Chapter 121: The Grand Bazaar
John prepared for sleep, though "sleep" was a loose term for what awaited him since he hardly had regular dreams anymore. Clad in his armored cloak and the scythe resting by his side in a loose grip, its wicked curve a familiar comfort. Chains, hammer and daggers rested firmly on his person, as he took a slow breath to steady himself. He tried to make it clear to the girls that they weren't allowed to come tonight, framing it less a request and more of an order even trying to secure his door since he knew they wouldn't listen otherwise.
A quick glance into his pouch confirmed his provisions. The mysterious cores Oleg had entrusted him with remained untouched in the tattered satchel, deemed too significant for casual sale and instead could be more useful in the mall he planned to try and return to. He still possessed 11 transit tags, a meager sum he intended to vastly increase to make sure he could swell his forces. His decorated and beautiful special pouch kept in his pocked, surprisingly light even though it held 9,000 coin in total inside of it, alongside a modest supply of both hot and raw food to try and trade if he uncounted a foody only wanting to trade food. The two cryptic lists were also secured safely in the pouch.
With a final, resolute nod, John placed the scythe onto his side before using a small amount of flower brew before his fingers closed around the cold metal plate, a profound tug on his consciousness signaling his imminent departure as his consciousness faded away, the world disappearing as he was pulled into oblivion.
The transition was instantaneous. One moment, he was in his room falling unconscious from the flower brew and the next he opened his eyes to find himself standing in an entirely different place. A frown creased his brow as he patted himself down. His cloak was intact, but his scythe was gone, he found he still had his pouch and satchel but the only dagger still on him was the one from the Jester, returned to him by Z who had clearly told him it was dangerous and not easy to trade. He mentally noted a crucial detail from a previous test: his chains, though unseen, remained readily accessible and could be brought out with a thought.
He looked around, taking in the landscape. Concrete stretched beneath his feet, leading to the sprawling, multi-tiered mall. Steps behind him vanishing into a faint shimmering rainbow cast onto a black background. Food stalls lined the entrance, exuding tantalizing aromas as figures shimmered in and out of existence, some appearing well others disappeared as if woven into the air. If not for the swirling void beyond the mall's threshold, he might have believed himself back in his old world, before the cataclysmic changes.
"Good day, sir. Are you a new arrival? My name is Amy and If you would like I can be your guide for a small fee should you so desire."
A soft voice pulled his attention. He looked down to find a small, brown-haired girl in a green uniform reminiscent of an old-world girl scout and half expected her to offer him a box of cookies like he saw in cartoons. Her cross-pupiled eyes, sharp, toothy smile and delicately pointed ears though marked her as distinctly non-human, though her cheerful demeanor was disarmingly familiar for some odd reason.
"Not exactly," John began, trying to clarify. "I've been here before I mean but not by the method I used today. My last venture here was more of the random variety."
Amy's expression shifted to surprise for a moment before she nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, I see! So, a random demo hooked you and now you have full membership but are still finding your way and place. How about a favor in exchange for my guidance then? Or perhaps an item of equivalent value to substitute for my usual fee?" she asked brightly.
"What is your typical fee?" John asked, not sure what else to currently say.
"Well, for you, a newcomer I don't mind giving you a discount! Normally, it's 150 coins, an unconditional favor or a trade of an item of significant value with the price increasing with the depth and complexity of the exploration and location, oh the deeper and more complex the place the rarer or more valuable the goods that can be found, my initial fee is for basic level guidance and to the exchange center and places of interest for newcomers! For your first dedicated journey with me though it would only be 100 coins, a favor on your next visit or an item of equal worth, that will be the only payment required for me to take you around the safe outer area of the mall, to the exchange center and various other areas I feel could be of interest for you."
"Isn't it just a matter of wandering around though?" John probed, sensing a deeper complexity. "Why would a mall require guides? I mean I know the place is big and complex but still, you make it sound like it's a labyrinth."
"A shrewd question that few ask." Amy chirped. "The mall is multi-leveled and multi realmed made up of an independent space that contains countless others all woven into its foundations. To wander aimlessly could take months, perhaps even years and immense luck to revisit a specific location you might have been to before or to ever hope to find something specific. Us guides however, possess a unique privilege to navigate its numerous pathways and help our patrons find whatever it is they seek. That's why we charge our fee with increasing costs the deeper they wish to go, it doubles as a fee to help keep our patron protected."
Nodding, John pulled out his pouch and produced a neat stack of 100 coins that vanished instantly as they landed on Amy's outstretched hand. "Thank you kind customer for your patronage! Do you have a specific destination in mind or would you prefer a general tour and places of interest? If you're looking for something specific I can direct you to the appropriate merchants who will more than likely have what you're looking for."
"I actually want to meet a group who should be here today, there supposed to be known as the 'Honorable Order of Respectable Noble Youngsters' according to the guy I met last time I was here." John explained before thinking aloud. "I recall one of their members suggesting that the meeting would be near a food court? Last time I was here he took me to a well-reputed slave store and then to a new and supposedly popular shop that trades goods, typically offering two low to mid-level items of theirs for one of my higher quality items when restocking."
Amy nodded along seemingly in thought. "That would be on the Third Level, North side. I can certainly lead you there, well doing so feel free to ask any questions along the way though, I shall answer as best I can as it is part of my job! Oh and if anything catches your eye along the way make sure to let me know and I'll tell you all about it and the shop its in!" she said happily before leading John into the mall.
she led him through a labyrinth of dark and brightly lit corridors, past diverse storefronts that offered little of immediate interest. "What is the relationship between the gods and other beings and this place?" John finally asked, wondering if they had there claws in this place.
"Gods huh? Well some visit, but those who can cause problems rarely interfere directly as it would cause to many problems for them." Amy explained. "They occasionally trade interesting people, items or fragments of realms, sometimes worlds when there desperate but that is extremely rare as they don't really have the power for stuff like that unlike others. As for other beings? Well the barrier and —BZZZT— keep them at bay most of the time, they know they need to tread carefully here and not to cause trouble so they behave and only come to trade, coming and going swiftly." The strange buzzing sound when she mentioned the final deterrent was peculiar.
"I see; do you maybe know where I can get more of these tags? For bringing people and living things in and out of here?" John asked, showing her the ones Oleg had given him.
"Oh, yes! Several places sell them along with guides like me. We use a system where the more you buy, the cheaper they get, for example it starts at 100 coins for 50, 180 for 100 and so on, greater discounts the more is purchased. May I interest you in some dear patron?"
"Maybe just fifty for now," he replied, handing over the coins for the tags as they neared their destination. "Could you maybe give me a way to contact you for future trips though? Just so I don't end up wondering around blind or needing to try and chance upon another guide."
"Thank you for your continued patronage dear customer! As for contacting me, is it solely for when you visit here?" she asked, her smile widening slightly as if knowing something he didn't and wanted to have him ask.
"What do you mean?" John asked, confused by the question.
"Well." She began as she turned around to face him well walking backwards. "I'm limited to exist and work within the mall but I can sell goods on order for a higher cost, sometimes double its original price plus a commission fee so it's rarely done but doesn't mean it's never done though." She began tapping her chin and smiling a bit wider. "Alternatively, for a small weekly fee I can act as your dedicated guide for all your mall visits and needs, even make purchases on your behalf well your away should some items you're interested be sold out during your visit but become available well your away, also for an additional fee of course." She told him well handing him a small card with her name and a strange crest adorned with wings. "Pressing the crest and speaking my name along with your request will contact me directly but don't abuse it okay? Since regardless if it's to place an order or to summon me to your location a cost will be expected as it would be taking my attention from other obligations."
John took the card, placing it carefully in his pouch with a small thank you, contemplating the options. "Do you have different levels of service for different costs, and if you become my personal guide would different depths still have increasing costs?"
"Another insightful question! For the time being you would only be permitted the basic service with the above mentioned perks and travel to deeper areas would still come with an additional charge but slightly discounted due to having me as your personal guide." she clarified. "Is there anything else you require or wish to know dear customer? If not, we shall part ways for now as we have reached your destination and I must find my next customer!" she said cheerfully.
John looked around, recognizing the familiar area and seeing the slave store from his previous visit. "Thank you very much Amy. That will be all for now, but I will certainly contact you again when I return or if I need anything else." He told her before passing her 10 more coins and telling her it was a tip for her amazing service and future cooperation that elicited an even wider smile from the girl before she shimmered and vanished in a cascade of sparkles and a final wave goodbye.
"Well, look who it is! I'd hoped you'd be back, my friend!" Oleg's deep, reverberating voice boomed from behind him.
"I'm surprised he arrived here so quickly," Sweet Bell chimed from Oleg's shoulder. "It usually takes much longer to find one's way and a lot of luck to stumble back onto a place you've been to before."
"Well I got luckily." He admitted with a smile. "I met a guide who helped show me where to go and brought me here." John continued as he turned and shook Oleg's massive hand. "I don't suppose the offer to join the group still valid right?"
"Damn right it is! You've put on a tiny bit more weight since last time, but far from enough, your still all pretty boy and muscle unfortunately." Oleg commented with a grin and mocking sigh.
"I've been trying, but things have been hectic. Not to mention I seem to have caught the attention of the gods in charge of my world, probably only the lower rung ones though since I'm pretty sure the stronger top-ranking ones wouldn't have put up with the waves I've been making or settle with just a war. Though," he added with a wry smile, "pissing them off does have its moments of fun." Oleg's hearty laugh filled the air at hearing that.
"Come, my friend. The others are waiting and I'd love to introduce you and have you tell them all about it. I'm also sure someone among them can even help with your weight issue, in the meantime tell me more about all you have been up to that managed to piss off the blighters." Oleg said, leading John towards a small, tucked-away restaurant.