Nexus Runner [EPIC Progression Fantasy litRPG]

I wanted to ask the elf patriarch a hundred questions about the multiverse and the game and his people. On Arasha, we were isolated from everyone and everything. I needed information as badly as I needed better gear. Maybe more, considering the enemies I'd made when I defeated Velexis.

I preferred to focus on the potential allies I might gain. The demons were pricks. Enemies of those assassins had to be people I wanted to forge alliances with, right?

Kaelor said, "On to business, then. Would that we could spend hours chatting, but time waits for no elf, not even here where time can be slowed so much."

"I have a question before we talk about the vaults. I was told Velexis had several bounties on her head, but I can't claim them from here. Is there any way you can help me submit the claims?"

Kaelor sighed and shook his head. "I am afraid not, mighty Lucas. You alone can claim the bounty. However, once the game is complete, I will do everything in my power to assist. Perhaps we can arrange for you to visit my world. There, we could easily facilitate the process."

"Thanks." I wasn't surprised, but it was worth a shot. "I'd love to visit your home."

"Then we will include that in our offer," he declared.

Sythrak smoothly interjected. "As is customary for such direct negotiations, I will provide a quick recap of the current situation, despite all we have already discussed, if you do not mind."

"I exult in hearing of the demons' disgrace. I raise no objection," Kaelor declared.

"Sure." What more was there to say?

"Very good," Sythrak said, then launched into a little monologue.

"Clan Elaris has arranged for this meeting to negotiate the return of one vault belonging to Velexis Shadrael containing their looted treasures. They freely admit to a debt of honor for the avenging of the clan princess and dueling champion, Sixel Elaris, for exposing the crimes of Velexis Shadrael and her faction, and dealing a significant blow to the aggressive expansion of the faction across multiple worlds."

"The Shadrael clan has denounced Velexis as a rogue member and officially cast her out, but are still facing massive fines. They have committed to reimbursing arenas where Velexis illegally competed as Sixel for the cost of the invalidated championship standings."

Kaelor added, "And you have given many individuals, clans, and organizations across dozens of worlds cause to sing and celebrate your victory. As the clan patriarch, I formally thank you and acknowledge the honor debt we owe. I also promise to compensate you generously should you agree to return Sixel's vault to me, along with all its contents."

It was all kind of overwhelming. Just dealing with the game world had been almost too much at first. Now I was neck deep in multi-system intrigue I barely comprehended. My Intelligence stat had grown to the point that even I could see a great opportunity, though.

I spread my hands and smiled. "That's why we're here, right?'

Kaelor laughed, a rich sound like a chorus of cellos. "Indeed, my friend."

Sythrak, with barely restrained excitement, asked, "Will you share your offer, Lord Kaelor?"

The elf patriarch waved one hand and a fancy scroll appeared in the air between us, covered in gilded lettering. Eva read the offer like she would any achievement.

"In consideration of the great favors bestowed upon clan Elaris by the mighty warrior Lucas, and in exchange for the return of one vault expected to contain important artifacts belonging to the clan, we offer the following:

A clan-bestowed title: Elf Born. Title adopts Lucas as an inner clan member with all the perks, rights, and privileges contained therein. Additional bonuses rewarded when Lucas travels to our world.

Three tokens of Advancement. These single-use tokens will teleport one person from anywhere on any tier-1 through tier-3 world to the clan's exclusive Perfect Evolution Preparation Training Retreat. This legendary-level clan treasure is a time-dilated retreat dedicated to assisting a select few of the most talented young talents in perfect evolutions up to tier-4. Tokens become active upon reaching level 80 in each tier."

Double all loot in emerald and higher-grade loot boxes for the duration of the game.

A set of information crystals containing copies of all clan archives pertaining to the multiverse and planets we have presences on, with all of the political, economic, social, and religious institutions of note we have compiled.

One instant teleport token to Clan Elaris's central citadel. Will activate once Lucas reaches tier-3.

One Legendary Weapon Upgrade Scroll. Upgrade one weapon to legendary grade, with the ability to evolve to tier-1.

One Legendary Armor Upgrade Scroll. Upgrade one item of armor to legendary grade, with the ability to evolve to tier-1."

Fifty tier-9 mana crystals."

As I read the long list of offered rewards for the third time, I realized my mouth was hanging open and I snapped it shut. I'd expected a bunch of mana crystals, maybe some cool weapons, or something, but this was, well, wow!

A grinning Kaelor said, "I see by your astonishment that even as a newly integrated game contestant, you have at least a small sense of the great value of these items. Being adopted as an inner-clan member is a rare boon, granted only to those with proven, unwavering loyalty to the clan, or those who have performed extraordinary feats benefiting us."

"Inner clan member?"

"The rank of my personal family and those who play central roles in the clan. Barely 10% of the clan enjoy this rank. Most are designated are clan members, with another 20% outer-clan members. Each rank comes with different perks and benefits. As an inner- clan member, you will be granted access to all properties and venues, receive a monthly stipend when you reach one of our worlds, access special vaults for gear and weapon upgrades, access to exclusive training guilds, and protection from clan enemies."

That last bit caught my attention. The clan would help defend me from the demons, if it came to a fight. That was a relief. The more I learned of the Shadrael faction, the more terrifying they sounded.

"There may be additional perks included in the title, depending on your situation," Kaelor added. "And assuming you survive the game and your world is successfully integrated, the day you step foot in our central citadel will become a special holiday. More gifts and perks and rewards will be showered upon you than you probably can comprehend right now."

Assuming I survived. It was a nice way to hedge their bets, giving me some great stuff now, with the promise of much more if I made it that far. Still, the rest of the items did look amazing. "Well, I plan to survive."

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Spoken like a true warrior!" Kaelor chuckled.

The advancement tokens had to be divine-grade items all by themselves. My early evolution to tier-1 had started to pay off in spades, but only after a lot of struggle. I'd gone about the evolution all wrong and still needed to finish unlocking my full efficiencies. Those tokens promised help with perfect evolutions all the way up to tier-4. If Kaelor offered nothing else, I'd still be tempted to accept the deal.

Doubling all high-grade loot boxes I received for the duration of the rest of the game sounded like it would cost them a mint. I wouldn't have dreamed of asking for such a thing, but I'd happily take it. The offer was clever. They'd still pay out a ton, but I could get items specifically related to the game. Hopefully. Sure, Cyrus could mess with it some, but I doubted he'd turn all the doubled loot boxes into gag gifts.

The information crystals were probably worth more than I realized. I was eager to sit and study them, assuming Cyrus didn't block access like he had the information crystals I'd found in Velexis's vault. Maybe I could use my 10,000 Movie Experience and Party Time tokens to get some good 3-hour study blocks in without losing any time. Knowing more about the multiverse might help me better navigate some of the upcoming boss fights.

And of course, the legendary armor and weapon upgrades and the insane amount of mana crystals were more than welcome. Coming from a tier-4 world, Kaelor's base mana crystals would be tier-4, so to them they were sending me 50 tier-5 mana crystals. Sounded pretty small, but for me, those mana crystals were worth a staggering sum.

"Will you accept the offer as-is?" Sythrak finally prodded, pulling me from my reverie.

"Your offer is extremely generous," I told Kaelor, who smiled warmly. "It includes items I had no idea existed, let alone might be something I could request. However, I do have 2 additional things I'd like to request."

Kaelor looked surprised, but then his smiled widened. "I had not expected such a recently-integrated person to maintain the presence of mind in the face of such a generous offer to negotiate with skill. It is yet another testament to your fortitude."

He was laying it on a bit thick, but I wasn't about to complain. Clan Elaris might prove vital for Earth's continuing existence once we finished the game. I had no illusion that there weren't many other powerful organizations eager to swoop in and take advantage of a new world. With the help of Kaelor and maybe some of the other enemies of the Shadrael faction I hoped to connect with, maybe we could carve out a successful path forward.

Eve interjected. "Congratulations, Lucas! For negotiating with a powerful tier-4 clan patriarch for an even better deal, you receive a platinum Fast-Talker loot box."

I waved away the announcement to study later.

"Name your terms," Sythrak encouraged me. The slender Krysanthimus looked giddy with excitement. How much commission did he receive for arranging a meeting like this? Probably more than I wanted to know.

"I already commissioned the resizing of Sixel's armor for a member of my team. One of the items I'd most hoped to find in her vault was more legendary-grade armor for 3 other close team members."

"Your teammate Steve, plus your brother Tomas and his beloved, Jane?" Kaelor guessed. He really had been watching my recordings.

I nodded and he nodded in return, his expression approving. "One's team is one's lifeline. All good warriors understand the need to protect and help their team to advance. I wholeheartedly approve. You shall have the armor by the time the resizing of my Sixel's armor is finished."

That one was easy. Now for the tricky one.

"Is there a way for you to send a message to my homeworld to my parents?"

Kaelor hesitated, and Sythrak looked startled. Not the kind of reactions I'd hoped for. Before either of them could respond, Cyrus interjected.

"You can't tell anyone on Earth about the game, Lucas. Or the multiverse, or anything going on. Not until after the game."

"That's fine. You didn't say there's no way to send a message."

"I have no way to send a message for you," Kaelor said gravely. "The locations and details of all worlds involved in the game are kept secret from all but a select few, and no one can travel to pre-inducted worlds."

That agreed with things Cyrus had said, although the way he phrased it made me suspect he'd just given me a big clue. Cyrus spoke before I could ask a follow-up question.

"Basic messages have been sent to home worlds during a game before. The precedent is there, but it is expensive, and the messages must be kept short and vague."

"Then I will commit to paying the fee," Kaelor stated.

He didn't even know the cost yet. I liked the old patriarch more and more, and it had nothing to do with his high Charisma stat. He was treating me like a hero and like a trusted member of his clan already. That kind of honor was so heart-warming.

"Done," Cyrus said. "Lucas, who do you want to contact?"

"My parents. And—"

"One message," he interrupted.

"Fine."

"You honor your team, and now you honor your parents. Again you demonstrate the values we strive to live," Kaelor told me.

"Family is important, right?"

"Central to our success and our happiness," Kaelor agreed.

That pretty much said it all.

"Lucas, once you compose your message, I'll arrange for transmission. I reserve the right to edit as needed," Cyrus warned.

"Understood." That was still more than I had hoped for. By now, my parents had to know something was wrong. Tomas and I had been gone for 2 full weeks. Even though they didn't know we'd gone to the movie shoot location, they'd known we planned to ride in Colorado. Had they put the pieces together?

I wanted to compose my message immediately, but Sythrak clapped his hands together and said, "Are there other items to negotiate?"

Kaelor looked to me, one majestic eyebrow raised. Maybe I could negotiate for more, but I was already getting what I wanted and so much more.

"I accept the amended agreement."

"As do I," Kaelor stated.

The scroll flashed with bright golden light, then disappeared, replaced by a huge ruby loot box, glowing with inner light. I tried to will it open, but nothing happened. Only then did I notice a key hole in the front of the box and realized what I needed to do.

Extracting the Keys of the Treasurer keyring, I pulled off the key labeled with the crossed swords of clan Elaris and fitted it into the ruby box. The key and box both flashed and disappeared, and items dumped directly into my inventory.

Kaelor gave me a wide smile and bowed low. "Thank you, my friend. You have done our clan a great service that will never be forgotten. I look forward to watching your exploits and eventual victory. I believe you humans say, victory lies with the salt of the earth."

I chuckled. "Something like that."

He held my gaze, his expression suddenly very serious. "Something like that. Yes."

Then the look passed and he smiled widely again. "I look forward to the day when we can meet face to face in the citadel."

I extended a hand without thinking, even though he was just a projection. He looked surprised, but after a moment's hesitation, he took it and his giant hand engulfed my own. I actually felt pressure, a firm grip, but not crushing. Cool.

"I might have avenged your daughter accidentally, but I'm glad I did, and I look forward to learning more about your clan."

"Our clan."

"Our clan," I amended, grinning.

With that, Kaelor disappeared. I kept grinning. That really happened! I negotiated with a being 1000 times more powerful, a mighty leader of an alien world! This connection might be the key to saving Earth when we got back home.

My thoughts drifted back to Kaelor's statement butchering a sort of Earth phrase. I'd heard salt of the earth before. A religious reference, maybe, but that look he gave me? Was there a double meaning in there, a hint about the multiverse or the demons?

Sythrak, his scales glowing pure white with excitement, grabbed my hands with his stubby-fingered ones, pumping them so hard he yanked me right out of my reverie. "That was my first intergalactic sale. You have no idea how much you've done for me, my lord. I am forever in your debt!"

"I'm glad you got the commission, especially since you planned to give me a bigger discount on future purchases anyway."

His grin never faltered, although the bright color of his scales faded just a bit. "Of course. I was just going to announce that you've reached a threshold of transactions to access tier-6 VIP service and pricing."

"That's great to hear. Thanks, Sythrak."

He bowed low again. "I am here to serve."

And to make bucketloads of money. Fine with me, as long as he kept giving me exceptional service. I turned my attention to my inventory and everything I just got from that ruby loot box.