New Companions
Story by SkyWing on SoFurry
Rex goes through his little registration and ends up meeting some new companions.
Chapter 3: New Companions
As Rex entered the guild, he was met with hearty cheering from one end. He turned to look and saw that part of the building also function as a bar area and some groups were readily eating and chugging down frothy drinks, shouts and yelling going on between the groups. Just seconds later he was also assaulted by the sharp stench of basic ale and alcohol.
Note to self, never go into the bar.
The fox shook his head, trying to get rid of the strong scent, as he approached the desk, noticing two human girls doing some paperwork. Both looked identical to the other and were dressed in the same black receptionist blouse and skirt, but while one had her hair in a ponytail, the other had hers up in a bun. The girl with the ponytail got up and took both of their stacks before she walked further back and out of sight just as he stepped up to the desk, leaving the girl with the bun to help him, her offering a smile as she stood up and welcomed him.
“Welcome to Aerilon’s Adventurer’s Guild, my name is Nina, how may I be of help to you?”
“Hi Nina, I was directed here by Kreival since I was new to the city so I could register as an adventurer and avoid having to pay the toll. Could you tell me how to do that?”
“Certainly!” she said, seeming genuinely excited as she reached into a draw and pulled out a sheet of paper and then picked up her pen, setting them down in front of him. “To register you have to fill out the necessary parts of this form so that we have your information and you will have to take part in a preliminary test to ensure you have the minimum level of skill to work as an adventurer.”
Rex nodded as he heard that, agreeing that it made sense to ensure people could do the work before letting them become adventurers. He took hold of the pen and looked over the form, seeing that it was definitely written in a different language than he knew, but thanks to the Language Comprehension skill he had he was able to read and write in the language. The fox took his time in filling out the form as best he could, making sure to put down details for his cover as a magic warrior instead of his actual job class, and handed the form and pen back to Nina after a few minutes.
“Thank you! And you’re actually in luck, the next test is scheduled for tomorrow. If you would like to be a part of it then please return in the morning. Also, here is a guide on all of the guild rules, ranks, and quests, along with information on some common herbs and monsters that appear in the lower-level quests for reference. If you still have any questions, feel free to come back and ask me or my sister Mina.”
“Thank you Nina, I will be sure to show up tomorrow if that won’t be too much trouble for you to add me in. Also, I was wondering if you could tell where I could find some help on getting information about the city and everything.”
Nina was putting the form he has filled out to the side, having not looked at what had been written down yet, when the question was asked. She set the form with some other paperwork and then reached down to pull out a small map, which Rex figured was of this Aerilon city, and pointed at two spots on them.
“This is a map of the city and right here is where the guild is,” the human said, tapping one of her fingers against a point on the map before then tapping against the other she had pointed out as she continued. “And over here is Kaval’s shop who is the highest merchant in the area who dabbles in pretty much everything from daily necessities and weapons to property and even slaves. He will probably be the best person to go to for any help you would need.”
Slaves huh? That’s an interesting thought…
Rex thanked Nina for her time and made sure to get the time he needed to return in the morning before walked out of the guild and started heading toward the shop pointed out by Nina. He pulled up the holographic map he had from his Map skill and marked the location for the shop on it to make it easier to get them. It took him about another ten minutes of walking, still being looked at by others who were out and about, before he arrived at a very lavished shop with a decorative and welcoming front.
“Very fancy looking, certainly what would be expected from the best in town.”
The fox smiled as he entered the shop and was met with another receptionist, a collie this time who was dressed in a very flattering silk dress along with an iron collar around her neck… which he figured was to show she was a slave. His suspicions were confirmed when he checked it with Analyze, along with seeing what enchantments they had.
|
Slave Collar
|
|
Rank : E
|
An iron shackle placed around the neck of slaves to indicate their status and control their behavior. While worn, only the owner can unlock it.
Special Features : Enchantments (2/3), User Restriction
Enchantments : Cannot Disobey Owner, Disobedience Shock
|
“Welcome to Kaval’s Shop, how can we help you?”
Despite her being a slave, the collie was in high spirits and welcomed him with a good deal of enthusiasm, surprising Rex a little bit.
“Yes, I am new to the city and was referred here by the guild for assistance with getting information about the area. I was interested in setting up residence and while I was here, possibly look into some slaves since I am here now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. You will have to meet with Kaval directly if you are wanting to look into the purchase of slaves and property, he likes to be involved for the larger transactions like that. Please follow me and I’ll show you to a room where you can meet with him.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
“Welcome, dear customer. My name is Kaval and I was informed by Leah that you had an inquiry about property and slaves, is that correct?”
Rex had been relaxing with Ra and Apophis on a very plush couch in the reception room when Kaval arrived, followed closely by the collie from before, who he now knew was Leah. The fox called his monsters back over from where they were looking at different things around the room before he responded back at the merchant who welcomed him, checking his status with Analyze just to be sure he was talking with the right person.
|
Kaval
|
|
Beast (Weasel)
|
Age : 36
|
Status Condition : Excellent
|
|
Merchant
|
Lv : 20
|
Title : Kind-Hearted Merchant
|
|
Magic : None
|
Skills : Intuition
Persuade
Poker Face
|
|
Extra Effect : Divine Protection of the God of Crafts
|
“Yes, and please, call me Rex. However, I think we probably have a different idea in mind for the property bit, as for the slaves, I’ll have to rely on your help for that one. Let’s just say, I’ll probably be a really interesting client Kaval.”
The tone that that he has used had a clear effect on the weasel, his eyes narrowing a little as he sat down opposite Rex, before he turned to Leah and asked her to fetch them some tea. Kaval waited until she had left the room before he turned his attention back to him, his tone also having changed to one he obviously reserved for business.
“So, you think we have different ideas on the aspect of property. What was it you had in mind when you made an inquiry for it?”
“I’m not looking for a house, which I would guess is the normal request you get when dealing with property. I don’t need that, what I need is just the land, one hopefully not too far from the main street but not too close as to be an eyesore.”
“An eyesore?”
At Kaval’s question, Rex reached over with his left paw towards the Lacrima Ring as he had it pull out the tower’s shrunken form, then placed it down on the table between them. He smiled a bit, almost a smirk as he stared back at the weasel.
“I want to find a place to set up my master’s magic tower now that’s he’s passed and left it to me. I’m also planning to register as an adventure after taking their tests tomorrow, so for slaves I think someone good at fighting would be good and another that can do domestic housework would be the best.”
The mention of a magic tower, something very rare but widely known in the world, caught Kaval by surprise as he stared in amazement at it on the table. However, ever the professional, he was quick to recover and gave a genuine smile of excitement at the prospect of such an unusual experience as he leaned down and studied the tower.
“Well, this will certainly be a first and memorable sale to be sure. I must admit, I’ve never sold some land for a place they already had, much less a magic tower at that. I do mainly operate in buildings and homes, so I will have to think on a place that would be free and appropriate.”
As he was speaking, Leah had returned with the tea, offering a cup to Rex first, who took it with a smile and nod before giving the other cup to Kaval. Rex briefly studied the unusual blue hue of the tea and admired its aroma before he took a sip, murring lightly as he enjoyed the taste with a slight smile and did not fail to notice the smile that Leah made at hearing him enjoy the tea.
“I’m glad to give you a new experience. As for the place, take your time, it does not have to be done right away. I’m sure I can find an inn to stay at for the night. Now, about the other subject, do you have anyone in mind that would be a good fit for an adventurer’s slaves?”
Rex continued to sip after he asked the question, then watched as Kaval went silent and thought about the new subject, likely running through all the slaves he had available and thinking about who would best qualify for his needs.
“Hmm… Actually, I think I have two that would be just right for you. However… they are a bit special.”
“Oh? What’s special about them?”
“Follow me and I’ll explain as we get closer.”
Kaval set down his half-finished cup of tea and stood up as he spoke, turning to the door and starting to walk to it while gesturing for the fox to follow him. Curious now, Rex set his tea down as well and started to follow the weasel as he left the room, going deeper into the store. He glanced at the various products out on display, making a mental note of where some of the useful and interesting things were before they came to a set of stairs and start heading down, the slightly darker atmosphere as they descended underground giving him the impression of a dungeon back in his old world.
However, once they had reached the end of the stairs and entered in to where the slaves were staying, he was a bit surprised at how well-kept everything was and comfortable everyone seemed. Yes, they were each housed in different cells, some with a couple in them, but all of the slaves were nicely dressed, cleaned and seemed to be well-fed, he even saw where one group was still eating and the food was something anyone could be seen eating.
Hmm, I guess he didn’t get the Kind-Hearted Merchant title for nothing.
The fox couldn’t help but smile a little as he thought about that what a good merchant Kaval was after seeing how stocked the store upstairs was and how well taken care of the slaves below were. He continued to follow the weasel deeper in, past a number of cells that had some slave girls that were all too eager to show off for someone that was young-looking, although most seemed to be doing it in a teasing manner since some even were beckoning Kaval much to his embarrassment.
After passing some of the more populated cells, Kaval began to explain about the two slave he had in mind. They were a small shark and large wolf that had been transferred to him from another slaver for a cheap price for one important reason, the pair became close at some point when they were together and essentially can only be sold as a set. What made them sell to him for cheap was because the wolf was taken from a tribe that was built on respect for strength and has refused to follow any master that had shown interest if they were weaker than him, he would even outright be hostile enough to earn shocks from his collar even long after the perspective buyer had fled.
That was the main quirk of the wolf’s that led to the pair still being for sell as slaves despite the younger shark being a year pass the selling age of 15. What made the shark special was that, although male, he had been raised since he came into slavery as a female and even obtained the maid job as a result of his rather eccentric training. His being completely mute just made slave conditioning all the easier for him since most slaves, butlers and maids especially, are taught to be quiet unless addressed.
A femboi shark and a buff wolf… Heh, sounds like my lucky day.
Rex couldn’t help a small smirk spreading on his muzzle as they approached the slaves in question, housed in a cell a bit separated from the others they had passed before. As they approached, he saw the shark sitting in a small chair reading a book, something that surprised him a bit, and wearing a maid outfit just as the weasel had described which the fox couldn’t help but admit it complimented his figure. The feminine shark turned to look at them just as they got without a few feet of the cage, but before he could do anything about their approach, the massive muscle that was his wolf companion met them at the bars, already staring them down with a look that reminded him of Apophis earlier in the day.
“These are the two I mentioned to you, Nelliel and Yurik. Perhaps you will have better luck with them then the others.”
As Kaval spoke, Rex ignored the deviant look the wolf, Yurik, was giving him and used Analyze on the pair to see how strong they were.
|
Nelliel
|
|
Beast (Shark)
|
Age : 16
|
Status Condition : Normal
|
|
Maid
|
Lv : 20
|
Title : Slave
|
|
Magic : Lifestyle
Water
|
Skills : Torrent (Unique)
Appraisal
Art of Service
|
|
Extra Effect : Divine Protection of God of Magic
|
|
Yurik
|
|
Beast (Wolf)
|
Age : 23
|
Status Condition : Normal
|
|
Fighter
|
Lv : 22
|
Title : Slave
|
|
Magic : Enhancement
|
Skills : Berserker (Unique)
Provoke
Warrior Spirit
|
|
Extra Effect : Divine Protection of the God of War
|
The fox raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise at seeing that both slaves had unique skills of all things, and almost instinctively at this point further analyzed the skills questions, and what he saw made his judgment of the pair skyrocket.
These guy… Does Kaval realize how valuable they- oh.
Before Rex could finish his thought, he felt his body grow heavier, as if a ton of pressure fell upon his shoulders and almost made his knees buckle from surprise. He let out an involuntary grunt from the pressure as he straighten his posture and focused back on the situation at hand, seeing Kaval off to the side with a look of surprise of his own, likely due to him still standing under the attack. The fox turned to look at the wolf in front of him, who was still staring down at him, but with a look that showed he was slightly confused at how he was still standing. The look just made him chuckle a bit as he spoke.
“Heh, so this is what it’s like to be on the receiving end of Warrior Spirit, and it’s a pretty strong spirit too, I’m impressed. This must be one of the ways you have run off other perspective buyers huh wolfie? However, it just won’t work for me.”
“Ugh!”
As he finished speak, Rex activated the same Warrior Spirit skill, and due to his higher level, easily displaced the pressure Yurik had been creating and caused the larger wolf to fall to his knees from, surprising not only the wolf but the weasel and shark as well at the sudden reversal. The fox smiled as he stepped closer to the cage, staring down lightly over the kneeling lupine as he reached in and cupped him under his chin, making him look back up to him even as the pressure around him continued to force his body down against the ground. The look of shock and awe that shone in the wolf’s eyes now only made him smile a bit more as he withdrew his paw, the pressure of his spirit also ceasing just as abruptly, before he turned to Kaval.
“Well, I think they are both exactly what I needed Kaval.”
“Ar… are you sure?”
“Yes. Oh, can I also get you to add a few other things for us while we’re at it.”
Less than half an hour later, Rex was walking out of the shop with Nelliel and Yurik following closely behind, a smile still across his face as he thought about his luck and the possibilities the future held for them.
|
Torrent
|
|
Description : A unique skill that allows one to manipulate already present water for water magic with minimal mana consumption and an increate in destructive power. While in the sea, one can also recover mana much faster for a near-limitless supply of mana and water to use in spells.
|
|
Berserker
|
|
Description : A unique skill that transforms one into a larger, monstrous form and increases all physical parameters (up to 300%) at the cost of higher mental sanity and reason. While in this state, one is also unable to experience sensations such as pain and cannot tell friend from foe.
|