Aiden stared at the Shadowkin licking his fingers, unable to read his expression. He knew the reason behind his visit but knew better than to reveal it.
"Anyone but me," Aiden answered. "I don't have the strength to rise to any occasion, unless it's a barbeque party."
"I have no doubt about that," the shadow answered. "You can rise, however, to be something more than just a nobody in an empty square."
"And that's by helping your Guild Master?"
"In fact, you will be helping the world," the shadow corrected. "My lady is planning to tackle a dangerous expedition to uncover a relic that could put a stop to the marching army of Hungerborns."
"And how is that related to me?"
"Your power to turn monsters into items is more than needed to prepare our guild for what is to come," he said. "I don't believe you've tried hunting with others?"
"No."
"Abilities such as yours have a tendency to work even in large groups," he said. "You will be working with a group of the finest seekers to explore a dungeon and bring back whatever items we can use to stop the invasion."
"There's not enough time, even if I wanted to help."
"We bought the time we need," the shadow said. "However, it's not enough to defend the city. If this mission fails, millions living in Argan will die."
"If you're trying to make me feel guilty for saying no, then you have a terrible eye for people," Aiden said with a shake of his head. "If I had to choose between myself and the entire city, I would choose myself any day."
The shadow was silent.
Aiden could tell the square was growing darker and more desolate, even though it was still the afternoon. He sensed the Shadowkin's bubbling emotions in the shifting mist and knew he'd revealed a different side of him.
"If you are that fond of life, then you will do well to cooperate with us," the shadow said, his voice threatening. "My lady has been nothing but kind and patient, but we don't share those traits."
"Threaten me all you want, shadow man," Aiden said with a grin. "I don't respond to threats—and neither does my ability. If forcing me to work with you was a solution, it would've been your first one."
"You think we need your fond opinion of us?"
"You need my looting ability, which I now regret having shown you," Aiden said with a grin. "My ability won't work if I believe I'm forced, would it?"
The darkness dissipated. Light returned to the square, and the shadow man let out a sigh.
"You have no idea what's at stake here," he said. "You revealed your ability to us for a reason—what is it?"
"I know that the Guild has already hired someone to protect me," Aiden said with a smile. "That's why the crooks and thugs never ambushed me, and why I wasn't caught by the nobles yet."
"If you knew, then why wouldn't you agree to help us back?"
"Because I'd be throwing away my life for others. If word got out that I have this power, what happens when the mission is over? Would I be enslaved in the Seekers Guild forever? The other factions would kill me if they can't have me."
"Then, you made a mistake by revealing this ability of yours."
"Honestly? I did, but I don't regret it," Aiden said with a grin. "I got the attention of a beautiful woman. What's better than that?"
"…You are one strange man," the shadow said after a pause. "My lady won't give up on you. She wants to make you join the guild, and she always gets what she wants."
"What a persistent woman," Aiden said with a sigh. "But… I like it that way."
The man said nothing more and disappeared into the shadows of the stall. Aiden sighed, too tired to keep himself standing. Then, his eyes went wide with a horrible realization.
"Shit," he muttered. "The bastard dined and dashed!"
[---]
After his encounter with the shadow man and listening to Gabriel's advice, Aiden decided to seek his very first Awakening Shard. However, since he knew nothing about it, he visited the religious part of the city.
Religions were a big thing in this world. People in the Fringes always swore by Oblivion, the Great Unmaking. After asking around, it turned out that Oblivion was believed to be the god who kept the Edge at bay and prevented it from swallowing the world.
"Oblivion must be on vacation then," Aiden thought to himself.
A separate portion of the city, mirroring every other major city or capital, was called The Celestial Plaza. It was a place where temples worshiping the gods of this world gathered.
Aiden entered the place and found pilgrims traveling about, each heading toward their desired temple.
Gods in this world existed—not just the notion of their existence. People could see and interact with them, making faith more common than in Aiden's world.
One of these temples was Aiden's destination. It was called the Lumen Temple, worshiping the god Lumen, the Illuminator of Truth.
Gabriel was the one to suggest visiting this temple after meeting his scholar friend. It seemed that Lumen offered guidance for those who sought him and could tell Aiden what Awakening Shards or cultivation technique he should practice.
On his way to the temple, Aiden passed several more—each worshiping the Gods of Desire and Ideals. Their statues towered over the temples, some intimidating anyone who dared to face them.
Aiden felt nothing while staring at them.
Warriors asked for blessings in the Temple of Xylos, the Shattered Blade.
Healers bowed in front of the Temple of Aethel, the Weaver of Bonds.
Seekers trained in the courtyards of Kaelen, the Ascendant Will.
The three gods governed the Inner Sanctum, blessing their followers with Awakening Shards and techniques. Other than them, there were several more gods.
Lumen was one of them.
Aiden thought the temple would be abandoned, but it was packed with youngsters seeking the same thing he did—guidance.