The morning sun greeted him through the window, warm light falling across his cluttered workspace. The smell of herbs danced over his nose, causing him to sneeze. Dried bundles hung from the rafters above, casting thin shadows that swayed with the morning breeze.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyL4vt029m
He was awake and knew what he had to do: focus on making better potions. He was going to keep it simple. The spider and adder poison both proved that they could harm very easily, even if not fatally, so he focused on making them into paste to lace weapons—something to help the hunters and Coby.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9gZpHhdjk
He wanted new potions, but he needed to familiarize himself with what he'd already made and focus on that. As he was lost in thought, Leenia walked in, checking on him with some jam bread.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte5BLGRZdz
"Morning, Wolf. Nina told me you ran into Teva yesterday. What do you think about her?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd4haCXukg
"It's nothing," he protested as she handed him the bread.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vCgBjUXPU
"Oh? That was not what Nina said. She said you couldn't keep your eyes off her."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSgKb3Kp1N
"And she was jealous."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXrpfpHBgA
"Do you like beastkin girls?" Leenia asked, a teasing edge to her voice. "Or just the cat type, and not the fox type?" She smiled as she said it.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvGdDMGaFU
Wolf, his mouth full, only glared. After a moment he retorted, "You know it's not like that. She was always a friend."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkAMM8UjUw
"She is… pretty," he admitted reluctantly.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUszLkLVFp
"But I don't like her."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhfUS1Oh0Z
"I was just, um..." He couldn't find the word, but his sister did for him.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzUux5j7yu
"Captivated by her beauty?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDncA5Gn3l
"Maybe even I should be jealous," she mused.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjW2kvTsHw
He blushed. "That's not—no…"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7k84G0Se3
"She's just full of life," he said quietly. "That was new to me. I'm used to others, but she's different."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24BXiW6cEJ
"Hmmm." His sister's expression softened. "You know, she still visits the shop. I think she's a water mage too."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg89EWwYcAF
"She does?" he replied, perhaps too quickly.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDswAVCFMJc
"Saw it before. It was amazing!" His sister glanced at that and smirked. "I can see why Nina got mad. You don't hide your thoughts very well. It explains why she's always sniffing around you. I bet you were acting like a lost pup and she was your new owner."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWafOL08klk
"What?! No…" He denied it immediately. "I handled it well. You weren't there. What do you know?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmXS4k7pQw
"I know what Nina told me last night, and she wouldn't lie to me," she said casually.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJunQjrkZTM
"What's with both of you caring if I'm friends with another girl? It's not like I'm going to date her."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGKvzCQm92
"I know, little brother," Leenia said gently. "But we both worry. You only know people loving you like family. We fear you chasing a new girl and forgetting about us. Mom never says it, but she worries about you too."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGUtdLdyFN
He sighed. "Ok, I understand. But you need to trust me. I'm not a kid, and I want to make my own choices. No matter how much I love you or Nina, I want a choice."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AjYwXEfJl
She looked at him, a bit forlorn. "I know. That's why I watch mostly from the sideline. Nina… tries, but she worries she doesn't have a place. So she doesn't like a new girl taking it so easily."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePUtKylfV7
"I know. We talked about it," he relented. "I promised I'd treat her better."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCSAMykveE
"Thank you for bringing me food. I'll keep what you said in mind."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xNGqyyTNs
She kissed his cheek. "It's all I ask, little brother. It's a busy day, so I can't stay long. Say hi to Coby if he visits. I heard he's back in town."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI34FSKjt2
With that, she left to do her chores for the day.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlubhPomSs6
He knew he needed to be more mature. Maybe Coby would help him—his brother was always better with girls.
It was about midday when he saw Coby. He happily greeted his missing brother. "It's been too long!" As they embraced, Coby laughed.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIQP2ZDLdr
"Indeed it has. The hunts keep me busy. I've been getting better at tracking with the wind. I can use it for a while easily."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97mpOxvr2G
"Impressive. I still can't do anything with balance magic. I feel it sometimes, but it still feels off." He looked at his hand as he said that.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6ZqUg7cS2
"Oh, by the way, I made you a small gift. Use it with care, though—they're poisons."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwav3bNaJW
"I don't think poison is a gift you give people you care about," Coby said skeptically. "Unless you're trying to tell me something?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO77a4gqMwl
"No," Wolf said quickly. "It's not like that. Here."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmZ3baqSKD
He handed him small jars wrapped with cloth. Coby carefully removed the cloth and saw a label: Adder Bite Paste: Paralyze. Removing the lid, he could smell a light burnt wood scent.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib1Ibdjwf8
"The poison itself is scentless," Wolf explained as he watched. "I was worried it could be misleading, so I added a bit of charcoal for color and scent. It's clearer otherwise, and has no smell."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMINKI7OohH
Coby nodded. "What is it for, though?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvVDD8zp4L
"To help you hunt! It can be added to daggers or arrows to numb beasts and help you fight!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYtbeTvPAY
Coby knew poisons weren't new—they just never really thought about it, since magic existed to help them fight. "This will help a lot, brother. Thank you."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdEi76siC2
He was grateful. "The other is worse. Well, better poison. But more dangerous, I mean."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcAIQhn8u0
He unwrapped it slowly and showed Coby. Spider Bite Poison: Fast Spreading Cramps, Mild Blindness, Disorient.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemXW0UMJdA
"That's some major effect just for one poison," Coby said, impressed.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWhuKLXyEM
"I tested them on myself," Wolf replied with pride. "So I know they work."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIT2CoJOOr
"WHAT?!" Coby said, shocked. "Why would you do that? Wolf, are you mad?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsEeiuzuhl
"I needed to know how they worked and how bad the side effects were. I couldn't risk it hurting others."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BY8Bel58s
"So you hurt yourself?" Coby said, exasperated. "That's stupid…"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb56Pw7Pfmo
"No," Wolf replied calmly. "I tested them. I had someone watching over me and a cure. Also, make sure you buy a few cures from Herbert. I don't trust my skill just yet, but the poison effects tend to hit you hard. So try not to be affected."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgMnTtcHvi
Coby sighed. "You're mad, brother. But I love you, and thank you for the gift. It will help if we run into something big that we can't just outrun or chase away easily. Thank you."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH9chXuGuD
After a bit of playful banter, Wolf felt confident enough to ask what Coby knew about girls. He looked at Wolf, not sure what to say.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPjfRO3rjd
"This is about Nina?" Coby wondered.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCRYCkbZqN
"What? No… she's a sister, remember," Wolf replied quickly. "It's Teva… the catkin who works at the inn now."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHexMGRV3fx
"White hair. I remember," Coby shrugged. "I've seen her. She was friendly enough. Didn't think much about it. Why, do you like her?" he wondered passively.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n2s1WJkjT
"NO!" Wolf replied. "I mean, no… she's just different. And both my sisters think she would use me. I barely see her anymore, so I was wondering why they'd say that," he said nervously.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRtBDJLglk
"Aha, well, they're jealous," Coby replied easily.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq84BqcZO6
"But why?" Wolf asked again. "I barely even talk to Teva."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteiEWS7Ofm
"Who?" Coby asked.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG2iUv7diV
"The cat girl. Her name is Teva," he replied easily.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8YnByj73S
Coby laughed. "For a girl you never see anymore, you still made sure you remember her name, eh?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mBjK7js8l
Wolf was exasperated. "I just needed advice to let them know she was just a friend I thought was pretty, and nothing more."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6vJcyLnce
"Hmmm, well, you kinda said it," Coby replied with a grin. "Anything else is just them being sisters, wanting to make sure you're safe. I'm sure of that. Also, I didn't know you liked catkin. Good to know!" he finished, amused.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMU2rgODCC
Wolf wrestled Coby after that, both laughing and enjoying being young while also making sure not to tip the jars of poison. He did not forget how dangerous they were, even if he was happy with his brother.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFV5FvqtE6
Today was a good day. And if things went well, he would send these pastes elsewhere to sell.
Arlin awoke in the dungeon.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPc93nyGy5
She was merciless. These past months had been grueling, always pushing him. He looked around—he was in a graveyard. A new layout.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ZEF9OVos
The air was thick with decay and damp earth. Mist clung to weathered tombstones, their inscriptions worn smooth by time that didn't truly exist in this place. Somewhere distant, a crow cawed—or something that sounded like one. The moon hung low and pale, casting everything in shades of gray and shadow.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nd4wcFiiK
Dungeons were odd, he'd learned early on. The layout would stay the same on the first floor always, but after that? It changed. Desert, forest, swamp were a few he'd been forced to deal with. Now a graveyard.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2oRmHf9Hl
The only blessing was that the monsters and dangers scaled with the level of depth and the number of people. He was on level two—a low threat, solo-able, but it could still kill you.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Mtg0HHLT
He knew she was here. She was always around, watching him.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpEGQ9UnVh
He remembered feeling betrayed that she didn't want to be in his life as a mom. Now? He counted his blessings… and wished the gods had pushed her away instead. She was a sadist, watching him suffer, saying it was training.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqLuOuT7N4
He hated to admit it, but it worked.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7LgJKmGmG
He'd always felt the darkness like a blanket, but now he felt it as a weapon. A tool. She made sure to keep attacking him randomly till he learned to fight back—not just with a fist, but with magic. That was her motherly gift.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uKsqj2Lzo
She flowed like water or a torch flame, shadow dancing in the wind. She was also able to use that same darkness to strike… or hunt. She taught him through pain what to avoid, what could hurt, what could kill.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF5DAsknD1
She always had potions on standby, at least at first, when she wanted him to learn. She always sent him alone to kill monsters. He wasn't sure how many people could be in dungeons at once.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhuPwdxTJN
She'd said, "As many as we want. Each gains their own world to hunt past level one. The gods balance it by reducing monsters unless you go deeper."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ceRUSajyJ
It helped those wanting to farm material other than monster shards, but made it harder on him. She always wanted at least one kill, or he couldn't leave. The worst was three days before he found something to kill. When he didn't want to keep going deeper, he learned to keep rations after that.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFZ0QeZwcu
He'd thought she'd abandoned him a few times in those months of teaching, but he'd since learned to feel her in the distance with his shadows. A fail-safe. A mother nurturing a son, but with violence, not love.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCIkfOeUS8
Was it better than being a rat? He wasn't sure.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3k8fYVMno
Something felt off about this location. He touched his darkness magic to scout.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA5tmfJ9u9
Silent. Unmoving.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8dOZe4r6V
He felt it. Death. Undead. Four of them, unmoving.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOnyKJL8MV
He sweat a little at that. There weren't supposed to be so many for solo runs. Was she affecting the balance? Tsk. He bet she was, and she knew it.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCEga7WsKR
He sighed. He needed the power to be free—not just from those who enslaved him, but from those who would call him weak.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNsuirZ7ly
He used the darkness to dampen his steps. The undead did not move. They were all in a nearby house beyond the rows of tombstones. He spread his darkness out, making sure there were no other surprises. He tried luring one by tempting it with a bit of darkness near it.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa4Zvtyzvl
But it had an undesired effect—waking all four.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ezxtnojpy
He changed the darkness into a puddle, then a spear. Shot it forward. It smashed into the nearest undead, shattering its skull. He couldn't see them, not really. They were shadows to his magic. But he knew he'd killed one. He felt its magic fade. Must have been a skeleton, he thought. If all four were like this, it would be easy.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91gAw2XoXQ
Although he was still far away, and the graveyard was full of dark shadow mist, it still had enough moonlight to see the door shatter outward.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywqF9qxb75
He saw a small gargoyle-like beast, surrounding itself in shadows, hopping outward. It was two feet tall but jumped twice as high, slightly floating with wing flaps and sniffing the air. The other three were skeletons that slowly moved without focus.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIXVjM4Fvf
He wasn't sure why he couldn't sense the gargoyle, but after it leaped once more, it turned in the air and focused on him. It let out a roar. As it did, the other three skeletons gained life and focus, turning on him and rushing.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc3qgY1eQK
He made the puddle halfway from the skeletons and shot it forward. As they rushed him, he was able to hit another two and shatter their skulls. But the last was moving faster than he thought and was on him.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHr3G44sXD
Wide swing. Easy to dodge, but fast. It stared off into space after missing, as if not sure what had just happened. Another roar woke it up, and it turned on him in an instant.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjff1Q1CgXl
He kept it back, barely dodging a fist aimed at his face. The skeleton was still within reach, so he wrapped darkness around his fist and smashed its skull.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HWL5kaYEF
As it faded, he wanted to sigh in relief, but he knew that gargoyle was still around. As he turned to face it, a rock smashed into his chest, breaking ribs.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBk9Vpx0Zf
He was losing focus due to the pain, but he'd learned to use darkness to help numb it. After she'd beaten him repeatedly to teach him, he wouldn't have a choice when or where he got to suffer and still had to fight.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dlei8lSIK
He was disoriented, trying to focus. It had been flapping in the distance just a moment ago. Did it try to rush him? No? It was gone?!389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f6Vv6UYup
He tried feeling the area with darkness, and a rock smashed into his shoulder, breaking his arm. The pain caused him to lose focus, but he did not stop trying to find the beast.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AV99JgT5q
It was moving around him. It was aiming for his head, he was sure, but lacked proper aim. So it planned to keep throwing rocks till he fell, then finish him off.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOOrE8SN8l
Clever.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3KvRW61Yh
He was technically doing the same with his shadow magic when he made the puddles, but the gargoyle was a shadow earth mage? It was using rocks instead and seemed to use darkness to help hide.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZHesLn6be
He did what he could to keep focus and ignore the new pain. He wasn't good enough to balance too many things with his magic, and he was already blocking pain in his ribs, so the arm had to suffer.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPkC3yFy5w
He felt the beast stop in the darkness and form a rock. He made a puddle and shot it, but he was slow. It leapt up—by luck—and was starting to throw a rock. Although he'd missed a direct strike, he still managed to push it a little, causing no harm to the beast itself, but it threw off its aim. The rock sailed by his head, and sweat fell down his brow at the near miss.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepuUFjHr6U
Since the beast was gliding down slowly, with the last of his desperate focus, he puddled the darkness and shot it where it would land. He pierced its chest—but it wasn't dead. Wounded and broken, more than him, but not dead.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmKG1kAEuL
He wanted to keep going, but vertigo hit him. He wasn't sure why. Yeah, he'd gotten hit a couple of times, but not in the head. He coughed involuntarily. He tasted blood.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdfaV2b6et
Aha, he thought. Maybe a punctured lung. It explained it.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy17VWFDcRc
The first hit was worse than he'd known. He focused as best he could. The beast was breathing hard, blood pooling from its mouth.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgadWucom3
He wanted to laugh. They were both dying from punctured lungs. He wondered who would go first and laugh at the ironic death of each other.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5uosK3byY
Then again, I can still cast, so I guess it's me just laughing at you.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ945wxVAxYn
It took a bit of willpower to overcome the effect of the collapsed lung, but he managed to puddle the darkness. He saw the gargoyle look as if it wondered what it was, and he smiled to himself.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxdzbVkUZn
"Boom."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ6NKqeJ70
As the gargoyle's head shattered and faded, he hit the ground. The wet earth pressed against his face, and he wanted to welcome death. But he thought of the kids.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9cDyPI5Y8
Aha, he thought. I miss you, dumb kids who were willing to trust and follow a stupid rat.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIZMLS0Oa6
As he cried to himself, expecting death, the shadows moved around him as if caressing him, touching him to let him know he was okay.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf9HiKh5ws
From the shadow, a potion brushed his lips, and he drank greedily. He choked, spitting half of it back up with blood, but the effect still worked. He felt the shift in his chest as it healed his lung. He gasped for air, then hacked and coughed, spitting more blood.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs41hGxRUB9
The pain from broken bones was still there, but he was able to breathe. And… drink.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wc3u84P6i
He grasped the bottle from the shadow and drank what was left. The effects were blessed, coming quickly. He sighed. He was safe. He was healed. He laid back onto the cool earth.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBuzjIDZI1
This was the worst fight yet. He'd never had to deal with more than one before.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFlc9qFml8
"You did well," he heard her voice.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDeIdutEAz
"Whatever," he said. "Let me rest, you heartless woman."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE2P3Eg6ew
"Is that any way to talk about your mother?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCS4Vp0lc1
"You're not. You left me for dead."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKgpCM7bNB
"And you left me to the church before that."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvt9E6f8bm
"Nonsense, child. That was before you proved your worth. I trust you now, and I try very hard to train you. You should be happy."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFspGNqk3Fy
"I'll be happy when you're gone."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfakdr8XB8u
"You'd be dead if I was."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBA5czOHWL
"Maybe," he replied. "But I doubt the gods would make it so hard if you weren't here. They balance it knowing you wouldn't allow me to die."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4r2XxpBmO
"I did not move to assist you."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2KG1ERG19
With those words, she proved why she was so ruthless.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBziKzHDRP
"I told you, you are not my mother. Who lets their child die?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAanzijN0z
"A mother that trusts you won't die. I can't cuddle you when you want to be a man. This is necessary."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCQ9eEDH6L
She caressed him with the darkness. "I gathered the shards. I will carry you back. Sleep well. Tomorrow will be a free day. You earned it."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1AAUogF8P
He wanted to keep telling her off, but the fight had drained him. And he did sleep, knowing she would see him safe—at least in this.
She used the darkness to cradle him.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwC4p1PIcW
He wasn't a child. She'd never wanted a baby. But as she embraced him with the darkness, shadows curling around his small frame like protective arms, she loved him and wanted more than anything for her choices to be different. The weight of him, even suspended in magic, felt heavier than it should.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WibTdor8r
He was always struggling to be loved and accepted. Even when everyone was willing to be there, he wasn't happy. And she never knew why.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLR2mkIER4
He seemed to have broken views on what love was supposed to be. She could understand—for her, power was truth, and love was discipline. She wanted better for him but wasn't sure how. Every time she tried to show him love, it came out like cruelty. Trying to force strength onto him with pain when she wanted to love him with kindness instead.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZYMzMjkXU
The trip back to the guild hall was simple enough. She flowed like the wind in the streets, shifting by people like a shadow among a sea of faces—only knowable she'd been there by a sense of presence. When they went to look, she was no longer there.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoa2Je3wlN
When she entered the guild hall, there was a female bearkin at the desk helping adventurers. She looked up, gasping, seeing the unconscious boy. It made those in line turn to see.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfDxcvFRqn
"He's fine," Tanya spoke plainly, before there was an uproar.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhsYM3JC0P
"Where was Terry? Wasn't it his shift?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43kisylDyx
"It was done an hour ago, Mistress Zella," the bearkin replied.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFQCk4vHLJ
"Aha," she replied. "My sense of time must be off. The dungeons tend to do that. And I told you to call me by my first name. I hate my last name. Also, take this."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXEWHFehxP
She floated a bag over to the counter. "Process these and make sure a meal is prepared for when he wakes."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv2qMFOfO2
"Yes, Mistress Tanya," the bear girl bowed deeply, removing the bag from the counter.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9voDmLk61
She watched as they stared at her, still holding the boy aloft with shades of shadow. She withdrew a pipe from a small side pouch and lit it, breathing in slowly, then out, while staring them down.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VA9hzRoYJ
"Is there a problem?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0WkmAAzZO
They quickly realized their curiosity wasn't worth her attention and focused on being helped once more.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeN4786zne
She was able to place him safely in his room easily enough. He looked so peaceful sleeping. She wanted to stay, but things needed to be done that she couldn't do here. And he got grumpy in the past waking with her above him. He took it as his weakness and trained harder, which made her proud. But she felt he was trying too hard and needed rest, so it was best she not be here when he woke.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNcszIf6X6
In the time it took her to lay him to rest, the female bearkin was able to clear the area of adventurers needing help.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyfXmGn3pQ
"Rosa, I'm taking care of business," Tanya said calmly. "If Arlin asks, let him know I'll be out late but will be available tomorrow if he needs me."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzufNWcA4c
"You're not training tomorrow, ma'am?" Rosa wondered.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjursWgVli
"No, he earned a rest. Do you know he took on four skeletons and a gargoyle?" she said with amused pride.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9hc0TfuZB
Rosa paled at that. "Alone? Isn't that a bit… much?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59PhhZs04N
"For the weak? Yes," she replied. "But for him? It was a test and proof of his strength. His magic has come a long way in a very short time, much like mine. Pain is always the greatest teacher, so perhaps he will learn more. We'll see. Regardless, I'm off. Do see that things are in order while I'm gone. If Terry shows his face, brief him for me, please."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJjJ7BPXuU
"As you wish, Mistress." She bowed as the shadows grew and faded, leaving nothing behind but a faint wind that faded with the shadows.
Tommy wasn't happy.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hmuitJTf3
Potion sales were down, and his thugs were an endless source of noise, barking in the background while he tried to work. He needed new ideas, but nothing was really good.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTub1A4fPF1
One of his thugs told him of a new drink involving berries, but that felt more like a gimmick than anything. It was too easy for taverns to make and not worth his time. He had the market for the weakness cure, which was always a source of gold, but the time it took was always a waste versus other potential profits.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk2GAXzwjS
He sighed. He needed something.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4pv33vFap
As he tried to think, a voice broke his thoughts. "Uh, boss?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMFFo2LzCj
"What?" he replied, annoyed. "I'm busy, unlike you."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p9QJmNltc
"The boys are saying shadows are at the door wanting in."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8q6KtkfqE
He stiffened at that. Why was she here? They had no meeting planned, and he had no debts with her.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0op6XmeoE
"Well," he said, "don't tell me they were stupid enough to keep her waiting."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB2fqx8ujF
"Um, we're not sure what to do. You said nobody gets in unless you say so?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDufFGzVqFw
He sighed again. He supposed he should be happy they listened, even when it caused problems. And the fact nobody had been smashed into walls screaming for mercy was also a good sign.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zr2XBFUnp
"Let her in. She's a VIP guest."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIM3Nb1o4i
"Yes, boss!" The thug left, rushing to inform the others.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5gKtQWcKQ
He wished for a drink. He knew she didn't like drinking, so that would be a waste on her. But she did like that herb mix? He always kept some just in case—a bribe or a gift should soften that woman's heart. At least as much as he could hope.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALegJeZgYR
He went to a shelf and found a small cedar box. It wouldn't be much, but it should help.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAp3N6O9uy
As he turned to sit and wait, it wasn't long before the room filled with a wave of shadows, slowly filling the whole space around him, all but touching him. They instead danced at the edges before slowly forming inward into the shape of a very young-looking woman with attractive features.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pnqa6FuPS
He never cared for the woman himself, but he was sure she'd stolen many men's hearts.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c66yRmZ37
She smiled at him. "Tommy, it's been too long. I hope you've been well?" she asked.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvxKY2lqEL
He grunted at that, as if it was an inside joke. "I never knew the guild master cared."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYtt4frGrc
As he poured himself a drink, he offered her some, but she shook her head. He knew she would, but still, he couldn't be rude.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDNcyNvnCj
"I fear you have me at a loss. I owe you no debt, nor you me? And you don't seem like the type to want to make deals. You always left that detail to the bishop, not wanting to be bothered."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV0EbZ752d
He was fishing, hoping she would give him some clues, though he doubted he'd have to wait long. She was always blunt, at least in the past.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7rmCWrlLS
"You hurt my son," she said flatly.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtbuKdoAWt
"I'm sorry?" He genuinely did not know what she was talking about. Yes, he had thugs, and some of his deals could seem unfair, but he never used violence. His thugs were to protect his goods and keep his money safe, not hunt or hurt.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PsLfdLqf5
"I'm afraid you have me at a loss. I'm not a violent man, and my thugs don't hunt—"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4lxITpAN4
As he thought for a moment: "Also, since when have you had a son?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQli1SxwXM
"When I did is none of your concern. Only that you made his life harder than needed, and it ends now."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf69b7BSQon
She was here to bargain, it seemed. And she was very blunt, which he did respect. He liked it when things were simple. To the point.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWRwafaI9f
"What deal?" he asked, still unsure. "And with who? One of my thugs?" He treated them fairly. They annoyed him, but he never forced undue labor upon them.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmeuPYh9ll
"My child is Arlin," she said.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6SFxf4o6v
He thought for a moment. "The street rat?!" She glared at him, and he raised his hand in defense to show he wanted no trouble. "A term I did not make. It was based on his actions, not mine."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6coT5EFF2n
"Which does not permit you to slander his name openly in my presence," she retorted.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx7wwwDwTR
"Fair enough," he said. "Sorry. A gift."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa6AGVlzPc
He tried to smooth things over, offering her the box. She opened it and was mildly amused. She pulled out her pipe, lit some of it, and inhaled deeply, enjoying the calm it brought her.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyvm4QzocM
"I prefer no smoke in my office," he said plainly.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzZjcXelOp
As she blew the smoke toward him: "And I prefer my son not be called a rat. But we both suffer this day, it seems."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1LL9Q0upm
He couldn't be mad about her actions. What did he think was going to happen, gifting a smoker something to smoke?389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgQmsRbw8S
"You still have me at a loss for how I hurt your son. I did no such thing. He came to me and made more than one deal, and agreed. I'm not sure how that was harming him, assuming that's what you mean."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw38RUal3RQ
"It is," she said. "And you know well you made deals with a child who was too naive to know what he asked. Add to it, you already make plenty from deals with us. You don't need to try to control my family."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PiMU5X5A8
"I wasn't aware it was your family. I would have handled it with more tact. But the potions I made cost me, regardless of our deals. That is something that can't be just ignored, regardless of our views."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCc8MAPynb
A small shadow floated to his desk with a light clink. A crystal was placed near him. When he looked closer, he was surprised—a level three crystal.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3vz4D1kLS
"Those are rare. How do you get one?" he wondered, amazed. "And adventurers tend to save them for gear or powering artifacts?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYwxBDGrUV
She smiled while puffing smoke gently, blowing it to the side. "My son earned it himself. I know for a fact ten level one crystals have the value of one level two."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tpbgHqrFo
She watched him carefully as she spoke the next part. "And ten level two—" She trailed off, letting him finish.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd110OEwfPV
"Is worth one level three… but how?" he replied quickly. "They're not easy to come by. You need to get to depth three or more? He couldn't solo that… could he?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JxqFqBT2f
A bit of fear entered his mind at the thought—the street rat could be that strong?389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV1t5s5Q7P
"No," she said. "It was rare, but even floor one could drop them."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlmLYNnNDM
"WHAT?!" He was genuinely shocked. "That's not even possible, and even if it was, they would be more common."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbt9gxu54K
"No," she said. "The gods balance all things. Even this. I was overseeing his training. It seems the gods wanted him to face great threats. He soloed a shadow earth gargoyle for it, and some skeletons."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUE9vyUbHm
He wasn't sure how easy or hard it was, but the crystal was still a rare gift. He reached for it, but a shadow blew it away with a gentle wind, leaving him dumfounded. She was slowly puffing a bit of smoke.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek1w2g6GJh
"With that crystal, the debt is paid," she said, staring at him with cold indifference.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBGFllzKBB
"I had long-term plans for him and those kids with that debt. This… amount doesn't cover that," he tried to regain control.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJvDlvbcgM
"This amount," she said, "is more than your worth. But like you, I pay my debts. I know for a fact we could have bought tenfold potions with this, and you can make stronger potions from this crystal. So your profits are covered in full. The debt… is clear." She said it with finality.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp56MY9Z1C
He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I suppose this is fine. It was a good scheme to try and expand. But you seem to be nipping it in the bud before it can even grow. I'm not sure if you've been clever enough to curb my empire before it could grow, or if it was a lucky coincidence."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9EDWaHsih
"I couldn't care less about your scheme or what it involves," she said. "As I said, you involved my son, so it involves me. Nothing more."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5srmOMh1EY
"Hmm." He nodded. "Well, if we're still on good terms, I would like to have the option to work with you more. We don't need to be enemies when we both can profit." He smiled, happy with his gains even with what he had lost.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oruvVTAI6
She tried to puff more but noticed she was out and frowned. She put her pipe away and the box he'd gifted.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxOJUwYdrv
"No," she said. "We needn't be enemies. But it won't make us allies. We agree his debts are free, and the other children are not involved anymore."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBQwbc3uom
He frowned, not liking the outcome, but was happy nothing went to violence. He nodded.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTbXrCpb3c
He heard the clink of the crystal once more, and he couldn't help but smile. That was a rare find. He could make a few very powerful tonics and potions with that, or even try to grow his power.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7SZCHVhqR
He looked up to see what else they could discuss, but all he saw was fading shadow mist.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSPbGrTjch
Aha. She was dangerous, but that was the price of doing business, he thought—unless he attracted their ire.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfzToD6Frl
"Everything ok, boss?" It was the thug from before. It wasn't like he was able to do much, but the fact he was trying was reassuring all the same.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMGbovNs1k
"Just business," he said. He noticed his drink sat untouched the whole time, so he slowly drank it while the thug watched, waiting for orders.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRYnZ8mGBI
After a few moments of silence, he finished drinking. "It's business as usual. Feel free to roam. I doubt there'll be any more excitement for a while."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLKOv6U6GS
The thug nodded and left while he twirled the crystal in his hand. The deal was a net gain, even if he didn't like how it ended. It meant long-term it was a loss. He'd wanted connections to the new dungeon, and he'd lost that. But when one door closes, another opens, and he would make plans from there.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAZ3K5pfBp
and then Add to home screen.