Chapter 45: Crawling in the Shadows (2/2)

Anton glared at the newcomer, a little too drunk to fully understand the oddness of the situation. ”I don't know who you are stranger, but you better be carefully how talk to me.”

”Of course, of course. I haven't introduced myself yet. You can call me Grimm. I'm a big fan of yours. I just thought it was a shame that you've never gotten the recognition you so rightly deserved.”

Anton huffed. ”Well you got that right. Its a damn shame, is what it is.” He went to take another swig of his drink, but he'd forgotten that he'd already emptied it.

He tossed the mug angrily, and Grimm with a serious stare. ”So, what is it that you want? I can't imagine that you just came here to talk over old triumphs.”

Grimm raised its hands in a placating gesture. ”I represent an organization that is looking to bring in some....new blood, so to speak. We want powerful individuals, ones with the skills and experience to handle all kinds of situations.”

”Huh, then you haven't really been keeping up with me. Ever since my knee injury, I'm a shadow of my former self.” Anton replied huskily, eyes staring into an unseen distance.

He lost most of left knee joint in a particularly bad encounter with a chimera. He was able to have the majority of the wound healed, but he had never been able to bend it properly since. This caused him to walk with an awkward lurch. Additionally, he had almost rendered himself destitute in order to pay for the treatment he had received. The combination of factors had led to his retirement from active adventuring.

”Ah, but you see, that's the crux of my argument. We can offer you,” Grimm leaned conspiratorially, making sure to enunciate his next words, ”full...recovery.”

Anton looked shocked. He new very well the kind of price he would need to pay to have a divine caster treat his injury. Even as an active Rank 6 adventurer, that kind of money was out of reach.

”Really?” He whispered, almost daring to hope.

”Of course, such a thing is a simple matter for our organization. Indeed, we can even offer a few special items that will greatly increase your strength. Join us, and I can guarantee that you will soon be a match for any Rank 8 adventurer.”

Anton looked interested, but he retained enough of his sense to recognize the offer for what it was, a deal with the devil.

”And what would your organization want from me in return for these gifts?”

”We are planning a little event in the near future. Help us with it, and we can get you exactly what you want. As soon as its over, you are welcome to walk away with everything.”

It sounded far too good to be true, but he couldn't help being tempted. Anton pictured what his life would be like on its current path, a washed up shell of a man, quietly wasting away in this backwater. If he could change that, alter that grim fate, what would he be willing to give? His honor? His soul?

He was suddenly reminded of a blood-red crystalline heart, and the newbie adventurer that brought it to him. He could still picture the look of disdain from that upstart. Rage coursed through him. Rage at the newbie, at his own destiny.

Anton clenched a fist and spoke in a low, rough voice. ”Tell me more.”

It was impossible for the office manager to tell, but at that moment, Grimm smiled for the first time in a very long while. After all, it had just gotten exactly what it wanted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike sneezed. He had been getting weird reactions from his Detect Hostile Intent skill all morning, and it was starting to get on his nerves.

Philip, who was providing a near-constant source of hostile intent, was still complaining, off and on, about Mike. It had proven highly distracting, but he still caught flashes of intent that seemed both intense and distant. He hoped the skill wasn't malfunctioning somehow.

”I still can't believe that you are saddling us with an unknown quantity on this potentially dangerous mission.” Philip was saying, for about the fifth time since they had left the city.

”Would you give it a rest! I can't stand any more complaining. The decision has been made. DEAL WITH IT!” Kate had finally had enough of Philip's whining and snapped at him.

Philip responded by getting moody and silent, but everyone could tell he was going to start up again soon.

Mike decided that it would be best to head this off before it evolved into a fight. ”So...perhaps you can give me a little more information regarding this mission I've signed up for?”

The trio exchanged glances, and then started explaining.