It was one of the many skills Arken had found at his disposal. At least the ones he could use liberally without the author interfering.
It gave him a unique edge to the world he was inhabiting. Insight into a possible narrative path arising from past decisions and future possibilities of said character. Or even objects. Yes, even that.
When he had run into Kalni, into the bothersome librarian crone Rema, the awfully trusting monk leader Huma he had discovered their paths.
Some would struggle. Others would fumble. A lot would simply—go through the motions of a dull life, unless falling into the crosshairs of a major novel character thanks to a clueless author who kept writing garbage fiction that held multitudes mortality at stake.
That helped him devise certain paths. Giving him a breathing room to choose where and what to cultivate. Which is why he chose the slum as it fell under a rarely mentioned part of many character's plot paths.
And also why he decided people like Kalni, Huma and now Ong Irat, the fat mayor of Andluri were going to help him get where he needed to be.
He waited till the man gathered himself and sat down on his chair, defeated.
Good. He's nervous. Let's cook him.
Arken deliberately spoke in a sudden tone, startling the mayor, "if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm the one messing up your turf. If you can even call it that. You, who never even cares to step in that—that shithole!"
That strangley perked up Ong's attention and he looked at Arken.
Bait and hook.
"Why cover your face?"
Arken scrunched up his nose in annoyance. "That's not important. The necessary question is what are we going to do to help each other."
Ong's eyebrows couldn't have gone more higher, "help each other?"
The fuck is he? A parrot?
"Yes dammit, help each other out. Like partners." Arken looked up grinning but the mayor couldn't possibly know that behind his face cobering and the hood that gave Arken a very mysterious aura.
Ong Irat laughed and became relaxed, even going as far as to start to eat his meal then paused, "you don't mind do you? I don't want it to get cold and I just can't miss the opportunity to eat while entertainment persists."
Oh, ye cheeky fucker.
"By all means pig, eat to your hearts content."
Ong choked on his meat and dabbed on his tablecloth, "your parents didn't teach you manners?"
"Manners are for humans. I'm not one."
The simple answer left nothing much else to discuss but it was increasing Arken's frustration.
Ok calm. What can work on him? Think.
Arken's eyes darted around. Candles, lanterns, cloth, white, porcelain, concrete?, fucking gold covered...
Arken laid his palms flat on the table, "I see now. You're assuming I'm not a harm to you isn't it?"
Ong chowed on his meal and nodded, "it was very impressive. Getting past my guards if you wanted to you could've already been done with me and exited a while ago but since you didn't, that's enough to tell me you're not after my life."
"What's your proposal?"
"Let me continue to work in the slums, undisturbed, along with your men too and we split the profits between us."
Ong chewed slowly pondering. "What profit?"
Arken stood up and for a moment he caught the mayor stiffen but compose himself almost immediately.
"I have certain schemes. In place. Just need some extra 'blessings' to go by. Like yours."
The mayor eyed him closely, as he drank wine from a gold plated glass and then put it down. No hurry now.
"Before that, what do you think about the slums?"
Arken wrinkled his nose, "what about it?"
"You know, like a personal thought, anything." Ong insisted now not chewing. "Something."
Arken closed the gap between them and leaned forward, "every cattle, every flock needs a shepherd. They go helter skelter otherwise. I'm it. That is them. They earn for me and will do their best for me. That's what I'm offering you. Absolute loyalty."
Ong Irat found the analogy amusing and chuckled, "so they're mindless cattle right? Free for us to play with till they're done being useful. Now, I like you." He cut open a piece with great gusto with Arken watching.
"Glad I amuse and entertain you but lets talk terms now."
Before Ong could open his mouth Arken said, "say fifty or half, and you'll be eating your intestines in gut soup."
Ong Irat swallowed and chuckled nervously, "hehe no need for violence, friend. Partner. We share the same idea after all. I definitely understand you getting vocal about half-half since it's a major control of yours there but, I'm the mayor son."
"I'll look bad if I accept pittance. So forty."
Arken laughed, "you're crazy. Thirty. I'll go even fucking lower, I swear..."
"Thirty five."
Again, the mayor couldn't see it but underneath all that show of tension, frustration and sweat, Arken's grin was threatening to spill over to laughter.
He extended a hand to the mayor who met it slowly and shook it.
"Here's to a good earning."
☆
Andluri Dungeons
Floor 5
ROARRRR!
Rocks crumbled and tumbled down as the goblins rushed straight along the narrow corridor to the solitary figure in front of them.
Kalni swung her sword at the right time as the first ones charged, cutting down three easily while wounding the fourth one who stumbled sideways, his shield fallen.
"Blitz Strike!"
Her prowess increased tenfold as she lifted her sword and charged with an unnatural speed, in very less time cutting through the goblins in a straight line then running back to where she had come from and killing the fallen one who was still reaching for his shield.
"Phew! Is that all of them then?"
She found herself breathing heavily and steadied herself.
A year ago she wouldn't have been able to easily do the work she had been doing now. But since meeting Arken her life, she felt had taken a drastic turn. Whether it was for the good or the bad remained to be seen, but change was inevitable.
For some reason he hadn't allowed her to take the binding oath despite calling her a member of his so-called cult but she had reaped the benefits.
Her skills had been upgraded, her body felt lighter and easier to train in previously harder parts of the dungeon.
Yet what she didn't get was her use to him. He rarely spoke to her of his plans and she always felt like an entitled person when she wanted to ask so she mostly refrained from it.
'It's like he wants me close yet also at a distance at the same time.'
She had begun to slowly pine for her revenge. Feeling she was wasting time with him as he did unknowable things. But she also didn't want to abandon him, after making good use of his cult's skills for herself.
The morning air greeted her as she hauled the magic cart with her and made her way to the adventurers guild in the main town.
"Hiiiii, Kalni!" The excited receptionist greeted her and Kalni smiled politely.
"Good haul today too I take it."
Kalni shrugged, "could've been better."
Her eyes fell on the quest board and immediately to the lone picture and she sighed.
"All in gold please. Like usual."
When she got back to the slum after yet another uneventful day, her mind was only on making food and sleeping when it flew out the window the moment she saw the priest brothers slide in through the open ones.
"What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to guard him?"
The brothers looked at each other then looked down dejected.
Kalni was furious. "Where is he?"
☆
Thirty five, huh? Not so bad if you ask me but man I wish...
Arken saw Kalni storm in like a hurricane with flaring nostrils and the hurt of betrayal.
Better she get used to it now than later.
"Where did you go without me?!"