~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Outside, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 6:00 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
(Zindar's) Auction House is behind me as I'm walking down the street. (Badovich's Imporium) is all the way across town, and it's closing in 30 minutes. If finding Dusk wasn't such a pain in the ass, I think I'd be able to finish this quest from Eliza by the day after tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I'll be hunting this assassin for the next few days. A week-long timeframe to finish the quest was something I thought was generous, at first. Now, I'm starting to think I'll be finishing by the fifth or sixth day.
When I meet up with my family the day after tomorrow, it'll be a significant time sink since we'll be coordinating our departures from our current locations and our arrival times at the tournament location in Plateo.
"A packed schedule... I haven't been this busy in a long while..."
The last time I remember having this much work to do was the release of (Genesis Rebirth.) AG is changing everyone's schedule. People working real day jobs are trying to get out of work to play, and pro players are only leaving their gaming pods for nutrient bags and muscle atrophy prevention.
I shake my head clear as I focus on reaching (Badovich's Imporium) before closing time. Instead of walking, I start to jog.
"How do I even get a meeting with the man..."
Badovich himself is surely busy and doesn't take meetings with just anyone who walks into his store.
Ugh, this is going to be far more complicated than I want. Nothing in life worthwhile is easy, as they say. After jogging for about 12 minutes, I reach (Badovich's Imporium). What I immediately notice as I look at the entrance is the quality of the customers.
The people coming and going from the store are wearing some of the most expensive-looking clothes I've seen. Obviously, several wealthy nobles and merchants come to this place daily.
"I hope this won't be a problem..."
I can't stop looking down at my own clothes. They're still the basic clothes all the new players start with. The only nonstandard piece of equipment I've got is (Monument of Sin.)
A long sigh escapes my mouth as I approach the front door, my eyes on the two guards. However, to my surprise, they don't stop me from entering. That means (Badovich's Imporium) allows all customers, not just those with money.
"I should see if they have any (Adamantine Ore) or (Mithril Ore) for sale."
The whisper under my breath isn't heard by anyone. It can't hurt to find out if they have it. I still want to craft those (Metallic Mana Strings.) Getting my hands on (Adamantine) and (Mithril) is the way I can craft the (Epic) graded weapons.
As I start to walk around, I notice people are looking over everything available. I don't waste any more time, and I approach the front desk. A shorter man with a monocle and white gloves is reading from what I assume to be an inventory catalogue.
He looks up from it for a moment and sees I don't walk away. He releases a short sigh and quickly shuts the book.
"How may I assist you, today."
The slow, sardonic tone in his voice tells me he's been working this desk for a long time. I don't want to cause any more misery for the man, so I get straight to the point.
"I need to speak with (Gerard Vidolmai Badovich.)"
As I say that, he gains a critical edge to his eyes and looks me up and down. Taking in my entire attire, as if looking for excuses to turn me away.
"I'm sorry, young man. But Mr. Badovich doesn-!"
Suddenly, he stops talking as he presses his ear. Almost like someone is talking to him. Some kind of magic that allows communication similar to earpieces from the real world.
Some sweatdrops form on the man's forehead, and he looks at me as he responds to whatever orders he's getting from the other person. After a few seconds, he takes his hand from his ear and stares at me.
"Mr. Badovich will see you. Follow me."
Not saying anything, I follow behind the man as he leads me through the store to a staircase at the back. It's guarded by another pair of people, but they don't make any fuss as we go past them and up the stairs.
After a few turns and corners on the second floor, we reach another staircase going higher into the building. From the outside, it didn't look like it had more than two floors, but I guess I was wrong.
"Mr. Badovich is a busy man. Don't waste his time."
After we reach the top of the stairs and walk down a long hall to another door, the man who brought me here gives me a warning. I give a simple nod in response, and he turns to open the door for me.
As he does, I see a tall man looking out a window with his back turned to us. I walk in, and the man closes the door behind me. Leaving me alone with Badovich.
He's tall, bald, and I can see the corners of his blond beard from behind. He remains silent for a few seconds before turning to look at me. More specifically, his eyes are locked on the sheath attached to my hip.
"You have a mighty powerful artifact there, new arrival. How in the world did you chance upon it."
His voice isn't actually in a questioning tone. It's as if he's accusing me of something like theft or robbery. I don't know how he knew of my weapon the moment I walked into the store, but he knows it's special.
In this situation, it's likely best to be as honest as I can without revealing too much about myself. He obviously has methods to discern hidden information.
"You mean my sword, (Monument of Sin?)"
I detach the sword sheath from my hip and approach the center table between some chairs, where he seems to have meetings with people. I place it on the table and take a step back. He seems a little surprised with my choice, but he approaches the table and looks at the sheath more closely.
I watch as he reaches out his hand to touch it. A critical look of thought takes form on his face as he tries to lift the sheath. However, he can't move it off the table.
"Show me the blade."
Another demand as he finds himself unable to budge it. Even I'm a little confused. I don't know why he can't. I've never had anyone else try to touch or lift (Monument of Sin.) Must be a function of me being the crafter or owner?
(Monument of Sin) is a weapon bound to me. It can't be dropped through PVP or PVE deaths. Maybe that means no one can use it without my permission either.
Since this strategy of letting him see the sword is keeping me here and talking with him, I might as well keep using it. I obey and lift the sheath, taking the blade out. His eyes widen, and I see an almost golden glow to his irises.
"Incredible..."
Considering it's an (Ancient) graded item, it's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. If I ever decided to sell it, who knows how much it could go for. After what seems like 10 minutes of looking over every millimeter of the blade, he stands up straight.
"Did you steal this."
Another demanding question, as the man, even taller than me, rests his hands behind his back. I have the perfect response for him, though.
"You think I'm strong enough to steal this? To kill someone capable of wielding it? I didn't think I would leave such a distinct first impression for such an assumption."
There is almost a turn of a smile on his mouth, but he controls any movement from his body before anything slips past. He pulls his hand from behind his back and strokes his long, blond beard.
"There's no way you're powerful enough to take this item from someone. It'd be even harder to steal... Hmm..."
He stares at me for a few seconds, looking at me as if he's trying to solve a puzzle.
"So be it. I don't get the vibe of a thief from you. Anyone else who stole or killed for an item of this quality would be shaking in their boots at accusations from its origin."
He decides to take a seat in one of the chairs around the table. I place (Monument of Sin) back in its sheath, and I take a seat opposite him. He looks at me with an edge to his eyes as he does.
"The only reason you're in this room is because of the item you carry with you. For any other person, someone of your stature wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the second floor, let alone my personal office."
Seems like my plan worked. Time for me to ask before I lose his interest.
"I figured, Mr. Badovich. I won't waste any more of your time. I'm actually here to inquire about the identity and location of the assassin known as Dusk."
As that information leaves my lips, I can see he instantly knows something serious is up. His jaw locks slightly, and his eyes narrow like a predator's.
"Oh? And for what reason are you trying to learn such important information? And how did you know to come to me for it?"
Looks like I've got something to work with here.