The compiling of information into a succinct summary was more arduous than initially envisioned. I had originally planned to have a decision in about an hour or so. It took me two hours just to get all the facts. I combined the knowledge from the book given by Ms. Fannett and chat-group to paint a clearer picture, and the results, well…didn't look so good.
The top three familias, Freya, Loki, Hephaestus.
Freya: She's a hoe. She's sucked more dick than a pornstar. She likes to collect "unique" individuals and "nurture" them. Has the only Level 7 adventurer after the demise of the Zeus and Hera familias who had Level 8s. Played a part in their extermination when they failed to kill the Black Dragon. She's the familia head and a fucking bike. -Not this one.
Loki: Can't keep her hands to herself. Is easily provoked. Likes to show off her power. Addicted to Soma wine. Is manipulated to act to others plans. Involved in the decimation of the Zeus and Hera familias along with Freya. Has a strong team of elites that specialize in their respective fields. Currently the top ranked familia. Is well connected. Not a guy like I originally thought and as depicted by the information from the Shop. -Maybe.
Hephaestus: Not a guy as assumed. Number three on the rankings. Basically has the market cornered in high end weapons and armour. A large familia of blacksmiths and crafters. Well connected and everyone owes her a favour or two. More inclined towards crafting and mining the dungeon. Not interested in exploring like the other two mentioned. Accompanies most expeditions to the deeper floors. -This one if the others aren't a fit.
Moving on to the others.
Hermes: Conniving, manipulative, has his personal agenda. Genuinely cares about at-least his own familia. Deals in information. Likes money, women and booze. Well connected, will do whatever as long as it makes him money. Obsessed with a "hero." A bit of a cunt. -On the shortlist
Apollo: Cunt.
Dionyus: Two Faced Cunt.
Ganesha: He seems interesting, but no.
Soma: Asswipe.
Takemikazuchi: Nice guy. No.
Ishtar: More of hoe than Freya, if that's possible. Runs the red light district. No.
Astraea: Sorry, but no.
Artemis: ...No
Miach: Nice guy, in debt, a potioneer and womanizer. -On the shortlist
Dian Cecht: Cunt, but a rich cunt. - No
Goibniu: Smiting, crafting and building. A no-nonsense kind of guy. Doesn't really give a shit as long as he get paid for the work. Crafts a lot of basic equipment for new adventurers. -Shortlisted
Some other cunts.
Some newly descended gods looking for a familia member/s.
So my choices are Hephaestus, Goibniu, Miach, Hermes, and Loki. I need someone who can keep their mouth shut. Has connections and pull. Miach is out, and so is Loki, Miach is too kind for his own good, I'll try to help him out later but I have to get stronger first. Loki, is not the god of trickery as depicted in myths and legends I got from the Shop, she's far too public for my liking. We're down to Hermes, Hephaestus and Goibniu. Honestly I am leaning towards Hermes. He has information and is willing to leverage it for his personal gains. Hephaestus and Goibniu, I would have to work up the ranks, and that is to be expected, I mean you don't just learn to make Atomic Spears overnight...or do you? I'll have to look deeper into the Shop and Library features of the chat group. As well as asking the others for a bit of advice on how to proceed from here.
Done with the business of gods. I moved on to the list of basic items I could purchase from the guild. The prices were reasonable but a bit more expensive than the Shop for the same quality. For the same prices the Shop gave items anywhere from 1.5x to 3x more effective and improved. In a way the guild was being played with. Upon finding out why by asking one of the random employees walking about, it's because they are all made by novice craftsmen. Fair enough. Also there is a bit Ms. Fannett forgot to mention, every new adventurer gets 2 healing and 2 mind potions upon registration. I'll look into it later. I's going to find a place to stay and eat something.
I bought a detailed map of Orario from the Shop. It immediately linked to the Map. Now all I had to do was search "affordable places to live" and I was good to go.
Gathering my notes and rolling them up and taking the guide to the first 18 floors along, I put them in my backpack. I cleaned up the area and took the book of gods to give back to Ms.Fannett.
'I'll see what the other's have going on and what insights they can give me. Honestly I haven't been this unsure of myself since I asked out Margret Brooks in the 8th grade. I seriously need a new perspective. I've always had the Marine Corps and my wife to rely on. I knew the Corps, I understood it, and my place in the grand scheme of things. My wife was smart and had her own law firm. I had my orders, and the expertise and tools to carry out those orders. Now, I just need a direction.'
As I walk over to the counter Ms. Fannett is at. I approach her as there is no one in line.
"Thank you, ma'am for your help and time. Is it possible for me to keep the list of basics?"
"You're welcome, and yes you can keep the list. Thank you for actually returning the book rather than just leaving it in the booth."
"Anytime, well I'll be on my way then. Have a nice day."
With that I walked out of the guild building. I had shit to do. Besides Ms. Fannett is a lady not a two-dollar-whore that spreads her legs for any half-decent looking guy with a bit of money. I've fucked all kinds, I can tell.
I walked for about fifteen minutes and found an inn. Didn't bother to read the name. There was a middle aged guy manning the counter. He looked up as I walked in.
"Hello there stranger! What can I get ya?" He asked cheerfully.
"A room for starters."
"Well I can swing that for ya, it's V100 a night. A week is V500. So what will it be?"
"Does that include a room with a shower?"
"First time in the city?"
"Yes."
"There's your answer."
"...A week." I put V500 on the table. I stared the innkeeper down, don't know why, but I just didn't like him.
"Take it easy kid. Here's your key. Upstairs, left hall, fourth room on the left. Room number 209."
"Thank you." I went the said room.
I closed the door and locked it. I then proceeded to secure the door with the footlocker that was in my Inventory. I thoroughly took stock of the room. entries, exits, breaching points, the works. The reason for my paranoia, my Map was showing a higher number of red dots around my location. I don't know why, but more and more hostiles are showing up around my location. I need information and upgrades to the MAP. I'll sort that out tonight.
I bought a simple meal from the SHOP. A steak, stir fried vegetables, and a beer. While I was eating, I sent a message to the group.
{Cassius: Hello gentlemen, I would like a bit of advice on how to proceed.}
And a few paragraphs later they were all updated as to the situation I am in. Honestly, it's a lot harder asking for help than it is to just muddle through on your own.
{Genryusai: It ultimately comes down to you, but I think you should join this Hermes person. Has the most advantages for you at this point in time.}
{Bang: I agree with Mr. Yamamoto. The others have more resources but you will be bogged down with learning and competing with others. Competition is not a bad thing but you first need something to compete with. Otherwise you'll just dig a hole for yourself. If joining this Hermes still gives you access to knowledge and time to improve yourself, it is in your best interest to join him.}
{Madara: Why do you want to craft things? Just buy it from the shop. I got this new Gunbai!}
(Picture of a unholy matrimony of a Gunbai and a War-axe, imagine his original gunbai but now with a mono-molecular edge.)
{Cassius: Good point Madara, and congratulations. Mr. Yamamoto, Mr. Bang, thank you for your insights. I shall go with Hermes.}
*****Later that night****
I have decided to join Hermes' familia.
I must now upgrade my MAP. The SHOP had the following:
SHOP->MAP UPGRADES
AWACS - Paints your targets and marks them on your HUD. Works in 3-D. V100,000,000
Better resolution - Create a more detailed picture of your surroundings. Will also give topographical data. V250,000
Target Designation - Marked targets will always appear as such. Disguises and magic will not hide them from your sight. V500,000
IFF Upgrade - More designations, Priority Target (Red), Target (Green), Neutral (White), Friendly (Blue), Divine (Yellow). V200,000
Increase Range - Double the current range of MAP. V10,000,000
Radar - More accurate tracking of moving bogeys. V25,000,000
Balance: V3,029,000
I decided to get the IFF Upgrade, Better Resolution and Target designation upgrades.
Balance: V2,079,000 Valis: V1,729,000 Cores: V350,000
I opened up the MAP on my HUD. A lot of the red dots went away are were replaced with green and white dots. No blue or yellow dots nearby. At least in the vicinity.
'Madara has a point why do I want to want to make things when I can just buy them?'
I did a deep dive into the SHOP. The conclusion and answer to my question, I'm too poor for this world.
"I was Poo' not poor, I couldn't afford the whole 'R'."-Big L
'That reminds me I need music!' back to the SHOP we go!
Buying music was pretty cheap if I'm honest. It's just the methods to listen to it were varied. There was the initial earphones that merged with me, along with a whole lot more!
SHOP->Music->Players
EarPhone Upgrade: Noise cancelling, better bass. V5000
Boombox: A boombox that plays any music at high volume. V10,500
Surround Sound System: A set of speakers that deliver a better listening experience. V25,000
Background Music (BGM): A add-on feature for the Chat-Group. Plays music at high volume to boost morale of allies and cause panic in enemies. V1,000,000
Boss Music: An upgrade to BGM, gives a feeling of dread and despair to enemies. Not available.
I got he Earphone Upgrade and left it at that, and went to sleep. 'I'll buy the music tomorrow.'
*****In the Morning 07:00*****
I woke up and got ready. Had my coffee and breakfast and headed off to find Hermes. I asked around as to where the Hermes familia was located. It took an hour of walking around before I found their residence. They were on the other side of town. Apparently I was staying in the crime district. 'That explains the number of hostiles on my MAP and the tension in the air.'
Knocking on the door, I was greeted by a blue haired girl. "Good morning, how can I help you?"
"Good morning. I would like to join the Hermes familia." I replied.
"Come in."