I dodged a baton strike to the head and countered with a light push. The level three's ribs collapsed as he flew backward into a table, sending cards and chips flying. I side-stepped another blow as I read my opponent's status.

  Target: Zorbahn

  Level: 7

  Karma: -4750

  Additional Data: Became the Stacked Deck's head of security after beating the previous head of security to death in an argument over rigged dice. Once gambled his way from 10 silver up to 40 gold before losing it all on a coin flip.

  Useless as usual.

  "Who else wants to bet he doesn't leave the pit alive?" Zorbahn pointed to a dealer. "He'll take your bets."

  For being the head of security, he was an unprofessional asshole. His underlings kept taking swipes, stabs, and jabs, while I bobbed and weaved, practicing non-violence not because I'd feel bad about trampling these level threes—I just didn't want to get blood on my new threads after I had worked so hard, meticulously dismembering the bodies of Oglock's gang with Shadow Weave, keeping my cloak 100% bodily fluid free.

  I danced through another wave of level threes, their attacks too slow and predictable. Light glinted off the top of Zorbahn's dome. He whistled as he stepped out of the gallery and down into the pit. The pack of level threes retreated, leaving me standing 15 feet from the bald menace.

  "No more bets!" Zorbahn swept his arms through the air, making a show of it.

  Figuring he was about to attack, I snatched a fallen baton from the ground and chucked it in his direction. He glanced down and saw the weapon's handle lodged deep in the center of his chest. Blood curled down the edge of his mouth.

  "What..."

  Zorbahn coughed once and collapsed.

  "Sweet Galdir, thank you!" an old man with a white beard rejoiced, collecting a massive payout.

  With their showboating pit boss dead in the blink of an eye, the level three security force stood back. I strolled up the landing unopposed, opened the grey door, and entered the hallway leading to Aetherian's office.

  +50 XP

  +20 Karma

  The scummy broker's status appeared as he opened the door to his office, peering out for only a second before he saw me and slammed the door shut. His -11,205 karma reminded me of Veigan's skewed rating, but unlike the mini-mage, Aetherian's data delved into his abuses.

  I kicked in the door, and he scrambled across the room, grabbing a loaded crossbow off his desk.

  "I wouldn't bother with that."

  "Do you know whose establishment this is?" the broker asked, hands shaking as he tucked the crossbow's stock against his shoulder.

  "No, but that was one of my questions. "

  "Zorbahn, get in here! What in Galdir's name am I paying you for?!"

  "Whatever you paid him, I hope it wasn't a lot. He also lost the house a decent sum in his death."

  "You must not realize whose money you're fucking with! This is Daven Murpharion's establishment, fool!"

  I assumed by Aetherian's urgent tone, the name drop was supposed to elicit a fearful reaction. Instead I stared blankly from behind the mask. He pulled the crossbow's trigger from four feet away, and I slapped the arrow down, sending it snapping into the floor.

  He dropped the crossbow and threw his hands up in surrender.

  "Who wants Hanover dead?"

  "You're here because of a small thing like that?"

  Rage ignited in the pit of my belly. This was the exact problem with this world, that a murder for hire gig was just a small thing like that.

  "What the fuck?" the broker asked, voice trembling as he looked past me.

  "See something in my shadow?" I asked, but received no answer.

  I looked over my shoulder, confirming nothing was amiss. When I looked back, Aetherian started talking.

  "Oraphalus, he owns the largest stake in Hammer and Hand. He's the one who wanted it done—but I'll cancel it, immediately!"

  “Do that, now.”

  Aetherian’s trembling fingers sorted through a stack of papers in his desk. Finally, he pulled out the contract and shredded it with his bare hands.

  I walked toward the exit and Aetherian blew a sigh of relief. Really, I just wanted out of the splash zone.

  Shadow Weave.

  The magelights flickered as the darkness sliced through the air and severed the broker's head.

  +15 XP

  +5 Karma

  ***

  I arrived at the Gilded Boar Adventurer's Guild in the middle of the night without a drop of blood staining my newly acquired garments. An odd silence washed over the first floor and too many people looked my way, watching as I walked in like I was a circus attraction.

  Duskblade waved at me, making eye contact from his table, sitting with Skurt, and a small group of novice adventurers. He mouthed, "Let's talk, later."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Cyprus, this way," Kora said, ushering me around the counter and down the hall to where we had met this morning.

  Inside the meeting room, Xodoven glared at me from one end of the table, Eamon's eyes burned from the other, and Jing watched me from the center. I could feel their combined disdain trying to suffocate me as I sat down.

  "I guess now's not the time to request tomorrow and the next day off," I said, only half-joking.

  Jing stood up from his seat, pointing a finger, shaking his head, fuming so hard I thought his mustache was going to jump off his face and try to kick my ass on his behalf.

  Instead, he just yelled.

  A lot.

  Yap. Yap. Yap.

  Something about me not doing my diligence in informing them of the extent of my friction with Black Diamond, and what happened in Anderhorn Spire.

  "Burtrip wants your head."

  "Cool. So does everyone else in this asshole of a country. I hope you told him to take a number and get in line."

  "Their ambassador said they're still assessing the total damages and missing personnel. They've only managed to relocate and recapture 10% of their prisoners."

  I chuckled, drawing more ire, but I had long since given up on pleasing the likes of their authority. I'd maintain decorum once they proved they deserved it. Moaning about the impact I was having on Black Diamond's second quarter profits like I was supposed to care only had me wondering if it was too late for Gadika as a whole.

  If these are truly the good guys...

  It's fucked.

  "Watch your attitude," Xodoven said.

  "Or what?"

  The wavy, blonde-haired dickhead looked like he was about to lunge over the table, but the vice-captain slammed his hands down.

  "Shut up, both of you!"

  Jing cleared his throat, the room's tension making it hard to breathe. "There's a reason I'm Captain Summer's trusted advisor. I've mitigated the guild's risk with a few small concessions. Cyprus, you'll be representing the Gilded Boar in the upcoming tournament celebrating the coronation of Iskavar Sawara as Aclana's new king."

  "I'm good. Thanks for thinking of me, though."

  "The tournament begins 12 days from now. If you happen to die before then, Xodoven will take your place."

  The infamous Grimspark became awfully quiet, his indignation morphing into self-concern. I wished I had a video camera to capture such a brilliant moment.

  Before he could protest, Jing jumped back in. "It's the only way to prevent an all-out war between Black Diamond and the guild. This gives Burtrip a means to settle his grudge. Whether he chooses a champion or participates himself is unknown."

  "Old man, is this really what you want?" Xodoven asked.

  "It's as he says. We can't afford to fight a war, not now."

  "Then, I'll fulfill my duty."

  Wait, why are they acting like I'm already dead?

  Jing sighed, shaking his head. "Cyprus, you've cost the guild dearly. I'll be deducting an appropriate percentage from your weekly stipend."

  I'll deduct your eyeballs from their sockets.

  "Sweet, sounds good." I yawned. "If that's all, I'm gonna head out and grab a midnight snack."

  "Sit down. We haven't discussed your next assignment."

  "Here we go," I moaned, testing the old man's patience.

  "Before dawn, you and your apprentice will depart for Vaulter. There, you'll meet with Valor & Glory, and Pearl Banner for a briefing on the raid you'll be assisting with,” Eamon said.

  "It's all thanks to the proof you provided of Pearl Banner's illegal contract with Black Diamond." Jing smirked.

  "You blackmailed them with it?"

  Eamon crossed his arms. "Had you two returned to Incaster with the quarry dungeon key, I wouldn't have needed to resort to such ugly tactics. The guild can't afford such a loss."

  "The guild doesn't make enough from the dungeon loot taxes and all the beer you sell?"

  Eamon sighed as he ran a hand through his slicked back hair. "Cyprus, it's become clear the Hollow Demon didn't teach you much about the world. Loot is influence. Soon the Sawara faction of nobles will have one of their own crowned king. I can't allow Pearl Banner to out lobby the Gilded Boar."

  "And if Pearl Banner tries to have me killed within the dungeon?"

  "Act in self defense. However, I sincerely doubt they'll move against you with Valor and Glory present. Besides, there's a clause in the contract they signed. If you die, they'll forfeit all of the dungeon's loot and pay a 200 gold fee."

  "Another win-win for the guild, I see."

  For the amount of bullshit Eamon and Jing were shoveling on my doorstep, I was taking it surprisingly well—much better than Xodoven, who looked sick. Maybe his anguish is what made it all palatable.

  "Will Westcott be present?"

  "Yes, he'll be the acting raid leader. Pearl Banner's main teams are setting up to clear the dungeon in the Silverlight Plains as we speak. You may view this as a punishment, but I hope you treat these orders for what they truly are. An opportunity to prove you're a bigger asset than you are a liability. Show up, stay alive, and bring home a return on our investment in you."

  I clapped my hands together, and bowed my head. "Yes, sir. I'll do my best as a representative of the Gilded Boar."

  My immediate acceptance took everyone in the room by surprise.

  "You're dismissed."

  I nodded, and gracefully bowed out, making haste downstairs, past the vacant sparring arena, and down the hall to my room, where I found Viessa sitting at the desk, still wearing her heavy plate armor set.

  "Where have you been?" she asked, not bothering to look up as she scrawled in her journal. “I have much to speak with you about.”

  "Clearing my to-do list. I suggest you get some sleep. We'll be leaving in a few hours."

  Viessa glanced up from her work, and lifted her helmet's visor. "Where are we going?"

  "I'll tell you later. Shake me if someone comes to the door."

  I kicked off my cheap leather boots, and set my satchel stuffed with the two chaos shards, the Grimstone Mask, my daggers, and the rest of my belongings underneath my pillow. I had considered stashing the chaos shards and the Grimstone Mask elsewhere, but ultimately decided the safest place was keeping them at my side. I never knew when Chaos was watching.

  Void Seer.

  My body fell back in bed as my vision crept up the walls, sticking to the shadows. I seeped through the floorboards and snaked around the edge of light, sneaking under the door back into the meeting room.

  "Vice Captain, the envoy confirmed the grim details," Jing said.

  "Embellishing what occurred is only to their benefit." Eamon shook his head. "Unless Barret truly succumbed to his age.”

  "Perhaps the Hollow Demon has a cell somewhere within the region aiding him. Multiple witnesses reported seeing Cyprus moving with a masked group throughout the tower. Several recaptured prisoners claim he fought Captain Jankoh in the Cellar, and easily passed through the glyph lock."

  "You should know from experience with our own Grimspark how fast rumors spin into exaggerated legend. Additionally, I see no evidence of the Hollow Demon's involvement. It's far more likely he hired locals, or bandits. There’s no shortage of desperate arms in the south."

  "What about his apprentice?" Jing asked.

  "He stands as a warrior, yet wields a strange mana signature—a middling one at that. Their mana capacity is extremely limited, " Eamon responded.

  A sullen expression befell Xodoven as he leaned over the table. "The poison I was injected with had me incapacitated for nearly a day and a half. I'm supposed to believe that on the same night, Cyprus escaped Soul Viper's clutches, ascended Anderhorn Spire, assassinated Barret, and escaped without the Hollow Demon's assistance?"

  "Our spies confirmed the Hollow Demon was last seen active in Durotai, solving an internal dispute within the Devil's Alliance," Eamon said. "Besides, when he strikes, it is known."

  Jing raised a finger in the air. "It was no assassination. According to their envoy Cyprus left a particularly gruesome scene in their prisoner processing center. A sea of blood, and over 100 dead, almost all of them severed in half at the waist. He said it was like one giant blade had passed through them all... That's not counting numerous captains that are dead or missing, and Barret himself."

  Xodoven crossed his arms, clearly bothered, while Eamon smiled.

  "If what you say is true, then perhaps we have a monster in our midst."

  You all have no idea.