Who would have ever thought that the only son of the top hunter and top craftsman would ever be called poor. Both net worth combined is a number anyone would die to have.
I'm aware that I'm not in the best clothing right now but it's not that bad. Well, I don't think it's bad. I was also a top hunter with a big net worth. I had my money moving around so my accounts shouldn't have been closed at all and even if they were closed I have a shit ton of Cash.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it that way"
I looked at him still pissed off, but I shouldn't act on my feelings alone. I need to calm down.
"Hel-Hello astor?? Can you answer my question? Where did you get them?
" can-. . "
I shut my mouth i feel like if i were to answer right now, i would cruse the fuck out of him. What do I even say?
Wait. . now that I think about it, I made this with my dad. So technically I made it. The ring was gifted to me so. It's not lying if I say that. It's best to say the truth in case they have some kind of truth or lie ability. I looked up at him.
" I got gifted the ring from one of my family members and the watch. I made it a long time ago with someone when I was first learning to make items. "
Now that I look at him more clearly and closely he is quite a looker. There's no way they're not a hunter of some kind. I haven't seen eyes like those in a long time. Not only that but his skin looks very frail and soft, and his hair looks like a very milky brown.
"Oh I see, who designed the watch, I really like the design of it. Can I have a better look at it inside? "
"Who designed it?"
it was me of course. And hell no, why would I let someone look at it.
"Sure. . . "
I pulled my arm up, to let him see closely.
"Wow, I should have known, it looked simple on the outside but very technical on the inside. It's really rare to see stuff like that nowadays."
" Wait. . is that. . Ruth's signature?"
He was really looking hard now. . What a loser.
"How is something like a watch interdesign like this rare? This one's one of the simpler ones I've ever seen."
He called the outside of it plain, but that's something my dad really liked about. Not flashy, not eye caching. Do people use flashy ones? I have no time for this. As nice as it is to stare at his face there's nothing nice to look at anymore. He ruined the beautiful view with his questions.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. I have things to work on."
"Already?"
"Please wait a bit, i- i. . this watch, how old is it? "
"The watch, its about 18 years old."
"18?- 18 Years old there's no way"
" Yes, It was made 18 years ago."
"If you're 26 did you make it with Ruth when you were 8 years old?"
"Ruth? oh, yes, Ruth. That's right, that was his hunter's name. I haven't heard that name in a long time."
" From what I know Ruth never worked with anyone, how were you able to work with him at 8 years old? and how does it look new? Is it because you worked on it too? Did you fix it? "
"Oh my, would you look at the time. It's 9:27, time really does fly. I really need to go."
I pulled my hand away, he looked very serious now.
"Can you at least answer the question before you leave?"
I rolled my eyes, if that's the only way to leave, let's just answer.
"I asked him."
"What?"
" I asked him if he needed help. After helping him I showed him a watch I really liked, he told me that "something that flashy was only trash that it wouldn't suit me at all" so he told me to make a design with him. It's a pair of watches so the other pair should be out there somewhere. I really don't think he would take off that watch."
"And as you can see, my signature comes second on this one meaning he has my. And for whoever is wearing the second watch must be lucky to have both hands intact . I'm pretty sure everyone knows how Ruth's items work."
"And from the looks of it. Someone really is wearing it."
"How would you know that someone's wearing it?"
"How? look."
I showed him the watch. There was a bear and a bunny design with wings.
"Do you see how the only bunny has golden stitches and the bear has a blue looking one?"
"Uh. yes?"
" That's how I know it would have been silver if no one was wearing it, from the looks of it must be my uncle. Or else I would be red. And they wouldn't have hands at this point."
"Ah, I see. But how did you me-"
"It's late, I really do have to go.."
"Oh, yes of course I'm sorry for any inconvenience Ruthburn. If you don't mind, let me take you home, it seems like it's going to snow soon."
"No it's ok I live nearby, you don't have to worry about anything. "
" I'll see you around then, goodnight."
I walked slowly trying to make it seem like I was looking around while hiding my steps. As I suspected Sylvester was still following from behind, it's too bad he wouldn't be able to pass the forest gates to get to the house. No one's ever passed it. It'll just seem like he lost me with all the branches and leaves.
I wonder what he really wanted to know. I know the watch is beautiful, my dad and I put a lot of details. In a simple but complex watch design.
He called it "the perfect item for my son." I think the name of the watch was Peonie. I should check the books back at home. I'm pretty sure he wrote this one down as well. There might be something there for that project as well. I haven't been able to call Plunko out since I got stuck in that place. At least my inventory still worked.
I stopped walking once I got in front of the gate. I didn't move and I didn't say anything but it seems likeI have only arrived at the first front gate, meaning an uninvited guest had arrived before I did. Could it have been Sylvester? But he was just behind me. They're not in the property but somewhere outside it.
"Uhm? What to do. . ."
If I were to open my I stats inventory to see if my weapons are still there it will update the information center. But, I don't want that. I don't really want to go back there.
Whatever, let's just go in and see who's there.
As I walked in, the lights turned on. Even though the house is not in its best shape it still looked nice at night. It's still quite a sight.
Now to find who's Evers nearby.
I walked around trying to see where the person was, it turns out that they were just standing out the other side of the house.
"Uhm, excuse me. Do you live here? "
I turned around to the side gate. It looked like he tried to enter but wasn't able to. Though he looked about my age.
"I do, do I know you? What are you doing near my private property?"
Sometimes I feel like when I talk, I talk like an asshole or something because he just kept looking at me with a face like if I were to punch him for even looking my way.
"Well I walked around here a lot and never seen anyone live here or even go in. The gates never opened or budged when people tried opening them. This is the first time I've seen them open and automatically for someone."
I looked at him a bit annoyed.
" Why would people want to enter someone else's property? to rob, steal, and vandalize it."
I guess people were able to find the house, but weren't able to enter how interesting.
"what?"
"Well it's my fathers house. I was out of the country for a while and am back now. I've decided to stay for a bit."
"Oh so you're the owner's son. Man you must have money to just leave such a lovely house without maintenance and fix it back up. It's nice to see it being used for some reason, whenever people pass by they say that the house looked like it was missing something and that it looked like it was hiding itself deep in the woods every day."
"I thought about buying the property but they wouldn't let me without the owner. It's a very nice property with a beautiful view as well. "
Of course it's beautiful with a beautiful view.
"My father picked it because of that. He always had an eye for anything beautiful. If it catched his eye he would take it no matter what. just like this place."
"Hah, You father sounds like someone who doesn't hesitate to claim what he likes, just like this place. Did he also make the house and the gardens? "
"He built everything himself. Every little detail on the house, hand picked every material, tree. flowers, and every spot everything is in. He didn't let anyone change anything. I think the only person able to change his mind in anything he created was my mother."
"I see a submissive husband to his wife. He sounds like a great guy. Where's the creator of this lovely place? I'd love to meet him."
"Oh him he's been missing for a while now, no one has found anything on him.
"Oh my I'm sorry for hitting a heavy topic. I APOLOGIZE SINCERELY!!!"
He looked like he saw some get killed and didn't know what to do with the situation. It made me laugh a bit.
"Naa it's fine, what's your name by the way? I just got here and I think it'll be nice to have someone to talk to and show me around. It's been years and I don't remember much."
He looked up with a flushed face
"AHH YES IM Noah, Noah Montgomery!!! WHATS YOURS!!!"
He extended his hand to me nervously. I smiled at him and shook his hand. "A Montgomery," what a perfect timing.
" I'm Astor Ruthburn. You can just call me Astor. I didn't think I would have met a Montgomery this way. I have a lot to thank your family for. How's your parents doing? Are they well?"
"Ah yes? They are fine."
He looked confused but then his grip tightened.
"Hey by the way, is it just you here or is there someone else with you?"
"Just me. I met someone earlier before coming home, they've been following me around now for a couple of hours. I looked at Noah nervously. I just don't know what to do so I came home early."
Of course that was a lie. I would have killed Sylvester if he had come anywhere near me again.
"Oh no, I'll take care of it, don't worry I'll make sure you feel safe. I work for one of the hunters guild so there's plenty I can handle. Please head inside and have a good night Astor. I'll come back in the morning if you like, I can show you around town."
At that moment I froze. He works for the hunter guild, but which one? I smiled in the outside but I felt nervous for some reason. Could it be that I just really never wanted to go back to that work force.
"That would be amazing, thank you Noah. Please be careful while taking care of them."
I smiled and waved him off. The Montgomery still live here. I thought they left after the gates opened and a bunch of monsters attacked back then. Did they come back? I remember them telling me to leave with them but I don't remember if they had a son. I wonder if they know anything about my dad. They used to talk a lot. It started to snow again.
********
Meanwhile Sylvester found it weird that Astor had such an exquisite watch. It looked ordinary, simple, Ruth would be the type to make something like that. But why would he work with a kid back then? He hated working with others, could he have had another son? He does have the last name. But, no one had brown hair and brown eyes in that family.
"An affair? Maybe?"
No,that would be impossible. Everyone always said he would never look at someone else. when he talked about his wife anyone would know he would never.
Perhaps this guy Astor knew something about him. Relatives maybe? But he didn't look anything like the craftsman. His bright yellow eyes and black navy hair color, it's just too different. The craftsman's son also went missing after 2 years. They said he looked just like his father. His eyes were blue like his mother instead of the golden eyes his dad had.
I followed Astor to his house. What is going on? Didn't a young man own it? There's no way he had a son that's 26 now. Although I lost Astor half way here I was able to catch up. Who would have thought that the newcomer lived in the abandoned house that wouldn't let anyone through the gates. He just keeps surprising me with every move.
It seems like Noah had also met him as well, they seem to get along well do they know each other? I'll have to ask him next time I see him.
I won't lie, I feel like a stalker. I hope he doesn't find out, it would creep him out. The more I looked at him the more out of place he looked. The clothes didn't match him, his hair a mess, his eyes . . . nothing looked like it belonged to him.
He cracked his head.
"Its so off putting, its like a-"
No. There was no way he's a hunter. I would have been able to feel his presents, but he didn't have one either. Why is it so complicated? Whatever, I should just go before i end up getting caught by Noah, he's a pain in the ass to get rid of. As Sylvester turned to leave. Suddenly I felt a chill behind me, someone was behind me.
"Who th-"
"Sylvester? what are you doing here at this time?"
"Noah. . you- "
He fell back under Noah.
" You- YOU SCARED ME!!! WHY WOULD YOU SNEEK UP ON ME, WHAT IF I HAD PUNCHED YOU!!!"
"I didn't know it was you. Astor told me that someone was following him around when he was walking back home. I didn't think it would have been you."
Man he must think im a weird person now, how did he know i was following him? I made sure not to make a sound, I even silenced my steps for this. There's no way he's a regular person.
"So tell me Sylvester, what are you doing following a person around?"
" I'll be honest, I also don't know. . It's just, doesn't he look like someone who's not supposed to be here?"
" He seems normal to me. I don't know what you're talking about."
Noah looked at Sylvester with concern.
"No, I don't mean it in that way. It just, he looks familiar. I swear I've seen him before, I just don't know where."
"Wow, selvester. Don't tell me you fell for the guy. Haha. ."
"What are you talking about now!?!"
"Hey wait. . don't you have work today? What are you doing here? Get back to work you slacker. "
"Uhh??"
"Man, I don't want to write you up for this"
"Then don't write me up, I already have so many. And i have a lot of work to do on top of that"
"Then stop wandering around and do your work. Let's go back. And leave Astor alone; he just came back from a trip."
Sylvester looked back at the house.
"Are you saying he's staying here? In that house?"
"Yes, it's his fathers house."
"Thats weird, wasn't the owner of this house young?"
"What are you talking about? The owner left the house because of a work trip he had. He looked to be in his early 20 so he could have had a son."
"I know it's just the time doesn't add up."
"I don't understand what you're saying. Maybe you really do need a break from work."