After finishing work for the day and getting a key to the building Lich headed off to find a workshop to learn how to craft their much needed ammunition.
"Navigating around this city seems impossible without a guide or map it seems. Should I use some money to buy a phone? No, seeing how people in this city use money, I wouldn't be surprised if a phone ended up being more than $10,000." While pondering out loud Lich felt someone grab his shoulder and speak in a irritated tone.
"Kid, why the hell are you monologuing to yourself on a busy street you are both-" before the person could finish what they were saying they realized they have seen this person before. 'Wait, isn't this the kid that old man Dolos trick to buy that shotgunners kit. Shit, did the kid get brain damage from Dolos's Law?! When I see that old bastard I am going to cripple all 5 of his limbs!!'
Lich stared at the man's hand on their shoulder for three minutes before speaking (solidifying the mans thought of the brain damage. "Sorry sir, I did not mean to make a scene I just wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. Ah, you wouldn't happen to know where I can find a place to make ammunition would you?"
'Oh! They are just looking for a workshop, now that I think about it that old man did say he took out the pre-made ammo and I made that bet that cost me so much. But why are they lost? Each kit should have everything a newbie needs...' "Now that I get a look at you kid aren't you the one I saw buying a shotgunner kit from some old mans store in that alleyway?"
Lich stared at the middle-aged man and spoke with some uncertainty, "Yeah I thought you were familiar too." The man ponders for a second on what to say next. " I run a manufacturing business and have workshops all around the city if you want, I have a old building near the slums that is equipped with what you need. I can give it to you if you want as a welcoming gift to this great city."
'This should balance out my karma of letting them get brain damage from that old codger.
"Really sir?! Thank you so much for this gift! I do not know how I could repay you!" Lich quickly bowed his head since that was the only way they knew how to show gratitude since saluting or kowtowing seemed inappropriate for this situation. The man seeing this chuckled to himself and pulled out his phone. "My name is Seppo, give me your phone number so I could send jobs your way if you ever need extra work for cash."
"Oh sadly I do not have a phone. But since you helped solve my issue I can now spend my money to get a phone and other necessities."
Seppo gnashed his teeth once he learned the youth in front of him did not have a phone. 'That old bastard! All he said is he did not included any already made ammo what else did that bastard take out?!'
"Hmm I guess all kits are different I just assumed it had a phone. If you do not mind me asking what all did it contain?" Seppo trying to control his hate for Dolos asked, to see how hard he should beat the codger but when he heard Lich's statement, it cemented the idea Dolos should be killed on site.
"Oh I do not mind telling you sir. It held a G0 shotgun and enough materials to make 10,000 shells." Lich smiled thinking it was a great deal but...
'Not only were the premade shells not included but the phone, map, rations, both yearly memberships for the academy guild hall and basic workshop were not included. Once leader hears about this Dolos's and my membership will be stripped. Maybe I can still save myself. Think! Wait, I still have not gave Dolos the membership token cause he pissed me off last night!'
A coin appeared in Seppo's hand. On the front was a ten-legged spider with a humans skull covering its' body and on the back was a purple infinity sign. Seppo quickly used that hand and grabbed Lich's exposed skin. Lich grunted in pain as they felt something enter their body. "Oh are you okay! My mistake I must not be able to control my strength as good as I thought I could." Blood was oozing out of the place Seppo touched with the coin. 'It seems the coin took a quick liking to them.' With a swish of his hand the blood was gone with no wound insight.
"I focus on Blacksmith Laws but as I am clumsy, I also learnt a few Healing Laws. Let me take you to the place I talked about and to repay for hurting you I will go and grab a phone and other necessities. Ah it seems like I haven't asked your name yet have I? " "It is fine Mr. Seppo and I go by my last name which is Lich. You have done so much already by giving me a workshop you do not have to do more." Seppo grabbed Lich's shoulder and the environment instantly changed. In front of them, Lich saw a run down building with grass almost encroaching the second floor of the building.
"It has seen better days and I insist, I have a feeling we will meet again in the future so I do not want to leave any bad impressions." Before Lich could reply Seppo instantly vanished with no trace he was ever there. "Well if he is out buying things it should take some time even with that teleporting crap he is pulling off. So it be best to do some yard work so I can at least find the door and wait inside."
Lich went forward and grabbed two hands full of grass to yank out only to witness in horror was each grass blade shredded their hands. Lich dropped to their knees with tears in their eyes. "Not only can slimes one-shot me. I am even weaker than grass. Has the 24 years of my life been a lie?" The blood never stopped flowing from their hands and they passed out. If it was not for a random passerby who comprehended a Healing Law Lich would of died on this day.
…
At a fancy bar with shots a laborer could not afford, even with 100 years of work, two man sat at the bar with a bottle of whiskey. "Haha, Zhendra you should of seen this kid, they handed me all the cash they had for one of my counterfeit kits with such a genuine smile. I wonder how contorted it was once they saw what was in it. Even though to me $7,500 isn't much but for something that is only valued at $200 at the highest it is still so funny! Haha!" Before Zhendra could respond a man appeared behind them wearing a welding mask carrying two blacksmithing hammers.
" Seppo? Why the mask, there isn't any outsiders here?" Instead of replying to Zhendra, Seppo immediately slammed his hammer down on the head of the old codger who was just bragging. Blood and brain matter instantly painted the bars counter tops.
"The 10,000 legged spider coin was handed to a kid named Lich. The same one this bastard ripped off and gave brain damage to with over saturation of his Merchant Law. If Acat was to hear this, as the one who brought him in my existence would be erased. I am requesting a kill on site order on the codger until all his Laws are crippled." Seppo bowed his head to the bartender who has already wiped the bar top to where it was visual sparkling."
The order is not needed, his luck seems to be bad. He revived in the church where my Cleric self was on shift. I will commence law stripping and cursing so he may never cultivate again." The androgynous bartender responded, their voice sounding like 10,000 different people talking at the same time.
"Thank you, Legion." After thanking the bartender Seppo left to get a phone and other things Lich might need. "If it wasn't a rule to leave after coin bestowal I could just make Lich my apprentice so even with all the brain damage they received they would not need to have a worry. But seeing how the coin seemed so eager to fuse with that kids soul, I won't need to worry about their equals bullying them. And the lore book back at home base said that the spider was a prodigy puppet user able to control 10,000 puppets at G1 so maybe it will increase his brain capacity and solve the brain damage. Hopefully the mood swings it mentioned aren't to bad."