Genevieve led the way through the empty city streets. After most of the city evacuated, only the buildings were left behind. Aiden thought it was the perfect time for shopping, but Genevieve didn't think it was funny — not that he was joking.
"Our job is to protect the homes of the people until they return," Genevieve explained as she walked around the city. "That includes the mansion in the upper districts of Argan."
She led Aiden to the upper districts that were in the central ring of the city. As soon as they passed through the gate, where the seekers saluted Genevieve, everything changed.
Aiden saw the streets were cleaner, and canopies stretched above them. There were parks, fountains, luxurious shops, and even a cooling system that used underground water tunnels.
"This place looks like a different world."
"You will say that again every time you move inward," Genevieve said with a smile. "The closer you are to the Stillpoint, the more potent magic becomes. People have turned magic into everyday conveniences."
"I can't wait," Aiden said.
This world might have some form of technology, although it wouldn't need it. Aiden wanted to ask, but he felt like he was already acting like an outsider, and he didn't want to make them know he was an outworlder.
"Everyone left the city after the news was leaked. However, we cannot let bandits and thieves wreak havoc in the city while everyone is gone. That's why a third of the seekers will be tasked with protecting the area."
"Can you even trust the seekers themselves?"
"I assigned them by name to specific zones. If something goes missing, we'll know who to suspect," Genevieve said. "My house is just around the corner here."
Genevieve led Aiden over a bridge where small balconies oversaw a flowing river. Then, after turning a corner, they found a giant mansion.
"You call this a house?" Aiden asked while he looked at the mansion.
"Mansion or a house, it's empty," she said. "Let's go inside and find something to hide your face. We don't want others to know that you are the looter."
"That makes me sound like a thief."
"It does?" she wondered. "A looter is one who has abilities that turn monster corpses into items and shards. It has nothing to do with being a thief."
Aiden understood that this world had different terminologies than his previous one. Genevieve placed a hand on the giant gate, and it opened on its own. Then, the two of them walked through the gardens of her mansion.
"You don't have any servants?"
"I find having servants more troublesome than taking care of myself," she said. "I can't trust anyone to keep their mouths shut."
"That's how I would do it," Aiden said with a nod.
Genevieve led him inside, through the corridors that were lined with paintings and decorative weapons, until they reached a large room that had a veil of darkness. She dissolved it before walking inside.
The room was a giant chamber with a bed, an office, a kitchen, and a storage room. It had no windows, but somehow the light inside seemed to be natural. Genevieve explained that she didn't use the rest of the house, only this.
"What did you bring me here for?" he asked while looking around.
"I store items that I don't need here," she said. "And those could save your life. The first thing you need is going to be this," she gave him a small box that she took out from her storage room.
Aiden opened the box, and found a mask inside. It was a wooden mask that had two slits for eyes and no hole to breathe. "This sounds like a bad way to suffocate."
"This is an item that would let you breathe without showing your face," she said. "You can even change its appearance by a mere thought, although you can do it only once a day."
[Faceless Mask (Unique): an item carved from the elusive trees in the Mystic Forest. It allows the user to hide their identity and aura from others, becoming unrecognizable. The wearer can change its appearance once a day.]
Aiden picked the mask and weighed it in his hand. It looked thick, but weighed like nothing. He looked at Genevieve, who was busy looking through her storage room, before he placed it on his face.
The mask instantly glued itself to his face, changing in size and shape to fit his. Aiden blinked as he felt like nothing was on his face, and he could see and breathe just fine.
He walked to a nearby window.
"I look like a serial killer," he said. "Nice."
The mask was wooden and only revealed his eyes. It had a menacing aura that lacked enough presence to be called creepy. Instead, it looked mysterious and threatening.
"I can change its appearance… does that include helmets?"
Aiden witnessed the mask morph from wood to a black glass shield that began covering his face. It turned into a black motorbike helmet that covered his entire face. It wasn't too large, and it had a slick curve that made it look streamlined and a perfect fit for his head.
"What the hell is that?" Genevieve asked with a frown as she came back. "You look like a golem."
"Thanks," he said. "I think I screwed this up. I didn't think it would change appearances with a thought."
"How else would it?" she said. "You can't change it anymore for one day, so you'll have to stick to that odd helmet."
"That's fine by me," Aiden said with a shrug. "But I'm guessing it won't offer me any defensive capabilities?"
"If it did, I would wear it myself," she said and presented Aiden with a neatly folded cape. "This item can also mask your presence and reduce any sounds you make. It's perfect for…"
"Assassinations?"
"And hiding," she corrected with a cough. "These two items are the only things I have that could be used by unranked seekers. Anything else would require you to be a spark or higher."
"Thanks anyway," Aiden said as he examined the cape with fascination. At the same time, Genevieve studied him with an inquisitive gaze.
"Tell me, Aiden. Where do you come from?"