Chapter 9: A New Ability

“I’ve never heard of 'Scan' before,” Vito commented as he rejoined Galien and Kaelyn. He sheathed his weapons and smiled in relief.

“It’s a rare skill. I think only certain nobles and church officials have it. If there’s anyone else, they keep it a secret,” Kaelyn explained. “Why the sudden interest in it?”

“I just received it.”

“What?!” Galien and Kaelyn shouted together.

“Yeah. Is it that useful?”

“Yes! It’s said that users with Scan see through the eyes of the goddess. Once mastered, you can look through even disguises and read a person’s true loyalty,” Kaelyn continued her explanation. “You could also identify a magic weapon’s true name if it has one.” She held up her new bow.

“Scan,” Vito commanded. A status menu appeared with a picture of the bow. “The Bow of Favorius. Created by the mage Favorious, it embodies her love of explosions,” he read the description. “It’s an A-Rank bow. If it were any lower, I would have been…annoyed.”

Kaelyn was pleased with her new bow and sheathed it on her back next to her old bow. “That’s a useful skill. Are you going to show it off or keep it a secret? Nobles, maybe even royalty, would pay you to use it for them.”

Vito looked over to the treasure nest. “The only ones I’d ever use it for are family. You two, the Silver Oak Guild, and no one else.”

Galien patted him on the shoulder, a proud smile on his face. “Let’s grab what we can, take it home, and turn in this quest.”

The three returned to their hamlet carrying large, heavy bags of treasure on their bags. They presented everything to Greye and explained exactly what happened. Naturally, he was alarmed and had Parsifal inspect them. Vito told him about his new Scan ability and received a hearty congratulations.

Greye, Parsifal, and Delwyn went with Vito, Galien, and Kaelyn to turn in their quest. The receptionist inspected their licenses to confirm their tale and apologized for their lack of research on the quest. Exploring the old thieves’ dungeon was re-assessed as an A-Rank quest, and they were given proper credit for their accomplishment. They earned enough points to be promoted to C-Rank adventurers. Vito pressed for more information about the bone lich and the undead. The receptionist could only tell him that they would look into it.

They returned to the hamlet and received passing adulations for their success. Galien received special attention as Greye’s son and heir to the guild. While he was bragging to his friends, Kaelyn quietly approached Vito.

“Be honest with me: whose idea was this?” She gave him a knowing look.

Vito hesitated for a moment. “Mine, but he does like you. He just didn’t know the right way to show you.”

Kaelyn lightly giggled. “Yeah. He’s good in a fight, not in an argument, you know?”

“He’s clever when it matters most. He’s as sharp as that sword of his,” Vito countered. He gave his friend a thumbs-up.

Kaelyn shrugged and kissed Vito’s cheek. “Thanks.” She walked over to Galien and pulled him away from his friends. Confused, Galien gave Vito a thumbs-up and followed her lead. Vito planned to spend the rest of the day relaxing, but Parsifal invited him to assist in analyzing old documents and artifacts with his Scan ability. He sighed and agreed, reasoning that he could at least level up his Scan ability.

Greye approached Vito the following day and invited him to a meeting with an important client.

“Lord Berold Renaudin? I heard the name. He’s a powerful noble. People say he’s part of some faction in Kyrenia. Do you really want to get mixed up with someone like that?” Vito cautioned him.

Greye briefly chuckled. “He’s helped me out here and there when I began to expand our business, and he’s also pushed for better treatment for outcasts.”

Vito still had his reservations, but he kept them to himself. “Alright, I’ll go, but I don’t know if my Scan ability is high enough to read people yet.”

Greye led the way out of the hamlet. “I’m not bringing you along because of your ability. You have an eye for business, and I want you to assist Parsifal in these matters.”

Vito’s eyes lit up. “You got it. You can count on me. I’ll be his right hand, as he is your right hand.”

Greye laughed and patted his shoulder. “Thank you. I feel more confident and assured already.” He suddenly remembered something important. “Oh yes, Emeric came by the hamlet this morning with more information about your dungeon. It seems a mage contracted the thieves to steal materials for him. When they were all being arrested, the mage attempted the ritual to become a lich and failed. Their hideout’s security went into effect when the leader was arrested, trapping him inside. None of the thieves ever talked, so no one had any idea the mage or his undead horde were inside.”

Vito was visibly stunned by the revelation. Greye shrugged and continued. “This is why we take even D-Rank quests seriously. We adventurers have to be prepared for anything,” he explained. “And I’m very proud of you three for handling yourselves as true adventurers and Silver Oak Guildmembers. Get ready, though, your mother is both very proud and very angry with you boys.” Vito smiled with pride and recalled the first time he assembled a gun with his father. John DeCapio lifted him in the air and sang his praises.

They passed the Church of Ivalis, the goddess who brought Vito to Avreora. He only ever visited the church to meet with clients who had a quest for his guild to complete. A familiar voice brought him to a halt, a look of shock and horror overtaking his face.

“Your back may be feeling fine now, but you really should visit a proper healer,” a kind young woman gently urged an elderly man.

“Those crooks only want my money. This is nothing, anyway. A real healer such as yourself can fix me in no time,” the man donned in a nobleman’s attire replied. He was hunched over with one hand pressed against his lower back.

“You know that’s not true. Lord Calidan often treats patients without charging a single coin, and I’ve already recommended him to you.”

Vito watched their exchange, his eyes fixed on the woman. Her eyes, as deep and blue as a boundless ocean. A melodic voice that made him want to listen to her forever. Except for her short blue hair and a purple hooded robe, he could swear they were the same person.

“Rosa?”