Gong Gong Gong!
What awakened me this morning was the sound of what felt like every bell in the city – loud enough to make it through the - partial - muffling barrier on the window, powerful enough to send mild tremors through the building.
“The Lord has passed! Lord Breston Silverton has passed!”
Upon opening my window, the loud - seemingly amplified - cries of an announcer reached my ears, likely from the ‘nearby’ plaza (which was over a kilometer up-north).
I closed the window again. Those were old news, as far as I was concerned.
[Soul Contamination] - Your soul shall be corroded in 1005 days.
Taking a quick glance at the familiar message, I quickly dressed up - and, by that, I mean simply put on my sword and utility belt, as well as the chainmail - and made my way outside.
Unsurprisingly, the city was buzzing even louder than usual.
The conversations focused on two main topics.
“So he finally passed away…”
“Was this the reason those ships came in yesterday?”
“But… Who’s going to be his successor?”
“It should be the oldest son.”
“Didn’t he just become a High Wizard a few months back? Can someone like that really-”
“Hush! Maybe he was intentionally hiding his power. Or maybe…”
“I saw some new faces among the guards on the street earlier. I think they had a new squad leader.”
“I saw them, too. By their uniforms… They seemed to be from the capital.”
“Is the crown going to?..”
“They might be planning to provide temporary regency to the heir.”
“This.. damnation, this feels wrong!”
“Shut your mouth!.. Don’t let anyone hear that… At least we’ll have some stability here, for the time being.”
Understandably, some people on the streets of Northern were generally better informed than average citizens.
As I made my way towards the Adventurer’s Guild, I also passed by the aforementioned plaza. On a small podium, a man, surrounded by a squad of city guards - which was led by someone in a different uniform - was continuously repeating his announcement, letting his voice rest for a minute before shouting into some kind of artifact or contraption which looked like a microphone with an oversized head.
Paying the commotion no further mind, I proceeded towards the Guild, making my way there in less than 20 minutes.
“How may I help you, sir?”
Before doing anything else, I decided to go to the reception, which was still relatively uncrowded at this early time of day.
“I’d like to update my information.”
“Of course. Your token, please.”
As I gave her my token, she quickly scanned it beneath the counter.
“Hmm… Sebastian… Wait, Sebastian?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no problem… I just… One second, let me check.”
She quickly returned the token, making her way towards the back. A minute later, she returned with an unsealed letter in her hand.
“I thank you for your timely arrival.”
I raised an eyebrow, throwing her a confused glance.
“You… You said you arrived to update your rank, yes?”
“I mean.. I did gain a level, but isn’t that still Iron rank?”
“Ah, you must’ve been told something different.”
She waved the latter, which carried the Ministry’s seal.
“Your rank has been updated to Silver.”
“Silver?..”
My confusion only deepened.
“But I’m only level 2. Isn’t that a mistake?”
The woman tilted her head, thinking for a moment.
“The Ministry doesn’t make mistakes. Perhaps you achieved some kind of feat lately? Maybe you fought a true battle against a Silver-ranked opponent?”
“...”
‘Oh. That guy…’
Seeing the glimmer of understanding in my eyes, the woman quickly proceeded to speak.
“That must have been it. Remember – adventurer ranks are based on ability, not explicit level. Being able to defeat a Silver rank means you are of the same rank.”
“I see. I suppose it’s another trip to the logistics Wizard, then.”
“Yes. Please follow me…”
The familiar procedure didn’t take very long. Afterwards…
“Could I please take a glance at the Ministry missions?”
Since I was already here, and, with the new rank potentially opening new avenues, I decided I might as well have a quick look.
“Of course.”
Perhaps it was the latter, but this time, the clerk didn’t even question my eligibility.
crrrrr
With the familiar grinding sound, the bars - leading to the stairway before me - retracted, opening the way to the ‘mission screen’.
‘Let’s see… CC2-L2(+2)-P2 (Aw)... There are indeed some new entries.’
I could also deduce the second part indicated my level, as well as the ‘offset’, which was likely my presumed strength, in practice. After defeating Sweet Face, it shot up all the way to the equivalent of level 4.
As for the new missions…
‘A new position in the Central patrols… Hmm…’
While the pay was seemingly amazing - 10 gold per day, for up to 3 weeks - the same drawbacks remained. I didn’t want my freedom of movement restrained to such a degree.
Moreover, I wanted something to help me advance my Skills…
‘It seems the Ministry is going to crack down hard on the syndicates. Well, harder than usual. Still, I don’t want to get involved. By now, if I were to come face to face with any of the Crimson Shadow officers, I wouldn’t be surprised if they went out of their way to eliminate me out of pure spite. And if their leader somehow remembers me…’
I felt a chill going down my spike just from that thought.
Finally, there was one mission that drew my interest.
—
[Cultist Subjection - Strike Squad]
Location: Undisclosed (Close proximity to Silverveil)
Objective: Elimination
Summary:
The ministry is looking for parties and individuals to reinforce the strike force on an imminent mission.
The objective is the subjugation of a demonic cult, operating in close proximity to the Silverveil Undercity.
An independent party shall be allowed to operate under the command of a Ministry officer, while individuals shall be assigned to an existing squad.
Deadline: 14.09.1034 (Operation shall commence within 10 days of deadline, with immediate notice)
Requirements: Silver Rank (Combat oriented)
Reward: 50-100 gold upfront per member, additional reward in case of outstanding performance. 150 gold shall be paid to the families in the case of an honorable demise during battle. Repair costs and consumable usage shall be *fully reimbursed.
*Up to a cap of 150 gold, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
—
‘Hmm…’
50 gold for a single day’s work was definitely good. If I could rack up some contributions, 100 would be excellent.
With my finances down to approximately 500 gold, this was tempting.
‘There’s just that one thing…’
I still didn’t understand what happened back in the sewers yesterday.
‘If that thing happens again…’
‘I won’t let it happen again. I’ll be prepared this time.’
The unexpected reassurance almost made me lose my train of thought, but, a second later…
‘Right. I guess it’s worth the risk, then.’
[Request Accepted! Please report to reception.]
Following the message’s instructions, I registered my mission acceptance at reception. I was instructed to report to the familiar location beside the Ministry HQ before the deadline.
‘Alright. I can go there when I have time.’
For now…
“Ah, you’re back! Quite early, though…”
“Is it not ready?”
“Nah. I finished it just an hour ago. Fancy taking a look?”
“Certainly.”
The blacksmith went to the back, before returning with my new armor suit.
The dark-blueish metal was almost shining under the morning sunlight, making its way through the windows.
“As you can see, everything is fixed. Although the leggings had to be shortened… Well, there was simply not enough material, otherwise.”
True to his word, the leggings only stretched a bit below the calves. In addition, two newly forged knee-pads were added to the set.
“What’s with this helmet?..”
While the narrow helmet was repaired, as well, the visor was laying on the counter, detached and empty.
“Typically, there would be a special compound here – a form of alchemized crystal, highly heat resistant, and also porous enough to allow an airflow. However, the previous one was shattered before this suit even arrived here, and a new one would cost upwards of 1,000 gold, while also requiring a special commission.”
“1,000 gold…”
I couldn’t conceal the disappointment in my voice.
“Bah! Relax. It’s not like you’re hunting redwing drakes in this thing. I didn’t add any bars, though – should you choose to fill it up later, you could always take it to Eastern. No, maybe it’d be best to take it to Bolton & Hughes, directly.”
“That alchemy workshop in Western?”
I actually remembered that name – they were the ones who commissioned a certain mission, back when I first visited the guild.
“That very shop. They usually supply the crafters in Eastern, but for a commission this size, they will likely make an exception.”
I nodded, shifting my gaze elsewhere.
“By the way, are those?..”
“That’s right. Since you specifically mentioned arm-shields, I took the liberty to forge those on the side.”
Four pieces of metal lay beside the main suit – two for each forearm, two shorter ones for the upper arms. They also had custom connectors, as well, matching the carvices in the armor.
“Damn… Thank you. You shouldn’t have…”
My impression of the smith had rapidly shot up.
“Wait, you think those are free, you stingy brat?!”
That impression quickly tumbled back down.
“How much?”
My former joy had already evaporated.
“50 gold.”
“50 gold?..”
“Per set.”
“100 gold?!”
For four slabs of metal?!
“Those are custom made! You can’t just fit any random scrap piece onto this plate! And the alloy-”
“Fine, damn it. 100 gold it is.”
“You basically got that armor for free!”
“Yeah, thank you…”
With most of my former excitement already drained, I slowly took out the coins.
“Thanks, kid! Come again if you need repairs! Ah, the standard maintenance kit should suffice for this one.”
“Yeah…”
Wordlessly grabbing the large sack with my new equipment, I walked into the nearby changing room. A few minutes later…
‘This… Well, a bit restrictive, but for this level of protection, that’s actually great.’
I moved my arms and legs around, jumping a few times, and even sprinting from one wall of the small room to the other.
My speed was only marginally reduced, and the added fatigue increase was negligible.
The narrow arm shields, strapped to my armor, barely restricted my movement, and only did so at the most extreme angles.
‘If I were to gain 1.. Well, maybe 2 more Strength points, this would truly be trivial.’
All in all, this was a good purchase.
‘Now that’s this taken care of…’
There was one more thing I wanted to do today before proceeding to my main stop, so I went to reception once more.
“He will be available tomorrow – he should have two hours open before lunch.”
“Perfect. Book me.”
After that, I went and bought a new Stamina potion for 10 gold.
Now, there was truly nothing left to do at the Guild – besides training, which I could do later.
No, actually, there was one last thing to do.
‘I almost skipped breakfast again...’
I was pretty damn hungry.
***
“My lord.”
The man’s figure was hidden underneath a heavy cloak, black as the night, with blood-red trimmings running across it, with a crimson, ten-pointed star on its back.
As he spoke, kneeling before a small, round altar, made of black stone, with dry blood staining the floor beneath it, he heard an answer – not with his ears, but with his mind.
[Speak.]
The voice was even and cold, and the enormous power it commanded would send shivers down the spine of most mortals who would somehow hear it.
“The slaves of the gods, joined by the peacekeepers of Silverveil, have finally decided to move against the fanatics of Chaos.”
[When?]
There was a faint note of interest in the voice.
“I cannot discern their exact plans. It could be a week. It could be tomorrow. However, once they’re on the move, I shall be able to divine their path.”
For a few seconds, silence regained its place in the cramped cellar.
[What are the full forces you command?]
“2 direct disciples, 5 outer disciples, and 7 aspirants. 15 more members who partake in our communion."
Another, short silence followed.
[I shall provide you with reinforcements. Take your servants, and find an appropriate position, such that you are capable of responding in time.]
“What is your directive, my lord?”
[You shall remain concealed, until both sides have exhausted their strength – then, act to eliminate whichever side that remains. However…]
There was another short pause.
[If the fanatics attempt to call forth any more abominations from the Abyss, especially a higher one… Eliminating them would hold the highest priority.]
“Not the godslaves, my lord?”
[I expect your servants to handle both. And yet…]
For a moment, it almost seemed like the Devil was hesitant.
[Something within the Abyss.. is different. Something is changing…]
“My lord?..”
It was the first time the man had ever heard his patron ‘speak’ in such a tone.
[Concern yourself not with those things. But remember! Whatever they’re planning – it must be stopped. And you shall ensure it.]
“Yes, my lord.”
The voice faded from his mind. Now, only deathly silence remained.
***
The aged streets of Western welcomed me once more.
The sound of hooves hitting the cobblestones accompanied my arrival. After finishing my breakfast, I went on to fetch my horse, as the distance from its stables to the Wizard Tower - over 4 kilometers - was quite considerable.
‘Now, there should be a stable near the entrance to the campus…’
Unlike my first visit to this district yesterday, I didn’t turn left – instead, I proceeded down the main street, which soon curved lightly to the left.
‘There it is… Oh, here’s the wall.’
On the opposite side of the street, to my right, the campus wall was finally peeking from behind the vintage buildings.
While it was nowhere near as tall as the outer city walls, it was nearly ⅔ of the inner one’s height. Had it not been for the buildings beside the main street being nearly as tall, I would have had no trouble seeing it from my earlier vintage point.
Above it…
‘Oh, it’s one of those sentries.’
A small flying ball of steel, floating via arcane means. Although I couldn’t see any of them above the city walls from the inside, I did spy a few similar flying contraptions - or, technically, constructs - in Central, albeit paying them no mind.
The tiny, distant ball didn’t even glance my way, continuing its pre-defined path along the top of the wall.
‘Alright… let’s see how it looks inside.’
Having left my horse in the nearby stables, I approached the gate, which had a few people - typically wearing similar attires to Jarold, the level 1 Wizard I knew - going in and out, as well as an occasional person who looked like one of the maintenance guys.
“What’s your business with the tower?”
Unlike them, the guards didn’t feel like letting me in unobstructed.
“I come on behalf of my patron.”
“Who?”
“Forgive me, those are personal family affairs.”
The guard - one of two Iron Path-bearers, which barely felt like a threat to me at the moment - squinted his eyes.
“Do you expect us to take your word fo-”
His eyes glanced down at the token I quickly flashed from my case. Although I didn’t want to involve Anne directly, this much was fine.
His gaze changed, as he looked at me with hesitation.
“...fine. Move along.”
Since this wasn’t a high-security checkpoint, the guards didn’t insist on scanning my 2nd token. Perhaps they didn’t even have the appropriate tools - or ciphers - to ascertain the authenticity of its contents even if they wanted to.
If anything, the whole holdup was likely due to my expensive - and highly threatening - equipment.
After passing through the 4 meter long arc, I found myself in front of a few buildings, which looked like shops, and, presumably, sold basic Wizard equipment and general academy tools.
As I walked forward through the curving street, I felt its decline becoming slightly steeper.
As I walked past a small hill - the buildings on which seemed to be dormitories - I could finally see the tips of two of the towers.
‘They… aren’t really that high, though.’
However, as I walked a bit farther, I understood the nature of my misconception.
‘This… is incredible.’
The inner complex of the Wizard Tower was revealed in its full glory.