The Gene of the Ancients (Rogue Merchant Book #2): LitRPG Series by Roman Prokofiev (top books to read TXT) 📕

“He’s Hated by them!” Olaf chuckled. “At this level of reputation, NPCs don’t even talk to you. They attack you on sight. We can’t sell it to them, maybe only via a broker...”

I smiled wryly. Olaf glared at me — and realized everything. He had seen my profile.

A passive ability of Free Merchant, my archetype, said, Non Olet Pecunia: You can trade with all creatures, no matter the relationship between your factions.

“Our Cat’s a Free Merchant,” the analyst said slowly. “I think it’s a solution. HotCat, you’ll have to work in your field.”

With a smirk, I nodded back. I had always dreamed of duping a demon!

* * *

I was sitting alone by the fire, thinking while watching it burn. I glanced at my reward for the unique achievement: the ability called “Ascetic” increased resistance to mind magic by 30% and gave immunity to mind control, such as Charm and Seduction. A useful thing, especially since it couldn’t be taken away, unlike equipment. Slowly but steadily, I was growing up.

Someone coughed on the other side of the campfire. Lost in thoughts, I hadn’t noticed another person sit down. After raising my eyes, I saw a figure wrapped in a brown hooded cloak. I couldn’t make out the face, but the stranger clearly wasn’t a Watcher. I squeezed the silver grip of Aelmaris, preparing to raise the alarm.

“Don’t fret, Cat,” the stranger suggested, reaching out to the fire. His fingers were long and slender, like a musician’s or an artist’s.

“Who are you?”

“What, you haven’t recognized me? How about now?” He shifted and held out his hand, as if asking for alms, and I saw him smirk under his hood.

“I have,” I said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“You’ve made the wrong turn. Come back to the Crossroads. Start it up and follow the Sin-Da thread.”

“I don’t get it. Start it up?”

“Yes. The thing you call Crossroads is a Lee-Nar, a node in the web used by the Ancients to travel. Awaken it,” Tormis was speaking in a calm and patient manner. “And then, you’ll be able to transport to anywhere in Helt Akor.”

“But how?”

“Oh Cat, don’t make me think I was wrong about you. You were chosen for a reason. You have their blood. You can awaken the dormant threads of Lee-Nar.”

“I don’t have a clue how to do it,” I said. “Be clearer!”

“Be clearer...” the man sitting across of me chuckled. “Each word I say is a stone falling on the scale of Balance. You must do everything by yourself. Remember the Tombs of Necromancers! And know: if you help me, I will help you in turn.”

“But — “ I tried to ask him, but the flat stone was empty. Tormis had disappeared as abruptly as he had arrived.

“See you,” I muttered at the empty space. Yeah, what a turn. So what was my schedule for tomorrow? Cheat the demons, awaken the Ancients, follow the Sin-Da thread? I really needed a good night’s sleep.

Chapter 21

THE NEXT MORNING, the Watchers Council held a meeting in Komtur’s tent. Four Keepers were there, plus Abbot as the raid leader.

“So here’s the thing, HotCat suggested we change the route,” Olaf announced the subject of the discussion. “We have to return to the Crossroads.”

“We have to? What the hell?” Abbot exploded. “Who does he think he is? He’s a trader, so let him steal, err, trade! Leading raids is our job, not his! I’m sick and tired of it. Are you kidding me? First, he foists himself onto the raid and now he’s going to order us about?”

“Calm down, man,” Abel said. “Actually, Cat killed a powerful boss.”

“Yeah, and gave us a whole slew of problems with the crown!”

“Cut the small talk,” Komtur said, clapping his hand against his knee. “Olaf, why should we return? I thought you planned the route yourselves.”

“Yes. But Cat says he was visited by Tormis, the God of Shadows. Have you heard of that guy? He told us to return and activate the Crossroads. I quote, ‘You made a wrong turn. Awaken the Lee-Nar. Follow the Sin-Da thread.’“

“What a riot,” Komtur replied, scratching his head pensively. “Tormis? The two crooks found a common ground? Honestly, I’m not really surprised. Does Cat have his quest?”

“He’s not talking, but I think he does.”

“Remember, HotCat has the Ancient Gene,” Abel added. “If I’m not mistaken, you ordered us to look for such players for the clan.”

“Yes, and that’s why I suggest we double back. It’s an opportunity! A player with the Gene might trigger the Ancients’ mechanisms. The Crossroads is rumored to be more than just a landmark, but a portal. Something like a lift allowing players to fast travel across Helt Akor.”

“Don’t forget that we haven’t prepared for clearing out Ancient spots,” Abbot said. “They have their own thing going on.”

“We have nothing to lose. Missing such an opportunity would be foolish,” Komtur concluded. “Let’s go back, then. Madness knows no distance.”

* * *

The way back didn’t take long. The scouts reported that the Crossroads was clear. Once again we entered the enormous domes of the round hall lit by dim yellow light. Awaken the heart of Lee-Nar, follow the Sin-Da thread? How exactly? Everything there was dead and umoving.

“If something’s hidden here, we’ll find it,” Abel promised. “We’ll check every inch with Perception and Find Treasure.”

“Only a player with Ancient Gene can activate the Ancients’ devices,” Olaf said anxiously. “I fear we might trigger a trap.”

“I’m a veteran tomb raider, Prophet,” Abel said, his feathers ruffed. “Detect Traps, Disarm...everything will be fine!”

Four scouts started slowly searching the hall, walking along its perimeter. Going by their speed, I expected that to take at least a couple