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A New Path Upon Shattered Glass

A New Path Upon Shattered Glass

Chapter 3 - A New Path Upon Shattered Glass

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The room that was once filled with mocking laughter suddenly hushed. Even these Super Villains have people they fear and those people are their superiors. Elite super villains. A mountain that can’t be climbed through tenure nor effort. Only deadly skill. These three men represent the peak of power, wealth, and prestige in our modern world. The robes they wear can at a moments notice turn them invisible and even absorb the impact from a 15 cm Howitzer. I envision myself one day standing amongst them wearing those same black and red robes. Far above these disgraces that call themselves villains.  

The gazes of all three converge upon me and I feel a massive killing intent flood my mind. Every hair on my body stands, a cold chill climbs up my spine, and my heart nearly explodes from how hard it is beating. “Villain ID 48.48-02.07?” Coldly spoke the Elite Villain carrying a somewhat large box.

“Ye- Yes.” I managed to stutter out. He then threw me a box which I barely caught in time. “Congratulations and yadi yadi yada. Try not to get yourself killed.” He then looked me over. I’ve never regretted wearing a drunk man’s pants more in my life. “Well, that might be hard for you. So when death comes just try not to piss yourself… again.” Looking down I noticed that the drunk man’s aim was more terrible than i realized in the dark alley. “Wait no. It's not mine.” I tried to explain but he savagely interrupted “Save it. I don’t care about you. Let's go.” Disdainfully, he then turned and walked away.

Danm it, if he would've just stopped and listened then everything would be alright but my voice does not count for squat. I could feel Madam Delphinium’s hand on my shoulder. “It’s alright, dear. Those boys are always like th-” Before she could finished I brushed off her hand. I held the box tightly before I stormed out the building. This whole night. Everything just went to crap. Master Brushstroke, if a hero doesn’t kill you, I will. I will beat you to an inch of death then keep you around on a leash as a pet. When I tire of you only then will I give you the right to die.

Continuing down the street I saw myself in the reflection off of a store window. Big words full of hot air. Frankly, I look like a mess. Beggars look better than me. Frustrated I hit the window with the box. The window shatters. Inside the store is filled with suits. The alarm fails to sound since the power outage was still in effect. Walking into the apparel store I went to the most expensive suit in the store. It could have been coincidence or a sign from a higher or more likely satanic power but it fit. It fit really well. Looking myself in the mirror I couldn't help but feel some of my frustration lift. Exiting the store after taking some cufflinks in the shape of number ones I couldn’t help but think about the motorcycle I left behind.

I do need a ride but I think I could do better. I spot a luxury hotel and begin to walk towards the garage. The garage is manned by two to three people, even at night. Additionally, it has emergency power since the only way to move cars into the upper floors is through the elevators. I walked into the building and the receptionist, no doubt noticing my suit said politely, “Hello sir, are you here to pick up your vehicle?” I quickly approached and said, “yes, in fact, I am.” Before he could say anything further I reached for his head. Startled he tried to dodge but I still managed to grab hold and slam his head against the desk.

I then stepped around the reception desk and pushed his unconscious body to the floor. Looking through the computer's’ car  register, I spot what i wanted. I then clicked the retrieve command and begin to walk towards the inside of the garage. A large elevator opens up and the valet drives out a black Lamborghini Embolado. He then exited the car and threw me the keys saying “She's a beautiful ride, sir.” “Thanks.” I replied as I catch the keys with my spare hand. I placed the box into the passenger seat as I drove off into the night. It was so early there was almost no traffic in the city. So I started to speed towards my residence.

When I arrived at the run down apartment building I immediately felt disgusted. So I opened my void library app and browsed the real estate section of the market space. Upon becoming a supervillain the guild ‘rewarded’ me 1,000 guild points to begin my operations. Roughly translated into government currency a single guild point is worth $10,000. Using that money I purchase one of the several lairs the void app has for sale near my region. The whole process is as quick as pressing a button.

I begin to drive from the city and start entering a more scenic road next to a cliff overlooking the ocean. The road is deserted and I drive at 140mph with a 185 foot drop right next to me. My heart beats hard not out of fear but excitement. As the sun rose I approached a large Mansion of Modern Architectural Design that overlooked the ocean. The manor would of looked as if made of glass if not for the few small white columns holding a diagonal roof. I entered the driveway and using the void app’s ownership feature opened the gate. Entering I parked outside the front door. I then entered the house and saw what people killed and died for. Luxurie is a sin and the house exuded it.

I tossed the box next to a fireplace not caring if what was inside broke. I then went up the stairs and saw a bed of white satin sheets. I fell down lifelessly upon it and could feel the softness of the bed like clouds. Even before I could feel hot the A/C began operating almost completely silently. No doubt the house is equipped with thermal detectors, some of which are used to adjust the A/C to my body temperature. The lights dimmed down on their own and the windows I thought were translucent glass suddenly became dark tinted.

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I wake up and stretch on the king sized bed. I begin to wonder what i should make for breakfast before I take out my phone and look at the time, 3pm. It’s very late but I don’t worry about that. Instead I notice the three red messages I received. Red messages are important notices given by the guild. Anything from a non-negotiable mission to a kill order can be contained inside. The first message contained information on the various crimes I committed yesterday and the monetary cost for each.  The crimes range from destruction of property to assault. Monetarily the totals of the crimes cost reaches a staggering 2.3 million dollars. The two main contributing factors are the blackout, which I am somehow ‘partially’ responsible for, and the lamborghini. The second message states that the guild charges a non-negotiable 20% fee on all ‘free’ crimes committed by its members. Free crimes being the crimes that are not directly related to a guild mission.  I have therefore been charged 56 guild points. Opening the last message I found out that I am currently negative 17 guild points because of the mansion using up most of my points and the free crime charge. Lastly I have now been forced to take a loan on the 17 guild points with 10% daily interest.

The villain’s guild really are criminals to charge that rate. That means every day I don’t pay I will owe $17,000 not counting compounding… Wait! I then opened the void app and checked my current balance. I am now in debt of 18.7 guild points. I almost threw my phone as I shouted “Fucking Crooks” at the top of my lungs. I get up and go to the kitchen downstairs and try to grab a glass of water. However, there is neither food nor kitchenware. All I can find are some hard candies I found inside a bowl. I then start to take deep breaths in order to calm myself. Eating one and stuffing the other’s into my pocket, I can finally feel myself begin to think rationally about the situation.

There are a few ways to resolve the situation. I can sell the mansion or the lamborghini. Selling either of them immediately will be for 70% of market value. Meaning i will lose 30% of what I paid for the house or the value of the lamborghini. These properties are all considered ‘hot’ or stolen/illegal properties. Therefore a charge of 30% is made by the void app to immediately purchase them. I can also sell them myself for the full value but that takes time. Time that the interest has to increase exponentially.

Another option is simply to steal. Expensive cars are easy to steal as long as one knows how. The same is true for most properties. The problem is I will always face the same charge for selling properties on the void app. As well as the time it takes for the guild to send an agent to pick up the car/property. There is one situation where no charge will be taken though and that is stealing cash. Stealing cash is much harder though since it's always heavily guarded.

The last option is to take a guild mission. Guild Missions are very well paid in terms of guild points. Also, they could potentially reward with rare minerals, items, technologies, information, and access. Guild missions are divided in ten levels based on difficulty but some rumors of off the books missions that are very lucrative. I once saw on the board a guild mission that reward information on a pocket dimension. Meaning, the person that gets that info can rule an entire dimensional space. However, it was a level 10 mission so far beyond my reach.

All members can challenge any mission on the board, except level eight and higher since they are for elite only. If a person on a mission does not come in contact with the guild in a month's time they will be considered deceased and no rescue mission will be attempted. Completing missions not only grants monetary but also increases a villains rating depending on difficulty. Lastly, all guild members of the supervillain level must acquire a minimum amount of 50 guild points to service their annual fees.

Despite the lucrative nature it is very hard to become wealthy on guild missions. Guild missions always take time, preparation, and resources in order to accomplish. Resources like henchmen, which I can’t afford anymore. The guild sets out a free 1,000 guild points not just to reward but assist new Super Villains in affording henchmen and other necessities, like weapons. Effectively, most supervillains sink most of their money into buying new henchmen and bigger and badder guns. Furthermore, guild missions are virtually guaranteed to have interference from the heroes guild. Making the danger very real.

Therefore, as it stands now stealing is the best option. I’m unwilling to just give up my lamb or my house and guild missions take too much time. However, if I don’t want to be crushed by interest I have to leave right now. Frustrated and hungry I walk to the front door and remember the box next to the fireplace. Stepping over, I open the box and find a black scepter with a glass globe on top with what looks like a small spiral galaxy inside. I look for a piece of paper that I then scan with the void app to bring up a description of the scepter.

Item: QST Model Scepter 000083

Class: Experimental

Constituent(s):

Description: The Quantum State Teleporter as the name implies teleports the user or anything in a 4 foot radius of the top of the scepter to a predetermined location. The scepter works by stabilizing the quantum particles that constitute matter and then influencing them into a controlled excited state that maximises the probability of quantum teleportation. Normally this would cause the disintegration of whatever is being teleported as all the quantum particles would teleport randomly. However, using the particles are controlled and can be moved in unison to the top of the quantum stabilizer. Needs to be charged for 48 hours after every use.

This… This is amazing. Teleportation! With this I can do almost anything. It’s the perfect life line as I can use it to escape nearly every situation. Of course I can’t let people approach me or the will be teleported along with me but if I can step into a bank vault… then vanish.