"I do suffer from it," the Guild Master said as she looked around the shop. "That's why I mastered the art of disappearing. No one seems to notice me, or you."
Aiden looked around the shop and realized it was true. Many people walked in and out, even passing them, without even glancing at the two of them. He turned toward the Guild Master who was giving him a wide smile.
"Impressive?" she asked.
"A little," Aiden said with a shrug. "That looks like a helpful ability."
"This is no ability," she said as she raised her hand. "I control the desire of Void to hide my presence and make others forget about me."
"You control the desire itself?" Aiden asked with a raised brow. "That sounds like an ability."
"Again, not an ability," she answered while opening her palm for him. Aiden hesitated before giving her his hand. "This is a subtle change in our aura, depending on the desire we infuse it with."
"Our aura?" he asked.
"Look," the Guild Master said as she raised a finger, and a small violet energy twirled atop it. "Look at your hand."
Then, she placed the energy inches away from Aiden's hand, and he could see it fading, almost becoming transparent. He flinched and pulled his hand, and it returned to normal.
"That's scary," Aiden said while rubbing his hand. "I guess you can do that to all desires?"
"Of course," she answered. "The desire of Void hides us, while Rift intimidates our enemies. Bond makes us immune to outside influence, while Rise can inspire large crowds and command respect."
Aiden stared at his hand, realizing how much he didn't know about this world, and then at the Guild Master. She was looking at him with curious eyes, anticipating his reaction.
"It's really easy to fall for you," Aiden said with a smile. "I guess that's what you're trying to do with me—gain my trust and make me a little love-struck puppet."
"Is it not working?" she asked, with a sly smile.
"First of all: I'm seventeen," he said. "And sadly, I can see through your plans, Guild Master. If you want my help with something, then just ask me to help."
"Would you agree?"
"I would consider it, but at the very least I'll have a better impression of you," he answered before bowing slightly. "Please excuse me."
Aiden then turned around and left, leaving her behind, dumbfounded. She looked at his departing back and blinked in confusion.
"Did he… reject me again?" she muttered. At that moment, a shadow appeared behind her, taking the form of her trusted Vice-Master. "You are back, Erebus. How did it go?"
Erebus did not respond.
She turned to look at him and saw fear in his eyes.
"The kid was right," Erebus said. "Argan is in danger."
[---]
Aiden stared at his options.
His last sword melted into the Hungerborn, making it crucial for him to buy a better one. After looking for hours in Argan Market, he found a shop that sold used swords of high-ranking seekers.
"I have to warn you," the woman behind the counter, wearing a dress and a headband, addressed Aiden, "Some of these weapons are either at the end of their lives or cursed. They are unfit for a starting adventurer."
"I have an eye for things," Aiden muttered while looking at the swords. They were stacked on shelves and in barrels, laced with chips and scratches. "And a feel."
Aiden began touching the swords, looking for one that would trigger a reaction from the system. After receiving the Warrior Gauntlets, he realized that the system would identify items via touch, and skill books via analysis.
[Ironclad Bastard (12/100)]
[Storm's Edge (15/100)]
[Duskfang (31/100)]
[Serpent's Kiss (4/100)]
[Oathkeeper (55/100)]
[Rustbane (17/100)]
The names appeared as windows in front of him, showing him a name and durability. Unless there was something more to the blade, the system showed him nothing more.
Aiden shuffled through them, and they were all unremarkable—except for the ones at the shelves, which the store's clerk said cost a fortune.
As he was looking, he spotted a small box buried behind the barrels of swords. Aiden crouched down and pulled the box, making the store's clerk come forward with confusion.
"What is that?"
"This is our finest item yet—a blade forged by the blood of its enemies," Aiden began, but saw her confusion. "You are the one working here, not me."
"I've never seen that box before. Did someone leave it here?" she asked. "Be careful."
Aiden looked around the rectangular box for a way to open it and found a small silver lock. As he touched the lock to examine it, it suddenly snapped open and fell to the ground.
The two looked at each other, and then Aiden began pushing the box's lid to see what was inside. They found a long sword, jagged and chipped, with a matte coating.
"Let me examine it first," the clerk said as she placed a hand inches away from the sword, and it began to glow. Aiden saw the light enter her forehead, and she opened her eyes with disappointment. "This is nothing but a failed product."
"Is it safe to touch?" Aiden asked, and the woman nodded.
Aiden touched the surface of the sword and instantly felt dizzy. However, his window didn't reveal anything remarkable.
[Promise (10/100)]
[A blade discarded by the world.]
Aiden expected to find some hidden stat, sealed abilities, or even a legendary weapon. However, the shopkeeper was right—it was a failed product. The words, however, resonated with Aiden.
A blade discarded by the world.
"How much for this blade?"
"Ah, let me check how much the owner demanded for it," the shopkeeper rushed to the back and pulled out a ledger. "Most of these blades are left by their owners to be sold. They set the price."
Aiden listened while picking the blade and raising it. It was flawed and uneven, dull and unremarkable. Its weight shifted in his hand, but somehow, Aiden found the feeling soothing—because he would never know how the blade would feel.
"I found it," the shopkeeper said. "This blade is… for free?"