Free Trade City of Aquarius, ExRump Corporation Headquarters

1st Year of God, Wednesday, 4th Week, Month Of Noah.

Elon Tusk was a broker for the ExRump Corporation, one of the leading and foremost commercial establishment powerhouses in Aquarius.

As a sharp man in his early thirties, Elon had supervised and personally handled countless deals that went down in ExRump’s businesses. As a result, he had a good feel for sales, contracts, and the subtle art of extracting maximum value for his employers.

That was precisely why he was surprised when he stepped into the reception area to meet the seller he was informed of.

'Who are these people…?'

From what he could see, they were not very impressive. Those two who were supposed to be guards had poor stances which seemed to be unfitting for a guard. If an enemy struck surprisingly, none of them wouldn't be able to protect their employer properly.

But even their employer, who is seated between them, was no better.

'He's dressed pretty cheaply. His sitting posture is also very crude…'

As Elon Tusk approached them, he kept up his cautious gaze while his instincts were on high alert.

'From what I can see, they're not special at all. But…' He narrowed his eyes as he took his seat. '… Sometimes, what is on the surface could be deceiving.'

Elon was curious.

'Are they frauds, or are they the real deal? Let's find out.'

"Greetings, customers. Or should I call you sellers? My name is Elon Tusk, though Elon will do," he said with a broad smile, “And before you ask, yes, a half-Orc working for one of the largest merchant groups in the city, I can acknowledge that it is very unusual to see.”

As a professional, he had to be polite to the ones he addressed, even when addressing such unremarkable guests.

"Call us whatever you like, Mr. Tusk. And we don't care if you have the blood of those walking mushroom barbarians."

Upon hearing that, Elon shook a little on his seat.

'This guy…' He tried his best not to stare hard at the man who sat opposite him, but it was difficult not to do so.

Not only had he refused to be placed under a stereotype such as a mere 'customer' or 'seller', but he had also refused Elon’s attempt at friendliness.

'He's choosing to remain formal. He also disregards my suggestions while maintaining his ideals…'

These weren't the signs of a fraud.

'At least he isn't outright racist against half-breeds or demihumans. But I can't be certain, not yet,' Elon thought, smiling internally.

The biggest and most important telling as to the validity of a person's true nature was their worth. A person could fake their demeanors and personality, but they could never fake the value they possessed.

"So, dear seller… what do you have to offer?" Elon asked, getting straight to the point, as business in Aquarius should be..

'Let's see. This is wholesale, so there should be at least a thousand pieces of Monster Core. Judging by the quality of his Spatial Ring he wore, I shouldn't expect anything more than two thousand.'

Spatial Rings were used by the rich to carry money or property. As one would expect, they were separated into many categories.

The one the seller had in hand was among the cheaper variants, with a carry limit being very small, merely 10 cubic meters. Despite its limitations, it was still considerably expensive, considering how highly valued Spatial Magic was.

'If they only brought this much, then it's not that big of a deal.'

At least, not in terms of quantity.

‘That means the real test lies in the quality.’

Anything in the realm of Grade 6 or higher was preferred, but Elon couldn't imagine these cheapskates had access to such quality Monster Core. Not only were Grade 7, Grade 6, and lower very rare, but those who had access to them only did so in Retail, and even then, only in small quantities.

The maximum was bulk retail.

"Well, you seem worthy of my time. I suppose I'll show you…" the seller said, seemingly not intimidated at all.

'Hmph! Big words! I won't be convinced until I see the goods.'

Based on his expert analysis obtained from his many years of experience in this business, he could already tell that these people couldn't be worth his time. He was only humoring them by staying.

WHUSH!

In a flash, several sacs began materializing out of thin air and dropped on the table.

'Eh…?' Elon had been staring at the masked seller's ring all this time, but never once did it glow. That meant he wasn't bringing these sacs from the ring.

‘If not from there… then where?!’

However, before he could puzzle it out, the numerous sacs that were still being brought forth began to spill on the floor in their dozens.

So many sacs… more than he could have expected, filled his line of sight.

‘Could he be…?’

Elon knew that a Spatial Ring had to be exposed and aimed at its targeted location before releasing its contents. The fact that nothing like that was happening here could only point at one thing.

‘He can use Spatial Magic?!’

If that was the case, then judging him based on the value of his ring was the most unwise thing he could have done.

"All done. Good job, Poli-... I mean what time is it, my servant?” Riley asked Polities, who is the one who drop the items with his Spatial Magic, while seemingly feeling cringe when he said it.

At this point, more sacs had stopped coming. Their appearances had dazed Elon so much that he didn't notice their conversation nor when the whole thing was over.

"A-ahh… I see."

From what he could count alone, there were over 40 full sacs in front of him. The kind that could contain at least 300 Monster Cores, of course, accounting for size and value.

'Let's not get ahead of ourselves here…'

Elon remained cautious. He was still not sure of the Grade of Monster Core he was being presented with.

'Could be a Grade 9… or maybe 8?'

Elon had heard that this seller specifically claimed the Grade was considerably high, so maybe it was a Grade 7.

'That's the most generous I can be in my analysis!'

Grade 6 Monster Core and upwards were exceptionally rare, especially in Aquarius. In the other places where Monster Cores of such Grades could be found, many kingdoms had already set their sights there.

Given the ongoing conflict with the Orcs and the volatile state of the Third Civilization Zone, resources like these were being funneled into national defense and military operations. Hardly any were left circulating in the open market.

As such, it was easy to see why Elon had been so quick to dismiss the possibility of these being higher-grade Cores.

"What are you waiting for? Open the sacks." The seller's voice calmly snapped Elon out of his dazed state.

He could feel something itching the back of his throat.

"Open. The. Sacks."

Tension thickened the air as he heard the repeated words reverberate in the air. The seller's confidence was so unnerving that it sent a shiver down Elon’s spine.

A thought crossed his mind.

'What if… just what if…?'

No. That couldn't be possible.

Fueled by his desire to reject the impossible, Elon finally mustered the courage to untie one of the sacks.

"A-hhh! No way!" He had no idea when his thoughts escaped his lips.

He swiftly proceeded to open more sacks, then another, each time with the same reaction.

Right now, the gleaming Monster Cores were reflecting on Elon's clearly dumbfounded eyes, and he only had one thought.

‘G-Grade 6?! H-how…?! How could this be possible? I must be dreaming!*

He frantically opened more sacks, and every time, he was greeted with the same result.

His eyes had been trained from a very young age to detect the quality and quantity of items just from a glance. As a result, he could accurately guess the Grade of Monster Cores without even using an appraising tool.

'They're authentic too!'

Elon could spot fake products a mile away, but this… this was genuine! He could even feel the Mana that pulsated within each Core.

'How does he have so many? This is just too—!'

"There's more where that came from." As soon as the words of the man echoed in Elon’s ears, his eyes bulged.

'WHAT?!"

"Here are fifty sacks of Grade 6 Monster Cores. You can confirm their authenticity for yourselves. Each sack contains a little over 300 pieces…"

The more the seller spoke, the more unreal it all sounded.

"That's over 16,000 pieces you have there. Feel free to count."

'Ridiculous!' Elon would have had such thoughts if he wasn't currently staring at the proof.

'Who is this man? He defies everything I've been taught… everything I've learned!'

Elon felt as though all of his experience as an expert were nothing in the presence of this mysterious figure before him.

'Did he do all of this intentionally? Is he messing with me? Did he…?'

Elon wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

All he knew was that he had been wrong, deeply, undeniably wrong.

'He has value! More value than all of our present customers combined!'

Elon’s mind raced as he realized that, on an individual level, this seller was far superior to their best client.

'And he says he has even more? What kind of…? No, I should stop now and focus!'

Elon tried to steady himself, pulling his thoughts back to the matter at hand. He had to think strategically and consider what was best for the business.

'It would be a major loss for us if he goes elsewhere with this stock. Even if he sells to us now, there's no guarantee he'll bring the next batch here…'

That had to be fixed.

'We need to have this man on our side. If we can have a monopoly on his goods, then…!'

Scarcity determines value. If the market was flooded with these Grade 6 Monster Cores, it would be catastrophic!

*That’s what makes him so dangerous. And being a Spatial Magic user? He’s a big deal.*

Elon felt a sting of embarrassment. He had been foolish, falling into the trap of judging a book by its cover. If he had made a blunder early, it could have cost the company dearly, not just in money, but in potential.

And it wouldn't just stop there.

'For him to have so many Grade 6 Monster Cores, he must be a man of many means. He could even be a powerful Magician for all I know.'

If that were true, this man had the strength to hunt down over 16,000 Level 9 Monsters. The fact that he had more in reserve meant his capabilities were beyond anything Elon could currently fathom.

‘He's a Spatial Magic user, transporting such a massive quantity is no problem for him. In essence, if we can forge a deep connection with this man...*

They could finally take their products, and their business, to the next level!

'This is an even bigger deal than the batch of Grade 6 Cores we received earlier today.'

That shipment felt like a miracle, so much so that they had given the customer a rare Invisibility Necklace as a bonus. But this... this was beyond anything they had ever encountered!

"How much…" Elon found it hard to properly mouth the words, but he did so anyway. "How much do you want?" He gave a serious look at the masked customer and was prepared to hear an exorbitant price.

But instead…

"How much can you offer?"

… He was surprised by the reasonableness of the counteroffer.

'This is a good chance to forge good connections with him!’ Elon thought, ‘If we grant him a good price, and secure this deal, we could draw him in and become his sole buyer.'

The ExRump Corporation specialized in the production and distribution of high-end Magic Artifacts and luxury goods. Recently, they had been running out of stock on the rare Monster Cores needed for their most expensive products, especially the high-quality ones.

With 16,000 Grade 6 Monster Cores, not only could they replenish their stock, but they could also finally expand into markets where their competitors currently held a monopoly.

Such as the Slave Union, the biggest establishments not only in Aquarius but almost the entirety of the Third Civilization Zone, that held one-third of the entire market with its exotic number of high-class slaves.

Before them was an opportunity Elon couldn’t afford to miss, a goldmine that will make this corporation reach the level of that woman’s business empire.

"How about… six gold coins per piece?"

"What?"

"Seven! I meant seven!"

He could instantly tell the dissatisfaction from the seller, so he quickly adjusted the price. It was clear that the masked man held all the bargaining power.

'With the authority I have, seven gold coins per piece is the highest I can offer him. I doubt there's any other place that will match such an amount upfront, but I can't take that chance…'

Even their last purchase of Grade 6 Monster Cores had been priced at only 4 Gold Coins each. This was honestly the best deal he could propose.

"I see…" As the seller spoke, Elon silently prayed that his anxiety wasn’t showing on his face.

He gulped down another round of saliva and awaited the man’s answer and decision.

"You want to be my sole buyer, don't you?"

"That's right! The ExRump Corporation would like to establish a long-standing relationship with you, sir." Elon replied, his excitement barely contained.

He was so glad that the masked seller understood.

"We have a lot of benefits for those in exclusive partnerships with us. Not only will you receive massive discounts on, as high as 60%, any product you wish to purchase, but you'll also have first priority on the products we use your Monster Cores to make."

Elon continued, listing the advantages with the fervor of a salesman desperate to close the deal. But he didn’t care how he sounded.

He had to secure this partnership at all costs.

"I understand. Fair enough. I don't mind establishing such a relationship with you."

Elon couldn't properly express how relieved he was to hear that. Inside, he was celebrating wildly, but he did his utmost best to hide his excitement.

'Yes! YES YES YES YES!!!'

"I just have one small favor to ask. Aside from the benefits, of course…"

The moment he heard that, Elon’s heart skipped a beat.

‘A favor? What could it be? Can we fulfill it?’

He swallowed hard before responding. "Of course! What favor would that be?"

The seller paused thoughtfully. "Hmm. A subordinate of mine came to sell a few Monster Cores earlier today. Grade 6, naturally. It was just one sack…”

Elon’s eyes bulged the moment he realized what was going on.

'He was the one responsible for that too? Why? Could it be that he sent that one sac their way in order to test the waters? Just how many other establishments did he do this for?’

"Apparently, it was sold to your establishment for 2 Gold Coins per piece."

'WHAT?!' Elon could not believe it. He was certain they had purchased those Monster Cores for 4 Gold Coins each.

"S-sir, I think—!"

The seller raised his hand to indicate he was not done talking.

"Let me finish."

Elon gulped and nodded at his words as beads of sweat appeared on his face.

'What is he about to say?!'

"My subordinate was approached by an 'Affiliate' of yours who handled the transaction while he waited outside."

The moment Elon heard this, he was stunned.

'An Affiliate? Did his subordinate fall prey to one of those con-artists?'

The seller’s choice of words was deliberate. There was no way this esteemed man did not know who this 'Affiliate' he spoke of was, yet he still referred to him as that, leaving Elon in a tricky spot.

Why?

'It's not our establishment's fault that his subordinate didn't exercise caution. Nothing in the Laws of Aquarius covers such situations as that.'

In essence, it was his loss. However, Elon could not even dare to think, talkless of speaking, such a thing.

"I-I see…" Was all he could say.

"It came as a surprise to me. I thought perhaps your establishment was unaware of the transaction, so I decided to forgive you and personally came to give you a second chance."

At that moment, Elon realized the brilliance of the masked man’s words. By framing it this way, the seller was not only pushing the blame for the scam onto the ExRump Corporation but also painting himself as a benevolent figure. It was a masterful move.

'This man is too shrewd!' Elon respected and feared him even more for that.

"Thank you for your patience with us. We were unaware of the matter, but we will certainly investigate it."

"Hmm. That is good to hear."

Elon already knew he was going out of his way. That was why the man called this a 'Favor.' And normally, the ExRump Corporation would have ignored such a minor incident, as it was just a part of business. But this time was different. Now, everything was on the line.

"I will personally see to it that all parties involved in this transaction are properly investigated, including this 'Affiliate' of ours."

There was no need to spell out many details. The two parties already had an understanding.

'And since I'm already going out of my way, I might as well throw in a bonus.'

"Of course, we'll also compensate you for the loss you encountered due to the disservice done to you. We’ll do so at the previous cost price of 4 Gold Coins per piece, so I hope that is fine by you."

Elon watched the masked man carefully, hoping his offer would be enough to appease him.

"It is. Thank you very much."

"Haha! What are you saying? This much is only natural for someone entering into such a valuable relationship with us."

"Hmm. Indeed."

"Hahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

Both men laughed together, their voices filling the room as it was already clear to the point that both of them that a deal had been struck.

————————————————

'Whew! Looks like the deal is sealed!' Riley exhaled heavily as he, Mason, and Polities exited the ExRump Corporation’s imposing building. He had no idea things would go this well, and the sheer success of the negotiation left him overjoyed, though thoroughly drained.

“The tension... it was intense,” Riley muttered to himself. Every moment had been a tightrope walk, where breaking character even for an instant could have cost him dearly. The persona he had adopted had been draining, but it had paid off in spades.

'Still… to think we secured such a sweet deal.'

Riley could not pinpoint how exactly he had been able to score so many good points with the shrewd Half-Orc broker known as Elon Tusk.

“Could it be because I initially addressed him with respect?” Riley remembered how he chose to call him Mr. Tusk rather than the casual 'Elon.' “He might have taken offense if I addressed him too casually…”

As the negotiations progressed, Riley had found his footing and his confidence growed with every exchange. By the end, he had managed to negotiate more benefits than he had ever imagined.

'We signed an exclusive contract with them, which means we already have a reliable place to sell Monster Cores.'

That certainty put Riley's heart at ease.

'The total number of Monster Cores ended up being 16,590. With the total price of 7 Gold Coins per piece, that's 116,130 Gold Coins.'

In other words, 1,161.3 Platinum Coins.

'We're fucking rich!' Riley could not believe just how stinkingly rich he had become in such a short period. It was too absurd.

'I initially had a goal of 4 Gold Coins and approximated the amount of Monster Cores to 16,000.'

That would have totaled 640 Platinum Coins.

'Not only did I get nearly twice that amount, but I got sweet deals as well.'

Discounts on magical and luxury products, as well as first priority on new items, and the ability to make custom orders, which was an exclusive privilege given only to clients who belonged in the upper echelon of the Corporation’s priority list.

Riley felt like a god!

'This trip was totally worth it! Hehehe!' He thought with a grin.

Riley was especially so glad he hadn’t left the negotiation to Mason. Though his friend was a seasoned military operative, he lacked the finesse and experience needed for such delicate business dealings. Riley had no doubt Mason would have fumbled the whole thing.

'At this point, I don't even care about those few Platinum Coins he lost to that scammer.'

Not only had they recouped that loss, but they had gained so much more.

It was all too incredible, but the proof was in his hands.

'Hehehe! Hehehehehehe!! Hahahahahaahaha!!!'

"Hey captain, what now?"

Polities’ voice woke Riley from his deep thoughts. Of course, the only deep thing about those thoughts was how deep his pockets had become.

He was filthy rich!

However, he knew that his patriotism and commitment to the Empire, God, and mankind were more important than any amount of gold or platinum. Even though he now had the means to live lavishly in this New World as a billionaire, his sense of responsibility wouldn't allow him to turn his back on his motherland.

"What now? Well, first of all, we head back to the rented mansion, gather the others, and discuss how we'll be arranging things going forward," Riley answered Polities, already planning his next moves. He had a clear idea of his strategy but preferred not to discuss sensitive matters out in the open.

His current plan was simple.

'I'll have Mason or the others deliver the sacs of Monster Cores using a Spatial Ring. But we'll only deliver one sac a day, considering how the value will reduce if we oversaturate the market.'

It wasn't like Riley was desperate for money, and he wasn't in a hurry to earn any more than he already had. Besides, if he wanted to, he could always increase the rate. But for now, he was in control, and by controlling the flow, he would keep demand high and profits steady.

'Right now, I hold all the cards. I should dispense them slowly…'

Riley doubted the ExRump Corporation would keep buying Grade 6 Monster Cores from him forever. It wasn't that he doubted their wealth. No, not at all. In fact, he was sure they would be able to make immense profits from every sac they bought from him.

The real issue was greed.

In a capitalistic system, greed was inevitable, especially among larger corporations, and Riley had seen it happen before. He thought back to the Ukraine Federation, a former Soviet Union state that had turned into a corporatocracy when it became a pure capitalist nation, an opposite fate to the now-divided Soviet Union. The greed within its economy had led to an imbalance, similar to what could happen with the ExRump Corporation if he wasn't careful.

‘That’s why the Capitalist Party among the Right-Wing parties back in Austronesia doesn’t have too much power, same as the Left-Wing parties. Too much greed leads to political imbalance, just like what happened in the Ukraine Federation.’

Riley knew he had to navigate this carefully. He was playing a long game, one where his success would depend on more than just money. It would require patience, strategy, and an understanding of the forces at play in both this world and the one he came from.

‘Eventually, these guys will try to bypass me and go straight to the source for the Cores.’ Riley knew all too well how business worked. Loyalty in this world was fleeting, especially when profit was involved.

‘That’s why I need to stay as loosely involved with this as possible,’ he thought, his strategy forming. Until he could find a more sustainable alternative, maintaining the relationship he already had with these buyers was essential. But he couldn’t afford to become too entangled.

'Aquarius is as dangerous as any Black Market, with the only difference being that it's mainstream.'

The reason these people were in Aquarius was because they weren't satisfied with trade under the governance of the laws of their countries.

They didn't like being regulated, taxed, or restricted by laws they didn't agree with. Most of their motivations were driven by unchecked greed, and Riley knew that same greed would eventually turn them against him.

‘And that greed will eventually lead them to betray us. That's why we have to be prepared…'

To make sure none of his subordinates remained compliant to him, Riley knew he had to keep them content, which meant regularly sharing his profits with them.

Now that the business side is over, there were more important things to focus on.

'I need to inform the High Command about this development.'

————————————————————

Free Trade City of Aquarius, Unknown Location

1st Year of God, Wednesday, 4th Week, Month Of Noah.

Within a finely furnished office located in an unknown place, a man stood close to the windows, ignoring the fine chair and exquisite desk behind him.

The blond hair on his head fell a lot longer than a man's, but a tad bit shorter than a woman's length. He had a few wrinkles lined his face, displaying his age, while a finely trimmed beard added a touch of refinement.

His outfit was also reminiscent of the room, grandiose and expensive-looking. And what truly set him apart was the pair of fish-like fins that replaced the pointed ears one might expect on an elf.

He is a Merfolk.

Right now, he was watching the events of the bustling marketplace below with a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

As one of the six members of the Obsidian Council, a shadowy group of individuals that rule the entirety of Aquarius city, it pleased him to see the community thriving.

As he smiled and sipped his wine, his moment of reminiscing was cut short by a knock on the door.

The man's blue eyes darted to the door, and his curled up lips slowly fell.

"Come in," he commanded.

The door slowly creaked open, and a man dressed in an expensive waistcoat, as well as an overall formal outfit walked in.

He looked young, perhaps in his early thirties, but the experienced look in his eyes did not belong to a youth. Furthermore, it wasn’t just his eyes that marked him as different, as the tusks protruding from his mouth were distinctly non-human, and certainly not elven.

This was Elon Tusk, one of the many brokers for the ExRump Corporation.

"Lord Rump, I have reports for you," Elon announced in a respectful tone.

"Rump" was the codename given to this Merfolk within the Obsidian Council. Each member of the six had their pseudonym, but he stood out, being the polar opposite of the Council’s dark moniker.

"It's fine, boy. There's no need to call me that here. Just address me normally," the older man replied.

Sure, the man who entered was younger than this Lord Rump, but it wasn't enough to be called a ‘boy’, which seemed a stretch. Still, he nodded in understanding.

As this man slowly turned to face Elon, he could see him deactivate his ‘Identity Concealment Item’.

Before Rump’s eyes, Elon’s appearance transformed, the orcish tusks vanishing, and his features shifting to resemble a younger version of Rump himself, down to the same fish-like fins in place of ears.

"I understand… father," Elon replied, his voice now that of a young man barely twenty years old.

Rump chuckled as he eased into his comfortable chair and offered Elon the same courtesy. "Hehe… that's much better," he said, clearly pleased. Elon took the offered seat without a moment’s hesitation and sat opposite his father.

"So, talk to me. Tell me what all this fuss is about," Rump urged, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed yet keen interest.

Rump was a man of many means, and even before Elon had arrived, he had a faint inclination of the events unfolding within his corporation. But just how much did he truly know?

"Alright father. The thing is…"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Good heavens," Rump's face contorted in downright shock as he listened to his son finalize his story. "That's absurd." He muttered as disbelief was clear in his voice.

"Right? I thought so too. But it was all real, everything I told you."

It seemed like a made up story… that someone of such caliber would just casually walk into their place of business like it was nothing.

‘What kind of man is this masked seller?’ Rump wondered, a sense of unease creeping into his thoughts.

"Did he drop a name? Anything to identify him as?" Rump asked, desperately hoping to leverage his extensive network to unearth some information. But the look on Elon’s face told him it wouldn’t be worthwhile.

"He just told us to call him ‘Ghost’. Even among the most accomplished Adventurers, none bear that name."

Rump squinted his eyes and pulled at his beards a little.

His son wasn't wrong.

'Adventurers either use their real name or have flashy titles and pseudonyms. This seems like the latter, but…’

If Ghost was an extremely strong or accomplished Adventurer as he appeared, surely they would have heard of him by now.

"What a mysterious fellow…" Rump whispered. "You did good by bringing him to our side, boy."

But there was just one more crucial detail Rump needed to clarify. It was a matter of utmost pertinence that Rump had to personally ask.

'This'll determine how we consider our future with him…'

"You used your [Eye Of God], right? How strong is he exactly?"

The [Eye of God] was a Grade 4 Magic Artifact, a rare and powerful tool that could assess a person's strength, power, and Magicule Levels to a limited degree, though not without the other party potentially noticing. Its most subtle feature, however, was its ability to measure overall strength by detecting Magicule Levels, even if the target used skills or artifacts to conceal it.

"What was his Level?" Rump asked, his eyes narrowing with intensity.

In response to this question, Elon Tusk, or if that is his real name, had a conflicted expression. It wasn't that he didn't understand the question, but rather he couldn't decide on how to answer it.

After a moment’s pause, he decided to throw aside his indecision and just be as straightforward as possible.

"It… it didn't work, I think."

"It didn’t work?" Rump’s deep frown returned with disbelief in his face. "That’s a Grade 4 artifact! It has to work!"

Grade 4 Magic Artifacts were the pinnacle of what could be obtained on the market. Whether raw materials or finished products, they represented the height of current magical craftsmanship.

For such a sophisticated item to fail was almost unthinkable.

"I know! But… after our meeting, I checked the results, and it just said *None*."

Elon’s voice was laced with confusion. In all his years of doing business, he had never encountered anything like this. It didn’t make sense, so he just chalked it down to a malfunction. But as he glanced at his father, he noticed a different reaction, one that sent a chill down his spine.

"Did you just say… *None*?" Rump's voice quivered with a rare hint of fear. The look of horror on his face made Elon’s heart race, but he did his best to nod regardless.

'I've never seen Father this shaken before…'

As he had this thought, Rump rose from his seat as if it suddenly had a thousand needles on it. He just wasn't comfortable any longer.

"The [Eye Of God] can measure the individual's Magicule Levels,” He began, his breathing seeming a little uneven. “Even if they wore an item or had a skill that could conceal their power, the artifact could easily bypass it. Not even a Transcendent Tier 1 being could hide from it,"

Even Elon was growing increasingly restless just listening to his father.

"But if the artifact showed *None*, it means one of two things: either the individual is manaless, like an ordinary human, or… it has encountered something above its ability to analyze."

Upon hearing this, Elon felt his stomach drop as he pieced together the implications.

"No way…"

"Indeed…" A grim frown tugged at Rump's lips as he stared hard at his son.

"The 2nd Tier Transcendent. The realm of the Disasters.”

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. The 2nd Tier Transcendents were beings of immense power, far beyond the capabilities of a Tier 1 Transcendent, of which there were only a few dozen in the entire Third Civilization Zone.

Even their most powerful members were only at the Transcendent Tier 1 at most.

Among those of the highest power, were the Dwarf King, the Valkyrie Queen, the Fairy Queen, the Orc Warboss, and the deceased Elf Queen. Only they are well-known individuals who reached the heights of this power in this Civilization Zone.

But the worst thing they could think of is what if this mysterious figure, Ghost, was at that level?

“Boy, I'll tell you this for free…" Rump’s voice cut through the heavy silence in a deadly serious tone.

Elon had never seen his father this shaken before, a man usually composed and confident now cloaked in caution, mixed with a grimness so deep that it defied explanation, shrouded his face.

It seemed even one of the Obsidian Councilors could show fear.

"Never… ever cross that man."

Elon didn’t hesitate to nod, understanding the gravity of his father’s words.

"He could destroy us all."

—————

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A/n: This story's arc might be the most interesting thing I had written in this 2nd volume.

And that is the journey in the world of…

🌈🌈🌈CAPITALISM🌈🌈🌈