QINN POV

Hours before Maeve experienced the birth of universe.

Kitty has been acting strangely ever since I returned home. She keeps staring at me whenever she thinks I’m not paying attention. When I asked her what was wrong during lunch, she insisted that nothing was amiss. I recall she went into my room to clean it up. Did she find the hidden artifacts behind the closet? I sure hope not; some of them are quite hardcore for those who are not yet culturally inclined

But enough about that. The Vipers are on the move, and they have infected BOA significantly. Jackal himself must have noticed something amiss from his recent recruitment activity and commission downturn.

It might be heartless for me to say this, but now is the best time for me to strike a deal with the leader of BOA, Jackal. I just need to make it subtle enough, so I don’t piss him off that much. No doubt he is already mad at me for kicking up the storm when they are undergoing a transitional period. But alas, there is nothing I can do about it. I will just chuck it to bad luck if he confronts me about it.

After lunch, I instructed Kitty to Gear up minimally and accompany me on this mission. This will be her first outing on a mission and I want to conclude it on a positive note to build up her confidence. So I gave her a simple job of building a relationship with Ion Tinker. My tuner and informant.

Most of the time, the Amazonian battle junkie is hard to work with, to say the least. She demands a spar every time we do a meet-up, but thankfully she has the brain to ask for money payment when it comes to commissions. The spar acts as a tip and upfront payment she says. I had to work extra hard yesterday to make her behave in front of Kitty just for today.

Ion is an anomaly of a Tinker I say. At least her K-sized cup is something to behold. She even knows magic. I have no idea how those things manage to bounce around gracefully inside the confines of her tight sports bra. They are a twin miracles given form. If I can see that magic every day I don’t mind a spar or two.

…... Why is Kitty looking at me like that?

Having concluded my explanation, I left Kitty to spend time with Ion Tinker. I even suggested Kitty visit the nearby café across the street together with Ion. They serve Ion’s favorite Fig and Walnut Sourdough and Kitty’s favorite milk pudding. I hope they will warm up to each other.

Standing in front of a PowerGear user, a bouncer of sorts who is guarding the BOA’s guild HQ, I awaited approval from the receptionist. From the outside, the Guild resembled a 3-story building akin to a fancy nightclub. However, when I was finally allowed entrance, the inside was anything but.

The place is dimly lit, adorned with mahogany furnishing, evoking an ambiance of subdued opulence. The air is thick with the scent of aged cigars that the majority of higher-ranking Shateigashira (Lieutenant) smoked. There is even a hint of refreshing scent of flowery incense in the air. Surprisingly, there are no geisha or hostesses around. I guess, the leader Jackal’s way of living is not one of indulgence.

The chattering gradually subsided into a growing murmur with most of them becoming aware of my presence.

Fortunately, I had given Jackal and Benji a heads-up about the visit, so I was guided to the top floor by the receptionist without much fanfare. Good, I preferred avoiding unnecessary trouble, especially considering the growing tension in the hall. No doubt a Yankee or two might try their luck at challenging me, but I will put them in their place if needed.

Luckily the majority of individuals in the building were of higher rank. People who can demonstrate their wisdom remain silent and observant instead of making a ruckus. A quick background check from my Optix Mask revealed that most of them held the position of the lieutenants and the captains within the Guild. The Shatei (Soldier) and Kobun (Associate) were likely occupied with various tasks and errands elsewhere.

The receptionist signaled for me to ascend the stairs to the third floor where there was another guy with PowerGear standing guard in front of a single door. I patiently awaited a scan check to ensure I carried no weapon after which he knocked on the door to inform Jackal of my arrival.

“Let him in.”

The door swung open to reveal an office. At first glance, It appeared like a typical office that exudes a professional ambiance with neatly arranged workstations. High stacks of paperwork crowded Jackal’s sleek mahogany desk, a common sight in every office setting.

What distinguished Jackal’s workstations from the ordinary was the inviting seating area across the desk. A luxurious couch adorned with tasteful throw pillows. It emphasizes the client’s comfort as the top priority in contrast to the rest of the room.

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“Please, take a seat. Drinks?”

“I’m good.” I raised my hand to stop him from getting up towards the refreshment bar on the side. The leather seating is marvelous, easily the finest quality item I have encountered since entering this establishment. It conveyed Jackal’s commitment to a ‘customer-first’ policy.

“Then let me introduce myself once again. I am Jackal, the current acting leader of the BOA Guild. Pleased to finally meet you Magician, AKA Player Q.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I assume the reason you accepted this meeting, is that you have finally considered a collaboration with me?”

“Yes and no, but before that, may I ask why us? Why pick a guild that’s currently in its most vulnerable state, as opposed to the Clock Tower Elites that are Seika.”

“Simple, I want your Supernova title, and the story of its revival fits my bills perfectly for what I’m about to do.”

“If it’s a dramatic fanfare you are looking for, wouldn’t Chariot & Gladius’s yearly colosseum event fit your narrative better?”

“Nope. Too sweaty.”

He cocked an eyebrow at that. Sure I want muscles to do the heavy lifting for me, but I will be hard-pressed to herd those totally-my-pace type of people. Even the idea of working with The Bulls sounds much more reasonable.

“And I am supposed to believe that you are here to offer me a way to revive the title out of the goodness of your heart?”

“That and among many other things, but I noticed you haven’t once asked about the nature of our Collab. You must have some idea of it by now yes?”

“Yes, I received your message and I can connect the dots myself. The guy who ruined our guild was currently planning on heading to the west. It is in line with your desire to access the mobile city Alvangard, which coincidentally is where the guy will be residing before starting his pilgrimage.”

Jackal then narrowed his eyes at me. “Which begs the question, how do you come to know about this particular information?”

“I have a reliable information broker.” I shrugged. Yes, I am well aware that I am digging myself a grave by mentioning the term ‘information broker’ when BOA is currently infected by the Vipers.

Fortunately, Jackal is the smart sort. He understood his guild’s standing compared to mine - the Magician who managed to contend with Aika Stormhunt and earned the recognition of a Tinker. Why bother with a mid-sized guild that does not have much in terms of what it can provide to me? There was little incentive for me to approach BOA let alone planning for its demise.

What I want is simple. The collaboration with an outer sector guild that doesn’t have any political rife whatsoever with the inner ring, but at the same time, the guild must be backed by public acknowledgment regarding its potential to reach the top-ranking board. The Supernova title. That’s why the term revival will turn many heads around because people want stories with flare.

I want BOA’s potential and subtlety to act as a green light for Alvangard’s recruitment check for the upcoming pilgrimage.

He thought about it for a moment longer, before he gave me his verdict.

“I thank you for your vote of confidence and upfront information regarding where the guy is, but unfortunately I have to decline.”

This……This is surprising, I thought Jackal was the pragmatic sort with a business-minded mentality. Surely, he can see the opportunity this would bring to the table? Access to Alvangard not only benefits me but also his guild in equal measure, if not more.

Did I read him wrong?

“I will provide you with the monetary compensation for the upfront information-”

“Iron Vipers.”

“…... Excuse me?”

“Your guild is infected, and if nothing is done, The Vipers will burrow it from the inside out.”

That got his attention, and he frowned as his logic reasoned with his suspicions, but at this point, it’s either I get his partnership, or I don’t. So might as well put everything on top of the table.

“It will take me some time but I can get the names and send the details to you.” I pressed on.

“And I suppose it has to do with that information broker of yours? You do realize the position you have put yourself into right now?”

“…....”

He sighed hard while messaging his temple. Now I feel bad for him. I am essentially forcing him to choose the direction in which the guild is heading right now. Access to Alvangard is an opportunity that most Guild would kill for, but it will involve various life-changing moments for the Guild in itself.

Relocation and cultural shifts are the key changes they will have to undergo and that’s not to mention the various other challenges that they have to iron out aboard the mobile city. Complications will undoubtedly occur within that future uncertainty.

However, I know the cause of his hesitation right now. It has nothing to do with relocation. The guy managed to rebuild the guild back up from its ashen corpse and endured the ridicule that followed for over 6 months. It has nothing to do with his lack of desire to manage the risk. So, I braced myself as I begin poking the bees nest.

“Are you still attached to the ways of your Ex-guild leader?”

BAM! CRASH!

“DO NOT PUSH YOUR LUCK!”

A tablet soared through the air, shattering against the window, along with paperwork scattering throughout the room. It’s raining papers inside and if I were in his place, I would have felt cathartic doing that. All that paperwork piling up on the desk can’t be healthy for any person’s mental state.

“BOSS! IS SOMETHING WRONG!?”

“No. Get back to your station.”

“Y-yes, boss!”

As the door closed, Jackal drew a few deep breaths, gradually calming himself as he settled back into the chair. I waited for a few minutes before he finally spoke.

“I am sorry you had to see that.”

“No offense taken. I too apologize for poking a sore spot.”

“Sore spot, huh?” He went quiet for a moment more before shaking his head. “I will think about it. Please leave for now.”

“Very well, Good day to you Jackal.”

“And good day to you too, Magician.”

Well, that could have gone better. However, before I could make my exit, the PowerGear individual hastily swung the door back open.

“B-BOSS!”

“Oh for Speed’s sake, what now!?”

“Boss there’s a fight outside. It’s that cat girl with the tanned gorilla.”

Uh……Oh no.

Just when I thought that things couldn’t get any worse.

Good grief, just how much more of a failure can this mission get?