The carriage arrives in the Golden District, a bright, large town home to most of the country’s elite. Selene looks around in amazement at the lush gardens and luxurious mansions that line the town. Blake starts to think about the cost of living in such a place. However, he stops as Bracken pulls up his bank account. It is showing only around 100 bucks. Selene is still marveling at how well taken care of all the gardens are.

  [Bracken: Yo, this some slave work! The King won’t even consider paying us until all the vassals are gathered. Like, come on, bruh! I’m tryna cop a bag!]

  Blake just looks down. He then looks outside for a second before looking back at Bracken.

  [Blake: I guess that just means the real work doesn’t start until we are all gathered.] Blake ponders to himself as Selene looks back into the carriage cabin. She looks elated.

  [Selene: Wow! These nobles must love plants!] Having never left the Whispering Woods gave her a naive view of the outside world as a whole. Blake just sighs. Bracken pipes up.

  [Bracken: That’s because they buy butlers and shit to take care of the plants, dumbass!] Selene gives him an annoyed look as she pouts and returns to looking outside.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Back at the castle, Pax looks around. The castle is even a considerable maze for someone who grew up in the twists and turns of the slums. Suddenly, he is summoned into the throne room. Pax quickly makes his way to the throne room to see King Valerian and Aric waiting for him.

  [Pax: What’s the reason for my summon, King?] Pax looks at Valerian with a stone face. King Valerian responds in kind.

  [King Valerian: We would like to know more about your ability. As you know, Negations are extremely rare, with only 28 confirmed users.]

  Pax looks behind him to Riga.

  [Pax: What do you think? Should I tell them about {Unfair}?]

  Riga thinks for a second and looks back at Pax. Pax is still looking at the King, trying not to make it obvious he is conversing with an eldritch being.

  [Riga: I say go for it. The King seems to have genuine intentions. The mage I can’t get a read on. His magic is too high level. It should still be fine.]

  Pax just nods, signaling to the king his cooperation. The king points to Aric. Aric begins.

  [Aric: As far as we know about Unfair. It negates the fairness of having one ability. More importantly, it allows for you to have six negation abilities and one normal. Is this correct?]

  Pax ponders it over before giving his answer.

  [Pax: Well, there are three things I would like to add. First, there is no limit to the negation abilities I can copy. Two, In order to copy a normal ability, I need to get hit by it. Third, Unfair must analyze any ability I am hit with to copy it. This means the more complex the ability is, the longer it will take to copy.] Pax says this in a more matter-of-fact tone. Aric notes everything he says before continuing.

  [Aric: Now for my final question. Want to have a sparring match?] Aric smiles as he looks over.

  Pax stands up, cracks his shoulders, and stretches.

  [Pax: You bet!]

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Back in the Golden District, Blake and Selene make it to their destination. They made it to the house of the next vassal, Azarath. In front of the house is a large crowd of people. They are chanting [We love you, Azarath!] and [You are the greatest hero!]. Blake notes this as they move past the crown and arrive at the door. Blake knocks at the door.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  [Blake: We are here on official business with King Valerian! Open up!] Blake continues to knock, and not before long a man opens the door. The man is 6 foot 2. He has bright blonde hair and baby-blue eyes, an extremely athletic build, and a chiseled jaw. This is the man they are looking for, Azarath.

  [Azarath: King Valerian? I guess I caught a big fish!]

  Azarath invites them in. Azarath’s house is huge, with multiple game rooms, living rooms, maids everywhere, and an entire kitchen staff. It is what one would expect of an upper-class citizen. Various pictures around the mansion show just Azarath’s face. There are also multiple statues of near-naked women. The sight causes Selene to wince. Azarath looks at her.

  [Azarath: Don’t worry, I’m not into dirty demi-humans like yourself.] He said this with a straight face as if he didn’t even know how insulting this statement was. Selene just responds with a weak [What…]. So Azarath continues.

  [Azarath: I mean, no one really finds Demi-Humans cute except for the weirdos, of course. I mean, you are green, for heaven’s sake! Personally, I’m more of a basic human guy.] Selene was at her breaking point. She was about to kill this man. She turns over to Blake.

  [Selene: Hey, Am I cute?] Selene asks with a death stare and an emotionless voice.

  Blake thinks about the situation he is in. This feels like a trap. If he says yes, he has the chance to de-escalate the situation, or Azarath could make it be seen as pity and make it worse. Saying no is just a dick move. It is a lose-lose situation. With this in mind, the answer Blake decides to pick is….

  [Blake: Kinda.]

  Selene just looks confused.

  [Selene: Kinda? What the hell does that mean.] Selene says in a confused tone. Seeing a moment of weakness, Bracken starts trolling.

  [Bracken: Oh shit! He means your ugly ass fuck, Skank!] Bracken says while laughing to himself. Selene is about to burst a vein as she screams [Shut the hell up!!!]

  Azarath looks back.

  *Azarath: She is screaming at the air. She is probably mentally ill, so sad.*

  After walking for a few minutes, they enter a big room and sit down. Blake explains the situation to Azarath and asks for his cooperation.

  [Azarath: Nah.] Azarath responds almost instantly. Blake questions him further.

  [Azarath: It is simple. I already have everything I want—fame, money, and women. Why would I go with you guys? I built my image on being an unbeatable hero. This mission sounds dangerous. If I were to struggle on this mission, it would destroy my image. As the hero of this district, that just is not a risk I can take.] Azarath presents his reasoning.

  [Selene: You say “hero.” Isn’t a hero for the people? You seem like you are only doing it for yourself.] Selene counters with an argument of her own.

  [Azarath: I make money while being able to use my powers freely. In my opinion, That is the only thing that makes one a hero. Saving people is just an afterthought.] Azarath said this so matter-of-fact it was hard to deny it. This was his genuine feelings.

  Blake ponders his next move. Suddenly, Azarath gets up.

  [Azarath: I hear trouble! I’m heading out; you can hang out with my parents until I get back!] Azarath opens his door and flies away.

  Selene wonders about his flight and then looks over at Blake.

  [Selene: Where is Bracken?] She asks in a small voice. Blake just looks over to her with a sweat dripping down his face.

  [Blake: Trust the process.] Blake said while doubting his own plan.

  *Blake: Bracken, please don’t fuck this up!* Meanwhile, one elderly person comes down the stairs. It is Azaraths dad. Selene immediately goes to hang out with him as Blake just prays.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Azarath arrives at a scene where a large portion of a block is on fire. The buildings are all in pieces on the ground, and a nearly 10-foot monster stands in the rubble. It has sharp teeth and claws, with tentacles coming out of its back.

  [Bracken: It has been a while since Black let me go wild like this! I’m going to enjoy it!]

  Bracken suddenly jumps back as Azarath punches the ground in front of him. Leaving a giant hole.

  [Azarath: Monster! I will defeat you and save all these innocents] Bracken starts cackling at this statement.

  [Bracken: Saving the innocents? All you want to save is yourself!] Bracken launches his back tendrils at… air?

  Bracken thinks *Where the hell is he?* Realizing Azarath is already behind him. Bracken quickly turns around and blocks.

  『Meteor Punch!』

  The blow was so powerful that Bracken’s arm was ripped off. Just from the air it produced, Bracken was sent flying back. Suddenly, Azarath is behind Bracken again. Azarath kicks Bracken to the ground and puts his foot on Bracken’s head.

  *Bracken: Damnit! Blake, let me use more of my power! 10% is not enough to beat this guy!* Bracken telepathically talks to Black.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Meanwhile, back at the Mansion. Blake hears the message. *Blake: Ok, I will allow you to use 30% of your power. Remember, don’t kill him.*

  Upstairs, Mrs.Goldwyn gets up from her bed. She sees Azarath standing over her.

  [Mrs.Goldwyn: Good morning, Son.]

  Azarath just smiles. He then throws a massive punch at his own mother. Without missing a beat, Blake appears from Mrs.Goldwyns shadow and blocks the attack with a shadow dagger he made.

  [Blake: Who the hell are you?!?]

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Azarath notices something is off.

  [Azarath: My parents are in trouble!] He immediately goes to leave when three big cuts appear on his chest. He looks behind him to see Bracken standing there.

  [Bracken: Don’t call it a comeback, ’cause I never left!]