Chapter 157: Toward the ruin
Hex met the client at the Merchant Union in the afternoon. It was an older Knight who wished to refine ten pieces of Fiend crystals for his son. The Union would pay Hex ten Sterren per crystal. And if he managed to retain and purify the desired element, he would get a bonus of five Sterren for each.
Hex could finish refining the crystals overnight but that would raise questions. Others could only refine in the Temple. The spots available for using the monolith were reserved. The Union had its reserved timeslots for their refiners. They would easily discover if Hex delivered refined crystals without using their allotted slots.
The Union also required assurance Hex wouldn’t just run away with the crystals. They didn’t allow the refiner to keep the crystals with them. It was like a normal job. The refiner needed to show up at the Temple and an employee of the Union would ready the crystals. They would also return the refined crystals once the refiner was done.
’If these damn monoliths were just available everywhere, I could finish the job sooner. Now I have to visit the Temple for a couple of days.’
Luckily, Laila believed that she had offended Hex. To curry his favor. She easily agreed to let Hex choose the dates and times on his own as long he finished the task within the agreed period.
...
"Mike, over here!"
Tarquin’s shout disturbed the peaceful ambiance of the Simmering Tongue, displeasing many guests. But the others appeared to recognize him. No one complained.
Hex waded through the tables, taking in the fragrance of various spices and delicacies. Although he had nibbled on a few snacks before coming to the eatery, the aroma of the food around him left him drooling.