Calvin – City #143
Idly flicking through ridiculously priced items on the Terminals Auction sub menu, Calvin sat next to Giselle while she attempted to get in contact with her father.
Looking at the twelfth fervently proclaimed ‘Odin’s Hammer’ and chuckled to himself, whilst the Initiate Cleric to his right let out a squeal of delight and clapped excitedly added.
“Oh Perfect! E’e iz willing to meet!”
Before a slightly crestfallen expression marred her pretty face as she continued.
“oh…owever e’e cannot do et in ze Citadel for security reasonz…I hope zis iz ok?”
Trying to disguise his glee at not having to go into the Citadel, he responded.
“No problem, I think I’ll get us another one or two more people for safety reasons…”
Clapping excitedly again she exclaimed.
“Oh Cal you are ze bezt! I’ll make sure my fazzer throwz in a big tip on top of ze delivery fee!”
Concealing his annoyance at being referred to as a delivery man from his face, he plastered on a smile and offered.
“Happy to be of service babe!”
After Giselle had arranged to meet her father at the opposite side of the crater from the Citadel, they made their way to the tavern.
Calvin having already set up a meeting with Han and Gus the day before, was silently congratulating himself for not getting Michelle involved in his scheme.
He was sure if it was the old Michelle she would have jumped at the chance to partake in the plan, but ever since the near obliteration of their Party, the Latino woman had been acting strangely, well stranger than usual, he corrected himself.
It was bit disconcerting to talk to her now if he was being honest.
Certainly they were still in a Party together and had to communicate, but more in depth conversations made him think that if he didn’t know any better, he was actually talking to a complete stranger. For instance, every time he mentioned any of his fallen Party members it was like she genuinely didn’t know what he was talking about, be it Bep’ee or even Svet…it was really beginning to give him the creeps.
Shoving aside such thoughts as he entered the rectangular, white two story ‘tavern’, Calvin looked around and then waved when he saw the two freelancers he had arranged to meet.
Han was a stocky 6 ft Japanese man while Gus was a 5 ft 4 Mexican man. He had run into the mismatched level 86 Initiate Rogue Han and level 84 Initiate Man at Arms Gus when he had just gotten himself back together some two years prior to the abominable Benjamin destroyed his life yet again.
The two mercenaries were not what you would call upstanding citizens of the new world. For example Han had a habit of trying to steal anything that was not tied down which had, according to many, gotten him teleported out of the City more than a few times.
Gus on the other hand had a love for liquor that was only eclipsed by his love for fighting, and the more he thought about it, he supposed they must have a strange kind of kinship, being that they were both literally outcasts from time to time.
When he had initially asked them to form a Party they had flat out demanded to be paid upfront in Manamotes before even leaving the City. At the time he had just wanted out of the City and with few other options available he paid up and hoped for the best.
Over the few weeks that he paid for their services however he was both impressed and alarmed at the bits of information he gleaned and the practiced skills they exhibited.
Later when Michelle had come out of hiding and the council had paired him and her up with some more reputable ‘Adventurers’, he had done some more discrete research on the pair. His covert investigations uncovered that they had quite a formidable reputation in certain circles, and while unscrupulous when it came to whatever they would accept, once paid, they carried out the assignment ruthlessly and without fail.
Which coincidentally made them the perfect candidates for what Calvin had planned this very day:
Hanzo has joined the Party.
Gustavo has joined the Party.
After he had introduced Giselle to the men and gone over the ‘mission’ he wanted them to carry out, he insisted they all check their gears durability before heading out to rendezvous with Gérard.
When the two men rolled their eyes and grumbled and the French Lady acquiesced, he set about inspecting his out equipment:
Stalwart Knight’s Ornamented Plate Mail
Level Requirement: 96
Attributes: Increase physical and magical defense by 36%, +22 Strength, +11 Dexterity, +23 Vitality +524 Maximum Health, +101 Maximum Mana, +7% Boost to all defensive skills.
Durability: 275/281
Description: Fastidiously forged mana infused plate mail inscribed with journeyman defensive and enhancement runes. A rare magical item that was forged by an initiate blacksmith that serves a now greatly diminished order of the fisted retribution from planet Akerien III.
Spiked Tower Shield of the Drowned Legion
Level Requirement: 93
Attributes: Increase in Physical and Magical Defense by 29%, +24 Vitality, + 8 Strength, Block Value +930
Durability: 413/420
Description: A mana imbued spiked tower shield of the drowned legion inscribed with journeyman defensive runes and intermediate empowerment runes. A rare magical item crafted by a pair of Initiate blacksmiths indentured to the 753rd platoon of the drowned legion.
Magnetic Galvanium Shard Long Sword
Level Requirement: 95
Attributes: Melee Damage + 135 - 155, + 30 Strength, +20% Damage to all physical skills, +25% increase to Parry and Block skills efficacy
Durability: 264/273
Description: A mana infused shard of galvanium converted into long sword, inscribed with journeyman offensive runes and intermediate empowerment runes. A randomly generated yet rare magical item rewarded to Calvin for successful participation in the cleansing of Dimensional Siphon#14139.
Communication Necklace
Level Requirement: 50
Attributes: Linked with 4 other identical Communication Necklaces to form a Zone restricted closed communication network.
Durability: 96/100
Description: A mana synthesized communication crystal attached to a mana conductive cord. When activated, enables voice transmission to other crystals of the five piece set, while in the same zone. A necessary but uncommon magical item synthesized for phase 1 worlds.
Faen Steel Ring
Level Requirement: 97
Attributes: +16 Strength, +32 Maximum Health, + 13% Increased Physical Damage
Durability: 139/145
Description: Description: A synthesized ring of faen steel, inscribed with journeyman enhancement and empowerment runes. A randomly generated yet rare magical item rewarded to Calvin for successful participation in the cleansing of Dimensional Siphon#18606.
Jal’Skun Onyx Ring
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Level Requirement: 98
Attributes: +15 Strength, +30 Maximum Health, + 16% increase to physical and magical defense
Durability: 136/141
Description: Description: A synthesized ring of Jal’Skun Onyx, inscribed with journeyman enhancement and empowerment runes. A randomly generated yet rare magical item rewarded to Calvin for successful participation in the cleansing of Dimensional Siphon#19413.
Cape of The Entrenched Bulwark
Level Requirement: 96
Attributes: Increase physical and magical defense by 9%, +14 Vitality, + 26 Maximum Health, +34% increase to rate of Health Regeneration
Durability: 75/75
Description: An intricately woven mana enriched cape, inscribed with journeyman defensive and enhancement runes. A randomly generated yet rare magical item rewarded to Calvin for successful participation in the cleansing of Dimensional Siphon#15923.
After confirming his own equipment’s state of readiness, they jostled out through the black colored thoroughfare and the white cubes that framed the City skyline. Given the that the City was swollen with Adventurers rallying for the T4 Quest, he was suppressed they made it to the gate before mid-day.
Having neared the eastern gate at a remove of a few HU rows back from the wall, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
“Hey! Hey Cal! Is that you?”
Turning he saw the Initiate Fire Mage he called friend’s short form, holding a hand above passersby and waving in a bid to get his attention. Sighing he said to the others.
“Sorry guys I’ll be right back just wait here a minute.”
Receiving nods from the men and a perfunctory pout from Giselle, he waded through the pedestrians to speak to Michelle.
“Hey, just about to run a quick errand, what’s up?”
Glaring in return, the Latin American demanded.
“What do you mean a pinche errand!? We are supposed to be on standby!”
Trying to keep another sigh from escaping his lips, he countered.
“Its gonna be fine Michelle, we’re still like 30 thoudand level 90’s short and I’ll be back within half a day.”
Groaning in annoyance she retorted.
“What the hell am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
Shrugging with only a fraction of the apathy he felt, he rejoined.
“I dunno get laid or something?”
Calvin winced in anticipation of the expected outburst, and more than a little perplexed when it didn’t come, he continued.
“L-look Its just a courier run, nothing exciting…I’ll see you soon yeah?”
Letting out a huff of annoyance she responded.
“Ughh whatever! Come find me when you’re done playing deliveryman for the mamon!”
Before she stormed off through the crowd.
He could only shake his head at Michelle’s disappearing back and the systems constant refusal to translate some of her decidedly Spanish insults, before gave up in a huff and turned to return to the patiently waiting trio.
Without further fuss, the group exited the city to begin the several hours long trek to the Citadel.
The journey itself was pleasant enough as their small group easily traversed the terrain at a leisurely jog, their speed largely owing to everyone’s sufficient investment in in strength and vitality.
Passing through the familiar terrain however, Calvin could not help but bring to mind the last time he made this journey and its resulting horrific conclusion.
It was after trying and failing to push the bloodstained images of his friends broken corpses from his mind yet again, he received an all too familiar, yet ominous notification:
You have entered Alpha Zone #193 Level 1 - 20
Unsheathing his sword and gripping his shield tighter, Gus and Han readied their own weapons while Giselle fumbled with her own as she turned to him in confusion and worry before whispering.
“Wat iz et?”
Shaking his head in a dismissive gesture and compelling himself to relax, he replied in a tone of forced calm.
“Just being cautious babe, nothing to worry about..”
Seeming to take his explanation as truth, the Initiate Cleric brightened and responded.
“Oh zat iz a relief, you ad me worried zere! Come come, I can see ze lake from ere!”
Nervously the three men followed the still oblivious Giselle as she led the way.
On his nervous passage, Calvin noted the landscape had changed much since his last unsightly visitation.
It was one thing to be told that the smoldering crater where his friend’s had perished and he himself had almost met his demise, hand been turned into a lake surrounded by verdant green growth. Yet it was quite another to behold the scene with his own two eyes.
The further the group proceeded, the more he could make out the artificial lakes mirror-esque surface through the skyscraper like tree trunks. The unchanged fixture of the Citadel however, was still there to mock him with its presence as he eventually made out its white outline where it sat on the opposite water’s edge.
To his right he heard a yell which caused him to almost soil his [Elevant’s Essential Gear] as he swiveled to face it’s source.
“Iz zat you my precious?! Oh sank ze heavens you made it in wan peice!”
Responding in the same stealth less manner the young lady responded.
“Oh don’t be ridiculouz papa! I told you I ired elp!”
Laughing at his daughters childlike reply, he feigned indignation as he retorted.
“Not even a hug for your long lozt papa? Wat kind of daughter did I raize!?!”
Giggling excitedly the Initiate Cleric responded.
“Oh papa I ave mizzed you so!”
Running to each other like some hollywood-esque reunion, the pair embraced affectionately before exchanging murmured pleasantries followed by another bout of exaggerated hugging.
Trying not to roll his eyes at the father and daughters exuberant embrace, Calvin instead settled to inspecting the two guards the French man had brought with him.
The two in question were both clad in black plate mail with visors raised as they casually held their arms close to their armaments. If Calvin had to hazard a guess, he would put their levels at about the mid 70’s to early 80’s and if he was by himself he would have maybe had to pull out a few stops to take them, but given his hired help he couldn’t help but scoff at Gérard’s ‘protective’ entourage.
Snapping his attention back to the portly Frenchman and his adorning moustache, he watched as his grey robe rippled when the man waved a hand jovially in his direction before picking up its hems and walking in a trotting fashion. Jovially closing the gap the man introduced himself with a meaty two handed handshake on Calvin’s gauntlet.
“Ahhh allo young man! My daughter, she az told me much about you!”
Plastering on a smile, calvin replied while gesturing covertly to his two companions to get to work.
“All good things I hope?”
Laughing merrily Gérard responded.
“Oh but of courze, she would not ke-“
But he cut off mid-sentence as behind him the sound of gurgling and clattering plate mail forced him to slowly turn in confusion:
Your Party has Slain Initiate Woman at Arms Level 84, no experience gained due to level disparity.
Your Party has Slain Initiate Knight Level 84, no experience gained due to level disparity.
Looking past the man, Calvin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two mercenaries appeared to have ‘executed’ the plan flawlessly when the French woman cried out in growing panic as she backed away from the two fallen guards.
“C-Cal!?!? Wat…wat iz ze meaning of zis!?”
Putting up his hands in an effort to calm the distraught woman, he replied while edging forward.
“It’s ok babe…Its not what you think…Just give me a chance to explain!”
Confusion flashed across her face as Gérard began running to his daughter’s side only for Calvin to easily catch up with him and trip the loaping oaf with his unmoving plate clad foot.
Grabbing the traitorous Frenchman by the scruff of his neck, he hauled him up smoothly, as he turned to address the gawping Gérard.
“Believe me when I say that I’m the last person to commit human on human violence. I know you weren’t working for the bastard directly…but your father here… he’s in the direct employ of a fucking monster.”
Momentarily unsure of what to do next, fear took over her face as she turned to her father.
“Papa, I sought ‘ee could be truzted, I didn’t sin-”
The suspended man, gave a weak smile as tears streaked his face whilst he offered in reassurance.
“Et iz ok my sweet, I do not blame you for zis!”
Then the Initiate Cleric looked to the Australian man imploringly and begged.
“Please! My papa iz not like Benjamin! Pleaze leave ‘im be Calvin! …if not for him, zen do et for me?..”
Cool anger suffused Calvin and it took nearly all his will to not pulverize the traitorous pair where they stood. Closing his eyes he reminded himself he was better than the monster, so if he was to be better killing these two was still out of the question. Besides, if the freak ever got back from wherever he had gone, he would need bargaining chips to survive…breathing out heavily Calvin bit out.
“Do you know how that lake behind us got there?”
Gulping, Gérard supplied in a half choked voice.
“I-it waz wen ‘ee d-defeated an alien invade-”
Shaking the man to silence his brainwashed lies, the initiate Templar replied with scorn dripping in his voice as he continued to shake the Frenchman angrily.
“The guy was a fucking diplomat!...My Party escorted him to talk with the abomination you call your boss! All but two of us died that day!”
Giselle’s father coughed before stammering out in rising distress.
“I-i-‘m sorry! I ad no idea about your friendz! P-pleaze let talk to sir Benjamin and w-we can come to s-some understanding to make et right!?”
Imploring him once more, the openly weeping Initiate Cleric chimed in.
“P-pleaze Cal pleaze let papa GO!”
And as she finished her plea, Giselle released the all too familiar [Blinding Light] skill. Closing his eyes against the painful brightness, his vision was still obscured when he opened his eyes and felt a blow land against his outstretched arm that still held the Frenchman suspended. Rebounding with a *Clang*ing sound of metal on metal he smiled to himself as the time for talking had apparently passed.
Unfazed by the blow he activated [Defensive Stance] and felt another blow land on his elbow this time. The assault only going so far as to make Gérard bob and gurgle in the air slightly, leaving Calvin’s grip completely undeterred.
After another blow his vision cleared just in time to see a frantic Giselle swinging anew, in a vain attempt to free her father. As the blow *Clang*ed ineffectually he dropped his [Spiked Tower Shield of the Drowned Legion] and backhanded the Initiate Cleric, careful to use only a quarter of his strength, lest he kill his sometime lover.
When her body rolled along the ground to *Clank* against a large tree root protruding from the loamy ground, Gérard nearly had a seizure in an effort to free himself and check on his daughter. However still trapped in Calvin’s unmoving grip the Initiate Templar chuckled as he nodded to the two blinking mercenaries and said.
“Told you guys it would be easy didn’t I? And remember to stick to the plan and you will get the second half of your fee in 5 weeks ok?”
Grinning the Initiate Man At Arms replied as he eyed the unmoving French Woman.
“No problem’s boss, this will be the easiest job in a long time, right Han?”
Nodding the Initiate rogue added.
“It is as my small friend says, we are happy to be of service…”
Smiling as the pair reaffirmed their commitment to his plan, he turned to the still struggling Gérard and reassured.
“Just think….if you had never worked for that scumbag this wouldn’t have happened…Well in a few weeks you’ll have hopefully had enough time to realize your grievous error…”
Going red in the face as he looked at Calvin with bloody murder in his eyes he screamed.
“ET IZ YOU WHO WILL KNOW REGRET! WHEN HE LEA-“
Having had enough of the brainwashed Frenchman’s ravings, Calvin lightly backhanded his head with his free hand, making sure to use just enough strength to hopefully knock the man unconscious. Tossing his now unresisting, rounded form and causing it to roll and come to a stop next to his daughters.
After going over the plan to keep the pair in the hand until the operation was over and stop whatever portal bullshit Benjamin needed done with the two mercenaries once more. He allowed himself a sigh of relief at the ease at which he had pulled this off.
Before having an epiphany and turning to the two jailers to add a sweetener to the deal.
“5 weeks guys! And if you can manage to convince them of the error of their ways…well hell I’ll give you a 20,000 Manamote bonus!”
They nodded enthusiastically before replying.
“Sure thing boss man!”
“Consider it done…”
Turning as he waved them farewell, Calvin scooped up his shield and eased into a lazy jog before becoming quickly bored and broke into an effortless run.
And as the scenery sped past in a familiar blur, a smile crept on to his face as he realized that he might even make it back before dinner.