Rogue Ascension: Book 5: First Ascension: A Progression LitRPG, page 33
Joey could see this being useful for a bunch of situations. Especially after nearly dying multiple times today.
Too bad it was a onetime use item. At least it was so high in superior quality it was next to the lowest tier of epic powers.
Interestingly enough, something like this could probably withstand the epic spells of a great adventurer – as long as they were beginners or in the low 100s in level.
Epic spells used by a beginner were not the equals to epic spells used by an adventurer in the epic realms: Level 250 to Level 500.
I have some time to go before I’ll make it to true epic status.
Joey tossed the roughly hewed and heavy crab shard up and down in his hand. It smelled like rotten crab meat, too. He stored it away, done with his system log review.
Now what would he do with all of this mystical oathbound energy in the air? It waited on him, swirling around with him at the center, like he was the eye of a calm storm.
Most people had no idea why they’d felt a weird tug in Joey’s direction when they neared him. Except for clerics. They’d noticed right away.
Around the corner, a bunch of Eclipse Believers praised Joey while on their knees. Nate had ordered them to do their prayer out of sight to not disturb their prince.
They were hyping up the feel of Joey’s oathbound mysticism to be some act of divinity when it wasn’t.
It was Multiverse Z waiting on Joey to make a request. But Joey didn’t have a request to make right now.
I swear being oathbound feels like having access to a hardcore wishing system, Joey thought amusingly.
He nearly slapped himself in the face. He refrained. His hands were lethal weapons.
He still wanted to call himself stupid. He held it in, since it wouldn’t be a good look in front of his subjects.
His annoyance had reasonable weight to it. He hadn’t realized until now why being oathbound was a big deal: it was a wishing system with extra steps.
Yes, the consequences of failing an oath were ridiculous. And yes, others could take advantage of your oath and bind you.
However, every time Joey succeeded on a major oath, he could wish for something and get it.
It was a wishing system hidden behind the concept of oaths and having to suffer consequences for the failing of oaths. It hid the wishing system even better by using up the mystic energy to enhance attacks during climactic moments or helping to heal injuries.
But when it couldn’t do anything, the wish energy had to wait. And if it could wait, Joey could gather it carefully.
I have nothing I want right now. Wait for me. I might succeed in more big oaths and bind you with more mystical energy.
The rotating, coy, mystic energy didn’t respond. It whirled and waited on him.
Joey figured he couldn’t separate the mystical energy and wish for multiple things. It was all or nothing. But if he could store up more, he could definitely wish for big multiverse-bending benefits.
Joey wondered if he should tell May.
He could hide it as his advantage for later. But he didn’t like the idea. Not for something as serious as oaths. And especially when she had a powerful one.
Before Joey said anything, May dropped from her loot throne and joined him on his pile of loot. She sat demurely on the corner next to his left arm. His blindside felt safer with her there.
“Hey,” he whispered.
“Hello,” she replied.
“Succeeding on oaths can grant wishes,” Joey said right away. “It’s a secret wish system, and it’s probably not supposed to work that way. Maybe it’s too mystical for the multiverse system to patch up. So maybe that’s why it’s supposed to be very limited … but the Holy Primordial is giving it out fast anyway.”
May hesitated. “That is good to know. But you’re giving me so much.”
“All a part of my plan.”
“It can backfire against you, Joey. What if I become so strong you can’t beat me? All because you give away your secrets and help me become stronger than you.”
Joey gave her a cocky grin. “I’m the greatest, May. It doesn’t matter how strong you are. I’ll still win.”
He looked into her dark eyes. Under night, her eyes were as deep as the darkest depths of the tides. It was hard to know what she was thinking. So they stared at each other.
“Hello!” Victoria screamed. “Hello, Mister Master! And Miss Mistress! I’m done! I killed, killed, killed, and, ugh, killed. I’m Level 100, ready to ascend. Can I go back to the sanctuary resort now?”
Harmony was floating in the air, tethered by Victoria’s hand gripping hers. Predictably, she was asleep.
Joey used Analyze on both of them. Yup, they were Level 100 and …
She’s superior.
Victoria was a superior human now. She had evolved while grinding to Level 100. Either she had a bunch of superior singularities. Or she had an epic singularity.
“Epic,” Victoria said with a sneer. “Can’t let you be the only superior rogue.”
“You fell face first into monster guts while evolving,” Rosie said. “Don’t act cocky.”
Victoria’s arrogance crumbled.
Joey smiled. “Congrats either way. I’m proud.”
The Greatest Renegades gathered around Joey. Then Baroness Emelia joined them. That was it.
Joey waited to see if Liam and the other guys would join. He’d noticed them working with other adventurers with cleanup and ensuring all the monsters were dead. But other than saying hi and waving, they kept to themselves largely.
Joey tried not to think about that too much.
“Well, there’s a lot that needs to be said,” Joey started off. “But first I want to say congrats to Emelia.”
The baroness blinked in confusion. “What for?”
“You’re not in the system rank anymore. You’re low foundational. You’re on your way to becoming a Master Adventurer,” Joey explained.
He could feel the faint trace of fate particles surrounding her. May’s fate particles were the thickest since she was close to breaking past mid foundational and reaching high foundational just like Joey.
There was one more peculiar thing about the baroness. Emelia’s fate particles flowed differently. More structured and orderly. Like a well-guided stream instead of a sparking storm.
I think that’s the result of her taking the wizard’s path to true magic unlike a cultivator.
Mike would love to have Emelia as a student.
Steven, unfortunately, was still stuck in system rank. There were no fate particles that Joey could sense from him. And he was still a basic human, which was confusing.
Why wouldn’t the system give him an epic singularity and let him evolve? And why couldn’t he break out of system rank and cultivate fate?
Steven couldn’t hide his shock and self-disappointment. He looked away in shame.
Joey tried to keep things positive as Emelia looked around in disbelief, oblivious to Steven’s struggles.
“Yeah, I know, you’re not a great adventurer,” Joey said. “But there’s no rule against steady adventurers becoming Master Adventurers. Or … is there? Can you still be steady while unlocking your cosmic affinity? Or maybe you’ll turn into a great adventurer when you ascend. That’s a thing, right?”
“Yes,” Rosie grouched.
“I can’t believe it,” Emelia said. “It was mentioned that accomplishing the High Moon Achievements could have a steady adventurer become great. But I’ve done none of those things other than slay five hundred monsters.”
“You’ve shown exceptional leadership as New Zam City Baroness,” May complimented. “You are an accomplished mage and very knowledgeable in ritualism. And I hear you continue to practice and learn outside of your duties managing the city. My supreme specialists informed me much about you, Baroness Emelia Martinez, and if there’s anyone deserving of an advancement from steadiness to greatness upon ascension, it’s you.”
Emelia brightened at hearing that.
There it was.
The spark of greatness.
Even for a woman many would consider past her prime, she had a hunger that was unquenchable. She couldn’t stay steady anymore. She was meant for greatness.
Emelia looked around as if she wanted to celebrate with the other steady ones. But it was only the seven of them: six great ones and a steady one who would certainly become great.
Emelia hid away the inner disappointment faster than Joey expected. She was experienced at being disappointed by others.
Joey tried not to think about it.
“I think we’re done here collecting my loot tax,” Joey said, standing. He swept his tail around in its solid form and vacuumed loot into his dungeon inventory. “Let me clean up here. Then we’ll find a bar and kick everyone else out. We have some major things to talk about. And it’ll be nice to have drinks after so much has happened.”
“I’ll come along,” Emelia said. “I’ve already sent out orders with my subordinates. They know what to do without me.”
Joey nodded, highly thankful for Emelia’s baroness savvy. He hesitated about mentioning the Dread Slaves. The time wasn’t right.
Too many perceptive ears nearby. He didn’t want his subjects to spread rumors and panic yet.
Word was going to get out soon, though. The scouts who’d seen the Dread Slaves were on their way to report. Joey had until tomorrow morning to get his best and most trusted people prepared before letting the public know.
Joey finished up collecting his loot tax for today’s battle. He checked message logs for how much he collected in coins.
[Congrats! You’ve looted the equivalent of 52 Tidal Moon Gold Coins.]
Wow, Joey thought. Did the system increase the drop rate and amount?
If that was the case, then the system adhered to the rule that nothing was free in Multiverse Z. It heavily influenced events here and gave the monsters buffs from system-exploit actions.
In return, the system boosted the loot drops.
Emelia’s going to need to draft new tax laws tomorrow to fight hyperinflation. He was truly lucky to have her doing the heavy lifting for him.
Joey led the seven while an escort of ten supreme specialists surrounded them.
Steven was in a better mood and talking to Emelia amicably. Rosie was still in a downcast mood. Victoria held Harmony’s sleeping and floating body by the hand, like holding onto a balloon.
May walked by Joey’s side, deep in thought.
Someone appeared on the road ahead of them.
“Halt!” a supreme specialist ordered. “Who goes there?”
“Oh, my, my, lads and lasses. It’s just your friendly neighborhood Chief Banker here.” The little four-foot gnome waved at them. “I know you have pertinent business to discuss. But there are matters of financial importance that demand the Zambwi Shadow Prince’s attention.”
The supreme specialists turned to the prince.
Joey tilted his head. “What’s up, chief?”
“It’s a little too public here for us to discuss things in detail. But I’ll whet your appetite with this: we gnomes of the Multiverse Bank are very interested in purchasing Zambwi Land from you, Prince Joey Eclipse. For a great and handsome amount, of course.”
Joey blinked. Rapidly. Whoa. That’s way faster than I thought!
Apparently, Zambwi’s value skyrocketed so quickly and so high Joey had skipped the years it would’ve normally taken to get an offer.
How much could he get out of this deal? Especially when dealing with the multiverse gnomes. They were some of the richest and most economically cunning denizens of all Multiverse Z.
It’s going to be another ‘fight,’ isn’t it? But not a bloody fight, which would’ve been easier.
This was a negotiation fight with lots of money involved. It’s a good thing I’m a rogue.
33. Big Payday For Your Birthday, Part 1
“2000 Multiverse Gold Coins,” the Chief Banker said after the Greatest Renegades and Baroness Emelia stuffed themselves into his office at the Multiverse Bank.
There was no reply.
How could anyone reply to that?
The Chief Banker chuckled and said, “That’s the first and final offer. I know, I know, you would expect haggling. And I’ll prefer you leave my office looking weary and slightly unsatisfied. Gnomes have a reputation to uphold for being cutthroat in negotiations.”
Joey almost blanked out everything the Chief Banker said after hearing 2000 gold coins. Isn’t that two trillion dollars back in the old United States?
Yes, that was indeed two trillion USD. Joey stunned himself again while thinking about that.
Emelia and May overcame their shock faster than the others. They talked over each other at first. Both ladies stopped.
The baroness conceded to the princess automatically.
May hesitated. Then she dipped her head toward Baroness Emelia to return the spotlight of power to her.
Emelia wiped away another bout of shock from her face and forced herself to handle the manner at hand. “If this is a final offer when it’s the first offer, that’s encouraging us to think there’s more you’re withholding on the potential value for Zambwi Land.”
“Of course I’m withholding!” the Chief Banker cheered. “There’s ridiculous value in this place. And it’s better to get it now before we have to compete with other multiverse denizens or the system itself.”
Joey leaned on his princely instincts. He needed to wait. It wasn’t his time to strike.
Harmony found a corner to sleep in. Rosie brooded in the opposite corner. The two goddesses obviously didn’t care. A whole 2000 gold coins as one payment was nothing to them.
Two trillion dollars is money they’ll use to wipe their butts.
Hell, it might be worth less than that. Two trillion dollars could be money used by germs compared to the vast riches of their primordial origins.
Victoria was breathing through her mouth. Damn near slobbering. Her eyes were too wide.
Was she going to have a heart attack?
Steven was a fly on the wall. He put on a steely demeanor, but it was obvious he was pretending. He wasn’t that good of a pretender.
Emelia and May took the forefront, Emelia tilting her head towards the princess. May surged forward with gusto.
“Then why should Prince Joey take your offer now instead of waiting a few more years?” May asked. “He’ll sell for short-term gain compared to selling at maximum value. He could lose out on 10,000 Multiverse Gold Coins by selling now.”
Victoria launched herself into Harmony’s side. She pressed her face into the goddess’s furry panda outfit and screamed. Harmony remained asleep.
“That’s absolutely true that he could lose out on 10,000 potential gold coins,” the Chief Banker admitted. “You should still sell now.”
Emelia took a stab. “What’s the angle? Is it because we’re not doing a good enough job?”
“You’re doing fabulous!”
“Can you produce greater results than us?”
“Most likely, yes. But not so great that it’ll be way above your efforts.”
“I don’t understand your angle,” Emelia said.
“He’s playing with us,” May added. “He has all the power here. Or so he thinks. He’ll have to explain further before we budge.”
“You mean before I budge?” Joey asked.
May straightened. She turned back and looked apologetically. “Forgive me. I’ve gotten quite invested. This is your decision, not ours.”
“Then I should probably take the lead instead of standing back passively.” Joey shifted forward. “Thanks, though.”
Everyone moved behind him. The Chief Banker lounged comfortably in his seat, his big wooden desk the only barrier between him and the adventurers.
Joey leaned forward, palms down. He glared into the shrewd gnome’s face with his one eye.
Then the rogue smirked. “You went for a big enough number to avoid negotiating with me.”
“It’s unwise to negotiate with a rogue or a cleric. Better to get straight to the point,” the Chief Banker admitted.
Joey nodded. He thought of the old black market chief. The Chief Banker was avoiding risks.
“You’re not lowballing me,” Joey said. “But you’re not throwing gold away. Because you might not get back five times the investment. You might only get two times the investment. Or three times.”
Joey leaned back, listening to his princely instincts. “Right now, everything looks hot. Amazing. New Zam City is loaded with so many resources and loot it’s bursting at the seams.”
Joey figured he was on the money. “There’s no way any beginner initiate gets an offer like this. No way.”
The Chief Banker chuckled. “You’re partially right. In all of Multiverse Z history, no beginner initiate has ever gotten this big of an offer so quickly. There have been similar offers. After years of growth, unlike you speedsters. So something like this happening so fast would be a first in that regard. Pretty historic, really.”
“So there’s been initiates who’ve made more than me,” Joey said.
“Barely,” the Chief Banker said.
“Why not make me the highest paid while you’re at it. Only a few hundred coins, right?”
The gnome chuckled. “And that’s why you shouldn’t negotiate with a great rogue. Fine, fine. So it wasn’t final. You want to be the highest. Then 2500 Multiverse Gold Coins will put you there. But that comes with a few requirements.”
Joey looked back at everyone. He wished Curi and Mollysea were here. He would have to tell them later.
May and Emelia gave him all the support he needed here.
“What’s the requirements?” Joey asked.
“You must abdicate your rulership of all Zambwi Land,” the Chief Banker said. “You’re amazing. A great bringer of fortune. But you’re too hot. Too risky. You could flip the market into great misfortune. We’ll like a more steady replacement. Like Emelia, for example. We’ll also want your other closest people to remain in their pivotal positions in New Zam City. Nathan, Liam, and Albert. They will be well taken care of, at least financially. With benefits even after ascension. We would also like Curi to work for the Multiverse Bank and–”
