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I would say it would be awesome to get 154 out today but i don't think it will be done :3 that being said some good news, i have the rest of the week off work so i can hopefully rest up and get back to writing a few more chapters.
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Since that day a full six months had passed. Things had gotten increasingly busy for Avrin so much so that he had formed a deal with Calomia. Calomia, at first, was quite reluctant to accept too much from Avrin. Because he was staying at her home him giving her some gifts and food could be considered as payment and she refused to simply rely on him, especially with Ilisia as she wanted to teach her a walk of life.
Avrin asked for her and Ilisia to help take orders and payment and describe what he was selling. In return, he would give payment to her and Ilisia. He also said this would teach Ilisia responsibility as he didn't want to simply gift her. In this regard, he agreed with Calomia that spoiling her too much would be bad.
The first day they had helped Avrin they were simply watching him handle things. Ilisia was extremely excited, she had never before been in a strange building like this, her body was constantly trembling as she was full of energy. Had it not been for Calomia she would have most likely run around the entire building exploring.
Calomia was a bit more wary of the situation. She had a few secrets in regards to her past and knew what a Sigil weapon was, but when she saw the Sigil weapons Avrin was creating she couldn't help but be surprised. This raised his position in her mind to a different level.
While Avrin had been receiving customer’s requests and payments he had to cycle between showing every new customer his Sigil weapons and what they could do. Explaining this took time that he wanted to use to make Sigil weapons. After all, despite his ability it still required some time, especially when within six months you have anywhere from a dozen to a hundred people interested in products.
The adventurers that had come the first time were newly registered and didn't have much to spend. Avrin felt a little pity for them and decided to use the situation for his and their advantage in a fair trade. He gave every member of that group two Sigil weapons each, he only asked that if they had a chance to promote him to do so and if they ever decided to sell or give away the second Sigil weapon to tell whoever it was of Avrin’s shop.
They were all over the moon after Avrin recommended this, even more so when he showcased the product and showed how durable and strong it was. Since then, with the help of the promotional parchment he had selectively given to adventurer and mercenary groups, things had gotten quite busy.
Though not all of it was positive. If Avrin was to calculate things carefully, around thirty out of one hundred of the promotional posters were taken seriously and about fifteen of that thirty were of people who made purchases, but one may think he was being negligent in regards to it. Though to him, it was no real matter because things were still on track. In fact, he was somewhat worried that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise of speed to people because of how popular he had become.
Calomia and Ilisia had started helping Avrin on the second month. Calomia was tasked to act as the receptionist and to help with showcasing products, and Ilisia was given an easier task because she was still young. All she needed to do was take the enchanted sack Avrin had given her with each customer's payment and order prepared inside, and then after it was done she would come back and give the small chest Avrin formed along with the order to Calomia who finalised everything.
Calomia’s energy didn't suit her age. She was incredibly efficient, like a machine, as she had easily memorised what Avrin had told her and was able to boast about the Sigil weapons, though with her own hidden past she understood some knowledge of Sigil weapons and she herself was quite surprised as to how Avrin’s products blew the same level of competition away.
Over the months, the shop’s design began to change, with tinkering done to make it seem cosier and full. Potted plants were added by Avrin who could make the pots but had to buy the plants, he made furniture and tables, carpet and even bought other things such as paintings.
The bare interior was now much more full and comfortable. Avrin also adopted a strategy from his old universe, a ticket system, which would kill the need for lines and would allow people to sit down and relax as they waited for their turn. The ticket dispenser was a simple one, powered by dark matter that formed a ticket from Nebula Mist. This only required a control particle to remember the tickets dispensed and the number would reset every day.
The interior near the reception had turned from a wide hall to a lobby. There were four large areas for sitting. People who entered here the first time would feel as if they had entered a different world. It was uncomfortable, but after coming here a few times they had gotten used to it.
Avrin was always thinking of ways to improve what he could. Previously he didn't have lights, but he developed a method to use dark matter orbs to act as solar panels and trap light within and then slowly dispense it out to light up the area. This was not without issue. It meant he needed a sunroof. That would be a bit strange, but it was nothing to him. Right under the sunroof, on the floor it was over, Avrin had changed that tiled area and added a small man-made pond filled with crystal clear water and a small fountain. He didn't need to purchase any fish or flowers as he simply Divine Stepped to find a similar pond and just took what he wanted from it.
The light glistening off the water gave the atmosphere a more refreshing feeling, though Avrin’s current customers consisted only of adventurers and mercenaries who dealt with life and death battles they felt a little at ease in such a location.
Avrin’s success was starting to get the notice of those from the market bazaar, especially the Artificer Consortium that found it had lost quite a few customers. How would they know that because of Avrin’s smooth talking and marketing that he had formed verbal contracts with other mercenary groups similar to the one he made with Urkan and the Anzazia group? The Artificer Consortium building’s interior was inferior to Avrin’s, it was rough and cold. It had several rooms where Sigil craftsmen would start their work. One could feel mana of all sorts of elements resonating around, assistants would be carrying trays of materials to each room as requested by those inside.
The finished products were marked and then sent off. The service was quiet and somewhat rude. It was as if the shop's staff only wanted Lucent crystals and when it was given, they were shooed away. Though within the largest room the same elderly man that had gone to see Urkan with the middle aged women was currently sitting on a thick mat with an assortment of brewed tea on a tray placed on a carved stone table.
“Are you sure about this?” The man brought down a cup of herbal tea from his lips, placing it back on the tray. He glanced over at a group of three people, the middle aged women he had gone with before included, standing in the middle.
“Yes, Grandfather ... I wasn't sure what was going on at first, but we were able to identify the cause of our and the Highland Syndicate's business slowing down.” The old man's pupils contracted. His face was somewhat pale and he hadn't been able to sleep in the past six months. At first, they thought nothing of the situation when a few of their regulars didn't show up to view new products and have their weapons repaired, but they had lost 15% of their business within the months and it was increasing.
“Well what is it…which scum dares steal our work.” The old man frowned as his heart was beating with anger, his aura began to surge. One could see he was at the peak Master level and already past his prime, but scary nonetheless to those weaker.
“G...Grandfather...remember those strange parchments that some of our trusted customers brought in and showed us? The one's we were unable to discern.” The women felt some fear but spoke. The two beside her were even more frightened.
“Yes... what was it again... this Shaded Moon shop, wasn't it a scam?” The old man spoke, then thought for a moment before speaking again. “No... do not tell me that it’s a real business!?” The man was worried and as his granddaughter looked at him and nodded he felt his body tense up. “This is our damned fault... we should have taken this seriously…” The man smashed the back of his right hand against the stone table, sending it crashing against the wall and shattering into bits along with the special porcelain teapot and cups.
“To think someone who isn't the Highland Syndicate dares to make a move on our lifeblood... what else do you know about this Shaded Moon business, who runs it? Who do we need to remove.” On the outside, the old man seemed quiet and calm, but on the inside, he kept the fierce reputation of the Artificer Consortium true. He was quite vicious and didn't think twice about removing obstacles. The Highland Syndicate was large and him making a move would cause issues, but who would care about a business cutting in on their pie. In fact, he felt that the Highland Syndicate should be thanking him for this.
“Grandfather, this past month I did some digging. This is everything I've managed to find and compile... it took some coercing and payment but I managed to find out quite a bit and also this.”
The middle-aged women may also seem a bit vicious but unlike her grandfather, she was more scheming and thoughtful. She walked over and pulled out a small, fur skinned book that contained all she knew about the situation. Inside the book was also one of the dark Sigil weapons in the form of a ring that she purchased from someone.
The old man ignored the ring for a moment as he read the first few pages of the book. “The land the Anzazia group obtained the deed to, at first I thought they wanted it to use as a bartering tool with us, who would have thought that devious bastard Urkan gave it to this Avrin fellow for him to build a shop, no doubt they have a deal made…..his side is obvious, from here on make note that anyone apart or related to the Anzazia group will not be allowed to purchase any items from us or any stores affiliated to us, we will let them feel the pain from this.” The old man spoke towards one of the well-dressed men on the right who bowed respectfully and left to carry out the order.
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The old man then picked up the strange ring that was placed on the page that listed the commands to activate it. “Trigger sword…” the old man spoke curiously, and when the dark matter within twisted and turned he jumped from fright, dropping it onto the ground. Yet the moment it hit the ground it had already turned into a short sword.
The scene didn't shock the remaining man and the old man's granddaughter as they had already experienced the shock, yet in their eyes was a strange hint of curiosity and eagerness to understand how the weapon is able to do that.
The old man who had jumped back two feet glanced silently at the short sword before stepping over and picking it up. “Strange….and the quality of this specific Sigil weapon is Common?”
Asking this the remaining man who was the one who obtained it for the middle-aged women nodded. “Yes senior, the man I purchased it from I tasked with going undercover to purchase this. The cost was four Haze crystals.”
The old man scoffed after hearing this. “Four Haze crystals?... is it made from shit?! So cheap... well then let's see.” The old man reached to his side and pulled out a similar sized short sword from his own enchanted sack. He now wielded a blade in both hands as he eyed them both carefully.
“Look carefully the two of you, the difference in quality is obvious. How can our products be inferior to a cheap imitation!” With that, he smashed the two blades against each other with no mercy, yet a cracking shattering sound of metal rung out, but it was not from the blade he expected.
The middle-aged women and the man to her side were slack-jawed and looking with horror as they saw that in the old man's hands the Dark Sigil weapon with a purple metallic lustre was fine as if nothing happened, yet the Uncommon quality blade made by her own grandfather was shattered to bits.
The old man was silent, his eyes moving from the Dark Sigil weapon and the Sigil weapon he had made before. When he realised what happened, fear came to his mind. Fear that in this area he was no longer the best, fear that his shop would lose all its business, fear that he would be reprimanded by the main headquarters for allowing someone to beat them like a dead dog.
“Grandfather….” The woman finally built up the courage to speak and break the silence, though when she glanced at the old man, she felt a little worried for him. But when his lips moved her worry was gone. “Go inform Lord Malvin and his disciple Lord Galum that I request their presence….I think this issue should be cut at the root before it grows too large…”
Back within Shaded Moon, Avrin was underground. The area was different from before. A second staircase near the one that led up to his office had been made. This one led down to a hall that led to another staircase that ran down into the expansive underground room. Within this room there was a five meter wide and long platform that had a single step on each side that led to it.
On top of that platform, Avrin was sitting cross-legged with a pile of Haze crystals and several open parchments detailing orders. Around him were many chests of varying sizes, each of these chests were made from mahogany wood with a coating of dark matter as well as the Shaded Moon emblem on the front section. Mahogany wood was not a material that could be found in this region to Avrin’s knowledge. He doubted it could be found in this universe unless a God liked it and brought it with him.
“Mister Avrin!” Ilisia came running down the steps with a handful of rolled up order parchments. She rushed towards Avrin with an excited look. She wore a beautiful white, long-sleeved dress with white dress shoes. Avrin made it carefully to Ilisia’s liking and so that also when she ran around she wouldn't trip and the dress wouldn't cause issues.
As for Calomia, Avrin wasn't sure what to make her so to avoid any issues it gave him the idea for another product he wasn't selling at the moment. He had given Calomia a small, flat, bendable piece of dark matter. All she needed to do was think and imagine what sort of attire she wanted and the piece of dark matter would surge and from that piece for her to wear.
“How many?” Avrin spoke soundly while continuing his work. Ilisia rushed over, climbed the step and placed the pile of rolled up orders beside him. “Ummm, Grandma said today was busier than normal. Eight different mercenary people came in and two adventurer people as well. Poor Mister Avrin, you're really busy, hehe!”
Ilisia wasn't sure how to refer to the customers yet and she couldn't really tell who was who at the moment. Avrin also heard that she was teasing him a bit. “Hmph…” he uttered before stopping his work for a moment. Her words had made him come to a realisation. “-You're right... this has become too easy for me, why do I need to waste time doing this... I have a better idea. I have the Fragment of Creation and have seen humans create machines to mass produce... why don't I simply find a solution-”
Avrin stood up and Ilisia watched him carefully. “Step a few meters back Ilisia.” Avrin said cautiously. Ilisia was not a stranger to Avrin’s abilities, she knew he had strange magic that let him do a lot of amazing things.
Avrin shut his eyes as he began to think carefully. Very carefully he began to put several concepts together in his mind, many different concepts. Some looked good but worked badly, others looked bad but worked well. He needed something that would be the most efficient but also not an issue. He understood his body and his capabilities. He again had to thank the information God had given him as well as the book in his consciousness. He could do so much with dark matter that it made him worry about what powerful beings would do if they found out that he had it.
“There it is….” Avrin’s eyes shot open and he raised his hands up, both facing each other. “What's there, Mister Avrin?” Ilisia tilted her head in confusion. She had been much more relaxed and happy lately, mainly because she had a neat pile of Lucent crystals for herself. Though Calomia and herself had been unable to spend any of them because they were too worried to go to Roth, whenever they needed something Avrin simply formed it for them, free of charge.
At the tip of every one of Avrin’s fingers, drops of blue blood seeped out before shooting towards the centre of the space between where his palms were facing each other. Avrin began to carefully will the blood together. This was pure blood, good enough to make a Spectral as pure as Asura and the others. Though when the blood congealed to a fleshy, jelly-like substance and dark matter was being fed to it, it began to pulse and expand and contracted before sparks of purple lightning flickered around, it began to emit a heavy pulse.
Avrin’s eyes narrowed before he moved his palms quickly over the congealed sphere, cupping it. Moments later, a slight booming sound echoed between his palms as he moved them away. The skin and flesh of his hands had been burnt and mangled to such a degree that his bones were visible. Obviously, he had underestimated himself and this was the result. Had he let that congealed blood explode. It would cause the room to be damaged and more importantly Ilisia to face danger. “Ahh!!“ Ilisia screamed as she looked at Avrin’s hands and ran over towards him. Her face paled and she looked like she was about to cry. “What do we do!! You’re hurt!! Grandm-” Avrin spoke quickly so that she didn't make a big deal out of it. “This is nothing. Don't you remember I can heal my limbs? What would a silly wound like this do to me.”
The dark matter began to converge around his hands, forming a thin coating to act as skin until his wounds could heal. “This should only take a few minutes at most….you should go back to check on your grandma. Oh yes, tomorrow will be Shaded Moon’s official first day off. I think it would be good to go to the market for you and her to buy some things.”
Ilisia frowned and looked somewhat worried at Avrin as he seemed to show not much care towards his damaged hands, though when he brought up that he would take her and Calomia to the market her heart skipped a beat. She felt a conflicted feeling. To them she was strange because of her eyes, she was considered bad luck.
“Mm…I don't want to go…” Avrin glanced at her as he sat back down and continued to make Sigil weapons. “Because they will tease you and your grandma? You're both rich now, I don't see why you should care about what they think. In fact, take it as a chance to show off a little. I guarantee the way they look at you and treat you will change when they see you have Lucent crystals to spend.”
Ilisia listened and began to think for a few moments. She wasn't sure how to respond, she was still quite little after all. She simply ran off quietly without giving a reply to Avrin. Avrin was a little disappointed. He wondered what he had done wrong in regards to the object he wanted to create. “-This makes no sense...control should have been easy to maintain but it reacted oddly. To think my blood can be so volatile. It would be too easy if everything went my way. I will try again later-”
Avrin smirked to himself as he began thinking on another subject. “-It's been a long while since I've recovered my peak strength, tonight I will step towards Type 13 particles. I've long since amassed the required energy...hmm?-”
Avrin stopped for a moment and turned to look several dozen meters away as the ground in that spot was cracking slightly. His Divine Sense extended out underground and his right eye twitched slightly. “I completely forgot about them…” he gave a rare embarrassed look as he watched the ground crack open and a large hand reached out and clutched onto the edge of the hole causing the ground to crack under the pressure and grip.
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A.N) Hopefully the time skip transition was good i didn't want to make it to long but i also don't want to bore you guys to much in regards to the slow progress
Avrin's Inner Workings Status
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Dark Stage Control ParticlesType 12100%Dark Stage ParticlesType 12100%God Essence WeaponsAstaroth-ScytheLimos-VajraGod Essence EquipmentSarcanus-Armor