The floating necropolis of Naxxanar. A dreadful place, filled to the brim with mind-twisting horrors, horrifying secrets and crawling, drooling abominations beyond common sense. Many adventurers had ventured inside the decrepit building, only to be overwhelmed and turned into such abominations food.
Recently, an ultimate raid had been organized to defeat the evil Archlich commanding the necropolis’ minions. Needless to say, it had been soundly defeated. The adventurers, forty mighty fellows ranging from levels 160 to 188 had been sent back in several dismembered parts to their families.
Inside the hall, recouping from having single-handedly defeated the adventurers, Raid Boss Elder Vampire Lord Wolfram Bloodraven was cleaning his lair where his servants’ corpses lay. He knew there was a corpse retrieval and disposing service that raid bosses could call to take care of such menial tasks, but Wolfram thought that was a waste. Plus, nothing better than some physical exercise to uncoil his muscles.
Once done with this task, Wolfram breathed in and out slowly. He had expended quite some Mana on his minions summoning. About a quarter of his internal reservoir, he believed? He had summoned 40 Elder Vampires, 200 Bats, 3 Devouring Plagues and 50 Succubi Queens. Maybe that was overkill? He preferred to err on the safe side of the danger spectrum, though, and besides, in a few hours he would be back to top shape.
Leaving the cave behind, Wolfram walked silently in the necropolis, his footsteps light as feathers. He navigated for half an hour before he reached the entrance to the second floor. Turning into a bat, he flew up the two dozen meters separating the two floors and entered through an air duct. After turning into a rodent and crawling for hundred of meters, he reached the destination. Exiting the air duct and turning back into his original form, which was of a young blond aristocrat with blue eyes.
The second floor of the floating necropolis Naxxanar was off-limits for adventurers. And for good reason too, because it was meant to be used by the residents. There were the residential quarters (what, you believed he slept in his moist cave smelling of death?), restaurants, pubs, and even a gambling house! And a brothel! Not that Wolfram indulged in such activities, mind you. He was refined and distinguished.
Wolfram pushed open the wooden door and entered the pub. Nothing better than having a glass of fine red wine to end the week and celebrate a raid party well slaughtered.
As he stepped forward, still silent like a wraith, conversations stopped inside the pub. Then some monsters whistled and Wolfram even heard catcalls coming from Shield Maidens and Succubae batting their eyes at him while pushing forward their assets.
Frowning with a heavy blush adorning his cheeks, Wolfram took the first barstool available at the counter. He waited for the barman to come, tuning out the conversation about him. Finally, the man came. He was a Level 198 Skeleton Overlord. Quite strong for such a position, but he guessed you had to be that strong to rein in rowdy customers who were Level 180 on average. He was adorned with Legendary gear all aimed to quickly subdue the opponent.
“Alfred! I’ll take a glass of your finest red wine.”
“Oh, Wolfram! Lucky you, we’ve got a new delivery of Elvoria Moongrape Wine. I think you’ll quite enjoy it. It also raises HP by 10% and cures from all unnatural status effects. It costs 4 gold a glass, 18 for the bottle.”
Wolfram wiped the drool from his mouth. He coughed into his hand once. “Ah, yes, I’ll take one glass of this fine wine.”
Alfred grinned which looked scary on the bare skull. With a light bounce to his steps, he went to fetch the bottle from the reserve. At long last the glass was served. However, instead of extending the glass, the barman extended his hand.
Wolfram sighed. Of course, business first. Fishing for his purse inside his Inventory, Wolfram began to sweat as he could only find three big coins and some smaller ones. Resigning himself, Wolfram looked at Alfred in the eye sockets and said.
« Look, Alf’. I’ve had a rough week and I don’t want to bother you, but I’ve only got three gold coins plus two silvers. Won’t you accept them as a token of goodwill. Pretty please?”
The innkeeper shrugged like it was the least of his worries.
“See if I care. That’s 4 gold coins, or you can drag your sorry ass out of my tavern and drink rat blood or whatever.”
‘Tch, cheapskate,’ Wolfram thought uncharitably.
Wolfram was about to rescind his order when a bag of twenty gold coins was put on the table. The hand which deposited the money was well-manicured and thin, belonging to a very beautiful lady. Flowing red head cascaded down her back and framed her ivory skin. The crease of her brow and twinkling emerald eyes betrayed her amusement at his plight. Her black eyeliner emphasized her almond shaped eyes and her full lips were glossy and rosy.
“Let him have the bottle, Alfred,” the lady said.
Now, Wolfram was hopelessly naïve as some would say. It was the reason why he had accepted the 1st Raid Boss position, which paid the least of all the raid bosses position. He had had high aspirations only to be mercilessly crushed down by the job market and the ruthless economy. The conditions of his contract were horrible, too. He had to relinquish all the loot he got from adventurers and was only paid 100 gold coins in exchange. Knowing that rent here costs 50 gold coins and food for a day 1 gold coin, that left dreadfully few coins for entertainment.
That was why he spent all his free time training instead of frolicking and dilapidating money like his fellow Raid Bosses. That was also why he had reached the highest level in Naxxanar, this den of absolute monsters each of whom was strong enough to level a city.
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As we were saying, he is hopelessly naïve. But he was not naïve enough to believe that such an offer came free. Judging by what every single one of the women here wanted from him, he was instantly on guard.
“I’m a virgin,” he said prudently.
If she was expecting sexual gratification from him, she would be sorely disappointed! Her reaction was unlike any he could have fathomed. She barked a mirthful laugh. Wolfram looked around discreetly and saw to his utter mortification the other monsters had zoned in on their conversation.
Once she had her laughter under control, the lady shook her head.
“You’re a funny guy. I’m not a succubus or a hooker. I’m an adventurer. Ah, Alfred, would you be so kind as to pour us each a glass of wine?”
The Skeleton Overlord barman nodded and went to do just that. Once they each took a sip from their wine (with Wolfram moaning audibly to his utter shame,) she resumed her explanation.
“You see, the human world is short on adventurers. That is partly due to Naxxanar and other such dangerous dungeons. That’s why I come here twice a month to recruit new forces to explore dungeons and clear threats. Of course, my mercenary company has a mutual non aggression pact signed with the Archlich commanding Naxxanar’s forces.”
Wolfram’s eyes widened. Swallowing another mouthful of wine, he asked a question. “I see. That’s what a human is doing here. So? Have you found any worthy candidate?”
She frowned as she gulped a mouthful. “That’s the thing. I was actually hoping to recruit a Raid Boss or two, I’ve heard they are reaaally strong. But none of them want to work with me. Maybe it’s for good reason, after all the pay of 1000 gold a month must be a paltry sum to them.”
Wolfram choked on the wine. Punching his own chest to avoid choking to death - even though he was immortal - Wolfram asked through a series of cough, “1000 g-gold?! Then how much are they being paid by Naxxanar’s Archlich?!”
Watching the man worriedly, the recruiter said, “I don’t have the exact figure, but at least a dozen time that.”
Wolfram stopped breathing. His eyes shook with disbelief. The other Raid Bosses… They earned in a month what he earned in ten years?! Sons and daughters of bitches…!
She smiled bitterly. “I know, right? And you know what the worst part is? They say they are paid for doing literally nothing! The 1st Raid Boss is dealing with all adventurers by himself every time a raid party invades! Some of the bosses, like the 5th Raid Boss haven’t been in their lair for a whole year! They spend all the time in brothels and gambling houses and fine restaurants! I certainly hope this 1st Raid Boss get paid enough for all this trouble. If not, he sure is a dumbass… D-Did I say something wrong?”
She stuttered at the end because Wolfram’s baby blue eyes had turned into terrifying smoldering red orbs.
“No. Au contraire, it was very informative, thank you,” Wolfram said, bowing his head.
Then he rose from the barstool, “I’m sorry. I’m not feeling very well, so forgive me if I take my leave. Thank you again for the drink.”
Thinking she had somehow offended the stranger, the recruiting officer said, “Ah, sorry, I forgot to ask your name!”
Wolfram smiled a chilling grin which bared his sharp fangs. “My name is Wolfram Bloodraven, 1st Raid Boss of Naxxanar, and Level 258 Elder Vampire Lord.”
With that, he left the tavern under the recruiter’s incredulous eyes and pale with fright face.
Once he had left the establishment, Naxxanar immediately said. “Teleport, Archlich Kel-Thazar’s office.”
As his surroundings shifted, the rage grew inside Wolfram’s heart. How dare he?! Making a mockery of his efforts? He would teach him!
“Kel-Thazar, you son of a rat!”
The Archlich, who was currently in the process of packing a bag full of gold coins paused, and discreetly put this bag away. He rose to his full imposing height, and spread his arms wide.
“Ah, Wolfram! My best friend in the whole multiverse! To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Best friend my ass!” Wolfram said, advancing menacingly. “I want to change my contract. Now!”
Kel-Thazar looked embarrassed. “Look, I know it was a little unfair-“ “A little unfair?!” “But hear me out. I am going to retire, in a couple days. I need somebody to hold the fort so to speak.”
Wolfram’s eyes widened in surprise. “Retire?!”
The Archlich nodded gravely. “I am getting old, even my level drops down if I don’t kill some adventurers for experience. I was thinking of retiring in some remote place and sip cocktai - I mean, and study arcane Magick until the day I die.”
Wolfram bit his lip. Of course he was angry, but what should he do? What was going to happen to him if his company closed?!
“That’s why I was thinking of having you fill in my shoes.”
Wolfram recoiled with shock. “Me?”
Kel-Thazar nodded sagely. “Of course, we can change your contract and have a new one. In fact, I was writing it right now. I swear upon my Mana, you shall get the exact same privileges I had. You know how high my salary is?”
Wolfram had a good idea. Way higher than his current one.
“No trick? Absolutely no trick, right?”
“You’ll get in the contract the same salary I currently have: a hundred thousand gold a month. If not, I swear a binding oath that I shall perish.”
A huge storm of Mana engulfed the room and Wolfram sighed. These conditions were not too bad right?
He did not find it suspicious that the Archlich was packing up his stuff and he had not seen that it was full of gold coins, not full of arcane tomes. He decided to sign the contract. Anything was better than 100 gold a month.
“Thank you so much Wolfram, you’re lifting a heavy burden off my shoulders. Oh by the way, here is the current status of the treasury, estimation and current expenses. Well I should go bye!”
The Archlich teleported out before Wolfram had the time to say anything. Shaking his head in disbelief, Wolfram had a look at the document on his desk. The more he read the paler he became.
“Insurance? Health care? Dental package? What the hell is this all… Maintenance, new fodder recruiting, corpse cleaning service, waste disposal fee, recycling fee… Hookers?”
Wolfram Bloodraven cursed weakly, his pale skin becoming white as a sheet. He brushed his blond bangs to the side convulsively, his other hand clutching the bills weakly.
“No, no, the most important thing is the balance and treasury.”
Reading further down, he came upon the relevant information.
“Treasury: 50 gold. Estimated balance for year A.W.B. 257: -243 543 gold (due in 302 days.)”
Wolfram’s head spun. This was bad. No, this was worse than bad. This was the worst thing that could happen.
“Out… I want out of this contract! There is vitiated consent by deceit! I was not aware the financial health was that bad!”
He read the terms of the contract carefully to see the clauses. What he saw made his soul whither.
By signing this contract, I, Level 258 Elder Vampire Lord Wolfram Bloodraven, relinquish my rights to fill a Claim Form regarding the non-compliance of this MBC (Magically Binding Contract) to the standard contract cancellation clauses.
By signing this contract, I, Level 258 Elder Vampire Lord Wolfram Bloodraven, will also shoulder any debt incurred by the former Naxxanar CEO, Level 193 Archlich Kel-Thazar. In addition, all debt incurred by the current CEO shall be collected at the end of the current mandate e.g. in five years.