Eternal Rest

Gauss suggested a monster subjugation contract in the countryside near two small towns infested with vampire spawn and ghouls. He explained that ghouls’ draining abilities could be problematic for most lower-level adventurers, but these effects would be ineffective against Bones due to his undead nature. The second contract offered was a scouting mission in the town of Valencia. This town was under the rule of an ascendant vampire, but unlike other vampire lords, this one didn't have a clan or vampire spawn running amok. The town's citizens were ordinary people, while those in high positions were the vampire lord’s thralls, compelled to do his bidding. Gauss did not disclose the exact details of the scouting mission, leaving them to be revealed by the scout currently on the mission there at a meeting with Bones at a location near Valencia specified in the contract.

Bones was open to changing contracts as long as there was experience to gain and the rewards justified the effort. Speaking of rewards, Bones inquired about the types available, explaining that he had no interest in gold or mana stones but was keen on acquiring skill cores. Gauss confirmed that skill cores, along with high-quality weapons and armor, were available as rewards, but only for contracts of third tier and above. However, he added that instead of the listed rewards for his contracts, Bones could request merits, which he could later exchange for skill cores. Delighted, Bones inquired about the types of skill cores he could obtain with merits and was directed to the second floor of the town hall, where he would find a catalog of available rewards.

Eager to explore the rewards on the upper floor, Bones thanked Gauss and was about to leave when Gauss stopped him with a “just a moment.” Before parting ways, Gauss suggested Bones purchase silver weapons before heading out to deal with werewolves and vampires if he wasn't proficient with weapon auras—something Gauss doubted given Bones’ level. Bones replied that he had already visited the blacksmith and bought silver weapons but asked Gauss to elaborate on the use of weapon auras. With time on his hands, as no one else had arrived at his office yet, Gauss began by asking if Bones was familiar with the auras used by knights. Bones admitted that he had only recently seen an aura user and wasn’t very knowledgeable about the topic.

Gauss, drawing on his combat expertise, explained that mastering aura was essential for melee combatants who had pushed the limits of human physical capability and sought to advance their weapon mastery. Adventurers who can envelop their weapons in mana are known as weapon masters, and they don’t require silver weapons to fight vampires and werewolves.

Although Bones was significantly lacking in weapon proficiency and had no desire to specialize in weapon combat, he was curious about how werewolves fought. Did they use cold weapons, or did they rely on the natural weapons granted by their wolf-like transformation? Gauss responded with a small demonstration. Transforming only part of his arm, he enveloped his claws in a thick, dense, green energy. Bones watched in fascination as the energy felt different from mana—oppressive and resembling flames that clung tightly to the fingertips and long claws.

“That’s stamina, isn’t it? The energy source, I mean,” Bones asked, recognizing this as the first time he had clearly seen and felt the energy source within users known as stamina.

“Yes. We werewolves, and vampires for that matter, can’t use mana in the traditional sense. That’s a consequence of our evolution. Vampires use blood magic, while we werewolves utilize the stamina within us.”

“Fascinating!” Bones remarked before shifting the topic. He asked about the difficulty of reaching deeper into the inner region toward his destination. “Depends,” Gauss replied, pulling out a smaller map and asking Bones to indicate the location. When Bones pointed out the general area of his interest, Gauss raised an eyebrow and asked if Bones was looking for a research facility, revealing his prior knowledge of these facilities. Surprised, Bones admitted he thought the laboratories were a secret, which elicited a chuckle from Gauss and the offer of an extra contract.

Gauss explained that numerous research facilities were scattered throughout the inner region, many of which had been extensively searched. However, not all facilities had been located; many were built underground, their locations lost to time. Bones was given a mission to locate one of the missing laboratories and retrieve research documents on a specific topic, the information Gauss did not immediately disclose, again.

Given the distance to Valencia and his current weakened state, Bones requested a flexible meeting date. He proposed scheduling it for a month and a half from now, which would give him time to complete the Wolfmen contract and recover from the weakening debuff. After the scouting mission, he planned to continue deeper into the inner region to search for the research facility. He didn’t mind taking on an extra mission, particularly with the option to earn merits, but expressed concern about the mandatory two-month progress report. Gauss reassured him, explaining that the additional mission was a special, long-term one and did not require regular reports. This news greatly relieved Bones, but just then, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

“That’ll be all, Bones. If you come across any other contracts of interest, feel free to bring them to me,” Gauss said.

Bones thanked the werewolf, promised to do so, and turned to leave. Before reaching for the doorknob, he heard Gauss offer one last piece of advice: “Be careful not to get entangled with members of the Divine Order. Two of them came with the first group before you, and if they notice you, they will not leave you alone. You are safe here, but be cautious outside.”

Bones nodded, expressing his gratitude to the werewolf for the contracts and the sage advice. As he opened the doors, he was met by a tall figure, his medium light brown hair partially obscuring his eyes. The man was dressed in a striking white robe adorned with golden embroidery and for a fleeting moment, the figure's face froze upon seeing Bones, his eyes flashing with surprise and disbelief before settling into a cold, expressionless mask devoid of any emotion.Bones chose to bypass the man, deliberately avoiding eye contact, yet curiosity gnawed at him. Who was this individual, dressed so extravagantly in such an unremarkable place? Once the figure entered the office and shut the door behind him, he wasted no time in addressing Gauss, his tone dripping with disdain.

“You dare employ an undead? This will not be tolerated!” he declared, his voice sharp and accusatory. Gauss responded with a scoff, his demeanor unyielding.

“I have a use for that particular undead, and I will not allow you to interfere with my business, Templar… If you don’t like how I handle things, you’re free to return to the Order!” Gauss shot back, his words laced with defiance. The Templar, a second-tier member of the Divine Order, seemed to deflate under Gauss's retort, his head drooping in reluctant submission. Yet, beneath the surface of his compliant exterior, a sly expression flickered across his face, a twisted smile curling at the corners of his mouth—one that Gauss, in his fervor, failed to notice.

After leaving the office, Bones wasted no time and ascended the stairs to the upper hall. Under the vigilant gaze of the nearby guards, he approached a staff member clad in formal business attire. With a sense of eagerness, he requested to see the catalog of rewards available for merits. The man responded with a polite, “Certainly,” and led Bones down the corridor, flanked by guards stationed every few meters.

At the end of the corridor, Bones turned left and entered a spacious office that offered a view of the front of town hall. He was invited to settle into a plush lounge chair while the staff member unlocked a glass cabinet and retrieved a hardcover catalog, which he then handed to Bones.

“I couldn’t help but notice the security around this place. Are the rewards stored here, in town hall?” Bones asked, his curiosity piqued. The staff member raised an eyebrow slightly but didn’t perceive any malice in the question.

“That’s correct. The rewards are securely stored here, protected by heavy guard and magical formations. Please, feel free to ask me anything if something catches your eye,” the staff member replied, maintaining a professional demeanor.

“I’ll do that…” Bones replied dryly, sensing that his inquiry about security and the location of the rewards might have raised a hint of suspicion.

Clearing his throat, Bones shifted his focus to the catalog in his hands. The booklet featured strikingly realistic images and detailed descriptions of various rewards, ranging from enchanted accessories and weapons to armor crafted from high-quality monster parts by master blacksmiths. As he flipped through the pages, he paused at the section that piqued his interest: skill cores.

Basic skill cores were listed at a minimum of fifty merits, while a select few advanced skill cores commanded prices of over two hundred merits—four times the cost of the basic ones. Bones’ mind raced as he read through the skill descriptions, imagining different tactics and ways to implement them with his golems. Then, with a deep exhale, he refocused on the specific skill core he was after. Near the end of the catalog, he found what he was looking for—movement skills.

“Leap. Dash. Rush. Charge. Blink…” Bones murmured aloud as he scanned the list. None of them seemed to fit his objective.

“Ah, there it is.”

Phantom Shift, Umbral Shift, Shadow Fade, Shroud Step, and Veil Slip. Those were his options.

All of them were skills Bones and his golems could potentially use, either now or in the near future. But only one met all his criteria: Veil Slip, a basic skill core that allowed the user to slip through an unseen veil between dimensions, vanishing and reappearing elsewhere. The skill could later be upgraded to Void Step and had strict requirements: a medium Space affinity, which Bones already possessed, and a Darkness affinity he planned to acquire when he returned to Necropolis. At hundred and fifty merits, it was priced on the high end for basic skill cores, and the "2" in brackets next to the name indicated there were only two left.

Only two available? The thought of both skill cores being sold before he could collect enough merits crossed Bones’ mind. He turned to the staff member, who was reorganizing documents behind the desk.

“Excuse me, is it possible to buy merits with gold? And do you offer layaway for skill cores?”

The man looked up from his work and shook his head. “Purchasing merits with gold was allowed hundreds of years ago, but it was short-lived. Merchants used adventurers to exchange gold for merits and buy rewards, which the merchants would then resell elsewhere. As for layaway, we no longer offer it. It’s not in our interest to hold an item for someone when there are buyers ready to purchase.”

He paused before offering an alternative. “You could, however, pledge an item of equal value as collateral until you pay off the skill core in full.”

Bones remained silent, deep in thought. The man returned to his documents as Bones mulled over the idea of offering something as collateral. But did he even have anything valuable enough?

The only thing of that much value I have is a dungeon core. But offering that as collateral is out of the question. I’m not even sure of the core's exact value.

“No, that’s fine. I don’t think I have anything of equal value,” Bones replied, closing the catalog and standing up. He approached the man, handed back the booklet, and with a slight nod said, “Thank you,” before turning to leave.

As he descended the stairs toward the exit of the town hall, his thoughts remained fixated on the skill cores. Even if he managed to acquire the movement skill core, it would be a while before he could actually learn it. Several other skill cores had caught his attention, but those were concerns for after he’d earned enough merits to exchange for them.

Outside the town hall, Bones mentally reviewed his to-do list one last time before making his way toward the town’s exit. Wolford was an intriguing town, offering plenty of opportunities for fame—like competing in the colosseum arena—or indulging in the wide variety of goods for sale. But Bones had already gathered what he needed, and his interest now lay far beyond the town’s defensive walls.