A month later, Oskar was in a large, well decorated building. It was perhaps the most luxurious place in all of the Outskirts, and it was the home to the most influential District Boss.
The 500s boss, the one who held the power over the Blocks closest to the true City of NSCQ. He went by the name of Caiman, and he was quite a frightening fellow. Even in the crowded ball foyer, his presence was notable. He stood above on a balcony, talking with his associate, the one who controlled the Blocks 500 through 1,000. Though they both controlled a mere 500 Blocks, the people under their command was well over 3 million each, and since the average District boss only controlled 2 million, they were serious threats, even when ignoring their superior resources they gained from the city.
Still, there were over 400 District Bosses gathered here, covering all the Blocks in the Outskirts. Despite the truly monumental distance, each District Boss responded to the summons, even those from the 430,000s.
Just then, he felt someone brush up against his shoulder. A cool glare naturally covered his face, and he turned to see one of the few men here who was not a District Boss. This one was a bodyguard, or more accurately, a mercenary.
An Awakened mercenary.
Such people existed of course, but to get them to come out to the Outskirts was something only the most wealthy could do. Perhaps a factory owner who lived in a city or an important political figure would have them follow in order to ensure their safety.
But this time, the Awakened was here for neither of these things, it was the will of Caiman that brought him, and 10 other Awakened.
Oskar had counted early on, it wasn't hard to distinguish the Awakened from the mundane, especially now that he had spent more time around Red and Caster.
This one, for example, exuded the aura of a killer. A special kind of killer that only those who had fought nightmares could become.
"Caiman wants to talk to you," the man said, his voice a whisper.
Oskar let his eyes slide upward, back toward the leader of the Outskirts. The old man was not looking at him, in fact, he seemed to be looking everywhere except the place he was standing.
"Yeah, alright," Oskar took a large sip from his fancy drink and followed the Awakened.
Soon, it was Oskar looking down on everyone.
The two most powerful District Bosses kept their backs facing him, and they did not turn to greet him.
"That Ascended is in your territory," Caiman said. It was not a question, just a benign observation. The old man had an eerie way about him. Though he came across as a kind grandpa, he was without a doubt the most sociopathic sadist Oskar had ever come across. Only someone like that could rule the Outskirts.
"Yeah, he is."
"What have you done about it?"
Oskar's eyebrows raised.
"I didn't get involved. The guy's off his rocker, it doesn't take a genius to see it."
"But you kept tabs on him?"
Oskar made a grunt of acknowledgement.
Even amongst other District Bosses he was considered shrewd and clever, Caiman didn't have to beat around the bush when speaking to him.
"Good. I have as well."
Caiman looked to his associate at his side. The man nodded and walked off, leaving just Caiman, Oskar, and three Awakened on the balcony. At some point, two more had joined them, making the total tally 13.
Oskar noted this, but remained impassive. Instead, he waited for Caiman to motion him forward.
After an awkward couple of seconds, Caiman waved and Oskar took that other District Boss's place.
"There is a saying I have heard recently," Caiman said. "It goes: don't risk death unless you could get life."
"Don't risk death unless you could get citizenship," Oskar muttered the true meaning of the phrase.
Caiman hummed in approval.
"The people of the Outskirts are stubborn and reckless, but they cling to life for that sliver of a chance that they could one day be treated like a human…I think a different saying applies to us."
Caimain's eyes suddenly turned sharp and he looked at Oskar with a heavy gaze.
"Don't risk death unless you could get double the life."
Oskar blinked, then decoded this new (not very thought out) phrase.
"Don't risk death unless you could get filthy rich."
Caiman chuckled darkly. Nodding his head subtly.
"That 'Red Judge'...he keeps buying things like he's got unlimited money. It makes one wonder how a person could get so rich. Even a Master shouldn't have that much cash to burn."
"Well, he is different from other Masters."
"So I've heard," Caiman clicked his tongue. "The Red Judge doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep, every single moment he is either creating weapons or using them. A pure vessel of bloodshed…quite colorful language, don't you think?"
"Yeah," Oskar agreed, his eyes glazed over. "It's the sleeping part that's the problem. No chance to sneak around and learn something truly valuable. And when he is gone, that Awakened and his creepy Echo are always on the prowl."
"And every time he returns he does so with blood, flesh, and Soul Shards. Since he constantly goes out and handles Nightmare Creatures, he has a relatively infinite amount of resources."
Oskar's eyes narrowed as he noted the odd tone in Caiman's voice.
"What are you getting at, sir?"
The old man's face remained genial and he offered a pleasant smile.
"Do you want to know how I got this far, Oskar?" The old man's mask started to slip and a hollow look entered his eyes. "When there is an opportunity to attain more power, I take it. I figure out how to avoid consequences after determining what I want…And just the other day I thought: I want that pile of Soul Shards he's got laying around."
Oskar nearly fell over the side of the balcony. He couldn't believe it, this guy actually fell for Red's ploy.
He wasn't sure why the Red Judge wanted to be robbed (or have someone attempt it), but he was convinced that no one would be stupid enough to try it.
But as Caiman continued to talk, he realized something that he hadn't previously noted. Though he thought Red to be uncaring about what others said or thought about him, this was simply not true. The web of lies he had spread painted him in a terrifying light, but a vulnerable one as well.
No one would believe that the opportunity to rob an Ascended would be easy, or at all plausible. In fact, if it seemed possible, then one might consider it a trap.
But that was not the case here. And that was because the image Red had cultivated was one of an eccentric madman.
A realistic but exploitable weakness.
"He isn't nearly as put together as his actions would suggest," Caiman continued, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "It was tough, but I managed to pull a part of his file from a Government database. Most of his information was restricted, but a couple of notes helped me piece together a picture."
Caiman tapped his head before continuing.
"He drinks or injects blood daily, much like a vampire. And though it can heal him and boost his power, it also drives him insane. A 'temporary madness' that reduces executive functions and makes him more prone to mistakes."
Oskar internally slapped his face with an open palm.
Red hadn't revealed his Flaw, naturally, but Oskar had come to a similar conclusion. Though he didn't know about this "madness" he knew that imbibing blood was both beneficial and dangerous for him. This explanation made sense, but it didn't seem like the whole truth.
And indeed this was what Red had emphasized before Oskar came here.
'Truth, but not the whole truth.'
And so Oskar told Caiman the truth. Just enough of it to deceive the old genius. It was a daring strategy that would normally never work since giving away so many facts would usually still result in some issues. But this wouldn't be the case for Red and his people.
Because nearly every truth he offered would become outdated in the span of 1 month. They were constantly growing, developing, and becoming even more terrifying. Those of the New Workshop had already become something that was outside the realm of Caiman's comprehension.
Though this old man was exceedingly dangerous, no one could possibly expect what new terrors were brewing in the New Workshop.
So when Oskar started talking, he did so with an easy smile that conveyed confidence and competence.
"As you mentioned, his Aspect revolves around blood. You may have heard that he can enhance people, but this is only so long as the Red Judge is near, and he can only share the boon with a select few at a time."
The Caryll Runes were not temporary so long as one did not actively banish them from one's mind.
Oskar knew this to be true since he himself now had the power of the [Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis] Rune.
And they were in no way diminished or strengthened by the Red Judges' presence or distance.
"That power, the one to make others stronger, is likely his Awakened ability. As for Ascended, it's harder to say. However, I think it lies in awareness. The Red Judge has shown the ability to quickly and expertly notice the smallest details in mundane situations. He acts and walks as though he has future sight."
This too was something Oskar had initially considered to be true. And this was an ability of the Red Judge, but it was simply an Attribute. Red had told him as such as a reward for pointing out this uncanny ability.
Needless to say, no one else knew.
Though they only knew each other for a short while, Oskar already had a grasp on Red's character, and he was in absolutely no rush to test him. In fact, as long as he remained friendly, the Red Judge treated him as a comrade. As far as Oskar was concerned, he would do almost anything to keep that treatment going.
"And his Dormant Ability is to control blood," Caiman mused. "He can harden it, to an extent and even manipulate his own to a degree, but he can't influence others. The man can fly with it, crafting wings. But there is a limit to it. Since those giant tubs he keeps all the blood in is heated, it seems obvious that in a cool environment this ability would severely diminish."
Oskar's heart beat a little faster as Caiman came to an entirely accurate conclusion on his own. Though the Red Judge assured him that coldness was not an issue, he was still under the opinion that testing such things or letting harm come to the tubs of blood would be an issue.
"So with all that in mind, you still want to rob him? Take his stash of Soul Shards?"
Caiman side-eyed Oskar.
"You know where that stash is?"
"Who do you take me for?" was Oskar's response. But in truth, he had no idea where the stash was. Though the left overs of all the Nightmare Creatures Red had slain was open and obvious, he clearly kept his wealth in a safe place.
And though they had become comrades, Oskar was still not willing to breach his trust by asking him about such a thing.
"Good," Caiman's smile once again became benign. "Because that means we are moving forward with this."
They fully faced the audience below and a solemn aura started to blanket him. It was eerie to see him become another person. It was just one more reminder that although the Red Judge was inhuman, that did not mean he was the only monster.
"Distrct Boss's, hear my voice," Caiman called. And suddenly, it was as if a microphone was in his hands. Shrieking feedback quieted the unsettled crowd.
"I won't be coy with you all. As bosses, you are all capable and competent. And right now, we are going to be combining that competence just for a short while,"
Some grumbling came from the crowd. Though they feared Caiman, they had more pride than even the average Outskirt resident, so they were willing to quietly voice their displeasure.
"I know, I know," Caiman nodded, his grandfatherly appearance seeming to turn more genuine. "But fret not, we will be doing this not because of some sense of community, but for each of your individual gains. What I am asking for is an investment."
Caiman turned and had one of the Awakened come forward. He was a large, domineering man with bulging muscles and a giant broadsword on his back. That sword glowed with eerie light. Clearly, it was a Memory.
"This is my friend Malcolm. I have bought out a contract for his, and 12 other Awakeneds' help. Our goal is a simple one. We must bring retribution towards an invader. This 'Red Judge' is a parasite that will soon grow out of control."
He paused and glanced towards Oskar.
"He has already brought pain to one of our esteemed brothers. That creature needs to be taught who is in charge here…and while we're at it…why not fill our own pockets?"
A chaotic murmur escaped the crowd. Naturally, everyone knew of the Red Judge and they knew his Rank. Still, the fact that this was Caiman speaking made it seem credible. And that was not all, as the large Awakened stepped forward, his voice booming.
"This man known as the Red Judge is indeed an Ascended, and not only that, but he is a strong one," Malcolm said. "But he is still a man…1 Ascended is worth 10 Awakened, you have heard that phrase before, no? It is frightening, but also presents a clear limitation. After all, if 10 Awakened are equal to an Ascended, then wouldn't 20 be able to defeat one?"
This logic was sound, but also untested. Not many people here had even heard of an Ascended fighting a gang of Awakened.
…but such fights had occurred.
The results were mixed, but an Ascended dying to powerful Awakened…it had happened before.
This was the fact that Malcolm was trying to impress upon the District Bosses of the Outskirts.
"There are 700 of us here today. If a group of three pool some money, then they add an Awakened to our party, for that, you will get a cut that will be paid back three times over after the job succeeds. The more of you that join in, the more sure we can be that this Ascended is put in the ground."
…
A day later, and Osakr was sitting in a large room deep below the New Workshop. It was one of the most recent additions to the ever growing catalog of archaic buildings. This one appeared to be something of a bunker, or perhaps a dungeon. Cut stones and slick floors caused his voice to echo in the eerie place.
He understood why it was like this though. It needed to be this deep in case the worst happened.
"So how many Awakened will there be?" Caster asked him, shocking him out of his line of thought.
Oskar had a mixed relationship with this asshole of an Awakened. For one, it was clear that he was only here because Red had ordered him to. The young man made it abundantly clear that he found the Outskirts and all the people in it to be disgusting. He talked like some jerk from a Legacy clan.
In fact, when Oskar first laid eyes on him he thought he was a Legacy.
That was because this man looked exactly like the famous Awakened who was Changing Star's right hand in the Forgotten Shore incident: Caster Han Li.
But that thought was quickly dismissed.
When he had mentioned it, the Awakened got a weird look on his face and the Red Judge burst out laughing.
"Hal Li Caster is an honorable, noble, and kind person. I call him that name because it pisses off this grouch of a man to no end!"
According to Red, the resemblance was just an uncanny coincidence.
Oskar secretly thought that this guy might be the very same Han Li Caster from the Forgotten Shore, but his attitude made it seem unlikely.
Caster being obnoxious and classist was not what made Oskar doubt his Legacy status, in fact that just made it more credible, it was the fact that he was here in the first place.
There was no way a Legacy would ever visit the Outskirts for any reason, let alone live there.
"Hello? Are you listening, mongrel?" Caster snapped.
"Would you cut it out with that shit, its embarissing as fuck whenver you say it," Oskar shook his head and took a drag from his pipe, earning a disgusted look from the Awakened.
"...53, that's what they ended up with," Oskar said, his voice grim.
The Awakened frowned, but he did not show any sign of worry.
"So even after that speech, the leader of the Outskirts only managed to convince 120 District Bosses?"
Oskar chuckled.
"There were more, but they worried that their individual cuts would get too small, so they pressured some of the poorer bosses to stay out of it."
Oskar recalled the scene, that frenzy, with a rolling in his gut.
"So…what's the boss gonna do?" he asked the Awakened.
Caster let out an irritated sigh.
"Butcher them, probably. That saying about one Ascended being worth 10 Awakened is only true if their quality is similar. And even then, it isn't talking about a direct fight, but battlefield advantage…it doesn't matter if 200 Awakened came here, that man would slaughter all of them in an instant."
A shudder ran down Oskar's spine. In his head, he thought only a Saint could do that, but then again, it wasn't that hard to imagine. He had dozens of Transcendent Soul Shards at this point, which meant he had killed dozens of Corrupted Creatures. Such Nightmares could slaughter that many Awakened with ease, so it made sense that Red could as well.
Oskar's brow furrowed.
Caiman would have known this too. The man was greedy, but he wasn't stupid. His whole speech and hiring all those Awakened seemed like far too big of a ploy just for some Soul Shards…there was something else going on.
Suddenly, the figure in front of them stirred.
Oskar jolted out of his seat, and jumped backward, his hand going to the pistol at his side. Caster was already up with his sword drawn and ready.
Strapped to the seat the figure, Bitz, moved some more.
His eyes were closed, and they had been closed for two whole days.
The young man, at 14 years old, had contracted the Nightmare Spell.
Which meant that he was now in his First Nightmare, or rather, he had been. The trial was now over, so either he died and a Nightmare Creature would take his place, or…
The boy's eyes opened.
And then he was gone.
Oskar blinked in confusion, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Caster do the same.
Then something fell behind him.
Groaning, Bitz shot upwards, his entire form had been hidden under the floor, incorporeal, and now he was shot out of it, he crashed into the wall.
Oskar tried to figure out what had just happened.
Bitz had fallen through the floor, like a ghost, and then he reappeared behind them.
…but he was still himself.
Oskar let out a shaken breath.
The number of Outskirt residents who survived the First Nightmare was less than 0.01%. But the boy before him had.
Just like that, the New Workshop gained its first Sleeper.