Everybody Wants to Rule The World

I can’t do this, Jenny thought, pacing back and forth in front of the entrance to the building. I have to do this.

“Jenny!” John exclaimed, running up to her and hugging her. “It’s good to see you! How did your tests go?”

“They went fine but… I need to talk to you about that. I don’t really want to do this stuff. Any of it really. I don’t want to be a bounty hunter,” Jenny decided to rip off the bandage, though cringed at the deflated look on his face.

“Oh… but don’t we kind of need to? With the necromancer constantly attacking unaffiliated Abyssal people in town?” John asked, a stone pressing down on his stomach. “We need this, so we’re not attacked, don’t we?”

“I’ve been thinking about that too. I’m going to sign a contract with some of the higher-ups at the Inferno. Start playing there regularly. It’s been an option for a while, and being with you has given me the confidence I needed to take that step.”

“That’s great for you! You’re really moving up in the world,” John wanted to be excited for her, but it was hard given the circumstances.

“Hey, you don’t have to look so sad about it! You are too! Being a part of these guys is a big deal! They’re the only organization in history to unite the Abyssal Auction, Fateweavers, and Apothecary. I don’t really know that much about the politics of it, but from what Keith says, it sounds like they’re going to totally change Abyssal society some day. It’s just not for me, Johnny,” Jenny comforted, pulling him in for a tight hug. “I’m going to go clear it up with the secretary in there. She’s on the second floor, right?”

“Yeah,” John replied, his emotions warring inside him. She was right. Jenny was closer to fulfilling her dreams, and he was getting a job doing something he enjoyed. Really, this was for the best. Still, doubt bubbled up inside him. The caustic pit of emotion threatened to overtake the logical, happy conclusion to it all. Instead, he accepted that some things are just beyond his control, and went back inside.

“So she’s not coming,” Abigail cleared up, lying on her back on one of four full sized mattresses in the Rider Waite dorm room. Above the door of each room were two pairs of crossed swords, signifying that these dorms were for bounty hunters who had four swords.

“She’s a lover, not a fighter. I can’t really say I’m surprised. I’m just glad she gave it a shot,” John replied, sitting on his bed and leaning against the wall.

“Does that mean we can train more!?” Abigail asked excitedly, jumping up and getting to her feet.

“You don’t need me to train,” John answered as he shifted to his side, “you could be perfectly fine training on your own.”

“Yeah, but it’s nowhere near as fun alone! And you’re the only one here I know! Pleaaaase?” Abigail begged, hitting him with serious puppy dog eyes.

“Alright, alright. Give me a sec, I’ve got some stuff to do,” John caved, but decided to finally check the quest rewards from the prison. The chaos that had surrounded him all day left little room to relax or think, and it apparently wasn’t letting up.

Okay… first the prison quest, John thought to himself, as Abigail headed into the en-suite bathroom. Not long after, he heard the sound of a shower turning on.

Quest Complete: Jailbreak!
Objective complete: Escape the prison
Optional objective complete: Escape undetected
Rewards: 10,000 XP, $5,000, Consumable loot box, Shroud of Shadows

The money was small potatoes to him at this point, and the experience was only half a level, so the last two were the only rewards which interested him. He used Advanced Spy on the loot box in his inventory.

Taking the item out of his inventory, it appeared to be a metal box that was about as heavy as a bedside table and similarly sized. It was smooth and grey on all sides except the top, which had a button surrounded by indents in the middle. John pressed the button, and hissing of steam sounded as the box slowly opened to reveal… a plain cloth doll?

Well, looks can be deceiving. John cast Advanced Spy on the doll, hoping for something good.

“That’s amazing!” John exclaimed, picking up the doll. “I can probably use this to save that elf from the barrier I got a critical success on! Maybe if she’s removed from it, the curse won’t even come back!” He resolved to search for that barrier when he had the time.

In his excitement, he had failed to notice a second item that had come out of the crate as well - a stack of multicolored papers. He used Advanced Spy on them as well, not expecting much after the doll.

I can’t think of a specific use for it right now, but that’s probably pretty useful for a bunch of stuff too, John thought, pocketing both items. Satisfied with the loot box, he moved on to the Shroud of Shadows.

Wow, everything turned out way better than I expected! Aside from the tests themselves being totally worth it for entering the Rider Waites, they come with rewards like this! John was broken out of his thoughts by Abigail opening the bathroom door, stepping out with a towel over her head.

“You look happier than a dog with two tails,” Abigail giggled, toweling her hair off and throwing the wet, white cloth into the hamper that was just outside the bathroom. “What happened?”

John looked down and realized that the loot box had disappeared, then looked up. “Well… it’s a long story. Let’s just say that these tests are rewarding in more ways than one,” John explained, getting up. He felt revitalized after all the good loot he had gotten. The long term benefits of the tests were great, but the instant gratification was a better short-term motivator.

“Say, why’d you shower? Aren’t we going to get all sweaty training?” John asked, equipping his combat gear.

“John, I can turn almost my whole body into fire. That gets dirt off really quick. I shower because I enjoy it. Now come on!”