Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Chapter 9: Bruno the Tax Collector

"What a precious creature." Alasan the half elf said while admiring the shadow drake on Lucan's shoulder.

"She is a good girl." Lucan said while scratching her head.

"About the tax, the tax collector comes every 3 weeks, if you aren't here to meet him, I can take over. He is a rude fellow but we both have the same Supreme Ruler. He won't stir anything up. Currently 2 of the 3 hunting parties are out of the village. A team left this morning, and another will be back tonight."

"Are there any situations that require my attention?"

"Nothing currently."

"Then I need to raise my level, I am terribly weak right now."

"But Lord Quilldrake, your gear looks capable enough to match the heads of the hunting parties. If you are terribly weak, then what are the rest of us?" Said Alasan jokingly.

Lucan was still wearing his level 85 gear even though it did nothing for him.

"Ah, ha, ha." Lucan said laughing awkwardly while rubbing the back of his head. "Due to a series of events I lost some levels and now I can't make any use of my gear."

"Shadowsweep has a great tailor. I can give you directions."

***

Lucan stood before the village's elven tailor, doing his best not to curse at the man.

"I am sorry, Lord Quilldrake. The only other level 0 clothes I have are for toddlers, everything else is level 50 or above. If you could procure low grade materials, I can make you something but that will be next to impossible to find in Shadowsweep."

"Alright." Lucan grumbled while setting 10 silver on the counter. "Wrap them up."

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"By the way"

"Yes." Lucan said stopping at the door.

"My neighbor has been complaining about having rats in her basement. Maybe that would be something even someone at your level could help with."

[You have received a new quest.]

[Gilena has been complaining of having rats in her basement.]

[Quest condition: Kill 6 rats.]

[Quest reward: 500 XP]

Lucan accepted the quest and ignored the tailors mocking attitude.

***

"They just showed up overnight." The elderly Gilena told Lucan.

"Don't you worry, I will take care of those rats." Lucan said while wearing the plain t-shirt and pants that offered no stats.

Lucan opened the doors to the basement and watched the rats scurrying in the dark. He took out the two pieces of clothing he bought that were able to give him stats. A bath robe with 2 defense and +5 water resistance and a pair of slippers that increased his agility by 1.

[Your affinity with Gilena has risen by 5.]

"You look just like my late husband when he would go and clear out the basement." Gilena said with a smile and eyes that scared Lucan.

He laughed nervously before lightly flicking his wand. The piece of wood disappeared, and a black dagger appeared in his hand, the shadows were beckoning it to come hide within. The dagger 'Night Whisper' had been summoned. Lucan leapt down the stairs and into the darkness.

***

[Congratulations! Your level has risen.]

[Congratulations! Your level has risen.]

Lucan staggered back up the steps after a successful fight. The six rats and the quest had given him enough experience to level twice. He started to assign the 2 stat points he got every level. For now, everything would go into intelligence and agility. Strength would be avoided while stamina and wisdom would get a little attention.

Gilena insisted that Lucan stay for lunch. He remained long enough to be polite, then left as fast as he could. The old ladies lustful eyes truly frightened him.

When the blue sun began to set in the distance. A red dust cloud began to paint the lavender sky as a hunting party rode towards the village.

Over a hundred people came to meet them, including Lucan. 30 riders dismounted their horses and began to untie the sleds they dragged behind.

The hunting party had gathered numerous resources and began to sell them off. Everything gathered would be used. The butcher started processing the meat, sending the bones to the smithy and the pelts the tailors. Spices and herbs traded hands while the other hunters were proud to shop off their spoils to any that were interested.

A draconian woman leading the group stood in the back. When she saw Alasan, she made her way to him, to report their gains.

Lucan determined that she was a beautiful but dangerous woman, he was determined to not rub her the wrong way. She was covered in a mixture of pale red scales and skin. Her shoulders, elbows and wrist were covered in scales, but she had human hands and a human face.

She handed a slip of paper to Alasan. "This is a list of everything we brought back."

"Great." He said taking the small piece of parchment. "By the way, this is Lord Quilldrake, he arrived while you were away."

She looked over Lucan who was still wearing the bathrobe and slippers. She wasn't impressed.

"We don't have guards here, but if you cause trouble, you will have to deal with me."

"Understood." Lucan replied. "If there is anything I can do to help, just let me know."

She looked at Lucan again before walking away.

"I think that went well." Alasan said. "That is about as polite as Renia gets. Please don't take offense."

***

3 weeks passed in the game. Lucan spent his time doing odd jobs around the village. It was a great opportunity to meet the people who lived here and gain levels as well. Lucan's stats were starting to recover. He had made it to level 20 fairly fast compared to his first time through. This time he knew exactly where he wanted to spend his stat points.

Every level each player would get 2 stat points and every 10 levels they would get 10. So far, Lucan hadn't made any mistakes with his stat points, he had no regrets. When Lucan reached level 15, he was finally able to equip a piece of head ware. His bathrobe and slippers were now accompanied by a floppy garden hat.

With the sun shining, Lucan stepped out of the front door and began to prepare his day. The warlock headed for the central administration building, Alasan's office.

"Lord Quilldrake, I was just about to come find you. The tax collector will arrive shortly."

"Is everything in order?"

"Of course, I have been instructed that you will take 20% of what we are handing over, do you want coins, materials or both." Alasan could see the confused look on Lucan's face. "The Supreme Ruler knows that over half of our village barters, instead of demanding money he lets us pay with materials."

Lucan understood. "Let me take a look." Lucan browsed the chest that would be given to the tax collector. "What about this wood?" Lucan asked.

"Ah yes, branches of the Forgotten Oak. You can take 4 if you take nothing else."

"Wow, these must be good then." Lucan remarked since the chest had over 100 gold and was filled to the brim with materials. He was surprised that 4 sticks were worth 20%, but that only assured him in his decision. It would be a good material to make wands and hone his woodworking.

Lucan took the chest and waited for the Tax collector to show. 40 minutes later, at the bottom of the stairs before his home a circle of purple magic began to swirl on the dirt ground.

The circle pulsed, before disappearing, leaving a young man staring at Lucan. The young man was as surprised as Lucan.

The young man dropped to his knees. "Lord Quilldrake, sixth Hand of Raze, I am Bruno. It is an honor to meet the newest Hand. Master Raze has sent me to collect the tax."

"It's all here." Lucan said patting the chest beside him before motioning Bruno to take it. "I have to say; I didn't expect the Tax Collector to be a player."

"Ha, well I happened to have a few lucky encounters and gained the ability to travel relatively easily. Even though I didn't want to advance and become a warlock, Raze promoted me to one of his own acolytes and I got this job at the same time. It has worked out very well so far. I also didn't expect the new Hand to be a player."

"Similar story, lucky encounters and promotion to serve directly under Raze."

"Mmm, please excuse me, I have several more stops and I try to get all the tax collecting done in one day."

"Then I won't hold you back."