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Chapter 5 A Lucky One's Luck
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The Coliseum, where the strong devours the weak for the prize of glory, fame, and of course, money. To a few select, they recognize this place as a solace, a place to pour down their stress, a home where they let go of all their combat talents, and for those 'professionals' who treats this game as their income generating jobs, it was their only lifeline.
Many of them choose this place more often than hunting mobs in forests and planes. For one, there was an event in the coliseum where players bet their weapons and equipments, honor, pride, and even their services. It was a way to shorten the trouble of going to the woods for materials and resources.
Of course, only those strong enough and confident enough on their individual strengths can join this event that happens only once a month.
It's the Tournament.
Walled City of Loire, since the beginning of the game, had boasted of their title as one of the most crowded cities when it was the tournament season.
As such, while traversing the streets leading to the place he wanted to meet Dante, Siva's eyes were filled with wonder and delight. Immediately after selling his games to the monster trading shop, after buying the items he had consumed, Siva strolled down the streets looking left and right.
It wasn't like the streets of modern Manila where electronic ads and holograms with flashy girls in bikinis pose for a product. This city, just like Hagonoy, had their streets boasting of treats and information of what the city's main markets were. In this case, it was magic. Temples had different styles. While most of them were still owned by NPC nobles, there are still some who had signs of being managed by players.
Every store, every boutique, almost all of them had their own attractions and gimmicks to attract possible clients and customers. Girls in swimsuits and bunny ears, girls in eye catching sexy maid costumes, players demonstrating products that a particular store offered, street performers and artists, everything in this city was so lively and so magical that it was too far to even be compared to the industrial and Mumbai-ish ambiance of the Walled City of Hagonoy.
Siva continued to walk passed the people, with his own pace and style, became a leaning attraction from those who also wore the same mask as him. They probably thought of him as a diehard fan of not The Destroyer but the now getting famous 'Volume Hunter'.
He ignored them, of course, but their fashion and their attitude is something to be noted. They seem to really look at him and insult his clothes, saying things about The Destroyer being this and that.
But Siva have a destination. Looking for Angel Café only needed a few common world tricks. He asked for directions, remembered the signs, and when he finally landed on the street leading to his destination, he didn't waste time and run.
Angel Café.
He should have went to the Coliseum but trusting the knight captain on his words meant another issue. So he chose the most logical thing to do in his situation and went straight to the destination he was assigned.
Turns out, this place wasn't a well known destination.
In truth, Angel Café doesn't even have the slightest bit of impression it had with its name. What he thought was a place with white, gold, and silver atmosphere, in bubbles and flowers with angels that sing and danced, was actually a place in the back alleys of the back alley.
Located at some corner of a dark and shadowy area in the city, Angel Café was, in the old English novels, a place where ruffian clothed people gather.
Be it players or NPCs, their appearance are all the same without as much as a difference. Or perhaps that would be blamed with them drinking together without care.
In a few distant words, this place is also lively in its own way. There was even a musician in jester clothes with a ball weight on his left leg in the east corner.
BAG!
The two swing doors were banged open with a blunt crash, snatching the patrons' attentions to the Siva.
With his cloak brushed up to the shoulders that revealed his arms and shirt, and his white mask hiding his eyes looking around inside the cafe, he entered the hall with dignified steps. Eyes were all glued on him.
No, more like, he already had the gist that it would turn out this way, and so prepared for the worst. Be it his ego or his pride, when it comes to discretion, he is the worst liar in the entire Thrall Kingdom. Being low profile is not one of his talents.
On the counter, a gentleman with bartender clothes and an entertaining demeanor did not fend off a possible customer with an intimidating glance. Instead, he made a smile that gave the impression of courtesy, making Siva approach him without the same wariness he took when approaching the man.
"Are you here for a drink, sir?" He asked Siva. Based on his experience (movies and encyclopedias) being asked that question meant that the interrogation already began. "Or perhaps looking for a rare mission?"
Easy pick. Siva thought. If NPCs had a level, this one is a boss-level NPC. To talk about rare missions in a place like this meant that he had either the authority and the capacity to offer a job.
"No. I'm here to see a certain person. Where can I find the person named Senor Dante?"
Going straight to the point. As his entrance to the café had suggested, there was no need to hold back nor do a kind entrance. He was already a villain. He was already a branded guest that the other Dark Gamers suggested as another rival.
The looks in the faces of the patrons burned with courtesy, with some of them glanced at him with curiosity while there are also others who openly glared at him with hostility.
"And why would a person of your stature ask for him?"
"I have an urgent business that needs immediate results with him. I traveled very far from the west and went here to specifically meet him. Is he the owner of this fine establishment?"
The bartender's face made a smile that turned into a chuckle. He look pleased. Siva's impression of him also changed with that act.
He noticed that the bartender noticed his purpose. He really noticed the route he took with that compliment.
Start with an impression then directly state the purpose followed immediately by a complimentary remark. It's a hard thing to actually do and only few experienced businessmen knew how to properly use that route in order to send the proper message to their negotiation opponent.
But whether he's an NPC or a player, Siva don't know.
He doesn't care.
Siva told him his purpose without hesitation, also a technique of its own, meaning, when he said that he was in an urgent business, he really was.
And when the bartender laughed shortly thereafter, Siva felt that the message had been received.
"Haha, no. I am the owner of this fine establishment. Is it perhaps a business that has something to do with Augustus Laniary?"
To the mention of the name, Siva and a few patrons cleared their throats while those who were unfamiliar with the name looked puzzled by the sudden serious face of the usually gentle bartender.
Siva himself was utterly surprised. The kind and gentle expression of the mustached tall man in front of him was betrayed by the pressure of his gaze.
The earlier threat-less man was now a major existence.
His kind smile betrayed the impression and his dark complexion that seemed from the Atlas race was gone.
But, if Rex was a mere small fry with just a trivial goal, he would have faltered and walked away. "Yes."
"I came here by his order. Is it fine to meet him?"
"He's already talking to you." At that, the gentleman dried his hands with a towel and he extended a right hand to Siva. "My name is Dante, the owner of this fine establishment. Nice to meet you, Rex."
E-Ehem...
Two or three throats being forcefully cleared echoed behind Siva. He himself wasn't happy that his name was spoken like that without a hint of leniency.
For gamers, using real names inside a game where you use an alternate one with your avatar was indeed some sort of foul offensive action. What use is the fake name for the avatar and the face mask if his identity was this easily spoken about without care?
Even Siva cleared his own throat in order to pull his mind back forcefully.
"D-Do you really have to say my name?" He took the hand and shook it. Although he was kind of offended by that, but the way Dante addressed it and himself, no patron seemed to actually have care on remembering it ever happening. That's how powerful Dante's smile is.
"I'm sorry. I just have to tease you for a bit to loosen up the tense atmosphere in you. Please follow me."
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The gentleman left the counter and Rex followed him into the back corridor where only authorized personnel can come and go. It was obvious since there was a red rope that barred off intruders and two bulky men in blue clothes guarding the place.
"This is a VIP Inn that I manage. Membership only is my policy and it's free of use anytime when you are a member of the circle that I belong."
"Your circle?"
As they walked on for almost a minute, Siva realized that the inner workings of the 'VIP Inn' was like a giant maze. Also, the inside betrayed the small space of a building that he saw from the alleys.
Outside is like a small normal bar from the back alleys but inside, it was like a mansion, no, like a castle that can house over a hundred 'VIP' guests with their own suites at a time.
"Yes. You see, when this game was first released, there are already people who had future plans in it. As you've perhaps already known, this game can change a person in a lot of ways."
He thought for a moment when he heard that.
Or perhaps the moment took too long, Siva fell silent as he pondered on the words he just heard. And who knows how long he took thinking over it, even though no matter how much he thought of it, he found no sense of it no matter how deep he dig.
Change in a lot of ways? Although he himself somehow thought of it being true, he never actually noticed it until Dante told him of that.
It is true there are actually people who wants something in the game rather than enjoying it, but is it really that serious a thing? He knew about tourism from Volt and his crew. There was also Blueprint Trading, Weapons Trading, and the open secret of the MOD underground trading organization in Goldwyn City.
And since the beginning, there are already people with a lot of plan in it? What does that mean?
"We're here."
Siva looked up front and was snatched away from his thoughts. Dante urged him to enter first and they went inside a luxurious room with red carpet and filled with opulent designs.
Silver ornaments, golden lined furnishings, expensive paintings and many other more things that costs a lot of money was inside the room.
There was a sala set in the middle and three people are sitting and chatting there.
"Huh?" "Who's that?" "A new member?"
Two men and a woman. Two Mages and a Witch. The three people looked at Siva, scrutinizing him, while the latter ignored them as he looked around the room.
"Luxurious." Siva reasoned to himself.
"This is one of the gathering lounge for the members of my circle. Please be at ease, our destination is that room in the right."
As he motioned for Siva to lead the way, Dante bowed at him with respect and gentleness that made the three people relaxing in the couch glared at Siva.
But he was so used to it by now that it was normal. He only gave them a glance and totally ignored them and walked off towards the room where he was led. In short terms, the room they entered is like a house theatre.
There was a luxurious couch there and a table but the room has no window. It was dark. The only light in there is the small orb that was in the tea table in the middle of the room next to the couch.
"Please have a seat, I'll make the call."
Siva followed the suggestion and he sat down.
"There is no need to wear the mask since this place is as secure as your mind. You can relax here."
"I see."
Siva followed the suggestion and he unequipped all his gears but only left the formal clothes he usually wear.
He crossed his legs and leaned his back. When he felt the touch of the soft material in his shoulders, Dante did a quick press on a panel near the left wall and the world became heavy all of a sudden.
Siva was utterly surprised. He jolted up from the couch as he felt the burden of time being expanded.
Terroa's time is three times faster than the real world.
Players always say that it was a dream living in this world. As the sense of pain is lessened to accommodate the feel of a game, the fact that it was 'like a dream' in all respect is clear from the time difference.
The feeling of sleeping is also there if one wakes up from playing RPG: Terroa. The memories of one's activity and deeds are clear and imprinted on their minds, but the feeling of pain from the battles doesn't exist after waking up. There are no after effects.
Now that the boundary between reality and dream was broken by the 'call' Dante made, Siva now felt the compressed time expanding like a rubber. It wasn't a bit painful nor nauseating. It just felt something like your head is a clay dough being molded by giant hands.
It wasn't painful but the fact that he was sensitive about it was what actually surprised him. It was the same feeling of when he's in therapy with the brothers.
"Ah... if it isn't mister Kingsley."
Siva raised his gaze and met the owner of the familiar voice sitting across from him. Augustus was sipping tea, or perhaps coffee, and was smiling at him.
Dante was behind him like a butler but the way he stood there like a mediator wearing a casual expression has no signs of him being one.
"Augustus? How did..."
"Please do not be so surprised, Mister Kingsley. We are just talking through Real@D technology. From where we are respectably located, both of us seeing a virtual rendering of each other. Now, I assume that the reason why you are in Angel Café is that you've brought what I asked you."
Siva released a long held breath. He leaned back to the couch for a second but then straightened his back as he exchanged gazes with Augustus.
"I brought it with me. As per our deal."
Augustus's smile was wide. He dropped the tea cup in his hand and motioned for Siva to present the item.
Siva summoned his inventory and took out the things he had then Dante approached him and studied it.
"A plain book? Clemente's Demise?" Dante asked with an expression of discontent. "Is this...it?"
"Apparently, it's like a key to getting into an H-Class mission or some quest called [The Founding of an Empire]."
"Ah." "I see."
The two's pleased responses were visible. Although the higher degree of interest lies with Dante more than the casually drinking Augustus Laniary in his white tux.
"But, tell me, Mister Kingsley, is there something else you got with that H-Class Information of yours? Like, something tangible or something..."
"Something that can be traded."
The tag team of the two gentlemen suggesting the same thing to Siva made him almost sweat.
He doesn't have anything else.
Or is there? No. There was nothing. When he received the book, he also received the H-Class Information.
He knew that it was some important high ranking quest or mission that has something to do with history, thus the "H" in its class.
H-Class things in the game always has something to do with the game's history. According to his research, this game's Grand Quest has something to do with the cold and brutal lands of the Empire of Tiara. In the game, it was the sole empire that held 40% of the lands of the entire continent.
But that's an ultra hard quest in itself.
If B-ranked missions have Dragons as enemies, then what could an ultra rare H-class quest's enemies be?
If he based it on his experience thus far, the extreme luck he had when he knocked down a dragon won't be the same fighting a full horde of them. Besides, he only defeated the dragon because of his Air Shot's counter affinity with the Dragon's element.
He knew that now since he has Dragunov. It inherited the material's element. But even though it was an extra ordinary weapon now, his skills are still not enough to match an H-class' difficulty.
It would be a far cry to try and challenge it.
And yet, despite the book being an invaluable asset to access the quest itself, these two still look for things they can sell, rather than the quest itself.
It was his mistake that he trusted that these two will be those normal players who will wag their tails when they hear a rare H-Class mission.
"I have a Legendary MOD!" He yelled desperately but Augustus' expression remained unmoved.
"I told you that before, right? I don't care about MODs or legendary items. What I need, what I want, are key items and worthy information that can lead into quests of significant importance in that world."
"And besides," This time, Dante was tagged. "Even if you say that this book is a true lead towards an H-Class quest or mission, Clemente's Demise can't be shown into public. If the City Guards see you having one, they'd think you stole it from the library using the [Hide] MOD and convict you of stealing. You will be jailed for a very long time."
"I think I don't have to spell to you how much trouble it would be if you are jailed, right?"
Realizing these points were correct, Rex's spirit sunk down the drain. He couldn't find the right words to bid his reply. He had utterly lost all points of attack.
"I... I don't... have anything else. What should I do?"
He regretted it dearly. He regretted asking them this one very, very dearly. His shoulders broke down into a weak level of posture.
For this one battle, he had ran out of options.
"It's sad." These words coming from Augustus made his heart beat so fast it felt like it's pounding off his chest. "I thought by lowering the standards of our deal would at least make you bring back something worthy."
"It seems that your membership in our circle would be denied, Mister Kingsley."
Truthfully, he doesn't care about his circle. But when he recalled those three's appearances earlier, their full battle gears, their equipments, their presences, and their arrogance on belittling him meant that Dante's circle is somewhat related to high ranking players of the game.
Looking back at his probing questions in the bar, when he directly asked him about rare missions and the way he said it with conviction and confidence meant that he wasn't joking. Does his circle have something to with him being able to give away such rare missions?
When Rex found the answer to his inquiry, he finally took to heart the gravity of the things he heard from the gentle bartender.
They were looking forward to making him a member, to make his job easier, to make them own the rare items he'd be bringing back.
They were aiming for this from the start.
Just like how Augustus is connected to the underground organization that trades of MODs and rare items, these people in Dante's circle is somewhat the same.
"I... I still have time." He blurted out of the silence. "I can bring you back an S-class item."
"Oh?" Augustus' smile was wide. Probing.
Challenging.
Perhaps he actually planned this in the beginning, but no matter how Rex who's Siva in this very room right now interpret this smile, he had no power over the man who held Baron's life in his hands.
All Siva could do was swallow the boiling anger and hatred in his heart.
If the world had favoritism on who'd be lucky and who would be the one to fall, he'd be at the edge of the cliff with only a thread made up of a single strand of hair connected to Baron giving him inspiration not to jump.
The frustration of being powerless, of being weak, of being toyed with...
It was etching in his heart like a needle with a million degrees of current. It hurts so much that he nearly tasted blood in his mouth by how hard he grit his teeth.
"I will bring you the Excalibur!"
"The Excalibur, is it?" This time, the look of the gentle excitement was seen drawn all over Dante's face.
"Until the deadline, I'll bring you that thing."
And the look of interest was also seen with Augustus.
"Oh? And how are you going to do that? As I know it, that treasure is somewhere far and in the middle of a forest filled with high ranked monsters. How are you going to do it? You're alone. You have no one with you."
"I can manage. I got that book on my own, I can do it again. I don't care how hard it is, but please, please, give me another chance."
There was silence and Dante and Augustus exchanged a microscopic degree of glances that Siva who's seated in his chair with anxiety did not notice.
"Very well, you have until the end of the month to complete this mission. I already give you enough time to get me an A-Class item. I won't give you anymore leisurely gifts this time. After all, being professional is what we do, Mister Kingsley."
Shocked and angry, Siva could only stand on his seat as he walked out the door without a care to the two.
He knew the way out, he already had a plan. Dante gave him back his book and he took with a heavy heart. But before he could actually get out of the room, he spent a last glance over Augustus with eyes filled with hate from the fact that he knew the game the man made him to play.
And when he got out of the room, Dante took a seat and a saucer with its cup materialized in his hands after a brief prompt.
"Just like old times, AG."
On the other side of the table, Augustus was sipping his own coffee and a brief static came from his image that separated the impression of reality and image created by the Real@D technology.
"Haahh... the kid sure is lucky."
"Indeed."
Dante made a comment as he sighed and smiled back to the man after a sip. Augustus' smile did not vanish even when Siva escaped the scene. Instead, he chuckled and burst into a laughter as he agreed to the man.
"To think in that short of a time span he'd be getting his hands in an H-class Item, and a key to the Grand Quest at that. It's an incredible feat indeed."
Dante sipped through his cup and placed it in the saucer in his left hand, making another smile that gave the feel of a business analysis.
"The Founding of an Empire... haha. I wonder how much we'll get with The Providence."
"Do not jinx it, the show is just getting started."
"Heh. What deviousness. As always, there is not a thing that will stop you from attaining entertainment."
"Hmm, I wonder. Remembering the first time I saw that boy in that alley back then, I knew there was something in him that's going to be entertaining. I just have to give him the place and he'll take the stage in full blast."
"Didn't you met him first time at the hospital?"
Augustus was about to sip but paused mid way to chuckle.
"No, it's not the first time. It was sooner than that. I saw him fighting five adult men and actually winning. When I interviewed those men, I learned about his name."
"Ahh, I see. So that's how you actually learned about his background."
AG just smiled at that and sipped off his cup. "Perhaps."
"...or have I been a softie?
"Hahaha... not really. You're just like old times."
"Hmm, indeed... just like old times."