YM778.TV Chapter 98: Kim
Nobody stopped them from going inside. Jael wasn\'t surprised that the inside was just exactly like an inn with chairs and tables and people eating.
The difference was that those eating were members of the silent dagger.
Cormac headed towards the innkeeper\'s table and removed a black card from his ring. "I want the most expensive two-fanged pock."
Cormac didn\'t keep his voice down and everyone froze when they heard. It wasn\'t uncommon for there to be VIPs, but it was rare. They turned and studied the newcomers with new interest.
Jael shifted uneasily with all the attention. \'And what did Cormac do to get the VIP card anyway? It seemed something important, and he said he has for most of the gangs here.\' he couldn\'t help but think of this.
The innkeeper dropped the cup he was cleaning and cleared his throat. "For how many?"
"I\'ll take their plates. Make the food the highest quality."
The man froze, and his eyes widened slightly; he looked at the three of them intently. "For that quality....that\'ll cost a lot." Your adventure continues at m v|l-e\'-NovelBin.net
"I know."
The man nodded. He beckoned them to follow him, and he opened a door behind the counter for them. Although they don\'t have to go through the back and forth with words, it\'s especially useful for knowing who\'s a spy customer and who\'s not.
He led them through a lit hallway that led downwards underground. "Well, now that we are here. Can you tell me what you want so I can send word in advance.....?"
"There\'s no need. Just lead us to the leader."
The Silent Dagger has three leaders, each overseeing different types of work they do. This one deals with information. They walked silently behind the man until he reached a set of stone doors, he chose one.
"I\'m sorry, but I have to remind you that Master is currently busy, but you can wait for him till he\'s done." The door opened without him touching it.
Jael and the others followed behind, and what they saw made them pause. The room is big and arranged with chairs elevated facing a platform.
"And what about this slave? He\'s human, but he\'s strong of limbs; he\'ll be useful for labor and....."
The innkeeper turned to them. "The leader is currently held up by today\'s auction. You can also join if you have anything you want to buy, but otherwise, you can come this way."
Part of what Ryker said came back to Jael then. \'Aren\'t they serious about all this because it was someone they knew? What if Litha was the one in one of the cages....\'
Jael turned and followed the man. \'That\'s right. Only those who have power over others can dedicate what\'s right\'
Does that make him a hypocrite? Jael accepted that with a small nod of his head. "I\'ve not been to an auction like this before. Are these people Awakeners?"
The innkeeper was only too glad to start a conversation with them; he led them to a small room at the back of the auction room. "This is the leader\'s office, but till I can hand you over to him you are my responsibility!"
Jael twitched. Hermit didn\'t need to warn him, he could already sense the presence of Awakeners concealed around the room with decorations. But they couldn\'t completely erase their presence, their bloodlust leaked through.
Or maybe that was intentional too. Temur shared a glance with him and his face said. \'If they try anything funny then we burn the whole thing down\'
The innkeeper waited until they sat, and then he replied to Jael\'s question. "Some of them are Awakeners but most of them are normal beings of their races. Since they are not Awakeners they can\'t the mana pressure of each floor."
Jael understood what he was saying. Normal humans can live on the highest floor of the Tower and won\'t even feel the subtle pressure the floor gives off, but it\'s not advisable because of the danger from monsters.
After several words have been destroyed by monsters, some people leave their world behind and join Guilds that\'ll take them into the Tower and help them settle.
Isn\'t it more dangerous in the Tower than outside? Jael has asked that also but the difference between the two is protection. Here in the Tower, at least, they had protection from Guilds and organizations if they were ready to work for them.
But that\'s mostly for average and poor people back in their world. People like Argent, who is rich, can buy power and even get ranked even though he\'s as normal as they come.
Jael shook his head. Awakeners mostly leave normal people or Half-Awakened alone, there\'s nothing to gain after all. But some people and organizations like to buy slaves.
It\'s illegal, of course, but when has something being illegal ever stopped people from doing it?
".....most are captured and smuggled here from the outside. It\'s a good business for the Half-Awakened...!"
The door opened just then, and a man strode inside; he was tall and wore a black and white suit, his hair the color of dry straw. "Ah! I\'m tired! I\'m not supposed to be handling the auction today. What a load of bullshit happening to...."
He paused and his eyes passed over them. "Ah. Guests."
Jael knew he must know they were here was he pretending?
The Innkeeper bowed to him. "This is the VIP, Leader Kim."
Kim turned to them then, he smiled. "I can count the VIP on our list, and I\'m surprised to see you, Cormac! This is the first time I\'m seeing you here in silent dagger after you collected your card."
Cormac shrugged. "Someone paid good enough money for it."
Kim\'s eyes landed on Jael and Temur, and he smiled. It wasn\'t a bad smile; in fact, it reminded Jael of Thayer. It was a businessman\'s smile. A calculated one. "Sure, why don\'t you come here and we can talk?"