Merchant Count Ervin Hasani, Executive Underminister to Merchant of Might Theresea Tyrenko, Lord of Enchanting and Armor

Ervin hiked his look of pain back onto his face as quickly as he could but he knew he'd slipped.

This is just an incredible find.

Sliding back into his private room with Milenka after bidding adieu to the three locals Uros had foisted on him, Ervin shook his head slightly, turning on their isolation equipment before facing his business partner.

"I want that ring," she said.

"I want him for his Talent," Ervin replied.

"Halfsies on the kidnapping?" Milenka said, munching on a lemon square and offering another to Ervin.

He took a bite and had to get some water as the thick, delicious treat stuck to his teeth. After far too long of a pause to be cool, he replied, "Yes, halfsies it is. We'll have to be slow and careful, can't have our clauses triggering. Who should we use?"

***

On the walk out, Tiesa and Jasna explained essence extraction and concentration. I had to ask them to start again as I got distracted by seeing a large bear wearing a rather fetching suit manning one of the booths.

Essentially, someone who willingly donated their essence – which was clearly not what happened at the facility we discovered – would still have their essence channels damaged unless you pumped the same amount of essence back into those channels in a relatively short period of time.

There were machines that extracted the essence painlessly and then concentrated it, though it took a fair amount of power to do so. That concentrated essence was slightly more powerful, hence why it was popular if you were buying essence to pump into your skills or items.

People could concentrate their own essence inside their bodies but it was tough. And generally pretty useless to do before someone got to the upper echelons of Tier 1 as the reverse pyramid of cultivation naturally compressed essence gained in the lower sub-Tiers.

Essence extraction was a great way to make ends meet for those who didn't want to delve and didn't see a need for the general improvements essence brought. Thus, it was quite common for low Tier 1 rifts to be delved often with a small team taking on the monsters while others just soaked up the essence, selling it at essence extraction centers. The facility would take a certain amount of someone's essence and then compress 50% of that, pushing it back into the person. The 50% that was kept by the essence extraction centers meant a pretty nice payday for whoever 'donated'.

I contemplated what that meant for Steve and even me given my stronger essence channels as we neared our next stop.

Once more back at Tiesa and Gabor's house, I shared my Cap with them both and Gabor, who was holding Steve in his lap like an evil stereotype with a white cat – he had grabbed Steve from the inn while we were in the meeting. Karel had run off to meet some kid Risto knew who liked programming.

Gabor whistled. "Well, that's a pretty ridiculous one if I do say so myself."

"Yeah, I'm jealous. I've got a few skills but five a Tier just seems ridiculous. And then with that Cap from Steve and the item… you might really be setting yourself up for some amazing things Terry," Tiesa said as Gabor served us all tea and baked goods before sitting on her lap for a change.

"I want to get into that but Jasna, I thought this cape could potentially be useful for you so that's why Tiesa and I saved it for you. I'd like to get it professionally cleaned if possible but given your exceptional stealth…" I trailed off as she just tilted her head to the side, giving no indication if she even wanted it.

"She'll love it, even if only as a novelty," Tiesa said nodding.

Jasna shrugged. "Sure, I can remain undetected so it could be useful for getting away. We'll see I guess."

"Yeah, yeah, we're all great friends and people. Blech. Now, since we're past that crap, what spells are you gonna get!?" Gabor was tilting back and forth like a kid in a candy shop.

"Well, I get a rift-dropped [Poison Resistance] so that doesn't count against my five. I was thinking [Fireball], something with shooting lightning, a healing spell—" I looked at Steve with that, sitting on Jasna's lap and eating out the bottom of her pastry as the filling fell on his face to his greedy delight, "—and then I'm really not sure. Any advice?"

The following 30 minutes was a long discussion about the merits of each person's build and their own skills, essentially justifying their choices over the years more than anything that was too helpful for me.

Still, it was a fun time after a weird few days, just sitting back and listening to everyone shit-talk each other while laughing.

As things were calming down and we talked about going out to eat, there was a knock at the door. Gabor answered and there was a hissed conversation before he turned around and called, "Terry, there are some… people… here to see you. It's your so-called teammates, though I'd call them traitors."

"It's just me and Pavel," Inara called. "We came to apologize and offer some options but without pressuring you one way or another."

She sounded sad and a little worried, throwing in reassurances that made it a bit awkward, but I figured that made sense given how powerful everyone other than Steve and I were in the house.

After looking to Tiesa, who gave an encouraging nod, and Jasna, who merely stared back at me, I decided to acquiesce.

Isekonsultant Tip to Thriving #28: Sometimes you have to compromise on who you will work with. If you can trust the other people, it should be fine. But really hammer in on what trust means and how to work together. Forgive but don't forget.

As we all crowded into Tiesa and Gabor's living room, Tiesa grabbed two of the chairs from the kitchen and pointedly gave them to Pavel and Inara, making it clear they were not part of their group with the slightly less comfy seating.

Handing someone their own proverbial timeout chair is cold.

"Speak," was all Tiesa said.

"Terry, I am so sorry for what my brother did. I agree that we couldn't have let you leave – it likely would have meant all of our deaths, so it's hard for me to be sad or anything – but the way he did it was unacceptable. Utterly so."

He shook his head morosely but I didn't really have an answer. "Even though it didn't technically violate the contract, we all agreed that we'd offer up a free cancellation. If you don't think you can work with us—"

"Great, thanks. That problem is solved," I said, picking up Steve from the couch cushion beside me to head back to the kitchen. The feelings seeing them again stirred in me were making me petulant.

And I'm right to be angry at them.

"I think you want to hear them out," Tiesa said.

Jasna nodded. "It's rude to not listen when someone apologizes."

Isekonsultant Tip to Thriving #29: Sometimes you have to be an adult. And that sucks. But suck it up buttercup, you want to control how things progress and to make choices about your future? Do what's necessary.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Trying to retain – or at least regain – some of my dignity, I sat back down. Steve made a few protests at not going back to the 'food room' of course.

"Thanks," Inara said sheepishly. "Look, we have a few alternatives. You should have already gotten word you are getting the one usage of the spell disc but we can get you a second – maybe for Steve there. That was part of the modified offer from the city."

I thought for a few seconds before speaking. "Why does the city want you to stay on? They seemed pretty insistent about it being too expensive to cancel the contract but this out seems clean and simple. What am I missing?"

"Easy, we didn't offer that to the city," Pavel said with a slight grin. "We wanted to talk to you first. We want to work with you if we can. Yes, the rewards are great but it's also, you know, saving our homes and all that. It's something that feels good to do."

Game recognizing game. Kind of a dick move to tell someone they aren't good enough or wanted to save their homeland so it's a good subtle pressure.

"You have to know I can't work with Vidas again, right? I can't trust him to not treat me as simply a tool instead of a teammate."

"Yeah, I don't know how to feel about my brother…" Pavel said with a sad sigh.

"Bad. You feel bad that he was a donkey kurac." Jasna looked like she was trying – and failing – to comprehend how there was any other answer.

Inara laughed and Pavel gave her a hurt look. "What? It was funny. And yeah, I really love my future brother-in-law but man do I have trust issues now too. But back to why we're here: we want to still team up with you but only through the rest of Tier 1. We can't break up the team that long."

"With another frontliner?" I asked and was surprised at both Pavel and Inara shaking their heads emphatically. "Is that wise? We already struggled twice here and that was in just three delves."

"We could maybe look to bringing someone else on but I think we're on some lighter duty for the next few months. We have seventeen delve offers on the table that came through the Council today – apparently they've been up to some things…" Pavel looked greedy for a second, rubbing his hands together. Inara slapped them apart.

"Yes, great rewards, great delves. But we want to work with you Terry. And we can tell all those greedy politicians we're only doing delves that are relatively safe. I get why they sent us into that damn rift but it was exceptionally stupid and risky on their part," Inara shook her head.

We spent the next few minutes talking about the actual deal. 40% loot share – 20% each for me and Steve – and Romie, Inara, and Pavel working with us. The improved economics were also nice as the Council was willing to give us a bit more of the payments from other cities in exchange for me not cancelling the contract.

Again, smart move by them to not offer that to the city. Good point of leverage and I'm still pissed at the Council…

"Let me discuss it with my team here. Wait outside for twenty minutes and we'll get you a preliminary answer?" I wanted to see if I was missing anything before making a call.

Once they were outside and Tiesa confirmed they headed back to the inn, I got up and began pacing.

"Can I go over my points here and we discuss?" I said, trying to use my friends as a sounding board instead of the churning ball of anxiety in my head.

"Okay, so the big thing here is answering am I comfortable even teaming with them. I think I am. I can slip into a good frontline fighter role and really expand my capabilities here. I like all of them other than Vidas – hell, I still like him a bit even if I don't trust him – and think I can work with them in and out of rifts.

"My biggest concern here is am I letting the improved economics and that I actually like them as people cloud my judgment? It feels like I'm missing something in all this. What do you think?" I finished lamely, still a bundle of nervous energy.

"I think you're missing your anger. That the time since the delve has slowly tamped that down. Vidas was wrong and what he did was wrong but he did what he thought was necessary. And I think that is what's eating you up: that it isn't making you furious, that it isn't eating you up more. I think that will weigh on you." Tiesa was staring at me, trying to get a good read.

I agree that I should feel worse about things here. This shouldn't be a forgive and forget, should it? Why am I not more furious?

We continued to discuss for another twenty minutes before I sent for Inara and Pavel to come back from Vana's.

"Okay, I'm in. Let's do this."

We spent the rest of the night chatting and eating – Tiesa cheated at rock, paper, scissors to make Gabor go pickup food for everyone as we started to plan out or delve schedule for the coming weeks. Risto and Karel joined and worked in some training into the calendar as well as well as further improved on my new swear word translation module. Apparently, the kid Risto introduced the programmer to helped him improve his module greatly but Risto had to take them to the empty school because the café they were in did not appreciate them swearing every other word.

***

As I laid in my bed that night, I tried to update my priority list as best as possible but it was still tough. There were so many things I needed to chase down so I started focusing more on what decisions needed to be made rather than anything else.

I spoke out loud to Steve, using him as my own personal rubber duck. He was happy to oblige as long as I gave him food and/or pets.

"Ugh, Steve, this sucks, what do I do?" I sighed and ran my hands through my hair and then his fur.

"Okay, first and foremost, I need to take away the blades at my back. Or at least some of them. Vidas was one – and I think we need to do something to ensure he doesn't look for revenge – but I still had two legitimate assassination attempts. Well, one might have been a kidnapping attempt but still. Let's put pressure on the Purveyors of Platinum through Gabor and the Council to get more info."

[Task Added: Press Council to get more info on Milica assassination in the rift]

[Task Added: Figure out how to get more information on second assassination/kidnapping attempt; ask Melandra and Aleksandra Podlipa about Pitola dynamics]

"There seems to be something going on with the rifts that is abnormal. The one we just delved had an unusually high concentration of null essence and it went from normal to overflowing too quickly. I'm confused why more people aren't talking about that. Is that not that weird? I think we need to talk with Ratmir about it and see what's going on and if there is more information."

[Task Added: Conversation with Ratmir to investigate the weird rift occurrences]

"It's time I get some upgraded gear. No, you're right, that we get some upgraded gear. You want a little helmet?" When I placed a hand on his head like a helmet but didn't pet him, he shrieked indignantly, trying to move my hand manually. "Hopefully the payment on my new morningstar wasn't stopped; probably not, that wouldn't fly well, don't think Vidas would be that dumb here. I also need to pick up some potions."

[Task Added: Pickup morningstar, get new armor commissioned, get potions]

"Okay, who do you think we should put through Melandra's process to give them null affinity? Yes, I agree, Aras is a great choice. But no, I don't know if he'll give you food." Steve chittered in a way I decided was contemplatively.

"Good point, we can make that part of the commission he pays to us. And I think Risto mentioned he's got a former student who would be a good Tier 2 choice? Yes, I want a spread so they aren't sticking us in Tier 2 or 3 rifts. It's bad enough as is right now. And according to Tiesa, Aras is good enough at Tier 3, he can survive in a Tier 4 if not clear it himself. Weird how 'the tyranny of rank' is more important at Tier 1 and 2 than the higher you go."

[Task Added: Finalize null affinity treatment decisions. Ask Aras if he is interested and get Risto to talk to his student]

"Yeah, good point," I said to Steve and high-fived his little hand. I sent messages off to Risto and Aras instead of waiting.

[Task Modified: Finalize null affinity procedure decisions and inform the Council and Melandra]

"Uggggghhhh, Melandra. That means talking with Katarina. Let's table that one for like five minutes. Okay, yes, I will give you more food in exchange for allowing that, thank you your magnificence."

I got up to stretch and walk around, hearing Vana 'escorting' a rather sauced customer to their room. "Gotta love how awesome she is. Okay, the Vana, Gabby, Tiesa conversation needs to happen. Vana said she was going to look into where she might be able to buy some land that fits our needs. I'll poke her for an update, but not over AAI. Wait…"

I sent a message to Gabor, Tiesa, Jasna, and Vana. [So, AAIs… I know messages can potentially be intercepted, what about things we are storing in them but not sending?]

[Incoming Message from Vana Soroka: I know you heard me toss Mr. Savickas into his room, you could just stick your head out and ask. Though I know your head is usually stuck someplace that it's hard to remove it from.]

"Helpful!" I yelled out and heard her laugh.

Gabor was also similarly cooperative but Tiesa and Jasna confirmed it was only messages that went across the communication network that could be intercepted, at least as far as they had ever heard. And that was exceptionally rare without the sender knowing it like at the Barno or Illeva estates.

I was still slightly cautious but less so.

[Task Added: Talk with Vana about good locations for Gabby and any updates]

"There's little things I don't need to run down like Goran." Steve must have sensed something through our bond as he started boxing the air and sending feelings of dislike back. "Agreed. But let's focus on what we've accomplished for a bit. We have our team set again, we don't have to worry about our Capabilities or any fallout there – at least for a while – we have the items identified. Wait, good point. We want to have Ratmir test the circlet for you. Hopefully it automatically resizes…"

[Task Added: Ask Ratmir about intelligence circlet]

"Yeah, I think you're right, the Galactic Trade Federation Empire 2.0 stuff needs to take precedence too. I'm sure we've missed some things, hopefully nothing major, but tomorrow, let's meet with Nikolaj and start to run down our list there."

[Task Added: Meet with Nikolaj, start to leverage newly acquired financial services license]

"And we have to look into that well-dressed bear we saw today. I honestly forgot about the talking squirrel in a house dress from the first day. How weird is that? Forgetting something so strange?"

[Task added: Look into sentient animals? Something for Steve?]

"So that's that, right?" As I went to fluff my pillow, Steve stared at me and I felt him almost judging me.

"Fine."

[Task Added: Meet with Katarina Illeva]

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