POV: Deketer.

  The next chamber was massive. Easily thrice the size of the grandest ballrooms I was familiar with. With pristine white floors and an equally spotless ceiling that radiated light from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

  In contrast, the walls were filled with terrariums and crevices where plants and fungal matter could grow within limits. So that it all came together to resemble a well-tended garden filled with a plethora of different species.

  The only pieces of furniture to be seen were plush, comfortable chairs of all makes and sizes. All of which had spacious desks in front of them and viewing slabs on wheels to the right. So that they could be rolled in front of the chairs with the slightest effort.

  I hated the way they had been set up.

  This hall should be filled to bursting with ever luxury one could imagine, instead of this sorry, minimalistic arrangement.

  Being a System Vendor was supposed to be both an honor and a privilege. One only a select few could ever aspire to. Not only did the title grant direct access to the System store at all times, but it also served another, even more important function for those who had been chosen.

  Throughout the Labyrinth, Instances and Excursions could easily be the bane and the death of fools who overestimated their strength. Projectors might escape if they had portal abilities of course, but the higher Tiered Instances required similarly powerful abilities to escape and not all were specialized in teleportation.

  However, a Vendor could always move themselves back to this hall at will. So long as they were not out on an active assignment in some Tutorial. Not only would this save one’s own sorry hide, but the System would also step in to personally remove any and all afflictions the Vendor had been saddled with, in order to protect the people dealing with the Vendor from possible exposure or contagion.

  In essence, this meant that Vendors were always protected from mind or body-altering abilities that Shifters and Telepaths might bring to bear, as even while under direct control, the System itself would step in to retrieve a Vendor under attack.

  Therefore, it irked me how little respect was shown to the office by those that had been lucky enough to find a spot here.

  Looking around, most of the Vendors I saw seemed either rattled or utterly exhausted. Empty bottles of suspicious liquids having been scattered around several different work stations, even as the people in those stations wore haunted, empty looks as they stared into the distance.

  And as if that weren’t enough, several Vendors were currently engaged in a shouting match over by the corner.

  “I am not going anywhere near that place you sick (Gnome)! I already have an assignment and I was judged to be operating well! I am not leaving Apprentice Difficulty!”

  “Go (Drake) yourself Horgal!” The Foxxan next to him screeched. “You must have been hitting the booze like there’s no tomorrow if you think I’m taking that spot! You’re one of the few people here who has experience dealing with the monkeys in any case! You should take it!”

  “The only thing I’ll be taking is your mother’s sweet (Gnome)!”

  “Why you little….!”

  They barreled into each other and began beating each other senseless. Though at least they had enough self-control to avoid using abilities. So as to not get their Vendor Licenses revoked.

  “I wonder what it is they’re fighting about?” Sky Fart asked like the dullard he was.

  ‘It doesn’t matter what they’re fighting about. Fool. It only matters that they’re fighting like children throwing tantrums when they should be presenting an example for their juniors and their fellows. They bring shame to themselves and they do not care that they are doing it.’

  I determined that they should be ignored and moved on to other sections of the hall. Looking down at the card I received from grandfather.

  “Juru Polat. Otherwise known by the moniker Granny Golden.” I huffed. “Dammed Forens. Always going on and on with their fake titles.”

  ‘As if having a nickname among their kind was anything impressive.’

  Monikers were a mark of status out in the wider Labyrinth. A designation that meant you were one of a kind and that you had the power to meet any foe in battle. It was usually given to people who had at least one or more Titles, meaning you’d have to be on the 5th Tier at minimum. That, or you’d have to be the distinguished apprentice of someone who met that criterion. Dull as he was, Sky Fart was grandfather’s pet and even he should command some level of respect, for to laugh at him would be to laugh at his patron.

  However, some species, like the bird-like Forens, had entered the Labyrinth with a culture that gave out such names for much, much less. From the looks of it, this Granny Golden was only Tier 2 and even then, only in one measly Type.

  Even Sky Fart, with his puny Tier and below-average intelligence, would be able to kill her with a few strikes.

  ‘The Vendor License is wasted on someone like this. Honestly, what was the System thinking when it brought someone like her under its wing? Why choose someone like her, when I have much better prospects and a much better foundation at my age?’

  It was the height of unfairness, but then again, when had the System ever been fair?

  In a fair world, Sky Fart would still be level 20 or something and I would have long since reached the 3rd Tier. In a fair world, I would have my own palace, with my own courtiers and courtesans and artists and musicians to entertain me. In a fair world, mother would never have thought of sending me away.

  ‘Enough.’ I snapped at myself. ‘Enough. Don’t let your mind wander. If you’re going to do a job then make sure you do it right. Otherwise, you’ll only bring shame on yourself like these two fools over here.’

  I kept walking. Willfully ignoring Sky Fart’s words while searching for our new charge.

  We ended up finding the old she-bird nesting on one of the couches on the very furthest corner of the massive space.

  And…

  It was a sorry sight indeed. Most of her feathers had either turned grey or fallen of entirely. So that she looked oddly naked, despite the robe she wore. More like a piece of meat on sale at a butcher’s shop than a person. A bird de-feathered and ready to be stuffed full of greens and greasy sauces. Her beak had been worn down, as had her claws, in a manner that suggested that she had been chewing on them due to some kind of nervous tick.

  And her eyes…

  Her eyes were the most terrible aspect of her form. They were wide orbs, jet black in color and with a slight yellow tint in the center where the light struck them. They darted here and there and everywhere. Staring daggers at everyone around her while simultaneously passing over all her peers. As if she were utterly consumed by terror, due to some ethereal, unseen monsters stalking the corners of her mind.

  ‘She is mad.’ I thought at once. ‘Mad and broken and useless. Why has the System not taken away her bloody license?’

  It was yet another vexing aspect of the System, but there was nothing to be done about that.

  I steadied myself and moved forwards. Determined to make the most of the situation.

  ‘If grandfather wants me to follow around some madwoman until he kills the Drake, then so be it. It certainly seems a cheap price to pay, compared to being back there in the smelly hall.’

  I started walking, when someone else stepped in front of me. A Foxxan.

  I was about to tell him off, when he started talking over me.

  “Excuse me, oh honoured lady. But, would you happen to be the majestic Deketer? Daughter of Lady Agony?”

  I stopped dead in my tracks, noting how the Foxxan was almost genuflecting. Presenting the appropriate amount of respect.

  After such a long time waiting, this was, refreshing.

  “I’m sorry sir but we are in a bit of a hurry.” Sky Fart said like the idiot he was. Moving to gently move him aside.

  I sent out my claws to grab him and pull him back.

  “Excuse yourself. Sir.” I almost spat out that last word. “But we are having a conversation right now. You can move on to talk with the de-feathered mess over there if you want, but this gentleman was addressing me first.”

  Sky Fart narrowed his eyes. Looking concerned.

  “My lady, we already have an assignment.”

  “We do.” I confirmed. “And that lady looks like she’s not in any kind of hurry to be somewhere else. She will await my pleasure and she will do so with a smile. Please go over to her and keep her company.”

  Sky Fart had the nerve to frown.

  “My lady.” He said once more. Now giving the new arrival a sideways glance.

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  “We do not know who this person is and we are not currently standing within your family’s borders. I know your grandfather is respected. I know your mother is respected. But not everyone has the right amount of self-control. Or the wisdom to know….”

  “Enough.” I snapped. “It would seem that you don’t have the wisdom to know your place sir. I am speaking to someone. Go speak to the trembling bird dish and leave me be.”

  Sky Fart’s mouth opened slightly. But then he thought better of it. Closing off his posture and nodding stiffly.

  “As you wish, my lady. I will await your return.”

  He left as respectfully as he could. With his tail stiffly following him instead of being restrained in the proper sways that might indicate polite compliance.

  ‘Well, what did you expect from a mongrel cur?’ I thought to myself. ‘Perhaps this little social disgrace is his way of fighting back or showing displeasure. Or perhaps no one bothered to teach him proper etiquette at any point in his miserable life.’

  It did not matter in any case. He was a bug in my soup and he would be removed sooner or later.

  I turned to the supplicant.

  “Yes. I am who you say I am.” I responded. “May I have your name?”

  “This humble one is named Jakolo, oh mighty mistress. I am merely a small Vendor hoping to seek your patronage.”

  I felt a pleasant tingle running up my spine.

  “And what would you have to offer in exchange for my patronage sir?” I asked pointedly. “I will remind you that I am not some common noble on the street of silk or the street of gold. I am the daughter of a Master and the granddaughter of a Savant, as you say. I do not give out my blessings easily.”

  “I would never dream of wasting your time, oh honoured lady.” The man answered at once, as if reading my mind.

  I did not detect any intrusions, nor was my Psy intruded upon, so it must have been a combination of good manners and social awareness.

  “As for what I can bring…” He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a poster.

  “This.”

  He offered it while lowering his head with the appropriate amount of respect.

  I took it and inspected the document.

  My eyes widened.

  The poster was an announcement from the System itself and a popup window appeared as soon as I had the paper in my hands.

  I stared at the rewards on offer. My mouth tube open as if I were some common dullard on the side of the road.

  ‘So much!? How!? Why!?’

  Each one of these were rewards worth killing for. Well, maybe not the first one, as money was just money and could be earned in regular instances or… in my case, asking mom.

  But all the others were handsome prizes. Especially the two that spoke about Vendor Licenses and their respected upgrade.

  Normally, one would only have access to stock below one’s immediate Tier. So that one would have to be Tier 2 to be a Vendor in the first place and Tier 3 to have access to a Tier 2 license.

  This was an obvious solution to the potential issue of Vendors using money to buy items far above their strength and gaining an upper hand due to their accumulated funds, rather than their Tier or abilities.

  However, I knew there were exceptions.

  Vendor Access Tokens were one of the potential rewards that difficult Instances or important Excursions could provide and their owners were entitled to having a single immediate one-time meeting with a Vendor, in order to buy whatever it is they wanted.

  Naturally, any number of people could get their hands on these Tokens. Including monsters like the Seeking Drake or the Moving Mountain or the Golden Cruelty. Monsters that wouldn’t necessarily act out and risk the wroth of the System by mutilating Vendors, but who would certainly keep festering grudges in the recesses of their minds on account of any perceived slight. These grudges, both real and imagined, could then be let loose on the Vendor’s species or worse, their immediate family.

  The Golden Cruelty was especially famous for such things. Being a Vendor who delighted on calling younger, lesser Vendors for no other reason than to feed her vanity. Those who pleased her were let go with predatory loans that would inevitably bring them under her thumb. Those who displeased her would become the victims of intricate webs of intrigue, where their entire world would crumble one person at a time over the course of decades and centuries. All the while their own person remained unharmed.

  There were also cases where the System offered up direct access to the System store without the use of Vendors, but those rewards were never worth taking. The System never offered them unless it was sure all those who went forth on the given quest were certain to die, so there was hardly a point.

  In fact, one of my greatest strengths was my penchant for history and I recalled that there had been precisely four cases of people surviving such assignments in the past million years. Considering those numbers included all the cases in all the universes attached to the Labyrinth, the odds were bleak indeed. So much so that even grandfather had turned down several such missions.

  ‘But this isn’t anything like that. This is an actual Tier 3 Vendor license up for grabs. All for being the Vendor for a Tutorial instance.’

  The offer felt like recognition from the System itself. A role made and tailored specifically for me. I mean, yes. It was offered up after several Vendors refused to take the role, but they were fools.

  The notice clearly stated that the last imbecile had been dismissed due to exploiting his two charges, not due to any kind of assault or threat coming from them. Moreover, this was the Tutorial. Meaning that the charges would be Tier 1. Early Tier 2 at most. Not only was there no real danger, but there was a real chance to make lasting connections with a species’ greatest talents. To bring them under the influence of the Kenari empire. In a completely benevolent way of course.

  Mother did always say that the best way to Dominate someone wasn’t through mind-control, but through gratitude. A favor here, a kind word there and a hint of appreciation and mentorship could enslave people far more effectively than collars or chains. Something the bloody idiot gnomes had somehow not realized over millions of years.

  Moreover, if there was a chance of the charges being violent, the System would censure the Students before anything could happen.

  And on top of all that…

  ‘Grandfather’s apprentice will be there. Waiting. Training. If one of these Students threatens me, then he will step in and obliterate the person at fault.’

  No doubt his presence was the reason so many had turned the post down. A Savant was never a fun thing to find. A young and prideful Savant even less so. A young and prideful Telepath Savant may as well be a walking cataclysm waiting to go off as soon as the Tutorial ended. What with them being able to rip the Veil to pieces with a flex of will.

  ‘But this one already belongs to grandfather already.’ My tongue licked the edges of my mouth. ‘I have even less to worry about. The fools.’

  It took all I had to keep myself from laughing.

  ‘The bloody fools.’

  It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Down to the most minute detail.

  I made my face a mask and turned towards the idiot offering the notice. For only an idiot would let go of such a thing, instead of running to take it himself.

  I mean, yes. He did earn my favor with this gesture, but it still would have been smarter to take it himself.

  ‘Though I guess I can’t fault the commons for being so simple-minded.’ I chided myself. ‘From their perspective, my influence must seem comparable to that of the System itself.’

  “Does the offer please my lady?” The man asked. His eyes still down and looking towards my bottom claws.

  “It does.” I spoke. Moving one of my claws so that it hovered over the empty signature line.

  “You have done me good service sir. I am pleased indeed. I do so swear, on my name and on my blood, that you shall be well-rewarded for bringing this to my attention so soon. I would have your name.”

  “Oh, there is no need for that my lady.” The man spoke again. “I am merely paying off a debt I incurred long ago. I would not be here if your honoured ancestor hadn’t saved my own. Think of this as my own humble token of appreciation.”

  He lowered his head even further.

  “There is no need to remember my name, your grace. I am but a humble servant for someone as majestic as you.”

  I almost purred.

  It was so refreshing to see one who knew his place. Especially after becoming a Vendor themselves. Others might have let the petty authority get to their heads, but this one seemed to have the good sense to stay in his own lane despite rising so high.

  No doubt such humility would help him rise even higher.

  “Regardless, I will remember this sir.” I assured him. “Rest assured that I will seek you out as soon as I have completed this assignment. I would have you stand behind me, as one of my main benefactors. After all, such good service needs to be rewarded.”

  I paused for half a heartbeat to gloat.

  “And my grandfather will surely learn of your efforts. My mother too. They will no doubt wish to speak with you as well.”

  I glanced over at the Foxxan again, and noted that he seemed to be shaking now. His tail practically vibrating as all his hairs stood on end. The telltale signs of sheer, incomprehensible terror for his species.

  “Forgive me, my lady. But… I fear I would not be…” He swallowed. “I feel that I would not feel…”

  “Comfortable in such high company.” I finished for him. Nodding along.

  “Yes of course. My mistake good sir. I often forget myself in these matters. Do forgive me.”

  I reached for my status screen. Manifesting all the Store Tokens I had on me. A pittance that my grandfather had given me as an allowance before sending me here.

  “Here you are, good sir. 5 million. Not that much more than the rewards on offer, but it should be a start.”

  I patted him on the shoulder.

  “Rest assured, I will reward you more appropriately, once I reach a higher Tier. Your kindness and your loyalty will not be forgotten.”

  I took my eyes away from him and signed the notice with a clawed finger. Immediately receiving the confirmation that I, Sky Fart and this so-called Granny Golden had all been granted the rewards upfront and that we’d be sent to the Instance soon.

  I did feel a little odd that they should be rewarded as well, but there was nothing for it. We had already been tied up as a senior Vendor and her apprentices after all. I would just have to live with the fact that neither of them deserved these boons and that they only got them thanks to me.

  It wasn’t fair, but that was that.

  However, a strange thing happened then.

  Everyone else seemed to have gotten some kind of notice as well, given how they stiffened up and regarded the empty air.

  Then, they cheered. And the hall almost erupted with their jubilation.

  “YEEEESSS!! SOMEONE TOOK IIIIITT!!!” A Hogrul cried out. Falling on all six of his furry legs and weeping into his hands.

  “Thank goodness! Thank goodness!! It won’t be me!” Another Kenari I did not recognize shouted.

  “Another day! I get to live another day! Thank the Divines!” An unfamiliar Foxxan echoed.

  I called all them fools within my head, but then turned to find that my benefactor had disappeared and that Sky Fart was rushing back over to me. A weeping mess in his arms.

  “What did you do!?” He shouted. Forgetting himself.

  “What the (Drake) did you do you stupid (Drake)!?”

  I recoiled. As if struck.

  “What the (Drake) did you say to me!?” I roared. “How dare a little mongrel like you speak to me that way! I’ll see you flayed for such an insul…”

  “Master gave you one job! One! Job! To stay away from Peak Difficulty! How (Drake)ing hard is that!? Can’t you (Drake)ing read!? You stupid (Drake)ing (Drake)!”

  Next to him, the bird was howling. Claws rending bloody ribbons on her exposed flesh as the few feathers she still had fell away like falling leaves as she shook.

  “Not again! Oh dear Gozo not again!”

  She squirmed in Sky Fart’s arms. Trying to escape.

  “Let me out! LET ME OUT!!! LET MEEE OOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUTTTTTT!!!!”

  She raked his torso with her claws, but Sky Fart didn’t budge.

  Instead, he kept spouting profanities at me, until the light enveloped us and took us away.