Chapter 6: Solo

Chapter 6: Solo

I had many questions about my new power of summoning. I wanted to know what that energy was, how I could increase it, how to unlock more stars, and how to properly summon weapons.

Thankfully, it seemed like the time to learn these things wasn’t far off.

Although the Patriarch of the Tavera Family had promised me, I had no idea who the Polaris Family was or what they could give me.

It was only when I arrived at the warehouse that Plex explained.

“Oh yea, they’re a summoner mafia, but not headquartered in the Founder’s Market. They’re located in the second Black Market called the Black Spider Market. In that place, there are only two mafias that dominate, and one of them is the Polaris family.”

Plex rubbed his chin while looking across the job board, plucking a few papers.

“The Polaris Family, while primarily filled with summoners, also has divisions of Warlocks and Knights. They’re a powerful family even greater than the Tavera family in regards to the sheer power of their members. The Tavera Family has more influence though and handles more money. This difference between them has led to them being allies.”

“What’s the difference between the Founder’s Market and the Black Spider Market?”

“Hmm, I guess its the difference between the elites and the commoners.”

Plex walked over, laying out a few jobs on the table.

“The Black Spider market, while handling less monetary volume, also handles the most valuable items. Information, high class mercenaries, and some of the most exotic items you’ve ever seen. They’re the top dogs of the black market within this kingdom, and you, my friend, have scored an opportunity to meet with them. Specifically, a powerful summoner who’s going to give you some advice. This opportunity is a huge one, so huge that I’m shocked you actually got it.”

“Oh, that sounds useful.”

I brightened at his words. I was just thinking how I needed more information about my power. Now, I was going to meet an expert in the field. Truly a god sent opportunity.

And all it took was almost dying in a fiery hell.

Plex shook his head.

“You’re lucky, John. I know I roped you into this dangerous job considering you’re new to the city and all, but there are many who would kill to be in your position. Of course, there have been many who’ve died in your position as well. I think the Patriarch knew that, so he’s giving you a bit of support. What you gain in your meeting today will likely determine how you fare over the next several months. Because, well, you’re kind of locked into this now. It’s do or die.”

“Wait, the meeting’s today?”

His ominous words blew right over my head as I selectively asked that question.

He nodded.

“It is. But first...”

He picked out two of the jobs he had in front of him, shoving them in my face.

“Go make a couple deliveries. Once you get back, we’ll leave. Consider yourself initiated, kid. Now you get to deal with a bunch of addicts and unsavory underground dealers.”

“Eh...”

I sighed while taking the papers.

From the first day, I had pretty much accepted what I’d gotten into. Of course, if Plex wasn’t the way he was, then I would’ve left quickly.

But Plex seemed a good man, someone who had saved my life a few times already. So long as I wasn’t a dumbass, it seemed he would lead me to succeed.

I didn’t mind working in this shady business, especially considering it paid so well. Plus, it had already taught me a lot about this world, and it would continue to teach me more as I got better.

I was jumping into the deep end of what this new life had to offer. But hey, I’d rather do this than be a baker at a bread shop or sitting at the dront desk of some random store.

With those convictions, I made my way out of the warehouse, embarking on my first solo jobs. Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

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My two deliveries were rather easy.

The hardest part was navigation. I had to admit, it was embarrassing looking like a tourist with a map, so much of my time was spent wondering if I was going in the right general direction, only taking out my map a few times.

But finally getting to the locations, I was able to pick up the items to be delivered from the dealers.

After that, I took them to the recipients.

Thankfully the first one didn’t show me any hostility. He seemed busy and gave me the money straight, so I simply took it back to the dealer.

It was the second recipient though that gave me a hard time. But that’s when my acting skills, what little I had, came into play.

I mimicked Plex as best I could, keeping a confident and uncaring attitude, as if I wasn’t afraid of a fight. Of course, I was, but they didn’t need to know that.

That combined with a friendly demand and a small brandish of my obviously used knife, and the guy’s attitude flipped as he brought me the money. And after taking that to the last dealer, my jobs were done.

“Hey, all you have to do is not do what they did. Don’t die, and don’t get greedy. Those are basically the only tenets of us delivery men. Those who follow those rules get the money, the fun, and the connections. Those who don’t end up with their heads in boxes. So just be smart about things, yea?”

“I’ll do my best.”

I smirked while twisting off the cap of my bottle, taking a swig.

And it was surprisingly good alcohol. I nodded at it before waving to the two.

“Alright, I’ve got a place to be.”

“The Polaris Family, right? Hey, take all you can get from there. If you get lucky, you’ll be doing business with them too. Remember, connections are everything.”

“I thought that was common knowledge?”

I asked with a smile while walking away, leaving the black market.

After passing through and grabbing a kabob from Chef Black’s restaurant, I made my way back to the warehouse.

There, Plex was sprawled out on a chair, snoring while asleep.

“Seriously? It’s not even midnight yet.”

I walked over, kicking his leg.

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

“We’ve got places to be. And I was only gone for a few hours.”

“Eh...”

He yawned and spent a few seconds waking up. Then he sniffed, and his eyes turned toward my bottle.

I narrowed my eyes, suddenly knocking it all back and downing what was left.

“...Damn you.”

“Hey, this is good stuff. Speaking of, I ran into Libitus and Tovex, and they told me about all your prior apprentices.”

“Oh?”

He sobered up a bit, leaning back into the seat.

“It’s true. A lot of youngins have gotten killed attempting to survive in this line of work. Why, does that scare you?”

“It doesn’t make me happy. To think that if I hadn’t discovered how to use my power, I would’ve died from a fireball. Sure you saved me once, but you still put me into that position. So I can’t say that my trust in your integrity hasn’t warped significantly. But, well... I suppose I have my own assurances now.”

“Hm, got one taste of power and decided that you’re invincible. I happened to have an apprentice like that. He’s dead now.”

As if that fact were something to be proud of, Plex only smirked at me. And I could understand. I barely knew anything about these crests or the magic of this world. I was hardly a newborn baby in the field, and I was already confident in myself.

That would be a bad thing, but only if I were anything but a summoner.

Guns happened to be a great equalizer. Unless Plex had some strong magical armor underneath his clothes or if his magic was as strong as steel, a single bullet from even a flintlock could kill him, let alone the weapons in my other stars.

I mean, I killed that fire warlock with a single bullet. And he had far more experience than I did.

Guns were great.

But that was difficult to explain to Plex, so I didn’t press the issue, just shaking my head at him.

“All I want from you is to not be thrown into certain death. I can be an apprentice or whatever the hell you’ve roped me into being. I want the money and experience. But don’t go thinking you can throw my life away like all the other apprentices you’ve apparently had. Do that, and I might just take you out with me.”

“...Is that a threat?”

Plex stood from his seat, standing in front of me with a casual gaze of grizzled hostility. But I only tensed up, meeting him head on.

“Yea, that was a threat. So if you leave me to die in a clusterfuck of wizards and fireballs, you better make sure I’m dead by the end of it. Otherwise I’m coming after you with some cold steel in my hand.”

“...”

After a moment of tense silence, Plex smiled and chuckled.

“Haha, you’re a feisty one. Don’t worry, John. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t be taking you to a place that’ll make you stronger. So how about we quit the pissing contest and go take a trip, hm?”

He smacked my shoulder and started walking out of the warehouse. Relaxing my body, I sighed and left with him, taking to the city streets.