They all call me Great Master-Chapter 565 - 562: Acker’s Concession and Patience!

Docklands——

"Acker! Acker!"

The foreman's shout immediately made Acker stand out from the crowd that had been waiting for a long time.

"Here! Here!"

The graying Acker loudly responded.

Almost sprinting, Alka rushed to the warehouse door.

Edwin glanced at the porter in front of him.

Like the other porters, his skin was darkened, his face full of creases, his body involuntarily bent, and his hands covered in calluses.

Clothes?

There wasn't really anything to speak of as clothes.

They were just rags.

Even though it was winter, there wasn't a proper coat in sight.

Seeing Edwin's examining gaze, Acker immediately revealed a simple smile.

As for starting a conversation?

Acker didn't dare.

He knew his place was just a mere porter, while the sitting Edwin was a big shot—hadn't he seen how the usually proud foreman was nodding and bowing?

Acker would not bring trouble upon himself and his children.

Thinking of his children, Acker felt an unprecedented sense of security at heart.

His son Alvin had already become an apprentice in a bakery.

His daughter Alma had also been able to take odd jobs.

Moreover, the old lady from the candle shop took a liking to Alma, maybe she could send her there to learn the candle-making trade.

Acker lacked worldly knowledge, nor did he comprehend great principles, but he understood that for families like theirs to rise above their station was immensely difficult, so difficult it felt impossible even in dreams.

However, learning a trade meant a way to survive.

That's why, a year ago, he borrowed 100 Suo, and, using his own saved 200 Suo, secured the opportunity for his son Alvin to apprentice in the Cork Street bakery in Shire District.

Only needing to endure for three years, once he mastered the trade, better days would come.

As for his daughter…

Acker had inquired about it at the candle shop.

Although the old lady liked Alma, she required at least 250 Suo, otherwise...

she'd have to marry her son.

Thinking of the old lady's son, Acker frowned secretly.

The son was not a good man.

He had a bad reputation in Old Town.

He was even previously involved in the 'Haite Furniture Store' case.

Although he was inexplicably released in the end, he absolutely could not become his daughter's husband.

'I need to find a different candle shop.

Otherwise, trouble will arise.'

Acker thought anxiously, yet when he saw Edwin flipping through the work register, he immediately collected himself and stood as straight as possible.

When Edwin saw the name Acker under "full attendance for the year," his eyes showed surprise.

Fulfilling full attendance for the year was not easy.

It was not about just clocking in every day but about completing a corresponding amount of work daily!

Like Acker, being a loader, handling two hundred bags a day was considered normal attendance.

Each bag's weight was calculated such that an adult could barely walk a dozen meters with one without gasping for breath.

And that was just the beginning; from morning till afternoon, most people were so exhausted they could hardly walk, and the next day upon waking, they felt like their body fell apart, with no desire to move at all.

To achieve full attendance for the year, Physique aside, required absolutely astounding willpower.

Considering this, Edwin smiled—

"Acker, full attendance for the year.

An extra reward of 30 Suo, two pounds of meat, ten eggs, and ten pounds of fine flour."

Edwin announced loudly.

He didn't set these rewards, but his boss, the great Marinda, did.

Moreover, in addition to these rewards, if the person who completed the task had no misconduct, they could be promoted to a small leader in their field of work, and it would be checked whether there was anything special about them.

Unfortunately, for more than two years, no one had been able to complete it.

Acker was the first.

So when Edwin handed over the money and the meat and eggs to Acker, he also patted Acker's shoulder.

"Keep up the good work."

A single word of encouragement made Acker feel greatly honored.

"O-okay."

Acker began to stutter.

Edwin said nothing more, that one sentence had been enough.

What about the future?

That would naturally be discussed after the 'Cold Winter Festival'.

Afterward, Edwin waved to Acker and returned to his desk to continue distributing benefits to the guild workers—these items had to be distributed before nightfall.

The 'Cold Winter Festival' was in just two days.

According to the rules, there should be a rest three days before the 'Cold Winter Festival'.

Simply put, today was a day off.

However, because the benefits were being distributed, everyone had come and there were no complaints; but if it were delayed by another day, there definitely would be discontent.

As for why not a day earlier and not take up a rest day?

Owners would certainly never ask that question.

The extra rewards, when others around looked toward Acker, their eyes filled with envy and admiration.

These rewards, Marinda had not announced in advance.

The normal benefit was just a pound of meat, five eggs, and two pounds of flour.

There wasn't any money involoved.

Clutching what amounted to his full attendance wages for a month, along with the substantial weight of meat, eggs, and flour in his hands, Acker couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Acker knew he shouldn't be so showy and should keep a low profile, but when he thought about using the money to pay off his loans early, and being able to provide a good meal for his son and daughter during the 'Cold Winter Festival', and that the remaining meat, eggs, and flour could be exchanged for a good amount of coarse flour and potatoes, which if sparingly used, would be enough for three months' food supply, he really couldn't help himself.

Acker felt his days were increasingly looking hopeful.

Immediately, he hastened toward home in Old Town, carrying his goods.

As for a carriage?

Acker had never ridden in one.

But he had 'ridden in a donkey cart'.

That was during the Seven Years' War, when he was just a teenager. Because he was frail, he couldn't go to the battlefield but only served in logistics, using a donkey cart to help his lord carry corpses.

His three brothers were brought back by him.

It was exactly because of the sacrifice of his three brothers that he was able to stay in logistics until the war ended.

Thus, Acker treasured the present days very much.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

Whatever happens, just endure a little and it would pass.

Acker always reminded himself of this.

So when he noticed someone following him, Acker didn't look back but instead sped up his pace to flee, wanting to protect the money and the meat, eggs, and flour in his arms.

As long as he got home, everything would be fine.

Acker reminded himself of this.

But the person behind him kept up relentlessly.

All the way to Old Town, Acker couldn't shake them off.

Especially when he noticed that the person seemed very familiar with the streets of Old Town, a chill ran down Acker's spine.

It's not the theft itself but the thief's lingering attention that is worrying.

If it were someone from outside, he could just avoid them.

But if it was someone from Old Town, who knew where he lived...

Acker's heart sank involuntarily, and when two people appeared in the alley ahead, blocking the way, Acker was full of lament in his heart.

He didn't blame others, just that he hadn't been careful enough.

He took out half of the money from his bosom, looked at the meat, eggs, and flour he was carrying, and said reluctantly—

"Could you leave me a little? The 'Cold Winter Festival' is coming, I want to give my children something good to eat."