"The ebb and flow of currency across our many nations is the only thing that separates us from the monsters the adventurers kill every day. Without money, we're animals."
-Gerard Vidolmai Badovich, Merchant of Edaria
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Badovich's Imporium, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 6:20 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
There is a rise in tension as he waits for me to explain how I know of Dusk and why I've come to him to find out Dusk's identity. Funnily, he's told me with his question that he knows who I'm looking for. Turns out Haleen's information was right.
"Does it really matter? Dusk is just an assassin, right? Expendable. Surely there is something you want for the information I'm seeking."
A trade is the best option I have. It's not like I've got enough money to buy the information off him. I don't know the going rates for assassins' real identities or where to find them, but I'm sure it's more than what I can afford.
He takes a moment, debating and thinking inside his head. I watch as his eyes slowly drift to my sword, and I can't help the chuckle going through me. Of course, he'd want (Monument of Sin.) However, I'll wait for him to ask for it instead of just assuming.
"The price for the information you see isn't low. Normally, I don't sell out my associates for anything. Assassins included. But, you intrigue me. You still haven't told me your name. Let me know the identity of the one I'm speaking with."
I suppose it was too much of a stretch to get through this ordeal without getting my name discovered. I bow my head slightly as I prepare to introduce myself.
"I'm Zaediel. A new arrival. It's a pleasure to make your formal acquaintance."
An analyzing glint appears in his eye after I raise my head.
"That's not everything you are, Zaediel. I can see so with these eyes of mine."
That golden glow from before, when he looked at (Monument of Sin), is present in his irises. It seems he has some kind of Inspect-type skill, similar to my (EoC.)
Given that he hasn't freaked out or let it slip that he knows what I really am, I doubt his Inspect-type skill is capable of seeing everything I am.
"So, why don't you be honest with me. From what I saw in (Monument of Sin's) information, it can only be wielded by you, the creator."
That tells me he knows I made (Monument of Sin), but he doesn't know about my class or skills. He would've told me what he already knew if that were the case. There wouldn't be a point to this carade if he knew.
"Obviously, being capable of creating an (Ancient) graded weapon is unheard of in these times. So, I can't help thinking the price for my aid should be what you're hiding about yourself. Who are you? What's your class?"
He's done wasting time, and he gets straight down to business. I suppose I can't delay it. He's smart enough to know if I lie to him. He's put together enough information from his Inspect-type skill to openly ask me this.
A rather long sigh leaves my lips. I suppose this is gonna be the first time my identity is discovered, and I'm trading it for information about an assassin. Kinda feels cheap and whorey. But you gotta do what you gotta do.
I bring up my player system and send him permission to access and see my player information. He raises his eyebrow, but accepts it.
Here we go.
~~~(POV: Gerard Vidolmai Badovich)~~~
~~~(Location: Badovich's Imporium, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 6:33 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 53 Years)~~~
I can't believe what I'm seeing right now.
He's the one the Planetwide Announcement spoke about. Zaediel is the (Mythical) graded class wielder.
---[Player Information]---
[Zaediel] [Lvl. 51] [Player Lvl EXP: 1350/5000]
[HP: 340,000/340,000] [STM: 340,000/340,000] [MP: 175,000/175,000]
[HP = STR x 1000] [STM = END x 1000] [MP = INT x 1000]
[Class: Zophiel's Descendant (Mythical)] [Nobility: N/A]
[Tier: 0]
[Stat Points: 21]
---[Stats]---
[STR: 340] [PER: 67] [END: 340] [CHA: 101] [INT: 175] [AGI: 325] [LUK: 101]
---[Hidden Stats]---
[Primeval Divinity: 300] [More yet to be discovered]
---[Physical Skills]---
[Chain Ability (Rare)] [Zophiels Eternal Edge (Mythical) (2/10) (9000/20,000)] [Zophiels Smithing Technique (Mythical) (2/10) (5,000/20,000)] [Eyes of Creation (Mythical) (N/A) (N/A)]
---[Magic Skills]---
[Forever Death (Mythical) (1/10) (0/10,000)]
---[Passive Skills]---
[Primeval Angelic Regeneration (Mythical)] [Zophiels Last Descendant (Mythical)]
Primeval Angel? Zophiel? Primeval Divinity?
I'm not a historian or religious man, so I don't know what these mean. Based on the (Mythical) grade to the (Physical), (Magic), and (Passive) skills, they're extremely powerful. Since he's permitted me, I click on (Primeval Angelic Regeneration) just to see what it is.
---[Primeval Angelic Regeneration]---
[Info: Primeval Angels are beings that should never die, and the closer you get to killing one. The harder it becomes.]
[Effects: +1,000 HP, STM, and MP every second outside of battle. When health reaches critical levels in combat, the skill automatically activates.]
Whoa...
Wanting to see more, I click on (Zophiels Last Descendant.)
---[Zophiels Last Descendant]---
[Info: You're the last living descendant of Primeval Angel Zophiel.]
[Effects: EXP gains are multiplied by a factor of 2x. You will become invincible for 10 seconds at 1 HP.]
[Cooldown 12 Hours]
I can't believe someone with (Passive) skills like this exists. He's only level 51, but he has the power of someone almost 200 levels higher than him and a Tier above him. My attention shifts back to (Physical) skills, and I see (Zophiels Smithing Technique.)
---[Zophiels Smithing Technique]---
[Info: Zophiel was a brilliant Primeval Angel, and his smithing reflected that. His smithing techniques allowed him to create the most powerful weapons ever.]
[Effects: Unlocks blacksmithing and creation tab in the player interface. You're capable of creating weapons and armor beyond mortal limits.]
[Special Effect: Odds of better smithing material drops are raised by 1,000%.]
[9% odds of creating Epic grade equipment and higher.] [Has reached level 2]
[Raise the level of the skill to increase the odds. Each level adds a flat 3%.]
Gods above...
My eyes lift and look away from the transparent screen in front of me displaying Zaediels information, and I look at the boy himself. He sees me staring and just rolls his eyes. He doesn't fully comprehend how special he is, does he...
He's able to create items that are powerful enough to drive Kingdoms and Empires to war. There are more skills here I haven't checked out yet, either. Some of them are offensive skills. Seeing everything I need to, I decide not to snoop anymore, and I dismiss the screen. Losing access to Zaediels information in the process.
"I take it you've seen everything you need to see."
I nod my head as I straighten out my back a little bit. If I can get a good (Relationship) level with Zaediel, I'm positive I can request him to craft me items...
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Badovich's Imporium, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 6:39 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
There is a stretch of awkward silence as I see Badovich thinking deeply about something. As he's doing so, I get a notification from the system.
[+10,000 Rep with Gerard Vidolmai Badovich.]
[You are now acquaintances with Gerard Vidolmai Badovich.]
"Suffice to say, I wasn't expecting that, Zaediel. To think I'm talking to the (Mythical) class wielder. Around 90% of the information I read on your screen doesn't make sense to me. I'll have to do some research on that."
Seems not everyone is familiar with Zophiel or Primeval Angels. That's good news, actually. That means only certain groups or people would know immediately upon seeing or learning this information.
"I trust that you won't tell anyone about this, Badovich. The only reason you know now is because you have information I need. I hope you'll hold up your end of the bargain and tell me everything I need to know about Dusk."
An understanding nod comes from Badovich as he stands up, heads to his desk, and pulls a black book from the drawer. He returns as he's flipping through pages. Eventually, coming to the location of what I assume is the information I'm seeking.
"Here, this is Dusk. The person you're looking for."
He places the black book down on the table, and there I see a sketch of the person's face. I now know I'm searching for a woman. One that goes by the name of Jelesia Idoze. According to this book, she works a day job at the (Geonia) Public Works Department.
A double identity.
A small sigh escapes me. This means she'll have friends. People who care about her. It looks like it's time for that Griffin food sack with makeshift holes again.
"Thank you."
I slide the book back across the table. That was a lot easier than I thought it'd be. It only took revealing my class and skills. I don't know if I'll regret this or not, but I can't complain about it now. I just cut a shit-ton of work off this quest.
There is one last thing I need to ask, though.
"Before I go, do you happen to have (Adamantine) and (Mithril) ores for sale?"
As I'm standing up as I ask this, it only takes a few seconds for Badovich to gain a knowing glint in his eye. They're crafting ingredients.
"Oh, those are some expensive materials. Not to mention extremely rare. Pray tell, what do you plan to use them for?"
On second thought, it's probably better if I get the materials myself. He looks like he's about to ask for something. He doesn't stop me from leaving. He knows that I know he has a price for those materials.
That price being an item crafted for him.