Chapter 104: Contract (1) (1/2)
”Hey. Fargo. I heard about something interesting last night.” Glint said as he and his party mates walked to their usual training spot just a few kilometers west of Grenvale.
”Oh? You heard something interesting last night? I did too. It sounded like , 'Oh! Oh Glint! Touch me here.' ” Fargo did his best, most cheesy impression of Glint's late night antics -- right down to groping his chest in a highly suggestive way.
Glint rolled his eyes while Ashe chuckled to himself.
”Obviously, besides that…” Glint said, trying to change the subject, ” I heard about this chapel, Memento Mori. Supposedly you can join and leave freely, with no restriction. And while you're a part of the chapel you can double or even triple the amount of xp you gain.”
”Oh? That's weird. I was actually going to run the same thing by you two after today's grind session. I talked to a healer who mentioned the same place a couple of days ago.” Fargo seemed surprised that Glint was the one to bring up a chapel.
*He even sounds interested. I've been trying to get these two to join a chapel for months now. Ashe just goes along with whatever Glint says and ..well Glint always dismisses it.
I was certain he'd do the same today, or at the least I'd have to do a shit ton of talking to even get him to listen. Maybe the honey trap is really the way to go..* Fargo thought in response to Glint's surprise suggestion. In fact, Glint's dismissal was the only reason Fargo hadn't mentioned the chapel invite sooner.
”Ashe? What do you think?” Fargo asked. He wanted to be doubly sure so he posed the question to Ashe despite already knowing the answer. Ashe, ever the quiet one, simply shrugged and replied, ”I'm fine with it if he is.”
”And...are you fine with checking this place out? We don't really have to commit to anything. We just pop in, check it out and -- if things are on the level we can see what it's all about.” Fargo asked, even sprinkling his proposal with an ”out” just in case. To his surprise Glint showed much more enthusiasm than Fargo ever expected.
*That was way too easy. Maybe I should hire a special girl or two when I need to 'convince' him in the future.*
That day went like any other. The trio visited their usual haunts, battling any Grimlocks they came up across and even sparring with one another when time allotted. Rather than returning to Grenvale and participating in general debauchery, they went to Sprim Row in search of Memento Mori.
”This the place? It… it doesn't look like it would fit in this part of town….” Fargo said as the trio came to stand before a large, square-shaped three story building. From the outside it resembled a nightclub more than a chapel complete with door bouncers.
”Who referred you?” The burly adventurer asked the moment the party moved towards the entrance.
”Referral? Shit. I..I don't remember. I didn't catch the guy's name.” Fargo said as he placed his hand on his chin in thought. He seemed genuinely distressed, partly because he'd finally gotten Glint to agree to something like this. It would be a bust if he couldn't get in the door!
”Cyn sent me.” Glint said casually.
”Very good. Welcome to Memento Mori. We hope you enjoy your stay.” The burly adventurer who stepped up to speak bowed his head while the person behind him stepped to the side, allowing the trio to enter.
Much like the outside of the building, the interior looked almost exactly like a nightclub. The atmosphere was dark and neon lights provided a pinkish-purple light to the environs. The scent of smoke and alcohol permeated the air the moment they stepped inside. The door quickly closed behind them as the chapel, which looked more and more like a lounge, turned to glance at them. There were assorted adventurers of all types sitting at tables or one of the two bars (one on the east and west walls of the lobby area). Every adventurer inspected the small party for only a moment before giving them a nod of approval.
*Hmm. They seem pretty….relaxed here. This atmosphere --I could get used to it.* Fargo thought to himself as he scouted out the room. To his knowledge there were adventurers from at least five categories of six, a good sign that the chapel was popular. All in all, about fifteen people sat in various groups dispersed throughout the room.
”There he is!” A woman's voice rang out over the sound of chatter. Glint stiffened up slightly, relaxing only as the peach haired woman known as Cyn walked up to him and wrapped her arm around his.
Fargo released a long whistle, to which Cyn simply smiled and placed her head on Glint's shoulder.