An electronic chime greeted James and Nadia as they entered the jewelry store. There weren’t as many people inside as James had expected. Just the man standing behind the counter at the end and two people mulling over some rings underneath a case.

“Hi, how’s it going?” James asked as he walked up to the storekeeper.

The man stared at him with glassy eyes.

“We’re not buying anything,” the storekeep said.

James looked confused. “All I asked was how it was going?”

He looked to Nadia, who shrugged. “I am not accustomed to shopping on lower floors.”

James turned back to the storekeep, who was now looking at James and Nadia with more interest.

“Why did you think I was selling something?” James asked the man.

“A thousand apologies,” the storekeep said, bowing low. “I was not aware that illustrious guests were visiting today. Forgive my lack of tact, it is so rare to see those from higher floors gracing my humble abode. As for why I suspected you to be selling something? Well, all too often a salesman tries the friendly approach, thinking a winning smile replaces good sense.”

“Right…” James said. “Well, I’m just looking for a cheap necklace. Something for a friend.”

A flash of greed crossed the shopkeeper’s face. “Of course, good sir. Might I suggest one of our jade pendants? An illustrious metal, jade.”

The shopkeep practically twirled as he reached for a hanging necklace. “You see these markings here?” He asked, holding the necklace up. James saw a heart shine through the opaque gemstone. “Carved through our patented bubblegram methods, that was. An ingenious work by our craftsmen wouldn’t you say?”

“It certainly catches the eye,” James said, humoring the shopkeep. He could tell the man thought James was someone important and was content to let the show continue.

“Certainly it does, good sir. Certainly it does. Though as you must certainly know, this is but a trifle compared to our more intricate works.”

The shopkeep made to procure another pendant and James decided it was time get things back on track.

“That’s great and all, really,” James said. “But I’m looking for something simple. Something a working person might wear.”

Suddenly the shopkeep gained a knowing look. “Ahhh, good sir. Yes, jewelry for everyday use, is it?”

“That’s right,” James said.

“Then good sir I have just the thing!” the shopkeep walked behind the counter and produced a smooth neckband with a single amber stone inside it.

“Amber, an excellent gemstone that so many dismiss due to its color. Perfect for when you want to send your favor to someone without the world knowing.”

James inspected the item. It certainly looked unassuming. The amber stone in the center of the necklace shone a dull orange-brown and sat snugly on the simple stainless steel band that made up the necklace.

“What do you think?” James asked Nadia. Mostly for some time to think than any need for her opinion. He imagined Tsukiko wearing the necklace, her smiling in front of a mirror before taking it off for work.

“I believe whatever you think would be best,” Nadia said.

“How much is it?” James asked.

“No more than a credit, my good sir,” the shopkeep said quickly.

James didn’t miss the look of greed that crossed his face again.

“Does that sound right?” he asked Nadia.

His master shrugged. “I am not familiar with the prices on this floor so I couldn’t say.”

James nodded. He looked back at the man. “A single credit?”

“Surely a paltry sum for one such as you,” the man said.

“True,” James said. “Why the heck not.”

James pulled out his handheld and walked over to the shopkeeper’s register. He swiped the machine over the register and smiled as it dinged.

“A pleasure doing business with you, good sir,” the shopkeep said.

“So, how much does the necklace usually sell for?” James asked.

“A single credit, good sir,” the shopkeep said swiftly.

James leaned forward. “You know, you need to hide your greed a bit better.”

“I’m not sure what you mean?” the shopkeep said.

“Now, don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything,” James said calmly. “I just wanted to know what the necklace normally goes for. The person who’s getting this would throw it back in my face if I told her it cost an entire credit for this.”

James spun the necklace around his finger. The shopkeep stuck to his story. “Good sir, I am affronted that you think I am a liar. The amber costs a credit, on my honor!”

James laughed. “Alright, alright, it costs a credit then. Don’t mind me. I’ll just tell her it was two-hundredths of one.”

The store dinged as James left. “Oh, and you do need to work on hiding that greed of yours. Someone less friendly than I wouldn’t like that you overcharged them.”

James chuckled again as he and Nadia walked out into the street. “Look at me, acting like some generous cultivator in the stories. What do you think he’ll do with a whole credit?”

“I want to believe he will save it for the future, but I have found it common that most spend what should be a windfall,” Nadia said.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Like what I just did,” James said.

“Spending less than a percent of what you currently own is not the same I would think,” Nadia said.

James shrugged. “Where to next?”

“Is there anything else you would like for your lady?” Nadia asked.

“I would like to get her all sorts of things,” James said as they idly wandered. “I want to get her necklaces and earrings and more. She wouldn’t accept them, though. It’ll probably be a chore to get her to accept this one. My bet is she’ll send it back three times before keeping it.”

“You know her well,” Nadia said.

“We grew up together,” James said. “Somewhere along the way she got ideas in her head about charity and generosity. A part of her thinks that she’s a lesser person if she accepts help.”

“An understandable sentiment,” Nadia said.

James raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t have thought you had that issue.”

“A story for another time,” Nadia said. “For now, let us focus on lighter topics. Such as sports.”

Nadia pointed to a viewscreen hanging on the wall above. A match of some kind was playing, two six-player teams each split into groups of two on a circular banked track. A ball lay about ten feet in front of two pairs.

When a buzzer sounded, the two pairs, one for each team, dashed toward the ball. Once someone had grabbed the ball, the player dashed down the field toward another pair on the same team. The two players on the other team tried taking the ball, while the other player on the same team pushed them away.

Things devolved even more when the ball carrier made it to the other pair on the same team. They handed the ball off to a teammate, only for the four on the other team to dogpile them for the ball.

“What is that?” James asked.

“Skateball,” Nadia said. “An amateur match from the look of it. Always more aggressive, amateurs.”

“Oh that’s one of the other sports,” James said. “I only ever saw Voidball at the tower.”

“Then, disciple, let me show you one of Cyber Crane’s more popular sports,” Nadia said.

She led him into a restaurant with a voidscreen at every table. They ordered and then Nadia started to explain the rules.

“The goal is to complete a number of laps with possession of the ball,” Nadia said. “Official rules state five laps but others will do three, ten, or more. Teams of six divide into pairs of three and set up on these designated spots.”

Nadia pointed to three boxes that trisected the track. “At the start of a game, or when the ball leaves possession for more than three seconds, players must be in their designated boxes. Once ready, the ball is placed on the ground ahead of the players. Whoever grabs it has possession, and starts completing laps for their team. However, the laps can only be completed in thirds. If a ball is dropped for more than three seconds play resets.”

“I think I follow?” James replied. “Teams compete over the ball, take it down the track to complete laps, and try to be the first to complete five laps. Why is it called skateball then?”

“Older versions of the sport had players strapped to archaic wheeled devices called skates,” Nadia said. “Now the skates are built into a player’s foot, giving them more maneuverability.”

“I dunno, voidball sounds better,” James said.

“You would be wrong, disciple,” Nadia said. “Skateball is a game of strategy and depth whereas voidball is about who gets lucky. See the team in blue? They’ve set their pairs up specifically on the second and third trisections to interrupt play and tire the opponent. The first trisection has their quickest players so they can rush for the ball and get it across the line first.”

“Voidball is not about luck,” James argued. “It’s about managing randomness. You get to add an effect to the ball and have to predict what the opponent will add. It’s all about trying to structure your team to adapt.”

The two continued to talk about their sports as food and drink came. James found himself actually relaxing for the first time since he came to the city. For once the stress of succeed or die wasn’t at the forefront of his mind.

“Hold on. Before we leave I should use the toilet,” James said after they finished food.

“It is in the corner over there,” Nadia pointed out.

James stood and moved between the various tables and semi-drunk patrons. The energy of the place called to him in a way the jungle didn’t. Yet, somehow, the jungle in the training room was similar. There were the strange smells, the various noises, and the dense vegetation of tables was exactly like the trees.

He didn’t dwell on the thought, however. The call of nature had his full attention as James entered one of the bathroom stalls.

As he did his business, James heard the door slam open. Feet scuffled along the floor before his stall shook as something struck it.

“Now, Bug,” A gruff voice spat. “What did we say about selling on our turf?”

“Selling? Who said anything about selling?” A thinner voice said. “I’m just here to enjoy my day.”

“Save it!” The stall shook again. “We know you’ve been pushing something around here. Bill here saw you the other day with a load of handhelds. Later, you had none.”

“I was making a delivery,” the thin voice said hastily. “Honest, guys. I’d never try to sell in Energy Gang territory. Swear on my honor.”

“Honor isn’t going to cut it,” the gang member said. “You ain’t a cultivator. Can’t trust the honor of non-cultivators, isn’t that right men?”

There were grunts of agreement all around.

“Now, since the severity of your crime is minor, I think its only fair a minor punishment is in order.” There was another slam against the stall door. “I’m thinking an arm, what about the rest of you?”

“Do both his hands,” someone said.

“Nah, a leg is better.”

“Can’t do both his hands, that’s the same as killing him. Gotta let him at least scrape by.”

“Hold on! Let’s just talk about this!” the thin voice screeched.

James had heard enough. He’d debated about involving himself in whatever was going on. Gangs were common in Tower Ten and he’d learned when to ignore or involve himself.

It had seemed like a simple shakedown at first. It was basically taxes, but for gangs instead of the government. James would have left it alone even after they mentioned crippling but a thought came to him.

He was a cultivator now. He didn’t have to sit on the sidelines anymore. James had the power to stop others from causing more harm than they should.

James stepped back and unlocked the stall door. Two men stumbled inside. The first looked as if he had sucked in a breath and never let it out. The second looked as if someone had squished his head into his torso then followed it up by squishing the torso into his legs.

Someone grabbed the shorter man as he stumbled while James caught the skinny one.

“Um, sorry,” James said. “I think the lock came undone from all the slamming on the door. Didn’t mean to bother you.”

There were three others beside the shorter man. All dressed in brown robes cinched at the waist with short frizzly hair.

“Rick, what do we do?” someone asked. “We shoulda known someone was inside.”

“Don’t matter,” the shorter man, apparently named Rick, said. “If he knows what’s good for him he’ll get out of here.”

“Certainly. I want no part of whatever is going on here,” James lied.

He moved the skinny man behind him before walking out, making it so the thugs had to let him leave before doing anything. They stared at James as he walked past, making sure he wouldn’t try anything. James kept his hands visible, doing his best to remember the thugs’ positions.

A dirty mirror let James keep an eye on the thugs as he walked past them. Once their eyes flickered away, James spun. He balled his fist and struck with a wide haymaker against the first thug, clocking him square in the jaw. Before the others could act, James kicked out at the next one closest to him, landing a blow right between the legs. The man crumpled in pain.

“You liar!” Rick shouted.

James answered with another punch, feinting that he’d overstepped to get the thugs to focus on him. Sure enough, both saw the feint as an opening and took it. Rick lashed out with a straight punch while the other thug ducked low for a tackle.

James used the momentum from his punch, grabbed the tackling man’s shoulders, and pulled him right into Rick’s punch. The thug grunted at the hit but didn’t go down.

James followed the pull by twisting under the thug and grabbing his belt. In one smooth motion he flipped the man straight onto his back, leaving him gasping for air.

Rick tried to use the small amount of time it would take for James to turn to land a blow, but James still had his eyes on the mirror. He ducked the blow and kicked backward, landing his foot squarely on Rick’s solar plexus. The thug coughed and fell to the ground.

James went around and made sure the thugs weren’t getting up before grabbing the skinny man and pulling him along.

“Come on, they’ll get up in a moment.”

“Uh-huh,” the man said.

James led his new charge out of the bathroom and back towards his table where Nadia was waiting.

“Made a new friend, disciple?” she asked.

“Something like that,” James said. “Probably about to be chased soon.”

“Would you like my help?” she offered. “Or would you like to solve the issue on your own.”

James took a moment to think about it. “You know what, let me try this on my own.”

“Then I shall await your victory,” she said.