Spell Sniper’s Focus

The focus’s runework assists with the accuracy and range of spells fired through it, reading the wearer’s intent to marginally adjust the angle of launched spells. The focus’s gems also absorb and store ambient magic and are capable of storing as much magic as an average tier-two practitioner. The arm guard is also alchemically treated to provide additional protection.

Lukas recalled spotting the focus in a display that had contained a powerful magical staff as the centerpiece. He guessed the witch or one of the others had purchased it after he left to use the shard and then dropped it during the chaos. It was a decent substitute for the Runic Shortsword. His mastery over its spells was at a decent enough level so that he no longer needed the weapon except as a focus.

The new focus was a brilliant replacement because of its increased magic storage capabilities. Thanks to Shadowsteel, Lukas no longer needed to carry a weapon. Best of all, the Spell Sniper’s Focus would pair brilliantly with the Gauntlet of Guarding. The former was meant for the right arm and the latter for the left. Rune-etched metal plating covered the back of the hand and the attached vambrace. The gemstones that helped store and channel magic sat in a series along his length. The largest of them sat near the knuckles, and they gradually became smaller the closer one got to the elbow.

Finally, there were the design choices that Lukas adored: fingerless gloves and segmented armoring around the wrist. He appreciated the tactile freedom and wrist mobility. After losing several favored weapons, Lukas had promised himself that he’d never get emotionally attached to another again. But he’d grown to love the Runic Shortsword. It had proved crucial to his journey and success on Fracture thus far. He was going to miss it, but the Spell Sniper’s Focus softened the blow.

The clones had managed to steal a handful of other valuable prizes. At the top of them were a couple of new essences. His collection now included arcane shaping, brawn, change, currents, dusk, and vitality. Lukas wished to save a couple for upgrading his pillar abilities; three would go into improving the Shard of Growth, and he hoped to sell the rest. Given how much money people had spent at the auction, he was sure that a good healing shard would result in incredible profits.

Finally, there was an ancient tome on runes, spellweaving, and intent-casting. It had come from the same display as the Spell Sniper’s Focus. The journal had already copied its contents, and Lukas hoped to present it to Penelope or Esther. He had both women to thank for where he was now, and he intended to show his gratitude. Everything except for the tome went into the journal’s storage.

It was a shame the Halo of Invulnerability had fallen out of his pocket. Despite the long recovery time, it was an excellent emergency tool that Lukas would’ve loved to have. However, all the money the clones had scooped off the floor had doubled his savings, softening the blow.

Overall, the operation had resulted in a net positive. Lukas hadn't just profited from it, but his reputation with the Shadow Seekers had increased. Snake personally delivered a letter of recommendation to share at whichever chapter he next visited. Apparently, it would also earn him a tier-three badge as soon as any of his shards reached the appropriate level.

“It's a shame you intend to leave, but that's probably for the best,” Snake had told him. “Far too many people saw you put down the Rat King and the witch. The gang isn't going to take the slight lying down, and we don't yet know what other allies and agents the coven had in the city.

“We could've done incredible things together, and there is much I could've taught you. Have you thought about where you're going?”

“I'm following Penelope,” Lukas answered. “I appreciate the offer, though. But my heart has always been set on magic, and she's my key to becoming someone great.”

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“So Kwame said.” Snake sighed. “Shame, really. You have just the right balance of talent and grit to become someone incredible. Taking out a coven mother, weakened and injured or not, is an incredible feat for someone of your age and experience. By Niddhogg, it's an incredible feat for someone like me. I can't wrap my head around how you managed it.”

“It was mostly luck,” Lukas answered. “I saw a window and took it. Mister Grey was easy since he didn't think I'd turn on him. I almost didn't, but then the thought of living with the guilt of not putting down a human trafficker after getting the perfect opportunity would haunt me.

“The witch was considerably more risky and near suicidal. She let her guard down after I helped her take down Mister Grey, and I embraced the opportunity.”

“Luck and making decisions under pressure. They're key tools for survival that most underestimate.” Snake grinned. “In fact, I might say that luck is my favorite and most valued skill.”

The guild didn't know it, but the only reason they had captured a living, talkative witch was also because of Lukas. One of his clones had tracked her after she fled the Nightingale's Rest and descended on her during a vulnerable moment. Neither Esther nor Penelope liked what he had done and believed that if she weren't so green and inexperienced, Lukas could've suffered a soul scar. The pair refused to believe that the move was the clone's independent decision and that they had little to do with it.

Since Penelope intended to leave the city, Esther and the Shadow Seekers had taken custody of the woman. They intended to interrogate her before handing her over to the Union of Guilds. Neither trusted the Iskander Council nor the guard. It was likely Guard Captain Stefan Santana, who was now missing, served someone far more powerful and influential.

Initially, Lukas and Penelope intended to take their time finding just the right vessel to leave the city and stay with Esther for the time being. A visit from Kwame changed their mind.

“I'm pretty sure the council's agents followed me here,” he said, dropping a bundle of paper scraps and rolled parchments on the floor. “They're posted everywhere, and the city has workers putting up more.”

Lukas picked one up and spread it out on the table. An accurate drawing of his face stared back at him. The writing under it read: Lukas Zaun. Wanted For Questioning. It had a reward of two hundred crowns attached.

“I expected something like this to happen,” Lukas said, checking another.

“Is your brother really dead, or did you lie to protect him from the Grey Rats?” Kwame asked, eyes narrowing.

“What?” Lukas asked, frowning. “Why would you even ask me that?”

Instead of answering, Kwame unrolled another wanted black-and-white poster. It featured Lukas's face again, but with a stronger jaw, stubble, and slightly different hair, colored salt and pepper for a slightly more aged-up appearance. Kwame read the writing out loud. “Elvis Zaun. Wanted for assault of a peace officer and murder. Alive: six hundred crowns. Dead: four hundred crowns.”

Huh. Not theft, as well?

“I assure you, Kwame. My brother is gone. Someone will need to go digging deep in the undercity to find his corpse.”

“Then why are there reports of someone who looks unusually like you fighting in City Hall’s entrance hallway? A young city guard claimed he was questioning you when someone attacked him from behind as well.”

Lukas shrugged.

“And this person apparently had lightning magic,” Kwame added.

“I’m sure they’re mistaken,” Lukas said, holding out his hand with his fingers spread out. Electricity danced between the tips. “My latest shard gave me access to lightning. So, the bit about someone using lightning magic is true. But Elvis is gone, and as much as I wish it weren’t so, nothing will bring him back.”

Kwame sighed. “I apologize, Lukas. We just needed to clarify that you haven’t been lying to us. Deceiving the city is one thing, but—”

“I wouldn’t lie after everything you’ve done for me, Kwame.” Lukas smiled, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Thank you for looking out for me, though. It means a lot.”

It wasn’t a lie. The man called Elvis was no more and would never return. If Lukas created any other clones to pose as a sibling or relative, he intended to grant them a different identity.