O'Brien's sleepy eyes grew sharper and narrowed as the two Blessed Ones approached. He discreetly loosened the cards in his sleeves with a stretch before sitting up straight.

‘I'd expected to see them soon.’

O'Brien knew not to take any God's Favored lightly as they were the poster children of the New World.

Of course, he always had cards ready in one sleeve for escape and the other sleeve was to attack swiftly.

‘Neither of them is currently a threat. If it comes to it, I just need the three cards in my right sleeve to wipe out everyone present.’

Of course, this was dependent on him being alert and in top physical condition.

The closed-off basement had only eight sources of light despite its great width. The nearest lightbulb cast a shadow on O'Brien's smooth complexion.

"As I said before, Mr. Otto, please understand that we first have to do the initial exchange.” Lea chose her words careful not to upset the old man. “When it's over, then we can talk more about cards —"

The stubby man stomped his foot against the ground in fury. "I've been alive the same amount of time as your father or longer! You don’t know the basics of negotiation. Everything can be discussed slowly, yet you adamantly refuse to budge from your conditions. Do you take us for incompetent children?!"

Jules had decided to avoid the interviews all together, going over to the children. She tried to offer them some broken candies she had found in a candy store they had passed. Perhaps they hadn't been discovered yet due to their partially concealed location.

As she played with the pitiful children, the adults began to bombard her with questions and harass her like a flock of flies.

"If you don't want to tell us, then say so. You don't have to lie; you clearly know. Why can't you tell us?"

"We're all in the same boat, right? Surely, you can help out some struggling families."

“You don’t understand how important this is because you’re still so young.”

"You can't keep shut and watch us die, can you?”

“How cruel!"

"Please. At least show us how to use one, just one card."

"Don't be so selfish."

"Like I said, I don't know!” she hissed in exasperation. “Are you deaf?!"

Jules was about to lash out more, but seeing the small children look up at her, she felt the words stuck in her throat even though she was annoyed to her boiling point.

The large and pitiful eyes were quite lethal. Jules was almost tempted to disclose something, but they only knew how to get the qualifications to use cards. O'Brien had yet to teach them how to use ordinary cards.

Even that bit of information would cause him to kill them all.

Although Jules recklessly butted heads with O'Brien on many occasions, she wasn't a fool. Her Aunt Rose could plead for her, protect her, and even sneak some of her own cooked dinners to flavor up their basic supermarket goods, but she wouldn't be able to protect her if Jules truly pissed him off.

Even if he still took her around and did not harm her, he would definitely would punish her ruthlessly if pushed far enough. He had made it clear; he didn't know how to treat anyone delicately in the slightest.

‘For your sake and mine, I'm sorry, but I can't say anything,’ she thought with an internal sigh, sharing eye contact with a snotty little girl, crumbs of crushed green candy decorating her mouth.

If she was strong, then she could wipe out all the bugs and bring the group with her to search for food, but she didn't have that ability.

Only O'Brien did.

Strength… Strength.

She had never been more desperate and thirsty for power than she had been for these past few weeks. If she got any more desperate, she would need it just as much as she needed to breathe air.

"Jules, come here," whispered Roya as came over, grabbing her arm. "You've recovered enough of your essence to use your natal card again, right?"

Jules nodded in response, blowing a lock of hair out of her eyes. "What's the matter?" she asked, seeing Roya more serious than usual.

"Just look at him." Roya nodded towards O'Brien who was smiling while holding his cheek in his palm atop his throne of food. " He's paying attention to the newcomers. Those two in particular. I've never seen him act that way for humans."

Jules looked over and sure enough, he was paying attention to the newcomers with a predatory gaze. He only acted like that when monsters were near.

"Are you saying they're monsters in disguise?" She asked worriedly, speaking in a hushed tone.

"No, they’re likely the same as Rose," Roya whispered, following their movements with her gaze and tightening her grip on her gun. “Chosen Ones.”

*

"O'Brien, I presume?” The thin man bowed slightly. “A pleasure to meet your acquaintance. You may call me Jean."

“I am Guido,” said the second man in a thick and accentuated baritone.

A sweaty Gianni gulped as he created some distance between the two monsters, approaching the bigger monster who had what their group needed to survive.

"Well, look at this," O'Brien playfully smirked. "So, you guys were chosen, huh? I guess you don't need to be given the qualifications to use the cards, but I imagine you two are super anxious since you can't use any other cards than your natal card."

Jean looked at Guido, raising his creased brows as they received the name for what they thought was just their superpowers.

"Yes,” Jean started to say, “we'd love to exchange some-"

"Then let the exchange begin!” O'Brien interrupted with an even louder clap, startling the tall man. “Gather around if you have a card."

Jean's eyes narrowed at being brushed off in such a bare-faced manner, in front of his subordinates, no less.

‘This O'Brien fellow... Should I teach him some basic respect in black and blue? He doesn’t even seem to realize how powerful I am.’

He exchanged glances with Guido once more, who shook his head, sensing his thoughts. They had never been disrespected so much after gaining superpowers, yet they had to stay quiet since he had something they wanted. After they got what they wanted… Well, that would be a different story.

Seeing the expectant faces gather around him with bags containing dimly shining cards, O'Brien began by clearing his throat.

"Okay, the ones with a grey glow can be exchanged for ten cans of food of your choosing, three hygiene products, and five one-liter bottles of water.”

While people began examining their cards, he continued. “The ones glowing in a blue light can be exchanged for sixteen cans of food, three types of medicine or five hygiene products, and ten one-liter bottles of water.”

Some faces with only a grey card in their possession dropped, realizing medication was out of their reach. Smarter ones quickly rushed to beg and request specific medicine from the blue cardholders.

“The ones with a metallic black can be exchanged for some fresh meat, snacks, twenty-five cans of food, medicine, and twelve one-liter bottles of water,” O'Brien smiled. “Depending on the specific card and the portion of what you want to take, these are all negotiable. I'm nothing, if not flexible," He added with a grin.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

He enjoyed playing this role, scouring all the wool off these ignorant sheep. They would only come to know much later on that they had been completely ripped off. They had successfully sold themselves and helped him count the money as those prices were highway robbery.

"All other colors can be used to gain the qualification to use cards, which is the same thing as gaining superpowers like those two guys over there,” O'Brien continued in a light-hearted tone, pointing to Jean and Guido who immediately frowned, feeling threatened at the possibility that common people had a chance at becoming like them.”The greenish-copper glowing ones can get you two persons with superpowers, and rusty-steel colored cards can get you five persons with superpowers."

O’Brien leaned back and watched them whisper among themselves. He was like a retiree on vacation; he had already gotten everything he truly needed, successfully claiming his natal card and sweeping the area in a collecting spree. Everything else was just a bonus to him. He didn't even have much expectations of this lot and was prepared for heavy negotiations.

Yet, a fly's meat was still meat. After this initial period passed, they would not be so easy to fool.

Cards would not be so easy to obtain.

"How do we know you are telling the truth and can give us superpowers?" one voice asked, to which the others looked at O’Brien expectantly, eagerly awaiting a sufficient answer.

Feeling like a stage performer in front of an audience of hundreds, O'Brien almost chuckled. He beckoned to the girls to come over. Jules huffed and puffed like a big bad wolf, but still obeyed. They each displayed their abilities to the wonders of the leaders of their respective groups.

"Wow, so they have superpowers, too!"

"Mommy, can I have boots like those?"

"She can control vines, the other can summon a bow?"

"This…this is all because of those cards right?"

"She can heal!"

The leaders at the front line beamed, seeing them in action. Soon, they could have these powers, too!

"Of these women, only one is like those two over there,” O’Brien voiced over his exhibits. “Innately gifted and chosen. For the rest of us, we went the standard route. You all have groups spanning hundreds behind you, yes?”

Several leaders nodded in response, their eyes already glinting at the chance to touch such power.

“You would have all explored the city by now as well,” O’Brien continued. “Despite the large population, there are only one or two persons in an average of a thousand heads that possess superpowers naturally. The Chosen Ones are that rare. It's not a coincidence that we are five and came together from the same place.”

He jumped down from his throne and folded his arms, unblocking their vision towards the food. He also summoned another pile and leisurely leaned against it. ”So, are you convinced yet?"

The leaders began to discuss among themselves, while O'Brien caressed the huge wolf and summoned things from thin air.

One stepped forward with a bag.

"What can I get for this one?" He handed over a Grey Ash-grade depicting an orange-striped bug.

O'Brien nodded in response. "The basics, like I listed. Choose what you want and I'll tell you what you have to put back down."

But the man didn't stop there, taking out more cards. He was representing his group after all.

O'Brien inspected the eight cards, with only two Blue Stone grades and one Green Copper out of all the Grey Ash.

"All food, or do you want superpowers?" He asked the man.

"Superpowers,” the man quickly replied. “Superpowers, of course!" Only fools would refuse superpowers!

"Ok, choose what you want and take this,” O’Brien instructed, handing him a card. “Bring this back to me in three days. I'll take two people with me to give them superpowers at this location at noon on that day. Don't expect me to remember your face and give you a pass if you don't bring it. I remember the card, not the person."

Several ears perked up, hearing that significant detail. O'Brien looked over to Rose and the others, well aware of the bloodbath his casual words could trigger.

Oblivious to his subordinates' internal turmoil, the man went to choose food and supplies, but he was a bit greedy and O’Brien ordered him to put back half of what he wanted to carry away. With a nod from O'Brien, some subordinates loaded the food and supplies onto a cart.

"Any funny business and I'll blow one of your heads off," he said without looking back, dealing with the next group. The transactions ran smoothly.

Ten cards; four Grey Ash, two Blue Stone, one Black Iron, and three Green Cooper.

Five cards; all Grey Ash.

Twelve cards; ten Grey Ash and two Black Iron.

Thirteen cards; four Grey Ash, two Blue Stone, four Black Iron, two Green Copper, and one White Silver.

"Oh?" O'Brien exclaimed, seeing the group with the White Silver card. Unsurprisingly, it was one of the two God's Favoured, the thin and tall Jean.

"You didn't mention this one,” Jean said with a cocky smile, displaying it proudly. “What can we get for it?"

O'Brien simply said, "Ten new superpowers, excluding the two Green Copper grades, or choose your supplies and I'll tell you when to stop. This can get you quite a lot from my beautiful pile."

"Just ten? I think this one is pretty good. How about fifteen?"

"Ten." O'Brien stood his ground like a statue, his lazy eyes already bored and wandering elsewhere.

Jean gritted his teeth, seeing the nonchalant expression that seemed to say, 'Take it or leave it'.

"What if I add in the other cards and don't take any food?" Jean suggested. To them who could fight the bugs, food was important, but as O'Brien informed the women, locations other than supermarkets and stores held food on hand. To them, superpowers were much more valuable.

"Hm," O'Brien pondered. The Green Copper Cards already present in their offering gave them four superpowers. Without those, only the Grey Ash, Blue Stone and Black Iron cards remained. Finally, he declared, "Thirteen."

"What! That's complete bullsh—"

"Take it or leave it," O'Brien insisted, almost in annoyance. “My trade, my terms. I don’t need your cards. If you aren’t ready, move over for the next group.”

Jean would have stepped back and renegotiated at a different time to see if he could change the young man’s mind, but the thought of having others go before him hurt his pride. He furiously tapped his feet for a few seconds before accepting the offer.

The next in line was Guido. Without a word, he took out sixteen cards, the most so far. His collection had three Grey Ash, two Blue Stone, two Black Iron, four Green Copper, three Red Steel, and two White Silver. It was quite the luxurious lineup, even O’Brien was impressed.

"Superpowers and food?" O'Brien asked, suppressing his joy fiercely as he greedily drank in the sight of the card. This bunch had wildly exceeded his expectations.

"Food.” The fat man's eyes shone. “Just food."

Oh. Look at this one.

O'Brien knew the man was a leader of at least two hundred, mostly men, although he came alone. They would surely love to acquire superpowers.

Even if he wanted to control his group with a tight grasp, he was supposed to at least ask for one or two superpowers with that logic, to have some competent lieutenants. Clearly, he wanted to take all the food, or perhaps test how much O'Brien truly had. Maybe he would withdraw his order at the last minute and change it.

"Just to warn you,” O’Brien said, folding his arms and looking down at him. “You and I are going to have a problem if I hear you withdrawing your request.”

Light Grey Ash particles seemed to cling to O'Brien, the air in the room growing heavier as his killing intent caused ripples in the confined space. The visitors felt they were trapped in a box with a land shark as he let loose vibrations of his bloodlust without inhibitions.

"Of, course not. I won't go back on my word," Guido quickly placated him, cold sweat dripping from his double chin. Any ulterior motives he had quickly vanished into smoke.

A smile accompanied by a light tone dropped over O’Brien’s face like a blind, fast enough to give anyone a whiplash with how quickly his emotions changed. Oxygen seemed to flow in the room once more. "Oh, that's good then. This can get you quite a lot, including fresh meat and some precious medicines."

He didn't gather that much fresh meat from supermarkets and other places, so he would just about be wiped clean by Guido if he decided to stock up on meat. Fortunately, he didn't have to use any out of his personal stockpile, though he would be willing to dip in due to the rarity of White Silver cards. Hell, he didn't expect so many of them to even have Green Copper-grade cards, much less Red Steel and White Silver.

Guido rubbed together his large palms in anticipation as he took fresh meat, wine, rum, beer, cigarettes, sheets, bedding, numerous cans of food, fruit, and vegetables, some critical injury medicines, gasoline, cooking gas, and so on.

By the time he was finished, O'Brien only had two-tenths of the total pile he had erected remaining, with only less desirable types left.

Guido beamed brightly as he hoarded so many items, but he didn't have enough hands to carry them back.

"You all,” he called into the crowd, patting his folds of a stomach. “I need ten helpers to help me bring this back. First come, first served; I'll throw in some cans of food."

He easily had over a thousand cans, many to go around. This was even with the more expensive fresh meat and bottles of wine and rum.

"I have strong arms!”

"How many do I lift for you?"

“I worked in construction!"

Dozens of people ran forward, struggling to reach an item to carry for him.

While Guido picked his pack mules, the remaining two leaders presented their cards and went to claim their goods. Unfortunately, there were no surprises. They didn't even have the qualifications to get superpowers.

O'Brien neatly collected all the cards and looked at the first luxurious pile now a skeleton of its former self. The smaller pile was filled with crackers and biscuits, candies, and other foods easily found on gas station shelves.

He pushed the piles together and waved to Rose and her companions as if it were to say, 'It's your turn now. Have at it.'

O'Brien even postponed looking through his bountiful harvest to watch them show off their charity to the groups of survivors.

This would be quite the show.

Even the two Blessed Ones had not left just yet, their eyes drawn to one beauty in particular. They couldn't allow themselves to leave without talking to her.