(Second Book Complete!) Runeblade: A Delving & Skill Merging LitRPG

Still sitting in the silence room where he had undergone his interview, Kaius stared at the copper emblem in his hand, before looking back to Ro with a slight frown on his face.

“How does it work? I know the emblems are supposed to be representative of our identity and allow us free passage into all kingdoms who hold the Guild, but how?” he asked. The freedoms permitted by Guild membership were legendary, and he knew many were tied to the little hunk of copper he now held in his hands, but little else.

Ro smiled at him. “It’s enchanted. It’s basic, just a stripped down binding ritual and Self Repair, though at higher ranks we start to reinforce them to stand up to the…vigour that most high tiered experience. Channel some mana into it, then use an analysis skill if you have one.”

Kaius nodded, looking down to the large copper medallion. He closed his fist around it, enjoying the cold of the metal. This was just the start, from here he would push until he was a force that could no longer be denied.

As much as it burned him, investigating the Onyx Temple would have to wait. They were legendary in their reach and capability, and sticking his nose into their business before he hit the second tier was just asking to end up locked away in some forgotten cell to be tortured for his secrets.

He’d gained backing, and a path to power today. That support might be tenuous as it stood, but as he gained strength and respect, that would change. It was possible, as risky as it was, that having some of his more obvious secrets ferreted out by Ro would be to his benefit. It made him one to keep an eye on, a potential future asset. He could leverage that.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Chop chop!” Ro said with a clap of her hands, startling him out of the moment.

He shook his head, he was getting sentimental. Giving Ro an abashed half smile, Kaius pulled on his mana, threading it into the minor artefact he held in his grip. Pushing it outside of his body was…easier than it had been in the past, if he was honest with himself, but it was still leagues behind the deft control and flowing speed he had when he manipulated the energy within the confines of his body.

A moment later he felt a slight pop as his mana breached the emblem, then a slight tug on his soul. The emblem hung off his centre like a lead fishing weight, if only for a moment before the connection broke once more. A minor binding formation indeed, the process had little in common with the adamant chains that bound him to Porkchop and A Father’s Gift.

Uncurling his fingers to reveal gleaming brushed metal, Kaius used True Sight on the artefact.

Copper Guild Emblem:

Common - Tier I

Copper, for those who are just showing their worth.

Made from pure copper wrapped around a core of inscribed steel, this artefact freely confirms the identity of the one who wields as long as they touch the emblem with their skin while it is analyzed.

Owner - Confirmed:

Kaius - Copper Delver’s guild member

Registered Bonds:

Porkchop - Warbeast

Registered Accolades:

N/A

Artisan-wrought Artefact.

Auxiliary (Emblem)

Self Repair I, Guild Bond

Kaius dismissed the notification. “So I just have to hold it while someone uses an analysis skill and it will work?”

Nodding her head, Ro’s hair swished past her shoulders, forcing her to brush it back.

“Exactly, it will say ‘Owner Unconfirmed’ otherwise. It’s basic, but it works. For now, as a Copper it will give you proof of identity for you and Porkchop, but once you reach Bronze, you will be able to open an account with us, to keep your funds safe and access them from any city with a Guildhouse.”

Kaius nodded in appreciation. The Guild had fallen into the banking industry early. After all, Delver’s tended to travel far, travel often, and accumulate significant wealth. He could understand leaving access until the Bronze tier, as it had to be an expensive system to run, however they did it.

Ro sighed, stretching her arms over head before she stood up from her seat. She met his eyes once more once she was standing.

“Listen, as a Copper you’ll be able to take on jobs rated up to level sixty. Your type tends to grow strong, quick, so I’m sure you’ll chafe under that soon enough. Your quickest route to bronze will be ten jobs rated from fifty to your cap. However, even with a warbeast, you’ll only be able to take jobs rated for a team of two, which will substantially hamper your prospects with how overrun the entire region is. My advice is you find someone you can trust and work with long term, the three to five bracket is much more flexible.” she said, calmly explaining his position.

Kaius frowned. Another team member? And only level sixty? They’d just handedly taken down an Irontusk barely a week ago, and with their size and natural strength they were a threat rated far higher than their nominative level.

Ro smirked, pink lips parting to reveal the tips of her canines. “Yeah, it’s bullshit, but that’s why I told you I wouldn’t be bending any more rules. Listen, most of the jobs we are taking now are escalating in threat by the time we can reach them. A few mid-thirty jobs, maybe a week or two’s travel from Deadacre? Why, I’d be down right surprised if they didn’t hit a threat level in the forties by the time you reached them.”

Kaius’s mind raced. That could work. Sure, Ro was still drastically underestimating him, and it would mean more time in the wilds, but honestly he preferred that to the constant hustle and bustle of the city.

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“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.” he replied, giving Ro a thankful nod.

The manager of the Guild fixed him with a stare. “I’m only telling you that because I assume you have a good handle on your own capabilities. Don’t go and chase something before you’re ready. I need Iron and Steel, not dead greenhorns and another fucking write up, you hear?” Ro demanded, steely eyes drilling into his own as the hand that wasn’t holding her sword rested on her hip.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Ro said, giving him a firm nod. “Now, I really suggest you find someone to work with. I wasn’t joking when I said we don’t have much work that will suit you for a team of two. Also, I suggest heading back to the gate now, they sent a runner to let me know that you were coming.”

Kaius nodded once more. Ro smiled, and with a few parting words on where he could find an inn by the name of the Dusty Stables—allegedly something of a favourite amongst delvers with unusual bonded companions—the manager of the delver’s guild swept out of the room to see to her duties. The door clicked shut, leaving them alone, and Kaius simply sat and digested the last few moments.

“Well. That was eventful. Promising first experience with the Guild, though, she’s no nonsense, but also helpful. Kinda like a Matriarch.” Porkchop said.

Kaius shook his head and chuckled at his brother’s words. “If that living whirlwind reminded you of the Matriarchs, I can see why you left. But you’re right, that went about as well as we could have hoped, given the circumstances.”

His brother let out a throaty chuckle, though he didn’t deny the words.

“What now?” Porkchop asked.

Kaius sighed and pushed himself out of the seat. “Now we go and get your registration confirmed with the guards by the gate. No need to make any more trouble. After that, probably find our inn. It’s late enough that the artisans will be setting up shop by the time we get back, and I’d like to do a little inventory of what we want to flog off, and what we want to buy.”

Grunting at his answer, Porkchop rose to his feet, towering over him. “And what of a third party member? No one will be able to keep up with us, so we’ll have to settle for someone who won’t get in our way. Also, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but basically anyone we bring with us will immediately notice our strength, and your magic.”

Kaius groaned. He didn’t need reminding. That sort of trust was in short supply. “Tomorrow, we’ll check the board and see if the situation is as dire as it looked to be. If it is…we might need to hunt down Ianmus, hope that he’s been unable to secure passage.”

“It seems he inherited the elves’ uncanny ability to miraculously get involved in every event that involves the meles. Astounding.” Porkchop grumbled, before letting out a heavy sigh. “He’s not so bad. His ears just irritate me.”

Kaius laughed. “Better that than not being able to take the good contracts. Now come on, let’s visit our old friend the lieutenant.”

They set off, making their way out of the room. As they crossed the Guild common room, Kaius caught the sight of Vangus giving him a half wave. He looked over, to find the sneak tapping a bronze emblem while raising his eyebrows questioningly.

Grinning in response, Kaius flashed his copper, and got a wide smile in return.

Waving the man goodbye they left the hall, entering the streets of Deadacre.

….

The sun was slowly setting on the streets of the city as he and Porkchop made their way through the winding stone arteries that crisscrossed the settlement. It was a warm afternoon, amber and pink light splashing across the sky like spilled paint, and lighting up cobbled roads in a warmth that brought with it a comforting drowsiness.

Kaius hummed softly as he walked next to his brother, directing them towards the delver’s quarter. While Explorer’s Toolkit was far less assistance in the city, he’d always had a good sense of direction, and remembering which turns to take was far easier than navigating through endless forest or the winding caves of the depths.

In the end, checking in with the guards by the gate had been a simple matter. They’d been waved down as soon as they arrived, one of the rank and file jogging up to them. The guardsman had been young, but confident. Once he’d analyzed their emblem and confirmed Porkchop’s registration, he’d waved them off at once, returning to helping with the milling crowds of refugees that were taking shelter in the temporary tents by the gate.

The slow thrum of the crowds thinned around them as people hastened home or to the various public houses that lined its many streets. It was interesting, watching the city wind down. A different life, one that he could never quite wrap his head around.

Sure, it was nice enough to spend a few weeks, or even a month or two, in the city. Afterall, it was a riot of places to explore and things to see. Yet, he couldn’t see himself ever living here. Surely the narrow streets, the tight packed confines, and the crowds had to eventually drive people mad?

On the other hand, all that concentrated life gave the air a certain…energy. Though, right now it was far different that he remembered from a few years back. Then, it had been almost exuberant. Joyful. Now it was tense, and stressed. Like an overdrawn bow, ready to snap.

He shook his head. The sooner they could pick up a job and get out of here, the better.

Another few turns took them into the Delver’s district, with its wider streets, nice buildings, and dozens of different shops catered to the needs of the city’s fighters. Those were all shuttered now, though Kaius did make note of one inscriptionist with a sign of an embellished glyph engraved on a wooden shield. They had a few suits of armour in their windows. Covered in clean runework, he could make out Ykkardian sigils blended with something unfamiliar through the use of Yosh. Someone skilled and, judging by one leather set, the experience to work on Porkchop’s new barding. They’d have to check it out tomorrow. Though, perhaps when they went to check out the mission board, they’d be able to get some recommendations.

Turning another corner, he spied the Guildhouse still filled with raucous activity. He’d heard they never closed, but it was good to confirm it for himself.

“You two-legs really do like beer, don’t you?” Porkchop asked, eying the loud talking figures that downed tankards like it was water in a desert.

“Can’t deny that,” Kaius laughed, before he pointed down another side road. “Come on, the Dusty Stables is supposed to be over there.”

A few more turns and they found it. Kaius was certain.

Twice as wide as the average building, and an extra story tall, the Dusty Stables stood out in stark relief from its surroundings. Its ground floor was quite literally stables, built into the stone foundations of the building. Most were empty, but at least a third held all manner of strange mounts. Stout legged flightless birds, similar to the beasts who had accosted Ianmus. Strange horse like creatures, and a dozen other varieties of furred beast. One even had a massive lizard.

Stairs lead up the side of the building, wide enough that he and Porkchop could walk two abreast, leading directly to a landing that held a massive front door.

Its windows shone with the soft orange of flickering fire, mingling with the steady glow of wardlights tuned to the same colour. It looked…inviting. Kaius felt the weary weight of travel set on his shoulders, burdening him with lethargy.

“Come on, I want some food and a soft bed.” he said, hurrying his way forwards with Porkchop in tow.