This week has been useful… this quest should aid both me and the merchant.
Looking around, behind him, he saw the city in the distance and the forked road ahead.
The creature should be somewhere to the left.
Bryan drew his sword and walked around the corner.
As soon as he did, he was forced to brace with his sword as a large mouth tried to close on him, the force pushing him back several feet across the ground.
Evade
He darted backwards, seeing the creature as it snarled, smoke coming out of its nostrils.
Flame Lizard… Makes sense based on the description.
The giant scaly lizard reared onto its hind legs, and large flames shot from its mouth.
Diving to the side, he managed to avoid the flames as they scorched the ground.
Ambush tactics… unsurprisingly, this has killed many merchants.
Water bolt.
A large jet of water shot from his hand into the creature’s mouth, causing it to back up and cough.
The fire lizard began to charge towards Bryan, and as it picked up speed, he prepared himself.
Jumping to the side, he swung with heavy force, and the sword bounced off a scale as it went past him.
Should end this… prevent it from doing something surprising.
The lizard spun its body around and charged towards him again as he ran towards it also.
Physical Enhancement.
The creature’s mouth opened as it thrust its head towards his to bite down.
Bryan, while running, dropped backwards into a slide, forcing his sword up into its chest and along the belly as he moved.
The lizard screeched before slumping down hard.
Walking up to it, Bryan drove his sword into the small ear hole.
Best to be sure…
He opened his bag, and the creature was dragged into it.
Things this large use too much Mana to store…
Making his way back to the city, until he saw a merchant with a cart waiting.
“Thank you, the cart will be needed”, Bryan said with a nod.
The merchant smiled and replied, “No problem, you are the one helping me by getting rid of that creature”
The merchant shook his hand vigorously.
“Not sure why you want the cart though, don’t you have that item box?”
Bryan tilted his head before talking, “Yes, it has a purpose. Thank you”
Need to show off the kill…
Opening the bag, the creature comes out and onto the floor.
Using Physical Enhancement, Bryan picked it up and put it onto the cart.
He and the merchant guided the horse through the gate while those he passed stared at him and whispered.
They stopped outside the guild as a small crowd gathered, watching.
Smiling, the merchant shook his hand, “Thank you for this. Traders are safe now on that route”
“You took out both the creature and the bandits a few days ago. Anything you need, I’ll be there,” the merchant said, bowing before he walked away.
Good display should have helped…
Stepping inside the guild, various adventurers nodded at Bryan. He walked straight to the reception desk.
“Dealt with a flame lizard, you can inform the other merchants that the road is safe again”
Smiling Ellaya responded, “Thank you”
She rummaged on the back desk for a moment before handing him a pouch.
“Your payment, intend to take another request?”
Bryan shook his head and turned around to walk back to the street.
He could hear adventurers talking on the way out.
“Did he really kill that beast outside, alone?”
“Well, they do call him the strongest adventurer… don’t embarrass us.”
Decent reputation with average adventurers… useful.
Pushing the doors open, he entered the street and walked back to his inn.
Opening the doors, he stepped into the inn, spotting Tessa rushing to serve customers with her usual speed.
Bryan sat down, ordered an ale and waited.
While he sat and sipped his drink, he saw the healer enter and join him at his table.
“So what was it you wanted to discuss?” she stated curtly.
Sitting down, she placed her oversized staff next to her.
“You seem to want to heal more people, right?” He said, tilting his head slightly.
“Yes, of course I do… It’s why I do this,” she said before sighing.
“I can fund you healing in the backroom in this inn at night”, Bryan said before swigging his drink.
She eyes him suspiciously, “What do you get out of this? Also, how would this stay quiet?”
He gestured to Tessa, “The owner has agreed to this, so it will remain quiet”
Bryan cracked his neck then continued, “Nothing, I am just improving how efficiently this place runs”
She thought for a moment before talking, “Fine, I will give it a try… see how it goes”
They shook hands, and she left the inn.
I should likely figure out which guard stations are in the worst state.
Bryan made his way back to his room and went to sleep for the night.
***
Stretching and cracking his neck and back, Bryan got out of his bed.
A week of effort…Should approach the guard captain next…
Bryan went down to the bar and ordered food and drink. Reorn was already eating.
“Still investigating?” Reorn chuckled.
“No, Thanks to the merchants, I know which guard stations are underfunded”
Reorn stopped mid bite, “the fuck are you planning?”
Tilting his head, Bryan responded, “fixing the broken system”
Bryan resumed eating while Reorn rubbed his face, “I’d ask what you mean, but I’m sure I wouldn’t understand it…”
Reorn sighed before patting Bryan’s shoulder, “Good luck, I guess”
After eating, Bryan stood up and walked out of the inn to the streets.
He walked down the street, out of a shop, a merchant popped out of a door, gesturing him closer.
Once he was close in a hushed tone, he spoke, “Like we discussed, several guard stations are underfunded because they don’t accept bribes like others”
Nodding at him, Bryan responded, “Thank you, Ricard. What you have told me has been useful”
Ricard smiled, “It’s fine, me and the other merchants where struggling a lot before you started helping…it’s the least I could do.”
Waving, Bryan waved and walked on down the alleyways, some people avoiding eye contact other smiled at him.
Those choosing to walk down alleys in cloaks… Very conspicuous…
Eventually, he reached an alleyway near one of the noble district gates.
As he walked, a guard leaning against the wall approached.
“You the ‘Bryan’…”
Stopping, Bryan responded, “The name is Bryan, yes.”
The man stepped forward, with visible bags under his eyes, “Why did you want to meet? I’m sure you were told we do not accept bribes”
“I had heard several guard stations were underfunded and overworked. I wish to remedy this,” Bryan said.
The guard’s eyes narrowed at Bryan, “I did say we don’t accept bribes”
Bryan tilted his head, “A bribe implies I want something from you; I just want you to be able to do your jobs.”
Much more efficient if they can focus on keeping order.
The guard sighed, “Even if that is true, Money is not our biggest issue…”
The guard paced while speaking, “Half the guard stations take bribes, so they spend most of their time dealing with noble feuds or merchant rivalries”
Why I’m not approaching those ones…
“The rest of us spend most of our time dealing with criminal gangs who, for some reason, keep getting released”
Bryan nodded at him then replied while turning around, “Ok, I will fund to help with equipment and deal with the other thing”
He began walking away immediately, hearing the guard as he walked.
“What?... are you insane?”
Walking through the streets until he got back to the inn, he opened the doors and took a seat.
“Can I have an ale, please?” He asked.
Tessa, once she was free, came over with a mug, “Here you go, my boy, enjoy it. You are always so busy,” She smiled warmly, before rushing off to serve others.
Wait until later, then check the sewers.
After a while of him sipping his drink, the healer walked in.
While walking past, she smiled and waved at Bryan.
A while later, Bryan stood and made his way out of the inn.
Down the alleyways until he reached a sewer entrance, he stopped outside of it.
Likely excessive, but best to be safe.
Concealment, Enhance Senses.
He pushed the grate open and walked inside, ducking slightly due to the low roof.
Only enhancing sight and hearing…
Bryan wandered for an hour or so before hearing the sound of chainmail clinking.
Good, tired of rats…
Walking, he could see the dim glow of torchlight in the distance.
As he got closer, he saw an armed man walking through the tunnel.
Best see where he goes.
Following him for a bit until he approached another armed man, guarding a wooden door.
“Hey, been waiting for you. Those dicks are having a meeting again,” Said the one guarding the door.
The other paused, “Careful, boy… Lose ya tongue talking like that.”
Will take out those I need to…
The man opened the door and went inside.
Blink.
Bryan drove a dagger into the side of the man’s neck while bracing his body; he lowered him to the ground gently while he coughed up blood.
He dispelled Concealment and Enhance Senses, then gently pushed the door open.
Inside the man he followed and two other guards by a door down the corridor.
Physical enhancement.
Dashing towards the men as they turned towards him.
Before the men could react, Bryan used the dagger to slice the throats of two of the men.
The third was about to shout as Bryan drove his dagger into his chest while holding a hand over his mouth.
As long as they are not the other side of the door… should have been quiet enough.
Carefully, he opened the door slightly and heard talking.
“Honestly, why you feel the need to hold these meetings is beyond me” one man said.
“We can hardly coordinate our efforts if we don’t communicate, can we?” another responded, irritation in his voice.
Six to eight of them, circular room…ok.
Casually walking in, Bryan used Torchlight and began approaching the group.
The seven men turned to Bryan and drew their weapons.
“Who the fuck are you?” one man exclaimed.
“This guy really has some balls walki-“ the man interrupted as Bryan Blinked behind him and drove his dagger into his neck.
Before the rest could react, he announced, “I’m Bryan, you have likely heard of me”
The largest man, shouting while he ran towards Bryan, sword raised, “I don’t give a fuck who you are”
The man swung as hard as he could.
Evade, Airbolt.
Bryan repositions himself before the strike landed, unsheathing his sword and driving it through the man’s side.
The man coughed up blood as he slumped to the ground.
Standing up straight, Bryan spoke loudly.
“Anyone else want to die? Or can we do business?”
Several of the men look visibly angry but seem to consider it.
“He was a bit of a dick, but we don’t take someone harming us lightly”, one man said, eying up Bryan.
“You have a simple choice, work for me… or I kill you all” Bryan stared blankly.
One of them takes a deep breath before talking, “Anyone else would be dead already, but we have heard your reputation… and the guy you just killed so easily”
The man looked at the large man on the floor, “He used to be a Gold rank adventurer”
Nodding to each other, the men sheathed their swords.
“What is your proposal?” said the man.
“I pay you, you gather information for me, and if you cause some trouble for the noble district… that’s up to you”
One of the men stepped forward, “The nobles pay us to harass merchants, though?”
Bryan said in a firm tone, “Not anymore, leave this district alone.”
Efficiency will improve that way.
Taking out a few platinum coins, Bryan started fiddling with them.
“Am I understood?... gather information of the palace and nobles, I pay you”
The men gathered up and whispered to each other until one stepped forward.
“Don’t think we have much of a choice, and it’s foolish to turn down easy money.”
Bryan nodded at them, and while walking away, said, “I have no obligations, so I will hunt you all down if you betray me”
They will suffice for now.
He made his way back to the inn to go to bed.
***
Bryan sat at the rest and ruin bar having a drink.
A few weeks, more merchants and the healer seems happy…
After a while, Reorn sat beside him.
“Almost scared to ask, you been up to much?” Reorn asked before ordering a drink.
“Since we last spoke, no, still have my information network, the healer is more efficient, and the guards seem happier”
“Pretty sure I’d remember you telling me any of that stuff…” Reorn swigs his drink before staring at Bryan.
Bryan shrugged in response.
“I dare not ask what your ‘grand plan’ is,” Reorn said, shaking his head.
Bryan tilted his head, “Don’t have one”
Reorn was speechless watching him.
“I am just improving the efficiency of the city”
Inhaling deeply, Reorn composed himself, “I swear you will say or do something normal at least once…”
A cloaked man pushed the doors to the bar open and rushed over to Bryan.
“Boss, the nobles are pissed about losing money… they have arrested Ricard and some other merchants”
Bryan sighed loudly.
Took longer than I thought for them to retaliate.
Reorn stood up, “Guess today is not the day, why is this obvious criminal calling you boss?”
Putting his hand on his sword, he eyed Bryan.
“My information network…” Reorn backed away as Bryan stood.
Turning to the hooded man, Bryan spoke, “Do enough guards support the changes?”
The hooded man, “I mean several barracks are better off, not sure how I’d answer that.”
Reorn lifted his hand off his sword, “I can’t handle this today, I’m going to my room”
Not ideal… It is unavoidable at this point...
Improvements will keep being undone if the leadership remains unchanged.
Thanking the hooded man, Bryan made his way onto the streets.
Walking with confidence, he passed the people shopping, and the gate guard nodded as he passed into the noble district.
Bryan marched straight to the throne room unchallenged. He pushed the doors open.
“King Veyne, we need to take back control of the lower districts”
The king on his throne looked frustrated by the various nobles, but noticed the door open.
“We are busy, whatever it is… it can wait”, the King announced.
Bryan, walking tall, said, “No, your reign is over”
The nobles stop bickering, and all stared towards Bryan.
The guards all lowered their spears and pointed them towards Bryan as he approached the king.
The king’s anger spread on his face, “Arrest this man!”
Guards shared side glances with each other. One guard turned his spear to point at the King.
One by one, the others followed suit.
“What in the hells do you think you are doing!” Furious, the King stood from his throne.
Bryan stopped at the steps before the throne.
"You lost this kingdom when you stopped running it properly."
Two guards stepped forward and grabbed the King by the arms, and started dragging him away while the others rounded up the nobles.
“What should we do with them all?” the guards asked.
“dungeon”, Bryan said plainly.
A look of fear crept onto the faces of both the nobles, and the king, who shouted.
“Why do this!... Just for the power?”
Bryan tilted his head at the king, “No, you ran this city inefficiently…too much waste”
The King was stunned for a moment, but as he was dragged away, he shouted more obscenities.