Executioners (5)
There was a reason I'd risked my life against an executioner to come here.
The biggest one? This place had equipment that could change an item's owner, making trades possible.
But that wasn't all. Items traded here came stamped with the title "Executioner." In other words, gear used by the executioners themselves. Their quality was definitely a cut above regular items.
Executioner-exclusive grades are one rank higher than standard gear. Even at the same grade, the caliber was worlds apart.
I planned to wring one of those from Igor.
"Hm? What kind of proposal?"
"I caught a glimpse of the documents you just received. Looks like monster sightings are spiking out of nowhere."
"Spot on. So what're you getting at?"
"Mind if I handle that problem for you?"
The executioners' manpower was limited. They mostly dealt with rogue ability users, but if the balance they mentioned ever broke, they'd pitch in on monster hunts too. Overwhelming power had its uses everywhere.
But right now, they had to be short-staffed. Word of monster surges everywhere, and they'd already dispatched some executioners.
Igor couldn't easily turn down my offer.
"Hm..."
Igor glanced at Angela. Probably wondering if he could trust me.
Angela nodded quietly in response.
"Well, we hire mercenaries when situations call for it, so no issue there. I know your skills. Want to give it a shot?"
He bit the bait immediately. Maybe testing me, but...
Either way, things were going my way. Time to lock in the reward.
"One more request, if I may?"
"Hohoho. Talking pay, eh? Don't worry about that. We'll treat you right. This one's thorough as they come, huh?"
"No need for money. I'd just like to trade one piece of my gear."
"...Gear?"
I pulled out the Descartes Staff right in front of Igor.
"This. For something of equal grade."
"Mm, heroic-grade gear. Not bad at all."
Igor picked up my staff, inspecting it closely. The quality was solid, no doubt. It'd been the first boss's weapon, after all.
Problem was, it had no options useful to me.
"This'll do it?"
"Yes. As long as it's the same grade, the pay's fine."
"Mm, alright. Deal. We'll swap it for something equivalent."
Igor leaned back into the sofa, flashing a satisfied smile.
I was satisfied too. I'd secured a promise for an "equal grade" exchange.
Executioners surely had heroic-grade weapons among their exclusive gear.
Igor has no clue that's what I'm after.
Info on "Executioner" weapons wasn't public knowledge. I'd learned it from the game's lore.
That's why Igor didn't bat an eye at "same grade." He figured I'd pick standard gear.
"Then I'll be off. Thanks for letting this slide."
"Of course."
Angela stood first, and I followed. Igor kept up his affable grin the whole time.
Looked like the individual request was settled.
"By the way."
As we headed for the door, Igor spoke up.
"Consider that debt from back then paid now. Don't want repeats. I won't bend the rules twice."
His eyes changed.
Igor's gaze turned icy, like he was sizing up prey. Yeah, that was the real Igor.
"...Got it. Thanks."
"Take care."
And just like that, we left the executioners' HQ.
The executioners' matter wrapped up as planned.
Still stings.
The spot where Aria hit me throbbed. Knowing Angela and Igor's history made it possible, but one slip and I'd have been done for.
"Hey, you sure you can handle that executioner request?"
We'd reached Brockton and were heading to the request office. Angela had backed me after watching me all this time, but she was worried deep down.
"This one's tied to the executioners. Different from regular requests."
"Don't worry. I already know how to solve it."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Told you, no sweat."
"Worry? You heard that threat earlier, right? 'Won't let it slide'? Because of you, I..."
Hm. I'd planned it, but it ended up using Angela's one-time favor. Owed her again.
Guess I'd pay her back.
"Thanks."
Not just words, either. I'd settle it by handling Orion, her lifelong grudge.
"Think 'thanks' covers it? I'm starving—buy me food."
Yeah, food was nothing. Especially when it got me Executioner gear I'd never snag otherwise.
"What do you want? Anything you like."
"For real? Everything I want?"
How much was she planning to eat? Suddenly got scary.
We entered a restaurant together. Not too pricey, despite her double-checking.
She's been lost in thought since earlier.
Angela's face had been grim since the executioners. Seemed less about hunger, more something else.
"Executioners got you down?"
Times like this called for comfort. Not my usual style, but after all she'd done...
"Eh, not exactly..."
Angela twirled her finger around the rim of her teacup, trailing off.
"Just... brought back old memories."
"Old... You mean what Igor mentioned?"
"Yeah. Can't shake it. My subordinates dying in my arms..."
Angela's hand trembled.
"If I hadn't screwed up... I could've avenged them at least."
She was drowning in guilt. That explained her alcoholism too. Memories like that didn't fade.
"Mistakes..."
I wanted to console her. Not just the debt—something about it tugged at me. Her usual cursing self was pitiful now.
"Everyone makes mistakes. I've got plenty I can't forget."
School days. Friends. Work life. Unforgettable screw-ups.
But everyone errs. Key was not repeating them.
"Don't dwell. Your team wouldn't want that. Next time you sense a slip-up, tell me. I'll catch you. And quit the booze."
"..."
Whoosh. Angela's face flushed red.
Hot in here? Didn't feel it.
"Hic!"
Then she hiccuped. Right—she'd said she hiccuped under certain stress.
What was it again?
"Hic!"
Anger? Joy? Memory fuzzy.
Probably not important.
"...Drink some water."
"I kn-know! I got it! Hic!"
Why snap at the guy helping?...
Anyway, her hiccups stopped soon enough, but she clammed up after. Guess I sucked at comforting.
After eating, we headed straight to the request office.
Screeech.
"O-oppa!"
"...Looks like it went well."
April and Kethar were inside. Jena must've tipped them off. No Teison—probably left after wrapping up.
"Oppa, you okay? Y-you got dragged to the executioners... N-nothing happened? Th-that place... People go in, but none come out!"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Hey. Worry about me now, not him. Your oppa put me in hot water."
"In danger, ma'am? What happened?!"
April fretted over me. Jena over Angela. Chaos for a bit.
"Anyway, I'm crashing. You lot scram too. Jena, no clients. Ngh, that Aria bitch got stronger."
"Met Aria? That damn... Wh-what happened?!"
Jena ignored Angela's grumbling and followed her in.
"...No issues?"
"Handled fine. Igor softened up seeing Angela."
"...Yeah, figures. After that incident."
"That's beside the point."
Ignoring Angela, I sat at the table. April wouldn't get it, so I briefed Kethar on the executioner request.
"...Guess those guys are stirring, scaring monsters off. Explains the surge."
"Probably. That's why I took the job."
"...Traded for gear as reward?"
"Obviously. Locked in same grade."
"...Same grade, huh. Got something in mind? They got tons."
Kethar was curious too.
"Aiming for an Executioner weapon."
"...Wh-what?"
His eyes bulged; he shot up. Overreacting much?
"P-possible? Actual Executioner gear?"
"We'll see, but you know Igor's type. Won't back out even late. Rules are sacred to him."
"Th-this... Incredible. Could be legendary or higher. Which one?"
Kethar got chatty. Excited, he loosens up. Game knowledge—he got how huge this was.
"Got a few in mind. Whatever, as long as it has attributes."
"...Tailoring to your current build."
"Yep. But there's a hitch."
To claim the gear, I had to fulfill the promise to Igor. And there was a snag.
"Target's Tepheus Forest near Folsmond."
"...Tepheus Forest."
"Yeah. Frogmen there. You know their numbers are insane. And this timing? Multiplied several times over."
"...No tank's the issue."
Spot on.
We lacked a tank.
"Right. Need you building for tank."
Felt it in the last hunt—tank absence hurt bad. Just aggro control would speed clears exponentially, boost safety too.
"...Gotta think what to tattoo."
Kethar pondered. I had candidates, but they needed more growth. Ancient or legendary monsters.
Needed something now.
"Max level you can absorb now?"
"...30."
"30."
Brainstorm. 30 cap, but Kethar's growth raises absorbed monsters' tiers too. Level no issue—pick right one.
Tank priorities: defense, bulk to endure hits.
"...Orcs?"
"Nah. Dealers mostly. Even optimized, it'd be bruiser."
"Dullahan?"
Undead dullahan. Decent. Horse for mobile tank potential.
But...
"Viable ones start at 45 minimum."
Dullahan had level gates.
Kethar suggested more. None great. Last: "golem."
"...Golem? From the mining city."
Wait. Golem...
Defense top-tier. Body's stone.
And the mining one...
"Ikanaite Golem? Elite-grade?"
"...Yes. That work? You mentioned elites before."
Perfect.
Not plain stone. "Ikanaite"—tougher than plate armor mineral. Insane defense.
"Spot on."
"...But feasible? Elite Ikanaite Golem's strong."
No one in Esperro absorbed elite+. Core issue: tattooist sealed during absorption must survive attacks solo.
"Help me during absorption. But bind skills don't last long enough."
One assistant max in tattooing. Bind to block, or heal HP.
Not easy.
Absorption took long—longer than skill durations. Most skipped elites+.
Couldn't in game either.
Why I ditched tattoo tank build. Needed elite for efficiency; lowers weren't worth it.
"Block it 3 minutes minimum. Normal mez skills max 10 seconds."
"Got an idea."
3 minutes minimum. Plain CC insufficient.
Weapon Summoner's multi-weapon power can do it.
I believed that.
Next day, I rested fully. Recovered from executioner damage, organized plans.
Today: prep for elite tattoo.
"Whoa..."
Headed to Brockton's magic goods street. Unlike normal shops, all magic items here. April the mage was hooked.
This'll do.
Entered a "prayer bead" specialist. Shabby exterior. Gear probably low-end too.
Didn't care. Quality, grade, tier—irrelevant.
One thing mattered.
"Whaddya need?"
A white-haired woman asked.
"Slow-infused prayer beads. Twenty."
Planned to keep it slowed the whole absorption. Assistants post-start could only use equipped gear.
Break that? Absorption cancels instantly.
But not me. I didn't stick to one weapon.
Only I could pull this off.