There is one difference between Zantrax and artifacts, however. Consuming Zantrax temporarily gives a person the same abilities and power the previous owner had. But once Zantrax wears off, those abilities are gone—and the user suffers from the side effects, of course.
With artifacts, it’s usually one ability that remains after the owner’s death, and they can be used repeatedly. However, each has different blow backs. The higher the level of the artifact, the higher the negative effects. But some aresopowerful, those negative effects are worth it.
I nod to myself: so this is what Elysand meant when he mentioned artifacts are usually obtained in clandestine meetings.
My attention sharpens as I hear the various artifacts up for sale and the prices they go for. The ones at level one and two start at fiftyslova, increasing depending on the desirability of the abilities. For abilities, they range from increased strength to good luck; with some psychic and elemental abilities.
A couple of people fight over the psychic artifact—a gold ring with a translucent stone—and a bidding war ensues. The winner ends up purchasing it for one hundred tenslova.
A few other level two artifacts attract multiple bidders, and after their sale, a patron puts up a level five artifact for sale; a bracelet whose ability is teleportation. Everyone is instantly interested, mostly because teleportation is an ability one gainsonlyafter reaching level five, so it is very desirable.
“As you know, to teleport to a location, you must know its precise coordinates. The negative effects of this bracelet is that one out of five times, it will lead you to a random location. The data we have on it suggests all locations are within Tartareia, butthere is always the chance that it could lead you to a different realm,” the patron explains.
The interest dies down a little, but there are still people who bid thousands ofslovaon it.
Damn! Although the negative effects are bad, teleportation is still an amazing ability to have. I wish I could afford that…
The sale of goods segment of the meeting is finally over. The man in charge announces the last part—the job offerings.
“Here at Utopiya, we have a grading system for the job offerings,” the man starts. “Grade D: these jobs are dangerous but not extremely so. They are fit for levels one to two. Grade C: these jobs are moderately dangerous, fit for at least a level three. Grade B: these are very dangerous and fit for those level four and above. Grade A: extremely dangerous, fit for levels six and above. Of course, there are rare Grade S missions that require a minimum of level eight.”
I lean forward in my seat as I wait for the announcements. Optimally, I should go for Grade D missions. But I think Icouldtry Grade C too. Denos was rich. I doubt his Zantrax would be low levels.
The first offerings are Grade B. These are out of my range, so I ignore them. The patrons describe their mission in a few vague sentences each. Some people are interested and commit to them, which tells me there are quite a few level four and above in here.
Interesting, but not surprising. Given the token mechanism and the mere existence of those proto-realms, it makes sense that the Utopiyan participants would be something special. Though thatdoesmake me wonder whyIwas chosen.
Alas, I continue listening.
Next is a Grade A mission which is a reconnaissance mission into some old Tartareian ruins. The patron does not name which ruins, but it makes me wonder what could be so dangerous with them that they require at least a level six. The remuneration forthe job is on par with the level—two hundred kaths on signing the contract and another two hundred kaths on completion of a thorough report.
Wow, I’ve never in my life seen that amount of money.
Someone quickly signs up for it, which confirms there are level six and above among us too.
A few other missions later—all of which are out of my range—I hear a patron call a grade C mission. That’s fit for a level three, and could be feasible for me—if I’m lucky and my next Zantrax vialisa level three.
The patron starts describing the mission. “There is an item that needs to be retrieved. The mission is marked Grade C because you might encounter pushback at the location which could result in fighting. The remuneration is two hundred fiftyslovaupon signing the contract and a further two hundred fifty upon successful delivery of the item.”
That…sounds rather simple.
I look around, and no one says anything. The pay is not the best, especially when you compare it to the four hundredkaths—forty thousandslova—offered before. In fact, it’s a pittance compared to all previous missions. But perhaps this is my chance. I need something relatively easy, and a total of five hundredslovais nothing to scoff at. If I complete a few similar missions a month, then I’ll not only have plenty of money to buy Moeanythingshe wants, but I may afford some books and artifacts too in the future.
So I raise my hand.
“I’ll take it.”
With no one else signing up for it, I receive the contract.
25
When the meeting is over, I leave the building and walk four streets away from the location. Hiding in a shadowed alley, I press my thumb onto the token. A door opens, and I’m immediately pulled into the proto-realm.
The proto-realm is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Smoke surrounds the entire space, a dark grey with specks of white and black. Floating in the air is a pouch full of coins—the initial fee—and a small blue tablet.
Upon touching the tablet, the entire space changes. The smoke recedes, and right in front of me, images are projected from the tablet.
The item I need to retrieve is a book. The image shows the cover: a burgundy red background with two circles, one in front of the other and an ancient script at the bottom.
