Chapter 26- Alt

Harold threw his fist towards Samuel's head. Samuel dodged without hesitation to the left side of Harold, and with a quick step in planted his feet and erupted with an uppercut that was aimed at Harold's stomach.

Harold fell backwards, gagging for breath. He held his mouth and threw up a small amount. Samuel didn't relent, and remained on the attack

With a quick one-two, Samuel hit some lighter blows to the head of Harold. Harold fell down to the ground, squirming. He put his hand up, and his bruised eyes pleaded for mercy.

His fat lips shook with fear, and Harold managed to slip the words out "Pwease sthap. Im bewy sowwy.". Tears formed in Harold's eyes and Samuel spit at him before walking off.

"I can't believe a guy at this level would even try to pick a fight with me...", Samuel thought.

Harold crawled back inside to the guild, bruised and beaten all over his face. The bar went silent for a few moments, and slowly picked back up to the regular pace.

The woman who was tending the bar, Fianna, called Dubs and the other three over to the bar. The four headed over and she began to explain to them.

"Take these.", she said as she handed them 5 badges that had two crossed swords on them, the crest of the mercenary guild. "These are your mercenary ID's. If you go on a mission above the surface, you will need to present these to the guards to come back into the town. Also use them whenever you need to show proof that you all are mercenaries, when taking jobs."

The four all bowed and thanked Fianna, before leaving the bar.

Dubs and the rest of the party then left to go outside. It was night, and the lights of the underground city sparkled along the streets.

Enferia walked over to Samuel and slapped him.

"I can't believe you! What if the other mercenaries had ganged up on us? What would we have done then?", she asked frantically.

Samuel gave her a confused look. "I merely eliminated the possibility of events like this occurring in the future. I don't see the problem here."

Enferia, clearly flustered looked down. "That may be true, but you need to be more careful from now on. Just because you're strong doesn't mean you can just beat up anyone who crosses your path."

"Ah, but that is how it works.", Samuel claimed. "The strong will always have power over the weak. That is the rule of the world."

Dubs began to laugh, and tried to hide it.

"Is there something funny, Dubs? The last time I checked, you're the weakest member of the squad. Perhaps you are in denial of this, and still wish to defy me as the leader?", Samuel demanded.

Dubs straightened his face. "Oh, I'm sorry, squad leader Samuel. I just happened to think of a funny memory just now, and couldn't help but laugh at it. Please don't mind me."

In reality, Dubs inner self was cracking up inside of him, filling Dubs' mind with maniacal laughter. The very notion that Samuel was the strongest member of the squad was something that his other self couldn't help but laugh at.

Samuel looked away, disappointed that he wouldn't have an excuse to put Dubs in his place. "If I start a fight with Dubs right now, I'll look bad in front of Enferia.", Samuel thought.

"Ah, by the way,", Drodus stated. "Here is your mercenary ID.". Drodus handed the ID over to Samuel.

"Thank you. Alright, lets move out! We are heading toward the roasted boar inn, a couple plazas down. We will discuss the details of the contract with the client, and most likely we will head out on the mission tomorrow. Be on your guard though, as if they wish to head out tonight then we will do so.", Samuel exclaimed.

The party traversed through the crowded brick laid roads, over a few plazas. They passed a number of shops along the way, and Dubs began to think about his future.

"Hm... it seems that because magic is not commonly used among the people of the empire, there are no magical goods for sale. I will have to do my own research to become more adept with magic."

They had passed by weapons and armor shops, and blacksmiths, as well as general item shops and bakeries.

"Even so, I don't have any money as of right now. Assuming we complete this job properly, we will gain 30 copper coins. If we split the pay evenly, this would be 6 copper coins each."

Dubs knew where to go in order to obtain magical information and items, however. Reagan's laboratory had all the technology he needed to do proper research.

"When I have finished my training here, heading there would certainly benefit me.", Dubs thought.

"I can't wait till we get there, Dubs.", his other self menacingly stated. "I can't even begin to think up all the experiments we can perform when were there. Plus, Reagan is my type."

Dubs thought about this for a second. If his other self liked Reagan, then surely he did as well, as they were two personalities of the same person.

"Hm. Yeah, she is kinda cute. Especially the crazy side of her.", Dubs admitted.

His other self laughed and Dubs realized that he was lagging behind his squad so that he could talk to his other self. He caught back up quickly, and realized they had arrived at the roasted boar inn.

"Here we are." Tirian stated.

The five walked into the inn, and were greeted by a suited man, with brown hair that was split like a snakes tongue on either side. He wore white gloves, and stood behind the reception desk.

A hallway that lead to the inn's rooms was on the left side, and next to it was a stairwell.

"Welcome to our fine establishment. Will you all be staying with us tonight?", the man politely asked.

"No, we are mercenaries here to contact a client for a request." Samuel said as he lifted up his mercenary ID. "The client is staying in this hotel, perhaps you can point them out to us."

The man looked somewhat disappointed that he wouldn't gain the party's business, but took out the hotel register and began to scan through it.

"What is the name of your client, then?", he inquired.

"Aria Santor." Samuel replied, reading off the job request.

The man scoured his finger down the list and stopped it halfway down. "Ah, he we are! Aria Santor, room 213 on the second floor."

Enferia thanked the man and the party went up the stairs to the left side.

Upon finding the room, Enferia knocked on the door. The voice of an old woman called out, shouting "I'm coming!". The door opened and a short wrinkled woman presented herself.

"Who are you people? Are you the mercenaries I hired?", the old woman questioned.

Enferia nodded. "Yes, we are here to take on the job request."

The woman nodded and invited the party in. "Please have a seat.", she said as she brought out some tea for them. There was a nice leather couch that surrounded a coffee table on 3 sides that the party spread themselves across.

The party sipped their tea and the woman sat at a reclining leather chair across them.

"I am a traveling merchant, my son keeps up a shop over in Ariola. I go around obtaining various stock, and I am on the way back to the town tomorrow. If it is alright with you, then we shall leave early in the morning- 6 am."

The party agreed on the terms.

"And I understand the payment of 30 coppers for a group of 5 mercenaries may be a bit on the low side, but this mission should not be very dangerous. As an added bonus, my son will give you all a discount at the shop should you all ever be in the area."

Enferia thanked the woman, and the rest nodded in agreement.

The party then left, and traveled back to the mercenary guild to get some rest for the night.

Upon arriving back, the bar became silent as Samuel strutted his way through.

"Ooh, what a scary guy.", one person whispered.

Entering the back room, they all were encountered by Ivan.

"I heard you had a bit of a scuffle, Samuel. I understand that the mercenary was trying to extort money out of you, but just be a bit more cautious next time. Alright?", Ivan scolded.

Samuel nodded and saluted. "Yes, captain!"

The five went to the dining hall to get something to eat, before returning to their rooms.

When Dubs had gotten to his room, he took the initiative to speak to his other self.

"Say, I know we may be one person, but I feel that I should give you a name. What do you think?", Dubs asked.

"HAHA! You're a funny guy Dubs. How about this- call me Alt. I'm an alternate version of yourself, after all.", Dubs other self responded.

Dubs smiled. "Alt, eh? I like it."

Dubs then fell asleep, and before he knew it it was time to get up.