Lucan and Oar woke up. Oar went to tend to the horse before they set out. Lucan had stopped at 4 locations yesterday. He could sense something there on each but had no indication that it was valuable.
After 3 hours of riding they arrived at the 5th location. Lucan was already giddy as he hopped down from the horse.
"This is it." He said as he looked underground.
The mana was 5 times denser 200 feet underground. There were thousands of stagnant clumps of mana that shone with a crystal brilliance. It was clumps of pure mana, unmoving underground.
"They must be something valuable." Lucan mumbled to himself before double checking the ground again. When he was satisfied, he spent the time to cast shadow tunnel.
"This is it." He told Oar. "Let's head back to the village and get those dwarves moving."
Lucan and Oar made it to the village a few hours before dinner. They had no issue finding the dwarves.
"Like what you see?" Ed asked.
Lucan nodded. "I want this one excavated immediately." He said while pointing to the map.
"Hmm, that one? It's your choice." Ed said shrugging his shoulder.
Ed didn't seem to think this location would be too valuable. And he was correct about the fact that it was the smallest deposit Lucan had looked at. It worked out well for Lucan, with a deposit of this size, Ed wanted to be paid for the time he put in instead of collecting a percent. Lucan and Ed ironed out the details over a meal. For now, they would stay with just the 5 dwarves working with Ed running the mine. Lucan would ease travel and transportation by setting up a Shadow Tunnel and enhancing it. Lucan would get everything and pay them a daily wage.
After making the pact and shaking on it, he gave the dwarves 50 gold and bought himself a month of work. They had tools to start with but those would eventually break, and Lucan would have to pay for new equipment and anything they needed in the mine. Ed agreed to become his acolyte so he could stay in touch.
"Come on Oar, we are going to Vertshadow."
"Oh cool! What's Vertshadow."
"It's the capital, where Raze has his main base. I am broke again so I need to sell off some wands to buy them supplies."
"Can't you use Alasan's money?" Oar asked.
"Why would I use his money?"
"No, I mean what he collects and saves for the village. He explained the tax to me on the first day. Everybody that lives here has to chip in a bit every 3 weeks. He uses the money to pay Raze and the rest is for the village. You want to mine ore to build up the city, right? So, isn't that what the tax is for?"
"You know I do remember him saying something about that." Lucan said, turning around and heading to Alasan's office.
***
"I see no problem in you taking money to supply the excavation." Alasan said unlocking the chest that was normally tucked under his desk. "Here take this to fund the mine for a while." He said after putting 100 gold in a small leather pouch. "And to answer your question about the Supreme Leaders Tax, we pay a flat rate per person while we are an unincorporated territory."
"Okay good."
Alasan tried to hide a small chuckle. "Oar, it will be a good idea for you to start reading my daily reports."
"Yes, do that." Lucan said with a tinge of embarrassment. He felt that every time he asked Alasan a question, there was already a report at his home with the answer.
"Do not fret Lord Quilldrake, you are a busy man. Besides, you have a steward for these things."
"Yes, you can count on me!" Oar said, not understanding the entire conversation.
Lucan and Oar left Alasan's office. "Does this mean we aren't going to Vertshadow?" Oar asked.
"No, were going. It's much faster than walking to Avalon and back."
Lucan led the exited Oar to the transfer point and payed the fee.
They stepped into the crowded evening streets of Vertshadow.
The level 55 warlock and level 30 fighter were small fries compared to the citizens ranging between level 100-150. Lucan didn't bother requesting a guard from the palace, he wouldn't be here long. Lucan headed down the street to a blacksmith to get pickaxes, shovels, and all the other tools they would need. He visited a general supply to get lanterns, buckets and miscellaneous supplies. He picked up a few things but decided to wait to see what Ed wanted instead of guessing.
Lucan and Oar left the supply shop and walked out into the street. "There you are!" Someone shouted.
"Hey, that kind of sounded like-." Lucan's hand covered Oar's mouth as he sent him a telepathic message.
'While this woman is around, pretend that Silent Night doesn't exist.'
Lucan turned to see Heaven's Kiss moving through the crowd with 4 other players following behind her.
"You are a hard bastard to track down." She said while slipping a hand into lucan's armor and yanking him close to her angry face.
"Heaven, you may want to let him go." Said one of the players behind her. A tall young man in priest's robes. "Remember where we are. He is rumored to be Raze's favorite Hand."
Heaven's Kiss let go of him but didn't back away. "You better explain yourself properly."
Lucan smirked. "You don't want me to explain." He said while shaking his head. "You don't want me to explain to Grand Magister Faylen that my team cleared out the Deephook Bandits while you lied and took credit. What do you want me to explain? You want me to tell people that your rabid fans turned me into one of the internet most hated people because they thought some rogue was you… I guess I could offer you a small explanation. My subordinate who looks like you changed her race, so go away." Lucan said while waving her away and stepping around the mage.
"You are so damn infuriating." She yelled after him.
Lucan and Oar walked down the road while Heaven's Kiss and her party followed them.
After a couple of blocks Lucan hollered to her party. "Why are you following me?"
"Is it illegal to walk down the street?" Heaven's Kiss yelled back.
Lucan walked another 2 blocks down the street before stopping. "I know, you are captivated by my looks and want to make the rumors true, right?"
Heaven's face scrunched up in anger. It reminded Lucan of Silent when he would poke fun at archery or anything she liked. A genuine smile spread across his face.
"You really are a crazy fool." She said marching up to him. "You aren't anything to write home about."
"Oh, fine then." Lucan said while shrugging it off. "I guess you don't want to accompany me upstairs then." He said pointing to the building he waited in front of. Several armed guards stood before a lavish, unmarked door.
Having a direct connection to SuperSleuth was great. It took Lucan only a moment to learn of a private club his position would grant him access to. Lucan bowed to Super's information network.
Heaven's kiss turned to look at the building with questioning eyes.
A young woman came up and whispered into Heaven's Kiss's ear. Even though he couldn't hear her, Menta's eye had no issue reading her lips.
'It's the Royal Circle Club. The first 2 floors are a private store that sells rare consumables and scrolls while the 3rd floor is a lounge that only caters to those with distinguished positions.'
"Ah, perhaps next time." Lucan said. "After thinking about it, Oar is pretty young and it's getting late, I rather not stay at the palace tonight. We will have to postpone our date for later." Lucan said, before turning around and leaving.
Heaven was about to shout after him when Lucan spoke again. "If you want to get in contact, think my name three times and ask for my strength."
"Yeah right! Like I would ever ask for your strength!" A frazzled Heaven's Kiss yelled back.
Lucan chuckled while walking to the transfer point with Oar. A few minutes later they were back in Shadowsweep.
"Who was that lady?" Oar asked.
"That is Silent's sister. She doesn't know Silent is a Traveler, and in this world too. It is not our secret to reveal."
"I don't think it is a good idea to be flirting with your girlfriend's sister."
"What are you talking about. I've never had a girlfriend you punk. Silent hang's around because she needs my help."
"With what?"
Lucan stopped. He couldn't think of why she was still around. She changed her race. She never spent points to buy spells and abilities. She didn't need anything Lucan could offer.
"Now that you mention it, I don't know." He said while thinking. "Maybe I have overlooked something. It could be possible that one of the other Hand's sent her to spy on me."
"What? You think Silent is a spy!"
"I don't know, she is always asking questions and trying to get information. She showed up days after I received the position, and she even has some of my secrets embedded into her. She has been at a dungeon for awhile now, longer than I thought she would be."
"Is that what you think of me?" Said an angry voice from behind Lucan and Oar.
"Ah, Silent, when did you get back?" Lucan said starting to sweat.
"About the time Oar said you were flirting with my sister."
Silent Night glared angrily at Lucan. "I have been around you long enough to know that you don't trust anyone. This isn't a surprise to me." She said walking closer to him. "But what is this about you flirting with my sister?"
"Ah, well, you know, she tracked me down in Vertshadow. And I did my best to frustrate her. Like I normally do. Oh, and I have had tons of girlfriends, just so you know." Lucan said with a smile.
"You are the biggest idiot in the world. Who would ever want to date you?" Silent said.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Why didn't you contact me when you were done? You said you would let me know when you were finished. Why did you lie to me? Is your only goal, to get closer to me for the other Hand's?"
"I managed to get a good drop and wanted to surprise you with it, but who knew you were too busy being a jerk to care!" She yelled at him. "Just take the stupid book." She said throwing a spell book at his chest before turning around. "I am leaving to level. And don't go talking to my sister again!" She yelled.
Lucan stomped off in the other direction while Oar went to pick up the book and then ran after his Lord.
'"Stupid jerk."' Both Lucan and Silent muttered as they walked away from each other.
"Hey Boss, I don't think-."
"Not now." Lucan grumbled before shutting himself in his basement to practice magic.
He didn't emerge for 3 days. But when he did, Lucan had created 2 more variant spells and had made good progress with his last one. He had successfully distracted himself from his argument with Silent. It had cost him over a million of his banked experience though. He bought 3 new spells.
Telekinetic Slam, which became Phantom Slam and his second variant spell. Telekinetic object, an advance version of Telekinetic wall, the invisible force was shaped from a wall into objects, such as a chair, a cup, a table. The downside was the objects had almost no health, creating weapons or armor was pointless. They would shatter under any real impact. But he could create objects and paint them with illusions to temporarily create anything.
The third spell was also telekinetic. Telekinetic Hand. He could pick things up and interact with them after creating an invisible telekinetic hand. He hoped that combining this with an illusion would make his 4th variant spell.
The 3rd variant spell he created was a shadow bolt fired from an illusion.
Each of the 3 variant Phantom spells could store 5 uses in an illusion. He still hadn't figured out how to combine his Phantom spells together. It would take considerable effort.
"I need to go out and level." Lucan said to Oar. "It has been to many days since my level has risen. Keep me informed and let me know if the dwarves need anything." Lucan said, while heading for the Shadow Tunnel.
"Take this." Oar said handing over the spell book Silent had thrown at him. "When will you be back?"
"I am not sure." Lucan said to the young man who was sad to see him go. "Contact me if you need anything and try to spend some time with Renia. She will make you stronger."
"Yes, Boss. I will do that." Oar said as Lucan walked into transfer point.
He stored the book in his bag without looking at it as he felt a pang of guilt. He had missed Silent and then chased her away the second she came back.
***
"Hey Longshot." Lucy said waving from a table in the Assassin's Guild. "What are you doing back?"
"Can I level with you guys for a bit? I just need to hit 95 then I will be heading to a special dungeon for rogues." Silent said taking a seat.
"What is Lucan up to?" Van asked.
"Yeah, where is the Candyman at?" Madlad asked.
"Jeezs, go get us some contracts." Lucy said to Madlad and Van, sending them away. "What happened? You were so happy when you left."
"That idiot was flirting with my sister to piss her off, and I made a thing out of it. Then he started saying I was working for the other Hand's and spying on him."
"I am guessing you decided not to tell him."
"How could I? The stupid idiot would never believe me." Silent sighed. "I told him no one would ever date him, or something like that. He just get's me so worked up in an instant, then everything fell apart." Silent slammed her fists on the table. "This is the opposite of what I wanted." She said while burying her head in her arms.
***
Lucan walked the streets of Vertshadow while mentally communicating with Raze.
'Why do you want to know where the Rogue's Organization is?'
'I want to fill my last class slot. I thought some sort of Rogue would be a good fit."
'Ah, yes, you have that ring. Okay then, it's in the trade district, across from the Green Circle auction house.'
Lucan turned around and started walking to his destination. Inside, what appeared to be, a rundown warehouse was another building, guarded by several armored rogues.
"This is a private Organization." One of the NPCs said stepping forward.
"I wish to become part of your organization."
"A Hand of Raze is going to throw away the Supreme Ruler and join us? We don't want your calamity." Said another NPC.
"Don't worry, through the trials I have survived I gained the ability to take another basic class. My Patron is aware of my presence here. He gave me directions." Lucan said with a soft smile.
The NPC grunted. "Fine, enter around back with the other new arrivals. This entrance is for those who have already joined."
"Thank you." Lucan said walking around to the back side where a door led to a small waiting room with an old man behind the counter.
"No need to wait Lord Quilldrake." Said the old man motioning him to the counter. "It's not like we are busy." He said commenting on the empty room. "I want you to be aware that becoming a rogue late in life will slow down your progression. You will not be reimbursed for the missed levels. Meaning 5 levels from now is when you will get the skills and abilities of a level 5 rogue."
"I understand." Lucan said. "What would my obligations to the Organization be?"
"Here." The old man said handing Lucan a sheet of parchment. "You will have to do rogue work. If you do work for any of these organizations, you will get credit for fulfilling your duty as a rogue. You have a quota to meet every 6 months. Failure to do so will result in you not receiving additional benefits. Once you complete any back logged duties you will be given what you missed out on. The requirements aren't excessive, and we hardly ever have someone fail to meet their quota."
"That doesn't sound too bad."
"That is for the basic rogue, if you are looking for one of the 13 specialized teachers here, they have their own requirements."
"What are the specializations here?" Lucan asked. He received another piece of parchment with a list of 13 classes and some basic information about them.
A few caught Lucan's eye. The Battle Rogue was tough and had many weapon proficiencies and abilities. The Stalker was Silent's class. Assassin was always a strong choice.
"I want to become a thief." Lucan said.
"Thief, alright. You will be under Kelis Jander. He is the Thief Master here. Please wait a moment and I will fetch him."
Lucan waited several minutes. He noticed a dense cluster of mana not to far from him. Lucan stared at the mana floating in air. He could see nothing else.
After a few moments of staring, a figure appeared in front of Lucan. A thin man with a build similar to Lucan's stood dressed in dark cloths covering everything but his eyes.
"Did you get lucky or could you see me?" The man asked.
"I am impressed that you could erase your body heat, but the dense air mana you hold inside yourself gave you away."
The man put a hand on his chest where the mana was swirling inside his body and clicked his tongue. "Your eyes are good enough to be a thief and I don't doubt the rest of you, but I am not looking to draw the wrath of Raze."
"Come on, I get along well with Raze. Help me to help him. You won't have issues with him unless you steal from him."
"I require those who take my teachings to steal a certain value every 50 levels. You can keep it, but you have to steal it. And every 50 levels you are required to complete a quest for me. Other than that, if you don't snitch on me I won't snitch on you."
"That is fine with me." Lucan said.
"Alright, I will make you a thief but since you are already over level 50, you owe me a quest. And I don't teach those who owe me a debt."
"Okay, let's hear it." Lucan said while thinking this guy was just as bad as Raze.
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