Eira
I don't speak Japanese but I'll translate anything if you guys have any questions.
Stretching with a satisfying sigh as I emerge from the tomb, look at the night sky... "Hmmm... It's nighttime already, huh." The transformation is subtle yet profound; I'm not stronger, but a sense of weakness has vanished. Hunger and fatigue linger, but overall, there's an undeniable improvement, thanks to the Cursed Sword of Umbra.
Sitting beside the fountain, I extend my arms leisurely, gazing upwards. The stars twinkle brilliantly, and a magnificent blue moon captures my attention. I'll need to visit that moon someday. But that won’t be anytime soon, I have to survive through all the shitty events.
It's high time to meet her, to earn some money. I start navigating through the slums, the night's veil aiding my discreet movements. The Cursed Sword of Umbra enhances my vision, allowing me to see clearly in the dark. After walking for over an hour, I finally leave the slums, coming upon a commoner's market, deserted at this late hour.
I wander among the stalls, searching for a specific, run-down hut. Spotting it, I use the Cursed Sword of Umbra to transform into a plain black shirt, a definite improvement over my tattered rag. Approaching the hut, there’s a dim red light inside. She must be awake. There’s no way that woman can sleep comfortably.
Knocking several times yields no response. Impatient, I enter. The hut's state is worse than I described it. Warped wooden beams and a patchy thatched roof open to the starlit sky. The door, rotting and creaky, groans as I push it open.
Inside, dim red lights flicker, casting eerie shadows. The air is heavy with the scent of must and damp earth. Each step I take causes the floorboards to protest. Cobwebs drape the walls, and a layer of dust coats everything. Scattered around are rusted tools, scrap metal, and half-finished mechanical contraptions, seemingly abandoned. In the corner, a cluttered workbench is laden with tools, papers, and odd gadgets.
Stepping forward, I'm suddenly pinned down, an expected yet startling move.
"Who the hell are you!? Who sent you!? Was it that bastard Steve!? Answer me, fucking moron!" she bellows furiously.
"Aughhh...seriously, is this your usual welcome?" I groan in pain. She pushes me harder into the ground, demanding, "What the hell are you doing here!?"
"Owww!... I thought this place was deserted, just wanted to crash for the night. Can you let go, please? Look at me, I'm hardly a threat. Why not share this old hut for tonight?" I plead, wincing. Fuck, it hurts. I know she was going to interrogate me, but this is painful.
"Tsk. Thought you were one of those jerks. Get out, this is my place," she retorts, releasing me and stepping back.
"Hey, come on. Just let me stay for the night. I won't be a bother," I implore.
Before she can respond, my eyes catch a glimpse of a blueprint on the table. "Are you working on a transmitter? Seems like you're having a tough time. I could lend a hand," I say, extending my hand with a smile, "I'm Kael, by the way."
"What do you know about transmitters? And for your information, I'm not struggling," she dismisses my hand, visibly irked and on guard.
"Looks to me like you're having trouble with a stable connection. That's the easiest part, you know," I tease, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"Get out before I--" she starts, but I cut her off.
"I know the frequency of the mana towers," I interject.
"Huh? You think I'll fall for that? Hardly anyone knows that frequency."
"True, but no harm in trying, right?" I lean against the wall, nonchalantly.
"Fine, I'll play along. But if you're wrong, you're dead," she warns, her expression serious.
"Ouch, that's harsh. But I won't just give it away for nothing. This is business. I want 70% of the profit if you want the frequency," I negotiate.
"You're crazy to think I'd give you 70%. I've almost finished the TSI, just need the frequency, and I'll be rich," she retorts.
"Do you really think you'll find it yourself? How long have you been at it? Weeks? Months? Years? You'll be old and broke at this rate. I'm offering a quick solution. Take it, or should I go to Steve?" I challenge. No matter how smart she is, she sucks at making money.
"Tsk, fine, it's a deal. Now spill it," she concedes, walking over to a table.
"Hahaha, think I'm dumb? Make the oath first," I insist.
"No trust, huh? Alright," she acquiesces. She places two fingers near her heart, releasing a bit of mana. "I swear to give Kael 70% of the profits from the TSI project if he can help me connect to the mana towers. I swear not to harm him as long as he keeps his word. I invoke the god Lyx as my witness. If I break this oath, may I suffer eternal damnation in the pits of hell." As she finishes, her mana flares black for a moment before vanishing.
"Happy now?" she asks.
"Very," I reply, approaching her table. There, I see a small, cylindrical device, about 4 inches long, with a sleek metallic surface. It sports a red horizontal line, with tiny, glowing red runes etched into the metal. At one end is a button; when pressed, a red holographic screen springs to life.
Whistling appreciatively, I can't help but be impressed. "Phwwwwwhht, almost an exact replica of the MST," I remark while closely examining the device.
"Well, for your information, it's called TSI, and I've developed it further. It's not just limited to calls and texts," she states proudly.
"Alright, cut the bragging. Let's get down to business. You, like many others trying to replicate MST, will never find the frequency because you're too focused on the obvious," I point out.
"What the hell are you talking about? Are you implying I lack skills?" she snaps back, clearly frustrated.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Seriously, what I'm trying to say is that you're barking up the wrong tree, you moron. Do you really think those greedy-ass nobles would make mana towers that just anyone can connect to?" I look at her, a mix of disappointment and disbelief in my gaze. She returns my look, confusion written all over her face.
"Seriously, you're too naive. You should know by now that only nobles use MST. To prevent commoners from connecting, they set up three different wavelengths. The first two are decoys, camouflaging the last one. They've designed it so no one can pinpoint the right frequency," I explain.
"And how the hell do you know that?" she asks impatiently.
"That, my friend, is a trade secret," I reply with a sly grin.
"Anyway, the frequency is 3 × 10*26 Hz," I reveal.
"That doesn't make sense. It couldn't reach other towers with that frequency. The math doesn't add up," she counters, lost in thought.
"For God's sake, stop overthinking and just try it. Trust me, it'll work. My information is always accurate," I urge, taking a seat at the table.
"By the way, what's your name?" I inquire casually.
"Tsk, why do you ask? You obviously came here with that knowledge. But just in case you're miraculously clueless, my name is Eira," she says, her hands busy with the device.
"You're right. I know a lot about you, including your lack of business acumen. So, how about we become business partners? You handle the production, and I'll take care of distribution. What do you say?" I propose, still grinning.
"As if. I'm not that gullible. If you want to partner up, you're going to have to make an oath," she demands.
"Alright, I'll do it," I agree, standing up. Eira seems surprised, probably expecting me to refuse. Though I don't possess mana of my own, I can use the mana stored in the Cursed Sword of Umbra. Creating an oath doesn't consume mana, so I don't worry about energy depletion.
All I need to do is circulate the mana through my body, surprisingly an easy feat. I can feel the energy coursing within me, a faint blue mana enveloping me. Placing two fingers near my heart, I declare:
"I swear that I will not betray Eira as long as she does not betray me. I swear that I will not harm her, use her, or expose her with ill intentions. I invoke the god Lyx as my witness. Should I break this oath, may I suffer eternal damnation in the pits of hell." As I finish, the mana around me briefly turns black before vanishing.
"Happy?" I ask, looking at her expectantly.
Eira looks at me with a mix of confusion and disbelief, I can tell she's wondering why I made the oath so casually. I'm aware that oaths aren't to be taken lightly, but I also understand the importance of making her feel secure in our partnership. Given her past, this is the best way to do it.
"Why did you make an oath like that?" she asks, her disbelief evident.
I just shrug. "I thought it would make you feel more secure. We are going to be business partners, right?"
Eira rolls her eyes. "You retard, I haven't even verified the frequency yet. You're way too overconfident. Well, whatever. Let's get to work and see if this frequency you gave me actually works."
Watching Eira press a few buttons on the TSI device, I feel a sense of satisfaction, confident in the accuracy of my information. Seconds later, a holographic screen appears, displaying a list of mana towers.
"I'll be damned," Eira mutters, staring at the screen in amazement. "You were right. This frequency actually works."
I just grin. "I told you, my information is always right."
Eira then speaks up, "You shouldn't make oaths so casually. They're not to be taken lightly."
I know she's right; even a minor mistake could end my life, but I also know what I'm doing. "I know what I'm doing, Eira. This is going to be a good partnership. Trust me."
Eira shakes her head and sighs, "Fine, but let's keep things professional, okay? I don't want any funny business."
I laugh. "Don't worry, Eira. I'm a man of my word. Now, let's get to work."
Leaning back on the table, I can't suppress the mischievous smile forming on my lips. "So, I've made a plan for distributing the TSI devices that should keep us off the radar and make us a fortune in the process."
Eira raises an eyebrow, her arms crossed defensively. She's clearly still on guard, given our recent acquaintance. "Alright, did you come here expecting this? What the hell are you up to? How the hell did you make a plan that quickly? I'm listening. But this better not be some ridiculous scheme."
I chuckle. "Trust me, you'll like it. We're both in it for the money, right? We'll create a legitimate front company to sell MST accessories and other basic items that don't attract much attention. This will give us access to the market and various distribution channels without arousing suspicion."
Her scowl deepens, her skepticism apparent. "And how does that help us sell the TSIs without getting caught?"
My smile grows wider as I continue, my voice taking on a more professional tone. "That's where the underground networks and decentralized distribution come in.
We'll form an alliance with a discreet contact, I already have my eye on someone, and we could also go to underground merchants and informants to help move the devices through untraceable channels. We'll employ a series of blind drops, dead-letter boxes, and cutouts to maintain operational security."
Her eyes narrow, a mix of curiosity and skepticism on her face. "That sounds risky. How do we make sure this 'contact' doesn't betray us?"
I wave my hand dismissively, sounding like a money-obsessed goblin. "We'll be cautious, of course. We'll use independent sellers as middlemen between us and the customers. They won't know the true nature of the TSI devices, and they won't have direct contact with us. We'll hide the TSIs within the packaging of our front company's products and only sell them to those who know the secret passphrase or have a specific token."
Eira's expression softens slightly, but she remains on guard. "That... might actually work. But how do we keep it all under control? One mistake and everything could come crashing down."
I can't help but laugh, hoping my humor will ease the tension in the room. "Well, you know what they say, 'laughter is the best medicine.' We'll have to be careful, of course, but have faith in my abilities. Besides, who wouldn't want to work with a charming guy like me and a scary engineer like you?" I wink at her, trying to lighten the mood.
Eira rolls her eyes, a small smirk forming on her face despite her efforts to hide it. "You're insufferable and a complete asshole. And you're not charming whatsoever, so get that idea out of your head. But fine, let's give this plan a shot. Just don't mess it up."
As we continue discussing the details of our distribution plan, I notice Eira's attempts to act as though she understands the intricacies of the plan. It's evident, however, that she's struggling to keep up. I decide to confront her about it, playfully teasing her. "Hey, Eira, are you capable of understanding everything I'm saying, or are you just an idiot?"
Eira's eyes flash with anger at my jest, but she quickly composes herself, not wanting to show any weakness. "I'm a smart-ass, you think I wouldn't know simple business?" she retorts, trying to play it cool.
I grin and hold back my urge to laugh. "No worries, Eira. I'll teach you how to make money, and I promise, we'll be swimming in gold before you know it."
Eira's face flushes with irritation, but she grits her teeth and forces a tight-lipped smile. "Fine, Kael. Teach me then. But before that, I want to know more about this 'contact' of yours."
Leaning back in my chair, I consider how much information I should divulge. "Alright, the contact is actually just a kid I've noticed around town. He's got a talent for growth, but so far, he's only been involved in petty robberies. I think we can help him reach his full potential while he helps us with our plan."
Eira raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "A kid? Really, Kael? How do you know we can trust him? And how do we even approach him?"
I shrug nonchalantly. "My eyes are great, I learned to recognize potential talent. This kid is smart, resourceful, and quick on his feet. He's managed to stay under the radar, which is impressive for someone his age.
In fact, he's blessed by one of the four great winds. As for trust, well, he's a kid seeking money, although he's a bit untrustworthy I believe that if we give him the right guidance and opportunities, he'll be a valuable asset to our operation."
Eira crosses her arms, clearly still not fully convinced. "I don't believe your claim regarding one of the four winds, but what's our next move? How do we get in touch with this kid and set this plan in motion?"
I can't help but smile; this is truly exhilarating. "I've never talked to him, but I know where to find him. I'll approach him and gauge his interest in our proposition. If he's on board, we'll start mentoring him and setting up the front company. Once everything is in place, we'll begin distributing the TSI devices."
Eira nods, seemingly satisfied with my explanation. "Alright, let's get to work. But remember, Kael, no funny business. I'm trusting you with my life here; you know we'll die if we mess up, and I expect you to uphold your end of the bargain."
I offer her a reassuring smile, my tone sincere. "I promise, Eira. I take my oaths seriously. I mean, who would want to break an oath, right? No one wants to be dragged to the pits of hell."
Who in their right mind would want that? The only reason I made the oath was for you, goddammit. There's no damn way I'm making another oath in my life. Anyway, now I should really think of a way to bring the future king of thieves under me. Although he's just a kid now, I doubt he'd be convinced easily.
"By the way, Eira, do you think you can make me one? It'll be easier to contact you while I'm out. I'd rather not go in circles."
Eira stares at me for a second. "Here, you can have this one. I have enough materials to make half a dozen by next week. I'll contact you when I make my own." She hands me the device as if she was expecting me to ask.
"Oh, by the way-" Before I can finish, two men barge in. Since I'm the closest to the door, one of them pins me down while the other stares at Eira.
"Oi, you bitch, do you know how much of a pain in the ass it was to find you? Running around like a damn fucking cockroach." The man is pissed; he was forced to work overtime trying to find Eira, and every time he got close, she disappeared.
Eira looks back and forth between the man and me, unsure of what to do. "You know, if you were that mad, you could've just quit. It would've been easier for all of us," she says, pulling out a club.
The man is furious. "You bitch, give me the damn blueprints you were hired to make. If you don't, I'll slice your arms off!" he says, pulling out a short blade.
Damn, how the hell do I get this fat bastard off me? He's squeezing me so damn hard; I feel like my lungs will burst. Wait, aren't I wearing the sword? Isn't this the easiest way to kill him? S-Should I kill him? I mean, he's going to kill me if I don't fight back, so it should be okay, right?
He's crushing me; I can't hear the others anymore. Am I going to die? It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts... No, I can't die here. Breathe, Kael, breathe; you can do this. All I have to do is make sharp spikes appear out of my shirt... 'Slit!' 'Crrrr!'.
Eira's eyes widen in disbelief as the scene unfolds before her. My black shirt undergoes a startling transformation, sprouting sharp, menacing spikes that emerge with a hiss. The man, caught off guard, can only gasp as the spikes tear through his defenses, slicing him with chilling ease, reminiscent of a hot knife gliding through butter.
