Chapter 884 (1/2)

Due to the relative peace of Scant, Randidly was just letting the noises, smells, and pressures of the crowd wash over him. It was not very enjoyable to stay here, but it was a necessary evil. He would need to make preparations here before he could move forward.

One step at a time... Randidly released a breath and closed his eyes, just in time to feel someone reach for Acri, who was hanging around his neck like a necklace and yank.

Of course, Acri sensed this too and surged into motion. Without any of the sort of restraint that Randidly would display. It wiggled out of the way of the grasp and then lashed out with one of a few tiny blades that were almost like Thorn's that Acri was now mimicking from its older sibling. Acri's shaft became like a razor whip that ripped through the air toward the offender.

Grimacing, Randidly reached up and caught Acri with his metallic left arm. Looks like Acri was learning aggressive tendencies from Thorn as well. That would hopefully be tempered by some time apart.

With his other hand, Randidly snagged the little thief. She was young and skinny, a beggar, with incongruously bright blue eyes for one so dirty and smelly. In the first second after Randidly snagged her wrist, she exploded into motion like a feral cat, hissing and clawing. But her fingernails were a far cry from the strength and toughness that she needed in order to harm Randidly through his growing Endurance.

Stoically he endured it, examining her carefully. Obviously, she wasn’t a threat. He hadn’t even registered her movements because they seemed so harmless. Yet to do something so foolhardy as trying to rob a stranger in a System governed world...

After that initial burst of energy, the beggar went as limp as a wet rag, allowing Randidly to be the only force holding her aloft. Sighing, Randidly let go of her and allowed her to drop, which caused her to begin to cry.

Inwardly, Randidly groaned. With these sort of developments... what she said next was probably going to be something like...

”Just kill me,” The young girl whispered, her eyes on the ground. ”What's the point? Without money, me and my brother...Our lives mean nothing...”

The Crown you wear is one of Upheaval and Gloom, Randidly thought furiously at himself. That is the burden you bear. You must survive the Calamities, and to do that you must grow strong. Focused and strong. By walking the dark Paths and destroying the established ways.

Yet in spite of those thoughts, Randidly crouched down next to the girl so that their eyes were on the same level. Slowly, those brilliant blue eyes rose, watering and intimidated, to meet his gaze that was so vividly emerald that the girl had to blink several times as their eyes met.

There are no perfect Paths, just appropriate ends…. Even if it’s a slight distraction, I can’t just walk away...

”You... think quickly because I'll only ask this once. Can you and your brother guide me through Scant?”

An obviously leading question. Randidly could help this girl and her sibling, but for all her plight Randidly wouldn't give her any sort of concrete aid until he knew her personality a little better. Money would be as quickly given as stolen again if that money were given to one as weak as this. Equipment would be more trouble than it was worth. And what would a young girl do with a bar of iron?

As for an Aether Connection... Randidly steeled himself against giving one out casually, for all that this child was clearly in dire straights.

Poverty was one of the few things that the System left entirely intact, Randidly thought sadly as he looked at the girl. This was the help he could give her, a chance for him to see the goodness in her and consider what other specific assistance he could provide that would be useful. Perhaps a vision of an image or Skill to inspire her.

In the back of his mind, Randidly felt his Crown of Upheaval and Gloom suffusing his Soulspace with its meaning. He felt its stark practicality and dangerous edges. Yet if he could truly assist this girl with it...

But the girl began to cry harder and twisted away. Randidly had let go of her when she collapsed, so she easy regained her footing and sprinted away through the crowd. Within a few seconds, she was gone.

Very slowly, Randidly stood. The words she had spoken...

Just kill me. Without money, me and my brother...

Randidly's metallic left hand screeched in protest as it clenched into a fist filled with crushing force.

I can't save everyone.

It was an easy truth to acknowledge, but a hard one to hold. To wear a Crown is to have the ability to open Paths for those who agree to follow you.

Yet for those who will not follow, what could be done? His Crown above his head seemed to ask. You do not rule a peaceful kingdom. You struggle to manage the ending of the world. Don’t flinch as flows of blood beneath your feet begin to accumulate.