Oath of the Survivor

“You’re trying to capture D Grades?  In cards?  How does that even work?”  Kyle asked, bewildered.

“It’s a complicated process, to say the least. And it grows more complicated the more powerful the creature I try to bind.  Let me ask you, Kyle, how familiar are you with the concept of a lineage inheritance?”

Kyle thought back to Tillienne and Jax before responding.  “I’ve heard of them, but I’m not familiar with the specifics.”

Ma’Sai nodded, as though he expected the response.  He was silent for a moment, a faraway look in his eye as he considered his next words.  “Our lineage is closely guarded, though it also has far more stringent requirements than most.  One cannot say they have stepped into it truly until partway through D Grade, at Level 35.  There are more requirements afterward, but that’s the minimum requirement to set foot on the path.

“Kyle, you need to understand that any deviation up until that point means that the path is a failure.  I’m the first in my generation to cross that threshold, despite being the eleventh to make it to this level in D Grade.  That means I’ve earned my place as part of the main family.”

Kyle nodded, everything so far making sense.  The idea of the inheritance being so difficult to follow was interesting, and Ma’Sai seemed to anticipate the question before he could ask.

“But what happens to those less skilled or fortunate than myself?  Particularly those who enter into D Grade, only to find they are not offered the skills they need to progress further?  They have no future in combat – they only have one offensive skill, after all.  Instead, they have a variety of skills tied to inscriptions, mana infusion, and sealing.  That specialization allows for the most beautiful part of our path.

“If they can’t step into the path of a true Deckmaster, they have the ability to pivot into an ancillary inheritance.  We haven’t been able to develop any of those to C Grade, though there are now several proven methods to progress to late D Grade, which is more than enough to be a renowned craftsman.  When coupled with hundreds of others with the same training, my family has built the foundation for their empire.”

Kyle had to admit, it was an ingenious approach.  No matter where somebody’s talents lay, they would be able to find a future in the family by following the plan.  With it explained more thoroughly, the allure was clear.  Kyle remembered the confusion on Tillienne and Jax’s faces when he talked about upgrading his long-range scouting skill to be more in line with full identification.  Why risk it, when power felt assured down the line?

At the same time, the whole notion felt stifling.  It could be that he was resistant to the idea that his path could be wrong.  His results so far seemed to prove the opposite, at least in Kyle’s opinion.  Still, he regarded the dark-haired man in front of him in a new light.  Even if their struggles looked very different, there was no denying the effort Ma’Sai put in. 

“I appreciate you sharing.” Kyle said. “I’m curious though, what does this mean in terms of capturing the creatures in the tunnels.  If you’ve taken the steps you need to take, what do you need me for?”

“Simply put, they’re a bad match for me.  My skill requires that I complete a thorough Scan on the individual specimen that I want to bind, and then place three layers of Soul Binding from one of my cards.  If it dies before that happens, or I get injured during that process, I have to start it again.”

“So basically, you need me to be a meat shield for you to buy enough time to bind these things.”

Ma’Sai grimaced.  “I would have put it more eloquently; but yes.”

“There’s something that’s just not adding up for me, though.  I don’t know the details, but it’s pretty clear you have a lot of these cards.  Do you honestly expect me to believe that you don’t have enough to distract one of these creatures?”

Ma’Sai offered a sheepish grin.  “My deck… is not yet fully formed, even though I have completed making the cards.  I have filled 30 E Grade slots, and 4 of my 10 D Grade slots.  Three of the completed D Grade slots are individual Skills I’ve bound, and not an allied beast.  Truthfully, I only have a dozen of the insectoids you saw before and one D Grade beast that serves as more of a guardian than a hunter.”

Kyle paused, folding his arms.  “You know, I was just beginning to like you, Ma’Sai.  You’re lying to me.”

“I am not.”

“Then why is my identification skill showing 35 readings?”

There was silence in the room for a minute, and Kyle saw Ma’Sai’s jaw clench.  It was unfortunate, but Kyle wasn’t about to step into a deal with somebody who was holding back critical information.  Finally, Ma’Sai broke the tension.

“I have a hidden ace, that I would not think about using for a situation like this.  I will say no more on the matter.”

“So that means you only have 5 D grade spots left.”

Ma’Sai met Kyle’s eyes, ferocity gleaming in his golden orbs.  “No, I have 6.”

“Wait, you’re telling me your ‘trump card’ is a C Grade?”

“Pray you never have to find out.  Regardless, I’m not looking to capture 6 of the creatures.  I’d like 2, which will leave me with flexibility as I grow.”

“That makes sense to me.  When do we leave?”

Ma’Sai blinked.  “Wait, what?”

“I asked when we’re leaving.  You were level with me when I asked about the missing card, and I respect keeping some secrets.  You really should think about doing something to shield your cards from identification skills, by the way.”

“My suit should be doing that on its own.  Either the inscriptions got damaged, or your skill saw through it anyway.  In either event, there’s no time like the present to go hunting.  Do you need to go back to your rooms to prepare?”

“No, I’ve got everything I need.  Like I told your tailors, the armor stays on for a reason.”

A little over an hour later, Kyle and Ma’Sai pulled up to the mouth of a large tunnel.  The driver bowed respectfully before getting back in the vehicle and driving off, leaving them alone.  They walked down a beautifully paved road, and Kyle was beginning to wonder if they’d just left the entrance to the city unguarded. 

His doubts were assuaged when they came upon what Kyle could best describe as a miniature fortress in the middle of the road.  Large metal bulwarks were set up, and Auric Perception made it clear that the runic inscriptions were not decorative.  Kyle activated Identify, and saw layer upon layer of enchantments relating to both heat and light.  A respectable number of E Grade fighters were present, each of whom felt like a match for Rochelle.  Finally, a man clad in heavy armor and carrying an absurdly large rifle stepped down to greet them.  Definitely D Grade.

“Young master, it is good to see you, though I didn’t expect it would be so soon.”  The man said with a bow.

“Go’Wree, I should have informed you.  My guest and I are going to go spend some time in the tunnels, may we pass?”

“Certainly.”  He turned to the people standing on the wall before shouting, “Open the gate for the young master!  And pay close attention when you see him return, that he is not kept waiting!”

The fortress was suddenly buzzing with activity, some opening the gate while others somehow closed the runic circles, keeping two instances intact on either door as they slid open.  I really need to learn more about rune inscription, Kyle thought.  Compared to what he’d seen, his work on C.H.A.D.D.’s upgrades felt woefully insufficient. 

On the bright side, Kyle knew that C.H.A.D.D. was documenting everything they came across, and its sensors were definitely up to the task.  With time and resources, Kyle was confident that he’d be able to work on some meaningful upgrades in the coming months.

With the gates finally open, Kyle and Ma’Sai walked into the tunnel beyond.  Immediately after passing through, Kyle heard a loud slam behind them as the barricade was restored.  “Forgive the noise; my men are quite efficient in carrying out their duties.”

“I can tell.  So, where do we go from here?”  The main path ahead was a continuation of the nicely paved road, though there were now branching tunnels moving in different directions.  What’s more, Kyle wasn’t detecting any presences outside the fortress. 

Ma’Sai didn’t seem to have any doubt as he strode toward a tunnel branching off to the right.  “I’m not certain, though I believe our best chance is to go down the side paths.  With only two of us, we are certain to attract plenty of attention.  While we walk, there’s the matter of compensation.  I’m offering 20,000 credits for each of the beasts you help me capture, and then a further 10,000 credits for any that you kill during your stay.  Do you find these terms acceptable?”

Kyle considered for a moment.  While he wouldn’t balk at the overall compensation, it felt fairly low for killing D Grade monsters.  He wasn’t completely sure, but he seemed to remember the Mercenary’s Guild being compensated closer to 50,000 credits for a successful D Grade hunt.  Then and again, he wasn’t a mercenary.  He was a courier.  “Why not?  You’ve got a deal.”

Ma’Sai beamed.  “Excellent!  Now, do you have a source of light?  Otherwise I can provide one.”

Without thinking, Kyle spoke.  “C.H.A.D.D., can you help us out?” 

An orange glow suffused the tunnel, revealing the cavernous space.  It stretched over 30 meters high, and Kyle was reminded of a forest as they weaved through a near-endless grove of stalagmites and pillars.  Auric Perception gave Kyle no indication that there were other presences in the cavern, and he turned toward Ma’Sai.  “Are you really planning on clearing all this out?  Even with Earth Mages, this would be an unbelievable undertaking.”

“We do, though it’s been put on hold.  Our expectation was to open pathways into the larger cavern networks as we expanded to get a better feeling for the natural resources, as well as identifying suitable areas for our next settlement.  It hasn’t quite worked out that way, but it will be course corrected soon enough.  It’s far more effective to plan with better information, after all.”

Kyle was about to question him more on his obsession with future planning, when he felt a whisper of foreign power.  Ignition bloomed to life as his energy burned, and Ma’Sai was quick to respond as well, drawing a golden card.  An orange glow drew Kyle’s attention as C.H.A.D.D. highlighted the creature. There!  He raised his hands in the unarmed stance he’d been taught, interposing himself between the beast and Ma’Sai just as it leapt towards the slender man.

Claws ripped at his skin while teeth lunged for Kyle’s face.  His Enhanced Carapace held against the scrabbling claws, and he growled as his hands held the beast’s head back, putting as much pressure against it as he could.  The creature vaulted backward shortly afterward, letting out a deep hissing sound.  It circled, fangs bared, giving Kyle a good look.

A rippling shadow dispersed from the beast’s body, revealing a muscular feline form nearly Kyle’s height at the shoulder.  Its skin was pale, with long flaps of skin connecting its front and back legs.  A stubby tail swished, though what Kyle noticed the most was its eyeless face and long, sword-like canine teeth.  It let out one more hiss, before cloaking itself once again in shadows, disappearing into the vast darkness of the cavern.

A loud buzzing sound joined as three of the phantasmal insectoids from before took form, floating around their master protectively.  “Impressive beasts, aren’t they?” Ma’Sai said.  “Can you understand now why I want to add them to my collection?”

“I can also see why you need the help.”

Ma’Sai shot Kyle a wolfish smile.  “Yes!  A deal’s a deal, Kyle.”