CH40: Infamy
***
CH40: Infamy
[Agent Zero]
-Bio-
Call name: -
Rank: Outer member.
Active: 3 years.
Activity Area: Landrose City, Bayveth Republic.
Recruiter: Lord DarkBlade.
-Record-
Expertise: Unknown.
Infamy: Unknown.
Contracts Accepted: 25.
Contracts Completed: 25.
Merit Points: 11.7
(P.S: I merit point = 1 low-grade mana stone = 1000 UC)
*
"You've been busy. 25 successful contracts; 4 Novices, 7 Beginners, 13 Experts and 1 Knight. That's quite the kill list. I'm surprised you are not a True member yet."
"I heard I have politics to thank for that."
"I can imagine. But it's a good thing it happen. After all, it brought you to me."
"True."
"That said, I can see why they were able to prevent you from being a True member."
"What do you see?"
"Nothing is known about you. They don't know how you look, your personality, your favourite method of killing. It's good for an assassin not to leave details, however, people fear the unknown. Even people who are supposed to be on your side.
"Aside being apprehensive about you, the organisation doesn't have enough information to give you your designated Call name. A Call name, or an organisation nickname as the Agents call it, is a requirement for your initiation into the organisation. The House of Death uses the information of the Agent to issue them their unique Call name."
"I can't choose my Call name myself?"
"It's not like you can't. It's just the organisation does it for you so that it won't have to deal with issue arising from clashing Call names. There've been Agents in the past who insist on a name that has already been taken. Instead of choosing a new name, they cause a stir so that they can have the name. Since then, the organisation chooses the name, unless of course the Agent shows high potential or is affiliated to a well-connected Broker."
"I believe I have both in my corner, right?"
"It's not that easy." Navia shook her head.
She looked through the full file the organisation had on me. It contained a breakdown of the contracts I've executed.
"Call name aside, you don't have enough infamy. Most of your contracts are executed to look like accidents or random occurrences. Most of them don't look like hits at all. That means you don't have a reputation for carrying them out.
"The organisation likes it when its True members let people know that it was them who carried out a hit, aside hits that required digression of course. You're free to use any method you see fit as long as people know it was you. Look at your hits. There's nothing connecting them. There's no way to tell they were done by the same person."
"I did that to avoid the attention and getting caught."
"Well, in the House of Death, you need the attention!" Navia emphasized. "Look, I understand where you're coming from but you're too cautious. Just because people know X did it, doesn't mean they'll know who X is. It all depends on the signature you use."
I nodded in understanding.
"So, knowledge about me, choosing my Call name and building my reputation as an assassin. The promotion contract is supposed to achieve all these?"
"Maybe not all of them, but at least one of them."
At that moment, Navia received a notification from the organisation.
"It says here the organisation already chose a promotion contract for you. They're asking if I want to let you proceed with the contract."
*
"What do you think?"
"Any contract the organisation offers to sole Agents is essentially going to be a contract no one wants to take. It can be too difficult or maybe the reward just isn't worth the effort."
"I don't mind a challenge. In fact, I welcome it. I need something to push me harder."
"In that case, you have no reason to take the organisation's mission." Navia said, taking me aback. "You want to pick your own Call name, right? I also want to announce my Agent in style. In that case, let's achieve that in one swoop."
"What do you have in mind?"
"A difficult contract. But not like the one the organisation proposed. A difficult contract with true import. This kind of contract is usually about taking out a prominent personality. However, the difficulty isn't in killing the target in itself but rather the conditions attached to the contract." Navia said excitedly. "Do you have any contract preference?"
"No, not really." I replied. Then, I remembered the conditions for unlocking my remaining blessings. One particular condition came to mind. "Actually, I'm in the mood for a contract that requires poisons."
"Poisons?"
I nodded.
"You know I dabble in Herbology, right?"
"You more than dabble, according to what I've heard." She rolled her eyes. "What does that have to do with poison."
I chuckled.
"I have a thesis I want to test out. I believe poisons and medicine are two sides of the same coin. A medicine can become a poison in the right condition."
"That's a scary thought." Navia commented. "Alright. I'll look something up."
Navia searched through a special pool of contracts.
She wasn't lying when she said the good contracts were hidden away from the solo Agents. The pool she looked through was a list I had never seen. It was a list of high-priority contracts. Not only did they offer more merit point than normal, they also had side rewards as well.
I saw some contracts I wouldn't have mind taking, but it seemed Navia had made up her mind on something.
"Found it!"
She showed me a particular contract.
"That's interesting."
I couldn't help smiling when I saw the contract details. I knew it was a contract I had to take. Some people were just begging to be killed.
Still, I understood the contract wasn't going to be easy when I saw the completion requirement. But I didn't mind much. It was a requirement I asked for anyways.
There was just one problem with the contract.
"I'm sure you know what you're doing, my fair lady. However, this humble Agent of yours wishes to point out that this contract says it has been reserved."
"Of course I can see that, my humble Agent. That's specifically why I chose it. You just need to tell me if you like my gift or not."
"I love it milady. It's just what I'm looking for."
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
Navia opened another window on her comms crystal.
She was sending a private message to someone.
"There's a private chat feature on the comms crystal?"
"Yeah. It's a feature opened to Brokers and their Agents. The add-on gives you that feature."
"Just how many things are you guys keeping to yourselves?"
"Too many to count. Besides, you're one of us now."
"Fair enough."
-
The person on the other side of the chat responded.
The ensuing conversation made me look at Navia weirdly.
I'll spare you the details.
The person was the Broker who reserved the contract. Let's just say the person and Navia weren't friends.
My fair lady turned into a vicious predator who span a web of traps until the prey had nowhere to go.
She made it seem as if she called to brag about the extraordinary Agent who finally passed her test. She goaded the other person for the incompetence of their Agents for not being able to complete the contract after so long.
Eventually, the prey... I mean person couldn't take it anymore and 'proposed' to let Navia take the contract through a bet.
Navia's Agent, I, had to complete the contract within seven days. The wager was ten times the contract's merit point reward.
-
"Humph, that's for gloating to me all these years." Navia muttered after closing the chat.
I remembered a saying, 'Hell have no fury like a woman'.
Right then and there, I made up my mind to never offend this vindictive woman.
"There you have it. You have seven days to complete the contract." She smiled.
I shook my head wryly.
"I'm going to need some things."
"Name them."
I took a pen and wrote down a list of things I needed for the contract.
"This is all?"
"The information I need on the target is already in the contract details. I already have a plan. Of course, I don't mind if you verify the information and get me more intel on the target."
"Consider it done."
We both stood up to get to work. Time was pressing and a lot of money was at stake. But then, we realised a crucial detail.
Navia -and I- tore our clothes last night.
While she had a change of clothes in the room, I didn't. I couldn't leave in my clothes from the previous day. Not in the state they were in.
Navia picked up my shirt. She heaved a sigh of relief.
"Good, it's not torn. Only the button removed. I can have it fixed in a few minutes."
I nodded.
I watched the woman meticulously stitch my buttons back into my shirt.
It was a side of her I haven't seen before.
Sure, I know we haven't known each other long. It's just that this moment made me realise that I didn't know much about her.
"What is it?" She asked when she saw me looking at her.
"I just realised. You know a lot about me but I don't know anything about you. Even your name isn't complete."
She stopped what she was doing.
"That's because I can never share my father's name with anyone. That's the promise I made in order to live my life the way I choose." She reached out to hold my hand. "I have nothing to hide. But at the same time, I won't tell you about myself. You love figuring things out, don't you? Then, I'll act mysterious so that you can figure me out. That way, you'll never be bored of me."
An hour later, I left ThornyRose in my fixed suit in the 'Alex Fury' skin and with the white mask on my face.
I walked around aimlessly in the city to lose any potential tracker. I changed back to my Leo Xander skin once I was sure no one was following me and returned to the DoomMane Guild.
I walked straight to my private residence in the Elite camp, where I fell on my bed.
The last few hours have been eventful to say the least.
I finally got the chance to take a breath and look through the messages in my User Interface.
I brought up the messages.
-
[Notice: {Bind of Love} is assessing Lover candidate.]
[Assessment: Host and the Human Female, Navia, share sufficient affection between them. Relationship is recognised under the condition of the Blessing.]
[Conclusion: Navia is recognised as Host's lover.]
[Reward: All effects of {Bind of Love} are activated.]
[Reward 2: Host has gained Lady Sigyn's recognition.]
[Message: Your choice is yours. I hope both of you come to understand 'love'.]
[Notice: Effecting changes. Please call up your Status for review.]
-
I immediately opened my status.
-
'Open Status'
{Status.}
[Leo Xander.]
Race: Prime Human
Title: World Challenger
Alias: Cub of Lionheart, Agent Zero, Student Leo, Herbology Genius.
Age: 18
Life Path (Primary): Assassin.
Tier: Tier II (Hired Killer)
Promotion Exp: 210/15000
---
[Attributes-]
(Physical)
Physique: 50
Dexterity: 45
Mind: 50 (⬆️+5)
[Notice: Average Limit for Homo sapiens is 10 in all parameters.]
Attribute Points: 8
-
(Blessing)
Love Partners: 0 ➡️ 1
Lover: Navia
Charm: 40/50 ➡️ 60/100
Mischief Points: 165,000 ➡️ 55,000 MP.
-
Surprisingly, my Mind stats increased by 5.
I guess it's the least I could get considering all the Mischief Points I spent to protect my Mind.
Due to the Blessing, {Bind of Love} taking effect, my Charm increased to 60. The upper limit of my Charm also doubled from the human racial limit of 50 to 100.
Finally, the 55 thousand remaining Mischief Point was a reminder of the cost of passing Navia's test.
As painful as it was, so far I believe the price was worth it.
Only time would tell if I would continue to do so.
My mind shifted to my Blessings. There were some changes to them as well.
---
[Blessing of Lord Loki.]
-Vault of Knowledge.
Remark: The Vault of Knowledge is the other half of the greatest gift given to the Host by Lord Loki. The Lord of Mischief requires that Host earns the recognition of his household before this final most precious Blessing is given to you.
Condition: Acquire the recognition of the Household of Loki. (2/6) ➡️ (3/6)
Lord Loki (Acknowledged)
Lady Sigyn (Acknowledged)
Queen Hel (Acknowledged)
Lord Fenrir (Unacknowledged)
Lord Jormungandr (Unacknowledged)
Sleipnir (Unacknowledged)
**
My... unique relationship with Navia managed to scale the requirements for the {Bind of Love} and acquire the acknowledgement of the Lady of the Household of Loki.
Interestingly, I had thought it would be the most difficult and the last requirement I'd obtain but it turned out to be the first. Though, I'm not sure I'd say it was easy anyways.
I looked through the details of the Blessing.
-
[Bind of Love]
Type: Spirit-type Blessing.
Remark: Lady Sigyn is touched by the event of Host's past life. The Lady hopes the Host won't live a lonely second life and will find a romantic partner... or more.
Effect 1: Host is immune to Charm abilities of individuals other than lover(s)
Effect 2: Protect and ensures the loyalty of Host's mutual love interest.
Effect 3: Host's Charm and Charisma increase by 20 for each of Host's partners.
(Note: This attribute can not increase beyond 100.)
Effect 3: Host may share abilities of Partner. (Depends on synergy with Partner.)
Effect 4: Host is responsible for protecting Partner.
(a) Host loses 20% of ALL attributes temporarily if he intentionally harms partner in any way. Effect remains until forgiven by partner.
(b)Host loses 20 Charm and 20% of ALL attributes if partner dies due to Host incompetence.
-
I couldn't help but wonder what the Charm stats had to offer.
There was no information about this in the Interface so I guess I'm just going to have to figure it out on my own.
Considering it was the stats raised by the Blessing of the Lady, I doubt it was useless.
*
My attention turned to the next notification on the window.
[Notice: As a competent Assassin, Host is required to build his Infamy in the underworld. Host is advised to come up with a signature that would represent his reputation in the world.]
"Da Fork?"
(To be continued...)