"...point"

 

 

Andy sat on a stool behind the main counter of the Adventurer's guild hall. His boss was in the back room leaning back in his chair and carefully balanced as his one good foot was resting on the corner of his desk. He had a floppy and formless hat that resembled a black beret pulled down over his face. The beret, adorned with the worn and barely attached symbol of the king's elite guard, was in desperate need of a tailor.

 

While Karl softly snored in his office, the main room remained equally inactive. This was the slowest time of the day. Most adventurers showed up as soon as the doors opened, taking whatever jobs had appeared. Most of these jobs came from the count whose domain included this barony on the kingdom's edge. The baron who was supposed to watch over it didn't actually live in the barony. He spent most of his time in the capital trying to improve his position, so almost no jobs carried his seal.

 

Of course, there could theoretically be a job request from the duke who oversaw the county or even from the throne itself, but such requests were rare. Jobs carrying those seals were usually bounties for wanted criminals. By the time such a job reached the fort town of Peltra, the criminals were likely already captured by someone else. Peltra wasn't a popular escape route for criminals, as it was centrally located at the intersection of nowhere and nothing.

 

Another kingdom lay nearby, just a short hop, skip, and jump over the mountain range to a swamp, followed by another mountain range. Technically, both kingdoms claimed the swamp, but no one fought over it because there was nothing there. Peltra wasn't a major trade hub due to the lack of easy passage between the kingdoms. It was much more practical to travel a hundred miles south to leave the country. Unfortunately, there was no easy route south from here, making it better to head back into the heartland and find another way.

 

Frankly, anyone crazy enough to try to flee the kingdom by this route was welcome to try. It would certainly save the local authorities the time and effort of executing said criminal.

 

The only reason for strangers to come to Peltra was to explore the local dungeon, which wasn't much of a dungeon, or to hunt for rare materials. Like most dungeons, magic leaked out of it, causing naturally occurring plants infused with magic—excellent for enchanting—to grow in the surrounding lands. Sometimes the magic would infuse local wildlife, requiring someone to hunt such occurrences down. This created a natural rhythm to the day.

 

If you couldn't find a good job, your choices were to join a group and head into the dungeon or search for magic-infused flora or fauna. Regular dungeon explorers, such as the Silver Hounds, could disappear for days at a time.

 

Part-time dungeon delvers stuck to the upper floors, never showing up in the morning but heading straight to the dungeon and emerging long after sunset. This left the gathering-type adventurers, who would check for jobs and, if nothing was available, wander the countryside hoping to get lucky. Magical herbs were always in demand, as were the horns of demonic beasts.

 

Any natural animal could become infused with magical radiation and would typically grow a horn, which, depending on its size, could be quite valuable. Horned rabbits or horned squirrels were fairly easy to deal with. Horned wolves and bears could be a problem.

 

Because such magical fauna could be dangerous if it caught a person off guard, most gatherers made a point to be back inside the town's walls before sunset. The better their day, the more likely they were to return sooner rather than later. However, this led to a rather unfortunate psychological situation.

 

Random reinforcement.

 

When uncertainty surrounds your next payday, anxiety creeps in during lean times. Anxious individuals, grasping for control, may fabricate patterns where none exist, falling into the trap of superstition. This inclination towards superstition fosters a belief in luck, prompting people to embrace risk-taking behaviors during perceived 'hot streaks'. Thus, it's not uncommon for impromptu card games to materialize as the day progresses, often lingering until dusk or when girlfriends and wives come looking with scowling faces.

 

This is precisely why Andy was on duty. This particular time of day typically unfolded without much incident, but on the rare occasion when something did occur, it tended to be an emergency that Andy was more than competent to manage. He could, at the very least, stabilize someone long enough for a professional healer, like Soldis to arrive. Andy's primary challenge, however, was staying awake. It was due to him being drowsy that he didn't quite catch what the newcomer said upon entering, but Andy had a strong sense that something was amiss.

 

It wasn't often you met an Illuminate.

 

The newcomer stood tall, with a slender frame, fair complexion, and a distinct lack of hair on his head and face, including his eyebrows, which gave him an almost otherworldly appearance. His red eyes, while human-like in shape, added to his uncanny aura. Yet, despite his mostly human appearance, it was the intricate web of tattooed words covering his skin that instantly revealed his true nature to Andy. This individual belonged to a race well-suited for practitioners of metamagic, as their innate connection to words of power allowed them to manipulate spells with unparalleled finesse and adaptability.

 

Andy could tell that this individual had fully committed to a metamagic-focused approach. The intricate tattoos adorning his skin were evidence of his expertise; tattooing spells in such a manner was a practice reserved for those with a deep commitment to speed and adaptability. Moreover, Andy recognized that the spells were in a 'compressed' format, indicating proficiency in a specialized branch known as geometric magic. Geometric magic relied on an obscure form of mathematics for encoding spells, a skill that, while not inherently remarkable, paired exceptionally well with the Illuminate's innate talent for magical script. In combination, it formed the foundation of an impressive magical build.

 

Andy should know, Andrew almost went that route himself.

 

While the presence of an Illuminate in itself might have raised some eyebrows due to their rarity and peculiarity in this region, that wasn't what concerned Andy. Rare and enigmatic races were often met with suspicion in these parts. What truly unsettled Andy was the young man's equipment.

 

Typically, an Illuminate would be seen garbed in light, pastel-colored robes, reflecting their peaceful nature. As a race bestowed with agelessness through their transformation into Illuminates, they tended to exhibit a slow, deliberate manner. Their outlook on the world was characterized by patience and long-term perspective, making even the most contemplative elves seem as frenetic as a child with ADHD set loose in an abandoned candy warehouse.

 

This guy was outfitted with equipment in a fashion that could only be described as 'Color-Blind Murder Hobo'.

 

He was adorned in a curious array of equipment, diverging significantly from the typical attire of an Illuminate. Clad in a Chain Shirt crafted from limbo-forged Entropic Mythral, its shimmering, ever-shifting appearance denoted its extraordinary nature. Accompanying this were four mirror Chahar-aina and Dastana metal bracers, their transparency suggesting they were fashioned from glassteel. His arsenal further included a double crossbow and a bone spear, while his footwear consisted of vibrant red leather boots. His hands were adorned with black silk gloves embellished with intricate silvery spider webs. Noteworthy adornments included a gemstone embedded in the center of his forehead, a crown boasting ten eye stalks, and a constellation of five orbiting gemstones. Most strikingly, a dozen luminous runes, each about an inch across, encircled his head in a rotating halo, casting an otherworldly glow. Such an eclectic ensemble was a stark departure from the serene demeanor typically associated with his kind.

 

The new arrival took a deep breath and looked unhappy as he muttered softly to himself,

 

 

 

 

"Third time's the charm, I guess."

 

---

 

Elyin had taken up gambling.

 

 

For her, the priority wasn't solely about increasing profits; it was about building alliances. She had figured out that the Andy in front of her wasn't Andrew, but he was still her best lead. Ordinarily, she'd opt to summon reinforcements, orchestrate a covert extraction of the target, and commence the interrogation. However, given the objective of cultivating a friendship with Andrew rather than antagonizing him, not to mention she had no backup to call, this wasn't an option.

 

It didn't help she hated humans.

 

Participating in the afternoon card game as Noel provided her with an opportunity to forge connections while occasionally padding her pockets. As it turned out, she possessed a remarkable knack for the game. By astutely counting the cards in play, discerning the betting patterns of the regular players, and adeptly picking up on their subtle tells, she found herself consistently leaving the table with more winnings than losses. After all, in a game where the deck remains constant, mastering the nuances of the players' strategies and behaviors often proved more lucrative than relying solely on luck.

 

She got so good that she started throwing the game.

 

She made a point of meticulously tracking the wins and losses of each player at the table. Periodically, she deliberately allowed herself to lose a game, redirecting her winnings toward those who had lost the most recently. This thoughtful gesture not only fostered goodwill among the players but also enhanced her popularity within the group. While she certainly maintained a winning record overall, her occasional 'losing streaks' endeared her to the more superstitious members of the gathering adventurers, who perceived such fluctuations as auspicious omens.

 

Recognizing that ingratiating herself directly with Andy might not work, Elyin opted for a subtler approach. Under the guise of seeking tips and advice, she engaged her fellow adventurers in conversation, demonstrating an eagerness to learn from their experiences. By cultivating a reputation for her insatiable thirst for knowledge, she hoped to lay the groundwork for approaching Andy. Her plan involved maintaining this facade, building rapport, and establishing herself as a diligent learner within the group. Eventually, she intended to approach Andy and seek an apprenticeship. After all, he was doing fairly well for himself. It hadn't taken long for him to gain a reputation as one of the town's more prosperous merchants.

 

The only problem was, she was starting to like these guys.

 

Noel attempted to portray herself as prejudiced against elves, but her efforts were swiftly rebuffed by the members of the guild. They pointed out that while the elven nation may have its flaws, individual elves were often esteemed members of the guild. Each member had a personal story about an elf they admired and respected and were quick to tell her to change her attitude.

 

Elyin wasn't sure how to handle that.

 

Noel's previous interactions with humans had been primarily confined to the upper echelons of society or their subservient staff. She had limited exposure to everyday people, and it came as a surprise to discover that they weren't as bad as she had anticipated. Despite encountering some initial hazing during her first few days, she quickly found herself accepted as part of the group, seamlessly integrating into their camaraderie. Contrary to her expectations of cutthroat competition, she discovered that the local adventurers played a significant role in the community.

 

The presence of demonic creatures posed a constant threat to the safety of the area. With not all residents living within the confines of the town, it fell upon someone to undertake the task of regularly patrolling the surrounding areas. While not a lucrative position, it garnered significant respect from the locals. Over the past two weeks, Noel had even received tokens of appreciation in the form of complimentary food.

 

It wasn't an unpleasant life.

 

Elyin felt like she had integrated herself into the social fabric of Peltra as best she was going to get without spending an insane amount of time going undercover. She figured that tonight when things wrapped up, she'd approach Andy and see about that apprenticeship. She had sat at the table so she could watch Andy, just in case he left early for some reason, which coincidentally gave her a good view of the entrance as well.

 

Elyin's muscles tensed instinctively as her gaze fixated on the peculiarly attired newcomer. Clad in an eclectic ensemble of gear, the individual stood out conspicuously. Uncertain of her next move, She grappled with the dilemma of whether to maintain her low profile or follow her instincts. She tapped into her innate abilities, swiftly confirming her suspicions: the newcomer was indeed an Infernalist.

 

She wasn't the only one who noticed.

 

The guy next to her, Eric, who was the current dealer, tensed up and muttered under his breath, "Shit on me. Everyone act natural and get ready." He jogged his head towards the exit as subtly as he could while still being visible to the people around him, "We got a live one."

 

Elyin blinked, "What do-?"

 

Eric hissed, "Noel? ShutTheFuckUp. Just do what the rest of us do." The rest of the table all glanced toward the entrance, then abruptly looked away, causing the game to grind to a halt.

 

One of the guys held his cards close, pretending to examine them closely while he muttered to the rest of the table, "What's the plan? We waiting on Karl?"

 

Eric bit his lower lip and glanced up as the glowing man started to approach the game. Eric spoke quickly in a low voice, "We start a new hand. Invite him in. Someone pick a fight with me. We jump him." Eric leaned back and let out a long sigh before speaking louder than usual, "I got crap. I fold." He tossed his cards down and looked at Elyin, "How about you? You in or out?"

 

Elyin glanced around, then at her cards, "Uhhh... I fold." She tossed her cards down just as the new arrival stepped up.

 

As the players prepared to reveal their hands, the atmosphere tensed noticeably when the new arrival fixed his gaze on Elyin. Accusingly, he remarked, "You consistently fold despite holding a full house, while everyone else has crap." His scrutiny intensified, "So obviously it's something to do with me specifically, not something I did." He glanced around, "Or are you guys going to explain what your problem is?"

 

Everyone at the table looked at each other confused.

 

The newcomer continued, "The name's Stratos, by the way. Does introducing myself change anything?" He continued staring at Elyin, "Or are you just going to try and kill me again?"

 

Every instinct in Elyin's body told her they were screwed. She couldn't wait anymore and went on the offensive, leaping up and sending her chair falling backwards in the process as she took a battle stance. However, just as she was pulling her blade, Stratos spoke.

 

 

 

 

 

"RESET."

 

---

 

Stratos was back in the doorway repeating the same two words for the fourth time in a row, "Save Point."

 

He rubbed his eyes, but this time he spoke louder than he intended as he was getting a little annoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I guess the FOURTH time's the charm."