Lets go to Takanka’s Rest and get really cleaned up.

  As he made his way there he saw Jason the doorman and smiled before he motioned that he was going towards the bathhouse. As he went around back and into the bathhouse he saw Fandy before he handed her a Gold Mark which she smiled and led him to a tub as she grabbed his Loot Gear. He sat in the tub as Guin spoke in his mind as she ran her hands over his shoulders.

  “So what gear do you plan on getting next your armor? Do you even still want a shield? Maybe another weapon? “

  “I am gonna go for better Heavy Armor and some mobility based boots then when I level up more, I will also pickup gauntlets as a backup weapon. The whip is good but I need something with less finesse and more raw physical power. I have 140 free attunement points that I can spend on gear. “ As Guin cradled his head in her hands as he leaned back in the tub she talked close to his ear.

  “Well while your stat growth is exceptional your attunement growth is just average. The most powerful people that use a variety of items have an attunement growth rate as high at 20 to 30 points a level. They may not have amazing stats but the efficiency of using the item can make up for that at least somewhat that and Major Ability Perks are much better than the perks you have gotten. With 140 attunement points you can get a Major Attunement weapon or equipment at 80 and a Greater Attunement weapon or equipment at 60.”

  “So should I get my armor and boots first or my armor and gauntlets “ He could feel Guin nod in his mind before she spoke again.

  “Well first you would need to pull or buy a Major or Greater weapon or equipment boxes that fits what you are looking for. Then find a crafter worth their salt. You have the wealth to be able to find a much better crafter than Well Built. If anything I would keep your boomerang and whip but I would keep them for special situations. Like you have said you are more of a warrior, you need something with a bit more force like a Maul or Battleaxe.”

  Marcus nodded and thought about it for a second. “I will go to the Vikas Estate to speak with Jasmine and see if she will lend an ear to me about providing me with a crafter while I get a room and crack open some boxes.

  With that he had received his clothes from Fandy as she smiled at him and spoke.

  “You seem different, did you get taller?” Marcus' eyes narrowed as he shrugged and she spoke again.

  “You are definitely taller actually and bigger.” She handed him a mirror as he looked at himself and his eyes went wide as he stood up and really took a look at himself. He was every bit of 6 '6 and 275 pounds. He was built like an 80s fantasy hero, he had to be around less than 10 percent body fat but he did not look like a gym rat. He just looked like what he imagined Superheroes in comics looked like if they were in real life.

  Fandy looked him up and down as he quickly got dressed in front of her and handed her back the mirror. She put a hand on his arm and gave him a sympathetic look before she walked away to deal with other clients.

  He returned above ground and into Takanka’s Rest as he saw it was packed with more people then he had ever seen before and he knew this place most likely did not have rooms free. As he made it to the front desk he saw Khaliun and she looked at him strangely before she spoke.

  “Are you looking to get a room? Basic and Business are full, there is only Executive left.” He nodded and pulled out Gold mark and told her to keep the change as she handed him a wooden key and asked her to make sure he was not disturbed.

  Time to Crack some crates.

  As he went upstairs to crack open as many boxes and coins as what made sense as he closed his door and reached into his bag and began to open them in mass.

  Standard Space Equipment and Fire Weapon

  Standard Gravity Equipment and Chaos Weapon

  Standard Ethereal Equipment and Memory Weapon

  Standard Entropy Equipment and Luck Weapon

  Standard Earth Equipment and Law Weapon

  Standard Mental Equipment and Void Weapon

  Standard Telekinetic Equipment and Gravity Weapon

  Minor Memory Equipment and Life Weapon

  Lesser Life Equipment and Teleportation Weapon

  Lesser Plant Equipment and Memory Weapon

  Greater Life Equipment and Gravity Weapon

  Minor Water Equipment and Darkness Weapon

  Major Luck Equipment and Entropy Weapon

  “Jackpot.” He smiled as he pulled Major Luck Equipment, Greater Life Equipment along with a Gravity and Entropy weapon box as well. He didn’t know what a gravity weapon or entropy weapon could do but he could not walk around with potentially over a thousand loot boxes. He decided to empty out all of his gear that wasn’t a gear or resource based box as he quickly left his room again.

  He decided to head straight towards the Vikas estate. Despite the city having probably an extra 50 thousand people the streets didn’t seem too clogged as he made his way towards the Vikas estate he saw the guardsman and asked to see Jasmine Vikas and tell her that he had important information from Oakbend.

  The guardsman nodded and went inside and after a few minutes he saw Lowain come out and look at him and spit on the ground in front of him.

  “Look, the coward returned! What do you want bitchboy?” Marcus smiled.

  “I returned stronger to defend the town. I am looking for talented crafters to work on some equipment for me.” Lowain looked him up and down.

  “What do you mean you came back stronger. What did you decide to run away to gain a level or something like that would matter over helping prepare the town?”

  “I gained 25 levels.” Marcus said as a matter of fact as he continued. “We opened up the hatch together that had the tree over it. You and I had similar strengths. I would advise you to check out my level and stats now. “ Lowain looked at him curiously and pulled out a monocle before putting it over his eye as he dropped it.

  “Your strength and constitution is now in the 70s…..Ok I will take you to Jasmine and Lord Vikas.” Lowain motioned for him to follow him as he led him upstairs towards a large dark skin man like himself with a bald head and trimmed beard along with Jasmine and other people looking over a map of Moro and pieces on the board. Lowian dropped to one knee and spoke as they entered,

  “Lord Vikas and Lady Jasmine, the man who fled Oakbend with us, have returned. He has grown dramatically in power and seeks a crafter to make equipment to defend the town. “ Jasmine walked up to him and attempted to slap him across the face as he took a slight stepback before looking at her intensely. Vikas decided to cut the ice and speak.

  “So you are some powerful adventurer I take it. Well let's see how strong you are. Jasmine, grab your Identity Len and let's see what a man leaving for a few weeks can give us.” As Vikas and Jasmine pulled out their lens as Jasmine’s jaw dropped as Vikas chuckled.

  “You weren’t that much stronger than me two weeks ago. How did you gain that power?” Jasmine looked at him with a defeated look before Marcus answered.

  “I went to the Lizardkin Territory and fought for 2 weeks straight, killing hundreds of them and killing a snake the size of a tree. “ Vikas sat down in his chair and laughed a gut busting laugh as Jasmine looked over at Vikas.

  “Stop it father! So what exactly are you looking to have crafted because it is not cheap to hire crafters.” Marcus pulled out his Major and Greater lootboxes as Lowian whistled softly as he pulled out 30 resource boxes.

  “I am looking for the Major Luck piece to be a plate armor set. I only have 140 attunement slots and that will eat about 80 of it. I would have 60 slots left for a Gravity weapon or something like that looking for a gauntlet or hammer weapon. To be clear I have a greater life and a major entropy weapon box as well if some of the crafters think it could be a better fit. Whatever makes more sense. “ With that everyone was looking greedily at each other before Vikas refocused and looked up from the resource boxes.

  “It's a deal. It will take about a day but I can guarantee at least a Masterwork with a good chance to be a Unique gear but I would not count on that honestly but you can bank on Masterwork. Gildred, please take his boxes to the crafters.” The same elderly halfing looking man walked over to him as Marcus handed him the boxes before nodding at him again.

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  “There is a good chance that we can reduce the attunement costs so you can equip two Major items. We get that you want a Luck Armor. We will see what kind of Maul or Battleaxe we can craft from an Entropy weapon box.”

  “Thank you. I will be back tomorrow for my gear.” Vikas nodded at him as he waved his hand which he assumed was that he was dismissed. He turned and left the estate as quickly as he came. As he left Vikas looked at Jasmine and the rest of the advisors.

  “We need to keep a guy like that close. While some people take to fighting and hunting monsters very rarely do we find true geniuses along with having an exceptional stat growth or attunement growth. He reminds me of your older sister. “

  As he walked away he decided to return back to Takanka’s rest to grab a bite to eat to Guin began to speak up in his mind.

  “So I am curious, do you like men or women? I have not seen you make a move on anyone here?” Marcus literally stopped in the road for a second before speaking.

  “I don’t know, let's see. I was killed in a car accident and reborn in a strange tunnel filled with undead that I had to kill to leave. As I left I was almost robbed along with finding out that the country I am currently in is being pressed by two monster factions. One of them destroyed a heavily fortified town and killed several high level people. So idk, maybe you should tell me why this sucks so much.” Guin chuckled in his mind before he continued.

  “Your world was filled with horror and strife as well, this world is just a different flavor of it. While your mind is not affected by battlelust as much you still have not really spent time with anyone. You did not have to leave Vikas’s Estate. You could have stayed and been present. It would make a lot of sense for you to stay at this point and learn about the city defense plans.”

  “Yeah well, idk. That's something I have to work on.” He felt Guin presence press up against him as a shiver ran up his spine.

  “I want to see you go back to that Takanka place and actually attempt to get to know the people you intend to save. Now that you have actual power now, people need to be able to actually know who is saving them. You can’t be a robot and expect people to want to follow you or have faith in you.” Marcus took a deep breath and decided to press forward back to Takanka’s Rest.

  “I can give it a shot, no promises.” As he continued towards Takanka’s Rest. It was packed with a lot of people just like yesterday as he drifted in he nodded to Jason and gave him a few silvers before he slid in. He looked around and made his way to Khaluin who looked beautiful with her black hair wrapped in a ponytail behind her head with green eyes shaped like almonds with her simple dress of an apron and a brown dress. Khaliun looked at him as she juggled between various waiters and customers shouting at them before turning with a saleswoman smile.

  “Greetings, I hope your room is fine. No one has gone into your room like you wished. Is there anything I can help you with?” Marcus looked at her and smiled.

  “I am looking to get a haircut and makeover before the city goes under siege. Do you have any recommendations?” Khaliun continued to serve food and drinks near the front desk for several moments as she returned back to him.

  “I would recommend Isabella’s Cuttery. She does fine work and has masseuses to help relieve stress and tension. I go once a week to pamper myself and to get a break from this place.” Marcus nodded and continued as he handed her 5 silvers for her time.

  “Thank you. If possible. I would like to apologize for the way I acted the last time….well my entire time here. I am finding that my people skills are severely lacking ever since I have come here. I would like to take you out for a meal as an apology. “ Marcus looked at Khaliun as she stopped what she was doing and gave him her full attention for a second.

  “My choice of restaurant?”

  “Sure, I will be back tonight so you can have time to think it over. Either way, thanks for your time.” He quickly headed upstairs and dropped off his backpack before he returned downstairs. He flashed her a small smile and headed out towards this Cuttery place she mentioned before Guin spoke up in his mind as he continued to walk towards Isabella’s.

  “You think she will accept?” Marcus scratched his head as he continued to weave between all of the people.

  “Maybe, I think if I give her a gift and look more presentable maybe. I haven’t had a haircut in like two months and I look like a guard deserter. I hope this Isabella woman has a recommendation for a clothing store that makes sense. “ With that he traveled in silence before he reached a beautiful store towards the trunk but not as close to the trunk as the Vikas Estate and Slayer Corps. As he entered the store it was the size of a small supermarket with various men and women cutting hair that were dressed in simple white robes. As he entered he was met with a large horned man with a deep reddish hue stepping in front of him.

  “Excuse me, mate but this is a well to do place. If you are looking for something more affordable you may want to try a different location.” Marcus smiled.

  “So what’s the price of a hair cut here?”

  “50 Silvers for a basic cut, 60 silvers professional cut and a Gold for Lord or Lady Cut. We also offer additional services including massages and other self care for people that buy Lord and Lady Cuts. “ The man looked at him smugly as Marcus pulled out a Gold Mark and handed it to him.

  “I will take a Lord Cut.” The red hue man looked shocked before he quickly motioned him over to an empty seat as a middle aged woman that looked like a female Ork or Orume moved over and introduced herself. She had her hair faded on the side with her hair in a loose ponytail.

  “Greetings, my name is Monica and I will be your hairdresser for today. Is there anything specific you would like done with your hair? “ Marcus thought about it for a second. As he stood currently his hair was in a small afro and the equivalent of a struggle beard.

  “Cut it down as low as possible and clean up the beard. You have creative freedom with everything else.” The woman nodded as she leaned his chair back in towards a sink and washed his hair thoroughly before leaning his chair back up and using some kind of cordless hair dryer that dried his hair within seconds. She moved quickly and began to massage fragrant oils and creams into his hair and scalp that smelled of coconut and shea butter.

  Moving on from the scalp massage she moved to cut his hair with slow and methodical swipes of what looked like some variant of a modern hair trimmer. She took the better part of an hour cutting and cleaning up his hair before she pulled out some strange looking platinum looking gel that she used to top off his head. Before he realized he had looked over a mirror in the wall and noticed she had given him an afro fade. With the sides of his head almost bald and the top of his head cut down but still leaving him about an inch and a half of hair on top with it now being platinum blonde. He sat like this for a few as she briefed him on what he saw.

  “As it stands currently your hair on your scalp is now platinum blonde until you go to another hairdresser to get it changed back or to a different color. Even if you cut it all off it will grow back platinum blonde. Your beard and the rest of the hair on your body is still black. I am going to give you a facial massage as the product finishes applying in your hair. “ Marcus nodded as she grabbed some other creams before warming them between her hands and started rubbing them on his face. He could feel his body fully relax for the first time since he had been in this world.

  Nearly another 30 minutes in heaven, the ork woman leaned his chair up and turned to face the mirror to see what he looked like. His hair was straight up blonde which was interesting he had to admit. His beard was cropped close to face along with both his eyebrows having parts in them on the sides. He looked straight up like a fuckboy. He reached in his pocket and pulled out 20 silvers to tip the woman as she smiled.

  “Do you know where I can buy some fashionable clothes? For men and women?” The hairdresser thought for a second before saying.

  “You should try Punbi’s Threads. He is a high end clothing shop for someone as esteemed as yourself. Would you like to go to the back and get a full body grooming and massage from our specialists? That's 2 additional gold marks. “ He thought about it for a second and agreed. Why not? When in Rome, right?

  “Sure.” He reached inside of his wallet and pulled out an additional two gold marks and handed it to her as she led him through a door and into a section behind the salon part of the area and into a private shower area as he was handed various soap options. They took his clothes then handed him back his wallet. He took the mocha smelling one and began to lather up and shower. It took him about 20 minutes to shower properly as he turned off the water and immediately a set of towels and robes were handed to him as he dried off and then put on his robe.

  Let's see what this masage is all about.