Bob asked me.

I approached the village square cautiously, keeping a good distance from the newly arrived. I had a strong suspicion that this was the Tax Collector that Darya warned me about. Seeing how in this world people had professions for just about any civil or professional function, did it mean that [Tax Collector] was one as well? What manner of abilities did that provide?

A tall, well dressed man in black attire exited the carriage. He was as thin as a bean, wearing a top hat, a long black coat, and round spectacles. A smile adorned his face, though seeming polite at first glance, it also had a sinister shade to it, like that of a lunatic.

Even with many other villagers, and the village chief in sight. The thin man turned his head and our eyes met. His smile broadened in a creepy way, making me shudder in discomfort. I turned my head away to focus on my other problem.

I asked Bob.

I asked.

I sighed.

I thought I had gotten close to Darya and we could have been something more, but now with this blasted parasite everything went to hell. She probably saw me as a freak. I felt accursed, as if some higher power was trying to make me even more monstrous, to make me hideous.

Bob asked me.

Bob pleaded.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

I smiled and turned in the direction of the smithy.

I didn’t know why I was being so cruel to Bob. Well, to be fair, I actually knew exactly why. He was a parasitic hitchhiker in the middle of my forehead which everyone assumed was an STD. And, most importantly, he had completely ruined any chances I had with Darya.

Except, he didn’t do any of that on purpose -- not completely anyway. He was stuck in the Void for many years as a menial worker. A slave to the system. It was driving him crazy and he wanted to be set free. At least that’s what he told me. He took me for a vehicle, or a host to get out of the Void and see the outside. And now he was free, but I hoped that his uses outweighed his annoyance.

I took off the helmet, but kept the headband on while Karl bore a tiny hole through the helmet. It didn’t cost me a thing, except for getting odd looks for asking for such an odd modification.

“Is this big enough?” Karl asked.

“Oh yeah, more than plenty.”

Bob pleaded.

He sighed.

Bob hesitated, but then spilled the beans. As he laid out the secret in full detail, a smile formed on my face. This was just the sort of insider information I wanted to hear, and couldn’t wait to get inside the [Whispering Bog.]

I told him.

I turned to Karl. “On second thought, perhaps you could make it larger, eh?”

I asked Bob.

As soon as I exited the smithy I was greeted by the tax collector. I could tell I was going to dislike the man before he even uttered a single word. He smiled and politely introduced himself as Drefar. He kept his vulture eyes on me, only sparing quick glances down at my belt where I kept my bulging purse filled with gold.

His two goons moved to block me in from the sides, while he got up in my face as if to mug me. I looked over his entourage, and [Keen Eye] had them pegged as ‘Green.’ While weaker than me, they had the advantage of numbers. Also, they didn’t appear to be intimidated by the size of my horns, which gave me pause.

The tax collector wore official clothes, but his two goons were dressed for battle. Chainmail armor, padded vest, steel gauntlets, and the like. They had their hands on the pomels of their swords, as if trying to intimidate me. Their gear looked like it had seen scuffles, dirtied and banged as it was.

“It is my understanding that you have acquired quite the sum?” he said in a pleasant tone.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“Half.”

“Ha. For what? I don’t recall seeing you fight off the bugs, nor stop the charging Brutalorg as it tore through the place.”

“That’s not my function. I am here to collect taxes under the authority of the crown.”

“And what does the crown plan to do about repairing all this damage?” I asked, gesturing at the many crumbled and damaged buildings.

“That is-”

“Nothing, am I right? And that’s what you’re going to get. Nothing. Nothing until I see them doing something about it.”

“Once I return to Ryton, I’ll be sure to let the Steward know as to the state of affairs here. I’m certain he’d send a team of engineers and supplies to help with the repairs.”

Bob told me.

While I was ‘born’ here a few days ago, it didn’t mean I was clueless. I could tell he wasn’t being honest as well.

I asked Bob.

“Let me know when that happens, okay?” I said. “Until then, I’m not paying for empty promises and lies.”

Drefar’s face turned grim. “Taxes aren’t up for discussion, or negotiation.”

“Is that so? You have no authority over a traveling Drakon.” It was a fact I’d learned from Gregor.

Drefar pulled his face back as if surprised. “Is that what you believe you are? I don’t know what you are, but you ain’t Drakon. Neither are you human.” He looked at me from head to toe, then spoke in a crude tone of voice, shedding his cordial persona. “What manner of freak are ya, eh? Did yer mum fuck a lizard?”

His two goons laughed, and he shoved me back, but it was so light that it barely nudged me. I wasn’t going to take that crap from them. I slapped his arm aside.

And that’s when it all went to hell.