Chapter 89: nah


    Yes, we can talk. The voice sounded out of the crystal.


    Derek felt a slight tug in the back of his mind, but nothing more than that. It was so light that he barely sensed it. Ste, on the other hand, had bepletely mechanical. Her eyes dimmed as she sat in the chair, staring forward.


    A sigh came from the crystal. Hop on one leg. The sensual voice sounded out.


    Again, Derek felt the tug in his mind, but nothing else.


    Immediately after themand, however, Ste stood and raised one leg, then began hopping. Derek frowned as he watched the beauty bounce up and down. He was unsure what the person on the other end was nning. Overall, he was embarrassed for Ste.


    Stop. The voicemanded and Ste stilled. Ste. Answer me. Did Mr. Hunt hop on one leg?


    Ste leaned forward and grasped the crystal in one hand.


    Wonderful. The voice boomed. Thats just wonderful. It sounded genuinely happy. Ste, dear. Please fetch our privatemunication crystal and lend it to Mr. Hunt.


    Ste flicked her hand, and another crystal appeared. It was the same size and shape as the other, but it was red instead of blue. Ste walked back around her desk and ced the crystal in Dereks hand.


    Derek took the crystal and inspected it. Unlike the blue one, this crystal only had three runes drawn on it.


    Ste, you can return to afortable position. The voice said. Now, Mr. Hunt. If you would be so kind as to inject some mana into that crystal when it lights up, that would be great. I will talk with you in a moment. With that, the blue crystal that Ste had sat back down on the desk faded.


    Ste walked back around to her side of the desk and flopped down into her seat. Leaning back and cing her crossed feet on the top of her desk.


    <em>Well, she did tell her to getfortable. </em>Derek chuckled as he looked at the lounging figure.


    Soon, the red crystal began to glow, and Derek injected some of his mana into it. <em>Hello. </em>He answered like he was taking a call.


    <em>Ah, Mr. Hunt Derek. So nice to meet you Hop on one foot. </em>The alluring voice invaded his mind and gave him amand.


    This time, the tug in the back of his mind was much greater. So much so that Derek actually pushed his foot on the floor to stand before catching himself. Realizing what was going on, he stopped and sent a thought back. <em>I would prefer it if you wouldnt do that.</em>


    <em>Oh! How absolutely wonderful! You ''re able to handle amand issued directly into your mind via a privatemunication crystal. Truly astounding. Just so you know, amand through this crystal is a dozen or more times as potent as one issued out loud through the other crystal. Also, as it was amand, it is much more potent than us just chatting. You really dont know how wonderful this is. </em>The alluring voice was gushing happiness.


    <em>That would exin Ste. I guess thats a good thing? </em>He answered.


    <em>A very good thing. I wasnt sure you would be able to handle it, but I hoped. When Ste informed me that you did not hop on one leg, I was beyond excited. Speaking of Ste, she will be back to normal in a few minutes. She has very good willpower. </em>She said.


    <em>Thats good. I think shes going to be embarrassed when shes back to normal. </em>Derek sent. <em>Anyway, what can I do for you? He asked.</em>


    <em>Ah, business The voice sounded with disgust. Business can wait. Do you know how often it is that I get to talk with somebody who doesnt have to strain themselves being around me? You arent straining yourself, right? You dont feel anything weird when we are just chatting? No impulses to tter me or tell me the truth about anything?</em>


    <em>Nope. Just a force in my mind when you told me to hop on one foot. I felt like I wanted to stand, but was able to control it. </em>He answered.


    <em>Good very good. </em>The voice paused. <em>Oh goodness! Do you know what that means? We could actually talk person to person. Without you having to spend 12 hours next to me to get your focus back, and without you having to focus your mind so much that you have to stay home sick for two days.</em>


    <em>Uh okay </em>Derek replied.


    <em>Oh, sorry for the babbling. Its just so nice to really talk to someone </em>She paused. <em>Where are my manners? I was so caught up in my excitement that I forgot to introduce myself. I am nah Swan, owner and operator of Crown Restaurant. And you, you are Derek Hunt. A most interesting man.</em>


    Derek actually blushed a little at thatment. <em>Thank you I think. I do pride myself on being interesting. It is nice to meet you, Miss Swan.</em>


    <em>Ill have none of that. You can call me nah.</em>


    <em>Fine by me. You can call me Derek if you want. </em>


    nah giggled. <em>You are extraordinary. You must have phenomenal willpower to withstand my voice. Or maybe a great amount of points invested into Wisdom. Or do you have the </em><strong><em>Mental Resistance </em></strong><em>skill? Oh Sorry You dont have to answer that. </em>


    Derek did feel the tug on his mind again when she asked the question, but it was much less forceful than before. <em>Dont worry. I didnt n on answering. </em>Derek was surprised and a little disappointed. Herment meant that the conversation was not going to affect his <strong>Magic Resistance </strong>like he had hoped. But, she was spot on about him having high Wisdom and willpower. He could not have survived so long as a tank without a ton of willpower.


    <em>And that Is why this is wonderful. Oh, the things we can discuss. You can lie to me too. That is wonderful, so wonderful. Tell me, what is two plus two?</em>


    Seeing where she was going with it, Derek answered. <em>Five. </em>


    <em>Wow! </em>nah said in awe. <em>That is amazing. Unless you are very dumb I dont think youre dumb. Nope definitely not.</em>


    <em>That is great and all, and I would be happy to talk with you more, but I do have a lot of stuff to take care of today. </em>He said. <em>I dont, but she doesnt know that I think. I would like to discuss some business. I guess Ste informed you of everything? </em>


    <em>Yes, yes. Always business. Ste let me know. </em>Her happy, seductive voice changed to a t tone. Though, it was still very bewitching. <em>She told me that you brought in an interesting Void Beast. One that will give a lot of Vitality points. Now, you should definitely thank her when you get a chance, because anyone other than her or me would have taken your gift without saying anything because you are not a member, and you would have been none the wiser. </em>


    <em>Ste is just too kind. </em>nah said. <em>Now, she asked me if I had a recipe for such a beast and the answer is maybe. I have methods to increase the potency in some things, and they have been known to work with some bloods, so there is a chance that the Vitality points gained from the Void Beast could be increased. Now, of course I can buy it from you if you would like. I would be willing to offer 50,000 gold coins for it, or Her voice trailed off. We cane to another arrangement.</em>


    <em>What arrangement would that be? </em>Derek asked.


    <em>We split the Void Beast blood. </em>nah answered. <em>You get half and I get half. I will have my staff use my methods on the blood, and once we figure everything out, we can split it 50/50. Now, the final result could be more than what you would get just drinking all the blood raw, or it could be less. Like I said, with this method, you would only end up with half. What would you like to do?</em>


    At that time, Derek noticed that Ste hade to her senses. She had taken her feet off the desk and was sitting straight and professionally. The blush from her embarrassment was fading, and she was staring at Derek with wide eyes.


    Derek smiled at the woman before answering nah. <em>Honestly, since I was going to give you the beast as a gift before, it feels awkward taking it back...  </em>Derek thought about everything for a moment. <em>Okay I have an idea. Ill do the 50/50 split with you on the baby Void Beast. Then, since I havent signed the contract for the other beast, you can have it for free. And we can discuss the price on my other Void Beast. You should find it quite interesting.</em>


    <em>Oh That is interesting n said with a giggle. Tell me, is Ste back to her senses yet?</em>


    <em>She is. </em>


    <em>Very good. Tell her that I will contact her on the blue crystal. I will not talk, and she can just provide me with answers that I will ask for you. Is that eptable?</em>


    <em>Thats fine by me. </em>Derek answered.


    He looked at Ste, the blush finally gone from her face. She seemed toe to terms with whatever she was feeling because she was looking at him in a professional manner instead of with shock in her eyes. nah said to pick up the blue crystal when she contacts you. She wont speak, but you can use it to tell her your thoughts. Ill trante.


    Okay. Ste said, and picked up the crystal off of her desk, answering it when it began glowing.


    <em>This is going to be odd. </em>Derek did not know what to think about being the go between for the two women. <em>Oh well, its about to get a lot worse. </em>He thought as he prepared to summon the corpse of the sentient Void Beast.


    <em>Ready? </em>Derek asked.


    <em>Ready. </em>nah chimed.


    Alright. Derek said, speaking to Ste. nah wants you to examine this and give her your opinions.


    Ste nodded her head, frowning. Okay.


    Derek summoned the gigantic Void Beast. Ste looked at it, then back to him. Dumbfounded. The room was inplete silence.


    <em>Well! Whats going on? </em>The voice rang in Derek''s head.