“Ugh, just thinking about it all makes my head hurt,” Rugrat complained.
“Yeah, I forget we’re city lords and dungeon masters most of the time,” Erik said.
“Looks like someone is about to win,” Rugrat said as the bidding slowed.
“Four hundred and twelve Earth mana stones!”
“Four hundred and eighteen Earth, six hundred Mortal!” a woman who had been driven crazy with the bidding said, gripping onto the banister of her booth.
The others who had been bidding against her looked to the people in their booths, but they weren’t able to come up with a higher bid.
All of this fell into Yu Li’s eyes.
“Sold to the victorious lady in the booths!” Yu Li clapped.
Others clapped along with him. It was sure that the group that the woman was with would increase their standing in the future if they were able to raise the Oleha fruit properly.
“With that, our auction has come to an end. Please gather your purchases and I hope that you have a good competition!” The lights in the room became brighter.
Erik and Rugrat headed out before anyone could try to intercept them and strike up a conversation. They headed right to the rooms where they could get their goods.
They were allowed past with a flash of their medallion. They passed their mana stones over to someone wearing a mask.
They checked the amount and then waved them forward into a second room. They took their items and then left, leaving through a secret entrance so people wouldn’t be able to follow them.
“Looks like the dark auction is considerate to its winners,” Rugrat said as they appeared in the middle of a park, with no one around.
“It wouldn’t do for people to have their goods snatched from them in the auction hall, but once they’re out of the hall, then anything is free game,” Erik said as they left the park.
Erik and Rugrat altered their outfits slightly, changing their cloaks and taking off their doupengs. They wrapped up their heads in a keffiyeh, hiding their features again but looking completely different.
They headed through the streets, reaching a simple inn and getting a room.
They took out all of their auction items. Erik looked at the information on all of them. There were four in total, showing the stats and information of the different techniques and arts that they were able to get.
“Not a bad haul,” Erik said.
“How many mana stones do we have left?” Rugrat had finished checking the room and sat at the table next to the window, looking out to see whether anyone had followed them.
“We’ve got just about one Sky mana stone worth left.” Erik pulled out a piece of paper that they had listed all of the auctions that were going on.
The list was extensive, with times and locations listed across it.
“Well then, we’ve got, what, two—maybe three—of the smaller auctions to go to?”
“Yeah. I thought that the items in the underground auction would be cheaper, but instead people were all excited and with being anonymous, they acted like big shots and put down more money.” Erik sighed.
“Don’t worry. We’re sure to pick up a number of them.” Rugrat pulled out one of the blacksmithing technique manuals, Forging Fist art, and started to read it.
“Bit eager?”
“I have to take every advantage that I can get over Taran. I might even be able to catch up with Tan Xue. Though shouldn’t you be worrying about yourself—you know, the student catching up with the teacher?”
Erik let out a cough, trying to not think about how shameless Rugrat was, or admit how he was right. Delilah was running Alva and yet she was still able to increase her Alchemy skills to the point that they were close to his own. He had been able to reclaim his lead once again, but there was no telling how long it would last.
She was biting at his heels—and it only gave him more energy to compete.
His eyes rested on the healing technique. Alchemy was a powerful skill and it was the one that he used most of the time, but the healing arts couldn’t be underestimated. They were one of the hardest skills to train as it needed to have wounded people. Seeing the darkness of the Ten Realms, Erik didn’t think he wanted to imagine how the higher ranked healers had been able to get to their position.
So the two men started to read their technique manuals and new information filled their minds.
They started to exercise their skills in different ways, making noises of understanding as they seemed to be discovering a new path ahead of them.
***
Erik and Rugrat’s horizons weren’t the only ones growing as two new Experts agreed to join the Vuzgal Crafter’s Association.
There were now only very few groups that had more Experts than Vuzgal and they were looking to buy more.
The Battle Arena also opened their doors to the first tournament they were hosting. The tickets were free—one only needed to make a bet, the minimum, one gold.
People flocked to the arena, with the seats quickly filling up in the one hundred arena second floor.
There were screens outside of the arena and there were screens in the Wayside Inns and the Sky Reaching Restaurants so people could see the fighting from across the city.
“Truly, Vuzgal is leading the way in other cities! They charge an extra fee but we can sit here in the Sky Reaching Restaurant, enjoying our food and watching the competition instead of being crammed into the arena!” Patrons would yell out in happiness.
People who had been unable to get a ticket now flooded these other venues in droves.
“It’s as if they’ve forgotten that we control all of these businesses.” Domonos stood beside Hiao Xen, reviewing what was happening in the city.
“People love a show,” Chonglu said, sitting back and behind Hiao Xen.
Hiao Xen nodded. He had just come to know Chonglu but he was a smart man, loyal to his very core to Erik and Rugrat. Anything he was asked to do, he would carry out as soon as possible. He had tied his family to them completely, sending them to the academy.
Hiao Xen knew about his wife and could piece together some of what Erik and Rugrat had done. I hope that it is worth falling out with the Stone Fist sect.
Many of the Experts and the people from the academy had taken a break from their studies in order to come and see the match. It was the talk of the city and most of them had seating already. There had been a small competition within the academy for people to prove their skills and win seats to be there for the Battle Arena opening games.
Hiao Xen saw Tan Xue’s hand at work here. The Vuzgal Academy had been stirred up with people competing with one another, but unlike other sects and large groups that had multiple skills involved, they were all considered students of the academy first and then their skill second.
People didn’t look down on one another for working on different skills; instead, they worked together more often. The Alchemy and healing students were practically the same group; the smiths and the woodworkers were the same way, with the formation masters mixed in.
This kind of community, instead of a competitive mash of people, proved to create more results and reduce issues.
Those who were unable to put down their arrogance and tried to push their views on others or started to throw their weight around were quickly dismissed. This was a place for people to learn and to become stronger; there was no need to waste time on these people playing political games, trying to get some measure of sympathy or power from their displays. The only thing that mattered was one’s results, not their background.
Hiao Xen looked at the other groups in attendance. There were members from the associations, the different sects and clans that had built up some influence in Vuzgal. Many of them had tried to insert people into the academy in one way or another, Hiao Xen had informed Tan Xue, to which she’d simply responded: “Well, if they’re willing to pay for the classes then we’re willing to teach them as long as they don’t step out beyond what is written
down in the school rules.”
“She makes it seem so simple.” Hiao Xen smiled to himself, impressed by the people Erik and Rugrat had been able to bring around themselves and allow to run their different responsibilities.
“Did you say something?” Chonglu asked.
“I was just thinking on when I was thinking about taking this job from Erik and Rugrat. I wondered just what would happen—I would have never thought that we would be here. There will be difficulties in the future, of that I am sure, but I think that it should be an interesting time in my life, seeing just what they do.” Hiao Xen laughed.
“Have you heard the story of the two coppers?” Chonglu asked, sitting in his seat, his eyes looking out to the arena but not seeing it.
“Two coppers?”
“Erik and Rugrat were healing people. Whoever they were, whatever their station in life, they would take two coppers from the person who needed aid. No more, no less. If they needed complicated items or aids, then they needed to pay for that. But simple stuff—two coppers. My children were sick and I needed their help. I would have given anything to them, sworn my life to them if they were able to save my children. You know what Erik did when I asked what he wanted?” Chonglu locked his eyes with Hiao Xen, the corner of his mouth pulled up in a smile.
“What?”
Chonglu raised his four fingers. “Four coppers, two for each of my children,” Chonglu said. “Erik and Rugrat don’t really care about power. They just want to protect what they have. If someone does something in front of them that they can’t take, they’ll act on it. Thankfully, they’ve had the strength thus far that nothing too bad has happened and they’ve been able to get to this stage.”
I just hope for their sakes and the sake of everyone here that they’re always stronger than their opponents. They’ve come so far, but it will only take one large loss for it all to come down.
Chapter: Seeing the Sights
Erik and Rugrat woke up the next day, eating their meals in their room as they started to look through the scrolls that they had gotten the previous day.
Rugrat looked out the window. People laughed and joked, talking about the people competing and going off to watch the game on for the day.
Rugrat looked over at Erik, who looked up from his studying.
“What?”
Rugrat sat back in his chair. It creaked underneath his weight. “How are you?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“Like, how are you feeling? We’ve been in the Ten Realms for a few years now, but we haven’t even really stopped. We’ve run from one thing to another as fast as possible.”
“Well, we slowed down after taking Vuzgal,” Erik said.
They only needed to share a look before Erik sat back in his chair.
“Yeah, we really haven’t taken that much time. There is always something to do. Having the screens and our stats is a blessing and a curse. We can see our progress but we’re already competitive people, so when we have something that we can show our progress and ability with, then we just want to become as strong as possible as fast as possible, create our own ways to play the system. Which means that while it is fun, we don’t take a break. We get caught up in getting the next thing so sleeping or anything else isn’t as important.”
“Then, if we increase our Stamina enough, we don’t need to sleep.” Rugrat snorted.
“Yeah, but it’s so damn fun and rewarding to see those numbers, the prompts. Like getting these scrolls and then seeing their information, opening them. The things that we can do if we are able to learn them. Want to do everything and anything but we can’t.”
“We’ve both got two crafts that we’re trying to work on, but we’re prioritizing one over the other. You have the background knowledge for being a healer. Though you’re focusing heavily on Alchemy,” Rugrat said.
“And you’re focusing heavily on smithing, with only a small focus on formations. Why don’t you focus on formations more?” Erik asked.
“Well, I think that it’s mostly because I see it and I understand it, but it’s like computers to me. I know how to use them, and with a video I could put them together, but the parts inside it, what they do? The coding of the machine? That’s not what I understand. Formations are the internal workings and I’m hoping that with advancing my smithing skills that I will be able to use that to understand formations. As I make more items, or see more smithed items, see other smiths at work, then I can learn enough with smithing that the formations stuff just clicks.” Rugrat shrugged. “That’s my hope. Will it work out? I’m not sure. I’m scared that without knowing about formations that the items that I make won’t be as strong as they could be.”
“Craving that perfection.” Erik nodded as their conversation came full circle.
The two of them sat there in silence for some time.
“Why don’t we go and check out the tournament? See others competing against one another, have some beers and hang out for the day?”
“I wonder if they have fried chicken.” Rugrat grinned and stood. Rugrat pulled on his vest and jumped with it, settling everything down; he wrapped up his head with his keffiyeh and then put on his cloak. Erik followed suit.
“Do you know what is going on today?”
“Not really sure. I think that it might just be the first day of the competition, so it should be everyone fighting it out to advance. We can just ask someone what games are going on today.”
Erik pulled his cloak on and made sure that it hid his weapons.
“Armed, armored, and ready to rock and roll!”
They checked the room, making sure they had everything before leaving. If they left a scroll behind, they’d definitely feel it the next day.
“With the whole Body Cultivation, you finding it hard to get drunk now?” Rugrat asked.
“Yeah. I guess with the body’s ability to repair itself, it starts to sober you up quick.”
“Damn, that sucks ass,” Rugrat muttered.
“Though you can buy powerful alcohol that might also be a substitute for gasoline—or maybe your PBRs.”
“Hey, what you hating on my PBRs for? They’re a national treasure and a beloved drink for all college kids, broke-ass marines, and tailgaters,” Rugrat said proudly as they reached the tavern and walked up to the tavern/inn owner.
“Anything I can help you with?” he asked, his voice as rough as his looks and demeanor. He was a man all too used to annoying drunk and angry patrons.
“What competitions are going on today?” Erik asked.
The man raised an eyebrow, checking whether they were trying to play some kind of joke on him.
He looked up at the ceiling. “Should be the formation masters and woodworkers today. Formations in the south side, woodworkers to the north.”
“Thanks.” Erik tossed the man a Mortal mana stone and turned around.
“You got anything that’ll get a Body Cultivator drunk?” Rugrat asked.
The tavern owner cracked a smile and pulled out a bottle from under the bar. “This’ll get someone with a Body Like Iron good and drunk. Just fifty Mortals.”
“I’ll take two of them.” Rugrat pulled out a box of Mortal mana stones.
The tavern owner pulled out a second bottle and took the Mortal mana stones.
“Good doing business with you!” Rugrat said as he opened the bottle.
“Can we drink in the street here?” Erik asked.
“Yeah,” the tavern owner said, as if the question were absurd.
“I’m liking this place more and more!” Rugrat said.
“Now we’ve got booze, but how in the hell are we going to drink it?” Erik pointed at his keffiyeh as Rugrat passed him the second bottle.
“Well.” Rugrat stuck his fingers between the keffiyeh fold and his face, partly pulling it apart so his mouth showed.
“Heh, look,” Rugrat said, proud of his handiwork.
“Now you just look insane,” Erik muttered.
Rugrat laughed as he tapped his bottle against Erik’s and tapped it on a nearby table before taking a big swig from the bottle.
To the fallen.
He let out a hiss and shook his head. “Damn! That’s almost as good as my shine back home—pears and cinnamon or something like it, Ten Realms style!”
Erik, who had freed his mouth, tapped the bottle on the table and took a drink as well. He let out a whistle and he shook his head from side to side.
“Bit of the old day drinking! We should find some breakfast and we need to see about that fried chicken.” Rugrat took out the other bottle and cracked it open.
“Formation master tourney?” Erik asked.
“Read my mind!” Rugrat walked forward before pausing and turning to face Erik. “Which way is south?”
Erik pressed his lips together and shrugged before taking another drink. “This keffiyeh is a pain to drink under.”
Rugrat walked over to the nearest person, a girl who was trying to sell goods. “Hello, miss. I was wondering if you knew where the woodworker competition is happening?”
She looked him up and down: a big man in a bulky cloak, with only his eyes showing, and a bottle of drink in his hand with another behind him, messing with his scarf so that he could drink through it.
She looked from Erik back to Rugrat, her eyes thinning. “It’s down that street. You just have to go straight,” she said warily.
“Thank you!” Rugrat said, trying to be super friendly to cover over how weird he and Erik currently looked.
Maybe Erik was right about how dumb it looks while wearing a closed keffiyeh and drinking through it. Rugrat snorted and then took another swig as he and Erik wandered down the road.
“Shit, do you remember Doberman that one day when he got so sun fucked that the first sergeant thought he was drunk and wanted to call the MPs?”
“Yeah. I had to IV him. The idiot had only drank his canteen all day!”
“What an idiot.” Rugrat shook his head and laughed.
“Didn’t he marry a girl from back home? Wasn’t everyone saying that it was his cousin?”
The Fifth Realm Page 46