Book 1: Chapter 46: Fortune's Favor
The short-lived races too were ravaged by the horrors of the great beyond, their delicate psyches overwhelmed by the total fear of the end of all things. Those who had the gift of magic were consumed in a conflagration of magical energies which started a chain reaction throughout the rest of the world. Only those who had fully given themselves to the path of necromancy had any defense against the great psychic cry that consumed any of those who had a spark of magical aptitude.
- On the Cataclysm by an unknown Quassian Scholar circa 103 AC.
I gasped in sweet blessed relief filled as my lungs remembered to breathe with the notification of the brute’s death. Placing my hands on my knees, my armor suddenly felt heavy as I grew a little weak. After the relief came euphoric joy. I punched a fist into the air, delighted that my gamble had paid off.
Kidu, unsure at first, finally joined me in my joy, whooping and hollering like a drugged loon. After a while, once our joy returned to a manageable level, my sense of practicality took to the fore once more, propelling me to collect my winnings as soon as possible. Hurriedly, Kidu and I made our way to the betting counter.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.
The bookkeeper looked at us over horn-rimmed spectacles as I handed him my betting slip, “Got lucky, didn’t we? Who would have thought that he could have won against the orc, eh?”. His tone of voice was a lot more animated now and he seemed a little nervous. “Still, we always honor bets placed at Ansarai’s,” he finished quickly, sneaking a look at the hulking guards behind him wielding long halberds that gleamed to a polish shine.
The guards were clad in heavy and well-worn coats of plate, their hard eyes looking at us as if drinking in all the information they could for later recollection.
“Aha, that comes to two gold and two silver pieces,” he said, almost sweating. “...that was the biggest wager placed today on the Quassian, congratulations...ahh...err...Mr. Elwin Tucker.”
A few moments later, he reached into a sturdy-looking metal money box and handed me my winnings.
I noticed the money was a little short.
“I think...” I began before I was cut off.
Used to this common question and reading my expression, he answered succinctly, “Gambling tax, a city ordinance here in the pits for winnings over two gold pieces.”
Looking at the guards, I tried to read their expressions, but they all looked like marble statues looking into the distance. I would get no quick answers there, and I did not want to cause a scene. Pocketing my money, I was delighted by an unexpected notification.
You have gained 1 Luck
Smiling to myself, I realized there was still much I did not know about this gamified world. How on earth was it possible to train Luck? It seemed that, in this world, gambling was the answer. In what way did Luck even affect me here in this world?
Such musings would have to wait for another day. The shadows had started to grow long, and it was high time we made it back to the inn to regroup with Elwin. I had to get used to living in a world where civilization had not completely conquered the night.
Before we started to make our way back, I made sure to split my winnings evenly with Kidu. Never having had a lot of material wealth, a loose attitude towards money was one of the things I could never stand in the old world and was the cause of some friction in my previous relationships. Still, having a gold piece in my pocket put me in a more financially secure frame of mind.
“Ahh, I see, of course, pardon me,” he replied, draining his drink and patting the old rogue Devon on the shoulder like an old friend, “was lovely talking to you, old pal.” Surprisingly steadily he got to his feet and followed us up the stairs to the room.
Upon entering our humble lodging, I resisted the urge to flop down on the bed in full armor, instead settling for the chair by the shutters, which I opened. Kidu chose a comfortable corner, his bulk completely filling it up, while Elwin sat on the bed, his hands steepled together as if deep in thought.
“Alright, let me start,” coughed Elwin as he began, “I was able to meet up with several fences, or merchants that didn’t ask too many questions. None of our pieces of loot was particularly special, but you never know, eh? Anyways, I was able to get together just a little over two gold pieces, how you lads do?”
Two gold pieces were a lot more than I had been expecting. I thought he would have gotten a few silver at most, so I couldn’t help praising the Rogue for a job very well done. Perhaps he was worthy of trust after all. I told him about my adventures of the day, minus my moment of raw intimacy with Cillis, which impressed him to no end. We split the proceeds of the sale among us and he offered to place a few silver on my bets in the future.
However, gambling could not be our main source of income. It would simply draw too many eyes, and if word got around that I was using magic to ease the odds in my favor, things would not end well for me. I decided to make my position on the matter clear.
“There is no harm in gambling for the occasional bit of coin, but I would prefer it if we didn’t draw too much untoward attention. We’ll need a way to make some honest money. Now, I’m not much into the gig economy.” They both looked at me a little puzzled before I continued, “One-off odd jobs I mean. We’ll need something a little more stable. Remember, Taper downstairs? Didn’t he mention something about an adventurer’s guild or something?” I tried to suggest.
Kidu just shrugged, willing as always just to follow my lead, but Elwin, as always, had something to say. “Probably means we’ll have to head back there,” he pointed in the general direction of the forest, “The Grieving Lands are a dangerous place for adventurers. Hunting beasts to fill a rush order from a tanner, or to get ingredients for an eccentric alchemist is one thing, but monsters are well... it's in the name, isn’t it? They’re dangerous, I tell you!”
“What is the difference between an animal and a monster anyways?” I responded, a little confused. The pair looked at me dumbstruck before Elwin slapped himself on the head after he remembered my background.
“Of course, we have a budding scholar on our hands after all. An animal is a creature that is a natural product of nature, and more importantly, they all fear, or at least, interact with the races of man as nature intended. A monster is something that will purposefully go about to harm man, beyond the simple reasons of food and territory,” he said with great patience, as if talking to a child.
“You mean, just like mankind?” I flippantly commented, enjoying the reaction on his face.
I thought that, even then, the definition was still far too vague.
“A philosopher too. We’re actually the real monsters?” he snorted, waving both hands in the air in a mocking fashion. “You truly know nothing,”. He almost spat before continuing. “There are things out there that will give you nightmares for the rest of your life. But if you must know, they say that, somewhere in Quas, there is a book with all the known species in it, recorded before the first cataclysm. They say anything after that, anything that Iasis, in her twisted mind created is categorized as a monster.” He finished on a tired note, which put an end to my impromptu lesson, reminding me of just how little I knew of what was considered common sense in this world.
“Well, if it's good money, I say that we at least have a look, maybe even register,” I persisted. “At the very least, I would assume that being a member should provide some protection against possibly being enslaved after being lulled into a false sense of security by being plied with drinks in the late afternoon,” I said the last pointedly, but all too aware of my own little hypocrisy. Besides, something in my gut told me it was an avenue worth pursuing.
I made sure, however, to add something I knew would be dear to the Rogue’s heart. “There is bound to be treasure somewhere along the way!”
Elwin grinned up at me, and even the taciturn Kidu seemed to spruce up at the mention of treasure.
“Well, I guess a few nights in the rough can’t be too bad,” the Rogue considered, testing the waters.
“Where you go, I will follow. I am sure there will be worthy opponents to wet my spear,” intoned the giant man in a voice that rumbled like a big cat, loyal as always.
And so, it was decided. We would become adventurers.