<Why did you pay me, then? Are you stupid?>
Well, that was fair.
<Maybe. Or maybe your skill didn't work, but my heart was moved by the beautiful view of your... Heart.>
She smiled again. <Nice try. Now, are you going to buy anything real?>
<How long does it take to learn a third-tier skill?> All my second-tier spells were already level two, but no third-tier spells had been unlocked.
<Twenty copper. No, I won't back down from this price. Right, thanks. When you unlock a skill-tree, you can only learn up to tier two skills by yourself. For anything more than that, you have to find a teacher and train under him. Sometimes you will even have to learn a different skill-tree altogether to unlock joint skills.>
<Like what?>
<Ten copper. In magic, for instance, there are elements, like fire and water, and schools, like destruction and summoning.>
<Really? That sounds neat. What are all the schools?>
<Beats me. I only know about three, and I will tell you about the other one for five copper.> I paid her. <Healing.>
<Are you kidding me? You charged me five coins to tell me something as obvious as that?>
<You didn't know it, did you? Then, don't complain.>
She had a point. She also had a lot of business competitors around her.
I left the party and asked around. A lot of bargaining followed, and I discovered all the magic schools:
Destruction and Restoration – not healing, as the vampire lady had told me – dealt with dealing and removing damage to people or objects.
Illusion was, well, illusion.
Summoning allowed the mage to summon creatures from other planes.
Creation was used to create magical constructs, like fire blades. Or golems.
Alteration related to changing things into other things.
Engraving was the art of embedding magic into items by using runes.
Those were the seven primary schools.
There were also secondary ones, like 'decrypting', that allowed the mage to understand enchantments. Or 'shadowing', the magical equivalent of stealth, that was a child-school of both illusion and alteration.
I asked about learning skills from players since I had to stay clear from cities, but the answer wasn't one I liked.
At level ten, a trait evolved to adept-rank. Level twenty-five would bring the 'skilled' rank. Level fifty, expert. Ninety, master. And level one hundred made a trait grandmaster-level. Only experts or above could teach skills.
<What about core traits? When can I core the third one?> I asked a zombie broker.
<Seven copper. No one knows. There is an elf on level twenty-three who said he still didn't receive his third slot.>
That sounded right. I hadn't received an extra trait core slot on level twenty, either.
<Now, let's talk about the market.>
For some time, I asked multiple brokers about the economy in the place, especially about items prices. The talk eventually drifted to a rather interesting subject.
<What do you mean the white tree on the armlets is the symbol of the owner clan? Are you telling me Earthens own this place?>
<Of course. The White Tree clan has put this place together. In Valia, anyone can try to claim any land. You only have to keep it for a week for the gods to accept it as yours and unlock the management system. Oh, this info costs one silver, by the way.>
A player clan was basically a permanent party. People got together, paid some money for it to be registered in the system, and then acted as a small company, with common goals, group hunts and so on.
I knew the little zombie was giving me a ridiculously exaggerated price for that knowledge, but I paid him with a big smile on my face. This place being player-owned was perfect.
There were so many things I could accomplish with it!
The place I was now at was officially called 'White Tree Clan Hall', but people just called it 'The Slums.' It had been strategically placed in there to be the last trade node of the West Underworld before the city by the Great Maze's entrance. The players wanted to profit big from commerce.
I could join the clan and eventually secure a chunk of the Slums for myself. That dream of theirs could go a long way in the long term, but it was too risky, much more so than the White Tree Clan seemed to realize.
Tardas had explained to me why no one created merchant nodes circumventing Dakar: the deathlords and vampires killed everyone who tried.
Granted, all the counties in the West that I had seen until now had been xenophobes. But with this many people coming and going, and so much money flowing, it was only a matter of time before one of them took an interest in owning the Slums, or creating their own version of it.
If I based the Catacombs power only at the horsemen who had met me at the entrance, I was pretty sure they could crush the White Tree in no time.
In the unlikely event that the countries around didn't want anything to do with the market, it was a matter of time before small parties organized to attack together and steal everything they could. There was no way those guards would be enough, not in a city without walls.
There was even the possibility of the logus coming back and trying to eat everything.
My best bet was negotiating the creation of a node like this with one of the countries and insist that the destruction of this one was imperative for the economy of the Underworld – and for the health of our own node.
'In this world, no one cares about who came first, whose idea it was,' Father had taught me. 'People only care about who can provide them with the best quality service for an uninterrupted time. Companies who can't protect themselves are for the taking. Our taking.'
I wanted to do it; I wanted it very much. But I was a wanted man. I'd have to be satisfied with the second-best alternative.
'If you can't conquer your competitors, crush them.'
All players were competition. If people got richer or stronger than me, faster than me, they would get in the way of my objectives one way or another. I had to deal with the problem while it was still small.
It made me very glad that I had the perfect solution.
<I remember something,> I kept my smile to not look suspicious. <I saw a man with black eyes... What are they called again?>
<Nice try. It's five copper for the information.>
<They are called deathlords.>
<Oh, right. I saw this deathlord killing a lot of people by himself on the way here. How secure is this place to prevent him from doing the same in here?>
The spark of interested on the man's eye was clear as day. <You saw? I mean, five copper for information on the Slums security. Good. It has anti-theft magic that turns any thief completely red, and there are more than a hundred guards in here at any time. So, about this deathlord you saw...>
<Yes?>
<Would you be interested in getting some money? I will give you ten coppers if you can confirm something for me.>
<Sure!> I made a point of answering too fast. He smiled.
<Great! Here. So, what was he like?>
<Oh, I don't know. Normal, I guess? He was a guy.>
<I know, but what was he wearing?>
Smiling, I extended my hand to him. <I don't know why, but you seem to care about the information. Ten copper.>
<What! No! You can't sell information; you don't have the permit!>
<Nice try. Ten copper or I'm sure someone else will want to know about this.>
I had seen guys like him before. He would become suspicious if I were too gullible. Plus, it was sweet to part him from his money. He sighed and handed me the money.
<He had a white cloak, copper shield, and black sword.>
<White cloak? That's news. Maybe it's another one. Was he fighting with magic too, or only sword and shield? Here, ten copper.>
I wondered how far my description went on the most wanted list. I should have asked Te
d.
<Pleasure to do business with you. He was using death and darkness magic that I saw.>
<No fire?>
Damn, they knew everything about me. <Not that I saw. Maybe he was trying to hide?>
<Maybe. Where did you see him?> He handed me more copper coins.
<Close to here, actually. At the tunnel between the cave chamber with a lake and here. He was coming this way when some people yelled 'it's him!' and everybody attacked.>
<He was coming this way? And he didn't die?> He grabbed my arm.
<I don't know if he died, I ran away from it. Who was he?>
He gave me an evil smile. On this zombie's skinless face, it was very creepy. <That information costs ten silver.>
<What? Why?>
<Heh. I'll tell you why if you pay me ten silver.>
<Jeez. You just played me, didn't you? Asshole. Here, take my precious money, earned with my hard work.>
<We all have to eat, man. He is called Jack Thorn, and his head is worth two hundred gold.>
<What?! Holy crap! Do you think they killed him?>
<I hope not. Now, if you excuse me, I have to sell information to some other people.> He left the Blue Jackets' square.
<Hey, what did you tell him?> The vampire woman from before asked as she looked suspiciously at the zombie's back.
<Huh? Oh, right. I just told him about Jack Thorn.> I said it as loud as I could without being obvious. <I saw him on the way here, in the tunnel between the fish people lake and here. Wait, that's ten silver!>
They didn't even answer me. Suddenly, all Blue Jackets within hearing range became dead silent, with distant eyes. Using their communication crystals, I guessed.
Damn satisfied with myself and making a very annoyed face, I proceeded to sell my stuff and do some shopping.
Copper Kite Shield
» Resistance: 75%
Common Leather Armor
» +35 defense
Common Leather Pants
» +30 defense
Common Leather Boots
» +15 defense
Low-Quality Chainmail Armor
» +30 defense
Low-Quality Chainmail Pants
» +25 defense
Low-Quality Copper Vambraces
» +30 defense
Low-Quality Copper Greaves
» +30 defense
Low-Quality Half Breastplate
» +30 defense
It cost me over a hundred and fifty gold coins, enough for me to get back to only having around fifty gold, but I got myself a damn nice upgrade and replaced my bent shield.
I could have bought some plate armor, but it was much more expensive. Even if it would have given me better overall defense, it would be worse in particular places. For instance, my new equipment would mitigate ninety-five damage if I got hit on the breastplate.
The little shopping spree also made me realize how much more expensive weapons were and how big the '+1 agility' dagger was, even if the bonus only applied when I was holding it. I bought a small sheath and strapped it to my abdomen.
I decided on keeping my current sword for now, since an upgrade would cost too much.
Valia's fights were much more about skill usage and hitting the right place than solely killing your enemy with overpowered weapons.
I still thought the prices were too inflated, but no broker had any information about it.
One of the three stone buildings in the place revealed itself to be a very full tavern. I made it my new favorite place in the world and for the next two days, I just drank and listened in on gossip.
It didn't take long for the number of people around to increase and the talk of the reward for Jack Thorn's head to spread.
The stage was set. Now I'd only need Ted to do something for me and wait for the last day of the Challenge.
I regretted the lack of training, but I'd soon get myself eighty free attribute points.
And destroy someone's dream market while at it.
Jack Thorn
Unbound Deathlord
Legendary Spotter, Hedge Wizard, Pioneer, Dark Archmage
Level 20
Hit Points:620 / 620
Mana Points:950 / 950
Stamina:305 / 305
Attributes:
Strength:19
Agility:17
Dexterity:19
Constitution:14
Intelligence:18 + 2 [Items]
Perception:16 + 10 [Items]
Willpower:18
Charisma:8
Traits:
© Adept Controller:22
© Adept Energizer:14
Adept Mage:12 + 10 [Items]
Scout:3
Athlete:2
Diviner:2
Gold Digger:2
Meditator:2
Scavenger:2
Shadow:2
Antimage:1
Crafter:1
Healer:1
Herbalist:1
Mind Seer:1
Negotiator:1
Nitpicker:1
Ranger:1
Strategist:1
Tactician:1
Warrior:1
25. Tastes Like Chicken
'Yes, one step after the other. See? Dancing is simple!'
- Aunt
<Jack?> Ted contacted me the day we were supposed to meet. <Are you here yet?>
I had been watching my ghost friend for the last fifteen minutes. Ted's body now had legs but was still missing feet. She was still white, just like her leather armor and the longbow on her back; no colors like the horsemen had had.
Bear was larger than I remembered, but maybe that was because of the very expensive full plate armor he was wearing. In a sheath on his back was a big bastard sword, almost the size Shai's had been.
<Almost,> I replied.
They were in the half-full tavern I was. It was made entirely of stone, even the counter, and had thirty odd metal tables for patrons.
A staircase led to the second floor, but a guard had blocked my access when I tried to go up and refused to tell me what was in there. Since I only saw people with the white tree armlet going up, I supposed it was something like a clan hall or guard house.
"What?! Twenty silver for a pint?! Are you crazy?!" A sorin – that's what the pale dwarves' species was called – patron complained.
"Look, amigo. No one is forcing you to buy. Pay or leave, your choice." The drow behind the counter said.
Bear was gulping beer after beer under Ted's concerned gaze. The prices had grown exponentially in the last few days, as more and more people came to the Catacombs, probably to search for me.
The individuals in the Slums clearly had no idea of how the inflation could hurt them in the long run. Thankfully for them, they wouldn't live to experience it. I was that kind of good guy.
<Okay, listen. There is a small city outside the Catacombs. Don't come close to it! There are lots of Earthens around and they are ordering everyone to take their hoods off. They somehow guessed you were coming. We should probably meet in another cave.>
As far as I could tell, the two of them were not planning any ambushes, although by the amount of beer Bear was drinking, he was evidently planning on going bankrupt. He slammed a now empty glass on the metal table and yelled.
"More!"
Ted shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she took some gold from her purse to pay the ghoul waiter.
<Why are you paying for Bear's beer?> I asked.
<I'm carrying his money because of the armor-> She began to answer while looking with distracted eyes at the money being carried away. <Wait! Where are you?> She looked around.
I got up and got closer. <Hey, there.>
Bear had positioned himself with the back to the wall and looked at my approach with a promise of violence evident in his skinless face. Kinda scary, to be honest.
Ted had looked at me with mild curiosity but kept looking around. <Where? I can't see you. Are you invisible?>
"I'm here, Te
d. Hey, Bear." I nodded to him.
"What?!" Her eyes locked with mine. "You recreated your character in a new species? When? How's the communication crystal still working?"
I sat on a chair. "Calm down, woman. And lower your voice. I'm using an illusion ring to change my appearance."
"Oh. I'm so glad you are okay!" We were never that close, but she took my hand in hers and squeezed. I looked at Bear from the corner of my eyes. "You look better as a vampire."
That made me frown. That was unlike any conversation we'd ever had. Was she trying to make Bear jealous? Knowing her plot involving her dad, I didn't doubt it.
"Thanks?"
"Bear, this is Jack. Jack, this is Bear."
"Nice to finally meet the famous Bear." I extended my hand, and he shook it. Hard.
"Same here, dude." He had a rich voice. He wouldn't have trouble finding a job at one of those radio stations of old. "Beer in this Valia sucks; what's the pointing of drinking without getting drunk? At least it tastes good."
"It tastes like piss," I said, sitting at the table.
"My point exactly! Have you tried that European shit? It tastes good! How can a man call himself a man if he's drinking liquid candy?"
I looked to Ted while pointing to Bear. "I like him."
She rolled her eyes. "He tells you he likes to drink piss, and suddenly you're pals. Men."
He drank more from his pint. "My archer told me that you have a job for us, and it involves bathing in the blood of our enemies."
"Stop calling me that!" Ted half-yelled. "I hate being called an archer!"
But not being called his, huh?
"Yes." I rested my back against the metal chair and crossed my arms. I decided on explaining from the beginning, to make sure both of them followed. "This is day twenty-six since the beginning of the Valia, and the Challenge ends the moment day thirty ends."
"Look, archer," Bear interrupted me. "He likes to tell people stuff they already know! He's just like Uncle William!"
"He's nothing like my dad!" She replied angrily. Bear seemed to be an expert at getting on her nerves.
"On the first minute of day twenty-nine," I continued as if he hadn't said anything, "I'll get a red mark above my head, and there will be lots of fun to be had with everyone trying to kill me. Including today, we have three days to get everything ready for that day."