Chapter 44: Upgrade Completed (1/2)
Khrom eyed Kadyn with a surprised face. He never thought that Kadyn would be daring enough to offer him a job, even after knowing that he was a criminal, trying to hide from his enemies. He thought about something and said, ”I need some time to think about it.”
Although Kadyn was a little disappointed at his reply, he still respects his decision. He can't force anyone to work for him after all—Khrom was well aware of the workings of the city. He was also proficient in disguise, as he can see. Therefore Kadyn wanted him to collect some intelligence for him about the big shots of the city, especially about Association. So when the time of battle with them arises, he won't be caught off guard.
”It's alright,” Kadyn nodded. ”Take your time and think about it carefully.”
After that he took out two vials of high grade potions and passed them to Khrom. ”Here, didn't you come here for these?”
”But I didn't complete the work you asked me to do.” Khrom shook his head. ”You have already gotten the herb.”
”I have asked about the whereabouts of the herb,” Kadyn replied, ”that you have already told me. Take this.”
Kadyn shoved the vials and said. ”I'm not giving you for free. You've earned it.”
Khrom knew that he was doing this to show his goodwill—he couldn't help but feel that Kadyn was worth his friendship. ”Alright,” he said, ”I won't be courteous then.”
”What are your thoughts regarding the Association?” Kadyn asked suddenly. ”Why do you think they haven't attacked yet? I'm just a weak shopkeeper. They should have come to destroy me as soon as they heard about the matter regarding the Elder Yel.”
Khrom glanced at him and said seriously. ”Well, if you haven't given me the potions, I wouldn't have bothered telling you this, but,” he looked at him meaningfully, ”let me tell you that Elder Yel has already woken up. He told that there is something very powerful inside your shop and they shouldn't make a move recklessly.
”Elder Yel said that your shop protected by powerful formations—that's how he got injured—no ordinary Rank 1 Spell Caster could threaten you inside it.”
”As expected of the old fox, he could see that the attack was the work of formation.” Kadyn cursed. Now he needs to be more careful and he can't go outside the shop as he pleases. At this moment he understood why Khrom hesitated to accept his offer. He wondered how he knew all this information, but he didn't probe about it. Everyone has their secrets.
”Do you think they would hinder my business to drive me out of the shop?” he asked
”Well it's not impossible,” Khrom said and stood up. ”Alright, I will take my leave.”
Kadyn remained sitting even after Khrom left, deep in thinking. After a while he sighed and walked towards the Potion Hall. He wanted to brew a few potions and wanted to auction them. At first he didn't care about the status and much, he thought he could trample anyone with power. However now he realised that status was also a kind of shield.
That's why he wanted to sell the potions to people with status. Though the Association could stop commoners from coming to his shop, they won't do anything extreme against those influential families. Otherwise who will believe in the Association—they might even rebel against them—so the Association needed to be more careful dealing with them.