Chapter 85:

Chapter 85:

It was a peculiar scene. There were dark-green plastic loungers scattered around the backyard, which was mostly dirt. The slab of cement that had once been a porch was cracked from years of neglect and shifting earth. Further back, there was a grill that was more rust than metal, absent a propane tank. A slimly built, stodgy man in white and gold armored robes was seated in an oversized deck chair that vaguely resembled a throne. A golden circlet adorned his forehead, keeping the hood of the robe pressed tightly against his skull.

Another man stood beside him, wearing thick leathers, with a weighted bo-staff slung over his back. He was holding a notebook and a pencil, and was writing into the notebook with enough ferocity and irritation that I half-wondered if it would catch on fire. Hed gelled his blonde hair until it stuck to his head flat.

Given the position of power, I was guessing the man in the robe was Roderick, and thick-leathers was Bob.

I hoped there was more. A lot more. Because if this was all there was to Rodericks lodge. Multiple injured men holed up in a crackhouse, with their leader bickering with a merchant outside? We were in a lot of trouble.

Kinsley had planted herself in front of both of them, hands on her hips as she gave them three different shades of hell. You already owe me. I had to step out of the shadows and put myself in harm's way because you idiots would rather let your people die than use the site.

Rodericks Lodge had an exclusive relationship with our merchant Bob interjected

Who is where? Kinsley looked around dramatically. Are they off gathering lux? Or on a bathroom break? Do you see another merchant here, Bob?

Bobs sulking expression intensified and he fell silent.

We are obviously appreciative of everything the Merchants Guild has done to fill the gap, considering our current circumstances. We are already in your debt. Roderick said, all pomp and gravitas. It is only natural that we would return the favor when the opportunity presents itself.

And what Im telling you, Roderick, Kinsley spat, Is that Im already marking things down as much as I can. As low as the system allows me. Fifty percent for healing items, sixty-percent for gear.

We have many irons in the fire, and the beginning of operations that will bear fruit after the transposition event. Would something like a delayed payment be possible? Roderick asked.

Kinsleys face tightened. Are you seriously asking for credit?

To Rodericks credit, he seemed to be handling Kinsleys acerbic nature fairly well, but from the way his cheeks turned red, I could see her constant mocking was a bridge too far.

I intervened before Roderick could say something he regretted, and walked further out into the open. Problem?

Roderick reacted immediately, holding his hand out toward me. Instead of a wand, he held a crystal globe with drilled out finger holes, the whole presentation oddly reminiscent of a bowling ball. While I was observing Roderick warily, Bob had unslung his weighted quarterstaff and brandished it in front of him.

I kept a casual air. Take it easy.

Roderick stared at me, his brow furrowed. It would be best to mind your tongue, and consider your circumstances.

I let out a low, sinister chuckle. Why not. Lets do a quick rundown. Theres a particularly high fence, blocking out prying eyes. A house full of injured Users. Two bruisers behind me. Bob. And you, Roderick. Only, Bob looks a little put off for some reason. I know his type. Hell hesitate just long enough that he doesnt matter. That makes this three on one.

Hardly even odds, Roderick countered.

For you.

Kinsley caught on to what I was doing almost immediately. Myrddin, we need as many people as we can to help finish the regions receptacle. Dont kill them.

This is all posturing. Hes one man. Roderick scoffed. Everyone else didnt seem so sure.

Yeah. Thats probably what the last group said. Want to see how that worked out for them? I reached slowly towards my belt, accessing my inventory and navigating the crowded window until I found what I was looking for. With a motion as unremarkable as if I were dropping unwanted litter on the ground, I dropped a User core.

Rodericks eyes followed it as it plopped to the ground.

He jumped me right after I found my first three lux. Tried to pin me down while his girlfriend and friend took potshots from afar. I saved him for last. He begged for his life, and pathetic as he sounded, I almost considered it.

I dropped another core. This one thought he and his buddies could throw me around because theyd been mainlining strength. Wailed for his mother at the end. Had no idea that was a thing that people actually did.

It was impossible to know if anyone present could identify items from a distance, but just in case they could, I selected the higher level cores.

Believe it or not, I didnt set out to hurt anyone when the event started. But everywhere I go, they just keep getting in my way. One by one, I dropped five more cores with each word. Bobs face grew paler as each plopped to the ground.

Could have picked those up off corpses. People who already died from something else. One of the bruisers said. He sounded anything but confident.

I reached into Bobs mind with again. This time, I sent him a vivid image of me, slaughtering everyone present with casual ease.

Maybe, maybe not. The cores are a rare drop. One-in-four, one-in-three at most. Theres really only a couple of possibilities. Either Im full of shit and somehow miraculously survived when everyone around me was dying. Or I killed a lot of people today. What do you think, Bob? I asked, turning my full attention on the man.

Bob, as uncomfortable as he looked, managed to avoid completely losing his composure. He retreated to Roderick, leaning down to whisper in the other mans ear.

The role felt disturbingly comfortable. A natural fit. Id spent so long trying to keep my presence small and inoffensive that it was liberating, in a way, to play the villain. I kept unflinching eye-contact with Roderick as I spoke. It makes no difference to me what you choose. Killing Users isnt much different from killing monsters to me. The Users just bleed more. Better yet, Ive discovered I have a talent for it. So, the question you need to ask yourself is a simple one. Am I fucking bluffing?