“So,” the man said as he guided Eddie past dozens of roulette rules and tables. “What brought you to Azure Harbor? I wasn’t aware that travelers were even able to arrive here.”
Eddie hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much he could reveal of Harold to this stranger. But there was something about the man's demeanor that put him at ease, and he found himself speaking more freely than he had intended.
"I came here seeking adventure," he replied, his voice tinged with excitement. "I couldn't resist the allure of exploring somewhere new, somewhere I could never have imagined."
The man nodded thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on Eddie for a moment longer before he spoke again. "Well, you've certainly found adventure, that much is certain," he remarked, amusement in his voice. "But be warned, Azure Harbor is not always kind. There are dangers lurking below the surface."
With those cryptic words, the man fell silent, his attention turning back to the bustling casino around them. As they made their way through the opulent building, Eddie couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The patrons around him, engrossed in their games and conversations, seemed oblivious to the tension in the air. Yet Eddie's senses were on high alert, a nagging suspicion gnawing at the back of his mind.
The man at his side, however, seemed unperturbed by the atmosphere, his demeanor relaxed and composed. Eddie couldn't help but wonder about him—there was something about his presence that commanded attention, a subtle air of authority that hinted at a deeper significance.
“Sooo,” Eddie drawled, “Are you the manager, the auctioneer? What’s your role here?”
The man snorted, before saying, “I’m the proprietor of this establishment. You can call me Lord Maren.”
“I must say,” Lord Maren continued, “your arrival certainly injected some excitement into an otherwise dreary day. You must be a new arrival, ignorant to the ways of the world. I would be happy to provide you an introduction in exchange for a few services later.”
“But before we discuss that, I’m sure you are curious about your class. Well, the lack thereof. No one can get a class before Level 10. And to get to Level 10, you need to kill. Humans, goblins, monsters, anything. But until you get a class, you can’t get a profession. Without a profession or class, you can’t get experience from anything else. Once you hit Level 10, you can get a basic class. When you meet the requirements, you will get offered a profession. There are many classes and many professions. Almost all of them get more specialized, although a few rare ones do get more general. But they are quite rare.”
Eddie listened intently to Lord Maren's explanation, his mind racing with questions and possibilities. The revelation about classes and professions shed new light on the mechanics of the game, offering him a glimpse into the intricate web of rules and opportunities that governed Ascendant Online. Eddie asked him, “How high can you get your level? Is there a limit?”
“Why don’t you try to see my level? I’ll let you see, so you don’t only see question marks.”
Eddie turned to look at Lord Maren and focused on him. He stopped abruptly when he saw that Lord Maren’s level was 1750. Exactly how dangerous was he? How strong does someone become when their level was so high? How does someone even get their level that high? But the only thing that Eddie thought to ask was, “How old are you?”
Lord Maren belly laughed before slapping Eddie’s back and sending him stumbling. “And that’s the type of humor, I’ve been missing around here.”
“Your next lesson is in how to survive. Most monsters in the wild are dumb, you can outsmart them, you can use traps, bombs, or most challenging, a weapon. I was never the fastest or the strongest, but I was usually the smartest. I’m still here, they aren’t. Be smart, get levels, get rich. In that order.”
“And here is where I leave you,” Lord Maren said while gesturing toward a door discretely placed behind a marble pillar in the back of the casino. “There’s food in there, probably enough food to last you a week. And even some gold coins, consider it an advance from your auction proceeds.”
Eddie stepped inside to find himself in a dimly lit room, the air heavy with the scent of spices and cooked meats. A long table stretched out before him, laden with platters of food and goblets filled with wine. At the far end of the room, a small chest sat, gleaming in the soft light. Eddie approached the chest cautiously, before he lifted the lid and peered inside, his eyes widening in astonishment at the sight of gleaming gold coins and precious platinum coins nestled within.
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For a moment, Eddie was speechless, his mind racing with the possibilities that lay before him. With this newfound wealth, he could purchase weapons, armor, and supplies to aid him on his journey. He could even hire allies to accompany him, strengthening his chances of survival in the treacherous world of Ascendant Online.
But as he reached out to grasp a handful of coins, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. Was this truly his to take, or was there more to Lord Maren's generosity than met the eye? With a sense of unease gnawing at his gut, Eddie hesitated, unsure of what to do next.
In the end, his need for wealth won out, and Eddie scooped up the coins, tucking them safely away in his Inventory. Eddie didn’t need to eat, after all, he was just in a game, but he’d been curious about whether he could taste anything. He sat down and poured himself a goblet of wine, savoring the rich flavor as it danced across his virtual taste buds. It was a strange sensation, experiencing the sensation of taste without the physical act of eating, but Eddie found himself enjoying it nonetheless.
As he sat at the table, contemplating his next move, Eddie couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Lord Maren's words echoed in his mind, reminding him that there was more to this city than met the eye. But Eddie knew that he wouldn’t find out more about the town until the auction. The room didn’t have any books. It didn’t have any maps or paper or anything else.
With a sigh, Eddie decided to take a moment to rest and gather his thoughts. The events of the day had been overwhelming, and he needed time to process everything that had happened. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, allowing himself to relax for the first time since his arrival in Azure Harbor.
But even in the relative peace of the dimly lit room, Eddie's mind continued to race with questions and uncertainties. What was Lord Maren's true agenda? And what role did he play in the grand scheme of things? Eddie couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the enigmatic casino proprietor than met the eye, and he resolved to keep a close eye on him in the days to come.
As he sat lost in thought, Eddie's thoughts turned to his own future in Ascendant Online. With his newfound wealth and knowledge, he had the opportunity to carve out a place for himself in this virtual world, to become more than just another player struggling to survive. But to do so, he would need to navigate the treacherous waters of Azure Harbor with skill and cunning, avoiding the dangers that lurked around every corner.
He heard a knock on the door, startling him out of his thoughts. The door opened and a beautiful woman in a golden dress walked in. “No, no, this won’t do at all. Not at all,” the woman said. She walked around Eddie and peered at him like a lion stalking a zebra. “You look far too civilized, nothing like the type of savage that would strike a noble.”
“Luckily, I have just the outfit in mind for you.” And then she pulled out the most ridiculous outfit that Eddie had ever seen. Instead of a shirt, there was a necklace that had feathers extending down. And instead of pants, there were just a loincloth. Then there was the pair of knee-high boots with fur trim, and a matching headdress adorned with feathers and jewels. The woman held up the outfit with a mischievous grin, clearly pleased with her handiwork.
Eddie blinked in disbelief at the outlandish ensemble, unsure whether to be amused or horrified by the prospect of wearing such a ridiculous outfit. But as he glanced at the woman's expectant expression, he realized that resistance was futile. The ??? above her head only reinforced that he would have no chance to prevent her from forcing the outfit onto him if he resisted.
“That’ll be much better for the auction. Could you imagine being the center of the auction and not being dressed appropriately?” The woman then pulled out a small knife from out of nowhere and handed it to Eddie. “And the pièce de resistance is this lil baby. No magic, no enchantment, just a knife. But it’ll add a dangerous edge to you, because otherwise you look more like a drowned rat that rolled around in feathers.”
“Now, at the auction, you will be the center of attention. So do your best not to be too nervous. A confident Aquatic Goblin who punched a noble would be more interesting than a timid one. Also bear in mind that even after your initial death, you may be hunted for longer. You’re now the prize between at least three noble factions.”
“House Arvon is led by Duke Alaric, the father of the kid that you punched in the face. House Valoria opposes House Arvon in pretty much everything, assume that your purchase will be no different. House Brightwater may also oppose House Arvon, they’re sometimes rivals, sometimes friends. But this is a major chance to embarrass them, so they may take advantage. Various merchant guilds and organizations will also be at the auction, but unless you somehow interest them, your value is mostly confined to the nobles.”
“There’s an incentive for you to be entertaining and you’ll get 1% on top of anything you pilfered from the room. So hopefully you took everything that wasn’t nailed down. And make us some money in the auction.”
“Now, it’s time for your premiere.” She ushered Eddie out the door and into a transformed casino. Instead of roulette tables, a massive stage occupied the center. There were chairs surrounding the stage and several areas that were screened with silk, offering a modicum of privacy to those inside.
The woman in the golden dress, who had introduced herself as the auctioneer, moved to the center of the stage with a practiced grace. She exuded confidence and authority, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice ringing out clearly, "we have a truly unique item for auction tonight. A goblin who dared to strike a noble. But not just any noble—Duke Alaric's son."