Chapter 24 #2
It seems six is the highest level available today and it makes me wonder if there are even higher than that.
Never mind that those would cost an arm and a leg, but with so much spiritual energy, the effects would last much longer too—perhaps as much as a fortnight, or more.
Considering both the rarity of such warriors and the fact to harvest their essence they must be defeated first, the outrageous prices make sense.
But that’s not something I can afford now or any time in the future.
The next segment consists of books, followed by different artifacts. The man in charge gives a short introduction.
Similar to Zantrax, artifacts are formed from the essence of an immortal.
Some are of the highest order, like the Lake, which are said to be remnants of the Seven.
Some are formed when an immortal dies and the explosion of energy crystalizes in a strange metal which is then modified by artisans into different useful accessories.
There is one difference between Zantrax and artifacts, however. Consuming Zantrax temporarily gives a person the same abilities and power the previous owner had. But once Zantrax wears off, those abilities are gone—and the user suffers from the side effects, of course.
With artifacts, it’s usually one ability that remains after the owner’s death, and they can be used repeatedly. However, each has different blow backs. The higher the level of the artifact, the higher the negative effects. But some are so powerful, those negative effects are worth it.
I nod to myself: so this is what Elysand meant when he mentioned artifacts are usually obtained in clandestine meetings.
My attention sharpens as I hear the various artifacts up for sale and the prices they go for.
The ones at level one and two start at fifty slova, increasing depending on the desirability of the abilities.
For abilities, they range from increased strength to good luck; with some psychic and elemental abilities.
A couple of people fight over the psychic artifact—a gold ring with a translucent stone—and a bidding war ensues. The winner ends up purchasing it for one hundred ten slova.
A few other level two artifacts attract multiple bidders, and after their sale, a patron puts up a level five artifact for sale; a bracelet whose ability is teleportation.
Everyone is instantly interested, mostly because teleportation is an ability one gains only after reaching level five, so it is very desirable.
“As you know, to teleport to a location, you must know its precise coordinates. The negative effects of this bracelet is that one out of five times, it will lead you to a random location. The data we have on it suggests all locations are within Tartareia, but there is always the chance that it could lead you to a different realm,” the patron explains.
The interest dies down a little, but there are still people who bid thousands of slova on it.
Damn! Although the negative effects are bad, teleportation is still an amazing ability to have. I wish I could afford that…
The sale of goods segment of the meeting is finally over. The man in charge announces the last part—the job offerings.
“Here at Utopiya, we have a grading system for the job offerings,” the man starts.
“Grade D: these jobs are dangerous but not extremely so. They are fit for levels one to two. Grade C: these jobs are moderately dangerous, fit for at least a level three. Grade B: these are very dangerous and fit for those level four and above. Grade A: extremely dangerous, fit for levels six and above. Of course, there are rare Grade S missions that require a minimum of level eight.”
I lean forward in my seat as I wait for the announcements. Optimally, I should go for Grade D missions. But I think I could try Grade C too. Denos was rich. I doubt his Zantrax would be low levels.
The first offerings are Grade B. These are out of my range, so I ignore them. The patrons describe their mission in a few vague sentences each. Some people are interested and commit to them, which tells me there are quite a few level four and above in here.
Interesting, but not surprising. Given the token mechanism and the mere existence of those proto-realms, it makes sense that the Utopiyan participants would be something special. Though that does make me wonder why I was chosen.
Alas, I continue listening.
Next is a Grade A mission which is a reconnaissance mission into some old Tartareian ruins.
The patron does not name which ruins, but it makes me wonder what could be so dangerous with them that they require at least a level six.
The remuneration for the job is on par with the level—two hundred kaths on signing the contract and another two hundred kaths on completion of a thorough report.
Wow, I’ve never in my life seen that amount of money.
Someone quickly signs up for it, which confirms there are level six and above among us too.
A few other missions later—all of which are out of my range—I hear a patron call a grade C mission. That’s fit for a level three, and could be feasible for me—if I’m lucky and my next Zantrax vial is a level three.
The patron starts describing the mission.
“There is an item that needs to be retrieved. The mission is marked Grade C because you might encounter pushback at the location which could result in fighting. The remuneration is two hundred fifty slova upon signing the contract and a further two hundred fifty upon successful delivery of the item.”
That…sounds rather simple.
I look around, and no one says anything.
The pay is not the best, especially when you compare it to the four hundred kaths—forty thousand slova—offered before.
In fact, it’s a pittance compared to all previous missions.
But perhaps this is my chance. I need something relatively easy, and a total of five hundred slova is nothing to scoff at.
If I complete a few similar missions a month, then I’ll not only have plenty of money to buy Moe anything she wants, but I may afford some books and artifacts too in the future.
So I raise my hand.
“I’ll take it.”
With no one else signing up for it, I receive the contract.