Radical-9

CHAPTER 18: Respice, Adspice, Prospice

February 24^th, 2022

9:35 Am

We find Oaken leaning against one of the other shops. He is really tall, so it isn't too hard to notice him amongst other players. His dark skin cloaked in a dust-gray overcoat with a sort of hunter green top and brown slacks. Tied up tight are his boots that look like they've crushed a few skulls in their day. Of course, considering we're inside of a game they could be brand new for all I know. Oaken's got a slick buzz cut and wears black shades. If there was any literal meaning to the phrase of “stone cold” this guy would be it.

“You always were a late one, huh?” Oaken says, his voice sounds raspy.

“Complications arose with Gregor,” Klein says.

“He went rogue, right?” Oaken asks.

“He might have been ordered to do those things,” I say.

“And you are...?” Oaken asks.

“Right, this is my party, this is Dex. He's the one who beat Eldon,” Klein begins.

Oaken looks me over, giving a small nod, “Wouldn't think that of someone of your stature, but I guess we're all full of surprises,” he says.

“And this is Jen, his younger sister,” Klein says.

“And I'm Athena, Eldon's sister,” She speaks up.

“Right...well, I guess I must thank you all for taking out Gregor. He was causing a bit of a stir and if you hadn't I would have had to step in.”

“It really is a shame, he was a good dungeon crawler back in beta, too,” Klein says, sighing.

“Well, there isn't anything to do now. I assume you're here for business, and for that we'll have to return to my shop,” Oaken says.

“Why couldn't we just meet at your shop?” Jen asks.

“Well-” Klein begins.

“Because Klein forgets his way every time, and I knew he would this time too, right?” He asks, turning to Klein.

“It was one time.”

“It happened three times.”

Klein moves to protest, but stops and his arms fall to his sides.

“Now, let's get going, shall we?”

We walk through the streets, crossing over a small bridge that looks almost venetian. The railings on the bridge look ornate against the sparkling pool of water that runs underneath.

“It's weird to think that they have water up here in pools in the air,” Jen says.

“In throughout all of this that is what you question?” Klein asks.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Jen says, laughing.

With all of the glitz and glamor of the upper class I'm half expecting a mansion to be our destination, huge fountains spraying water in the air in the front garden. Instead, we're treated to a shack, splintered wood and smashed out windows.

“Is...this a joke?” Jen asks.

“Were you expecting different?” Oaken asks, the smallest hint of a smile crosses his face.

“Oaken's very modest,” Klein begins.

“It's a statement,” Oaken begins. “I don't need to do business in a castle to do business, this shack suits me just fine,” he says.

“Technically, you are doing business in a castle,” I say.

He stares deep holes into me, “You know what I mean.” He walks up to the door and unlocks it through a prompt onscreen. He looks back as if to say “Well, come on in.”

Inside the wood paneling sticks up in certain spots, broken from the floorboards they were attached to. A small countertop sits in the back of the shop. Oaken sits back behind the counter and kicks his boots up on top, “All right, what will you have?” He asks.

“We're going to need some swords and armor for these two here,” Klein says, pointing to Athena and Me.

“All right, if you wish we can see how much the stuff they've got is worth,” he says.

I swipe open my menu and unequip Elcor. I place it on the table, I feel a tinge of hesitation before letting it go. I should know that nobody ever keeps their starting gear in an MMO, even the first gear they get after that, but something just feels a little...depressing knowing that Elcor will be leaving my side. But I realize I'm going to need to be stronger to stay alive, and some extra weight behind my attacks may help in just that. Oaken looks over Elcor, taking it into his hands. He opens his storage and scrolls through the menus, he finally settles on a sharp cutlass that seems to be merged with a heavyset revolver.

“That looks really awesome,” I say.

“It works first as a sword, second as a gun. Your weapon was really rare, so I decided to up my trade just a bit. It's rare to find an actual gun in this game compared to the magic and swords,” he says.

“So, it's like a reverse bayonet?” Klein asks.

“Something like that.”

“Awesome.”

I pick it up in my hands, a button on the side retracts the blade in, to better balance the revolver, and a second one retracts the revolver to similarly balance the cutlass. When both buttons are pushed it becomes a small pistol. Its name is Flintlocke.

“That can act as either a ranged weapon or a close combat one, it's all in your preference.”

“And for that armor,” Oaken begins, “...the best I can do is this,” he says, rummaging through his storage. What appears next on the countertop is a blue plated set of armor, it is heavily layered. I take it in my hands and a prompt opens up for me to equip it. I give him the Shroud of Darkness.

“It's not a unique class, that armor. It's got better defense than the gear you have now, but it lacks the special ability of this shroud.”

“Alright, I think I can manage,” I say.

“Now, how about you?” Oaken asks Athena.

She walks up to the countertop and takes out her Wo Dao, the curved blade extends almost the length of the counter. Oaken takes it in his hands and looks it over, “Now we're talking...” he says. He brings out a long silver blade with a shimmering crystal in its golden hilt that looks heavier than her previous.

“This is a nice sword you're trading in. I have one you might like for it. It's name is Hauteclere. It's starter skill increases the weight of the blade, but jacks up the power,” he explains.

“Hauteclere, huh?” Athena says, picking the sword up in her hands. “And what about armor? What do you have?”

“I'm low on unique armor at the moment, the best I can do is a color variant of what he has,” Oaken says, pointing to me.

“That's fine,” Athena says.

Oaken places down a set of purple armor down on the table, she takes it and gives him her old set.

“Alright, and now for the last one. She doesn't have anything to trade, what can she get?” Klein asks.

“Well, that depends on what you are looking for. If you three are all sword wielders I'd personally suggest maybe investing in a spellcaster,” Oaken says.

“Well, all right, do you suggest any specific sets?” Klein asks.

“I think I have something that might work for her,” he says, picking out a long staff with a golden crystal set at the end, thick black designs coat the end of it. Right next to it is a set of green armor, lighter than Athena's and mine, it looks as if it cuts out the extra layers to favor speed over defensive capabilities.

“And last but not least is Zarathustra. I was traded this by another beta tester a time ago, he decided he was done with spells and chose instead to master archery. Can't remember his name now, but he said he found it in some sort of sky temple,” he says.

“What sort of abilities does it have?” Jen asks.

“It gives you magical offense. So spells that deal fire, lightning, and ice damage are under your control. Your skill gives defensive buffs to your party,” Oaken says.

“So, a standard support unit?” Klein asks.

“I'm not going to be just some unit, Klein. I'm a person,” Jen says.

“Each of us has a role to fill, and you're our magic support. That's just how the game is,” Klein says.

“Why, because Jack says so?” Jen asks.

“No, because we need balance as a team,” Klein says.

Jen sighs and grabs the equipment, “All right. Not my cup of tea, but I see your point.”

“That'll be forty-five hundred gold,” Oaken says, a grin hinted across his face.

“Ugh, Oaken man, you're killing me here,” Klein says, shelling out the gold.

“You asked my suggestion, and my suggestion I gave.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he says, disheartened.

“Well, are we all ready to head out?” I ask.

“Yeah, I am, how about you two?” Athena asks.

“I...uh, maybe,” Klein says, opening his menu.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I've just gotten a message from Beth,” he says.

“Message from who?” Jen asks.

“She's an armorer back down on the first floor, she's currently in hiding because we believe that she and someone we put her in charge of watching was in danger,” Klein says.

“And who is the one you're having her watch?”

“He's a small child named Sam. We found him here all alone,” Athena says.

“Can we take this outside? I'm going to be closing up. Only stayed open this early for a favor,” Oaken says, stepping out from behind the counter.

“Yeah, that's fine,” I say.

We walk out of the shack and Oaken locks it right up. The poor building looks like it's screaming to be put of its misery, but Oaken disregards it completely. If it were me personally, I would have gone with the posh mansion-styled store.

“So, what'd Beth have to say?” Athena asks, walking.

“She says she wants to meet in Novus Dandé, and there's an address also,” Klein says.

“Is that all? No information on what she wants to meet about?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, it sounds like it might be important, then. I guess we could head off there,” Jen says.

“If it is something that she cannot deal with on her own then I do believe it warrants a trip down to Novus Dandé,” Klein says.

“Okay,” I say.

We make it back to the elevator, the stone slab that separates rich from poor, this place even handles problems like the real world would. In a flash we're on the pedestal and the familiar white light envelops us.

“What's happening?” Jen asks.

“Just watch,” I tell her, her face begins to glow.