Clarissa

There was complete silence as Michael walked out of the Meeting Chamber. I would say it was a dead silence, but no one was melting on the ground. I didn’t know if I should label him a drama queen or highly effective. The man would probably be the death of me, but until then I was going to grab on with both hands and ride him to a comfortable life in this hell hole.

“I believe we should now discuss the benefits and organizational structure of the Immortal Council. The effective tax distribution is at 10% according to my notes,” I said.

“You are just going to let him do that?” Pastor Charles asked me.

“Are you questioning Champion Michael’s authority?” I asked slowly and loudly. Everyone quickly shut their mouths and looked at Pastor Charles. Now that Michael was back, I could finally take charge and not have to put up with all the bullshit that had been pouring down on me. I was not going to starve on the streets or get melted. Disappointing Michael was quick way to end up there.

“Of course not. But-“

“But nothing,” I cut him off decisively. “Champion Michael works to explore beyond the city and protect it from all threats. If even he struggles against a level 4 monster, what chance do we have?”

“Very well, let us sort out this Immortal Council,” Rick said with as much distain as he could convey. “Ten percent. That is a large portion of the tax revenue.”

“A necessary portion, which until there are three people sitting on said Council, will be put towards city upgrades,” I countered.

“The main issue is enforcement of laws against these individuals. The only check will be the Immortal Council themselves, since the guard can’t contest against these types of individuals,” Chris said.

“Two sets of laws, insane,” Rick muttered.

“After speaking with Champion Michael, there are five things that are needed for each member of the Immortal Council, excluding the entry requirements. First immunity to all laws, only answerable to other members of the Immortal Council.” There were shouts at that, but Chris banged his gavel, and I kept going.

“Second, a representative to be permanently assigned to assist each of them within the city of Purgatory. To address any complaints, requirements, or mundane concerns. To run messages and handle any issues that arise from day to day interactions. These individuals will be paid from the general city fund and will also deal with other high stat individuals visiting Purgatory.”

“Third, to be the only individuals to purchase items on credit up to half a million points. No other credit or fiat currency will be used or allowed beyond the crystals themselves.” I kept going.

“Fourth, to be the only individuals to have animals or designs on their clothing. To authorize those working for them to carry the same design.” I noted many people looking at the dragon motif on my dress.

“Fifth, to have a meeting area paid for and furnished by the city. Including food, drink, and entertainment of the highest quality.” This was to manage things, so entertainment didn’t get out of hand and people wreck the city on a whim.

“Finally, they would be subject to all taxes imposed on level 1 and level 2 crystals. Including people working for them.” That last bit I had to get approval from Michael. He just smiled and nodded at that. I had spoken with Naran and he was already grinding level 3 monsters. It was an easy concession and would make everything else more palatable.

Ken

I sprinkled some powder into my cup and took a sip. I let out a sigh of contentment. It made everything so much more bearable. The real problem was the aftereffects, but I had worked out a way around them. I would then have someone use a Sleep skill.

That was one of the services I offered at my potion dens. Much better than the negative connotation that drugs carried. At least one issue was about to be solved. I would finally get the crystal powder process out of Chase.

Even with the increased quotas, he was proving difficult. I wanted to avoid using a heavy hand for now. But it was a big risk. People were asking around and digging into where the crystal powder was coming from.

A lot of the people asking questions had been removed, but the rats were still out there. I smiled at the fact that even if someone did get it, I had a guaranteed monopoly from the government itself, which was me.

Michael might be frustrating sometimes, but the way he thought about things was eye opening. “Should we go to the convention?” Louis asked me. I couldn’t have found a better personal assistant. Still he was the one I needed to keep my eye on. The number of crystals moving through the potion process was concerning and I suspected him of siphoning off quite a bit.

“No. Michael is going to stir the pot. Better to let it simmer and then get one or two things through if we need to. Otherwise, better not to draw attention right now with how much Tyrese is sucking up.”

“Should we prepare something, in case he comes back injured again?” I looked over at Louis.

“One thing I have learned, is that when the house is on fire, you don’t water your garden.” Louis gave me a confused look. I took another sip of my drink. Ah, that was delightful. “He is dangerous and has his own ideas on how to do things. But the threats from outside the city are much more real. If he says a level 4 monster came into a city and dusted his arm, I believe that.”

“Still, it was a missed opportunity.”

“Louis, something you need to learn, is the brightest stars burn out the fastest. Immortal Council.” I shook my head. “The real people who will live are those who think and plan. Let him draw attention and fight level 4 monsters while we prepare and build up strength.”

“If you say so.” I did say so.

“I want to look over the accounting books again. Make sure we are managing our expenses.” I sipped some more potion.

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Tom

“Ruth, where are you?” I whispered to myself. I had reached the city of Truth on my own. But I hadn’t been able to find her. I had spoken with the Union teams from Purgatory, but they were camped out near the dungeons and hadn’t seen her.

I should never have gone with Michael. I was just worried about what he would do to her. He was just so angry. I was hoping to resolve things, but that was clearly impossible. Still, I had hope.

She needed to be protected. We had talked so much while walking through Truth. She had told me about her hopes and dreams. How this was a chance to make a new future together. Michael was just too intense. He didn’t care about people, only power.

“Ah!” An arrow flew into my side, and I went tumbling to the ground. Another arrow flew into me and I let out another cry. Four men stepped out of the buildings around me.

“You really came back here? Without that whore?” One of the men asked. “Also your city team isn’t around to save you.”

“We should just kill him.”

“No. I am going to gloat. After getting chased around this place for days on end. And the friends he melted. No.”

“Ahh!” I let out another cry as an arrow sunk into me.

“Also, we can get information out of him. Like, where he came from. I bet that is where the bastard Naran has run off to.” The pain was so much.

“Now you can speak, and we can make this quick. Or you can resist and make it fun. I prefer fun.”

“Ne-ne-never!” I hissed out.

“Never? Hold his hands down to the ground.” I felt my arms being grabbed. A face loomed over mine. “Now I am going to scoop out your eyeballs. You don’t need those to talk.”

I could only scream in pain.

Gertrude

I walked into the Union building. I looked over at Laura’s assistant Garrett. He let out a sigh and waved me through.

I walked into her office. “Gertrude, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Cut the crap Laura.” I plopped myself into one of her chairs. Comfortable. A lot more than dirt and rock I was used to sitting on. “The girls and I were just wondering about this convention thing? The last government restructuring ended up with a lot of people melted.” Well before it happened, still people were melted.

Laura let out a sigh. “Hopefully that isn’t the case. That is why our official position is to back Champion Michael.”

“Can he be trusted?” I noticed the way Laura hesitated before answering.

“Yes, but don’t cross his bottom line. Betrayal. I hope you are staying out of his way?”

“Just ran into his man Naran and the Champion half delirious as he was being pulled back to the city. What happened out there?”

“A level 4 monster.” Now that was important information.

“Level 4, what are we talking about? Details.”

“You probably know more than me, guarding his cart on the way back.”

“Just that it was a very dangerous battle. His man Naran is tighter than a virgin’s womb.”

“Really Gertrude?” I hated the name, but my mother gave it to me. While we fought all the time, I was never going to see her again. I had decided to take back the name after being tossed here. Still, it was a horrible name.

“I call it like I see it. Anyways, what is up?” There was a knock on the door and Garrett, Laura’s assistant, entered.

“Champion Michael is here to speak with you. Should I send him up?”

“Yes, Gertrude.”

“I want to stay. Get information firsthand and all that.”

“Listen. Do not cause trouble and keep quiet. Please?” I nodded at that.

“I won’t cause you a headache.” Laura gave me a smile. It quickly disappeared and transformed into her business face as she stood up. I quickly stood up as well. The man himself strode into the room, looking much better than when he was injured and mumbling unintelligently.

“Champion Michael. Welcome. This is one of the Union’s team leaders. Gertrude of the Emerald Wolves.”

“Laura, Gertrude.” I recalled the first meeting with the man, when he was half naked. That was always good for a quiet chuckle around a campfire with the team. Not something to talk about where others might overhear.

Laura gestured to a chair, and he went over, adjusting it, so we would both be in his field of vision along with the door. He then took a seat, adjusting his sword to make sure it didn’t hit anything, and he had easy access to it. Clearly paranoid, but I could understand that.

“I am glad to see you have recovered. I was hoping to get more information on what happened?” Laura asked.

“A level 4 monster. A tall dark monster, cloaked in black with a hood. Carried a sword.” I noted he rubbed his left arm when he said that. “It had unnatural behavior. This means level 4 monsters have behavior beyond mindless charging right at a person.”

“That will greatly escalate the danger.”

“There is more. It managed to enter the city I fled to and reached the plaza. There…” He trailed off and let out a sigh. It was at that moment, that I could see a man who was truly broken and exhausted. A fleeting moment of vulnerability before he pulled himself back togeather. “It dusted a person with a touch of its sword. It dusted my arm. I barely survived.”

There was silence at that. “I see, thank you for telling me,” Laura said.

“This brings up the main issue of why I am coming here. The Union will soon fall under the purview of the Immortal Council. Its first members besides me will come from here. The main responsibility is the defense of Purgatory.”

“You expect an attack?”

“Nothing that we have taken for granted is set in stone or something we can put our faith in. Until the Immortal Council fully forms and is in place, you need to start a different rotation of your teams. To ensure there is at least one team always on call within the city of Purgatory.”

“This will disrupt our rotation process.”

“Then make a new process.” I kept looking between the two trying to keep up. “If a level 4 monster enters the city, everyone will die.”

“You expect my teams to fight such a thing?”

“Yes. If they aren’t willing to fight and defend the city from all threats, then they will no longer be welcome.”

“A harsh stance to take.”

“A necessary stance to take. It is only a matter of time before we are attacked by another city. Defending is much harder than attacking. We are completely vulnerable right now. People with high stats are investments by the city for its defense.”

“The taxes.”

“Will not apply to level 3 crystals and above.”

“You are the only person who can get those.”

“For now. What will it take to have your teams act as a defense force?”

“It isn’t that simple. Killing monsters is one thing, killing people another. After the incident with the Guild, I aimed to recruit less blood thirsty individuals. But people who had more outdoor experience.”

“Ah.”

“Yes, ah. We can defend against a monster attack, and I agree with that on principle. But we cannot act as a paramilitary force.” There was a long stretch of silence.

“Very well. But any seat on the Immortal Council, will require people be willing to kill as defenders of the city. And to follow a majority of its members’ decisions.”

“Even you?”

“Yes, even me. That will be my concession. However, the requirement for entry will be defeating a level 4 monster.”

“You sure set the bar quite high.”

“That is low in my opinion. Far too low. What happens if a level 5 monster comes here? A level 5?! Everyone lacks the urgency needed. It will be too late when monsters are pouring into the city. We need to act now to prevent a disaster in the future.”

“I do not disagree, but people can only be pushed so much.”

“I refuse to die Laura. Perhaps others will meekly accept their fate, but I will scream and scream fighting against my death.” Michael stood up. “I will see you for dinner. Here?”

“The Gray Duck. It is a good choice,” Laura replied and stood up. “Clarissa helped arrange things. She is quite capable.” It had the best food that wasn’t just raw fruits or vegetables.

“Thank you for telling me, it is good to hear.” Time to take a chance.

I stood up as well. “Champion Michael?” He paused and looked at me. “Would you accompany me to tonight’s dinner?” I asked. He looked at me in silence for a minute, but I just stared back despite my rising nervousness.

“It would be my pleasure, Gertrude. I shall stop by the Union entrance to pick you up before dinner.” He turned and left.

“Why?” Laura looked at me.

“Because he didn’t stare.” I gestured at my large chest. “So, he isn’t a pig. Also, the cold ones are the most fun in bed.”

“You live too dangerously. If you offend that man, he will melt you. Melt. You.”

“What is life without a little danger?” Laura facepalmed and I began to giggle.