“No.” Peacock whispered from within a tall cluster of thick-leaved plants.

“I’m telling you, he’s perfect. I’ve stolen from him lots of times. He’s never noticed.”

Peacock pulled his eyes from Ferret back to his target. His mark was tall, with thin, finely muscled limbs sticking out of a toga-like robe that shimmered aquamarine in the sunlight. His pointed ears and lithe build gave him away as an elf, although Ferret had referred to him as ‘Faefolk.’

Silver jewelry adorned nearly every part of his exposed skin, from the circlet holding down his gold hair to the gemstone rings on his fingers and sandaled feet. If Peacock’s fuzzy memories of other MMOs told him anything, that elf was a mage, and mages could explode you. “He’s never caught you? Have you looked at his gear? Low-level players don’t walk around with that kind of bling, Ferret.”

“Your level has nothing to do with your abilities, or honestly, your wealth, Peacock. M and M allows for all kinds of lives, including oblivious wealthy people.”

Peacock bit back a retort as the Faefolk closed in on their position. Every fiber of Peacock’s being told him this was a terrible idea, so why was he still sitting there and considering this madness?

“Just do it.” Ferret whispered, nudging Peacock in the hip.

Easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one about to get blown up by an angry, high-level mage. But Peacock couldn’t deny the feeling of power as the Faefolk walked by them on the narrow dirt path. He was the predator, and his prey had no idea he was there. Hopefully.

Peacock waited until the mage was just past, then reached out, his intention of pickpocketing at the forefront of his mind.

TWO GOLD COINS OBTAINED

SKILL: PICKPOCKET UNLOCKED

Peacock froze, waiting for the elf to whip around and throw a fireball in his face.

Somehow, he kept walking.

Another nudge from behind reminded Peacock he had an arm hanging out. In hiding or not, waving limbs outside of cover was a bad idea.

Peacock pulled his arm back and exhaled, slipping carefully back into the comforting arms of the jungle.

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Ferret appeared by his side a couple of minutes later. “See, didn’t I tell you? Rocks are more aware than that guy is.”

Peacock frowned. Something didn’t sit right, and surprisingly, it wasn’t the theft. “If you’ve stolen from him multiple times, why does he keep coming down this path alone?”

“Maybe he’s got so much money and stuff he really doesn’t notice.” Ferret shrugged. “Or it’s because that path is the only one leading between Krinios and Palenta. Pretty sure he’s a merchant, so he doesn’t have much choice if he wants to go between the cities. It’s that or get eaten by mobs.”

“Merchant? I only got two gold.”

Ferret gasped. “Hey! Gold is the second most valuable coin in the game. Even one is a great addition to you hoard of zero.”

Peacock got the feeling he’d offended him. “Sorry. I just figured pickpocketing a wealthy Rebirth would give a bigger reward.”

“That would be amazing, but there wouldn’t be any balance in that.” Ferret shrugged, some of the annoyance fading from his expression. “A thief’s chance of getting seen is tied to their mark’s, and any witnesses', awareness. Oblivious rich dudes have no chance, even against low-levels like us. So, what would happen if we could just walk up and rob him blind in a single sweep?”

Peacock felt his face flush. Put that way, it was pretty obvious. “Thieves would end up with everything pretty quick.”

“Exactly! There’d be no use for any other classes, because what’s the point? An entire world of cutthroats and brigands. No thanks. Thievery’s only fun when you have lots of marks and little competition.”

“Fair enough. So, I assume what we can steal depends on our level, then?”

“You assume correct, teammate! The better you get at pickpocketing, the better your rewards, assuming your mark has good stuff to begin with. Poor Rebirths, poor rewards, so never aim low.”

Peacock wondered exactly how much of Ferret’s creed was rooted in business sense instead of his sense of morality, but prying seemed the wrong thing to do. They were business partners, after all. “Got it.”

Peacock angled away and slipped back into the undergrowth. No reason not to grind some xp on the way back.

Ferret caught on. He shimmered from sight, and the hunt was on.

The mobs proved to be more tightly clustered than usual. What had started as a couple of fights on the way to the cave turned into a nearly full day of mob hunting. Not that Peacock minded. Combat xp meant getting stronger and raising ability caps.

After most of a combat level and all of their recovery potions later, the cluster of vines that hid the opening of their cave came into view.

“Thank the Moon Thief!” Ferret looked up to the sky, arms up. “I’ve never seen so many mobs in such a small area. I wonder if there’s an event or something?” Ferret shrugged and continued before Peacock could reply. “Never mind. I’m exhausted. Let’s crash and figure it out tomorrow.”

He disappeared into the cave, leaving Peacock to wonder what events happened in M and M, and how they worked. The idea of a random event dropping on his head unannounced did nothing for his anxiety. In fact, he needed to know about these events now.

Peacock rushed into the cave, hoping to catch Ferret before he initiated sleep, and came face-to-face with the blue-robed Faefolk from the path.