"I'll return late this evening." I looked back at Nathaniel, who stood stalwart by the staircase. Making a gesture to the second floor, I added, "Keep an eye on her, all right?"
He nodded. "And who's going to keep an eye on you?"
"Hoho. No one needs to keep an eye on me." I chuckled at his hesitant look as I opened the door. "Anything else?"
"What you said to Aurora…" He shook his head. "Never mind, it's not important."
I laughed again. "You're a sharp lad, Nathaniel. You'll figure it out."
With that, I stepped out of the manor and shut the door. Teasing the youngsters was entertaining, but there was too much to do for me to spend my day indoors.
After the revelation, Aurora was peeved at our former classmate for a time before her exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep. She'd had a rough time of it and would likely sleep for the next several hours…possibly even until the following morning. As for Nathaniel, he'd been giving me the side-eye ever since.
As far as youngsters go, he's a good one. He'll be a reliable companion in the days to come, something to treasure in the Tower. I'll pose the question to Aurora when I return, supposing she'll be awake. With a bit of polishing, she'll be another gem.
It was late morning by the time I left. The sun was high and to the east, casting the manor's shadow over the garden, still covered in a thin layer of morning frost. My cane tapped gently against the cobbled path as I strolled toward the outer gate.
My fellow Crook should have made a few Essence yesterday. Before ascending, I'll need to refill my coffers and Level a few Cards. Aside from that, there's only one issue to sort out.
The hairs on the back of my neck were raised, and my Level 3 Perception was pushed to its limits as I casually scanned the buildings in the distance. This was a feeling I knew well. I was being watched.
Nathaniel's people or Aurora's would-be assassin? One of them was tailed.
I wouldn't jump to conclusions. Nathaniel's people weren't to be trifled with if it were one of them, though I doubted they would force him to return. Per our conversations, the Grand Elder may have cared for him, but the rest of his family wanted nothing more than for him to leave. Still, it was feasible that they would like to keep tabs on his movement.
There were other possibilities, though less likely. For now, I'd play it by ear and stay in the open until I had more information. There was little reason to fret. I didn't just fall off the turnip wagon, after all.
As I walked through the streets, the feeling of being observed faded in and out, becoming nearly indiscernible when I reached the crowded Devonshire Avenue. Whoever it was decided to pursue me rather than watch the manor.
Odd.
Shrugging it off, I stepped onto the walk and felt my speed decline as the Circuits beneath my feet lit up. Whoever it was, there was little they could accomplish in this section of the city. The Circuits would see to that.
Wielder's Wonders
I looked proudly at the phrase briefly. Masked and unmasked patrons alike climbed up and down the wide stairwell, nodding and chatting as they came and went. It was much busier than I anticipated.
"First visit?"
Glancing to my right, I found a woman looking at the sign alongside me. She had a somewhat youthful appearance, but I could tell she was older than she appeared. A broadsword that nearly scraped the ground was strapped to her back, and a few long scars ran along her exposed forearms. Neither complemented the dark blue dress that she wore.
"Something like that." I offered my arm and gestured toward the door. "May I?"
The woman's eyes twinkled, and she wrapped her arm through mine. "You may. I suppose this trip has been fruitful even if the Card I desire has been sold."
"Oh? Are you looking for something in particular?" I asked curiously, leading her forward and noting how her steps hardly made a sound. It was as if her feet weren't touching the ground.
"This venue has only just opened," she nodded toward my store and lowered her tone, "yet they have several already Leveled Cards in stock. It didn't take long for word to get out, and I caught wind of a few Blessed and Holy Earthen Spells and Abilities. Those are hard to come by after the Fortieth Floor. If I'd been wise, I would have spent a few more years farming rather than rushing through."
She grinned and laughed, the sound attracting a few passersby who shot the two of us knowing looks. I couldn't help but smile and recall my younger days before my body had begun to crumble.
"Don't take that with a grain of salt, young man." She gently squeezed my arm as we reached the door. "Be sure you have everything you need before clearing a Floor. It isn't every day that someone comes along offering what you desire. When they do, it's usually snapped up by the time you arrive. I hope Tara decided to smile in my direction this morning."
I chuckled and pulled open the glass door. "After you."
She turned her gaze on me…and I froze. It was only for an instant, but I felt as if I'd been undressed and all of my secrets had been exposed.
The woman removed her arm, patted my cheek with one hand, and slipped something into my jacket pocket with the other. "Don't let the climb change you. We could use more good men at the top. Stop by the Horde's Guild Hall before you leave Grandhardt and tell them Melonie sent you. You're not bad for a fledgling."
With that, she stepped into the store, leaving me standing dumbfounded with the door held open. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small Card, not believing what I'd just heard.
"Horde of Oblivion
Recruiter, Fighter, Controller
Melonie Striker"
Well, I'll be.
The Horde of Oblivion was one of the top Guilds, ranking in the top five. Not to mention Melonie Striker. She was part of the first joint effort between the different factions to clear the Fiftieth Floor successfully.
As for what she'd done…it was likely that she'd used some form of Appraisal. There were Cards out there that could give information about Wielders, though I'd never seen one in person. Having felt so exposed, I was interested. What would such a skill have revealed about me?
The next Rank of Appraisal should have some similar effect…but there aren't many uses left of Promotion. There's Condense, Luck, Mastery…I need to prioritize.
Gathering myself, I took a deep breath and stepped into the rackety space. The aisles were packed with armor-clad Guilders and well-dressed persons moving around one another to look into the displays. It took a few seconds to find Crook standing at the end of one of the rows, heatedly discussing something with one of the customers.
"…wouldn't matter if you were the Wales Grand Elder! One hundred eighty-three thousand Essence is more than a fair deal. You're welcome to shop elsewhere if you don't find the price agreeable."
As I approached, I could hear Crook's voice over some of the chatter. At this distance, the face of the customer became clear. He was an elderly, well-dressed man with a short mustache and a monocle, presumably one with a form of Demon Glass embedded. His cheeks were bright red, and I could tell he was gritting his teeth.
"This is nothing but a Strength Foundation. You're foolish to think that someone would pay such a price!"
Crook laughed audibly, and even some nearby patrons covered their smiles to avoid further embarrassing this old man. It wasn't difficult to guess what was going on, and Crook's following remarks confirmed it.
"Sir, if you'll look there." Crook motioned to a large signboard that had been mounted and was glowing behind the distant counter. On it, various prices were listed alongside Ranks and rarity. They were double the prices of the church, where one was required to be a member, but they were relatively cheap when compared with most other shops.
Foundations
Physique - 1,000 Essence
Capability - 2,500 Essence
Intellect - 5,000 Essence
Pure
Common - 2,000 Essence
Uncommon - 4,000 Essence
Rare - 6,000 Essence
Blessed
Common - 10,000 Essence
Uncommon - 15,000 Essence
Rare - 20,000 Essence
Holy
Common - 30,000 Essence
Uncommon - 40,000 Essence
Rare - 50,000 Essence
"We at Wielder's Wonders offer fair prices for all of our Cards, though our Relics may be a bit pricier due to our inadequate supply. Our base price is nearly twenty percent below our competitors, and as with all Cards, you must compensate for any Essence invested on top of the sale price. One thousand Essence for a Strength Foundation is more than fair. If you can't afford to compensate for the Essence invested, we have Level 1 copies available."
The older man clenched his fists and acted as though he were going to respond, though he seemed to change his mind after noticing the glances being thrown his way. He huffed and made his way to the exit without purchasing anything.
"It seems as though you're getting on all right." I chuckled and clapped my hand on Crook's shoulder. Startled, he jumped forward and took a defensive stance before laughing and wiping his brow.
"Lad, you shouldn't sneak up on an older man like that." He breathed loudly, and his breath quickly turned into a laugh as he gestured around the store and answered, "Yes. I'd say we're getting on well! More than a quarter of our stock was sorted through yesterday. As predicted, the Guilds are tearing through our Foundations. Even those that have already been Leveled."
"That's good." I grinned in return. "Have you had any trouble?"
"Not much. Just the occasional poseur thinking they can embarrass me into giving them a discount!" He guffawed and pointed behind him toward the door. "That's the third one this morning. They'll stop after hearing we don't give in to charlatans."
"Are you certain that you aren't simply looking for an excuse to treat people harshly?" I chuckled. He was right, of course, but I couldn't resist giving the man a hard time.
"I…uh…" He floundered for a moment before coughing. "Well. It's of no importance. There are more pressing matters for us to discuss."
He gestured toward the stairs that led to the second floor. "Let's go someplace quiet for a moment before we head to lunch. Don't worry about the shop. It was busy enough yesterday that I hired temporary laborers from the Merchant's Guild. They can hold the line for an hour or so."
I glanced around the store, eventually spotting two young men wearing the colors of the Merchant Guild. They were scurrying back and forth between different customers as they were called upon. One of them was currently speaking with Miss Striker, who I'd met earlier, and leading her toward one of the more grandiloquent exhibits closer to the counter.
"All right, then," I strode after the merchant, "lead the way."
We climbed the stairs, and I was surprised to find he'd already begun designing the second floor. It wasn't as large as the first but had ample room to display more notable pieces. In my previous life, the shopkeep I'd hired used it for storage since I would sell most of the more valuable drops on the Tenth Floor to the teams I was training.
There were several standalone pedestals with soft pillows sitting atop them spread throughout the room. The surrounding walls were lined with finely carved curio cabinets, leaving the floor with no blind spot.
I whistled. "This is admirable. When did you have the time to do this?"
"I paid the boys from the Guild to stay overnight and assist me." Crook beamed proudly. "It may be a while yet before we have wonders worthy of being placed on this floor…but I couldn't help myself."
I looked over the squat man briefly, mentally patting myself on the back for having recruited him. In truth, I was delighted that he wasn't the man I'd initially taken him for.
"You've done an outstanding job here." I patted the merchant on the shoulder. "Now, what did you wish to discuss before grabbing lunch?"
"Ahh!" The man rushed forward and beckoned me to follow, leading us to a broader dais in the chamber's center. On it sat the crate I'd brought him with all of the Skull's Cards and Relics. Now…it was filled to the brim with Essence.
"This is the take from yesterday. Counted up and ready to go." He grinned. "Those Cards you brought in were flying off the shelves. There hadn't been time to use the store registry until after closing, so I hope you will forgive me. I kept track with the ledger there next to the crate. Don't worry, I didn't knick anything."
I lifted the ledger and began leafing through it. Close to a quarter of the already Leveled Foundations had been purchased. Being I wasn't the one who invested the Essence in Leveling them, this was an immense profit. There were also sales of other Cards, though not as many.
"Bloody hell, Crook."
"I've never seen anything like it." The merchant wrung his hands. "Not once in my life have I seen so many sales in such a short time without it being a bulk deal. And this was just opening day."
In total, the shop had sold nearly seventy Cards, traded another fifteen, and grossed roughly 2.7 million Essence. That was phenomenal. I'd expected most of those Cards to collect dust on the shelves for weeks.
Ten percent went to the city and another ten to the Merchant Guild for taxes. One percent of the remaining was paid to each temporary employee, as per Guild regulation. After that was earnings.
Half of the yield was down in the HUB, waiting patiently to energize the shop or be spent on other amenities. That left just over one million Essence sitting in this crate to be split between myself and Crook.
That should be…211,680 Essence for him, leaving me with 846,720 Essence. Huh, it looks like he's already marked that down in the ledger as well.
"Have you already given the temps their share?" I asked curiously.
Crook nodded. "I have, and one even asked about being hired on as a full-timer."
"Oh really?" I chuckled. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to get some permanent help. Let's see how the rest of the year goes before committing, but I'll leave the final say up to you since you're the one that will have to deal with him every day."
"I appreciate that." Crook stroked his chin. "Now, let's get this divvied up and find a warm meal. My treat."
It took nearly half an hour to divide the shares. After securing Crook's in another crate he'd prepared, he stored most in his room on the third floor before going down to check on the shop. As for me…I opened my Deck Box, laid a few Cards on the table, and set to work.
After some time, I scooped the remaining Essence into my pouch before descending the stairs and joining my partner-in-earning. I had a few questions, and I hoped his contacts would be of use.
We didn't venture far, only heading to the next street over. Throughout the entire stroll, I could feel a pair of eyes on me off and on, just as I had in the morning. This time, the feeling brought a smile to my lips.
"Did you get a look at the paper this morning?" I asked Crook as we were shown to our table.
"The branch manager of the Luxton?" he asked solemnly. "I did. Nasty business that is. It may be commonplace in some other cities, but Grandhardt? Whoever executed that man was either insane or fearless."
"Likely both," I muttered softly, looking over the street from the veranda on which we sat. "My last request for information didn't burn any bridges, did it?"
Crook squinted his eyes and leaned forward. "No. But it cost me a favor… Why?"
"There are a couple of other matters I would like you to look into." We both sat back in our seats as the waitress brought us each a cup of tea. When she walked away, I continued. "First, I would like to know as much as possible about a particular Sacred Enhancement. I can't find it on the Compendium."
"That isn't surprising." Crook scoffed. "Information about any Rank above Holy is well-kept. What's the name of this Card?"
"It's called Precognition," I told him, letting my voice travel further than the situation called for. "For a Sacred Card, it seems to bring just as much trouble as fortune. I'd like to know of known Wielders who have used it, their fates, and which Floor the Card was farmed from."
"And the other matter?" he asked.
Before answering, I glanced toward the street. The feeling of being intently observed had vanished.
Hmm. My stalker seems to have ventured elsewhere.
Coughing, I leaned back and answered the merchant. "I would like you to find out as much as possible about an individual named Zachary Gray. Particularly his family. There isn't much information I can give you to find them. The boy went to school with me, but other tha—"
"Zachary Gray?" Crook interrupted, surprising me. "Do you mean the boy who graduated second at the Academy? That Zachary?"
"Ahh, yes. One and the same," I answered, raising a brow. Crook's voice had become almost shrill before turning to a whisper.
"There'll be no need to fetch an informant for that one, boy." Crook rubbed his temples. "Just tell me you don't intend to ascend with that young man."
"No," I answered swiftly. "Not at all. Let's just say that he's piqued my interest. What do you know?"
"I know quite a bit," Crook chortled dryly. "After all, his family is the one you stole me out from under."
***
Zachary ambled along, hugging the raised platforms of the eatery as tightly as he deemed inconspicuous. This place was well-known, an outdoor diner offering patrons a beautiful view of Devonshire by sitting them on patios that were lifted close to twelve feet from the walk.
After his second round of circling the patio-style cafe, Zachary heard a voice he recognized. From there, locating the correct veranda was simple, and he leaned casually against the wall as he focused on the above conversation.
"…like to know as much as possible about a particular Sacred Enhancement. I can't find it on the Compendium."
This was it, the Card that Aurora had mentioned to the Syward heir. It had to be. He smiled and rolled an unlit paper between his lips.
Zachary had been right about Rowan. Though he didn't understand the exact circumstances, the man had somehow convinced the Syward scion to join his cause…and the two of them had slain his quarry. Unacceptable.
"That isn't surprising," a voice spoke, dragging Zachary from his reverie. It wasn't one that he recognized. Likely the short, pudgy man Rowan had been traveling with since leaving that shop.
"Information about any Rank above Holy is well-kept. What's the name of this Card?"
"It's called Precognition." Rowan's voice spoke again, clearer than before. "For a Sacred Card, it seems to bring just as much trouble as fortune. I'd like…"
Zachary didn't stick around. He knew what he needed to know. All that was left was to catch Rowan away from his partner and take back what should have been his.
He twirled his timepiece around his finger and looked at the foggy sky. It wasn't so bad here, away from the few Relic plants on the outskirts. Grandhardt was clean compared to the likes of York or Origin City.
Watching the swirling haze, he went over what he knew of Rowan Wilder, comparing himself to the other and thinking through their interactions over the years. Zachary thought Rowan had been someone like him, someone who struggled with reality, which would have explained his dullness over the years.
Now, he wasn't so sure.
As a boy in the Academy, Rowan had seldom spoken. His actions were almost scripted, and he'd just taken abuse without pushing back. The sudden surge of life over the last few weeks…Zachary wanted that. But…what caused it? Purpose? Sudden ambition? And why did he speak as if he were an elder?
His mind raced through the possibilities. In the end, there wasn't much that made sense, but two facts still remained. Rowan had undergone the change that Zachary wanted most in life, and the man also had something that could help him replicate the experience.
Zachary suddenly stopped and jerked his head around, scanning his reflection in a nearby shop window. There had been…something, just behind him. It was fleeting, but he could almost swear he'd seen a child following him.
He looked around for several seconds before deciding it must have been his imagination. Children weren't often seen outside the numerous training facilities built to house them as their parents faced the Plagued Beasts on the upper Floors. As for those whose parents weren't Climbers, they wouldn't leave the slums or factory districts.
Zachary stepped into a nearby alley, flicking his thumb and lighting the smoke still sitting loosely between his lips. He blended into the darkness, only the burning cherry remaining visible until he vanished around the bend.
***
"Everything all right, Rowan?" Crook asked. "You seem a bit distracted."
"Oh, my apologies." I turned my attention from a distant storefront and back to the merchant. "You were saying?"
"You should take this seriously. That boy is bad news," Crook reprimanded. The server had just brought our lunch, a warm soup followed by a thinly cut roast. He took a bite and chewed it behind his napkin before continuing.
"Aldis and his wife, Margeret, are both Wielders who reached the Fifteenth Floor in their days as Climbers before settling down. Aldis invested in property on the Fifteenth, a cave system that produces tons of Demon Glass, and has used his wealth to swiftly climb the ranks of the Society." Crook paused and slurped at his soup, then thoughtfully looked at the table between them.
"The speed of his rise was unprecedented," the man continued. "It was one of the reasons I didn't fight his forced recruitment. Despite his less desirable qualities, the man is going places. Even if I'd had a choice, I likely wouldn't have refused the opportunity…at least before I got to know him."
"Do you regret having come with me?" I asked. "You could have ratted me out."
"No." Crook shook his head. "After learning more about the family, I wanted out. Besides, even if his growth was impressive, yours is nothing short of meteoric. You went from an orphaned brat to a successful business owner. Tearing apart those damned Skull and profiting so much from the gains in such a short time…I think I like my odds here."
I chuckled. "Enough of that. Why is Zachary so awful?"
"Well, the Grays have three living children." Crook held up three fingers. "Zachary, who recently graduated from the Academy. Their daughter, Veronica, runs the caravan delivering shipments of Demon Glass between the cave and the stairs. Lastly, there's Jason, who essentially renounced the family to join the Church of Liberation, though he is still known to dote on his younger brother."
Crook sighed heavily. "They had another daughter who would be around ten now if she were still alive. She died tragically, burned alive in the Grays' manor before she could learn to crawl."
"What?" I scrunched my brow. "That doesn't make sense. Even the homes in the outer city are equipped with Circuits that prevent such tragedy. The only way that could happen…"
I trailed off, looking sternly at the cup in my hand, and Crook finished my thought. "Would be if someone removed the Essence powering the Circuits.
"Jason swore that he'd seen men running away from the flames that night, but I don't buy it." Crook shook his head. "See, those of us who worked for Aldis regularly had to meet with the man, and after, we would gather in one of the taverns. After all, the O'Connel Municipality crafts some of the best brew.
"Those who were around before me would get to talkin' after a few drinks, and some of what they said…" Crook shuddered. "Apparently, Zachary regularly tormented the family's pets…and even some of the servants as he got older. Rumor has it he's the one who started the fire. I met him once before he was sent away to the Academy…and I wouldn't doubt it. That look in his eyes…he wasn't normal."
Crook went on to talk about what else he'd heard through the rumor mill. Jason was already a Priest on the Tenth Floor, and Veronica had started rebelling, slowly recruiting the caravan's protection team for her own purposes. I listened enough to process the information, but my mind was elsewhere.
What would someone that young have to go through to turn out like that? It seems the boy may be too far gone already…
We finished lunch and returned to the shop, where I spent the afternoon assisting customers and rummaging through our stock, selecting a few Cards that would be useful in the coming days.
***
"Squeeaaaa—"
The giant rat was put out of its misery swiftly as a second ball of fire crashed into its side. Zachary frowned at the corpse. It had been the sixth he'd killed in his short stint in this old warehouse.
Grabbing it by the tail, he tossed it in a pile with the others and continued to examine the abandoned facility. It was a quiet place. The Circuits in this area had long ceased to be energized, and he could use his complete skill set.
It was far enough from even the slums that no one would suspect anything but an unfortunate mishap. Word had already spread about the rodents, and many young men and women were hunting them for their bounties in these forsaken places.
Zachary opened a large steel barrel, examining its contents before kicking it over and moving on to the next. He persisted in this way until every cask was upturned before leaving.
He couldn't have asked for a better setting.
***
"Well, lad. I think that's it for today." Crook yawned loudly. It was already well past dusk, and the two young men from the Merchant's Guild left with the last of the customers. I had stayed behind to sort the HUB before leaving.
"It seems so." I grinned and gestured to the pile of Essence on the counter. It was my cut from the day's earnings. "Use that to purchase a few Void Pouches. I'll make do this time around, but that won't be feasible in the future."
"Ascending already?" Crook asked, surprised.
I nodded, looking in one of the displays and using my reflection to smooth out the wrinkles in my suit. "Yes. I'll be heading for the Second Floor in a couple of days. I'll return in a month to unload my loot and collect those bags. Purchase the largest you can. It's all right if it eats into more of my profit."
"I'll see what I can do." The merchant nodded. "And Rowan, do be careful. You're my ticket to the good life."
We laughed together, and I patted the shorter man on the shoulder before grabbing my cane and walking out the front door. My smile faded swiftly as that prickling sensation of being watched returned.
It was expected.
My coat flapped in the chill evening breeze, and I was surprised to find that snow was beginning to fall. I lifted a hand, watching as a few flakes landed neatly on my palm. As I stood there, the smell of burning tobacco drifted toward me on the breeze, and I turned, smiling at the young man who leaned against my shop wall.
"Good evening, Zachary." The paper lit brighter as he took a deep breath, then exhaled the smoke in a perfect O. He was wearing an all-black suit with a knee-length black coat, only a crimson kerchief standing out in his breast pocket.
"Rowan." He pulled a small can from one pocket and a thin brown paper from the other. "Care for a smoke? Helps beat away the chill."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass." I waved away the offer, keeping an eye on the young man. "Not good on the body after a few years."
"I see."
Zachary stared at me for a long moment before tucking the items back into his pockets. He flicked the remainder of his burning smoke onto the ground between his feet.
"Care to take a walk with me?" he asked casually. "I'm off to collect the bounty on some of those damned Rodents that have been plaguing the Origin Floor and don't know anyone else in the city. They aren't usually dangerous, but I discovered a small horde in my travels. Besides, your sudden leap in ranks at the Academy intrigued me. I've been meaning to reach out."
"I'll bite." I chuckled and motioned for him to lead the way. "I heard they were offering decent rewards. A horde is too good to pass up if you're willing to split the tails evenly."
"Sure." Zachary smiled brightly and turned to walk away.
"He made no other stops?" I thought, glancing toward the ground.
A young, semi-transparent face stuck up between my feet. "No, Boss. He walked around for some time before finding the old warehouse. After that, he returned here and waited outside."
"A pity." I sighed sadly and followed after the young man.
A real pity.
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