MM - Chapter 133 - DOUBLE TROUBLE

Vaneese of CronGate

- Carter City -

Vaneese cut the vodcast feed with a snarl. She finally understood everything. It didn’t matter if the new champion—Raine KongRu—was ZionLine's Alaric; after proclaiming he was merely recruiting for his master, it was now obvious he was merely another hidden pawn of Master Torune. It was Righteous and CronGate all over again: Astra Infernum and Alaric were a backup in case CronGate made a mess of their reputation and needed a new name.

That was why Alaric killed so many from Righteous and CronGate in ZionLine. It was a smokescreen, and a warning to get their act together. Astra Infernum would be the knights in shining armor, a guiding light to mislead the masses. And in order for them to stand tall and bright, they needed a devil to rally against.

Vaneese snarled.

Being the monster is a job I was born to do.

With the last pieces of the puzzle sliding into place, there was no longer a need to hesitate. Vaneese sent the message her teams had been eagerly awaiting, “Let Carter City’s baptism of blood and fire begin.”

Raine KongRu

- Carter City -

After Mel took her ‘reward,’ Raine stuffed their sweat-soaked clothes in a quickwash. They took a long shower, punctuated by giggles and groans induced by extreme muscle fatigue. The Qi Ock Gri from Miracles Restaurant kept their energy levels high, providing an unnatural quantity of what the past referred to as vital nutrients to their screaming muscles.

For the thousandth time, Raine wished he understood what they were and how they functioned. He dressed, sneaking a peek at Mel, who was currently bent in half. He shook his head, marveling at her perfection.

This life is so much better than the last.

She snuck a glance at him, too. Catching him looking, she shot him a coy grin packed with warmth that Raine was not equipped to handle. The pain and suffering of his past relationship had created a hard shell in his chest. Yet Mel's smile pierced right through, injecting something into his heart that filled it with a need to blast that old, useless armor into bits. 

Raine took a ragged breath, a hand coming to his chest where he squeezed the aching flesh. He turned away before growing more overwhelmed, distracting himself by checking the forums.

Word spread fast about the first official guild in Silverlight. None truly understood the full implications or whether it was even a big deal. The one thing they did know was that each listed member was on the top of the leveling leaderboard by a considerable gap. Every level took tens of hours to grind out against equal-level enemies, and the Superiority needs only grew worse as time went on. 

Someone had done the math, realizing that a group of five would have to kill over twelve thousand monsters to go from nineteen to twenty. Yet Astra Infernum had ten players at level twenty-fine. That news, along with two members also being at the top of the Tower of Triumph list was causing a ruckus. Someone else created a live I.S. (InfoStream) site that tracked the highest levels on all the leaderboards worldwide. It was still new and lacked tons of information, but Astra Infernum took a few of its top ten spots as well.

Good, anyone who digs even a little about my announcement will realize our recruitment drive isn't to be taken lightly. I wouldn't be surprised if CronGate tries to crash the party. Better make some preparations.

Hearing his troubled thoughts, Mel approached from behind. [Looks like I'll have to try harder to help him relax. Challenge accepted!]

Her soft hand flowed down his arm before gently tugging to turn him around. She had to crane her neck to look him in the eyes, “You really don't like taking breaks, do you?”

Raine smoothed his expression, wondering how much of his concern he let slip, “Not at all. Let's go.”

She bounced, playful as ever, “Sure! Where to?” The movement triggered a wince, and she mouthed an “Ouch,” rubbing at her quads.

“If we want to mass recruit, we're going to need a place for them to work, and it's got to have direct access to a hypernet relay. Celeste should have the list of every property in the city that might be willing to sell.”

“Are we going to each one?” 

“Nope. I'll pick the top three, and we'll get one of those.”

Mel frowned, not understanding how he was so confident. Raine patted her head with a reassuring smile. The strength she knew resided within his arm, and his look that promised everything would be okay made her melt from the top down. Her jaw fell open slightly, and she couldn’t pry her gaze from his broad shoulders as he led the way out of the room.

[Yup. I'm cooked. Deep fried and served. What the fudge sauce with berry marmalade was that Vaneese bimbo thinking treating him so terribly? I hope I get a chance to meet her again. Girl's toosh needs a serious paddling. But if she was strong enough to get away with it… I can't afford to rest either. Didn't manage to land one hit on Celeste, and I'm thinking about fighting someone who used to beat up Raine… pussbuckets.]

Mel had her game face on by the time they found Celeste waiting for them near the entrance. She wasn't alone. An older man with more white hair than gray was chatting her up. She pointedly ignored his every attempt at civility. Seeing Raine, she walked away from Bron Sockton—the owner of Gallant’s Gym and the mayor’s uncle.

“Here's your stupid list. Can I go now? I want to train in the arena. Being out here feels like a waste of time,” Celeste's growled words were accompanied by a file she sent to his Ncode.

Raine quickly weighed the options. Celeste was having a rough day, to put it lightly. While support and companionship worked for some, forcing it might add to her troubles or backfire spectacularly. Considering the circumstances, she even managed to ask nicely.

Accessing his ZionLine account through his watch's interface, Raine sent her Ncode five gold, “Make sure you get your name on the Tower of Triumph. Fizgore and Rhino already beat you to it. Good luck.”

Her held breath escaped in a rush, and her shoulders lost their tension. She headed toward the entrance without another word, brushing past Bron on the way. 

The old man watched her until she reached the doors. The area outside was clear of vodsters, likely the old man's doing. Bron smiled awkwardly at Raine, “It appears I've upset her. My apologies, Expert KongRu. Though I must say, her attitude appears to have seen marked improvement as of late.”

Raine had no intention of discussing Celeste's or anyone else's personal matters with the man, “Thanks for sending her the list.” He quickly accessed it, holding a finger to his temple to let the man know he needed a moment. “Between Dereks, Schuellers, or Landcraft, which do you think would give me the least trouble?”

“Schueller's, certainly. However, if you promise to support them in a territorial dispute, Landcraft would probably give you the best deal.”

Remembering his bag in the back of Celeste’s car, Raine headed for the door, “Thanks, Bron. Set up a few classes this time of day over the next week, and shoot me the schedule. No promises, but I'll try.”

The man's eyes flew wide. He bowed, “Thank you, Expert KongRu!” The number of people who would purchase memberships just for a chance to attend the champion's classes would more than pay for the list.

Mel raced to keep up with Raine, who, despite looking like he was walking normally, was moving at least triple her speed. He reached Celeste's car right behind her. The girl didn't see him coming and nearly jumped out of her skin when he was suddenly standing behind her.

Her arms came up in a defensive posture, “What the shit!”

“I changed my mind. Drop me off at Landcraft on your way.”

“That's the opposite of on the way!” She fumed. Raine’s gaze was steady. He simply blinked innocently at her a few times, and she gave up with a growl, “Fine. Get in! But I'm driving this time.”

“Perfect,” Raine popped the trunk and retrieved his duffel. Mel climbed into the backseat with him, and they were off. He changed clothes on the way, Mel staring at him the entire time, completely unabashed despite the rosy tint staining her cheeks.

He poked her obliques, eliciting a pained grunt. “Don't forget you're coming with me. Get changed.” Her eyes flew open, and she scrambled to retrieve her bag of stuff from beneath the seat. While she awkwardly changed, he accessed the I.S. and brushed up his knowledge on the board of directors for Landcraft.

They were a local agency that specialized in flipping commercial properties. Considering they had no official backing nor were a subsidiary of a larger organization, it wasn't surprising Raine barely remembered them. One of CronGate's most significant outside sources of income was flipping properties; as a local competitor, Landcraft must have been quickly consumed in the past.

Raine's eyes danced across his display, sending Morty a message, “Get me Alyxson Qorren's personal Ncode.”

The AI sent the requested information in seconds, making Raine feel entirely spoiled. “Thanks, buddy.” He shot back, then sent a message to Alyxson Qorren—the majority owner of Landcraft. “This is Champion KongRu. Bron Stockton suggested I speak with you directly about a business proposition. I'm on my way to your office now.”

There was no response for several minutes, and based on the message that did eventually arrive, Alyxson had taken the time to confirm Raine’s story with Bron, “Expert KongRu, I was just about to step out for lunch. If you care to join me, we can discuss this proposition.”

“I’m two blocks away,” the simple reply let Alyxson know Raine approved and would arrive promptly.

“Perfect. I’ll meet you in the lobby momentarily.”

All too easy. Depending on the details of this territorial dispute, I could have my new HQ settled by the end of the day. Desperation is truly the ally of the prepared.

“Drop us at the front entrance, Celeste,” Raine pointed toward the doors in question, and she responded with an affirmative grunt. Mel had to roll the window down and stick her head out to see the top of the towering building. Her hair went wild as wind gushed into the cabin.

Raine didn’t need to look; he was familiar enough with the building. For five years, it was the HQ of CronGate’s Externals Division and the building where Vaneese worked. He’d been here many times. It wouldn’t be perfect for his needs. Still, its location directly across the street from one of the city’s five hypernet nodes meant it was just what he was looking for.

The car stopped, but Raine didn’t exit right away. He placed a heavy hand on Celeste’s shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze, “The weak pray and hope that everything will be alright. The strong make things right. One way or another, we’ll save your father. Now, hurry and go get stronger. I’m sure you already noticed how much your skills have improved.”

Celeste didn’t respond verbally. She inhaled sharply. Raine watched the muscles in her cheek tremble as she clenched her jaw. Emotions seized tired muscles, and Celeste barely managed the nod that followed. Satisfied, Raine gave her a pat in parting, then climbed out of the car. Mel darted forward, kissing Celeste’s cheek and whispering something in her ear before following.

Raine held her hand as she exited, then shut the door behind her. The car peeled away as he quirked a brow at Mel. She shrugged, “What? She’s awkward enough for the both of us. Pretty sure that girl has never made a real friend in her life.”

Raine wouldn’t be surprised if that was true and was thankful Celeste was in good hands. He and Mel would eventually grind her into a decent human being. “You’re probably right. She’s important to my plans, I’m glad it's you taking care of her.”

“Oh, and what are these mysterious ‘plans?’”

Raine snorted, hand on the entrance's door handle, “There's nothing mysterious about… taking over the world.” Without giving any hint if he was joking or not, Raine entered the expansive lobby. As usual, he cased the large room, eyes passing over everyone inside, especially hovering on the dark, shadowed corners that would be perfect for hidden threats. A wide, semicircular desk sat not far from the doors. There were four receptionists, two sitting and typing at AR displays while the other two were clearly waiting for him with the way they bowed the second he took a step inside. Besides them, there were dozens of people in the ample space. Mostly, they were clustered in groups, discussing deals with the plethora of Landcraft associates. 

A bank of elevators to the side of the lobby drew Raine's attention when one opened, and a lone woman walked out. The specter of danger tickled the hair on Raine’s neck. It wasn’t the innocent woman who looked ready to trip over her own heels with each step. It was something else, something hidden or obscure, that triggered his subconscious.

He easily could have brushed it off as returning to a place that he now associated with the enemy. However, Raine didn’t survive so long in a bleak future by disregarding his instincts. His arm barred Mel from entering as he paused to take a second look, this time paying extra attention to the reflective surfaces of several pristine marble columns spaced evenly through the lobby.

From the additional viewing angles provided by their rectangular surfaces, he glimpsed a small group that didn’t stand out at all from the rest of the businesspeople. The only thing suspicious about them was their proximity to the elevators and how each glanced at the woman and then resumed their quiet discussion. Unfortunately for the group of assassins, Raine was more familiar with them than he was with the building they were standing inside. They were, after all, some of Vanesse's prized pets that she paraded about to no end.

Ignoring the hopeful expressions of the pretty receptionists dying to speak with the city champion, Raine sharply veered toward the elevators. He whispered over his shoulder, pitching his voice to Mel alone, “It’s about to get messy. Watch my back.”

“What?!” She hissed. After seeing it so many times, it was impossible for Mel not to recognize Raine’s deadly gait. Her time in ZionLine facing one threat after another gave her the poise to catch herself from stumbling. Still, she nearly froze in panic. This was not ZionLine, and she was not a martial. Her body was in terrible condition after their strenuous workout, and worst of all, she didn’t know what set him off, so how was she supposed to watch his back?

Raine wasn’t actually counting on her help. He simply didn’t want her waltzing into danger without realizing what was about to happen. One of the receptionists didn’t get the memo. She chased after Raine, heels clicking loudly. “Mr. KongRu. Mr. KongRu, please wait.”

Not wanting to draw attention before he was in position, Raine slowed, allowing her to catch up. The elevator doors opening again ruined his plans. Three bodyguards flowed out, followed closely by a whipcord-thin, awkward man with wide glasses.

Vaneese’s assassins made their move.