“It’ll be fine,” Jory said. “I’m a member of the Adventure Society and the Alchemist Association. They’re only low-level acolytes making trouble, so there’s only so far they’ll take things. If you’d actually given them a beating instead of the other way around, though, their higher-ups might have gotten involved. I don’t have the influence to push back against that. I’m just glad you weren’t stupid enough to use your essence abilities.”

“I figured it was bar fight rules,” Jason said. “It’s all fun and games until someone pulls a knife.”

“I’ve never been in a bar fight.”

“Me either,” Jason admitted. “I just heard that somewhere.”

Jory shook his head. “You’re a crazy person.”

“The odds are pretty good, yeah.”

“Luckily, they got to stomp you into the ground, which should make them feel like they’ve accomplished something. Hopefully, they won’t be back for a while.”

“That’s why you didn’t step in to help me?”

“Help you? I almost stepped in to help them.”

Jason chuckled.

“Lovely. Those two both had iron-rank auras. Were they part of the Adventure Society?”

“Maybe,” Jory said. “The Adventure Society doesn’t put restrictions against membership in any other legitimate organisation.”

“Religions count as legitimate?”

“What is wrong with your head?”

“The bit on the front is too handsome,” Jason said. “I don’t suppose you could point me in the direction of the Adventure Society? I came here to sign up, after all.”

* * *

Jason wandered through the streets of Old City, stopping every now and again to buy something from a street stall.

Food [Chittle Kebab] has inflicted [Food Poisoning] on you.

You have resisted [Food Poisoning].

[Food Poisoning] does not take effect.

You have gained an instance of [Resistant].

“Food poisoning?”

Combat Log

You have been afflicted with normal-rank poison [Food Poisoning].

Iron rank gives you increased resistance to normal-rank afflictions.

Ability [Sin Eater] gives you increased resistance to all afflictions.

You have resisted [Food Poisoning].

Resisting an affliction has triggered ability [Sin Eater], granting you an instance of [Resistant].

“Sin eater. I’m really starting to like this ability.”

Jason looked at the food in his hand, then at the resistant buff icon, then back at the kebab.

“You are pretty tasty.”

His gaze drifted back to the resistant buff.

“Why not? It’s kind of like training the power.”

He bit into the kebab again.

Special attack [Chittle Kebab] has inflicted [Food Poisoning] on you.

You have resisted [Food Poisoning].

[Food Poisoning] does not take effect.

You have gained an instance of [Resistant].

There was now the number two next to his resistance buff indicator.

“Loving this power.”