An offer and plan

As Wentworth and John took their seats, two teacups materialized on the desk. Wentworth’s side was already full, while his remained empty. Muhtal smiled at John as he gestured to it.

“I always remember the tastes of every client that sits at this desk. Well, that and the cups are enchanted to remember too.” The demon chuckled to himself. “So! What can I get for you? It can be any drink you can think of from the mundane, and most of the Abyss.”

“I think I’ll just stick to cold water, but thank you,” John tried to put it politely. In the next second, chilled water appeared in his cup. It was only then that Muhtal took a seat and conjured up his own drink. During this exchange, Wentworth had sipped her cup of what looked like some kind of tea. She put down her cup and placed her hands onto the desk, fingers interlocked.

“Since we are now behind schedule, perhaps it would be best to skip the usual pleasantries.” She nodded over to John. “What do you think, are you able to sense it to any degree?” Muhtal leaned forward a bit, and looked intently at John.

“Hmmm. Even without those suppressants you have him on, it wouldn’t be immediately obvious.” He leaned back into his seat. “What would be the best way to describe it? Let’s see… muffled? Yes, that actually works quite nicely. First, his aura is about 99% free of any demonic residue. That last percent is nothing to work about, it’s typical, those who have been attacked by or generally interact with demons in any close manner. Past that, you told me he has some late-bloomer ability that’s the reason for his… unique… trait.” For just a moment, as John stared at Muhtal, he saw the demon’s eyes shift behind his shades.

“That power is acting as a sort of first layer, you would have to look beneath it to really sense any demonic energy inside this man. In short: most demons won’t sense it, and other Abyssals could only if they were experts in finding it and already knew it was there. Even an angel might not immediately see it. And even if they did, their first thought would likely be that it’s a kind of corruption infesting his soul rather than part of it.”

John glanced between the demon and his teacher. The way it had been worded, it sounded like Miss Wentworth hadn’t given the exact details about his Gamer powers. So how much did he actually know?

“I see, that is good to know. I thank you for your continued service, Muhtal. The payment we agreed upon should reach you within a week’s time,” Wentworth said as she began to stand up. Muhtal beamed a smile at her before he glanced back at John, still in his own seat.

“Of course, of course, it was nothing. The pay is more a formality than anything else with how simple a task you needed me for. However…” he looked straight at John, “while we’re here, it would simply be unprofessional of me to not at least give Mr. Newman my card.” With a flick of the wrist, a jet black business card appeared between the demon’s fingers. He placed it onto the desk and slid it towards John.

“Feel free to take it, my good man. If you ever wish to meet me again, simply tear that card in half and it will take you straight back here. Since you would be both a first-time client and the student of Victoria, I can offer you something nice. If you do come back here within 72 hours of taking this card and wish to make a deal, I can guarantee the most premium of offers. Depending on what you ask for, of course, it might even be free. Consider this a one-time, limited-time opportunity.”

The Gamer looked to Miss Wentworth, who paid them no mind. She simply pushed her seat back into place and began to make her way to the exit. John glanced to the demon, grabbed the card, and quickly put it into his back pocket. If the card itself was enchanted to have any kind of conditions tied into it being used, Observe would tell him after they left.

“Thank you for your time. I’ll consider it,” John quickly said as he got up to leave and follow Wentworth out. As he stepped back through the portal, John cast one last look back into the office. Muhtal still sat there, a charming smile on his face. When the Gamer next blinked, the demon was gone.

A chill ran down his spine as he followed Wentworth back up the stairs to her office. As they walked back up, she didn’t say anything to him. So as to give himself something to do, John pulled the card back out of his pocket and cast Observe on it.

Muhtal’s business card
Creator: Muhtal
This card has been enchanted with one effect. It will send the one holding it to the office of Muhtal upon being fully torn in half. This effect will only take place if it was the user’s will to reach the office. If the card is damaged or destroyed otherwise, the teleportation will not happen.
Durability: 100/100

’Okay then, Gaia, not very subtle, are you?’ John thought to himself after he read both of the sudden pop-ups. It was obvious which one had the better rewards. The 10k experience alone would put him up by around two levels, on top of his Charisma score that would be increased by almost 50%.

But that aside, the actual quest names told him that there would be fine print under whatever kind of offer he was given. But when one deals with a demon, even he had enough common sense to know that there was always a catch. As he thought that, a new notification popped up before him.

Turn in the quest ‘Too good to be true!’ as completed?
Yes/No

’I wanted to ask Miss Wentworth about it first… but…’ he made up his mind, 'alright, yes.' With a small flash of light, the business card caught aflame. Before he even had time to react and drop it, the item had already been reduced to ashes. The Quest Completed notification then came into his view, but as he dismissed it, another pop-up appeared.

The hidden optional quest has been completed. The subsequent award has now been added to the Gamer’s Inventory.

But before John could open his Inventory to check, Wentworth began to speak.

“I am pleased to see that you had the good sense to so quickly dismiss his offer,” she started as they continued to climb up, her back still turned to him. “Actually considering it for more than a few hours or even rushing to accept it would have been the height of foolishness. As promised, once we arrive at my office, I shall explain the details of my plan and the role you shall play.”

A few minutes later

Wentworth sat back down behind her desk, as John continued to stand. He dug his hands into his pockets as he waited.

“It is inevitable that, soon, the Order will recognize you as a new piece on the board,” she began. “And with powers like yours, they will surely want to bring you in as a potential weapon for their mission. So long as they remain unaware of the demonic power inside you, that is. They are obsessed with the idea that they are the heroes standing at the forefront of all they deem evil. That, Mr. Newman, is a weakness we shall be exploiting,” Wentworth said with a smirk. There was a cold, focused cruelty in her eyes that made his chest tighten.

“We shall put on a performance. It shall play out as such: Victoria Wentworth traps John Newman in a Barrier and sics a demon on him. New to the Abyss, he has yet to have any way to defend himself from the attack. But fortune smiles upon him, for it should happen that Moira Brighton is close enough to charge into the Barrier and rescue the poor victim. She shall give some dramatic speech, and intimidate Wentworth into retreating. Mr. Newman will be ever so thankful and explain that he only woke up that day with game-like powers. Moira will wish to take him back to the Order’s mansion, then start to train him so his powers can be utilized for their cause.” She traced a finger against her desk.

“However, there are a few important points that must be kept in mind. Most importantly, you will be unable to use any demonic powers while in the vicinity of the Order or any of its members. I shall see about training you in other magical arts, should your powers allow it. If not, then magic will be effectively inaccessible to you. In that case, Mr. Newman, you will have to rely on a weapon that they give and their training with it. Secondly, there is the matter of the tracking spell as outlined in our contract. Should the worst happen, I would prefer to know if you have ended up within one of their dungeons or simply died in combat.”

She stretched her hand out to the side. A book levitated out from somewhere in the office and landed on top of her palm. With a wave of her other hand, all the other books and supplies on her desk floated away.

“This will require that you be nude, Mr. Newman.