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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA66S3luHKy
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLJgCHW20X
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N9SwymWtw
"Morning, Wolf. Nina told me you ran into Teva yesterday. What do you think about her?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpFTrnQa3T
"It's nothing," he protested as she handed him the bread.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7c0b96iC0
"Oh? That was not what Nina said. She said you couldn't keep your eyes off her."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtIfvJphlK
"And she was jealous."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hY1qvkE0H
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FkTBY39gh
Wolf, his mouth full, only glared. After a moment he retorted, "You know it's not like that. She was always a friend."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThCkYRIvfn
"She is… pretty," he admitted reluctantly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkQc9tZF42
"But I don't like her."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfinYlCWB1G
"I was just, um..." He couldn't find the word, but his sister did for him.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQqBUFdFGB
"Captivated by her beauty?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHrbPMz28O
"Maybe even I should be jealous," she mused.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY4x9pwCKb
He blushed. "That's not—no…"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nXuK1gH6J
"She's just full of life," he said quietly. "That was new to me. I'm used to others, but she's different."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1D73mbPJG
"Hmmm." His sister's expression softened. "You know, she still visits the shop. I think she's a water mage too."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQGSKHQssG
"She does?" he replied, perhaps too quickly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSx0IPXXHQ
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mIegQRXS5
"What?! No…" He denied it immediately. "I handled it well. You weren't there. What do you know?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFUoyB2u9W
"I know what Nina told me last night, and she wouldn't lie to me," she said casually.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMyOz78xv9
"What's with both of you caring if I'm friends with another girl? It's not like I'm going to date her."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P18Gead36
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxljqDNusO
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4RbUvUTT2
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHS8NhahgH
"I know. We talked about it," he relented. "I promised I'd treat her better."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAioCisW9bg
"Thank you for bringing me food. I'll keep what you said in mind."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5IPKE89hq
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqWkipbxA2
With that, she left to do her chores for the day.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggqSi8KtaQ
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux2uDnSlWf
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xneJmtClB
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ppnZOjZJK
"Oh, by the way, I made you a small gift. Use it with care, though—they're poisons."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI3QkkK5ih
"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?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7emijBbpQ
"No," Wolf said quickly. "It's not like that. Here."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycHlJgXFnZ
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQGXAGFEVa
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n7MkYWOW5
Coby nodded. "What is it for, though?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2WqJz1Jeh
"To help you hunt! It can be added to daggers or arrows to numb beasts and help you fight!"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq8YlSVC4D
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOd1q7aeyy
He was grateful. "The other is worse. Well, better poison. But more dangerous, I mean."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReVvse0zBo
He unwrapped it slowly and showed Coby. Spider Bite Poison: Fast Spreading Cramps, Mild Blindness, Disorient.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SDI11kcL9
"That's some major effect just for one poison," Coby said, impressed.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVrI2eOxHd
"I tested them on myself," Wolf replied with pride. "So I know they work."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPvj8uHiUV
"WHAT?!" Coby said, shocked. "Why would you do that? Wolf, are you mad?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFZfBc1kND
"I needed to know how they worked and how bad the side effects were. I couldn't risk it hurting others."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQIa2YHqr
"So you hurt yourself?" Coby said, exasperated. "That's stupid…"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh0nhkL3Rg
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJNuzzuftC
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12fzhkrdm5
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZkfQIJe2G
"This is about Nina?" Coby wondered.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJshLOAfipi
"What? No… she's a sister, remember," Wolf replied quickly. "It's Teva… the catkin who works at the inn now."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT0x298sDz
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNgoolbqVG
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HOzDP2Oys
"Aha, well, they're jealous," Coby replied easily.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RZGak9L9D
"But why?" Wolf asked again. "I barely even talk to Teva."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPSFCOAGiI
"Who?" Coby asked.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCQBO7ythq
"The cat girl. Her name is Teva," he replied easily.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wuILWkVoC
Coby laughed. "For a girl you never see anymore, you still made sure you remember her name, eh?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B9tCJcr6a
Wolf was exasperated. "I just needed advice to let them know she was just a friend I thought was pretty, and nothing more."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcaAW9bwV3
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlikcNIRKLL
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtkZ4J9ppe
Today was a good day. And if things went well, he would send these pastes elsewhere to sell.
Arlin awoke in the dungeon.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTqD5IQX8J
She was merciless. These past months had been grueling, always pushing him. He looked around—he was in a graveyard. A new layout.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1pBmmK5RD
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukL1RBqIEk
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFu5sWi1rf
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NBTrzMgfc
He knew she was here. She was always around, watching him.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstLVlmaDhw
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbGc9xz8HG
He hated to admit it, but it worked.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXivMdgzjMN
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20oTwL1u1B
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaGdOHb6eO
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCvsvJvxjs
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo7HIX5KFr
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7vSHd79tn
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfqqur5ijG
Was it better than being a rat? He wasn't sure.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSBgAXN2ZE
Something felt off about this location. He touched his darkness magic to scout.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzU9Bkt8Ds
Silent. Unmoving.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mBoJj9Anm
He felt it. Death. Undead. Four of them, unmoving.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT90R50SS2
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jNlWQiSQ8
He sighed. He needed the power to be free—not just from those who enslaved him, but from those who would call him weak.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGuQM1L7nb
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFITGzFu0Z
But it had an undesired effect—waking all four.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi33hPBnQNC
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyVd9zv3ZM
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftvpEnBLPz
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZF4zM6kGJ
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbsxXTS4S6
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyN6vh7Zy5
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZJ1mtqf7
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsCxkv2HeN
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3pOnMgEls
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQesLpa9Zxz
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?!362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0CWHauYnJ
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7ttWLBQ4s
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2SWueOZQs
Clever.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lIlnk8EBw
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCwgj3xgej
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdMmpKMY0x
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVP09waVif
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTZxxsS5ey
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno5WcnWN2q
Aha, he thought. Maybe a punctured lung. It explained it.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLQZLDleqA
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFX5BEpwXe
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBmEApv0zJ
Then again, I can still cast, so I guess it's me just laughing at you.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpFB8cV7eD
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaVAoJVvZX
"Boom."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOjNjrgwhV
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmquY1sMRZ
Aha, he thought. I miss you, dumb kids who were willing to trust and follow a stupid rat.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXob9rUaT3
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVBKNwW8kq
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡassX8z0C9Y
The pain from broken bones was still there, but he was able to breathe. And… drink.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaOWlo0Snl
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKNryK2tc1
This was the worst fight yet. He'd never had to deal with more than one before.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9zvmRLmno
"You did well," he heard her voice.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFANE1PhOlY
"Whatever," he said. "Let me rest, you heartless woman."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQwQydvq99
"Is that any way to talk about your mother?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjkbnITkuh
"You're not. You left me for dead."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMlfDAdASU
"And you left me to the church before that."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Jow5uUow
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5bnTu3mXQ
"I'll be happy when you're gone."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoZ0cNFAbv
"You'd be dead if I was."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aZRZxJs2F
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Z0XPCtJ7
"I did not move to assist you."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2LbnO64Gg
With those words, she proved why she was so ruthless.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKCMlXk1i0
"I told you, you are not my mother. Who lets their child die?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklpH22UVx4
"A mother that trusts you won't die. I can't cuddle you when you want to be a man. This is necessary."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAfdGK5CWO
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt8iKQQrZP
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qMXmdtlad
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEOr60gdYS
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tPPb7RIK7
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyPDl5heMF
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPynzNFEH9z
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwZ8w4XTw8
"He's fine," Tanya spoke plainly, before there was an uproar.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K3D9AxQIF
"Where was Terry? Wasn't it his shift?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH1xwfxzS7
"It was done an hour ago, Mistress Zella," the bearkin replied.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvhH5fKpPp
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C2b9y4gw1
She floated a bag over to the counter. "Process these and make sure a meal is prepared for when he wakes."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC5quTqkrV
"Yes, Mistress Tanya," the bear girl bowed deeply, removing the bag from the counter.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv7bQiStMd
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzF6iHQP3Y
"Is there a problem?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiBQTYbphm
They quickly realized their curiosity wasn't worth her attention and focused on being helped once more.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA6i2R3p55
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIlQcoDz7N
In the time it took her to lay him to rest, the female bearkin was able to clear the area of adventurers needing help.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYxvFCqQm3
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YDmTUfeFi
"You're not training tomorrow, ma'am?" Rosa wondered.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRq1Vea6YF
"No, he earned a rest. Do you know he took on four skeletons and a gargoyle?" she said with amused pride.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEyoeVTqPL
Rosa paled at that. "Alone? Isn't that a bit… much?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9soP1BG2v5
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXf7vQQ8oW
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLWzzwKhE5
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3AeQNbkRv
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRhJwnAifq
He sighed. He needed something.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpq9SWo1IO
As he tried to think, a voice broke his thoughts. "Uh, boss?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCLU3ucHdv
"What?" he replied, annoyed. "I'm busy, unlike you."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM6cimE2TH
"The boys are saying shadows are at the door wanting in."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcEHOjcHZ2
He stiffened at that. Why was she here? They had no meeting planned, and he had no debts with her.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz2OYrIPqf
"Well," he said, "don't tell me they were stupid enough to keep her waiting."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTE0WL059c
"Um, we're not sure what to do. You said nobody gets in unless you say so?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF8MLDJlKL
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EY8UWwS6P
"Let her in. She's a VIP guest."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs9XvGa6d9
"Yes, boss!" The thug left, rushing to inform the others.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9PbjoZc1L
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWRmlzzr6
He went to a shelf and found a small cedar box. It wouldn't be much, but it should help.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0LodfVTf1
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1vvmMgdvo
He never cared for the woman himself, but he was sure she'd stolen many men's hearts.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9qy2neQ7Y
She smiled at him. "Tommy, it's been too long. I hope you've been well?" she asked.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBB5US1nOK
He grunted at that, as if it was an inside joke. "I never knew the guild master cared."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUTamR4sxx
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GRZtFjHbM
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRze3capZh
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoWFxxdQE1
"You hurt my son," she said flatly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HOa8CuUkb
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaFpxDp5Tf
"I'm afraid you have me at a loss. I'm not a violent man, and my thugs don't hunt—"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x5XbGP4cK
As he thought for a moment: "Also, since when have you had a son?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBiMiwFgRc
"When I did is none of your concern. Only that you made his life harder than needed, and it ends now."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnoSmb0d8W
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjVy8NXL3j
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4vO1YJaHg
"My child is Arlin," she said.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUXh1cBGRZ
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jh7mYGEGT
"Which does not permit you to slander his name openly in my presence," she retorted.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps1FcYkFPy
"Fair enough," he said. "Sorry. A gift."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBN1xPEs8Y
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpRa8HC7o3
"I prefer no smoke in my office," he said plainly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Ix8bHBOg
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU75xVQ3Fu
He couldn't be mad about her actions. What did he think was going to happen, gifting a smoker something to smoke?362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VVGfvAoSD
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzbGAcu0hB
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrwYgp3Frr
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLe4PZ9PyG
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVwNzNPp0H
"Those are rare. How do you get one?" he wondered, amazed. "And adventurers tend to save them for gear or powering artifacts?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VZxgBGHUb
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3ghA0o1gb
She watched him carefully as she spoke the next part. "And ten level two—" She trailed off, letting him finish.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAjM8wpAyE
"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?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNiU7Skwyp
A bit of fear entered his mind at the thought—the street rat could be that strong?362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfguwdSJxH
"No," she said. "It was rare, but even floor one could drop them."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rsMssJGQW
"WHAT?!" He was genuinely shocked. "That's not even possible, and even if it was, they would be more common."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfGkLdBlVq
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlZY5tvswl
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc188u7DqU3
"With that crystal, the debt is paid," she said, staring at him with cold indifference.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcPo8na3k
"I had long-term plans for him and those kids with that debt. This… amount doesn't cover that," he tried to regain control.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52MyvKBcvR
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnbbXcHu26
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTdJyhqHDN
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRjbbCvyLD
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm3P6nuJbv
She tried to puff more but noticed she was out and frowned. She put her pipe away and the box he'd gifted.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwZasVjhk6
"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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSMXCZ6yCd
He frowned, not liking the outcome, but was happy nothing went to violence. He nodded.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6NdEzUaOW
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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbIJlul2yi
He looked up to see what else they could discuss, but all he saw was fading shadow mist.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ1ViWpgMb
Aha. She was dangerous, but that was the price of doing business, he thought—unless he attracted their ire.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk2tPAf6MT
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb9M4dDc2A
"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.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzqtOhLl7l
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGCIzonQm0
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.
362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGgS3e6u2U
and then Add to home screen.