"Hey Val, how do you think things went with Prajio today?"

  ‘You are playing a dangerous game, Ethan. But you have conducted yourself well thus far, and Prajio was helpful in your quest, even though his presence was not necessary for us to succeed.’

  "That quest was successful because of Prajio,” I said. “I invited him so I could learn more about him. Know your enemy and all that."

  ‘I was unaware that 'know your enemy’ meant 'get drunk and laugh it up with your enemy.’’

  "He's surprised me so far. He even seems to have some sympathy for humans."

  ‘He is a Kurskin,’ Val said flatly. 'He cares for nothing but himself.’

  "Hmm. Sounds like someone else I know."

  ‘Who?’

  I rolled my eyes. "He's invited me to join him tomorrow. He has a quest to hunt a wanted criminal. I'm going to tag along. It will be a good way to gain experience, and maybe the system will bring me into the quest at some point, like it did earlier for Prajio."

  ‘I would advise against spending another second with that scaly, disgusting lizard, but I know you would only ignore my advice, so how about this? Do whatever you want, Ethan. Like you said, I'm a tool to you now, and my only purpose is to help when needed.’

  "Now you know how I felt with you in charge," I said. “At least you know I’m not plotting your demise.”

  Val appeared on the bed next to me. She was wearing a revealing black nightgown. The gown ended just above her thighs, revealing a tantalizing amount of leg. I blinked away some errant thoughts.

  ‘I want to work with you, Ethan,’ Val said. ‘As a team, with neither in charge, but for that to happen, you must fail, just as I did. I will let this happen because you will only then realize how stupid it is to distrust me and to ignore my guidance.’

  "I appreciate your guidance, Val, I really do. But it’s hard to get over what you tried to do to me. It’s hard to trust." I closed my eyes, tired and ready for sleep to take me. "How about this? I'll go on his quest tomorrow, learn as much as possible about the Kurskins, and then cut him loose. Deal?"

  ‘That is acceptable.’

  "Look at that,” I said. “Compromise is a key component of all relationships, even parasitic ones."

  ‘Do not use the word parasite to describe me. It is highly offensive.’

  My eyebrows rose. "Sorry, I won’t say it again. I’ll only think it."

  Her nose scrunched up in anger, but she didn't say anything.

  “Goodnight, Val.”

  ***

  I met Prajio early in the morning at a ranch outside of Danver. It was a long walk, but the air was crisp and invigorating. I had always loved the smell of fresh mountain air with that ever-present hint of pine and rain.

  I didn't know what Prajio had in store for me, but I was eager to find out. So far, things had gone well between us, and his belief that I was some Special NPC made navigating this relationship much more manageable. My mind spun on the different ways I could use Prajio to my advantage.

  He stood when he saw me. He had been sitting on a wooden bench near a fence beyond which horses gazed in a green field.

  When we were close, I put my fist to my chest and bowed. He returned the action, thus negating the need for a handshake greeting. This was easy.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "There you are,” Prajio said, arms wide in greeting. “I am pleased to see you again, my friend.”

  "You seem surprised I showed up,” I said.

  "I had faith, but there have been times when my faith has failed me in the past."

  I smiled sympathetically. "I know how that feels. What do you have in store for us today?"

  His lips curled into a long, toothy grin. "I have a contract on a marauder, but this one will be much more difficult than Arlo Reed. I am told our target is gifted with inhuman abilities, just as you are.”

  "How so?”

  "He is said to be exceedingly strong and large as an ox. More ogre than man. The story is that when he was born, he began to grow and never stopped. Likely, some curse or witchcraft was involved. It does not matter. All that matters is that we bring back proof of death." Prajio took a step forward and met my eye. "Are you keen, my friend?"

  I nodded, a genuine smile on my face. "When do we get started?

  "I am ready when you are.”

  "Then we're wasting time standing here."

  ***

  Our target's name was Deek Brewston. He led a small gang northwest of Danver in the foothills of the Bygone Mountains. Prajio said there should be at least six of them, plus big ole Deek. The giant man and his crew were persistent troublemakers and a pain in the local constable's ass. Lately, more and more traders went through the doors of Danver only to inform the burgomaster that they had been robbed on the path east of the mountains.

  Intel informed us that the gang retreated north after shaking down their victims. They were holed up somewhere in the foothills, so that's where we were headed.

  It was a day's hike to the base of the mountains, and then it was just a guessing game from there. Prajio claimed to be a skilled tracker, and I had no reason to disbelieve him, so I wasn’t overly worried about this dragging on for days.

  Prajio, ever the conversationalist, chatted my ears off the entire hike. He taught me more about Kurskin culture and their social structures, and I listened with rapt attention. The Kurskin on Erda were ruled by a single figure, the Archon. Below the Archon were the Kushars, who handled the majority of governance. The Archon was like a king, and the Kushars were like dukes.

  At least that’s what I gathered. Also, this was only how they were structured on Erda. I didn’t know what Kurskin society was like beyond the quantized cage the Triarchy had locked us in.

  The Kurskins greatly valued family and bloodlines. They took pride in their ancestors' accomplishments and always strived to achieve something worthy of remembrance.

  It seemed this Quest for Conquest game was one of the few opportunities for a Kurskin to achieve something worth being remembered for in a civilization that had already reached the pinnacle of collective accomplishment.

  Prajio was good company. He knew a lot about this world, far more than I. I learned the Kurskins controlled three cities in eastern Vedra. He again added that it was unfortunate they had to levy so many humans and lamented its necessity.

  As we chatted, we followed one of the many rivers flowing down from the mountains. The scenery was idyllic: a clear stream surrounded by green grass, spotted by the occasional boulder field. Tall Spruces towered at the base of the mountains. And down from it all, we could see the sprawling wooden city of Danver.

  "Quiet the view," I said.

  "It is something special,' Prajio said. "We are lucky to live in this amazing world."

  I couldn't have disagreed with the statement more. "So, what do we do now?" The sun was beginning to set.

  "We make camp," Prajio said. "And in the morning, we hunt. If we are lucky, Deek’s gang will see our camp tonight and attempt to kill or capture us. Capture would be ideal.”

  I raised my eyebrows. "You want them to attack us in the night."

  Prajio flipped his tail. "Day, night, it does not matter." He looked at me with his sharp eyes. "Especially with you by my side. The powerful Ethan…hmm, I don’t think I know your family name.”

  “Musgrave,” I lied.

  “Ethan Musgrave.” Prajio tested the words and found he liked them. “A strong name fit for a man like you.”

  I smiled a crooked smile. “If I’m as strong as you seem to think, this mission sounds like a piece of cake."

  Prajio took a step back. "Whatever do you mean by that? What does a piece of cake even sound like?"

  I laughed. "It's just a human expression. It's another way of saying something will be easy."

  "Piece of cake," Prajio said with a smile. "I like this. I am going to use it." He barked a laugh. "Piece of cake."

  So that was the plan: We would camp brightly and loudly during the night and hope to be raided. I still didn't know what Prajio was capable of, so I had to trust he could handle himself. I felt like that trust was well-placed.

  Prajio unrolled a simple mat with a small round pillow. It was all he needed to be comfortable in the night. I followed suit and threw down my burlap blanket sans pillow, which I had kept in my pack along with a few other meager belongings since I couldn't use my quantum inventory around Prajio.

  "Should one of us keep watch?" I asked.

  Prajio scoffed. "A watch could deter the bandits." His smile showed all his sharp teeth. "They have an open invitation as far as I'm concerned, and I'd rather not dissuade them."

  "Should I try not to sleep?"

  "Oh, my friend, rest is vitally important to your well-being. I plan to sleep. You should, too."

  "Okay. Goodnight, Prajio."

  "Goodnight, Ethan."

  ‘What about me?’ Val said.

  'Goodnight, Val.'

  ‘Thank you, Ethan. However, proper manners would have been to wish me goodnight first, as I am the only female in your party. But I'll let it slide this one time.’

  “Let me know if we're about to be attacked, okay?”

  ‘I live to serve.’