~Say, Master…. You could have taken more artifacts, you know. Or even something more powerful.

Apophis hissed from my shoulder.

I rolled the Ring of Fractures in my hand as I walked past the cages, down toward Azgralos's residence.

I was still in disbelief that the ring I found as a child and carved my name into was a Chaos artifact. Moreover, Apophis had confirmed the ring was a divine artifact, no less.

How lucky.

[[ I'd need to ask my grandmother for permission first. They're not mine. ]]

~And this ring is different?

[[ Yeah, it was mine originally. Finders, keepers. It was just put in storage, is all. ]]

Given that it was a Chaos artifact, it was hardly surprising that Mother put it into storage. I had no business playing with this dangerous thing as a young child. However, now was different, especially with an ex-Celestial and ex-God of Chaos as my teacher.

I really am quite lucky.

Apophis was silent for a moment.

~Master, you lack greed.

I smiled at the snake's comment.

[[ Do I? Is that a problem? ]]

~No. It is a good thing. Many have fallen prey to their greed and were devoured by the Chaos they attempted to subjugate.

[[ And yet your tone seemed to suggest otherwise. ]]

~Greed can be detrimental, but you should have some ambition. I would be quite displeased if Master does not attempt to reach new heights, especially given your predisposition toward Chaos.

I grinned at his words.

[[ Who said I don't have any ambition? I chose Chaos Magic specifically because I do have ambitions. ]]

I felt Apophis straighten up on my shoulder, eager to hear more.

I didn't care for power or positions of power; the responsibilities alone made my eyes water. However, I did have a goal, one that was damn near impossible, but I was going to achieve it even if I had to die trying a hundred times.

[[ I'm going to save everyone I love and care about, and for that goal, I am willing to do whatever it takes. ]]

The snake slumped across my shoulders, gazing at the caged prisoners we passed.

~Hahhhh… I can now see why your older brother has the concerns that he does.

[[ Besides, I’m still new to Chaos Magic. Per the System's item description, this ring allows the use of Chaos magic up to the 30th level. Given how I'm not even at the first level, I don't see what benefit a stronger artifact would provide. ]]

I placed the ring on my left middle finger, feeling a slight chill in my hand. I was unsure if it was from the cool metal or something to do with it being a Chaos artifact.

[[ And it's already a divine-level artifact, so there's no need to search for a better one yet. ]]

~Master also lacks curiosity. Were you not at least curious about the powerful artifact I felt behind the doors back there? The one that resulted in that mage's death?

The hall ended, and I began my descent down the steep steps into Azgralos' seemingly endless cave. My footsteps echoed as I walked down, amplified in the vast chamber.

[[ Hardly. I am curious—but the mages that transported it were still in the room. Explaining my presence would have been too troublesome. I will investigate after they leave. ]]

~Ahhhhh… I see.

Apophis hissed in evident delight.

His voice turned to awe as he took in the giant columns and intricate rock formations that filled the space. Light stones embedded in the walls and ceiling cast an eerie glow of blue and green.

~So this is where the dragon you mentioned resides? How fascinating.

I paused halfway down the steps, taking in the colossal expanse of the cavern. I inhaled deeply the cavern's moist air, bracing myself for the remainder of the descent.

This really won't do. I need to find an artifact or spell to boost my strength in the early days of a new Round.

Arnold's cooking had helped alleviate the day's prior stress and exertion on my body, but I needed something that helped boost my Strength stat from the get-go. His cooking only helped bring someone's body back to its ideal state, not boost it beyond what it was at.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

I licked my lips.

At least until I find a proper solution, I should request Arnold to create energy snacks that would work similarly to mana and healing potions, except for basic fatigue.

At the base of the long staircase, the familiar stone throne stood, colossal and imposing, facing the endless expanse of the cave's three darkened sides.

I reached the bottom and crossed the cave floor, slumping into the stone chair with one leg draped over the armrest. Despite being forged from stone, it was surprisingly comfortable.

"HAAAAAAA..."

Azgralos' booming voice echoed through the darkness, sending a shiver down my spine.

"That scent..."

DRUHH DRUHH!

The ground quaked as the enormous dragon made his entrance. His large, black-scaled head emerged from the shadows, towering over me, red eyes glowing, vertical pupils fixed on me.

Despite my casual posture on the throne, I felt an instinctive urge to shrink back, but I forced myself to remain still. Once again, I'd forgotten how terrifying a dragon was up close.

Azgralos' lips curled into a grin, revealing rows of enormous white teeth.

"You… have phoenix eyes," he stated. "And this isn't our first time meeting."

He'd caught on yet again.

"Correct," I replied evenly.

"Very well… what is your name, human?" Azgralos asked.

"Luca Frey," I replied.

"Hmmm… Frey…” The dragon's lips moved down, covering its teeth. "And what might I indulge you with today, Luca Frey? Is it perhaps related to that…. creature on your left shoulder?"

It didn't surprise me that Azgralos, as ancient as he was, would have caught on quickly to the fact that Apophis was not an ordinary snake.

"Or perhaps that ring?" Azgralos nudged with one of his large talons.

Ah. I didn't expect him to catch on so quickly to the artifact, but in retrospect, that also made sense.

My expression must have shifted as the dragon's grin returned, baring his teeth again.

"HAAAAA… so what is it today?" Azgralos asked.

While I brought Apophis along to introduce him to the dragon, and additional insight about the ring was intriguing, I had a different purpose in seeking out the ancient dragon this Round.

"Azgralos, please tell me about Yelena—my mom."

The dragon's smile widened, and he rested his head in one of his clawed paws.

"Of course, what would you like to know?"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Micah stared out the carriage window at the darkened city, an unease settling in his gut.

Why do I have a bad feeling about tonight's meeting?

It was a moonless night, shrowding Genise in further darkness than usual for this time of night. Such was each meeting between the twelve syndicates—not that there was ever a meeting where the heads of each showed up. Four or five was the most he could hope for—but that wasn't what unsettled him.

With all the intel he had gained and his nagging sense of foreboding, Micah would have skipped the meeting under any other circumstances. But the opportunity on the table tonight was too lucrative to ignore.

"Young master Micah, we're here." Selena held the door open for Micah to exit. "I'll be nearby."

Micah watched the carriage roll away before turning into the dark alley behind the Gilded Siren casino and walking toward the heavy iron doors.

He approached, and the guard gave him a nod, allowing him entry.

"Micah Frey?" A smiling woman, the only person to be seen in the opulent hallway, motioned to him. "I will take you to our VVIP room."

He followed her while glancing over the hanging watercolor paintings of various flowers on the deep burgundy velvet walls.

"How many have arrived already?" he asked.

"Only four of the twelve. You are the fifth," she replied.

Creak.

The woman pulled the heavy door open, and Micah entered the circular room. The wallpaper was splattered with blooming painted-on watercolor flowers while living flowers were held behind large frames.

In the middle of this garden-like room was a round crystal table with twelve seats, four of which were taken up.

"Ah, right on time as usual," Blythe's booming voice called out. The sound of his flask opening accompanied it.

"As always?" another deep voice added, immediately putting Micah on edge. This individual rarely showed up at these meetings.

The last person I need knowing my habits.

Claude Noire smiled, eyes gleaming as he looked Micah up and down. "A bit warm for that scarf, don't you think?"

Micah took a seat across from Claude without replying.

"Hah! Speak for yourself!" Blythe laughed, taking a swig from his flask.

Claude himself was wearing a black coat that one could have also argued was too warm for summer.

"Indeed. The company here certainly has interesting fashion choices," Lady Agnese Hensley remarked, her lips pursing, likely displeased at everyone currently present with some mind-blocking artifact on hand.

"And here I am, fanning myself just to keep cool," Marianna laughed, fluttering an ornate fan.

"Ah, Micah, did you hear? Your brother, Luca, bet against the Ogre yesterday and wiped out all my top clients," Marianna teased. "He didn't even stay to see how it ended!"

Blythe roared with laughter at this.

"Did he now?" Claude's wolf-like smile widened as he leaned forward on the table, resting his chin in his hands. "I would certainly love to have some of that luck."

Micah's wariness grew. He'd received a report from Henry earlier today detailing Claude's unexpected encounter with Luca on the road. The sudden interest Claude had in his brother was deeply unsettling.

Just what else happened in the last Round for this to occur? Luca hadn't mentioned anything that could explain this.

"Claude, you have too much luck as it is," Marianna scoffed, closing her fan with a snap. "Or at least your family does. Aside from our meetings, anyone with your bloodline is not allowed anywhere near my casinos."

Claude shrugged. "That's quite alright. I'm well content with our current business arrangement."

"As am I," Marianna agreed, referring to the Summer Festival and the Spider Syndicate's annual event.

Creak.

The door opened once more, and Dion, head of the Red Lanterns, entered. His garish, colorful outfit stood out, along with the thick gold chain hanging over his exposed chest hair.

Micah frowned but kept his focus on Claude.

"Ah, Dion, so good of you to join us," Marianna said, greeting him with a bright smile.

Dion nodded in acknowledgment, his face grim as he sat near the exit. He cast a long glance at Claude, likely surprised by his rare appearance.

"I'd prefer we skip the pleasantries and begin," Dion grumbled, running a hand through his bushy mustache. "I have business to return to."

"Shame, the pleasantries are always the best part," Claude commented, his gaze never leaving Micah. "After all, we meet so rarely under such peaceful conditions."

Breaking all usual norms, Claude stood up and walked around the circular table, causing a stir among the other attendees.

He didn't leave the room, however, instead taking one of the empty seats beside Micah.

"For instance, Lady Agnese and I had the most interesting chat before you arrived," Claude said softly, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for Micah. "About that little quarrel between you and your brother."

He leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. "The one your brother seems to have forgotten all too conveniently."