When SJ reached Carlito's, she read through her notifications about the fight.
Congratulations! Your Melee Claws has reached level 5.
You may now select a further claw specialisation.
Stacking - repeated strikes on a target can improve damage by 2% up to a maximum of 10% bonus with five successive blows. Slashing targets now has a new meaning. This skill doesn't level. Cooldown: 12 minutes.
Puncture - skill activation improves your ability to puncture a target's armour. The armour class of the targets are reduced by 15% of your dexterity at level 1 for 1 minute up to 75% of your Dexterity at level 5, a duration of 5 minutes. Cooldown: 6 minutes.
Rend - on activation, you will rapidly strike for six seconds, increasing your attack speed and damage output by 10%. At level 5, it will last for thirty seconds, and 50% bonuses will be received. This is the assassin's final stand in times of desperation. During activation of Rend, your armour class is reduced by 25%, and on conclusion, you will suffer from exhaustion. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Congratulations! Your ability to incapacitate beings has improved. Although your incapacitation skill is an unarmed classified skill, your proficiency at identifying a target's weak spot has increased its level. Incapacitation reached level 6.
Congratulations! Your ability to eliminate beings has improved. Although your elimination skill is an unarmed classified skill, your proficiency at eliminating an enemy has increased its level. Elimination reached level 4.
SJ was aware that the maximum level for elimination and incapacitation was at level 10. She didn't understand the influence these skills actually had overall, as there was no direct description of them. She only hoped that once they reached level 10, they would open further skills for her martial arts branch. She had been letting her kata training slip recently since being in Asterfal, and she would have to return to training as soon as she was back in Killic to prevent it from losing efficiency.
'I wonder what specialisation I should choose?' SJ thought.
"Um. They all look good, but I do like the sound of Rend," Dave said almost maniacally.
'Rend with Stacking would be an insane combination,' SJ agreed.
"I doubt you could have both together."
'It looks like a one-time choice,' SJ sighed in her mind after reading the restrictions of her selection.
"Carlito. I have a choice of a new skill. Can you advise me?" SJ said, then informed Carlito of her choices.
He sat thoughtfully for some time before replying. "I would go with the armour reduction one. Puncture, you called it. I think that would benefit you the most. It will assist you in considering armoured targets for direct attacks. You saw what Francis wore when I fought him. I doubt you would have been able to strike him at your level. Also, from what you say at level 5, with a 6-minute cooldown, you are only required to wait one minute before reactivating. It's an almost permanent boost."
SJ couldn't disagree with Carlito; that had been her exact thought, and if she were to ever face an armoured being in the future, the skill could easily mean the difference between her being able to hit a target and not. The thought of a near-permanent active boost was huge. "Won't my improving dexterity offset the armour class of a being as well?"
"It will assist, yes, but having a bonus like that will improve your chances significantly against warrior-class beings or the like. Your skills would be worthless if you couldn't damage the target in the first instance."
Out of the three choices SJ had, it was her least favourite, but from a practical perspective, it probably was the most effective of the skills.
"Aww. I wanted to see some frenzied attacks," Dave said as SJ selected the Puncture skill.
'I am sure as my Dexterity continues to improve, my strike rate will increase anyway,' SJ thought in response.
"That may be true, but still. Puncture sounds so boring compared to Rend," Dave huffed.
It had been the early hours when SJ had left Carlito's again. The first signs of the day broke across the skies of Asterfal as she landed on her balcony. She eventually fell asleep on one of the sofas at Carlito's after sharing a few more drinks than she usually would have. When she eventually awoke and found a blanket placed over her, she left quietly, heading home. After the activities over the last few days, SJ decided that the drinks had been earned, although her head didn't necessarily agree this morning. Carlito had spent time the previous evening talking about various topics once they had been through the items that they had looted. He had again promised he would get everything sold and ensure that she would receive her share when she returned to Asterfal. He had also given her a little more insight into dragonlings and their origins. It was a fascinating topic, and she knew in time that she would have to discover more about them.
As she went to unlock the balcony door, Kibble's small face appeared, and he looked around the drapes that covered them. She smiled as she opened the door, and her companion squeaked excitedly. She hadn't spent much time with him over the past few days compared to her usual routine of life in Killic, and she knew that although he had others around, he had missed being with her. She fed him a couple of his treats before letting him out into the rear yard. As she opened the window and looked down, she remembered her additional portal.
'Dave. I assume it's the same process as before to place a portal?'
"Yes. Nothing different. Select a clear open space outside and activate away."
'Thanks,' SJ said as she opened her map and zoomed in on the property. The yard eventually appeared, and taking her time, she checked outside and then accepted placing her portal. Nothing was placed there, and she would have to ensure that Yawnee and Lurtew left the area clear once the building changes were made to allow access to the rear yard from the garage area.
'Can I travel to my cottage and back from here?'
"Of course, why do you ask?"
'No, I mean the cottage in Killic, not Farleck.'
"Ah, no. You can travel to Asterfal now from anywhere, but returning to the cottage at Killic specifically would require another link to be created. The one you have is from Farleck. You can create a bridging portal at the same location, allowing you access to the one here in Asterfal from Killic directly, but that would again cost you health, as the first did."
'I will speak to Fran when home and see if she can do it. It would be handy to go direct rather than having to wait for the cool down between jumps.'
"It makes sense, but you could also consider buying a property in Killic, and then you can just assign another portal once you reach level 30. It would save you from having to impact your health with soul stones."
'Perhaps, but level 30 is a long way off, and I would like to be able to go back and forth in the evenings if necessary.' SJ was already considering the potential need to be fluid when it came to visiting Asterfal. 'Okay, that's one good job done. I have a couple of things to do before I will be free to head back.'
"Such as?"
'I still need to see if I can get those seeds that Charlotte asked for, and I was going to call in and see Petunia again to see if her Valkyrie friend has arrived safely. I also have a table full of loot that I need to dispose of somehow. I think I will go and drop it all with Carlito.'
SJ mused over her plans for the day. Her time back in Asterfal again had been a packed affair. None of the loot she had collected stood out; it was all generic.
"Are you going to enquire at a guild before you leave?" Dave asked.
'I'm undecided. I may register with the assassins' guild, but I think I may stay away from the main guilds just yet. I should focus on levelling again now to the next border upgrade when time allows.'
"At least you can now. It makes those quests much more worthwhile," Dave said, yawning, indicating some of the repetitive quests she had completed back in Killic when she had time.
Talking about her level increase, she wondered what had happened in Killic since the change. Hopefully, nothing, and she would be back there soon enough anyway to see for herself. She couldn't wait to attend the harvest festival; the way Cristy had spoken last time they had talked about everything going on in Killic sounded amazing.
Yawnee had said she would find the seeds that SJ sought after breakfast. They still had a couple more days before they were planning to start their new jobs, and she had already been getting stir-crazy at home with nothing to do. Lurtew was off to meet some merchants about various supplies that they would require. Apparently, some of the crates and barrels they were due to make would require cloth interiors to protect the cargo, and filling had to be provided. SJ had offered to make the cloth liners. She knew it wouldn't take her long, and she could drop them off with the portal now configured. SJ had also been into the rear yard and marked off the location of the portal so that Yawnee and Lurtew knew to keep it clear. She wasn't exactly sure what would happen if something was located there and a portal was initiated, and she didn't fancy finding out.
"Come on, Kibble. We are going to deliver the loot, and I need to call in on Petunia and see if her friend has arrived. I can't wait to meet a valkyrie," SJ said.
Kibble hopped over, and SJ attached his lead to his collar before he flew up and curled up around her neck.
As SJ walked through the city, her ear clip sounded; reaching up, she tapped the gem.
"Morning," SJ said.
"Morning. I hope your head isn't too sore this morning," Carlito said.
"No, it's not too bad. Sorry for falling asleep on your sofa."
Carlito chuckled. "No need to apologise. I wanted to see if you were going to bring the loot over you mentioned last night."
SJ had no recollection of discussing the loot with Carlito and felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. How drunk had she been? "Erm. Yes, I was heading over now. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine. Polly will be back later today and can deal with it then. Before you head over directly, have you decided if you are going to join a guild?"
"I think I will join the assassin's guild for now. The one you have said is the better of them."
"That sounds good. There is no point in you heading here, then. We may as well go and do that first."
"Oh. Where do I need to go then?"
"The library."
"Library?"
"Yes. The main one is in the inner city."
"Why there?"
Carlito laughed. "That is where you are registered. All will become clear when we arrive. I will head over there now. I will see you soon."
SJ stopped and turned, heading towards the inner city, frowning and wondering why they would be meeting at the library. If the library was the drop point for quests, etc., it was indeed a rather public location and not what she was expecting. The skies were a little overcast this morning, and it looked like it might rain; a wind blew through the open space of the inner city, making SJ pull her cloak around her tightly. It had the chill of an early winter wind, and she wondered if the weather in Neturian was seasonal or not, unlike Killic.
The library was a magnificent building, and she stopped on the street outside, taking in its majesty. Its octagonal structure, huge glass windows, and smooth stone walls were an architectural delight, and a large domed roof was sitting over where SJ knew the circular desk was housed.
SJ checked her map and could see Carlito moving through the inner city. He didn't appear to be shadow-stepping and moved at a steady pace. It surprised SJ when a horse and cart appeared at the library steps, and a kobold climbed down, thanking the driver. The kobold was Carlito, dressed in fine attire, and the cut and finish of the clothing showed wealth.
"Morning again," Carlito said as he walked over to SJ.
"Another disguise?" SJ said, taking in his Kobold appearance.
"I like to mix things up," he smiled. "Shall we?"
Kibble strained on SJ's neck, leaning and sniffing towards Carlito.
"No fooling Kibble, though," Carlito chuckled.
SJ followed Carlito inside. The library, with its octagonal structure, had a large central desk, and then, branching out like spokes of a wheel, the lines of shelves spread, reaching back to its outer walls. There were thousands of texts, books and parchments all neatly arranged. At various locations around the library, reading areas were also positioned with tables for beings to read texts in relative comfort.
Carlito headed straight towards the central desk. The same man stood behind the desk as per SJ's previous visits, his pointed wizard's hat and eyes magnified by the glasses he wore. As Carlito approached the desk, he held a coin in his hand and showed it to the man. The man just nodded, not saying a word and lifted the countertop, allowing Carlito to walk straight behind the counter. SJ followed. In the centre of the large circular desk were further shelves where returned texts sat, and as Carlito moved around the side, she noticed a door. Carlito didn't pause as he opened the door, and a set of stairs led down underneath the library.
The stairs ended in what would be described as a typical cellar area; it was brightly lit with lanterns, and Carlito walked to another door before knocking.
"Come in," a female voice answered. They entered a large office with a single desk sitting at the far end of it. A woman with long white hair and alabaster skin. Her eyes were a brilliant blue and looked sharp as she looked up from her desk.
"Carlito. Good to see you again," she said, smiling. "And who do you bring with you?"
"Morning, Navina. This is SJ," Carlito answered as they crossed the office.
"How does she know it's you?" SJ asked quietly.
"Navina is the guild master. We have known each other for a very long time, and she has a skill which can penetrate disguises. I have never been able to hide from her."
"I didn't know a skill like that existed."
"If she has the disclosure skill, it's very specialist. It's from the subterfuge skill branch and a high-level version of the identification skill. It requires at least level fifty and has several prerequisites," Dave said.
'You have never been that open about future skills before,' SJ thought, surprised.
"Did I not tell you? I have managed to access some rather interesting information over the skill trees since my last code break."
'No, you didn't, and information like that could be really useful,' SJ sighed in her mind.
"Please, be seated." Navina waved to the chairs in front of her desk. "And who may I ask is on your shoulder?"
SJ had forgotten about Kibble, transfixed by the woman's unearthly eyes. SJ felt very uncertain sitting in front of this woman. She looked no older than the mid-thirties, yet from Dave's comments, the being had to be at least level 50.
They sat as Navina offered them a drink from a bottle on her desk. Carlito accepted the clear liquid and handed it to SJ.
"This is Kibble," SJ replied nervously. The eyes of this woman seemed to penetrate her very soul. SJ sipped at the liquid, thankful that it was only water and giving her the opportunity to look away from Navina's gaze.
"A miniature wyvern. Very valuable," Navina said, a glint in her eye.
"Before you get any ideas. SJ is under my protection," Carlito grinned.
Navina's eyes narrowed slightly before she threw her head back, laughing. "Very well, my old friend."
"Navina has a thing for pets," Carlito said, smiling back at her.
"So, what brings you here today?" Navina asked, tilting her head to one side. The confidence that this woman showed was ridiculous. Then again, being the head of an assassin guild must take a certain type of being.
"I think you are well aware of why we are here today. I know you already know who SJ is and what her build is."
Again, Navina laughed. "You never mix your words, do you? Yes, I know who she is and also what she is. A fascinating build you chose. Subterfuge and Martial Arts are not a standard combination. Most of those who are Subterfuge also take Poison, as the skill paths support each other so well. Like my own."
SJ was feeling even more uncomfortable knowing this woman could read everything about her. The only other being ever having done so being Bob. As she thought of Bob, panic flooded her.
'She can't read details about my Symbiosis, can she?' SJ thought.
"No. Symbiosis is a hidden trait; only you and the being who granted you the blood are aware of it unless another person is told. For example, Carlito doesn't know the details; he only knows that you are linked," Dave replied.
That sent a wave of relief through SJ. Thankful that she would never know about her secret.
SJ hadn't replied to Navina. Navina shrugged her shoulders before continuing.
"Right then, let's get to the details. The guild is very loose in its dealings. We only have one strict adherence, and that is that all members must disclose any work that they undertake for another guild. Apart from that, the more quests you accept, the more chance you have to earn wealth."
"Are there no minimum requirements?"
Navina again laughed. "No, my dear. Assassins come and assassins go. Many to an early grave. If you wish to be successful in this profession, you must choose your quests wisely. Few will ever match your colleague's notoriety. We do provide a fencing service for discovered goods and charge a handling fee, but that is all. An assassin's wealth is their concern. The only other detail you need to be aware of is that failure to complete quests in the given times will mean they become available again to other members. Most are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Unless we receive open orders such as the one that was drawn against yourself previously."
That comment made SJ gasp, and Navina smirked.
"Where do you think it had been drawn?" Navina said.
"I don't suppose I had considered it until now."
"I am glad you survived. It seems that Carlito was right to take you on as his trainee. We lost several members after the illithid got involved. Rather disconcerting."
"Would that not have revealed your location if the illithid had read them?"
"Yes, of course. We aren't hidden from sight. We provide a service, after all. They won't challenge a guild without a very good reason. We facilitate work, and those who request or complete the work are the guilty parties."
"Then why are you hidden underneath the library?"
Carlito laughed this time. "Navina is a bookworm and also is unable to go out in sunlight."
SJ frowned. She had heard of people on Earth who were affected by the sun and had to go outside wearing special suits to protect them from ultraviolet rays. Navina's complexion, with her very light-toned skin, allowed SJ to imagine how easily she might burn in the sunlight.
"I see," SJ said in understanding.
"Erm. I don't think your thoughts match reality here," Dave said.
'What do you mean?' SJ thought.
"Navina is a vampire."
