Reborn: Evolving From Nothing Chapter 101

Chapter 101
"Money, money, money!" Dorian hummed cheerfully as he exited the Blue Seal Casino, his eyes shining . It felt good to have a huge amount of money in his name .

That said, he felt a little guilty twisting Fate to win . It wasn't exactly fair of him, even if it had been a lot of fun . As a kid, back on Earth, he'd always imagined going to a casino, and magically winning over and over . He hadn't even thought about the ethics of it .

'Well… I won't do it again . ' He thought, guilty, ducking his head slightly . He sent a mental apology to all the well-off Wizards or merchants he might've gambled with and beat . He'd try to make up for it in the future, doing good deeds or giving to charity . The poor could use their money far more than they could, most likely .

He tapped on his Spatial Ring . There were more than 150 Million-Mint Shields in there now . With that kind of wealth, he would be able to do quite a lot of things, in addition to all the other unique Pills and Artifacts he'd obtained .

He took a brief moment to look up and down the alley . The sounds of people walking and talking echoed in the distance, visible on the streets to either side .

He frowned . He wasn't looking forward to the constant attention and being stared at . His Grakon form was really a poor choice .

"Hmm . " Dorian walked off to the side of the alley . He glanced up and down it .

It was clear .

'Red Salamander Form, go!' He'd started to find it easier to switch forms if he mentally named them .

'Condense! Ausra, suppress my growth!'

A split second later, Dorian's body transformed, his clothes falling away to the floor .

Revealing a small, adorable looking red lizard, wearing a small Spatial Ring on its right arm, with a Spatial Pouch looped around its back .

skitter skitter

The small, baby Red Salamander took off across the ground and sank its claws into the side of the florist building . Dorian scaled it in a split second, his body blurring as it soared up the side of the building .

In just a few moments he was secure on the roof . It was mostly empty, with a few large chimneys set into place, and some large wooden billboards on the front of the roof area, advertising the magic florist shop .

Dorian walked out in front of the billboard, looking out across the city area .

Hundreds of people moved to and fro, going about their daily business . In the center of the city, the hubbub was loud . Everyone had something to do, from the urchins running around on various errands to the businessmen going to meetings, planning out the deliveries of supplies .

Oceapal City was a trader's town, and a travelers town, first and foremost . There were always new faces to see, from people traveling on and off world .

'Hmm . I can maintain this form for a while, thanks to my increased energy stores . Still, I think I'll switch to my Ifrit form . It's also a bit noticeable, but should stand out less . ' His towering Grakon form was too out of place .

"Just out here . " A voice rang out behind Dorian, startling him . He turned to look under the billboard, his tiny lizard feet pittering and pattering .

There was a hidden entrance on the roof that he hadn't seen . Part of the roof itself opened up, revealing a wooden trapdoor set into it . A wooden ladder could be seen, edging up slightly .

From this ladder emerged the obese Nightlord that had stood watch over the Fate Wizard, when she was checking the table .

'Huh? What are they doing here? Did my soul draw them up?' He wondered, staring at them . He held still, making his presence as small as possible .

A moment later, a second figure emerged from the roof .

A well dressed elderly Vampire in a long black robe . The Aeth Vampire that Dorian had won his bet with and subsequently angered .

"So what is this business you have to discuss, hmm?" The elderly Vampire's voice rasped out . Dorian made sure to keep absolutely still, not daring to move an inch . Vampires had very powerful sensory abilities .

"Lord Ru, that is your name, correct?" The obese Nightlord Javel began, gesturing respectfully .

"Ru Nice, yes, though I sometimes go by my middle name, Debut . You may call me Ru . " The old Vampire was a bit eccentric, Dorian thought, watching as he brushed at his robe . A heavy, deathly Aura could be seen around him, ever so faintly . The evening light was fading, but Dorian could still see clearly .

"Lord Ru, I wish to make a mutual transaction with you . " Javel responded, his eyes glinting .

"It's come to my knowledge that you and I both have a common target we despise . That brutish Minotaur . Through methods unknown, the creature managed to not only cheat you, but my casino as well . "

"I knew it! That damned beast!" The Vampire stomped his foot down angrily, his fists clenching as he continued,

"Oceapal still has its law-abiding City Lord, does it not? And a troop of Lord Class warriors and Wizards . This is a crime of the highest order!"

"Err, yes, about that . " The Obese Nightlord shrugged .

"The City Lord of Oceapal, Lord Buick, is a Lord Class Wizard as you are aware . As one of the most important cities on the continent, Lord Buick is a Pseudo-King expert with a talented troop of his own behind him . "

"That said… he also happens to abhor gambling, and has made it illegal in Oceapal . " The Nightlord shrugged,

"Hence why my Blue Seal Casino is rather hidden . He is aware of its existence, but as long as we remain off the streets, he takes no action . That also means that he will take no public action to aid us . "

"Ah . " Lord Ru squinted at the obese man, and then held his hands out at a loss .

The obese Nightlord continued,

"However, that doesn't mean we can't take actions into our own hands . " He dry-washed his hands as he spoke, grinning nefariously .

"Go on… I'm listening . " The old Aeth Vampire said, his eyes narrowing .

"We know where the beast is staying and going . He has a room at the Bakin Bell Inn, and is set to travel on a flying ship with the Skycrosser Travel Company tomorrow at noon . "

"We estimate his strength to be around the middle of Lord Class . My casino's forces, including myself and several hired Lord Class warriors, can't exactly go about attacking people freely, not with Lord Buick standing over the city . " The obese Wizard shrugged,

"You, however, are a free agent . A passerby . A dispute between you and another unknown traveller, especially another Lord Class traveller, would resolve, at worse, with you being expelled from the territory . "

The obese Wizard nodded and continued,

"I will have my men provide you with full support and intelligence, including several useful Artifacts to make everything as easy as possible . All I ask from you is that you return a third of what the beast pilfered . "

A quiet pause as the Aeth Vampire stared at the human, listening to his words .

Dorian's eyes gleamed coldly as he saw this go down . So it was all a plot to murder him, and take what he rightfully won, he thought, ignoring the fact that he had, indeed, actually twisted Fate to win .

According to Ausra, when his soul twisted Fate, it should be near enough to undetectable . He hadn't wanted to test it, but what the obese Wizard was saying now was obviously lies . He was clearly being set up .

"So? What do you say? We have to act quickly . You get your revenge, and a good deal of wealth, and my casino gets most of what we lost back . A win for everyone . I have no way of double-crossing you, not with Lord Buick in the vicinity . " Javel held out his hand, grinning at the Vampire .

"Partners?"

What happened next caught Dorian completely by surprise .

The Aeth Vampire smiled and took the Nightlord's hand .

THUD

"ARRRGH!"

The obese Nightlord yelled out in pain as the Vampire clamped down and pulled his wrist out of socket, throwing him to the side .

The fat on the body of the overweight Wizard jiggled as he crashed into the roof, throwing up splinters of wood .

In just seconds, six Lord Class warriors appeared, all of them hired mercenaries set to guard the Blue Seal Casino and protect the head Wizard .

"What kind of person do you think I am?" The deathly Aura around the Vampire Wizard flared up .

"I'm not just going to murder someone for beating me at cards and losing a pair of bets, especially if you don't have any proof of them cheating . We all saw that Fate Siphon come up with nothing . "

"I don't know how you run your casino, but I don't wantonly kill people just because I desire their wealth . "

Dorian nearly teared up, completely shocked by the Aeth Vampire's actions .

'I misjudged you . ' He nodded in solidarity at the old Vampire . 'You may be a bit of an ass, but you aren't a bad person . '

The obese Nightlord twisted to stand up, his face a mask of pain . A deathly Aura of his own wrapped around him as he glared at his attacker . He rubbed at his wrist, setting it painfully back into its socket .

"You bastard . " His eyes flashed darkly . A blue flash of light shot from his hand .

Instantly, a crystalline barrier surrounded the roof of the Blue Seal Casino, blocking it off from the outside .

"You will do what I want, whether you like it or not . " Nightlord Javel's voice was cold and cruel as he smiled grimly at the Aeth Vampire . Energy flowed around him, a black, deathly Aura . Similar in kind to the one the Aeth Vampire held .

Blue energy and light began to swarm around the crystalline barrier, giving off a feeling of solidness, as if this barrier was extremely tough and durable .

The Aeth Vampire saw this all, his eyes darkening . He clasped his hands together, black energy forming around his wrists .

Meanwhile, the six Lord Class warriors stepped forward slowly, holding their swords out in front of them . Blue light surrounded them covering their bodies in a protective layer .

"Hahahaha . This is my home turf, Vampire . There is a reason my casino is known as the Blue Seal Casino . A Grand Seal surrounds it, one that gives me a huge advantage, allowing me to manipulate or block off energy . It cost me nearly 120 Million-Mint Shields to commission the creation of this Artifact . You can't break through it . " His voice was cold and cruel, full of mirth .

"You've lost your chance to work with me willingly . Surrender yourself now, and I will spare you and treat you fairly . " The Nightlord motioned with his hands .

Immediately, the six human Lord Class mercenaries surrounded the Aeth Vampire .
"You've lost your chance to work with me willingly . Surrender yourself now, and I will spare you and treat you fairly . " The Nightlord motioned with his hands .

Immediately, the six human Lord Class mercenaries surrounded the Aeth Vampire .

Lord Ru's eyes gleamed darkly .

"Like hell I will, not to you vile beasts . " His voice was aged but full of unrelenting pride .

The Nightlord shrugged,

"Then you will die, and I'll make up for my losses with what is left of your belongings . "

The tension of the moment reached an incredible peak, a lopsided battle about to break out .

At that exact moment, the billboard on the front of the roof shivered and fell over with a loud thump .

The warriors, Nightlord, and Aeth Vampire all paused, turning to look towards the source of the noise .

Revealing a proudly standing Dorian, returned to his Grakon form as he puffed out his chest and glared at the evil Nightlord .

"Stop right there, criminal scum!" His voice bellowed out, full of justice and might . He readied himself to attack, going over the form's he could use without drawing too much attention .

There was no way he could let the Aeth Vampire be captured or die . Not after all that .

The groups all just stared at Dorian in shock, their eyes wide .

'Hold on a second…' He thought, his heart dropping .

A sinking premonition hit him as he glanced down .

Revealing his perfectly proportioned and muscular, but also highly naked, Grakon body .

"Dammit, not again!"

. Money, money, money! Dorian hummed cheerfully as he exited the Blue Seal Casino, his eyes shining . It felt good to have a huge amount of money in his name . That said, he felt a little guilty twisting Fate to win . It wasnt exactly fair of him, even if it had been a lot of fun . As a kid, back on Earth, hed always imagined going to a casino, and magically winning over and over . He hadnt even thought about the ethics of it . Well… I wont do it again . He thought, guilty, ducking his head slightly . He sent a mental apology to all the well-off Wizards or merchants he mightve gambled with and beat . Hed try to make up for it in the future, doing good deeds or giving to charity . The poor could use their money far more than they could, most likely . He tapped on his Spatial Ring . There were more than 150 Million-Mint Shields in there now . With that kind of wealth, he would be able to do quite a lot of things, in addition to all the other unique Pills and Artifacts hed obtained . He took a brief moment to look up and down the alley . The sounds of people walking and talking echoed in the distance, visible on the streets to either side . He frowned . He wasnt looking forward to the constant attention and being stared at . His Grakon form was really a poor choice . Hmm . Dorian walked off to the side of the alley . He glanced up and down it . It was clear . Red Salamander Form, go! Hed started to find it easier to switch forms if he mentally named them . Condense! Ausra, suppress my growth! A split second later, Dorians body transformed, his clothes falling away to the floor . Revealing a small, adorable looking red lizard, wearing a small Spatial Ring on its right arm, with a Spatial Pouch looped around its back . skitter skitter The small, baby Red Salamander took off across the ground and sank its claws into the side of the florist building . Dorian scaled it in a split second, his body blurring as it soared up the side of the building . In just a few moments he was secure on the roof . It was mostly empty, with a few large chimneys set into place, and some large wooden billboards on the front of the roof area, advertising the magic florist shop . Dorian walked out in front of the billboard, looking out across the city area . Hundreds of people moved to and fro, going about their daily business . In the center of the city, the hubbub was loud . Everyone had something to do, from the urchins running around on various errands to the businessmen going to meetings, planning out the deliveries of supplies . Oceapal City was a traders town, and a travelers town, first and foremost . There were always new faces to see, from people traveling on and off world . Hmm . I can maintain this form for a while, thanks to my increased energy stores . Still, I think Ill switch to my Ifrit form . Its also a bit noticeable, but should stand out less . His towering Grakon form was too out of place . Just out here . A voice rang out behind Dorian, startling him . He turned to look under the billboard, his tiny lizard feet pittering and pattering . There was a hidden entrance on the roof that he hadnt seen . Part of the roof itself opened up, revealing a wooden trapdoor set into it . A wooden ladder could be seen, edging up slightly . From this ladder emerged the obese Nightlord that had stood watch over the Fate Wizard, when she was checking the table . Huh? What are they doing here? Did my soul draw them up? He wondered, staring at them . He held still, making his presence as small as possible . A moment later, a second figure emerged from the roof . A well dressed elderly Vampire in a long black robe . The Aeth Vampire that Dorian had won his bet with and subsequently angered . So what is this business you have to discuss, hmm? The elderly Vampires voice rasped out . Dorian made sure to keep absolutely still, not daring to move an inch . Vampires had very powerful sensory abilities . Lord Ru, that is your name, correct? The obese Nightlord Javel began, gesturing respectfully . Ru Nice, yes, though I sometimes go by my middle name, Debut . You may call me Ru . The old Vampire was a bit eccentric, Dorian thought, watching as he brushed at his robe . A heavy, deathly Aura could be seen around him, ever so faintly . The evening light was fading, but Dorian could still see clearly . Lord Ru, I wish to make a mutual transaction with you . Javel responded, his eyes glinting . Its come to my knowledge that you and I both have a common target we despise . That brutish Minotaur . Through methods unknown, the creature managed to not only cheat you, but my casino as well . I knew it! That damned beast! The Vampire stomped his foot down angrily, his fists clenching as he continued, Oceapal still has its law-abiding City Lord, does it not? And a troop of Lord Class warriors and Wizards . This is a crime of the highest order! Err, yes, about that . The Obese Nightlord shrugged . The City Lord of Oceapal, Lord Buick, is a Lord Class Wizard as you are aware . As one of the most important cities on the continent, Lord Buick is a Pseudo-King expert with a talented troop of his own behind him . That said… he also happens to abhor gambling, and has made it illegal in Oceapal . The Nightlord shrugged, Hence why my Blue Seal Casino is rather hidden . He is aware of its existence, but as long as we remain off the streets, he takes no action . That also means that he will take no public action to aid us . Ah . Lord Ru squinted at the obese man, and then held his hands out at a loss . The obese Nightlord continued, However, that doesnt mean we cant take actions into our own hands . He dry-washed his hands as he spoke, grinning nefariously . Go on… Im listening . The old Aeth Vampire said, his eyes narrowing . We know where the beast is staying and going . He has a room at the Bakin Bell Inn, and is set to travel on a flying ship with the Skycrosser Travel Company tomorrow at noon . We estimate his strength to be around the middle of Lord Class . My casinos forces, including myself and several hired Lord Class warriors, cant exactly go about attacking people freely, not with Lord Buick standing over the city . The obese Wizard shrugged, You, however, are a free agent . A passerby . A dispute between you and another unknown traveller, especially another Lord Class traveller, would resolve, at worse, with you being expelled from the territory . The obese Wizard nodded and continued, I will have my men provide you with full support and intelligence, including several useful Artifacts to make everything as easy as possible . All I ask from you is that you return a third of what the beast pilfered . A quiet pause as the Aeth Vampire stared at the human, listening to his words . Dorians eyes gleamed coldly as he saw this go down . So it was all a plot to murder him, and take what he rightfully won, he thought, ignoring the fact that he had, indeed, actually twisted Fate to win . According to Ausra, when his soul twisted Fate, it should be near enough to undetectable . He hadnt wanted to test it, but what the obese Wizard was saying now was obviously lies . He was clearly being set up . So? What do you say? We have to act quickly . You get your revenge, and a good deal of wealth, and my casino gets most of what we lost back . A win for everyone . I have no way of double-crossing you, not with Lord Buick in the vicinity . Javel held out his hand, grinning at the Vampire . Partners? What happened next caught Dorian completely by surprise . The Aeth Vampire smiled and took the Nightlords hand . THUD ARRRGH! The obese Nightlord yelled out in pain as the Vampire clamped down and pulled his wrist out of socket, throwing him to the side . The fat on the body of the overweight Wizard jiggled as he crashed into the roof, throwing up splinters of wood . In just seconds, six Lord Class warriors appeared, all of them hired mercenaries set to guard the Blue Seal Casino and protect the head Wizard . What kind of person do you think I am? The deathly Aura around the Vampire Wizard flared up . Im not just going to murder someone for beating me at cards and losing a pair of bets, especially if you dont have any proof of them cheating . We all saw that Fate Siphon come up with nothing . I dont know how you run your casino, but I dont wantonly kill people just because I desire their wealth . Dorian nearly teared up, completely shocked by the Aeth Vampires actions . I misjudged you . He nodded in solidarity at the old Vampire . You may be a bit of an ass, but you arent a bad person . The obese Nightlord twisted to stand up, his face a mask of pain . A deathly Aura of his own wrapped around him as he glared at his attacker . He rubbed at his wrist, setting it painfully back into its socket . You bastard . His eyes flashed darkly . A blue flash of light shot from his hand . Instantly, a crystalline barrier surrounded the roof of the Blue Seal Casino, blocking it off from the outside . You will do what I want, whether you like it or not . Nightlord Javels voice was cold and cruel as he smiled grimly at the Aeth Vampire . Energy flowed around him, a black, deathly Aura . Similar in kind to the one the Aeth Vampire held . Blue energy and light began to swarm around the crystalline barrier, giving off a feeling of solidness, as if this barrier was extremely tough and durable . The Aeth Vampire saw this all, his eyes darkening . He clasped his hands together, black energy forming around his wrists . Meanwhile, the six Lord Class warriors stepped forward slowly, holding their swords out in front of them . Blue light surrounded them covering their bodies in a protective layer . Hahahaha . This is my home turf, Vampire . There is a reason my casino is known as the Blue Seal Casino . A Grand Seal surrounds it, one that gives me a huge advantage, allowing me to manipulate or block off energy . It cost me nearly 120 Million-Mint Shields to commission the creation of this Artifact . You cant break through it . His voice was cold and cruel, full of mirth . Youve lost your chance to work with me willingly . Surrender yourself now, and I will spare you and treat you fairly . The Nightlord motioned with his hands . Immediately, the six human Lord Class mercenaries surrounded the Aeth Vampire . Lord Rus eyes gleamed darkly . Like hell I will, not to you vile beasts . His voice was aged but full of unrelenting pride . The Nightlord shrugged, Then you will die, and Ill make up for my losses with what is left of your belongings . The tension of the moment reached an incredible peak, a lopsided battle about to break out . At that exact moment, the billboard on the front of the roof shivered and fell over with a loud thump . The warriors, Nightlord, and Aeth Vampire all paused, turning to look towards the source of the noise . Revealing a proudly standing Dorian, returned to his Grakon form as he puffed out his chest and glared at the evil Nightlord . Stop right there, criminal scum! His voice bellowed out, full of justice and might . He readied himself to attack, going over the forms he could use without drawing too much attention . There was no way he could let the Aeth Vampire be captured or die . Not after all that . The groups all just stared at Dorian in shock, their eyes wide . Hold on a second… He thought, his heart dropping . A sinking premonition hit him as he glanced down . Revealing his perfectly proportioned and muscular, but also highly naked, Grakon body . Dammit, not again! .

Chapter end

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