“Oh my, it has been quite some time now Cyrus.” Faust spoke as I approached him. I stopped dead in my tracks. He… he recognized me. How the hell did he recognize me?! The system I might be able to understand, it had given me this chance, so it could likely track me somehow. But Faust? He was just someone in the tower!
Faust seemed to read the panic on my face, because he laughed out loud before saying “I am a being of chaos. That has plenty of different meanings, but in this situation, it means that time works not for me. Upon your exit of the First Decade Shopping Center I kept track of you, to sate curiosity as it were. Imagine my astonishment and delight when you drank some of that silly motherlings blood. I wasn’t sure as to the what the outcome may be, but here we are now. Your journey has been… truly enrapturing for me. It is quite a rarity for one from your cluster of races to create such a feat of wonder. But enough on that, i'm sure you are here for something entirely separate, correct?”
I stared at the man, stunned beyond words. This thing was much more powerful than anyone I had met or battled before. A being who could track me through time itself? A being who had kept an eye on me without my notice, even at the peak of my power?! The sheer monstrosity before me sent chills down my back, and I could feel myself shaking. Not from fear, though. From pure, unadulterated ecstasy at the possibilities laid bare to me now. I had been so close to what I had thought was the zenith of power back then, but I had clearly been a truly ignorant fellow. Even if Faust didn’t have any true fighting capability, which I highly doubted, he seemed to be at a much higher level than anything I had seen.
I realized the maniacal grin on my face was likely unseemly, and shook my head to learn away any other thoughts of battle with such a being. Now was not the time for that, I first needed to learn much about my new weapon and power. I apologized to Faust for getting distracted before explaining the items I needed. I had questions for him, obviously. But I knew this man, or at least the habits he had with a customer. He rarely answered questions, and prodding lead to a swift discharge from his shop.
Faust reached under the counter, pulling out a few items, seemingly at random. First out was a damascus steel fixed blade, useful for all sorts of things. Helpful in skinning, cutting, and properly balanced for a quick toss if it came to it. After the blade, Faust placed on the counter a belt holster for my staff, with a wink towards me. So he even knew about my new weapon. I mentally shrugged. That one wasn’t much of a secret anyways, so I wasn’t as bothered by his knowledge of it. Next came a mask. A blank, eerily life-like white mask, to be exact.
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“I know I asked for a mask, but don’t you have anything else? Ill even take some silly masquerade mask over this… thing.” I shouldn’t be this frazzled, I realized. But something inside me called to it. And not in a positive, welcoming sort of way. Some part of me needed that mask, with a fierce desire I had never felt before. It was almost predatory, but I fought off the strange urges.
Faust shook his head, “Unfortunately, this mask is the only one available to you for now. Besides, it may be a great boon to you later on, as long as you are careful with how you approach it.” With a flourish, he placed a waterskin on the counter, and I watched as the water sloshed around inside.
I took one last glance at the mask, noting the lack of any eyes and the wide, toothless grin portrayed. Taking a breath, I asked, almost fearful, “How much for the whole lot of the them?”
“Luckily for you, I have a bit of interest in you. These,” he motioned with a hand towards the smattering of items collecting dust on the table, “plus a... unique outfit I think would look absolutely smashing worn by you, added on for free. Altogether, it comes to 200 points.”
At this information, I frowned. The outfit he talked about worried me. He was known for his abnormal ticks, and one of those included his penchant for, what basically boiled down to, forcing others to cosplay for him. I remembered in abject horror a time when he slowly, spread over a few different visits, equipped me with a smattering of ninja gear, crowning it all off with a headband. I had realized too late, and once the set had been completed, I had been stuck with the clothing on for another month. Admittedly, the outfit helped me out in a number of ways, but still. I really didn’t want a repeat of the ‘Great Fireball Technique’ disaster.
Even then, to turn down a free set that would undoubtedly be more powerful than what I currently wore? I couldn’t do it. I let out a sigh, just thinking about it hurt.
Before that problem though, I had another to deal with. “I only have 155 points in total. Is there any way to lower the price?”
Faust let out a low, gravelly chuckle. There are always ways, as you well know. For this particular one though, I have a fun idea. I was originally going to wait on some of the accessories till later, but I see you will lose out on something if I do it this way. So I will compromise. I will take your +3 to PER, and in return I will give you these truly tasteful gloves along with your outfit. All that, plus I will lower the cost down to 150 points. You will have the set bonus, plus an extra bit with the gloves added on.”
I knew I would regret this. Losing perception so early on would definitely hinder me. But I had no other options to speak of. I needed every item right now. The sheath, although a surprise to me, would be extremely useful for training. I had no choice at all in the matter. So I nodded my head, and shook hand with, what felt like, the devil.
- 150PTS -3PER