The Legendary Fool

Chapter 73: Riven Blackheart

So, Aleph began, her arms crossed as she eyed him warily. Youre telling me that your Soul Card allows you to, quite frankly, literally become someone else? Perfectly copy their appearance, accent, speech mannerisms and even the clothes and equipment they had on their person? She asked, unable to keep the incredulousness out of her tone.

Well yeah, Tom sheepishly conceded, long having discarded Arenevs guise. Though its not like Im actually copying the effects of their artifacts, just their look and feel, He lied almost effortlessly, suppressing the twinge of guilt that he felt deep within the recesses of his heart. If what he had revealed to Aleph had already left her gasping in incredulousness, disclosing [Fools Gold] to her might very well just earn him an arrow in the back.

I know that, Aleph retorted. I know that but, she repeated, her tone softening as she realized that she had come off a little abrasive,....Its just, Ive heard of illusion cards that could replicate the illusion aspect. There are cards that induce hypnosis in others, but those tend to have a very limited effect. Scent, Accent, Appearance- all those things can be modulated, but that would require a dozen cards, working in tandem. And youre telling me that its not an illusion.

You pulled on my blacksmith garb. Did it feel like an illusion? Tom asked, doing his best to keep Alephs focus on his shroud ability. Plus, you already know that I can change my display name. As synergistic as that seems, can you imagine how frustrating it was to try and survive with a Soul Card that could only change how I looked and fiddle with my status a little? Tom voiced the rhetorical question, letting his own, genuine frustrations with [The Fool] card seep into his words.

I suppose it would have been. And I also suppose that you wont be telling me anything more about your past? She asked, the wariness in her gaze shifting to a warmer curiosity.

Im sorry, Tom replied. Ive gone to great lengths to distance myself from my past, Tom almost wished that he was lying. Some nights, he dreamt of his life back in the small town hed grown up in, spent most of his life in. Sure, it was safe. His bed was comfortable, his food, loaded with enough chemicals to make it scrumptious and he didnt exactly have to worry about Phantasmal Beasts lunging for his neck.

But in Artezia

He had done so much. Met so many interesting people. Every day he spent in this world was like a die cast by fate he couldnt be sure where hed end up landing or whos side hed be fighting side-to-side with.

Thomas Lowe didnt want to go back to his old world.

I guess I can relate to that, Aleph sighed. Fine, fine, dont make that serious face. I wont press you on it.

Tom let go of the breath he had been holding, allowing himself to relax.

That trick, Aleph began, taking a moment to raise the wooden mug in her right hand and imbibe a sip. With the blood vial. How did you come up with that? It was quite creative.

Truthfully? Tom asked as his lips curled up in mild amusement. I stumbled upon a butcher that had a bunch of live beasts stocked in the back. The man seemed quite taken aback when I asked him to, well, fill up a few glass jugs with blood, but he didnt ask any other questions. Im guessing that the person I was impersonating ended up being an important one, He answered, choosing to keep out the part where he had to be the one to personally slaughter the beasts a major limitation of his [Lifeblood] card that was best kept concealed.

By storing the jugs full of blood in his inventory, Tom was also testing out a theory. He wasnt sure how the inventory worked. Was it time that was frozen? Space? Or something else entirely? If it was the first one, then technically, the jugs of blood he had stored within were no longer bound by [Blood Scions] twenty four hour limitation.

That makes sense, Aleph replied. Few have the luxury of training to be a blacksmith, especially if theyre desperate enough to come to the Nameless District. I doubt this blacksmith of yours could have worked on anything but common artifacts, but even that makes him a valuable commodity in this place.

So, Tom could feel his throat tightening as he spoke the words out loud. About the plan.

Yeah?

When we first met, you told me that you were tracking powerful dungeoneers in the Nameless District, Tom recounted.

I was and likely would have continued if you hadnt lived up to, actually, surpassed my expectations, She conceded.

So, Tom leaned in conspiratorially. What if I told you that I needed to find someone thats uh, morally dubious. You know, the kind of person that I wouldnt mind.

Killing? Aleph chimed in enthusiastically.

What? No! Tom protested, his gaze conveying his horror at the idea.

A moment of silence passed between the two of them, before Alephs eyes flashed in realization.

Wait, She muttered aloud as her gaze locked onto Toms own. Dont tell me. youve never killed anyone before?

Yes. I mean, no, He flubbed his words, almost equally taken aback by Alephs words. The time he had spent with the seemingly easy going woman had made him forget her background, her true identity as the scion of a Noble Clan.

Hah. Now thats a surprise, Aleph replied.

Is it that surprising for someone as young as me to not have., He trailed off, not wanting to voice the thought. Taking another sapient beings life? He really didnt want the situation to devolve to that point.

Others? No, not really. But you? Look at yourself- youre a walking font of trouble. And now, youve got enough valuables stashed on you for almost any dungeoneer in the Nameless District to bare their fangs at you. Simply coveting others possessions is enough to initiate a battle in the dungeoneering world, you know, Aleph animatedly explained, clearly unfazed by the idea of taking another life to defend her own.

I suppose youre right, Tom reluctantly agreed, his thoughts flashing back to Jayces memories how viciously the lone dungeoneer had carried out a counter-ambush and how he thirsted for power- to the point where he was willing to loot and kill for the chance a valuable card or artifact.

Capturing someone is a lot harder than killing them, Aleph continued, taking note of the reluctance in Toms gaze. But its not impossible. Not with the two of us working in tandem.

Do you have someone in mind? Someone. terrible enough. Because odds are, once Im done with the Nobles District, every Royal Knight in the area is going to come swarming for him.

Someone you dont mind completely screwing over then. Hm, Aleph took a few moments to contemplate before responding,There is one. A dungeoneer that mostly operates alone these days. The reason? Hes survived two squad wipes.

You mean?

Im not certain. One squad wipe can be attributed to bad luck. A second time though? People avoid you like a plague. But nobody would complain if he went missing and hes powerful enough to survive solo down there.

Whats his name?

Riven. But theres another name he goes by.

Oh?

Blackheart.