Chapter 8: An Unwritten Deal

Gelda who'd satback laid-back, nonchalant.

"Are you trying to take advantage of Master Quintus?" - she said coldly

Was now emitting a threatening aura.

I gulped. "No no, we wouldn't dare haggle"

"Then just accept th-"

Quintus signelled her to stop. Gelda sighed and relaxed back into her seat muttering a brief apology.

"Hmm, do continue" - Quintus said, if our refusal had offended him or even surprised him. It didn't show.

Which is more than what I can say for myself. I was originally dead-set on accepting. As it turns out, it's awfully hard to be greedy when we've hitched a ride, essentially saving us. However I understood something important after my discussion with Serena earlier...

"Well what do you think?" - I whispered, hoping that Gelda's long ears didn't translate into better hearing.

Serena put her hand on her chin, contemplating.

"50 is not a big number" - she replied.

I was an utter fool for even asking.

"But it's enough for us to survive" - I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Serena then glanced at me as if I really was a fool.

"We require far more than that"

"-!"

She helped me realise that having a place to live or having food wasn't enough. I'd overlooked a fundamental part of this world. Monsters existed. Monsters which inevitably killed people. Meaning that the strength to defeat them in turn ruled supreme in this world. A small fortune could probably get us far but it wouldn't be enough. After all, if someone like Gelda could move that fast, it meant there were going to be nasty people with that power. A puny house wasn't going to mean anything to them. No, we needed either status or the skills to defend ourselves. 50 gold coins might be enough for a while. But we needed our own way to survive. No...to live.

Presently, a moment ago, Quintus gave me the floor to explain ourselves, and I was going to make full use of it.

"We think your offer is an incredibly generous amount…" I started

"However?"- he said waiting.

"But I wondered if alternatively...would you give us a tour in the next city?"

I expected a number of different reactions. Gelda might lash out, call me an idiot or scoff at me. As for Oliver Quintus himself, I might've predicted an amused chuckle or maybe he'll gently insist on the original deal. Worst case would be Serena interjecting. Instead...

"I would accept that" - he agreed without skipping a beat. Then Quintus adjusted his glasses and continued. "I am interested but there's a few points I'd like to ask". He paused. "Judging from the fact you are still wearing those clothes, you two arrived from…'Earth' recently, no?"

Ugh. That's such an awkward question right off the bat. I chose silence. I'm already in the deep end of suspicion, if I said anything, he'll easily catch me out in a lie and I'd be drowning myself. Surprisingly Serena jumped in.

"We have travelled a long distance without meeting anyone...except for monsters" - She said calmly

Wow what a save! And Serena's truth streak continues.

"Hmm, I see" - Quintus said finally.

I don't know what he gleaned from us but he seemed satisfied whatever the case. Which didn't put me at ease in the slightest but it's not like there was a better response given the circumstances.

"I will not pry further, but could you tell me if there is anyone else here from Ear-" He stopped himself. "your homeland?" - he asked

That...That's a seriously good question! I can't believe I hadn't thought about it myself. Serena did say other people were selected by other Reapers. What if there were people from Earth also undergoing whatever this rehabilitation nonsense was. They could tell me what's going on, give us advice and-

"No, there is no one here apart from us"- said Serena, crusher of hopes and dreams.

"Hmm, thank you, that is all I'd like to ask for now," - Quintus looked at me and Serena. "Is there anything you would like to ask?"

I had a thousand burning questions, each one scrambling for attention. What was the quality of life here? All I've seen of this world was a dirt road and this horse-drawn caravan. Not much technology. But I haven't so much as seen the tip of the iceberg, like why can Gelda move in an instant? Also Elves! Do they conform to fantasy stereotypes? Are they also talented archers, long lived forest dwellers? Or is it completely different here? I sighed. I'm getting tired of putting my brain through the meat grinder today...but I think I've got the right question. At least I hope so.

"What's the best way to survive here" - I asked

"Hmmm, I suppose you wouldn't be satisfied with being happy, no?" - he joked hollowly

Happiness huh? Can I eat that?

Apparently my expression was enough of an answer for him, as he continued.

"I don't know where you came from, however, on the Continent, you can be obscenely rich or incredibly clever but it all comes down to-" he stopped, pointing at Gelda.

"Power" - she said, smiling like a demon

More or less than what I thought. I mean if Serena still had her Reaper abilities, I'd go for a picnic in the Goblin hills, maybe get a tan in the afternoon. But it's still surprising that not even money would be enough on it's own. It meant my Earth knowledge might not be the golden egg I thought it was.

Quintus leaned over and whispered something to Gelda. Who then stuck her chin up in pride, held out a simple white pendant and while grabbing our attention said

"I'm a Platinum class fighter..." - she said, waiting for us to react.

*silence*

Me and Serena stared at each other, confused.

Uhh. I think we just missed the cue for being extremely shocked.

"Oh wow" - I said, hoping it wasn't too late. (It clearly was)

Serena was even worse.

"That sounds really impressive?" - She said hesitantly

Gelda looked as if she'd swallowed a fly. Quintus tried to hide it, but the corners of his mouth tugged slightly upwards.

"That IS really impressive!" - she exclaimed. "And stop pretending to be astonished just.. argh whatever" - Gelda gave up, frustrated that she didn't get the reception she hoped for.

Quintus took over the explanation, for us ignorant country bumpkins.

"Platinum is the highest level of strength realistically possible"

Okay, she's starting to sound pretty remarkable

Quintus adjusted his glasses again and continued

"There's only around 20 or so...in the entirety of the Continent"

The fuck?!? Out of all the people we could've met. It just happened to be these two…

I honestly didn't know if we were incredibly lucky or horrifically unfortunate. I suppose, from here on, time will tell.

"Haha, it seems like you finally understand" - Gelda said smugly. Taking solace in my delayed reaction

Well I'm more amazed about the odds of it happening actually...but I'll let her have it

"Yes yes, you're incredible" - I said, "So what are the other ranks besides Platinum"

Gelda, eager with the praise, answered "Bronze, Silver, Gold". "Rorik out there is a silver rank so even there was a 100 of him, I'd beat him" - she said confidently

"Hey I can still hear you, you know? I have feelings" - the driver shouted from the front.

That was some useful information. If she's not exagettering, it means that once again there's most likely another super natural factor in play. I sighed. I know this is obviously a fantasy world but where's all the normal mundane stuff?

Quintus interrupted my thoughts, to remind me of the deal.

"If that is all the questions you two have...shall we shake on the deal?"

"I have a question" - said Serena. She pointed outside "What is the name of that mountain"

"It it called Drachenstein" - Quintus replied

"I see" - She said, falling silent.

Bit of a weird inquiry but it's the least weird thing today so whatever.

I stuck my hand out. "Think that's everything I need to ask"

"Then I look forward to showing you around" - smiled Quintus, joining my hand in a firm but equal handshake.