72 (I) Affliction

Everyone fights for something. This is a very simple statement, but you're going to discover how true and how important it is if you ever join up with an army for hire.

The Sell-Skilled... A lot of people think little of them, being mercenaries and all that. Personally, I don't dislike them. I find them to be remarkably honest as Pathbearers. In fact, I find them to be some of the most honest Pathbearers you can come across.

Most people who walk a Path, they're out there for their own benefit, for their own power. Mercenaries just want to get rich, without truly binding themselves to an ideological cause.

That makes them useful for disposable work. For messy, ugly work that you don't want to sink your own hands into. But it also makes them unreliable when you have matters of severe sensitivity or something that requires deep, personal loyalty.

Now, the stereotype of the mercenary betraying their master, that's pretty common, and it's not entirely false. However, there's another section to the stereotype.

It's the part where the mercenary doesn't get paid or feels crossed in some way.

Again, these are exceptionally honest people, and if you're going to treat them dishonestly, then they're going to show you how honest their anger and violence can be.

The Sell-Skilled want to be paid, and if you don't pay them, well, they're going to have to find a way to extract value. And sometimes that's sacking what you have and selling what you own, and sometimes it's selling you.

At the end of the day, there's no quicker way to make an outlaw of a mercenary than not paying them for far, far too long.

More than a few cities were burned down that way, and more than a few gates fell because its defenders simply ran out of money before they ever even came close to running out of supplies or “practical” manpower…

-Sell-Skilled: A History of Mercenaries

72 (I)

Affliction

"They do not have a dedicated automaton slave overseer," Can Hu said. "I know this because I observed the condition of their automaton slaves. Most of them are not being used for long-term service. Instead, they are being dismantled."

"Dismantled?" Shiv said. "They’re not keeping the automata alive?"

Can Hu groaned a note of low anger. "Their parts are to be sold. That is the primary profit from the automaton slaves. That is why you mostly do not see them mingling with the others. Good automaton slaves are sold as servants to specific Pathbearers as rewards. But even they are harder to maintain than organics. They require replacement components and active engineering. They need to commune with the System to maintain their awakened code stability. Automata are expensive and require devotion. Or they require the expertise for self-maintenance."

"Like you," Shiv said.

"I am different. I was always different. Penitent Chassis were meant to be enduring. We were designed from old world technologies before we awakened. Many of the altered automata are adapted, aligned to the System's rules. And they start out more fragile and vulnerable than we."

"Right, yes, I remember this," Adam said. "The Law of Skill Supremacy. It's why automata can't just replace their own parts and bypass Toughness. If you put a piece of adamantium on an automaton and use it as a transplant or a replacement component, the adamantium will become as brittle as their actual skill tier and level.”

"Indeed," Can Hu concurred. "And so, though automata can work near constantly and function in harsher environments than most organics, they still require maintenance, energy, and time for internal code maintenance. That means logistical support—especially for the binary within their minds. This kind of logistical support is not present at Gate Theborn, and as such, the machines are merely temporary at best and fated to be taken apart. But this is to our advantage."

Can Hu placed a few stones on a few buildings listed as “automata holding sites” on the metal table that also doubled as their map. "I have found most of the automaton slaves in these locations. They are stored within storage containers, and the floors above are dedicated to decommissioning and dismantling.” Can Hu paused as a stream of ones and zeros flashed back into its head. "Several of my drones have slipped in. This operation is run mostly by human mercenaries, and they are actively sorting the captured automata between immediate decommission, gradual dismantlement, and long-term service.”

Shiv sneered. “It’s like everything in this place is run like a godsdamned slaughterhouse.”

"That is the nature of a place when you treat people who dwell inside it like they’re just things," Can Hu replied.

"Yeah, well, they're going to find out what my nature is real soon," Shiv said, scowling.

“Shiv,” Uva said, casting a thought into him. “Focus. Be vicious. Be brutal. But before all that, be effective.”

“Right,” Shiv said, nodding. “We wound to kill, not just to hurt. So far, we've bled them a little and have everyone in the gate on edge. But they’re not broken. Not yet. That’s where we want to get to—a point where Confriga has barely any support even within his own home.”

"Still, we did well for a day," Uva said. "Two dead Master-Tier Psychomancers free up my effectiveness substantially. The missing bureaucrats and administrators will also see the day-to-day functions of this gate grind to a halt. I expect the mercenaries to start suffering first, as their payments and contracts will soon be trapped in limbo.” The Umbral Psychomancer paused briefly. “Perhaps we should also destroy all their local banks to completely collapse the local means of exchange.”

The Young Lord eyed Uva and immediately began picking out all the banking establishments on the map. “That is a good idea, actually. And it will do more than that—it’ll devastate the connected businesses as well and turn things to the black market.” Adam froze and then turned to regard Siggy.

The goblin shivered as Adam looked at her. “Uh? What?”

Adam considered her for a beat. “Shiv. Did you say this one was a drug dealer?”

Shiv nodded.

Adam approached Siggy with a plot churning in his mind. “Adept Siggy. I have a few questions for you to answer.”

“Uh, I’ll try to… give you answers,” Siggy stuttered.

“Be thorough,” Shiv said, spiking his Dread Aura. The goblin nearly fell over.

“Firstly, where do you usually deal?” Adam inquired. “And after you answer that, tell me what you usually deal.”

“Well, Little Gomorrah is a big place. A-and the thing I hand out the most is Drift. That’s gonna be in tight supply now that the gate’s under lockdown, though. I won’t be able to just get that stuff out of thin air if you want me to start slinging again.”

“No,” Adam said. “I just want to know where the black market is, and how to get there. Should we collapse the official channels of trade within this gate, it will cause a breakdown and a rush for precious goods.” The Young Lord hummed. “Ah. Now it makes sense.”

“What?” Shiv asked.

“The Republic fought a brief war with the Storm King of the Lost Atlantic before,” Adam began. “It didn't go particularly well. During that time, a great many cities and towns were destroyed, and the economy nearly collapsed. We went from paper currency to a mithril standard in the aftermath because practically everyone was trading that material anyway. So. I think this means we have two sets of banks to hit. The obvious bank in the open, and the primary source of precious goods in this place’s underbelly.”

Shiv grunted. “Well, just show me the place and the targets, and I'll see what I can do.” Then, Shiv paused. “Wait. Little Gomorrah… Siggy, does that place sell food too? I was only briefly there last time. I know it’s also a brothel.”

“A brothel?” Uva said, turning to regard Shiv. “You didn’t tell me you went to a brothel.”

“I wasn’t really focused on which walls I was crashing through when fighting 811.” He almost smirked at the absurdity of the memory. “We were beating each other to death through several private rooms.”

He sent her what he could remember, and Uva squeezed her eyes shut. “I… And the orc told you he loved you a few minutes later?”

“Yep,” Shiv grunted. “But to the point…”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Yeah, it sells food.” Siggy wrinkled her nose. “Grub’s not that great, though. People are mostly there for the drinks and the succubi or incubi.”

And the grinding gears within Shiv’s head turned just a little faster. “Everyone. I think I have a cunning plan.”

Adam placed his hands on his hips and laughed. “This will be good. Let’s hear it.”

“There are lots of other restaurants too,” Shiv said. “Other establishments and sources for food. I’m thinking about tainting their supply.” He promptly pulled out the Odes, and Adam let out a groan. “There are chapters in the Odes on bacteria, viruses, and parasites. And I think some of the bugs and rats in our building are pretty sick.”

“Shiv,” Adam began, seeming incredibly uncomfortable with the idea. “This… this goes against every convention of warfare agreed upon between the Republic and other recognized nations.”

“Well, do they recognize Compact?” Shiv asked.

Adam paused. “...Not officially.”

“And I don’t remember attending any convention either,” Shiv deadpanned. “Ultimately, these people are slave trading bastards, so they can get tainted. And in fact, that’s what I’m going to do to them—taint their damn food.”

“This could have significant risks,” Uva said with a frown. “Plagues are a dangerous thing for a hidden dimension. Weave has suffered and still suffers immensely from the First Blood’s biological agents. There is a chance that this could backfire and even affect us if it is done poorly.”

“And that’s why I won’t do it poorly,” Shiv said. “I’ll experiment on some bugs first. Then I’ll move on to some mercs and Vultegs.”

“Where will you get mercenaries and Vultegs to experiment upon?” Adam asked. Uva and Shiv looked at Adam with shared expressions of suppressed amusement. “Oh, Ascendants. I let you two out to do one night of mass killings and already you’re both bloody spiraling into moral depravity. Kidnapping people and experimenting on them is a crime!”

“Who says anything about kidnapping them?” Shiv asked. “I’m just going to cast a spell on them from over 200 meters away.”

“And we will have no shortage of volunteers,” Uva said. “I’ll just make them participate consensually.”

The Young Lord’s eyes bulged in disbelief. “Uva, that’s… Participate consensually? Really?”

“It is technically accurate, is it not?” she asked.

“It’s effective. And they’re pieces of shit.” Shiv justified.

“It’s still… Killing them is one thing…” Adam grimaced, very much unsure about the moral dubiousness of it all.

Shiv and Uva looked at each other again and shared a smirk.

“Soft and fragile,” Shiv began.

“But good and decent,” Uva finished.

The lovers then shared a snort, patted Adam on his respective shoulders—who slapped their hands away with a scowl—and continued plotting how they were going to give every Vulteg, mercenary, and slaver the worst agony shits of their life without affecting anyone else.

“I have insights into biological warfare,” Can Hu spoke up. “I will provide additional recommendations where necessary.”

Adam licked his lips and looked around the room for someone else to protest. He stared at Siggy for a moment, and she awkwardly looked away from him. Finally, he looked to Valor, and the Legendary Pathbearer only sighed.

“I cannot fault you for wishing to have a level of conduct which everyone holds themselves to,” Valor began. Hope almost swelled inside Adam, but then Valor continued. “However, I murdered my mother and half-brother when I was around your age and then spread a grand fire that killed many who were not responsible and likely innocent to assist in my escape. What Uva and Shiv are planning should be rather effective as well. If nothing else, if their strategy is focused and Shiv’s spell is well cast, we will see a diminished number of enemy Adepts in the field soon.”

“It just feels dirty,” Adam muttered.

“It’s going to get dirty,” Shiv commented off by the side.

The Young Lord just sighed. “I suppose I’ll… I’ll oversee this so it doesn’t turn into another mass death incident.”

“You don’t trust me, Adam?” Uva said, batting her eyelashes at him—almost mockingly.

“No. You don’t care so long as something’s effective, and he’s enthusiastically doing this because he wants more skill levels. No, I don’t trust either of you. Tell me exactly what you’re doing so we don’t end up food poisoning a bunch of children to death too.”

***

Practical Metabiology > 31

Woundeater > 71

Adam, Uva, and Shiv observed the progressive “fruits”

Two Vultegs wailed with pain. One’s cries were far weaker than the other's. At the far left end of the room, the healthiest Vulteg was shivering and delirious, but still standing. “L-Lord Scorn,” he whimpered. “Please end my life. Please just kill me. There is no more left in me… Why do I still—aghhghhh!”

He shuddered as another series of stomach spasms followed.

In the stall to his right, a spent Vulteg lay crying from its single eye. It had collapsed forward, detaching from the waste-tubes and repainting the walls. He didn’t have the strength to pray. He didn’t have the strength to stand. Severe dehydration had set in, and soon unconsciousness would be his friend.

In the third stall was silence and death. Adam looked once in the third stall and never again as he struggled not to gag.

“Well, I think we got it,” Shiv said, nodding. “New spell: Bowel-Breaker.”

“It’s just modified dysentery,” Uva said. “Quite effective though. You learned to cast that rather fast.”

“Yeah, I just did a minor spin on what Ekkihurst did in the book. He’s a lot more complex with his spells, but I do believe I got the basics down. Now, if I can only learn how to cure it… It’s always harder to fix than to cause. Damn body’s too complicated. I’ll probably figure out how to mess up someone’s genetic patterns before I ever get to solving the cancer problem.” With every word Shiv spoke, Adam shuddered. “Hey, Adam. Can you go back to stall one? I want to check the—”

“No,” Adam growled. “Not stall one. Never stall one again. We already made the poor bastard shit himself to death. Let him have some peace.” And the Dimensional Archer sighed. “I can only imagine what poor fool will be made to clean this.”

“The only vector of spread should be the food you cast the spell on, correct?” Uva asked.

“Yeah,” Shiv replied. “It also doesn’t last that long. A few hours at most. I managed to figure out how that worked on the bugs and rodents. By the way, we shouldn’t go to the tenth floor anymore. I sealed the level off entirely to stop the infection from spreading, and I think I contained it.”

“I regret every second of this,” Adam whispered.

“I think it will be effective,” Uva replied. “When this is done, and most restaurants suffer a series of violent food poisoning incidents while Little Gomorrah seems relatively pristine as an option, more of the gate’s personnel will go there—where Shiv will be cooking. And we can harvest even more information from there.”

“You know most Pathbearers will eventually just stop eating and drinking when they catch on, yes?” Adam asked.

“Before I incapacitate a good percentage of all Adepts in the city?” Shiv asked.

“I—” Adam bit back a groan. “I hate this. So I can only imagine how the Gate Lord will feel.”

Uva hummed. “Shiv. Let’s test this on as many places frequented by the guards as we can. I think we’ll be able to see some of the most obvious effects by tomorrow.”

“Yeah. And sneaking around will be good for my Stealth as well,” Shiv said with a smile.

“Sneaking around, poisoning food, and making people defecate themselves to death,” Adam lamented. “Who have we become?”

“Heroes, Adam,” Shiv said, entirely earnest. “We’re doing all this for Blackedge. And the slaves. And more skill levels. Whatever it takes.”

“You can’t just justify everything by saying that over and—”

“Whatever. It. Takes.” Shiv began to chuckle. “I can’t wait to find out how Confriga’s going to react to this.”

***

"This is unacceptable!" Confriga roared. “Thirty percent of the guard taking leave from their posts in a time of crisis! All of them fleeing toward the restrooms over and over! I will not accept this! I will find out what they are trying to hide from me! If this is another drug epidemic, I will flay every dealer I find!”

Leu followed closely behind him and winced. Master Shiv and the others warned her of what was actually happening, and though their ways were odd, she couldn’t deny the effectiveness. "Gate Lord, perhaps I should handle this. The scene is... It's vile. It's disgusting. It's unbefitting of your person."

"Your concern is noted, Guardshead, but follow my orders and speak no more. I will rip those fools apart. I will rip them apart for defying me, for ignoring my commands. I have summoned them, and they will come even if they are on the verge of death!"

But as he blasted through the restroom door on the ground floor for the central Vulteg barracks, he saw a horrible, nightmarish sight. Confriga stumbled back, briefly shocked out of his blind rage.

On the ground were wailing Vultegs, all of them in various states of undress, and the floor, once white, was smeared with...

The Gate Lord looked away and he gagged at the smell. There were fights happening in the stalls. Vultegs were relieving themselves as they fought uncontrollably, jets of horrible color spraying across the wall, and the Gate Lord staggered away, shaken by the sight. "Leu! Execute all of these guards! Burn this place! Get the purifiers, burn this place!” And as he charged back up the hallway, he saw another small mob of guards rushing toward him with hands on their stomachs.

The Gate Lord stood still for a moment, just looking at each of the guards as they ran past his person. They didn’t even acknowledge his presence or position. That’s how much pain they were in. That’s how bad the poisoning was.

“The… Several of our Biomancers have gone missing,” Leu said, subtly trying to provoke the Gate Lord further. “And most of Compact’s top lawyers, the internal maintenance engineers, the gateway dimensionality engineers, the bankers, and two of our foremost Psychomancers. The Corpse-Shedder is taunting us.”

“Corpse-Shedder…” Gate Lord Confriga muttered, his eye widening in absolute fury. He threw his head back and roared. His voice echoed out from the mana core in the sky, and a massive, howling blizzard smashed down upon the city as Confriga fully unleashed its mana in a wild act of careless rage. “CORPSE-SHEDDER!”