Chapter 170: Encounter (1)

“So….Rena was it?” Glint asked as he tossed a thick brown cloak over his shoulders. He pulled the attached hood over his face before continuing his words.

“How was your introduction to the chapel?” Glint sincerely glanced at the woman’s face, expecting some sort of response. Instead the wolf-girl grappled with a sudden bout of shame, it caused her cheeks to redden — as if she were a school girl being teased about a crush. She could only avert her gaze downward and hurriedly cover her face with her own hooded cloak.

A few steps away Fargo let out a hearty laugh, the sound of which was so foreign that the trio could feel eyes all around gazing upon them. Fargo took the lead, stepping up to the two adventurers who had no other purpose than to act as “bouncers” for the chapel which masqueraded as a nightclub.

The two muscular men didn’t show any outward signs of aggression but their expressions were hard like steel as one of them grunted, “Purpose?”

“Training the new one. And maybe some light snatching too.” Fargo added with gleeful enthusiasm. The bouncer shifted his right brow upwards, as if questioning whether Fargo’s mood was misplaced. Nevertheless, he stepped to the side and allowed the three enslaved adventurers to step out of the building and into the sunlight.

“I didn’t realize just how dark it was in there until now.” Rena remarked as she stepped into the light of midday.

“You’ll get used to it. Sadly.” Fargo added, though if truth was told Rena didn’t sense much lamentation in the bald Guardian’s voice. He then turned and began walking, as did their other companion Glint, leaving Rena to feel as if she were merely tagging along.

She searched her mind for something, anything that might help her bridge the distance between her and the complete strangers walking just ahead of her. Her mind swam with thoughts as she mulled over the crash course given to her by the man known as Fargo. She had a good idea of what was permitted and what was not, and for the most part the slave mark forced her into indentured servitude. That was, until such a time that the man known as Gaines felt “satisfied” with a person’s contribution to his cause–whatever that was.

Rena also realized that the terms of breaking a contract were so vague that most people never managed to measure up to them. In fact, she recalled winning a scoffing chuckle from Fargo when she asked if anyone had ever been released from their bondage. The last couple of days at Memento Mori had been filled with gloom and doom, save for her time with her new “sisters”. Which was why Rena was puzzled. Both of the men before her walked like they had a purpose and what’s more they seemed to be discussing something between one another. Their words were low so Rena couldn’t make it all out, but there was an unmistakable sense of excitement in the air. That and a sense of hopefulness, something Rena quickly learned was in short supply given her situation.

The trio soon approached the main road of Sprim Row, a large intersecting street which stretched from the main entrance to the end of the district. Now that there were more people nearby Rena entertained the idea of calling out for help, of letting anyone know of her current predicament — yet even as the idea formed her throat began to burn. Soon she was rubbing her throat, her eyes were watering and she attempted to clear her throat in vain.

This drew a difficult to read glance from both Fargo and Glint. Rena thought she saw a hint of sadness and empathy behind their gazes, but their expressions were blank.

“So, you’re from the east right? What’s the name of the starter town there again?” Fargo asked as he directed his gaze before him once more.

“Oria.” Rena replied, her thoughts settling on her hometown.

“That’s the city nestled in the mountains right? That sounds really nice. I’ve never been myself. I’d like to go someday.” Glint added, though he was speaking to Rena, he didn’t bother to face her. For a brief moment she thought this might be rude, then the dark skinned man turned and tapped his temple a few times.

“Doesn’t hurt anymore–does it?” He then asked.

Rena’s eyes widened slightly as she realized the pain in her throat was all but gone.

“Y-yea. How-” She started to ask, but Fargo smiled and pressed a finger to his lips as if to say — “our little secret”. Rena nodded, understanding somewhat as she thought she had an idea. The moment she focused her mind on something else the pain went away almost instantly. There must be rules to triggering Gaines’ mark. On this subject Rena recalled Fargo’s instructions to simply “don’t think or act on anything defiant and you won’t have any problems.”.

At first she thought the words to be lacking in context, but she now understood. It was intent that caused the pain in her throat. She swallowed, her eyes growing watery as she recalled the searing pain — for a moment she almost lapsed back into it. It was a struggle to train her thoughts, but finally after a few more moments Rena managed to take a deep breath and control her own thoughts.

Unbeknownst to her, Fargo was still observing her from over his shoulder as they all walked. When she noticed his gaze the man simply nodded, as if to say “good job”. Before he looked forward and continued their conversation.

All around the trio people were going about their daily lives. Some resembled street urchins, others looked like hobos and yet still adventurers mingled within. The scent of the streets was less than appealing and a strange funk which Rena’s keen senses picked up on seemed to linger about the air.

*I’d never be caught dead in a place like this.* Rena thought, her nose quivering as they passed a particularly smelly alleyway. Just walking through the streets of Grenvale was causing her to miss home. The air was quite brisk, despite how bright the sun shone– a gentle reminder that fall was upon them.

Occasionally Rena would have her attention drawn by her companions, they both seemed to have many questions and after a while she began to feel more at ease around them.

“So how are you dealing with the damper?” Glint asked as they rounded a corner and began walking down the main street of Sprim Row.

“Damper?” Rena asked, momentary confusion lingering over her.

“Yea. That’s what we call it. This..’mark’ doesn’t just restrict us, it also debilitates.” Rena noticed that Fargo chose his words very carefully as he spoke.

“I see you’re a rank one. But right now you’re probably at about half your strength. It’s even worse for those of us who have higher ranks.” Fargo said.

“What? I never even noticed.” Rena said, an annoyed grimace covering her face. She subconsciously looked down at the spot on her chest where a skull and dagger symbol shone faintly with purple energy. She moved her hand towards it, as if to wipe it away — only to be shocked.

“Methods to keep us in line. To prevent a revolt.” Glint added to the commentary.

“Try not to touch it too much. Otherwise…well..you see what happens.” Fargo offered as they finally reached the large archway which led into central Grenvale. Rena glanced around, as if she’d just been introduced to a whole new world. To date she’d only seen Sprim Row, the poorest and dirtiest location within the city of Grenvale. She was now faced with proper adventurers, normals going about their everyday lives and a bustling square filled with various folks.

For a few moments she allowed the splendor of Grenvale at work to wash over her, she soaked up the sights and sounds, even the scent which was vastly better than Sprim Row. Then a shout, followed by the clang of metal drew her focus.

“Watch out!” The man named Glint shouted as he leapt into action, one of a pair of daggers at the ready. He intercepted a blow meant to cleave Fargo’s bald head from his shoulders. The impact from the weapon’s clashing rang out through the square, but scarcely anyone lifted their gaze to notice. A moment later Rena realized that they were under attack, and though she felt no allegiance to the persons she traveled with, she called forth her shuko. The metallic glove fit her hand perfectly causing long metallic claws to gleam as she began to step forth, her eyes locked on the person who dared to swing on them.

Fargo held up his hand , signaling Rena to stay where she was as he clenched his jaw, a strange grin forming across his lips. Fargo’s eyes were locked with the individual, Glint had managed to stop the blade of a halberd just centimeters from his throat. With a heaving shove, Glint forced back the halberd, pushing the woman several steps backwards in the process.

Rena recoiled upon focusing on the woman’s face, she could feel palpable waves of ill intent wafting outwards. It was enough to make her reconsider approaching — as if she had any intention.

*Pink Eyes.* It was the first thing Rena noticed, in the shadows of a nearby building the woman’s features were hidden, but it was her eyes that shone through, piercing all that she set them upon.

“Dying once wasn’t enough it seems.” The woman’s words held a certain weight to them, as if each syllable commanded Rena’s compliance. She slowly averted her gaze, folding under the pressure of the red haired Succubus standing before them.