I let out a deep breath, I didn't realize I was holding in, as Emilia just chuckled. The guards at the gatehouse waved us forward. I was too busy gawking at their magnificent heavy armor to notice Emilia pulling on the reins in my hand. I looked at her with uncertainty. I let go "Sorry." peering up at the gate walls. I saw a few archers watching from above.

  "Keep your eyes forward, dolt. Don't draw attention to us. "We still don't know anything about Emilia's attackers," Bram shouted in my mind. It made me wince. I looked back down through the gate as we passed through.

  In the busy city of Thormer, the crowds were disorienting. People moved in every direction. The streets buzzed with energy. Merchants shouted from their stalls, selling everything from exotic spices to crafted trinkets. Townsfolk hurried in and out of the multi-story buildings. Their footsteps echoed off the worn cobblestone roads. The air was thick with chatter. People struck deals, then laughed or vented.

  Guards stood still at key points, watching the crowd for any trouble. Despite the crowd, I was relieved. The air wasn't as foul as I'd feared, thanks to the city's plumbing. It spared my nose from the stench I'd grown used to in the wilds. My senses were assaulted by something more tempting. A vendor to my left had an array of cheese wheels that nearly made my mouth water. But it was the rich aroma of roasted meats and fresh herbs that drew me in.

  As we rolled deeper into the heart of the city, the towering stone buildings finally gave way to an open city center. A grand marble statue stood in an ornate fountain. It depicted a warrior battling a fearsome beast. Cobblestone paths spiraled from the fountain. They were bordered by lush green grass. It provided a rare, serene moment amid the chaos.

  It was only then that I truly took in the diversity of the crowd. My gaze swept over the bustling square, and I spotted races I had only read about in my old life. Small, stout figures with oversized feet moved deftly through the crowds, halflings, no doubt. I made a mental note to keep an eye on them; their reputation as thieves and rogues wasn't exactly unwarranted. Wait, was that racist? I grimaced at the thought, shaking it off quickly.

  Nearby, tall, slender figures glided through the streets with grace. Their pointed ears confirmed their elven heritage. They were breathtaking in a way that made it hard not to stare. Dwarves with thick beards and booming voices bartered at the stalls. Gnomes darted around with an excitable, almost infectious energy. Among them were even more alien-looking species, their features and clothing utterly foreign to me.

  Thormer was truly a melting pot of cultures and races. I was drawn out of my amazement when we came to a jarring stop. "We're here." Emilia said in a cheery voice. I didn't know if I should be alarmed by how cheerful she was, but I finally got up and stepped down to the cobble road. I let out a much-needed stretch and then saw the building she was ushering me towards. While all the other buildings were of grey or white stone, this one was made of dark onyx. It reflected the chaos of the center around it. I followed up the steps closely behind Emilia awkwardly as my sore ass muscles started protesting the climb. "We do have villagers surrounded in the wilderness counting on us, you better get a move on.' Bram annoyingly reminded me.

  I let out a quick short exhale and whispered to Emilia. "I do have a pressing matter I need to attend to, unfortunately."

  She turned and smiled as we entered through the double doors. A bulbous man, adorned with an absurd amount of jewelry, greeted us. "Ah Emilia, my sweet. How I have missed you!" He embraced her, Emilia pulled something from behind her back smoothly and hugged the man back. She hid it in the palm of her hand. She squeezed against the man tightly, plunging a dagger deep into his back many times in quick succession. Blood spurted aggressively from the man's wounds as he screamed out in pain, falling to the ground awkwardly while looking at us in horror.

  "What the fuck was that, Emilia? I half screamed and leapt back away from her. She spat on the man before replying. "This is my no-good cousin Aymir; he hired those assassins. This petulant asshole was my only competition." She let out a shaky breath. "It was my last test to prove I had what it takes to be the successor of my father. An unguarded merchant trip to the nearest town like the old days. My father is stuck in the past, but I had succeeded with your help. So, I thank you and owe you a proper reward." She gave me a small smile before turning back to the dying man on the blood-soaked marble floors. "This is more than you deserve." She whispered in his ear before kicking his head hard enough to hear a loud snap. Then there was silence while she beckoned me to follow her to the second story.

  Bram chortled "I think something is wrong Liam... I am scared but oddly turned on."

  That small comment helped relieve the uneasiness growing in my chest, if only slightly. I took a deep breath, plastered on a faint smile, and followed Emilia closely through the hall on the right.

  Out of nowhere, a slender man stepped into our path from the shadows, his movements so fluid it was as if he had emerged from the stone itself. His sharp, angular features and quiet demeanor reminded me of a snake waiting to strike. He leaned in toward Emilia, his voice low and deferential as he asked if she required anything.

  “Take care of the mess downstairs, wrap the body and throw it in the cart” she said curtly, waving him off without breaking stride.

  The man bowed slightly, melting back into the wall like smoke dissipating into thin air.

  We continued forward, and my attention was drawn to two imposing figures standing guard at a nearby doorway. Both were clad in black metal armor that seemed to drink in the light, their intimidating presence unmistakable even in the chaos of Thormer's streets. They stood on either side of a large arched doorway, their postures unnervingly still and disciplined.

  Each held a glaive, a polearm with a wickedly sharp, curved blade that gleamed even in the faint light of the hallway. The weapons seemed designed for intimidation as much as lethality. Their polished armor bore intricate etchings of some crest I couldn’t quite make out from this distance, but the aura they projected was clear: these weren’t just any guards. These men were here to make a statement, unwavering authority, swift punishment for any who dared challenge it.

  For a moment, one of the guards turned his helmeted head toward me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, even through the narrow visor slit. A chill ran down my spine, but I kept my composure and walked on, pretending not to notice.

  Emilia didn’t even glance their way, moving with the air of someone accustomed to being in command. It wasn’t lost on me that her authority carried weight here. I kept my mouth shut and my senses sharp, following her lead.

  This city wasn’t just bustling, it was layered with invisible threads of power, alliances, and danger. I wasn’t sure yet which one Emilia was tied to, but I hoped she wasn’t leading me straight into something I’d regret.

  We passed through the towering double doors the guards flanked, and I was immediately struck by the grandiosity of the study beyond. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, each packed with dusty tomes, scrolls, and strange artifacts that hinted at centuries of accumulated knowledge. A balding man sat hunched behind an ornate oak desk, scribbling fervently with a quill. He didn’t so much as glance in our direction as we approached, his focus entirely consumed by whatever task lay before him.

  Without breaking stride, Emilia veered toward a nearby bookshelf, her fingers deftly pulling out a thick manuscript as if she’d done it a thousand times before. The adjacent bookshelf groaned, swinging inward with a faint click. A hidden passage.

  She gave the concealed door a gentle nudge, and it swung open to reveal a darkened corridor of patchwork stone masonry. The opulent marble of the study vanished behind us as we stepped into the stark, cold passage. My breath hitched the moment I realized we were descending.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  My heart began to race. This wasn’t just some casual detour—it felt calculated, ominous. Was this the end of my journey? Was she leading me into some dark pit where I’d never see daylight again? The sound of our footsteps echoed off the damp stone walls, every step driving my imagination to darker places. My palms itched, ready to summon a sword at the slightest sign of danger. The only weapon I had for a close encounter such as this.

  We reached the bottom of the staircase, and Emilia paused for just a moment. That single second stretched unbearably long, my nerves bristling with anticipation. My fear spiked as she turned toward me, her green eyes glinting in the dim light.

  And then she smiled.

  “We’ve arrived!” she announced cheerfully, A grin appearing on her face that seemed quite psychotic.

  "Bram, we need to get the hell out of here." I thought to him. The bow thrummed against my chest as he replied.

  "Easy, let's see how this turns out. Could be striking gold here. Calm your nerves." He said soothingly which was odd coming from him.

  Despite my best wishes I listened and stepped through the door right behind Emilia. I didn't even have the time to take in the room around me before a booming voice emerged from the other end "EMILIA! My lovely daughter, where have you been? I've been worried sick; you were due back this morning." A barrel-chested man with a shaved head asked with concern.

  "I just arrived father, had a rough exchange with Merchant Delron at Raven Ridge. It was quite time consuming, but he finally gave in." She said ending with a beaming smile.

  "Well, I wouldn't expect less coming from you. You're the most cutthroat merchant in the guild." giving an approving grin before eyeing over towards me. "Ah, and who is this?"

  "This is Liam, Father. There was an incident on the journey back; Aymir led an attack with four hired assassins."

  "WHAT!? That little... Fuck, did he harm you?" He rushed to Emilia, grabbed her shoulders, and peered into her eyes. "I will maim him and throw him out this minute." His anger grew. "I did my no-good brother a favor by taking in that runt after his passing. But this is unforgivable."

  Bram spoke in my head, "She's leaning pretty hard into the daddy's little girl act."

  Emilia responded. "No father, I have already handled it." I was knocked unconscious when Liam here." She moved her arm to point towards me, "killed the assassins and Aymir." The big man's gaze met mine and my heart flopped down to my stomach. An eerie silence filled the room; I don't know if it lasted seconds or an hour, but Emilia broke it. "We brought the body back for burial."

  He cracked a smile and stepped towards me; hand outstretched. I reached for his hand. But he grabbed my forearm, pulling me off balance. "The name is Orin. It's nice to meet you, Liam." He let go and continued, "I am indebted to you for saving my Emilia." He leaned in, whispering in my ear, "You get 100,000 system credits spent now," and he slipped a system shop disc to me. He walked off nudging Emilia by the arm and guided her to sit down at his ornate desk. I stood there and just opened up the disc and started perusing the system shop. It cost me 27,000 credits to get supplies for the villagers stuck in the swamp.

  The glimmerstone itself was a whopping 25,000. I thought the cost of rations and waterskins was a little much, but there wasn't much I could do about it. I backed out of the consumables. My eyes almost popped out when I saw the Transportation tab was unlocked. I immediately clicked on it, finding different tiers of transportation. Tiers 3 and 4 were still locked to me unfortunately. I scanned through tier 1 only finding a bunch of different carts, wagons and at the very bottom some sort of steam punk wagon. Clicking on that one revealed that it didn't need a beast of burden to pull it. But it did need a steady supply of coal to keep the engine going. Two bars filled the empty space beside the image. They showed the durability and speed. The list included the fuel type at the bottom. The cost of the wagon came in at 42,000 but before purchasing, I needed to see that tier 2 list.

  Going through the Tier 2 inventory was a little weird at first. There were certain vehicles that appeared organic looking. My head was starting to hurt just by trying to understand what I was looking at. Four boulders with logs on top of them with a pedestal at the very top. The speed was slower than the steampunk wagon, so I scrolled to the bottom. That's when I found it... Ever since I was a little kid watching the first six movies on repeat. I've always wanted to know what it felt like driving one of these things. Now it has finally come full circle. The amazing Huilarians had out done themselves. What materialized from the system store was an honest to God, speeder. Of course, it wasn't called that but instead was referred to as the CRZR-2600. I would just call it my cruiser, selecting it brought up more information.

  I instantly went to go click on purchase and a whole other menu appeared asking about additional features including different design packages, anti-theft and enhanced part systems. I hovered over the anti-theft option.

  I needed it. I added the upgrade to the cart as well and then started to walk over to Orin so he could confirm his part of the payment. After a couple of steps, I paid more attention to their conversation and heard Emila say in a hushed voice "I understand father, we need to pull Hillgrove into the fold, but I haven't heard from Cooper in days now. I'm starting to worry if Renna caught on."

  I fought the urge to widen my eyes and froze in place as Orin replied, "We need to remain anonymous; we will talk later."

  What the fuck is going on? I asked Bram while looking like I was scouring the system shop.

  "Hell, if I know, but they are a commerce guild. Maybe it's not as bad as you think? What if by the fold they mean trading partners?"

  "Oh yeah that's exactly what's going on, I'm not mentioning a single damn word."

  When I looked away from the hologram, the dad/daughter duo were staring at me. I gave them my best 'I wasn't eavesdropping smile' and put the disc on Orin's desk. "I'll pay for the rest myself. Thank you, Orin." I said giving him a slight smile and a curt nod.

  "Ah, I used to have one of these back before Emilia was born." He touched his mark to the shop disc. "They are unwieldy at times..." I could see something spark behind his eyes and I knew it was bad for me whatever it was. "Liam, have you heard of the town Hillgrove?"

  "Can't say I have, but I did run across an abandoned village on my journey here.... Larksbury was the name." I said partially lying through my teeth.

  "I will pay for this in full and upfront if you can take an oathbound quest from me." I was intrigued by the offer, but something in my gut was writhing. "I'll take the quest." his system mark flashed as the payment went through.

  I transferred the goods to my satchel while he continued "Liam swear to me that you will complete the favor I am about to ask" his tone coming off lower and sinister.

  Bram, should I go through with this?

  "Eh, they didn't have oathbound quests back in my world. Must be a fully integrated perk. Life's always fun when you're spontaneous." I could feel his mocking tone, but with no other option I answered Orin, "I swear."

  "Welcome Liam, I knew I could count on you." The big man stood up towering over me giving me a wide grin.

  Don't piss yourself, everything will be fine.

  I just smiled back at the man while my mind reeled at the implications of this quest. I was not willing to be strong armed from some Guild Owner. Thinking of anyway to get out of this, while Orin and Emila started talking again. A few moments went by, and something just clicked in place. I don't know if it had something to do with Renna being brought up, but I do remember the quest she gave us.

  I have a bad idea

  Yeah, well you are full of those. Whatever it is leave me out of it.

  Are you sure? It's definitely one of my worst ideas.