12 Chapter 12 : I might join

Jayson found himself in a very weird situation, sitting across from Granny Chi who was " gazing " into a small blue orb.

It glowed with a soft treasure light that felt warm on the skin, having noticed this the system notified Jayson, " Oracle Orb has been added to the Crafting List."

Granny Chi stirred, " You aren't from here, are you child?" Her question came causally with no room for tricks, the pressure from her " gaze " felt heavy on his chest. To a point where it was no longer comfortable to sit still, however he could only bear with it as he answered plainly, "No."

Granny Chi was still for a moment, before waving her cane about in the air. Plates, cups, silverware, and a teapot manifested from thin air, with another wave a stream of small baked goods assembled on the plates.

Soon the room was filled with a mixture of pleasant smells while Granny Chi poured them a cup of tea, "I'm sorry with the rough treatment child it's not everyday someone like, you, comes through here. You used a skill that I've never seen before, and you can't blame me for being startled." She said calmly a tinge of sadness in her voice, resting back in her chair she held the cup in her hands while her cane floated happily at her side.

Jayson picked up a cookie from his plate and bit into it the warm chocolate running down his throat, the warmth spreading through his body as hunger ravaged his senses. No matter how many he ate, the number never seemed to decrease.

"These are delicious I can't get enough!" Jayson thought jovially to himself in between bites an occasional glances would be made, seeing her body trembling slightly from holding the teacup. He sighed forcing himself to stop eating Jayson looked at her and asked, " Well? What is it that you want from me?"

He was direct and polite while adjusting his glasses, his gaze becoming intense as he sat regally in his chair. Granny Chi chuckled taking a sip of her tea, " I want to know, what was that skill you used earlier?"

Jayson responded plainly, " It's called Steal."

The questions came quickly as time passed on Jayson recounted how he and his friends were dumped into this world, taking special care as to leave out the system as it may have unforeseen consequences down the road.

Granny Chi listened quietly stopping him a few times to ask questions, but for the majority she sipped her tea.

Only when he finished talking did Granny Chi move out of her seat to shuffle before a bookshelf, running her knobby fingers along the spines in search of something while saying, " You've been through such a terrifying ordeal child, it's a wonder how you've kept calm despite having your world literally change. Yet been blessed with the gifts needed to survive."

Returning to her chair with a small book in her hands, it was jet black with grey on the trims in the middle was a purple jewel that had an ominous glow. Dark shadows occasionally steamed from the jewel like fingers grabbing at the air before disappearing, "This book contains several Mid-Tier skills, I have a request for you child. If you are willing to take it on, the first part of your payment will be this book. What do you say?" she asked extending the book, the weight of it causing her hand to tremble heavily as though she would drop it soon despite her grip.

Jayson stared at the book, feeling the power radiating from it he fell into thought, "First part? Whatever she wants is going to deadly that's for sure, or at least irritating. Whatever it is I better hear her out and decide with the others, milk this for all it's worth while I'm at it." With a faint smile he rose the cup of tea to his lips, the fragrant aroma of the tea filling his nose with a flowery scent.

Causally taking a sip he slightly nodded, "I'm willing to hear out your request, as a thank you for the tea." He said evenly showcasing his intent to only listen with no response, this causing a nerve to rise on her forehead, "Cocky brat!" She muttered returning the book to her lap, adjusting herself slightly in the chair.

With a small huff she began speaking her request, " There is going to be a competition in a few months here in the village, it will be an amazing event that brings the best from the surrounding villages."

"It's something we hold once a year and we've always offered fierce warriors, but none of them could hold their own. Each year we lose, each year they take our crops as their prize. Currently my husband is watching one of your friends in action, if what he sees is true then we may have hope."

"What I'm asking for child is simple, will you join my guild and take part in the competition?"

Jayson said nothing as he set down the tea, taking in what she said while he sat up. While he understood what she wanted something in her story didn't make sense to him, and it was best discussed with Faith and the others to get their view as it would involve all of them.

"Thank you again for the tea, I'll be sure to pass along this request and see how the others feel. If it matches up with our interests, we'll be in contact." He said standing and making his way to the door, stepping out into the hallway he proceeded downstairs to the main floor.

He thought to himself, "I may join, if only to get my hands on that book." His lips arched up into a sinister smile as he left the building, on the Main Street the sun was slowly making its way across the sky, gentle heat warmed his body as he walked back toward the mages guild.

Jayson's eyes caught movement to his left, a gold blur was approaching at a rapid pace nearly knocking him over as it passed. The smell of sausage lingered in the after the blur left, a fat man dashed around the corner waving a butcher knife in his hand screaming, "Cursed animal, stay away from my shop!!!"

His deep voice boomed in Jayson's ears slightly disturbing him, he continued on pass the man who was now hunched over trying to catch his breath. Shaking his head a muscular build crossed his path preventing him from walking forward, Jayson looked up immediately recognizing the mass in front of him.

It was the barely naked man standing imposingly before Jayson, the sun shining upon his skin in such a way that it seemed to glow. With a swing of his hand, thumb extended he pointed to a nearby alley a fiendish smile on his face, he strode away his muscles twitching violently however he moved peacefully through the crowd.

Watching him walk away Jayson thought to himself amused, "That's rather clique don't you think? I mean what place screams "I'm gonna jump you" more than a dark alley away from crowds?"

"I did like that ax, but I'm low on materials to make it. Oh well, how did that saying go? If a hero is poor, he needs only defeat his enemy. Then he is no longer poor."

"Though I'm no hero, I can say for sure he is a rich enemy. Come my new wallet, empty yourself."

Jayson nearly skipped to the alley as he was elated to the idea of robbing someone who wanted trouble with him, with the hopes it was an ambush Jayson stopped short before the barely naked man.

The barely naked man inhaled abruptly and shouted, "YOU DARE STEAL FROM CRAIG THE NOBLE!! I'LL CRUSH YOUR TINY SKULL!!" The sound of his voice reverberated about the alley, generating a gust of wind the ruffled Jayson's hair.

Feigning innocence Jayson responded in a meek voice, "I'm sorry Craig The Pebble" bowing slightly as he did so.

Craig's face reddened like a boiling tea kettle his anger spiking as he unlatched the ax from its holster, gripping the hilt tightly in his hand a grumble sounded in his throat, "It's Craig The Noble!"

He took a step forward his foot leaving impressions in the ground from the sheer strength of his foot, as he charged towards Jayson roaring like a grizzly bear. The ax surged through air towards Jayson, who leaned back out of range.

Craig's eyes flashed as the ax blade coated itself in a pale yellow light and extended, reshaping itself into a long sword to cut Jayson in half.

An unbothered look surfaced on Jayson's face as he recalled the special effects of the ax, to reshape itself to its owners will, so he was fully prepared for its unpredictability.

Jayson's footwork was rapid as he evaded the newly formed weapon, letting out a relieved sigh he clutched his chest , " I thought for sure it would've been a battle ax, I'm disappointed Craig The Apple." He chided further agitating Craig who stomped his foot kicking up the dust around him,

"ITS CRAIG THE NOBLE!!! I WILL NOT STAND HERE AND BE MOCKED THIS WAY!!" He shouted his neck straining til the point of veins appearing around it, his entire body was red from anger.

Jayson shrugged and said , " Well how would you like me to mock you? I'm open to requests." Jumping away as a powerful arm slammed down where he was , leaving a crater in the ground.