Hitman with a Badass System

Following Arlen, Michael arrived at a spacious open ground that seemed to serve as a training area. Rows of training dummies stood at attention, and racks held an impressive array of weapons, including bows and swords. In one corner, apple trees were ripe, their fruit ready for picking.

Arlen gestured towards a table, indicating that Michael should place the artifact there. Michael nodded and carefully removed the cloth covering the artifact, revealing the gleaming cubical object enclosed within a glass case. Arlen's eyes widened, and he looked both amazed and skeptical.

"You're certain it's working?" Arlen inquired, his initial doubts still lingering.

"I've checked it myself. It's working," Michael replied confidently.

"Very well. I need to see it for myself before presenting it to the elders," Arlen stated, his curiosity piqued.

He then called out to a young elf maiden with golden hair who was clad in pale blue robes. She rushed over, bowing respectfully to Arlen.

"My Lord," she greeted him.

"Retrieve item forty-one from my room," Arlen instructed. The young elf promptly nodded and hurried away to carry out his request.

Arlen took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Michael. "So, you assisted Rurik and the others in forging this artifact? You're new to Sagespire, aren't you?" Arlen inquired, his curiosity evident.

"Yes, I'm new here," Michael confirmed. Meanwhile, Vedora remained perched silently on his shoulder, observing their surroundings.

"Where's Rurik? It's unlike him to send a newcomer," Arlen furrowed his brow, sensing that something was amiss. However, Michael chose not to divulge the events that had transpired in the guild.

"He's occupied with another task," Michael replied vaguely.

"Hmm. For the sake of both him and the guild, I hope this artifact performs as expected," Arlen said, his expression a mixture of concern and hope.

"Speaking of which, do you understand how it works, Lord Arlen?" Michael asked, curious about the elf's knowledge of the artifact.

"Of course, John," Arlen chuckled. Michael sensed a hint of pride in the elf's demeanor, which made him reluctant to press further.

"So, John, to what extent did you assist in forging this artifact?" Arlen inquired, adopting a somewhat interrogative tone.

Michael responded confidently, "Without my contribution, this artifact wouldn't have functioned. While Rurik and the others played their part, my involvement was crucial."

"Very well. If what you say is true, we may have some special projects for you," Arlen remarked, to which Michael responded with a sly smile.

"As long as the compensation is generous, I'm more than capable of forging whatever you require," Michael stated, making no effort to hide his desire for wealth.

"Hmm," Arlen nodded in acknowledgment as the young elven girl returned to him, bearing a crystal that crackled with vivid lightning bolts.

"Kranar's crystal," Michael murmured under his breath. He couldn't help but draw the connection between this crystal and the one Nazrag had held before his untimely demise. The crystal before him was filled with tiny bolts of lightning that danced and crackled, emitting a distinct humming and buzzing sound.

"You do the honors," Arlen instructed, gesturing for the young elf to pass the crystal to Michael.

"Okay," Michael replied as he accepted the crystal from her. It felt cool to the touch, and the miniature lightning bolts sent tingles across his skin.

Gently, Michael removed the artifact from its glass casing and turned it so that the firing hole faced the training dummies.

"You might want to take a step back," Michael advised Arlen. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, Arlen obliged, shifting a few paces away. His eyes remained fixed on the artifact, brimming with fascination.

Michael carefully placed the crystal upon the artifact. The moment the two items made contact, the artifact burst to life, emitting a continuous and resonant hum as it greedily absorbed the lightning energy stored in the crystal.

As the energy flowed from the crystal to the artifact, its glow began to diminish. It went from a brilliant and vibrant blue to a dim red, signifying that all the energy had been successfully transferred.

"To discharge the stored lightning energy, all you need to do is press here," Michael instructed, indicating a small button on the artifact.

Michael aimed the artifact at one of the dummies and pressed the button. The moment he did, a surge of energy erupted from the artifact, causing Arlen's hair to stand on end. He heard a crackling sound as a thick bolt of lightning shot towards the dummy. In an instant, the dummy was obliterated into countless fragments.

"Wow," Arlen breathed in amazement, his eyes glued to the remarkable display. Yet the artifact's demonstration was far from over. It had absorbed enough energy to unleash three more bursts.

Michael proceeded to fire three additional shots at the remaining dummies, each lightning bolt obliterating a dummy with explosive force.

"Wonderful," Arlen applauded with genuine admiration. He appeared both relieved and excited by the artifact's flawless performance.

"John, I should never have underestimated the Blacksmith Guild. Your guild has my sincere apologies," Arlen admitted, recognizing his earlier skepticism.

"It's perfectly fine. Rurik mentioned that the guild regretted the delay in completing this project," Michael replied smoothly. While Rurik hadn't uttered such words, Michael saw this as an opportunity to further foster goodwill with Arlen.

Once the artifact had discharged its stored energy and returned to its original bluish hue, Arlen declared, "Now, I can meet with the elders." With a deft flick of his wrist, he summoned a space ring into his hand.

"This contains the agreed-upon payment. Please ensure it reaches Rurik," Arlen instructed, handing the space ring to Michael.

Michael nodded in acknowledgment, carefully accepting the space ring.

"Kiera, show Master John our Silverbrook hospitality," Arlen directed, turning his attention to the young elf.

Kiera nodded in response, her striking blue eyes attentive and courteous. "Please follow me, Master John," she said politely.

"Wait for me here until I return," Arlen added before taking the artifact and exiting the training ground. Left alone with Kiera, Michael readied himself to follow her into the world of the Silverbrook noble house.

"Please follow me, Master John," Kiera said with a graceful nod, leading the way.

Michael followed her through a series of enchanting corridors adorned with intricate elven artwork and lush potted plants. They eventually arrived at a pair of grand double doors that opened into an exquisite garden. There, in the heart of the garden, nestled under a pink maple tree canopy, was a mesmerizing hot spring.

The hot spring was a crystal-clear pool, naturally heated, surrounded by smooth, polished stones. The warm, steamy waters created an otherworldly atmosphere, and the sweet scent of blooming flowers filled the air. At the hot spring, elven beauties, wearing revealing white cloth that left little to the imagination, tended to the needs of the elves and guests lounging in the water.

Kiera turned to Michael with a polite smile. "Master John, if you would like, please remove your clothes and enjoy one of our hot springs. It will relax both your body and mind."

Michael glanced around, unsure of where to change. "Where should I change my clothes?" he asked.

Kiera gestured toward a nearby room, its door slightly ajar. "You can change in there. Fresh towels are provided if you wish," she informed him.

With a nod of appreciation, Michael stepped towards the indicated room, ready to enjoy the luxurious elven hot spring and experience the Silverbrook hospitality.

The changing room, constructed from polished bamboo and adorned with delicate, colorful silks, had an inviting warmth to it. A soft, pleasant aroma wafted through the air, accompanied by the occasional plume of hot steam escaping from the cracks in the bamboo.

As Michael entered the room, Ayag couldn't help but express her enthusiasm. "By the gods, we really need a relaxing hot bath after that ordeal."

Michael grinned, understanding the sentiment well. "As they say, 'A soak in a hot spring can wash away the troubles of the world.'"

He quickly shed his clothes and replaced them with a pristine white towel, tying it around his waist. Feeling the calming aura of the hot spring and the promise of respite, he was more than ready to unwind in the soothing waters.

As Michael stepped out of the changing room, the glistening drops of water rolled down his chiseled muscles, tracing the scars that adorned his body like stories of battles long past. The perfectly sculpted abs and muscular physique he displayed garnered more than a few lustful and yearning glances from the elven women tending to the hot spring.

Ayag, always one to speak her mind, leaned in and whispered to him, "Well, it seems our elven friends here have quite an appreciation for your... looks."

Michael merely chuckled in response as he walked past the admiring gazes. He approached the hot spring and carefully descended into the soothing waters. The warmth enveloped him like a comforting embrace, and as he leaned back, a sense of profound relaxation washed over him. The cares of the day melted away with every passing moment.

As Michael savored the rejuvenating waters of the hot spring, he initiated contact with Pink through his earpiece.

"I'm here, Ghost," Pink's voice echoed in his mind. She seemed to be awakening from a nap, evident in the yawn she let out.

"There is something we need to see," Michael conveyed to Pink. He closed his eyes, focusing on the mental connection with the system. In his mind, he sent the command to display the feed from the Spyder he had discreetly installed within the artifact.

Unbeknownst to him, this connection was about to lead him to an encounter with a fellow god in the moments to come...