zhu Yuan looked Andrew straight in the eyes and said seriously:
"Andrew, I know you often help us catch some wanted criminals, but I still believe that when there's danger, protecting citizens is the police's duty. So if you ever encounter a monster, you must find the nearest officer and seek protection."
Appreciating Zhu Yuan's trust and her well-intentioned warning, Andrew nodded in agreement, then gave her a thumbs-up and said:
"Don't worry, I won't push my luck."
Zhu Yuan's concern always had a way of warming one's heart.
However, as the saying goes, when the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up. But in this world, where he was the only Hunter, he was the tallest one.
Entrusting the hunt to people or organizations that weren't Hunters gave Andrew a sense of déjà vu, like witnessing the pre-cataclysm civilization from the Monster Hunter world on the verge of its own destruction.
So, if a monster invasion were to happen, he knew he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
After bidding farewell to the patrolling duo of Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, Andrew strode through the familiar streets, gave a nod to the speaker at the newsstand, and walked into his own blacksmith shop.
Twentie, who had been cheerfully watching over the shop from behind the counter, immediately straightened its small body when it saw the door open.
At first, it thought it was a customer, but upon seeing it was Andrew, its ears twitched happily, and it became even more joyful.
It immediately leaped down from the custom-made cashier's seat for Bangboos and trotted over to Andrew, saying cheerfully:
"Heni! Heni! Wa da en ni! (Welcome back! I watched the shop real good!)"
Looking at the round and very soft Bangboo, Andrew felt like he was facing a Palico and reached out to give its round little head a good, vigorous rub.
"Good, good, you're the best! Thanks for all your hard work!"
As its head was being rubbed, Twentie reacted to the praise with a hint of subconscious worry, wringing its short little hands and saying shyly:
"Heni, heni, wa da en ni, sui ne ne da ni! (I should be the one thanking you! If you hadn't taken me in, Andrew, I'd have to be out there working for a living right now!)"
Towards this well-behaved little one, Andrew kept petting it and said patiently:
"Alright, alright, that's my Twentie! But that doesn't mean I can't praise you!"
Ding-a-ling
Just as Andrew was petting the Bangboo, the sound of the door opening rang out. A beautiful girl with mouse ears and short black hair walked in, her hands caught in a chain that hung across her chest.
The girl's short black hair was cut in a very distinctive style, with two long, thin strands falling from her bangs. On her fair face, her dark green eyes held a look of nonchalance with a hint of playfulness.
Beneath a jacket the same color as her eyes, she wore a black leather vest. Below, matching black leather shorts paired with ripped black stockings on her legs exuded a captivating charm.
The mouse-eared girl had two unique earrings on her left ear. Her nimble tail swayed freely, subconsciously coiling around the leg with the gartered stockings.
The girl's attire, combined with a distinct "bad girl" vibe, would make anyone's first impression be that she was a gang member.
Noticing Andrew staring at her, the girl's lips curled into a playful smile.
"What's wrong? Don't you welcome new customers?"
In response to her question, Andrew shrugged, gesturing for her to browse freely as he spoke:
"Some other shops might, but this is Sixth Street, where talent abounds. The shopkeepers here won't turn away a customer just because of how they're dressed."
After greeting her, Andrew felt a subtle sense of familiarity and subconsciously narrowed his eyes, continuing to observe the girl.
The girl showed no reaction to Andrew's gaze. While casually looking at the items, she remarked nonchalantly:
"What's this? Staring at a girl isn't very gentlemanly, you know~"
____
🔥 The latest chapters are being posted! 🔥
New Story: COTE: Natsuki Subaru Returns to School, but as the Purge King
✅ Read up to 40 chapters in advance (all stories)!
✅ Access exclusive posts and updates first!
Let's achieve our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 extra chapter for everybody
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 additional chapters on ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan