Getting to Ralph’s booth was easy despite the checkpoints scattered throughout the layer. His sponsor had told him both Huntsman and Alexander would be cleared with security, quickly proved to be true. The first was recognized as a semi-important competitor, through some way he didn’t understand, and the latter just needed to bring up Janet’s name if anyone asked who he was attending with. Once he was standing there however, Alex felt the nerves set in. Ralph had been rather upset last time Alex had seen him, and while Grave’s presence in the recovery room should have been a good sign…

Alex’s thoughts were cut off as the door he’d been poised to knock on for the last minute swung open, Ralph looking at him from under his blue hood. The older man continued to stand like that for a few seconds, not saying anything as he allowed Alex’s imagination to go wild. As if he could tell when Alex was about to crack Ralph pulled off the hood and smiled at him; it was almost endearing.

“Alex. Glad you came back! Come in. Come in.” He hesitated for a moment before following Ralph as the store owner turned around, heart speeding up in his chest. The sound of the door closing behind him made him acutely aware of how alone the two were, making Alex miss Janet’s presence more than he knew he could.

“Look kid, I’m sorry about what happened earlier,” Ralph said, his exaggerated happiness fading. “Both what happened in here and on the field are on me, though I didn’t do the second one directly. Either way you put on a hell of a fucking show kid,” the older man continued, his tone lightening as they took a seat on one of the couches. “You deserved every point you got, though that probably just made the people who set it up more upset. Since I hold some responsibility, I’m going to do what I can to get them to lay off, but you must know if I look too eager to help, it’ll only hurt you more.”

Alex sat for a moment, thinking. If he was being honest, he hadn’t expected anything close to this much from the robed arena owner and knew it was likely due to Janet’s influence. Alex didn’t know exactly why, but she had done so much for him in just the last eight hours. He was thankful and would tell her as much the next time she was around, though he’d be happy to owe he no more debts. She seemed like the type who enjoyed collecting.

For Ralph’s part Alex didn’t really know what to think. Whether the man was directly involved in Alex fighting that massive monkey or not, the last part was likely true. The best Huntsman and by extension Alex, could hope for would be to quickly fade into the background. He hadn’t missed the fact that Ralph had basically skimmed over the part about Grave but decided that was likely for the best. He’d save his questions for the more friendly party. Nodding Alex gave his thanks for the short explanation. Ralph gave another small smile then put out his hand, or rather his wrist, as he grabbed Alex’s and shook. Rising he put his hood back on and made his way to the door, stopping as he reached the handle.

“The Golem knows not to transform into that body again. It’s permitted to go around the arena with you for the rest of the day. Protection for my slip up if you will.”

“Does that mean people know I’m Huntsman.” Alex asked, more than a bit annoyed his cover had already been blown.

“What? No. Unless you leaked it that shouldn’t be the case. The Huntsman thing probably happened because I put your name on the roster personally, people look out for that type of thing. The yelling and you walking in and out my booth is separate, but someone still might try something, like they did in the arena. Shit like this always gets messy.”

“Huh,” Alex said lamely. The notion that he might get attacked twice in a day, even while acting as two different people less than ideal.

“Yea, like I said messy. Anyway, I’m busy for the rest of the day but make sure to come back tomorrow or the next, even if you’re not up to fighting. You get a discount now that you’re a competitor so we can talk about whatever it was you needed, and that favor you owe me.” The second part was said almost as an afterthought, but Alex doubted that was truly the case.

‘Just another thing for the shit list,’ he thought, a grin forming as he remembered Amy’s version of the same list.

“That works.” Alex let his smile widen, as if he liked the idea.

“Perfect. Last thing. The crone said you shouldn’t leave without her. Don’t know why, but I do know she’ll be busy till around midnight so just hang out till she’s done. Later kid.”

Alex let out a sigh as he slumped back into the soft leather cushions. Ralph had been less condescending than the first time the pair had spoken, and Alex wasn’t sure he liked that; especially not when he owed the man a favor. The more competent Ralph thought he was, the more difficult the task would likely be. Besides the potential danger, which was constant anyway, Alex was worried about the time the task would take. He knew he’d be unlikely to escape Ralph even if he ran into the forest, but he couldn’t afford to waste time on a side quest. Alex glanced over at the timer in the bottom right of his vision.

***

Tutorial Quest - Main

Allotted Time Remaining

62:14:36

***

The next fight started in fifteen minutes, it was unlikely they’d get their bets in before the limit on that one, but the fights happened faster in than in the morning bracket, so he needed to get started now. Rising Alex walked toward Grave’s post on the wall. They were in their standard armored form, looking all the statue Alex would have thought them to be.

“Hey Gra-, oof.” Alex cut off with a grunt as in one swift motion the golem shrunk and dived. Grave’s speed and his surprise combined into inaction, and both fell to the ground as they barreled into him. Immediately Alex was worried, trying to push away as his back hit the floor, but his new ten in strength meant nothing to whatever the golem was made of. Luckily his fears proved unnecessary as he looked into Grave’s smiling face, silver hair streaming down to touch on his shoulders.

“Well, there goes you not transforming,” Alex said with a laugh. Grave continued to beam as their hands moved to spell out a word.

[Friend. I Friend Alex.] The finger spelling was a bit clunky, and Alex knew if this was going to be their sole method of communication he’d need to learn, or create, more full words but for now it would do.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Uhh yea friends.” His arms were free, but Alex opted to speak since it would be faster. “You’ve improved.” Raising the hand with the ring on it, he added, “Thanks for this, I was really out of it back then, but I remember you coming.”

Grave’s smile widened even further, if that was possible. [Yes. U treat Grave nice. Want to help, only way money. You call Grave friend. Happy.] It was a lot, but Alex managed to pick it up, his mind processing each letter as it came. Something he doubted would have been possible without his new levels.

“Oh, did it say all that aloud. I thought I was thinking most of that. That last hit must have really raddled my brain.” Pausing Alex considered his next words. “I’d be happy to talk more, I actually have a few questions of my own for you, but do you mind getting up first.”

The golem looked down at, their sitting position on his lap, then back at him before rising, their face betraying no embarrassment. Alex did his best to mirror that. The two walked to a set of nearby seats, the silver haired golem’s smile never faltering.

“So,” Alex began trying not to sound nervous, “it won’t be a problem that you’re transformed right? Ralph could come back at any moment and I don’t want a repeat of earlier.” Grave rolled their purple eyes, the annoyed look they gave Alex reminding him of their time in the medical ward. The golem began to glow, the light dim enough Alex could see what was happening underneath as Grave’s body began to change. Hair retracted its inches, while their jaw elongated slightly. Their clothing sunk into their skin, the outline of breast following. Soon their form was soon more human shaped, than actually human, a template of sorts. Then it reversed.

Alex watched with fascination as Grave began to grow parts. Their chest turned into sculpted muscle, arms following a moment later. The golem’s hair grew out only a few inches before stopping. Something that vaguely resembled male genitalia began to grow between their legs, though it was quickly covered by pants. Then they were done, the whole process couldn’t have taken more than ten seconds, but now Grave looked like your average, blond haired, olive-skinned human man. Their purple eyes the only remnant for their previous form. Alex nodded at the golem’s new body.

“That should work.”

[Other forms difficult. Take more time. Not like man parts.] Grave glared at their groin and Alex opted to move on, not sure if he was properly equip to deal with the topic.

“So we have a lot to get done but do you mind if I ask a few questions first?”

[No mind for friend.] The smile returned to the new form and Alex began with his list.

“So why did Ralph react like that earlier? Why does he hate your other form?

[Earlier Grave said Ralph add one extra.]

“Yea I remember that. What did he add?” A suspicion offered by his new wisdom, causing his heart to speed up.

[Daughter.]

The eyes had clued him in to it being a family member but the implications of it being his daughter were rather… fucked up. Wanting to clarify before he began to question the type of people Janet involved herself with Alex quickly asked some follow-up questions.

“He added his own daughter?” Alex half shouted. He failed in his attempt at being tactful, but Grave didn’t seem to mind answering the question with a smile. They did the hand motion that Alex had come to understand as “Sort of” and it didn’t exactly assuage his fears.

“S.O.U.L,” Alex read aloud as he followed their motions, leaning slightly. “He added her soul?” Shelving the idea that the soul was real for another time, Alex asked the important question. “Did he kill her to do it?” Grave shook their head, immediately spelling out another word.

[Dead already.] Alex let out a sigh of relief, and while he wasn’t happy Ralph’s daughter had died. It was better than him having made a deal with some filicidal powerhouse; though he’d need more information before he knew how much better.

“Does that make you her?”

This time grave shook their head adamantly fingers moving to spell out the first thing Alex had taught them. Pointing at themselves they signed, [Grave].

“And Ralph doesn’t like to see you as his daughter because…”

[Grave is Grave. Not daughter.]

Suddenly the golem’s name made much more sense, it was almost funny, almost. Alex nodded, hoping he’d have a chance to learn more later. For now, this would have to be enough. Grave seemed to be content with their existence as a golem, but the idea of them having a soul and being essentially sentient blurred those lines for Alex. Having some powerful construct on as his friend didn’t hurt either. He knew he needed all the help he could get.

Alex continued with his questions, though the next topic was much lighter by comparison. It turned out Grave had just taken the ring and card to the bookie and had him put the money in. The process had taken a bit of exaggerated gesturing and annoyed the keeper, but in the end he put all but ten gold in the space, what he had called his delivery fee. Compared to his gains Alex felt the money was nothing for the peace of mind it had granted him, and they finally moved on the most important topic. More gambling.

“Sure, I can do that,” the bookkeeper, Marv, said to Alex and Grave as they went to make their latest bets. Marv was a short, stocky man, with a bald head and a beanie that only partially managed to cover a scar. The last bookkeeper had been nice enough, but Alex cared more about remain anonymous than a small discount. “It’s not crazy specific so I’m looking at a,” he trailed off as he scribbled on a pad, “twenty gold min, but I can get you… ten to one odds.”

Silently Grave, now in the form of an elderly lady, made a show of making fifty gold appear and pushed it toward the man before the pair grabbed their latest card and walked off.

This was the seventh bet they’d done for the night. Instead of betting on winners and losers of every battle like Alex had expected, the two had leveraged Grave's knowledge on fighters, to make a killing in the more obscure bets. Unlike Alex’s bracket the nighttime fights were a true blood sport. People fought one another and while the first death of the evening had made him sick to the point of vomiting. the money he earned might save his life in the future so he sucked it up and moved on.

Still the PvP fights were the least of their kind. Mainly there were different types of competitions, the one they had just bet on was a timed race. Each competitor occupied half the arena with eight large rabbit type beasts called Jakels. Whoever killed their eight first won. Grave had pointed out the competitor that evolved one of their multi attack skills to E grade. Since it had happened between their last fight and this not many knew about the advancement, making Grave’s expectation that the battle would be over within the first minute rather niche among gamblers. Alex didn’t doubt they were still correct.

Walking around the stadium the two wandered into a restroom each taking a stall. Alex changed into some other clothes he’d purchased, switching his cap for one of a different color, while Grave changed their form entirely, going back to the blond man from earlier. They had funds to pick up.

As Alex made the pile of gold vanish, he spotted a few people giving him glances. They had been at this for over four hours and in that time Alex has learned what to and what not to do. What he needed to do now was leave. Over the course of their bets Alex had managed to acquire an astounding 3,150 gold, including the winnings from this upcoming fight. Adding that to the principal 1,300 gold they had been left with after his first win, Alex was sitting at well over four thousand gold. It was insane when he considered the fact that it was more money than Anise earned in a year, and he’d gotten it in less than a day.

“Okay,” Alex said as they walked back to Ralph’s booth through one of the hidden passages. Grave had mapped the place out already and Alex was happy to take advantage. According to the common folk, he’d been in the room since Ralph left. “I’m thinking we grab this gold after the fight then we stop for today. It doesn’t matter how much money moves through this place, so many reasonable sized custom bets getting cashed will raise suspicions.”

Grave shrugged, not seeming to care either way and the two grabbed a seat on a particularly fancy red leather couch. As they sat waiting for the next competition to appear on the monitor Alex asked a question that had been bothering him for a while.

“Hey, do you have any idea what Janet’s doing that I have to wait all day?”

[Fight.]

“Yea.” Alex said, dragging the word out. “I was hoping you’d say something other than that.”