Chapter 81: Jade

Chapter 81: Jade

Chance opened the door and stepped inside, nearly walking straight into Bella. They both hopped back, and Chances Essence kicked in at the last second to keep him from dropping both of the bread bowls in his hands.

Chance! I thought something happened. You should tell me if youre Bella trailed off as her eyes gravitated toward the food in Chances hands. Oh.

I got you one, Chance said, offering her one of the bowls. Theyre really good. I hope they arent too cold, though. It was a bit of a walk, but I got hungry.

Never mind. All is forgiven. And its still warm, Bella said, spooning a mouthful of stew into her mouth. Chance followed her lead and the two quickly devoured the plain but delicious meal.

Chance wiped the corners of his lips with the last chunk of bread before popping it into his mouth and letting out a satisfied sigh.

Im not sure if theres anything quite as good as getting a meal after cultivating. I dont think my body has gotten the message that I dont need to eat while cultivating.

Bella nodded empathetically. I swear everything tastes better right after cultivating. It was really kind of you to go get food for both of us. I think I might have cried a little if youd only come back with one bowl.

Yeah, that would have been pretty lame, Chance said with a chuckle. Howd cultivating go on your end?

As well as I could expect. Bella shrugged and waggled a hand back and forth in the air. Progress, but nothing special. What about you?

Its kind of weird. You know your vision, right?

Bella tilted her head to the side and gave him a small nod.

Does it ever feel empty? Not wrong per say, but almost like youre missing a bit of it or not doing it justice when you picture it.

Bella frowned and considered his question for a few moments. She shook her head. Sorry, but not really. The moment I start thinking about my vision, it comes to my mind perfectly. Im not an artist, but I could probably draw an exact rendition of it if I wanted to. It feels like something to strive toward. Perfect, almost. There doesnt feel like anythings wrong with it.

Chance grimaced and drummed his fingers on his knees. Damn.

Did something happen with yours?

Nothing happened, but I realized it felt as if my memory of the vision just wasnt as good as the real thing. I wonder if Im missing something.

Normally Id suggest that you might have too much impurity in your body, but thats clearly not the case. Bella chuckled and fell silent for a moment. Her eyes caught on the empty vial of pills that Chance had given her while they were cultivating and she paused, shifting her gaze to the side. Oh, I forgot to thank you for the cultivation aids. Again. Thanks.

Chance grabbed his case of pills and popped it open, spinning it around to show Bella all the vials stuffed within it. They rattled at the motion, bouncing around with all the gold hed stuffed in alongside them.

Ive got more than I can use. The low level aids are basically completely worthless now, and even the mid level ones are starting to become less useful, Chance said. He tapped the golden Enlightenment pill that Pete had insisted he not give away. Im pretty sure this and the upper end of the pills I got at the tournament are the only ones thatll actually help me.

Bella shook her head in bemused disbelief. I cant tell if Im jealous or thankful that Im not you. If you keep going through pills at this rate, youre never going to be a very rich man.

Chance grunted. His parents faces drifted through his mind, but they were blurry and distant. As much as he hated it, their exact appearance had been fading ever since theyd died. Even the sound of their voices felt distance.

Yeah. Im going to need to figure out what Im going to do about trying to find them, Chance said, closing his case of pills and rising from his bed. Spending that much money is a pretty big risk. I dont know if its one I can afford.

We could pool our resources, Bella offered. I dont have much right now, but we can probably earn a pretty good bit of gold while we wait for the Shikari to stop hunting us.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

And what would that be?

That group of traitors that turned on the Shikari. You cant tell me you havent heard about it. That would be a blatant lie.

Gibsons eyes darkened. Dont.

Dont what?

Dont take the quest.

You cant be serious, Jade said. Theyre barely Squires, but they killed several Shikari in surprise attacks. They deserve death, Gibson. If we leave monsters like that around, can you imagine what will happen to Gleam? Its our duty to purge them.

Gibsons lips pressed thin and his hands tightened at his sides. He remained silent for several moments, then opened his mouth. An instant later, he closed it, whatever words that had been set for his lips dying before they left his mind.

Did you know them or something? Jade asked.

I know all the Shikari that work under me.

And?

There is no and, Gibson said flatly.

Jade threw her hands up, no longer able to contain herself. Then theres absolutely no reason for me not to take this. Theyre getting farther from Gleam every day, but Im sure there have to be some reports on where theyre headed. I can cut at least one of them off and deal with the problem.

Gibson raised an eyebrow. Have you forgotten they defeated a Knight ranked Shikari? Multiple?

They were caught off guard. I wont be.

Gibson let out a heavy sigh. This is what Im talking about. You need more training. Go find your team and ask

Jade shook her head before Gibson could finish. No. With all due respect, Captain, your role is to protect the city and ensure were trained. I have been trained, and this is protecting the city. Im doing the job. After that, Ill have enough weight behind my name to actually take on some real jobs.

They locked eyes, neither willing to look away first. Finally, after several grating seconds, Gibson broke their gaze and waved his hand in a clear dismissal.

Do what you will. You said it yourself. I cant control you.

Thank you, sir. Jade gave Gibson a sharp salute, then strode out of the alley, excitement building in her stomach. Her Essence shared in the feeling. This was what she was truly meant to do. Protecting the citizens of Gleam from those that would prey on them.

Just one distasteful job, and Jade would make a name for herself and better the world while she was at it. She set course for a Shikari Base to officially take the job on and find out what information theyd already gathered about the fugitives.

Gibson watched her go, his shoulders slumping slightly. He glanced over his shoulder into the dark alleys of Gleam, then rubbed his forehead and straightened back up, striding out of the alley and heading down the road in the other direction.

Both of them were oblivious to the thin strand of karma that materialized on Jades back, invisible to all but those who cultivated it. The strand rose up through the tight, busy streets of Gleam. It passed through the towering buildings and flickering signs, traveling deep into the forgotten reaches where only monsters and fools dared to walk, where it coiled around one of Yamishs fingers. A slow smile spread across his face as he felt the tremor run down the strand.

Your next challenge of many approaches, my apprentice, Yamish said. I wonder, will this be the one to break you?