Arcane drifters

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Arcane Drifters - Chapter 81: "The Job Hunt Begins!"

The sun rose quietly over the Drifter Academy. But for Shen Karguro… it was the beginning of chaos.

He stood in front of the giant mission board, arms crossed, eyes twitching.

"Five hundred million Drills... I'm ruined..." Shen muttered, remembering the commander's punishment from yesterday.

> "Suspended until you pay the fine."

Those words echoed in his ears like a curse.

Behind him, Ryulga was laughing from the upper balcony, clearly enjoying the scene.

Ryulga:

"Hey Shen, want me to lend you a broom? You can sweep the streets for 100 Drills a day!"

Shen (gritting his teeth):

"I'll pass."

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Eliz walked toward him with her hands on her hips. She didn't look pleased.

Eliz:

"Shen. I've found a list of available jobs. Choose one. No money, no magic, no missions. That's the rule now."

She handed him a paper. Shen scanned it.

> Clean monster cages – 500 Drills/day

Arcane Biology Lab Assistant – 1000 Drills/day

Chef's Helper (Spicy Dept.) – 800 Drills/day

Library Scroll Organizer – 400 Drills/day

Graveyard Guard (Night Shift) – 2000 Drills/night

Shen:

"What the heck is 'Spicy Department'?! And what's with the graveyard guard? Am I supposed to fight ghosts too?!"

Eliz (calmly):

"You fought a god and broke ten academy towers. Now work."

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Later…

Shen wore a torn apron and stood next to a huge boiling pot. Flames burst from under it.

A huge chef with a flaming moustache stared at him.

Chef:

"You! Chop ten Fire Peppers in five minutes. If you cry… OUT!"

Shen (nervous):

"Wait, the label says 'Warning: Makes warriors cry'?!"

He took one Fire Pepper. Instantly, smoke puffed from his eyes.

Shen:

"GAHHH! MY EYES! MY EYES!!"

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Evening…

With swollen red eyes, Shen dragged his body to Eliz and collapsed on the bench.

Shen (weakly):

"I earned… 800 Drills… only 499,999,200 left…"

Eliz (smiling):

"At this rate, you'll finish in 1,712 years!"

Shen:

"Please… just bury me…"

Suddenly, Kenya appeared holding a bag.

Kenya:

"I took a bounty mission. Here's 10,000 Drills. You owe me."

Shen (eyes shining):

"My brother!! My savior!! My bank!!"

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Nighttime – Shen's Dorm

Shen stared at the ceiling. Despite the crazy day, a smile crept onto his face.

Shen (thinking):

"I'll work. I'll earn it. I'll come back stronger… and shock the world."

A soft wind passed through the open window.

Somewhere far away, an Arcane stirred in its sleep. Something big was coming.

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Chapter End

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