7.44 – Catching Up


    Watching the Coliseum''s fight to the conclusion provided a single enchanted token—which was an abysmal rate, at least based on how much she and Vta had benefited from their arena runs. Then again, the average delver couldn''t fight through so many rounds, and thus earned less. So the passive generation from the Coliseum wasparatively more attractive to a ''normal'' person.


    For her part, she doubted she''d be idling around much. Better to hunt for a supply of basic tokens, then perhaps visit the Bordello. That was likely the second-best way to empower tokens behind official assignments.


    Afterward, their team of five descended into the lobby area and stood in a corner for privacy. Natalie and Vta filled the other three in on what they''d learned. Elida, Clementine, and Faye did the same for what they''d heard and been told.


    The only major piece of information—though it was more theory or suspicion than concrete intel—that was brought up besides the Emporium was a suspected method to gain a key. Everyone knew that drawing the City''s attention could luck a person into getting a copy, but there weren''t <em>guaranteed </em>methods. Natalie had heard that story about the girl who''d gotten overly enthusiastic about the pillory, but copycats had had much less luck. Probably, some genuine passion would be required; it couldn''t be gamed.


    They had a lead, though. The Ruins of Elysium, which the City of Eros was surrounded by in all directions.


    "Those towers we saw," Natalie said. "And the other buildings. That—that makes sense actually. But it''s not confirmed? The person who told you didn''t actually clear one himself?"


    "He knew a guy who knew a girl whopleted one and got a key, apparently," Elida said, shrugging. "Even if it doesn''t have one, we''ll obviously be making a trip regardless. Why hunt the easy open areas? We have one of the best level-three teams in the world, maybe. Of course we''ll take the challenge zones."


    Natalie raised her eyebrows at that, because it sounded egotistical to state it outright. But damn. Maybe Elida was right. A team of elites, two of them god-sponsored. Their only major weakness was ack of synergy and familiarity. By raw stats and talent for their level, they were up there.


    So yeah. Of course they would tackle one of those points of interest now that the team had reunited.


    "And we''re gonna go do that now?" Natalie asked. "It''s a while before the next reset." The other three had gotten unlucky with the timing of their arrival. "Vta and I are low on non-enchanted tokens anyway. It wasn''t hard to enchant what we had."


    "Indeed. For that matter, we''re wasting time standing around and talking. I won''t squander this opportunity." Elida pursed her lips. "But before we go, Natalie, can I speak with you privately?"


    Natalie eyed the girl. "Sure?" she said hesitantly.


    Being cordial to Elida hadn''t been difficult in this team context—and since she wasn''t acting like a major bitch, beyond the smirks and general aura she carried around.


    A private conversation might make her ten times more difficult to deal with though. And more importantly, what topic needed secrecy? Only ones rted to their ss and to waking deities, Natalie assumed, which was why she was leery.


    Regardless, she stepped aside with Elida.


    "I expected your patron to influence the floor," Elida said with no ceremony, "but this is absurd, Natalie."


    Natalie reflexively looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "It''s hardly my fault. Nor even my <em>ss''s </em>fault. City''s been around for—I don''t know how long, but a few weeks at a minimum. It''s luck who gets pulled in."


    "Maybe for the average person. I refuse to believe <em>we </em>were dragged in by chance."


    That might be fair. "Still wasn''t my ss. The City existed before we walked in, and has been pulling in all sorts of strangers." She narrowed her eyes. "Is there anything we need to worry about from <em>your </em>ss, since we''re on the topic?"


    "Probably not. And if we do, we''ll deal with it when we get there." She smiled politely at Natalie, and Natalie knew no amount of digging would get further details. A Parda-Halt yed their cards close to their chest.


    "Isn''t it interesting how no one''s heard of this ce, though?" Elida continued, before Natalie could try prying. "If it''s been around for weeks, as you say, surely <em>some </em>rumors would be floating through T. There''s hundreds of people here. More would''ve passed through. We certainly aren''t the first T students. I bet we could find some <em>now</em>, if we looked. Probably not any first-years. Laggard second-years, perhaps. Nevertheless. At least some."


    Indeed, their team was likely one of only a handful of first-years who could be on the third floor, being ahead of their ss. It was a shame Natalie knew the rest of her own party would be ying it safe and staying on the second floor. Maybe divine fate would''ve thrust them into the City of Eros alongside Natalie, if not for that.


    "Maybe T''s keeping reports on lockdown," Natalie said, shrugging. "Maybe there just haven''t been that many T students to pass through. There''s plenty of exnations.


    "Perhaps."


    "You think it''s something else?"


    "There could be stranger reasons. Clearly the typical rules of the dungeon have gone out the window. Look around."


    "Meaning?"


    Elida shrugged. "I''m not insinuating any one thing. But mind-erasing spells, when leaving? To keep it a secret? Not impossible. Or perhaps once we leave there will be some insurmountable trial no one has made it through. Perhaps we''re dead and we don''t know it. Simply food for thought. But, ah, that''s not why I pulled you aside." She cocked her head. "Truly, this is new to you? Or have such events happened before?"


    "You''re being stingy with your ss, so why shouldn''t I be?"


    Elidaughed. "Quite. Very well. I simply wanted to hear what you had to say. Whether this was … your <em>normal." </em>She peered at Natalie curiously, but Natalie kept her face straight. "It isn''t," Elida deduced. "I see. Thank you for humoring me. Let''s return, shall we? We have tokens to collect."


    Walking back to the other three, Elida continued speaking—asking questions and making ns, at full volume as they strode over to include their teammates.


    "How many did you earn, anyway? And is there a market for conversion? Trading unenchanted for enchanted? Perhaps it could be worthwhile amassing an enormous supply through efficient hunting practices, then trading them off. I presume there must be at least <em>some</em> market, because enchanting tokenses with no risk of death—even those averse to casual sex will recognize that and value unenchanted tokens highly. Sex is more enjoyable than nearly dying to even those with reserved personalities, I would figure," she said,ughing. "Food for thought, food for thought. In any case, we need a key to that Emporium, and our best lead is one of those towers. So we''ll be exploring one regardless. Shall we?"