Ron's emotions and thoughts turned upside down while hearing Scarlett's story. Jeff was a scumbag and died before he could truly get going yet he used the wish store differently from Ron. Ron had never even considered using the wish store to force others into actions.
Ron didn't like being forced to do things he didn't want to do and would never force others. Still it did give Ron some more hints and even some fear regarding the wish store. ('I could summon a random person with a specific skill') Jeff managed to summon according to his preferences and Ron could do it if he needed a person but didn't know their name.
('I also need a defence against the wish store') Being able to be controlled just by others knowing your name was a horrifying thought. Ron needed to protect himself from others who could use the wish store. They could even wish him death. It was a grim reminder of the power of the wish store.
('The power to suddenly wish for anything you wanted was immense and only limited to one's imagination') Ron concluded. He would spend points on a defensive item as soon as possible.
"How did he get the points though?" Ron asked Scarlett maybe she knew.
"Points? What points are you talking about?" Scarlett asked Ron, confused she never knew of points.
"You need to use points in order to wish for something, the bigger the wish the more points" Ron explained to Scarlett and Elwynn how the points worked and were gained through achievements.
"He had enough points to summon you both and even wish for tools of control" Ron guessed Jeff had seen something to trigger a huge achievement.
"The horde" Goblin Slayer who stayed quiet during everything suddenly said. "He must've seen the horde got points for spotting them before running away, the riders followed his scent" Goblin Slayer explained how he had gained the points and even how he was found.
"Riders? You mean those goblins riding wolves?" Scarlett asked Goblin Slayer.
"Yes, once the horde gets big enough they tame wolves and ride them" Goblin Slayer explained.
"I've heard wolves before when I first came here it was probably those riders" Ron realised that he was quite close to the goblins when he first came to the tower. He would've been dead had those goblins found him first.
After a small moment of silence Ron decided to ask the most important question to him.
"So what do you want to do next?" It was a question aimed at everyone in the room. Goblin Slayer was the first to answer.
"Are you going after more goblins?" True to his name he only wanted one thing.
"I can't guarantee there will be more of them. This tower seems to be gigantic and other creatures do exist," Ron answered. As much he would like Goblin Slayer to tag along he doubted he would. He only helped against goblins.
"Can you send me back?" Goblin Slayer wished to return home.
"Of course I'll send you back but before that… mind if I use the wish store to reward him and send him home?" He asked Scarlett and Elwyn. He was still under the effects of the contract and could only use it with their permission.
"You're serious?" Scarlett didn't seem to believe his words. Why send a strong helper like him away? It was baffling to her especially with her experiences as a summon.
"Of course I only got his help because we were fighting goblins, I never expected him to stay afterwards" Ron simply explained to Scarlett. It was the truth.
"I don't have any problems" Scarlett couldn't find any falsehood in his eyes so she relented and wanted to see what would happen next.
"I-I don't either" Elwyn said with hope in her eyes, hoping Ron's words were truthful.
"Alrighty" Ron said before opening the wish store. The reward he was going to give Goblin Slayer was simple and probably the best one for Goblin Slayer. A small pouch appeared in Ron's hand and he simply tossed it to Goblin Slayer who caught it.
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The small pouch wasn't heavy and even appeared light to the touch. Goblin Slayer looked into it only to find 2 items: an emerald and a ruby.
"Gemstones?" Goblin Slayer asked. He wasn't really a person who wore jewellery.
"You can sell them to a local merchant and they will probably give you a sum of money for them, royalty always uses them to boost status." Ron explained that it was meant to be sold for money. Gemstones made with the wish store held no flaws so he knew they were worth a lot.
Elwyn and Scarlett looked at this exchange with shock, both were women and both knew the value of gemstones.
"Thanks" Goblin Slayer thanked Ron for the gift and extended his hand towards him.
Ron accepted his handshake "You have potential you showed no fear when dashing into a battle" Goblin Slayer complimented Ron and gave his honest opinions. Elwyn was even more shocked hearing those words but Scarlett didn't seem to react.
"Thanks for the feedback, are you ready to return?" Ron also thanked Goblin Slayer for his words and was ready to send him back.
"Hm" Goblin Slayer just nodded and Ron wished to send Goblin Slayer back home along with his gift. This wish interestingly didn't cost Ron any points. And with that Goblin Slayer disappeared in a flash.
Goblin Slayer awoke back at the farm where he had fallen asleep in his bed the night before.
('Was it a dream?') He had just been summoned and fought goblins, was it all a dream? Suddenly he saw a pouch on his nightstand. He looked into it only to see 2 gemstones.
('So it wasn't a dream') Goblin Slayer concluded. He could sell these for some money. ('Maybe I can even buy a scroll') and with that Goblin Slayer went on his day.
Back at the tower Ron now was left with Scarlett and Elwyn. "So how about you two?" Now pointing the question to them both.
There seemed to be a tension in the air as Scarlett asked a question of her own. "What will you do?" They didn't know Ron's goal.
"Get stronger and explore the tower, getting stronger is priority though I don't want to die again" Ron told them he already died once no need to do it again.
"Again?" Scarlett asked?
"Ah yes I died once before I got here, struck down by lightning" Ron explained. "In fact that's needed to even enter here"
Scarlett and Elwyn both looked a little disturbed, Jeff never told them he died but it would make sense considering his actions.
"What's to stop you from using the wish store against us like Jeff" Scarlett asked the question in her and Elwyn's mind.
"For now nothing, the contract still binds us and when it runs out there will be nothing stopping it" Ron told them point blank. Both women had mixed faces Elwyn's was distraught while Scarlett's was determined.
"Unless you allow me to use the wish store to buy defensive items against wishes" Ron expressed his idea to them.
"You can do that?" Elwyn asked a little hopeful.
"Sure why not as long as I have enough points anything is possible" Ron simply stated.
Both women quickly accepted defensive items if they worked it would keep them safe from the wish store.
Ron looked for a defensive item in the wish store and quickly found something interesting. 'Wish blocking ring' priced at 100 wish points.
Ron was intrigued, he focused on the item before getting an explanation. 'Wish blocking ring. A ring that blocks all wishes under 1,000 wish points (upgradeable by spending 1,000 wish points)'.
It was a interesting concept, and Ron knew it was the item he needed. Ron bought the ring. It was a pure jade ring and looked simple. Ron upgraded it and the ring shone for a bit. In total the cost was 1,100 points but the results were worth it.
'Wish blocking ring. A ring that blocks all wishes under 10,000 wish points (upgradeable by spending 10,000 wish points)'.
It would take a while before Ron could even think about spending 10,000 points at once, even up till now he hadn't even earned a total of 10,000 points.
"Alright, who wants to test it?" Ron asked the ladies.
"I'll do it," Scarlett said. She wasn't afraid of Ron duping them. For one the contract forbade him and second she saw no deception in his eyes.
Ron gave Scarlett the ring as she put it on Elwyn tensed a little before relaxing when she saw nothing happening. "I'm going to wish to make you do something okay?" Ron spoke.
Scarlett nodded and Elwyn tensed back up almost ready to run if things went wrong. Ron suddenly had a mischievous idea.
"I wish Scarlett would dance funny" Ron wished and spent 500 points. Scarlett gave him a deadpanned look while Elwyn had to hold back a laugh.
The ring on Scarlett's finger shone for a bit before dimming again. Ron had gotten the message his wish was blocked and points were refunded.
"Darn, I couldn't see you dance funny" Ron acted upset. Scarlett continued to look at him while Elwyn couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing.
"You probably want one too, right?" Ron asked Elwyn. "Yes please! I don't want to dance funny" Elwyn said while laughing.
Ron bought another ring for Elwyn and upgraded it. She quickly put it on and seemed to be happy about the ring.
"Why go through all this?" Scarlett suddenly asked. "It costs you points, why spend all those points?" She asked again.
"It's because I want something from you two" Ron answered seriously. Both Scarlett and Elwyn now looked at him tense again.
"I've come to find out that I'm completely unprepared for the tower if I want to explore it" Ron started talking.
"I would love it if you helped me along the way. Or if you could teach me what I should know about survival" Ron finished stating what he wanted to get from them.
"Hell I've so far eaten only bland food packages. I'd love to eat something tasty" Ron still remembered the boar. Which reminded Ron that he hadn't eaten today.
"Yeah we tried those, they were pretty bland" Scarlett said.
"Wait, when did you try them?" Ron didn't remember giving them one.
"The other guy, what was his name again? Goblin Slayer? He came in yesterday to check on us and gave us some food" Elwyn explained.
Scarlett was silent as there was actually some more that she didn't tell her. She actually had spoken to him while Elwyn was sleeping.
*flashback*
Scarlett woke up and looked around her and saw the other girl sleeping. She remembered watching the injured man clean and help them without having ill thoughts. ('Why would he do this') she had on her mind.
The door suddenly opened and she saw the armoured man come in. She was still a little guarded, she didn't know what his goals were.
"You're awake, how are you feeling?" he asked her. The question was caring, his tone of voice was cold, almost numb.
"Fine thanks for asking" She answered a little curtly. "Can I ask you some things?" She asked him.
"Sure" he nodded
"Why are you helping him?" Scarlett asked. Curious to know the reason.
"To kill goblins" he simply stated.
"Just that?" She asked, a little miffed, who would be okay with that?
"Hm" he simply nodded.
"Did he fight with you?" Scarlett asked, wondering about the injury.
"Yes," he said. Scarlett was surprised to hear that.
"Was he strong?" She asked curiously.
"No, but he did his best," he said. So he wasn't strong but still fought? Her opinion of the injured man rose once more.
"Here's some food, it's pretty bland however" he gave her some food packages and left.
"Someone came?" A voice sounded beside her. It was the other woman.
"Yes, the armoured one to check up on us and to give us some food" Scarlett told her.
"Is it tasty?" the woman asked Scarlett while looking at the package seemingly having not much hope.
"Probably not," she answered, also not really looking forward to eating it.