Chương 78: You will not let them

"I still think that it looks a little creepy." Rachel complained once more, looking suspiciously at Kite's new piece of gear from where she walked by his side down the streets of Bastion.

"So you would reject it should I decide to gift it to you instead?" Kite asked, a bit amused.

"Well, it would be bad tact to refuse a gift. Even if it is a rather creepy mushroom cloak." Rachel said, eyeing what Kite's looting power had produced after their battle. The item in question was a cloak with a rich purple color on the outside and a pale white on the inside. But even at a glance, it was obvious that the garment was not made from cloth, and should one look closer one could see fungal-looking fibers on its insides.

WWJS: [Item] Mycelial Shroud of the Collective Cloak Bronze rank - Epic [Effect] Upon the wearer's command, the cloak will attempt to absorb afflictions from the wearer, cleansing them in the process. Afflictions from effects of higher-rank might not be affected. Cannot absorb elemental afflictions, such as burning.

The cloak will then shed most of its mass, separating and using the consumed afflictions to evolve into a bronze-ranked fungal growth, living on and attempting to drain the life of nearby opponents through ethereal tethers. These tethers are vulnerable to disrupting force damage and other effects which may affect incorporeal matter. Size and health of fungal growth will increase with the number of afflictions absorbed.

Cooldown: 12 hours [Effect] Potent self-repair"Cousin, we should both be more envious than horrified by the item. Such a self-cleanse from an item is quite potent, even though the means are a bit… unconventional." Phiona observed. Vista had left the trio to return home after their report to the Adventure Society, but had helped give his report of the unexpected encounter.

After spending three days in a weakened state during their return trip, the young master was now back to his former self, even if the encounter with the silver-ranked mushroom monster had left him in a pensive mood. Upon giving their report, the group had learned that the monster was called a Devourer Collective, a most troublesome if limited monster which used drained life force to spread over a larger and larger area, growing in both power and cunning.

Should the entity feel threatened, it would also use the gathered life force in a detonation of spores dealing heavy necrotic damage to all non-plant life forms nearby. The only forgiving trait was its relative immobility and being rather weak for its rank in the beginning of its life-span, meaning that one of them manifesting far off in the wilderness would at least not threaten to storm into a village several kilometers away when it eventually went berserk.

"Hopefully, the director will take our suspicions under serious consideration." Phiona continued, changing the topic to the reports they had turned in and their accompanying request to be debriefed by director Dobrazza personally.

"She should want to know this. I am sure she will find merit in what we bring." Kite assured his teacher, but his further train of thoughts was halted as the group had started drawing closer to what looked to be a rather angry crowd ahead gathered around one of the smaller estates of the local influential families. While there wasn't any shouting, the grumbling and annoyed shuffling of many of the participants was obvious even from a distance.

None gave the trio or other passers by much attention, instead focusing on the compound protected by a tall fence of iron bars atop a low stone wall. As Kite and the Gellers were passing by, the murmuring of the crowd grew more intense as a finely dressed woman exited a nearby building, flanked by two armed guards. She strode up to stand at the other side of the wrought iron gate, looking at the gathered people through the face with an upturned nose as she started speaking.

At the distance and with the murmuring crowds and onlookers, Kite's bronze-rank hearing could only make out small pieces of her words.

"Go away… Family's investments are none of your conce… our livelihoods are not our responsi… disperse at once!" The meaning was clear enough, both to Kite and the gathered crowds. The angered murmurs rose even more, growing to shouts of protests as the woman gathered her fine robes to leave after finishing. A scattered few even threw rocks after her, which proved to be more than her guards were willing to tolerate.

One guard conjured rotating blades appeared to shield his charge while the other turned and launched what looked like a bird made from crackling lightning at one of the stone-throwers, detonating with a bang of discharged static to hit both the target and several of those nearby. This broke the crowd's collective morale, people scattering with more shouts varying from anger to fear as stunned and injured people were dragged away by their companions.

"What was that about?" Rachel asked aloud as they had passed and the little incident seemed to be over.

"I am unsure." Phiona responded, looking to Kite who shook his head.

"I have yet to see such signs of unrest here before during our stay."

"Brook told me that she had heard people muttering more lately, generally more displeased with one affluent family or another." Kite said.

"But she only thought it to be just that; the usual malcontent. Maybe we should ask Peony and Sun if they know more, although I doubt it will affect us too much." Sleeping in a proper bed that night and eating skillfully prepared food did wonders for the slight feeling of exhaustion that had stayed with Kite since their unexpected encounter with the silver-ranked monster.

He had said many a prayer to Fortune, thankful that the monster in question had been at the very bottom end of the rank and early in its cycle of life.

"Have you had the chance to further reflect on the battle, student?" Phiona asked him as they finished their breakfast, planning to go and visit Peony after finishing up.

"Proper meditation and reflection sometimes comes to us only when we truly feel that we are back and safe." Nodding at her question, Kite answered.

"I have, teacher. Both upon the battle itself and what it showed me. Of what might be my future. It feels like I still have a lot to learn."

"You do. But so do we." Phiona acknowledged.

"What are your conclusions then?"

"That I will need to practice pacing myself and remaining vigilant and focused even when things take a turn. Assessing more properly before acting, such as when I attempted to help Rachel only to be put in an even worse situation in turn."

"Well I think it was very sweet that you wanted to help, but I could handle it. But we have not fought together for that long, so it's not that weird that you can't trust in our abilities as fully as if we'd trained together for years." Rachel said, leaning back and biting into her last dumpling. Phiona had in turn nodded along with Kite's own assessment.

"My cousin is right-""-as usual." Rachel interjected.

"My cousin is right-" Phiona began anew, leveling a flat stare at her grinning cousin.

"- on both accounts. Even though you are but early in the rank, you handled yourself better than I would have expected from one with your experience. What you did very right was to try and lean into your strengths and your abilities rather than try to match those like me and Vista. And as you saw, the right abilities at the right time can make a true difference, even when they come from the least experienced of those present. Vista's familiar might not have survived if it wasn't for you."

"Thank you teacher." Kite said after a moment of silence, fighting through a slight twinge of embarrassment that still arose when receiving praise, instead allowing his back to straighten a bit. Because Kite did know that, while it had been a struggle, he had made a difference. One that none of the other present would have been able to do. Phiona nodded in acknowledgement to him, before what Kite had come to recognize as her 'teacher's mask' came over her once more.

"That said, this is an excellent opportunity for us to go through different scenarios and how to evaluate when to engage and when to retreat. Other silver-ranked monsters might have torn one of us apart before we could have saved Whimmy and-" she began, the lecture once more in full swing. It continued as they finished their meal and during their walk towards the residence of Peony and her family, only ending once seated inside.

Upon arriving, they had also witnessed a development that had put a smile on Kite's face. A young woman had just exited the house, her aura showing her to be of early bronze rank, and she was carrying one of the wooden boxes in which Kite knew that Peony stored her best work. There had been an exultant smile on the young woman's face as she had only had eyes for her purchase, and Kite was happy to know that his crafter friend seemed to once more have begun receiving customers.

"Things seem to have continued to pick up." he noted as the group sat down with Peony, her husband Sun away on other matters of business at the moment.

"They have indeed." Peony responded, looking quite pleased.

"While most still stay away, there have been a few here and there who have come looking for my work recently. And another visitor of which I don't quite know what to make." she finished, a troubled look creasing her brow as she finished.

"Oh?" Kite asked, prompting her to continue.

"Just after you left a few days ago, a woman came calling on us. At first I thought her to be just another one sent by the Stoics or someone like them, but from what she said, it was just the opposite. The 'interested parties' she claimed to be representing actually wanted to congratulate us in our efforts to stay independent of those like the Stoics and their patrons, even promising to send customers our way when possible. Also, she gave us this."

Peony finished, producing a small box and showing its contents to the others. Inside was an awakening stone, its insides seeming to be made of muscle fibers which twitched and flexed ever once in a while.

"An awakening stone of might." Phiona noted.

"I have used one myself. Like their corresponding essence, they are always sought after."

"One would imagine that there might be strings attached to such a gift." Kite noted.

"Did your visitor imply anything more on the matter?"

"No." Peony said, shaking her head.

"In fact, she was very adamant about this being given as a token of their appreciation with no other obligations on our part. But she did imply that continuing as we were might continue to be beneficial to us in the future. But we wanted to consult you on the matter before using it, as we thought that you might have more experience with these kinds of situations." she finished, the last part clearly directed at Phiona and Rachel.

"Well, Nona was always the best at this, but from what you've told us I believe that you should use it." Rachel said, surprising Kite.

"Should they not be more wary?" he asked.

"No, I agree with Rachel." Phiona said, continuing.

"From what you have told us, Peony, the stone in itself does not matter. What matters is what the visit and it being given implies. That you have been noticed and that they approve. But mostly that whoever has sent this is affluent enough to send such a gift without any other purpose than to show that they can. And that they know that your husband is in need of it. It is even quite fitting for his power set, meaning that they also have at least an inkling of what he can do."

"They have been spying on us?" Peony asked, looking worried.

"Probably not directly. But we haven't exactly been circumspect with our training and endeavors, so gathering that information probably did not take too much effort on their part." Phiona said, continuing as she saw the lingering look of doubt on the crafter's face.

"In the end, the choice is yours. Selling it should earn you a tidy sum. But it is my firm belief that the stone has already filled its purpose, and that we should instead turn our attention to what seems to be moving around us."

"Yes, we saw something on the way here. An angry crowd gathered outside one of the estates, where the guards eventually had to drive them off with magic. Do you know anything about it, Peony?" Kite asked. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Sun told me about some rumors going around that the Valor family are about to sell off some of their maritime businesses to other interested parties, but without the clauses of contract which would let the workers of said businesses keep their current wages. As many families seem to be on the verge of harder economic times, there has been a lot of grumbling. But I had not heard of such gatherings up until a couple of weeks ago."

"That someone would also approach you as they did might mean that things are moving in some of the political stratas." Phiona mused.

"But if it is centered around commercial business, then it should at least not affect us too much. Which is fortunate, as we have our own current task that is already rife with politics of its own."

"But you seem to be doing well so far." Peony noted.

"How is the famous young master?"

"It was a little rough at the start, but it's moving along." Rachel answered.

"While we shouldn't talk too much about the details, politics and all, let me just say that it sure does not hurt to look at that man for days on end." she said with a dreamy look.

"And besides, since Kite beat him in a sparring match, he has been almost companionable."

"Oh I believe that most of Bastion's young adults agree with you." Peony giggled, before processing the last part of Rachel's statement.

"Wait, Kite did what?"

"Rachel, I definitely believe that particular detail is not one that should be spread, as most would not understand the circumstances." Kite urged, a pained expression on his face.

"Oh, right. Sorry, Peony. You didn't hear that!" Rachel at least had the decency to look chagrined.

"From your association with what is probably the most well known young master of this city, I will happily feign ignorance. There is enough politics around this workshop already." the crafter muttered with a pout.

"And to get my mind of that which I definitely did not hear… Kite, I would really like to take a better look at that cloak!" The rest of their stay was spent with more updates on Peony's different projects while she scrutinized and analyzed his newest acquisition, one other being for Kite although it was yet to be properly started as some orders of quintessence were running late.

The group took their leave after making plans for their next outing, as there were some social functions which meant that their next outing with Vista wasn't scheduled until one and a half weeks. Even so, Kite had little doubt that the time would prove to be quite busy.

"No. I am not letting you manifest again." Kite said out loud, voice quite stern.

"If you can't behave, then we can't take you to galleries anymore." Walking beside him, Brook had to work hard to keep from giggling, little snorts still escaping.

"You have to forgive such a purveyor of the arts, Kite. The staff just couldn't understand its enthusiasm." she commented.

"I thought that the poor attendant would cough blood and die when it started flowing into the pieces on display."

"Don't remind me." Kite groaned.

"Had they actually been disturbed or tarnished, things would have gotten very expensive."

"Still, it was a nice gallery. The brush strokes were sublime." Brook said, gaze forlorn in memory where she walked at his side, a cloak helping to ward off the evening chill. Kite had offered to share the environmental protections of his hat again, but she had politely declined for the sake of propriety. While a bit disappointed, Kite did realize that it might be for the best, given Wander's apparent tendencies to snoop on him.

"You hinted at a request earlier? Just before Sage started its antics." Kite asked her after stopping at a street vendor to purchase sweet dough balls threaded on strings, creating a kind of edible bracelet. Brook seemed to gather her resolve a bit before looking at him.

"Yes. May… May I accompany you out on a contract? Like we discussed before? You have been visiting the library and the stacks so many times now, but I've yet to see your world other than through the lens of your stories."

"If you are sure? I would be glad to have you along, but I must admit that I am a little bit surprised. You have many strengths, most fair sage, but I would not have thought you comfortable in witnessing monster hunting."

"I- honestly the thought scares me. But monsters are a reality for everyone. Even Leaf sees them now and then as he's out with the loggers. And I want to at least catch a glimpse of your world." she said, fidgeting a bit with the hem of her robes.

"Then I would be most honored by your company, fair sage." Kite said, stopping for a deep, theatrical bow.

"Kite, people can see us!" Brook hissed, all but dragging him along as her face turned crimson, Kite smiling as he let himself be steered, once more beholding the more decisive side she had cultivated during their years apart.

"Ah, if it isn't our young master." the elven woman greeted Vista as he and his retainers drew close during their customary round of mingling.

"I hear that you are still hard at work for the sake of this city." she said, painted fan artfully displayed to cover part of her face.

"Mistress Wither. A pleasure." Vista greeted politely, keeping his calm even as her silver-ranked, core-laced aura pushed slightly against his while still keeping within the bounds of civility.

"And congratulations on your family's recent acquisitions."

"Why thank you, young master. It is an honor that a mere commoner family like mine can make a great and venerable one like yours take note." the mistress of the Wither family responded, dark ringlets of hair barely disturbed by the motion.

"Just being invited here… It feels like a momentous step." Vista couldn't help but note the predatory look in her eyes at her last words, a look she shared with most of the other guests at his family's latest soirée.

"Thinking that your wordplay and machinations is what counts in this world…" he thought to himself, careful to let none of the derision be seen.

"Would you please regale me with a story from your latest outing? It must have been very exciting to have the famous Gellers at your side. But I must admit that I was surprised that you even needed such help. My little Crescent still refuses every attempt of her poor mother to form an entourage for her." she said, the transparency of her meaning not lost to Vista. Vista was just about to reply when another familiar aura settled over their conversation, his father suddenly at this side.

"Our young master here was quite resistant to the suggestion as well, mistress Withers. Fortunately, he had the sense to listen to the wisdom of his elders, a trait seldom cultivated in those so young."

"Ah, master Relentless. A splendid little soirée you have. My family is very honored for the invitation, as are we thankful for the latest series of acquisitions that you so gracefully allowed us to procure. Let none say that the Relentless family hoards all the opportunities for themselves." the elven woman said, fanning herself as she leveled a slightly triumphant stare at Vista's father. From what interplay of their auras Vista could detect, they were like two prowling monsters, circling one another.

His father had not been pleased with the recent developments in regards to the family's holdings, as the Withers had apparently been able to capitalize on their recent setbacks. Vista zoned out slightly as his father and mistress Withers continued their conversation, barbs continually prodding the other beneath thin veils of politeness. As the lady eventually took her leave, he was left standing there with his father rigid in well-contained fury.

"Those jumped up commoners think that they are gaining on us, thinking themselves close to the heavens already. But they will soon enough realize that what they thought were the peak was but a mere illusion as a relentless avalanche will grind them down." master Relentless growled silently to not give away his words to the silver-rankers in attendance.

"But son, let there be no doubt. Neither Crescent of Withering Day nor any of her ilk shall be allowed to threaten your position. You will not let them."

"Yes, father." Vista answered, his voice obediently neutral.

"You did well, student. I have seen much improvement in the weeks since we first met." Phiona praised, Kite trying to look attentive and not rub too much at his smarting hands and forearms while his natural recovery was hard at work with the bruises after their recent spar.

"Thank you teacher. I still have much to learn, but your words provide resolve." he said politely.

"Nona, I think you are too sparing with your praise. Kite, you have come a lot further than I thought you would." Rachel called unashamed from the sidelines.

"You're even faster than Cristoph at picking up moves." Kite noticed Phiona tense at the mention of her former love, but she did not retreat fully as she had in the beginning during their outing with Peony. In the end, the blonde Geller sighed.

"You are right, cousin. He is quicker to learn than most, even Cristoph. Which is saying something, as it was a constant point of bragging for him during training."

"Yeah, he was insufferable those times." Rachel said with a suffering expression.

"Good guy otherwise, but sometimes you would just want to spew acid all over him just to erase that smirk."

"Note to self; no smirking." Kite said, earning himself a laugh from Rachel and even the pleasure of seeing Phiona chuckle.

"You don't need to worry there, Kite. So far, you are almost too humble and earnest. I have to admit that it is pretty cute, but you have earned quite a bit of bragging rights so far too." Rachel said with a playful wink.

"Not everyone helps in taking down a silver-ranked monster while still in early bronze rank."

"And I will still beat it out of you if I see it becoming a habit." Phiona said sternly.

"While circumstance saw us through, there is no knowing what might happen the next time. We will need to show proper care once out on the next contract."

"Do not worry, teacher, I will ever strive to keep your wisdom in the forefront of my mind." Kite said, hands raised placatingly.

"Speaking of contracts, wasn't it today that you would bring your date out on one?" Rachel said, emphasizing the word with a gleam in her eyes.

"It is." Kite admitted, a bit warily. While he did not keep seeing Brook a secret, he was still a little flustered when Rachel and Wander took such an interest in their progress, or lack thereof.

"Haven't you made a move yet? It's been weeks. And you already have the 'long-lost lovers now reunited-card' played. There should not be anything left but to close out that contract. Thoroughly." she pressed, her tone as playful as ever when the subject was brought up.

"It- it's still complicated. We are taking things very slow." Kite said, a bit defensive.

"Besides, I don't see the fair lady 'closing out' that many contracts either." he jibed.

"I- how- the indignity!" Rachel spluttered.

"I'll have you know that my taste is most discerning. And don't you dare take his side in this, Nona!"

"Oh, I would not dare, cousin." Phiona said, not attempting to hide her gleeful smile in the slightest.

"But this should be a lesson to you as well. My student may be very polite, but he'll show his claws when he needs to. Did you have a contract in mind, Kite? For which to bring this 'lost love' of yours?" she asked, leaving Rachel to grumble beside them.

"I found one not too far away, along the beach. As the weather seems to be with us, it should make the whole thing a bit more pleasant." Kite explained.

"And as for the monster, it is a lesser Shen which has been reported by nearby fishermen."

"A clamdragon? That should make for a good demonstration. Limited movement, limited range and enough durability to properly show off the danger of monsters. Just warn her of the illusions beforehand." Phiona said approvingly.

"And you are sure that you don't want us to come with you and keep watch?" Rachel asked.

"We could make a more thorough sweep of it? Show her the adventuring life for real?"

"I believe that we should be just fine, but thank you for the offer. I do not believe that Brook is quite as enthusiastic about the thought of days out in the wilderness hunting monsters as you are." Kite said with a laugh.

"And besides, we have our outing planned soon enough." Rachel was about to complain a bit more when Phiona put a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be greedy, cousin. Let Kite go about his business and work things out. I, for one, respect their chosen approach. Besides, this leaves you ample time to go about- what did you call it? - closing out some contracts of your own." It was a shame that there was no artist nearby to immortalize Rachel's look of utter betrayal. As the giant, green-blue clam opened again, a trio of small dragon heads with scales the color of the ocean once more shot out towards Kite, fangs bared and aiming for different limbs.

Not taking any chances, Kite conjured his barrier to intercept one of the incoming heads while his blade appeared in his hand as he performed a two-handed smooth swing which would hopefully slice through the other two.

To his chagrin, the dispelling force thrumming along the edge had the first head disappear upon contact while the sword moved harmlessly through the other one, proving the third to be the true body of the monster as it's snout collided with his barrier before retracting, half a dozens mustache tendrils wiggling angrily.

While he was not fast enough to strike the head with his staff before it retracted back into the shell, Kite at least got his consolation prize as the chiming head of his most favored weapon impacted with the shell soon after it had closed, crushing force and spatial tears further gouging the two meter wide clam.

Its surface was already marred by several such exchanges, and Kite started harassing it further with his whistling spear as he waited for the head to appear again, hoping that it would strike before its power of illusion became available once more. Even as he thought, he constantly kept watch over Brook through his wide field of view. She stood dozens of meters away, viewing his struggle through a farsight crystal with Glint at her side.

While too far away for him to make out detailed facial features, he noted that her posture remained as tense as it had been throughout the engagement so far.

"It is understandable though." he thought while continuing his barrage of spear jabs, the resonating force of the weapons helping to further perforate the monster's shell.

"Had not Walker guided me through it, I too would probably have found the violence terrifying. I am glad that she has been spared something like the war and the fallen sect." His train of thought was interrupted as the clamdragon once more made a move, shooting several tendrils of scalding water at him to occupy his barrier while once more snaking out its head, the single true one this time, to go in low across the ground and aim for one of Kite's shins.

Unfortunately for the beast, one of the greatest strengths of Kite's personal barrier was that it left his hands free, the multitasking of keeping it active while focusing on his attacks long since drilled into him by master Stone and further tempered by experience and his bronze-rank spirit attribute. Instead of meeting Kite's lower leg, the darting head was interrupted by a downward slash carrying the rending void and implosion of mana.

The monster barely had time to turn the strike into a glancing one, the detonating blade still taking one of its eyes and tearing off much of the scaled hide of the same side before it managed to retract back to safety. Even as it moved back, Sage had floated out from behind Kite to fire a white beam of resonating force straight into the opened gap in the resilient shell, the second beam scoring the blue-green exterior further as the monster finally managed to retract its head once more with a shriek.

"Good timing, Sage." Kite praised as he once more prepared to harass the beast as before, only for his plans to scatter like the seeds of a dandelion before the storm. Because in his expanded field of view, he saw a trio of figures suddenly emerge from between the trees just a bit further inland from the long white swathe of beach which they had traveled along to find Kite's current quarry.

Even from a distance, Kite could see that they were armed and armored, three bronze-ranked auras projected with rather poor control. And the trio were heading straight toward Brook.