Rogue Ascension: Book 5: First Ascension: A Progression LitRPG, page 34
“No, Curi’s someone who has to work close to me,” Joey cut in. “He’s my future merchant, banker, whatever.”
The Chief Banker squinted his eyes. Joey glared from across the gnome’s large desk. It was an intense stare down.
Then the Chief Banker snorted. “Let me cordially invite him to work for the Multiverse Bank. He could refuse, but the offer will remain open to him. And if he accepts, he could always leave to go elsewhere or work directly for you.”
Joey couldn’t find fault in that even though he was greedy for Curi’s services. He wouldn’t deny a friend an enormous opportunity like this. Joey just wanted a chance to win over Curi without losing him completely.
It was a competitive market for top talent in Multiverse Z. Joey knew his path to greatness needed the best people.
“Anything else?”
“We’ll prefer it if you continue pretending to be the prince until you kill the Dread Whale. You’ll have a replacement singularity to help with that. Once you’re a person of royal political power, you’ll always be one.”
“Whether or not I get the replacement, I’m a rogue.” Joey flashed a smile. “What better way to use my affinity for dishonesty?”
“Wonderful, so you agree?” asked the Chief Banker.
Joey took a deep breath. He glanced at the others. He could see the tension in all of them. Getting 2500 Multiverse Gold Coins was a lot.
Which was an understatement. This was the biggest beginner initiate payout ever.
I could wait. And maybe get way more some years down the road. That’s what some old wise man would try to tell me.
Joey understood the rationale. He had a counter for that.
Money now could lead to more money in the future. And how many problems could he solve with 2500 gold coins?
How many lairs could he set up instantly?
They wouldn’t have to be city-wide lairs, either. He could go for smaller lairs placed in defensible positions. Conjure instant death traps in a chokepoint, even.
Or he could buy his way through any issue coins could solve.
And use it for more expensive crafting.
There was some serious magic in these coins, especially since they were multiverse coins.
“I’m taking the deal,” Joey said. “I guess this means the inevitable is going to happen, Emelia.”
“We both knew this was coming, mijo.”
Joey and his original steady ones were going their separate ways. For now, at least. But there was no pretending until the last moment anymore.
Emelia already knew it. Liam, Nate, and Albert seemed to act in that direction now. They were going to stay and live steadier lives for however many years they wanted. While Joey continued upward.
We’ll still be Renegades. We can still contact each other. But there was the chance they wouldn’t see each other face to face again. At least for a long while.
“Alright, chief, let us see the writing,” Joey said.
The Chief Banker produced the scroll. Everyone capable of understanding contracts scanned through it. They defined a couple of terms, debated the merits of others terms, then ironed out the kinks.
In the end, it was everything the chief said.
Joey agreed.
The system swept through in one wave of change.
First, 2500 Multiverse Gold Coins appeared on top of the Chief Banker’s desk. There were fifty coins in each pile. Fifty piles covered the chief’s bank. Then, in a flash, twelve-and-a-half of those piles disappeared.
Joey’s heart fell into his stomach. His mind barely caught up to what happened. He just remembered he owed the system 25% of his earnings after selling Zambwi Land.
“What was that?!” Victoria screeched.
“What I owed the devil,” Joey grouched. “625 Multiverse Gold Coins from making New Zam City a monster-killing, people-protecting lair.”
“You say that as if 625 gold coins are a slightly painful but liveable expense,” May said. “You’ll only need 35 gold coins to buy Aqua Star City and the war sirens for life.”
“Well, here’s something to make you guys more expensive.” Joey handed 100 gold coins to May.
The war princess stared at the coins in her hands. She would feel the strange, mystical, mind-warping tingles from touching those coins.
Her eyes were so large she looked spooked. She stood frozen like a statue.
Joey might’ve broken her.
“And here, Emelia, to you.” Joey gathered her pile of 50 gold coins.
“I would rather that go directly into my account, please,” Emelia said breathlessly. “I don’t think I can touch that and continue to function for the rest of the night.”
Joey shrugged. He handed the gold coins to the Chief Banker. The gnome transferred them to Emelia’s bank account with fancy banker magic and the help of the system.
“Hey, Victoria. Why are you looking at me like that?” Joey asked, sneering. “You’ve gotten your five gold coins.”
The pixie-like girl gasped like a fish out of water before running back to Harmony. She screamed into the goddess’s comfy outfit.
Harmony continued to sleep unbothered.
“Put 25 gold coins in Liam Wellton’s, 25 gold coins in Nate Coley’s, and 20 gold coins in Albert Montgomery’s. He gets a little less since he wasn’t there at the start, but I hope he doesn’t mind. Then put ten gold coins in Steven Bryne’s account.”
“Seriously?” Steven asked, surprised. “I’m not sure if I’m deserving. I came after your life when we met.”
“Like I’ve told the supreme specialists and naga wretches, you’ll leave my hoard as a representation of me. So yes, you’re getting gold for your services and to further your path to greatness.”
Joey turned to Rosie. The Blood Cat Goddess shook her head. The Dream Panda Goddess remained asleep.
Then Rosie pointed her sharpened red nail at him. “You’re being awfully charitable for a dragon.”
Joey swayed his head from side to side. “I broke the dragon price.”
Everyone in the room froze. Even the Chief Banker froze. Harmony jolted awake, eyes half-open, showing a glimmer of surprise.
Joey pulled up one of his spells.
[Shade Dragon Mirror Eye (Legendary): Gain a ferocious dark eye of draconic malevolence. A visible spell used against you while under witness of this eye will have their power reduced. For an extra cost, a shaded version of the same spell but stronger can be reflected back at the target. The eye of a dragon is a terrible thing to behold. Take one look and see your own soul devoured and replaced by the dragon’s evil will.]
“Yeah, the dragon price is gone,” Joey said. “That doesn’t stop me from being greedy. And being a dragon of my making. But I’m living out a fantasy I’ve always wanted.”
“What fantasy can that possibly be?” May asked in a small voice.
“To get lots of money,” Joey said, “and to share it with the people I care about. Because they care about me.”
“Excuse me.” The Chief Banker rotated away in his chair. “It isn’t good for a banker to show emotions. We’re supposed to be cold like coins. Can’t be sappy.”
Joey gave the chief time to collect himself. Then he had the gnome transfer 50 coins into Mollysea’s account. And 50 coins into Curi’s account.
“No more for me?” Victoria looked starved and half-crazed.
“Do something so spectacular you wow me and I’ll tip you another five,” Joey said.
“I have two legendary spells,” Victoria said. “Can I get five now and another five when I wow you.”
Joey paused. I should really make a new journal entry on the squad’s main abilities. I’ll do that when we discuss the Dread Slave invasion and our plans.
“How does she have two legendary spells?” Steven muttered. “Is that why she’s a superior human and I’m still basic?”
Joey felt bad for Steven. He worked hard. But he wasn’t getting rewarded for his hard work.
There was something wrong. Maybe an internal issue with Steven.
It would be a bad look to pay Victoria more even if she had two legendary spells. Joey shook his head and ignored her frustrated screams against Harmony’s side.
Joey looked back at the rest of his treasure trove. He swept it all into his dungeon inventory. Where he was going, he might need to spend it fast.
[Congrats! You’ve looted 1595 Multiverse Gold Coins.]
Joey waited to see if he would get a Hidden Z Achievement for that. Nothing came up. He wasn’t too disappointed.
He might’ve pushed Hidden Z Achievement Hunter too hard with the system. Or he fell short of getting the actual achievement because the system took its cut.
Ah, well, he still came out earning a lot of liquid money. He could probably turn his Tidal Moon Coins into Z Credits while keeping the Multiverse Coins. But he figured coins from the Tidal Moon Realm would make decent profit if he upsold them later.
Maybe people wanted coins drenched with water gravity magic? Especially from a difficult beginner challenge area.
“Now, onto the first requirement.” Joey placed his hand on Emelia’s shoulder. “System, this one is the Zambwi Wizard Princess. I’m abdicating from my rulership and handing it to her.”
Emelia shook under Joey’s grip. Her eyes moved frantically to read a system message that popped up in front of her alone.
A scroll appeared on the desk via system delivery. Joey appreciated how quick and easy the multiverse system acted toward official stuff like this.
“I accept,” Emelia said, with a trembling voice.
She was no longer the New Zam City Baroness. She was the Zambwi Wizard Princess now.
As for Joey…
[You’ve abdicated your rulership.]
[Congrats! You’ve traded the Tidal Moon Prince Singularity for the Abdicated Prince Singularity!]
[Abdicated Prince (Unique): You’ve abdicated your rulership and no longer bear responsibilities to a land, city, or people. However, you remain of royal blood now. You’ll always have the natural instincts of someone in power, a true ruler even if you only rule yourself. You can still instinctively read matters of political importance and gain some small benefits from being a former prince. Consequently, you still have a chance of drawing the ire of affluent antagonists, beasts, monsters, and challengers of royals. Who’s to say you won’t rule again if not stopped?]
Joey felt a huge burden drop from his shoulders. He hadn’t known it was there.
Now that he’d abdicated, he felt freer. Less burdened by responsibility.
In the end, he cared more about making some serious money out of being the prince. He was worth over 2000 Multiverse Gold Coins because of his land sale, his dungeon, and the many things he’d owned.
I have a net worth of over two trillion dollars, Joey thought with a smile. Over a year ago, I’d be happy if I found two extra dollars lying around.
“Is there anything more you need from us?” Princess Emelia asked the Chief Banker.
“As of tonight? No. We’ll discuss things further after the Dread Whale’s death, princess. I’m sure you have more important matters to attend,” the gnome said. “I pray the grand powers of the Multiverse Z King and Queen bless you, Joey Eclipse and friends. While the challenges are mighty, some of us multiverse denizens are hedging our bets on you overcoming them. I’ll be keeping track of your ascension for sure.”
“Answer me this one question before we go,” Joey said.
“Oh?” The Chief Banker looked curious.
“It was you guys, wasn’t it?” Joey asked. “You’re the ones who pushed my bounty hunt to 25 Multiverse Gold Coins.”
The Chief Banker looked innocent. “What? Why would we do such a thing? It’s not like we saw an opportunity to inflate the market and raise profit margins. And it’s not like 25 Multiverse Gold Coins is barely a pittance to our banking system. In fact, I wouldn’t even dare say those coins donated to the bounty hunt war would quickly ROI and provide more than what was imaginable. That would be irresponsible. I’m an honest and boring banker, Mr Eclipse. Believe you me.”
The Shade Dragon Rogue laughed.
The Chief Banker laughed.
There was nothing more to say.
May transferred her 100 gold coins into her account while in a daze. Then Joey led everyone out of the bank.
34. Big Payday For Your Birthday, Part 2
It was pitch black except for the city lights and the subtle pulsating glow of ritual circles. The barrier surrounding the city flickered like faint northern lights.
Almost everyone was dazed just like May. Except for Joey, of course. He took a moment to breathe in the iron-heavy and fishy air.
He found his center. His groove.
Smiling, he turned to face the others. He had to tell them now. They needed to know about the Dread Slaves.
Albert walked around the corner and rushed up the steps to the front of the bank. Joey put aside the matter of the Dread Slaves for now. Albert looked like he was in a rush.
“Someone told me you were here,” Albert said. “Come quick. We’ll need all of you. Especially you, Prince Joey.”
No rest for the wicked, Joey thought. I guess I can play pretender prince now until we’re behind magically soundproof walls.
He gestured for Albert to lead the way. The steady warrior guided the Greatest Renegades and the Zambwi Wizard Princess from North Zam to East Zam.
East Zam was usually the more celebratory district. It looked less lively than normal now. There were damages left from the monster attacks. Where abominations and fliers had run unchallenged until Joey turned the entire city into a lair.
Then again, this city’s been through the ringer. From Eric Jaeger to the final push of the monster wave. And he still had to tell them about the incoming Dread Slaves.
Albert ushered everyone into a bar Joey briefly recognized. It was the Renegade Bar. Renamed after him. The woman who owned it had bought it off the previous owner.
Joey noticed Lizzy, the bar owner, tucked into the corner with a tense smile on her face. Then he looked around and saw the colorful magic lights that were the size of balloons.
There was a big layered cake in the middle.
Liam burst out of the cake. “Surprise! Happy birthday, dude!”
Before they started singing, Joey cut them off. “Who’s idea was this?”
Liam stood proudly inside the cake prop, hands on hips. “It was a joint effort. I mean, I might’ve come up with the more extravagant ideas. But you can also blame Mollysea. She’s in the corner over there. With Curi.”
Joey looked over at his battlemaid. She waved. Curi waved double while standing beside her. They looked perfectly healthy and happy. Which meant Mollysea had found some action while keeping Curi safe as the kraken rescued people.
Joey would have to hear how their monster wave adventure went later. Right now, he had Albert and Nate swooping in from both sides of him.
They scooped him up by the armpits, stealing him away from the Greatest Renegades and the Zambwi Wizard Princess.
They plopped him down on a high-back chair.
“Hear ye, hear ye, as we honor our grace, the esteemed and unstoppable Prince Joey! For he was born nineteen years ago and is a blessing who brings wealth and growth to all who he holds dear! So, in turn, we’ll hold him extra dear today!”
Liam was wearing plain clothing. Even if stained by cake batter, at least he wasn’t uncovered when he climbed out of the cake and knelt in front of Joey.
Liam stretched out a hand. Nate passed him a mug filled with something dark.
“Our gift to you in an establishment not only based on you, but supportive of all things Zambwi Shadow Prince Joey Eclipse. Such as helping us make this speciality drink called the Shadow Dragon Brew. The most expensive item on the menu, too. Portions go to your hoard in the treasury, of course.”
“The bank’s treasury,” Joey corrected, swiping the mug out of Liam’s hand. He tipped and drank. And drank. And drank it empty. He was going to need it. “Emelia’s the Zambwi Wizard Princess, by the way.”
“Uh, what?” Liam’s smile faltered.
“I’m not your prince anymore. And I’ve sold you guys off as part of the bank deal. You’ll be staying when we leave for the Dread Whale in a few days.”
“You’re leaving for the Dread Whale in a few days?” May asked, making her presence more felt.
Some of his old anxiety surfaced. He ran with it as he snapped his fingers toward Lizzy.
She had a drink prepared in a jiffy and delivered into his hand. Joey downed another mug of the Shadow Dragon Brew.
It hit the spot.
Dark, spicy, dangerous.
Now he could ruin the party before it went full swing.
“The Dread Slaves are on the land,” Joey said. “They’ve turned north to infect the beasts of the land with dread. They’ll probably be stronger because of the system-nerf directives lessening on the Dread Whale. We need to leave Zambwi Land quickly before they could trap us. With whatever glyph boats we have.”
Stunned silence.
“Should I go outside?” Lizzy asked in a small voice.
“No,” Princess Emelia commanded. The poor bar owner squeezed into the corner and tried to act like furniture until called upon.
“I never questioned how you know these things,” May said.
“Princely powers and dreams,” Joey said, nodding toward Harmony sleeping in a booth. “Do you believe me?”
“I have to believe you. But I’ll have to launch my war sirens now. It’ll take us ten days to get to our ancestral territory.”
“It’ll take the glyph boats eight days to get to the Dread Whale from East Zambwi,” Emelia explained. “We only have enough working glyph boats for 700 personnel. Maybe close to 800 if we push capacity. That’s a far cry from the thousands we planned for.”
Joey smiled. “Still bigger than my original quest, right, Princess Maylolee?”
“It is indeed,” May said.
“Hold up. Time out. Rewind. Why aren’t you Prince Joey anymore?” Liam said. “And what do you mean you sold us off?”
“You’ll work closely with Princess Emelia to guide Zambwi into the future,” Joey said. “I’ve sold out and got what I needed. All that remaining profit belongs to you guys and the gnomes. The contract is getting you paid serious money no matter what.”
