Author Notes: I have decided to include a full status screen into the story and would like to credit Mickr4 (Cheating Monster: The Mightiest Tadpole - which is a great story) as I modelled it after his story’s status window.

Thanks goes out to Donthebest22 and Aelem for reviewing and I hope to improve my skills using your feedback to give everyone a better read!

Quickly exiting from the pod, James got up and immediately went into the kitchen and set the kettle to boil. Rushing next to the toilet, he heaved a sigh of relief as he took a tinkle and then washed up. Returning back to the kitchen, with practiced motions he went about swiftly making himself dinner… which consisted of him pouring the boiling water into a bowl of instant noodles.

Browsing the net and reading up on all sort of articles, none which are related to Ascension, James scribbled down notes as he read through dozens in the time it took for the noodles to cook.

Opening his noodles as a familiar aroma, he briefly reminisced.

‘This certainly brings back memories of those days as a start-up surviving on cup noodles and working late nights! Grr... Still can’t believe I got kicked out by some asshat manager!’

As he prepared to take his first bite, a sudden groan from his stomach alerted him to a need to clear his bowels…

‘Damn… That’ll be another ten or fifteen minutes wasted. Better be more efficient.’

Making his way to the loo, James quickly sat down and took a dump… with the bowl of noodles in his hands and calmly eating from them…

Finishing up his business, James prepared to enter back into the pod after less than thirty minutes. However, as the pod closed around him, he had a sudden premonition of something bad befalling him.

‘I have a terrible feeling that I forgot to do something important… but oh well.’

Opening his eyes up and blinking at the abrupt change in his environment, Feng suddenly realized that he had not actually checked his status at all due to him rushing around.

‘Status’

Status NameFengGenderMaleLevel1RaceHumanProgress0%Health360Stamina675Mana655Strength32Intelligence33Constitution36Wisdom32Endurance45Willpower10Dexterity60Charisma11Agility57Luck38Fame110Faith1500TitlesGreenhorn AdventurerCougar BaitBlasphemerPhysical SkillsRunningNovice5PassiveBalanceNovice4PassiveAcrobaticsNovice3PassiveEvadeNovice4PassiveUnarmed MasteryBasic4PassiveSword MasteryBasic3PassiveDagger MasteryBasic3PassiveDual-wielding MasteryBasic1PassiveThrowing MasteryBasic1PassiveQuick DrawNovice7PassiveCombat InstinctNovice2PassiveToughnessNovice3PassiveBreathing TechniqueNovice7SustainedChain PunchingBasic2ActiveMental SkillsSense Hostile IntentNovice5PassiveConcentrationNovice1PassiveMeditationNovice8SustainedSocial SkillsOratoryNovice1Passive

‘Woah... I'm pretty sure that my stats are extremely abnormal for a level 1… Though I’m sure after one day everyone else has advanced way past level 1… Damn it, I need to finish training and catch up quickly. Hmm… it looks like skills only upgrade the stat bonuses when they reach the next tier, pity… it would have been an exceedingly fast way to rack up bonuses otherwise. Also, my physical stats seem like an eerily accurate reflection of my real-life body though… Ah well, it’s probably just me training in the same fashion.’

Done checking his status, Feng got up and approached Rania who was still hard at work shelving the piles and spoke to her.

“Hey Rania, that’s enough. It’s time to get started on the next part of our plan. I’ll need some things from you first though then you can follow the instructions I give you earlier.”

“Feng! Sure, what do you need?”

“I’ll need a robe or something nice to wear over my current outfit and I’ll need you to answer some of my questions.”

“Sure, I think we have some robes in the storage. Why do you need it thought?”

“It’ll be important for the next stage of the plan. Let’s go to the storage rooms then.”

Following Rania to the storage rooms while quizzing her on very specific questions about the town, Feng learnt that the town is called Tyward and certain very interesting tidbits and crucial information he needed to execute his plan.

Finally finding the robe, which was decently made and a simple grey color, Feng nodded approvingly and quickly appraised it.

Librarian’s Robes

Type: Body

Defense: 1

Durability: 18/20

Description: Simple grey working robes used by librarians, it gives minimal protection.

‘Hmm.. The robes are kind of useless but one extra point of defense is better than nothing I suppose, especially since I need it for a different purpose anyway.’

Quickly wearing the robes over his current clothing, Feng then stashed his sword into his inventory though he kept his daggers in the hidden locations under his clothing. Inspecting himself, Feng nodded approvingly at the image he portrayed and missed a blushing Rania admiring him in his new outfit.

“Alright, this will work. Rania, please follow the instructions I left you while I leave to put the plan in motion.”

Striding out confidently, Feng was abruptly stopped by a sudden blow to his back. Gasping as he skidded a few paces away, Feng looked back to see an embarrassed Rania poking her fingers together in a picture of cute shyness… marred only by the fact, Feng felt like he nearly broke his back.

“Mou.. Stupid Feng… I don’t really understand the instructions you wrote… Feng is meanie… Even though I told you I can’t read well…”

Palming his face in realization, Feng quickly moved over to Rania and petted her ears while soothing her.

“Hey, hey, it’s my mistake! I’m sorry, I forgot about that. Tell you what, I’ll read out the instructions to you and I’ll teach you how to read properly when we get the library running alright?”

“Really? Yay! You are the best Feng!”

Seeing Rania cheer up abruptly, Feng can’t help but sigh in both relief and exasperation.

‘Women and their mood swings… Seems like it’s the misfortunate of violent women around me is fated even in this world… Got to keep them happy… I better find a chocolate equivalent in Athal to keep Rania from mauling me in the future.’

Strolling at a leisurely pace instead of his usual hurried jog, Feng was carefully observing his surroundings as he left the more affluent yet highly crowded North Street… well with the crowds concentrated around the Church of Light anyway.

Crossing the town center and progressing into the south street, he was surprised by the relatively less quiet surroundings despite being obviously full of shops and tradesmen, instead of bustling crowds, he saw scattered townsfolk and mainly many carts carrying goods towards the other parts of the town... particularly the northern part.

In short order, Feng reached the Merchant Guild and took a moment to appreciate the building which resembled more of a sprawling complex with a large warehouse attached, a trading area and even stables for the beasts of burden.

‘Excellent layout and built very efficiently to facilitate business, seems like the merchants here are no slouches.’

While there were no guards on the outside, Feng entering the guild hall, quickly noticed the gazes of more than a few guards upon him. Confidently and quietly walking inside, Feng discreetly looked around observing that throughout the guild hall a few traders and merchants had quiet discussions in small groups or pairs in the trading area with a nice reception desk and a few other counters set nearby with appraisers, moneylenders and other services used by merchants.

Confidently walking up to the receptionist, Feng said “Hey, I am here for a meeting with Kuron. Bring me to his office.”

Taken aback by Feng’s abruptness, the man answered “Uh, let me check if you are scheduled-“

“Don’t bother. It isn’t inside. Now hurry up and tell me where he is.”

Gaping at Feng’s temerity, the man gathered his wits and replied a cold tone “If you do not have a meeting scheduled, I’m afraid Head Trader Steele does not simply randomly meet with strangers! If you do not cease, I will get the guards to esco-”

“Who said I was a stranger? And that I don’t have a meeting scheduled? I said it isn’t in YOUR records. You are a smart man, you must know that secrecy and moving without competitors’ knowing about it is important. While I’m sure you are an upright man, public records are easily broken into… Now do you really want to incur Kuron’s wrath for exposing and losing him a deal easily worth hundreds of thousands?”

Stunned by Feng’s words, the receptionist stuttered for a moment before replying hesitantly “My apologies sir, allow me to call a guard to escort you to Head Trader Steele’s Office.”

“Hmph. Good man, what’s your name? I’ll mention you to Kuron… or maybe arrange to borrow your services.”

“Palin Tollin and thank you for your kindness sir!”

Nodding at the receptionist before sweeping away confidently, Feng follows the guard up the central stairway past lavishly decorated rooms to a simply furnished wing and dropping him off at the door.

“We are here sir. Do you require me to wait for you?”

“No, it is fine. Our discussion will probably take some time.” Dismissing the guard with a casual wave of his hand, Feng knocked at the door once before opening it and heading right in, quickly closing the door behind him.

A tall and thin middle-aged with thinning grey hair man looked up from his papers and begun to speak

“Wha-“

“Greetings Kuron. I’m Feng, I have a deal for you.”

“Who are you and how did you get in here! I’m not interested in whatever you have to offer, get out before I call the guards!”

“Well if you are not interested in taking control of the town away the Church of Light, I guess I’ll take my deal somewhere else. I’m sure there are many others who will be interested in what I have to offer…”

‘Hook’

Shrugging and turning and reaching for the door, Feng opened it slightly before Kuron cracked and called out.

“Wait... Sit down and tell me more.”

‘Line’

Closing the door before turning back and sauntering over to sit down in front of Kuron, Feng shrugged and went straight into his pitch.

“I can break the monopoly the Church of Light holds over the north side, you know as well as I do the amount of money flowing into their coffers daily from their control. The plan is already underway… We merely need a merchant partner now to speed up the process; in return the merchant can get a share of the territory. My partner has indicated you due to your reputation of your fair dealings, but I am not convinced. Tell me why I should let you join us?”

Tossing a surprise question at Kuron who was listening intently, the trader looked surprised before he steepled his hand and thought over Feng’s words for a few moments.

“Because I have influence over the local merchants especially related to luxury goods and high-quality items in demand by the market frequenting that area, and I have the resources and backing to ensure the operation go smoothly without interference from the Church… ‘

‘Sinker! I got him!’

A confident smile stretching over his face, Feng prepared to continue the negotiation before Kuron threw a curveball with his next words.

“…most of all, because you simply are not in a position to execute your plan without me… young Traveler.”

Thinking furiously with only the slight widening of his eyes but no other outwardly change of his facial expression, Feng tried to rescue his chances of persuading Kuron which was rapidly looking dimmer.

“Excellent. It makes things easier to explain if you know. I presume your spies have been keeping an eye over any interesting Travelers? However, are you aware that I have a controlling interest in the Library now? And more importantly, do you know that in approximately nine days’ time, there will be a new flood of Travelers entering this town and throughout the land? You are a smart man… I’m sure you can see where the opportunity lies and what I’m holding on to is the linchpin for this plan to work.”

“… I see. What do you need from me then?”

“Firstly, five percent of the profits earned from the merchants and secondly, a partnership to set up an exclusive book business with the library.”

Pausing to look at Kuron to gauge his reaction thus far, the man merely nodded his head and gestured at Feng to continue, his face showing that he was thinking deeply upon the matter.

“… The final request is a personal one, I would like to learn merchant skills from you and join the merchants’ guild.”

Raising his eyebrows, Kuron stared at Feng in silence for a long while, the silence growing thick with tension as they both held each other’s gaze unblinkingly… Until Kuron nodded in satisfaction and a small smile etched over his face and he responded with a trace of admiration in his voice.

“To make your way into my office, offer me an incredible deal that can potentially swing the entire power balance of the town in my favor and negotiate for such terms despite having less than a fraction of my resources and power… and all these without having joined our guild and within a day of your arrival? I’ll be a fool to deny you entry to the guild… Before we even continue speaking about the deal, take this as a reward for your sheer acumen. Go ahead and use it.”

Unlocking a drawer in his desk, Kuron withdrew a book and slid it over the table to Feng who nodded in thanks. Reaching out for the book and opening it, Feng was prepared to read it only to be interrupted by a familiar sound.

*DING*

Skillbook Obtained: Magical Contracts

This book describes how true binding contracts are formed, creating a bond between the contracted parties using the magic inherent in each individual. Breaking the terms of such contracts will invoke a severe price as the individual’s magic will rebel against their body.

Do you wish to learn this skill? Y / N

Immediately selecting yes, the skillbook vanished in a puff of smoke and Feng saw the corresponding skill notification appear as he felt the knowledge of how to execute such binding agreements through verbal or written means by willing his energy into the agreement.

“I presume you intend for us to enter into such a binding contract for our deal?”

“Indeed. Now then, let me question you on your plans further…”

*Twenty Minutes Later*

After divulging the second stage of his plan relating to the merchants and answering all the queries Kuron had, Feng leant back and confidently awaited Kuron’s reply.

“I see… So you intend to use the library to regain the crowds through providing free entrance for a selection of books as well as free lessons to attract the crowds over from the Church… and by getting my merchants to collaborate with you, we can sell other goods to these crowds and break the hold the Church has over the north section… It will likely work, but how would you have sufficient manpower to do all these without money and how do you intend to safe-guard yourself and property from the Church’s retaliation?”

Hearing Kuron succinctly summarizing the plan as well as questioning the possible failure points, Feng’s respect for Kuron rose a notch and he decided that he made the right choice in picking the trader to work with. Nodding to acknowledge the validity of the questions, Feng launched into his answer showing that he has already previously considered and computed them into his plan.

“Well… to answer your second question, Rania can obviously protect herself and her being a ranker in the Adventurers’ Guild is also probably why the Church has never overtly moved against her to avoid starting a conflict… Similarly, I’m also in the Adventurers’ Guild and by joining the Merchants’ Guild and with your support, the Church will be unwilling to enter into a conflict where they are outnumbered. Lastly but most importantly, by providing free admission and lessons, we gain the people’s goodwill and any attempt by the Church to shut us down will be deemed as them forcing people to get education only through the exorbitant prices of their own priest school… Which as you can probably imagine will not sit well with them… and is also why I would like you to spread rumors of the Church trying to do so one week into the plan. By striking preemptively, we will weaken the Church’s position and they will fear the people’s reactions if they try to do such…”

Listening to Feng’s cunning manipulation of the factions and intentions to defame the Church being spoken so nonchalantly, Kuron can’t help but shudder slightly at the thought of the plans Feng might have in place if he decided to turn against Feng…

“As for your first question, the Travelers will provide us with free labor for access to the library… not to mention if we told them that it is also a form of training for them…”

Widening his eyes at the ingenuity and absolute dastardliness of Feng’s plan, by seemingly offering hand-outs to be viewed as benevolent but in actuality reaping much greater profits from their labor… Kuron decided then and there that it was in his and their guild’s best interest to ally with Feng rather than to risk going against him…

“Very well, let us form the contract then.”

A quick draft and some haggling over the specifics of the terms later, Feng shook hands with Kuron and carefully kept the copy of the freshly signed contract into his inventory.

“Thank you for your time. I look forward to a most productive partnership with you. Speaking of which, to facilitate the plan, could you direct me to where I can find someone to teach me alchemy. Oh, and it will be great if I can get in touch with the ones who assist you in… eliminating problems if you know what I mean…”

“You can find Alicia the alchemist down the road along the crafter’s portion of the lane; with your skills you should hardly have any trouble getting her to teach you. As for the last part of your request, I don’t know what you are talking about but you might find some clues if you head down to the basement of the building…”

Nodding with a knowing smirk at each other, Feng cheerfully left the trader’s office and headed towards the basement, checking his notifications along the way.

New Skill Obtained: Negotiate

By getting your way in business deals through cunning and sheer bullshit, you have learnt how to better convince others to give you better deals.

(Passive Skill)

+1 Charisma

+5% Discount when purchasing goods

+1% Success Rate to influence terms in your favor

Congratulations! Your successful acting and deal-making has earned you:

Negotiate levels up to Novice 3

Oratory levels up to Novice 5

Magical Contracts levels up to Novice 2

+6 Charisma

+2 Wisdom

‘Very nice…’ Feng thought cheerfully as he nodded to the two men guarding the entrance to the basement and took the steps leading down into a dimly-lit basement…