I walked back to my apartment, the weight of the Astral Patrons' offers still lingering in the back of my mind.
The door slammed shut behind me, and I moved straight to the bathroom, barely pausing to turn on the lights.
My eyes went straight to the mirror, but I didn't need to look at myself to know what I was feeling. Tired. Worn down. My body ached from the tension of the day, and my mind was even worse.
The steam rose, filling the bathroom with a heavy mist. I stood under the spray, letting it pour over me, letting it soak into my muscles.
I closed my eyes, letting the water run down my face. I needed to clear my head.
'I really have to get it. I need him. Where is he right now? Tsk.'
I finished my shower, and grabbed a towel and dried myself off.
Just as I was finishing up and about to pull on some fresh clothes, my phone buzzed loudly from the counter.
I picked it up, and the name on the screen made me pause for a second. It was Noel.
I sighed, but before I could even think about answering, I swiped to accept the call.
"Yo, Nile!" Noel's voice was full of energy, as always. "You won't believe it, man!"
I chuckled, already anticipating what was coming. "What happened?"
"I became a Vassal! Got chosen by a Thunder Astral Patron—Gethos, the Storm Bringer!" He practically yelled through the phone, the excitement in his voice evident. "I was just posted up in the community when it happened, man. Totally unexpected. But it's real. I've got the Mark and everything!"
I leaned against the bathroom door, raising an eyebrow. "Gethos, huh? What's it like? Any crazy perks yet?"
Noel paused, as if trying to find the right words. "It's wild, dude. I can feel the power already—there's this buzzing sensation whenever I focus, like electricity running through my veins. And the best part? I can already summon small lightning strikes. Nothing major, but it's enough to light up a whole area. I think it's just the beginning. Who knows what I'll be able to do later."
'Yeah, I can't blame him for being this excited. Gethos is one of the most powerful Astral Patrons there is. Good for him. It seems like there won't be a problem.'
I grinned.
"That's insane," I said, trying to sound genuinely happy for him, even though a small part of me felt the sting of comparison. "Congrats, man. I guess you're on your way now, huh?"
"Yeah! Thanks! You better step up, though. You're gonna get left behind if you keep waiting!" Noel laughed. "I mean, you have been scouted, right? Just pick one already."
"Alright, alright," I said, trying to steer the conversation back to something more comfortable. "So... you're a Vassal now. What kind of stats do you have, anyway?"
Noel didn't hesitate. "Stats? You want the rundown, huh? Here you go."
He paused for a second, and then the following list appeared in my mind, as if he was reading them straight off his profile:
[ Name: Noel Bora ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Astral Patron: Gethos, the Storm Bringer ]
[ Clear Progress: 1st floor of the labyrinth ]
[ Credits: 0 ]
[ Achievements ]
▷None
[ Exclusive Skills ]
▷None
[ Learned Skills ]
▷None
[ Stats ]
Strength: 8 / Penetration: 10
Durability: 7 / Dexterity: 7
Vitality: 5 / Mana: 15
Regeneration: 5 / Resistance: 5
'His stats are decent. As expected of Gethos.'
"Not bad," I said, trying to sound casual. "Pretty balanced stats, huh? Gethos is treating you well, it seems."
"Yeah, man," Noel chuckled. "Not bad at all. I'm gonna be cruising through the floors at this rate."
"Maybe," I muttered, my eyes scanning the floor absently. "Anyway, I'm still figuring out what I want to do. I don't want to rush into anything just because everyone else is doing it."
Noel's voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, Nile," he said, a bit more casually. "You ever hear of that guy, Blank?"
I stiffened for a moment, the name striking a chord. My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my voice steady. "Blank? Yeah, I've seen his posts in the Astral Community. Why?"
Noel's tone was thoughtful as he continued. "Man, this guy is something else. The way he's been helping everyone by posting tips and advice, it's been a game-changer. You know, I saw a ton of people talking about how Blank's info helped them clear the Vile Sludges on the first floor. It's like every time he posts something, it helps not just the community, but him too. It's like he's got this crazy way of gaining from it all. People love him for it."
I bit my lip, trying not to give anything away. I never expected to hear his name come up like this... I had been so focused on my own path that hearing someone praise Blank like this felt strange.
"Sounds like a good move," I said carefully, trying to mask my own feelings. "Helping others while helping yourself… makes sense, I guess."
Noel chuckled, clearly excited. "Yeah, right? If I were in his shoes, I'd be posting all kinds of stuff. Honestly, I think that's the key—just keep giving back to the community. You get stronger, and so does everyone else. He's got the right idea."
"Yeah," I muttered, my voice quiet. "Sounds like a good plan."
I cleared my throat, trying to redirect my focus. "By the way, Noel, is there a shop in your system? You know, like a Vassal Store? Every Vassal gets access to that, right? I've heard it can be a pretty big deal."
Noel didn't hesitate. "Oh, for sure! The Vassal Store is one of the first things they show you once you become a Vassal. You can get all kinds of things: weapons, armor, potions, even some rare items depending on your Patron. It's a good way to get some edge early on, especially when you're still figuring things out. And you can buy things with credits, but the really good stuff is usually more expensive."
'So that's how it works still. I had to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything like that.'
"Sounds like a good way to build up fast," I commented. "So, what have you picked up from the store so far?"
Noel sounded like he was grinning. "I just grabbed some basic stuff to start—like a good sword and a couple of health potions. Nothing too fancy, but it's definitely helped. I haven't had the chance to explore all the options yet, but I've heard there's a ton of cool stuff available once you get further along."
'That was exactly what I wanted to hear. The Vassal Store could be a game-changer. I need to get my hands on that kind of gear as soon as possible.'
"Nice," I said casually. "Sounds like you're setting yourself up well. I'll have to check it out when the time comes."
"Definitely," Noel replied, still excited.
"Yeah," I murmured, the gears still turning in my head.
Noel laughed. "That's what I like to hear! Just don't let me get too far ahead, alright?"
I chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."
There was a brief pause between us—comfortable, like the silence after a good conversation. Then Noel spoke up again, his tone lighter.
"Hey, once everything settles down—y'know, once I'm not getting zapped every five minutes with this thunder crap—let's grab a coffee or something. Chill like the old days."
"Yeah," I said, a small smile forming. "That sounds good. We'll catch up properly. No dungeons, no Patrons, just… coffee."
"Exactly!" Noel replied. "Alright, I'll let you rest up, man. Don't melt your brain thinking too hard about your pick."
"Too late," I muttered with a smirk. "Later, Noel."
"Later, Nile. Don't be a stranger."
The call ended with a soft click, and I was left staring at my phone as the screen fading to black.