Sebastian blinked slowly as the afternoon light slammed his face, his yellow eyes adjusting to the brightness, and groaned.
He felt like he had lived through three days in one. The sewers, the auction, the chase, the dwarf, the mask. It all blurred together into a single, exhausting tapestry of chaos and confusion.
"Almost afternoon," Sebastian said, squinting at the angle of the light. "I'm losing track of time."
He sat up slowly, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. His joints popped and protested. He rubbed his face with both hands, trying to wake himself up.
"For a witcher," he said to himself, "I'm kind of a deep sleeper. Actually..." He paused, considering. "I sleep a lot for a witcher."
He chuckled at his own observation, then reached for the mask on the nightstand. It was cold to the touch now, its runes dormant in the daylight. He turned it over in his hands, studying the intricate carvings.
"I wonder if I can tell what it is using this... it's been a while since I've checked it out anyways," Sebastian murmured.
He closed his eyes and focused inward. The system window appeared in front of him, a familiar interface that had been with him since the day his powers had first manifested. It shimmered faintly, its text clear and sharp.
SYSTEM STATUS WINDOW
Race: (Mutant) Class: (Witcher, Monster Hunter)
Special Powers:
Flame Flame Fruit
???
???
Level: 20
CORE ATTRIBUTES
Strength (STR): 25 — Physical power, striking force, ability to overpower enemies
Agility (AGI): 30 — Speed, reflexes, balance, attack & evasion timing
Endurance (END): 20 — Health, stamina pool, resistance to fatigue
Vitality (VIT): 25 — Healing speed, poison resistance, mutation tolerance
Perception (PER): 35 — Senses, awareness, reaction speed, monster tracking
Willpower (WIL): ??
COMBAT PROFICIENCIES(Each proficiency levels independently.)
Swordsmanship: Lv. 20
Archery: Lv. 3
Dual-Wielding: Lv. 20
Unarmed Combat: Lv. 10
Alchemy Usage: Lv. 15
Sign Magic: Lv. 10
Advanced Magic
Locked
Locked
Locked
(Unlocks under certain conditions)
TRAITS & PASSIVES
Witcher Physiology (Passive): Enhanced strength, speed, reflexes, and senses.
Monster Hunter Instinct (Passive): Innate ability to track and anticipate monster behavior.
Monster Knowledge: Unlimited - You have knowledge of all monsters and manner of creatures of the continent.
Master Alchemy - Knowledge of advanced alchemical formulae, witcher potions, etc.
Intangibility to all physical damage - Can be controlled.
Sebastian stared at the window for a long moment. The numbers hadn't changed much since the last time he had checked. His attributes were solid, but something felt... stagnant.
"It doesn't feel like I'm getting stronger, though," he said to himself.
He dismissed the window with a thought. The shimmering text faded.
"Oh well," Sebastian sighed. "I'm only interested in my locked abilities, which I have no idea how to unlock."
He set the mask down, stood, and began to dress. He was quick, the habits of a witcher who had learned to be ready at a moment's notice. Leather jerkin, boots, belt, swords.
He tucked the mask into his belt, securing it with a leather strap. Then he descended the stairs, passed through the common room and stepped out into the Novigrad afternoon.
The streets were already crowded, merchants hawking their wares, children running between the legs of adults, the ever-present priests of the Eternal Fire gliding through the masses.
Sebastian led his horse from the stable and mounted.
"The dwarf," Sebastian said to himself, adjusting his grip on the reins. "That's my priority right now."
He urged the mare forward, guiding her through the crowded streets toward the district where the dwarf had said his shop was located. The Gilded Anvil.
As he rode, he became aware of something.
Eyes.
Not the casual glances of passing pedestrians, or the curious stares of those who had never seen a witcher before. These were watching him, getting closer trying not to be noticed.
Sebastian did not turn his head, he kept his eyes forward, his expression neutral, but he noticed three figures, spread out behind him at irregular intervals. One on a rooftop, barely visible against the skyline. One in a doorway, pretending to read a paper. One on horseback, keeping a careful distance.
"I'm being followed," Sebastian murmured to himself.
He considered his options. Confront them? Lose them in the winding streets? Lead them into a trap?
"Hmm," Sebastian said quietly. "Let them follow, I'll figure out who they might be."
He continued his course, weaving through the streets with confidence, he knew he was being watched and did not care. If they wanted him, they would have to catch him. And if they caught him, they would have to deal with him.
The Gilded Anvil was not what he had expected.
It was a modest building, tucked between a cooper's workshop and a bakery. The sign above the door was old, its paint faded, but the image was still visible a golden anvil, its surface gleaming as if recently polished. The windows were dark, but the door was unlocked.
Sebastian dismounted, tied the mare to a hitching post, and pushed open the door.
The interior of the shop was cluttered but organized, filled with shelves that held an eclectic array of objects weapons, tools, trinkets and things that Sebastian was familiar with since he worked on steel from a young age.
And there, standing behind a crate at the back of the shop, was the dwarf.
Gundar.
His red beard was even more magnificent in the daylight, he was polishing a silver cup with a cloth, his thick fingers moving with surprising delicacy.
"Ah," Gundar said, his voice a low rumble. "Ah knew ye would come."
Sebastian stepped further into the shop. The door swung shut behind him, cutting off the noise of the street.
"Well," Sebastian said, "you kind of said some things that made it hard for me to ignore you."
Gundar's smile widened. He set down the cup and folded his arms across his chest.
"Ye mean the fact that Ah know about the mask?" Gundar asked.
Sebastian shook his head. "Not just that, pretty much everything you mentioned didn't make sense with me."
The dwarf laughed. "Och, don't be so oversuspicious. Is it because I'm a dwarf? Am I supposed to be daft?"
Sebastian's expression did not change. "No. It's because I'm suspecting that you might not be one at all."
Gundar's laughter faded. His eyes studied Sebastian's face.
"I'm no doppler," Gundar said, his voice flat. "If that's yer concern."
Sebastian held his gaze. "Then what are you?"
The dwarf was silent for a long moment. The clock on the wall ticked. Dust motes drifted through the air. "Do ye really wish to know that?" Gundar asked quietly. "I'm sure ye're no' here to learn about meself."
Sebastian stared at him. The dwarf's words had shifted and Sebastian was quiet for a time. Then he reached into his belt and pulled out the mask, holding it up so the dwarf could see it.
"Right," Sebastian said. "I'm here to know about the mask."
Gundar smiled. It was a different smile than before,
"Good," Gundar said. "And I'll gladly tell ye."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "What do you want in return?"
Gundar waved a thick hand. "Nothin'. But we can arrange somethin' in the future, ye'll return to Novigrad eventually. Ye have friends here."
Sebastian's brow furrowed. "How do you.."
He stopped. His jaw tightened. "Ugh," Sebastian said, shaking his head. "You know what? I'm not even going to bother and ask how you know that as well."
Gundar laughed. "Och, smart lad," Gundar said. "Ye're learnin'. Come, come. Sit. Let me tell ye about that mask. It's no' just a trinket, ye know. It's a key. An' the door it opens..." Sebastian took a seat across from the dwarf. and the Dwarf paused, his eyes glittering. "Well, that's a door that's been sealed for a very long time."
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Shadow Monarch: In One Piece / Shadow Monarch in DC
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my pat-reon / FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to More Chapters Ahead of Release on All of My Stories!