The Systemic Lands

Chapter 52: Day 135 – Civilization

“Purgatory,” I said and looked at the entrance to the city in the pre-dawn hours.

“It will be good to get clean. That was miserable. Spending all that time out there.”

“It is. But let’s cash in.” We walked into Purgatory, and I kept an eye out for an ambush. But thankfully nothing happened. We made our way to the plaza.

There were four guards and a captain there from the Red Dawn. I didn’t note anyone else loitering about which I considered a good thing. The guards quickly all came to attention as we rolled up.

“Champion,” the Captain greeted me.

“Captain, how are things in the city?” I asked.

“Calm. Boss Tyrese would like to speak with you once you have freshened up. Representative Ken also asked to be alerted.” Well, that was a point for Ruth and her guess that Roger would be voted out.

“Anything urgent?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then, I will stop by mid-day. I need to get cleaned up first. The Red Dawn’s headquarters?” I asked.

“They would probably want to hold the meeting at The Gray Duck. It is the only restaurant in the city at the moment. Over there.” The guard pointed at the Northwest corner where the bakery and the Guild were at before.

“Very well. Any other changes I should know about?” I asked.

“Quite a bit, but nothing urgent. They would be able to explain better than me,” the Captain said.

“Very well. You still are allowed to be tipped for your hard work keeping order, right?”

“Ah, we aren’t allowed to ask, but any off the books donations are always appreciated.”

“I like that, off the books donations. Well ten, one for each of you. They are 50 points each, so 500 points total. I hope you won’t spread out exactly what I am turning in or how much, right?”

“Of course, right men?” The Captain’s men all gave an affirmative and I handed out the large tip. They didn’t say anything as I had Ruth pull the cart up to the pillars and we began to turn in our points. I wasn’t about to complain if they didn’t collect the tax from her and Ruth wasn’t about to say anything to bring it to their attention. If it was called out later, we could just claim it was a mistake. But people probably wouldn’t mention it with me around.

I had traded 50 of my larger crystals for 500 of hers for spending money. Even after that, I turned in 5,217 50-point crystals for 260,850 points bringing me up to 271,750. I purchased a restoration for 789 points. It was nice to feel my body recover, especially my gnawed-on legs.

Next, I purchased the six building plots next to the one I already owned, completing my ownership of a stand-alone area for 60,000 points. Bedding, bed frame, and a light source, came out to another 11,000 points. I used the mental interface to basically create a large entrance hall and put our rooms on the ground floor near the entrance.

It was quite amazing how I could instantly move purchased items around at a whim. I did note that the mental information provided, told me that the building had to be unoccupied. Also non-purchased items may be damaged or disappear.

I then purchased 90 upgrades for 168,525 points. 20 upgrades went into Body and the rest got 10 upgrades each. That left me with 31,436 points. I began to browse. It was 5,000 each for a razor blade, iron armguards, iron greave, iron shield, iron sword, iron helmet, or other iron weapons. Milk cost 10 points to fill up a container.

This last upgrade was clearly the iron upgrade. There were a lot more tools for a wide range of professions. Hoes, picks, shovels, axes, and so on. No information sources unfortunately. Nothing magical or enchanted. The big new item besides the iron equipment, were the community buildings. People could contribute to them but there was no effect listed.

Tower gates, 100k. Rod of control, 500k. Meeting chamber, 100k. Recycling center, 250k. Airship port, 100k. Training Hall, 250k. City shield, 1,000k. Monster processing, 250k. Enchantment hall, 250k. Alchemical hall, 250k. Regional map, 500k. Prison 500k. Third floor, 100k per building plot. All of these options opened up a huge range of possibilities and the need to invest a lot of points.

This was a lot of unpack and I glanced over at Ruth. “Why didn’t all this come up?” I asked her in a quiet tone. There was an anger I had in me at the lack of information she could have given me about the store.

“What do you mean?” My brain flatlined at her response. These idiots didn’t know what to check for with the upgrade. They probably only realized all this recently or not at all. I wanted to scream at the incompetence. The store only brought up items a person asked for.

“Check for pre-built buildings.” I scanned for anything else on my list to check, but nothing came up. Well, this just changed to a civ building game from a survival one. A blank book was 5,000 points and so was a pen with ink. I purchased both for 10,000 points. I then began writing down what everything cost, double checking each entry.

It took time but I was fine with that. Once that was done, I spent 1,200 on fine gray clothes and new boots. I then spent 16,000 on an iron sword, shield, mirror, and a razor blade. That left me with a paltry 4,236 points. I put my purchases in my cart.

“Done?” I asked Ruth.

“Yes.”

“Alright, let’s go.” We left the pillars and made my way to my building. I got out my key and opened up the reinforced doors. No one had touched them. We entered and I closed them up behind me.

“That room there is yours. The shower is in a third room. That is my room.”

“There are no doors inside and only two lights in our respective rooms,” Ruth said.

“Well, feel free to contribute a lot of points. You want to use the shower first or second?” I asked. She thought on the question for a long moment.

“What do you prefer?”

“I would like to go second, so I don’t feel rushed, and I need to shave.” I rubbed my hand on the forest that was my face.

“Well, I would like to use the razor.”

“You didn’t purchase one?”

“It cost 5,000 points.”

“And you didn’t pay any taxes.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“Fine, then I am going first, and you don’t get to rush me.”

“That is fine,” Ruth said.

I brought down the table from where I had left it by the reinforced window on the second floor. I then began to lay out my new purchases and strip myself of my current gear in the shower room. The first thing was to give everything I was going to keep a good wash. That meant the leather armor and copper armguards and greaves.

Once that was done, I began to carefully shave with the mirror held up in one hand and the razor blade in the other. It was incredibly sharp and kept its sharpness surprisingly well as I freed my face from its hairy infestation.

Once I was cleaned off, I put on my new clothes and cleaned off armor. I left the mirror and razor blade on the table and stepped out. “All yours.”

“Finally, you took forever,” Ruth complained.

“I am going to sit by the window upstairs, let me know when you are done.”

“Sure.” I went up and opened up the window. Dawn was just arriving, and the plaza was stirring to life. I noticed several people glancing at the opened window and me sitting there. Most people appeared kind of clean but incredibly worn down.

The sun, or light source, had cleared the buildings by the time Ruth called up she was done. I closed the window and went back downstairs.

“Very nice.” I complimented her on her tunic and pants. Her hair was done up in a bun. And the mustache she had been developing, which I would never mention, had disappeared.

“Thank you. I needed that.”

“Well, time to see what is happening.” I grabbed my pack full of 5-crystals. Ruth grabbed a smaller pack with her spending money as well. I opened up the doors and locked them behind us. We made our way to the bakery.

I noted it had expanded to a second building down the side street. The restaurant was in the same corner, with a sign on the front labeling it The Gray Duck. Next to the bakery, there was the salon opposite the side street and also expanded down it. Next to the salon was the re-sale place I had heard about.

To the South of those businesses was the Red Dawn district on the West side of the plaza. On the South side were the public showers and housing. I mentally labeled that place the slums. My super building was on the East side of the plaza.

“Bakery or salon?” I asked.

“Bakery first,” Ruth said.

“Alright,” I said, and we went into Ken’s bakery. A middle-aged woman was behind a counter ready to greet us the moment we entered.

“Welcome to Ken’s Bakery. Each piece of bread costs 20 crystals. Butter another 10 crystals.”

“Is the bread warm so the butter melts?” I asked.

“Of course, the highest quality guaranteed,” the woman said. I looked at Ruth and she shrugged a bit.

“Alright, then my treat. Two pieces of bread with butter please.” I pulled out 60 crystals and set them down on the counter. She quickly put the crystals away and rushed in back. Ruth and I took a seat on some chairs in the front of the shop.

“Expensive,” I said.

“It requires a lot of work probably.”

“Also, it isn’t raw ingredients. Food is going to be big around here. I think beer is the only processed food offered from the store.” I remembered having some and it was okay, but nothing amazing in my opinion. I couldn’t place the taste. Would probably need a beer expert to give their opinion on the make-up. The same was true for the milk. What animal did it come from? I was kind of worried about the butter now.

“Well, he is a good baker, no matter anything else about the man,” Ruth said. The woman rushed back out with a tray with two round loaves sliced open in the side. There were also two copper cups of water provided as well.

“Your bread.” She set the tray down on the table. The bread was about the size of two my fists combined, so decent sized. Crunchy outside, moist inside, with the butter it was incredibly delicious. I quickly finished mine off and Ruth did as well. The water as a finisher was a great way to clear my throat.

“Now that was good,” I said contentedly.

“Yes.”

“I am glad you both enjoyed it, will there be anything else?”

“Tell, Ken I look forward to speaking to him at mid-day. I believe at The Grey Duck.”

“Of course. Who should I tell left the message?” I stood up.

“It is the face, the face?” I looked at Ruth who just grinned and shrugged. She was amused as I was, that I hadn’t been recognized. “Champion Michael. Let’s go.” The woman gaped as I left.

“That was mean,” Ruth said after we had left the bakery.

“Meh. Salon?” I asked.

“Yes.” We entered the salon. There was an attendant at a front table sitting on a chair.

“Appointments only. We are booked up. If you wish to be a stylist, then you can apply on arrival day like everyone else.” The young man said.

“Well, we are in need of urgent care for our hair. Been quite a while. Don’t you think?” I looked at Ruth.

“Quite a while,” Ruth agreed with me.

“How much to be seen immediately?” I pulled out 50 crystals and set them on the table. The young man gulped.

“The Lady Shi is adamant, no exceptions to the booking process.”

“Not even for a rich old friend?” I laid out another 50 crystals and the young man began looking really nervous.

“What name would you want me to convey to her?”

“What is with everyone having front people, can you be my front person?” I looked at Ruth.

“A sign of power or prestige. Also, she is probably busy doing hair,” Ruth said.

“I guess. Tell her Champion Michael and…ally are in need of her care.”

“Of course! Right away!” The young man quickly got to his feet and rushed deeper into the building.

“Ally?”

“Well, you are a friend, but more than that. Companion sounds a bit too relationshipy for my taste. So, ally is what I settled on.”

“I don’t mind ally. Better than concubine or something silly like that.”

“First harem member.”

“No teasing, remember?”

“Sorry. My face is finally free of the infestation that had been growing on it. All my useless thoughts are escaping.” Ruth rolled her eyes at my antics.

“Hmmm, if you say so.” The young man came back.

“She will see you right away. Please follow me.” The young man led us to a second-floor room with a window and two chairs. There was a table with clippers on it. Ruth and I remained standing as the young man left.

That was when the Asian lady who had done my hair before came into the room. “Lady Shi, thank you for seeing us,” I said.

“Bah! You are lucky you are so rich. Sit.”

“Of course, short please.”

“That is easy, and you?” she asked Ruth.

“Short as well. I can’t care for it easily,” Ruth let out a sigh.

“Very well dear. If, you are sure.” Ruth gave her a nod.

I went first and she was fast and efficient. She even provided a blanket to keep the hair off my armor. Ruth went next. I checked in the mirror it was quite well done. I pulled out another 50 crystals and set them on the table.

“You pay too much like usual.”

“You have gotten better. I appreciate the good and quick service.”

“Stay out of trouble. Now get out.” We quickly left the salon. I really liked Lady Shi.

“That was quick,” Ruth said and rubbed her new almost buzz cut. I was surprised she had gotten her hair cut the way she had, but I didn’t say anything in case she was sensitive about the decision. It was done and I no right to an opinion about her choice regardless of how I felt about it.

“Exactly as I like my service, quick, efficient, and very little small talk.” I looked up at the sky. “Still have some time before mid-day, take a walk around the plaza?” I asked.

“Sure. I would like to see the girls. Make sure they are being treated right.” That was our first stop.

The brothel had expanded into a 2x2 grid off the road behind the Red Dawn HQ. There was no more inn. Ruth spoke with the women, and everything was running smoothly, no complaints. There were a couple of pregnancies.

I didn’t inquire if they were keeping the children. Ruth didn’t mention anything to me either. It would be hard, perhaps a charity in the future or something similar. That was a mess I was glad I didn’t have to deal with.

I chatted with the guard outside, and there was very little drama since the Second Battle of Blood. That was what my last fight was being called. The charter was read out for every arrival for the new people and warnings given on what was acceptable.

The big change was that Roger stepped down to a Captain position and Tyrese had become the new Boss. Apparently, things were running more smoothly under his management. I figured it was just less people complaining.

The other big change was that the casino had moved further back and to the Southwest, instead of facing the plaza. It was open all day long. As long as you had crystals you were welcome to stay. Once you ran out, you were kicked out, no exceptions.

Cards were available from the store for 5,000 points. That felt like a scam, but there were people who lived and died by the casino. I thought it was stupid, but some people wanted that type of thrill, and not the life and death type of thrill.

There were no loans being given out. That was one of the common laws that had been set up in my absence. No loans, no charity of any kind, except for the first ten days after a person arrived. Also, no vagrancy or littering in the plaza.

After that we passed by the public housing area. People there looked depressed and tired. Still the public shower was doing a world of good keeping people reasonably clean.

We quickly moved on and the last stop, which was the Union. It was the Guild 2.0 and they had set up next door to my place across the street to the North.

They had taken over two buildings at the moment. We went up to the doorway and it was open. There was an older looking man sitting at a table just inside.

“Welcome to the Union. If you are looking to apply there is a combat and knowledge test. Also, a regular fee. In exchange you get a bed and roof at night.”

“Thank you for the offer. I just wanted to say hello to my new neighbor.”

“Neighbor…oh!” The old man quickly shot to his feet and his chair fell over. “Dammit!” He quickly turned and picked it up.

“Trouble?” A voice called from above. It sounded like a woman’s voice.

“Ah…we have an important visitor.” The old man called out.

“Who is it. Better not be that Ken idiot. I swear his head grows two sizes every time I see him just to support his ego.” A woman came into the entry room. She quickly came to a halt when she saw me.

“Champion Michael.” She started to hold out a hand to shake, but then went to a bow instead.

“A handshake is fine.” I held out my hand and she seemed a bit relieved to shake. “You are?”

“Laura, I used to be-“

“-part of Tyrese’s crew. I remember now. So, this place?”

“We organize hunting outside of the city into new areas. Currently we are pushing the wolf forest and grasslands at the moment.”

“Not Red Dawn?” I asked.

“We are basically the voice of people pushing the edges of what we know. We aren’t large, but we hope to grow.”

“So, like the Guild?” I asked.

“Yes…and no. Less politicking for one. Also, the tax rate is acceptable for now.” Well at least it appeared this part of Purgatory was calm for the moment.

“And I guess I am your representative into the government?” I asked. Tyrese had the guards. Ken had the businesses. I had the people killing stuff. Just had to be sure I wasn’t the one being killed.

“Well, technically yes.” I nodded at that. I wasn’t around much, so I didn’t plan to meddle or do anything day to day. I just wanted to be sure Tyrese and Ken didn’t try to sneak something by me. That was my biggest concern regarding the political situation at the moment.

“What is your biggest problem?” I asked.

“People not willing to go out further or really work on killing the monsters for crystals. We have some high earners, but it is a struggle.”

“How many crystals from your top person in one day?” I asked.

“About 200 to 250.” I looked at Ruth and sighed.

“People need to learn to stay outside at night or stay near the edge of the city. Realistically they should be aiming for 400 crystals per day at a minimum. But that isn’t something I can help with. What else?”

“There is a minimum for the slime dungeon. If no one bids more, then the Red Dawn gets it use the chance.”

“How much is the minimum?” I asked.

“5,000 crystals.”

“Hmm, a bit much, but they guarantee the skill, right?”

“Yes.”

“It isn’t unreasonable, but I will make a point that it needs to be auctioned, not given, no minimums. Anything else?”

“No, unless you wanted to give some pointers or advice?”

“Don’t die. Keep up the good work. Let’s go.” Ruth followed me out as Laura quickly said goodbye.

“Not interested in taking over? You could do it you know.” Ruth asked.

“If I wanted to run an organization, then I would run this city. Not something like that. Still the auction issue is important. About time for the meeting.”

“You can kill everyone if you don’t like how it goes.” I looked at Ruth. “That was a joke.”

“Yeah. A joke.” I let out a small sigh.