“I’ll try not to.” I wink at her.
Although our relationship has undoubtedly become much better—as in, she’s no longer avoiding my presence around the house—I don’t know how to suggest to her that I might be interested in her romantically. Is it even a good idea to do it now, when she feels beholden to me?
I’m torn.
On one hand I want to be clear about my intentions, on the other I don’t want her to think I’m cornering her and forcing her into something she might not want to.
It doesn’t help that every day she gushes about what a good friend I am to her. All I want to do is yell: Am Ijusta friend?
I don’t, of course. I merely smile and nod.
If she only knew this friend of hers spends every night touching himself to impure thoughts of her…
But I don’t think she’s ready to knowanyof that. Despite what she’s been through, Moe is far too innocent of this world. And I find that I don’t want to taint that innocence in any way, not even to my benefit.
The meeting at Utopiya starts as usual. I listen attentively to all the offerings at hand, waiting for my turn to ask if anyone has the items Kendra listed for me for sale. As people go over the available vials of Zantrax, I’m reminded that my supply is running low, too and that soon I should purchase more. But now is not the time. I must manage my remaining money carefully, especially since those ingredients might be expensive.
When the goods exchange time arrives, I ask if anyone has either of the remaining ingredients. To my luck, someone does have the root of Gambiya, which I purchase for fiftyslova. Not bad.
“You will not find anyone selling Raffia or Wilka body parts any time soon,” a voice sounds out.
“Why is that?”
The gentleman in question clicks his tongue. “Those two species used to be very profitable ingredients on the black market. Just a few hundred years ago, hunters would go to the Horan Forest for those creatures. Since they are considered mythical beasts, every single part of their body is overflowing with energy, so one creature could yield as much as one thousand kaths.”
Gasps erupt in the air.One thousand kaths?That is a fortune!
“If it’s so profitable why is no one selling them?”
Another person chuckles in the room. “You think people have not tried their luck? Every year hundreds of people go hunt those beasts, thinking they’ll be the ones to get rich. But everyyear, the same people disappear without a trace. It’s widely known that there is something sinister about Horan forest.”
“This gentleman is correct. Sensible people know to avoid Horan Forest. There will always be treasure hunters, though. Some people don’t believe in the rumors; though in my own experience, I have yet to see evidence that thosearerumors. No one has lived to tell the tale.”
“When you say they disappeared…”
“Never to be seen again. No one knows what happened to them.”
“Do you think we have not felt the absence of those two species on the market?” A female speaks. “Every part of those creatures could yield something—be it a potion or a weapon. Not only that, but some believe they are the key to curing the plague that’s been ravaging Tartareia for thousands of years. Even with that impetus, most people don’t dare venture there anymore.”
“I see. Thank you everyone for your input,” I say with a bow and sit down in my seat, waiting for the session to end.
To my surprise, however, as I’m about to leave, the masked male in charge of the meeting stops me.
“There is a gentleman who wishes to speak privately with you,” he says. “Would you accept?”
“Can I ask who is it?”
“We do not disclose identities, but it is someone you’ve completed a mission for before.”
“All right then.”
With a nod, he leads me to a separate room where someone is waiting for me.
“The same rules apply. You will not be able to see each other’s faces,” the masked male confirms before leaving.
“He said I completed a mission before for you? Could you tell me which one?”
The gentleman does not reply. Instead, he materializes a book, which he waves at me.
