Chapter 168
As if something whispered in the back of his mind, Buzzcut suddenly whipped around. He scanned the room, pausing on me.
I held my breath.
Buzzcuts eyes finally slid off me. He pumped sanitizer into his palm from a bottle on his desk and proceeded to wash his hands intently, working the sanitizer in with practiced ease, paying extra attention to the backs of his hands, going all the way up to his wrists and arms.
Id found a new functionality, experimenting with the this morning. It wasnt an upgrade exactlyand on the constellation of settings, it was nestled far on the left side. It strengthened the anonymity and memory effect for a single target. Everyone elseSae, for this mornings experimentwould see me without the mask, while the target would see a person of little importance, who theyd immediately forget after the fact.
Buzzcut was already dialing. Or voice calling, whatever. He looked bored, eyes continually tracking to the bottle on his desk. As he continued whatever rote conversation he was having, he stood and pumped an entire glop of sanitizer into his palm, going through the washing process once more.
He forgot he washed them already. Weird fixation on hygiene.
A few feet away, I saw a faint blue shimmer as Azure navigated the shadows, swimming in the dark places beneath desks and dark lines cast by the wide window divider at the far side of the room.
While Azure did his thing, I made a show of looking nauseous and multitasked. Several quests came in shortly after the showdown at the apartment.
Quest Name: Spotlight
Quest Chain Description: Rescue your lost companion
Current Primary Objective Assassinate Cameron and gain entry into the enigmatic organization.
Secondary Objective Find an alternative method to gain entry.
Threat Level: (L)
EXP GAIN (L)
Time Limit: One Week.
Reward: ???
Quest Name: Blue Skies
Primary Objective Secure a flight charm through legitimate means
Secondary Objective Open negotiations with Region 7 to obtain a large number of charms for your associated guilds.
Personal Objective Remain unidentified by other Users.
Threat Level: (S)
EXP GAIN (S)
Time Limit: N/A
Reward: A Flight Charm
Darons office was on the bottom floor. It was, perhaps, the one place in the building that wasnt decked out in angel theme. If anything, it looked like an artifact from the early nineties. A yellowed pinup poster of a woman clutching her throat who was, apparently, very cold, overlooked an oversized mahogany desk. The desk was executive style and massive. I had no idea how theyd managed to get it through the door.
Through the blinds, a long line of people waited in line outside the front door, while others filled out paperwork at the desks.
Daron closed the door behind him. He absentmindedly reached up and grabbed a string, sliding the blinds closed as he navigated to the other side of the desk and sat down, motioning for me to sit across from him.
I eased into one of the chairs, my injuries from the previous night still giving me no small discomfort.
Daron steepled his fingers and smirked at me. Im not giving you our charms.
That was about what Id expected. Though I hadnt considered the possibility hed just come out and say it.
It begged an obvious question.
So why the hell are you wasting my time? I asked, dropping the faux friendliness from my voice.
Daron smiled wider. You misunderstand me. I have no interest in selling them on the open market. Their value is in their exclusivity. As a region, we dont have much to set us apart and draw in new residents. A few dungeons, and a handful of mid-size organizations, but nothing compared to the Adventurers or Merchants guild. As a courtesy, however, one region leader to another, I might be willing to extend you the opportunity to buy one.
It took an exorbitant amount of self-control not to facepalm. I hated people like this. People whod skimmed through Art of the Deal, or Way of the Werewolf, Or How to Win Friends and Influence People, and subsequently acted like theyd uncovered the keys to the universe.
And where, exactly, is this sudden outpouring of generosity coming from? I asked dryly.
Daron forced himself to hold eye-contact, though from the blinking he was having trouble. Im always looking to make friends. Specifically, friends in high places. With a flourish, he withdrew a magical contract, placed it down on his desk, and slid it over, rotating the document, so it faced me.
I scanned it briefly, snorting when I came to the figure. 75,000 Selve. Quite the sticker shock for a mobility power with such limited utility, considering the short duration and cooldown. It could get you across the city in a fraction of the time, but youd be walking back.
Talia must have sensed my mood. Control your temper. As much as I dislike this creature, Tyler wanted us to be diplomatic. And well have a charm for Kinsley to study. Just accept his offer and renegotiate in the future.
Despite what Azure told me, I almost considered it. Playing nice for the moment and finding a solution for the Region 7 problem later. But with the way my responsibilities kept stacking up, I couldnt shake the feeling that if I didnt deal with this now, Id never deal with it at all.
It was Daron himself who gave me the final push.
He leaned over the desk, conspiratorially. Forgive the intrusion, but I consider myself an observant man.
Im sure you do.
Sex sells. This is the way of things. He tapped a finger on the table, studying me. Yet I couldnt help but notice how little interest you showed in the attendants upstairs. All those celestial bodies on display, and you gave them little more than a glance.
I smiled thinly. Never had much interest in strip-clubs. Or strip-clubs disguised as massage parlors, for that matter.
Daron waggled his eyebrows. There are many benefits to being my friend, Matthias.
Youre not really my type, Daron. I emphasized his name the same way hed emphasized mine.
His smile dampened. Still, he tried. This is a new world. If youre looking for something more, the fantasy of flight is not the only fantasy I offer.
Matt. Talia warned.
I busied myself with the contract, folding one corner perpendicular to the page. Then another corner. Once Id fully repurposed the contract as a paper plane, I gave it a gentle toss.
Daron finally broke eye-contact, smile dissolving into a scowl as he watched the plane strike the wall behind his calendar and spiral to the floor.
I waited until I had his attention once more. Lets try again. And maybe, just maybe, we can find a way this doesnt end badly for you.
