An offer from black cat (chapter 15)

Chapter 15

In the vibrant chaos of Chinatown, where market stalls displayed various artifacts claiming to be priceless, Oliver navigated the bustling scene. He haggled for a dark-colored stone supposedly from outer space, as well as replicas of antique items, realizing that even replicas held value. The atmosphere in Chinatown was a mix of scents—exotic spices, sizzling street food, and the occasional waft of incense from nearby temples.

Funds for his purchases came from a successful heist, this time involving breaking into a safe. The spoils included gold jewelry and a substantial amount of cash. With his newfound wealth, Oliver secured a small fridge, a month's supply of food, and fuel. He set aside emergency funds and resources for his next hideout, recognizing the ever-present risk in his chosen lifestyle.

As Oliver browsed the stalls, a captivating blue shell caught his attention. Its ancient appearance suggested a rich history. He decided to acquire it for a mere four dollars. The market ambiance, with vendors haggling and shoppers bustling, created a vivid snapshot of the bustling Chinatown.

As the shopping concluded, the clock struck 5 PM, and an unusual dark cloud hung overhead, casting an eerie shadow. Oliver, donning his fingerless gloves, seized the opportune moment to blend into the surroundings. Yet, his stealth was interrupted when a soft and smooth hand grabbed his. Startled, he turned to face the unexpected interruption, only to be captivated by a melodic voice.

The voice belonged to none other than Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat. Oliver quickly deduced their presence in Chinatown. "You've got good technique and amazing dexterity, though still a little rough around the edges," she complimented, releasing his hand. Ignoring her, Oliver walked away, determined to distance himself from the notorious thief.

However, Black Cat persisted, appearing beside him in the busy side roads. "Come on, don't you want to experience the thrill of our job? Cracking safes, dodging lasers, and jumping off a building?" she enticed, playing into Oliver's inner desires, shared by all thieves—the longing for what they can't have.

But Oliver was different; he was a maker, an inventor, an artificer-to-be. His driving force wasn't the desire for something unattainable. As she ruffled his hair, he swatted her hand away, resolute in his path. "I could teach you a lot, help you use more than your hands," she whispered, attempting to sway him. "Come, don't you want to be free, hopping from place to place?" she urged, hoping to play on oliver desires, which assumed to be the same as her.

—

A desire born from acquiring something unattainable fueled many thieves. However, Oliver differed—he wasn't a thief at heart like her; he was a maker, an inventor, an artificer. Well, at least he would be in the future. Nonetheless, he lacked the same motivation as other thieves, the insatiable urge for something that didn't belong to them. 

"I could teach you a lot, help you use more than your hands," she whispered, playfully ruffling his hair. Annoyed, Oliver swatted her hand away. "Come, don't you want to be free, hop from place to place?" she urged, trying to draw him into her world of thrill and illicit pursuits.

"But you know, freedom takes green, and when I look to your future, it's the green that I see," she added, her words almost poetic. Oliver discreetly took out his dark, worn-out clock from his crossbag, swiftly turning it to the side. Black Cat mirrored his movement but saw nothing. She chuckled, "Clever boy," as Oliver vanished from sight. This only fueled her determination to possess him. "I will have you, one way or another," she thought, turning away.

Suddenly, an older gentleman with gray hair and a gray beard, dressed in a suit, appeared. He looked at Black Cat with an amused expression. "I see you are finally ready to pick your student," he chuckled. Black Cat shrugged, "i just don't odessa drake to get her hands on him fox, that might be just troubsome" expressing concern about Odessa Drake getting involved. The old man laughed, "well, he is a little a rough on the edges but if he get into the hands of the new york thieves guild, he might become a trouble some foe indeed" as he followed her.

[Scene Change]

Back home, Oliver laid out the items from the roadside shops, suspecting most were replicas. Among them was a large jar intended for the terrarium. He glanced at the clock, realizing he had 20 minutes until he could grant another item an option or face potential failure. "Either way, I get experience, so I'm fine," he mused. During the next twenty minutes, he organized his base, especially the box containing items awaiting options.

After 33 minutes, Oliver looked at the rows of items ready for options. "Well, let's get started," he said excitedly, picking up the first item—the mysterious blue shell. It emanated a strange feeling, and Oliver hoped the item would prove to be valuable. The process was unlike any before, taking a lengthy three minutes, with an unexpected resistance. Tired and sweaty, Oliver succeeded, wondering why the task was so challenging. Holding the now intensified blue shell, he marveled not just at its special aura but at the unique options it had acquired.

[ Name: Yggdrasil's Enchanted Crab Shell ]

[ Grade: Purple ]

[ Description: A stunning blue hermit crab shell, toughened by the ages and touched by the ancient and wild magic of Yggdrasil. Though the magical traces have faded over time, a faint enchantment still lingers within, creating a unique and mystical aura. ]

[ Option: Enchanted Dwelling (Rank: F) (Passive) - This shell contains a magically spacious interior, equivalent to a regular-sized room. The interior is suitable for housing a living being, providing a secure and comfortable space. ]

[ Durability: 100% ]

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A/N another chapter, yay, anyways, there are going to be more items like this, made special either by time or magic or items used by powerful people, so his goal will be to collect them all. so yeah, he might just be collecting artefact and items across time and space.