Richard accepted Chuck’s apology. He would probably be as curious, if not worse, if he were in Chuck’s shoes. It also felt like they, Nora and Chuck, were trying to be on the level with him. At least so far they had been. Trying to do the right thing yadda yadda. Only how much could he trust them? Not as far as Windry that was for sure.

  “Is there any problem with the Soul Purifying Potion? You mentioned it working, right? There were no problems with its effect?” Richard asked.

  Nora shook her head. “No. There are no problems. It’s more… a question of supply as well as safety. We don’t release information on our crafters to the guilds who buy from us. But since your potions are in such unique vials it would be very easy to track any potions you make back to you.

  “Is there a reason that you don’t use the standard glass vials? Or rather, would you be able to use the standard glass ones? That way there would be a layer between yourself and the potions that you create. More so if they are new ones with needed effects like this one,” Nora said.

  “That… I’m sorry. The way that I’m making potions right now requires the usage of the vials. I don’t feel comfortable revealing any more than that.”

  “I see. Going forward I would advise you to only sell your potions through the guild from now on. In addition we are going to be assigning you a personal buyer. That way we can keep information about you contained for now. But please consider that there is only so much we, the guild, can do to protect your information,” Nora said and tapped on the table. “It’s not that we are not able to. Just that red guilds can be more resourceful than we expect. And leaks can happen.” She looked at Richard with a sad look. “I know that you already had one bad experience already.”

  “Ah, the red guild? I was lucky with that once. It’s been… hard to return to normal. Though I’ve met some people through the guild who I feel are trustworthy.”

  Nora nodded. “Alright. So it’s safe to assume that you are able to meet the demand for Soul Purifying potions. Though the only group that should be ordering it is the Sword Soul guild. If you are okay with producing a little more then we would be able to offer it to others as a curse removal potion.”

  “That seems like selling to others would bring even more attention? I’ll admit that I didn’t know the kind of waves such a potion would create. But after almost getting kidnapped by a red guild I was planning to keep my head down.” How would they take that admission?

  Nora took a moment to respond. “Keeping you off of the radar of others is important for your safety. Only the world isn't in such a place that a potion with an unique effect could be forgotten about. This isn’t information that is public knowledge yet. But there are reports of a suspected ratter warren north of the city.”

  Ratters! Richard’s hands gripped the armrests of his chair. They were one of the worst break species. Short rat-like humanoid monsters that walked on their hind legs, with articulate hands, and a language of hissing and squeaks. They wore rough clothes and lived under the earth. With their darkvision they would raid at night when humans were sleeping. “How does the potion help against them?” He forced his hands to release the chair. It had been making some alarming creaking noises.

  “A member of the Swords was cursed after an encounter with the ratters. And it is believed that there is at least one shaman or other caster present.”

  So his potions were needed to save lives. Knowing that Richard couldn’t hold himself back. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he knew that someone died because of his inaction. “I can make as many as the guild needs. Assuming that I can get my hands on the materials.”

  “That’s great. We need all of the help that we can get. Even though the world feels stable again. We need to be careful to not grow complacent. Otherwise we might find ourselves in an even worse place should a break or worse happen.”

  They went over the rest of the new items that Richard had sold the Crafter’s Union. The Cure Disease Potions were common enough that it wasn’t an issue at the moment. And they still hadn’t figured out the use of the Clear Mind Potion. The real surprise was the Cabbit Teeth Bone Meal.

  “It did what?” Richard asked. “I mean. I heard what you said. But it’s something that sounds wild even to my ears.”

  “We contracted a farmer to try using the bone meal on his crops. And not only did they grow alarmingly fast, they also had a higher level of quality than he was used to. It’s something that we have kept the lid on so far. But if you wanted to start creating it on the regular, the guild is more than willing to buy what you can produce.”

  Richard started to shake his head, how crazy was that? Then he realized that they were watching him and it could be misinterpreted as something else. “I can make it. It’s cheap enough so that shouldn't be an issue.”

  Nora smiled as she typed away at her tablet. Chuck glanced over at her and spoke, “There is one item that we still haven’t talked about. And that is if you are willing to share your recipes with the guild.”

  “That-” Richard started to speak and then stopped. What can he really say on the matter? That with his S-Ranked Alchemy skill he can just produce items with a confirmation? It was too much to tell them that. At the moment and probably far into the future. “I don’t think that it’s something I can accommodate,” he said and left it at that. Anything else might reveal his abnormal skill.

  “Are you sure? If the guild alchemists were to use your methods we would be able to take some of the attention off of yourself. Should your contributions ever come to light that is. It would also allow us to keep a steady amount of the items on hand. And you wouldn’t have to be bothered by making them all of the time. We would also pay a royalty for each item created, so you wouldn't be losing out on profit at all.”

  “I’m going to have to be firm in my answer for now. Though I’ll put some thought into it and let you know if I change my mind,” Richard said and looked to Nora. There was no trace of the smile that she wore during the meeting. And instead there was a deep frown.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Let's leave it at that Chuck,” she said and then turned to Richard. “Some of the people here have rather extreme views on the future. You only need to do what you feel comfortable with Richard. And you don't need to pay any attention to sharing your recipes with us.” By the time she finishing talking Chuck was wearing a frown instead. There seemed to have been some sort of play made just then. To what effect Richard wasn’t sure.

  The meeting didn’t last much longer after that. Richard was asked if he would continue to submit new items. To which he replied if he discovered any he would. It’s not like the guild would be able to know if he had a new recipe or not. Though he would probably have to be careful when buying materials from them in the future. Just in case they logged it against his ID and someone got too curious.

  He was also asked to provide the guild with another 20 vials of the Soul Purifying Potions as well as 10 containers of the Cabbit Bone Meal. It was easy enough so he accepted both of the requests.

  Instead of waiting and coming back another day, Richard figured that he might as well complete the order right away. He quickly bought the materials from the market, crafted the potions and bone meal, and then went to drop them off.

  Only there was a small snag with the whole buying experience. Which was due to his new dedicated handler. “Hello, my name is Argence,” she said as she closed the door. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun and she wore the same white and teal clothes that other staff did. “For future transactions they will be done behind a closed door instead of out in the lobby of the Buyers department,” she said with a smile. Only like before, it didn’t really reach her eyes at all.

  “Ah, well. Happy to meet with you proper,” Richard said and nodded his head. She probably still had a grudge about the Burner. “Here are the items that were requested by Nora. Do you happen to know what is going on with the Burner? Or what about the money for the items that I dropped off the other day for appraisal?”

  She looked to the side for a moment before she looked back and spoke, “Yes. The Burner has been appraised and the held funds will be returned to you. As will the funds for the Soul Purifying Potion and the Bone Meal. While we are still trying to understand what the Clear Mind potion’s effects might be. There will also be the amount for the two orders as well. So if you give me a moment I’ll send the payment over.”

  He already knew the price for the Soul Purifying Potions, which was around 37k. The Cabbit Teeth Bone Meal was put at $1,500 each. Which surprised Richard. The 5 Cabbit Teeth that they took sold for around $60 to $70 a piece. So on average they would cost $325 for each container. Leaving him with a profit of $1,175. Was that good?

  Considering it took the same amount of time to find the materials and craft as the Soul Purifying Potion. Red Drake Carapaces were around $3,800 each and the Healing Flowers maybe $5,000 on a bad day. So $8,800 cost, $37,000 sale price, for $28,200 profit. He frowned at the difference. The bone meal could always have a use though, and so the demand might be constant. Would the Soul Purifying Potions be the same?

  “Alright. Please check your accounts. There should be the $150,000 for the deposit, the $777,000 for the potions, and $16,500 for the bone meal. As for the Clear Mind potion there is the option of receiving an estimated payment now. Which will then be topped up to the true value of the item should it increase after the appraisal is done.”

  “What happens if the final price isn't as much as the guild provided?

  “Since it would be a guild mistake, you would keep the extra. But all future purchases by the guild will be at the proper price.”

  Did he really need the money? For one potion? “You don't have to worry about it. Just give me the money when the potion has a price.”

  Agrence nodded. “Is there anything else that you need from me today?”

  “That should be all,” Richard said. She nodded goodbye to him, grabbed the cart, and walked out of the room. He sighed and then stood. Sure he was getting better treatment. But Argence was a bit too cool for Richard to deal with easily.

  Richard smiled to himself and patted his satchel. He couldn’t wait to get home and experiment with the extra materials he had bought.

  ***

  Nora glared at Chuck when he returned from seeing Richard out. “What?” he asked.

  “You know full well what is the matter. What were you thinking about asking him for his recipes? Even with the royalties paid it wouldn’t be worth the money that he would be making now.”

  Chuck shrugged. “I went out with Jarl for drinks the other day. To bury the hatchet so to speak. He made some good points about how we need to fight back. I didn’t buy into it before. But now with what has happened in the north… If there really is a ratter warren this part of the province could be in danger.”

  Nora sighed. “We could have talked over it before the meeting. Just tossing it out there like that might scare him off. I have a good feeling about what he can bring to the guild.”

  “I mean, if that happens then he wasn’t meant to be a guild member. We are trying to save the world here. And not pander to someone unwilling to help. He hasn't had a proper job in some time. Coasting off a large severance that smells of a settled wrongful dismissal claim. If he isn’t willing to step up then we don't need him.”

  Nora sighed to herself. Everyone wanted to use a hammer when they really needed a soft touch. Why couldn't they see that it was lucky that Richard was even still around after being attacked by a red guild? It was amazing that he hadn’t hidden himself or quit exploring.

  She would need to make sure that he was taken care of. Even if it meant doing things herself. Internal guild factions be damned.

  ***

  Clide moved with his unit as they scoured the land that used to be Quinn Provincial park. What had been a forest of old growth trees, was instead filled with trees 10 to 15 years old. What the break didn’t destroy was burned and bombed time and time again.

  As for why, it would be summed up with one question. Where did break species thrive the most? Deep in a forest away from human notice.

  “HQ, Teams 1 through 4 report,” a voice squawked out of the speaker built into his helmet.

  “Team 1, nothing to report.”

  “Team 2, suspected warren entrance found. But scouting shows that it might be an old one. It goes nowhere.”

  “Team 3, nothing to report.”

  “Team 4,” Clide said. “We spotted some remains of game animals. Nothing concrete on what may have preyed on them.”

  “HQ, Team 4, sent coords for remains. We’ll send out a specialist.”

  “Team 4, roger.”

  Clide took a moment to watch as his squad members continued to search the land. Every place a ratter could hide was checked. And yet they had found nothing. There had been several skirmishes with them at the edges of the forest. Where were they coming from? Or where had they all gone?

  He sent the coords to HQ and continued moving. Clide hoped that someone would find something before it was too late.