1970, Saturday, 4th Week, August

In a small room that was dimly lit by the faint glow of a night light shaped like a dragon. Posters of mythical creatures plastered the walls from dragons flying through stormy skies, elves aimed with bows drawn, and warriors from games he'd grown up playing with their swords glowing with magical energy. In the corner sat a shelf, cluttered with figurines of heroes and monsters alike. The boy, no more than ten, sat cross-legged on his bed, clutching a worn book in his hands. It was his father's, full of stories from lands he could only dream of.

"🎵 It's just me, myself, and I. Stuck in my bedroom living in this world you left behind… 🎵”

His eyes flicked toward the window, half-expecting to see his father appear on the other side. He never did. The boy closed his eyes and continued, letting the words carry him.

"🎵 Dreaming of all these monsters that I'll never get to fight…🎵"

His heart ached. He could picture his father, brave, strong, and adventurous, out there somewhere, battling creatures like those in his games. The thought both thrilled and terrified him.

"🎵 But boy, I wish I could so I could bring this world some light! 🎵"

The lyrics came easily, but the boy's throat tightened. His father had left when he was young, too young to understand why or where he'd gone. All that remained were stories and tales of battles that his father told him in bed.

"🎵 Cause I'm stuck with your stories. But no clue who you are…🎵" he sang, his voice softer now, like a whisper in the dark.

Tears pricked at his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He had to be strong, just like the heroes on his walls.

"🎵 And no idea if you're dead or just too far…🎵 "

The boy’s gaze fell to the open book in his lap. His father’s words were written inside, his handwriting looping and jagged in places, as if he’d been in a hurry. He couldn’t read the last note clearly, but he didn’t need to. He knew his father had been searching for something, or someone, important.

The boy raised his chin, determination filled his young heart.

"🎵 Somebody tell me, come and give me a sign. If I fight those monsters. Is it you I'll find?🎵"

He took a deep breath as his voice grew louder now and the words bounced off the walls.

"🎵 But so then. Give me sirens and cyclops! Give me werewolves and a hydra…🎵"

He stood with his fist clenched, as if ready to take on the creatures himself.

"🎵 I know life and fate are scary. But I wanna be legendary! 🎵"

His voice wavered on the final note. He imagined himself, sword in hand and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his father, ready to fight every beast and monster the world could throw at him.

"🎵I'll fight vampires and chimeras. The minotaurs, even Cerberus. I know life and fate are scary, but I wanna be legenda-"

And then—

Thud!

The memory shattered.

He was no longer in his small bedroom, no longer a boy with dreams, but was replaced by an intimidating dark cloak man on the busy street and the noise of Aquarius city crashing into him like waves.

He was interrupted when a man had bumped into him hard, knocking him out of his thoughts.

"Watch where you’re going, bitch," the man snarled, shoving past without a second glance.

The Dark cloak man blinked as the words of the song still echoed faintly in his mind. For a brief moment, he had been that child again, lost in the world of fantasy, imagining his father out there, somewhere. But reality always had a way of pulling him back.

He shook his head, brushed off the encounter, and continued walking, the world as cold and unforgiving as ever.

Today is Monday, 3rd Week, and the Month of Jonah. It's been several months he hasn't been in Aquarius City, and Riley and his team had been enjoying a much-needed rest for pleasantly long after all those fantasy battles they'd been facing. As for his teammate Tavish, he had spent over a month in the hospital after the Elder Shaman incident, where the shaman had possessed him. Now, fully recovered, Tavish was back to his old self.

But the break was over. Riley and his team had been assigned to return to Aquarius for a business purpose.

Standing at the entrance of the ExRump Corporation's massive building of their headquarters, Riley's presence exuded an air of authority that sent a shiver through the guards, who saw him and bowed instantly, parting to let him pass.

Once he got in, he was welcomed by the staff with respect, and he was escorted by an especially beautiful lady who wore the Corporation's uniform.

She smiled sweetly at him, maintaining a few inches behind him, while making sure she walked as gracefully and respectfully as she could.

Everyone in this building knew just how important he was, and any single mistake made could result in severe consequences.

They ascended the marble stairs that led to the first floor, and after passing through a grand hallway, they arrived at the exquisite Lounge prepared for his exclusive use. To Riley, he deserved at least this much.

"You can leave now," The man in black told his attendant curtly. The woman bowed her head and exited the room after opening the door for him.

As she left, he walked in with his mask hiding any vestige of emotion.

"Haaa…"

Riley entered the freshly scented place, feeling the cool and comfortable ambiance of the place.

He had forgotten all about the amazing reception he always got from these guys.

Perhaps that was due to the fact that he watched as they mercilessly murdered their enemies.

He knew they were a savage bunch and didn't trust them in the slightest.

But that wasn’t why he was here. His mission was to secure the resources he’d been sent for. And maybe, just maybe, he could sell his latest haul of Monster Cores.

‘If I can make some money and pick up a few new artifacts, all the better,’ he thought. Not that he needed the money at the moment. But Riley had a feeling it wouldn’t hurt to pad his resources. After all, there was no such thing as too much money, right?

'Well, it's not a compulsory arrangement. I'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing goes.'

Lost in thought, he maintained his sitting posture when a soft knock echoed through the room. The door creaked open, revealing the Broker, Elon Tusk.

Elon, as always, was immaculate. His dark waistcoat, formal shirt, black trousers, and neatly tied tie spoke of a man who cared about every detail. His sleeves were rolled up, a casual touch, yet nothing about him felt out of place. He moved with the grace of a gentleman, but Riley wasn’t fooled by the man's gentle appearance and 'nice' facade.

Behind that polished facade was a killer, one Riley knew all too well from countless reports and background information about the man.

Riley fought back a gulp as Elon smiled at him with a look of genuine relief and pleasant surprise.

"Sir Ghost, it's so nice to see you. I apologize for my tardiness. I had a few things to arrange before coming in."

Without waiting for a reply, Elon sat down and flashed the most innocent smile imaginable. "I'm truly happy to see you well."

Riley quickly glanced away due to how uncomfortable Elon's smile made him. Something about it unnerved him. That was when he noticed something odd.

'Hm? Is someone still behind the door?' Riley tilted his head slightly with interest.

Before he could dwell on it, Elon spoke again, his voice almost too eager.

"Ah! Forgive me, Sir Ghost. I thought he'd enter right after I did." Elon turned toward the door, his trademark smile still in place, though there was a subtle shift in his demeanor, an unease Riley didn’t miss. "Please, come in. Sir Ghost is waiting."

No response came from behind the door, only silence. Then, after a few seconds—

Creak—!

The door swung open slowly, revealing a massive man who towered at an intimidating 6'10" in height, his muscular frame casting a long shadow as he entered the room. His neatly trimmed beard and chiseled features stood in stark contrast to Elon's ever-pleasant expression.

The man had an air of authority around him, and he reeked of danger. Even Riley, in his seat, could tell that this man was something else. Still, he hardly reacted as he watched the men enter the room.

Elon allowed the man to sit on his seat, while he stood behind his couch.

Before the former could completely settle on his seat, however, Riley already recall his memories about the individual and the information about him.

'Ahh…'

Once Riley had remembered, his entire outlook changed.

'I always suspected that this place had a wide array of connections, but even then… the Obsidian Council?' He mused. Everything all made sense to him now.

The Obsidian Council, known as the governing force of Aquarius, was a powerful entity responsible for maintaining law and order in the city’s vast commercial network.

Apparently, they also had ties to a larger, more secretive Triumvirate, though Riley's team had uncovered little details about the entire structure during their first assignment here.

And now, sitting across from him, was one of their Councilors.

Riley pondered on the reason, and he considered many possibilities as the man made himself comfortable on his seat. He was very buff, probably on par with the competitive bodybuilders from the Austronesia Empire, or even Earth itself.

His height also made him appear more intimidating, and the rings on each of his fingers glittered under the dim lights, and unlike Elon’s more casual appearance, this man wore a full suit, enhancing both his professionalism and the threat he posed.

Riley couldn’t help but admire the balance of power and sophistication.

He didn't dislike it.

"Sir Ghost. I've heard so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet."

As Riley listened to the words of the man before him, he slowly nodded as he studied the man sitting across from him. They were separated by the center table, and while they shared a considerable distance apart, the man's huge build almost made it seem like they were much closer than they actually were.

Riley glanced at Elon, who stood like a statue with a smile on his face.

'How do I play this?’ He thought. ‘Act ignorant or call them out on their bullshit?'

It was clear that the two were trying some form of tactics to gain some high ground when it came to bargaining. Or maybe this was just the way things worked around here, and he had no idea. Either way, there was only one way Riley saw the current situation being tutored directly in his favor.

"And I've heard quite a bit about you too, Sir Ronald Rumpan."

The moment the words left his mouth, the man’s face froze and his entire body stiffening in shock. Even Elon had an expression of shock written on his face.

'Should I go a step further…?' Riley smirked underneath the mask, enjoying how the entire atmosphere was changing.

"It’s not every day that a Councilor shows up so openly. Am I right, Barron?"

He turned his gaze to the flustered Elon, who stood there, visibly rattled by the mention of his true name. The confusion between father and son was palpable, as they exchanged quizzical looks. Riley simply leaned back and observed with quiet satisfaction.

'I'm glad the others managed to dig up this info, and I'm sure I've disrupted everything they had in mind until now.’ he thought, ‘Now, let's see how they'll take things from here…'

Even though they hadn't told him anything yet, Riley was already sure of one thing.

'They want something from me.'

It was most likely a favor, and considering all the support the ExRump Corporation had given him, it would seem only fair for them to ask for something in return. That was the angle they’d likely take. They wanted him to feel obligated.

But Riley wasn’t one to be played that easily. His move had been deliberate, a way to show he wasn’t just some pawn they could manipulate. He needed to establish himself as someone not to be underestimated if he was going to negotiate on equal terms.

‘I don’t want to owe these people anything, but walking out now isn’t an option…’

He had his orders. The Austronesian Government had made it clear that a deal with the ExRump Corporation was essential. To pull it off, he needed to stay in their good graces, even if it meant navigating a minefield of corporate and political games.

‘Let’s hope this negotiation ends in my favor…’

Riley swallowed and watched the older man in front of him closely, waiting for his next move.

The man leaked out a smile and rose to his feet, his entire build seeming like an imposing mountain that would crash upon even Riley’s muscular build.

Despite the imposing size difference, Riley kept his normal position and simply tilted his head just enough to maintain eye contact

"You are right," Ronald continued. "I am Ronald Rumpan, Founder of the ExRump Corporation and a Member of the Obsidian Council."

And then, to Riley's utter shock, the man did the unthinkable.

He bowed.

The sight of such a massive figure, a corporate titan, humbling himself so completely, sent a ripple of disbelief through the air.

"Sir Ghost, the entire ExRump Corporation needs your help. Please, hear me out."

The silence that followed was suffocating. The unnatural sight of a grown massive man, bowing before the smaller man in darkness, made the entire scenario all the more tense. Neither Elon nor Riley could afford to speak in this heavy atmosphere, and for a few seconds, they could only watch each other.

Then, Riley broke the silence.

"What’s the use of a bow?" He said calmly, though it carried a sharp edge. “I hope you do not intend on convincing me with cheap emotional appeals."

Ronald flinched slightly and his massive frame trembled under Riley’s words. But just as quickly, he regained his composure and widened his smile.

"Of course not!" Ronald replied, his tone as cheerful as ever, despite the tension thickening the air.

Riley took note of the man’s demeanor. While he and his team had gathered intelligence suggesting Ronald and Elon were related, the two looked nothing similar due to race differences. But they shared the same unnerving tendency to smile during tense moments.

Riley, unfazed, casually reached for the tea that had been placed on the table when he arrived. Thanks to the magic enchantment on the cup, the tea was still as warm as when it was first poured. He took a deliberate sip, savoring the moment.

This wasn’t a situation to rush. Just like with the tea, Riley preferred to handle things systematically, one move at a time with each sip a measured response to the unfolding game before him.

"Hmm." Riley took a small sip of the sweet liquid, his gaze sharp as it landed on the two men before him. They seemed entirely at his mercy.

"Sit down and get straight to the point. I prefer things done that way."

Ronald, the head of one of the largest corporations in the Third Civilization Zone, obeyed without hesitation and settled back into his seat with surprising compliance.

‘Interesting,’ Riley thought, watching them carefully. ‘For someone so powerful and wealthy to act this desperate... they must be really desperate.’

Deciding to stay silent until they laid out their request, Riley's thoughts turned over the situation. ‘If it's something manageable, I might help. They seem desperate enough to offer something in return.’

Of course, he remembered his initial vow to steer clear of the ExRump Corporation and the chaotic world of global business dealings. But orders were orders. The Austronesian Government, and the Emperor himself, had made it clear that maintaining a connection with ExRump was necessary. For now, their relationship remained a necessary evil.

"Very well, Sir Ghost. I'll get straight to the point," Ronald said, his voice suddenly becoming serious.

‘Here it comes,’ Riley thought, preparing himself for whatever big news would come.

"As you likely know, the Iron Kingdom has been a pivotal force in the Global Market, especially in trade and commerce."

Riley nodded in understanding. The Iron Kingdom had long maintained its economy by offloading their outdated technology and magical artifacts to merchants through Aquarius. It was a win-win for them, even if they traded what they no longer needed.

"However," Ronald continued, "With many of their trading partners cutting ties due to the war between the Iron Kingdom and the nations of the Third Civilization Zone, Aquarius, no, the entire Global Business Underworld, has been thrown into imbalance."

Riley’s ears perked up the moment he heard this. He leaned forward, his shoulders arced as he legs were spread apart while maintaining eye contact with Ronald, his body language signaling that Ronald now had his full attention.

"Tell me more."

Ronald glanced at Elon before continuing. "The trade disruptions are hurting everyone, Sir Ghost. Aquarius thrives on its role as the middleman between nations. With the Iron Kingdom's influence shrinking, it’s not just the smaller merchants that are suffering, the entire power balance of the Business World is at risk."

Riley absorbed the information. This wasn't just about trade, it was about control, influence, and maintaining the delicate balance of power in Aquarius and beyond. Whatever Ronald was about to ask, it was clearly tied to something much larger than a simple favor.

But there seemed to be more that Riley isn't aware of yet.

"Is there more than the Iron Kingdom problem?" Riley asked.

Ronald exhaled, as if relieved Riley hadn’t cut him off. "Yes, and the main reason why I want to meet you here."

————————————————————————

[10 Minutes Later…]

'Unbelievable…'

Riley's mind raced as he processed everything Ronald had just revealed. He never imagined that so much hidden lore, especially such a deep undercurrent of political and economic maneuvering behind the chaos in Aquarius. It seemed that his team had barely scratched the surface in understanding the power dynamics at play.

Apparently, there is something called the Business Triumvirate, a governing body Riley had never heard of before, consisted of three key factions:

The Aquarius Market

The Slave Union

The Mercenary Gang

These three entities operated under the direct supervision of their benefactors, who also served as their overlords who pulled the strings behind the scenes.

Brightmoon for the Aquarius Market. The Archduke of Musten for the Slave Union. And Feracia for the Mercenary Gang.

These were names Riley had never encountered in his intel reports. But remarkably, these were the same individuals the Austronesian Empire had killed and assassinated.

Without the advanced technology of the Iron Kingdom, Aquarius's economy had already begun to stagnate, but with the deaths of these key figures, the situation worsened dramatically as the entire balance of power changes began to occur through the entire sphere of the Global Business World.

One particular revelation involved Scyllary Klinton, one of the two remaining leaders of the Slave Union, killed Barnie Sandler, the second leader of the organization and seized control of his entire territory.

With so much power and influence, with a near-monopoly on the slave trade, her influence had skyrocketed.

Though Ronald didn’t have all the details, he explained that the woman had managed to win over half of the Obsidian Council to support her uprising.

"She's practically taken over everything beyond the northern sector of the Business World," Ronald had remarked grimly.

He added that, while the Mercenary Gang had traditionally remained a neutral party who merely offered muscle for the other factions, many of their forces had now begun to throw their support behind the lady in question.

What had once been a fractured power structure was now consolidating under her iron grip.

In essence, she was a force to be reckoned with.

During the course of Ronald’s exposition, he mentioned how the Mercenary Gang earned its wealth through both pillaging and offering security services.

In a way, they were merely leeches who sold their strength to the highest bidder.

Just glorified bandits, at least according to Riley.

In any case, Scyllary was making a grand uprising in the Business World, and that proved detrimental to their business.

As Riley sat in silence, absorbing the weight of the situation, his thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of realization.

"To think all of this was set in motion because of us," he reflected bitterly.

In a way, it was his nation’s fault, the war between the Iron Kingdom and the Tarxan Coalition, the political instability of Aquarius, it had all come to this.

"Sir Ghost... I'm about to reveal something I’ve never shared with anyone who isn't directly involved in the trade, but..." Ronald hesitated as his voice trailed off. For a moment, he looked unsure to share the information, but after a few seconds, his face tightened with hardened resolve.

"All those Monster Cores we collected for you? They were used to create weapons and Magic Artifacts. However, most of them were never intended for the Tarxan Coalition or any nation in the Third Civilization Zone."

Riley’s eyes twitched at this. He had rarely given much thought to what the ExRump Corporation did with the artifacts he crafted for them from the cores he supplied. Now, the pieces were falling into place.

The only question remained: if the Tarxan Coalition and other Third Civilization nations weren’t the buyers... who was?

"The Land of the Fairies, in the Second Civilization Zone. They’re our largest buyers at the moment, and they’re the ones we’ve been crafting all these artifacts for."

'What...?'

Riley barely had time to process this bombshell when Ronald revealed even more.

"Unfortunately, with Scyllary’s forces controlling the territories, we can’t get the artifacts to them."

The implications were clear, they were experiencing a major crisis.

‘Ahh… now I get it.’

Riley glanced at Ronald and Elon, or rather, Barron. The two of them looked at him with eyes full of quiet desperation. He now understood the full picture.

'They invested a lot of capital into producing these artifacts, but they can’t deliver them to the fairies in time.'

This meant they couldn’t recover the resources they had poured into production, leaving them short on liquid cash. But that wasn’t the only issue.

'In business, punctuality is key. If they don’t meet their deadline, the fairies might turn to another supplier. That would be disastrous for ExRump Corporation.'

Not only would they lose the fairies as clients, but they’d also be stuck with a massive stockpile of unsold artifacts, which would take forever to offload.

Not only that, that wasn't the only core of the crisis they were dealing with.

"Most of the stocks we've been crafting were on a warehouse on the western borders to the Second Civilization Zone, which is quite a long distance away. Do you know why the fairies, from their isolated land, are suddenly doing business with the Third Civilization? Why are they seeking so many Magic Artifacts in the first place?" Ronald mused. "They didn’t tell us, but I suspect it’s because their war with another nation in the Second Civilization Zone has made them desperate."

Riley nodded as Ronald spoke, confirming his own suspicions. That had been his first guess too.

'Fairies aren’t technologically advanced and have no understanding of industrialization. They’re often seen as nature-loving entities, like the traditional elves of legend, who live apart from the corruption of other races.'

For them to be doing business with inhabitants of the Third Civilization Zone, a region they considered barbaric, suggested that things in their domain had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

"I suspect we're being intentionally sabotaged by the three Obsidian Council members who sided with Scyllary. We've lost contact with our western warehouse, and any deliveries outside the Northern Territories vanish without a trace," Ronald said with frustration.

If this continued, their losses would be unbearable.

'They're in a tight spot,' Riley thought as he listened intently. 'I can't blame them for being desperate. No matter how much capital a company has, profit is its lifeblood.'

And profit came through sales.

Riley doubted ExRump Corporation could stay afloat by relying solely on the Northern Territories. With their business domain suddenly slashed to a third of its usual size, financial collapse was almost inevitable.

'Add to that the missing artifacts and the fairy situation...'

It was only a matter of time before the company sank.

'So, that’s why they need my help.' A slight smile crept onto Riley’s face.

He realized he could offer a solution that if the ExRump Corporation partnered with the Austronesia Empire, they could tap into vast resources and wealth, far more than the fairies could provide.

Even though he had no desire to see this entire region prosper, he wasn’t ready for ExRump Corporation to go down. It was the only place where he had forged meaningful connections, and it held potential for the Empire to acquire more valuable magic artifacts.

'If they fall, Aquarius might survive, but I’ll lose all my current benefits, and fail my mission.'

Helping them made sense. But Riley also knew he had to tread carefully.

'If I get caught in a larger scheme, I could lose everything. I might just be a pawn in their game.'

While it didn’t seem like that now, he knew better than to trust the current circumstances alone. Supporting them would come with its own risks.

"The worst part," Ronald continued with regret in his voice, "is that this all had to happen now, just when we were about to roll out our expansion plan."

Riley blinked in surprise. "Expansion?"

Ronald looked up and smiled a little sadly. “Yes. We were gearing up to expand into other Civilization Zones, once we had enough capital. It might sound strange coming from me, but... the Third Civilization Zone is a terrible place."

Riley was caught off guard. As someone who had benefited from the chaos of the region, it was hard to reconcile Ronald’s view with his own experience.

"The entire region is violent and unstable. It’s not a sustainable environment for business."

Once Ronald revealed more about what he meant, Riley could understand the man's sentiments.

Both from a logical and purely business perspective, it was much better to perpetuate trade in a more structured and orderly society.

Sure, the Third Civilization Zone could be immensely profitable, but it was highly volatile and filled with incredible risk. One misstep could cost you everything.

"We set up a few auxiliary branches to test the market, and after years of doing our proper research, we were finally ready to make a full transition."

Then, this unfortunate mess had to happen.

'If they're planning to expand into other Civilization Zones, helping them makes even more sense now,' Riley thought, feeling a second incentive stirring.

However...

"I’m curious about one thing," he said, leaning forward.

"What is it, Sir Ghost?" Ronald responded instantly, almost as if he were ready to lay everything bare, making it difficult to distrust any of the things that were being said.

"Why haven’t you joined Scyllary’s side?"

"…"

Ronald did not answer immediately, so Riley decided to elaborate.

"If you joined her side, I'm sure your business would be protected and all the harassment would stop."

The other three Obsidian Council members likely figured this out a long time ago, which was why they sided with her. If ExRump did the same, things might turn out better for them.

"Scyllary is... selfish and cruel, even by my standards," Ronald said at last with disdain. "Even among the Slave Union leaders, she was always the most ruthless. She has no principles, and I couldn’t stomach working with someone like that."

Riley raised an eyebrow, sensing an odd mix of emotion clouding what he expected to be a purely logical response.

Ronald chuckled, though it was more bitter than amused. "There was even a time we had a childish argument in a meeting, until I mentioned how her husband spent more time on a private island with my former friend than with her."

Then his tone shifted, more serious. "Besides, it’s too late for an alliance now. I didn’t receive an invitation to join, and it’s clear that the three council members who sided with her want me and the others out of the way. More territory, more power for them."

Riley nodded. That made sense.

"The fewer people in charge, the more profit there is to go around," he agreed.

The three council members wanted their share of territory and wealth to multiply, while Scyllary had ambitions to control everything. It was clear that ExRump wasn’t going to be welcomed into their fold.

'So why didn’t Ronald just say that from the beginning?' Riley wondered.

It struck him that Ronald had led with his emotional reasons before moving to the logical ones. It wasn’t what Riley had expected from such a seasoned businessman.

'Ah... he's showing me he's a man of emotion and principle,' Riley thought, his grin widening as he studied Ronald and Elon, better known as Barren.

'They both seem cut from the same cloth. I like that.'

There was a lot to be gained by helping them. The Empire could benefit from deeper ties with a legitimate corporation in the Global market, especially one dealing in magical artifacts like those sold to the fairies. Not to mention, ExRump had supported him in the past, and by aiding them now, Riley could undermine the players vying for control.

There were probably other advantages he hadn’t yet seen, but his mind was already made up.

"Alright..." Riley sighed heavily. "I'm in.”

As Ronald Rumpan sat in his chair, heart racing as he couldn't shake the sheer intimidation he felt from the man across from him, Ghost. It was a sensation he hadn’t experienced in years.

Ronald’s anxiety had been brewing ever since Ghost had effortlessly deciphered both his and Elon’s true identities in their very first meeting. The casual way Ghost had mentioned their real names sent Ronald's thoughts spinning.

'How long has he known Elon's real name? Since the very first day too? Damn it, I messed up!'

Now that he had calmed down, Ronald could tell that it was just a calculated show of power. Ghost was making it clear that he was always a few steps ahead. But rather than being angry, Ronald was relieved that Ghost hadn't taken offense at their attempts to keep Elon’s identity a secret.

Right now, the only thing on Ronald’s mind was the answer he was awaiting. ExRump Corporation was in desperate need of a miracle. He and his son had exhausted all other strategies, but their lack of resources always left them coming up short.

If they were to turn the situation around, they needed help, and a lot of it.

So when Ghost finally spoke, Ronald’s heart nearly skipped a beat.

He knew he was a little emotional a short moment ago, but he couldn't help it. He had thought that it would turn the man off, but thankfully that wasn't the case.

"Thank you, Sir Ghost," Ronald said, bowing low, feeling gratitude and relief surging through him.

Beside him, Barren, silent throughout the meeting as their custom dictated, also bowed respectfully.

Riley, however, was quick to dismiss the formality. "I trust you. Besides, since our relationship runs deep, there's no need to go as far as bowing, right?"

Hearing those words, Ronald felt a strange lightness in his chest. 'Is he just being polite, or does he truly mean it?' he wondered. It was a question he knew he would never have the answer to, but for now, there was no room for doubt. He couldn’t afford it. Not when this was their only chance at survival.

"You’re right. Thank you, Sir Ghost," Ronald responded, this time without bowing.

"Come up with a decent plan that includes me in it," Riley continued. "Since I'll be part of the equation, feel free to ask for the favors you need. As long as it’s not dirty work, and it uses my strength, I’ll be by your side."

Those words felt like music to Ronald's ears. Relief washed over him, knowing they had a powerful ally on their side.

"Understood!"

"I’ll see you in a few days, after I make some preparations on my end," Ghost added as he rose to his feet. Ronald quickly followed suit.

"As for rewards… we can discuss those once the job is done."

That was more than fair, if not downright charitable. Given the corporation’s precarious financial situation, this wasn’t the time to squander resources.

'Though honestly,' Ronald thought to himself, 'If he asked for a reward now, I’d probably give him everything I could.’

"Then… I look forward to working with you, Sir Ghost." Ronald stepped closer and stretched his hand toward Riley with a warm smile, one that reflected his genuine relief.

The smile contrasted sharply against the dark, foreboding mask Riley wore. His crimson eyes glowed ominously beneath the hooded cape that draped over him, giving him the appearance of a demon in the dim light.

As their hands met in a firm shake, Riley felt a sense of relief that the deal was sealed, even it appeared to be nothing short of a deal with the Devil.

"Then, I'll be taking my leave." Riley said cold, yet with an undertone of satisfaction. He turned and exited the room without another word, leaving the Merman and the Half-Orc, alone and in silence.

"Haaa… Haaa!" Elon was the first to release the tension, breathing heavily. His face was drenched in sweat as he glanced nervously at his father.

"We did it, boy!" Ronald exclaimed, his booming voice filling the room as he pulled his son into a tight hug. Elon let out a surprised squeak as his giant father squeezed him as if he were a child.

"Time out! Time out, father!" Elon gasped, but his words went unheard. Ronald lifted him off the ground, laughing joyfully as he expressed genuine joy that he, his son, his empire, and everything he had built, would not have to crumble.

It was an awkward scene, one man in his early thirties being carried by another who appeared to be only slightly older in his forties, but Ronald didn’t care. His laughter echoed in the room as he celebrated their unexpected salvation.

"Father… you're messing with the artifact!" Elon warned, but it was too late.

In the middle of his father’s exuberant embrace, something began to change. Slowly, the image of Elon began to shimmer, like a mirage fading in the desert heat under the grasp of his father. The disguise he wore peeled away, revealing something entirely different beneath.

It felt like a mist was being cleared, and a soft whooshing sound of wind enveloped the man known as Elon as he reverted to his original form.

The first thing that was displayed was his blonde hair that flowed where there was none before, and a bright sparkling green eyes. His tusks vanished, replaced by a youthful, more delicate face of a Merman.

Elon, now Barren, looked nothing like the seasoned businessman he pretended to be. Instead, he was a young man, barely nineteen, standing a head shorter than his supposed "adult" form.

His true form was that of a handsome, almost boyish figure, far from the imposing man he projected in public. The entire illusion had been a part of the ruse to make him seem more mature and capable of handling the weight of his family’s business.

As Elon, he needed to rack up as many accomplishments and build up a good repute, enough to win everyone's respect and loyalty.

Alone with his father, though, there was no need for pretense.

"We should probably get started on making preparations," Barren said, his voice quieter now, more youthful.

Ronald, still catching his breath from the laughter, nodded. "Yeah… we should."

As the father and son duo shifted from playful relief to serious planning, their faces were filled with nothing short of determination. They knew that time was against them, and the looming threats wouldn’t wait.

They could only hope that their efforts, and Ghost’s involvement, would be enough to stave off disaster.

*

*

*

*

*

A/n: Our boy Riley is going places. Even a Corporal Overlord is bowing before him.