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Chapter 81: Playing games

“Protect him?” Jessen’s smile twisted into the sneer of a snake. “I said I needed him, but I don’t need him moving. You seem like a competent man, and it would be a shame to kill you when we could work together instead. After all, if our grievances are settled, there is no reason for us to fight.”

“Guild Leader, I–” Erik started, his face as pale as a sheet.

“Be silent, lest we decide your tongue a more appropriate payment,” Jessen snapped. “The limbs or not, Smith?”

He said he needed this cowardly asshole. Why would Jessen offer me his limbs in payment? There’s a trick. Rodrick warned us that Jessen liked playing with the people he killed, and I know how people like this work. I’ve seen it before. He’s going to try to use one of his rules to turn this against me without going against his fake moral code. So what is –

Ah.

“No,” Arwin said with a shake of his head. “I don’t believe it would.”

“I will not let you kill him,” Jessen said flatly, but there was a spark of acknowledgement in his eyes. “If you seek Erik’s head, then I will be forced to kill you no matter how beneficial our future partnership could ever hope to be.”

“Not that either,” Arwin said, becoming more confident with every word that he spoke. “I think an equal trade for the life you stole would be the lives that remain.”

At least until I get strong enough to kill Jessen – but he’s not making this offer because he genuinely thinks we could ever be friends. He wants something from me, and he was hoping to force me to bargain for it. Either that or he just wants to chop all my limbs off and use me as an example.

Jessen tilted his head to the side. “Explain.”

“I killed two of your people,” Arwin said. “Except they were worthless, pathetic excuses for life who killed a child. In return for us ceasing our pursuit of Erik, you will not attempt to retaliate against us or our street in any way, shape, or form.”

A smile crawled across Jessen’s lips, and a shiver ran down Arwin’s spine. His guess had been right. Jessen had been planning to do whatever he did to Erik to at least some of his friends.

“I knew you were interesting,” Jessen said. “Very well. I recognize when I have an interesting opponent. I accept your terms until we next meet. I do not believe either of us will be able to help ourselves after that.”

“No,” Arwin agreed, barely able to keep the disgust from his voice. “We won’t.”

All of that said… I’ll be damned if you think I’m letting either you or Erik live through this. You want to play games? Fine. Let’s play.

“You fancy your guild something powerful, don’t you?” Arwin asked abruptly. “You’re proud of what you’ve made?”

Jessen tilted his head to the side, surprised by the change of topic. He recovered quickly and a cocky smile played across his lips. “Yes. I do. I’ve brought them far. It’s pleasant to meet someone who understands just how difficult it can be. Perhaps your guild will grow as strong as mine one day.”

False sincerity dripped from every word that came out of Jessen’s mouth.

“I doubt it,” Arwin said. “We’re far weaker, and I’m okay with that. We never would have challenged you if one of our own hadn’t been killed.”

“His death will eat at me forever. My sincerest apologies for the terrible tragedy. I am glad that we have come to an agreement on a resolution.” Jessen couldn’t have sounded less distraught if he’d tried.

“I’d like to give an offer of my appreciation for your mercy in this decision,” Arwin said. “An item we procured from a dungeon available only to us. Even though we’re far weaker than even your worst member, I believe it may be of interest to you.”

Jessen’s brow furrowed as he tried to figure out what Arwin’s angle was. Arrogance won out over suspicion and he inclined his head. There were few things that cocky bastards like him liked more than someone bowing down to their supposed superiority.

“We accept,” Jessen said.

The cocky grin on Erik’s face grew even wider and his back straightened as he found his spine in the strength of his master. It seemed he’d already forgotten how close he’d been to losing his limbs.

Arwin reached to his side and rested his hand on an ivory white dagger in his pouch, not quite pulling it fully out yet. He used [Arsenal], temporarily bonding himself to the blade. Even though he didn’t reveal it, he could still recall the words that had drifted through the air when the Mesh had first revealed the weapon’s abilities to him.

Bone Dagger: Average Quality

[Splintered Wrath] (3 Charges): This item was forged from the flesh of a living gargoyle, imbuing it with hatred. It leaves a piece of itself behind with every strike to worm into its victim’s bloodstream and seek out their heart. After all charges have been consumed, this item’s magic will be fully depleted, and it will irreparably shatter.

“I hope this is sufficient apology for the trouble I’ve caused,” Arwin said. “Erik, I don’t believe this item is worthy of your master, so I’ll hand it to you instead. I hope you accept my sincerest feelings.”

He procured the dagger, moving with measured movements that weren’t fast enough to be misconstrued as an attack, and flicked the blade without giving Erek or Jessen time to see the Mesh’s description of the weapon. It traced through the air in a tight arc. Jessen’s eyes traced the blade, but he made no move to intercept it.

Habit was a funny thing. In general, humans tended to be creatures of it. Whenever they could, they slept in the same beds, ate at the same tables, and shat in the same rooms. And, when someone threw something to them – even if it was sharp – they tried to catch it.

Erik extended his hands, likely moving before his brain had even registered, and caught the dagger out of the air. Having been thrown blade first, the weapon cut a thin line into his palm and he fumbled to keep hold of it.

“Idiot,” Erik snapped. “Why are you throwing it? Are you trying to kill me?”

“I believe I had already promised to avoid that,” Arwin said. “I’m not stupid enough to break my promise to Jessen. Your own incompetence, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter.”

Erik opened his mouth, but his words were replaced with a surprised hiss. He shook the hand that had gotten cut. His eyes went wide and he let out a cry of pain, dancing around and shaking the entire arm.

“What the hell is this?” Erik yelled, dropping the dagger and letting it clatter to the ground. His yelps turned to a pained scream. He ripped at his shirt, fingers digging at skin like there was a colony of ants burrowing within it.

Jessen watched on, his face flat, as Erik’s cries grew louder. He thrashed around on the ground and kicked, screaming desperately for help. Neither Arwin nor Jessen said a word as his screams grew louder.

Erik clutched at his chest one final time, his back arching in agony, and collapsed.

Even though Jessen’s features were completely controlled, fury bubbled deep beneath them. Arwin could see it in the stiffness of the man’s stance and how the veins in his neck bulged with the clenching of his jaw.

What’s bigger? Your ego or your anger? Given how little of a shit you give about your subordinates, I’m pretty sure it’s the former. I certainly hope so. If I’m wrong, I’m dead.

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“I believed you when you said that your guild was stronger than mine. It seems that he has brought you shame in failing to prove your words true.” Arwin locked eyes with Jessen. “His death will eat at me forever. My sincerest apologies for the terrible tragedy.”

Jessen knelt, picking up the bone dagger by the handle with two fingers before rising once more. He didn’t let his gaze drift from Arwin’s the entire time.

“I have found that I no longer desire this gift,” Jessen said. The smug cockiness had vanished from his voice and left behind only ice and hatred. “You may have it back.”

“I refuse,” Arwin said promptly. “A gift given to one who has accepted it is not one that I would ever be willing to take back. It would bring me too much shame. I am just sorry that your man was not powerful enough to handle it properly. One of its uses has been wasted.”

He could have pulled the dagger back to himself with [Arsenal], but that would have been taking back the gift and could give Jessen an opportunity to try something against him or his people. Arwin didn’t plan to leave any such windows open. There was no reason to. The blade was exactly where he wanted it to be. After what he’d just done to Erik, Arwin was certain that Jessen wouldn’t settle for killing him with any weapon other than the bone dagger – the very one that was still bound to him with [Arsenal].

Jessen nodded slowly. He put the dagger away and his lips pulled back in a predatory smile. “Well played, Smith. You have turned my own words against me. Very well. I look forward to our next meeting. It will not go so well for you.”

Jessen strode into the darkness, and Arwin made no move to follow him. Several seconds passed before Lillia stepped out, a concerned frown on her face.

And the game is on.

“Godspit, Arwin,” Lillia murmured. “That was…”

“Incredibly risky. I took a risk that my read of Jessen was enough to gamble with. It lined up with what Rodrick said, so I was pretty certain it would work,” Arwin said as he drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly in an attempt to calm his adrenaline-shot nerves. “He’s more than just fishy. Bastard is the whole damn ocean. He’s not going to forget this.”

The only reason that worked is because he doesn’t see us as a proper threat and his ego is so big that he can’t admit to actually losing a verbal fight by killing me here and now.

“How strong is he if he managed to knock your hammer out of your hand?” Lillia asked. “That’s terrifying. Definitely above what a Journeyman should be doing. He must be close to Adept tier.”

“I wasn’t using [Scourge] at the time,” Arwin replied, shaking his head. “But it doesn’t change the fact that he’s powerful. That’s the first real Journeyman adventurer we’ve run into, and I agree that he’s probably toward the top of it. If anything, that just makes me wonder why the hell the rest of his guild is so shit.”

“Something tells me we’ll find out,” Lillia said. “I’m not done with him.”

“Neither am I,” Arwin said. “But we got Erik. Now the only one left is Jessen. I wish we could have gotten him too, but if we drew weapons on him tonight, we were dead.”

“Almost certainly. Doesn’t make me happy about it,” Lillia said. “But I’ll sleep better knowing that Erik is rotting in the bottom of the Underlands.”

“As will I. Jessen is going to be a dangerous enemy, but his time will come.”

Lillia let out an explosive breath. “You’re right. I just can’t help but wonder what Zeke would think.”

“I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but I suspect he’d be happier that none of us had died than he would be if we avenged him and lost half the group.”

The last of the tension left Lillia’s body and she slumped. “Yeah. I don’t think any of us would want anything else. I suppose we did buy ourselves some time, and I think I’ll always remember the look on that smug bastard’s face when he picked up the dagger.”

A small grin twisted Arwin’s lips. “Yes. As will I. Let’s go find the others. I need to tell them about what happened.”

***

Guards meandered past Arwin as he headed down the street alongside Lillia, who kept to the shadows alongside him. Even though the guards were moving toward the Iron Hounds’ guild house, none of them looked all that concerned. If anything, it seemed like they were dragging their feet to avoid getting there too soon.

Sad. They’re hoping the guild will handle the fighting for them. The guards here really are all talk and no show, but I suppose that worked to our advantage this time around. It’s still pathetic.

Arwin turned a corner, then came to a stop. Rodrick, Reya, and Anna all stood at the exit of an alley.

“How did things go?” Rodrick asked as Arwin approached them. “You weren’t in the area where you were supposed to be. Did Erik deviate from his trip home?”

“Yeah,” Arwin said. He glanced toward where Lillia hid in the darkness, but he couldn’t make any of her features out. “It’s… well, I’ll tell you all when we get back to the tavern.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Reya said. She wiped some dirt from her cheek with the back of a hand. “Where’s Lillia?”

“She’s right over there, in the darkness. She’s just keeping out of sight,” Arwin said, nodding to the patch of shadows at the edge of the alley. “Don’t worry. Neither of us were hurt. I assume you’re all fine as well?”

“Nothing but a minor injury,” Reya replied.

They all set off. The city was strangely silent despite all the chaos that had swallowed it just a few minutes ago. Arwin wasn’t sure if it was because nobody cared or if it was because they just all assumed the problem had been handled.

Either way, he appreciated it. He didn’t quite feel like speaking anymore yet. They arrived at the tavern and headed inside. Lillia emerged from her patch of darkness, still barely visible as she made her way over to the lantern near the counter and lit it.

Everyone other than Lillia lowered themselves into the mismatched stools lined up before the counter.

“It’s done, then?” Reya asked. “All that’s left is Jessen?”

Arwin wasn’t so sure he knew the answer to that question himself. He used [Arsenal], summoning his helmet and lifting it off his head. Arwin set it on the counter, running his thumb along the curling horns jutting out of its top.

“Yes, but we can’t go after Jessen now. He’s much stronger than I thought.”

“What?” Reya exclaimed. “How do you know? I thought–”

“Jessen showed up to save Erik. He was powerful. If we’d fought him, we’d have died. Rodrick’s info on him was right. Jessen was trying to play games with us,” Lillia said, walking to stand beside Arwin and Reya. “He tried to bait Arwin into agreeing to let the rest of us get tortured.”

“How’d he know we were going to go after Erik?” Rodrick asked, his brow furrowing. “Nobody should have been able to figure out what we were planning. I wasn’t spotted, was I?”

“I don’t think it was you,” Arwin said with a shake of his head. “Relax. Everyone did their jobs perfectly. We were just up against an opponent who we aren’t prepared to face. I didn’t think Jessen would be as dangerous as he was.”

“So… what now?” Reya asked, her voice quavering as her hands balled at her sides. “If you survived, did Jessen figure out who you are? Do we have to leave the street? And how did you kill Erik if this guy was so strong?”

“Jessen knows, but he’ll stay away from us,” Arwin said. “And technically, I didn’t kill Erik. He killed himself. I just threw him a dagger.”

Reya’s brow creased in confusion. Realization set in and her frown turned to a cold smile. “The bone dagger?”

“Only has two charges left, unfortunately,” Arwin confirmed. “It was gifted to the Iron Hounds. It’s just unfortunate that they lost a man in the process.”

“What about Jessen, then? When can we kill him? I bet we could take him if all of us–”

“No. Relax, Reya. There’s something more important than throwing our lives away in revenge.” Arwin shook his head. “And that’s surviving to see it through. Zeke was murdered, but do you really think he wants us to follow him into the afterlife?”

Reya’s face crumpled. “But…”

“I know it’s painful,” Arwin said, softening his voice. “But you need to remember something. You can’t win every fight in the same way. There are times when your opponent is too powerful to just fling yourself against. A just cause does not win a battle.”

“How do you know Jessen isn’t lying?” Anna asked. “He has no honor.”

“Because he doesn’t just want to kill us,” Arwin replied, a vision of Jessen’s hungry eyes flashing through his mind. “He wants to win, and we can use that against him. He\'s pissed that we outplayed him, but I don\'t think his ego will let him just send someone after us. That\'s the same as admitting we actually beat him. He knows we\'ll come after him, so he\'ll just wait."

“Why?” Reya asked. “That doesn’t make sense. He could just come after us now and we’d all die, wouldn’t we?”

“He could. But he won’t because he’s an arrogant bastard,” Arwin replied. “And we’ll use that against him. He doesn’t see us as a real threat, and we’ll kill him one day because of it. Until then, he’s going to suffer knowing that he got outplayed by a mere Apprentice Tier.”

“I understand. It really doesn’t feel fair that he gets to keep living while Zeke doesn’t, but I understand,” Reya muttered, staring down at her hands.

“The only fairness in life is what our strength allows us to create,” Arwin said. “We won this round, Reya. Tix, Yul, and Erik are dead. They’re the ones that had a direct hand in Zeke’s death. And, more importantly, we’re alive. And, as long as we’re alive, we can grow stronger. Jessen’s guild is larger and more powerful than ours, and yet his men lost to us. His arrogance won’t let that stand. That’s why he didn’t kill us. It would be cementing his defeat in stone.”

“We can’t leave town to find somewhere safer to train, can we?” Anna asked. “We could come back to deal with the Hounds later.”

“It would be really difficult for me to do that,” Lillia said. “Not right now, at least. And, aside from the Hounds, Milten is perfect. We’re far from the Adventurer’s Guild and all the problems they bring. This area is lawless, but that’s what lets us act freely.”

Arwin nodded in agreement. “Jessen’s hands are tied by his own twisted morals right now. I won’t be leaving, but I won’t stop anyone if they want to.”

Rodrick and Anna both shook their heads.

Reya let out a slow breath and raised her eyes to meet Arwin’s. “We need to get stronger so we can get around to killing Jessen as soon as we can.”

“You can count on it. We’re just going to do this the right way. I think Jessen will avoid us until we come for him again, but if you ever do see him again, just turn around and leave. Don’t say a word. All he’ll be able to do is fume and wait until the day comes where he meets justice,” Arwin said with a grim smile. “It might not be today. It might not be this week, or even this month – but they’ve got an open tab with us, and they’re going to pay it with interest.”