The Crack In Heaven [A LitRPG Progression Fantasy] Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Three Tokens

Read chapter 53 of The Crack In Heaven [A LitRPG Progression Fantasy] by Adamus_Auguste on NovelPedia.

Chapter 53: Three Tokens Kael limped through Ashcoil Row's streets. His arm hung numb around Els' shoulder, his legs no better. Worse were his wounds. His forehead scabbed, but the sensation of the skin around it growing taut, and the blood hardening as he walked... disturbing, or was it disgusting? The crunch of his straightening nose especially turned his stomach. The further they fled from the beggar street, the more he dreamed of collapsing onto filthy pavement to sleep at last. Not a weird idea at all. At least, stones sounded better than dragging himself like a corpse. Others agreed with him; that's what he told himself when burly miners glared at him, Els, and Tonio from their doorsteps. Most watched them pass. But some waved a pickaxe at them, threatening him to get lost as if he'd brought disease to the neighborhood. Els didn't linger in broader streets. She led him and Tonio through two alleys before slowing. "I still have the key to my house. Garrick's men might wait for us, though. Should we head to Aunt Lana's bakery?" "I like Lana. A good woman... who can't keep her mouth shut." Kael shook his head. "You can be sure that Edwin, Walter, and Ben will know before midday. Hell, even that stuck-up Marc might show up. Either way, Tonio can't wear the relic forever." Tonio slid the Silent Frame on his nose, then pushed it back. "Time before bad." Els scratched her head for a heartbeat. Then, her gaze shifted, and Kael followed it. An old, hunched man sat against the wall. He didn't return their gaze. Instead, he stared at the empty junk bowl between his frail fingers, as if a copper crown would spring up. Why would anyone beg in an alley this early? He filed the oddity out. Hunger, or perhaps another madman. "Dad's friends were next on my list. I guess we can use our money to rent some place for the day." Ignoring the beggar, Els pulled out Joss' pouch. He leaned closer, his nose almost digging into the pouch as Els pulled on the laces. Joss said he had gold to buy his life... so weren't they rich? Copper glinted inside, along with a few silver crowns. He jerked his head back, a deep furrow creasing his brow. Where is the gold? Els shook the pouch, and a single golden sheen pierced through. But his grimace only deepened. I have gold, he said. Which gang leader is that broke? Burn in hell with your deals, Joss. Els' hands trembled around the pouch, and she smiled radiantly. "We're rich." "Buy lot meat?" Tonio grinned. It took Kael a deep breath for the corners of his lips to curl. "Yeah. Hoped for more." "When did you even own a gold coin? I never did." Els chuckled as they passed the beggar. "Ah!" She tumbled forward with a yelp, dragging Kael down with her. His shoulder hit the cobbles. When he pushed himself up, he saw the beggar's skeletal hand wrapped around her ankle, his sunken eyes locked on the pouch. "What—" "I feel it. Coins. I'll pay my debt!" The man's cracked fingernails scraped the dirt as he pulled himself closer to the pouch. A smell of blood, old and left to dry, flowed from his filthy tunic. "Release!" Tonio towered over the beggar, his foot hovering over his head. "Kill?" "Wait." Kael pushed himself up. "A copper crown if you release her. Now." "Copper?" The beggar tilted his head, then flicked them back and laughed. "I want no copper nor silver." "Break his head. Maybe he'll think straight after," Kael shot back as he picked the coins from the ground. Did he mean it? Not really. But every vein in his face down to his neck throbbed. That madman wanted a gold coin! Tonio lifted his leg without hesitation. "W-Wait!" The man flung his hands up as if he had been holding glowing coals. Tonio's foot froze a thumb over his skull. "Nothing is given; all is traded. I'll follow the rule!" Icy shivers wracked Els' shoulders. She jumped to her feet, her lips pursed, her green eyes watery. "Ash and blood. I'll shove an arrow down your throat next time you touch me. One for each of your dirty eyes if you keep looki