Shifting to first person because I heard people don't like third person stories. °o'
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'i never wanted to enter this damn place again.', the horror of my past haunted me as I stood before the biggest enemy of mine- the job guild.
It was different one from the one in my town but still it was infuriating to o visit one of places I hated with a passion.
I looked at it, scanning it's structure and compared it to the one I know in my memories. "The size of a mall with hundreds of shops, a stupid dome shaped that makes it look like a egg with those marbel tiles and lastly.. those stupid salesmen."
Grinding my teeth in silence i entered the guild, my face and figure hooded in a golden cloak that made me appear like a priest.
This was the best decision I ever made and I was thankful for it. There is a saying in the guild no.. the whole world. "Don't try your luck with a priest, they will drown you will tales and stories that you don't care about."
So walked mumbling some untranslatable stuff even I didn't know a thing about while walking down the market like streets with salesmans scurrying around.
Walking a little further I could see it, the lines to the caretaker (mercenary receptionist) and the task crew (Job list staff). I kept walking however from the corner of my eye I saw a shop.
"Keep of souls and wills. Is that what I think it is?", my curiosity peaked as turned my direction and went towards the shop.
It wasn't very big, just about 15 something in width with the board taking half of the height. A frame of black glass hide the shop but anybody with a normal brain could sense what was inside.
DING DING
The bells rang as they greeted a possible guest, my arrival already sensed by the owner who now look at me from behind the counter.
" A human? No.. you are more than a normal human." He said to me, seemingly confused as he did so.
I was confused. "What makes you say so?" I asked him, his gaze locked onto me as if staring at a masterpiece.
He wasn't a human, it wouldn't even be wrong to call him a dead person because that is what he was. A living skull surrounded by a body of dark mana- a wraith.
The shopkeeper laughs lightly, the skull teeths clashing as did so as he phased through the counter and arrived in front of me and greeted with a bow. "It's your soul. It doesn't rhyme with this world... Atleast not yet. Name's Slod, Slod the soul keeper."
"Argus." I replied nochalantly and recieved a side eye.
The two of us took seat, if you can take Floating over one as a yes that is. We sat face to face, the atmosphere becoming a battle of wits as we glared into eachother's eyes as we both know what coming.
" Say it lad. What do ya want to buy?"
" A contract.. a contract of subordination for a Umberal."
The shopkeeper smiled smugly, his grin so wide that even I felt it terrifying. He came closer until he was floating g right next to me and asked "Male or female?".
I was dumbfounded, i expected something like a smuggling statement or negotiations but this was way too unexpected. I turned to him and saw his half invisible hand on his mouth with tint of excitement.
"Stop your dirty mind!" I roared at him, my face filled with surprise he saw right through.
"a Female I see. Well with how much of beauty those are I won't say it will be a waste..", he circles around the counter and brought a parchment from a chest in the corner. "Umberals need durable ones, 150 tier 1 soul stones ."
Bang
I didn't say anything and slammed down a pouch right in front of him as if waiting for him.
He was stunned, he slowly shifted his eyes from the pouch to me again with a expression as if asking " I expected you to haggle.".
Silence filled the room.
"Well that was easy."
" You say as if you expected more."
" I generally do. I didn't expect to get outsmarted like this."
The shopkeeper sighs, the parchment already hovering to my hands as he grabbed the pouch and treasured it and sat across me again.
We both smiled, each satisfied with the deal but- there was something we both wanted and we knew what it was.
"Ethan's pupil eh? I heard about you in one of our messages."
"So did I. Slod the soul k–.. Reaper" i said with a expectant face as the atmosphere turned from one of a shop to a battlefields, "Did you also?"
"Smell it? No. I ain't like Grevois and his disgusting nose. I had a small ring sent for you once.", his finger pointed at the ring that has been stuck on my finger like a curse till childhood.
We sighed. Each disappointment by eachother's lack of excitement as the wraith just turned and gestures for me to leave in silence.
I stood up and turned to the door, walking forward to open it. At that time a voice came-
" Come back everyonce in a while. This doors will always be open for you."
"I will.", I nodded in agreement and left the shop with the parchment in my bag.
My work here was done and now it was time to go back, back to the darkness of the city to do what I must.
*********
" I won't!"
"You will have to... Come back here."
The house was in a turmoil as I chased after the girl like a Phantom while she ran around in panic.
The floor, the ceiling and even the walls. I left no corner unturned, no shadow unchecked as the chase became the embodiment of prop hunt.
But by bit i searched each shadow until reaching the bed room. It wasn't a big one, just a small room with one double bed, two side tables and a small orb like item which supposingly was a better and compact version of modern A/Cs from my past world.
Well ignoring all of that I moved, leaving no corner unturned as even the smallest shadow could lead to her escape.
"I will find you eventually. Hiding will only waste our time you know?" I asked her creepily, my vision scattered across the room.
Tap Tap Tap
The sound my steps echoes, it even scarred me a little in the silence but i couldn't afford to be distracted for even a second.
Then I saw her. The Umberal girl Thief i captured three days ago and her crow, they were coming out of the shadow of bed. There arms raises for a battle as they took hold a pen and–. "PUT HIM DOWN!!" I screamed after what I saw.
Avi was in her hands, the pencil in crow's claws was aimed at his eye but he didn't knew what that was so he acted like a child with toy.
The girl turned to me, her coal coloured skin and emerald like eyes looking like a star of the night as she threatens me. "You think I will just agree!? Take one step. I dare you!"
"I am warning you! If see even a scratch on his skin then you're dead." I threatened back as the scroll rose to my hands. " We can do this the easy way you–.. thief."
"I TOLD YOU MY NAME YESTERDAY! HOW DID YOU FORGET ALREADY?"
"It's confusing alright! Now put him down."
"No."
"We both know it don't we?"
"I guess so *sighs* but i ain't signing some unfair contract."
We both threw away our weapons and sat at the opposite end of the room. The girl put down Avi as he walked it off like a normal sunday. "I am envious!" I said in jealousy.
"Who wouldn't? A kid's life is the best life." The girl agreed with me, her words also hinting at her inner wounds that she would rather hide.
Step by the step we walked until we sat side by side on the bed. Our eyes were locked and there was not a hint of anger in them, just frustration.
"Do you have to do this to your wife?"
"When in hell did you become my wife?" I looked at her confusion and she pouted. "A kiss doesn't mean anything."
"It does for me!" She leaned forward, grabbing my collar as she showed a anxious front and fearful gaze.
I sighed, my cold persona already broken and shattered in front of her as she circled around and hugged me from behind. " Who knew capturing a thief would get me into this hassle?"
"Who are you calling a hassle? I am–... Forget it. Tell me this...when do we drop the act?"
We both spun, our fists colliding as I was clearly the losing one yet somehow managed to deflect her punch thanks to one thing.
—
[Skill- Combat mastery]
[Classification- Special category( multi-layered)]
[Proficiency- 30%(1st layer)]
[Skill effects- 1: parry, 2:?, 3:?]
—
Now with nothing to hold us back, we release our frustrations on eachother like the two mortal enemies we are.
Smiling as we fought, grinning as we moved, living as we won.