Nero left Altia in Tania's care and went back to Gumozar's Emporio of Wonders. Now that her Class and part of the Skills were acquired, it was time for him to find something for himself, and spend his Essence. No use in hoarding it. The shop was full when he arrived and the bugbear clerk started to stall her customer so Nero went to another clerk. He ended up with a lizardman.
"Welcome to Gumozar's Emporio of Wonders. What can I do for you today, mister?"
"I want to see exotic equipment you have. Green quality."
"Of course."
The clerk brought a box of green equipment cards and was kind enough to allow browsing. Nero quickly sorted out the ones that required some level, as he would never be able to use them. He had new pink cards and wanted to get the best out of them. He sorted a few cards he liked.
> [Dungeon Goggles] - green Equipment - Headgear
>
> +2 Perception inside a Dungeon
>
> +1 Dexterity inside a Dungeon
>
> "Do not work as beer goggles."
>
> Increases the range at which Dungeon monsters are detected.
> [Elven Boots] - green Equipment - shoes.
>
> +1 Agility
>
> "Elven style boots. May not be crafted by Elves or worn by elves. "
>
> Decreases the chance of being detected by noise when moving slowly.
> [Monster Pouch] - green Consumable
>
> "Cannot hold living monsters."
>
> Allows one Dungeon monster's corpse to be stored inside. Item persists for 1 hour after leaving the Dungeon. Corpse does not dissolves if removed from pouch outside the Dungeon. The corpse's weight is reduced by a factor of 100 while in the Pouch. Does not prevent the monster from dropping crystals or cards.
> [Hot Muffler] - green Equipment - cloak
>
> +1 Endurance
>
> "Because you are all alone and can't find nobody to warm you up."
>
> Keeps the wearer warm. Prevents [Hypothermia] and [Frostbite] abnormal status.
> [Dungeon Clock] - green Equipment - Accessory
>
> +1 Reason
>
> "What time is it? It's Dungeon O'clock!"
>
> Tracks time spent inside a Dungeon, does not work outside, resets upon entry.
He bought two of each card. Compared to Skills, equipment was much cheaper, as these cards would be single-use without the right modifiers. He also got five [Permanency I] cards and that was his budget. Nero left all but fifty points worth of his Essence crystals behind. All he needed to do now was to find a Dungeon, get inside and summon his equipment, hopefully with the modifiers. And find the damned [Egress] card to get out.
Maybe he should wait until they were back home. There were no Dungeons nearby anyway. Nero walked back to the inn thinking his father was right. The Count should've moved the city to a better location. But how exactly does a Dungeon gets destroyed? Questions and more questions, that Nero needed no answer for. The sky was already dyed orange when he returned to the inn. Tania was working at the common room, serving drinks. She noticed Nero and made a gesture for him to wait a moment. After she dropped the mugs, she came to him.
"Young master, your parents have returned and wish for your company. Your bride is sound asleep. Do you need anything?"
The girls' zeal and politeness were astonishing. "No, Tania, thank you. I'll call you if I need anything."
She smiled and turned. Nero could see a slightly pointed ear. A half-elf, half-something then. But Tania's dedication to the job was astonishing. Nero climbed the two flights of stairs and found himself in front of the doors. He checked on Altia first. The girl was neatly tucked in the bed, sleeping like an angel. He came near and brushed one lock of hair that was threatening to get in her mouth. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up. Nero tiptoed out and knocked on his parents' door.
"Who is it?" His father asked from inside.
"It's me, dad."
"Come in."
Nero entered and saw that this room was way fancier than his. It was an apartment with a living room and a separate bedroom and another door that might lead to the bath. It was also bigger by a half.
"So, how was your day of trading?"
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"Oh, I got most of the cards we wanted. Including Altia's Class, three Skills and a lot of equipment for us. And dad, I'm sorry but I had to include that green [Warrior] card you gave me. Not that I'd have much use for it."
Byron was about to open his mouth when Rhynne cut him. "It is fine, Nero. That green card should've never entered your starter deck anyway. And as you said, you can't use it, so no worries. What Class card did she get?"
Nero explained everything. On how Altia's Attributes were all over the place but the right spots but the synergy of the Special traits was worth it in the long run.
"That's good," Byron approved. "That she got all the Attributes and even those she'd not put points into at a decent value, will be good for her going forward. Too many people neglect to add at least a few points to every Attribute and get an imbalanced build. Vigor is something everyone must get, and for someone that wants to negotiate deals, Charisma is important too."
"We were hit by the Count's edict too. There is an order to seize all Anima above rank V in the market. Fortunately, we needed any rank. But the ratios weren't good as they purchased at the Count's assigned values. Here, Nero. This is for you."
Rhynne handed him a box. Nero opened it and as he started to lift the lid he could see the light shining inside. There was a small pile of shining white crystals. Anima crystals. Each of them holding the potential of one Attribute advancement.
"All of this, for me?"
Rhynne nodded. "Yes, there are thirty-one crystals there. Ranks I through III but that doesn't matter. Use them."
"C'mon, kid. You could buy this inn and the bakery with the Anima we traded for these."
"Patisière, husband."
Nero thought about saving some of these for Altia but she just got twenty-one Attributes and a Class. Blue-grade, to boot. He picked one crystal and placed it over the display of his device. Turning it on, he willed it to absorb the Anima.
> Willpower +1
He turned the brightness all the way so his parents could watch the results. The three Adventurers were watching with enthusiasm. He used the second, nothing happened. The third, nothing. On the fourth, a reaction.
> Agility +1
That anxiety went for every single crystal of the rapidly dwindling pile. A fortune invested in making his future a bit less bleak. So that he might be able to follow Altia when she inevitably had to go to another Dungeon when she reached level six. The pile ended, Nero's luck not so good. Out of the thirty-one Anima, he got only fourteen Attributes.
> Nero [0/0]
>
> Strength: +2 (+5 when swinging the clockwork blade)
> Vigor +1
> Endurance +2
> Agility +3
> Dexterity +2
>
> Reason +2
> Willpower +2
> Perception +3
> Charisma +1
"Mom, dad, thank you. I'm not feeling so well."
His body and mind were struggling to cope with the sudden influx of power.
"That's expected. You are the strongest level zero in the world, kid. I'll take you to your room."
Nero passed out soon after.
----------------------------------------
He recovered his senses with something fiddling with his face. Then he opened his eyes and saw Altia staring at him. Was she always that beautiful?
"Good morning, Altia."
"Hey, good morning."
"What time is it?" A worried Nero asked, remembering they were supposed to take the train today. If it was still today, or the day before, or the second day of the trip. Yes, that's better.
"Sometime at night. We missed the train, so don't worry."
"That's a relief."
She smirked. "You should worry about impoverishing your family. It seems your parents will have to go delving again. And once we got my father's approval, I'm moving in. We'll have to take care of your house by ourselves."
Things were moving too fast for his tastes but those were decisions he didn't disagree with and the prospect of having her with him every day... well, they delved together. But soon it wouldn't be true anymore. The nearest rank II Dungeon was in another village, three hours' walk from home. It meant either Altia was going to find another delving party, go solo on a dangerous Dungeon, or that he had to work harder to reach her. That thought made Nero shiver. His life would be doomed to forever run after Altia and worse, he was afraid she would hold back on advancing to keep up with him. But he couldn't let his fear take over.
And Altia didn't miss his reaction. She didn't ask 'what's wrong' because she knew. She didn't say 'it will all be okay' because she couldn't know. She just hugged him.
"Eat something. Your dinner is on the table. Sorry, it is already cold."
He first checked if he was decently clothed before getting out of the bedsheets. They were almost engaged but he needed to be mindful around her.
"Let me show you the cards I got us," He told her after finishing his food.
"You should spend your crystals on yourself, Nero," 'as you need them more than me,' the last part left unsaid.
"Nonsense. I need a strong partner so she can be my healbot," He used the common term even though the origins of the idiom were lost to time. "And I want to be sure she is safe behind me. I really liked that your Class card gave you five Vigor. The rats will be nothing to us now."
he was sure of that because their improved Attributes combined with their week of experience doing nothing but slaughtering rats by the hundreds. Byron's words sounded true. Nero was the strongest level zero, he could even compare himself to someone with a very bad white Class. Enough to maybe reach the third monster in the rank I Dungeon near home.
But that could wait. Right now he needed to plan their gear upgrade. He spread the handkerchief and laid the cards down on the table. His first mistake seemed obvious. He didn't pick a weapon for Altia. She could just summon one or don't fight at all but she should have a weapon. Despite his oversight, he knew that searching for a weapon card was futile.
"We should get you a good weapon. One with defensive bonuses, what do you think?"
Altia pouted. "I think I shaould try and get my own upgrades. As I said, if you weren't listening, I'm imposing too much on you already. I don't have any dowry, did you know?"
"Don't care," he deadpanned. "You are my partner and companion. Is that a card?" He pointed at what she was holding like a holy relic.
She smiled, shamed of getting showered with so many gifts. "Yes. Your parents got it for me."
> [Double Tap] - blue - Requires ranged physical Skill. Requires level 8.
>
> +2 Agility
> +2 Dexterity
> +3 Perception
>
> "Try it while [Juggling] kegs of ale."
>
> Effect: When using a ranged Skill that uses an item, 20% chance of duplicating the item and triggering the Skill twice at no additional cost.
Nero covered his mouth with a hand. That was... equal measures of awesome and terrible. It was a great card, almost a Class upgrade. The white version had a +25% chance of duplicating, but this one trumped it, because the Attributes worked every time. But it was terrible because of the requirement. It required Altia to level up and give up delving in the rank I Dungeon.
"We should level you up," He said. "You need this Skill."
"I can wait."
"Do not stunt your growth because of me, Altia. There is 'war brewing in the horizon' as the poets say, and it is coming our way. You need to be strong. Maybe strong enough to protect me?" He offered.
Angry, she pushed him away and stood up from the table. She felt hurt. "Do not push me away. Do not close the door and shut me out. I want to be in this together with you. Power is not everything."
Nero lowered his head, unable to look at her eyes. "Tell that to the world. Tell that to my father," He mumbled. "Even mom, though she is too kind to say. It is just the way of the world."
Altia's next words felt like rocks thrown at him. "Do not dare misunderstand your mother's intent. She only wishes for your happiness. It is you that thinks that power was everything. You had a silly dream of surpassing your father and now this dream was shattered. It wasn't granted you'd have a cap above his and even if you did, it might've put you in the Kingdom's clutches. You know what the Knights really are."
Nero collected his cards hapzardly. He shoved them in his bandolier and stood up.
"I'm going for a walk. I need to breathe."