Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 432: A New World

Chapter 432 - A New World

[ Planetary Travel Successful ]

[ Entity does not match specific travel protocol ]

[ … ]

[ … ]

[ Entity possesses World Champion Title ]

[ Planetary Travel Granted ]

Blinking, Max was distracted by the messages that scrolled past and the area surrounding him.

Behind them were metal walls filled with display panels, and a few small gnomes, dwarves, and goblins stood off in different areas, each wearing matching suits and talking with others.

“Get off the platform you oaf!”

The high-pitched yet gruff voice carried across the din of noise from the metal room, and Max saw a bald gnome with a large pair of spectacles leaning over a metal panel like the one Jazzjak had used.

“What?”

“I said, get off the fricking platform so someone else can come here without us having to worry about the two of you finding yourself merged into a new creation! Even if it’s probably a better-looking one!”

Some chuckles came from a pair of dwarves who stood on either side of the spot where the gnome was, each wearing a weird, tight suit with a metal frame running along it like seams.

Without waiting, he moved down the stairs and toward the pair, who were holding their hands up to stop him.

“Paperwork? Reason for visit?”

The dwarf who spoke to him had tri-colored hair: orange, green, and white, each section braided independently of the others.

“To explore and have fun.”

A grunt came and the stubby hands snatched the card Max held out.

He put it against a tablet and then both eyes went wide, glancing at the screen and then back up at him.

“Uh… can you give me one moment? Forgive me, sir. My partner and transport operator didn’t realize we would have someone of your reputation coming today.”

“What are you squawking about?” the gnome asked as he adjusted his glasses. “Who the fook is this bald human?”

“Shut it, Marty! He’s a WC!”

Choking noises came as the Gnome leaned back, and then he disappeared, falling off whatever stand he had been, the sound of his body striking the floor.

The other dwarf with only orange and green hair, quickly moved around the panel area.

“He’s fine, Fipple. Doesn’t even have a bump on his ugly head.”

A slight sigh came from the dwarf who still held Max’s card, softly tapping it against a tablet.

“I’ve sent in a request sir, for an escort. They should be here shortly, and if you don’t mind, I can accompany you to a better waiting area as they finish up the custom clearing process.”

“Fipple was it?”

The guard bobbed his head.

“Forgive me, I didn’t realize I would be causing a scene,” Max stated. “I didn’t give my people much time to announce that I was headed here.”

Clearing his throat, the dwarf shrugged and motioned to a door away from most of the other people in the room.

“You have nothing to apologize for, sir. Now, if you’ll give me a moment.”

Fipple moved quickly to where he could stick his head around the paneled spot.

“Marty, get your short arse up on that box and get back to work, or so help me I’m going to relegate you to the transportation of waste material again!”

A loud ack could be heard and the gnome’s head quickly appeared over the short wall, adjusting his glasses that were still slightly off-kilter.

“Now if you don’t mind. It’s this way.”

***

Max couldn’t help but smile as he ran his hand over the couch he was sitting on.

Three times, different robots, as Fipple had called them, came by offering a variety of food and drinks that they could prepare for him. Across the small waiting area, the dwarf stood like a statue, occasionally checking his tablet when it vibrated.

If I wasn’t in a rush to kill someone and get revenge, I could get accustomed to being treated like this.

Royalty, those of great power, and those who are feared often get special treatment. No doubt you have a combination of those in these people's eyes. Still… time is of the essence.

Can I use this role to get information without the need for killing or torture?

Potentially, but the problem may arise that you gave someone that reason. While some might not question it, when you specifically ask about a gnome in particular, you could find yourself either requested to leave or a warning could be given to that gnome. There is no telling what other traps or potential escape mechanisms they might have if they get that chance.

I could mention that we have a gnome on our world and play that card. Mention how she had spoken highly of her home. See if there are relatives. Start there?

Bob said nothing for a moment, but there was a sense of consideration to what he had just said that Max could almost make out.

Everything we do here will be the unknown. Some worlds might consider that a compliment and share information as a way to brag. Others might keep silent, not wanting to give out anything without first fact-checking.

Here, with three races and not knowing their relationships or how they view each other, we might encounter other issues that stem from that.

Clearing his throat, Max watched as Fipple flinched slightly.

“You said it should only be a few minutes, but it’s been longer. Is there a reason for the delay?”

The slightest twinge of angst washed over the dwarf’s bald face.

“Honestly, sir, you’re the first being ever to exit my portal with the rank that you possess. This is new to me, and I had expected a much faster response. Please understand I mean no disrespect. My tablet has informed me that your welcoming party is coming.”

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“Party?”

Once more the dwarf flinched, obviously catching the disappointment in his tone.

“It would appear… that is the case. Again, I don’t have any real experience with… World Champions coming through the portal unannounced, and I’ve been in my position for well over a hundred years.”

“Do we have to wait here? I’d much rather start to explore the world I’ve heard so much about.”

Shifting side to side, Fipple pulled up his tablet and his stubby fingers began frantically tapping against it.

A few seconds passed and then he smiled.

“I was informed that if you do not mind me escorting you until your welcoming party arrives, I can show you some of the capital near here.”

Standing, Max gave the best grin he could and nodded.

“I would be happy to have you as my guide,” he said. “As one with a blood brother who is a dwarf, I cannot imagine a better escort.”

Both of his silver eyes widened, and the guard’s jaw dropped.

“You… have a blood brother?”

Nodding, Max moved to where the guard was and pointed at the door.

“Let’s go for a walk, and I’ll tell you my story if you tell me about the city.”

***

Holy elf tits… this place is unreal…

Not often do I like to agree with that statement, but you are correct.

Lights hanging over a wide street changed and noise erupted as bikes, mechanical horse-pulled carts, and wagons that his escort had called a cruiser raced down the street as the other sides stopped.

The smell of smoke appeared as goblins, dwarves, and gnomes all moved through the city.

Giant metal buildings, some stretching fifty floors high, hid the sun, which was already partially obscured by the haze of smoke above.

There were lights and noise everywhere, and the sidewalk they were standing on, which moved in the direction Fipple was taking him, had his sonar working like crazy to filter out noises that didn’t matter.

“I still can’t believe this is your first time in Din Buldar. Do World Champions not travel that much?”

“Occasionally I do,” Max replied, watching as lights and displays flashed all around him. “But leaving one's world for a long time does leave it open to being challenged. I prefer to not have to keep killing those foolish enough to try.”

He could sense the dwarf swallowing whatever was coming next, his clean-shaven throat unable to hide the movement.

A trio of goblins, each with orange skin and beards that almost touched the moving walkway, hurried past them, talking about the latest gizmo that they all needed.

Some dwarves had beards, and others didn’t. The variety of clothing options on display often made him want to chuckle.

“Tell me, what is up with all the attire I see and the different gears and other stuff on them?”

“Oh steampunk or gaslamp has been the rage for eons. Those who are rich can afford the real items while many wear knockoffs which do nothing. My outfit, for example,” Fipple said as he tapped the metal that ran the edge of one of his arms and up his shoulder. “It is part of the gaslamp tech, and it provides me with protection and strength if I were to need it. Obviously, I don’t use it unless I had to as any unauthorized use of it would result in my pay being docked to fix or charge it.”

Nodding, Max listened, intrigued by what the dwarf was explaining.

“Do all the races create this or?”

“Gumbodo no!” his escort stated as he waved a hand. “Each race has their own version and few have tried to meld them together, but often that has resulted in catastrophic disaster. Only the true bloods of the way can access that; those few only teach their own blood.”

“So some still exist?”

Tsking his tongue, Fipple nodded, his finger rising as he pointed at a cruiser that was stopped at a corner that had no top.

“That goblin’s hat, the one right there. Can you see it?”

Shaped like a top hat, Max could see that it had gears moving and two lights that glowed softly. What looked like possible designs or runes along the hat almost called out to him.

“If that is real, then I could work for the rest of my life and never be able to afford it. That is the power of a true item. For him to wear it openly like that means a few things.”

“He’s strong, connected, rich, or simply pretending to be.”

Fipple laughed and nodded. “You nailed it.”

“So, who still makes those?” Max asked.

“Only half a dozen families or so for each race. The market is strong enough that when something of renown is crafted, auctions are held and everyone tunes in to see what someone will acquire.”

Tapping his chin, Max took a shot he hoped paid off.

“Yeah… the gnome on my world mentioned something about that once if I remember. Nimyn spoke about it. Nimyn Flukepitch.”

Fipple started to cough and beat his chest a few times.

“Did… did you say Flukepitch?”

Cocking his head, Max tried to keep his cool.

“I did… why?”

“That’s…” Coughing once more, the dwarf cleared his throat. “That is the name of one of the gnomish families who craft such things. I… I didn’t realize one of their blood had left the world.”

“Really?” Max asked, smiling as he put a hand on the dwarf he was almost ready to kiss. “Tell me, is their place anywhere near here? I’d love to try and tell them how much I appreciate their kin.”

“Yes… but… I’m not sure they’d allow you into their place,” Fipple said, motioning to Max to come closer as he whispered. “Some of the gnomes are downright evil and conniving, and that family is probably one of the worst. You would have to travel for at least a day by train to reach the city they are in, and then you’d have to reach their estate and ask for an audience.”

“Probably one of those overly gaudy places where they flaunt their money.”

Rolling his eyes Fipple nodded. “You have no idea.”

“Well perhaps I can get a chance later to try anyway,” Max said. “Which way is the city they are in?”

The dwarf pulled the tablet he had secured in a pouch on his hip and tapped it, pointing his arm almost directly behind him.

“It would be this way.”

“Well, one last question: where could I go to relieve myself? It’s been a while, and all this traveling has made me need to go.”

Fipple nodded and led him off the walkway that was still moving them through the city. He stepped off it and onto a large metal sidewalk with a giant flashing goblin face and a top hat.

He pointed at the green and purple building at its edge, rising into the sky and covered in signs that beckoned people to come in and sample different delicacies or try one of its other services.

“In here are a few. If I were you, I’d pay for the better bathroom. Trust me, these goblins can’t aim.”

Smiling, Max nodded and made his way toward the door.

“I’ll be back as quick as I can.”

The moment Fipple turned his back, Max made his move.

[ Blink ]

[ Demonic Teleportation ]

[ Stealth ]

A wind blade appeared under his feet, and Max couldn’t help but smile as Bob maneuvered the spell around the building and upward, rising high into the sky as they headed in the direction they had been directed.

How in the gods did you luck out and get one that dumb?

I’m not sure he was stupid… simply… awestruck by my awesomeness.

Yeah… that’s exactly what it was.

Both of them laughed as they streaked through the air, ready to try and find the quarry that needed to be taught a lesson.

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