Puppetmaster of the Dungeon

Intruder

The Intruder was a young boy, looking around the age of 12. He had black hair and a unhealthily pale complexion. It seemed someone was chasing him, as he was heaving up and down as he bolted into the cave. A look of hopelessness crossed his face as he saw Pheonix sitting down staring at him. The just stood there, looking at each other for about ten seconds, and then two buff looking men walked in. They also looked like they were also just running, and they had sweat dripping down their foreheads.

"What are you doing in my home, sirs?" Phoenix covered the dungeon core with his body in his sitting position and took the role of a hermit.

The guard on the left gestured to the boy. "This kid is a runaway slave." He said gruffly. Recalling a book on the world's culture, he remembered that slaves have special collars that take away the ability to disagree with the slave owner. This collar originates in the western continent and judging by the background details he had heard from his talk with [G25]'s sister; he guessed that is where he was. Looking at the boy, Pheonix saw that he had a collar on his neck.

"Is his collar broken?" Phoenix ignored the boy and spoke to the guards.

"No, but he contracted an ailment that makes him less movable by the powers of the collar. My master is still trying to figure out how to get rid of him."

Pheonix had a flash of inspiration. "How much was he purchased for?"

The guard scratched his head in confusion, then gave a price of 15 coins.

You can buy coins from the dungeon, one coin per point, Pheonix figured that out earlier. Before the boy walked in, the goblin dropped off the bushes three times. Pheonix bought 15 coins. Points 4.

"Because the boy is sick, and you already had time to work him, 15 coins, which is already a high price for a child, is a really good deal to you. Am I right?"

The guards scratched their heads and looked at each other.

"Umm... that is not our call to make sir. We can lead you to master if you don't mind. The village is not far away."

Pheonix mentally mapped the path along the way. It seemed to be around 4 miles away from the dungeon, in the opposite direction of the lake. The trip was rough, but there were no large obstacles in the way. The sun was high in the sky by the time the village was reached. everybody was silent on the way.

They finally reached the village and paid 2 coins each for themselves and 4 coins for Pheonix. He assumed it was because they were slaves, or he was not a resident. Pheonix lightly smiled to himself, because 15 coins were all he had and getting into the village would be impossible because you can only summon items when inside the dungeon. The village was rather seedy looking, and he could see someone being robbed in an alleyway. The 2 men did not blink an eye. Pheonix deducted that this was a small village with no real authority, as the men treated it as a common occurrence. after a little while more of walking, the settlement appeared to have gotten a bit nicer, and less suspicious characters were roaming around.

The group eventually walked towards a large house in the center of the city. It looked to be the mayor's, no the chief's house. The group walked into the house with no complications. Pheonix was disappointed by the lack of guards and security, but he shrugged and continued to follow the two men and the boy. After all the walking, Pheonix and crew met with the chieftain.

He was a fat and wicked looking man and had an air of weakness about him. His clothes used to be fancy, but it was dusty and wrinkled. He had yellow snake-like eyes and a greasy complexion. To sum it up, Pheonix was wondering if the trek was worth it. He hid his disgust well, even though the appearance in front of him could only be gained from repeated laziness and failure.

They exchanged pleasantries and started some small talk. The man was rude and seemed to be an utter fool. After Pheonix forced the conversation back to business, The man first gave the price of thirty coins.

Pheonix was shocked in his mind by the utter stupidity and greediness of this man. Outwardly, Pheonix put out a frosty exterior and glared at the man.

"You know very well that you did not buy him for more than 15 coins. Additionally, You worked him half to death, and he has a seemingly fatal illness. Honestly, five coins is a very high price!" Pheonix bluffed about the boy being fatally ill and exaggerated the boy's conditions to test the waters.

The Cheif put on a disgusting face. "15 coins is the lowest I can go." The Cheif was speaking in a low voice that seemed offended.

Pheonix was a bit desperate for the slave and continually bargained the price to 10 coins.

Finally, both men sighed, and The Chieftain grabbed the ten coins on the table. Then The Chieftain's face turned wicked once more. "Now, five more coins, or no slave for you, and no money back."

One guard walked in front of the door, and the other walked to the side of the chief.

Pheonix was not much of a fighter, but he was pretty sure he could get out if he tried. But Pheonix had another plan. He forcefully grabbed the door-guarding man's collar, then yanked as hard as he could.

Slave collars have protection measures to prevent the slave from getting out. Pheonix grinned as the man was electrocuted in front of his eyes. His shrill screams shook the Cheif and his guard to the core.

Kill Count-4

As this was Phoenix's fourth time sending someone to the underworld, He was already recovered from the feeling of shame that comes with a kill. He leisurely grabbed a knife from the dead man's sheath; he pretended to throw it at the guard. The guard reacted violently, ducking to the ground. Pheonix then actually threw the knife a the cowering chief. The blade elegantly soared through the air, right at the chief.

Then the handle hit the man's forehead and bounced off onto the ground. Although it was not Pheonix's desired effect, The man crumpled to the ground anyway. The guard on the side ran away when Pheonix approached him. Pheonix checked that the rich man was unconscious, then started to pillage everything of value into his pockets. Then, He did the same to the other rooms that had no people inside of them. Exiting the main hallway, Pheonix had 2 silvers (200) worth of coins and had a jingle as he walked. The boy stared at him in awe, then hurried after him.

The Boy was silent for a bit, Then he seemed to work up enough courage to ask a question.

"Can you bring my sister?"

Pheonix was delighted. He was wary of 'stealing' people, as the chief could have loyal guards in any location. Additionally, a slave would never leave unless they are sure the master is dead, or unable to give punishment.

"Of course." To add to the previous points, Pheonix looked upon slavery with disgust and was planning to free the boy and take care of him more like a foster child/employee rather than a slave. Allowing his sister to come would add to his ability to adapt, and supplement his image of Pheonix.

Pheonix allowed the boy to take him to his sister.

A/N

The book is a bit fast paced b/c of the short chapters. Some day, I will rewrite with more fluff and extra details to make the book slightly more... palatable... Is that the right word? Anyways I would love it if you leave a comment of any kind, and maybe even vote. It really helps with my confidence in the book. Cheers ~GammaDragon