The Beginning After The End 08

by Turtle Me

“Fair enough,” he said, pulling out a new set of clothes from his dimension ring. “You’ll probably run into them fairly often, but they’re these doe-eyed beasts that are at the bottom of the food chain. Basically, it’s slang for an inexperienced ascender.”

  ‘Yeah, you wogart,’ Regis chortled.

  “Fair enough,” I said, chuckling in amusement as I walked away.

  Taking the narrow marble road, which was surprisingly clean—there wasn’t a single piece of trash in sight—I made my way toward the clock tower when I saw the faintest of shadows blur by.

  I was more disappointed in myself that I hadn’t noticed this person than I was annoyed at yet another interruption.

  “You can come out now,” I said without breaking stride.

  A slim man garbed in dark leather and chainmail hopped down from one of the lower buildings to my left.

  “Why are you following me?” I asked, studying the man who looked close to my age.

  Curly locks of moss-green hair draped over much of his face, but I could make out high cheekbones underneath a pair of deep-set brown eyes.

  “Peace,” he said, his voice low and croaky. The man raised his arms, showing his empty palms.

  “Assuming Quinten was telling the truth, you’re not with him,” I mused. “A third party trying his luck?”

  He shook his head. “I sensed mana usage, and in this part of the level that generally means a fight. I assumed someone was in trouble, so I checked it out.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question,” I responded calmly.

  “Curiosity got the best of me,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was impressed with the way you took that thug down and, honestly, surprised you let him off so easy. Despite what he told you, you’d have been in your rights to end his life.”

  “That’s not how I do things,” I said, not bothering to hide my distaste.

  “That’s why I’d like to be on your team when you go back into the Relictombs.” The stranger held my gaze confidently, but the fingers of his left hand were twiddling with nervous energy.

  With the recent attempted-mugging fresh in my mind, I wasn’t feeling particularly trustful, and I was sure this man was hiding something. “Sorry to disappoint, friend, but I’m not going ‘back’ into the Relictombs. This is my preliminary ascent.”

  He nodded, his curly green bangs bouncing gently around his face. “I heard. I can help with that, help you find a team that won’t get you killed.”

  ‘He’s a persistent one,’ Regis said.

  Silently agreeing, I decided to be blunt. “Why? What’s in it for you? Give me an answer I can believe, and I’ll think about joining you.”

  “I can’t sense your mana. I couldn’t even when you took out that mugger, which you managed with a single blow. You don’t make sense. You're different. And in the Relictombs, different is good.”

  Regis chuckled in my mind. ‘I like this guy.’

  “That’s it?” I asked skeptically.

  “We all go in for the same reasons: get strong, get rich,” he said, his hands balling into fists to still his fidgeting fingers. “But the Relictombs can’t be charted or mapped. The only way to change where you go is to change who you travel with. Like I said, different is good.”

  “So you think the Relictombs are going to take you somewhere new if you go in with me?” This ascender seemed to know more about the Relictombs than anyone else I’d talked to, except maybe Alaric. Even the old drunk hadn’t made the connection about traveling with different people to chart different paths through the dungeon, though.

  “That’s the idea. New paths, new chances to win accolades—maybe even a relic.”

  That was something I could believe. Anybody with his level of knowledge and confidence was bound to be useful inside.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  “Haedrig.”

  He held out his hand. I took it and was immediately surprised by how small it was. I could feel the calluses from long hours holding a weapon on the fingers and palms, and his grip was strong, but delicate.

  “Grey.”

  “You know, Grey,” Haedrig said as we turned to walk together toward the clock tower, “you’ll find fewer alley rats willing to try their luck with you if you properly displayed your runes. Generally, only those who lack confidence in their runes will cover them.

  “Is that another reason why mages show off their runes?” I asked. “Sorry, I’m from the countryside, so to me, it just seems like they’re showing off.”

  “It may seem arrogant, and there are plenty of ascenders out there who fit that description, but it does make life easier in general,” he explained. “Not many people actually take the time to learn to read runes since, depending on the spell it provides, there can be a lot of variances in design. Ascenders, in general, aren’t a studious group.”

  As I listened, I realized I hadn’t considered the societal impact of having your strength so clearly displayed to anyone who looked. On Dicathen, I might judge someone’s strength by the quality of their weapons and armor, or because they had a mana beast bond, or—back when such things were still possible—because I could sense their mana, but I could still be wrong. Here, a potential ally—or opponent—could tell exactly what you were capable of just by looking at your runes.

  “Anyway, let’s find us a team,” he continued. “There are a few ways to go about it, but I’m assuming you want to take your prelim as soon as possible?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then the association building that thug directed you to wouldn’t be a good idea,” he said, taking the lead. “It’s the safest way, but you have to fill out a pretty extensive request, and it’ll take them a few days to find you a team willing to take you.”

  I rubbed my chin, wishing I’d hit Quinten even harder. “What do you suggest then?”

  Haedrig motioned toward the way. “Follow me.”

  We made our way out of the narrow road and onto Vritra Avenue. The streets were pleasantly lively with ascenders—some were garbed in casual clothes while others looked as if they had brutally murdered someone just moments ago. Dozens of white trees with soft purple leaves stood tall on the streets every few blocks, providing shade and scattering their gem-like leaves.

  I couldn’t help but notice Haedrig’s eyes constantly surveying the area, as if always on the look-out for something.

  “Are we lost?” I asked.

  “No. It’s just… there are some people looking for me. It’s not important.”

  It sounded important… but I dropped the subject for now.

  After passing the clock tower that Quinten had directed me to, we took a winding road that led past several inns, two brothels, and a medical center. Finally, Haedrig stopped.

  ‘Woah… ’ Regis said breathily.

  My eyes widened at the sight in front of us, not quite sure what to make of it. I thought that maybe Haedrig had gotten lost… He looked back at me with an amused expression, as if relishing my reaction.

  “We’re here.”

  296

  Familial Ascent

  A large plaza surrounded by a ring of tall lavender trees stretched out ahead of us, overcrowded and even louder than the first level of the Relictombs. The area was filled with the rumble of dozens of half-shouted conversations. If the crowd hadn’t been composed entirely of ascenders clad in impressive armor and weapons, I would’ve mistaken this place for a flea market.

  “What… is this place?” I hesitantly asked, watching the ascenders file between neat rows of wooden booths.

  “The best place to find a team… if you know what you’re looking for.” Haedrig replied before plunging into the crowd. “Come on.”

  I hurried after him, not wanting to get separated within the sea of ascenders.

  “Looking for a Caster! At least two emblems required! One time ascent!”

  “Looking for a sentry! Favorable distribution of a
ll accolades!”

  Each stall had at least one ascender standing nearby hollering out their requirements for an ideal candidate to join their team. It was fascinating.

  I watched as a flat-faced, broad-shouldered hulk turned to show his exposed runes to a tall, twiggy man with long golden hair. The golden-haired ascender looked thoughtful, then shook his head, but I lost sight of them in the crowd after that.

  Nearby, a handsome young ascender sat nonchalantly on his table, speaking in a low voice so that those surrounding him had to lean in to hear. I couldn’t make out the words, but, by the rapturous expressions of his audience, he must have been telling them a thrilling tale.

  “Grey!” Haedrig called out, several paces ahead. “This way.”

  The green-haired ascender led us past several rows of stalls until we arrived at a small building with ascenders shuffling in and out.

  “You’ll need to get changed here first,” Haedrig explained, pointing to the windowless shed. “You brought your armor, right?”

  I stepped to the back of the line. “Of course.”

  While I had kept the white dagger within my coat as a safety measure, the black armor and teal cloak had been stored safely in my storage rune; Alaric had gotten me a dimension ring—using my own money, of course—before we visited the ascender building. The problem was that, because I couldn’t use mana, I wasn’t able to activate the ring. Still, I kept it on me; if anything, the ring served as a camouflage to others.

  After changing, I stepped out of the large shed. Haedrig eyed me critically.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “It’s—it’s nothing,” he said with a cough. “While the cloak looks nice, I was hoping you’d have a more impressive set of armor.”

  “I haven’t really had the time to shop for armor,” I said, looking down at myself. “Do I really look that shabby?”

  “Not shabby, just—” Haedrig scratched his head.“Never mind. Let’s go.”

  As I followed him back into the press of ascenders, I wondered what he was looking for. We had passed dozens of groups looking for new party members already, but Haedrig had barely spared them a glance.

  Admittedly, based on the shouted advertisements and posted signage, it seemed unlikely that any of these groups would be interested in a new ascender who hadn’t even completed his preliminary ascent yet. In fact, most of the teams looking for an ascender here had listed requirements for a minimum number of ascents candidates must have completed.

  “How are we going to find someone willing to take me here?” I asked, narrowly avoiding bumping into yet another ascender. “Most of these people seem to be looking for experienced ascenders.”

  Haedrig looked back at me as he continued leading the way. “There are only established teams here looking for one-off members. If we go in a bit deeper, we’ll see different types of groups, including individuals who are looking to escort ascenders on their prelim.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked. “Unless I’m willing to pay them, I really can’t see any benefit for an ascender to take the time to escort a wogart on their prelim.”

  Haedrig stifled a laugh.

  I frowned. “What is it?”

  “I’ve never heard someone refer to himself as a wogart before,” he said, his voice tinged with laughter. “And, while not everyone finds it worth it, there are quite a few benefits.”

  “Watch it,” a brawny woman in silver plate armor grunted as we butted shoulders.

  “Sorry,” I muttered before turning back to my green-haired companion. “What are these benefits?”

  “If you go to the trouble to meet the higher qualifications to get a principal’s badge—which a lot of experienced ascenders do anyway, since most academies require all of their instructors to have one—you don’t have to pay for any of the accommodations in any of the ascender buildings. Also, the High Sovereign gives a generous stipend for principals to take ascenders on their prelims,” Haedrig explained.

  ‘So another way to foster new ascenders. Agrona has invested an awful lot in making sure his people are willing to throw themselves into the jaws of death for him, huh?’ Regis said.

  I nodded, considering Regis’s words. To Haedrig, I asked, “Is there anything else?”

  Haedrig thought for a moment, slowing down his pace while still deftly avoiding the mass of ascenders. “Well, being a wogart farmer isn’t the most respected career path, but it’s pretty safe, especially if you have blood to take care of.”

  I raised a brow. “Wogart farmer?”

  “Oh, sorry. It’s another slang—ascenders who have ‘retired’ and only escort candidates that need to do their preliminary ascent,” he clarified.

  “So are those who we’re looking for—wogart farmers, I mean?”

  “Yes, although we have to be careful about who we end up going with.”

  As we walked further into the large, overcrowded plaza, I began to see more young ascenders—some of whom looked just about as lost as I felt.

  “Let me handle the talking,” Haedrig said as he led us to one of the larger stalls.

  “Ah, are you two looking for a principal to take you down?” The attendant, a burly gentleman with a handlebar mustache, asked gruffly.

  “My friend is on his prelim, and I’ll be accompanying him,” Haedrig replied courteously. “Do you have an information sheet for your business?”

  “Information sheet?” the burly ascender echoed, confused.

  Haedrig didn’t bother with the man any further. With a curt nod, he said, “Thank you for your time,” and walked away.

  I was curious, but stayed silent as Haedrig went from stall to stall. Some offered simple pamphlets, which looked to be a summary of their work history, though others, like the mustachioed ascender, seemed caught off guard by the request.

  Ultimately, however, Haedrig would give the same curt nod and we’d move onto the next stall.

  “What was wrong with that woman? She seemed to already have attracted a few people for their prelim ascents,” I asked.

  Haedrig cocked a brow. “Attracted. Interesting choice of words. Did you want to go with her because she was pretty?”

  “What?” I sputtered. “No, I was just saying that the other ascenders probably thought she was qualified enough to lead them down, right?”

  “They were all men.”

  “I’m just curious what your criteria is,” I grumbled, feeling as if I had been scolded for some reason.

  “I see that Grey likes his women ample in the front,” Haedrig said with a shrug. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  ‘I am also pro-ample women,’ Regis said matter-of-factly.

  “Keep it in mind for what?” I said indignantly.

  Ignoring my question, Haedrig handed me the pamphlet he had received from the female principal ascender. “Look closely. Though her pamphlet is notarized by the association, there’s no column for referrals from previous ascenders she has led on prelims, and she’s not even an alumna of an academy.”

  “While I appreciate the thoroughness, is all of this really necessary?” I asked, handing back the piece of parchment. “I’m quite capable, and, seeing the way you carry yourself, I’m pretty certain you are too.”

  Haedrig stared at me, mildly surprised. “Is it that noticeable?”

  “For the trained eye it is.” I stepped toward my mysterious companion. “And it’s natural to study someone you don’t fully trust.”

  Haedrig only nodded, his eyes meeting mine, his brow turned down thoughtfully, but the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.

  ‘He’s a little strange, isn’t he? Not us strange, but still strange,’ Regis mused.

  He is a peculiar one, I agreed. But he doesn’t seem to have any ill intent, so far as I can tell.

  We continued our search, going from stall to stall while Haedrig asked a few questions to the principal ascenders while I listened. There were a lot of older, washed up as
cenders who reminded me of Alaric—albeit not so blatantly drunk. Some of the principals seemed to take it personally, as if it was a blow to their pride that we weren’t immediately worshipping them, but most were genuinely nice and rather patient with us.

  This made it all the more frustrating that Haedrig still hadn’t found anyone he considered suitable. By the time we had looped the entire two rows of stalls, I was on the verge of just choosing one of the principal ascenders we had talked to myself when Haedrig stopped mid-step, causing me to almost bump into him.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, trying to follow his line of sight through the crowd, but there was too much noise and commotion.

  Without a word, he bolted off, weaving through the crowd of meandering ascenders back to where the teams were looking for experienced ascenders. I followed after, surprised by how strongly he had reacted.

  By the time I had caught up to him, the green-haired ascender was talking to a man of heroic build clad in a stunning dark suit of gold-trimmed armor emblazoned with a crest in the shape of a crown. With long blond hair that draped behind shoulders and an expression that practically bled confidence, I could see why he had caught Haedrig’s eye. He seemed to be mulling over something Haedrig had just said, but a muscular young man in a uniform embellished with the same crown interrupted them.

  “Brother! You said we were looking for an experienced Shield. We don’t need another Striker, much less one with baggage.”

  ‘Isn’t that the boy that was glaring at you in the ascender building back at Aramoor?’ Regis asked.

  I think so.

  “Wasn’t it actually my overprotective little brother who actually wanted to find a Shield?” the armored ascender responded with amusement. “I can’t believe you don’t trust me enough to watch over my own siblings.”

  “Yeah, you’re worrying too much, Ezra!” The speaker, one of a pair of girls—both wearing similar uniforms to the boy—had the same blond hair as our potential principal. I realized then that I recognized her and her friend; they had been with the group of students waiting to take their assessment. “You know that Brother has gone on at least a dozen ascents already. And besides, this ascender seems to be experienced as well.”