Chapter 309

Watching the Coliseum’s fight to the conclusion provided a single enchanted token—which was an abysmal rate, at least based on how much she and Vanetta had benefited from their arena runs. Then again, the average delver couldn’t fight through so many rounds, and thus earned less. So the passive generation from the Coliseum was comparatively more attractive to a ‘normal’ person.

For her part, she doubted she’d be idling around much. Better to hunt for a supply of basic tokens, then perhaps visit the Bordello. That was likely the second-best way to empower tokens behind official assignments.

Afterward, their team of five descended into the lobby area and stood in a corner for privacy. Natalie and Vanetta filled the other three in on what they’d learned. Elida, Clementine, and Faye did the same for what they’d heard and been told.

The only major piece of information—though it was more theory or suspicion than concrete intel—that was brought up besides the Emporium was a suspected method to gain a key. Everyone knew that drawing the City’s attention could luck a person into getting a copy, but there weren’t guaranteed methods. Natalie had heard that story about the girl who’d gotten overly enthusiastic about the pillory, but copycats had had much less luck. Probably, some genuine passion would be required; it couldn’t be gamed.

They had a lead, though. The Ruins of Elysium, which the City of Eros was surrounded by in all directions.

“Those towers we saw,” Natalie said. “And the other buildings. That—that makes sense actually. But it’s not confirmed? The person who told you didn’t actually clear one himself?”

“He knew a guy who knew a girl who completed one and got a key, apparently,” Elida said, shrugging. “Even if it doesn’t have one, we’ll obviously be making a trip regardless. Why hunt the easy open areas? We have one of the best level-three teams in the world, maybe. Of course we’ll take the challenge zones.”

Natalie raised her eyebrows at that, because it sounded egotistical to state it outright. But damn. Maybe Elida was right. A team of elites, two of them god-sponsored. Their only major weakness was a lack of synergy and familiarity. By raw stats and talent for their level, they were up there.

So yeah. Of course they would tackle one of those points of interest now that the team had reunited.

“And we’re gonna go do that now?” Natalie asked. “It’s a while before the next reset.” The other three had gotten unlucky with the timing of their arrival. “Vanetta and I are low on non-enchanted tokens anyway. It wasn’t hard to enchant what we had.”

“Indeed. For that matter, we’re wasting time standing around and talking. I won’t squander this opportunity.” Elida pursed her lips. “But before we go, Natalie, can I speak with you privately?”

Natalie eyed the girl. “Sure?” she said hesitantly.

Being cordial to Elida hadn’t been difficult in this team context—and since she wasn’t acting like a major bitch, beyond the smirks and general aura she carried around.

A private conversation might make her ten times more difficult to deal with though. And more importantly, what topic needed secrecy? Only ones related to their class and to waking deities, Natalie assumed, which was why she was leery.

Regardless, she stepped aside with Elida.

“I expected your patron to influence the floor,” Elida said with no ceremony, “but this is absurd, Natalie.”