A Visitor From Afar

The Guild, Pantheon.

Beneath the elegantly constructed Guild building is an underground prison that is a bit underdeveloped compared to other Familia, like the Ganesha Familia, much less other cities and Kingdoms. This is not due to a lack of funds. Virtually controlling one of the three great frontiers in Gekai—The Dungeon—Orario can crap more Valis than the many Kingdoms combined. The fact that Orario is the reason behind the uniform currency in this world boasts the City's financial strength.

However, the Deities in Orario are not keen on keeping prisoners. Aside from some universal laws like the abolishment of slavery, the regulations in the City are left a bit to interpretation. After all, Gekai itself has multiple Deities representing individual, godly justice. So, it is harder to have strict rules and regulations than uniform currency.

So, Orario is pretty heavy with the exile or death penalty.

A Familia has weakened? The rival Familia will cook a story and feed it to other Deities alongside some benefits to kick the former Familia out of the City.

There have also been cases when Deities were considered far more dangerous despite their mortal forms and were exiled or imprisoned.

Besides, few men and women are too destructive to be put behind the bars due to falna, so their death is a valid option in the eyes of many.

Freya, the Goddess of the most powerful Familia, once belonged to the former classification.

And it is only because of how underdeveloped this section of the city is that others can sneak into the sealed floors after lubricating right hands with enough gold.

"Do you understand what kind of opportunity you blew here? I had Dionysus right by his balls by keeping him cornered in the market of one product he is frankly good at!"

A red-eyed, grey-haired man berates as he stares behind the bars while standing in the dimly-lit hall. His features are far from refined. A trimmed grey mustache covers the bridge of his nose and follows the shape of his upper lip and some more. His skin looks darker than usual under the dim light, and his sweat glistens over his broad forehead as his slick grey hair is combed back neatly. But despite his frustration, the man only scolds him in a friendly and casual tone.

"I gave you Soma! Soma, who just got tired of humanity! You were making millions with me! What changed? Why did you invite a maniac to your house? And who uses a spear on their first try? Of course, your asshole will bleed! Should have stuck with the basics and tried a dick!"

This man stops in his track and looks behind to face a cloaked figure. The hooded, baggy cloak makes it difficult for anything to be known about them.

"I heard what it sounds like."

The hooded figure has nothing to offer as they stand behind the man at a marginally short height of about 160 centimeters.

"Anyway," the man turns to face the prison again. "I heard you lost your mind. Had to see it personally. No man should go out like this."

A small dagger slips on his hand from his wrists as the man flicks the weapon forward with an outstanding technique.

*Khhhcccchhh*

"Let's go," the man beckons to the hooded figure while donning his hood. "We'll meet Ishar and some other Deities. Let's find your match. Besides, we should find out more things about this Jackal. Hermes was unusually cagey after Denatus."

As he pulls his hood, a thin gold necklace with a strange pendant can be seen around the man's neck.

The trinket is in the shape of a nail-sized colorful peacock feather.

---

"Ooof!" Jackal pats Lili as she remains clung to his body on their bed. Well, his bed. He has started to furnish the second floor, but Lili rarely uses her room.

"Training hard, huh? You're getting stronger. Heh, but I won't let you overtake me!"

"Stupid Jackal-sama! This is not about overtaking you!"

He exhales and then hums, "So, you just like to show domination in the morning for no good reason? I'm a little sad now."

She slides away from him with a heavy blush and a bad case of bed hair while showing her back to him and lying in a fetal position.

"I… was worried."

"That's impossible. I remember Eina to dispense the news a few times."

"Not everything can be resolved with the news!"

"Then food it is!"

"Uuuuuun!"

The two soon get up and ready themselves for the day. It has been a rewarding time off work, and he is also eager to show off the new goodies to Miach and the rest.

Although there is nothing as good as the Butterfree Era, Jackal bets on the potions for a surprise.

Delivering the bentos to their rightful owners, Jackal and Lili stop at the Blue Pharmacy.

"Hey! Let's get this party going!"

Lili flinches at his words but adopts a casual expression soon after as Naaza gives him a sidelong glance.

"Don't tell me you were worried out of your wits, too." Jackal rolls his eyes as the Chientrhope scoffs quietly, "I was worried for my steady supply of bento. And… congratulations."

"What's that?"

"On your level up."

Jackal nods quietly before glancing at Lili in confusion. Though, he adds nothing and takes a seat in their living room while showing the new products.

"So, let's start with some confusing ones." Jackal retrieves a lust potion and a berserk potion from his Frollet as Miach quietly tastes them without asking questions.

"Hmm, they taste the same to me. Their effects are not different from what I remember… was that what you were looking for? A difference in the effect?" Miach returns the vials as Jackal ponders to himself for a while and nods eventually.

"I dealt with the stronger goblins in the lower floors and thought the potions I make from them might be more effective."

"Maybe it's their levels, Jackal-sama. If there are any Level 2 variants of a Goblin, hunting them might make a difference." Lili is quick to encourage as Jackal shrugs. He did wish for that to be the case, but Jackal suspects Death Eater works more on species than anything. Maybe stronger monsters of the same kind will give him weaker items, and weaker monsters of the same category will grant him better products.

Next, he retrieves a pair of fleshy wings the size of a foot each.

"This is the material I procured from Bad Bats. Bats usually drop eyeballs as a material used in many low-level potions and drugs. I was hoping the wings to be used in the same category. I'll also try and peddle this and other drop-like products to Hephaestus. So, here. Test them if you'd like and get back to me at your earliest convenience."

He places the wings in front of Naaza, who nods with a curious expression.

"I'll have a response quicker than you imagine. The store was sold out for the last four days, so I think the goods will sell easier today."

"Awesome!" Jackal grins, making Naaza smirk shortly as she pockets the wings in her frollet.

"Next! Here, from Imps."

Jackal shows a tiny gray cylindrical stick—a Dynamite Stick. The carvings on its surface are almost life-like as he smirks and moves his Mind to the product to make the carvings glow red.

"A one-time magic item that can cause an explosion when the remnant of magic connected to the adventurer triggers the effect. I tested it. You have to be in the range of 10 meters of this stick—efficient for surprises."

He doesn't stop and brings out an orc-faced fist-sized earthen jar.

Miach accepts the container with a shake of his head and a smile as he promptly expresses the potion's effects. He then frowns and then sniffs the disgusting potion again as Naaza leans away with her cute nose scrunching.

"It's an Odor Potion. It makes you smell like Monsters and evade them."

Jackal nods with a thoughtful hum. The potion wasn't as desirable to him, but at the right price, it may make other adventurers go crazy. Since he is set on taking on the middle and lower tier of healing potions by Butterfree Era, he can reduce to prices of other potions a little and cause a stir.

"I have another magic item now. Hard Amoreds."

He wears red, rustic pendant with small jagged scales framing its edges. Jackal instills his mind into the item as glowing red veins of magic travel to his torso through his arm before climbing atop his sleeve and settling on his chest—crackle! Scales erupt from his chest in a plate-like formation reminiscent of Hard Armoreds plated backs. The Scales cover his entire torso before stopping.

"I tested it. As hard as an Armored's hide when they are alive. This won't fizzle out until broken, and even when you stop feeding the item with your Mind and Magic, the scales will soften slowly, so there is a sweet spot of a good defense at no expense. It will be the bane of most common weapons peddled by the Guild to the newbies."

Naaza and Lili try it for themselves as Jackal takes out another potion. This time, it's in a long bottle carpeted by a layer of soft silver fur. The liquid by itself looks like melted silver as Miach takes a sip before letting out a curious sound. He looks at his arms, noting a slight growth of silver from his pores.

"Quite the potent potion. A kind of hair growth potion as resistant as the Silverback's fur I'd imagine. But once the effect ends, you will lose your hair temporarily."

Naaza and Lili shudder.

"Even on the tail?" Naaza gasps, losing her impassive nature for once before staring at Jackal with all the judgment she can muster.

"Whoa! I thought you promised to make this a non-judgmental space!"

"I remember no such promises."

"I don't remember promising Bento for a lifetime."

"But then again, what is one mistake on my part." Naaza tries to sweetly smile as Jackal stares at the hungry menace before crossing his arms.

"Jackal-sama, can I ask you something?" Lili suddenly questions curiously, "What about the Jack Bird? You have its drop item in the home. But you never showed us the item you crafted from that monster."

He flinches and grows quiet before taking another item out of the Frollet.

While others are amazed by the glowing red stone that radiates warmth, Miach notes with a chuckle, "Looks like the item from the Jack Bird must be quite special."

"For you and I, maybe." Jackal licks his dry lips before cautiously glancing at the two girls. "But I think… they might not understand."

"What won't we understand?" Naaza blinks, more curious than ever, as her tail perks up a bit and her ears twitch slightly.

"Is it something perverted?" Lili gasps.

Jackal lets out a long hum before muttering, "No."

"Miach-sama, was that the truth?" Lili follows up Miach stares at Jackal under Naaza's hawk-like violet gaze.

"I'm sure… Jackal believes his word to be true."

Naaza crosses her arms and points. "But was that the truth?"

Miach closes his eyes for a moment. He cannot understand the true depth of Jackal's words, but he understands the intent behind Jackal's gaze. Every man would.

It's some good shit only until it's hidden.

"Truth is subjective," Miach nods to himself as he skirts around the topic. "Anyway, what about this beautiful glowing rock, Jackal?"

Lili and Naaza were not the least bit interested in the unknown material from the Infant Dragon and what it may provide in the world of crafting and mixing as they goggle at the men… with judgment.

It can't be anything good if Jackal is trying to hide it, right?

But Naaza had to drop the topic when Jackal revealed his intention of refurbishing the price of Frollets to 100,000 Valis. Miach Familia had to accept how useful this item really would be in expeditions from now on.

Before they left, however, Miach warned Jackal about a particular Deity. Well, that seemed appropriate after Naaza shook him for four days' worth of Bento. Miach did not commit such actions… he didn't need to. Naaza took it upon herself to do the same for her Deity, knowing full well it would go all down her gullet.

---

Maria's fierce hug aside, Jackal let Lili start with her practice under Ouka and others as he shares the rest of the Bento before saving the last sum of it. Jackal quickly went ahead and destroyed the market further by conjuring his goods for a Valis each.

But a surprising thing happened… none from the Loki Familia graced him with his presence. Not even to get their share of bento, much less pricey frollets.

"And to think I was excited to share the food with them after getting better under May's rituals…" He shakes his head and settles down as he sells most of his goods to the members of Ishtar Familia, who are filling his store for some reason. Not that he minds the presence of bodacious Amazons flirting with him.

But, growing tired of the lack of anything productive to do aside from training with Takemikazuchi or feeding children the spiciest shit, so Ouka gets to change equally zingy diapers, Jackal leaves the shop in Lili's hand and employs Asuka for half a day as Lili's help before skedaddling towards Hephaestus center of operation.

Not half an hour after he leaves, a particular deity, alongside a blue-haired captain of his Familia, visits Humble Jackal's.

---

"Hmm?" The door to Hephaestus' office finally opens as Jackal observes a casually smiling grey-haired man walking out. His gaze narrows when he finds the stranger staring at him in surprise, which transitions to unbridled intrigue.

"Found something interesting that I missed in front of the mirror?" Jackal muses with a smirk as he nods upward to the man inquisitively.

"Oh, you see people, and they catch your eye," replies the mustached gentleman. "Where are my manners." He leans forward and extends his arm.

"Olal Shen."

"Jackal."

Jackal shakes Olal's hand and peers over his shoulder at the cloaked individual covering Hephaestus' door.

"Olal, huh? I think I have heard your name before," Jackal ponders for a full minute as the man waits and looks expectant.

"Merchant, right? Merchant of the Wide."

"And the Forsaken." Olal chuckles before nodding, "That's me!"

Jackal nods and observes the man thoughtfully, "You really are a complete mortal as you claim."

"No reason to hide the truth when it barely affects the business, no."

"As long as it's right in the eyes of the gods, they won't bother you." Jackal chuckles.

"Hah! You get me!" Olal snorts a chuckle before looking behind at his follower, "See? This is what I am talking about. A Merchant understands a brother."

Jackal's smile widens, "I didn't tell you I was a merchant, you little shit. But yeah, I suppose, it would be your job to know who's getting Soma now, right?"

"I always knew Zanis was one good actor, if not a Familia Captain. You did god's work there."

"Because he gave you up? Why couldn't Soma have given you up, excelia and all?" Jackal's smile doesn't falter one bit as Olal chuckles to himself.

"The only thing someone like Soma would hate is shifting the blame after accepting reason. Giving you an explicit contract was already his way of saying he is done shifting the blame and wants to work his way to your approval. But Zanis' fear before my blade entered his skull… that was real. You know death reveals a man's true colors? Zanis was one coward. You do know he died in the prison under mysterious circumstances, right?"

"How corruption exists with excelia exposing it all is true, one giant mystery." Jackal nods.

Olal's smile widens as he nods, "We will talk again. You seem like a nice guy."

"Do I? You clearly judged me too quickly, Godless Merchant. Or are they back to calling you the Heretic Merchant?"

"For friends, I am the Merchant of the Wide and Forsaken. For Deities… well, I am sure that is one thing we both agree on."

Jackal's gold-red gaze matches Olal's red one as the former concludes, "This is one hell of a coincidence."

"Suited for men like us deserving hell for what we think of the Deities."

Jackal hums aloud and steps aside as Olal and his follower leave quietly after taking a hint. Both of their smiles fade almost instantly as Jackal pounds Hephaestus' doors.

"Come in, Jackal," Her exhausted voice lets him in.

---

"I didn't know you dealt with Olal," Jackal questions as Tsubaki scoffs with disgust.

"We don't. The punk was peddling a Familia member this time. Truly, how he always finds a way inside the city despite being exiled twice is a damn mystery!"

"Is it?" Jackal raises an eyebrow while Hephaestus narrows her eye.

"It is."

Jackal shrugs. Rose already warned him about a few sellers that supplied Soma's goods, and he did hear Zanis' death this morning, but none of it clicked with him because Olal wasn't mentioned anywhere. Not even on the list of underground vendors supplying what remains of Soma's wine at exorbitant prices.

But seeing the man once in his life cleared all of Jackal's doubt that he was a crazy bastard no worse than himself.

Dropping OIal's topic entirely, Jackal inquires with interest, "So?"

"So, I tested the two materials you gifted me," Hephaestus leans her elbows on the table and locks her fingers. "The Needle Rabbit horns make for sharper weapons, as you might expect, while War Shadow's orb has two known effects. First is the magical alloy that will phase through physical materials. The magic weapon made using this material will have three uses at most, even when created by the best of us. Second, it is a stubborn material that only gets along with metals that adapts to the Mind better. So, its use in the magical staff makes more sense than cold weapons."

Jackal blinks in surprise. Another source of income!

"Hmm, and what's your answer? Wait, before that."

He pulls out the Bad Bat's wings and the Infant Dragon's Core.

"Two more materials. Especially this stuff is from an Infant Dragon. Two completely new materials."

Tsubaki steps forward to inspect them curiously. Her breasts practically try to overthrow her tyrant top that restricts their freedom, but Jackal finds himself attracted to Hephaestus' conflicted look.

"What is it?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. It's just Olal. Seeing him is always a displeasure."

"More than my foul language, and what is it that you said, Frivolity?"

Hephaestus snorts softly and looks at Tsubaki.

"So?"

"The Bat's wings are good stuff, but not for adventurers. You'll have an easier time selling it to tailors after processing the leather. The Core… is different. I'll have to—"

"You have other orders, remember?" Hephaestus rolls her eye as Tsubaki adopts a reluctant look.

"Just let the woman test!" Even Jackal voices out reluctantly. The quicker he sets a supply, the better. Especially after Jackal wanted to attain Tsubaki as his Blacksmith. While he did act pissy with her stunt last time, he was sold at the idea of Tsubaki making his weapon.

The woman lowkey fought the market to be his first—that kind of dedication never goes unanswered in Jackal's book.

Hephaestus shakes her head firmly at the sight of two reluctant children.

"I'll test them myself. Also, I would like to place an initial order of 300 Horns and 50 War Shadows Crystal. Can you fulfill them in a week?"

Jackal smiles pleasantly.

"A week? I'll probably have more materials by another week."

And then… Jackal took out Frollet from a frollet, from another frollet… so on, and so forth.

---

Her exhaustion would not be a reason for Hephaestus to not look out for a well-wisher when they are entering a less-than-casual trading relationship. So, as exhausting as it was to see Jackal dig out hundreds of materials, she finally speaks up.

"Jackal, about Olal… you should know a few things about him if you plan to form any relationship with him."

"Oh, I know quite a few things about him. He has a glorified record in the guild. He and his other two competitors outside Orario."

Hephaestus grows silent as she feels Tsubaki's concerned stare.

"No, you don't know everything, Jackal. He… cannot be killed. You should always keep that in your mind."

"I shook his hand. I'm pretty sure he can be killed," Jackal looks up curiously.

"He cannot be killed."

The crimson-haired Goddess asserts again as he frowns.

"What she means is, if someone kills him, quite a lot of people will be pissed. Powerful people," Tsubaki sighs and chews her helplessly, "Believe me, I want to rip that asshole with my own hands."

"And what's stopping you?" Jackal looks at Tsubaki, "You are exponentially stronger than me. What's stopping you?"

"Individuals we are wise enough to not piss off."

"Sounds like fear to me instead of wisdom."

"Then go kill him!" Tsubaki snaps and snarls with her lone eye boring on Jackal.

"Never said I wanted to kill him. He didn't do anything to me. But it sounds like you've got a beef with him."

Tsubaki glances at Heph, who shakes her head and sighs softly.

"Here's your money and your ax. If you don't like it, throw it away. I don't care." Tsubaki tosses him a pouch of coins with already the quoted amount revealing that Heph wanted to complete a transaction regardless as Jackal picks the greyish ax from the table and stores all of it in his frollet.

"Also, is there a better way to communicate instead of me coming all the way here? I do have a shop to tend to."

"We will send someone next time."

The Goddess nods as no more interaction occurs between them, and Jackal leaves.

"As much as I hate to say it… Jackal's right. Why can't I kill Olal?"

"You know why."

"But… fuck!" Tsubaki growls and opens the side cabinet, "I need something to drink!"

'I forgot to reject his proposal…' The Goddess finally recalls and slumps. She didn't like that one bit for personal reasons.

"You know what," Hephaestus groans. "Pour me a glass, too."

"Hell yeah!"

***

Alternate Title: Lili's Vice Grip; Best Comfort in Jackal's Room; The Spiciest Shit For Ouka; The Godless Merchant; Heckled For Bento; The Secret of Jack Bird!; The Undead Merchant; External Forces; Zanis The Cowardly Cunt; Forces Alike; Hell of a Coincidence for Men of Hell; A New Relation Established; Still Proposed; Get A Drink!; Jackal is Moved to Tears by Tsubaki!