Chapter 6 – Calculations and Consequences
Velden City – Early Morning
The pale light of dawn seeped through grime-streaked windows as Aayu sat cross-legged on the floor of his small room. The city outside was waking, but his mind churned relentlessly.
Every lead he'd gathered—Nyssa's killing spree, the artifact hidden in House Dalthyr's vault, whispers of other system holders—was a thread in a tangled web. But who was weaving it?
He stared at his status window:
> [SP: 3]
[Skills: Shadow Veil (Lv.1), Echo Sense (Lv.1)]
[Level: 4]
He needed more store points. More power.
---
Velden – Lower District, Back Alley
Aayu crouched behind crates, watching the merchants and travelers going about their day. Something was off.
The soldiers patrolling looked nervous. Their conversations were hushed but frequent.
> "Strange rumors about cursed demons in the woods."
"They say someone's hunting the chosen."
"Keep your eyes open."
Aayu's mind pieced it together: The Church's silence, the system holders' rare appearances, and now rumors spreading among common folk. Someone was trying to keep these events from going unnoticed.
If the Church and the High Pontiff were the only ones who truly knew the truth about the systems, why was fear leaking into the streets?
---
Velden – House Dalthyr Estate, Night
The merchant's arrogance was his weakness.
Aayu slipped into the shadow of the estate's wall. The vault beneath was heavily guarded but predictable: The Dalthyrs believed wealth was the ultimate defense.
He activated Echo Sense, picking up faint whispers behind stone walls.
> Footsteps. Clanking metal. A faint metallic scent.
The artifact wasn't just treasure—it was bait.
Why lure system holders?
His gut said it was a trap set by someone who knew about the systems but feared their power.
---
Velden – Secret Meeting, Abandoned Warehouse
A group of figures gathered in dim candlelight. Their faces obscured by hoods.
Aayu observed from a hidden vantage point, his status window flickering.
> [Individuals: Multiple System Holders – Unknown Affiliation]
[Mood: Tense, Calculating]
They spoke in cryptic terms:
"The Shopbearer grows reckless."
"The High Pontiff's plan moves forward."
"The resurrection draws near."
Aayu's mind raced.
He was part of something much larger than personal survival or petty theft. The fate of the world balanced on a razor's edge.
---
Velden – Rooftop, Late Night
He sat alone, gazing over the city.
Power was a game. Everyone played their part.
The Church manipulated faith.
The nobles manipulated greed.
The Magic Tower manipulated knowledge.
And system holders—seven in total—were pieces in their chessboard.
Only Aayu held a shop.
Only he could buy strength.
And that gave him an edge.
He clenched his fists.
> If they want a war, I'll give them one.