The Systemic Lands

Chapter 94: Day 216 (2) – Chat With Elise

“Welcome Champion Michael.” Elise bowed to me the moment I entered her shop. I waved a hand in greeting.

“Elise, right?”

“Yes, thank you for remembering. I have prepared drawings for you to consider.” She pulled out a very detailed sketch. I looked over the drawing while she spoke.

“The main color is a dark blue, with gold accents. I have a separate drawing for each piece.” She handed me a stack of paper, I looked over each piece of armor, the cloak, and shield. Dark blue as the base. I also noted the eastern gold dragon on all the designs. It was a good symbol.

“Alright, this is quite impressive. I like the design. You didn’t go over the top and the helmet is good with the open front. The cost?” I asked. She pulled out another sheet of paper and handed it over.

The leather armor, iron armguards, greaves, shield, sword, and helmet, had a base cost of 5,000 points each. A cloak was another 1,000 points. Boots and the fine underclothes would run another 1,000 points. With two colorations, which was an additional 125% added onto the base cost of 32,000 points, which made the total 72,000 points.

I had already paid her 1,000 points, so her bill was 6,200 points. I pulled out 124 50-point crystals and set them on the table. “It was a job well done.”

“Thank you! I appreciate that very much.”

“You might want to consider a catalogue, in addition to your custom designs. Charge a viewing fee or something. Just a thought.” It would be nice to look at different design ideas. I liked the drawings but seeing other options would be a treat with how well these were done.

“Of course, thank you for the advice.” I gathered up the drawings. “Thank you. You did very good work on this by the way. I want something intricate and impressive for when I return in about thirty days. I like the eastern design and the dragons. It also needs to be practical to move in. Possibly two, I need to start developing a proper wardrobe. Two outfits six colors each.”

“They will be around twelve times their base price.”

“I know, but the base price is what, 800, so it would run around 9 or 10,000 points?”

“Yes.”

“That is fine. I like the dark blue and gold of the dragons.”

“I will keep those themes in mind for the next two drawings. I look forward to your return.”

I left the store and Naran was waiting. “Michael, I was hoping to catch you this morning. I was wondering if you wanted any spices?”

“You have any points left?” He shook his head.

“Then no. Wait. Figure something out with this.” I handed him 50 50-point crystals.

“Thanks, don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed,” Naran said and went into the spice store next door to Elise’s drawing store.

With that done, I made my way to the plaza. The guards saluted me which was a surprise, and I returned a nod to them. It was nice to be appreciated like that.

I went to one of the pillars and turned in my 1,963 50-point crystals. That put me at 119,006 points total. I then spent 72,000 points on a new set of armor with the designs Elise had drawn up. I got a restoration for 593 points. That felt like a high amount, but better to deal with any hidden damage. That left me with 46,413 points in reserve.

I gathered up everything in my cloak and made my way back to my house. I left the new drawings on my table and then I got changed into my armor. It was quite nice. Definitely a statement of wealth and power.

I thought back to when I had first arrived and thought 1,000 points for a store upgrade was expensive. I could only think about what future me would look back on this situation. ‘Oh, 72,000 points. That is chump change.’

A smile worked its way onto my face at the thought. It was nice just thinking about numbers and stats, and not having to deal with people and bullshit that seemed to pile up endlessly around here. I swear if there was an export for Purgatory, bullshit would rank number one by a large margin. We would ship it out by the cart load.

The dream was to leave, get stronger, grind level 3 monsters, and return to a city running smoothly. I had no hope that any of that would work out, but I had a dream and wasn’t about to let it go. There was a knock on my front door.

I went and opened it up while in my new armor. The woman there had quickly taken a step back. I knew her, but I couldn’t place where I had met her. “What is it, it better be good?”

“Hello, Champion Michael. I am Clarissa. I was hoping to reach an agreement with you.”

“You’re that woman who grabbed my arm.” I noticed her eyelid had been healed. She still looked thin, but not as much as before when she came up to me.

“Clarissa. I was hoping to speak with you.”

“You are speaking right now and wasting my time.”

“I want you to hire me as your secretary.” I paused to think about that. People were just coming out of the woodwork. A rising tide attracts all comers.

“Why would I need someone to speak for me and create more of a mess. In my mind a secretary or personal assistant, is someone that solves problems before they reach me. Right now, you seem to be a problem.”

“Because I am good at what I do.”

“Why not go to Ken or Tyrese?” I asked.

“I am not working for a brothel owner, and Ken would expect me to provide benefits.”

“You don’t think I will ask that?”

“No, if anything I heard about you is true. And I am good at hearing things.”

“Alright, you have my attention, come on in.” I opened up the door and let her in. I locked it behind her. I then led her over to a table and we both sat down. She was silent and waited for me to speak. Point in her favor.

“Impress me. Tell me something that I don’t know that impresses me and I will seriously consider what you asked.”

“Ken is arranging for a group of skill users to take you out.”

“I know that.” She blanched a bit at how calmly I countered her statement. “I am not an idiot, and the situation has been dealt with.” The benefits from selling the dungeons, should convince him I was a better ally, then trying to plot and kill me. Which from his perspective had a very low chance of success.

“What about, how Tyrese is funneling crystals into his pocket from the brothels and casinos.”

“I know that already and don’t care.” She frowned and really began to think.

“What about the drugs, which have been popping up in the outer city?” That got my attention.

“Drugs, what drugs?” I asked.

“There were attempts made with poppy seeds to get morphine, but nothing came of that. There is something better that has been discovered. Raw crystal.” She pulled out a glass bottle with a cork in it. There appeared to be crystal dust on the inside.

“Crushed crystals?” I asked.

“Yes. They are incredibly durable, but there is a technique, which I don’t know, that allows them to be broken down into a powder or dust form. Then it is ingested, snorting doesn’t do anything.”

“And what does eating crystal dust do?” I was both horrified and incredibly fascinated at the same time. I was thinking, life finds a way, but rather the drug trade finds a way.

“I think this is the part, where I ask for a job.” Ahhh, we were just getting to the good part. What a tease, but that was exactly why she did it like this.

“Fine. Let’s talk details. What do you want, and what do you expect your job to be?”

“I want housing and 100 points per day. I would monitor the situation in the city on your behalf and speak up for your interests while you aren’t here if you desire me to.”

“50 points per day. Monitor and report in detail. You would only report to me. No bribes, donations, or gifts without running them by me first. You don’t represent me in anything. You will also do the laundry and keep this building clean.”

“I am not a maid.”

“Well, I am not hiring a maid and a secretary. If you are that opposed, sub-contract out of your points. But then you would be responsible for anything they did.”

“100 points per day. Monitor, clean, but no cooking. I can accept those things and will make a list for you to review when you return.”

“Why not kill monsters?” I asked.

“I tried that for a while and almost melted my foot off. I have no doubt it will become scarier and more dangerous out there. As people show up, it will get more cramped and miserable in this city. I would like to live in a nice home and have food without risking my life fighting.”

“You will be risking your life in other ways. People might use you to get to me.”

“Then you will either save me or go through the hassle of finding someone else.” Wow, someone was super pragmatic. “My goal is to do a good enough job, that it is option one. If I am killed, avenge me at the very least.” Well someone knew what they wanted and weren’t afraid to go and grab it with both hands.

“Alright, avenging as part of the employment contract. Well, there is good news and bad news. Good news, I am fine with those terms. Bad news, this pack of 50 5-point crystals is the only raw currency I have at the moment.” I pushed the pack towards her.

“250 points. That is fine, but I expect to be paid when you return. I can deal with a bit of hardship until then. I lasted until this point.”

“The drugs?” I asked.

“They boost stats on a temporary basis as well as giving the person using them a high. The stronger the crystal the stronger the high.”

“The downside?”

“Crippling to a person’s stats afterwards for 15 minutes or so. The current estimate is anywhere from double to triple the debuff.”

“Drugs, of course there are magical drugs,” I let out a sigh. “Who is running this?” She just stared at me. “Ken?” I asked and she nodded slightly. He really was the underworld kingpin of this place.

“Well good news, we run this place. We are legalizing and taxing the hell out of drugs. Consider that your first task. I want you to know everything about the process. I also want you to keep an eye on the constitution process. I will introduce you as someone to be involved.”

“You won’t regret this.”

“I just want to say, it is better to quit than betray me. If you want to leave, then leave. But if you betray me, well you better be sure. My secrets are now your life. My possessions are your soul. Don’t mess about.” I held up a hand and she quickly closed her mouth before she could interrupt me. “You might think you can be clever playing multiple sides, don’t. Just don’t.”

I was silent for a bit and then gestured at her to speak. “I understand. I won’t mess this up.”

“Good. Arrange with Elise for a uniform or outfit made up, make that two. I will cover the cost when I return. Now let me show you your room, and then I need to go have a chat with Ken with you at my side.” Ken, you are going to get it now.