Chapter 27: The Wrong & Righteous (4)

"Gods, people said that you went up the mountain...we thought you were dead..." Marshal whispered as he put a hand to his face.

"I'm a Traveler. Even if I died, I'd return. Is it that hard to tell the difference?"

"We don't get many Travelers. As far as I know, you're the only one. Well, it sure is good to see you. What in the hells have you been doing all this time?"

"Nothing much. Just training on the top of the mountain. Learning from the greatest swordsman that ever lived."

"Who?"

Thadius pulled out his late master's status card and showed it to Marshal.

"THE IRON DRAGON!?"

Thadius had expected that reaction, his master had a ridiculous amount of fame.

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"That monster was on the mountain this entire time?" Marshall muttered in disbelief. "And you say you trained under him?"

"He taught me everything he knew." Thadius couldn't help but swell his chest in pride. He had endured everything his master threw at him.

"So that pressure I felt a moment ago must have been you..."

"I can reign it in quite a bit, so traveling in the city shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Just what exactly did you do up there? Chop fire wood? Or maybe he had you push boulders?"

"On the first day, he told me to fight the cold and fight the hunger. So I did. It wasn't easy."

Marshal was stunned into silence. If anyone else in Yune had told him that they fought the cold on the mountain for 4 years, he'd call them insane. Yet, the proof was standing right in front of him.

"Well...okay then. What can I do for you?"

"I need you to show me some tricks of the trade. Is Christina around?"

"She's out there, selling flowers. Tryingto sell them, anyway. You...should see her. She was saddened when she heard you died."

"I planned on it. Right now I need your assistance. Now before I go into my presentation, I need your word that you'll stay level headed."

"I'll hear you out."

Thadius had thought of a plan to make money after he came down the mountain. He'd planned on borrowing money and supplies from Marshal, but he had inherited a fair amount of both from his master. Now he just needed to confirm his suspicions.

"Alright now, stay with me Marshal. What are you wearing under those pants?"

"Leggings."

"And under that?"

"......a loin cloth."

"I knew it!" Thadius reached into his inventory and pulled out a pattern he'd created."Take a look at this."

Marshall looked over the pattern for the piece of clothing. But he'd never seen anything like it. "What is it."

"Briefs. Trust me when I say that it'll be much more comfortable than a loin cloth. Thadius had learned that lesson the hard way. Four years of pulling out wedgies would make any man want a change.

"I don't see how undergarments will make you money..."

"Normally, undergarments don't give stats...." Thadius said as he pulled out a shabby pair of underwear from his bag. "This is a prototype. It's nowhere near what it should be. I need to be able to thread the entire piece, not just cut out the pattern and stitch them together.

When Marshal looked at the underwear his jaw dropped.

[

Wolf Gear Prototype Briefs

Type: Undergarment Durability: 134 /134

Quality: Low

A prototype created in secret on top of the coldest mountain in the Todos Kingdom. Rabbit pelts were stitched together to create it. The creator aspires for more.

+50 Vitality

+50 Stamina

]

"How is this possible!?"

"A little trick I picked up from my master."

"I don't feel any magic, so it's like an enchantment? Except it's not. Can still be enchanted?"

"Stay with me Marshal. I'm not at that point yet. We're still on the ground floor of this thing. Now what is your daughter using to support her breasts?"

"Why you-"

"Marshal! Stay with me here. I'm still in the middle of my presentation."

Marshall sighed. Even Yuna had stiffened at the surprising questioning.

"Well, she uses some kind of strap, I guess..."

"I figured as much. Behold.." Thadius pulled out his prototype of a sports bra from his bag. "This not only provides support, it also holds. Where I'm from, physically active women wear it to prevent jiggle."

"And this is also called 'Wolf Gear'. So you'll be starting it as a brand?"

"Yes sir."

"Sounds like you've got it planned out. What do you need from me?"

"I need something that will allow me to craft these one thread at a time. I'll also need the top three softest materials you know of that can be turned into thread."

"I can easily get you a loom, but the materials are going to take time and money. For a share of the profits, I don't mind taking care of the starting funds."

This was the moment of truth for Thadius. He was about to find out just how much money his master had hidden away. "How much will all of that cost exactly?"

"The loom would be about 1000G while the expenses for a hunting expedition could range from 3000G to 5000G."

"So this should cover it?" Thadius handed over 60N and Marshals eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"T-that should...do it."

"I have to know Marshal. How much is this in gold?"

"6,000G of course. You mean you didn't even know? How muc- No, don't tell me. I don't even want to know. With this much, I could get started immediately. How long will you be in town? I don't suppose you'll be sticking around long if your a Traveler."

"I can stay long enough for you to go on the expedition. I'm headed to Todos next. My master specifically told me to seek out his mage friend there, and that's what I intend to do. Since it's also the capital of the kingdom, I want to set up shop there as well."

"Todos huh. Be careful. It may not feel like it, but the kingdom's at war right now. Heading to Todos now is as dangerous as heading to the battlefield. Even if it's you, watch your back when you walk the streets."

"Will do."

Thadius turned for the door. But just as his hand touched the knob, a torrent of messages assaulted him.

[Chaos Online has been updated. Alignments are now available. Passive stats have received extra benefits. ]

[Your high Faith has shifted your alignment to 'Good'. Benefits are revoked if you stray from the path of the Righteous.

+Bewitching smile

+Divine White

+150 Charm

+NPCs intimacy raises faster ]

[As a Good player, actions and Quests that benefit the world add to your alignment meter. Yet, you must stay vigilant. Chaotic and Diabolical players may try and kill you for their own gain.

]

[Faith is now able to grant the holy attribute to some skills and abilities. Your high faith has changed a skill.]

[Fighting Aura > Holy Fighting Aura

+Benefits allies in combat

+Individuals that feel your Pressure may be 'Awestruck' in addition to normal effects, depending on your Fighting Spirit.

+Attacks and Skills used with a weapon infused with Holy Fighting Aura will apply Holy damage. ]

[Fighting Spirit now affects every living being, and the individuals strength can be ascertained within a 10ft(3m) radius. Undead and Golems will not be affected. Individuals without Fighting Spirit can not sense the strength and are less affected.]

The last message was a double-whammy for Thadius. As if his Ambient Pressure wasn't enough, the game had slapped a permanent 'DO NOT ENGAGE' sign on his forehead that couldn't be suppressed without completely hiding his presence. He could keep his Ambient Pressure in check, but from now on, anyone within 10ft would feel his overwhelming Fighting Spirit. He only hoped that his charm would help in making good first impressions.

Marshal sucked in a breath behind him. Thadius turned around to find that he had taken a few steps back.

"You alright Marshal?" he asked tentatively.

"Yeah, its just...I couldn't feel just how strong you'd gotten until just a moment ago."

"Its not that bad is it?" Thadius was extremely concerned about any future social engagements.

"It just took me by surprise, that's all. Its not like you're exerting pressure or killing intent, but I can tell it would be a bad idea to fight you."

Thadius sighed in relief as he said his goodbyes and ducked out of the shop. When he stepped into the sunlight, his robe glowed a vibrant white that nearly hurt to look at.