Chapter 7

Ryzer flinched as the shop doors opened. He could smell the fumes from outside, but the overwhelming power once inside felt like a knee to the teeth. His dark eyes scanned the shop before a small blonde fell off of a step ladder.

"Ouchie!"

She rubbed her behind as she climbed to her feet, her face glowing red as she looked in Ryzer's direction. She looked all around herself, her flopping rabbit ears going whichever way the pleased.

"F-f-f forget you saw that!"

Her blushing face seemed to fog her large bifocals, giving her the look of a cute and small rabbit. Ryzer shook his head a little, bringing himself back to focus.

"Do you have a pending order? Or are you a fresh buyer?"

Her curious green eyes seemed to lure Ryzer in, but he pinched the bridge of his nose to focus once more.

"I just need... some potions. Cheap ones, please."

The girl walked off while Ryzer stepped further into the store. The fumes left him woozy as he watched the girl digging around on a shelf.

"What kind do you want? We got many."

Ryzer looked up.

"Just healing or whatever. Stuff to heal."

As his eyes focused on the girl, they began to react.

[Name: Lucy (Slave)

Age: 16

Race: Rabbitkin

C. Lvl: 12

Class: Cultist, Lvl 7]

Ryzer eyes nearly bulged from his head, yet his mind grew less hazy. Knowing what he was dealing with left him more confident in his situation, but he was worried.

'Cultists in Fang? I should report this...'

The girl returned with four small potions. She motioned to them as she spoke.

"These three are healing potions, great for any fresh explorer! This last one, it's complimentary."

"And it's effect?"

She only smiled as she began to move her hips back and forth, slowly.

'What is she... the fumes? Do they control their customers?'

Ryzer took the first three potions, handing over a gold coin.

"Ah. For those three, I'll need to return some money after this. Erm..."

She stopped her little dance as she began to scratch her head.

"How much are they?"

"Uh... t-ten? Ten silver! For three... erm..."

Ryzer sighed to himself. He swiped the gold coin and rummaged in his coin pouch to pull out thirty silver.

"Your boss left you to take over the counter, yet didn't take into account that you don't know math?"

Ryzer saw a small hint of rage in the girls eyes as she clicked her tongue. She took the money, but held out the fourth potion.

"I don't really have a space for that. My belt can only secure three, so the fourth is a waste."

Lucy sighed herself this time, her eyes dark as she stomped towards him.

"Just drink the damn thing! It's complementary, you fucki- erm... yeah. Just drink it, or something."

Ryzer took the potion before stepping back outside of the shop. The rabbitkin stared, bewildered by his response.

'Definitely controlling minds.'

As he darted away, he could hear the door to the shop open behind him.

"FUCK!"

His eyes flew open wide as he looked at the potions.

[Consumable: Low Healing Potion

Effect: Slowly heals minor injuries. No effect on major injuries.

Consumable: Charm Potion

Effect: The consumer will become charmed by the blood infused in the potion. (Currently uninfused.)]

Ryzer knew where to go next, his steps quickening. Though they are the Adventurer's Guild, they are also responsible for security in and around the town. Ryzer hadn't been inside the building since his original run in before being sold. He slipped inside, taking a deep breath as he nearly fell.

"Are you... okay?"

Ryzer looked up, holding up the potion.

"Hmm? Isn't this from the Alchemist? Did he send you over with this?"

Ryzer shook his head as he caught his footing and his breath. He stood up, his face meeting the chest of a blond elf. The elf stared down at him, his eyes mimicking the forest.

"This was from his assistant, or whatever she is. There was something wrong while I was in there. My head got really foggy."

The elf blinked rapidly, tapping his jaw.

"I'll get one of our researchers to look into it. I'm Phin, the manager of this branch."

[Name: Phineas Loi

Age: 28

Race: Elf

C. Lvl: 35

Class: Fencer, Lvl 20]

'He's pretty young for a manager.'

Ryzer relinquished the potion to someone Phin motioned over.

"We have had some... concerns with that Alchemist. Was this all you needed? If so, we will have someone watch over you as a just in case."

Ryzer shook his head.

"My original purpose was to register, so I can enter the dungeons."

Phin nodded, clapping his hands together.

"Oh, a new adventurer! Alright, I'll introduce you to one of our info takers. She should be more than capable of getting you set up. Firstly, you aren't a criminal or a slave?"

Ryzer shook his head.

"Alright, good. A slave is permitted to join, but only if their master gives their permission. A criminal, well they won't admit anything, but they can't join at all. The crystal we use, it can identify someone's history or soul. Whichever."

Ryzer looked up, having been following Phin. The elf placed his hand on the crystal they stood before, sitting in the middle of the office with a multitude of guards around it.

"Safety precaution. A criminal will either run or fight. This will glow white if you are fit to join. Red if you are a criminal, while grey if you are enslaved."

Phin moved away, giving Ryzer a turn. He didn't hesitate, his hand barely reaching the crystal.

"Don't worry, all the kids have trouble reaching the crystal. Once it's properly linked, this info taker will spit out a card for you. This is a form of identification between guilds, while also a way to safely enter any city or town. It will change color depending on your status, being criminal or otherwise."

'So it also monitors? I'm not doing anything necessarily illegal.'

The crystal shone a bright white, before dropping a small rectangular card onto Ryzer's head. Phin nabbed it, looking it over.

"Ah. Indeed a good egg. The card is bound to you, so you can always throw it away and get it back by simply thinking of it. It is remarkably useful, Mr. Ryzer V."

Ryzer felt a nervous sweat overtake him, but when he saw the card that Phin handed him, it calmed. It showed his name exactly as Phin had said; Ryzer V. Besides this, it was similar to when he used Discerning Eye without class information.

"This doesn't reveal classes?"

Phin seemed a little shocked at Ryzer's words.

"A class belongs to the person. Should you choose to speak of it, it's nothing to worry about. Actually asking, could just be seen as rude."

Ryzer looked the card over before Phin spoke again.

"With this, you should be free to enter the dungeon. Do be careful. We recommend having at least three members when entering. For safety and all."

Phin had a sad look in his eyes, telling Ryzer all he needed to know. Too many deaths for new recruits.

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Thank you,

Anna Haig!