Fox Bank Headquarters. A day after Zal’s transmigration.
Millard sat in a desk in a meeting room. The most important members of Fox Bank were all there.
“May I know what sir has called us here for?” Asked a major shareholder.
Everyone else nodded. This was the first time all the important people of Fox Bank were gathered in one place. They all wondered what was going on that was this important. They were all important people outside of Fox Bank too, and they created a tiny slot in their packed schedule to attend this meeting.
Millard coughed. “There is going to be a very important change implemented today in Fox Bank.”
All the people were shocked. They had all known Millard for a decent period of time, and even selling half the bank couldn’t be considered “important” to Millard. That just made them more curious. What was going on?
“We are adding a major branch in Vassal. This will also become our main branch in the future.” Millard said.
Uproar. Vassal? Many of them had never heard of Vassal. Was it this important that Millard was even transferring the main branch there? Many of the shareholders frowned. They could tell the Bank was moving to an unknown location, and they didn’t want to risk their investments.
”I’m withdrawing my share from Fox Bank.” Announced a shareholder.
Silence. Then one by one, shareholders began withdrawing from Fox Bank. Millard watched the scene and sighed. He had a feeling this was going to happen. If he was a shareholder he would have done the same thing. By now, almost half of the shareholders withdrew.
“Anymore?” Millard Said, his piercing gaze sweeping over the shareholders left.
The shareholders left couldn’t help but feel a shiver down their back. This was Millard Fox, pronounced genius in finance and owner of the largest bank on Azeroth. They all sighed, and shook their heads. They had confidence in Millard, as they had seen all the miracles he had produced.
Millard nodded his head, satisfied. “Start construction at Vassal immediately!”
The remaining shareholders all nodded, and left. Millard watched the departing backs of the now halved Fox Bank. Yes, he did feel bitter over today’s decision, but he felt it was the right one. It was only natural as it was for his young master, and he also had confidence in his young master. He was sure Vassal would soon become one of the biggest economic powerhouse cities in Azeroth. And by then the shareholders who left would come running back plus a large number more.
***
Zal looked at the large field filled with beasts, and could not help but feel a shiver down his back.
Alice looked at him and smirked. “Scared?”
Zal shook his head vehemently, but he knew it was just a pointless bluff. Looking at the thousands or more beasts on the field, even Rank 10s would feel shaken for a moment.
“..... how do we hunt?” Asked Zal, confused. It was open field! As long as they injured one, hundreds more would come try to trample them.
Alice laughed. “Look closer.”
And Zal did. And then he realized. There were large barbed fences separating them, and there were only about 10 in each “pen” Zal couldn’t help but feel astonished. How long must have this took?
Alice must have known what he was thinking. “10 Rank 10s took half a year to do this.” She said.
Zal was shocked. That was 10 Rank 10s! Then he remembered how the Arcane fields got its name. Legend had it, at the very beginning of the Azeroth continent, hundreds and thousands of beasts migrated over to the now Arcane fields. At that time, the only 10 Rank 10 warriors spent half a year to round them all up into pens. Alice then pointed to the one closest to them.
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“Let’s kill some beasts!” She said cheerfully. Zal thought she sounded like a maniac. But, devoid of all logic, he followed her anyways. After they arrived at the pen, Alice turned to Zal.
”Since you are just a measly Rank 1, you take that one over there.” Alice pointed at a Rank 1 Blood cow. Blood cows were only Rank 1, but they could easily trample a Rank 2. This is because only their legs possess great strength, while everywhere else on their body is weak.
“While I’ll take this Thunder Tiger.” Alice Said, pointing at what seemed to be a tiger, except there was electricity coming off its fur. There was only one word to sum it up—scary. But, Thunder Tigers were only Rank 5, while Alice was a Rank 6. She should easily kill it. Alice then proceeded to herd the Thunder Tiger and Blood cow out of the pen. Then she punched the Thunder Tiger in the face. Zal was shocked. So brutal! He then looked at the Blood cow. It looked at Zal, then looked away as if Zal wasn’t worth its time. That made Zal angry.
Zal ran towards the Blood cow, but kept a safe distance that was beyond its leg’s reach. Then he started running in circles. It may have seemed stupid, but it was the only strategy Zal could come up with. He thought that this way, the Blood cow couldn’t turn its head fast enough to catch up with him. Then, the Blood cow couldn’t possibly kick him. You can’t kick a Target you can’t see! But Zal was sorely mistaken. Right when he was about to punch its right flank, a leg came right out of nowhere and hit him in the stomach. It hurt. Zal was sent flying back 10 meters. After he skidded to a stop, he coughed out some blood. What a powerful kick! Alice laughed while Zal was in a daze. She had already killed the Thunder Tiger.
“Stupid pervert.” She said. “Even thought it can’t see you, it can still sense your running movement on the ground thought sound.”
Zal smacked his forehead. He really was stupid! Why didn’t he think of that?
”Watch how it’s done.” Alice proclaimed as she walked over to the Blood cow. Then, before the Blood cow could react, Alice punched it in the face. As the Blood cow was sent flying, Zal couldn’t help but sympathize. He remembered when he was pummeled by that move when he first met Alice after he transmigrated.
Alice turned to look at Zal. But before she could speak, Zal suddenly spotted a large shadow behind her back. Zal was shocked. But before he could earn her, the shadow pounced. After it hit Alice in the head, Zal could see what it was. It had a hideous large head and an abnormally large nose. It was a creature Zal knew all too well. An ogre. But what was an ogre doing in the Arcane Fields? As far as he knew, ogres only hung around Starlight forest, which was a good 200 or 300 miles away. But Zal didn’t have time to think, because the ogre turned to look at him. Time froze. Should he save himself, or Alice? Zal didn’t even have to think about it. He rushed towards the ogre.
Zal knew the ogre was strong, as one strike of its club had wiped out a Rank 6. He definitely couldn’t get hit. If he did, he would turn into minced meat. Zal’s heart pounded. This was the first time he felt serious danger.
The ogre was surprised. Why was the puny human running towards him? It didn’t matter to the ogre. The ogre swung his huge club down. Zal desperately dodged, and the club missed by a small margin. Dirt and small rocks flew in the air as the ogre let out an angry howl. Zal took advantage of the time it took for the ogre to pick up the huge club, and rushed towards Alice.
20 meters, 10 meters, 5 meters, CLUNK! The ogres club swung down again. Zal had anticipated this, and had long curved around the area the club hit. He then picked up Alice. Zal was slightly surprised. She was really heavy! It must be the muscle mass of a Rank 6, he thought. As Zal raced towards the direction of Vassal, he wiped the sweat off his brow. He had almost died! But thankfully, it was all worth it. Zal looked at the still unconscious Alice. He smiled. He sort of felt like a hero rescuing a damsel in distress. And Zal was also a man of dignity. He didn’t harbor any umpire thoughts towards Alice when she was unconscious even though when looked like an angel had descended from heaven.
Zal sighed in relief as he closed in on the village. The run had taken a huge toll on him, especially because he was carrying Alice too. But when he got to the village, his breath stopped. Vassal was burning. The houses were on fire, and the villagers were desperately trying to escape. Zal then got confused. Escape from what? Then he saw them. The tall figures with green skin and large noses. Ogres! Zal’s expression turned ugly. Right now, he had to guarantee Alice’s safety. Zal thought of where to hide. He knew Arcane Fields was a no, and Vassal was currently under what seemed like a raider attack. The only other option was the Mountain range of Knives. Vassal was situated in a basin, with the Mountain range of Knives at their back and the Arcane fields at their front. Zal currently couldn’t save the village, so he could only go to the Mountain range. For the village, Alice was their best defense. Zal cursed. The ogres must have known she was a Rank 6 and had sent a super strong ogre to knock her out. Other than her, the village had no other intermediate warriors. I’ll avenge you guys, Zal thought in his heart as he ran desperately away from the burning Vassal.