Titan reached for his alarm clock before it went off and stopped it on his night table.
He quickly rolled out his bed, went to his bathroom and washed up and went to his closet.
There was a knock on his door. He came out of his closet dressed in a black suit.
The door opened and Mrs. Caroline Young dressed in a plain jeans and white blouse stood looking at him.
She had a frown on her face and examined him.
“Where are you going, son?” Caroline asked him.
Titan grinned. “I got a job.” He said.
Caroline frowned at him. “A job doing what?” She asked.
“I’m going to be working for dad’s guild as a part time book keeper?” He said.
Caroline blinked in confusion. “Book keeper?!” She said.
“Yeah. I’m going to manage the guild’s budgets, buy assets and increase funds.” Titan said.
“That’s wonderful. I am proud of you son.” She said.
Caroline walked over to him and reaching for hug.
Titan grinned walking toward her.
Caroline suddenly reached out quickly taking his Axiom Edge from his sheath at his side.
“What does a book keeper need with a rogue’s weapon?”
Titan shrugged. “I needed a weapon to use in a dungeon to make money.”
Caroline stared at him open mouthed. “You are not a dungeon crawler. Honey. You’re a CPA in corporate business taxes.” She said,
Titan nodded his head. “I also have a minor degree in guild budgeting business management.” He said.
Caroline stared up at him with her honey hold brown eyes. She shook her head.
“No. No. This is not happening. Your father just died doing that shit.”
Titan looked at his wrist watch. It was 4:39 a.m. He was late.
“I got to go work, Mom. I might be late. Can you give back my weapon?” He said.
“This is because of the mortgage. No. I told you. Just get a personal loan and we’ll move into a small apartment.”
“I didn’t need to take a personal loan. I’ll payoff the mortgage and earn enough money to put Kristy through college. I’ve already decided.”
Caroline started to speak. Titan looked past her at someone. She have turned.
Titan removed Axiom Edge from her hand moved past her and was outside his room in a few seconds.
“AH! Titan. Come back.” Caroline yelled for her son.
Titan was already moving fast down stairs. He saw Kristy dressed in her pink bunny pajamas in the living room down stairs looking at cartoons.
She glanced at him from the couch with her large glasses on.
“I’m going to work. I’ll bring you back something nice. Love you.” He said.
“Love you Tee. Could you bring back Blue Barry muffins please.” Kristy said.
Titan gave her the thumbs up as he opened the front door headed out of the house.
Charlie was waiting with the guild van parked in front of the two story house.
Caroline came out of the house quickly chasing after Titan. “Titan! Listen to me. I don’t want you to do this. I can get a job and we can move into an apartment.”
“Listen. I’ll bring back muffins for Kristy. She wants to be a veterinarian. That cost about two hundred grand at least. I love you. See you tonight.”
Caroline stared at her son. “I love you. Be safe. Don’t act reckless. Come home.”
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Titan gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and quickly got into the van as it quickly drove off.
The van was packed with the crew. Titan looked too Eddie was up front in the passenger seat grinning.
“What’s the next job?” He asked.
Eddie snorted. “Three dungeons. They’re all regenerated with some loot to raid and one is a cash cow that pays big.” He said.
“First. We’re headed to the Redemption Shop. We’re going to load up. Eddie gave it to him.” Charlie said.
Eddie handed Titan a physical spreadsheet with a set of numbers.
Titan took in the information as he leafed through the data and losses and assets.
He sighed, shaking his head. “Well. At least we have the bar as an asset.” He said.
“We got twenty grand from the government job.” Charlie said.
Titan took out a pocket notebook and pen and started making notes. “I’ll have to start calculating what loans to pay down first.” He said.
Charlie tapped the wheel. “Sounds good. So. We’re sticking to the battle plan we had since we had yesterday.”
“I stick back and stay close to the group and crew to finish off the enemies.”
Hank, who was sitting next to Titan, tapped his shoulder. “You good with a bow?”
Titan grimaced, shaking his head. “No. Glenda said I should stick to my Axiom Edge. She said it would be enough and evolve as I level up.” He said.
Hank studied Titan. “Damn. It’s going to be a wild ride going forward.”
Titan frowned at his words. “I don’t get it.” He said.
Hank grinned. “That’s a good thing. We’re coming up to the shop now.” He said.
Titan turned his head toward to the right as they approached the corner store with a Redemption sign.
Charlie parked the van on the corner.
The crew got out and started going inside the store.
Each member of the Rough Riders had a large bag of loot from the last job.
The shop was packed with weapons on the walls white security cages.
There were three long glass display cases.
Eight dungeon crawlers shopping for weapons and selling their wares.
Charlie went to a female sales person with a bright smile and orange scarlet hair. She was dressed in a blue suit.
“Good morning, Heather. I got loot to sell and items for your appraisal." He said.
Heather giggled. “Okay. You’re in a good mood. Must have been a very successful raid. Let me see what you got, handsome.”
Put the first bag on the table. Heather opened it, sorting through the items.
She froze. “This is from a new Dungeon.”
“Yes, Ma’am. We took out the boss.” Charlie said.
Heather stared at him. “Okay. Okay. I’m counting three bags with you. No rare items or legendary weapons. Two grand for the entire lot.” She said,
Charlie stepped back as he held his chest. “Shit. You’re stepping on my heart here. Fifty grand sounds better.”
Heather snorted in laughter. “Oh. That is rich. No way in this universe. Eight grand.”
“By the gods. You are on a quest to bust my balls here. Twenty grand.”
“Oh no. You're not bending me over a table. Fifteen grand.”
Charlie held out his hand. “Alright. I ain’t got all day. I’ll take it if you put three healing potions into the deal.”
Heather sighed but she shook his hand. “Deal. The money will be deposited in your account.” She said.
Charlie grinned and then let go of her hand waving Titan over. “This is my nephew Titan Young. He’s got some gold to exchange for cash.”
Heather sighed and glanced over at Titan as he walked up facing her.
Titan smiled at her. “Hello.” He said.
Heather stared at him with a side grin. “Nice suit. A professional for a dungeon crawler."
Titan shrugged. “I’m a part time crawler. Full time accountant.” He said
Heather snorted. “Okay cowboy, show me the gold honey.”
Titan reached inside his suit jacket pocket taking out a magic bag.
Heather watched as he emptied the gold onto the display case between.
“You got gold to convert to a store credit to be about thirty grand and twenty grand in cash if you like. Are you looking to upgrade a new weapon?”
Titan stared at her. “Twenty thousandth?!" He said in shocked surprised by much the value of few coins had earned him.
Heather shrugged. “I know. It's not that much. I know but you could use it to buy yourself a newer weapon.”
Titan started to shake his head but he stopped. “Do you have any boots or explosives?” He asked.
Heather smiled. “You’re a Rogue class. No explosives. I do have a collection of boots, knives and leather armor.”
Titan shook his head. “I just need a pair of leather boots or utility boots black. Size 10.”
Heather’s smile only spread more on her face.
She nodded, bent down, opening a drawer and then came back up with black boots.
“Merlin Brand. Magically enhanced boots one size fits all and lifetime warranty. They also give you a speed boost."
“How much?” Titan asked.
“I’ll take two of those gold coins you have.” Heather said.
Titan took the money out from his bag and placed the coins face down in front of her in less then five seconds.
Heather stepped back and stared at the coins and then at Terry. “You’re pretty fast.” She said glancing at Charlie.
Titan took the boots. “Thank you for the boots.” He said and turned to step aside.
Heather stepped him with a raised hand. “What made you get into the Dungeon crawling game?”
“Money.” Titan said immediately.
Heather snorted along with several others in the shop. “I know that’s part of the reason. What’s the rest of the story?”
“My father died and I have to pay the mortgage off and pay for my little sister’s college.” Titan said in a neutral voice.
Heather's smile froze but she nodded. “Oh. Sorry for your loss. Well you are off to a good start. Who was your trainer?”
“A dungeon crawler named Glenda.” He said.
Everyone in the shop froze. Heather stared at him. “Holy shit. Okay. I get it now. Your different.” She said.
Titan frowned at her. “What the hell does that even mean?”

