My [Identify] skill improves some as well as I use it, but I hardly pay that feeling of slight advancement any heed. My attention is focused entirely on the information revealed to me.

  [Dreamstone Dust (Rare) – This dust like substance consists of ground up Dreamstones, a rare alchemical drug. The substance makes the user euphoric when ingested. The effect and the duration scales with the amount ingested. When used in very small quantities, a few grains a day are enough, it can help treat depression and melancholy. Recreational users tend to take it before going to sleep, which can result in ecstatic dreams that in turn give the substance its name. It's very easy to overdose on this substance. Even worse, it's incredibly addictive. People who get used to it will have a tough time making do without. Category: Drug, Poison]

  This is a really troublesome revelation. This certainly would explain why this particular bakery is so popular. A few grains in the dough and people come back for more every day without even realizing why. Damn it all. As if this city needs a drug problem on top of everything else.

  I close the bag again, taking great care not to breathe at all while I do. I wipe my hands afterwards too. I better stop by the river to wash them for good measure once I leave as well. I shudder. Yes, if this stuff is really as bad as the information provided by [Identify] suggests I can't be too careful.

  I'm really tempted to just grab the whole bag of coin now, these assholes deserve it for sure. Except, that probably isn't the best approach in a situation like that. I better get back to Jerzy about this Dreamstone Dust first. The baker probably isn't the only one that needs to be taken care off after all. There is the supplier of this stuff too. Possibly a manufacturer too. And, of course, I have to think about all the people that might already be addicted to this stuff as well. This really is very troublesome.

  With one last sigh I grab two silver Shillings from the pouch of coin, wiping first them and then my hands on my pants for good measure. The pouch doesn't become noticeably lighter with only two coins missing. Good.

  Then I start to put everything back. I take great care to make everything look the way I found it to the best of my abilities. I don't want to tip the owner of this stash off prematurely after all. Finally, after putting all the old threadbare clothing back I move the lid in position again too. Working the pins of the hinges back in position is the only thing that takes real effort, especially as I don't want to make too much noise, but in the end I manage.

  With that out of the way I tiptoe back to the window through which I entered. When I reach it I stop dead in my tracks though as something I haven't thought of so far occurs to me. How am I going to lock it again after getting out? Opening a latch from the out side is one thing. Closing it again without direct access is another entirely though.

  Maybe I could use a bit of string thin enough to fit through the crack in between the wings of the window and tie it to the latch? No, that is no good either. How would remove it afterwards?

  I move in to get a closer look at the latch. It's a simple enough mechanism and the solution to my problem proves to be equally simple in the end. If I keep it at an angle as I carefully close the window only to shake it loose in the end it should fall in position just right to keep the window closed once again. Yes, that should work. All it'll take is a soft touch on my part. That is something I should be able to do. And if it doesn't work on the first try I can just try again as long as I don't make too much noise or draw attention in another way.

  In fact it takes me several tries to get this little trick to work properly and as time passes I'm starting to sweat a little, but in the end I manage to pull it off, which is quiet a relief. Even better though, the fiddling helps progress my [Sleight of Hand] skill.

  I take a deep breath, as I start pondering my next actions. Should I head back out beyond the wall right away to look for Jerzy? Or should I pay a visit to the temple first, since I'm already around? In the end I choose the latter option. It shouldn't take me too long anyway.

  With my mind made up I turn in the direction of the temple. I stop once more, even if just briefly, after climbing to the top of the roof, to take in the positions of the night watch patrols. It seems there are none nearby, but I better be careful anyway.

  With fresh resolve, but not without care, I'm off towards the temple. My [Balance], [Running] and [Jumping] skills all get a good workout. There are no level up notifications, but I'm making steady progress anyway. That is good enough for me. At the temple I even get to do a little [Climbing] in the end to get to the out of the way window that is the only entrance to Fox's shrine.

  I dare say that the night is pretty good so far and so are the dividends it's paying. And it's not over yet either.

  Thankfully I'm once again alone in the small shrine. I rummage through my now slightly fuller purse and pull a penny from it. As I drop the coin into the offering box the effect is immediate.

  [*Ding!* Your skill Sacrifice has leveled up to level 3!]

  [*Ding!* Your Karma increased by 1!]

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  That was the easy part. It would be better though if I were to be able to catch the actual attention of my divine sponsor too. I would really appreciate their opinion on this most recent development. Especially before I go and see Jerzy about it. I doubt that the guild is involved in trafficking drugs like this one, but I can't really be sure either.

  Just as I open my mouth, but before I can say even a single word a smoke ring gets blown into the room from right next to me. I blink in surprise and gape at the figure of Fox standing right there. She wears the appearance of a young woman this time around, wearing a dress that only barely does not slip off her shoulders.

  “That's quite a situation you stumbled across, right? Dreamstones are already pretty bad. But grinding them up and putting them into bread? That's downright nefarious. In my experience it's exactly what a nasty, greedy Rat might do though. It's probably a good thing that someone found out before it could get even worse. Don't you agree?”

  Even as they talk they shift into a new shape. It's one I'm not familiar with yet. Their new form is that of a sleek little desert fox with big ears. The adorable little creature winks at me once and then, in the blink of an eye, it's gone again.

  I chuckle to myself. I guess this is about as much divine guidance as I can expect for a penny. They said just about all that needed saying though, thus I have no reason to complain. So, Rat is active in town too. And if this is the kind of scheme they prefer I have no qualms about ruining their day.

  With one last quick wave towards the altar and a smile I'm off again, heading in the general direction of Jerzy's usual hangout at the downstream waterfront this time around.

  As I'm hoping to meet another guild member I take especial care not to be seen or otherwise noticed as I make my trip across the rooftops. I time my arrival at the wall to make sure there will be no patrols around too Altogether my efforts are good enough to progress my [Stealth] skill a little. Both [Running] and [Jumping] improve by a fraction of a level too.

  Once I arrive at the wall I decide to be a little adventurous. Instead of climbing down as usual I take a different approach. An especially daring jump takes me to the first roof beyond the wall. I don't stop there either though. Instead I jump down into a quiet and narrow alley.

  Well, I don't jump down exactly. I aim for the wall of the opposing building. From there I push off towards the wall across the alley again. I repeat the process once more before I finally touch down on the ground with barely any excess momentum.

  This is enough to push my [Jumping] skill across the edge, as the divine whisper that brushes my mind lets me know.

  [*Ding!* Your skill Jumping has leveled up to level 7!]

  Good. Very good indeed! I allow myself a little grin as I brush off my hands and look around to make sure my daring descent has indeed gone unnoticed. Satisfied I start to move again. I head towards the opposite end of the alley from where I move out onto a slightly more lively street that will lead me in the general direction of the downstream waterfront.

  I don't waste any time getting there, but I don't hurry in any way that might seem suspicious either. That too is an art of sorts. I arrive just as Sylwia leaves the inn where Jerzy tends to spend much of his time. She isn't alone either. It's the first time I get to see her companion properly, but he certainly is no stranger to me. There are no hooded cloaks in the way this time around and none of us are in any hurry to commit acts of violence either. This has to be Jerzy's brother. There certainly is a family resemblance.

  I just acknowledge the duo with the slightest of nods in passing though. I'm not here for them after all. It's a gesture the two return.

  Afterwards I weave through the rather busy taproom to make my way to Jerzy's table. Despite the fact that the place is rather crowded right now, there is an empty place at his table. He isn't on his own though. No, that would be a little conspicuous right about now.

  Wiktor is here to keep him company. Or maybe the two were busy talking business. They stop though as I draw near.

  As I sit down one of the waiters places a beer in front of me and I slip a penny into their palm in turn. I take a sip before I speak up.

  “Sorry to interrupt your drinking, but I ran into something troublesome while I was out exploring.”

  Neither of the two men looks too worried. They take a sip from their own respective mugs before Wiktor decides to inquire about details.

  “You ran into trouble you say?”

  I roll my eyes, as he twists my words ever so slightly, but answer anyway.

  “Oh, it'll be trouble for someone for sure, someone who has a better idea of all the things going on in this town probably.”

  Wiktor snickers but Jerzy groans a little, as I put it this way. The latter probably has no trouble guessing who I could possibly mean.

  “Alright, what's up?”

  “Dreamstones? Are you familiar with them? I found a bag of those ground into a fine dust while exploring the attic of a particularly popular bakery tonight. In a locked chest full of old clothes. Right next to a damn big bag of coin.”

  Now I have their attention for sure. Well, I have it once Wiktor is able to properly breathe again, as he almost chokes on his beer. They both look deeply troubled. As Wiktor speaks up his voice is like a promise of pain.

  “Ground into dust? At a bakery? The Croissant Moon isn't it? That …”

  He doesn't finish the sentence as he gets a faraway look.

  I decide to add a little more information at this point.

  “I put everything, well everything but two shillings, back the way I found it. With a bit of luck they won't notice someone else is aware right away. It's probably still rather urgent though. If they put that stuff in their bread …”

  I don't need to spell out the possible consequences. Both men sitting at the table with me nod solemnly.

  Finally Wiktor empties his mug and gets up.

  “I need to talk with people.”

  Then, without waiting for an answer he is off.

  I watch him hurry off before I turn to face Jerzy again.

  “I made a quick visit to the temple too, before coming here. Fox seems to think that this affair smells like Rat.”

  Now it's Jerzy's turn to almost choke on his beer.

  Viviona … Human [Doppelganger], Medium Size [5'2'', 110 lb, Hair: Light Brown, Eyes: Brown]

  Strength 12+10

  Agility 14+27

  Vitality 10+7

  Magic 10+3

  Charm 13+20

  Spirit 10+5

  Attack-Power 31+22

  Defense 8+26

  Magic-Power 29

  Health 39 / 49

  Mana 11 / 28

  Karma 3

  Class 1 : Scoundrel (Shadow, Common) – Level 10 (42/55 XP)

  Stealth – Level 8 (4/21) (Common)

  Danger Sense – Level 6 (1/8) (Common)

  General Skills :

  Balance – Level 6 (5/8) (Common)

  Climbing – Level 6 (6/8) (Common)

  Jumping – Level 7 (0/13) (Common)

  Running – Level 5 (4/5) (Common)

  Swimming – Level 3 (0/2) (Common)

  Melee Weapons – Level 6 (2/8) (Common)

  Clothes – Level 5 (4/5) (Common)

  Perception – Level 8 (7/21) (Common)

  Identify – Level 7 (8/13) (Common) (1 Mana per Use)

  Syld (Language & Script) – Level 4 (0/3) (Common)

  Orukh (Language & Script) – Level 2 (0/1) (Common)

  Shroom (Language) – Level 1 (0/1) (Common)

  Brawling – Level 5 (2/5) (Common)

  Survival – Level 4 (0/3) (Common)

  Foraging – Level 2 (0/1) (Common)

  Cooking – Level 1 (0/1) (Common)

  Dodge – Level 5 (0/5) (Common)

  Gather Information – Level 6 (6/8) (Common)

  Haggling – Level 2 (0/1) (Common)

  Streetwise – Level 6 (0/8) (Common)

  Intimidate – Level 5 (3/5) (Common)

  Sacrifice – Level 2 (0/1) (Common)

  Bluff – Level 5 (3/5) (Common)

  Sleight of Hand – Level 5 (3/5) (Uncommon)

  Massage – Level 1 (0/1) (Common)

  Gambling – Level 3 (1/2) (Common)

  Blades – Level 5 (1/5) (Common)

  Block – Level 3 (0/2) (Common)

  Parry – Level 3 (0/2) (Common)

  Lock Picking – Level 2 (0/1) (Uncommon)

  Racial Skills:

  Change Shape – Level 4 (1/3) (Rare) (10 Mana per Use)

  Achievements:

  Curious Kitten – Use an identification skill on ten different items or creatures.

  Equipment:

  Long Sword (Common) - Melee Weapon, Blades, Long Blades, Attack Power: 15

  Utility Knife (Common) - Melee Weapon, Blades, Light Blades, Attack Power: 5

  Purse Knife (Common) - Melee Weapon, Blades, Light Blades, Attack Power: 5

  Rugged Pants (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 1

  Rugged Blouse (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 1

  Leather Boots (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 2

  Leather West with integrated bodice (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 2

  Fingerless Gloves (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 1

  Sword Belt (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 1

  Hooded Cloak (Common) - Clothes, Defense: 2

  Lucky Penny Necklace (Common) - Jewelry, Spirit: 1

  Shoulder Bag - Purse (3 Bronze Pennies, 2 Silver Shillings), Flint & Steel, Whetstone, Brass Bottle (Water)

  for my writing! It's nothing fancy, but if you feel like throwing a coin into the tip jar, go ahead and head over! As of this week there is an exclusive first chapter for Is it really okay to die? Again and again? up on Patreon! This makes the second exclusive chapter for the time being and a few more exclusive teasers like this will still follow.