Jareth continued, his voice carrying a note of interest. "These two individuals you crossed paths with, Alvin and Alice, were agents of the Secret Light, were they not? It appears their true intentions were far from noble."

Skalain nodded, acknowledging Jareth's observation. "Indeed, they were light mages, attempting to deceive and manipulate me for their own purposes. But I saw through their ruse and put an end to their schemes."

A flicker of intrigue danced in Jareth's eyes as he looked at Skalain. "Impressive. Possessing such discernment and power is a rare combination. You have piqued our interest, Skalain. The Tower of the Black Sun is always in search of talented individuals who can harness the dark arts to further their own ambitions."

Skalain studied Jareth, his mind processing the implications of the dark mage's words. While wary of aligning himself with any faction, he recognized the potential benefits of forging alliances in this treacherous world of magic.

"You speak of ambition," Skalain replied, his voice steady. "What do you seek from me, Mister Jareth?"

Jareth's lips curled into a knowing smile, his gaze fixed on Skalain.

"We seek individuals who can challenge the status quo, those who possess the hunger for power and knowledge. Should you choose to align yourself with us, Skalain, the Tower of the Black Sun can provide you with resources, guidance, and opportunities beyond your wildest dreams."

Skalain took a deep breath and then answered.

"I am new to this place. I have no plans to join any organization for the time being. I hope you can understand."

Jareth looked at Skalain for a few seconds and then nodded.

"Okay then, do you mind if we take the pieces of these two light mage you handled?"

Skalain nodded.

"Yeah, I do not mind."

Skalain answered as he thought.

"They are trying to suppress me using their numbers and power. I rejected them once, and if I reject them once again, considering they are dark mages and we are in a forest, they would not hesitate to kill me."

"It is a simple technique for conmen demanding something big, and after it is rejected, they demand another thing, this time much smaller than the first thing."

Skalain smiled as he looked at the dark mages picking up the pieces left by the two mages.

"Conmans used the guilty feeling in people, and these dark mages used intimidation and fear of death."

Skalain watched as Jareth and his group receded into the distance, their dark figures blending seamlessly with the shadows of the surrounding forest. The encounter had left him with a sense of both intrigue and caution, the offer from the Tower of the Black Sun echoing in his mind.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

As the silence settled once again, Skalain took a deep breath, refocusing his thoughts. He knew that delving deeper into the world of dark magic carried its own risks and consequences.

Aligning himself with the Tower of the Black Sun could grant him power and opportunities, but it could also tie him to a web of intrigue and dangerous alliances.

"I made the right decision for the time being."

Skalain thought as he kept walking.

Skalain turned his gaze back toward Red Copper Town.

He knew that he needed time to reflect and weigh the potential benefits against the potential dangers.

Returning to the familiar streets and buildings of the town felt like a sanctuary, a place where he could regain his bearings and make informed decisions.

Skalain stepped into the familiar Huntsman Hut, the aroma of fresh game mingling with the woody scent of the interior. Heida, the woman he had met before, greeted him with a warm smile. Her eyes sparkled with recognition as she recognized Skalain.

"Ah, it's good to see you again," Heida said, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity.

Skalain nodded; he had already learned the name of the woman after his first negotiation with her.

After smiling, her gaze shifted to the remains of the scorpion deer he had brought with him.

Heida's keen eyes scanned the creature's unique features, her expertise evident in the way she assessed its value.

"So, what do you think, Heida?" Skalain asked, his voice filled with confidence. "What can you offer for this remarkable magical creature?"

Heida tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Well, I must admit, it's a rare find and a magical creature that usually ordinary hunters would not be able to hunt."

She remarked, her fingers tracing the creature's scorpio-like tail. "The Scorpion Deer is highly sought after for its exotic qualities. I'm sure there are many mages eager to buy these remains."

Skalain leaned in closer, a glimmer of negotiation in his eyes. "How about three gold coins for the remains? Considering its rarity and the demand, I believe it's a fair price."

Heida paused for a moment, her gaze meeting Skalain's.

"Three gold coins, you say?" she mused as she thought.

"He is starting to learn about the prices around the Red Copper Town; three gold coins remain the usual starting price point for a magical creature."

Seconds later, Heida answered.

"Yeah, three gold coins for the remains of a scorpion deer is a fair deal for me and you. I would be able to use these parts to make some things and then gain about four to five gold coins after I finish everything."

A small smile crept across Skalain's face as he nodded in agreement.

Heida, too, seemed pleased with the arrangement, her eyes shining with a mix of professionalism and hospitality as she took the parts of the creature she added.

"One would need a combat mage or fifteen experienced hunters to hunt this scorpion deer; I knew that you were a mage because of your robes, but I did not think you were a combat mage."

Skalain smiled but said nothing.

He just counted the gold coins in his hand.

But Heida's mention of the fifteen hunters needed to hunt scorpion deer piqued Skalain's curiosity. He raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Fifteen hunters, you say? "These magical creatures seem not to be that strong."

Heida shrugged, a hint of mystery in her voice. "I'm not entirely sure if I'm being honest."

"Maybe it seems weak to you, but for ordinary people, even reacting to the speed of it will be a problem, and each attack from the creature itself is enough to kill a man with a strong body and experience in hunting."

Skalain pondered Heida's words.

"It seemed that the difference between the powers of ordinary humans and mages was off the charts."

Thanking Heida for her assistance, Skalain bid her farewell and left the Huntsman Hut, the weight of the gold coins in his pocket a tangible reminder of his success.

"I took one part from the scorpion deer for myself. Now that I have three gold coins, I can look for the shard of a void stone."

"After I buy the shard, I can start collecting bones to make my own army, feel more safe, and decide what I want to do in the future."