My parents didn’t raise a fool, when working for a monarch, it was almost my duty to rake them over the coals for all they were worth. My inner dwarf was doing a happy dance and I did my best not to let it show on my face.

“It’s currently a level twenty-two Dungeon, but it started out as a level eleven until a few months ago, and it looks like it’ll break in less than a month unless something is done. It’s located within the only gold mine Verdant has, so it cannot be allowed to have a Dungeon Break under any circumstances.”

Dungeons grew over time and it sounded like this one had been left to its own devices for far too long. Doubling its level as well as preparing for a Dungeon Break in less than six months? No one had probably cleared it in the past decade, if even that.

“Oh? A gold mine you say?” Never should have told me that. “In that case, this isn’t just about protecting the people is it? It’s also about keeping your coffers topped up long term, despite the cost of hiring me.” I scratched Raiju’s head absentmindedly, or at least that’s what I was going for as I watched King Evergreen closely.

“Indeed.” His gaze was steely as he stared me in the eye. Despite our height difference, I maintained eye contact. “What might you want as payment for this task? You already have your freedom.”

What do I even want? Gold is good, but I’m willing to bet a Dungeon in a gold mine will pay out handsomely, so it’d almost be a waste to ask for more. I don’t want a noble title in this rinky-dink country, or I’d be beholden to King Evergreen the rest of my, hopefully very long and successful, life. Hard pass. What should I ask for as a Suzerain? If I ask for something befitting my Class at least I’ll get closer to leveling up, despite the monsters not being nearly strong enough here normally.

I’ve got it!

“I want ten different [Skill Scrolls] created by your most powerful and skilled followers.”

Suzerain wants me to gain [Skills], that much is obvious. If they give me some [Skills] I don’t want, I’ll just sell those ones, it’s a win-win.

His eyes bulged and his face went bright red. “You insufferable child! Do you know what you just asked for?!”

“My due. If you’re willing to pardon the man who stole what might have been your most precious possession, this must be something you need done, and you need it done quietly.” I shrugged. “That’s my ask for what you need.”

“By the Six, you’re trying to rob me blind! I’m not asking you to fight a dragon in its lair or conquer a new province for me! This is just a Dungeon, and not one I’d have balked at dealing with in my prime.” His grip on the pommel of his sword grew so tight I was pretty sure it’d leave a mark despite his obvious [Toughness].

“So give me a counter offer, but don’t insult me or I’ll walk out right now.” I quirked an eyebrow at him. “I’m waiting, the ball is in your court.”

King Gareth Evergreen stared daggers at me for the better part of five minutes as he considered his options. I saw a silver earring with a green gem on his left ear flare with magic for a moment and turned my gaze upon its description.

[Mindlink Earring - Uncommon

Charges - 9/100

Description - This earring is part of a matching pair. The wearers can have a five minute mental conversation per charge used. Recharging this item is not possible.]

Makes sense, he’s probably talking to his advisors, asking what Verdant can afford to offer me. Either way, I’m probably going to go, this Dungeon is probably the only place in Verdant I can find monsters strong enough to get me any progress toward leveling up. The boss should be around level thirty, so that’ll be a good challenge.

“Three [Skill Scrolls] from the market, total price not to exceed five thousand gold.” He huffed. “It’s more than fair.”

I couldn’t help it, I snorted. “Yeah, that’s not going to work. How about this…”

What followed was a back and forth argument that lasted the better part of an hour. He almost stabbed me more than once and I even let Raiju zap him a few times when he got too close for comfort. In the end, we were both worn out and felt the other person was getting the better part of the deal, a hallmark of a particularly good haggle.

“Five different [Skill Scrolls] made by your councilors and skilled subordinates in exchange for preventing the Dungeon of the Eldan Gold Mine from breaking. Deal.” I held out a hand for him to shake and he begrudgingly did. “System record this accord.” Golden light filled the [Serene Glade] and I ran my fingers through my sweaty hair with a grin. “You haggle like a dwarf.”

“And you, like a demon.” He didn’t appear pleased. With a stomp of his foot, the dome of nature energy dissipated to reveal his throne room. “Head to the gate. Your companions will join you there momentarily.”

Snapping him a jaunty salute, I spun on my heel and waltzed out of the chamber with a broad grin on my face. Raiju followed with a similar bounce to her walk, she’d enjoyed my haggling with the king.

“It’s like a fight, but no one gets hurt.” Her tongue lolled out like a dog’s. “People are strange, but I can see the appeal. Monsters, even Unique ones, don’t really make deals like that.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Ruffling her fur, I grinned. “You haven’t seen anything yet. I’ve heard stories about my grandfather’s haggling in Ironhold, he once convinced a man to sell his prized boar mount for a single Rare blade. He’s a legend.”

“I’d like to meet him some day.” She sounded sad for a moment. “My sire and dam are both gone…”

I stopped right there and dropped to a knee and pulled her in for a hug. “My family is your family now, don’t forget that.” I squeezed her as tight as I could. She didn’t say anything, but she did lay her head on my shoulder for a few moments before wiggling loose and heading toward the castle’s gate.

“Gotcha, a bit too touchy feely. Noted.” I smiled to myself despite her huff.

***

Raiju and I ended up waiting at the gate for almost two hours, pushing us right up to dinnertime and I grew more and more irritated as time went on.

“Momentarily my damned asshole.” I gritted my teeth. “I’m of half a mind to go back in there and give that trumped up arborist a piece of my mind.”

Behind me, I heard someone snort out a laugh and turned around to find a wizened old man and an enormous woman. It appeared to be the old man who’d laughed as he was wiping a tear from his eye with a handkerchief.

The old man stood at a stooped five foot two, with a head of salt and pepper hair that stuck out at all angles. He wore dark blue robes with almost imperceptible arcane markings all over it. In his other hand he held what most would see as a mere walking stick, but I knew better. That was a [Mage]’s staff, there was no doubt in my mind. I took him and his staff in with [Essence Reading].

[Name: Jaegan “Wallbreaker” Toretto

Race: Human

Class: Mage - Uncommon - Rank C

Level: 32

Emotional Status: Giddy]

[Staff of the Wallbreaker - Unique

Durability - */* - Cannot break while the Wallbreaker lives

Description - Crafted from a thousand year old oak with a sliver of the Wallbreaker’s soul in a moment of need, this staff drastically enhances offensive magic. All Spells cast by the wielder have their damage amplified three-fold. In addition, the wielders’ area of effect Spells do not harm those they consider allies. If this staff is taken from the Wallbreaker, it reappears in his grasp a minute later.]

My eyes bulged as I took in the staff’s description again. Dominus preserve me! What had to happen for him to craft a staff like that? From what Mom told me, most [Mages] make staffs at some point in their late twenties, but they’re usually much more general in their effect. That thing is like walking around with a loaded crossbow at all times. I’m glad he’s on my side, that’s for sure.

I turned my gaze to the enormous woman walking with him and was struck by her posture. She walked like she wanted to punch everyone around her except for Jaegan. Towering over most men, her presence filled the area around the gate. Her chocolate tresses, thick and long, were whipped into two braids that snaked around the edges of her ample bosom. What little clothing she wore did nothing to hide the scars etched a map of past battles across her sun-baked skin, testament to a warrior's life. Yet, it was her eyes, glittering with a restless energy, that sent shivers down spines. A predator in human form, a single, focused breath escaped her lips, the only warning before the berserker within threatened to erupt.

[Name: Ylsa Spinebreaker

Race: Goliath

Class: Mountain Tempest - Rare - Rank A

Level: 27

Emotional Status: Excited/Surprised]

So she’s not about to kill everyone nearby, that’s good. I wonder how she and Jaegan met? She’s definitely a physical specimen. I think Dad told me about Goliaths once, they’re descended from the few giants left after the Giant Dragon war ten thousand years ago. If I remember right, the dwarves took them in.

As Jaegan walked up and raised a hand to shake, I was more surprised to find Ylsa down on one knee in front of Raiju with her fist over her heart. I quickly shook the old man’s hand, but my focus was on the enormous woman.

“You honor this one, Storm-Runner, by blessing this one with your presence.” Ylsa shivered as Raiju padded around her, sniffing all the while.

As she did that, Jaegan coughed quietly to get my attention. “Hello lad, who might you be? All I was told is that Ylsa and I would have a third for our little excursion.” He gasped and laid his free hand over his heart. “My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jaegan Toretto, though you might know me by my old moniker as Wallbreaker. A terrible name, that, but it stuck.”

“I’d love to hear how you got it, to be honest. I’m Arthur Bajbub Neilson, with no moniker to speak of at this point.” I gestured to Ylsa. “Is she going to be OK? Raiju doesn’t appear to want to eat her, so that’s good.”

“I’d have to agree with you.” He chuckled. “Ylsa’s from the mountains and she’s told me stories about a fabled white wolf who traveled those peaks. I’m guessing this is the wolf in question?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Guilty as charged.” I grinned. “She had a [Quest] to complete before she could leave and when I helped her complete it we became bonded.”

“Arthur is the best.” Raiju padded over and rubbed along my side with a happy rumble. “He plays chase and makes the best meat.”

Ylsa rose to her considerable height before bowing at the waist to me. “Greetings to you, I am Ylsa Spinebreaker. Please accept me into your service.”

To my surprise, a bright red window appeared before me unlike any I’d ever seen before along with the standard blue yes/no prompt. However, I’d never heard of that happening between two people before.

[As the Suzerain, those who swear fealty to you through the System will be granted a twenty percent boost to their three highest stats immediately after you accept their offer. This bond is a unique trait of the Suzerain and it cannot be broken. Your subjects who swear fealty in this way will be unable to harm you in any way.]

[Ylsa Spinebreaker has requested to be your subject for the rest of her life, or as long as Raiju remains with you, whichever comes first. The offer stands until Ylsa Spinebreaker retracts it.

Do you accept her offer of fealty? Y/N]

It was obvious that Ylsa could see the screen offering her fealty and she’d immediately hit the accept button, but I was more concerned about the red screen with information about my [Suzerain] class. I need to get out of Grenwall, now. I need to explain to her what this means.

I quickly pulled the [Cloud Carpet] from my ring and waved for Ylsa and Jaegan to hop aboard. I tossed her a length of rope with a loop at the end before throwing a similar loop around my waist. “Raiju, let’s fly.” She sensed my urgency and quickly grew to full size before lowering her front for me to hop on.

I looked back to check on my new companions and found them seated comfortably on the flying carpet. I looked Ylsa in the eye and mouthed. “Say nothing. We’ll speak soon.” She quickly nodded and Jaegan’s eyes crinkled, but he didn’t say anything either.

After I got settled in, Raiju wiggled her haunches before launching herself and the [Cloud Carpet] into the sky with a happy howl.