Back in the building that was Theo, doors slammed in fury. Had he just been duped again? If he only had kept his mouth shut, none of this would have happened. Now, he had gotten himself involved in some other mess, one he suspected he wouldn’t like.

“The Claw Hook gang has been terrorizing the region for years, and we’re not only talking about my town. Month after month, they had become more and more brazen, stealing from beggar, merchant, and noble alike. The Duke of Kanies himself offered a reward of twenty thousand gold coins for anyone who finds the brigands’ hideout and puts an end to their actions. Quite a lot of adventurers have tried, but all of them failed.”

“They all wound up dead?” Theo asked, unable to stop himself once more.

“Fortunately, no,” the earl continued. “I like your bravery, however. The annoying thieves are just impossible to track down. Every member of the Claw has multiple magic items in their possession that make capture impossible. You are the first, and only, person to do so, my dear baron.”

Theo felt a chill through his walls. Unwarranted compliments were a sure sign of scary things to come.

“The thieves you captured quickly revealed the exact location of their boss’ hideout, and through that have untied my hands.” The earl stood up from his throne. “That is why, by the power invested in me, I decree that the two of you go and deal with this nuisance once and for all! A hero and a mage, and the hope of all of Rosewind, hereby receive the noble quest of finding the Claw Hook hideout and do what needs to be done so that calm is restored to the region once more!”

There it was—the punishment disguised as a reward that Theo so much feared. Not only wasn’t he going to be left alone, but now he was forced to waste his time hunting thieves… accompanied by a hero. At this point, he really couldn’t imagine things getting any worse.

I should have just sent Cmyk, Theo said to himself. Things would have been so much simpler then. Although… maybe it wasn’t too late to change things.

“Earl Rosewind, I’m honored by your trust,” Theo began. “I really am. Unfortunately, as I was told by your tax collector upon arriving here, I have a lot of documents to get in order. After all, as someone from a noble lineage, I must serve as an example to others and not leave even trivial matters unfinished. Of course, I’ll gladly—"

“Hmm, you have a point there.” The earl scratched his left ear. “It’s not rare for nobles to forget that even they are subject to the kingdom’s laws. You are quite the paragon of virtue. And that only proves I was right in choosing you for the job.”

Huh? There was a smile on Theo’s avatar, but deep inside, he was weeping.

“Go on your quest and deal with the Claw Hook thieves. In the meantime, I’ll see to it that all your bureaucratic issues are resolved.”

“You are too kind, my Lord.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do. Oh, and Liandra.” The earl turned to the woman. “I’m looking forward to having you join me for dinner upon your return. I’m sure there’s a lot for us to talk about.”

“I’m sure there is.” Liandra nodded. “Thank you, my Lord.”

In such an absurd fashion, Theo found himself—or at least his avatar—roped in an official noble quest assigned by the earl himself. The situation was so hair-tearingly annoying, that the only thing he could do was have his avatar smile and return briefly to pack before heading out. On the bright side, the dungeon would remain safely in the city, keeping an eye on Cmyk and any other potential thieves. However, he had to be extremely careful that his avatar didn’t get injured. Since there was mana—and not blood—running through his veins, even a slight wound risked revealing Theo’s true nature to Liandra. If that happened, she would have no issue finding and destroying him.

“Spok!” Theo shouted, while his avatar was making its way back to the building. “Is there a quick way to transfer skills to my avatar?”

Could you please elaborate a bit on that? The spirit guide asked.

“I want to grant and increase the abilities my avatar has the same way you do.”

Oh, you can already do that. All it takes is—

“While my avatar is outside,” Theo added.

This made things considerably more channeling. While dungeons were virtually omnipotent when it came to everything within them—as long as they had enough energy and Core Points—they had limited powers outside. The spirit guide once again had to think long and hard to find a skill or ability that would allow what Theo wanted. Unfortunately, unlike before, this time there was nothing to find.

It seems that no dungeon has asked for such a skill…

“Come on!” Theo slammed a door. “You mean to tell me there’s no way to make my avatar stronger while it’s outside?”

It might be possible to grant it abilities while it’s slightly outside, Spok said cautiously. With your power, maybe that could be extended to a block or two…

“I’m supposed to go on a quest who-knows-where and do who-knows-what. Can I teleport my avatar here and back?”

That is a possibility, yes…

“Great!”

…but it will require more energy than you currently have. While changing the location of a part of you is far less than moving yourself, it still requires considerable energy at long distances. Also, it won’t be reliable since it’ll be affected by anti-magic fields, sacred sites, and a number of other exceptions.

“I’m doomed.”

I’m sorry, sir, but your requests are just so… unique. Dungeons simply don’t think that way.

“Hold on!” All the lamps within Theo lit up. “You said no dungeon has asked for such skills before. Does it mean I get to ask for skills?”

The question, while extremely logical, astonished Spok. Usually, dungeons only requested powers before their reincarnation. There was nothing that said they couldn’t ask while being alive… it simply wasn’t something that was done.