Chapter 6: Solo

I had many questions about my new power of summoning. I wanted to know what that energy was, how I could increase it, how to unlock more stars, and how to properly summon weapons. Thankfully, it seemed like the time to learn these things wasn’t far off. Although the Patriarch of the Tavera Family had promised me, I had no idea who the Polaris Family was or what they could give me. It was only when I arrived at the warehouse that Plex explained. “Oh yeah, they’re a summoner mafia, but not headquartered in the Founder’s Market. They’re located in the second Black Market called the Black Spider Market. In that place, there are only two mafias that dominate, and one of them is the Polaris family.” Plex rubbed his chin while looking across the job board, plucking a few papers. “The Polaris Family, while primarily filled with summoners, also has divisions of Warlocks and Knights. They’re a powerful family, even greater than the Tavera family in terms of the sheer power of their members. The Tavera Family has more influence, though, and handles more money. This difference between them has led to them being allies.” “What’s the difference between the Founder’s Market and the Black Spider Market?” “Hmm, I guess it's the difference between the elites and the commoners.” Plex walked over, laying out a few jobs on the table. “The Black Spider market, while handling less monetary volume, also handles the most valuable items. Information, high-class mercenaries, and some of the most exotic items you’ve ever seen. They’re the top dogs of the black market within this kingdom, and you, my friend, have scored an opportunity to meet with them. Specifically, a powerful summoner who’s going to give you some advice. This opportunity is a huge one, so huge that I’m shocked you got it.” “Oh, that sounds useful.” I brightened at his words. I was just thinking how I needed more information about my power. Now, I was going to meet an expert in the field. Truly a god sent opportunity. And all it took was almost dying in a fiery hell. Plex shook his head. “You’re lucky, John. I know I roped you into this dangerous job, considering you’re new to the city and all, but many would kill to be in your position. Of course, there have been many who’ve died in your position as well. I think the Patriarch knew that, so he’s giving you a bit of support. What you gain in your meeting today will likely determine how you fare over the next several months. Because, well, you’re kind of locked into this now. It’s do or die.” “Wait, the meeting’s today?” His ominous words blew right over my head as I selectively asked that question. He nodded. “It is. But first…” He picked out two of the jobs he had in front of him, shoving them in my face. “Go make a couple of deliveries. Once you get back, we’ll leave. Consider yourself initiated, kid. Now you get to deal with a bunch of addicts and unsavory underground dealers.” “Eh…” I sighed while taking the papers. From the first day, I had pretty much accepted what I’d gotten into. Of course, if Plex wasn’t the way he was, then I would’ve left quickly. But Plex seemed a good man, someone who had saved my life a few times already. So long as I wasn’t a dumbass, it seemed he would lead me to succeed. I didn’t mind working in this shady business, especially considering it paid so well. Plus, it had already taught me a lot about this world, and it would continue to teach me more as I got better. I was jumping into the deep end of what this new life had to offer. But hey, I’d rather do this than be a baker at a bread shop or sit at the front desk of some random store. With those convictions, I made my way out of the warehouse, embarking on my first solo jobs. My two deliveries were rather easy. The hardest part was navigation. I had to admit, it was embarrassing looking like a tourist with a map, so much of my time was spent wondering if I was going in the right general direction, only taking out my map a few times. But finally getting to the locations, I was able to pick up the items to be delivered from the dealers. After that, I took them to the recipients. Thankfully, the first one didn’t show me any hostility. He seemed busy and gave me the money straight, so I simply took it back to the dealer. It was the second recipient, though, that gave me a hard time. But that’s when my acting skills, what little I had, came into play. I mimicked Plex as best I could, keeping a confident and uncaring attitude, as if I weren’t afraid of a fight. Of course, I was, but they didn’t need to know that. That combined with a friendly demand and a small brandish of my used knife, and the guy’s attitude flipped as he brought me the money. And after taking that to the last dealer, my jobs were done. It took almost three hours for just two jobs, which honestly wasn’t that bad. The two jobs combined paid me 400 coins, which, while nothing compared to the heavyweight delivery, was still really good pay. After all, monthly salaries on the low end were around 2000 coins. I was already a fifth of the way there with three hours of work. Of course, things were more expensive in the city. I was still living in a hotel, had only one pair of normal clothing, and walked around with nothing to my name. Once I started buying things, I’m sure the expenses would add up. After all, everything was always more expensive in the cities. I’m sure normal monthly salaries here ranged around 5000 coins, like what the chief told me. In that case, I had a lot more work to do. But first, I was going to learn about my power from a proper summoner. I was excited as I walked down the streets of the Founder’s Market. All the sights of risque women and colorful gambling dens were still exciting to me, even though I knew I would get used to it eventually. However, it was when I was approaching the exit that I heard my name. “John!” “Hm?” My head turned, finding Libitus and another man waving toward me. They were behind a bar with a few drinks in front of them. I walked over. “He,y Libitus.” “John. I heard you took a hard hit during the heavyweight run yesterday. It also looks like you healed nicely.” Yeah, thankfully. Whatever the doctor at the mansion gave me was good stuff. Although I’m sore, I don’t have any problems working.” “Good.” He nodded. Then, the man next to him smiled. “Heh, ly does look like a tourist.” “Well, right now, I know the black market better than the actual city. So forgive me. What’s your name?” With a smile, I put my hand out toward the stranger. He looked at me silently for a second before grabbing an unopened glass and slapping it into my hand. “Tovex. I heard you’re Plex’s new protege.” “Not necessarily by choice, but yes.” “Heh, since when does anyone here have a choice?” He chuckled before taking a swig. Libitus chimed in. “You may not have asked for any of this, but it’s not a bad line of business. The danger is the worst part. Everything else is easy. I’d say you’re lucky. You being completely new to the city, a foreigner through and through, is what landed you this job.” “Why would that get me this job?” “Because you can never be too sure about someone. The mafias and the clans of the kingdom go to extreme lengths to plant spies and saboteurs in all industries. It’s damn near impossible to find someone who has no biases toward any one banner. Neutrality in this place doesn’t exist. Except for our business.” Libitus sighed, but his words made me confused. “You’re saying that Plex has no biases? Not even toward the Tavera Family, who’s his client?” “Ny. Plex doesn’t limit himself. He’ll work for enemies if they hand over the money. People like the Patriarch of the Tavera family are just those he’s friends with. But when it comes to business, there are no loyalties in his eyes. And that’s exactly what makes him so famous. That and his abilities. The man has never failed a job. No assassins nor the royal guard can stop him.” “...And I’m supposed to be his protege?” I suddenly had great doubts as to my position in all this. It seemed like Plex was a renowned man not just in his field of business, but in the entire kingdom. How was I supposed to be that man’s apprentice? More than that, how could he possibly declare me so when I haven’t shown any ability to handle what he does? Libitus sighed. “Well, don’t be shocked, but you’re not the first. Plex has brought in and tutored around a dozen different kids just like you. Most of them died when he dragged them into the lion's den like he did with you. Luckily,y you survived.” “And what about the others who also survived like me?” “Well…” He scratched his cheek. “One died during a direct conflict with the Clockwork Institution, and the other got greedy for a delivery and was hunted. That second one ended up becoming a delivery that Plex took, his head being dropped off in a box at the warehouse. And the intended recipient was the kid’s mother. So basically, all of them have died.” “Ouch…” I rubbed my temples with a long breath. Tovex suddenly slapped my shoulder. “Hey, all you have to do is not do what they did. Don’t die, and don’t get greedy. Those are the only tenets of us delivery men. Those who follow those rules get the money, the fun, and the connections. Those who don’t end up with their heads in boxes. So just be smart about things, yeah?” “I’ll do my best.” I smirked while twisting off the cap of my bottle, taking a swig. And it was surprisingly good alcohol. I nodded at it before waving to the two. “Alright, I’ve got a place to be.” “The Polaris Family, right? Hey, take all you can get from there. If you get lucky, you’ll be doing business with them too. Remember, connections are everything.” “I thought that was common knowledge?” I asked with a smile while walking away, leaving the black market. After passing through and grabbing a kabob from Chef Black’s restaurant, I made my way back to the warehouse. There, Plex was sprawled out on a chair, snoring while asleep. “Seriously? It’s not even midnight yet.” I walked over, kicking his leg. “Hey.” “Huh?” “We’ve got places to be. And I was only gone for a few hours.” “Eh…” He yawned and spent a few seconds waking up. Then he sniffed, and his eyes turned toward my bottle. I narrowed my eyes, suddenly knocking it all back and downing what was left. “...Damn you.” “Hey, this is good stuff. Speaking of, I ran into Libitus and Tovex, and they told me about all your prior apprentices.” “Oh?” He sobered up a bit, leaning back into the seat. “It’s true. A lot of youngins have gotten killed attempting to survive in this line of work. Why, does that scare you?” “It doesn’t make me happy. To think that if I hadn’t discovered how to use my power, I would’ve died from a fireball. Sure, you saved me once, but you still put me into that position. So I can’t say that my trust in your integrity hasn’t warped significantly. But, well… I suppose I have many assurances now.” “Hm, got one taste of power and decided that you’re invincible. I happened to have an apprentice like that. He’s dead now.” As if that fact were something to be proud of, Plex only smirked at me. And I could understand. I barely knew anything about these crests or the magic of this world. I was hardly a newborn baby in the field, and I was already confident in myself. That would be a bad thing, but only if I were anything but a summoner. Guns happened to be a great equalizer. Unless Plex had some strong magical armor underneath his clothes or if his magic was as strong as steel, a single bullet from even a flintlock could kill him, let alone the weapons in my other stars. I mean, I killed that fire warlock with a single bullet. And he had far more experience than I did. Guns were great. But that was difficult to explain to Plex, so I didn’t press the issue, just shaking my head at him. “All I want from you is not to be thrown into certain death. I can be an apprentice or whatever the hell you’ve roped me into being. I want the money and experience. But don’t go thinking you can throw my life away like all the other apprentices you’ve had. Do that, and I might just take you out with me.” “...Is that a threat?” Plex stood from his seat, standing in front of me with a casual gaze of grizzled hostility. But I only tensed up, meeting him head-on. “Yeah, that was a threat. So if you leave me to die in a clusterfuck of wizards and fireballs, you better make sure I’m dead by the end of it. Otherwise, I’m coming after you with some cold steel in my hand.” “...” After a moment of tense silence, Plex smiled and chuckled. “Haha, you’re a feisty one. Don’t worry, John. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t be taking you to a place that’ll make you stronger. So how about we quit the pissing contest and go take a trip, hm?” He smacked my shoulder and started walking out of the warehouse. Relaxing my body, I sighed and left with him, taking to the city streets.