<04 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>

  [Theo and Julia]

  As the sun crested the horizon, both Theo and Julia were awakened by the System speaking into their minds.

  > Planetary Core Saturated to first checkpoint.

  > Initiate System Cache Respawning, System Display, and Pre-System Materials purge.

  Theo and Julia, who had both sat up in bed, spoke at the same time. "Oh, fuck."

  Then, a blue box appeared in front of each of them.

  As they finished reading, they looked at each other. Julia spoke first: "So, everything is gone."

  "Looks like it," Theo said, then glanced around. He was about to say something else when a new box popped up.

  "You are seeing this, right?" Theo asked as he read.

  "Yep, we are cohabitating." Julia teased, "So what do you think we should pick?"

  "I think that the first option is probably the worst." Theo said, re-reading the last two, "and I am a bit torn on the last two."

  "I think that three sounds fun," Julia said.

  Theo raised his eyebrows at her. "You a good salesperson?"

  "No, but imagine if we managed some crazy trade that no one has ever pulled off before. Besides, maybe we get to meet a new species. That could be cool." Julia shrugged.

  True. They really didn't need more coin, at least not that he knew, Theo thought for a moment. "You want to do it? Pick three?"

  Julia paused for the barest second and then nodded. "Yeah, let's do it."

  Theo nodded and then selected three, as did Julia.

  >Local Message: Teleportation of Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin commencing in 5

  >Local Message: Teleportation of Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin commencing in 4

  >Local Message: Teleportation of Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin commencing in 3

  >Local Message: Teleportation of Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin commencing in 2

  >Local Message: Teleportation of Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin commencing

  With a strange hissing bang, suddenly, they found themselves standing ankle deep in sand that was blacker than the night sky. Standing roughly fifteen feet away from them was a man made of gold. That was the initial impression that Theo and Julia had. Then, they noticed all of the arms.

  "Good day to you. Welcome to the Sands of Arden'Xok. I am Argo." The man said in a smooth voice, "I will be your System Appointed Representative for these negotiations. Please state your names."

  Theo and Julia took a moment to really take in Argo. Argo stood at roughly seven and a half feet tall. He wore very little clothing, all of which was black cloth. His neck was wrapped in a long black scarf that flowed behind him in a perpetual breeze despite the lack of wind, his legs seemed to mesh with a pair of loose cloth pants that covered his inner thigh and the knee excluding the kneecap. The rest of him was clockwork. Gears rotated and moved as Argo stood there.

  From his shoulders sprouted five pairs of arms, each one coming to a cluster at the shoulder. They arrayed around his upper body like the fanned-out feathers of a peacock. His face was a mask of metal as well, and he had six eyes. Argo waited as they took him in.

  Theo shook himself. "Sorry, my name is Theo Sorrenson."

  "And I am Julia Brahmin." She smiled at Argo.

  "It is my pleasure and duty to meet you both. Now, onto business. To facilitate trust, please go ahead and identify me, and I apologize, I have already identified you as I must." Argo said.

  Theo and Julia did so, and immediately, the blood drained from their faces.

  "Thank you." Argo said, then raised all of his right arms, "I swear on The System that I shall deal in good faith with you, and while I will not let you get whatever you want, I will not use levels or skills to override you."

  A rush of power flowed out from Argo and over the black sands, causing them to stir in a motionless wind. "Now then."

  Argo snapped his topmost left hand, and the sand formed into a very long table, every eighteen inches or so, one of their belongings sat. Argo looked at them from his many-eyed faceplate. "Shall we begin?"

  Theo and Julia nodded; Argo looked at the first item. It was Theo's container of Coco. A blue light emitted from one of Argo's hands and scanned the item, then he spoke. "One container of processed fibers and refined petroleum, as well as some base metal. The contents are a foodstuff and will be permitted to be kept if you desire. I can offer a Simple glass jar of approximate size and appropriate mana density in exchange for the container you would lose."

  "Fair enough," Theo said, nodding. Argo snapped his fingers again, and suddenly, the cardboard coco container was gone, replaced by a slightly larger glass jar filled with his coco powder. The jar sank onto the table, and the next item slid into place.

  Once again, the blue light scanned the items. It was Theo's two quart-sized Nalgene bottles. Argo spoke once more. "Two water containers of minor volume. Composed of refined petroleum. Another world obsessed with petroleum, is it? Very well, I see that you received two temporary waterskins with a volume of fifty gallons each... Gallons... Gallons, that is a strange word... Apologies, as I was saying, I can make them permanent and let them maintain a capacity equivalent to these after they have been drained to the level."

  Julia stepped in, "Can we let them keep their current capacity?"

  "That would not be a fair trade," Argo said flatly.

  Theo stepped in as well. "You are asking us to give up two hard-sided bottles that are surprisingly difficult to damage in exchange for two waterskins that can be cut or have holes poked in them. We currently reside in an area with no readily available water, so that is a greater risk than you might think."

  Argo could not smile as he did not have a mouth that Theo or Julia could see, but they could tell that he was happy with their answer. "You propose that the System compensate you for the additional risk and loss of durability with volume and permafication of the waterskins?"

  "Yes," Theo and Julia said together.

  "I can provide you the waterskins at 15 gallons each, with a minor durability enchantment."

  Theo thought, tapping his cheek with his hand on his chin when he caught sight of the gold, silver, and copper listed on his hand. He had a thought. "If we were to give you a silver in addition to the bottles, how much capacity could you add?"

  "Are you bribing me?" Argo asked? Theo and Julia were once again sure that Argo was thrilled with his answer.

  "No sir," Theo said, "This is a negotiation, so I am trying to get to my goal one way or another. I guess that the silver would be for the System rather than you, but then again, your boss is the System, so I don't know who to offer the silver to."

  Argo chuckled, "I can provide the permafication of the waterskins, and a capacity of one hundred gallons for each if you provide a gold. The System will not accept less as System currency has a specifically designated value to the System itself."

  Theo nodded and made a gold appeare in his hand. "Deal."

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  The gold vanished from his hand as the System claimed the gold.

  "Accepted. Now onto the next..." Argo was about to scan the next item when Theo held up a hand.

  "Argo, you swore to deal with us in good faith, correct?" Theo asked.

  "Of course, User Theo," Argo confirmed.

  "Well, let's make a deal. Julia and I will select things that we are not going to haggle on. In return, you give us, say, ten percent more than what you, not the System, consider a fair price for it after you do your little scanning thing." Theo asked.

  "You are offering to save me time and effort by simply trusting in my evaluation?" Argo asked. Theo nodded, and Argo spoke again. "Counter offer. You point out what you are willing to forgo negotiation on, and in return, I will give you one hundred percent of the System evaluation, which, admittedly, is usually lower than mine, and I also tune up your Hand of Gold skill."

  "I'm sorry, tune up?" Julia asked, confused.

  "I guess that does require some explanation for a new User." Argo said, "Skills are like moving parts of the soul, and if they are not earned or installed by the System during a level-up, they can have small imperfections that might cause issues with progressing the skill or with changing the skill. I am able to tune up Hand of Gold as it is a skill I am acutely familiar with."

  "Oh, and you can tell that our Hand of Gold skills need Tuning?" Theo asked.

  Argo smiled. "I am the one who created that particular skill, so every variation of it feels like it is in desperate need of a tuning. But I digress. What is your choice?"

  Theo and Julia looked at each other and nodded. "Okay, let's do it."

  Theo and Julia agreed to get rid of seventeen items. Argo quickly scanned each item and then spoke. "For the Bug Spray, Collapasble Camp Stool, Disposable Ponchos, Granolla Bars, Hadlamps, Lighter, Magnifying Glass, MREs, Pens and Pencils, Pocket Notebook, Rain Jacket, Smart Water water bottle, Pairs of Socks, Space Blanklets, cans of Sterno, Sunscreen, Sweats, and the Wrist Watch the System will offer a total of two gold forty-three silver and seven copper."

  "Sounds great." Theo and Julia agreed.

  "That leaves us with fifteen items to discuss. I will pay you and tune your skills at the end." Argo said, and as he spoke, the items that they had sold sank into the table, and the whole table shortened to accommodate the reduced number of items. Argo spoke again, "I would propose another deal."

  "Please, by all means," Julia said with a smile.

  "I would offer negotiation for the knives, the map book, the water filter, and the backpack," Argo said, these items sinking into the sand of the table and appearing on a new table apart from the first table. "For the rest, I would offer comparable materials of at least the same amount. For all the medical supplies I would offer a Rod of Healing with five charges. Regarding the clothes that you are wearing, I would offer you each a complete set of clothing. For the cordage and tarp, I would offer double the material, so one thousand feet of cordage and a sheet of oiled canvas that is twenty feet to a side..."

  Theo raised a hand, "I know that they say to be quiet when your opposition is making a mistake, but a sheet of canvas that is twenty feet to a side is four hundred square feet, that is a bit more than double. You have been fair with us so far, and I would not have you think we are dishonest."

  Argo radiated that smiling energy once more, "Your honesty speaks well to your character and is appreciated, but I am aware. Consider it a gift for being polite and helping to make my job easier, rather than fighting me over every single scrap of everything. I have not even had to use negotiation skills, as you have been exceptionally fair in your dealings with me. Many are not so fair."

  Theo nodded, and Argo picked up his list again. "As I was saying, the oiled canvas will be twenty feet to a side, and lastly, for the box of matches, I offer you a flint and steel."

  "May I adjust two points, and other than that, I am amicable if Theo is..." Julia said, glancing at Theo, who nodded.

  "By all means, User Julia," Argo said.

  "I'm guessing about a couple of things here, so please tell me if it is not possible. In place of the rod of healing with five charges, I propose a rod of lesser healing that has three charges per day. And instead of a flint and steel, I ask for a crystal or something that can produce a flame for a short duration." Julia said all of this, throwing out some concepts.

  Argo looked as if he was listening thoughtfully before he spoke, "The System is amicable to your suggestions and offers a Rod of Lesser Healing that has three charges per day but will deteriorate after one year. And will give you a flame runestone that can be used to craft a flame-producing device or to learn the rune yourself and produce the flame."

  "We accept," Theo said after a quick glance at Julia. The items sank into the table, leaving only the three knives, the water filter, the map book, and Theo's backpack.

  Before Argo could start the negotiations, Theo interjected, "Is it possible that we could trade the three knives and the water filter for a ranged weapon that matches Julia's abilities?"

  "It is possible, but I worry that you expect something far grander than these objects are worth." Argo said, "What kind of ranged weapon do you desire?"

  Theo spoke up before Julia could say anything, "She likes wands. I think that aesthetics are important to her as far as the wand goes."

  Julia blushed slightly at that, and Argo chuckled, "Would you sacrifice the ability of the Wand for looks?"

  Julia shook her head, "No."

  "That is good," Argo radiated smiling energy again. "The System would be willing to offer a Glimmer Branch in exchange for the three knives and the water filter."

  "I don't think that we have any reference for whether that is a good deal," Theo said.

  Argo nodded. "I would recommend taking this deal. But I am also sure that if I were in your position, I would try for more."

  "Can you explain the Glimmer Branch to me?" Julia asked.

  "Certainly," Argo said. "The Glimmer Branch is a branch from a magical creature called a Glimmer Tree. It is not quite a tree in so far as it is a sentient and sapient being that deeply craves the flesh of non-Glimmer Trees. They are a nightmare to remove from a forest. The Glimmer Trees have a skill that allows them to fling small compressed balls of psionic energy. The skill is species-locked, but every now and then, after defeating a Glimmer Tree, it drops a branch that contains a soul fragment. Those branches are worked into wands and are then able to use the skill."

  "So a magical tree dies, and part of its soul gets locked into the branch that is then carved into a wand and can cast one of the magical tree's skills." Theo stated all of this, "does that about sum it up."

  "Yes, User Theo," Argo said. "Do you wish to accept the offered weapon?"

  Theo and Julia looked at each other, and Theo shrugged, "Up to you, Julia."

  Julia nodded. "Well then, if it's all right, I will accept that offer."

  The three knives sank into the sand. Argo spoke, "That leaves us with just two items, the book of maps and the Backpack. For the book of maps, The System offers you equivalent knowledge in the form of a Map Codex: Fragment of the Elemental Mesas."

  "What do you mean by equivalent knowledge?" Theo asked.

  "The book outlines an area designated as Colorado," Argo said, "that area covered roughly one hundred thousand miles. The Map Codex: Fragment of the Elemental Mesas will cover roughly ninety-eight thousand miles of area on the new world. So roughly equivalent data."

  "That actually makes more sense than I thought it would. All right, deal." Theo said.

  "Now that leaves this," Argo said, placing a hand on the backpack, "you do not know what my skills are, but my appraisal skills are sufficiently advanced that I can see the potential monetary value of the sentimental value that is attached to an object."

  "What?" Theo and Julia asked at the same time.

  Argo chuckled. "I can see the amount of money it would take to buy out a sentimental connection. And I must say that you surprise me, User Theo Sorrenson. I did not take you for an exceptionally emotional individual. But I can comfortably say that I will not be allowed to pay you what you would require. So what can I give you to surrender the Pack?"

  Theo thought for a moment. He remembered the other Skill Crystal that he and Julia had received as part of the reward for staying on the Overlook. "Julia and I received Skill Crystals from the System."

  "Yes, you received Spatial Storage, and Julia received Bound Teleport, both excellent skills," Argo said.

  "Can you tune those if we learn the skills?" Theo asked since he was going to be tuning skills anyway.

  Argo paused. "I can not."

  Theo shrugged. "It was worth a shot."

  "It was a good question." Argo said, "We have been fair with one another up until now, and I would like to continue that trend. If you trade this backpack that you love very much and the rock pack that Julia found in System Cache and decline the coin from the items that you sold earlier, I can offer you each a Runesewn Pouch."

  "We don't have a reference point for this either." Julia pointed out.

  Argo was about to speak when he stopped, his gears turning as he froze for a moment, then he let out a long sigh. "Let us Tune your Hand of Gold skills and I will explain something while I do so."

  Julia and Theo nodded, Argo snapped a hand, and the backpack sank into the sand of the table. Then, the table dropped back into the sand. In its place was a small table with three chairs around it. Argo gestured, "Please take a seat."

  They all sat, and Argo requested that they each present the hand that had the tattoo-like display. Two of his hands on each side took their hands in his. And Julia and Theo felt a gentle but overwhelming power begin to flow from Argo and into them.

  "Every few years, a new world is added to the System, and ever since I was hired into my position with the System, I have volunteered to perform this and several other tasks that require a direct representative as I enjoy negotiation and have the ability to meet with up to one hundred groups simultaneously. And every year I end up dealing with rude people that onyl want to screw me over."

  Theo let out a harsh laugh, "I apologize on the behalf of humanity then, I am sure that you are dealing with a lot of assholes."

  Argo cringed, "Currently, I am meeting with a man who claims to be the 'Divinely chosen leader of all Korea.' he is attempting to tell me that he created the System, and as such, I should recognize that he is my boss and should get whatever he wants. The first of which is the removal of something called the demilitarize zone."

  Both Theo and Julia began laughing, with Julia crying out as she wiped her eyes. "Oh, that is rich!"

  "Yes, I have been able to gather that your world has a wide variety of people. But in any event," The power flowing from Argo to Julia and Theo ramped up, "Every time I do this, I usually find one or two people that are pleasant enough, but generally people who select the option to haggle tend to be argumentative, you two are one of only thirty four groups that have attempted to make my job easier one way or another, so I must ask, why did you select the option to haggle with me?"

  Julia smiled, "I like meeting people, and Oreburn said that making allies is a smart decision, especially if we end up forming a Family."

  Theo nodded. "That's basically it. And I am glad that we did. You seem like a nice enough person, and frankly, I think that we would have gotten comparatively nothing if we had selected one of the other options."

  Argo radiated a surprised energy. "You are the ones that Oreburn spoke of then. Did you give him a bag of energy cells and some other things?"

  "Yeah, he wanted to eat them; it was a little odd," Theo said.

  "You know Oreburn?" Julia asked.

  Argo laughed wholeheartedly, "To answer your question, User Julia, no, not as you are asking. The Nar'Och are known to all who work for the System as they are born with a unique ability to commune with the System, which means that they are able to speak directly to us. And many of them do. Oreburn, in particular, likes to take on tasks and favors for those of us employed by the System."

  Argo looked to Theo, "As to the bag of goods, The Nar'Och are capable of eating nearly anything and breaking it down for use on a smaller scale than most would understand. I believe that your people call them elements and atoms, though. He is impressed with you both and suggested that we should all be on the lookout for the rise of your house. He said you were great hosts."

  "You make him sound almost childlike," Julia said.

  "Yeah, and that is not the vibe that I got from him." Theo agreed.

  "That does not surprise me," Argo said. "The Nar'Och are hiveminds of a strange variety, so they do not have many of the emotional cues that most people look for. And as far as his age, for his species, he is very much still a child."

  "He was like level six hundred or something, though?" Theo said, shocked and confused.

  "Do not compare the Nar'Och to anyone, they are a very unique species." Argo paused for a moment, focusing on the flow of energy that was making small changes to the skill in both of their hands."

  "Well, if you see him, tell him we said hello," Julia said.

  "But you were going to explain about the packs you want to give us," Theo said, feeling that their time with Argo was coming to an end.

  "Ah yes, the Runesewn Pouches." Argo thought for a moment. "I know that I said I would explain, but after our last little exchange, I have decided that I want to help you. So I will amend our deal, trade the two packs, the coin from earlier that you earned, and any additional coin you wish, and I will provide you something that you will very much be grateful to have. Depending on the amount of coin you give, the reward will change."

  "Why?" Julia said, beating Theo to the punch.

  "I'm sorry?" Argo said, his tone indicating confusion at the question.

  "I think what Julia is trying to ask, is why are you wanting to help us?" Theo asked. "It feels as if we have been stumbling into one windfall after another. And frankly, when a god-like entity such as yourself offers to help, well, I, for one, wonder what the catch is."

  "That is wise thinking," Argo said, and then Julia and Theo felt a final burst of power push through them, and Argo released their hands. "I would tell you that you are kind and polite, and I think that Oreburn is right about you. I also think that we need more people like you in power. Due to my position, I can not directly do things for you; it must all be part of the deal. However, I am free to recommend any deal I wish."

  Theo wanted to ask more questions, but he also felt that this was the only explanation they would be getting. Theo looked long and hard at Argo, Julia glancing between the two of them. Finally Theo spoke, "Fine, but one day, you come visit us, and let us cook you diner. That needs to be a part of the deal. Otherwise, I feel that this would not be fair."

  The energy that indicated happiness radiated from Argo, "Very well, User Theo Sorrenson, your invitation has been added to the deal. How much System Coin do you wish to offer?"

  Julia smiled at him, making Theo's heart flutter a little bit as she spoke, "All of it?"

  Theo shrugged, "Sure, all of it."

  They both used their newly tuned Hand of Gold skill to drop all of their coin onto the sand table in front of them. Argo nodded. "Very well, you have provided a total of thirty-five gold, seven silver, and the promise of hospitality, in addition to the Pre-Integration pack, a Rock Pack, and declining the earlier traded coinage for a total offer of thirty-seven gold fifty silver and seven copper. In exchange, you will receive customized Runesewn Pouches. Do you agree to these terms?"

  "I do. Thank you, Argo." Julia said.

  "You are most welcome, User Julia Brahmin," Argo said, then focused back on Theo.

  "I accept as well, Argo. Thank you for dealing with us fairly. I am sure that if you wanted, you could have gotten us to pay you and walk away with nothing. So I appreciate it." Theo said.

  A dark chuckle emanated from Argo, "That is more true than you understand. And you are welcome. I do enjoy this duty, even if I must deal with annoyances, as every now and then I get to meet people like the both of you. Now, Users Theo and Julia, our business is concluded. You will find all of the things that you negotiated for back in your domicile. And you will find that less than five minuets has passed. I wish you luck and look forward to future business."

  With a wave of power, and the sound of a Ping pong ball being sucked through a too-small pipe, Theo and Julia found themselves inside the cabin once more.

  >Local Message: Teleportation of Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin completed.

  >Local Message: Time since departure 5 minutes. Please stand by.

  > Materials Purge Completed

  > System step complete

  Theo and Julia were stunned. Even after having almost spent what they guessed was two hours with Argo, the sun was still just creeping over the horizon.