Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

“What the hell is a vampire doing here?” Oliver asked both out of curiosity and surprise.

Eve chuckled as she paced slowly around him in a circle, like a cat toying with a mouse. “I'm doing a job, obviously. I basically said that the first time we spoke. I'm even fairly sure you have a decent idea as to what that job is, don't you?”

The glare Oliver directed at her was equal parts frustrated and bewildered. “Yeah, but... Why? You just implied that you've been around since at least World War 2, so why the hell do you need money?”

Eve arched a single eyebrow at him as she frowned. “What is that supposed to mean? Of course I need money. A girl has needs, after all. A home, a car, clothes; basically everything you need except food. I get that by other means, of course. Is this some weird stalling tactic or do you genuinely not understand?”

Oliver smirked, then chuckled, before devolving into full blown laughter.

“What the hell is so funny?” Eve frowned at him.

Oliver raised his hands in an apologetic gesture as his laughter slowly tapered off. “Ah, come on, it's obvious why that is funny. You're working to pay bills!”

Seeing her frown deepen to a scowl, he smirked at her. “Seriously, there's a reason for the vampire stereotype of them living in this huge old mansions! You've been alive for at least a century, you should be rich by now!”

Eve stomped her feet petulantly, which Oliver found to be amusing and almost cute, as she snapped at him. “Stereotypes are stupid! And you shouldn't believe the shit in movies anyway!”

After a moment of fuming, Eve turned her glare full force on him. “Why would you think a vampire should be rich anyway? It's not like wealth comes alongside the immortality!”

Oliver struggle to restrain his humor. Despite the vampires age, she was incredibly easy to string along while he considered how best to handle her. After a moment just to smirk at her while he thought, he shrugged a shoulder and answered her simply. “Interest. Why else?”

The confusion in her eyes nearly started him laughing again as she pondered his answer. “What do you mean by interest? Are you talking about how obsessed you mortals are with vampires or something?”

He could see her fists clench at the teasing smirk on his face. “No. Interest as in returns from an investment. I mean, really, it wouldn't take much to set up some investments. Engage a lawyer or something that you control so that everything gets 'passed down' to a relative after thirty years or so... A relative that is just a new identity for you, of course. After almost a hundred years you should be fairly well off. And that's assuming you didn't hire accountants or brokers to handle it for you. Hell, real estate or collectibles would have worked too.”

“I mean, honestly! If I was in your shoes, I would save up some money and jump on every new trend that came up. Most wouldn't pay off, sure, but it only takes one for you to be set for... Well, pretty much forever. You could have easily thrown a couple hundred bucks at cryptocurrencies when they first started. What's the worst that would have happened? It's not like you would starve, right?”

Eve looked thoughtful, and embarrassed, for a moment before shaking her head. “Whatever! Business isn't really my specialty, anyway. I'm more the hunt and kill stuff type. Not like it's all about the money anyway.”

Seeing that he had her off balance, Oliver started pacing around her like she was the mouse now. A small smirk played across his face, just to annoy her. “Oh? Then what is about? The action? I doubt you still feel adrenaline, though it could be psychological. What is it that drives you to do this and risk exposure? It's not like every job can go perfectly, I know that from experience. So why risk it?”

Eve waved off his question as she tried to regain her bearing. “Eh, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you. Not like it matters, seeing as all I've got to do is grab you and the job is basically done.”

Oliver shrugged indifferently to the implied threat. “Well, if it doesn't matter, then why not tell me? It's not like I'll get the chance to tell someone, right? With all the drama you've thrown into this, I'm surprised you're not jumping at the chance to do a proper villainous monologue.”

“Besides, maybe I will believe you. You never know.”

Eve thought about it for a moment before she shrugged, a small smile flashing across her face. “Eh, why not? I've always wanted to do the monologue thing. Just don't think you can pull some hero shit and take advantage of it. You may be cute, but you're not really the dashing hero type.”

With a small chuckle, she lightly drummed the tips of her fingers against each other as she put on her most wicked look- which Oliver found to be quite adorable, really. After a moment to set the scene, she spoke slowly. “There are many magical things in this world, which, you being clearly a bit magical yourself, I'm sure you know. Some are easy to understand, but some are strange and mysterious in ways that are beyond human comprehension.”

“And some simply look mundane while being truly exceptional!”

She let out a sinister cackle... that sounded slightly less sinister than she obviously intended, considering her high pitched voice and youthful looks. “And, as I'm sure you can tell by that delightful build up, I found something of the sort.”

“A simple app on my phone! It looks normal, like a game or something, but it is so much more! It's like a job board, with posts ranging from retrieving a lost item to exterminating a warlord and his army!”

“And the payments for doing the jobs! I really questioned if it was real... Until I tried it. And damn if it didn't pay off!”

Oliver was laser focused on her monologue, forgetting to even plan for how to deal with her. So much of it sounded familiar, if a little different. He quickly schooled his features to just a mild interest. “So, the money is good? Is that it?”

Eve smirked condescendingly at him. “Not just money. Power.”

“The first I did was just money, but a lot of it. After the money actually came through, I tried another one. But that one offered an even better reward. It promised to make me stronger. And it did!”

Seeing Oliver's skeptical look, she pressed on. “Is it really so hard to believe? Especially considering you're talking to an actual vampire.”

“When I felt the power flowing through me, I knew I had found something truly special. So, I looked at it more deeply... And even I couldn't believe what I saw!”

As Oliver showed a look of curiosity, she leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Not only will it grant me greater strength, speed, and toughness... But special powers! Once I turn you in, I'll get the ability to turn into a swarm of bats! How badass is that?”

“And getting the chance to visit other worlds and do all sorts of crazy shit-”

Oliver was nodding along unconsciously in agreement. He definitely saw the appeal; it was the same as what he felt when looking at the system. When Eve mentioned other worlds, his eyes snapped to hers as he gaped in amazement. “Other worlds? Seriously?”

Eve smiled smugly as she nodded. “Yep!”

“What's the app called, if you don't mind me asking?”

She chuckled in amusement as she shrugged. “That's actually why I thought it was a game at first. The name is fucking ridiculous! 'The Multi-Dimensional Mercenary System'. What sort of name is that? Even for a game that would be lame, let alone some sort of crazy mystical whatever the fuck it is! Not that I'm complaining, considering how much I'm gaining from it.”

Meeting Oliver's gaze, she took in the shock and amazement she saw in his eyes. “Wait, you believe me, don't you?”

Oliver sighed softly as he nodded. “Yeah, actually, I do believe you Eve. It kinda makes me sad that we're enemies.”

“Well, that and you are just adorable. Even though you're a blood drinking monster, I feel kinda bad about having to kill you.”

A shotgun appeared in Oliver's hands, a lovely semi-automatic with a microdot sight mounted on it that he had taken a liking to after liberating it from the hate group he killed. He quickly shouldered the weapon and fired, sending a load of buckshot straight into Eve's chest.

And all hell broke loose.