Legacy of the Tarot (Laoyon)

As the gold was distributed, the atmosphere in the Grand Hall of the Chairman's Mansion remained celebratory. The group reveled in their wealth, each deciding how best to invest their newfound fortune. However, as Dominic took hold of his share, a sudden voice echoed in his mind.

"Master."

A familiar presence stirred within him.

"Master, it's time to reclaim a part of your lost memories."

The voice of Arcane Magnus, his sentient spirit weapon, resonated deep within him, cutting through the noise of the hall. Dominic felt his body move on instinct, but his mind was elsewhere, pulled into an internal realm where he stood face-to-face with the human form of Arcane Magnus. The ethereal being knelt before him, pulsing with ancient wisdom.

"What's up, Arcane?" Dominic asked, crossing his arms.

"You're starting to awaken, Master," Arcane Magnus said, its voice calm yet expectant. "Now that you have access to greater wealth, I suggest we continue retrieving your memories."

Dominic narrowed his eyes. "You mean—"

"The indestructible pages. The remaining twenty-one pieces that once belonged to you."

A flicker of recognition surfaced within Dominic's mind. The imperishable pages, seemingly useless relics dismissed by scholars, had piqued his curiosity when he first encountered them at the Arcane Bazaar. Now, Arcane Magnus was telling him otherwise.

"Every piece you collect brings back fragments of your memories and power," Arcane Magnus explained. "You devised this fail-safe when you created the Codex of Creation, embedding parts of yourself into these pages. If anything ever happened to you, they would serve as a means to restore what was lost."

Dominic inhaled sharply. His past self—the Great Magician Arcana—had anticipated his own downfall and prepared for his return.

"Thinking about it, we acquired one piece from the Arcane Bazaar," Dominic murmured. "I did remember a part of my memory returning."

Arcane Magnus hummed in response. "Because they are pieces of your memories, Master."

"And there are twenty-one more left," Dominic muttered, pinching his chin in thought.

"Correct. And with the gold you now possess, we can acquire many at once."

Dominic exhaled, his mind racing. The auction had granted them immense wealth, and now he had the means to fast-track his return to power. The pieces were scattered, but if he could locate them...

His lips curled into a mischievous smirk. "Then let's buy them all before someone else does."

The memories of the past were within reach. And Dominic Felicio—the Great Magician Arcana—was finally ready to take back what was his.

As his consciousness returned to reality, Arden nudged him. "Oi, Magician, you alright? You've been quieter than a librarian in our school."

Leigh, sensing something was off, pressed further. "You've been acting strange since the auction. What's going on?"

Dominic found himself walking the streets of Veyne with the group, the weight of his past settling heavily on his shoulders. The pieces of his lost identity were finally within his grasp. Dominic smirked as usual. "Let's pass by the Arcane Bazaar, guys," he said, his excitement evident. Eager to recover more of his memories, he happily walked alongside his friends toward the shop.

The Arcane Bazaar was as busy as ever. Master Zellan welcomed them with a grin. "To what do I owe the honor of our heroes' visit?"

Leigh rolled her eyes. "Scammer," she muttered under her breath.

Zellan chuckled, unfazed, and clapped his hands before turning his attention to Dominic. "What can I do for you today, Sir?"

Dominic smirked. "Let's talk somewhere private." Zellan nodded and gestured toward an ornate door. "This way, heroes."

"What can I offer you today, esteemed customers? Materials, weapons, spells—anything your heart desires?" Zellan asked with a gleam in his eye, exuding the air of a shrewd merchant. 

Dominic leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "Zellan, how much would it cost to acquire all twenty-one remaining indestructible pages scattered across Laoyon?"

Zellan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, a request fitting of a man with your ambitions. However, the price is unpredictable. Each shopkeeper sets their own value, and some may have already been sold."

Dominic's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then I want you to find them for me. Buy them no matter the cost. Money is not a problem."

Zellan grinned, his merchant instincts kicking in. "Now that is music to my ears. Consider it done, but it'll take about a week to gather them all."

Dominic nodded. "Good. Keep me updated."

With their business at the Arcane Bazaar settled, the group made their way toward their next destination—The Golden Crown Bank.

The towering structure loomed over Veyne's bustling streets, its golden sigil glinting under the sunlight. Unlike the chaotic marketplaces, the bank exuded an air of control and authority, with armored guards standing at attention, scanning every visitor with scrutiny. It was no secret—the bank already knew who they were and the staggering fortune they carried from the Special Auction.

As they stepped through the grand entrance, a well-dressed clerk immediately approached them, bowing with impeccable politeness. "Ah, honored guests. The bank has been expecting you. Please, right this way."

Leigh exchanged a look with Dominic before following, the heavy pouches of gold at her side making their presence known with every step. Inside, the grandeur was even more striking—vaulted ceilings, enchanted chandeliers emitting a soft golden glow, and rows of marble counters where tellers attended to wealthy patrons.

They were led to a private chamber, where Felix the Clerk awaited them behind a polished oak desk. "The Golden Crown Bank welcomes you. Your recent success in the Special Auction has certainly made waves, and we are honored to safeguard your earnings. Now, shall we discuss how you'd like to proceed with your deposits?"

Arden chuckled, tossing a small coin onto the desk. "Straight to business, huh? Well, we wouldn't be here if we didn't want our gold in the safest place in Laoyon."

Felix nodded with a knowing smile. "Indeed, and for clients such as yourselves, we offer premium services—high-tier vault storage, secured interest accounts, and, of course, personal wealth management options. Given the amount you are depositing, I would highly recommend our elite vault services."

Selva, still adjusting to the scale of their fortune, hesitated. "Elite vault? What exactly does that entail?"

Felix steepled his fingers. "Your gold, gemstones, and relics would be stored in our high-security vault, safeguarded with layers of arcane and physical protection. Only those with an official key sigil and verified essence signature would be granted access. Furthermore, should you require trade transactions or currency exchanges, the bank can facilitate them across Laoyon's major cities."

Dominic leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Felix, I'd like to know more about the reach of the Golden Crown Bank. How vast is its coverage? How many branches exist across Laoyon? And if we ever need to withdraw some of our gold in another city, how does that process work?"

Felix smiled, pleased with the question. "The Golden Crown Bank is the largest financial institution in Laoyon, with branches in every major city, from Veyne to Tvaris, Averin, and even the distant Shadowmere. We currently operate over a dozen main branches, each specializing in different financial services tailored to their region. For instance, the Lorendell Branch focuses on magical vaults for elves and druids, while the Nordheim Branch has ice-forged vaults with frost magic protection."

He continued, gesturing to a map on the wall. "If you need to withdraw gold in another city, you may do so from any of our branches. Your accounts are accessible across all locations using your key sigil and an essence verification process. Additionally, we facilitate secure transfers between branches should you require large sums moved discreetly."

Felix let out a soft chuckle. "For clients of your stature, Lord Eldon himself would personally approve any financial endeavors. Your credibility within the banking system is now beyond question."

Leigh exhaled, leaning back in her chair. "That's a lot to take in. But for now, let's keep things simple. We'll be depositing seventy percent of our earnings, and the rest we'll carry for future journeys."

Felix inclined his head. "An excellent decision. Shall we proceed with the paperwork?"

As the team finalized their transactions, the weight of their newfound wealth fully settled in. This was no longer just gold—it was power, influence, and security. The world was beginning to take notice of them, and The Golden Crown Bank ensured that they understood the magnitude of their standing in Laoyon's financial elite.

After their transaction in the bank, they hung out at the Star Rock Café to discuss their next adventure with Boozer. The café was lively as always, filled with merchants, travelers, and adventurers exchanging stories over drinks.

Boozer leaned back, taking a swig from his tankard before fixing the group with a knowing grin. "So, what's next for you lot? Got another grand scheme in mind?"

Arden smirked. "We need to train, get stronger. Thought we'd head to the Southern Plains of Veyne for some serious monster hunting."

Boozer's grin faltered for the first time. He set his tankard down, his expression turning somber. "You're talking about the hunting grounds filled with Giant Spiders, right?"

Leigh raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? What about it?"

Boozer exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the wooden table. "Ever heard of the Abyssal Weaver?" His voice dropped lower, almost as if speaking the name too loudly might summon it.

Selva's expression darkened. "I have. It's more than just a story, isn't it? That monster has been killing warriors for centuries."

Dominic leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on."

Boozer glanced around before lowering his voice. "They say it's not just a spider—it's something much older. Some call it a cursed guardian, others a demon-spawn, but what's clear is that it's hunted every fool who dared enter its domain. Unlike normal spiders, its webbing is strong enough to entrap a dragon, and its venom… Well, let's just say, no one who's been bitten has ever made it back alive."

Arden's grin widened. "Sounds like a challenge."

Boozer chuckled, shaking his head. "You lot really don't know fear, do you? Listen, the Southern Plains are crawling with hundreds of Giant Spiders, but if you kill enough—maybe you will find a clue to its hideout. A hidden path leading straight to the Abyssal Weaver's lair. The thing doesn't just appear—it watches, waits, and when it knows you're strong enough, it chooses to let you find it."

Leigh crossed her arms. "And what happens if we find it?"

Boozer shrugged. "No one ever has. At least, no one has ever returned to tell the tale."

Selva shuddered. "If we're really doing this, we need to prepare properly. This isn't just about training anymore."

Dominic smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with calculation. "Looks like we need to buy loads of pesticides for this exploration."

Arden let out a hearty laugh. "Or maybe a giant-sized fly swatter!"

Leigh shook her head, grinning. "You two are ridiculous. We're about to face a legendary monster, and all you can think about is bug spray?"

For a moment, the group stared at each other before bursting into laughter, the café filling with their carefree energy. Boozer and Selva exchanged looks of disbelief, utterly baffled by the trio's nonchalant attitude toward what was supposed to be a terrifying legend. "You three are insane," Boozer muttered, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Absolutely insane." Selva sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. Despite the looming danger, it was a rare, peaceful moment before the trials ahead.

With a new objective set, they bought supplies and made their preparations before heading back to Silent Peak Cave. They plan to start the hunt for the Abyssal Weaver the next day.