Become My Servant?
If used right, he could turn that annoyance into a damn fine limb.
Hiding his true intentions, Rune casually broached the subject.
"Oh? That's a shame. I've got a proposal that's way better for both of us."
"No proposal's worth more than your life."
"Just scraping by on life support? You're smaller in the guts than I thought. And you're passing up a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck for your dwarf life."
Rune leisurely clasped his hands behind his head.
Jed couldn't even guess what this little hatchling kid was getting at.
"Secrets? Of course I'd keep them. On top of that, I want you handling exclusive black market deliveries for me."
"Deliveries?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. I checked out the black market today—plenty of decent stuff."
Seeing Jed's baffled expression, Rune pressed on.
"But I can't swing by the black market all the time, so I need someone to shop for me. Of course."
For dramatic effect, Rune paused, staring straight at him.
"I'll pay handsomely for anyone who acts in my stead."
"Pay... you say?"
Jed's eyes flickered uncertainly.
All this time, he'd tagged along with teams entering the Abandoned Mine Dungeon, greedily scraping together every scrap from monster loans—hide, wing, bone, nothing too small.
"I'll keep hitting dungeons from here on. But I'm not interested in the byproducts."
That was true.
Rune hadn't picked up a single item even in the Abandoned Mine Dungeon.
At most, he'd watch fights from afar or take in the scenery.
Sure, he'd snagged the hidden boss's bones, but Jed hadn't seen it.
"So it doesn't matter who takes them."
Rune grinned, tossing out the bait.
Finally getting it, Jed nodded eagerly.
'Yeah! Why would a hatchling on track to be a Black Dragon Elder need monster hides?'
He'd already scored the precious Seal of Fire from Perdikion.
Hell, even this artisan contest entry was Rune's gear.
A powerhouse who'd gained much already—and stood to gain more.
Jed's mind raced.
'Pulling him to our side nets profit, all things considered.'
He'd just learned that bonds with the strong brought coin—thanks to the Abandoned Mine Dungeon.
Protecting Rune had earned him the S-grade battle axe Paralium.
'And if he takes me to other dungeons... all those byproducts, and...?'
Jed reached a stunning conclusion, clapping a hand over his mouth.
He could leave Red Dragon territory!
And maybe even sell dwarf weapons outside, naturally.
Play it right, and he'd fund dungeon runs while exporting arms across the continent, earning recognition for dwarf culture.
He might even make the reformists' dream of "cultural opening" legit—through him.
The more he thought, the less he could let this slip.
'It's on me! The reformists' dream! Our future!'
Thud!
Jed's eyes sparkled.
To Rune, the dwarf's hope-filled gaze bordered on overwhelming.
'That greedy, huh?'
He could practically hear the gears grinding in Jed's head.
'...Like a dog eyeing meat, thrilled.'
Either way, his pitch was landing hard.
Rune took a step back here.
"But you're not wrong. This needs trust on both sides."
"Y-yes...? I mean, I did say that, but... uh..."
Regret flooded Jed's mind.
Lock in a good tie now, and crumbs would fall plenty—but panic had loosened his tongue.
Rune let the fidgety Jed—like a pup desperate to go—stew a bit.
"Hmm. I've been thinking."
Gulp.
Jed watched Rune with tense eyes.
"You. Become my Servant."
"Pardon? A Servant?"
"Yeah. Like Heungmi—my subordinate."
Jed recalled his ancestors' tales under Pasiyas's thumb.
Endless exploitation from that foolish old contract.
But Heungmi popped up too.
Strong, cute, devoted to Rune—the time with her had been a blast.
'Not all dragons are the same.'
Nothing like Pasiyas.
Warm, somehow, even if not shown.
He thought of Rune in the dungeon.
'Your hands are shaking.'
'Aren't you pushing too hard?'
'Yeah. Thanks.'
Worried words for a dwarf like him.
Even thanks, unsparing.
Recognition from a superior? Shocking for Jed.
Truth was, as a material-runner dwarf, his smithing sucked.
He brushed off the sneers from others with cheek, but it stung.
Rune continued, calmer and quieter.
"I don't mistreat my kin. In return, you don't mistreat me. Fair enough to trust?"
"......"
Blind to the hook, Jed drowned in nostalgia alone.
Meanwhile, Rune pulled a hefty magic stone from his leather pouch.
"Here's your signing bonus. That work?"
"......!"
Jed's jaw dropped.
A massive, gorgeous magic stone overflowing his palm!
'That insane size!'
Greed surged in his eyes again.
Overwhelmed by the largest he'd ever seen, Jed was speechless.
Seeing no reaction, Rune cocked his head.
"Not enough? Try holding it."
Whoosh!
A castle's worth sailed through the air.
"That treasure!"
Jed lunged, snatching the magic stone.
Checking for chips, he suddenly felt blinding light overhead.
"Want more?"
"Gah!"
Rune smiled kindly, holding an even bigger one.
"Ru-Ru-Rune, sir."
Plop.
Rune tossed and caught his stone, gazing down flatly.
Jed's eyes bobbed with it.
"Why hesitate? Contract with me, no lacks. Or give it back."
True enough.
Especially touching the real thing—he couldn't let go.
A lifetime's work, maybe his grandkids', wouldn't touch this.
He leaped.
"Use Jed Musket as your doormat, Master!"
Thud.
One glimpse of profit trumped a thousand words.
Results beat rhetoric.
"......"
Prostrated, Jed cradled his stones like an offering before his bowed head.
Rune stared down silently.
'Now I get how Pasiyas locked dwarves into unfair deals.'
He tsked inwardly, but it suited him fine.
"Alright, contract it is."
Mutual agreement sealed, Rune bound him right there.
Race: Dwarf
Age: 37
※ Notes:
Young dwarf, incarnation of greed. Reformist supporter.
Bound to Lune Eclipse
Servant transformation complete.
Disposition: Greedy, loyal (to wealth), calculating
'......Loyal to what?'
Servant now, but his loyalty differed sharply from Heungmi's.
'Unbelievable. This guy's... fine as-is?'
Sure, he'd targeted that greed.
'Yeah. Good's good.'
As Rune made peace, Jed—contract done—giddily poked at himself.
"Oho! So this is kinship. I feel your aura, Master—solid as rock!"
"Something like that. Oh, as my kin, you'll summon when I call. Remember that."
"Ooh! Super convenient!"
'Why's this guy so thrilled to be a subordinate?'
Rune didn't know, but this was Jed's fateful encounter too.
Through it, Jed Musket became the first free dwarf, shaking the continent.
Years later, the sole seller of dwarf arms, with caravans and smith empires.
The dawn of the Musketeer Merchant.
"Anyway, show me the black market key."
"Pardon? The key?"
"Yeah. I'll give it right back."
Jed hesitated, glancing at his two massive stones, then slyly offered it.
"H-here."
"Good job."
Rune took it, inspecting closely.
Meanwhile, Jed shoved his stones deep in his pack, lest they vanish.
And he sidled closer, peeking.
"Issue with the key?"
"Nah. Heard dwarves suck at magic, but you opened a mana passage with this. Curious."
"Ah, haha! Makes sense. I don't cast—plug a magic stone in, it sucks power and auto-triggers the pre-etched spell. Storage artifact!"
"Huh. Neat principle."
Rune handed it back casually.
"Saw plenty. Thanks."
"No trouble! Heading back now!"
Key reclaimed, Jed sighed in relief.
Fearing another ask, he whipped up the door fast.
"I'll lead! Just relax into the mana passage."
"Got it."
The passage rippled like inbound, linking back to the ruin.
Outside, dawn stars twinkled.
"Whoa! Dawn already? Time flies, huh?"
"Yeah. Everyone meets at the castle midday—your plans?"
Jed beamed, refreshed.
"Gotta sort my black market haul first. You straight to the castle, sir?"
"Yep. No need for big bro to know my night out. Gonna nap first."
"Aye! See you at breakfast. Safe travels, sir!"
He bowed like the perfect servant.
Rune shook his head at the deep, polite bend.