“It’s not hard to give your trust to someone. It's hard giving your trust to someone, not knowing what they’re going to do with that same trust afterward.” Odesta
Chapter 27: Clivent's Bane (Part III)
“Tell me Clivent how he slipped up.” A smile appeared on Glothmin’s lightly wrinkled forehead as the almost six-foot man had done what he set out to do. He had somehow de-aged. What were once long hairs of white and grey had become silver with subtle hints of black. My mind would linger on his change in stature and overall appearance if the topic wasn't of so much importance.
[Times tail] is maxed!
The pieces were right in front of me. A puzzle I couldn't see because no one had ever told me to play. They were being put together slowly but surely,
“The man is pictured in history books with four arms standing on countless bodies. Tell me what stands out on the gray-skinned giant of a man?” The words were being played back. Glothmin had laid it all out for me but why me? My hands signed. I had to move something.
The present was grim, though my hands would never show it.
“Besides his gray skin and tall stature there are his tattoos, an arm on each side of his torso drawn identically to the ones above. Gatarn hates his job more than anything normal who wants to work." I stopped in thought, recalling Gatarn's words, his facial expressions at the slightest mention of his title as “admissible”.
I activated my second tier [Heat Resistance] and watched the heat waves in the sweltering shop.
“Yes, keep going,” Glothmin said tapping the table with his right hand on the table.
“He often brings up killing the adventurers in a joking manner; too often as if it's a running joke. "He wants to quit his job, and he'll do it when we all die." When Gatarn says it, Skills don't go off when they should. A lie is a lie. He wasn’t lying."
Why is my life so unfortunate? Why did they choose me? The average Wolfman.
“Ha! He sounds like a monster, what did he say!? Tell me, tell me !?” Glothmin was laughing in my wide-eyed disbelief.
“Hurry up and finish your bounty. I can't wait till all of this is over. Return safely so that when you finally get back, I can snap your neck myself.” He was always open about it. “One day I'll be free when that happens, you’ll all be dead." Another line he’d laugh off. I continued signing words, referencing the giant grey-skinned Barbarian.
"Damn fucking Rats, nobles my ass I need no one’s acceptance especially not that of Dwarven Rodents.” I would walk past now and then and his words were of no surprise, not a hint of worry. Begs to differ how often did Gatarn bring up his true intentions when I wasn't around?
“HAHAHA, he calls you Rats, you Adventurers think he’s just referring to nobles, truly hilarious” It wasn’t funny in the slightest to me. Glothmin knew it wasn’t funny his heartbeat kept the same slow pace he wanted to relieve the tension [Times tail] wouldn't allow me such comfort his words had already gone into my ears.
“Now back to business,” he said.
“No, wait” I signed Adena had said something odd in the library [Times tail] had jogged my memory, she said something odder than usual. Was it even her first time saying it?
Her words replayed in my head and my ears shot up. “You must work a lot of jobs of labor that are dangerous. Like what Adi said about being a bodyguard for that dwarf.” Was that her first time bringing that up? I never worked as a bodyguard nor for a Dwarfman in those four days.
[Time’s Tail] is Maxed!
“Have you been following me around in the past three days?” Walking through the city sometimes I felt like I was being watched on days darker than others.
“YOU Caught me!” what the hell! He’s been stalking me.
“Your particular aura is an excellent way to level up my skills. I admit that wasn't my brightest moment. I was just developing resistance to your particular brand of sadness. I’ll throw in a weapon if you cooperate. Back to business!” He was squinting and smiling. I didn’t even notice him stalking me. A few days ago.
“No worries! Okay, big guy, whatever you got going on over there is no help to me. I respect that Mate of yours, they’re doing a fine job. I'm quite jealous!” What the hell is he talking about? I couldn't hide the disgust on my face.
“Don’t look at me like that, I've never even tasted you. I just occasionally take full advantage of your depressive state to level. I won't say any more than that. The deal Clivent!?”
“What do you need help with? Shouldn’t we hurry?” I signed again, tired of this whole ultimatum.
“If she was going to wake up. She would've by now. Kitty can spare another ten minutes before giving in. The Mana doesn’t seem to be thinning. This is becoming quite troublesome. I'm thoroughly intrigued by you Clivent.” Glothmin had a grin on his face showing his teeth and two fangs sliding his forked tongue across his lips.
“Hmm, what do you have that I want? That's the real question. Cooperation seems simple enough right? “Friend” I feel like I'm losing out somehow. You have so many new secrets.” I couldn’t gauge his level or tier. He was a sealed book, and I was the opposite.
“The terms of the deal are already in your favor. I don’t even know what you are. Your solution may not even work and here you are trying to steal my life along with secrets that don’t belong to me. Are you better than Gatarn as you claimed?”
“Ouch, that hurts. So, you do have a secret... Fine, you can keep your life if you succeed in cooperating with me, and you have to tell me one of your biggest secrets involving your renewal. Let's shake on it.” He wasn’t as quick-witted as he thought.
“No” I signed, gritting my teeth. He was trying to trick me. I wouldn’t dare shake his hand; he never told me how I'd be cooperating.
“You will tell me the full extent of your plans involving my cooperation beforehand. If my life is in danger. or the girls, I may back out of the deal with both of our lives unscathed and intact. I will share one of my biggest secrets regarding my rejuvenation. If my answer isn’t up to your standard, I may still keep my life and the girls with both our lives unscathed and intact. The help given cannot be taken aback.”
“See this is why I like you always clinging to life hmmm. Ok, deal. Shake on it.” Glothmin acted hasty he must've had something to gain. Why was he going easy on me?
“No, first repeat every line I just said properly to the best of your ability.” The red in his right eye shined brighter in what I assume to be discontent, a sign I was doing something right.
“How will I know if you will keep your end of the bargain?” he asked. The smile and laughter were nowhere to be seen.
“I still consider you a friend. So, the truth is yours. You are the only person who has a way to escape the city unharmed that I know of. As the only means of survival in the nearest future." Glothmin face twitched after communicating my unwavering companionship.
“Huh fine you're no fun. I Glothmin Stonehend the Third swear to tell Beast Kin Clivent Bane the full extent of my plans involving his cooperation. If his life is in any danger or the Human girls for that matter. They may back out of our deal made today with both of their lives unscathed and still intact. Clivent Bane will share one of his biggest secrets regarding his newly found rejuvenation. If his answer isn’t up to my standard, he may keep his life and the girls. Both lives shall go unscathed and intact. This deal is sealed and can only commence after I Glothmin Stonehend aid the human girl in survival before complete possession to the best of my extent.”
“NOW SHAKE!” Glothmin spoke normally but his words were magically enhanced. He looked me straight in my eyes holding out a meaty hand waiting for me to return the motion.
My hand extended shaking the hand in what I thought was a good deal.
[YOU HAVE AGREED TO A DEMON CONTRACT SYSTEM ERROR!!!]
“A demon?” I signed, widening my eyes in worry and loss. Did I just lose my life in what I thought was a normal contract?
“Half” he replied revealing his wings and one horn. A pointed tail waving to his left. What had I done?
“Are you happy now?” defeat plagued my mind. I had lost before even joining the game.
“Not in the slightest this is just a beginning” Glothmin sighed.
=====
“Let’s get down to business,” Glothmin spoke.
“What do you want me to do?” I signed.
“The hard part.” A demon rolling his eyes this was going to be one arduous task whatever it may be.
“First things first, the Human. Kitty, can you make sure the girl doesn’t fall off the table” I wondered who the demon referred to when he brought up a “Kitty” The shop was called The Alley Cat. I never questioned why until he started talking to himself. Glothmin had no reason to call me by that name so who was he talking to?
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Meow!” The room vibrated after what sounded like an oversized cat was replying to Glothmin’s demand.
Adena’s body was being moved by the table that no longer seemed to have a form. The surprise caused me to lunge for her body but before I could act Glothmin spoke.
“Calm down, Clivent I'm under contract, remember.” I wanted to growl but I couldn't afford my voice making the mistake of humiliating me when I needed to be intimidating.
Looking at Adena after turning my head toward Glothmin she was now back on the table only this time she was shackled down like she was about to be tortured. She was already colder than Ice and incapacitated. Her hair was even frozen with blue flakes after the nearly twenty-minute chat I had with this demon. I was disgracing her and Adi. How much further would I debase the two by breaking my promise of protecting her?
“You make it look like I’m going to torture the girl. No, that’s going to be your job.” Did I hear that right? What did he say? I stood lost for thought looking at the man who once claimed to be a dwarf.
“I'm a demon and a dwarven noble in blood. I could never lay my hands on a girl like this. That would be against my very nature. I'm a lover, not a fighter.” He couldn’t be serious. The words coming from his mouth were lies they had to be.
“You caught me Clivent I may have jumbled the truth a bit. Kitty, can you retrieve the knife of the nun you met under the sun for me.” Staring at the man and the words of guile leaving his mouth I was unsure of what he wanted me to do.
“That’s my fault entirely Bane I’ve never revealed a part of my Demonic form to anyone without them suffering in some way. I’m even beating around the bush but since we’re what was the word? friends, as you say I'll fill you in. The human girl here is currently in a dire situation. Yes, that's clear to see she’s practically a frozen vegetable. What you don’t see thanks to my dear kitty here is the blizzard forming outside of this fine establishment. In other terms, whatever has possession over her has a soul of unfathomable power. Who Clivent can conjure a blizzard in Fallohar City? A place protected by some of the finest runes, enchantments, and mechanisms created by Dwarves of Old. Tell me, have you ever seen a single snowflake or piece of ice fall upon Falohar ground? Snow that wasn’t conjured by merchant, mage, or vendor? The snow forming outside of these walls is anything but a coincidence. You Bane have brought death to my door.” Glothmin finished talking and I realized how useless [Times tail] had become. This was all my fault.
[Times Tail] is Maxed!
Always two steps behind. The skill didn’t even warn me. Maybe I'm too reliant on the skill, to begin with.
“Don't look so confused. There’s no way I'm touching that girl’s body. I assumed you were warning me about the spirit or monster dwelling within the girl when you threatened my life. Seeing your expression now I know that’s not the case.” Glothmin can fix it. Hope isn’t lost, Adena can still survive. Adi isn’t somewhere freezing in this useless city.
“Kitty remember to keep the knife sheathed you are already putting your body through enough strain as is.” Ten seconds later the floor beneath Glothmin quivered, spitting out the rustiest blade I'd ever seen right in between his legs. It smelled rancid of old worn-down metal.
“It may not seem like we’re in a hurry but your only option of slowing down her possession is stabbing her with that knife there.” He had to be joking.
“You can’t be serious!” I signed. Glothmin had to be kidding I could never. I’m not that type of person. Even if my own life was at stake. No, what would Adi think of me? "The Wolfman who stabbed his sister," she could die. It could kill her if I stabbed her even once.
“It’s not a simple knife. Someone long ago tried to use the same knife to kill me. It didn't work of course. But that’s not because of the knife's inability to get the job done. Don’t be an idiot, it's not some regular old rusty knife.” This doesn’t feel right. I can’t be the one to do it. He’s a demon..maybe-
“No” Glothmin denied.
“Eyes trying to convince themselves Clivent I know you well enough. You don’t care that I’m a Demon. You no longer have a pure soul that’s a truth. Sorry, for your loss. Take a look at the girl's dying state, what options do you have? I can't stab her, I'm a bit scared, to be honest.” He didn’t lie, why is this happening to me? The world doesn’t owe me anything, but I was so close.
“Will the sword kill her?” I signed.
“Shut up, already I’ve signed a contract with you even though you didn’t offer anything of real importance. I’m not asking you to kill the girl. Stabbing her with the dagger can’t worsen the conditions she’s already in. On second thought I forgot that she’s a weak classless human that’s my bad. Prick her with the blade over and over again, nothing fatal and heal the damage you're capable of doing that much.” What the hell is he up to?
“Remember the contract!” Glothmin rolled his eyes in irritation at my words.
Walking over to him I picked up the rusted blade. It was the weight of an average dagger. Only rusted all over could you even unsheathe this thing. Appears rusted shut.
“Would you look at that I knew you could do it.” He clapped.
“Now get to it.” What’s his game?
“Trying to unsheathe the blade it wouldn’t budge at first. One hand on the hilt, another on the sheath I pulled like my life depended on it.
“Wow, I'm really good who would’ve thought you’d be able to do it? I don’t recall the stories describing him as a beast man lover.” Here he goes talking while I’m left in the dark.
“Stop!” he shouted.
“What is it now?”
“The blade belonged to someone of great power. It could remedy your possession problem probably, not for the better but it definitely can’t get any worse than her current situation." Glothmin spit the words out like he had slipped up if that was possible. There’s no way.
[Times tail] is maxed!
“Did you forget our contract?” He shrugged like it was no big deal. Wait, did he forget our contract? Looking to my left at his expressionless face. I readied myself to stab Adena.
Ok, I was going to stab Adena. Any second now.
[You have found your Life’s line Nothing acknowledges your lines Inexistence and {Oath}]
The notification popped up again as I approached Adena’s leg with the knife. What was the punishment for breaking an oath? It’s not like I have a choice.
For some reason the notification held some sort of power over me I could feel it, like something was grabbing every inch of my body and warning me of the coming consequences.
“Will you live for me?” That’s what Adi asked. I'm not throwing away my life. I seek to survive with Adena alive and healthy. That’s not asking for a lot, is it?
“Please work, Adi, please forgive me.” I wanted to close my eyes, but I would never be so careless with Adena.
Making a scratch on Adena’s leg with the broken jagged edge of the rusty sword. My heartbeat increased. I was scared and fear resistance wouldn't make up for my unwillingness to do this act. Holding the blade back as I healed the wound with [Hand of the hearth] nothing happened.
She could probably barely feel the knife. I know that I wouldn't feel the cut I had made so small, almost like a paper cut.
I looked over again at Glothmin.
“Nothing happened.” I signed with the blade in hand.
“Yes, probably because you barely cut her, again," he said.
Choosing the same spot, I stabbed Adena just a little more. My skin and fur were on edge. The blade was a regular rusty blade.
[Identifying] the weapon should’ve been my priority. No, I had tried but nothing came of it.
The [Identification] worked fine the blade had just nullified it.
A little drop of blood this time dripped from the cut made on her leg. As it touched the blade the orangish brown colored rust soaked up Adena’s blood. My eyes were trained they wouldn’t betray me. This blade was no good. Why did I ever think this would help?
[You have found your Life’s line Nothing Acknowledges your lines inexistence {Oath}]
[Death’s Call] No, this is a bad omen. My reason was entirely too late.
A bone-rattling tremor went through my arm that felt like it would break off my forearm, the sword was vibrating vigorously. The pain was blocked out immediately by my second tier [Pain resistance].
Then it crossed my mind 'I’m so stupid' This weapon is far stronger than what my [Strength] can manage. Was this the case? How else did my arm completely give out? More than that the weapon wasn’t just heavy and hurting me. The little dagger had broken my arm. I was sure my arm had detached from its socket. I could feel my wrist coming next. A pressure was building in my wrist. How could my vitality, and strength lose out to a rusty old knife!? I turned my head to glare at Glothmin. Who took a step back behind the counter?
“Sorry, hang in there don't let it go.” Useless words of encouragement from another dead man.
How the hell was I supposed to hold on to a knife breaking my bones like toothpicks?
“MORE GIVE IT TO ME!! MORE!!!”
My expression changed from worry to immense fear. This blade was evil. It was releasing killing intent recklessly throughout the room of its own making!
The once-black wooden floor had scrapes and gashes that now smelled of blood. “Hehl me!” I shouted in desperation.
“Can’t the contract remember, we’re both taking a gamble here.” He was insane! How could he put his life on the line like this?
[You have found your Life’s line Nothing acknowledges your lines Inexistence and {Oath}]
“No, no, no, no this can't happen!” Holding the dagger with both of my hands healing my two broken arms both losing to the deadly force the rusty dagger was exerting. What level was this dagger for it to be this strong!?! It even has a will of its own!?!
*Ping!* [Hands of the Hearth] Is Maxed!
My arms had given out. All those stat points, the time I spent increasing my strength. I still wasn’t able to handle a little rusty knife!
“When was the last time I even checked my status!?” I had bought into the sleeping city and now look at me.
I won't give up, I will never give up, my arms were being ripped to shreds over and over again shoulder, elbow, and wrist. I was out of my depth.
This weapon couldn’t be identified, its Tier had to be higher than mine. Whatever truth lies in my assumption. My mana had given out, I had nothing left to give. Any more and I’d faint. On cue, my mana hit zero the rusty knife lunged for Adena’s midsection ignoring the leg I had already pricked.
I was failing to protect her.“I’m sorry Adonin!” the blade came from my hand. If it was from anyone else’s point of view, I had stabbed her.
The blade flew to pierce the girl's soft brown olive skin changing direction from leg to stomach with speed and precision. Aiming true, the blade made contact with her stomach cutting through her white linen shirt. My only option now was healing her before the talking knife did its worst. I'd have nothing to combat the rust itself once it entered her bloodstream. What have I done!?