The sun was already high in the sky when I left the alleyway, its rays warming my skin like a gentle embrace as I stepped into the bustling marketplace. The commotion of people haggling and shouting filled the air, a cacophony of noise that was equal parts irritating and comforting. I weaved my way through the crowd, like a fish swimming upstream, making my way to a nearby fruit stand that caught my eye.
The fruit stand was piled high with an array of colorful, fresh produce that seemed to glisten like jewels in the sunlight. I was greeted by the friendly smile of the worker behind the counter, a middle-aged woman with a warm and inviting demeanor.
"Welcome! How can I help you today?" she asked, her voice carrying the melody of a well-practiced salesperson.
"Hi there. I'd like something to eat. Maybe an apple or two?" I said, my stomach rumbling like distant thunder at the thought of the juicy fruit.
"Of course! Here you go," she replied, handing me two ripe, red apples that seemed to radiate the promise of sweetness. I handed her two bronze coins in exchange, and she nodded appreciatively.
As I took a bite of the apple, savoring the sweet and slightly tart taste that burst across my tongue like a symphony, I casually asked the worker, "By the way, have you noticed anyone unusual working in a store nearby? Perhaps, someone who's a bit... eccentric when it comes to money, and maybe a bit crazy as well? Do you know anyone like that by chance?"
She raised an eyebrow, as if considering a complex puzzle, before replying, "Now that you mention it, there's a man who recently started working at the antique shop down the street. He's a bit... peculiar, especially when it comes to money. He haggles like his life depends on it, and he starts laughing at random times. Is he a friend of yours?"
I suppressed a grin, like a cat who had just caught the canary, knowing that this was most likely the person I was looking for. "You could say that. Thanks for the information."
Wishing the fruit stand worker a good day, I made my way down the street toward the antique shop. It was nestled between two larger stores, its quaint, weathered exterior giving off an air of history and mystery. As I entered the shop, the faint aroma of old books and polished wood filled my nostrils, like stepping into a forgotten library.
The shop was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the dusty windows, casting an eerie glow over the ancient treasures. Shelves filled with antiques, relics, and trinkets lined the walls, their contents seeming to whisper secrets of the past. In the center of the shop, a middle-aged man with an intense gaze was haggling fiercely with a customer over the price of an ancient-looking artifact.
As I approached the man, I could hear him practically demanding the customer to pay more for the item, his voice carrying the desperation of someone who would do anything for money. I knew that this had to be the money lunatic I wrote about in the novel.
Waiting for the right moment to interject, I cleared my throat and stepped forward, drawing the man's attention. "So, what did you do to the owner of this store?"
"Young man, I'm not sure what you're talking about, I am the owner of this establishment," he retorted.
"Just call me Kael, I'm genuinely curious, what crime did he commit? Was it sex trafficking or maybe he was a rapist, could it be that he was a murderer? Well, I'm sure it doesn't matter to you, as long as you can seize his possessions, right Zeke?"
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In an instant, he sent a flying dagger straight to my heart, but the moment it made contact with my clothes, it ricocheted, sending a shockwave through the room that knocked over various items. Knowing this character, I came prepared; Zeke always aims for the heart and is feared by many in the underworld. His ruthlessness terrified numerous people, and eventually, they started calling him Sanguinor, although that would happen five years from now. I transformed the sword of Umbra into a thick, small shield to cover my heart, blocking the attack and absorbing the impact. I couldn't help but feel like a genius.
I stood before Zeke, doing my best to keep my emotions in check. His tall, lanky frame towered over me, his pale skin a stark contrast to the dark, unruly hair that cascaded over his piercing green eyes. He wore an ensemble of eccentric clothing, a symphony of bold patterns and clashing colors that somehow worked together to make him even more intimidating.
As his head snapped back, a maniacal laugh erupted from him, the sound echoing through my very being like thunder tearing through a stormy night. I steeled myself, refusing to let him see the shiver that threatened to betray my resolve. Zeke's posture straightened, his expression becoming cold and calculating as his magic came to life, surrounding him in a tempest of crackling energy.
"How do you know me? I erased all my traces," he demanded, his voice a blend of amusement and menace that sent shivers down my spine.
I swallowed my fear, my voice steady and calm as I replied, "That doesn't matter. What matters is the opportunity I'm about to present to you."
His eyebrow arched, curiosity flickering in his eyes. I pressed on, hoping the allure of wealth would be enough to sway the unpredictable magician. "I want to work with you on a large-scale business I'm planning. Money, Zeke. We're talking about a mountain of money here. Money for you, money for me, money for all of us involved. We'll start small, but in time, we'll build an empire and control the market. With your skills and my connections, there's no limit to what we can achieve."
I emphasized the word 'money' over and over, like the relentless beat of a drum driving home my point. There was absolutely no way he would let this opportunity go. I watched as his expression wavered between skepticism and intrigue, but I could tell that I had piqued his interest. In the face of his overwhelming presence, I had managed to keep my voice steady and my emotions in check, offering Zeke an opportunity I hoped he wouldn't refuse.
"You already know of the MST, right? We created a new version called TSI, and there are newly implemented features in it as well. And before you question it, we already managed to connect one to the Mana tower; all that's left is to set up a facade," I said as I tossed my TSI for him to inspect.
As he inspected it, a maniacal laugh erupted from him. "Alright, this is going to be fun! I'm in. Those greedy nobles are going to go insane once it spreads. So why do you need me?"
"I need you to run it and deal with the underground merchants. With your skillset, I doubt that will be a problem. In return, I'll give you 20% of the company and 10% of any future projects we work on. However, if you want to know more, you'll have to make an oath."
"Ah, to think I'd be treated so well," he chuckled darkly. "I'll make the oath. But am I allowed to deal with the merchants however I want?"
"Ugh... just please don't kill them or threaten them unless necessary. It's best to have living clients, but if they or anyone else have any grudges against us, you may deal with those as you like."
After he made the oath, I explained the plan. It took me a while to convince him to use his savings to buy a building up north, like persuading a stubborn mule to change its course. After telling him to meet me in the alleyway tomorrow afternoon, he left for the north, his presence fading like a receding storm. Exhausted after a long day of work, I decided to use my remaining bronze coins to treat myself to a much-needed meal.
The sun dipped below the horizon as I meandered through the bustling streets, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink. The aroma of street food enticed my senses, the sizzling sounds of meat and vegetables on the grill beckoning me. I approached a nearby food stand, the warm glow of the lanterns casting a welcoming light.
As I savored each bite, I noticed that my TSI had started buzzing. It appeared that Eira had managed to create a second one.