The Great Crestmaster

He looked around and seeing as he was in a pinch he observed where there was the least amount of Malformed husks.

Aldrich put away his sword and exploded with such a speed that it looked like he flew out of the encirclement of the husks.

He had used his new skill, Light step. This skill doubled his speed but only as long as he moved in a straight line. This gave him an incredibly valuable method to run away—er, to make a strategic retreat.

It was not worth it to die now, he already got incredibly sick of dying to the armored husk so many times. Besides he wasn't sure that the changes in the nightmare realm were over yet.

For these reasons he had to quickly return to the base which was ironically the safest place in the nightmare town as of now.

The skill was great but he could feel his Ether and stamina depleting fast, he judged that he could only maintain it for ten seconds before being completely exhausted.

For the first time he was able to actually feel the existence of Ether in his body, it was vague like smoke.

He could see at every turn he took the husks all changed in Malformed husks and broke out of the houses and buildings that imprisoned them not long ago.

The thick fog that covered the whole town was dissipating and visibility became much better, the light of the yellow moon grew clearer and brighter.

Aldrich was almost back, thankfully the safe zone he created in advance was clear of husks for now at least. Before he entered the house he glimpsed something strange.

From the cobblestone under his feet a candlestick appeared. Perhaps, appear wasn't appropriate, grew. A candlestick grew from the cobblestones and it was already lit.

Aldrich looked around him, at the edges and corners of the streets and even above walls candlesticks of various sizes grew. Some were bigger than others some were straight and some were bent in weird angles.

The darkness that ruled this town was gone, these candles grew everywhere, Aldrich climbed to the rooftop of one of the houses that he already cleared and witnessed that scene.

The nightmare town has changed.

Just when Aldrich was ready to farm essence orbs like crazy. He held back his indignation and returned to the common room with his new coin pouch.

There was nothing he could do about the situation anyway so it was better to focus on what he could do.

Gold was heavier than silver and so it would cost more to transport luckily he had essence orbs in stock. He made thirty two orbs today alone.

That Malformed husk gave him six orbs, before the transformation took place he got two from level one husks and now it gave three times as much so that could be a plus depending on how you looked at it.

If the level one husks became that strong it it was likely that something similar happened to level two and three husks.

Anyway today Aldrich decided to take five gold coins at once. He needed a large amount of funds for living Voryhrm.

Aldrich picked five of the coins, the gold coins of the nightmare town had the word 'clairvoyant' on one side and the likeness of the moon on the other.

The word was written in Quohen which was the language of the three worlds, in the real world probably no one would ever know what it means.

Aldrich closed his eyes and activated the return function of the seal of Tindalor. He felt the essence orbs being consumed, two to return and 34 to bring back the coins.

****

Aldrich opened his hand and looked happily at the five gold coins. He only had 15 red essence orbs left but that was fine, these coins could last him for at least another month.

In ten days he wouldn't have to pay Gazeff's wage which should significantly lessen his overall spending. So all in all this was a fair amount for such large sum.

Aldrich kept the coins in his pouch and returned to sleep which he desperately needed. The next day he got up feeling refreshed and had a huge breakfast of bacon and cheese with apple juice.

After attending the classes and chatting with Frank for a few minutes he made his way to the imperial bank.

He familiarly nocked on Yasbel's office door, and entered after being told to come in.

Yasbel was wearing her usual clothes of dark blue suit and white shirt, a formal suit paired with her silver-rimmed glasses and professional demeanor gave her a rare charm.

Her hair was done in a thick bun that rested on the back of her neck. The thick bun was combed to perfection not even one hair was out of place and it indicated just how long it was if it was let free.

Looking at her subconsciously put a smile on his face but he quickly recovered. 'Man, these banks sure know how to get to people.'

"Hey, if it isn't Aldrich."

"Oh, you remember me?"

"How can I not? Come, take a seat."

Aldrich complied. He was surprised that she still remembered him considering he hadn't been here in while. To be precise this was his third time here.

"Care for some tea? Or maybe coffee?"

"No thank you, I'm just here for some quick deposite and then I will take my leave. I wouldn't want to disturb you."

"Another deposit that needs to be appraised first?" Yasbel asked with some surprise in her tone.

Aldrich laughed, "yeah, well you know the drill by now right?"

"Yeah… well why don't you show me the coins first?"

Aldrich took out the pouch he prepared beforehand and put it on the table and pushed it towards Yasbel.

She took the pouch, opened it and gasped. Aldrich saw how her eyes widened and felt just a little bit smug.

"Well," she said slowly as she fixed her glasses and peered at the coins closely, "we need to go somewhere else to finish this transaction."

"We do?" Aldrich asked in confusion. That was weird.

"Yes, indeed we do. We need to go somewhere more… private."

Aldrich didn't have this kind of money before so he wasn't sure but since Yasbel who was obviously more experienced in this said as much he could only agree.

Yasbel didn't waste any time she put the coins back in the pouch and turned the moss lamps off while leaving the window drapes open. She and Aldrich walked outside the office and she locked it with a key.

"Wait, don't you need any of your equipment?" He didn't see her take anything with her.

"No. We don't need those for now, come on let's go."

"Alright, if you say so."

Aldrich followed Yasbel outside of the bank which made him frown but he didn't say anything and followed Yasbel. They took a private carriage to a nearby street and got into a nice looking coffee house.

At this point Aldrich was bewildered, he didn't know what Yasbel's intentions were but if she wanted to run away with the money then she was doing a poor job out of it.

They went to the second floor and took a seat by the window. The decor of the place was green and brown, the natural lighting and the moss lamps gave the place a relaxing mood.

The place was open for business but the second floor was empty of patrons. This is what she meant by private.

Before they could talk, a waitress came up to take their orders, "how can I help you today?" She asked, looking at him.

"For me just black coffee, no sugar."

"And for the lady?"

"I'll have a Red Eye with fresh cream and a honey cake."

The waitress left and Aldrich stared at the woman who sat opposite to him.

"Can you stop glaring at me? You will embarrass me."

"Cut the crap. So, what do you want?"

"Well, aren't you frank and straight to the point?" She laughed, "but I do like serious men."

"And I don't like to waste my time." Aldrich coldly pointed.

"Well then, I'm sure that you will fine your time with me a great investment."

Aldrich narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.

"Well, the point is. Lets be partners, me and you."

"Partners?" Aldrich had to admit that he didn't expect the conversation to go this way.

"Why would I want to partner with you and what for?"

The waitress arrived with their order and they waited for her to go back down, the silence was broken when Yasbel took a sip from her coffee.

"The coffee in the office is just not like this. And the cake hmmm, it's really tender and smooth, the flavor just works with the coffee."

Aldrich didn't urge her but he was secretly fuming that she was dodging his question but as with hunting one must remain composed. So he took a sip from his own coffee to calm himself.

"Hey, why don't you try some of this cake? It's really good. Too bad this place is about to close down, I come here every now and then when I'm not busy with work."

"I'm not here to chit chat, what are you trying to say?"

Yasbel put down her spoon and looked at Aldrich, "what I'm trying to say, AL, can I call you AL? Alright, AL. I'm saying your money is obviously dirty and if you don't want to be arrested you'll have to partner up with me."