HC:Pacifist | Ch. 43 - One Glowshroom

CHARACTER INFORMATION

Name: Pax

Race: Human

Profession(s): [Broker]

Level: 9 (9.250/100.000)

Affinity: [Empty]

Alignment: Neutral (90/100)

Relationships: Dogs (102/300); Swine (405/1000) (Ravens (656/1000); Badgers (643/1000); Foxes (614/1000); Mice (1125/3000); Greenleaf Inc. (100/300)

Titles: [Martyr]; [Marathonist]; [Friend of Ratans]; [Overachiever]; [Revered]; [Art Enthusiast]; [Friend of Foxes]; [Friend of Badgers]; [Friend of Corvids]; [Friend of Boars]; [Polyglot]; [Richling]

STATS (45 Free Stat Points)

Hp:121

Energy:128

Damage Reduction: 31.6%

Running Speed: 144.2%

Weight: [Light] - (0/52,65)

Strength: 21

Dexterity: 18

Intelligence: 23 (+1%)

Wisdom: 20

Endurance: 223

Charisma: 21

EQUIPMENT

Right Hand:[Empty]

Left hand: [Tin Ring]

Shoes: [Crappy Shoes]

Bottom: Moldy Trousers

Top: [Horrible Vest]

Gloves: [Empty]

Head: [Crow Feather Tiara]

Cape: [Errand Cloak]

Accessories: [Crow Feather Earring]; [Crow Feather Earring]; [Crow Feather Necklace]

SKILLS:

Stat Bonuses: [Stone Skin]; [Horse’s Gallop]

Profession Related: [Discount]; [Porter]

Passive: [Empty]

Active: [Healing Ray]; [Shepherd’s Shout]; [Taunting Shout]; [Grapple]

Roth felt his heart racing and his breaths flooded oxygen into his lungs. It felt great to see one's avatar making some progress. Now that he was on a dopamine high, he didn't want to stop. It was time to go turn in the other quests. He left the two best for last to end things on a high.

The one he had done the worst with had been the fox trade agreement. The fox ginseng wasn't an altogether uncommon item, and he hadn't been able to turn in a lot of profit. He hoped it would be enough to secure the deal.

As he made it through the usual crowd of noobs, Roth slowed his pace, puffed up his chest, put on a smug face, and slowly walked toward the tablet. Others were pointing fingers at him and whispering to each other. Roth rejoiced at the feeling of being appreciated. He knew it was something shallow, but he had put on some new gear, after all. There was nothing wrong in showing it off just a little. Look at that. Even those girls couldn't stop throwing looks at him. He waved at them and saw them blush. It was a good feeling, thought Roth as he entered the dungeon.

*

"What's wrong with him?" A girl in beginner clothes with a mace in her hands said, pointing at Roth.

"What a terrible sense of fashion. Aren't those accessories you can get in Raven's Nests?"

"What a lucky guy. He got the whole set?"

"Do you think he got that gear from hunting?" chastised the tallest of the three. "He is probably rich and has purchased it with real-life money."

"What I don't get is why would someone with money have the best accessories you can get below level 15 and still have the rest of the gear look so crappy. He must be a five-year-old."

"How can he be a five-year-old, you stupid? Don't you see his size? You can't fake your size too much in the game." Seeing that the girls were looking at him, the player in ragged clothes, cape, and feathery outfit, waved at them smiling. The girls all felt blood rush to their heads and their cheeks burning. As Roth disappeared, they gathered and discussed in hushed angry tones. "What do we do?"

"Goodness. What an embarrassment. Other people will think we're friends with that idiot!"

*

Now inside the cave, Roth howled a greeting to everyone. He got a choir of howls in return. Today everything was turning up Roth. He went to the chamber that led to the baroness and asked for permission to enter. As he waltzed in, he saw the baroness still busily scribbling away at documents and papers. He wondered if she kept working when he wasn't looking. Did her work accomplish something for the foxes? How did she send letters? Roth was pulled out of his thoughts by another robbery.

The Baroness has reclaimed 5 gold and 5 silver from your inventory

Quest Completed

Completion Rate: B+

Rewards: 12.500(+1250)XP; 12.500(+1250) Broker XP; [Fox Trade Agreement]

Bonus Rewards: 5000(+500)XP; 5000(+500)XP; 3x[Fox Ginseng]

[Broker Ledger] updated.

Congratulations on completing a trade between [Fox Baroness] and [Greensburg]

+Broker 1250XP; 1% of the profit. (1 silver), +20 reputation with all foxes.

Roth sighed in relief. He had known that it was unlikely that he would get even an A for this quest. It was the first time he was getting anything below A. Although he hadn't obtained a better profit margin, he still had secured some profit and had been judged capable of representing the foxes in commerce. That was all he needed to know. He checked the trade agreements he had just secured in his ledger.

Fox Trade Agreement {Exclusive}

You have earned the right to represent the Fox Baroness as her broker.

Specialty products:

[Fox Ginseng] - 3 per day

[Wild Garlic] - 10 per day

[Wild Onion] - 15 per day

Procured goods:

[Empty]

Rate:

You keep 1% of all profits generated

You need to perform one sale every week, or you will lose broking exclusivity

Something told Roth that all the boosts he had to carry extra weight would be useful soon. There was going to be a lot to transport back and forth.

"Thank you very much, Baroness."

"You're welcome, human. I look forward to your next visit." As she performed a very subtle bow, her mind returned to what she was writing. She dipped a feather in an ink pot and, content with how its edge was wet enough, went back to writing. As Roth looked at the feather and the pile of documents, his eyes widened; he paused for a few seconds and then probed the baroness.

"Excuse me, Baroness, do you use many of those?" he gestured toward the pen.

"Oh yes. I go through them quite quickly."

"I ask because I have been in touch with the Ravens. I know you are friends with Count Crow. Have you considered trading some of your goods for the raven's feathers?"

"Hmmm... Count Crow gives me a few of his when I ask, but I know some foxes within these dens would appreciate them. If not to write, perhaps to stuff pillows."

"Would you... like me to help you get more raven feathers?"

"That would be alright. Yes. I like the idea. Let me know the details once you've ironed them out for us, OK?"

An item has been added to the Fox Trade Agreement procured items list.

Roth was careful this time not to break into dance until after he had left the cave. The last time he did so, it cost him some reputation points with the foxes. He used some of his legendary dance steps as soon as he came into the light of day. I must look so cool doing this, he thought. Especially now that I have these cool new accessories. Hearing a sharp shrilling scream behind him, he was startled and frightened. Three girls right behind him were running off in a panic. What was wrong with those three?

*

"What an idiot!"

"Yeah. Did you see how ridiculous he looked while dancing like that?"

"Uuuh. I think he got the impression we like him or something."

"Whatever, let's go to the Rat Cave instead. We aren't level 6 yet, so we can still get some drops from the mobs there. We'll go back to the Fox Tunnels later."

*

Roth's mind went back to the feature he had just discovered. He could offer products to factions! If he could sell items they produced, why couldn't he sell them items other factions produced too? This opened a whole new world of possibilities.

Maybe he didn't even have to leave these woods to get some experience as a broker. After all, hadn't old Oscar been able to do business while not leaving? Roth hesitated. Perhaps, before he did this, he would just run it by Oscar first. He didn't want to encroach on his turf. He'd been so defensive of it when he had mentioned the presence of Oli, the cat burglar. After putting his thoughts in order and assessing his gains, Roth sprinted toward the Rat Cave. He had left the two most valuable quests for last. He couldn't wait to see what rewards he would get from these two.

Roth felt a tingling sensation in his chest and a relaxation on his neck, as if he was coming home after a long day at work. For some reason, he felt a special attachment to the little creatures found amongst the list of weakest mobs in the game. They were unpretentious, humble, and good-natured. He found himself chuckling and smiling every time he was with them. They were also the faction that first showed him how to develop his character.

He once again gloriously marched in front of the rat cave. He was caught by surprise seeing the three girls he had seen earlier at the Fox Tunnels run away again. Were they chasing after him or something? They must have been so dazzled by his cool accessories that they came to take a closer look, but when they got within talking distance, they must have gotten cold feet and ran away. What a fun group they were.

Roth ignored the many dismissive looks around him and entered the dungeon. He was home. He strolled through the tunnel, carefully sharing a quip or joke with any group of mice he bumped into.

"What do you call a Ratan shroud in an enigma?"

"I don't know! What do you call 'em?"

"Anonymouse." The mice began laughing.

"Human, we have one for you. What do you call the leader of the mice army? A great st-rat-agist." Roth chuckled.

Farther into the tunnels, one Ratan took the initiative to approach him. "Martyr, it's been long since we last saw you. My little pup picked this up for you. Please have it."

You have been given 1x[Glowshroom].

Roth stared incredulously at the offer. A tear rolled down his cheek. Receiving a spontaneous gift was different from being given a reward after you had worked for someone. When was the last time someone had given him anything, not because they feared him, but because they liked him?

The more he thought about it, the more it touched his heart. He broke down crying. He knew this was a computer game. It wasn't real, but it sure felt like it was. The rat in front of him leaned his head to a side and then to the other, and then, surprisingly, came and patted Roth's foot as if it was comforting a child. Roth just kept crying.

He missed his mom. It had been one month, but even with these rewards, he wasn't anywhere near the top 10. He wondered if he was ever coming out. Some part of Roth's mind asked him why he was crying at the happiest of times when he was about to collect rewards from a quest. The other part of him that was crying screamed in frustration that it did not want any more ones and zeros. It just wanted to be out.

Another two or three rats came nearer and patted him on his back until Roth had calmed down. He wiped the tears off his face. What had gotten into him? He took a few deep breaths and tried to relax. This tiny mushroom had opened up the dams of his heart, and all his emotions came pouring out of him.

Trying to dispel the gloomy cloud that had abated over him, Roth checked his stats and confirmed that ratans were the only faction with which he had the revered status. Being gifted small items such as this must have been a part of the perks granted to anyone unlocking this relationship status with someone. He held the mushroom close to his chest and, turning to the rat, said in a broken voice.

"Thank you, my friend. Please thank your little pup for me, too, OK?"

Roth picked himself back up. He couldn't let the sadness get the better of him. His path was dark, but not without a light at the end of the tunnel. He had work to do. He had to get out of there and get his life back.

Ch. 42 - Dashing New Look

INDEX

Ch. 44 - Irrecognizable