Chapter 42: Mercury

Chapter 42: Mercury

Although not grandiose, the building architect had great taste. It looked like it had been carved from a giant block of pink salt, and a few golden scriptures adorned the faade. Concepts hadn't built the building - it wasn't perfect enough. It was, however, too perfect to have been created by mankind. So, even before entering, the visitor knew he wasn't dealing with just any merchant.

Priam had no idea how Mercury had been able to transport the edifice, but it seemed that the merchant's supporters in the world of Concepts were influential. And rich.

Whoever had brought this building wanted to impress his customers. Standing before his home, you got a second impression of its owner. The first impression was given by his name. Mercury, the God of contracts, trade, and thieves

During the Tutorial, the System asked the user for their name. A name chosen by parents or society was of no interest to Concepts. Your name was a choice that indicated your ambitions or imagination. Priam was not his birth name.

Just behind him, less than two hundred meters away, was the Ducal Palace. Mercury was the only merchant to have succeeded in constructing a building in the central square of the Dome. The residences near the palace were closed to the public, but Mercury had circumvented the ban. It was this kind of detail that showed the man's true power.

He checked that his new hood was down. Sphinx had insisted on giving him new clothes - his old ones had been destroyed during the fight. Dressed in the Dome's colors, black and gold, Priam entered. He wanted to remain discreet, even if he hadn't yet been able to learn [Mask]. To identify him from afar, one would have to see him, and the hood helped to counteract this.

As for [Mask], Sphinx had confirmed that he would die without adequate preparation. Learning a rare skill through planning was not recommended for Tier 0. When he had asked about an epic skill, Sphinx had laughed.

Priam entered the building. The lobby was spacious, and a secretary approached him, wearing a polite smile. She didn't seem perturbed by the way the young man protected his anonymity. A professional.

"Good afternoon, Sir. What can I do for you?"

The building didn't display a sign specifying the merchant's name or the business that could be done there. Those who came here knew why. Quite naturally, it was word-of-mouth that advertised the information merchant.

"I've come to see Mercury," Priam announced. "I intend to discuss... business with him. Please tell him a Baron is here." There was no reason not to be polite to the staff.

Priam had no intention of hiding his identity from Mercury. The merchant would find out in the course of their conversation, and if he were as good as Tjay had said, then the secretary would hold her tongue.

She did indeed seem competent. Priam didn't detect any sign of surprise on her face - and with his perception, he could see the slightest twitch of her facial muscles. Unless he was already waiting for me...

"Of course, Baron. Master Mercury will see you now. If you'll follow me," she said.

A man who knows how to be flexible. That's a good sign.

The secretary led him down a short corridor. He arrived at a covered balcony overlooking a small garden and fountain. The building ran around the patio, ensuring privacy and secrecy for conversations. The house was tastefully decorated, with no display of wealth.

A man in his forties, a polite, confident smile on his lips, watched Priam's entrance. He was dressed in an almost modern Roman toga. The quality of the garment immediately indicated that its owner had been successful in business. Priam instantly appreciated Mercurys clear eyes.

Mercury stepped forward to shake hands with Priam, a golden bracelet on the wrist. The secretary withdrew silently, leaving the two men to talk alone.

"Hello, Baron Priam. Welcome to what I would like to be my modest home. Unfortunately, it's only on loan. For now. We, humans, have received many gifts, haven't we?"

Priam smiled at the merchant's introduction. He was eloquent and hadn't wasted a second probing his allegiances. This discussion was already shaping into a battle, reminding him of his talk with Maya, captain of the Mercenaries.

"Hello, Mercury. Thank you for your welcome and congratulations for your home. Indeed, some have had good luck with generous patrons. Let's spare the formalities if you don't mind," Priam replied.

He preferred a direct and fruitful conversation. Sphinx gave him two hours before setting off again while she was preparing his training.

"Of course, Priam, the customer is king. Or Baron here. An impressive performance by the way. I was surprised when the announcement was made. It's rare for a civilization to get a champion so quickly. Let's sit down in the shade if you don't mind," said Mercury, pointing to a small table. The setting was intimate and favorable to secrets. "How about a chat while we eat? The chef is preparing an alabhey. It's a kind of game smoked and then marinated in honey and herbs. I still can't decide whether it tastes like meat or fish, but it's delicious."

"With pleasure. I always enjoy making culinary discoveries," smiled Priam. Conquering a man's heart often involved his stomach, but Priam had decided to let himself be convinced.

Seated around a low table on which a few servants had placed a few appetizers, Priam and Mercury began to chat, probing each other's personalities. The young man knew they'd have some time left before the meal was over, so he wasn't worried about starting negotiations too quickly. They would have plenty of time to discuss more professional matters afterward.

The two men took advantage of the aperitif to discuss their lives before the Tutorial - or the Apocalypse, as Mercury called it.

Priam was also trying to make a good impression as he was going to ask some sensitive questions. If Mercury didn't think their interests were aligned, he wouldn't answer his questions.

For his part, Priam had to be sure of the merchant's seriousness and trustworthiness. Asking for secret information about the System was complicated enough, but he also wanted help finding his family. It would be dramatic if the merchant found them and used them to put pressure on Priam.

And so, Priam and Mercury found themselves drinking and sizing each other. Priam assessed his interlocutor and wondered about the next step in their relationship. Would they become friends, partners, or enemies?

When the alabhey was served - it was delicious and [Poison Body] didn't seem to react, which was a good omen - the two men began to discuss more serious matters.

Mercury looked at the young man in front of him, a genuine smile on his lips - which was quite rare. The Baron's childhood seemed to have been classic. No significant traumas except his parents' divorce. Priam was frank and at peace with his past. He did not seem to have any mental problems, nor was he alienated, tyrannical with the staff or a megalomaniac.

"Secondly, face as many as possible before evolving to Tier 1. Tribulations temper your body, offer Titles, Potential and sometimes more... You'll be rewarded beyond your dreams if you triumph over a triple Tribulation. But don't be too greedy. A double Tribulation at Tier 0 is almost a legend. Three Tribulations... You'll be destroyed. Certainly taking some part of the Moon with you. Just try not to die twice..." Mercury looked Priam in the eye and the Baron puckered his lips.

"You seem well-informed. Priam wasn't angry. Mercury must have been referring to the Tear. He had no way - except perhaps with divination - of knowing Priam's special talent. In any case, Mercury was competent to find this kind of information about him. He needed someone capable to find his family.

"That's my job," the merchant replied before continuing his walk. "Now that we're a little further away from the various spies that populate this house, let's discuss the most important thing. Evolution."

The merchant's approach and attitude had not changed.

"Spies in your own house?" Priam raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not yet powerful enough to execute all the traitors - who would serve me wine then?" laughed Mercury. "It's also easier when I have to pass on bad information to them," he winked.

Priam laughed. Mercury was a wily old fox, but he was likable.

Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)

PHYSICAL:

Strength 107

Constitution 194

Agility 131

Vitality 203

Perception 217

MENTAL:

Vivacity 148

Dexterity 132

Memory 36

Willpower 76

Charisma 101

META:

Meta-affinity 92

Meta-focus 80

Meta-endurance 55

Meta-chance 46

Potential: 278

Tier 0

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 19h 7 minutes 9 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.

Time: 47 hours 37 minutes 3 seconds.