On the way back to his apartment, Nils started to have some doubts. He wasn’t sure if his participation in sport festival was such a good idea after all.  

Firstly, vision of whole school looking at him while he would play, was rather scary. Basically, he agreed only because Anastasia was teasing him.

In addition there was also the thing that he didn’t played tennis for over two years, if time spend in sport simulators didn’t count.

Finally, Nils decided that he still got almost a week to sport festival, he will find a way to train a little.

After all, Nils was in a good mood, his classmates' curiosity stayed on moderate level and after talk with Anastasia and Alice in cafeteria, no one bothered him for the rest of lessons.

When Nils returned to his apartment he immediately logged in WKO, like it was perfectly normal. After closing wild barrage of different messages, informing him about patches and similar stuff, he appeared in Oliver's workshop like always.

Old man greeted him with familiar smile and took care of his own tasks, while Nils was left to do his daily routine of cleaning.

It was about noon when Oliver called for Nils.

“Ok lad, it's time for you learn rest of  jewelercrafting, sit down and listen carefully…”

When old man ended his lesson, it was already getting dark, for a half of a day Nils was just listening and watching Oliver working. Differently from last time, he didn’t have to create item to gain skills, old man's tutoring was enough.

Jewelcrafting,

Basic crafting skill, used to create various types of items.

Beginner lvl. 1 (0%)

Gemcutting

Basic crafting skill, used to cut raw gems in more splendid forms.

Beginner lvl.1 (0%)

Smelting

Basic crafting skill, used to melt and refine raw metal ore or metal scrap.

Beginner lvl1. (0%)

Nils was happy, he was finally able to start making money and move forward with his character development. Obtaining smelting skill was especially worthy, if he could gain mining ability too, he could reduce cost of his crafts to almost nothing.

After Nils cleaned all workshop after all day of work, he was about to log out as usual, when Oliver’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“Wait a minute lad, it is time for me to keep second part of our promise.”

Nils was confused, second part? What was old man talking about?

“Your crafting skills are useless, if you can’t sell your goods. I promised to introduce you to person who could help you with that matter. Take this two rings and go to Flower Inn next to the main plaza. Show those rings to the barkeeper and he will guide you further.” Oliver handed him two golden rings, which he made, while showing Nils jewelcrafting skils.

DING

Jewelcrafter’s apprentice part 2 Completed!

+50 Exp.

Level up!

With unexpected quest completion, Nils gained his first level up. He also gained 5 additional stat points to distribute, but he decided to wait with it until he will get his class.

From the other side, Nils was quite disappointed, he expected old man’s task was additional quest or quest chain, but there was no message window about it. After saying good bay to Oliver, he left workshop.

Kingsport at night was totally different form its daylight version. Streets were empty, only single persons with faces hidden behind hoods and guards patrols could be found. When Nils arrived at the place where Flower Inn should be, only dim light piercing trough windows and muffled sounds of drinking party helped him in reaching right place.

When he opened the doors, everybody inside the inn were too much interested in their drinks, songs and chats with other to notice him entering. Nils was little surprised how crowded in was contrasting with empty streets. While plowing through crowd of partying people, Nils found out that he could have some problems with completing Oliver’s task. Behind inn’s counter were four different bartenders.

Confused and still working hard on forcing his way to the counter, Nils noticed that one of bartenders was little different form others, he was taking orders from customers, but much less than other three. As a confirmation, that he was the right guy, one of customers left nice looking pouch o the counter, without taking any drinks. Suspicious bartender took it without any words.

When Nils finally made it to the counter, he took out two rings, which Oliver gave him and put them on the counter. Bartender looked at rings with little surprised look on his face, but after a second he took them both and showed at wooden doors located next to counter.

Nils didn’t need any further encouragement, he followed strange bartender. When both of them arrived in short corridor behind doors, Nils suddenly felt like hydraulic press was breaking his neck. Suspicious guy was holding Nils by his throat, with Nils back pressed to the wall. Nils was standing on the tips of his feet, struggling to breath, that guy was so strong.

“How did you get those rings?”

Nils thought that his oppressor wasn’t a genius, how Nils was supposed to talk if he couldn’t even breath.

“How did you get them!?!”

Thug was getting angrier and with pressure on his throat getting stronger, Nils could saw his HP bar getting shorter and shorter. Suddenly, from the other end of corridor, deep female voice filled with annoyance could be heard:

“For fuck sake Pete, leave this kid alone. Another few seconds and he will suffocate to death.”

After hearing that, Nils was released. While falling on the floor, he could feel how fresh air was entering his lungs. After few minutes of laying on the stone floor, Nils was able to stand up on his own.

When he finally could look at his savior, he was pleasantly surprised. In a doorway on the end of corridor women in her late twenties was standing. Nils was dumbfounded by her looks.

“Do you like what you see boy?”

 Nils couldn’t deny. With waves of red hair on her head, and curvy figure she was surely a defiant beauty. With black, knee high leather boots and short, black skirt showing slender, pale thighs. Her upper part of the body was covered only by black leather corset which was featuring her breasts nicely. For a second Nis thought that she was looking like a stripper, but he quickly realized that it wasn’t a truth. Maybe her outfit was a little to revealing, but it wasn’t important, the thing which impressed Nils was her aura which she emitted and of course, strippers don’t have swords by their belts or daggers in boots.

Nils realized three things while looking at her, she was important, powerful and dangerously attractive.

“Oh, my. It looks like our young guest is stunned by my beauty, who knows maybe he will be able to steal my heart too?”

DING!

Path of love

Make mysterious beauty fall for you.

Quest level – unique

Reward – You will become mysterious beauty lover.

What kind of quest was that? And it was unique level quest, Nils was confused, but he accepted the quest, there was no penalty and time limits, so there was no harm in taking such a silly quest.

“Oh common boy, it’s flattering, but I don’t have whole night for you to look at me.”

After hearing those words, Nils finally returned to reality. He stood up and moved closer to women. When he was only few steps away he noticed wild green eyes and horizontal scar on her left eye. Scar wasn’t blemishing her breathtaking face, it was bringing out more of her dangerous beauty.

“So, as you are finally conscious, tell me how did you get those rings?”

“I am working as an apprentice for Oliver, he told me that if I find this place and show those rings to the right people I will able to sell my craft without gilds knowledge.”

The women’s face, which was already smiling a little, brightened with a wide grin.

“Ha, so that old man finally found someone to teach. My name is Scarlet and I am boss in this place. I have to admit boy, you got my interest, its rare thing for Oliver to take apprentice.”

DING!

Quest updated!

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Path of love

You found out that, mysterious beauty is a boss of Kingsport’s underground and her name is Scarlet. As, she is powerful and dangerous person, to catch her interest you need to rise to the peaks of power or authority.

Quest level – unique

Reward – You will become Scarlet’s lover.

Nils felt more and more awkward about this quest, it’s true that his love life was nonexistent, but dating simulator in virtual reality, surely wasn’t his thing. Once again, her deep and tempting voice woke him up from his thoughts.

“So boy, are you going to tell me your name, or should I think of on my own?”

“Sorry, my name is Ged. When you told that you are boss, you mean…”

“Black market! Isn’t it obvious? Common boy think about it a little.”

It wasn’t the best day for Nils, he was little tired after his school, in addition he spend whole day working with Oliver, so unexpected appearance of this unordinary women, was a little too much to handle for hid young hearth.

“I guess I need to give you some lesson about how things are working in my city.”

Scarlet invited Nils, with her hand gesture, to enter the room on the end of corridor. Interior of the room was shockingly contrasting with plain corridor with bare wooden walls. Thick carpets, exclusive looking sofas, paintings sculptures and huge desk, made that place looking luxurious.

Scarlet sat on the other side of a desk in huge chair with leather cover and showed Nils plainer, but still extravagant chair in front of her, then she started to speak.

“From dozens of years, Kingsport is trade canter of Rosenblum Kingdom, city is the biggest port and capital so it’s only natural. In addition, Kingsport it last stop for trading ships before they enter Northern See and Ironguard Empire ports located on it. As you should know, Ironguard Empire is one of a biggest powers on our continent, fortunately mountains between our borders and constant attacks from Undead Kingdom make impossible for them to conquer our little kingdom.

Surprisingly, empire which should be our greatest threat, is main reason on Rosenblum Kingdom wealth and prosperity. Constant state of war and huge market for various goods makes Ironguard Empire one of best importers and here is where our kingdom and Kingsport step into.

As a last link connecting east part of continent with Ironguard Empire, Rosenblum makes enormous profits on tariffs and taxes. Unfortunately, Kingsport is exactly in the center of this whole mess which makes things a little tricky. Guilds and city council over the years made taxes and prices so high that, only people connected directly to them are able to live in this place.

About thirty years ago local people started to act against this state of things and they asked  my father for help. You may ask why him not someone else? You see, where are high amounts of high quality, expensive stuff, persons who want to obtain those goods unlawfully appears. And my father was a chief of biggest thief organization in Kingsport.

So, for the next thirty years, our black market where with lower prices and taxes was growing. With a time our interest changed from stolen goods to illegally crafted. We are everywhere, for every gold coin going through official trades, there is 50 silvers traded under the table.

So, tell me boy, do you understand what kind of business I am talking about?”

Nils understood, he also realized that the women sitting in front of him wasn’t just a little, local boss, who is making some shady trades in the crowded inn. He realized that the women in front of him, was someone who was shaking whole Kingsport’s underground. Nils was feeling more and more confused and All his thoughts formed an unwittingly uttered question:

“What am I doing here?”

 After hearing that sentence, Scarlet laughed loudly.

“That’s a good question boy, so why are you here?”

Nils didn’t really know why Oliver send him to such a place, but at least main reason of all his actions remained clear.

“I want to be a mage.”

Scarlet face, which was showing only some strange amusement, became full of understanding.

“I see now, you became Oliver’s apprentice in order to make money for those scums from Magic Guild. It’s not about crafting, you just want money.”

Scarlet was thinking about something, I took few seconds, but Nils was surprised when she loudly started to talk again.

“Good! Listen carefully boy, I may have some proposition for you. In the morning I will give you all stuff you need to became mage, in return I will have some task for you, don’t worry I am sure that it won’t be much trouble for adventurer like you.”

Nils was feeling fear growing in his guts, he honestly didn’t know if accepting Scarlet’s proposition was a good idea.

“I wish I could think about it for a moment, it is…”

He was instantly interrupted.

“Boy! I think you don’t understand one very important thing: People work for me, or they won’t be able to work, ever again .”

After what Scarlet told him, message window appeared in front of him.

An offer you can’t refuse.

Scarlet, boss of local underground , proposed you an offer. She will give you all items need to enter Magic Guild, in return she wants you to complete her task later.

Quest level – unique

Reward – all supplies needed to became mage.

Penalty – after refusing or failing given task, you will expose yourself on Scarlet’s anger.

Another unique quest, Nils didn’t know what to think about it, but he know one thing for sure, he can’t fail it. After he accepted Scarlet’s offer, she stood up from her place and guided him back to the door.

“All items needed for Magic Trial will be waiting for you in Oliver’s workshop in the morning. I hope that you understand that hiding or running is impossible?”

Nils quickly nodded.

“Good, now boy go. I am a busy women you know?”

Nils was about to turn around and leave through the open doors, when Scarlet moved closer to him.  Her face approached his, she was almost as tall as he was. Nils could feel the touch of her cheek on his face, his nose filled with tempting fragrance.

"Do not disappoint me, boy. It would be a pity, if such a sweet thing like you, would end up badly hurt, by me."

Nils could hear her whisper directly in his ear. Feeling that he face was getting hot, he turned around and left through the doors. The sound of loud female laugh was filling corridor.

Still confused, Nils was almost running through dark streets, he didn’t know how should he feel about this whole situation. After getting part of his composure back, he decided that first thing he should do was to talk with Oliver.

Barely able to find his way on lightless streets, Nils arrived at Oliver’s workshop. He was surprised when he saw dim light in the workshop’s window. When he walked through the doors, which weren’t locked, Nils was welcomed by Oliver.

“So, you are back, how did it go?”

Nis was little angry at him, he didn’t wanted to get into any trouble, but thanks to old man’s recommendation he became indebted to the boss of local underground.

“Let me think. I was almost strangled to death, seduced and got task I don’t really want to do.”

Oliver made dumb face after hearing Nils words.

“What are you talking about? What kind of trouble you got yourself into?”

Nils quickly explained what happened in Flower Inn, when he told about meeting with Scarlet, Oliver’s face turned pale.

“You meet with Scarlet?”

Nils was surprised.

“It wasn’t what you wanted me to do?”

“No, she is most dangerous person in this city, why should I wanted you to meet with her?”

“But I gave your rings to bartender and he showed me the way… Don’t tell me I gave them to the wrong guy?”

“I am sorry but it looks like you did, but I need to apologize to you, it was also my fault, I didn’t know that she will be in that inn.”

“So, what should I do now?”

“I am afraid that, there is not much that could be done. If I were you, I would do as Scarlet says, as long as you won’t disappoint her, everything should be all right.”

With rather uneasy look on his face, Nils logged out from a game.