Omar had followed the boy as he struggled to drag the much larger girl back to his home. Her armor had been pierced by one of the crab-like creatures in the dungeon. Probably a warrior. Children often got themselves killed taking stupid risks in the dungeon. They probably descended to the second floor unaware of the increase in difficulty. The gear they wore was wholly insufficient to survive on the second floor. They were lucky to have survived at all. He admired the boy; he must have used an expensive healing item on his friend to allow her to survive an attack like that. His master must have given him a life-saving item to use in case of an emergency, and he used it on his friend. People like this instilled loyalty. It also made them dangerous.

Tenneson had a way of picking people like this out of a crowd. Omar suspected it was a trait of some kind. It had made Tenneson a powerful person in local circles. You didn’t become a branch leader of the Silent Hands by accident.

He was about to leave and make his report when he saw that someone else had been following the boy. He hadn’t paid attention to the teenager, as he looked just like another apprentice of the area. After the boy got the girl inside, the figure broke off and returned the way he had come. Omar debated with himself for a second before following the other stalker. Things were getting interesting.

-----

Jacob made his way back to the bank. Kevin had him watching the little prick, Alec. After last night, they needed something that they could use to control him. Or at least keep him from causing any more damage to their reputation. Jacob simply wanted to get a few of the other boys and rough him up. Maybe break one of his legs. The kid had used a cheap trick when he wasn’t paying attention and made him look bad in front of everyone at the meeting. In front of Alicia. He would make the kid pay.

He had been waiting near the portal square since Alec and his troll of a girlfriend entered the dungeon. They were in there for a while. They probably got scared and hid in a side room until they could sneak away from the monsters. Jacob laughed to himself. They were idiots for going in there without a higher-level guide. He himself had two of them when his father sent him to gain his levels. It had taken him eight dives to get to level five. There simply weren’t enough monsters to get enough experience without doing multiple dives. His guides would clear the floors, Jacob behind them a safe distance, decked in heavy armor and a shield, until they got to the boss room. At that point they would turn around and leave. Only a higher leveled party with a full five members would even attempt that deathtrap. Jacob’s level twelve escorts considered it suicide.

A smile spread across his face when the two came out of the dungeon. Alec’s back was dyed red from blood, and the troll was unconscious, being pulled on some contraption that looked like it had been put together in the dungeon. He laughed to himself. Kevin needed to hear this. He followed the kid back to his master’s shop, watching him struggle to get his overweight girlfriend into the house. He smiled to himself again before heading back to tell Kevin what he’d seen. He’d love this.

-----

Alec was lying on the floor rolling the warm, smooth skill gem around in his palm. He had studied the fractal inside; it was a repeating pattern that just got smaller and smaller. Eventually, it got so tiny that he couldn’t see it. He was replaying the incidents of yesterday in his mind, as he had been for the past hour. He was trying to think of a way to prevent situations like this from occurring. He had a few thoughts, though all would take quite a bit of time.

The first idea he had was to gather more people into his party. If just the two of them had been able to take out a level ten dungeon boss, injuries and near-death experiences aside, what could an entire party geared by his trait do? That solution had some issues. The first of which would be finding people he could trust to keep his secret, Though, he could pretend to have a sponsor. That would also be difficult, as the level of gear he was able to supply far outmatched what was available locally.

The second idea was to start his own shop. This wouldn’t be possible for quite some time, but it would give him the ability to sell his creations without worrying about people discovering his secret. If he could find trusted craftsmen, such as a weaponsmith, armorsmith, jeweler, and others, he could have them make weapons out of easier to work, cheaper metals and transform them with higher quality materials. For this idea, he would need money. More than he could get by just selling a weapon here and there. This idea was a good one, he thought, but wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

The last idea was a simple one. They needed better gear. Alec had gone into the dungeon unarmored. Looking back, this was one of the biggest mistakes they had made. If he were able to stay in combat without running back to hide after every attack, the fight would have gone differently. If they had gotten Sam a shield, or armor to go over her chainmail, or… Alec stopped. There was so much more they could have done to prepare themselves. He gave out a mental sigh, looking over at Sam’s prone from. They wouldn’t be doing something that stupid again.

He stood up, grabbing a clean set of clothes, and left to wash himself. He had no idea when Sam would be awake, so when he returned to his room, he sat back on the floor with his lore book. He had made quite a bit of headway in his studies. He could recall the details of over a quarter of the plants in the book, and maybe half that of the animals. His master had become increasingly specific with details of ingredients in his daily quizzes. Altogether, Alec felt he was making substantial progress in his apprenticeship.

“We’re alive.” Alec’s head shot toward Sam’s voice. “Knew you’d save me.”

Alec stood up and moved to the bed. “It was a close thing. More luck than anything else. I honestly though I would lose you in there.” He admitted.

“Nah.” she said. “Saw you ripping through that beast like a rabid tengu. You’d have let yourself die before you let me.” Her voice was full of confidence. It was as if she truly believed what she was saying.

“Sam, I don’t think you realize how close we came to dying. I left there half of my health missing, and you had barely 30 after your bleeding stopped. I ran out of experience twice. Twice, Sam. We can’t be that careless again.” His voice got heated as he was speaking. “We need to prepare for things like this, even when they are unlikely.”

“We can do that. But first, you got any food? I am starving.”

-----

After eating, they discussed what to do with the loot. Neither of them used a spear, so they agreed to take it to Tenneson. The skill gem was a different story.

“You’re taking it.” Sam said simply, “Your intelligence is twice mine. I also have little mana and less need for a ranged attack. It makes more sense for you to have it.”

“I can’t really argue with that, but this means that you get nothing from that fight. It doesn’t sit right with me.” He explained.

“There will be other fights, more loot. This makes us a better team. Now, I have to go home and make sure my family knows I am ok.”

Alec sat on his stool for a second. Sam had a good point. Him being able to do damage at range would give them a lot more options in battle. He thought about it for a few minutes before giving in and absorbing the skill. He was excited to try it out but would have to wait until their next dungeon dive. It was illegal to use your skills in town unless it was absolutely necessary. Even then you could be punished. Alec grabbed the spear and headed out.

He left the house, taking the time to stand in the yard and enjoy the day. His recent experiences gave him a better appreciation for things he normally took for granted. The sky was blue, but there was a line of clouds on the horizon. Rain was coming, he could smell it on the wind. He walked through town, watching people as they went about their daily tasks. There were porters lugging crates and barrels on and off wagons. Blacksmiths blows rang through the air. Even this far from the market, you could hear the sound of merchants hawking their wares.

He arrived at Tenneson’s shop. It was empty of customers, just as it had been the last time he was here. While not uncommon, it struck Alec as strange. He put the thought to the back of his head as he approached the counter to speak with Tenneson.

“Welcome back, young sir. How may I be of service to you today?” He asked with a slight bow.

“I wanted to see how much you would purchase an item I've acquired. Also, do you carry skill gems here?” Alec asked. He wanted to learn the going rate in case he was able to buy one for Sam. It really bothered him that she hadn’t gotten anything from the boss fight.

“We do but let us see this item you wish to sell first.” Tenneson said, leaning his hands on the counter. Alec thought he saw a flash of excitement in the man’s eyes. He took the spear off his back and laid it on the counter.

Tenneson took the spear, gave it a quick once over, and set it back on the counter.

“Not as interesting as the last item you brought me, but special in its own way. I can give you two gold for this. I know a group of hunters that would take it off my hands.” The man said disinterestedly.

Alec agreed, and along with the money, the man also brought out a thin wooden case. When he opened it, several skill gems sat on a bed of silk. Each had a unique show of lights radiating from it. Seen together, the gems put on a dazzling display. Each had a small card below it with the name of the skill, a small description, and a price. The lowest price he saw among them was three gold. It empowered arrows with a small electric shock. The card explained that it was best suited to taking out medium sized game as the animal would be temporarily stunned, giving you time to shoot a second arrow.

He looked at each of the gems but ended up disappointed. This was an excellent display for any hunter, which made sense given the town. Alec was looking for something for a warrior, however. He was hoping to find a defensive or healing skill for Sam. He knew it was a longshot. The only way he knew to get a skill gem was to kill a monster who had that skill. It wasn’t a guarantee, though. The stronger the monster, the more likely you would get a skill gem as a loot drop, but the odds were very low. The only exceptions to this rule were dungeons, as monsters within had a higher chance of dropping a skill gem.

“No thank you.” He said to the shop keeper. “I was looking for something for my friend. She was injured in our last dive, and I was looking for something that would help prevent that or something. I'm not completely sure.”

“The tall girl you bought the armor with? Hmm. I might have something.” After saying this, he went to a back room, not returning for several moments.

Alec took the time to look over the goods near the counter. A lot of it was low-cost survival rations of various flavors. It struck him as odd that they would have more than one flavor of a specific ration, but hunters were an odd bunch. Several of the rations were more expensive than their counterparts due to the seasoning alone. It hurt Alec to even think about purchasing the more expensive ones just for the taste.

“Here we are!” The man returned to the counter with a small box. He opened it to reveal another skill gem. Alec read the card and then identified the gem.

Skill Gem

Rarity: Rare

Skill: Burst of Life

Effect: Triggered

Cost: Remaining Mana

Distance: Self

Description: Drains 100% mana to restore 50% health. Triggered when health falls below 10%.

“That’s perfect. “Alec commented. Then his eyes narrowed. “What’s the cost?”

There was no price on this gems card. One of the reasons Alec had identified it was to verify a hunch. This wasn’t a common stone. He didn’t know of any local monsters that had an ability such has this. Any that did would be a terror. This stone was also kept in its own container, separate from the rest. It wouldn’t be inexpensive. The question was, why was the shop keeper showing him this gem. What was his game.

“Ah, I do love how astute you are, young sir. This is a piece from my more, I guess you can say, private, collection. I will give it to you free of charge on one condition. I have promised not to question any of the items that you bring into my shop. I will keep to that promise. I would merely like a chance to study the sword at your hip.” He said with a knowing smile.

Alec froze. He was sure that the scabbard hid any hints of the blade. He had taken it off his hip and looked at it from several angles to be sure of it. Alec’s feeling that there was more to this man was verified by this question. Again, the whole thing came back to the man’s motives. What did he want from Alec, if anything? He had been professional, discrete, and helpful both times Alec had done business with him. He made a promise of secrecy and, while alluding to it several times, had kept it. Showing him the blade though, that would put Alec in a precarious situation. The man couldn’t know Alec’s trait from simply looking at the sword. The worst that he could infer from it would be a transmutation ability. This gem in front of him could save Sam’ life. When he thought about that, all of his other doubts washed away. The thought of her impaled on the floor of the dungeon bleeding out flashed through his mind before he removed the sword from its scabbard and placed it on the counter.

“Marvelous!” The man shouted, a giddy hint in his voice that unnerved Alec. This man must really love swords. “A mithril blade in this town. Wonders never cease. Again, the handle is a simple affair, not worthy of such a blade. It is new this time though, only barely used. The purity of the metal is astounding, I can’t find a single impurity. No enchantments. That is the oddest thing about this blade. Well, one of the oddest. Mithril is one of the prime metals chosen by master craftsmen when they want to enchant the final product. It channels magic better than almost any other known metal. The blade of this sword could be sold for fifty gold by its weight alone. But for there to be no enchantments on it is unthinkable. It’s just not done” The man was in full lecture mode. He reminded Alec of Master Swanson when you got him talking about the difference in alchemical reagents.

The selling price of the metal made Alec think about the price he had paid to get the shard of metal he used to make this sword. He had gotten it and another shard of metal for one gold piece, making his cost exactly fifty silver. He could sell the blade for 100 times what he paid for it. The only issue was the experience cost. Alec needed to sit down and put a minimum price he would meet before spending a single point of experience. Until now, he had simply done what he could with what he had. He didn’t regret this, but it had also almost gotten him and best friend killed.

He also hadn’t thought about enchanting any of the weapons and armor he was making for his party. There was just so much that he just didn’t know yet. He needed rectify the problem, and soon.

“As you haven’t attempted to sell me this blade, I will not push you to do so. Know however, that I would purchase this from you with no questions asked for 100 gold pieces.” Tenneson finally said. He had continued speaking while Alec was lost in thought.

Alec’s jaw dropped at the mention of the gold. He almost agreed but stopped himself when the picture of Sam in the boss’s room flashed through his mind again. Without this sword, they would both be dead.

“I thank you for the generous offer, but I will have to decline at the moment.” Alec expected to see disappointment on the man’s face, but he was surprised when the man smiled.

“It is a rare man who is not driven by greed. You continue to surprise me, Alec Montaine.” Alec’s breathing stopped as the man said his name. “Oh! Do not be alarmed. I have a skill that allows me to identify the goods presented to me. This sword was recently made, and by its description, it was made for a specific person. A simple leap and logic and here we are. I will of course, maintain my secrecy of such things. You have nothing to worry about, young sir. Now, I believe you have met your end of the deal. I will do so as well. The gem is yours. I hope it serves you and your friend well.”

Alec left the shop after buckling his sword back on his hip. He couldn’t settle on whether that was worth it, or a terrible, terrible mistake. He set his way to Sam’s farm, wanting to give her the gem as soon as possible. Her living outside the gates in the land set aside for farming gave Alec time to calm his mind. He exited the South gate, following the path to Sam’s house. He had just walked past a copse of trees when he heard the sound of feet rushing toward him.

He turned in time to see a fist before it connected with his eye. He heard voices of several boys as his consciousness faded.

-----

Omar watched as the boys incapacitated Alec.

“Can’t believe we are getting paid for this.” The largest boy laughed as he helped place Alec into a chest.

“This is what he gets for thinking he could flirt with someone so far out of his league. Did he really think her father would allow such a thing?” A taller, better looking teen stated. “The moment I told him about our little problem here, he was all too happy to compensate us to get rid of him. We need to make him disappear. We will take him into the deep woods and drop him into a ravine. I know a perfect one a few hours ride away. We can finish this and be back before nightfall.”

Omar assessed the situation. Tenneson would not enjoy him interfering in the boy’s business. If he died, it meant he wasn’t of value. If he survived, he proved Tenneson was right about him. He decided to follow and observe. This would be interesting.