The Grimoire of … Vesper double-checked, then triple-checked through the scattered translation pages, but there wasn't a word for the word on the cover. The very word that hinted at what the book, no grimoire, was about. Now, if Vesper knew anything about magic (which he didn't, not even the slightest bit), the word Grimoire would've been enough to steer him far away from the book. Fools dreamed of discovering a spell that'd make them powerful. Still, anyone with half a brain and a little common sense knew that messing with magic typically led to liquified organs, cursed demons eating your toes, or just downright depression.

As frustrating as it was not to know what the grimoire was about, Vesper was thrilled about visible progress. Carefully, he opened the book to the first page and began the process of sifting through words. It only took a handful of words for Vesper to realize he was looking at a recipe. Feathers of a dove, the hair from a stag, 6 liters of pigs blood, and iron dust. It didn't sound particularly appetizing to Vesper, but he guessed people only slightly older than cavemen probably didn't eat well. The problem was he didn't have enough words to know what exactly went into these "recipes."

Perplexed by the strange recipe, Vesper decided to skip it. There were probably more appetizing recipes further down in the pages. Human toenails … Blood of a virgin ogre, and Yak milk … all the recipes were odd, apparently. One recipe caught Vesper's eyes, however. No, the ingredients weren't any more appetizing than any of the previous ones.

A pinch of goblin hair, two dead rats, a spider's cobweb, and toenail clippings. It was the perfect recipe, Vesper realized. All the ingredients and enough of the instructions could be translated for Vesper to go ahead and create it. Probably not perfect for taste, in fact, Vesper didn't plan on eating any of those gross materials, but he knew Grunkor wasn't particularly a picky eater and had all of those ingredients in his inn. Four words at the end of a lengthy passage tempted him. They read: "Your worries will disappear."

If Vesper had found the recipe book without gaining any levels, he would've tossed it away at first sight of the gross stuff that the book told him to concoct. But Vesper was curious about how his class worked. Who knew what level he'd gained if he'd go through with any of these recipes? Vesper certainly didn't, but almost anything was worth trying to gain some levels, well, almost anything.

Wherever Quill had gone, he wouldn't be back for a while. The library would be fine without him, Vesper thought to himself. It was a rare occasion when someone entered the old library, and those that did, stuck to themselves. It was unlikely that something would go wrong in the 15 minutes that it took for Vesper to go perform the recipe, or so he thought.

Wrapping the book tight around his arms, Vesper left the library. He picked up his pace, walking at a pace that blurred the line between walking and jogging. No one in the history of Lucridge had been as excited as Vesper to barge into the Slim Pickens Inn.

"Grunkor, I need some help! I have a recipe I want to make."

"Is it tasty? Grunkor does like good eating." The little goblin greedily rubbed his hands together, already imagining what fine recipe Vesper had conjured for him.

Vesper explained what he needed to Grunkor.

"And you'll give the toenails?" Grunkor asked.

"Yes, there aren't any other humans here who want to give you their toenail clippings."

"This recipe is strange, even for goblins. Will it taste good?"

Vesper paused before lying. "Yes."

He watched the young goblin scurry about the Inn while Vesper cut his toenails for the clippings. He read what he could of the translation, how the ingredients had to be placed a certain way before cooking. It didn't make sense from a cooking perspective because it wasn't cooking. It left Vesper slightly confused on why he needed to go through such a laborious process to make such a terrible meal.

He sprinkled the toenails in the shape of a pentagram and followed the instructions as best he could. Some words were missing, so it was hard to know if he was completely accurate, but Vesper figured slightly off was as good as perfect. It certainly wouldn't change the flavor all that much.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Grunkor excitedly hopped around Vesper, peeking over his hunched shoulder whenever he got the chance.

As Vesper placed the last ingredients into their positions, he felt warmth from the old book. Vesper dropped the book because books weren't supposed to do that. It began to glow, a bright gold as if it were a tiny celestial star. The pages flipped wildly, opening to the page of the recipe.

Vesper crawled away from the book but was unable to. There was a barrier keeping him in with the glowing book. He called out for help and banged against the invisible forcefield, but no sound escaped the barrier. Grunkor watched from outside the barrier in horror. This was not the way Grunkor imagined losing his first repeat customer.

Louder and Louder the book screamed, hissing as if possessed. Vesper covered his ears, but the noise came all the same; he closed his eyes as the blinding light grew brighter. Vesper screamed. Then the noise and the light abruptly stopped.

Vesper heard a giggle and decided to peek.

"Fun! Fun! Fun! A mortal trapped themselves in a summoning circle! It's been eons, ooh, that's the spot." A small creature of light said as she stretched. She was maybe a quarter the size of Grunkor, shielded in armor forged of light and a tiny sword the size of a toothpick.

"What. What- Are you an angel?" Vesper asked in awe. He tried backing away from the creature, but the invisible barrier still stood.

"Goodness, no. Those uptight pricks don't know how to have any fun. I'm a Fae, and you're going to be carved up into little pieces if you don't give me what I want. Foolish. Foolish human, you're supposed to stay on the other side of a summoning circle. Didn't your wizard friends ever teach you that?" The Fae let out a sadistic giggle and swung her sword in the air.

Vesper flinched. It might be the size of a toothpick, but Vesper guessed it was sharp. He glanced back; Grunkor was hiding behind his bar, his head barely peeking out from behind the bar.

"You, uh, have no bargaining power here." Vesper bluffed.

"Yes. Yes. Yes, I do!" sang the Fae. "I'll cut you up and carve you into red meat cubes! I'll stack your body and make a big meat cube block tower! It'll be splendid! Form a pact with me!" The Fae giggled again.

"But then you'll only have a big meat cube tower. You see, I wasn't the one who summoned you; it was the goblin behind the bar." Vesper lied.

"No, Grunkor did not summon a tiny evil creature. That was all the human's idea." Grunkor yelled back. Frankly, he wanted nothing to do with the Fae, but he did have an obligation to his customer, so he compromised and stayed hidden behind the bar.

"Well, you can carve me to pieces, but I'm not forming a pact with you. That goblin's not gonna let you out and will probably go contact the King's wizards."

"That's no fun. No, fun at all!" The maniac Fae shouted. "I want a pact. It's my turn, and I want a Pact!"

"Well, what can you offer me? Quite frankly, I want to get turned into meat cubes."

The Fae narrowed her eyes.

"I don't believe you. No human likes getting turned into meat cubes. Trust me, I've carved up plenty of them." pouted the Fae.

Grunkor finally started to catch on to what Vesper was doing.

"That human does like turning into meat cubes; human is into Imp Romance," admitted Grunkor. Vesper turned and quickly glared at Grunkor.

The Fae dramatically faked a vomit. "Gross, Imp Romance is disgusting. You have the worst taste in romance, human." The Fae paused for a second. She smiled. "If you form a pact, I'll get you a nice plump Imp Lady."

It was hard for Vesper to hold back his repulsion to even the thought. He nodded as if that sounded nice.

"No, I don't want a Plump Imp Lady. I -"

"A skinny Imp Lady," the Fae interjected, clearly desperate to make a deal.

"No, no Imp ladies. I want something more useful and something that will solve my problems."

"Deal! Deal! Foolish, human, the pact has been sealed."

"Wait, no. I didn't tell…" When Vesper looked down, a gold tattoo formed on the bottom of his wrist. He gasped as it seared into his skin. A dull pain washed throughout his body. "What have you done" he croaked. He felt his soul for the first time as a small portion began siphoning into the Fae.

The barrier fractured, an explosion of light swept through the inn, rattling tables and flinging tankards like fireball spells. Grunkor cowered behind his bar as debris tore the interior of his bar to pieces. Only the Grimoire, Vesper, the Fae, and Grunkor remained untouched.

A pact has been formed with Alry the Dicer, Knight of the Fae Trait Gained: Strength of the Fae Debuffs Gained: Soul strain

Finder of Secrets leveled up to 4!

Finder of Secrets leveled up to 5!

Vesper's vision blurred, gradually fading to darkness. The sight of a small green goblin was the last sight Vesper's eyes saw before he entered a deep slumber.