NOVEL SIMPLE 22: Agreement to Transport
"Hi Jade, you busy?" CoDestiny asks.
"Just watching over my sister." JadeBea points to SaphBea, who is cultivating the basic technique. "You need anything?"
"My chat is interested in the game's potential for helping disabled people." CoDestiny explains. "Would you be able to say more about you sisters condition, that way we'll have an idea what's possible."
JadeBea sighs. "It's fundamentally a problem with her immune system. I can't really explain further since I don't want to get something wrong, but the result is that it's not safe for her to go outside, and most of her muscles can't exert much strength."
"That's rough, but I suppose it says good things about the game." CoDestiny says. "How has her experience been so far?"
"It's been a long time since I've seen her this happy." JadeBea says. "She always used to be a cheerful person, and now I'm getting to see that side of her again."
"Good, that's all I needed to know." CoDestiny starts to walk away.
"Hold on." JadeBea stops him. "Would you be able to get me some more Beast Cores? I'm wanting to make some more unassigned vessels."
"I can, but is that a good idea?" CoDestiny asks. "The herd we found only had a limited number of boars, and we don't know if we'll find another source soon. Imagine how annoyed the new disciples will be if they can't get the opportunity to invite friends with the second unassigned vessel."
"I hadn't considered that." JadeBea admits. "Then could I ask you to go exploring for new sources. I'll give you 100 SP for each suitable core or other resource you bring me."
"On it." CoDestiny agrees.
"And you don't have to worry too much about long term sustainability." JadeBea says. "Lily told me there are ways to use alchemy to make what we need, and we have plenty of the materials. She didn't say much more, but once we get some understanding of how alchemy works we can experiment on our own."
"That sounds like it might be dangerous." CoDestiny says.
"The worst that can happen is death, and I have an abundance of spare vessels prepared." JadeBea says.
It's been four hours, and so the new players with sponsors have reached the second stage and can actively participate in supporting the sect.
"I think we should build the trading hall across this area." CarpArc gestures to an enormous area next to the main sect building.
"Isn't that a bit big?" PCliver asks.
"No, she's right." DaRule says. "This will be a place many players spend a lot of their time. Considering how popular this game will be, we'll have to make additional trading halls later on."
"To start I'll just make a framework." CarpArc says. "Allow the trading hall to be usable for your current purposes, but I'll add more features and designs as time goes on."
"Remember we also want this to act as our guild house." DaRule says. "The trading hall should obviously be on the ground floor, but the upper floors will be reserved for our use."
"It'll take some time to set up all the supports needed for more floors." CarpArc says. "I hope you're fine waiting for a while."
"Just something I wanted you to keep in mind for the future." DaRule says.
"We also have the problem of storage space." PCliver considers. "Will might need an extensive basement."
"I have a better solution for that." Master Stone appears out of the blue, as he often does.
"Sect Master!" PCliver and DaRule bow, with CarpArc doing so shortly after.
"Look at this crystal." Master Stone takes out a large crystal with strangely inverted colours. "This is a Folded Space Crystal, and it can store a large amount of items within itself."
"Like an inventory?" PCliver asks.
"No, that would be a storage ring." Master Stone explains. "This crystal can store greater amounts, but at the cost of being completely immobile while anything is in it."
"So more like a bank." DaRule nods. "How much do they cost?"
"Rather than just sell it to you, I'd instead like to rent it out." Master Stone says. "I will give you a big Folded Space Crystal. So big it can act as the central pillar for this trading house. I will set up this pillar so storing things will grant Sect Points, and withdrawing costs Sect Points. Your group will be in charge of deciding the amounts for both, but know that the Sect Points go to and from the pillar, and if it runs out then there will be consequences."
"All this does sound very convenient." DaRule says. "So how much will it cost to rent this pillar?"
"Half of all the profit you make with it." Master Stone says. "I may reduce that amount later, but for now it will be half."
"What do you even need Sect Points for?" CarpArc asks.
"I don't need them, as I have an infinite supply." Master Stone replies. "This is meant as a way to fight inflation."
DaRule nods. He understands how important doing so is.
"And one last thing before I go." Master Stone says. "We are now allied to a Nature Fae. That means we should be especially respectful of nature. That's why all buildings must have a garden taking up the same amount of space."
Lily is relaxing in Rean Stone's private wing of the main sect building.
Interacting with the 'players' may be her role here, but she's thankfully allowed to take breaks.
Despite his casual demeanour, Rean has been a good host, and a gentleman in all regards.
She would even go as far as to say she enjoys her time here, if not for the increasing worries about players swarming the world and causing absolute chaos.
"You thinking about something?" Rean arrives back from wherever it is he went off to.
"Just what I'm going to say to the Blossom Alliance once I return." Lily admits. "I don't mean to be rude, but your disciples have the potential to be very disruptive to the worlds order."
"That's putting it lightly." Rean says. "But I'm working to keep them under control, and I'd like your help with that."
"What can I do?" Lily asks.
"Do you still have the flying chariot I gave you?" Rean asks back.
"My sect does, and we're willing to give it back." Lily says.
"How about we instead use it as a regular transport between our sects." Rean suggests. "We can use it for both trading resources and as a safe way for people to travel."
"I don't see that helping. In fact it would only make things worse." Lily says. "And most members of my sect can't handle the amount of impurities here."
"I will be setting up a barrier around the core area of this sect to slow the spread of impurities, then I'll completely cleanse the inside so it will be safe." Rean explains. "Also, transport for my disciples will be restricted to only those with an invite from your sect. That should give them a very strong reason to behave themselves."
"I understand." Lily nods. "If left to their own devises they will explore outwards in an attempt to meet the local people, but they'll be so spread out that it'll be impossible to keep them in line. But this way we can keep track of them."
"Exactly." Rean applauds. "I'll also give you plenty of Incentive Gems, which your sect can use to teach my disciples that the best way to earn is by helping people."
"At that point it feels like we're just using them as servants." Lily says.
"Is that a problem?" Rean asks. "They don't have to do any task they don't like, and they'll actually enjoy it if the task is dangerous and exciting enough."
"I suppose that's fine." Lily accepts. "Once I'm done here I will have to check with my sect leader to hear his opinion."
"You can head out now if you like." Rean offers. "I think you've already earned this next technique." He holds out a book.
"What does it do?" Lily asks.
"It's a way of gathering Qi." Rean answers. "Not especially fancy I know, but certainly useful."
"Thank you so much!" Lily accidentally raises her voice. "What can I do to repay you."
"It won't be so long until some of my disciples can buy the Cleanse Other Technique." Rean says. "Would is better possible to bring someone from your sect next time you visit, that way we can test to see if it actually works."
Lily can hardly believe it. By all accounts this is actually another gift to her sect, and not one she's foolish enough to refuse.
There is one problem though.
"Unfortunately all our disciples weak enough for it to work are too young to consent to an experimental technique." Lily says. "Well... there is one disciple."
"If that disciple is unwilling then you can just ask someone from a different sect." Rean says. "I'm certain you can find at least one person willing to accept."