Charged With Murder

The Therianthrope Bear, Dimitri, dashed away and, true to his word, quickly returned with the documents.

Eli, with Tabitha hovering over him like a watchful specter, meticulously reviewed each word for any detrimental clauses. Satisfied, he handed the papers to the broom-wielding imp for her nod of approval.

After signing the documents and compensating Dimitri, Eli became the proud owner of another property, destined for Willow. He was confident this investment in the eccentric, voluptuous Enchantress would be fruitful.

Clearing the roadside of corpses, Eli approached Bonnie and her company.

"Miss Willow, I propose a trade: the building adjacent to mine for all your Enchantment research and skills. Do we have an agreement?"

"Hell Yeah! You have a deal!"

The buxom Enchantress, brimming with excitement, bounced back and forth, her ample bosom capturing Eli's undivided attention as it bobbed in the air.

Thwack!

"AHHH!"

Tabitha's broom abruptly halted Willow's exuberant bouncing.

"Master! This can't be serious. Your Enchantments are invaluable, and that's without considering your magical skills."

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Tabitha's scolding, The buxom Enchantress had already begun transferring her magical skills to Eli.

"And with that, we're done!"

Willow shouted, not realizing she had inadvertently revealed herself. 

"What do you mean 'you're done'?!"

The little devil apprentice roared, gritting her teeth and gripping her broom tightly. 

"Uh? Oh, crap! Tabitha, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" 

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! 

Since her master had already received the building's deed, Tabitha fulfilled her part of the deal and brought him 27 volumes, each 10,000 pages thick, copied from the originals. 

An hour later, as the tea party continued, two guards arrived. One approached Eli, casting nervous glances at Garek, who sat smirking next to Bonnie, eyeing the guards. 

"Are you the owner of this building?"

The guard asked tensely, swallowing hard. 

"That's me. How can I assist you, sir?"

Eli replied calmly, aware of the reason for their visit and not overly concerned. 

"You are being charged with multiple unlawful murders."

The guard declared, catching him off guard. 

"Me? Charged with murder? Are you certain of that?"

The Sun Elf inquired, eyes wide with disbelief. 

"Yes, in broad daylight, you attacked six men and killed them, without reason."

The guard elaborated. 

"Hmm... How did I supposedly attack them?"

Eli contested, visibly upset at being framed, since as a store owner, he had the right to protect his property by any means necessary. 

"And what about their attempt to break into my store?" 

"There is no evidence of an attempted break-in, sir. However, the men were witnessed being killed in front of your store. When we questioned witnesses, they claimed you attacked them unprovoked."

The guard continued, straightening his posture as a show of confidence.

"So, you claim theirs 'No' evidence, heh?"

The Sun Elf inquired, a smirk spreading across his visage.

"Indeed."

The guard affirmed, casting an anxious glance at the shopkeeper.

"And what of this, then?"

Eli gestured towards a light screen displaying a recording, which Willow had installed to capture video of the shop's interior and exterior in case of incidents. The footage revealed the thugs assaulting the store's barrier ward, attempting to try to force themselves into his store.

"That is... Well."

The guard was taken aback, unprepared for such a turn of events.

"We cannot accept this as evidence; it could have been altered by your magic."

He attempted to rationalize his stance.

"Yet, you accept the testimony of an unknown individual as fact?"

Eli shook his head, then posed a question.

"The Blackheart Family is compensating you, correct?"

"What?"

The guard was visibly startled by the accusation.

"I am asking if the Blackheart Family is paying you."

The Sun Elf reiterated, his jaw set and fists clenched. There seemed no other explanation for the guard's obstinacy; someone must be influencing him, and Eli suspected who.

"I am not receiving any compensation. My duty is to enforce the law, and your 'evidence' could be a fabrication."

The guard asserted, lunging to apprehend Eli, only to be forcefully repelled from the premises in a flash of light.

"Hey you, guard number 2, let me get your attention. Are you aware that you and your partners' actions have just incurred a 400% price increase for your force in my establishment? Both of you will likely be dismissed after relaying this message. Inform your captain that any attempt to purchase potions to circumvent the price hike will result in a ban."

Eli informed the officer, maintaining his smirk.

"But there is evidence."

The man stammered, perspiration beading on his brow.

"You've already witnessed your colleague's fate. Do not attempt anything rash. Now, proceed as instructed and leave, also take the corpses with you."

Guard number two stood there, speechless, his mouth agape. Wisely, he chose to leave posthaste, scolding his partner for involving him in this predicament.

After their departure, Garek smirked at Eli, clearly amused by the way he had handled the guards.

"Regardless, those two are out of a job. The captain of the guards might even present their heads as an apology, hoping to avoid your markups. Yet, they should've known better than to meddle with your store, given you're the sole producer of such unique potions, and yet they dared."

Eli chuckled, pleased to have the support of the Assassin Organization—er, the Tailors.

Business as usual, his store thrived throughout the day. Eli remained inside, savoring the tea party while awaiting the arrival of the Blackheart Family's contractor, Lex.

A few hours before closing, the captain of the guard arrived with the previously seen duo and the Blackheart Family's contractor.

"Hmm, hello? I wasn't expecting you today, Mr. Lex, as I've been waiting all day."

Eli said with a frustrated tone, glaring at them.

Lex tilted his head, feigning confusion at his words, while the guard captain smirked, letting the play take its course.

"And why wouldn't you expect us today? The contract specifies this date!"

"What? But we agreed I would provide the potions after two weeks, not thirteen days"

The Sun Elf retorted.

"Then you should have read the contract more carefully, Mr. Rivers."

Lex said, pushing his glasses up menacingly as the guard captain looked on, seemingly aware of the situation but silent, letting the scene continue to unfold.

A glint appeared in Lex's eyes.

"I do hope you can fulfill your part of the deal, as there are consequences if you fail to deliver the promised potions."

"Huh... Fine, fucker! I'll bring everything you ordered."

Eli sighed, wanting to conclude the matter as soon as possible and spend time with his bunny wife, so he entered his store. Lex smirking leaned toward his assistant, whispering about the unfolding events.

Shortly, the infuriated Sun Elf emerged from the building, followed by his workers, who piled the crates filled with potions on the ground outside, until they finished bringing the correct amout.

"There, all the potions you ordered, just as promised."

Eli announced, grinning as Mr. Lex appeared confused.

"Now, where's my payment, you deceitful fuck?!"

Lex composed himself before paying the remaining half of the contract, five million Gems. This was unexpected, as he had sent mercenaries to sabotage Eli's establishment. Yet, the goods were delivered, mitigating the situation. Still, Lex sensed something amiss.

"Pleasure doing business with you. Now, I hope we never encounter you again."

Eli stated emotionlessly after receiving the payment and waved.

"Wait, what about the extended contract we discussed?"

Lex called out, stopping him before he re-entered his store.

"Oh? You think I'm eager to sign another contract with you, dishonest fucks?"

He asked, his anger evident.

"After you attempted to screw me over by setting the date a day earlier than we agreed upon, huh?"

Lex responded with a steely gaze.

"You ought to have read the contract, which it seems you did."

"And what of the clauses that would have made me your legal servant?"

Eli retorted.

"That's standard procedure."

Lex asserted, attempting to justify the clauses, prompting Eli to roll his eyes.

"Sure, standard. And the thugs that showed up to attack my store, before we were going to finalize the contract?"

Eli challenged.

"I'm not sure what you're referring to."

Lex answered, maintaining a neutral expression, though Eli caught a flicker of surprise and smirked.

"Alright, you know what, you want a new contract? I'll extend you the courtesy of the doubt. I'll sign another one-time agreement."

Lex's relief was palpable as he exhaled deeply.

"However, all Blackheart transactions will incur a 400% surcharge, payable upfront."

Eli declared, grinning broadly, his white teeth gleaming as he fixed his gaze on them.

"What?! That's outrageous!"

Lex protested.

"Outrageous, you say? Very well."

Eli interjected, both men easing at his words.

"Make it 500% then. Does that sound better?"

RACE: Sun Elf

NAME: Eli Rivers

Level: D-

Job Level: 6

Health Points: 6,530

Mana Points: 6,465

Stamina Points: 8,570

Attunement: 13

Vitality: 13

Endurance: 17

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 19

Perception: 15

Skill: 16

Charisma: 16

Luck: 18

Skill Points: 5

Job History: Adventure, Alchemist