Leveling Up With My Rebate System

Nathan placed a hand, halfway out the window and watched the city pass. After minutes of observation, he turned to Della.

"So, tell me detective. Why did you want to come to the auction?" Nathan asked.

Della raised an eyebrow at the obvious question. "I told you yesterday. So I can keep an eye on you."

Nathan glanced at her. "If you really wanted to keep an eye on me. You’d have spent the night in my suite...."

Della shot him a side-eye.

Nathan raised his hand calmly. "...I mean wouldn’t that be more effective than leaving me alone."

"Who knows what I could get up to." he threw her a glance.

Della shook her head. "The auction is different. Besides, I’m not your babysitter." She slowed down as she approached a traffic light.

"If you say so," Nathan said before he narrowed his eyes in thought. "Speaking of baby sitters. Did you talk to the guy who can watch my sister?"

"Yes," Della replied. "He’s asking for two grand a day."

Nathan turned the numbers in his head for a moment. "That works. As long as he knows what he’s doing."

"He does," Della replied.

"Alright, what’s his contact info?" Nathan said.

Della reached into her purse and handed a card to Nathan. He took it from her and glanced at the name written on it, Ethan Decker.

He turned to her. "Your brother?"

"Cousin," she replied. "But he’s really good."

Nathan examined the card for another moment before taking a picture. He sent it to Moe to help him run a background check.

As the traffic light turned green, Della stepped on the accelerator.

Nathan decided to check the system screen.

’Status’

The golden screen shimmered into existence.

[Host: Nathan D. Ledger]

[System Balance: $49,708,800.31]

[Skills: Fortitude]

[Items: System Card]

[Rebate Ticket: (5x)]

Nathan rested a hand on his chin. He had already used one rebate ticket to test how the feature worked.

The next time he used the ticket, he wanted to make sure it was worth it. He didn’t know when the system was going to give him the next one.

"You good?" Della’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Nathan looked at her. "Yes, Why?"

She shrugged. "You were staring at nothing so I assumed something was bothering you."

"Oh," Nathan said, willing the screen away from his vision. "I was wondering what makes an old piece of paper so important that people are willing to buy it at an auction."

Della threw him a glance like he had insulted her. "The history? The culture?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow, apparently not buying it. "I understand culture and history but this looks like a plain old letter."

"It is, sort of," Della said. "This particular manuscript is part of a series of letters written by a king who was alive hundreds of years ago."

Nathan shrugged. "I still don’t get why that’s exciting. I can understand paintings, sculptures, and other items I can hold, but a dead guy’s letter?" He shook his head.

Della let out a sigh. "It isn’t for everyone." She turned her steering at an intersection. "The auction in mind. How do you intend to pay for the item? Is your sponsor making an appearance?"

"No," Nathan answered. "They’ve sent the money to my account so I’ll be making the payment myself."

Della narrowed her eyes. "You know you can’t use an alias or fake ID like you did at the hotel right? They’ll do a proper check."

Nathan furrowed his brow in thought as he hadn’t considered that.. "I can use my real ID. it should still be active right?"

Della paused for a moment. "Hmm...That could work. It’s not like you’re some famous celebrity or hero. Do you have your card?"

Nathan nodded. "I have a card."

"Then that will work."

The car fell silent for a moment and soon after they reached their destination. A large old mansion with a black metal gate.

Della drove in and parked her car in the lot.

The front door was flanked by attendants in black suits, checking and doing searches.

Nathan adjusted his hat and wore his face mask. He brought out his mask to examine it. It was a black domino mask that only covered the upper part of his face. He turned to Della just as she finished turning off the engine.

"Where’s your mask?"

Della hesitated for a moment before reaching into her purse. She pulled out a black cat mask with elegant gold trim. She held it up for Nathan to see before slipping it over her face. The feline design suited her features.

Nathan gave a thumbs up.

"What?" Della asked, adjusting her dress.

"Looks good, " Nathan said and stepped out.

Della kept her gun in the glove compartment and locked the doors. She got out of the car and they both approached the entrance.

The attendants greeted them warmly. They did a quick search manually and with metal detectors. They discovered Nathan’s anklet but didn’t say anything and motioned for both of them to go in.

Nathan turned to Della. "We have to get those stuff they use for bidding."

"A paddle," Della corrected. She turned to the direction of the desk where a small queue was forming. "They’ll request ID and proof of wealth."

Nathan nodded and walked to the desk where a man in his thirties, wearing a suit, attended to him. He handed his real ID and the system card.

The man examined the names on both items to confirm then typed on his computer. Nathan was slightly anxious as the man took some moments.

Eventually, he handed Nathan his items and a paddle with the number, 66, when he was done.

"Enjoy the auction, sir."

"You too," Nathan replied and walked away, leaving the attendant slightly confused.

He walked to Della who was subtly adjusting her dress. She straightened herself when he arrived.

"You got the paddle," she said a bit too quickly.

"Yes I did," Nathan replied, giving her a once over but didn’t say anything.

They passed through the lobby and into a grand hall. Crystal chandeliers cast soft light across the room.

There were dozens of guests mingled in the gallery, their various masks concealing their identities.

Della adjusted her dress for what felt like the hundredth time, her eyes darting around as she accessed the place expecting danger.

Nathan leaned closer. "Stop fussing. You look beautiful."

Della snapped her head towards him. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Nathan’s tone was light. "You’re fine. Just relax and enjoy."

Della opened her mouth to respond, then closed it. She crossed her arms and looked straight ahead. "The auction doesn’t start for several minutes. I’ll look around the gallery in case there’s anything suspicious."

"You do you, triple D," Nathan said.

Della rolled her eyes and walked away.

Nathan watched her go, then turned to survey the room. He wanted to get an idea on how much the manuscript cost but he had no idea how to go about it.

He accepted a glass of wine from a passing server and looked around the hall, opting to take his time to enjoy the scenery.

Della moved through the gallery, her eyes scanning various items displayed. Paintings, sculptures, and antique weapons lined the walls.

A part of her was on high alert, examining anything like a potential threat but the other side wanted to examine the pieces.

A cluster of guests near a group of paintings drew her attention. She approached, catching snippets of conversation.

"...extraordinary brushwork..."

"...this particular piece sold for..."

"...I heard Dobarro’s works are becoming rarer..."

Della’s ears perked up. She’d heard that name before, an artist who painted future events. She stepped closer to examine the painting.

It depicted a man in a suit with golden hair, his back to the viewer, arms raised to the sky. Above him, figures resembling suits of armor and robotic forms flew in formation.

The painting seemed to fascinate Della and for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to own it.

"Fascinating, isn’t it?" A voice called out, pulling her from her thoughts.

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