Chapter 17: The contract

Gregory followed the Naga to the entrance of the town. They both stared up at the crude fence that was going to be the first thing that the visitors of the town would see.

"Why wasn't this torn down?" Gregory heard Chavu murmur.

"Goblins don't like it when they remain defenseless," Gregory told him. Chavu nodded, and a screen appeared before him.

"Wow, is this a system screen?" Gregory edged closer. But found that he could only see gibberish on the screen. That, and a couple of icons that were no more than smudges.

"It is. And it is encrypted. Only people who have a contract with me can see what is really on one of these," Chavu told him, and Gregory sighed.

Oh, the songs he could write and compose if he had access to a system screen. It would be great, magical, even! For, the system would be able to correct all of his notes for him and arrange his rhymes in a way that only the best of artists could do.

The best bards were the sirens. That was a well-known fact. All of them had a contract with one dungeon or another. Gregory wanted to achieve their level. He, a human, being able to mesmerize the crowds like one of those enchantresses would be…

Before Chavu, he hadn't been able to find a peaceful dungeon. Thought them a myth, even. Now, he was certain he could trust Chavu, but had no idea how to approach him for a contract.

"Yes?" Chavu asked, after he noticed that Gregory was staring at him.

"I was wondering if you have a free spot in your dungeon for a bard. All the best dungeons have bards," Gregory blurted out.

He didn't try to use flowery words. He just kept on treating Chavu the same way he had always had, during the brief period he had known him.

"You want to become a siren? You are the wrong gender, Gregory," Chavu told him.

Yet, Gregory did not give up.

"I believe that anyone can reach their level if they have their resources. A system to dedicate a bit of their precious time for rhyme and tune correction is all I ask for," Gregory looked Chavu in the eyes, who bit his lower lip.

This was the second time a human was asking the Naga for a favor. Again, the brown-haired man could see that the situation was delicate.

 That dreams were on the line.

"You will get the standard package," Chavu told Gregory. If he ended up known as the dungeon that took in humans and changed their lives, perhaps he would get some really talented ones, along the way.

Chavu imagined engineers and architects helping his gnomes and goblins. Alchemists and rune smiths, expanding the variety of the wares that Chavu could sell.

A bard, maybe even one with his own band, performing for the crowds every night and turning the Still Pond Dungeon into a tourist site. Definitely not one that would be destroyed with catapults.

Why shouldn't this bard be Gregory? He had played for Chavu well enough. Had this bubbly disposition towards life that promised to have light-hearted music coming from his muse.

"Thank you," Gregory saw a screen appear before him. This time, he could understand what it said.

<Gregory, rank B bard, do you accept to become the virtuoso of Still Pond Dungeon? To get your own band, in due time, which is say, a year, at latest.< p>

To perform for the tourists and adventurers who are drawn to this dungeon, which has the most awesome system in the world? It is quite the honor. You won't get a second chance if you say no, now.>

"Chavu, is the system talking to me directly, or is this the contract?" Gregory was confused. This didn't read like a contract.

"The snappy auntie is talking to you. Just click the yes. The standard package consists of a health insurance, life insurance, retirement funds, and an accommodation package," then, Chavu massaged his temples. As if someone were yelling at him. "Huh, I was not supposed to tell."

Gregory looked at his golden opportunity to become the best bard he could possibly be. He clicked the yes, and felt his mana connect to the Naga.

"Now, you had a good idea about the fountain. Please, tell me with what you would replace this thing?" Chavu pointed at the fence, which was falling apart at some spots.

"Stone," Gregory offered. "Black granite. We are speaking of goblins. Doom and gloom are their bread and butter."

"Won't some travelers get scared?" Chavu asked. If he found good, sturdy, black walls on a goblin town, he would be scared for sure.

"They would choose to come in here. No one will force them. They will do it for the thrill, as I told you before. The black stone wall will add to the allure, not take from it. Maybe you can carve some murals of fighting goblins along the wall too? That way, you will tickle the pride of your new mobs," Gregory imagined the wall and grinned.

"This will be one sophisticated goblin tribe," Chavu murmured. He touched a couple of icons on his screen, and some goblins ran to him.

"Is there black granite in the area?" Chavu asked. One of the goblins looked familiar. He was fairly certain it was the female goblin whom Marcellus threatened.

"Yes, but the giant guards it," Goglina said. The goblin tribe had wanted the granite for themselves, but the giants were too big for a single goblin tribe to take down.

"I will speak with him personally. Call Marcellus," Goglina bowed, and she ran with the rest. She broke off the group halfway and went to her four compatriots.

"Our chance has come. The dungeon core will tug at the giant's tail," Goglina spoke cryptically.

"Giants don't have tails, Goglina," Gog said.

"Can't you take a hint? He is going to go and speak with the giant! Let us draw straws on who will go and tell the giant he is being attacked!" Goglina pulled five straws from behind her back.

She made sure to remember which one of them was the longest. Ah, how she loved to cheat her foolish fellow councilors.