Potential partnership

"First of all, how did you know I was under that rock?"

Reed held his opponent at gunpoint and asked his first question.

"Before you answer, let me tell you that I have a trait that tells me when someone is lying." He stared at where their eyes should be and lied blatantly without hesitation.

They listened to Reed's words, nodded, and began to speak.

"It's because of my trait, [All-seeing eye]." The response was short and to the point, but Reed wanted to know more about it.

"What does it do?"

"It gives me the ability to see using thermal vision, allowing me to see heat signals around me, as well as see through obstacles like walls."

'True, but that's not all there is to it.' "What else?" He asked, and heard them take a breath before speaking.

"It also gives me night vision and telescopic vision." They seemed slightly annoyed at having to give away their information, and Reed could sympathize, unfortunately for them, they were enemies, so Reed had no mercy.

Reed felt as if that wasn't all there was to it, but he had a time limit.

"How many traits do you have?"

"Three. [All-seeing eye], as I've told you, the other two are named [Protective reflex] and [Iron guard]."

They took a deep breath, and continued.

"[Protective reflex] makes me automatically dodge lethal attacks the best I can, and [Iron guard] makes me resistant to fire, lightning, and sharp attacks."

While they were talking, Reed could feel a tinge of anger in them, that was quickly replaced by indifference, which he used to conclude that they had probably realized and accepted that this would probably be their last round.

"I'm not answering any more questions."

'Since I'm going to lose, why should I tell you my information?'

Reed determined that their thought process was most likely something along these lines.

"Don't be too hasty." He said and lowered his gun. "As I said, I want to make a deal with you, but it will only be possible if I know more about you."

He was still very much on guard against them, but he needed them to trust him.

"Now, if you don't mind, can I know in which kingdom and city you are currently?"

He spoke with a calm and relaxed tone.

They lowered their hands, and Reed could tell with great certainty that they were deliberating the pros and cons of revealing the information of their location.

It seemed like the pros outweighed the cons in their head, as they started to speak.

"I'm in Silwater city, in the central part of the central empire."

Reed's mouth curved into a grin as the words that he heard registered in his mind.

"Very good, it seems like we can make a deal after all."

"But before we go any further, hear me out." He approached them slowly, as he began laying out his plan.

"I want to make a deal between us, a partnership of sorts, to better survive in this world, do you agree? If you do, we will arrange to meet, otherwise there is nothing more to talk about."

As he said that, Reed concentrated, looking at the one in front of him, if they decided to attack him, he would swiftly retaliate.

They maintained a silence for ten seconds, before agreeing to Reed's proposal.

"I'm in."

"Excellent, please take off your helmet," Reed said as he took off his own. Willing for the distortion around his figure to disappear. "And just use your will to reveal yourself to me."

They stared at him for a moment, before reaching to their head and removing their knightly helmet, as they did so, the distortion around them disappeared as well.

They had light brown skin, with black hair reaching their shoulder blades, and brown eyes.

"My name is Relevant Reed Record, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Reed extended his right arm for a handshake which she took.

"My name is Avalyn Word." Reed's left eyebrow twitched. Please just call me Lyn." 

'Avabellia and Avalyn.' He wondered if they were related.

"Pleasure to meet you Lyn, but we have little time, so let us first set up a place to meet in the world, okay?" She had a firm grip.

"That's fine, but I don't know where you are."

"I don't think that you know of the city of D'ram? No? To be expected, anyway, it's a small city in the north-east of the central empire."

He pulled up his panel and opened the map, showing his new partner where it was located.

"Here." He said after she saw what he wanted to show, then, manipulating the map to show the city where she said she was located, spoke again.

"This is you, correct?" He asked, and when she nodded, he moved the map to show another location.

"This is a major city, and it's the closest one as well, I suggest that we meet here in two months' time, is that acceptable?"

She nodded and was about to speak when Reed cut her off.

"Its name is Boltbird City, it will take 7 days of travel for you to get there. It has a hotel by the name of Gold Rise, by what I've heard, it should be affordable, if not there should be other options."

Reed turned to Lyn.

"I want you to meet me there after 60 days, I will stay at that hotel for a minimum of 10 days, you can find me there, if you don't show up, I will eventually leave that place, and our partnership will be null and void."

"Is this arrangement alright?" He stopped and waited for a response.

"Hmm. I will meet you there then." She said and a book and pen appeared in her hand, which she used to note down the location he had spoken about, as well as the time.

Reed waited for her to finish taking her notes, and while she was doing that, the alert popped into their vision.

[Five minutes left]