“Are you fucking kidding me? Boyscout actually managed to clear out the whole goddamned vault?”

An exhausted Eric couldn’t help but crack a smile at Alice’s outraged squeak. Because at least it meant that his friends were safe. That the absurdly corrupt Goblinoid Senior Administer had lacked the means, or the nerve, to wipe out the entire chamber with his magical silvery globe supposedly recording everything.

Eric forced his still dizzy gaze to the manor, relieved to see all his friends slip free, even if they reflexively flinched under a dozen glaring arcane lights that might have felt a bit too much like a police raid to at least some of them. Of course, according to Caliban, this was actually a Bronze Tier security detail, normally not even allowed on Earth until a certain Global integration Timer had run out, or so Eric had inferred by a message saying so much without really saying anything at all. It was an anomaly allowed only because Eric was willing to fork out 20 million while handing over an inconceivable fortune to Blue Corp custody.

For that reason alone, he and his friends had the distinct privilege of feeling the arcane heat of a full armored company’s worth of anti-material blaster rifles and mobile artillery pointed their way that might, or might not, be frying their own mana channels.

But sure as shit, Eric could feel the lethal arcane pressure of a military force which had already eliminated one goblin affiliated assassin that had managed to hide from even Eric’s heightened Perception, a foe he had been in no shape to counter.

Spotted and obliterated in the blink of an eye.

But still… Alice’s outraged squawk turned to a look of naked terror as she took in the full size and scope of the security detail aiming so much hardware their way, her hands instinctively cupping her belly, as if to protect the fragile life growing within.

E - Are those tank guns a threat to unborn children?

C - Concern acknowledged. No IFV hardware is being aimed at the succubus. - Is she an ally?

E - A very close friend.

C - Is the child yours?

Eric glared at an innocuous looking Caliban who wasn’t quite… yes, in fact he was definitely smirking at the wide-eyed goblin contingent slowly making their way outside the manor, blinking in the blinding lights of the armored detail, gazing with something beyond dismay when they saw the massive fortune glittering before them.

Drake gave a whoop and a rebel yell. “Shit, Morlekai! Will you fucking look at that? Boyscout actually cleared out the entire vault! An entire fucking mountain of gold! Looks like we robbed Fort Knox!”

Morlekai, for his part, seemed to be struck as speechless as Eric felt.

Lord Grim’s low baritone laughter seemed to fill the entire courtyard, before he spun about so fast that the tails of his frock coat caught the breeze, smiling down at the stunned goblins he loomed over like a cat eyeing its prey.

“I believe we have fulfilled our end of the bargain, yes? And by the terms of our agreement… you have til first light to deliver our Heritage Library.”

Lord Grim’s darkly handsome features smiled right into the shimmering mercury orb presently perched upon a bone staff being held by one of the trembling goblins behind their hyperventilating administrator. Dark shamans that had been posing as sycophants before pulling out their blood wands with such smug confidence in the bowels of the manor, ready to force Grim and Eric both into slave collars if they could get away with it... just minutes ago.

Now flinching like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar before the combined might of a Bronze Tier armored infantry platoon. Best of all, everything, absolutely everything, was being recorded in real time. And it was with distinct pleasure that a still dizzy but most definitely smiling Eric lurched over to the shell-shocked Administrator Squiglepuse, his Strength and Finesse making scooping up a pile of golden bricks and plopping it on the ground right before the goblin almost effortless.

And he said not a word as the goblin began to tremble and scream in protest.

“This is impossible! The gold is fake… it must be! No human can store gold. Nothing can! There’s no way this gold could have been brought here. It’s fake. It must be!”

And finally, when a coldly smiling Eric dropped the last of what he sensed was exactly two thousand pounds, or one ton of gold, he wiped off his hands and gave a mocking bow to the quivering pile of bloated flesh and bilious hate now gazing up at him with such horrified disbelief.

“Your gold, Senior Administrator Squiglepuse the third.”

Eric flashed a smile that was all teeth. “I believe that fulfills our party’s contractual obligations, no? And now it’s your turn. You have four hours to cough up my dear friend Grim’s heritage library. And as for my own independently chartered Galactic account allowing for unlimited sub-accounts good for all personal and business transactions… why, I do believe that also goes into effect at the crack of dawn, no matter what the hell you say or do.”

Eric flashed a bright smile Caliban’s way. “Isn’t that right, Senior Administrator Caliban?”

“According to standard galactic protocols, The Terran Branch of Blue Federation’s Savings and Loan Association will be permitted to officially open its doors to the public at 5:27 AM.” Caliban confirmed, speaking with an announcer’s measured tone right into the swirling ball of mercury, taking full advantage of the goblins’ own insistence on recording what they no doubt thought would have been a brilliant feat of chicanery, claiming five hundred million credits worth of gold and a much sought after piece of real estate while putting a powerful necromancer and the scion of a competing clan in slave collars, all in one fell swoop.

Sadly for them, things hadn’t gone quite as planned, as the desperate shrieks and wails of panicked goblins sobbing before their pile of gold made abundantly clear.

Eric shook in head, struck speechless once more as he looked at the relatively modest pile of gold at his squealing opponent’s feet… at least when compared to the veritable mountain of treasure that hardly seemed diminished at all.

C - We can safely say that you have upheld your end of the bargain, Eric. Our bank is indeed fully capitalized to the tune of 1 Billion Credits. You are now a 50% shareholder, as per our agreement. If you will sign here?

Eric silently approached a smiling Caliban, savvy enough to say very little aloud save what helped their case before the mercury orb that the orc shamans were too stupid, too stunned, or simply unable to turn off, even when it no longer benefited their own case. Everything else he and Caliban kept to a low-key flurry of what amounted to Interface assisted Dominion Network IMs. And the fact that Caliban was able to communicate with Eric that way at all should have made his high ranking administerial status clear from the start.

Eric shook his head, forgiving himself that oversight as he took the seat Caliban pulled out for him at a table that a fully armored pair of battle troopers had brought over for them, complete with a pitcher of chilled lemon water and ice-filled tumblers, Eric pulling his eyes away from panic-stricken goblins, shell-shocked friends, and what looked to be all the gold in Fort Knox to carefully read over the perfectly clean and pristine document placed before him, knowing that now, perhaps more than ever before, he needed to focus for all he was worth.

He was relieved, even grateful, to find that not only was his business partner not attempting to screw him over in any way that he could spot, but had actually taken the initiative in adding provisions and measures in place that fully protected Eric’s interests, including arranging for multiple safety checks and security measures to assure that every last ounce of the literal tons of gold Eric had managed to splew onto Grim’s front lawn got credited to his own personal sub account which Blue Corp itself would have no access to without his permission… beyond the billion he had already agreed to put up as capital for their bank.

Though, not surprisingly, the contract made it clear that Eric would be more than welcome to invest in any number of Blue Corp ventures.

Eric flashed his friend a pleased smile and another System message.

E - You’re not trying to fuck me over at all. Neither of my perks is blaring warnings of any kind of bullshittery.

Caliban bowed his head, saying nothing.

E - Refreshing as hell. Thank you.

“Of course, friend Eric. Now if you would be so good as to sign, whenever you’re ready… our associates will begin the process of securing your assets.”

Eric smirked. “Not going to check to make sure it’s the real thing?”

Caliban flashed a pitying smile for the desperate-looking goblins. “I fear our dear… associates were truly desperate to suggest that the gold is anything less than it is.”

Eric blinked at this. “So you can tell right off?”

His friend solemnly nodded. “Gold is a primal element. According to some schools of magic, the most sacred of all material elements. Whatever its true nature, its status as a repository of magical potency is such that even if all the materials before us were of an alloy composition different to gold, their value would be the equal of gold, just for the arcane potency it currently resonates with. Potency that has been quietly verified by more than one of the Bronze Tier Mages you see behind us.”

Eric blinked, a tiny coil of anxiety blowing through his dazed wonder before curling itself in his belly. “So, you’re basically saying that pile of gold is giving of some serious magical vibes right now?”

His friend flashed a strained smile. “Like you wouldn’t believe, friend Eric. Now, if you would kindly sign here… my oathsworn men will be transporting all of this through the galactic portal as quickly as is humanly possible.”

Eric’s eyes widened. “Shit, you don’t mean...”

Caliban nodded. “A veritable dragon hoard of wealth, Eric. If we don’t secure it fast, then that’s exactly what it will be.”

Cautionary words that compelled Eric to action, refusing to ignore the sudden icy prickle in his gut, halfway convinced he could hear distant dragon roars at that very moment.

He jerked a quick nod before jabbing the quill into the flesh between thumb and forefinger, signing the contract in his own blood. Then took a deep, shuddering breath as Caliban bowed his head before nodding to whoever was behind all the blaring lights, and in the blink of an eye, the yard was filled with dozens of men radiating a chilling degree of lethality that froze Eric, the goblins, and everyone else where they stood.

Save for Caliban, gently taking Eric by the hand and leading him inside the manor, Lord Grim just a step behind.

“What now?” Eric whispered, wanting to wince at the sudden crushing tension he felt bearing down on them all.

“Now, I bargain with our goblin associates and ring concessions the equal of a heritage library.” Caliban flashed a positively icy smile. “And considering the harsh penalties they themselves put into play, I do believe the entire Goblinoid council for this world will be eager to speak to me within the hour.”

Grim let loose a low chuckle. “You play an interesting game, Blue Blood. I assume my House will also be permitted to prosper?”

C- Eric, should our gambit come to Fruition…

Caliban deliberately looked outside, his gaze seeming to take in far more than Grim’s backyard.

Eric’s eyes bulged.

E – Shit!

C - Are you willing to share?

E - Hell yes!

Caliban turned to Lord Grim. “We will attempt to seek maximal restitution, as permitted by galactic law. I can promise nothing specific, but I do assure you, we have no intention of leaving you out in the cold, so to speak.”

The top-hat wearing giant flashed a satisfied smile, tapping his cane upon the tiles. “And this home, my sanctuary sanctorum, is now completely free of those jackals. All fees paid in full. No more need to check and triple check that records of quarterly payment are not conveniently lost. That alone is a priceless boon.”

Grim then turned to Eric, his piercing gaze seeming to measure Eric’s very soul. “You now possess wealth beyond all mortal men, with galactic bankers at your beck and call. Do you still intend to risk yourself on the quest my disciple mentioned?”

“I do."

Eric’s heart began to pound with the look Grim was now giving him… not knowing whether to be awed or terrified when he saw such passion flicker across the powerfully built necromancer’s -liches!- features. Before gazing down at the hand so tightly gripping his own, words filled with liquid meaning so visceral Eric shivered before them.

“Then you will have proven yourself beyond all others who shirked at such peril. This, in addition to the incredible boon you have already granted my clan, makes you worthy of being my disciple, and kin to my House.”

Eric’s ears roared with the sound of his own pounding heart, both awed and terrified by those words, lest Grim get the wrong impression and be violently disappointed if Eric somehow let him down.

“If there’s a chance that your protege is still alive, he deserves to know that people care enough to rescue him. That not every mishap that happened to us since the fall has to turn to a bloody tragedy, where we all die cold and alone, with no one giving a crap about us.” Eric said, before giving a rueful chuckle. “But I have to be honest, I’m no saint. I’m going as much because I think it would be incredible if I could actually unravel the secrets that might be locked inside this cultivation sanctuary while gathering up whatever spirit fruits I can, and discovering whatever scraps of knowledge and lore might benefit my own future.”

Grim flashed an unexpectedly warm smile. “Yet still, standing before a mountain of gold you alone may claim, you would risk it all for the sake of kin you don’t even know, and the possibility of magical fruit.”

Eric snorted. “Wealth is all well and good, Lord Grim. But it’s clear as sin that it won’t buy us knowledge. It won’t buy us a path to power. It won’t buy any of us a heritage library. Not for those of us stuck on Earth. Not until whatever grace period minimizing hostile invaders and limiting their access to resources has ended and all the powerful scions of countless clans are allowed to descend upon our world en masse, and claim all resources of significance for themselves. Only then, when we are already hopelessly behind, will we be permitted access to the bare minimum of class paths, powers, spells, and advancement opportunities that any well-to-do galactic citizen probably has access to while growing up as a matter of course, and only if we swear to slavishly serve whoever would provide us with that boon.”

Eric flashed an expressionless Caliban a cynical smile. “Does that about sum it up?”

Caliban refused to match his grin, but his elven eyes positively twinkled. “I’m afraid I’m not permitted to answer that, Eric Silver. But what I can freely say is that there is absolutely no prohibition to you or your associates compiling, disseminating, or making full use of the heritage arts unique to your own world. A collection of works that I now have on good authority that your goblinoid associates were exceedingly eager to claim for themselves.”

Eric couldn’t help laughing aloud at that. “Of course they were! Those bastards crave the very secrets to powers that they try to shame the Classers of Freetown out of using at all. To the point that anyone who even dares necromancy or blood magics are on the verge of being run right out of Freetown. Not because those paths to power are flawed or defective, but simply because those goblinoid assholes want nothing more than to deprive us of our own potential, and steal it for themselves!”

Eyes twinkling, Eric turned to the amused-looking lord of this manor. “See? Fucked up as things are, Lord Grim, from what I saw of the selection of books radiating such delicious power within this manor… so much more even than what I saw in Morlekai’s own collection back when we were just trying to survive in Junk Town, you already have a treasure trove’s worth of knowledge at your fingertips. Knowledge our enemies tried to do everything they could to wrest from you.”

The master of the house nodded. “Indeed. My library surpasses all known collections, save our sire’s own. In both blood magic and necromancy. The heritage arts of our own world.” He gave Caliban a pointed look. “But as to what I know of System-sanctioned arcana, or how best to steer my disciples into classes that will pay the richest returns… my library is sadly lacking. It would certainly be a boon if access to this type of information was available for purchase. Even the most limited compilation would be worth a fortune in gold to us both.”

Caliban gave them a smile Eric thought almost pitying. Almost, but not quite, shaking his head. “Truly, it would be a remarkable accomplishment if anyone performed feats so grand that a Contender was forced to acknowledge it with boons equally worthy.”

Eric felt a sudden thrill of possibility with those words. But he hastened to say, lest his friend think him ungrateful, “And I can certainly make no complaint as to my own boon. You have treated me more than fair, Caliban.”

“Such has always been my intent,” the elf assured.

Eric turned to Lord Grim, even now tilting his head contemplatively, tapping a staccato rhythm with the end of his silver tipped cane. “I only hope that your library will be open to me, should I manage to retrieve the prizes requested.”

Lord Grim nodded. “Should you successfully retrieve either disciple or spirit fruit, my gratitude will be without end.” The man then solemnly handed Eric an odd looking silver ring of a serpent biting its own tail. “Show this to my disciple. He will know what it means. And when you’re ready to embrace our path… you will know as well.”

Eric swallowed, his skull buzzing with the promise locked within that ring. He had no doubt that it was priceless… but somehow knew that now was not the time to be experimenting with unknown magics.

Not when he sensed peril just a short ways off, vague discontent sharpening to killing fury.

Eric’s heart lurched in his chest.

He was running out of time.