Mirage had quite a few questions for this trader. She couldn't help it! What if those he brought, or even himself, were dangerous to Mother? What if the one that commanded the cold returned? What if she wasn't fast enough?

"So, when will this whole thing start up? We need to know how many birds to have."

Brother was still asking his own questions, with the trader fast to respond.

"I will be traveling to the capital, the city of Auralespire, to get the best price for your [ARTIFACTS]. Nobles are quite horrible at haggling. The trip should take a week or two, depending on any monsters I run into and how fast I can find a buyer."

"Mr. Jacobs will also likely be indisposed, spending the two mithril I gave him. Once I return and he has put his new life in order, we begin. We start small, only a few people at first, as you did piss off the Duke's son."

"Once our operation has gotten too popular to quell, we step out of the shadows. I'll spread word and start rumors, and soon the whole of Adtalani will want a place within your halls. Speaking of which, do you have a name for the place?"

Brother bobbed up and down in a nod, preparing himself to answer.

"The Adventurer's Forge."

This was the power of Mother. The very words were intertwined with mana and power, forcing themselves into Mirage's very thoughts. Dreams of adventure and glory spread, very out of place within her paranoid mind. Mother's power was terrifying sometimes, and she didn't even seem to realize she was using it! Whatever Mother was, it was not something to be trifled with.

The trader seemed to agree. He commanded the very shadows and held a fragment of a goddess's power, but still a shiver found its way across his skin. His face gained a more cautious look, and a hint of worry crept into his voice.

"Fitting."

After his last remark, the trader seemed quite interested in halting the discussion. Mirage never even got to ask her questions! He walked over to the hunter, who was still lying on the ground.

"Once Mr. Jacobs awakens, we will part ways. Until then, do you mind if I inspect the room? If those plants are what I think they are, [ARTIFACTS] aren't the only treasure you have on hand."

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Brother answered, before floating back to the core room, probably to check on Mother.

"Feel free. There's also another [ARTIFACT] in the chest. If, that is, you can earn it. Good luck."

Mirage smiled. Brother gave the greatest gifts. As one, all the lesser versions of herself opened their eyes. Mirage had no love for true battle, but this, a simple high-stakes practice? She would prove herself. She would be good enough.

For Mother, she had to be.

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Tobias startled as the [FIRE-BIRD] leapt from its nest. That thing was so Sol-damned fast. From his vantage point peering down into the room, it was barely a blur shooting for the shadowy trader.

He had followed Mr. Jacobs and the trader here, interested in all the rumors and gossip that they had spread in their wake. As he had soon found, that turned out to be a very good idea. The men had made a deal with a [DUNGEON]. A fucking [DUNGEON]! And one that was smart enough to understand gods and money!

It was taking every ounce of willpower he had to not bolt from his spot on the forest floor. He had been fortunate in finding an opening to the [DUNGEON], but was now beginning to regret that discovery more and more.

The power that had forced its way into his mind as the name of the [DUNGEON] was spoken had shaken him to his very soul. How powerful did something need to be for its very name to have that much effect? Even the gods didn't have that kind of magic!

And it had a plan. It wanted to be delved. It wanted adventures to enter its halls and do battle. It had so much power that its very name was dangerous, but still it hungered for more. Tobias could see two possibilities.

First, that the [DUNGEON] was lying. The whole thing was a plot to kill more adventurers, as all of its kind longed to. The deal was simply the fastest way to do that. It's power was enough that no one would stand a chance once within its halls.

Second, that it was genuine. That its greater intellect had let it shed its blood-lust. The [DUNGEON] would let adventurers delve without fear of death, meaning all would stand a chance. Leveling would be astronomically easier, and the Adventurer's Forge would become the most important place in the empire.

And Tobias was the third to know. If this was true, if such an easy path to a better life opened and only he was aware, Tobias was set. He could gather up his family, his network, his people. The weak, the downtrodden, the abandoned. And with him at the lead, they would rise up or die trying.

They would, as the name of the place implied, be forged into proper adventurers. If the trader spoke truth, then there would be at least a week where none but Tobias would know of the chance this place provided. The noble and soldiers who had been here before were too scared to return, and both the trader and Mr. Jacobs would be occupied.

This was his chance. And by all the gods in the sky, he would be taking it.