Chapter Seventeen

Zhang Wei couldn’t believe how lucky he’d been. In the past weeks, after joining forces with the green hooded man, Root, everything went perfectly.

If another group tried to muscle in on their grinding territory, they were quietly eliminated.

If the same force brought a bigger group, the leaders would be killed repeatedly until they got the message and departed.

However, the thing which had made his entire team drop their jaws in shock…

Yes, it was the little elf girl.

Lyssa.

After being released from the chains and gags weeks ago, once he’d signed the Contract, Wang Xiu Ying had quietly approached him.

“Zhang, I’ve gotten a message from my Patron Goddess.”

“What?!”

The Bright One rarely bothered her priests and priestesses, so a message from the Goddess was extremely rare.

“Don’t bother the little one. She’s Blessed, and held in high regard by the Lady. Treat her nice and we’ll be rewarded.”

Zhang remembered that conversation as he watched the little girl, Lyssa stepping forward to the front of their fortification.

The special magic she used, ‘Prettier Bright Lights’ had insane effects against undead.

Bonus damage against Undead increased by 1000%, All Stats were boosted by 300, all Healing effects increased by 30%.

The final effect though was the crowning one.

All loot drops from Undead monsters increased by 25%.

This effect was practically a license to print money.

It was magic that would make any clan leader go crazy with desire, especially since it appeared to have no strange restrictions.

More than once Zhang had been tempted to report to his superiors in the Bone Hunters Clan about the situation.

Every time he got close to doing so though, he would take a single glance at the green hooded and clothed man sitting in the back of the camp. Swirls of snakelike green energy-ropes wove around the figure constantly in a hypnotic pattern, having appeared around halfway through the Contract. Although no one would speak about it aloud, everyone was pretty creeped out by them.

That single glance would be enough to dispel Zhang’s temptation to report in.

The green clothing, green hood, and flash of green as he moved like a blur. These, along with the things he’d done in the past few weeks, had given Root another name.

The Emerald Assassin.

The rumors grew with each retelling in the inns, taverns, and shops of Stoneblood. About the green hooded man that guarded the Cemetery. The lone soldier that slaughtered a path to notoriety, turning the place into a graveyard of Players.

It didn’t matter how many were brought.

It didn’t matter how good their gear was.

It didn’t even matter whether a group had healers, or wizards.

To approach the Cemetery in any way, was to sign a person’s death warrant.

The Emerald Assassin didn’t give warnings, he didn’t negotiate, and he didn’t stop.

Which was why for the last few days of the Contract’s duration, they hadn’t even seen another soul.

When looking at Root, Zhang could well imagine what would happen were he to cause an inconvenience to the man.

Like, say, reporting on the incredible magic Lyssa had.

It would be akin to putting the noose around his own neck, and hanging himself from the rafters while setting his feet on fire at the same time.

Even if he got someone else to make the report, Zhang was absolutely sure Root would find out.

It simply wasn’t worth the risk.

After the countless Player Killing that Root had done to secure this leveling spot for them, his name was now dyed a deep crimson blood-red.

Even with this fact, Zhang somehow didn’t think it would be hard for the man to get whatever he needed from town. There were plenty of grey, or even black clans that would be ecstatic to invite such a well known Red Player to their ranks. Red Players were those who ignored the problems that a high PK Counter brought. They functioned as both enforcers for their clan, and deterrents to others.

In exchange, such a clan would provide a Red Player with everything they needed to effectively function without access to most civilized places. If they needed a quest turned in, a clan member would serve as intermediary. If they needed a purchase made, it would be delivered to their location outside town. There was nothing that couldn’t be handled for a Red Player, as each one was the equivalent of a nuclear weapon.

No one, except the insane, wanted to get on the wrong side of a Red Player, because it was the same as committing suicide.

Just a lot more painful.

Unless someone was willing to live completely inside of towns, cities, or fortresses they would have to leave safety at some point. In the decade since [RiSe] had existed many legends had been written in the blood of foolish Players who pissed off a Red.

I somehow don’t think the Bone Hunters would be thrilled to find out I’d put us all on a Red Player’s death list, no matter how great Lyssa’s magic might be. Zhang thought, with a shudder turning back to grinding more mobs, before the Contract expired.

*****

I could feel that I was close to a breakthrough. In the course of this month, I’d managed to gain a great deal of information.

“Skills.” I said, coming out of the cultivation trance. After the first few days of struggling to cultivate, Vera had finally caved in and taught the trance method to me. After that cultivation became as simple as breathing, almost second nature.

Skill Points: 40
Skills: (7/10)
Slot 1: Toxic Ki Manipulation Lv. 5 (99.99%)
Slot 2: Cell Manipulation Lv. 5 (99.99%)
Slot 3: Corporeal Augmentation Lv. 1 (99.99%
Slot 4: Essence Augmentation Lv. 1 (99.99%)
Slot 5: Pill Concocting Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 6: Blood Symbols Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 7: Stealth Lv. 5 (23.79%)
Slot 8: EMPTY
Slot 9: EMPTY
Slot 10: EMPTY

Everything was going well, the constant combat with other groups that had tried to takeover the Cemetery for leveling was great practice. Under the demonic training regime Vera had created for me, I’d barely kept myself alive. Several new skills had emerged over the course of the last few weeks.

Combining my Poison Ki Aura, Cell Manipulation, and Ki Manipulation I’d constantly poisoned myself in new and interesting ways. The result was both Poison Ki Aura and Ki Manipulation had combined into Toxic Ki Manipulation. With this change, the energy refined was a venomous blight, able to be imbued with a vast array of effects. In a similar manner, I’d worked extensively on using Cell Manipulation along with Ki Sanctification. The end result had been the Skills, Corporeal Augmentation and Essence Augmentation.

Corporeal Augmentation dealt with reinforcing the physical form, and the higher the level rose, the more indestructible my body became. During my cultivation trances, tiny amounts of Toxic Ki would endlessly enter my body. These caused microscopic changes to blood, bones, flesh, and organs. I could well envision the day when my very flesh was impenetrable, or my bones unbreakable.

Essence Augmentation was the opposite end of the spectrum, it increased my mind and spirit directly. At the highest levels I would literally have a mind like a steel trap, and a spirit forged of diamond. Mental attacks, hypnosis, confusion, dazing, spiritual attacks, all these and more would be utterly useless against me. I also found that Essence Augmentation increased the speed of cultivation, although the effect was currently miniscule. Still, I theorized that at higher levels it would be a vital part of breakthroughs.

With the constant reminder from Vera, I had memorized the fact that there are several Levels to Cultivation. Going from the start was, Misted State where the energy around was absorbed directly from between heaven and earth. This golden energy existed in a pure ‘misty’ form, and was exceptionally good for the body. Next was Fluid State, where a Cultivator had to condense the Mist into a pure liquid form. From there, Crystal State or Solid State in slang. At this point a Cultivator had to turn the liquid Ki into solid form. Once that was done, the next state was Mirror State, where a Cultivator created a seamless shiny solid mass of Ki. Second to last would be Empty State, where the solid mass of Ki was directly absorbed into the body. The final step would be Chaos State, where the newly refined body from the Empty State tapped into the Fundamental Chaos. In the Chaos State, a Cultivator would wield the same powers as Godlings, Dragon Rulers, and Demons.

However, as I’m continually reminded, that final State is still very far off. I thought.

Due to the constant battling with other Players, I could now wield my Toxic Ki effortlessly, manifesting it as several small thin snakes. Currently, I was able to manifest, and use a total of seven snakes at a time, without draining myself dry of Ki. Paralyze, Sleep, Mortality, and Debilitate were the four main Poison effects I’d mastered. Paralyze would provide a period of time where enemies couldn’t move, allowing me to get in close. Sleep let me bypass guards, sentries, and other such things. Mortality reduced the amount of healing that opponents could receive by a percentage. Finally, Debilitate would lower enemy’s Stats by a percentage. Debilitated enemies became slower, stupider, and easier to kill. At the present my Damage was split between DOT(Damage Over Time) and Direct, for maximum effect.

Zhang Wei’s XP grinding team had all benefitted immensely, from our arrangement. As the end of the month long Contract approached, all of them had equalized to 37, probably only a hair’s breadth from 38.

Lyssa and me both managed to reach an astounding level 41 by sharing the Golden Egg between us. We’d both learned how to keep our level’s private, and not visible to others due to Wang Xiu Ying, the groups main healer. I immediately activated the option paying the Credits required with lightning speed, when I found out about it from her.

There was no reason to allow anyone to become jealous of our leveling speed. The crime of treasuring a jade ring, was something anyone could understand.

Lyssa had made friends with Wang Xiu Ying, Wang Wei, Li Qiang, and Li Jun. When I’d asked her why she left out Zhang Wei from her clutches, she’d flat out told me he looked at her like a Kobold would. After that comment, I’d taken precautions to poison his meals. At the slightest hint of betrayal he would die an agonizing death, as I would stop administering the antidotes on time.

Her newfound friends spoiled her to a greater degree than I did. Such attentions over the last month made Lyssa relax. She’d grown out of her shell a great deal, and her joy spilled out into demonstrating some of her power.

Sometime around two weeks ago, when the team got trapped inside the central Tomb by accident, Lyssa took action. At that time, she rose to the occasion utilizing her Shadow Movement and Absolute Cut, to effortlessly obliterate the Undead Royal Guards. After that incident she was much more comfortable around the group.

As for me, I’d perfected several methods of Player Killing. Due to the fact that I didn’t have my normal bag of tricks, it was quite a challenge. I found myself using my current toolkit in new ways, to match old time tested methods.

The newest Skill that had been acquired was actually the result of plundering. One of the grinding groups that had tried to take the Cemetery had a Thief type. After eliminating them, I’d managed to get the Stealth Skill Book as a drop.

Stealth felt like it had been tailor made for me, and after countless experiments, it had gained a place as a key skill. However, I did not overlook the fact that since my Dragon Eyes penetrated the Skill, other things might as well. Stealth was mainly used in conjunction with the brutal training I’d undergone to stay undetected.

After all, how many souls practiced hiding their breath against flesh-eating mosquitoes. Or, even better, how many kids learned to hide in the smallest shadow to avoid torture. I highly doubt even the most accomplished elites were forced to cross pressure weighted plates, without tripping deathtraps. I might be arrogant, but it’s arrogance born from deadly training under suicidal conditions. I thought, remembering those agonizing days from long ago.

A small counter in my upper right view finished the countdown to 0:00:00 marking the end of the Contract with Zhang Wei’s group. Rising, I moved over to the campfire motioning Lyssa to stand by my side.

Zhang Wei and his team finished the last of the Undead before retreating to the campfire as well.

“Thank you for your assistance.” Zhang Wei said, with deep bow.

“Thank you for your time.” I said, returning the bow.

To the side of us both, Lyssa was giving tearful hugs and kisses to her friends.

Wang Xiu Ying was exchanging contact information, and giving the little elfling a big hug.

Although she’d never had a sister, I was reasonably sure Lyssa now considered the pretty healer one.

I added a note to my personal log to make sure to keep up on news about Wang Xiu Ying. That way I could keep up to date, just in case. I had no doubt that if her sister was in trouble, Lyssa would snap. In the interest of preventing a massacre, I would be sure to head off problems early.

“Here’s your share of the loot.” Zhang Wei said, handing over a small dimensional pouch.

“Is the item we discussed?” I said.

“Yes, there’s a Level 50 Bow in there from the Undead King’s Treasury. I really don’t want to know what you need a bow for.” Zhang Wei said.

“I’m planning on killing the Mayor of Stoneblood.” I said, deadpan.

“Then make sure to give us prior warning so we can leave before Martial Law descends.” Zhang Wei said, making the sign of warding against evil with one hand.

“Just kidding, it’s a gift for a friend.” I said, thinking that Cecilia would appreciate the item.

“Make sure to text or whisper me ok?”
“Un.”
“And don’t let boys harass you!”
“Un.”
“And don’t forget to eat better, your Brother can eat energy, but you need vegetables and fruits….”
“Un.”
“I’m going to miss you, munchkin!”
“Un!”

I chose not to intervene in the tearful farewell between Lyssa and Wang Xiu Ying.

Afterwards, Lyssa spent a few minutes crying quietly into my shoulder as I carried her back to Stoneblood.

From the information gained on the [RiSe] Wiki access I’d purchased, there were Black Market Merchants in the outlying areas of Stoneblood.

“I need two of the Hood With No Name.” I said quietly to the shadowy figure.

“Oh? Cost a pretty penny those do. Guards don’t like not knowing who’s Red and who’s Green.” the shadowy figure said, before moving into view.

Reading his name from over his head, I immediately smiled. The figure was a massive troll with slate grey-green skin and two sets of fierce protruding fangs. Onyx claws that could shred steel like paper and taloned feet which could gut someone. His body was clothed in a poorly tailored set of ragged looking black shreds. I wasn’t deceived, that beggar’s look was deliberate, my Dragon Eyes showed the glowing buffs it gave him.

Borsk the Troll was a well known Black Market Merchant, previously he’d been a successful and honest Merchant Guild member. However, after his daughter had been sold to slave traders, he’d stepped into the world of darkness. Twenty-three corpses, and one saved daughter later, his name was no longer welcome in the Hall of Wealth. Deciding that there was no reason to work on the side of the angels that abandoned him, he’d changed allegiance.

The Black Market in Stoneblood, as in every major city, was comprised of illegal dealings. Unlike the Auction House, items from the Black Market were only available from the Black Market. They could not be traded, sold, altered, or refunded. It was a shadowy route that both NPC and Player merchants would take for the massive profits involved.

Borsk the Troll was one of the most well known among the elite Black Market Merchants. His fame had spread even beyond the borders of Stoneblood, and the Wiki listed him as Reliability: Excellent. In other words, the best possible Merchant to deal with.

“Green hood, green clothes, and an air of bloody death. Your the Emerald Assassin, right?” Borsk said, smiling.

“Yes.”

“An item like the Hood With No Name, interesting, I can provide them…for a price.” Borsk said.

Nodding I started pulling items out of my space. All the green, blue, purple, and orange gear from the last month at the Cemetery piled up bit by bit. At first Borsk didn’t display any emotion, however, as the pile got larger his eyes did too.

Then I started tossing out Skill Books. Before I’d had a chance to interact with other Players, I’d been ignorant. Now though, I was well informed. There was no point in me having more than 10 Skills, due to how experience was calculated for them. The more Skills, the slower they were to rise. Also, the less likely chance you could get ‘Combination’ effects like I’d recently experienced.

As such, even though Skill Books were in high demand, they were almost utterly useless for me.

I’d checked the Auction House, cultivation manuals were a dime a dozen. As my hand had risen to purchase a few, Vera had blasted me. She’d explained that her personal teachings on cultivating were better than some half-assed human’s insight.

With the results of the last month, I was forced to agree with her.

“T-this…”

“I hope this is enough Elder. I am only a poor Assassin, after all.” I said, in reply to Borsk’s stutter.

Borsk the Troll has given you The Hood With No Namex2. Do you accept? Y/N

I accepted immediately, without these there would be no easy way to enter Stoneblood.

Suddenly, golden light shone out from the Black Market Merchants eyes, “Excellent. I’ll add on a small extra for this level of profit.”

Here it was, the chance.

Black Market Merchants besides being masters of illegal trade, also had a very special power.

They were able to provide various permanent buffs to equipment or weapons, based on the profit made.

Borsk the Troll has offered you the Rune of Sentience(Tier One)x12. Do you accept? Y/N

I immediately accepted.

Runes of Sentience would make a weapon able to ‘grow’ with a Player up to level 100. After that, a higher Tier of the Rune would be required to continue. The top 10 players in the game were all equipped with level 500+ gear inscripted with such Runes.

12 of these Runes would be enough to split with Lyssa, so that we could boost our gear. The use of the Hoods With No Name was so we would not be killed by the Stoneblood Guards for being Red Players. As long as the Hood remained on, our identity would be unknown.

“Borsk the Troll’s reputation for generosity knows no bounds, this young one thanks you.” I said, bowing.

“Heh, this amount, even I can’t turn a blind eye from the profit. Here take this emblem.” Borsk said, handing me a silver insignia. The small insignia featured a troll wielding two maces.

I looked at him confused for a moment, before Borsk explained, “Flash this in the Troll quarter of Stoneblood if you have any other rare items to sell. Word will get to me.” Borsk said, waving his hands to collect all the loot into a dimensional ring.

“Understood, thank you for your time.” I said, before Lyssa and me wore our hoods.

Concentrating I used a new trick I’d learned to alter the color of our clothing to light grey. By bleaching the fabric with Toxic Ki, both Lyssa and my clothing was now non-descript.

Providing a piggyback ride, we left the area and entered Stoneblood. After paying the tax we headed directly to a nearby inn, The Goose and Gown, to rest.

After watching Lyssa fall off to sleep in one of the rooms two beds, I set a few traps with Ki.

Writing out a small note to Lyssa, I sat down in one of the rooms wooden chairs.

“Log Out.”

Rising from the gaming bed I stretched my muscles doing self-maintenance. Toxins were purged from my bloodstream, atrophied muscles rebuilt themselves, and I dumped everything out my pores. This routine was developed over the last month of constant gaming. Every few days I had to Log Out, feed myself, flush toxins, repair muscles, and take care of my body.

Once self-maintenance was complete I used a nanite cloud eat the slick grey substance off my body. It was a sad fact that immediately after exiting from the game, and after repairing myself, I would smell like sewage. Hence, for the sanity of all involved, self-maintenance was always first.

Finishing, I headed to the kitchen area.

Sitting down at the table, seven neat black folder-binders met my view.

“These are?”

“Jobs, all meeting your previous requirements. I have also attained a lead on a broken Static Gaming Bed. It’s currently going up for auction in New York’s black market, two months from now.” Alecia said, in response to my questions.

“Excellent.” I said, opening the first folder and starting to read.

As dishes were slowly arranged around me, a sleepy half-awake Elyse walked in. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes slowly opening, and she was barely clothed.

“Am I on for today?” she asked.

“After the meal. We’ll start in the Jacuzzi, then the Massage Room, then Bedroom.” I said, looking up from my third folder to focus on her.

Elyse struck a sultry pose, which was ruined by a yawn.

The meal was quiet and relaxed as I finished previewing the various jobs.

Selecting two folders I handed them to Alecia, who stood to the side waiting as we ate. The other five folders I disintegrated with a nanite cloud, leaving no traces.

Once both Elyse, and me were finished with our meal we spent two hours watching an old movie. After the movie ended we headed to the Jacuzzi to relax.

“Have you made any improvements in the last month of playing?” Elyse said.

“I’ve found a tutor, she’s helping me adjust to the nuances.” I said, leaning back against the tiled wall and letting the waters warmth seep into my bones.

“She?”

“Jealous of a soulbound spirit now are we?” I said, with a devious grin.

Taking the bait, Elyse moved over to wrap me with her legs. Straddling me she arched her back and leaned forward to give me a great view.

“There’s nothing to be jealous of. How did that come about?” Elyse said, her hands moving down to slip me into position.

“N-No clue, i-it just…h-happened..unhhhhh.” I managed to say, as she started rocking back and forth.

“Oh? Is your memory fading?” Elyse said, wrapping my head with her hands and moving my mouth where it could do the most good.

“…mmphhh…mmmm…my memory…hnnnn…gets better with…effort.” I said, my mouth working on two twin peaks.

“…ahhhh….yesss….right…nnnnn.” Elyse said, as she slowly started to increase speed.

After a pleasant hour in the Jacuzzi we were both wrinkled like prunes. I used a nanite cloud to remove all the dead and waterlogged skin from us both.

Once in the Massage Room, I positioned her facedown on the massage bed.

My hands worked up and down her shoulders, back, but, thighs, legs, and feet. At appropriate times I applied delicious scented oil that enhanced her fragrance.

A subtle relaxation overtook her muscles as my hands worked constantly.

I spent almost three-quarters of an hour working out all the tension. Whatever she’d been up to lately had made her quite worried.

When I finished, we switched positions.

My mind blanked out as her now relaxed hands wove over my body like a sculptor working soft clay. I felt all the tension, fear, worry, and problems of the past and future fade away.

After another hour had passed Elyse turned me over. Positioning herself on top, with her head towards my feet, she took me into her mouth.

As the relaxing warmth took effect, her head bobbed up and down, working me over. I closed my eyes and let the waves of pleasure creep up, before drowning me. A few minutes later all my muscles clenched as I emptied into her, however, without breaking a beat she kept going.

The sensation of softness wetness, combined with her smooth tongue movements drove me wild.

After the third successive explosion of pleasure, Elyse released me from enthrallment. Moving up, she whispered, “Has that helped take the edge off?”

“Mmhm.”

I managed to get my semi-comatose body into the bedroom where the nice, fluffy, expensive bed with silk sheets beckoned to me.

“Before you drop off into dreamland, could you do me a small favor?” Elyse said, wrapping around me on the bed. Since she also smelled so nice, I forgave her for stealing the better half of my comfortable pillows.

“Mmhm.” I said, barely conscious and starting the slide into sleep.

Nuzzling my neck, her delicious scent managed to slightly delay me.

“Could you Bind me, please? I’ve been getting overtures from some unsavory sorts, and I’d like to put them down hard.” Elyse said.

“Who? I’ll kill their family to the ninth generation!” I said, snapping fully awake.

Turning my head to look at her green eyes, so close to my own, I read amusement in them.

“I’ve been rather lax haven’t I?” I said.

“Mmhm, then again you have been grinding for a month in the game.” Elyse said, snuggling closer.

“Ah well, give me a moment.” I said.

Moving my hand to her neck I drew a drop of blood through the pores of her body.

Time slowed as I activated my gift and started to analyze the genetic information.

“Oh…this is…genius…” I mumbled to myself.

The person who had designed the Bloodbind that all Companions used was well known. However, he’d also released the full gene mod to the public. This was done for two reasons, first he didn’t want to be tortured for the information. Second, it allowed other equally bright people to make further modifications. In the end, practically all of the Ten Great Pleasure Palaces had their own Bloodbind.

It was both a symbol of status, and a method of lethal warning.

Think of a rose without thorns, now add a Bloodbind. The rose would become a poisonous one, although it would be even more beautiful.

The same principle applied to Companions, just a bit more lethality and beauty mixed in.

After finishing admiring the Bloodbind gene mod, I made my own alterations. I added immunity from my blood, enhanced Elyse’s own traits, and put in a few extras.

As long as no one tried to steal what was mine, there wouldn’t be any issues. If someone did get ideas, the extras I put in would provide Elyse with all the firepower she would ever need.

“I’m done. Here we go.” I said, holding out my finger with the new modified Bloodbind out.

Elyse took my finger in her mouth and while I was distracted by the sensation, the genetic changes took effect.

After they were done she didn’t just look perfectly Divine, her scent did as well.

“I feel a bit…strange…” Elyse said, her emerald green eyes now faintly glazed over.

“Ah, I added a few adjustments. Longer life, immunity to disease, resistance to poison, enhancement to your own natural talents, and a few extras.” I said.

“Extras?”

“I guess I can tell you one of them just for fun…”

“Stop teasing!”

“Heh heh, be amazed! Your flesh is like a drug now. It will give equal parts ecstasy and addiction to those you touch. It won’t affect Seline, Mercy, Me, or my Master, well basically anyone else I’ve done work on. For the rest of the Solar System…” I said, barely managing to maintain my concentration as she wrapped me in a full body hug.

“Uh…you like it?” I said, a bit distracted by where her hands went.

“Absolutely, now let me demonstrate exactly how much I like it.” Elyse said.

I didn’t manage to get back in a sleeping mood for several hours.

Chapter Sixteen

After Logging In, I was once again back in the inn’s room, sitting at the wooden table. The chair’s cushion’s felt rather nice as I slumped back, tired from the recent trip to reality. Looking into my [Space] within the ring, I pulled out the scroll that Chen Lou had given me.

“Dragon Chant, what a suspicious name.” I said, eyeing the scroll with misgivings.

This was it, opening this scroll would mean I truly agreed, it would mean I would have to repay the kindness shone.

“Grandma, I mean Master, would be very disappointed if her beloved disciple couldn’t repay a simple task like this Quest.” I said, before snapping the seal on the scroll an opening it.

Instantly after the seal was broken the scroll unwove upon the air. It was a regal affair filled with mystical golden letters that grew brighter and brighter. Each letter started to separate from the scroll’s paper, floating in the air before my eyes.

I watched as the scroll dropped lifelessly to the floor, and only the mystical golden letters hovered in the air.

Do you accept the Endowment of those who came before you? Y/N

“Yes.”

Do you accept this gift in full knowledge that you will never be able to Cultivate with another method, or face complete annihilation? Y/N

I paused only a fraction of a second before saying, “Yes.”

Then, accept the Birthright of your Race, the Dragon.

The mystical golden letters condensed into a small sphere in front of my eyes. They spun crazily circling a tiny spec of golden light in the center.

I leaned forward entranced by the light, when without warning, the entire sphere shot directly into the space between my eyes.

Exactly like when I’d received the Skill, Liquid Manipulation, incredible numbers and symbols surrounded me. Information flooded into my brain about the Dragon Chant branding itself into my mind in blazing symbols of golden flames.

I stood up from my chair, managing to totter two steps towards the door before collapsing on my hands and knees.

Pain lit up my nervous system, a burning fire of agony as my flesh, blood, bones, organs and mind were forged.

I coughed, expelling great bloody chunks of black, wet, disgusting blood onto the wooden floor.

That’s going to leave a really bad stain. I thought, my last coherent memory before the darkness rose up to surround me.

*****

Space rippled in the inn’s room revealing the figure of Chen Lou. He stared down at the convulsing figure of Root before heaving a great sigh. A wave of his hand and another figure stood beside him.

“Are you certain of this Vera, my beloved granddaughter? There are other choices, other options we could take.” Chen Lou said, his face a tired mask of distress.

“It’s the only way we have in the short amount of time left, you know what they are preparing Grandfather. Within another decade they will attempt the Merge, and our only two allies have been isolated. We cannot afford to lose this gamble, even if it costs my life.” Vera said, her small childish body cloaked in a single white silk robe.

Stepping forward, Vera rolled the convulsing body of Root over before placing a small hand on his forehead.

Chen Lou looked on one hand drifting towards her, before dropping back to his side to clench into a fist. Small drops of blood fell from his fist to stain the wooden floor beneath.

“I will miss you greatly.” Chen Lou said, his eyes sparkling with suspicious wetness.

“For the Scales.” Vera said unable to turn around and face him.

“For the Scales.” Chen Lou said, before another rippling in space occurred as he vanished from the room.

A blazing figure of light inundated the room before casting a glance at the sleeping elven child on the bed’s only room. A moment later the figure stood beside Root’s body, looking down at Chen Lou’s granddaughter.

Vera turned to the blazing figure formed of light that now stood beside her respectfully, “Do it.”

“There is no return from this, you understand? Even my power cannot reach within to violate the boundaries of an Immortal.” the golden figure blazing with light had a voice composed of millions of harmonic tones and a slight female overtone.

“For the Scales.” Vera said, closing her eyes.

“For the future of us all.” the golden figure said placing her hand above Vera’s head.

A sun lit in the small room flashing for an endless moment. When it vanished, the only furniture remaining in the room was the bed on which Lyssa lay, as if it had been protected by a powerful shield.

Vera’s body started to glow red, as if her bones were heating from the inside. From inside to out, a red glow encompassed her flesh, as if a sun was lit from inside the small girl’s form.

“I wish you…success.” the golden figure said before vanishing once more.

“There is no power without pain, no success without price.” Vera said, her breath coming in choked gasps.

Light started to stream down her extended hand, into Root’s forehead.

Anyone watching could see what happened, it started slowly at first, like a trickle of water escaping a small hole. Vera’s figure began to vanish from the ground up, as if reality was wiping her from existence.

Her face showed a tortured expression, as sweat rolled off her forehead in beads.

Finally, when only her shoulders remained, Vera gave a shuddering gasp. Her shoulders, head, and arm vaporized all at once into golden light before entering into Root.

*****

Darkness surrounded me, I felt at peace, better than I’d felt in a long time since learning of my sister’s death.

There was no pain here, no worry, no cares, no stress.

I could live here for eternity, drifting among the silent darkness, finally able to set all my burdens down.

I’m sorry, that’s not possible Immortal.

A stray Voice intruded into my mind, a colorless color in the endless darkness.

Who?

I am Vera, granddaughter of Chen Lou, of the House of Life.

Why?

The Dragon’s Chant is a power developed by one of the geniuses of our race. Normally there would be no issues, however there was a problem in your case.

What?

Your body was rejecting the basic formation process of the Dragon’s Chant, the Foundation, if I had not intervened you would have died a soul death.

I see.

Unfortunately, this came with a cost. I have bound my soul to yours to bridge the gap, allowing your body to successfully refine itself to the Primary stage.

You killed yourself to allow me to live?

What you would do for your sister, I would do for my entire race. It is a price I would willingly pay a thousand times over. Don’t…fail…

Vera? Vera are you there?

…sleepy…later…

Suddenly, a small spot of light appeared in the darkness, the light grew enlarging until it filled my entire view.

Groaning, I opened my eyes to a scene of complete mayhem.

Lyssa was screaming in my face shaking my exhausted body with tears falling from her eyes. I quickly sat up, placing her in my lap, before I wrapped my arms around her shaking body making quieting noises as I stroked her hair.

“It’s ok, it’s ok. I’m back, there’s nothing wrong here now.” I said, continuing to gently hug her.

“Y-you wouldn’t…w-wake up! I-I thought…” Lyssa said, sobbing into my shoulder as her tiny arms wrapped around my chest.

“It’s alright now. I made a mistake, I won’t do something like that again without letting you know first, ok?” I said, wiping her tear stained face with a small piece of my sleeve.

“Un.”

“I’ll even get more sweets for our trip ok?” I said, throwing out a bribe.

“Un. Frosted buns.” Lyssa said, upping the ante instantly.

I cuddled the small elven child before placing her back to bed.

As she drifted off to sleep, Hyzon rose from her hair to face me.

Do not trouble the child under my House like this again, Monster. Or I will exterminate you, even if it costs everything. he said.

I understand. I said, in the snake’s own language.

It is good that you do, Monster. Very good. he said, before lowering his swaying body back towards Lyssa.

Hyzon draped himself around Lyssa before dropping down to sleep again.

“Character Info.” I said, settling myself in a cross-legged sitting position.

Name: Root
Class: Cultivator
Profession: Blood Symbolist
Race: Dragon
Level: 20
Health:13,865/13,865
Ki: Misted State Lv. 1
Armor Rating: 1,395
Damage: 2,734
Stat Points: 200
Strength: 314
Agility: 314
Wisdom: 331
Intellect: 1
Luck:(-149)
Charm: 26
Resistances:
Poison 25%/Earth 25%/Fire 25%/Wind 25%/Dark 25%/Light 25%
Poison Detection 100%
Dragon’s Bodyparts: Eyes, Rank I
Copper: 4
Silver: 21
Gold: 17
Companions(2/5)
Experience:189,392

“Skills.” I said, eager to see more.

Skill Points: 40
Skills: (6/10)
Slot 1: Ki Manipulation Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 2: Cell Manipulation Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 3: Poison Ki Aura Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 4: Ki Sanctification Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 5: Pill Concocting Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 6: Blood Symbols Lv. 1 (1%)
Slot 7: EMPTY
Slot 8: EMPTY
Slot 9: EMPTY
Slot 10: EMPTY

Stop staring, start cultivating, we don’t have time for you to stroke your ego, human.

Who?!

Who do you think, human?

…Vera?

Correct, human.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, it was strange speaking mentally like this. Although, the fact that I’d done so before on certain jobs for the Black Dragon made it a bit easier. Nothing like a telepathic controller to help keep comms quiet on a special assignment.

Your here because the Dragon Chant isn’t designed for humans, is it? If I were to cultivate without guidance I’m guessing it would take too long?

Sometimes your perception is just scary, human.

Thanks…

Previously, we weren’t too worried about time. But our spy in the enemy ranks found we are on a previously unknown timetable.

Why?

I’m well aware you think our world is a virtual game. A place where humans from your world come to live out a second life, unfortunately that’s wrong human.

Your not saying…

Exactly. It’s about as virtual as a heart attack, human.

That’s not possible, I mean someone would blow the whistle on it.

Could they? Admit it, who would believe the crazy human that spouted the game [RiSe] is another reality. Wouldn’t they just put him away in a treatment facility, never to see the light of day again?

That…

I can see you even researched the ‘addiction’ that occurs didn’t you? Tell me then, how do you get addicted to something that isn’t real? Something that doesn’t truly alter brain chemistry because it’s not real, right human?

I got a really bad feeling as she continued on.

You already know about Faith. You know how every race except the Dragons depend on it’s power, on the flow of energy it provides. So, knowing this, if one day a race of creatures with a massive ability to believe strolled into your world…

What would you do to keep them there, how far would you go human?

T-That…

Ah, I can see your imagination isn’t blinded by fantasy. You are well aware of the darkness in the human heart. At least that’s one point in your favor, human.

I chose to table the current discussion for another one.

I need strength.

Nn, alright. I’ll let the discussion go for now. Focus your mind, feel the energy of the world around you. It should feel something like a warm blanket of air.

I concentrated hard, before gasping in delight.

It was everywhere.

Energy, bright, warm, delicious energy.

Like the most sumptuous meal, and it was all mine.

How could I ever have missed it? My Dragon Eyes activated to see more clearly.

A blazing swirl of golden energy slowly circulated in the room moving on invisible currents. With my eyesight active I could see the tiny threads probing towards my body.

At least you have eyes, I suppose I have to be thankful of that, human.

Ok, what do I do now?

This is the hard part. Pull on those tiny threads with your mind. Twist them together then pull them into your body.

The first few times the threads slipped through my mental ‘fingers’ until finally I was able to get two woven together. I pulled them towards the space between my eyes instinctively.

The moment the threads entered my body it was like being struck by electric voltage.

I could feel the incredible energy buzzing in my brain like bottled lightning.

Guide it through your veins, like so, human.

A diagram appeared in my mind mapping through the major arteries and veins of the human body.

I pulled the wild energy along through a circuit of the diagram.

As the energy filtered through my body, it slowly lost a portion of itself turning into a more malleable form that was easier to manipulate. The lost portion of energy caused minute cellular changes, similar to radiation in the real world. I had the feeling it was strengthening me in some unknown way.

Suddenly, I felt a vacuum force pull the energy from my grip when it reached just below my navel.

Excellent. Now you’ve truly refined your first thread of Misted State Ki, human. Since you have our body, unlike most human cultivators, your Prime Dantian is already open. The pain you went through when the Dragon Chant first refined your body wasn’t for nothing. There are several Levels to Cultivation, Misted State, Fluid State, Crystal State, Mirror State, Empty State, and Chaos State. Each of these States grants a successive massive boost in power. At the Empty State, nothing below a Divinity could be a threat, and at the Chaos State….

I would have the power I need for revenge?

Indeed. Now, keep going. Do you think one thread of Ki is going to be enough to save your sister? Don’t stop, from now on if you aren’t in combat or eating, you must cultivate Ki. It would be best if you could find a way to do all three at once.

I ignored the bossy tone of Vera’s mental voice, she was right.

I didn’t have time to waste.

It was time to demonstrate the focus that made me one of the top ranked assassins in the Solar System.

I spent the rest of the night cultivating while sitting against the wall. For some reason all the furniture other than the bed was gone from the room…

When morning arrived I felt refreshed, as if I’d gotten the best sleep in my life. I made sure that Lyssa cleaned up her tear-stained face. It would be horrible if the inn’s occupants thought I was that type of guy. I might not even have been able to make it out the door depending on how many people were in the room.

“Ready?”

“Un.”

“Ok, we are going to head out to the Cemetery.” I said, adjusting our clothing for best effect.

A short while later, after picking up some more sweets, we both stood looking down from a ledge at a large graveyard filled with tombstones. Beneath us was a massive plot of land filled with seemingly endless undead groups patrolling. In the middle of the visible undead patrols, was a large square stone tomb of an ominous black color. I could see the levels of undead slowly crept up from 25 at the outer edges, to 35 in the inner circle around the tomb.

The undead patrol groups were made up of melee, ranged, and mixed undead. Off in a corner of the area the flash of magic and sounds of combat denoted another leveling group was here nearby.

After a quick glance at the glowing sunstones located high above in the ceiling of the cavern, Lyssa and me looked at each other for a moment before grinning. We snuck upwards along the thin ridge stone that formed the ledge. A few minutes later we were directly above a group of five adventurers.

They were in a standard setup with a campfire going, located in a small U-shaped outcropping that limited their undead opponents. The healer was located at the back directly behind the campfire. She was easy to locate from the green-white glowing spells casted at regular intervals on the frontline tank. In front of the campfire stood a wizard, easily identified from the trademark mystic symbol robes. He was casting fire based spells in a regular fashion to clear up large groups. In front of the wizard, but behind the frontline tank, two archers were positioned at the flanks. The archers were using separate arrow types according to the colored glow of their arrowheads. Additionally, as I spied, their quivers refilled after each shot.

The person who held the entire group together was the frontline tank. Tanks are one of the most thankless classes in the entire game of [RiSe] according to almost anyone. While healers and casters stay safe in back, and melee or ranged damage dealers get flashy moves, tanks are locked into one specific task.

Hate generation.

A tank must always keep the enemy’s hatred focused on them using a variety of Skills, Abilities, and Talents. A truly effective tank, is exactly like their old world slang namesake, a walking mass of defensive power backed with strong concentrated attacks.

Thinking for a moment, I opened a chat window and sent a whisper down to the tank, whose name was visible.

Whisper to Krug: Good morning. Would you like another three party members? I guarantee we can increase your killing speed by at least 5x times it’s current amount.

The reaction I received was quite interesting.

“PVP FORMATION!” Krug shouted out, leaping backwards to land beside the healer enveloping both of them in a glowing yellow aura.

The wizard teleported halfway up to float in the air while insta-casting a large aoe spell that cleared all the mobs at the entrance in one shot.

Both archers went back to back, one facing out towards the entrance of the U-shaped formation, while another faced in towards the healer and tank.

The healer went crazy dumping mana in a series of buffs that left an almost blinding glow around each Player.

Whisper to Krug: Is that formation a no?

Whisper from Krug: What gave it away? Show yourself first, then we can talk.

Whisper to Krug: I don’t think so, until we come to an agreement. I see no reason to give up my advantage.

Whisper from Krug: You don’t seriously think you can take all five of us with only three others do you?

Whisper to Krug: I see a small demonstration is in order. To be fair, I’ll send my weakest member out, try to stay alive.

Turning to Lyssa I said, “Negotiations have broken down.”

Lyssa nodded cutely before tilting her head saying, “Un. Alive?”

“Alive-ish, if you need to, just kill them.” I said, prioritizing the safety of my cute little elfling over the currently unfriendly party members.

I spent a moment to cast Ki Sanctification on Lyssa boosting her power by 1% before she slipped away without a sound.

As the elfling moved away using the Shadow skill she’d learned from Mr. Book, I pulled out a small long thing rope from my [Space]. The rope had silver wire woven inside the core, and a string of repeating patterned symbols adorned the weave. The rope was a special tool used to quietly take care of a healer, one of the feared ones, called a Garrote. Although it couldn’t do massive damage it had a particular function that made it lethal to healers.

Silence.

The small thin rope made it’s way down in the air, invisible against the cliff’s background thanks to it’s inherent spells. After a few moments it was hovering a few centimeters above the healer’s unsuspecting head. If anything went wrong, I would be sure the healer wasn’t part of the solution.

*****

Zhang Wei watched with a gaping mouth in shock as the team’s wizard, his brother Wang Wei, slammed into the ground unmoving. A small elven child whose name he could read from the Combat UI, Lyssa, stood on his back. In a flash her soft blond hair waving in the wind she rose from her silent crouch, a small bright green snake hovering near her face. Sapphire ice blue eyes took a glance at him and Wang Xiu Ying before she turned away coldly. Shaking off the shock, both of his clanmates Li Qiang and Li Jun knocked arrows preparing to shoot the intruder. The entire team were veteran Players, even if the opponent appeared to be a child, they wouldn’t show mercy.

Zhang Wei felt a moment of disorientation as the small elf child, Lyssa, flickered before appearing behind both archers.

“Behind yo-” Zhang Wei shouted, too late as a small red hand burst from the torso area of each archer.

“Zhang, she’s too fast! The damage also has weird debuffs on all of them, some type of crazy poison! I can’t keep them up!” Wang Xiu Ying screamed, as she tried helplessly to save the downed teammates.

Zhang Wei took a deep breath before focusing intently, after seeing how the elfling moved he gambled. The moment he saw the small elf girl vanish, Zhang Wei turned behind and slammed his shield on the small form that appeared. In ecstasy at his success it took a moment to realize a series of unbelievable debuffs had appeared on his lifebar. Like water escaping a bottle, the green of his lifebar melted away rapidly.

Too late he recognized the small prick of the elf’s fanged companion. Almost without effort the snake had penetrated his chainmail to strike him. Like a mountain crashing to the shore, Zhang Wei toppled. His last sight was of Wang Xiu Ying strangled a foot off the ground, her face a mask of horror as she watched him fall.

Even with lower numbers and equalized PVP levels, we didn’t have a chance… Zhang thought, as he slipped into darkness.

*****

After watching Lyssa deal with the struggling healer when she recovered from the shield slam I quickly leaped down. With the increase in my Strength from the gear Chen Lou had given me the small drop of around thirty meters was nothing. Upon landing I immediately moved to Lyssa, using Cell Manipulation on my little companion. As I watched her lifebar rise to full, I patted her down to reassure myself there wasn’t any problems. Then I started tickling the little elf till she slipped out of my grasp giggling loudly.

“Un. Victory!” Lyssa said, giving me the V finger sign.

“Anything hurt?” I said, with a worried expression.

“Nn!” a small headshake met my question.

“Ok, let’s tie them up before I heal them.” I said, dusting off my hands before putting the Garrote rope away and pulling out several spell chains. The chains were originally for tying up magical beasts, but their nullifying effects would work on Players just the same.

“Un.” Lyssa grabbed the chains quickly working them into a complex linkage.

“Where did you learn that?” I said, curious at her skill.

“Kobolds.” she spat, with a disgusted face.

I petted Lyssa’s head and said, “It’s good to know, regardless of the scum you got it from.” A small nod met my petting.

“Ok, let’s wake them up.” I said, moving to grab a small burning piece of the campfire’s wood.

I was no expert torturer, however it would be impossible not to know some methods of information extraction. Fortunately, I wasn’t required to do much, the healer Wang Xiu Ying broke immediately.

“So, your alone here. There’s no one expecting you back anytime soon?” I said, coincidentally waving the burning stick past Wang Xiu Ying’s face. Her eyes followed the flame desperately, as if afraid to let it out of her sight.

“Y-Yes! P-Please, d-don’t hurt me…” she said, her eyes wide with terror.

The other four men struggled against their chains and gags, to no effect.

“I have no intention of hurting any of you. I simply want to do business.” I said, watching all five of them relax visibly.

I pulled a small scroll from my sleeves, disguising the removal from my [Space], before holding it up before the tank.

“This is a minor Contract, good for a month. If you sign it, I will provide all the benefits we talked about before, as well as personally removing any other groups that show up. This way you get maximum XP, I get to cultivate in peace, and everyone wins. In essence, a situation of mutual benefit.” I said, watching the eyes of the tank. I could tell he was tempted, the eyes of both the tank and wizard practically shone with greed.

After learning from Vera that this place wasn’t a game, I’d made a few tests. The results of those tests allowed me to know the amount of leeway I had to work with. I could chain up these Players only because technically, it wasn’t me doing it. It was Lyssa, who was an ‘NPC’ to the System Management and therefore exempt from the restrictions of a Player.

“We all know how hard it is to hold a good leveling spot down. Follow me, and I promise that will be the least of your problems.” I said, grinning inside.

A second later the scroll flashed into crimson flames, as the party leader accepted my deal.

A standard Contract has been enacted between Ouroboros and Bone Hunters. Duration: 1 Month.

Chapter Fifteen

With my new gear boosting my stats my steps were quick and sure. Leaping up above the pet shop, I rapidly wove through the rooftops of Stoneblood heading towards the mark I’d left on my Map denoting the Mercenary Guild.

I ignored the shouts of glee coming from the young elfling on my shoulders as we made one hair raising leap after another. I also ignored the grumbling from our recent new addition, Hyzon, the small bright green snake from the pet shop. Apparently part of my new draconic powers, was the power of listening to snakes complain of motion sickness, one which I could have done without.

Even though we were traveling at a good clip, I had to avoid several problems along the way. Twice we were spotted by Stoneblood’s Guard, although they fell behind and weren’t really an issue. A Guard doesn’t really do well tracking rooftop runners from the ground, too many line of sight issues. Another two times, we interrupted thieves in the middle of their nefarious activities forcing me to take drastic defensive measures. If they’d only just left well enough alone it wouldn’t have gotten bloody.

I’m sure they’d recover in a month or two, or even a day or two with a good healer.

I did take the liberty of taking a nice sinister looking Hood, inset with an inner wire frame from one of the thieves, since it matched the emerald green my kung fu outfit. It didn’t have any use other than to conceal most of my face from view, hiding me in deep shadow.

Eventually we arrived at the imposing stone edifice that housed the Mercenary Guild. A large sign over the entrance depicted the words ‘Mercenary Guild’ in every language imaginable, truly the pride of a multi-racial organization.

Entering through the open double doors, I paused to let down Lyssa from her perch on my shoulders. Moving to the side away from the door way I took a look around, marking escape routes, potential targets, and where the best cover was.

“What do you see when you look at this place, Lyssa?” I said, my eyes constantly roving.

“Un, a bunch of dirty unwashed men and women in weird clothing, pretty receptionist ladies, and a stinky bar with foul smelling liquids.” Lyssa said, delivering a verbal level of degrading abuse to the poor place.

“Well, it’s not like these poor folks, have much money to spend on cleanliness.” I said, dismissing the groups huddled at their tables. The average level in here was between 20-35, so I wasn’t very worried about a fight.

Holding the elfling’s hand, I approached one of several counters staffed by beautiful women of many races. Coincidentally, I chose the one along the right wall with a full-blood elven female, after all there was no reason not to show Lyssa how gorgeous she would look in the future.

The receptionist lady had a standardized uniform that resembled something a professional casino dealer might wear. She bowed with enchanting grace before waving gently at Lyssa. I enjoyed watching my normally outgoing companion evaporate behind my clothing. Only a small shy head peeked out from behind me.

“Good evening sir, and young lady. My name is Liir, how may we be of service today?” Liir, the elven receptionist said.

Spinning around I ruthlessly picked up my squirming charge under her arms, holding her at eye level to face the receptionist, slightly off-center.

“I would like to register a party with the two of them.” I said.

“Two?” Liir said, her eyes confused.

“Hyzon, show.” Lyssa said, and from under the hair behind her left ear Hyzon appeared.

I watched the expression on the receptionist as she froze not daring to move. It was obvious Liir’s job as a receptionist gave her access to an advanced form of Sight. Similar to a Player’s ability to see certain information about the world like, levels, it was the NPC version. Depending on how high the NPC’s Sight was they could see additional information beyond just the level. The receptionist clearly recognized the threat inherent in Hyzon’s tiny body, and proceeded to move slowly with even more relaxed grace.

“Sir, bringing a lethal pet into the premises, even if it is a Guardian, will require a small bribe.” Liir said, facing me directly and making sure she could see Hyzon out of the corner of her eyes. She had moxy, I liked her immediately.

“Of course. Here’s a little extra to help ‘speed’ the registering process along, Liir.” I said, one hand holding up Lyssa, while my palm depositing several gold on the counter between us. I admit, it was magical the way she made them disappear.

I heard a raise in the general rumbling of conversation behind us before a deep male voice shouted out in the room behind me, “The Mercenary Guild doesn’t accept fancy garbage. Get gone.” It appeared some individuals didn’t think we should join.

I could feel the air currents drifting across my skin confirming what my ears already noted, 4 individuals, heavily armed. Their steps were heavy with the jingle of equipment. I turned smiling as I said to Liir behind me, “Please continue with the registration process.”

A sound of acceptance came from Liir before she said, “The Guild does not prohibit fighting on the premises as long as any structural damages are paid.”

“I knew there was something I liked about this Guild besides the name.” I said, smiling a deep grin that didn’t reach my eyes. Setting my beloved little sister on the counter, she slid to a comfortable sitting position to watch the fun.

“We’re a hard working crowd, we don’t appreciate a sissy cupcake coming in muscling in on the little bit of action around here. Get lost, while you can still breath, maggot.” the leader of the party of 4 said.

Facing me were two women, and two men. Their leader, who was a hulking guy that had to have giant or ogre blood somewhere in him, appeared to be a frontline fighter. He was equipped in heavy chain with plate pieces, carrying a one handed axe in one hand, and a shield in the other. Behind him to the left was a small man all in leather with more knives visible on his person than an entire blade shop combined. Directly behind the leader was a priestess decked in the holy robe of her order with a large staff topped by a blue crystal. Finally, on the leader’s right, a woman dressed in the classic pointed hat and robes of a mage, her staff also had a large crystal, although this one was red. All of them sported pissed off expressions like someone had killed their favorite puppy.

I admit, I could have been the better man, and resolved the situation peacefully in some manner. However, I really wanted to try out the new perks of my gear. I wanted to get a feeling for what the Stats actually translated to in combat. Wisdom was a hard stat to recognize at first, but I was betting Strength and Agility were much easier to see in action.

Their levels were a bit above mine, clocking in at between 30 for first three, and 33 for the half-giant blood. With the bonuses from my gear, ability to heal myself, and poison, the fight wasn’t as one-sided as they appeared to believe it would be.

“Lyssa, don’t interfere please. I don’t want to see you hurt.” I whispered to Lyssa on the counter. Glancing behind me, I noticed Liir was watching as well with her head in hand, elbows propped on the countertop.

“Warned you, now the hurt comes, Mr. Fancypants. This place is for serious people only, not pretty boys. Don’t worry, after we ‘greet’ you, our priestess will fix you up….probably.” the level 33 half-giant blood said.

“Any of you who want to step back now and beg forgiveness are welcome to do so. I won’t attack such people, because I can tell the difference between morons and sheep loving retards.” I said, my words designed to incite blind rage.

As the four moved at me in a simple encircling formation I let myself sink in to the nothingness of combat-thought. For years, I had been trained not to fight, but to silence enemies. People who train to fight, train to defend themselves, sometimes violently against attackers.

I wasn’t trained to fight.

As the leader’s axe came swinging toward me I stepped forward, shifting past him. The highest level of threat wasn’t the first three, it was from the priest in the back. Without the priest gone, the fight would turn into a battle of attrition that I would lose. I had to remove her from the equation as fast as possible, and the new gear didn’t disappoint me. It felt like someone had given me wings, turning me from an earthbound soul into a shining demon of the heavens. I’ve never felt so fast, so strong, even when I boosted in reality.

“Tiffany!”
“Leader, stop him!”
“Unholy demonspawn!”

Even with their words, I didn’t stop. Focusing on the new skill, Poison Aura a green light glowed around my form. The skill reacted to my thoughts, exactly like a nanite combat cloud in reality would. Two palms slammed into the priestess each carrying a separate Poison effect imbued within. My right hand bounced back off an invisible field that shattered, while my left struck viper quick to the healer’s face.

[Player Root deals a critical blow laced with lethal Poison Aura causing 10,184 damage! Mortality Poison now lowers the effectiveness of healing to the target by 40% until removed.]

A choking wet gurgle was all that signaled the end of the threat. If she was treated in time, it probably wouldn’t be too lethal. I ignored the dying healer turning back to face the other three.

While I had taken care of the healer, the other three hadn’t been lax. The leather armored man faded out of existence, some type of stealth skill. The female mage teleported to float near the ceiling above me. Lastly, the leader activated Charge, covering the distance between us in a second flat.

The three mercs were obviously skilled at teamwork, quickly focusing on the battle, even down by one. Without a choice, I moved to meet the leader. Keeping close to him would prevent the mage from activating any aoe(area of effect) spell to mop the floor with me.

The presence of heat above me signaled some form of attack spell. I took a gamble as I met the leader’s shield bash and chop combo. Slamming a knee in between his legs a small dazed icon appeared under his health bar.

[Player Root deals a crippling knee blow causing 3,271 damage! Target is affected by Stun for 2 seconds.]

Shifting to alter his momentum, thereby pulling him down into a controlled fall with me, I moved quickly. Coiling my legs I kicked out thrusting his body parallel and horizontal above mine.

A tortured scream accompanied the smell of cooked meat as the leader’s body took the brunt of a massive fireball, which impacted directly above me. It appeared the mage figured there was no reason to hold back with a dangerous foe. Rolling to my feet in a quick recovery, I compressed strength in my legs before leaping upwards at her.

The mage barely had time to flash a surprised look before I caught ahold of her ankle. Due to the effect of the Float spell, we were both suspended above the smoking remains of their possibly now dead leader. Once my hand gripped her ankle, I pushed strength into my fingers and squeezed them like a vise. Fingers that could leave dime sized marks in Chen Lou’s treasured wooden table did much worse on mere flesh and blood.

[Player Root deals a maiming finger strike causing 1,271 damage! Target is affected by Dazed for 3 seconds.]

The spell of Float collapsed as the Dazed effect interfered with the concentration required to maintain it. Suddenly without warning we both dropped towards the floor, the mage struggled to resist. However, before we landed I twisted adjusting our position’s so both knees landed directly on the lady mage’s chest.

[Player Root deals a crippling double knee blow causing 7,943 damage! Target is affected by Paralyze until removed.]

A short bubbling cough was the only sound she could make before crumpling in a fetal position. The silence of the surrounding onlookers could have been cut with a sharp knife. All eyes were now on my green figure, a man who’d taken three fourth’s of a professional team down in moments, without mercy.

Three down, with one left. I rolled off the mage’s chest standing up stretching my senses.

Nothing.

It was as if the leather clad man didn’t exist anywhere. I needed an edge, something that could turn the tables before a knife sank into my back.

I activated the only Dragon’s Bodypart I had, Dragon’s Eyes while squinting against the background magic that blazed forth all around. While my mana rapidly drained like someone dumping a bucket of water I attempted to focus. The entire building was lit with fluorescence, as well as several bottles behind the bar, all the receptionists, various mercenaries, and assorted weapons.

One place stood out among all the glowy lights, a section of man-shaped wall. Unlike the surrounding wall’s white, this section glowed a dark purple.

Bingo.

I shifted the Aura around my hands into rippling green blades before stalking forward towards the purple outline.

Recognizing the advantage was lost, the leather clad man dropped his stealth ability to meet me a dagger in each hand.

When meeting an opponent with unknown abilities that surpass yours Anthony, there is a simple strategy to use. Simply allow them to cut flesh, in order to break bones. That’s all. I smiled, remembering one of my teacher’s words.

“Your a dead man.” the leather clad man said.

I didn’t bother to reply, energy wasted in threats while in combat could be fatal.

Both daggers blurred towards me with unstoppable speed. I read their attack pattern, adjusting my own to compensate. Since I couldn’t stop the attack, I minimized the damage as best as possible.

[Player: Root takes a critical blow of 684 damage!]

[Player: Root takes a double critical blow of 1,368 damage!]

A dagger sank into my left kidney, while another came in high on the right into my lung. Ignoring the pain that tried to debilitate me I focused everything on my counter strike. Using my knowledge of anatomy I struck low crushing the femoral bone into the artery below, and shattering the hyoid bone above before stumbling back.

[Player Root deals a crushing blow causing 5,792 damage! Target is affected by Bleed until healed.]

[Player Root deals a fatal strike causing 4,111 damage! Target is dead!]

Coughing up a wad of blood, I watched the leather clad man take a single step towards me before collapsing. Silence reigned as his crushed throat prevented any noise.

“Major Heal.” I said, visualizing the required images to heal myself. The effect was immediate and impressive, my wounds knit together with visible speed. I could feel a refreshing energy circulating repairing my internal injuries. I waved away the messages telling me XP gained, and Skills raised.

“Un. To be expected.” Lyssa said into the silence of the room.

“ Fuck, that hurt.” I said, coughing one last time before spitting out some blood leftover. Then I turned to give a brilliant smile to Liir’s gaping slack-jawed appearance.

Behind me, the noise of the tavern slowly picked up again as the sound of coins changing hands could be heard. Apparently, betting was a very common occurrence during any such event. A group of small upright lizard-men exited a side door holding mops and buckets. They grabbed the now dead bodies, cleaned up the mess, and departed.

“Lizzies, better than pigs for making meat disappear. They work for cheap as long as we let them handle the cleanup.” Liir said, noticing my stare.

“Fascinating. Well, I wasn’t expecting to stand out so soon, but I guess it’s fine.” I said, shrugging before moving back to the counter which Lyssa sat on.

“What do you want the party name listed as?” Liir said, typing furiously into a floating screen to the side behind her counter.

“Um…something…” I said, trying desperately to come up with a good name.

“Fluffy Bunny Lovers!” Lyssa said, her eyes glinting with devious light.

“We’ll go with Ouroboros.” I said, heading off a list of potentially horrific names that Lyssa could put out.

“Ok then. Well, here’s your Guild Cards. I took the liberty of assessing your ranks a bit higher than normal newbies.” Liir said, handing two small thin metal cards that resembled the credit cards from our real world’s history.

Placing them into the [Space] I made it seem like simple sleight of hand put them up my sleeve.

“The cards are almost indestructible, don’t test that though. No dropping them down into lava, or melting them with strong acid. Replacement costs can be murder.” Liir said, with a deadpan tone.

Both me and Lyssa nodded solemnly.

“When an employer hires you, simply swipe the card against any appropriate magic device to receive it, and again at any Guild location to get paid. The card keeps a record of jobs completed, ratings administered by clients, and a bunch of other stuff. If you die, the card goes black, and the guild will pay a small fee to recover them.” Liir said. This system seemed to be like a magical version of credit cards from the real world’s past, just with more options on it.

“Can these cards be used to track us?” I said, my eyes cold and hard. I watched Liir’s expression carefully for any sign of deceit.

“No, that option was vetoed by the Guildmaster centuries ago. Every attempt since to get it incorporated into new cards has resulted in the proponents of such a thing dying in horrific yet tragic accidents.” Liir said, a knowing smirk flashing across her beautiful face.

“Oh, I see. How unfortunate.” I said, a grin sparkling across my own face.

“The board over there indicated new jobs. It’s a crystal matrix magic touchscreen so just click on what your interested in and go from there, swipe to take the job. There’s no limit on what you can apply for, just be aware, the Guild won’t bail your ass out if you take an S-Rank quest as an E-Rank Mercenary.

“Excellent, thank you for all the help.” I said, giving a short perfunctory bow.

“Mm, well, keep your thanks. Just make sure you deal only with me in the future, as a favor. I get a cut of the money for completed quests. After several decades of watching people come and go, I think I have a good idea of what a top earner looks like.” Liir said, eyeing me up and down with a slight half-smile.

Shrugging minutely, I held out my hands lifting Lyssa back to her favorite spot. Then we turned to exit the Guild, there would be time for doing requests later. Before reaching the door I could feel Lyssa’s weight shift, turning she gave a small wave to Liir before we exited.

“So, do you like her or should we find another receptionist.” I said, teasing Lyssa.

“Un. Like.”

The bustle of the street surrounded us before being drowned out by stomach noises from both of us briefly. I realized it had been almost half a day before we’d consumed any food. With a guilty look, I quickly headed down the street to a nearby inn. I picked it out of the rest of the medieval times appearing buildings from the simple sign indicating a crossed knife and fork over a plate. I guessed that had something to do with food.

Taking a seat inside at a nearby corner table after being given a once over by the current patrons I signaled one of the waitresses over. From under my hood I scanned the surroundings checking exits, threats, and cover. It was such an ingrained habit I didn’t even take notice of doing it.

“Why do you keep making scary eyes after entering new buildings?” Lyssa said, with a curious expression on the seat next to me.

I decided it would be a good time to start her training on safety.

“What would you do if there was a fire?” I said, glancing up at the wooden beams overhead with obvious meaning.

“Leap out the window leading to the back alley.” Lyssa’s responded with only a second of thought.

Intrigued, because that was exactly what I would have done, I continued, “Why?”

“The alley leads directly out to two exits on both end allowing me to escape in either direction. There’s also the possibility of directly going up to the city’s rooftops. Out of all possible escape exits it is the most likely to have a minimal number of people using it. This means, I will not have to worry about being caught in a choke point, like the door, and dying from the stupidity of others.” Lyssa said, her normally gleeful expression serious.

I was impressed.

“Do all elves have such a good understanding of the space around them?” I said.

“Un. It’s how Pocket’s are made, sort of?” Lyssa said, scrunching up her face. The cuteness level exploded.

Before I could ask anymore questions, our waitress arrived.

“Good evening, my name is Brenda, I’ll be your server today. What can we get you?” Brenda said.

According to the Clock on my UI it appeared to be early afternoon, so I decided to go with a decent meal. I still had the money taken from the Fat Boss earlier, which meant cost wasn’t an issue.

“How about you order?” I said to Lyssa.

“Un. Sweet things. Meat things. Vegetable things. Fruity things.” Lyssa said, with a serious expression.

Brenda flashed a smile at the little imp before saying, “Ok, 2 dessert orders, one meat platter of boar, one vegetable platter of sautéed, and a set of sliced seasonal fruit. Is that all?” She didn’t write the order down, appearing to memorize it completely.

“Un.”

“Ok, the total cost will be one gold coin for both orders.” Brenda said, I placed a single coin from my [Space] onto the table. A second later it disappeared off the table and into a hidden location of Brenda’s uniform.

After the waitress left, Lyssa asked, “Un. New stuffs?”

“He gave me a scroll to train Ki, although it replaces mana. An egg that increases how fast I gain XP(experience), and a monster Core that helps utilize Ki. What do you think about all this Lyssa?” I said.

“Un. Raise power.” Lyssa decreed turning back to the table as our food arrived on a large tray.

The next hour was filled with the sounds of eating, Lyssa fed small bits of her meal to Hyzon. He seemed to develop a taste for the smoked boar meat. After the main meal finished, dessert arrived. The chef was quite skilled giving us each a large slice of cheesecake topped with a fruit syrup.

“After this, I plan on getting some new Talisman’s to replace the old ones, and then we’ll go hunting. With the Brighter Lights, undead would be a good choice to raise our levels.” I said, taking a small bite of the cheesecake.

“Un. Area maps?”

“Ah, we can pick up those too.”

“Un. Camping supplies?”

“That too.”

“Un. Sweets?”

“…..good try.”

Lyssa showed a dejected face as if the end of the world had arrived. She stared down at her dessert as if it was the last supper.

“I suppose we can get a few sweets.” I said, crumbling a little under the pressure.

“Un. Yay!”

Rubbing my face with a weary palm I felt like I had somehow lost a battle, but I couldn’t figure out where I’d gone wrong.

Finishing our dessert, we headed out to a shop the waitress from the inn Brenda recommended for Talisman’s. I picked up a large variety that I decided could be useful. After leaving the shop we entered another one down the street a ways that sold maps of all shapes and sizes. I purchased several maps of the surrounding areas, as well as each of the twenty empires, and the known world. Finally, under Lyssa and another shopkeeper’s stares I purchased all the appropriate camping gear for hunting in the tunnels and caverns. Looking at my dwindling supply of gold, I was happy we were about to depart, this town was nothing but a money sink!

As evening approached we rented a room at one of the many clean inns throughout Stoneblood to rest. Leaving the small elfling a note after placing traps on the door and window for safety, I sat down at the single table in the room.

“Log Out.”

Rising from the gaming bed I went straight to Alecia to put some of my recent ideas into motion.

“I want a job that gets me a trainer for combat, someone that also plays [RiSe]. Another trainer for genetic therapy, I have a few ideas about combining some stuff I’ve recently learned in-game with the real world. Oh, and look around for a job that will give me enough to purchase a Stasis Gaming Bed.”

“Those are only a theoretical concept, Root.” Alecia said, looking at me wolfing food down at the dinner table.

“Hah, I’ll bet anything Mercy’s pet genius can make it work. Everyone knows those things exist among the Nobility, as they say a whisper is louder than a shout. Just get a monetary number for them and the jobs required for it. I don’t want to have to keep stepping out for food, or worse yet wake up attached to bags of fat again.” I said.

“Will you require Ms. Elyse’s services in two days?” Alecia asked, after checking a message in her memory banks left by Elyse.

“No, I’m going on a long-term trip to get used to some new in-game stuff. I’ll only be taking breaks to eat, or do a job listed for the next month or so. If anything important pops up, drop me a message in [RiSe]. Oh, and cut chunk of the remaining credits and convert them to game gold, silver, and copper. Have it delivered by Mail to me. Kid’s are murder on the pocketbook.” I said, thinking about the recent shopping spree.

That reminds me, I need to get a bow weapon present for Cecilia. There’s no reason to let a relationship with the first Player I ever met drop.I thought.

“Anything else, Root?” Alecia said as she cleared away the remains of the meal.

Wiping my mouth, I got up and allowed a cloud of nanites to run over my skin purifying me of dead skin. Another quick check of my internals eliminated any developing bed sores, and refreshed my physical condition.

“No, that will be all for now. See you later.” I settled myself once again on the gaming bed before Logging In.

Chapter Fourteen

I scanned through the new character information display after equipping my new gear.

My body felt incredibly light and fast, like electrified quicksilver, a testament to the raise in Stats provided by the new gear.

I opened up and edited the Character Info to remove extraneous information. While doing so, I noticed a few discrepancies and asked the System, “Where did my Class/Race and such Bonuses go? And what’s the Dragon Body?”

Player’s mental shock of learning their Draconic heritage has activated the feature “Dragon’s Bodyparts” Player must gain all the bodyparts to create a “Dragon’s Body”. Due to the rewards of a completed Dragon Body, as well as it’s possible upgrades, critical restrictions have been applied.

-System Management

The skill, talent, and stat points I hadn’t bothered distributing for twenty levels now gleamed with the shine of infinite possibilities. As a Player gained levels, they would get 4 Skill Points, 2 Talent Points, and 10 Stat points to distribute. Their were exceptions due to unique classes, hidden professions, or other special circumstances, but these were the general numbers.

As I walked down the stairs with a now sparkling clean and fresh Lyssa, I brought up a Character Calculator for a nominal fee and started inputting my information. I took a glance to notice that Lyssa’s bright new clothing mimicked mine in a deep shade of blue that complimented her sapphire eyes. With a bath that had been administered, and some obvious magic, her glossy obsidian hair fell straight down to her waist. Anyone seeing her for the first time would without a doubt believe she was a young mistress of a famous Clan. I almost didn’t recognize the cute elven waif I’d saved.

According to the calculator program, currently with 1395 armor I had around 13.9% physical defense, with my damage at 2,734 I would average a damage per second (dps) of about 2,700. However, with poison bonuses included from the gear, the same dps would rise to about 5.4k or 5,400 damage. Even better, poison resistance was almost impossible to raise without extreme luck, a little bit of game knowledge Elyse had imparted to me.

This meant that in close combat I could be considered extremely dangerous, and mildly threatening at mid-range. A long range combatant though, like a ranger or casting class such as a mage would currently make me a paper tiger. They could shred me from out of my combat control area, and although I had tricks like smoke, darkness, and a few other useful paper talismans a real specialized long range class would obliterate me.

I scrolled through the list of available choices to spend my new Skill, Talent, and Stat points on searching for a solution, before an option caught my eyes.

Sacrifice
Fuel your rebirth to greatness by removing the dross to purify what lies within. At the cost of one permanently lost Profession and Job, as well as destruction of all current Talents and Abilities, Player will gain equivalent skill slots as well as massive gains in current Skills. This option is not recommended for beginner player’s to use. [ONLY SKILL SLOTS WILL BE ATTAINABLE AFTER THIS].
Use: One time within a character’s lifespan. Cannot be refunded.
Cost: 40 Skill points, 40 Talent points. Loss of 1 Profession and 1 Job slot permanently.

It had great drawbacks, not only in cost, but also in the big red glaring letters that warned against it.

However, I wasn’t interested in becoming a jack of all trades, poison it was, all the way. Besides, the big red button lured me in.

With a great devious smile, I pressed the floating screen’s big red button while my other hand altered the information layout into three sections. I switched the background colors to easily differentiate between them as well.

Lyssa caught me before I fell down the stairs as I felt my body ripping apart and reconstruction due to the Sacrifice. Strength flowed out of me like water before I shakily recovered to take a look at my new character information screen.

“Character Info.” I said.

Name: Root
Class: Poisonous Healer
1rst Profession: Dragon Blood Enchanter
Race: Dragon
Level: 20
Stat Points: 200
Health:3,865/3,865
Mana: 5,197/5,197
Armor Rating: 1,395
Damage: 2,734
Stats:
Strength: 314
Agility: 314
Wisdom: 331
Intellect: 1
Luck:(-149)
Charm: 26
Resistances:
Poison 25%/Earth 25%/Fire 25%/Wind 25%/Dark 25%/Light 25%
Poison Detection 100%
Dragon’s Bodyparts: Eyes, Rank I
Copper: 15
Silver: 35
Gold: 100
Companions(1/5):1
Experience(Accumulated):189,392

“Skills.” I said.

Skill Points: 40
Skills: (4/10)
Slot 1: Liquid Manipulation Lv. 1 (84%)
Slot 2: Major Heal Lv. 4(+5) (1%)
Slot 3: Major Empower Lv. 4(+5) (3%)
Slot 4: Poison Aura Lv. 4 (1%)
Slot 5: Medicine Lv. 5(+5) (77%)
Slot 6: Blood Enchanting Lv. 3 (42%)
Slot 7: EMPTY
Slot 8: EMPTY
Slot 9: EMPTY
Slot 10: EMPTY

“Stats.” I said.

Name: Root
Class: Draconic Poisonous Healer
Stat Points: 200
Stats:
Strength: 314
Agility: 314
Wisdom: 331
Intellect: 1
Luck:(-149)
Charm: 26

Currently the UI had cleaned up much nicer than before with everything easily seen, and quickly scrollable. It wasn’t all in one big chunk of data anymore which is what I preferred. With this separation of windows I could focus on multiple separate tasks consecutively, making it more efficient in my view.

Waving a hand, I closed all the windows before we finally reached the bottom of the stairwell, thus entering a back corner of Chen Lou’s shop. The entire antique shop seemed crammed with amazing oddities on everything from wooden, stone, and even metal shelving. Numerous amounts of glass covered book cases, as well as enormous tables spaced about to separate the space. Although I hadn’t noticed it at first, I realized there had to be some sort of spell at work. The inside of the shop was far larger than the outside appearance implied. Moving ahead of me, Lyssa took the lead to bring me down a nearby stairwell to the basement we’d previously been in, while talking with Chen Lou.

We both stared at Chen Lou after we arrived at the bottom of the new set of stairs, he was already sitting at the exact wooden table from before. I took a clearer picture of the surroundings which revealed it was obviously a study den. Thick bound leather books fought for space against rare magical objects on the bookshelves lining each wall. The elderly shopkeeper had shapeshifted his form to appear as if he’d stepped directly out of an old Chinese fiction story. Long white hair down his back and the front of each shoulder. A long white wispy moustache tendril was on each side just above his mouth, dropping down to shoulder height. Most admirable, a long goatee fell down below the table to his waist. He looked the perfect part of a wise elder, who could dispense sage advice on any subject.

The clothes were even more stunning, a silken affair that brought to mind old kung fu films, a more royal, less combat ready version of mine and Lyssa’s. A tiny square hat made of silken blue, that blended with the fascinating clothing marked in mystic symbols, sat on his head. Even sitting he radiated the presence of an ancient martial master with incredible ease. The long pipe held in one hand, that slowly puffed smoke rings was simply a masterful touch to the entire look. It was rather impressive his bearing actually reminded me of many of my teachers from several years ago. They all had that sort of peerless grace that seemed both fascinating and inhumanely impossible at the same time.

“So, I see my words were a bit of a shock from earlier. I apologize.” Chen Lou said, removing the pipe from his mouth and gesturing at us both to sit.

I sat down in the chair indicated, with only a brief pause to arrange my gi garments.

“Old Monster, what’s with surprising a young one with such news.” I said. He really was an old monster capping out at over 2100+ levels, there wasn’t a Player even close to that league.

“Hm hm, isn’t it the job of the elderly to instruct the young? How was I supposed to know you didn’t have any clue about the most basic of things.” Chen Lou said.

“Un, ignorant.” Lyssa piped in with a brutal blow from her chair to my right. She was rocking back and forth enjoying the byplay.

“Besides, this Old Monster helped you out greatly didn’t I? Do you think apparel like that just grows on trees?” he said, gesturing to our clothing. “I’ll have you know I got those items in a wager against the Emerald Dragon Demon almost three thousand years ago. Even with my skills, that twisted lady’s poison powers were quite an issue. She made a mean cup of tea though.” Chen Lou said, tapping his pipe with more tobacco.

I admit, I’m greatly ignorant about [RiSe] since it had never interested me before. I know a bit about it, and I learned a great deal more from Elyse, but my current knowledge would definitely classify me as a noob.

“There’s no way you gave me such news and items for free. Speak, what type of personal benefit do you gain from me Old Monster?” I said. There was no way gifts of this magnitude, tailor-made no less, just happened to be lying around his shop. I could clearly feel the web of a much greater conspiracy surrounding me.

Chen Lou sighed blowing out a large smoke ring that I waved off, “I suppose there’s no concealing the facts. How much do you know about the Gods and Demons of our world, specifically their origins?”

“Nothing at all.” I said. Knowing whether farmer’s worshipped cows, tree’s, the sun, or something else hadn’t been high on my list of valuable knowledge to cram. This admission garnered shocked gazes from both Chen Lou, and Lyssa making me squirm a bit.

“Un….scary, Brother is….sad.” Lyssa said, her mouth opened in an ‘O’ of surprise that she closed dramatically. I’d even managed to pause her side to side wiggling briefly. What a hyperactive child, indeed.

“The problems of youth….” Chen Lou said, now giving me a gaze that might resemble a particularly interesting species of dung beetle, “We might as well start from the top then.”

Gesturing with a wave of his hand, on the table in front of us both, under the glimmer of the magelights gently floating in the basement room, appeared a small holographic lightmagic show. Letters appeared in a cursive script in the air above the table to begin the tale. I chalked the sound effects up to overdramitization.

In the beginning there was Fundamental Chaos, from which the seeds of Ancient Order arose creating this world out of the Void.

Over time, Order forced the Chaos to compress and shift into Seven Great Embodiments, known as Dragons.

I was treated to a view of a black void from which shining star seeds fell to compress into the massive world of [RiSe]. Black void-stuff was compressed until the impurities were crushed out revealing the blazing light-outlines of massive beasts encircling the world, as if marking territories.

The Scaled Ones were separated by color, stained by the Fundamental Chaos from which they arose. Each color was granted dominion over their Elemental Embodiment, the highest Dragon of each became known as Rulers.

White to Life.
Green to Poison.
Copper to Fire.
Cobalt to Water.
Amber to Earth.
Ash-Gray to Wind.
Onyx to Entropy.

For many untold millions of years the worlds was shaped thus by them, gradually expanding the borders of civilization under the Rulers.

The holographic 3-D pictures altered, showing each Dragon carving out a territory in the world. I recognized the map instantly, because, with minor alterations it resembled the complete map of the Twenty Empires today. Around the Empire’s outer borders was the Unknown Region, the massive remaining unexplored area. The scene shifted again as more floating letters appeared above the table.

After the Dragons grew comfortable ruling, time passed. Without warning several millennium ago great Portals opened from within the Fundamental Chaos, casting the world once more out of balance.

The magical lights showed new races cast out adrift onto the land, the sky, and the sea. These creatures were weak at first, barely able to survive day to day. The proud Dragon Rulers ignored them as unworthy of notice. I could see only slivers of Chaos, and I knew these were the races available to each Player at the start of [RiSe].

As each new species gained their footing the devastating power of Faith was born, giving rise to incredible beings, known as Godlings. At first peace existed between the race’s Godlings and Dragons, but soon that shifted.

War broke out, Godling against Dragon, and then Godling against Godling.

Eventually after centuries of warfare, many of the Godlings were Sealed by either the Dragons or their own side. Finally, the Scaled Ones who retreated to their hidden Lairs. Thirteen human Godlings remained un-Sealed at the War’s end, their names known to all.

The Alchemist Enchantress.
The Lord of Sharp Objects.
The Lady of the Forge.
The Spinner of the Wheel.
The Carver.
The Deep One.
The Verdant Lady.
The Bright One.
The Tinker.
The Beast of Many Skins.
The Brother of Shining Scales.
The Jade Emperor.
The Heavenly King.

To consolidate their power, each of the Godlings chose a sphere of influence that remains to this day.

Images flashed by, like fading memories.

A woman of enthralling beauty at work among glowing chemicals and inked scrolls. A man practicing in an arena, where a table with every weapon ever invented lay spread out. A sweatsoaked woman hammering hot steel on a massive anvil. A hunched crone spinning on a wheel that seemed endless. A calm old man sitting in a rocking chair, his hands blurring as a small wooden boat took shape. A humanoid creature lying deep beneath the ocean of the world, sleeping. A woman shaped tree cloaked in beautiful green moss and flowers tending her garden. A woman brighter than the sun, whose light even seen through the magic blazed like a nova. An unknown small man surrounded by gears, wheels, tools, and contraptions in his laboratory. A hulking shadowy monstrosity deep within a massive forest, who made crunching sounds standing over an enormous beast’s corpse. A man surrounded by piles of money in a vault, laughing crazily at the wealth. A ruler sitting upon a Jade Throne watching two great warriors battle in the arena below, without expression. An elder looking sage who was watching two mages vie for his attention with incredible feats of magic.

However, in revenge for being cast down, each of the Dragon race’s Ruler opened a gate directly into their Elemental Embodiment.

And, the Fundamental Chaos cast forth a horrific twist to the balance of power.

The Demons.

From the Darkness in the heart of all races came the Seven Greater and Seven Lesser Demons.

The Lord of Pride.
The Lady of Envy.
The Towering Rage.
The Fat Glutton.
The Huntress of Lust.
The Sleeping Drunk.
The Greedy One.

Images flashed by, like fading memories.

A towering lord, his eyes disdaining all, looked down from a massive mountain. A beautiful woman gazed into a massive mirror, questioning, always questioning. An enormous barbarian with two axes singlehandedly was slaughtering an army. At a restaurant, an enormous Fatty ate and ate without pause. In a bedroom, a man’s eyes rolled back in his head as the form under the sheets moved in a rhythmic manner. A old man, sleeping upright, with a bottle clutched in his hands was surrounded by dead and dying bodies, the sword in his hand dripping fresh blood. A merchant sat counting coins that were never enough, his eyes dead, his heart cold.

Each of these Greater Demons took heart in the Empires of the world, worshipped in secret on pain of death. The Godling’s eyes are ever watchful for these Agents of Darkness, seeking to purge them from the land to regain their former heights of Faith power.

Unlike their Greater cousins, the Lesser Demons chose a different path to power.

The Lady of Pleasure.
The Sister of Jealousy.
The Indolent.
The Clown.
The Queen of Spice.
Jack Thrill.
Great Gusto.

Each of the Lesser fed on the Lighter side of their follower’s dark desires, and with this, became as powerful as any Greater Demon, Godling, or Dragon Ruler.

Images flashed by, like fading memories.

Out of all the Lesser Demons the first picture shown riveted me. A woman twin in beauty to Elyse appeared before vanishing. I honestly couldn’t focus on the rest of the images as my mind pondered what I had seen. When words appeared again I was drawn back to them.

This state continued for thousands of years until at last the Gates into Fundamental Chaos opened just over a decade ago. From within the void new beings escaped.

The Immortals.

Unlike the previous three Major Powers, these new creatures held only two terrifying gifts from the Beyond.

They cannot be permanently killed, as they always return from Death’s Realm.
Their growth is unlimited, albeit slow.

With the arrival of these Immortals many secrets of the world were revealed to all intelligent beings.

Things such as, Levels, Stats, Skills, Talents, Abilities, Jobs, Classes, Professions, and more.

As the crucial secrets of the world were revealed, each of the Major Powers grew to realize that the balance of power might tip.

Now, all forces, whether Dragon, Godling, or Demon seek to bring these people to their side, preparing for the inevitable final confrontation each knows will occur.

With a final flourish, the lightshow of magic vanished, and the archaic old man’s voice vanished into thin air.

“Eh, your recruiting me Old Monster?” I said, with a lopsided smile.

“I am offering you an opportunity to join us for your own good youngling.” Chen Lou corrected.

I pondered briefly before a sudden hug attack caught me. Lyssa’s affectionate hug tugged on my heartstrings. Staring down at my cute little elven imps pleading eyes I gave up without negotiating much.

“Ok, I guess help would be nice. But first, spill the beans, how did my sister become one of those Godlings?” I said.

“The power of Faith is what feeds Godlings and Demons, unlike us Dragons. It is both their most terrible limitation, and most terrific support.” Chen Lou said.

“To make it easier to understand, a dragon grows stronger with age and experience. Godlings and Demons grow based on the amount of Faith energy they control. If a Godling or Demon loses too much Faith energy, they can be ‘replaced’ by a stronger being with a higher amount of worship.”

“My sister….was really awesome.” I said, looking away for a moment. If only I hadn’t been so busy with ‘work’ and realized the threat sooner, she might still be safe.

“Yes. She singlehandedly crushed the Alchemist Enchantress five years ago, replacing the Godling’s position. I have no doubt the Divine Scrolls and Book now in your [Space] are her work. It is highly likely she was paving the way for you to follow in her footsteps.” Chen Lou said, with a serious expression.

“These gifts, they aren’t something the other Godlings would look too kindly on are they…” I said, my mind putting the pieces together. No one liked to share power, or even worse be replaced. It was highly likely these ‘Godlings’ had conspired with someone in the real world. In this world, who wasn’t familiar with the trading of favors for mutual gain.

“Correct. Your sister vanished off the radar of all the Major Powers without warning, some time ago. Although I can only speculate, I believe she was Sealed somewhere. Since we know Immortals arrived from another world where their real bodies reside, she must also have been trapped there as well, in my opinion. Quite devious, indeed.” Chen Lou said, once again replacing his tobacco pipe with fresh supply before using a tiny finger flame to light it.

A blood red haze covered my sight as my slender fingers gripped the table’s edge hard enough to leave dime-sized imprints in the wood.

I only managed to calm down when I realized Lyssa was hugging me and whispering comforting words. Licking the tears that had flowed unbidden from my eyes, Lyssa said, “Un. We’ll splatter them.”

Picking her up from my lap I gave a kiss on her forehead and stroked her hair as she commandeered my lap like an imperial throne.

“What can I do to find Sherry then? I’m a complete novice to this world.” I said, in despair.

“It’s not about finding her right now at all, youngling. Your nothing but a minor irritation to creatures of their level of power now. What you need is strength, the power to consign your enemies into the darkness of nameless obliteration.” Chen Lou said, a finger of his free hand tapping his chair’s armrest.

“Un.”

With even Lyssa agreeing I quieted down letting my rage seep away like dripping water.

“Your both right.” I said, ashamed at how I’d let my anger cloud judgement. My trainers would have rolled in their graves, were they dead.

“I would suggest first opening a Divine Scrolls if you can. In the meantime, I can tell with my Dragon Eye that you’ve recently used a powerful spell to alter yourself. Concentrated all your eggs in one basket so to speak. Sorry, a little dragon humor there.” Chen Lou said, with a smirk.

“I’ve used Sacrifice.” I said, pleased to watch his eyes widen in shock for a moment.

“Hooo…a risky move indeed. Let’s make a trade then, I’ll give you a leg up. Dump all that useless garbage out of your [Space] with the exception of the Scrolls and Book.” Chen Lou said.

I nodded waving a hand so all the miscellaneous objects exited my ring’s interior. Chen Lou glanced only briefly at them before shoving them to the far end of the table with his pipeless arm. From within his robes, the old dragon placed a single scroll, a golden egg covered in runes, and a monster core.

“Go ahead, put them in your [Space] now.” Chen Lou said.

Puzzled I used the ring’s power to pull them inside, when suddenly several messages appeared.

Golden Egg
The power of an unborn ancient dragon flows through this egg granting a Player 200% more experience from all sources. In compensation for the heaven defying power the Player loses 3 levels upon death instead of 1.

A Player must be ever wary of a Dragon’s gift, for unknown effects often linger from the ancient creature’s power.

Ancient Skill Scroll of Dragon Chant
Long before other race’s came to this world the Dragon’s grew strong delving their powers deep into the lore of all magic. After time, they learned to access a higher dimension of power than mere mana alone could bestow. Calling this power ‘Ki’ after the old one who discovered it a Chant Skill was created to harness the new power. The Dragon’s Chant will replace a Player’s mana with Ki energy allowing feats of incredible physical prowess. At higher skill levels of the Chant, a user will come close to the mythical immortals creating their own heaven defying abilities. However, without training even the sharpest blade is a useless spoon, if you cannot master the Dragon’s Chant, only disaster will follow.

A Player must be ever wary of a Dragon’s gift, for unknown effects often linger from the ancient creature’s power.

Krul’s Core
The core of the Dragon known as Krul, a mythical monster who refused to bow down to the Godlings or Demons, and sought ever greater power to destroy them.

A Player must be ever wary of a Dragon’s gift, for unknown effects often linger from the ancient creature’s power.

“Haha, close your gaping mouth youngling. You’ll catch a bird.” Chen Lou said, while chuckling in amusement.

I closed my mouth before suddenly tickling Lyssa to let off steam. After she was out of breath giggling, a diabolical smile from her warned me of imminent revenge in my future sometime soon.

“The Egg and Scroll seem self explanatory, but how do I use the Core?” I said.

“That’s actually the easiest out of all three with the least repercussions for failure. Once you start using the Dragon’s Chant, eat the Core and it will begin to absorb, store, purify, and circulate Ki energy in your body. If my dear friend Krul had been more patient, there probably wouldn’t be any Godlings or Demons left alive right now. Unfortunately, several centuries ago, he allowed a brash mistake to expose his growing power, and they banded together to kill him. Never think that for all their hatred of each other, that the Godlings and Demons cannot work towards a common cause.” Chen Lou said, with an expression of sorrow.

“Understood.” I wouldn’t make the same mistake. With my gift, I was essentially immortal in the real world, there was no reason to make haste.

I had to treat this like a kill, with complete patience, because there was only one shot for success.

In the meantime I needed to make some adjustments in the real world. Having used my gift for killing for over a decade, perhaps it was time to grow better educated to the possibilities available to me. I’d have Alecia look into various possibilities for training my gift more thoroughly.

What if I could expand my skills in both reality, and here? Would it be possible to train my powers in two separate places, using each side as a springboard to greater heights?I thought.

These thoughts caused me to miss Chen Lou’s next words, and so I hurried to give a short nod of dismay.

“I apologize Old Monster, I was lost in dreams of power. Please, repeat your words so that I may be better enlightened.” I said.

A long staring pause caused me to squirm a little, like my sister used to do to me back when I stole to keep us both alive.

After a suitable length of time staring, Chen Lou said, “There are 98 levels to this dungeon cavern. Only the first thirty are known to Immortals. The other seventy require the blood of an elder Dragon to enter.”

Chen Lou placed a small vial of white smoky liquid on the table.

“You have seven years to reach the bottom and defeat the final Floor Guardian. If you cannot do so, I will shatter your soul and place my hopes for the rebirth of our race in another.”

WARNING: Player has been offered a unique quest, Chapter One: The Rebirth of the Dragon Race, acceptance of this quest has severe penalties. If the Player is unable to complete within the time limit specified, the Player’s Character will be deleted permanently, and they will be banned from [RiSe] for an undetermined length of time.

Accept/Decline

With great risk comes great reward, so I hit the accept button without a second’s delay.

Turning my face from the fading screen I said, “Thank you for the opportunity, Old Monster.”

“Good, good! Excellent words youngling. Now, off you go. I’ve given as much help as I can. Be sure to bring your rare items back to me, I’ll give you a decent price for them.” Chen Lou said, drawing his chair back and standing.

With rapid haste Lyssa and me were pulled from our chairs, and ushered out of the store onto the cobblestone slate paved street from which we’d entered.

Taking a moment to stare in amazement at each other we turned to see that the sign, “Closed” now hung in the window of Chen Lou’s Antique Shop.

“Un. Ride.”

“Ugh…ok.” I said, bending down to allow Lyssa to move to her now familiar shoulder mounted position.

“To the Bazaar!” I shout, pointing forward. Lyssa imitated me and we charged off to one of the previously marked locations on my Map.

In every location where people gather in large numbers, there is a Bazaar.

Stoneblood’s Bazaar, true to form was a conglomeration of NPC hawkers, street stalls, tiny shops, and peddlers. All over the place Players or NPC’s could be seen buying, selling, and browsing for the perfect deal. People shouted in many languages striking bargains, or arguing over price. There were weapons brandished, although such methods usually ended with a Bazaar Guard dragging someone off. One could find anything in a Bazaar, from the newest drug, to the most saintly prayer book. It was one of the most singular refreshing places that I’d been too so far in the game. The sheer smell of all that gold, sweat, blood, and tears was invigorating. I loved the sound of wheeling and dealing almost as much as the feeling of success from sinking a particularly difficult target.

“GOLDS! ONE GOLD, ONE CREDIT!”
“Selling Leveling services, elite dungeon dive teams, crafting masters!”
“RARE POTIONS, SELLING OUT FAST!”
“GOLDS! WW.XEX>T.W>T.(((GYS*$T))) sub-net address 1.8906.291.71 we guarantee silent services, no gov’ment oversite, no tax!”

Of course, in such an area of money, there were the goldsellers, powerleveling services, and practically every other Player ‘service’ possible.

Before I could even groan in disgust, lightning blazed down from overhead striking at every advertiser that wasn’t paid up with the people upstairs. In moments the noise of goldsellers had vaporized to nothingness.

“Un. Divine punishment.” Lyssa said, staring at the smoking goldseller’s corpses.

I couldn’t help but laugh for almost a full minute in amusement. It appeared the developers of a game had finally managed to curb the issue seen in many old-style MMORPGS. I could attest from my own knowledge, the pain threshold probably made goldselling a very painful career.

After passing three talisman shops, a book stall, a fortune vendor, and a weapon shop full of daggers I was directed to stop. Lyssa gave the signal for dismounting so I moved her down from my shoulders to street level. Without a word we entered a shop that from the smell, dealt with many types of animals.

Inside the bearhide tent it was obvious the now commonly seen spell to conserve space was used. I decided to nickname it the In ‘n Out spell, after the effect of making the inside bigger than the outside of a place.

There were white tigers, blue rabbits, a spotted panther, and a plethora of other random creatures such as unicorn, gryphon, and so on. The pet store had split up the creatures by the Star ranking system, each contained in a cage appropriate to them.

As Lyssa headed deeper into the shop, I was intercepted by a smiling salesman of gnomish descent. The salesman’s oily grin creeped me out and I avoided shaking hands with him by the simple expedient of staring him down, hard.

“Honored customer, can I help you? Perhaps a purchase for the little one? Something nice, like a unicorn foal, or a tiger cub? Or, does honored sir want something a little more…dangerous? Anything is possible for the right price, with Azeel’s skills, anything!” Azeel said, gesturing to himself and spinning in a circle. The short gnome gave a waggling eyebrow before his face drained of blood.

“No, young one not that cage!” Azeel said, frantically trying to catch Lyssa’s attention.

I turned and noticed Lyssa was down poking a finger in a cage of the section marked, Dangerous! Extremely Poisonous Creatures of Rare Origin! without seeming care.

I wasn’t worried much, after all Lyssa’s Lifetime Contract meant she wouldn’t die a permanent death like a normal NPC. As the salesman sprinted towards her on his short legs I followed at a more leisurely pace.

*****

Hyzon was bored. He’d cleaned his scales till their bright green shine practically glowed in the dark. He’d marked every section of this small metal world.

There was just nothing to do, and it was annoying.

Hyzon dipped in and out of dreaming about the lush prey of the jungle. His race was one of the apex predators, the most poisonous species in the entire region.

If it hadn’t been for those soft-pink two legged creatures catching him during a nap, Hyzon wouldn’t even be here. This place of foul smells, pathetic fear stink, and babbling noise.

Hyzon suddenly snapped awake as he noticed a young soft-pink two legged creature poking her finger into his metal world.

Hello, pretty emperor. How are you?

Hyzon was amazed, it was the first time one of the soft-pink two legged creatures had given any indication of civilized speech!

I am disgusted, the smell here, the noise, and the food are intolerable. How did you learn the tongue of the People? From what I have seen, the soft-pink ones do not bother learning the True Words.

I serve an older race than the stars in the sky, and my Brother gave me a several gifts when I took service.

Hyzon was saddened, even though the soft-pink female spoke the True Words her speech was marred. There were no old ones left, they had all retreated long ago. Such a despicable lie enraged him.

Coiling up, Hyzon prepared to strike, this soft-pink female with the speaking lies would learn the terror of the People’s poison!

However, before he could move a sudden aura of overwhelming bloodlust and fear descended on him. It was crushing, like the massive pressure of the jungle’s torrid rainy season.

Hyzon had only a moment to glimpse the appearance before he was forced to bow to the creature’s greater aura of power.

To think the soft-pink one was in service to such a Monster!

A whisper reached his ears, softer than scales rubbing together, “Is there a problem, tiny brother?

Hyzon could barely choke out his words, “No, no there is no…problem, great one.

Fear gripped him in a vise of terrible pressure, if the Monster desired, killing him would be as easy as disposing of a pest!

The soft-pink one poked the Monster and the pressure and killing intent receded to a manageable level. Hyzon no longer felt the unwavering bloodlust of an inevitable higher level predator.

Don’t worry little emperor, Brother is just very protective. He wouldn’t really eat you, probably. Besides, I like your pretty scales.

Hyzon took a moment to preen, at least the soft-pink female had taste unlike many of her species.

Would you like to travel with me? My brother wants me to be safe, and I think with you guarding me I would be very safe. Please, would you help me little emperor?

Now that Hyzon had realized the soft-pink one hadn’t been lying, her appeal to his vanity was irresistible. He was one of the best hunters of the People before his capture. Besides, guarding a soft-pink one seemed like a reasonable request, they were so delicate and fragile unlike his own kind.

For heaven’s sake they couldn’t even take a single poison bite!

Hyzon mulled the proposal over as he circled the metal world a few times.

There would have to be good food. And a warm place to sleep. And the Monster can’t eat me by accident.

The monster? What monster?

The big black one with wings, the one right behind you glaring at me. He can’t eat me. I can’t guard you if I’m eaten. This is important, and good food, and warm sleeping place. Promise me this, and I’ll keep you safe pointy-eared small-pink one!

The soft-pink one turned and said words in the liquid music voice of their kind. Hyzon thought the Monster almost looked abashed for a moment before it nodded in agreement.

Brother agrees not to eat you, you can stay wrapped around me so it’s always warm, and sleep in my hair so your bed is soft. We’ll provide food for you when your hungry, as long as we know what you like. Is this acceptable, little emperor?

My name is Hyzon. I agree to guard you little soft-pink creature with pointed ears. My favorite food is the squeaky ones with fur, small or large sized. You may pet me now and be accepted into my House.

*****

I was a little amused watching Lyssa negotiate a deal with the long, thin, brightly colored green snake Hyzon. Apparently part of the deal was that I couldn’t eat him, we had to provide food, and he would get to sleep in the comfort of Lyssa’s clothing.

I personally thought the snake was a bit weird, however, I lost out completely to the pleading puppy dog eyes of my smaller companion. After I paid the thirty gold fee to the disbelieving salesman, Azeel stuttered in awe, his eyes bulged as Lyssa opened Hyzon’s cage and let him out.

Without attempting to bite her, or hiss in anger, he simply slithered out and into the sleeve of Lyssa’s extended hand. Within seconds after a few giggles a small bright green head with yellow eyes peeked out from the black tresses of Lyssa’s hair.

“Isn’t he gorgeous?” Lyssa said, as the small green snake slipped into her clothing before winding around her body. Soon, only his head was faintly visible in the obsidian tresses of her hair. Bright yellow green eyes peeked out from the shadows of the dark-as-night waterfall hair, before they were withdrawn.

I’d been worried Lyssa might become anti-social without me nearby. After seeing some of the dead eyes of the slaves in the Bazaar as we came here I’d grown admittedly worried. The purchase of a pet for my little elf munchkin was partially for peace of mind, and partially to ensure she had something to care about deeply.

It appeared that there was success on all fronts in this venture.

“Let’s head to the Mercenary Guild now.” I said, enjoying the bright smile of my little companion as she started talking to seeming air. It was clear her new pet helped fill a tiny portion of the void from her previous life.

“Un.” Lyssa said, before gesturing for a ride.

Together we exited the pet shop, and departed the Bazaar for the new location on the Map.

Chapter Thirteen

We managed to make it to the Gnome Village without further issues, although it was a close call several times. Kobold Patrols were all over the lower tunnels, although they slowly dropped off the closer we came to the village. Patrolling units of the gnomes became more frequent which explained why the Kobolds became scarce. The glowing equipment gnome patrol units carried gave ample explanation of their obvious superiority to their Kobold counterparts.

I wasn’t sure if I should mention the different colors I could see on chainmail, axes, hammers, helmets, greaves, and boots. Since I didn’t want us to garner trouble for no reason, I decided to keep quiet. Some of the glows were powerful enough to outshine my own lightsource provided by Mr. Book. I distracted myself from the slight pain to my eyes as we passed them by listening to Lyssa’s never ending questions. With a Mail already sent to Alicia in reality, I was confident in creating a learning program for the elven child. Until that happened though I was left as the sole source of interesting otherworldy knowledge. After the teaching session he’d done in the Safe Zone, Book seemed to be out cold. It was probably a side effect of imparting whatever high level stuff he’d taught her.

“Lyssa?”

“Un.”

“What exactly did Book teach you?” I said as we approached the town’s gate.

“He had funny names for them so I made better ones!”

“Oh?”

“Shadowstitching! Anything Cutter! Superfast Tagging Move! Pretty Bright Lights! Prettier Bright Lights!” Lyssa said, pausing her finger waving as if concentrating.
“And….um…Last Strike?” Lyssa said the last one with a questioning look.

“What wonderful names, what do they do exactly?” I said trying to appear calm. Mr. Book and me were definitely having a nice long chat real soon, where the hell did he pull all these from.

“Shadowstitching is where I pull shadows and cover myself in them like making pretty clothes. It has a ‘cooldown’ of one minute per use, and lasts for thirty seconds.”

“Amazing, what’s a cooldown?” I said, keeping my face from showing shock.

“Mr. Book said it was a time between using things again. Un, Anything Cutter just cuts well, anything. At least, Mr. Book said it would cut anything that wasn’t ‘Indestructible’ the cooldown for it is ten minutes, and it lasts for ten seconds.” Lyssa made chopping motions with her hands to demonstrate.

“Sounds extremely useful.”

“Superfast Tagging Move, it’ll let me move to a person super fast! There isn’t a cooldown on this move, it just costs mana.” Lyssa made swooshing noises to accompany the demonstration. It was rather loveable. When she demonstrated the move it was like watching a movie reel from old films. With one flicker she was near another person heading towards the village gate, with another she was beside me.

“If you use that in a game of tag you’ll be unbeatable, huh?”

“Yep! Pretty bright lights are…..it’s easier to show. There’s a reaaaaally long cooldown of twenty four hours. It lasts until dispelled by a stronger caster!” Lyssa turned quickly to stare behind, her face screwing up in concentration. I couldn’t resist taking a screenshot to show later.

Suddenly the surrounding area between the tunnel entrance and the Gnome Village’s stone wall flashed brightly. Roughly an area the size of a football field started glowing brightly. Thousands of tiny lights floated above the glowing ground like fireflies.

Consecrated Ground has been created. Undead creatures will suffer 500% additional damage when within the field due to the Bright One’s influence. Period of time active:Infinite until Dispelled.

“Prettier Bright Lights, wouldn’t happen to be bigger, brighter, and better would it?” I said.

“Un!” Lyssa said spinning around before leaping in for a hug.

“Well let’s continue, if anyone asks we have no clue where this came from, ok?” I said whirling her up into my arms for another hug.

“Un. The last spell, Final Strike, it’s, um, it does alot of damage to alot of enemies.” Lyssa said leaning over to whisper in my ear.

“How?” I ask suspicious of the dodgy wording.

“Mr. Book said it would eat my ‘HP’ and exchange it for power to kill enemies?” Lyssa said, confused with some of the wording obviously.

“Your absolutely forbidden from using that. Ever.” I said, the words spilling out so fast they were almost indecipherable. There was no way in hell I was letting my cute little elven companion cast a spell that killed her. I resisted the urge to curse at Book in a hundred different languages while holding her in my arms. What kind of idiot taught an adorable little child something so dangerous!

Our conversation finished just as we approached the large thick ironbound wooden gates. The left side of the door was opened to allow traffic in and out. Several guards loitered around whispering and pointing at the glowing effect, I ignored them and approached the senior looking fellow sitting at a desk. He had a no nonesense business look about him even though occasionally his eyes slipped to the glowing field behind us both.

“Names?”

“Root and Lyssa.” I said.

“Reason for entrance?” the man asked, scribbling in a large ledger with a quill pen dipped the nearby inkpot.

“Replenishing supplies and selling some loot drops.”

“1 copper each then, and a business permit will be 5 copper.”

“Is there anything accepted in trade besides money?” I said.

“Weapons, Kobold ears, Goblin ears, foodstuffs, potions. It’ll be more expensive though compared to just coins.” the man gave a frowning glance at us both.

Lyssa squirmed a bit so I let her down. From there, she moved over to the desk reaching into her special pocket before removing 10 Kobold ears, five Kobold iron swords, and two staffs with a flourish. I hadn’t even noticed her looting the corpses, that was some impressive speed.

The guards eyes bulged in disbelief, although the official at the desk only had a flash of amazement in his eyes.

“That’ll do. Here’s your change.” the official said, passing a single coin across to Lyssa. She smiled cutely and recieved them the flashing silver piece.

I quietly received the sum of a single silver coin from her patting her head to elicit a bright smile before quickly pretending to pocket it. What the others couldn’t see was, I was actually dropping it into Inventory. It’d take a talented thief to get it from there.

“Enjoy your stay in the Shining Jewel of the Second Level, Stoneblood. Please make sure to read the handbook, and don’t let me see you on the wrong end of a nightstick.” the official flashed a warning look to us both.

I picked up two small handbooks presented, bowed, and entered the gate with Lyssa staying behind me.

While we passed down the right side of the cobbled street following the flow of human traffic I held Lyssa’s hand keeping her between me and the center. It wouldn’t do for some opportunistic scum to carry her off in the press of bodies. As we made our way along the street she gawked like a tourist at the county fair.

There was a brace of tall barbarians covered in intricate tatoos and leather wielding massive two handed axes. They moved through the crush of people like ships cresting a wave.

A group of females in bright costumes followed behind them taking advantage of the human meatshields. The women wore painted symbols that seemed to glow under the unidirectional light given off from crystals in the cavern ceiling that substituted for sunlight.

There were merchants with pack donkey’s loaded down, guards with unsmiling faces, and the ever present adventures from various lands. The largest portion of these individuals was clearly Asian owing to this being an Asian starting area in the server cluster. As such, many of the individuals carried weapons like iron fans, swords, spears, sickle, bow and so on. It was rare to see axes like those barbarians had, or sword and shield like one rare knight gentleman had. The armors displayed were also mainly “soft” armors unlike the full chain, plate, or scale mail that Europeans would favor.

It wasn’t to say they were any weaker at defending. I knew full well Asian players were known well for their prowess in alchemy, enchanting, body strengthening, and ki gathering. Many of our armors were a combination of one or more Arts, resulting in astounding defense.

As we traveled along the town’s roads I was on constant lookout for the signs of a good place to stay. Anyone following us would probably conclude we were hopelessly lost, but I was carefully mapping out the town starting from the outer walls. Working my way in about halfway, I’d broken down under Lyssa’s pleading eyes and provided a shoulder ride. With the bonus to my Str Stat, it wouldn’t be an issue to carry her for several days straight if I wanted too.

I ignored the odd glances we recieved from others focusing on filling in the map while marking places of interest I wanted to visit later. I didn’t ignore the alleway’s or darker sections of town either.

After almost 99% of the Mapping had been completed we ran into a small situation on the far outskirts of the town walls other side. The surroundings looked like a slum, and the stink of open sewage wasn’t far away. Lyssa was extremely interested in the four men brazenly waylaying a fifth just a bit away so I halted to let her watch.

“Hey now Mister, we’ve given you a good amount of time to pay.”
“Boss is virtuous.”
“Boss is generous.”
“Boss’s kindness has no bounds.”

“B-but, there’s n-no way to get that amount of interest in a week! T-this wasn’t what we agreed on!”

An elderly shopkeeper was surrounded by one large masculine man and three shorter clowns. Although his attitude appeared frightening, the performance had a few noticable flaws. I took a careful look at the surrounding buildings before a smirk flashed across my face.

“What are they doing?” Lyssa asked.

“No need to whisper. Most likely it’s a protection racket, or a loan collection with illegal interest. Scum like that are common in every place and time.” I said.

Our casual words caught the ears of the Boss, his unsmiling face and deep set piggy eyes promised painful payment in spades.

I waved unthreateningly at the Boss, “Hi hi, just watching the show. Please continue, it’s good entertainment.”

PK(Player Killing) was restricted in populated areas like cities, but NPC’s were free game. The penalty for NPC kills was a bounty which would be posted for Bounty Hunter classes to collect. Duels of course were a complete exception to the PK rule.

I had previously worried about the money issue, but it looked like Sherry’s spirit was watching out for me from the Almighty’s Outlands.

Taking hold of Lyssa I moved her gently from my shoulders to the ground before stretching out the kinks in my body.

To be honest, I’d been getting a little bored just walking around using the Map.

It was time to have some fun.

Turning to Lyssa I said, “You can’t interfere, if you get involved we’ll be all day explaining away the body parts and blood, and that’s not good for laying low.”

“Un.” A tearful sniffle combined with puppy dog eyes met my words.

“Bloodthirsty child.” I said, affectionately tussling her hair. It’s not like anyone could expect someone raised in a slave environment to have the same values as the rest of the outside world. I rather liked her worldview anyways.

In the time we’d been chatting the Boss’s three clowns had closed in on us both. I stepped forward placing myself between them and Lyssa to partially shield her from view. I mentally labeled the three idiots as Clown A, B, and C in my mind.

“Eh? Is that an elf?” Clown A squinted at Lyssa who was making faces behind me. His face resembled something like a weasel, even the buckteeth aided the impression.

“Nah, that’d be impossible. Real elves are rarer than unicorn horns, qilin tailfeathers, or dragon scales. It’s probably a Hulf.” Clown C said, his block fatform giving weight to his opinion. I could barely make out the ears and eyes of his rubberball round face.

Clown B shuddered, “It ain’t right them cutting a cute little kids ears to make them pointy-like. Brothers we should punish this evil man on behalf of children everywhere. By the way little one, how about some candy?” Out of all the three clowns, this one was a let down. In other words he bore a close resemblance to a normal human, some would even have said handsome. Black hair and kind black eyes, if it weren’t for his creepy last words I would have let him suffer the least.

“Ah! There it is, Brother’s love of children.” Clown A said, rubbing his hands, at some point a dagger had appeared in one of them.

“Brother loves the younger ones, he takes such good care of them in his ‘special’ place.” Clown C smirked, he too also had a weapon, a club now of all things.

“Bah! It’s not like you two are shining paragons of innocence, I don’t see either of you refusing to taste the cake when it’s offered.” Clown B said, gesturing at them both with a sword.

I calmly listened to the banter blowing on my nails and buffing them on my shirt. Before removing another paper talisman from my inventory with a magician’s flourish.

The three henchmen had a moment to realize something was wrong before I threw the object between the four of us.

As the talisman’s shamanic lettering runes glowed it began to burn, slowly at first, then faster, before it was consumed completely.

“Hey, wha-” Clown B managed to say before the magic wrapped all four of us up in complete darkness.

This talisman was actually cheap at the price being a one time use version unlike the smoke ones used previously. It had a very simple effect, and was actually considered a joke by most people.

The effect of eating all light within a thirty meter radius for twenty seconds.

While it created blindness in my opponents, I wasn’t disabled as such.

Part of my training had included situations where sight was stolen, either by the enemies plan, coincidence, or a mishap of my own making.

When sight no longer is viable, I was trained extensively to use my other senses. Brutal bloody lessons that engraved the knowledge into my bones.

Hearing, taste, and scent to locate targets.

Touch to confirm the maiming strikes.

When the darkness cleared the three clowns were lying on the ground arms and legs bent at impossible angles. Their reason for a lack of screams was the shattered jaws which only allowed muffled moans to escape instead.

Stepping over the garbage with a disdainful sneer, Lyssa and I approached the Boss who’s expression now held hints of terror mixed with awe.

“Good meet.” I said, bowing to the elderly merchant dressed in fine fitting layers of bright clothing. It would be a bad idea to offend someone who had so many archers stationed around us.

“Youth, it sure is impressive.” The elderly merchant said glancing at the three clowns, his eyes flashing with amusement. Gone was the servile attitude he’d been showing the Boss earlier. It was clear the situation had been reversed to a large degree.

Both of us stared at the fat, richly dressed “Boss” with hungry eyes.

“What do you think? Sixty forty?” he said.

“I could never rob my elders, how bout seventy thirty, your favor.” I said.

The elderly merchant nodded with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“A young man that doesn’t overestimate himself is rare these days.”

“I endeavor to be rare. It’s a character flaw I’m told, but what can I do, it’s me.” I said, with a tone of long sufferance.

The elderly merchant spared a questioning glance at Lyssa who responded with her trademark, “Un. He’s wierd, scaled Elder.”

Hands over my heart I struck a pose of wounded pride. I had only a moment of theater before I had to quickly catch a small flying elf missle so she could clamber back up ontop of my shoulders. It appeared a favorite perch had been decided upon without my input.

Scaled elder? Could this man be a dragon like me?

“Ah, well, Chen Lou, I just remembered I had an important prior appointment with the Mayor’s office. I’ll give you another week, no, two more weeks to get the money together…” the Fat Boss said trying to escape.

A hand gesture from the elderly merchant Chen Lou resulted in an arrow sprouting from the Fat Boss’s throat like a macabre piece of artwork.

“There’s no need for garbage like you to infest our Free Trade Nation. Go with whatever god’s watched over your evil work.” Chen Lou said, before turning to face me and Lyssa.

Ignoring the surprised look on Chen Lou’s face I bent down to touch the corpse of the now deceased Fatty to loot him.

Dimensional Access Ring
Durability:Infinite
Rare Item.
Required Level:10+
Armor:1
Stat Bonuses:
+30 to Agility
+30 to Strength
Weight:0.005kg.
Item Effect(s):
Upon equip replaces Inventory with a Dimensional Space unique to the player(all Inventory items will transfer without loss). The player’s [Space] will scale in size according to level. Only non-living items can be placed inside, without exception. When removing items they can be placed anywhere in a 1 meter radius around the player.
This item cannot be removed, stolen, lost, altered, destroyed, or enchanted further.

A hundred gold, thirty-five silver, and fifteen copper flowed into my pockets as well. I grinned in amusement, according to my ancestor’s, within all people dwells a dragon. It delights in treasure, gold, and power growing ever stronger as a person progresses through life. This item definitely woke the sleeping beast up, I could hear it’s silibant hissing in my mind filled with the laughter of a new treasure to add to the hoard.

Without a moment’s pause I cut a small slit in my chest losing a few HP in order to place the ring inside me. A quick Minor Heal smoothed over the skin leaving no trace of the treasured item’s new home. Unlike many idiot players I wouldn’t leave my wealth lying on the table for anyone to deprive me. Only idiots, madmen, or death gods would be stupid enough to leave such an item displayed on their fingers.

Chen Lou watched me before an amused grin flashed across his features, “Such a young one and already adding to your hoard, eh?”

The question made me take a sharp look at the elderly merchant, for a brief moment my eyes squinted. Behind the elderly merchant was a phantom image of an enormous white dragon rising above the city with majestic grace. In a flash the image vanished, and I was left wondering if this was how Lyssa had seen me. If so, it was understandable how impressed she’d been.

“Your a-” I said, but was silenced with a sharp penetrating stare from Chen Lou.

“Such things shouldn’t be talked about in the open.” Chen Lou said, giving a hand gesture to the archers that had gathered as if from thin air. Several fellows hefted up the bodies departing with them.

“Would you two perhaps like a cup of tea?”

I traded looks with Lyssa who leaned over to giggle at me.

“Sure.”
“Un.”

Upon receiving the encouraging words from us both, Chen Lou turned to the building entrance behind him waving us both to follow.

The inside of the shop was a bizzare assortment of items reminding me of an antique store I’d visited before. Just with more magic involved and less dust, there were floating lamps, glowing crystal orbs, living statues, and more.

I managed to catch my light-fingered elven accomplice before she placed a particularly grim looking monkey paw into her [Pocket]. No matter how you looked at it those things never worked well for the user.

“This is a dragon’s hoard.” I said.

“Un.”

“Let’s not make him angry. He might make us into light snacks!” I said.

“Un, couldn’t help myself.”

“Uh huh, I’m sure it was the cursed item’s fault entirely.” I said, rolling my eyes as I placed the monkey’s paw back on the nearby shelf. Before she could manage to get us both killed, I sprinted after Chen Lou with haste.

A few seconds later both Lyssa and me were seated at a small table in the basement gaping at the man across from us.

Level 2691. Chen Lou was just over five times stronger than the most powerful human players. If I had any doubt about the power of NPC’s it had been shattered like candied glass. Their were only ten players who had crossed the level 499 barrier and each of them would represent the might of an entire developed country.

For a single NPC to be this strong….

It was truly mind boggling in the extreme. Any of those ten players could destroy an Empire’s capital city. However, Chen Lou could destroy an Empire, and probably a second one if he had a mind to.

“…Strong.” Lyssa said.

“Un.” I said as we switched words.

“Ok, that’s enough of the comedy routine you two. Now which of you would like to explain exactly what a young dragon-to-be is doing on my doorstep. Not only that, he’s accompanied by an elven child blessed by the Bright Goddess, a Divine Book created by the late great missing Goddess of Alchemy and enchanting, and holding four scrolls, also probably from her as well. So? Who’s going to enlighten me?”

“….EEEEEH!?” we both managed to say in unison.

“….Wait, you didn’t know?” Chen Lou looked at us both like a rare type of insect he’d never seen before.

“Your telling me this useless collection of floating misanthropy is a Divine Book?!” I said.

“Your telling me my Lord has Divine Scrolls!?” Lyssa said, not to be outdone in the shock department.

“Oooh boy, where do I start.” Chen Lou said rubbing his neck sheepishly.

After a long question and answer session of two hours I was even more shocked. No, instead of shock I’d moved straight to mind-numbing brain dead.

My sister had never talked much about the game other than to try and get me to play.

Point in fact I’d never really bothered to keep up with her on the matter at all.

To find out she’d managed to be the one player out of billions to Ascend to the Realm of the Gods and take a seat in the Eternal Church….

It was all a little much to take in. I think anyone would forgive me for passing out.

When I woke up, I found myself in a comfortable bed with a change of clothes on the dresser beside me. Staring at me from a stool she’d been perched on Lyssa’s was gazing at me with unblinking focus.

“My sister’s divine.” I said, staring up at the clay ceiling.

“Un.”

“I wasn’t quite expecting that when I came here. You know, from my own world.” I said.

“Un. Doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, but it does Lyssa. You see, my sister is dead. I verified her corpse with my genetic gift, see, it’s like a special type of magic from my world.” I said, pausing suddenly in thought.

“What’s wrong.” Lyssa said, a small frown marring her cute face.

“I verified the body of my sister’s death, and it was a perfect match. A perfect match to my record of a year before her death. But, now that I think about it calmly without the grief clouding my mind, that’s impossible.”

I could practically see the question marks above her head.

“See, people are always changing. Their genes aren’t static like scientists want you to believe. Two hundred years ago, my world thought a person’s genetic material was immutable, unchanging, but we know now that’s not exactly true. The basic DNA strand of a person is immutable, but certain markers change over time in accordance with someone’s environment.”

“Un.”

“So it….it would be impossible to be the same as a year ago….” I said, a wild hope flairing in my mind.

“Someone stole your sister?” Lyssa said, putting words to my thoughts.

“Someone stole her indeed. I can easily imagine their desire to control one of the God’s of this world.” I said, my tone turning dark with rage.

“Steal back?”

“We will gain power first, then we will go hunting.” I said, my fists clenching as I lay prone.

“Un.” Lyssa said, moving to my side. I patted her head as the bright flame of revenge lit in deep in my core.

Rising I dressed in the clothing Chen Lou had laid out for me. Tunic, soft armor, gloves, light silk pants, each piece was part of the set.

Silken Shirt of the Emerald Dragon
Set Item 1/5
Durability:200/200
Unique Item.
Required Race: Dragon
Required Level: N/A
Armor:279
Stat Bonuses:
+50 to Agility
+50 to Strength
+50 to Wisdom
-30 to Luck
+5 to Charm
Weight:0.005kg.
Item Effect(s):
Grants Poison Aura Manipulation.
Increases Poison Aura length by 1 meter.
Increases the effects of Poison Arts by 20%.
Increases all Resistances by 5%.
Extends the duration of Poison effects by 2 seconds.
Set Bonuses
+1 to Medicine Arts
+1 to Empower Arts
+1 to Healing Arts
This item cannot be removed, stolen, lost, altered, destroyed, or enchanted further.
A gift from the White Dragon, Chen Lou, this clothing will identify you to others of your race.

Silk Gloves of the Emerald Dragon
Set Item 2/5
Durability:200/200
Unique Item.
Required Race: Dragon
Required Level: N/A
Armor:279
Stat Bonuses:
+50 to Agility
+50 to Strength
+50 to Wisdom
-30 to Luck
+5 to Charm
Weight:0.005kg.
Item Effect(s):
Increases Poison Aura length by 1 meter.
Increases the effects of Poison Arts by 20%.
Increases all Resistances by 5%.
Extends the duration of Poison effects by 2 seconds.
Set Bonuses:
+1 to Medicine Arts
+1 to Empower Arts
+1 to Healing Arts
This item cannot be removed, stolen, lost, altered, destroyed, or enchanted further.
A gift from the White Dragon, Chen Lou, this clothing will identify you to others of your race.

Silk Pants of the Emerald Dragon
Set Item 3/5
Durability:200/200
Unique Item.
Required Race: Dragon
Required Level: N/A
Armor:279
Stat Bonuses:
+50 to Agility
+50 to Strength
+50 to Wisdom
-30 to Luck
+5 to Charm
Weight:0.005kg.
Item Effect(s):
Increases Poison Aura length by 1 meter.
Increases the effects of Poison Arts by 20%.
Increases all Resistances by 5%.
Extends the duration of Poison effects by 2 seconds.
Set Bonuses:
+1 to Medicine Arts
+1 to Empower Arts
+1 to Healing Arts
This item cannot be removed, stolen, lost, altered, destroyed, or enchanted further.
A gift from the White Dragon, Chen Lou, this clothing will identify you to others of your race.

Silk Headband of the Emerald Dragon
Set Item 4/5
Durability:200/200
Unique Item.
Required Race: Dragon
Required Level: N/A
Armor:279
Stat Bonuses:
+50 to Agility
+50 to Strength
+50 to Wisdom
-30 to Luck
+5 to Charm
Weight:0.005kg.
Item Effect(s):
Increases Poison Aura length by 1 meter.
Increases the effects of Poison Arts by 20%.
Increases all Resistances by 5%.
Extends the duration of Poison effects by 2 seconds.
Set Bonuses:
+1 to Medicine Arts
+1 to Empower Arts
+1 to Healing Arts
This item cannot be removed, stolen, lost, altered, destroyed, or enchanted further.
A gift from the White Dragon, Chen Lou, this clothing will identify you to others of your race.

Silk Shoes of the Emerald Dragon
Set Item 5/5
Durability:200/200
Unique Item.
Required Race: Dragon
Required Level: N/A
Armor:279
Stat Bonuses:
+50 to Agility
+50 to Strength
+50 to Wisdom
-30 to Luck
+5 to Charm
Weight:0.005kg.
Item Effect(s):
Increases Poison Aura length by 1 meter.
Increases the effects of Poison Arts by 20%.
Increases all Resistances by 5%.
Extends the duration of Poison effects by 2 seconds.
Set Bonuses:
+1 to Medicine Arts
+1 to Empower Arts
+1 to Healing Arts
This item cannot be removed, stolen, lost, altered, destroyed, or enchanted further.
A gift from the White Dragon, Chen Lou, this clothing will identify you to others of your race.

The bonuses alone were amazing enough. I would need to cloth myself in rags to conceal this finery. It was always best to play the pig to eat tigers.

Stepping towards the stairwell leading down, my back straightened as if a large load had dissappeared.

Come what may, I was thankful for the hope that my sister might still be alive.

*****

Root’s Current Character Info after Gear Upgrades:

Name: Root
Class: Peddler
Job: Food Tester
1rst Profession: Blood Enchanter
2nd Profession: Demented Chemist
Race: Draconian
P.E. Level: 20
Skill Points:80
Talent Points:40
Stat Points:200
Health: 3865/3865Mana: 5197/5197
Armor Rating: 1395
Damage:2,734
Stats: Str:314 Agi:314 Wis:331 Int:1 Lck:-149 Chm:26
Skills: (4/4)
Slot 1:Liquid Manipulation Lv. 1 (84%) Slot 2:Minor Heal Lv. 2(+5) (1%) Slot 3:Minor Empower Lv. 2(+5) (3%)Slot 4:Poison Aura Lv. 1 (1%)
Talents: (2/3)
Talent Slot 1: Medicine Lv. 3(+5) (77%)
Talent Slot 2: Massage Lv. 1 (12%)
Abilities: (3/3)
Ability Slot 1: Peddler’s Compounding Lv. 2 (69%)Ability Slot 2: Art of Chemical Manipulation Lv. 1 (5%)Ability Slot 3: Art of Blood Enchanting Lv. 1 (0%)
Poison Resistance 25%
Earth/Fire/Wind/Water/Dark/Light Resistances 25%
Poison Detection 100%
Dragon’s Bodyparts: Eyes, Rank I
Copper: 15Silver: 35 Gold: 100
Pets:1 (1/5)
Potential Experience(Accumulated):189,392

Chapter Twelve

My attire of a sleek sleeved greatcoat tailored to maximize image, along with knee-high boots of soft synthleather gave off zero noise as we moved through the towers inner hallways. Or perhaps it was just the lush carpeting that absorbed any possible sound. Even with the amount of security surrounding Elyse and me, the silence couldn’t have been cut with a laser beam. It was obvious the Pol Family like many noble families enjoyed emphasizing their wealth. Priceless works of art in many forms decorated the hallways at precisely thirty paces apiece. It wasn’t the artwork though that drew my attention, instead I carefully noted the cameras located throughout our passage. I also took great care not to show displeasure when my senses detected a delicate genetic scan washing over me.

Unfortunately for our beloved customer, Mr. Shar, scanning and other such efforts were useless against my gift. I gave a small smile concealed behind the silver mask, every time they scanned me a random genetic configuration would be returned, I did that on purpose to screw with their minds. Security personnel would usually conclude one of two options, first I was wearing superior anti-detection equipment, always disconcerting to find a guest with better gear, or second their own equipment was malfunctioning, this would be even worse. I’d had cases where some Security Officers would retire after a run in with my civilian personas, well, those that didn’t drink themselves into paranoia.

Either way, someone would likely be killed out of perceived incompetence from these mind games.

As we approached the end of the customary display of wealth and opulence I gave another look at the security personnel surrounding us. The uniform was a formfitting jumpsuit of grey, while the insignia patch denoting Scion of Neptune House affiliation was four water droplets at cardinal points within a planet. As one of the largest fresh water shipping magnates any Houses associated with the Neptune name would of course have a badge featuring water in some form. The interesting point was the number of droplets, it denoted that the Pol Noble Family was connected by blood to the Neptune. It wasn’t just a mere Branch family, it actually contained a pureblood strain of the Neptune genetics.

I was suddenly extremely interested in the sick young heiress. Because, by all rights, she should be completely healthy without blemish or mar.

Neptune’s main concern was freshwater shipping, however my years within the Black Dragon also made me aware of their prime secondary business.

Modified mass market cures for the common masses, and they were very, very good at this side business. Good enough that I’d trusted my sister with a cure from them before I came into my own gift.

Someone had either infected or poisoned a heiress who had access to some of the best in-house gene therapists in the known Sol System. I didn’t for a second believe in the possibility of random chance, where Nobility walked, treachery was always one step behind in their circles.

Seline or Mercy’s recommendation must have carried a great deal more weight than I previously attributed to them. Either that or they were so desperate that any hope was better than nothing. Or perhaps they were hoping I would fail, so they could claim all attempts were made even the remotest chances. Whichever point it was, it meant my price could be raised, and these Nobles wouldn’t have a choice but to meet it.

I noted my observations on the tablet as we approached the final door before handing it casually behind me to Elyse. Taking it with a bow she separated off to the side while I moved through the final door which resembled nothing so much as an spaceship’s airlock.

Elyse would handle negotiations with the client, I would handle the patient herself. It was a split second choice made on the spur of the moment, but I doubted there would be any negative effects. Anyone negotiating with Elyse would already be on the losing side, I had no doubt she could charm her way into a bigger payday than I could ever attempt. Even better her victims would probably thank her afterwards for the chance to personally meet a Divine of her unique skillset. At least the male ones would.

After stepping inside the positive pressure airlock, I waited as a cleansing nanite program cleaned any residual bacteria off my clothing and skin before a second door cycled open. Stepping inside I got my first look at the patient. An impressive array of medical equipment surrounded a force field bubble being generated. It was the medical equivalent of a S-class clean room used to keep absolute isolation. A single bed in the exact center of the room held a young woman clothed in a rippling medical gown of silver-white with the nametag Tel’iana Pol. The gown pulsed with a rhythm eerily reminiscent of a heartbeat, as it fought a losing battle with whatever ailed her.

This was more serious than a simple sickness, frowning I approached the medical equipment and bubble before pacing a circle around observing the young lady within. She had delicate soft feet that did nothing to detract from her long legs. Following the legs upward, a well developed chest with bladed shoulders was attached to painfully thin arms. I noted her hands were almost works of art, it was highly likely she played the piano as her music of choice. Finally I moved up to see her face before freezing in shock for a moment.

If it wasn’t for the raven black-blue hair and purple irises eyes I might have mistaken her for my sister. The similar features made the differences all the more bizarre.

Suddenly I was motivated far beyond mere monetary concerns. My blood boiled as rage slowly creeped up on me, only years of training managed to keep it from leaking into my calm unhurried steps.

I wanted to get to work immediately, I wanted to deconstruct her every gene, find the link, and follow it. I wanted to rip off my mask and scream why had we been abandoned, why had we been left to fend for ourselves, and most of all I wanted to promise dark, terrible, horrific retribution on Neptune’s entire lineage. Someone among their ranks knew about us, and likely had silenced my sister upon discovering her in the game.

I did none of these things however, because in the next moment, I looked into the patient’s eyes and my rage drained away. Tel’iana Pol was dying and she knew it, I could see the knowledge trying to erode her mind with fear. However, those clear purple eyes refused to give up even as she stared at a nightmare somewhere far away that only she could see. My patient was a fighter, desperately struggling against her fate. As I drew closer looming over her I could make out more details like the sweat slicked skin, hair dampened by fever, and shuddering twitches that wracked the dying frame of a mortal shell.

I stared down in to the depths of those purple eyes and found the flicker of life blazing with rage at her current fate. Drawing in a deep breath, I held up my hand to let a small droplet of blood descend from it. As soon as the blood touched the pristine white floor abyss black darkness started to eat the room’s nanomachines as they converted to my control. It was a complicated genetic hack, but I deemed it necessary.

I couldn’t leave any possible witnesses to what I was about to do.

Within moments Tel’iana Pol and me were isolated in complete darkness lit only by the humming glow of the force bubble, and her silver gowned dress.

“Have….you come….to collect….me?” Tel’iana said, her voice raw and choked with pain.

“No.”

“I always thought…..they’d use….the blade.”

“True Nobility would, but whoever did this too you doesn’t have the guts to face you young lady.”

“Who…..?” Confusion crossed her face.

I raised my hand synchronizing to the force shield’s energy signature before placing it directly on Tel’iana’s forehead, “Sleep.” Bypassing her genetic defenses I sent her into a deep sleep, it wouldn’t do to keep her awake for what I was about to do. If it weren’t for the fact that her body was focusing completely on the attacker this wouldn’t have been possible to do.

After I was sure she was completely under I leaped into the genetic code opening my gift to it’s maximum capacity. Screaming forces echoed around me as my mind expanded into the infinite world of genetic code.

The darkness of reality surrounding me exploded with light as symbols manifested of pure constructed thought blazed like suns in a complex code generated by my mind. Entire strings of light-code streamed in unending ripples of reality, as the entire space around me flowing with endless potential.

“Stop.”

The endlessness froze like an insect trapped in amber.

In this world, I was a god, my powers absolute, my word complete law, but even I had limits. Someday, perhaps, I would have nothing to bar me, but for now there were still boundaries even I couldn’t cross. My gift, it is both a blessing and a curse. It can be easy to lose myself in the flow of infinite potential, something that had very nearly killed me early on. That’s why I limited my time in this place as much as possible.

“Show.”

Out of the eternity of genetic code a small filament of corruption was revealed. The symbols of corruption tainted the golden sun symbols with a creeping shadow like rust eating iron flakes.

“Reveal!”

A small trickle of blood leaked from my mouth as I uttered those words, but the effect was worth it.

Invisible forces ripped the corrupted symbols apart deconstructing them to their most basic genetic building blocks and highlighting exactly where the problem lay.

“Obliterate. Restore. Immune. Copy. Infuse!”

A horrific weakness struck me, and it took all my willpower to remain upright.

The five commands created entirely separate effects. First, the corruption burned out of the gene filament of code like flash paper, instantaneous without a trace. Second, the burned filament was reformed new and shining with pure golden sun symbols, as if it had never been damaged. Third, a new sequence I personally crafted overwrote the old symbols, immunizing against any attempt to use the obliterated strain to infect my patient again. Then the immunity copied itself to all other gene filaments rapidly spreading to the entire gene pool. Fourth, a copy of my immune code was attached to the flowing golden codes. And lastly, I infused Tel’iana with my own developed genetic immunities. This could be termed overkill, however I was unwilling to take chances at this point.

I might not be able to prevent a knife in the dark, but she wouldn’t be dying from anything cooked up in a lab by some two bit hack.

Another trickle of blood from my left eye had joined the one from my mouth by the time I finished. Even though in this space my image was merely illusory, a representation of my mind’s view of myself, the damage would transfer back to reality as backlash. There was no free lunch in the universe, and every time I employed my gift at the highest level there was a cost. Even my gift needed it’s pound of flesh to work miracles.

If anyone could have seen behind the mask they would barely recognize the current me. Sunken hollow eyes as if I hadn’t slept in days, flesh that appeared to be slowly eating itself from within, and an overcast pallor of weakness.

I ignored all this taking care to ensure everything was perfect and nothing had been missed. Satisfied with the cure I removed myself from the space, stepping back into reality. I was able to create a chair from the surrounding nanites to prop myself up with settling down with a sigh just as exhaustion settled in. I glanced down at Tel’iana just in time to see violet purple irises opening in a flash to take stock of their surroundings.

The gown that had been slowly dimming as it combated the infection blazed with incredible silver light now. It was clearly some type of symbiotic technology linked directly to her well-being. I had no doubt it was both extremely beautiful, and quite deadly a copy of it’s owner’s own characteristics no doubt.

“How much?” she said, staring at my masked and robed figure reclining in exhaustion.

“How much what?” I said. I’ll be the first to admit after a complex healing, and burning so much energy, I was not firing on all cylinders.

“The healing, how much was it?”

“Can you put a price on your life? Be grateful my associates considered you worth my attention.”

I saw calculating eyes assess me, my robe, my mask, before she spoke again.

“Mercy’s contacts are truly widespread to summon someone of your caliber to aid me.”

My silence was read as acquiescence.

“There was a rumor I heard once.”

“Rumors are such untrustworthy things.” I said.

Ignoring me she continued as if talking to air, “A rumor, about a person able to cure even the most deadly diseases. They specialized in exotic “incurables” like some people collect stamps, this person collected diseases.”

“Sounds like a twisted version of a saint.” I said.

“You’d think so wouldn’t you? Except for the second part.”

I knew what was coming, but ignored the chill down my spine.

“Second part?” I said.

“This person, they would take the diseases others had so carefully constructed, and remake them. A hundred, no, a thousand, or even a million times worse.”

“That’s terrible.”

“Then they would sell their services to the highest bidder, sometimes to the person that was infected, sometimes to their rivals.”

“A tragedy.”

“Yes, quite a tragedy wouldn’t you say, Cleaner Zero?”

I forced my hands to relax from gripping the chair. If I hadn’t been so exhausted I never would have been played like this.

“Cleaner Zero is a myth. I’m afraid you must be suffering from some residual symptoms, Madame Pol.”

“Residual symptoms? I suppose it’s possible. I mean even if you were the myth, there’s no way the Blood of Neptune would forget a favor.”

I relaxed at those words, cloaked as they were, no Noble would swear on the Blood lightly. To be foresworn in Noble circles was worse then death, a living pariah unable even to die. Such an oath breaker would be kept alive, at the lowest circles, a constant reminder of the price of one’s word.

“I’m sure even a myth would be grateful for the accommodation of Neptune.” I said.

Turning her face away she stared at the abyss of darkness surrounding her.

“It appears I have some housecleaning to do, would you mind?”

With a thought I pulled my influence back through the nanomachines in the floor, ceiling, and walls. It looked as if all the darkness of the void was being absorbed into my person.

“How terrifying.”

“You appear anything but terrified, Madame.”

“Tch. You’ll never get an admirer with that attitude.”

“I’m sure that will someday concern me greatly.” I shrugged nonchalantly as a ping from the mask relayed a small holographic message from my Companion.

“It appears my business has been satisfactorily completed.” I rose before bowing low, “Thank you for your contribution to the betterment of my life.”

“Likewise, smartass.”

I managed to catch a flash of smile from my patient right before the airlock door closed behind me.

Elyse was standing perfectly prepared, tablet by her side. Long, silver-white hair hung to her lower back in a straight mass, while two strands escaped to fall forward of her shoulders. A delicate cheomsang cut to show the best possible view of the valley of heaven was also slit lengthwise to show graceful alabaster white legs as she moved. The dress courted long sleeves, and the entire ensemble seemed to glow from the effect of silver threadwork manipulated into swirling patterns.

“I noticed the number of zeros on the message. I’m impressed.” I said as Security closed around us, escorting us out to the landing pad.

“The negotiator was a very young man, with good taste.” Elyse deadpanned.

“He’d have to be, he’s a Noble after all.” I said, smirking.

I could see the guards trying to puzzle out the conversation. It was very obvious when they got it as several faces went apple red.

Shortly afterwards Elyse and me entered the gravity limo. Instead of the car we’d arrived in, it appeared we were being sent off in style. I gave one last glance at the tower before we sped away.

High in one of the upper windows a figure in a glowing silver dress stared back at me.

“There’s no rush. We have all the time in the world now.” I said.

“What?” Elyse said, looking at me questioningly.

“Ah, nothing. Just talking to myself a bit.”

“How difficult was the healing?”

“It wasn’t beyond my skill.” I said, before removing the silver mask.

A shocked gasp met my ears.

“It looks worse than it is. A few bags of animal fat and I’ll have the energy to restore myself.” I said with a grimace.

“You look like death warmed over, deep fried, and then baked to a crisp.” Elyse said.

“I certainly don’t feel any better. There’s always residual pain after a higher order healing.”

“Are you going to take another job soon?”

“No, that would be predictable. Predictable people fall prey to all sorts of problems.” I said, echoing the words of one of my trainers.

“I plan on heading back into the game to continue exploring the dungeon. Besides, I miss seeing my cute elf munchkin that I can spoil rotten.” I said.

“She is rather cute. By the way, I sent some friends in your direction. I told them not to be seen and assist from the shadows. Could you tell me how good they perform?”

I nodded, shrugging assent, “I don’t mind. My assessment might be a little harsh though. I have high standards.”

“That’s fine, if they can’t meet your standards they probably won’t be able to handle anything at the level I need.” Elyse said.

“Now, let’s work on that pain.” Elyse said, sliding down to kneel in front of me.

A few moments later all coherent thought had fled as she used her skills to push me into a delightful realm where the residual pain faded completely.

After a short rest followed by lunch when we got home I entered the game.

Lyssa was sitting on the grass in front of me holding a discussion with Mr. Book in a strange language that I couldn’t understand.

When I began to move towards them Lyssa’s keen hearing picked up my approach and she looked up at me. A serious face of concentration melted into a smile and a moment later I was caught in a hug.

“Did that old foggy Mr. Book cause you any problems?” I asked.

“Nn. Nn. Learned stuffs!” Lyssa said.

I raised an eyebrows towards Mr. Book and received shuffling pages combined with an innocent sounding whistle. This guy was definitely guilty.

“It’s just a few life saving spells that’s all.” Mr. Book said defensively as he flew back to land on top of my head.

I choose to ignore the situation, looking at Lyssa it obviously was something fun for her. There’s no need for me to investigate as long as she’s happy with whatever she learned.

“Did anything happen while I was gone?” I asked Lyssa lifting her up to eye level.

A small nod met my words.

“Oh? What?”

“Enemies, surrounded.”

“Kobolds?”

“Yar.” Lyssa nodded solemnly.

“Well if it’s only a few….” I said carrying her towards the entrance before stopping.

Just beyond the entrance to the Safe Zone were rank upon rank of Kobold Soldiers equipped with steel shields and sharp nasty looking swords. Behind the Soldier ranks were archers, and behind those were a group wearing nothing but robes with strange glimmering symbols.

“They really want you back badly.” I said, my eyes turning icy and dispassionate as I ran through scenarios. Checking each of the other exits before returning to the first I saw they were all similarly blocked.

“No worry!” Lyssa said while I was frowning out at the group in front of us.

I raised a questioning eye to the little girl perched in my arms.

“Watch!” she said proudly.

I lowered her to the ground and watched here fearlessly step towards the entrance.

At first I was going to call her back, but before my eyes the scenery slowly rippled like a still pond when a pebble drops in. The concentric rings of rippling reality centered on Lyssa’s small figure, between one moment and the next she vanished.

To be more accurate she turned into a flickering shadow shaped outline. If it were not for the bonus given by my Draconic race to eyesight I would have missed the transformation completely.

“The hell are you teaching her, Book?” I muttered in awe.

What happened next gave me chills down my spine while also arousing a terrifying excitement.

A small thin line appeared at the neck of one of the Kobold Soldiers, as if a child had drawn a red line with an ink pen. Then another, and another, until finally the entire sword and shield unit was marked in the blink of an eye.

The world seemed to hold it’s breath along with me before all the Kobold Soldiers froze at the same moment. A bare second later gravity took effect separating their heads from the rest of the body, and they all collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.

“Perfect.” I whispered in awe. How could an assassin like me not appreciate the incredible skill just displayed. I was so enraptured I missed the combat log displaying experience from the kills.

As the Kobold Soldiers collapsed the entire formation remaining let out barking squeals of terror. It looked for a moment like the entire group would flee, however from the back several growling commands were heard. A larger Kobold, obviously in charge emerged quickly restoring order.

The archers took ranks, half kneeling while half stood knocking their bows. Meanwhile the magic users started casting using guttural growling curses.

The clear space between the entrance and the group was filled moments later with flashing area of effect fire, lightning, and arrows. The arrows and spells raging unchecked slammed into a solidified barrier of air that rippled under the pressure. This air barrier was clearly the reason they were unable to enter.

It was obvious the Kobold in charge of the group had elected for a scorched earth policy against the unseen attacker. When the flashing spells had cleared, small craters dotted the space between. Likewise, arrows with extreme penetration power were stuck in the ground, walls, and ceiling.

A rattling cough caused me to check behind, there kneeling on all fours was Lyssa coughing up a mouthful of blood.

I moved faster than I even thought possible crouching beside her to place my hand on her small back.

“Minor Heal.” I said, using my knowledge of anatomy to envision tissue binding, impurities expunging, and white blood cells surrounding enemy bacteria to death.

After a few more castings of the spell Minor Heal, Lyssa was able to straighten up from the ground. She wiped the bloody smear off her mouth with water and a small washcloth from her “special” pocket dimension.

“That was amazing, very excellent. However, please never do something like that again without consulting me first, ok?” I said. It was obvious the technique had extreme backlash that a child’s body couldn’t withstand easily. Something to solve in the future.

“I wanted to help.” Lyssa said, with a dejected expression like someone had beaten her.

Unable to resist I picked the cute little elfling up and hugged her, “Your a great inspiration already young lady. With a little more experience I have no doubt in your ability to assist me.”

“Unn.”

“Every situation doesn’t require fighting though.” I said, opening up the Auction House menu and making several purchases for cheap. “The most important thing is to use your mind to solve a situation with the most effective manner possible.”

Lyssa watched me as I proceeded to place a small paper talismans the size of a Fair Ticket down at each of the three entrances. Holding her in my left arm, I moved back from the prepared talismans, raising my right hand.

Snap. Snap. Snap.

Like a magician showing off a trick, three resounding cracks echoed in the space. Before the noise had even died down, the talismans been covered by massive piles of wood with a deep black-grey tint.

An evil smile played across my face as the spell continued to unwind.

Next, the wood lit on fire, and a small breeze centered around the pile keeping the smoke from going backwards. The only path left was forward into the tunnels that acted like chimney’s.

“Magic is a wonderful thing.” I said.

“Unn.” a nod met my words.

“With few exceptions it’s incredible. The problem is, it requires imagination to power.” Sitting down cross legged, I placed Lyssa in my lap to let her watch.

“Most spells, if they are not powered by imagination, use a basic template to work. I found that out when I healed you earlier with Minor Heal.”

Coughing and choking noises started to emerge from the tunnel entrances. I doubted the Kobold Magicians had prepared spells for cleaning air, it wasn’t exactly a combat related spell. Even if they had shield spells I was completely confident in their death. They might be able to create shields, but unless they were able to imagine only clean air molecules separating out the smoke wouldn’t be stopped. This was the terrifying part of a magic system that depended on imagination, no, on pure knowledge.

If you didn’t know about something, how could a person protect themselves from it?

After the first few minutes the sounds of suffocating dogs slowly tailed off. I let the fires burn out which took another half an hour. During this time I explained various things answering Lyssa’s questions. She was extremely bright quickly grasping the concepts behind molecular theory. I resolved that on my next trip back out of the game I would buy some learning programs for her. Alicia would probably be able to figure out a way to get them transcribed through magic and sent to my Mail.

I probably wouldn’t have gone to such lengths for a normal companion in-game, however Lyssa’s presence helped fill the gaping void left by Sherry’s death. Besides, she had the potential to be a great assassin, my teachers had often lamented the fact that they got me late. One of them had even mentioned if I had been trained from a younger age, I could have broken into the top 5 ranks, perhaps even gone for No. 1’s position. It drove him a bit crazy that I stayed at No. 6 for all my active years, and I’d never had the heart to tell him it was just out of laziness. I bet he’d be thrilled to have a chance to teach a younger generation.

I was poked in the cheek drawing me out from my reverie of the future.

“Yes?”

“Leave, how?”

I smirked, as the question timed perfectly with the final spell trigger. All the smoke started flowing backwards being sucked into the paper talismans on the ground. There was no reason to waste such a valuable resource.

“Full Character Info.” I said

Name: Root
Class: Peddler
Job: Food Tester
1rst Profession: Blood Enchanter
2nd Profession: Demented Chemist
Race: Draconian
P.E. Level: 20
Fame: 0Infamy:0
Health: 777/777 Mana: 850/850
Stats: Str:34 Agi:34 Wis:81 Int:1 Lck:1 Chm:1
Skills: (3/4)
Slot 1:Liquid Manipulation Lv. 1 (84%) Slot 2:Minor Heal Lv. 2 (1%) Slot 3:Minor Empower Lv. 2 (3%)
Talents: (2/3)
Talent Slot 1: Medicine Lv. 3 (77%)
Talent Slot 2: Massage Lv. 1 (12%)
Abilities: (3/3)
Ability Slot 1: Peddler’s Compounding Lv. 2 (69%)Ability Slot 2: Art of Chemical Manipulation Lv. 1 (5%)Ability Slot 3: Art of Blood Enchanting Lv. 1 (0%)
Class/Job/Racial Bonuses:
Poison Resistance 0%
Poison Detection 0%
Medical Knowledge I
Drug Lore I
Draconic Senses II
Coin:0 Copper:0 Silver: 0 Gold: 0 Platinum: 0 Mithril: 0 X-Coin:0
Pets:1 (1/5)
Potential Experience(Accumulated):189,392

Although I’d only risen a single level I took note of the rise certain other areas.

It appeared tickling was quite effective at raising Massage.

Crouching down in front of Lyssa I asked, “Do you know the way from here to the Gnome Village?”

A nod met my answer, so after preparing a piggyback, we exited out of the Safe Zone continuing onwards.

Behind us the corpses of hundreds of Kobolds lay contorted in terrifying positions of fearful agony.

Lyssa Side Story 1

Daddy was one of the strongest workers in the slave pens before he crossed a Kobold Overseer. He named me Lyssa, “The Bright Star in Darkness”, and before he went away he told me to take care of mommy.

I tried, I really did, but it’s hard for a child seven cycles old to force an adult to do anything and when mother started to refuse food and I didn’t have the strength to stop her. The dogs didn’t care about her death, it was just another day in the pens for them.

She followed daddy somewhere far away, somewhere where Kobolds don’t exist and children never go hungry. I heard the older slaves talking about it as I worked the mines with them.

After both daddy and mommy left, the filthy dogs had a discussion about what to do with me. Part of daddy’s abilities were mine, so I could hear their every word. He’d always told me to keep quiet, even among the other slaves. Someone would sell information for as little as a crust of bread, and our gifts were valuable to those who would do our kind harm daddy said.

One of the Kobold Overseers argued for keeping me alive as a valuable potential pleasure slave, I didn’t know what that was, but anything that kept me living was good. However, the oldest Overseer won the argument to keep me, stating that even a half-blood could be useful for the Sacrifice. He cowed all the other Overseers into subservience before escorting me away.

I was placed in a nice house, tended by filthy dog servants. They were fattening me for the Sacrifice I learned by listening at the keyhole to my room’s prison. The keyhole is also what allowed me to learn what the word meant, I had to stifle a scream when I found out.

I was patient, waiting, sleeping, eating, I slowly recovered my strength from the drain of the mines. Daddy told me never to reveal the full strength of our race until I was sure of escape from the mines. Luckily, unlike him or other older slaves, I hadn’t yet been bound by an enscrolled collar that could null our racial magic.

After many months, the filthy dogs became lax, and I managed to escape.

From my time in the slave pens I knew of three safe locations on this level of the dungeon. They were bandied about in storied whispers around the food pits, places where monsters couldn’t enter, holy locations. Each was protected by a shield placed by the Gods.

If I could reach one of them, the Bright Goddess would spirit me away. Other slaves had tried to tell me that it was pointless to believe in Her, but I’d seen the Bright One before, shining in the darkness, watching us with tears dripping down the golden face. I knew that something was stopping Her from saving us, a rule or law, something kept the Bright One from unleashing the cold rage that flickered across when the tears stopped. We’d met in one of the deep tunnels, when I walked up and wiped away Her tears. She’d smiled at me and my body had been enveloped in a bright flash, it had felt wonderful, like for a brief moment all the horror of the world took a step back.

I didn’t know if the safe locations were truth or lies, I just had to take the chance on them.

Only death awaits a slave under the Kobolds, mommy and daddy had shown me that.

My escape from the Kobold Lair cost me a great deal of strength, along the way I felt Her presence envelop me, shielding me.

Halfway to the first safe location I was intercepted by three Kobold Scouts the Overseer must have sent out.

It was all I could do to dodge the filthy dogs with their sharp spears.

As I slowly exhausted myself I felt as if the look on their canine faces grew more evil, their faces leering with all the hatred of my life.

I cast a prayer to the Bright One, for something, anything to aid me as I felt the last of my strength slipping away.

Suddenly, darkness struck me, a heavy blow striking my neck from behind.

I pretended to faint, whoever attacked didn’t know that elves like me were tough!

That’s how I managed to see the Dragon.

I could clearly see his glowing inhumanly beautiful form, hidden by the pathetic shadow he compressed himself into.

A creature of ultimate power, a Dragon, sent by the Bright One to aid me, lucky!

He was so pretty, shining with all the colors of darkness, like a sparkling onyx in the grey world of my night vision.

His voice was angry, a clear precise tone of measured rage.

I couldn’t understand what he was saying at first, until my racial magic deciphered enough of it. In the time it took to breath twice, two of the Kobolds were murdered.

“How does it feel, little dog, to realize that death is walking towards you slowly?” the Dragon said, slowly stalking towards the last one.

Taunting! He was taunting the filthy dog, only those with true power could say such words.

Twisting his body in a strange way he flicked fluid from a vial down the last Kobolds throat and watched expressionless as they died at his feet.

The last of my strength faded as I saw him turn back towards me, my race is tough it’s just that I’m young! One day I’ll go a week without sleep just to prove I can…

In the silent dark of dreaming a voice asked me a single question.

Child of my favor, do you wish to gain the power to serve?

“Yes.” I said dreamily. The Bright One had chosen me, out of all Her subjects. It was honor, and since it was sacred to daddy and mommy, it was sacred to me too! I’d show this rotten world the light of Her presence.

A while later, when I slowly woke back up my body felt fantastic, like I’d been dipped in a medicinal bath that washed away fatigue.

I instantly noticed that all my injuries were mended, while the Dragon’s face was barely above mine. A glorious face, hidden by the plain appearance he chose to mimic. Brown hair, brown eyes, these did little to conceal him from my Sight.

“I’m going to remove my hand slowly, please understand we are in danger, and do not do anything stupid.” the Dragon said.

I nodded, there was nothing to fear with him protecting me.

Taking a look around I almost bounced with joy, we were super close to the safe location now.

I stood on tippy toes and managed to whisper into the Dragon’s ears, “Misty Crab Cavern. Close to a safe place.”

He nodded and then bit his thumb offering me the blood.

I stared shocked at the glistening blood the dragon offered me, dragon blood was one of the most powerful forces in the world. The few drops he was offering me were enough for a family of four to live for a few centuries.

Clearly, money meant nothing to the great savior, I would have to work hard in the future to repay him. Obviously money wouldn’t do, I needed to think of something worth even more, something worthy of his gift.

The sweet blood tasted better than even the cream Danishes I’d eaten at the Kobold Overseer’s house.

Gained the abilities Odorless and Absolute Reaction Boost I. Do you wish to form a Life Contract with the Dragon known as Root? Y/N?

I hesitated as the voice of the world spoke to me, a Life Contract was one of the most powerful sacred bindings between a mortal and Immortal possible according to my daddy. I would never die permanently, nor age past youth, not even ever get sick, but in exchange I could never leave the Dragon. I would be bound for eternity, serving him for my entire long life, like a shadow.

At the moment I had nothing, no jewels, no wealth, no beauty, yet it was a matter of honor. Daddy would be proud of me wherever he was with mommy, I had learned my lessons well. Scrunching my face up, I selected “Yes” with a clear imperious gesture. A bright light flashed in my emerald green eyes before clearing.

I must admit I was rather confused at the look of shock that passed across the Dragon’s face. It must be because such an ancient creature knew the true value of my race’s long lifespan. He must have expected me to decline, I pitied the poor fools who had refused such a priceless offer before me.

Bowing with all the grace of my race, I softly whispered, “Lyssa Dragonshadow at your service.” as I altered my house name to be underneath his.

The Dragon fed me a delicious meal of otherworldly portions with tasty pieces of meat, breads, and strange vegetables that combined into a sumptuous banquet. It was far superior to what I’d had under the Kobold Overseer. It must be amazing to eat like this everyday, as if it was nothing. Obviously the Dragon valued his servants greatly to spend such wealth on them.

More meals were handed to me and I placed them in the space pocket that I’d used to hold my equipment to escape the Kobold Overseer in. I’d learned by trial and error to hide things behind the wind in a special place that only I could access. A brief pang of sorrow crossed my mind, thinking about how daddy would have been delighted to see my magical gifts developing.

After I finished eating the Dragon told me he was going scouting, and that I would need to stay in place. He moved close to me and inhaled my scent, while at the same time I memorized his. He smelled like death and blood along with a spicy herb and greenery similar to Kobold Healers. It was a unique scent that I doubted I could miss even in a crowded slave pen.

When the Dragon returned his clothing had been shredded rather badly. I took sneak peeks as we moved to the safe area, he had a muscular fit body that had been concealed by the shapeless grey clothing.

Finally entering the safe area I felt the wave of magic from the Bright One wash over me. This place was a holy sanctuary blessed by her presence. It was in the sunlit air, the fresh scent of grass, the elder scent of tree bark, and the sparkling flicker of the deep quiet pond. The Bright One had left a small offering of food at the altar, as she was known to do for weary travelers.

I listened as the Dragon gave me a few instructions before handing me a large magic book and vanishing into thin air. For a brief moment I felt terribly alone.

“Figures, he goes dashing off to the Higher Plane of existence leaving me in the hands of a small grubby elven child.” an unhappy voice from the magic book that the Dragon had left said.

I almost dropped the item in shock, before I swiftly recovered. A magical item of sentience wouldn’t take well to being tossed on the floor like a common piece of dishrag.

“Hello. How should I call you Eldest One?” I said, in a sweet musical tone of flattery. I remembered mommy used this tone sometimes when talking to some of her old magic items. It seemed to do the trick as the next words were far less unhappy.

“Well, well then yes indeed. It’s good to find a young one that respects the old ways. Here now let’s go chat while we have a snack. It’s no good teaching without something in the stomach first, right? You can call me Ygg by the way little one.” Ygg said floating up from my hands and heading straight to the Bright One’s altar.

Many years later the spells Ygg taught me would forge an empire from the ashes of twenty others, but that was far in the future indeed.

########################

Excerpt from the History of the United Draconic Empire, Dragonshadow Section, First Paragraph….

In later years if one was to ask about Lyssa Dragonshadow, there would be no one who didn’t know of who you spoke. Known for her quiet precise touch, her intervention prevented many conflicts in the United Draconic Empire, an assassin of unparalleled and unique skills. In the several centuries since her rise to prominence following the Godswar, kills ranging from bakers to Imperial Princes are credited to the elite elven maiden.

Her deeds reversed many untenable situations, at times having enough impact to directly decide how a war, or even an Imperial succession would end. The most famous incident, the Dragon Oath, where Lyssa took service to the Great Being is still a required piece of history for any discerning student. In point of fact, several of her techniques were later adopted en masse by the Imperial Secret Service as perfected examples of wetwork.

After the unity of the United Draconic Empire was established, she declined the position as Prime Agent under the Emperor’s direct control. It’s rumored that the First Emperor was so enamored of her that a private collection of statues was constructed in a hidden location of the Palace. After she refused Imperial Service, Her school, aptly named “Silent Service” was started with blood money paid quietly in numbered accounts from the First Emperor’s own Bank of Trade according to legend. It remains one of the few locations to actively train assassins outside of direct Imperial control.

Even after the Godswar, Lyssa Dragonshadow kept inventing new techniques, practically re-inventing the use of divine power for her chosen profession. Historians, archaeologists, as well as the Bright One and the Dragons own priesthoods all credit her with utter fanatical devotion. Some historical tales even suggest that her legendary status is the result of direct divine intervention of both the Dragon and the Bright One to further mystical needs of the faithful masses. Although no proof has ever been offered to support such claims.

The concept, creation, and casting of the magic known as ‘Contract Kill’, in which an assassin guarantees a magical oath of completion remains one of her finest works. Previously, many assassins would take payment, and never complete a kill, or even renege at the last moment. With a Contract in place, the assassin places his or her life as the guarantee for success, for equally expensive wages.

Even now, Lyssa Dragonshadow serves as an icon of something greater. A look into the power that shaped an Empire from the ashes of twenty others. A glimpse into the awesome might of a Dragon’s Shadow that shaped an entire profession into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Chapter 11

“Inventory, Examine.” I said. I opened the Inventory storage.

Inventory:
1 Peddler’s Mortar and Pestle
4 Medium 32 fl. oz. Glass Containers of Compound 1080
3 Medium 32 fl. oz. Glass Containers of Oleander Powder Fused Bombs
44 Assorted (Test) Dishes Sautéed Chicken in White Wine Sauce
44 Large 64 fl. oz. Glass Flask of Suspicious Alchemist’s Hydrating Solution
1 [Randomized] Stat Scroll
1 [Randomized] Skill Scroll
1 [Randomized] Talent Scroll
1 [Randomized] Ability Scroll
1 Book of Ancestor’s Writing: The Yellow Brick Road

Time to adjust the interface a little, I didn’t need so much clutter.

“Interface Adjustment Mode.” I said while jogging along. It was wonderful how Strength Stat allowed me to carry the little one without feeling tired so far. I had no doubt it wouldn’t last forever, but it was nice all the same.

My right hand moved adjusting the interface to show only food and poisons. A separate tab that I named ‘Inventory Important Things 2’ now held the Scrolls, Mortar, and Pestle.

“Character Information Window.” I said, continuing to pick random tunnel paths as I jogged quickly. I jogged because my trainers in the Black Dragon once told me, over long distance a jog would crush any run or sprint. Thus, for the purpose of evading possible pursuit, jogging was supreme.

Name: Root
Class: Peddler
Job: Food Tester
1rst Profession: Blood Enchanter
2nd Profession: Demented Chemist
Race: Draconian
P.E. Level: 19
Fame: 0Infamy:0
Health: 666/666 Mana: 800/800
Stats: Str:33 Agi:33 Wis:78 Int:1 Lck:1 Chm:1
Skills: (3/4)
Slot 1:Liquid Manipulation Lv. 1 (84%) Slot 2:Minor Heal Lv. 1 (89%) Slot 3:Minor Empower Lv. 1 (78%)
Talents: (2/3)
Talent Slot 1: Medicine Lv. 3 (77%)
Talent Slot 2: Massage Lv. 1 (1%)
Abilities: (3/3)
Ability Slot 1: Peddler’s Compounding Lv. 2 (52%)Ability Slot 2: Art of Chemical Manipulation Lv. 1 (0%)Ability Slot 3: Art of Blood Enchanting Lv. 1 (0%)
Class/Job/Racial Bonuses:
Poison Resistance 0%
Poison Detection 0%
Medical Knowledge I
Drug Lore I
Draconic Senses II
Coin:0 Copper:0 Silver: 0 Gold: 0 Platinum: 0 Mithril: 0 X-Coin:0
Pets:1 (1/5)
Potential Experience(Accumulated):137,119

Excellent! I adjusted the interface to only show copper, silver and gold for money, it would be a long time before the other denominations mattered. Next up, I altered the format to only show Basic information such as name, Class, Job. Although it wasn’t perfect, this format greatly reduced the ability of PK(Player Killer) enemies learning too much too easily. Certain Talents, Skill, Abilities, Scrolls, Spells and so forth would allow a peek at my information, therefore it was time to compartmentalize it. I never would have known about this possibility if Elyse hadn’t mentioned it in passing. Separate tabs were created for Skills, Talents, Abilities, and the Class Job Racial Bonuses. I made sure that tabs were also created for Spells and Physical, this would allow me to place any such things I learned in their proper tab. Finally, I created the Advanced Info tab, and stuffed the remaining parts left into it. Once all that was finished, I adjusted the keywords to open each window separately on my interface.

“Cash.”

Coin:0 Copper:0 Silver: 0 Gold: 0

“Basic Info.”

Name: Root
Class: Peddler
Job: Food Tester

“Skills.”

Skills: (3/4)
Slot 1:Liquid Manipulation Lv. 1 (84%) Slot 2:Minor Heal Lv. 1 (89%) Slot 3:Minor Empower Lv. 1 (78%)

“Talents.”

Talents Slots: (2/3)
Talent Slot 1: Medicine Lv. 3 (77%)
Talent Slot 2: Massage Lv. 1 (1%)

“Abilities.”

Ability Slot 1: Peddler’s Compounding Lv. 2 (52%)Ability Slot 2: Art of Chemical Manipulation Lv. 1 (0%)Ability Slot 3: Art of Blood Enchanting Lv. 1 (0%)

“Stats.”

Health: 666/666 Mana: 800/800
Stats: Str:33 Agi:33 Wis:78 Int:1 Lck:1 Chm:1

“Advanced Info.”

1rst Profession: Blood Enchanter
2nd Profession: Demented Chemist
Race: Draconian
P.E. Level: 19
Fame: 0Infamy:0
Class/Job/Racial Bonuses:
Poison Resistance 0%
Poison Detection 0%
Medical Knowledge I
Drug Lore I
Draconic Senses II
Pets:1 (1/5)
Potential Experience(Accumulated):137,119
Platinum: 0
Mithril: 0
X-Coin:0

“Excellent, things flow smoother now and I can just call up what I need.” I said, starting to be slightly winded. I’d been moving at a rapid pace for over an hour now, and it appeared my Strength was waning.

System Message: Player Root has two Racial Abilities Choices unused since last log in from Level Ups, do you choose to receive then now? Y/N

Oh, hell yes. I clicked the yes button immediately and a short list appeared.

Odorless
Silent Steps
Camouflage
Quick Hands
Quick Feet
Pain Suppression
Absolute Reaction Boost I

So this is how the game translates my abilities in the real world into abilities that can be gained every 10 levels in the game. It’s obviously matching to a pre-determined power ranking for each one. I mean, it’d be rather broken to have my ability of genetic manipulation at level 10. I suppose there’s some sort of throttle, well, it doesn’t really matter to me.

I paused for a moment before selecting both Odorless and Absolute Reaction Boost. Both abilities appeared on the Advanced Info tab window now. Even though in the long term these might be detrimental overall, I really needed them right this instant. Odorless would allow me to further confuse any pursuit, especially since Kobolds likely relied heavily on scent to track. Pursuit might not be immediate, however it would definitely happen. No matter how badly the Kobolds might be organized they would most likely notice three members missing at some point or another. By that time I needed to be safely ensconced at the Gnome Village somewhere on this level. Either that, or I needed to be in a safe location of my own making. Absolute Reaction Boost would increase my ability to respond reflexively to an attack, providing another layer of defense.

As I was pondering the situation the latest tunnel I’d been traversing opened up into a quiet underground cavern. Mist generated from a water source nearby layered thick on the ground and fog swirled gently about. I froze creeping to the side to put my back to the wall. A clacking sound in the mist caused my blood to chill, raising my wariness to the limit.

Slowly lowering the child gently to the ground I covered her mouth before casting Minor Heal. Immediately her eyes flickered open as the spell acted directly on her life-force. Her clothes remained tattered rags, but at least now she wasn’t covered in cuts or bruises. The Almighty alone knew what the hell she’d been subjected too, I reigned in a slow burning anger that threatened my calm facade.

My interface fed information to me in a short burst.

Slave Child: Lyssa
Race: Half-Elf
Class: High Priestess
Level: 14
Age: 7 Elven Years
HP:214/214 MP: Divine Source
Worships: Anareon the Bright Lady, The Bright One
Talent: ????
Ability: ????
Skill: ????

An orphan child of the Kobold slave pens, she has escaped harsh conditions determined to survive against all odds. A young half-elf, her expected lifespan can be measured from centuries to millennia. Only dragon-kin, elemental, or divine races would exceed her possible lifespan. Elven blood, even that diluted by humanity is a powerful bolster to enchantments. Sacrificing such creatures is a common way for the Lesser Dark races to summon entities beyond their meager powers.

Well, that explained a great deal, I was much less confused as to why a small child was being chased in the 2nd level of the dungeon.

“I’m going to remove my hand slowly, please understand we are in danger, and do not do anything stupid.” I whispered softly in the child’s ear. She had the most brilliant sapphire blue eyes, I noticed.

Her curious eyes stared up at me without fear as she nodded. Removing my hands I turned my attention back to the surrounding mist. The girl silently struggled to her feet before moving to my side, as her hair swayed I could see the telltale pointed tips I’d missed before. Her height standing allowed her to put her head on par with mine as I was crouched down.

Her eyes flickered across the cavern with a light of recognition in them before she turned to stand on tip toes to me.

“Misty Crab Cavern. Close to safe place. Lyssa, me.” the small girl said.

I nodded before biting down on the tip of my thumb indicating she should take the drop of blood that appeared. I was hoping that my abilities were transferable by blood if I willed them, like in reality.

You have entered into a Life Contract with the Half-Elf Lyssa. Please be aware, abuse of your Contracted Partner will result in severe Divine Punishment of the highest value. As a result of the Sharing of Blood, your contractee gains the abilities Odorless and Absolute Reaction Boost I.

I could only stare with my mouth gaping open at the message in shock.

Slowly closing my mouth I managed to resume my expressionless mask. Clearly I had activated something that I had zero knowledge of, I needed to get to this ‘safe location’ and Logout. Elyse would know what the hell was going on.

I smiled briefly imagining her expression when I told her I had a child in [RiSe] it would be fun to see.

“What is hiding in the mist, can you tell?” I gently whispered.

“Crabs, big ones.” Lyssa whispered back, her arms spread cutely apart in a parody of enlargement. Without the wounds, sapphire blue eyes sparkled out at me from under what might be dirty blond hair. I couldn’t tell much due to the horrible state of her rags and the large quantity of dirt besmirching her features. I really needed to get her cleaned up and presentable, children shouldn’t be forced to live in such squalor.

It’s unfortunate, the Auction House still needed 12 more hours before I could access it again. Even before that, I’d need Credits to purchase things, and I was running dangerously low on funds. Alecia hopefully would have some business ready to go when I logged out.

Stress relief with Elyse first, business second, some Items to clean Lyssa up third. Mm, that pattern sounded perfect.

At the very least, I could ensure the elven waif didn’t starve, a quick check of my inventory revealed the large amount of food and water available. I tested nine of the Alchemist’s meals before giving them to her, so she would be fine for food while I was Logged Out.

It was a bit of a shock to watch her mimic my Inventory, placing the meals into what looked like a swirl of air.

“W-W-where?”

“Special Pocket.”

Of course. A special pocket. Go figure.

“I’m going to go out and do a little bit of hunting around here. Stay here for a bit and eat ok? If you get hungry just eat more, as long as you don’t leave this spot.” I said, after speaking I leaned down to take a deep breath memorizing her scent. Even if I was unable to currently move around without the mini map being filled in, at least I wouldn’t lose her scent.

Nodding to myself I moved off into the mists keeping my draconic senses open. As I moved out, I drank one of the few remaining vials of Compound 1080. Using my Liquid Manipulation I extended tendrils of poison into each of my fingers ready to strike at a moments notice.

A variation on the old trick with poisoned nails, courtesy of [RiSe].

My first encounter with the giant crabs didn’t go very successfully.

Giant Cave Crab
Monster Race: Crustacean
Level: 21
HP:?? MP:??
Skill: ????
Talent: ????
Ability: ????

The mist made it hard to discern the true bulk of the crab, however it was enormous easily taller than my six feet. Two giant pincers drew my attention like a lodestone. Forcing calm, I focused on the joints in the shell that acted as feet. As Master was always fond of saying “Still targets are dead targets.”

I sacrificed a crushed arm that I healed instantly in exchange for a single touch to the only visible skin between the leg joints.

[Player Root has lost the use of his left arm. Crushing damage 102 points.]

System Note: Health can be regained, but damaged limbs are reduced or totally non-functional until fully healed at end of combat!

[Player: Root finger strike has damaged Giant Cave Crab by 1 point!]

[Giant Cave Crab is Poisoned! Poison ticks for 38 damage!]

The physical damage was only useful to piggyback and apply the Poison debuff.

Another five minutes of running around, re-applying poison once more and I managed to finish the Giant Crab off.

By the end of combat I was limping on my left leg, with a crushed right leg, left arm, and three teeth missing. A sizable raccoon eye also sported nicely from when I’d dodged the wrong way straight into a backhand claw.

Thankfully, repeated uses of Minor Healing after combat fixed my defunct limbs along with the superficial issues.

However, now my clothes looked like something fed through a meat grinder and regurgitated. Thank god no one who mattered could see me now.

Following the scent trail, I located Lyssa and we moved out. Twelve crabs later she’d led me to a small crack through which we crawled slowly through.

Exiting the crack I was met with sunlight pouring from some invisible outlet overhead. Grass carpeted the floor leading to a slight dip with a perfectly circular pool that would do any hot tub planner proud. The pool was shaded by a single tree of unknown type. The only thing marring the picturesque scene was a small altar right by the pool.

The altar held exactly two trays of plated food, as if someone had left them waiting, knowing visitors would arrive.

It gave me the chills, which I shrugged off. There was no possible way anyone had even known we were coming.

Lyssa was exceptionally delighted by all the green and scampered about checking every nook, behind each bush, and up the tree’s branches. It brought a flash of warmth to my heart to watch. Better the cute little elven imp was bound to me than some crazy nutjob that might abuse her.

“Lyssa, will you be ok here for a bit?” I said, a bit of concern in my tone.

I was met with a serious nod and a wave as if being dismissed by a child empress. The seriousness was slightly shattered by the grin that flashed across her face as she starred deep into the pool of water.

“Ok, I’ll be back shortly in half a day or so. Don’t leave here without me please. Also, hold onto this for me for a bit.” I said handing her Mr. Book, before stating the command, “Log Out.” Unless he was a heartless villain Book wouldn’t allow anything to happen to my little elven imp.

If anything did….

Mr. Book would find out how fast parchment burns.

Reality returned to me as I lifted up from the gaming bed, Alecia was standing to one side with a small brief folder of lavish leather.

“Already? I was half hoping you would.” I said taking the folder and perusing it’s contents.

“As you can see we offer to cure his daughter and provide cleansing for the next five years as well as a superior genetic protection.” Alecia said, in reference to the offer.

“What makes me worry is how a daughter of Neptune’s first Noble family found us. Do you think Seline knows them personally?” I said, closing the brief.

“If not Seline, then certainly….” Alecia said.

“Mmhm, yes well, let’s not mention to the young girl about how daddy spends his time without her dead mother.” I said with finality.

“Oh, you mean I shouldn’t drop hints about how he likes to be serviced by Mistress kneeling on a cushion looking up at him in awe?” Elyse said, rising from her gaming bed.

Her smile contained all the delights of the next two days inside it.

“Kneeling….” I managed to get out before being distracted by her stretching while taking deep breaths of air. A few more moves and I was completely ready to drop the proposed work and spend three days in bed.

“For a genetic therapist you seem to have a healthy lack of repression.” Elyse said, glancing below my waist.

I managed to avoid a blush as I tried to get myself under control. Divine indeed, even with genetic defenses to be able to make me like this.

“Would you like to start slow or fast for the next three days?” Elyse said, moving in to wrap me in a stimulating hug.

“Slow.”

“How familiar are you with Reiki?” Elyse whispered.

“Umm….it’s a type of…hmmm massage?” I managed to choke out as she started nibbling my ear.

“Yes, let’s go then.” I followed her as she unwound from me while I was trying to stay coherent.

As I lay down on the massage table in the room set aside for relaxation, Elyse lit some incense before selecting a lavender oil. Stripping down I lay stomach down on the table.

The first few minutes let me remember how incredible a Companion was. Working from my neck the spent a lavish amount of time on my shoulders, upper back muscles, arms, and lower back muscles. From there she proceeded to turn my legs to putty.

The final strike was a killer combo on my feet which seemed to restore energy while providing maximum relaxation.

After flipping over on my back I had only a minute of comfort before her mouth whispered by my ear, “Now that your properly relaxed, let me get you tensed back up.”

After stripping naked she oiled her hands before beginning to stroke me gently at first with a solid rhythm. Up, down, one hand, two, as thinking became harder and harder I managed to glimpse her head move down.

The next several minutes were devoid of rational thought. After she lifted her head away, she licked her lips to removed all traces before mounting me.

“I’d like to show my appreciation for letting me stay in-game for three straight days.” Elyse said, with a grin.

The next few hours were spent in a pleasant daze where the effort of thinking wasn’t required on my part.

Afterwards a nice soak in the spa I didn’t even know I had, before finishing with a shower before we both redressed heading to the meal table.

“So your going to go cure a sick girl?” Elyse said, after I’d explained the proposal to her.

“Well, cure and then do a little modifying. I’ll tweak her immune system to remove all the fast acting stuff. She won’t have the same coverage as you, your previous employer, or Seline, but it’ll be good work. I want to give them another chance to contact me, so all the slow acting stuff will still get through.” I said, buttering my toast and adding a helping of jam.

“Repeat business model even for you, makes sense. Do you want me to accompany you for negotiations I can do bodyguard work too.” Elyse said, throwing out a bombshell without a flicker of her eyelids.

“Your rated for bodyguard work?” I managed to close my gaping mouth.

“10 stars, Sensei qualified on almost any hand to hand, or knife work.” Elyse said, before noticing my shock, “What, did you think I used just my female wiles to keep the creeps off me?”

“Ah, no. Sorry, I’ll admit I’m a bit surprised at your level of forethought that’s all.” I said, waving both hands in apology. I could hear Master’s voice in my head saying, “Tut! Tut! Do you think an old lady can’t defend herself? The world is wider than you know child!”

“It surprised me more that such a beautiful package has such pristine thorns.” I said, managing to mollify Elyse from my earlier faux pas.

“Nice recovery, Champ.” Alecia said, as she laid the next egg and meat course down.

“Well, before you dive back in you should start watching old anime, video games, movies, anything you can get your hands on.” Elyse said.

“Will it help in [RiSe]?” I said.

“Alot of the game development draws from the past. You won’t regret it, I can say that for sure.” Elyse said, pausing with her fork halfway to her mouth as she stared at something in the distant past.

“By the way, I have a child in [RiSe], would you like to see her?” I said, with all the gushing happiness I’d seen prideful fathers employ.

Elyse managed to control the choking that occurred, coughing all the previous bite out on the floor. She quickly took a few gulps of juice before glaring at me.

“You waited until I was swallowing on purpose for that!”

“Oops?”

“What oops? Take this!”

I managed to dodge a half-hearted knife throw before pulling up a few pictures to float in the air between us.

“Ooooooh, cute!”

Elyse’s expression glazed over as my cute elven imp distraction worked it’s magic.

“Her history from the combat interface said something about slavery, is that common in the game? I admit I did only basic research before leaping in headfirst.” I said.

“Slavery, it’s a difficult concept to explain. In some of the Twenty it’s common as raindrops, and in other’s it’s completely banned. There’s both institutional slavery, and traditional slavery. For example, institutional is where a person commits a crime, and is enslaved to be sold as a profit for the Empire. Traditional is where certain Empires “enslave” their people to higher trained master class level guildsman. The traditional type is more like an apprenticeship under a different name.” Elyse said, waving a lock of hair out of her eyes with a finger.

“What so bad about NPC slavery, after all they aren’t players?” I said, immediately after the words a shadow of anger crossed her features.

“That’s a very elementary view Root, as you know this game is as realistic as possible.”

I nodded, alot of the features of the game were beyond what I would consider a ‘game’ to be.

“That unfortunately means they also drew from humanities darker past for certain sections of the world. For example, slavery. A slave has no rights, nor any ability to resist their captor as long as the collar is on them. For a player they could log out and file a formal complaint. An NPC has no option, the game world to them, is as reality is to us. Now, with that imagine if your Master liked to beat you everyday, or break your fingers for sport, or perhaps have you mine gold with your bare hands. I’m sure you can see Root, the possibilities for abuse are endless.”

My expression darkened in anger as I considered the various horrific possibilities.

“What about NPC’s owned by players, are there any rights protecting them?”

“There are a few, for example you cannot kill, maim, or endanger your slave excessively. That’s not enough though, the game’s AI give a large leeway to such actions.” Elyse said.

“Breaking bones isn’t maiming since they repair, or torture, or even ‘accidental’ death. I see.” I said, and I did, it sickened me. The streets had been harsh before Master found us. I could well imagine the lives of some slaves were nothing except living hells.

“The lives of some slaves is little more than a living torture chamber of hell.” Elyse said, echoing my thoughts, “However, slavery is extremely profitable. For that reason alone, it’s very difficult to defeat. If you wanted to make a major difference Root, you’d have to destroy every Empire and remake one from their ashes.”

“Well, I don’t think at level 20 that would be a viable possibility.” I said.

“For this job, will there be any special requirements?” Elyse asked.

“No, it looks like a simple case. There aren’t many details which isn’t surprising. Nobles keep secrets like a dragon guards treasure.” I said, finishing up the final portion of breakfast before gulping down the protein shake.

“By the way Root, do you have any training in combat?” Elyse said.

“A little here and there, I had an eccentric Master who believed in having her disciple survive anything.” I said pausing my process of drinking, my mind flashing back to training that had involved dodging bullets, relentless fighting in an animal pit against various creatures, and being dropped resource less into a jungle to survive. For a brief moment I sweated uncontrollably with the terror of remembrance.

“Well I doubt you experienced anything too difficult.” she said.

I stayed silent nodding as I finished off my protein shake. If I were to answer that my emotions might get the better of me.

“If you’d like, I can do some formal training with you Root, help you get the basics like running away down.”

“Because the best fighter is the one that doesn’t.” I said, quoting directly from Master. I left out the part where she finished with, “It’s the one left alive when a fight unavoidably occurs.”

“I mean, I know your a gene therapist and that likely will discourage a great many problems here in reality. A monster or thug in [RiSe] though won’t care about that before cutting your throat. It’d be best to have some basic defensive abilities.” Elyse said.

“Or perhaps you just want to toss me around the dojo mats beating me unmercifully to relieve stress?” I said.

A bright smile met my claim, “Of course not. I prefer a different form of fighting for stress relief.”

Letting the completely unsubtle comment about bedroom games drop I nodded as a smile briefly touched my face.

“Alright, since breakfast is pretty much over I’ll need about an hour to prepare for this job and then….”

“Two hours.”

“Two hours to prepare, of course what was I thinking.” I said in good humor.

I tactfully did not roll my eyes or give any indication of disrespect. It wasn’t for nothing I’d had a sister, and a Master’s patience level had never been strong. I’d learned alot in the decade spent with them both.

“We’ll depart for the Scion of Neptune’s estate in two hours then.” I said, glancing at Alecia to make sure she got the message to our benefactors.

A gravity car picked both me and Elyse up exactly two hours later heading to the Scion of Neptune’s residence. Elyse had taken the time to rework herself the way only a woman could in the intervening two hours. Long, silver-white hair hung to her lower back in a straight mass, while two strands escaped to fall forward of her shoulders. A delicate cheomsang cut to show the best possible view of the valley of heaven was also slit lengthwise to show graceful alabaster white legs as she moved. Her entire body gave of the grace of a dancer combined with the sharp look of a combat specialist. The dress courted long sleeves, and the entire ensemble seemed to glow from the effect of silver threadwork manipulated into swirling patterns. She was quite obviously, a goddess deigning to walk among the lower levels of Earth, a walking talking advertisement of Mercy’s Pleasure Palace. Like a dream given flesh, the glow from both her own skin and the silver threadwork gave an ethereal quality to her. If I hadn’t already sampled the skills of a Companion, I might even doubt her existence on our plane of existence. At the same time, looking at her, I drooled inside wondering how glorious it would be to see her in tight black leather at some point. It took effort not to demand immediately to be serviced in the gravity car. Arriving at a meeting to cure a sick young heiress smelling of sweat, sex, and satisfaction would definitely not go over well with the host.

I turned away from the distracting thoughts to watch the tower scenery pass by once more. Eventually our driver dropped us off in the upper reaches of the city skyscape. Before we exited the vehicle Elyse handed me a hood and silver mask which would both conceal me from prying eyes, and attempts to scan us. Placing them on, I noticed she also pulled a tablet from Almighty knows where, a fast look at the screen showed it full of business graphs, numbers, contract images, and more. At least one of us was fully prepared for this, I had merely put on some of my more useful pieces of nanotech. Without careful scanning a security person wouldn’t even know the suit I wore was a pure composite of nanites. In my worldview things should go fine and this job would be an in and out. However if they didn’t go well, I planned to make sure Elyse and me both made it out in one piece. Anyone trying to stop us would become a statistical target on my kill count meter.

A flash of thought to the nanites in my composite suit and my lengthy blue hair with white highlights was cut short. As the hair dropped from me to the ground it disintegrated into ashes. Elyse merely gave me a single raised eyebrow before taking her place beside me one step behind on the left. She looked every inch the professional secretarial eye candy that any man could desire. My own clothing was slightly less imposing, a sleek sleeved greatcoat tailored to maximize image fell to my angles. Knee-high boots of soft synthleather connected to tucked in synthleather pants in which a billowing synthsilk shirt emphasized my trimmed waist. Since everything was in black with silver stitching it matched will with the silver mask and black hood. Actually, that had probably been her plan all along. Devious woman.

From the reactions of the mixed gender security detail that met us at the entrance we cut a stunning figure. The male half of the detail were locked onto Elyse’s every move, while the female half darted jealous looks split between admiring glances at me. It was rather amusing, since my normal interactions with security types were either running away, or disposing of the bodies.

“Greetings, and welcome to the estate of Shar Pol, Scion of Neptune, and Lower Noble of the Senate.” One of the male security stepped said, stepping forward to greet us. I was amazed how he managed to both simultaneously welcome us and keep ogling Elyse at the same time. Truly a skilled individual, if we had to extract I would definitely kill him first.

“We are expected. Take me to the patient.” I said, the mask giving a hideous deep voiced overlay. I sounded like that old movie villain from back in the early turn of the century. It was a very famous series but the name slipped my mind.

Nodding in a half-bow the entire security contingent surrounded us in the colors of the House of Neptune before we were escorted inside.

2nd Level

Elyse entered the small inn in the greater capital of the On’Scut Empire. Recently the Empire had started making rumbling sounds of expansion, but no one was really worried. Hedged in on three sides by other empires, and the fourth by the ocean, it was unlikely that war would break out without a major game changer.

The inn was like thousands of others dotted across the great capital, clean, neat, and cheap. Imperial inspectors maintained a high standard of quality, insuring that no traveler to the capital had to worry about sanitation or theft. As such, it wasn’t hard for her to set up a random location for meeting.

Settling in with her back to the wall, Elyse looked out over the expanse of the inn’s common room from her corner table. A group of traveler’s dressed in the exotic outfit required for formal worship at one of the Pantheon of Demon’s temples took up a table. They were rather boisterous and obviously knew each other extremely well. It was obvious they were worshippers of one of the more prominent female Demons, being that the women in the group were able to speak their mind without reprecussions.

Across from them were a group of Church mercenaries, carefully keeping an eye on them. Although the Church’s recent attempt to outlaw all other religions in the Twenty Empires had fallen through, they still felt it was their holy duty to piss everyone off royally. Elyse marked there location just in case, although they obviously didn’t recognize her through the disguise she was wearing.

Her current fashion was ‘random wealthy adventurer’ stylized with expensive tight fitting leather armor, enough jewelry to prove her wealth, and a dagger on each hip with glowing enscrollments. As one of the few Five Double 0’s in the entire game, it was pocket change for her to roleplay a different ‘look’ every meeting.

Without any fanfare, the chair directly across from her was suddenly occupied with a man. His outfit was almost a duplicate of hers, with the exception of the hood he wore to conceal his features. Elyse thought it was rather melodramatic, but then again she wasn’t sure what age he was either. For some reason the younger gaming crowd these days thought hoods were all the rage, something she’d never quite figured out.

“Greeting, Bliss Blood Lightning, to what do we owe the pleasure of serving one of the Pantheon’s Greater Hands?” the man said, in a multi-harmonic tone that attempted to mimic demonic voices.

Elyse, or Bliss as she was known in-game, smiled brilliantly before saying, “If you ever refer to my title again this close to Church mercenaries I will drape your entrails over twenty kilometers while keeping you alive with healing magic.”

“B-but they can’t hear-” the man said, his harmonic voice faltering as fear effected the mental concentration requried to power the charm.

“It’s not those dimwitted moronic cretins I worry about, it’s their gods, who often take a close personal interest in the surroundings of their worshippers. Do you understand now pondscum? That’s your name now, Pondscum. Repeat it.” Elyse said.

“A personal name! Thank you, Benevolent One! I am Pondscum, grateful to be instructed by the Blood Lightning.” the man, now known as Pondscum, said.

Elyse managed not to roll her eyes with an effort of willpower. There were limits to how hard she could push her followers, and it was pointless, as well as impossible it seemed, to antagonize them. Sometimes she wondered if it was really worth serving the Demon of Lust, other days she was sure it was all some twisted form of entertainment the Lady put her through.

“Whatever, how many agents do we have near the Endless Swamp?” Elyse said, getting straight to the point.

“Um…er….that’s like, way out of the normal areas we operate. I’m not sure we have anyone even remotely close.” Pondscum said.

Elyse managed not to grind her teeth, “How long would it take to get a team out there, well equipped for dungeon diving, and with a full set of below 50 armor decked out in the best enchantments for a Wisdom Stat user.”

“I mean, if we pushed it to top priority? I’m assuming this is top priority comming from the Demon’s own Greater Hand….” Pondscum said.

“Of. Course. Maggot.” Elyse was reaching the limits of her patience with this envoy.

“3 days normally, but since it’s you, and our Demonic Lady said to make sure all your needs are met, I can ensure it’s done within a day.” Pondscum said, with evident pride.

“Ho…..you have a teleport location to the village out there don’t you?” Elyse said, impressed.

“I’m a collector.” Pondscum said.

“Wow, that’s actually some impressive dedication. I don’t think I’ve met a teleport point collector that has bothered to get that one.” Elyse said.

“Thank you, Your Excellency. I endeavor to please.”

“Ok, now, your getting ahead of yourself. I’ll be truly impressed if you get out there within 24 hours. Your looking for a player named Root, you’ll provide full support from the shadows, and the best chance you have, pass off the gear to him. I will hold Lady’s Pleasurable Extremities fully responsible if anything preventable happens to him in the Flower Garden Open Dungeon. Are we clear, Pondscum?” Elyse said, gesturing with a single dagger under his chin. Her movement, as her name implied, was like lightning a benifit of being a fully specialized agility user of the highest level.

“Crystal, Mistress.” Pondscum said, barely whispering in order to prevent cutting himself.

“Good. See to it then, and Pondscum….” Elyse said, withdrawing her dagger.

“Yes?”

“If you manage to impress me enough, I will ensure you are authorized for a week with one of the Lady’s Lesser Hands.” Elyse said, a sly grin on her face.

“I-Is it true they can keep a man in delirious pleasure for days?” Pondscum said, his tone betraying eagerness.

“It’s up to your performance to find out, snap to it.” Elyse said, with a serene expression.

Pondscum hesitated a moment before vanished exactly as he’d appeared, without any fanfare. As he departed the spell keeping the rest of the inn from overhearing, or even seeing the conversation broke down.

Elyse noted that one of the Church mercenaries gave a glance over towards her corner before returning his attention to the Pantheon group.

Standing and grinning with a cocky smile Elyse swaggered out of the inn with all the moxy a wealthy female adventurer would have.

#####

I logged back into the 2nd level of the Flower Garden Open Dungeon with a madcap grin on my face. Elyse was the best investment in stress relief I’d ever encountered, even better then the Black Dragon’s Tails. I felt relaxed, refreshed, and ready to conquer the world, or at least this small dungeon portion of it.

“Welcome back, Root.” Mr. Book said from atop my head.

“Thank you.” I said.

My sister hadn’t left any notes concerning the account she’d left me at all, I only now knew it was a Legacy account due to Elyse. After describing the situation to her she’d given me an amazed look before pulling up the information to show me which had started a rather intense debate. Comming back from my memory of how that debate had turned into something even more fun, I turned my attention back to the tunnel walls around me as I took stock.

The surrounding passageway was pure stone, a grainy grey textured type, almost like granite if granite was such a pure colorless grey. The entire tunnle passage appeared hewn out of the rock itself, tool marks clearly visible on the walls. Someone had taken alot of time and effort to make this passageway, which begged the question why, and for what purpose.

“The first level had a purpose, something that most adventurers just skipped, do you think the other levels are the same?” I said, cutting Mr. Book’s current tirade about the disrespect of the younger generation of librarians. Book really seemed to have something against those poor individuals.

“Highly likely, the spells keeping the local respawn point static and area respawning, the coordination of those frogs, the flowers, the dragonflies. It’s all high quality stuff, it reminds me of the Botanical Garden construction of Zufweiest the capital of the Empire of Zufrainz, in the Twenty Empires. It took seventeen Archmages almost thirty years to construct that place. Great flowers, very similiar in style to the ones in the first level. If I had to render a guess, and from your expression you want me to, I’d say someone either copied or stole the same techniques. Before you ask, no it couldn’t be an Archmage that built this place, they were executed in a rebellion almost ten years ago when the Immortals first started appearing.” Mr. Book said, floating up to be at eye level with me. It was easier conversing when I could actually see the object replying to me, I’d never admit that though.

“All of them?”

“I mean, well, no there was this one that managed to…..yes all of them. Do you think an Emperor just mislays one of his executed Archmages that could bring ruin and destruction? Of course they got all of them, do you have any idea the amount of resources that were devoted to that enterprise? No of course you don’t, the Emperor literally pulled out all the stops. I mean, well, the only one that wasn’t actually executed was Archmage Nev’net, he exploded in fiery poisonous immolation taking out the ones sent to capture him as well as himself.” Mr. Book said.

“Nev’net, that seems very familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen that somewhere before.” I said, the name giving me that familiar itch I associated with something recently heard or seen.

“Oh, well that’s easy you probably saw it on the stone tablet when we first entered. The Gatekeeper of Flowers, that bloke’s last name was Nev’net, amazing….coincidence…..” Mr. Book said, slowly trailing off.

“Coincidence?”

“Well, it’s possible they are different people. I mean, many people probably have the last name of a famous Archmage that rebelled against….ok, yeah it’s suspicious, happy? Are you happy I might be wrong?” Mr. Book said.

“…..”

“Hah! Hah, I say, I can see it on your slick draconian face, you’ve got that calm ‘I figured out something Mr. Book didn’t know’ expression going on now! Deny it, you can’t can you!” Mr. Book said.

“Me? I’m the picture of innocence. Are you sure your not unduly stressed being underground?” I said.

Mr. Book floated back to the top of my head, pages rustling in what sounded suspiciously like annoyed grumbling.

Finishing my inspection of the surroundings which yielded nothing out of the ordinary I sat down cross legged.

“Now to apply what Elyse told me.” I said, with a smile at the memory.

“Job Selection, Food Taster.”

[System Message: Food Taster is a Job that can result in death frequently when handled improperly, are you sure you wish to select this Job?]

“Yes.”

[System Message: Job Selected, you are now a ‘Food Tester Lv. 1’]

I opened the Auction House menu pulling up the two Profession books Elyse recommended.

‘Enchanting with Bloody Results’ and ‘1001 ways to Prevent Lab Explosions’ starter manuals for Blood Enchanting and Chemistry. This put my funds at a dangerous level, however after debating with Alecia I’d decided it was a worthwhile investment at this time.

Two glowing flashes later the purchases arrived, and another brief burst of successive lighting gave me the 2 new professions.

“Character Information Window.” I said.

Name: Root
Class: Peddler
Job: Food Tester
1rst Profession: Blood Enchanter
2nd Profession: Demented Chemist
Race: Draconian
P.E. Level: 19
Fame: 0Infamy:0
Health: 666/666 Mana: 800/800
Stats: Str:33 Agi:33 Wis:78 Int:1 Lck:1 Chm:1
Skills: (3/4)
Slot 1:Liquid Manipulation Lv. 1 (84%) Slot 2:Minor Heal Lv. 1 (89%) Slot 3:Minor Empower Lv. 1 (78%)
Talents: (2/3)
Talent Slot 1: Medicine Lv. 3 (77%)
Talent Slot 2: Massage Lv. 1 (1%)
Abilities: (3/3)
Ability Slot 1: Peddler’s Compounding Lv. 2 (52%)Ability Slot 2: Art of Chemical Manipulation Lv. 1 (0%)Ability Slot 3: Art of Blood Enchanting Lv. 1 (0%)
Class/Job/Racial Bonuses:
Poison Resistance 0%
Poison Detection 0%
Medical Knowledge I
Drug Lore I
Draconic Senses II
Coin:0 Copper:0 Silver: 0 Gold: 0 Platinum: 0 Mithril: 0 X-Coin:0
Pets:1 (1/5)
Potential Experience(Accumulated):137,119

Everything was proceeding as Elyse explained it would, the number one reason to take the Food Tester job was for Poison Resistance and Detection. At the highest levels, a Food Tester could drink bottles of the most lethal substances with almost no side effects. Even better, I would be able to analyze and discern even the most minute differences between substances with the highest evolved form of Detection. Those two alone would make working with Poison a great deal safer. It was a Job that was custom tailored to my vision of future combat, a melee specialist who’s very counter-attacking touch resulted in deadly effects.

Blood Enchanting would take away my need to find complicated reagents for the enchants. All it required was the blood of a monster, and mine, combined in a complex sigil to enchant objects. The higher the purity of both my blood and the monster’s, along with the complexity of the sigil, the better the enchantment effect. I planned on purifying both bloods with Liquid Manipulation, to achieve the optimal level of quality.

As for Chemistry, even though the Church will post a bounty for my arrest and execution due to this profession, it didn’t matter to me. I had already planned to join the Pantheon of Demons as my religious faction in-game. Elyse had made several recommendations, which I would need to research further later. I didn’t want to become to mindlessly dependant on her advice to the point where I refused to even consider anything else. That path would lead to tunnel vision, which is a surefire way for an assassin to join the ranks of those six feet under.

Even though I couldn’t die permanently in-game, successive deaths could result in needing to see a doctor in Real to help clear out the accumulated brain or nervous system damage. Virtual Reality(VR) was as Real as actual reality, at least to the mind and body of a user. This had resulted in treatment for Virtual Damage Effect (VDE) becomming as widespread as treatment for gunshot wounds had been over two centuries ago.

Safety measures for excessive dying and being tortured in-game, such as lockout timers and pain reduction were in place. However, anyone who signed the disclaimer to enter RiSe was well informed of the dangers of VR. Anyone who couldn’t pass the basic safety standards test, along with a mental health examination was filtered out until they could. Even though the corporate conglomerate that ran RiSe was interested in profits, it didn’t want the bad press that would result from VR issues going public. As such, for the past ten years, a rather effective system had developed, which I’d learned during my research into RiSe addiction cases. The conglomerate funded any and all research on VDE subsidizing treatment for those affected, and doctors kept quiet about the issue.

Standing up, I started moving along the tunnel cautiously, Elyse had advised me to make it to the Gnome Village located on the 2nd level of the dungeon. If I could make it there without major incident the first Waystone would unlock. This meant I wouldn’t be sent back to my original starting point. I really didn’t want that, since I was pretty sure it was the hut in the middle of the swamp that I’d first appeared at.

“Book, can you do anything about the light situation?” I said, in a pleading tone. Just because I was an assassin didn’t mean I enjoyed the engulfing darkness a few paces away from the light of the entrance.

“I have something that might work, but…..” Book said.

“I’ll take it.” I said gritting my teeth. Ghosts I hated, darkness I loathed. Call me childish but I really did have trouble with absolute darkness, especially knowing that there really were monsters in the dark.

I mean, I’d been one of them at one time.

An orange glow enveloped me before vanishing, up under my buff/debuff bar I saw a goggle icon appear.

“Reversed Lighting?”

“It let’s you see the reverse, light when dark, and dark when light. Be careful though, sometimes your eyes will play tricks on you while this buff is working.” Book said, leaving me to wonder what diabolical issues might arise.

With a shrug, I moved away into the darkness starting my search for the Gnome’s Village.

After about thirty minutes of becomming throughly lost in the winding passageways I chanced upon a rather dismal sight.

A bloody gasping child was constantly evading the spear thrusts from three seperate Kobold Slavers.

Kobold Slaver: Rolgurf
Monster Race: Dog Family
Level: 17
HP: 3,060 MP: 1200
Skill: Spear Thrust I
Talent: None
Ability: Scent Detection

These cowardly monsters entrap the weak young of other races selling them for profit at black markets across the world of RiSe. They are dangerous in large numbers, but only because their prey are usually children. A vicious race, they enjoy tormenting their prey before capture. The Goddess would look kindly upon those who bring misfortune to them.

Kobold Slaver: Razuth
Monster Race: Dog Family
Level: 17
HP: 3,060 MP: 1200
Skill: Spear Thrust I
Talent: None
Ability: Scent Detection

These cowardly monsters entrap the weak young of other races selling them for profit at black markets across the world of RiSe. They are dangerous in large numbers, but only because their prey are usually children. A vicious race, they enjoy tormenting their prey before capture. The Goddess would look kindly upon those who bring misfortune to them.

Kobold Slaver: Romurth
Monster Race: Dog Family
Level: 17
HP: 3,060 MP: 1200
Skill: Spear Thrust I
Talent: None
Ability: Scent Detection

These cowardly monsters entrap the weak young of other races selling them for profit at black markets across the world of RiSe. They are dangerous in large numbers, but only because their prey are usually children. A vicious race, they enjoy tormenting their prey before capture. The Goddess would look kindly upon those who bring misfortune to them.

The information about the monsters from my combat display was enough to know they were a threat, but only as a large group.

Each thrust carried the sickening intent to maim, not kill. Kobolds were a species of monster that enjoyed inflicting sadistic pain on the other races. As such, the act of “playing” with prey was something they had cultivated to a high art even incorporating it into their fighting style it appeared.

“Filthy little human girl child, stealing shinies is bad, Rolgurf is getting hungry!” the largest of the three Kobold Slavers said.

“Bad for humans, good for us, stop moving pink worm and let this Razuth stab yous!” the smallest of the Kobold Slavers said.

“Tasty human child flesh, delicious. When pink worm gets tired, I, Romurth will devour!” the mid-sized Kobold Slaver said.

The small human child wasn’t able to muster a response, her entire energy devoted to dodging each spearpoint.

“What do you think, Book? Should I intervene?” I said, camly from further down the tunnel. The fighting was taking place in a small open area that had another few tunnels leading off into darkness.

“No. We know nothing of the situation, for all we know that kid is a bloodthirsty axe murdering psychopath. It’s best if we wait until they finish the child off, then leave.” Mr. Book said, his voice pronouncing judgment on the tiny waif.

“Hmmm…” I thought, my memory flashing to the incident when Master had taken pity on the two children trapped by thugs and worn down by constant abuse. It was a debt I had never managed to repay until I designed Renewal using my gift.

“I think I’ll intervene. A small tribute to the kindness Abyss showed me a decade ago. Besides, it’s unlikely such a small child can cause any problems for me.” I said.

Moving forward I pulled one of the few remaining vials of poison out from my inventory.

Although I was able to see easily in the darkness due to the Reverse Lighting buff that Book had given me, the child, and Kobold couldn’t. The reason the small girl had been able to survive for so long was likely due to the fact that none of the Kobold Slavers were able to pinpoint her exactly. Their strikes were based on the smell she was emitting, since Kobold scent detection was thousands of times better than a humans.

As for the little girl, it appeared she had some type of nightvision buff according to my combat interface. It was enough to let her see the Kobold’s outlines, and the spearpoints, but it was definately inferior to my own buff.

The first to notice my presence were of course the Kobolds, I hadn’t taken any precautions to avoid scent detection after all.

The small child paused as she noticed the three Kobolds seem to huddle together before giving a malicious hiss towards something behind her.

I alleviated her terror by knocking her unconscious with a carefully placed blow upon the neck. Placing her down gently I moved towards the Kobold Slavers.

“Picking on small children, I really don’t like the memories that brings back to me.” I said, popping the cap on the poison vial.

“Prey worm thief!”
“Pink worm thief!”
“Big pink worm, thief!”

The chorus of Kobold cries amused me, even as I dodged their concentrated thrusts. Moving to the side swiftly I slammed a punch into the largest Kobold’s throat. As he gasped open for air, I flicked a small dribble from the vial into his mouth.

Dropping to the ground he began to convulse, it was clear the fight was over for him and only Heaven’s embrace remained.

“Rolgurf!”
“Rolgurf!”

Two cries of despair sounded in my ears like music, it had been so long since I practiced my Art on humanoids. Since entering this game I hadn’t seen a human monster, I found it strangely thrilling. Even as an assassin, until my later years, it had been difficult for me to repress the revulsion of killing another human being. I got through the problem with training, but there had always remained a slight distaste in my job. However, these monsters weren’t human, there was no aftertaste to killing them.

There was no feeling of revulsion watching them twitch and die, and I didn’t feel a shred of compassion or mercy. Instead, it was rather nice, a relaxed feeling like crushing crunchy bugs, or dusting a bookshelf clean.

“What a wonderful way to reduce stress. No wonder so many people like killing monsters in this game.” I said out loud, letting my thoughts slip out unhindered.

“VILE HUMAN!”
“DIE BIG PINK WORM!”

The two Kobold Slavers screamed at me, their eyes glowing with a strange red light. I could see an ‘Enrage’ buff affecting them, it granted fifty percent to all their stats, at the cost of removing the ability to think straight. A buff that grants enormous power, yet removes the ability to effectively apply that power, isn’t a very good buff in my opinion.

Dodging spear thrusts of frenzied might, I moved in towards the medium sized Kobold. His teeth were razor points as his head snapped forward trying to tear out my throat, I obliged the open mouth with a helping of liquid from the vial of poison.

When the medium sized Romurth fell, the buff also coincidentally ended. Upon seeing both the larger Kobold Slavers dead at my feet the smaller one started to shiver in terror.

“How does it feel, little dog, to realize that death is walking towards you slowly?” I said matching words to actions.

“Hiiieeee!” a gutteral cry resounded as the last Kobold Slaver attempted to flee. I caught him in a hold from behind and dumped the last of the poison vial down his throat as I held it open with a chokehold.

Finally the last Kobold Slaver slumped lifelessly in my arms, dropping the corpse to the ground I didn’t even bother with looting them.

Moving away from the corpses I picked up the small human child, she was almost as light as a feather. Grimacing in distaste I started to move further on into the 2nd level of the Dungeon.

#####

The Kobold Commander stared down at the three Cores gleaming silently next to fallen spears on the tunnel floor.

“Are we certain she escaped?”

“Yes, without a doubt Commander.” A slightly less well armored soldier reported promptly to the question.

“Without the sacrifice to the Black Serpent of the Lake, our position in this part of they Laybrinth will become weakened. Find the filthy creature that stole her, no matter the cost!” the Comander’s last few words were heavy with a gutteral growl.

As soon as he finished five of the best Scouts rushed off, a prelude to the Kobold company units that split to follow them.

The Kobold Commander’s glowing golden eyes pierced the darkness, his intimidating face carefully hiding any hint of worry.

Chapter Nine: Intermission II

Entering the wide room I saw the other end was a semi-circle split with multiple one way mirror slices. Each slice allowed viewing of an entire room dedicated to a singular theme. Drawn forward I watched entranced at the wide variety of women on display in their own separate cultured environments.

“Fascinating. A cross section of the most desirable fantasies and fetishes.” I said, unable to stop my eyes from flickering from slice to slice.

“The House aims to please.” Mercy said, the smile clearly visible in her tone.

I slowly walked along the semi-circle taking a long look at the different possibilities, if it wasn’t for my genetic defenses my pulse would have been pounding.

The first room that caught my attention was a tall buxom elf delicately dressed in a variety of leaves. An entire forest glade surrounded her, with the exception of the snowstorm that she was dancing within the middle of. Her blonde hair was completely unbound, whirling around her as she danced in in the crisp white powder as her breath steamed the air. A feeling of infinite grace and majesty radiated from the aura that surrounded her. Each footprint from the dance vanished as soon as it was made, as the continuous blanket of gentle white rained down. When she noticed me gazing at her, the elf stopped and stepped close to the slice of clear plasteel. Smiling with mischief, the elf gently blew me a kiss and waved, her body language promising endless adventure. With an effort of will I managed to move away, so I could continue looking at the other slices.

The second room that caught my attention harbored a beastkin cat dressed in shredded leathers that barely concealed anything. A darker version of the elf’s forested area surrounded her, minus the snowstorm, in it’s place was a shaft of sunlight illuminating the deer beside her as she crouched feeding. The beastkin cat’s hair was raven blue-black, short cropped, while her body was a demonstration in raw strength. Sitting hunched forward powerful hand motions ripped the deer’s flesh as she stuffed the bloody meat into her mouth, each handful was accompanied by a lazy twitch of her sinuous long black furred tail. Her clothing did nothing but accent the raw aura of pure strength that emanated from her. Even from the window her movements spoke of boundless feline grace and ferocity. The seductive form was raw power chained in a silken glove, and I could easily imagine her beneath me, driving me onwards with tireless energy. When she noticed me watching her slit pupiled eyes stared unblinking at me, daring me to look away. I took her up on the staring contest, and we fought for dominance until she finally glanced away as if uninterested. A small smile flashed across my countenance as I turned to the next slice.

The third room that caught my attention was dimly lit with shadows, the light from the room in which I stood, unable to penetrate more than a few inches inside. As I watched a shadow manifested out of the background moving until it was directly in front of me. When she opened her eyes I gasped, as an aura of pure hatred and evil flooded out from her body. Barely managing to contain my excitement I turned to Mercy behind me, aiming a questioning look with my eyes.

“It’s true, she’s a purebred Drow. Silky purple-black hair, skin as black as obsidian, demon red glowing eyes. She’s killed several owners over the years who didn’t show her the proper respect.” Mercy said.

“Delightful!”

I turned back staring at the gorgeous creature devouring her with my eyes. The evil aura was similar to one I’d experience before, so it had no effect on me. Eventually, I only managed to move to the next slice after she walked back into the shadows of her room, so complete was the spell.

The final room that interested me, the fourth room, was the end of the semi-circle of window slices. It was a completely white room with a single raised diagonal gaming bed facing me. I wasn’t able to see the woman inside at first, however a single raised eyebrow at Mercy caused her to unleash a few sharp whispers into a communication panel near the room slice glass. The language used was a variant of ancient Chinese that I was unfamiliar with, it heightened my interest.

The creature that exited the gaming bed triggered the third tier of my genetic defenses against charm immediately, softening the blow that fell. It was almost impossible to turn my eyes away, even through the heavy interference that my defenses caused, from the glorious being that enveloped my entire sight. A feeling slowly arose, that I wanted to stand next to her, and bask in her presence for eternity. Before the feeling could become strong, the first half of my fourth tier defenses activated, allowing a measure of sanity to return.

“Divinely perfect.” I said, my eyes never straying from her addictive gaze.

My words almost seemed sacrilegious in her presence. Standing this close the light that was magnified from her form by the white room, she seemed to manipulate the very fabric of space around her. I could barely notice the blonde-white hair and silver eyes, which seemed to exist merely to showpiece her divine aura.

“Yes, she’s one of thirteen Divines that my House is proud to have. Light classification, with a touch of pure Siren. Her only downside is she’s a gaming maniac.” Mercy said, into the silence.

“Gamer?” I turned away assisted by my defenses. Never had I been so sad to be immune to something in my entire life. I almost broke down into tears, clearly I needed to upgrade my defenses.

“She’s a RiSe fanatic, I think she likes it because the game tones down her beauty. Elyse is never sure if someone actually likes her, or is merely responding to the almost subliminal commands her powers evoke on men.” Mercy said, a small sad smile passing across her features. I felt that she probably felt a kinship with the creature behind me, although unlike Elyse, Mercy had total control of her gifts.

I managed to gulp, I couldn’t turn around, if my fourth tier defenses fully engaged it would be bad.

Very bad.

I don’t think I had the money on hand to cover turning into a merciless killing machine that only assessed threats and targets. Especially not in a House of horny men and women, no scenario I could imagine ended well with that situation.

“Do not disturb me for a moment.” I said, before turning my mind inwards to my gift.

I released my grip on the world around me, and pure genetic code surrounded me as I was lost in the world within.

#####

Mercy stared as the gene therapist, Root, seemed to shut down in front of her. She abandoned the idea of approaching closer immediately, there was no telling what type of defenses might be in place. A simple call on the comm system had two young men enter, place a chair for her to sit, and then exit.

Minutes flowed slowly past as she sat waiting, before Mercy noticed Root’s scent suddenly spiked, then swiftly dissipated. When the client opened his eyes, they were a sparkling silver, instead of the previous crystal blue. His golden blonde hair slowly shed off and fell to the floor where it disintegrated into ashes. Replacing it were blue lengths that grew out interspersed with silver streaks. His body underwent an even more shocking change, the pleasing robust muscular form altered, to a thin lean whipcord tough one.

Mercy managed to keep the shock off her face with the skill nurtured from years of being the Madame of her own House. It was clear from this demonstration that the ‘gene therapist’ had managed to alter his own genetic code without a machine in sight. Even though that was theoretically impossible, she’d clearly seen it happen. Suddenly, the warning that Seline had given her didn’t seem all that small. In fact, a moment of thought later, Mercy’s mind made connections in rapid order.

“High Noble?!” Mercy said, starting to shake with fear.

The client, Root, glanced at her, clearly amused, “How did you arrive at that conclusion?”

Mercy wanted to leap to her feet and exit the room, but that would probably result in a very bad impression. It wasn’t that she simply didn’t have the willpower to move, no that wasn’t it at all. High Nobles represented both absolute power, and unfathomable wealth, there were only a handful linked closely with their planet of origin. If a regular Noble could be said to be the peak of humanity, a High Noble was the mountain top of Nobility itself. Creatures that could rework gravity with a thought, speak mind to mind, and other more incredible powers. They were regarded as the elite, the best, brightest, and most especially important, the richest single humans in existence. Their genetic code was guarded by safeguards that made her own work look childish in comparison, like a baby being compared to a full grown adult.

Calm, she needed to be calm, she was Mercy, Madame of the 9th best pleasure palace in the Solar System. This was merely another shock, a large one, that would be dealt with like everything else. It was opportunity slamming a hand against her door, and she needed to calm down, open the door, and take advantage of it, now.

“Your, the only being on record among the Houses, that can do what I just saw.” Mercy said, ironing the fear out of her voice with pure willpower.

Root looked away from her, not noticing, or caring as she collapsed back in the seat. All his attention was for the Divine that had cocked her head at him in curiosity. It was clear that he was no longer entranced more than any man would be at a pretty face.

“How did you-?” Mercy managed to get out.

“I altered my genetic defenses reworking them to be a magnitude stronger. Now you have absolutely zero effect, and Elyse only requires the second tier. A side effect was the change in form.” Root said, clearly occupied with studying her most annoying Divine.

“Then, Seline-” Mercy said.

“Yes, I handled her Rejuvenation personally.” Root said, turning to walk towards her.

Mercy managed not to shudder away from his touch as Root gently placed a hand on her face.

“Do you want it,…..eternal youth? I can grant it to you. All you have to do is nod, and it will be yours. I’m sure you can figure out what I want in return.” Root whispered, leaning over her.

Mercy was torn between the fear of the person touching her, and the blatant desire to be young again. A moment of eternity passed before she shook her head in a shuddering nod.

As soon as she agreed, she could feel his power flowing into her like a delicious drink of the finest wine. Small changes began to flow through her body, moving faster and faster. A pulsing feeling radiated from the hand on her face as Root’s gift manipulated the very structure of her body like a precise machine. Unable to contain herself, low gasps became delicate moans, as her body shook and twitched. Finally, she felt incredible warmth, which slowly transmuted to pleasure, wave upon wave engulfing her. In the final coherent moments before her mind shut down in self-defense, Mercy prayed she’d made the right choice.

A glowing chronometer in the upper right of her sight depicted that a mere two hours had passed when she awoke.

Snapping awake, her face blushed bright red. Even though she was sitting down, it was completely clear that her dress had been consumed in the process of remaking her. It was a small price to pay she decided, the blush rapidly faded as she stood, taking in the new changes. Suddenly, everything had become sharper, clearer, like seeing through a suddenly clear window, it felt like her mind was operating at the peak, no even better than before. A quick command on the comm system near the entrance door resulted in a hand thrusting a new dress inside, and once re-armored with her new attire, Mercy sat back down to collect her thoughts.

“What did you do?” Mercy said to the figure waving at his new prize. It couldn’t be more clear to her sharper mind what the High Noble had gifted her for.

“I altered the genetic structure of your body perfecting the work previously done. I also increased the power of your gene mods, moving them up to the level of a Divine. You won’t age anymore, although I’ll need to update the work about once a century. Unlike the current type of Rejuvenation there won’t be any side effects, such as losing memory slowly, or decreased performance over time. You also won’t ever require maintenance on your current gene mods, as they are self-maintaining now. Although, new ones won’t have the same benefits.” Root said, calmly spouting one impossible thing after another. A momentary flash of anger that he didn’t even think her important enough to turn away from the Divine lit her. Immediately, it was suppressed by the absolute ocean of terror that flowed out at the though he might detect it.

He didn’t even flicker, it was like the only thing in the room was him, and the Divine. It wasn’t even attraction, she could tell from years of experience, there was a bit there, but mostly it was something else. Something sharper and more fearful, something she’d rarely worried about once she became a Madame.

Obsession. He was absolutely obsessed with the Divine, Elyse.

“Needless to say, if I die, your body will melt into a puddle of untraceable goo that even the Imperial Chinese Gene Scientists couldn’t decipher.” Root said, turning away just after she’d managed to paste a serene expression on.

“I look forward to working with you then in the future.” Mercy said, her tone all business again.

“Have her delivered with her gaming bed to my new address.” Root said, finally finished gorging himself on the sight of his new Divine companion. Turning away from the window slice, he moved to the door obviously preparing to depart.

“High One, if you could, perhaps spare one more moment…of….time.” Mercy managed to get out, petering off as the full weight of those silver eyes descended on her.

“Why?”

“Genius. Tech. Meet. Useful!” Mercy babbled out, unable to stand the pressure of his direct gaze. It was with visible relief that she watched as he turned away to glance back at Elyse.

“I’m not very technically inclined. What do you think?” Root said, clearly asking the Divine.

A thumb up and a smile met him through the plasteel glass from Elyse, along with a bright smile that matched her eyes.

“Alright, let’s meet your tech genius.” Root said, the pressure around Mercy evaporating like melting ice.

Mercy managed to regain her composure as she led him out of the room.

#####

Sparks flew from the modification table Mark was working at, the brief flashes of light illuminating a massive room around him. As the premier tech genius in service to the Iron Flowers he’d been acquired at a young age. As he grew older the treats for successful endeavors had changed from candy and words of praise, to other, more adult pastimes. The piece he was currently working on was a theoretical model on compression technology, something that had caught his interest. Like all good ideas it was currently stymied by one small issue, but he’d solve it eventually.

Pausing in his work Mark hopped off the stool and moved back from the modification table to stretch out, this work caused such tight muscles, he had to pace himself on it. Golden, shoulder-length hair awkwardly hung over a fine, tense face framed by delicate, slanted green eyes, set graciously within their sockets. His worksuit scream mad scientist, a combination between jumpsuit and toolbelt. The number of pockets was only outdone by the number of tools. He was a walking advertisement of almost every name brand tech tool available on the market. Mark, or more specifically his worksuit, had always generated an aura of absentminded attention. But nonetheless, he knew Mercy and Seline took extreme pride in knowing him, Mercy at least had shown her appreciation quite pleasantly when he’d come of age. Mark glanced about over the room filled with various complex pieces of tech, equipment, and tools of various degrees that had been his kingdom for so long with pride. Everything was quiet currently and dimly lit, he liked to work in solitude when finishing a big project like this one.

When the door opposite his workstation opened with a hiss he managed to conceal a surprised expression as a woman walked through accompanied by another man. The light outlined them both briefly making it hard to distinguish features. Mark solved the issue by activating the lighting as the door closed. Looking at both of the intruders a shocked gasp escaped him.

“Hello, Mark. How do I look?” the woman said, moving quickly to stand in front of him and twirling, before planting a passionate kiss on his lips.

“Rejuv, Mercy? How? I thought the Iron Flowers couldn’t find anyone to-” Mark said. He paused as a single finger placed on his lips interrupted him.

“It’s a gift from our new associate, he’s a gene therapist specializing in a variety of techniques I’ve never seen, Mark.” Mercy said stepping back to place a comfortable arm around his shoulders. Standing beside her like this he could feel the attraction she’d risen by at least a full effect level. Even with the devices he’d created to lower her effects so he could focus, it was incredibly potent.

Mark took a good look at the guy she’d pointed out taking him in carefully. Long blue hair with silver accents, silver eyes, white glowing skin. He had all the earmarks of a Noble, but there was something extra, something that seemed to place him higher than mere Nobility. It almost short circuited his thoughts when Mark’s mind put together the subtle clues.

“H-High N-Noble! I-I’m honored by your-” Mark said, his attempt to take a knee stopped by Mercy’s hand on his shoulders and another finger on his lips. If it wasn’t for her, he’d probably start babbling incoherently.

“Hm, respectful, I like you! Mercy seemed to think it was important that I meet you. Seeing this room, filled with technology that barely makes sense, I’m impressed. I can’t decide if your simply insane, or a genius, of course the line between both is thin….” the man said, moving around to look at some of his more impressive works.

“Root, I think that Mark’s recent project would be extremely valuable in the right places. It’s something that could change the world, even more than nanotechnology. He’s only missing a small piece of the puzzle now, something that I thought you might be able to provide.” Mercy said, with a dazzling brilliant smile.

“Oh? Tell me what could a mere gene therapist like me help a techie do?” Root said, moving back to stand with a questioning air in front of Mark.

Buckling down his emotions, Mark moved over to the piece he’d been working on. His expression became animated, “Currently nanotechnology is able to alter the landscape however the designer wishes. But it’s still almost impossible to move large complex amounts of things from one place to another. It takes a high level nano-manipulator to furnish a room fully, and even then they have to understand the things they are making completely, inside and out. That’s why techies like me still exist, moving an entire computer room, or database is just flat impossible for a nano-manipulator.” Mark said.

“Yes, I’m well aware of the issues involved, probably better than anyone you’ll meet.” Root said, with a faint smile.

“That’s why, I’ve figured out a way to compress an entire space into something the size of an old century postage stamp!” Mark said, beaming with childlike glee.

“That…..would be quite amazing, if it worked. What exactly do you need to finish your device?” Root said, appearing quite interested now.

“It’s all about storage, the amount of numbers and code that need to be stored is massive, more information than every word spoken by humans since the dawn of time. For that, no amount of tech will work, I need an organic dna chip, specifically a military grade Domegemegrottebyte level storage one.” Mark said, his expression slowly fading from glee to depression.

“Oh? Is that all?” Root said, deadpan as he reached into a storage pocket on his white scrubs. He seemed to focus for a moment, then withdrew a small container shaped like a playing card. Placing it down on the table next to Mark’s device he smiled, enjoying the shocked expression on both their faces.

“That should be what you need. Please be careful with it, I don’t have a spare at the moment.” Root said, as if he carried military grade organic dna chips around everyday.

Mark snatched the package up, quickly scanning it with a handheld scanner he’d made.

“I-It’s, this, how? These are guarded by elite soldiers in a locked bunker, 10 miles below the surface. There’s simply no way, I mean-” Mark couldn’t string a coherent sentence together due to excitement.

It took Mercy several minutes of hushed whispers and kissing to calm him down to a manageable level where he could function again.

“So? Can you make it work and give me a demonstration now? I am rather pressed for time. I’ve recently acquired a new Companion, and am quite eager to experience her talents.” Root said, with a grin.

Mark didn’t waste anytime removing the dna chip and slotting it in his device. A few moments later, along with some adjustments, and he was ready to activate it.

“Now, just stand back a bit. I mean, if anything goes wrong we probably won’t even be able to respond in time anyways. Hope everyone has their life insurance up to date, just kidding I swear!” Mark said, as he triggered the device. A sideways glance managed to catch Mercy’s flabbergasted expression before the world went sideways.

The effect started from the outside working in, as if the room was a panting and the colors were leaching out. From the outer corners off the square room small patches of white started growing, slowly at first, and then more rapidly. The white grew at a rapid exponential pace, as if the room’s reality was being drawn towards his invention.

Everything except the three humans in the room was drawn towards the sphere of force that the compression device was emitting. A small rippling, shimmering orb, barely the size of a large marble. It drew the surroundings in, regardless of their size, shape, color, or priority. Everything was compressed into the small marble field, within which a shape was taking form.

After what seemed like mere seconds, a tiny stamp, exactly like the old American postage stamps, took form within the field. Moments later, the field shut off and the stamp wafted slowly to the ground. The device, no longer held in place by the field operating, dropped to the ground with a solid bounce. Thankfully, Mark didn’t make things that broke easily.

“So….how do you get everything back?” Root said, looking around.

“Oh! I haven’t, um, gotten to that part yet….” Mark said.

“Mark, this room was…..expensive. You will be able to bring everything eventually, right?” Mercy said, one eyebrow arched at him.

“Oh, of course! I mean it will take a few experiments, but I should be able to reverse the field’s polarity. Or perhaps I’ll cycle the, no, that would…..I mean, eventually. Soon. Very soon. Absolutely.” Mark said shamelessly, with a maniacal grin at Mercy.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to figure it out. I’ll admit this was quite impressive, although if you ever trigger an experiment that requires my life insurance updated again. Well, I’ll probably do something drastic, permanent, and unpleasant to you.” Root said, moving away towards the door.

“You don’t think….”

“World devouring pain, absolutely.”

“Oh, well that would suck…”

#####

Elyse looked around the new home that her current owner was exploring avidly. The entire place location took up the whole 44th floor of the residence tower. It was a massive space filled with all the rooms she’d once mentioned to Mercy would be useful as a gamer in RiSe. A martial arts dojo competed for space with the kitchen, a game bed room, and an actual bedroom. There was a space dedicated to massage relaxation just off from the Jacuzzi and small pool. For someone who had lived and trained exclusively at Madam Mercy’s House it was a great deal to take in at once.

When in doubt, Elyse simply followed her training, moving up behind her owner she followed him soundlessly through the complex as he explored.

“This place is neat! It has everything that could be used to train for situations in RiSe. It was strange that that library and movie area seemed to be reserved only for stories though.” her owner Root said, as they both paused in the kitchen.

“Many of the situations in RiSe are taken from mythological fantasy, or science fiction depending on the developer’s fancy at the time.” Elyse said, her quiet multi-harmonic voice rippling out.

“What a wonderful voice!” Root said, his expression pleased.

“It’s part of my training, Root.” Elyse said, she was rather curious why he didn’t seem overly affected.

“Training? What else can you do?”

“Practically any form of physical and mental stimulation or relaxation. I also have a Master’s Degree in Business, a Minor Doctorate in Aikido, and a Major Doctorate in Music and Applied Vapor Scent Therapy. Last, I am a certified One Star Chef, with the attendant skill in nutrition and dieting therapy.”

Root looked suitably impressed.

“That’s excellent far better than I thought, well is there anything about me you’d like to know?” Root said, taking a seat at the table.

Elyse chose to sit down at the corner within arms length of him.

“What exactly will you be expecting from me? I wish to maximize my gaming time as much as possible, and do not wish to cause conflict with your needs.” Elyse said, laying out the main issue to her. Even though she’d been trained to be a partner, the addiction to RiSe was very strong in her.

“Well, I just started playing RiSe. That’s the main reason I was interested in you, Elyse. As soon as I saw that sealed gaming bed I knew I had to have you, I’m an absolute clueless newbie. Even with all the reading I’ve done, I get surprised easily, I think I could do with a tutor of sorts. Of course, after seeing you in the flesh, well I’ll admit I was a bit smitten, and that did influence my decision.” Root said.

“Pardon me for mentioning this, but you don’t seem unduly affected by my…..gifts.” Elyse said, an unwritten question in her harmonic voice.

“Oh! I’m a gene therapist, while I was meeting with Mercy I reworked my genetic defenses so that you wouldn’t have a large effect. The longer we spend together the less effective your abilities become as I adapt. Eventually, you’ll be just like any other beautiful woman, at least to me.” Root said, gesturing to someone behind her.

“This is my current AI partner, Alecia.” Root said, introducing the stunningly gorgeous robot in a maid uniform that appeared from behind her to stand at his side.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Elyse said, her eyes displaying amazement. It was clear to her that her new owner was someone of the highest levels. AI’s were only ‘common’ to the elites in the criminal underworld, or the top levels of business, or the upper echelons of Nobility. It was possible her new owner subscribed to all three.

“I’m thinking something like two days of playtime for every day you spend attending to my baser needs. If you need more time in-game, say for a Raid, or Quest or something, then you’ll just owe time to me later. How does that sound?” Root said with a cheery smile.

Elyse was amazed, usually she had to fight tooth and nail to get gaming time. Granted, he was obviously another gamer, and so understood her needs better. This might actually work out quite well in her favor if she played her cards right.

“Is it possible for me to acquire additional time, by ‘paying it forward’ so that I can take care of your needs for say three days, and spend six in-game?” Elyse said.

“Absolutely! Whatever works for you, of course, you’ll need to put up with me shamelessly asking questions about the most random things in-game. I’m sure some of the questions will be strange, or even self-obvious to you, just bear with me. I’m still learning everything!” Root said.

The AI Alecia leaned over and whispered something into his ear too quiet even for Elyse’s hearing to catch.

“In that case, I think I’ll start taking care of your physical needs today, while learning about your mental needs as we go along. Can I interest you in an ear cleaning?” Elyse said, standing and striding towards the bedroom. She didn’t bother to look back, because there was no doubt in her mind he would be following her.

“Ear cleaning, it sounds rather strange.”

“I assure you, if you’ve never had your ears cleaned, it’s an experience you won’t regret.” Elyse said, closing the bedroom doors slowly enough to catch the AI Alecia giving her a brief salute before they shut.