Helkrim Auction House (1)
I examined the gear we'd taken from those guys.
Most of it wasn't particularly valuable. But the tanks' shields were pretty decent.
◈ Large Shield
◈ Defense: 300
◈ Strength +15
◈ Mana Coating
◈ On hit: 15% chance to coat shield with Steel for 10 seconds
◈ Steel coating improves squad members' defense within 10m
It was the shield from the bearded tank. Grade 3, Heroic tier. No wonder the guy had been strutting around. This thing was solid.
The other one's not bad either.
◈ Large Shield
◈ Defense: 320
◈ Vitality +200
◈ Mana Coating
◈ Giant possible (shield only)
◈ Giant applied: Defense 200% increase
A shield with Giant capability. Exactly as it sounded—you could enlarge the shield's size with that option. For pure defense, it was one of the better ones out there.
Now I get why those two tanks were so proud.
The rest of the gear was worthless by comparison. But those two shields were high-end stuff. Guess they'd gotten good support from their company.
The greatswords, guns, and staves were just Advanced and Rare-grade junk.
Replacing our basics or selling them off should net a nice chunk of change.
Still, they'd paid their debt. No way in hell was I giving any of it back.
"Uh, s-so... can we go now?"
The survivors bowed and scraped as they asked. Their attitudes had flipped completely. Pure terror etched on their faces.
"Do whatever."
"...Th-thank you! Really, thank you!"
"Thanks for sparing us!"
They kept bowing as they backed away slowly.
Now those guys would spread word about us. Sure, it'd attract some flies in the process...
But it'd do wonders for boosting our reputation. Rumors swell and grow on their own. Esteno Company's name would spread fast.
And that'd naturally pull us into the corporate wars.
We'll need to grow fast before then.
Anyway, this job was wrapped up clean. Kethar's Ikanaite Golem absorption. Gear snatched from those punks. And seizing the mine territory to boot. Not a bad haul.
Southern city, Adreas.
A man wandered the streets quietly here.
Orion. Nothing like the rumors say.
Mercury Guild Master Benher had ordered a recon on Orion. That's why Mercury's 3rd Battalion Commander, Micro, had slipped into the city.
A teleport-specialized mage at level 70.
First order of business: intel gathering. He'd roamed Adreas, piecing together Orion rumors.
His Teleport ability made it a breeze.
But the rumors were way off base.
Human experiments and item crafting? No way...
Just how strong were these guys? This wasn't a Rank 10 company's level.
If their item crafting was fully operational...
They could threaten us.
Micro had completed countless missions as 3rd Battalion Commander. His gut screamed that Orion was hiding its power.
He needed more intel. Time to infiltrate the company himself.
To see the truth with his own eyes.
Let's check the interior first.
Late night, pitch-black building. Micro targeted the 2nd floor and activated his power.
Zap!
He was inside in a blink.
Looked like any ordinary office. But...
"Heard there's some rat sniffing around the city lately..."
Someone was waiting for him.
"......"
Dark office. Couldn't make out the man's face.
"Answer me. Who sent you?"
"......Does it matter? Plenty of outfits gunning for you these days."
"Ah, playing tough? Guess I'll just kill you and find out."
Whoosh!
The shadowed man unleashed mana. Micro's face hardened.
This power... equal to mine? No, stronger!
He was from Rank 2 Mercury. Leader of the 3rd Battalion, no less.
Yet a Rank 10 company had someone topping him.
Not the chairman— I know his strength. So one of the execs below him.
His suspicions were confirming themselves. Orion was definitely hiding its strength.
Boom!
The man thrust out his hand, sending a massive shockwave. It splintered desks as it barreled toward Micro.
Zap!
Micro Teleported aside in an instant.
Thud!
Opponent countered with a sonic boom shockwave, closing in right before him.
"...You— you're?"
Up close, the face was clear. Neat black suit, glasses. Choi Eosa, Orion executive.
Crunch!
"Surprised a mere exec packs this punch? We don't even have a separate guild. Every employee's a Hunter."
"...What? Every single one?"
"Yup. And that guy's an exec too."
Boom!
Hiss...
The opposite wall crumbled. A massive white serpent slithered out, tongue flicking.
"Well, if it isn't... Mercury's 3rd Battalion Commander?"
White suit, red-lensed glasses. Kim Eosa arrived with his monster in tow.
Just how strong are these bastards?
Two execs. Power surpassing his own. Micro couldn't even gauge it.
Can't fight like this. Gotta warn the company now.
Micro eyed the window. Instinct screamed not to engage.
Escape first.
Zap!
Whoosh!
"Gah!"
Boom!
His Teleport was flawless. But as he aimed outside, the serpent's tail whipped him back in.
"Damn you—!"
Couldn't just take this. Micro swung his arm, launching an attack.
Vibrations rumbled from above.
Rumble...
"What the hell did that bastard do? Hey, Choi. What was his attack skill?"
"Object Teleport."
"Ah... right."
Boom!
Then the ceiling burst. Sharp objects rained down.
Ikanaite ore chunks, sharpened to 2m spikes.
Boom! Boom!
Dozens poured in instantly. Micro's specialty—Teleporting objects at foes.
Not just spikes; massive slabs of thick ore followed.
No Hunter could shrug this off easily.
Thud...
From 4th floor to 2nd, total devastation in seconds. Dust everywhere.
But as it cleared... unexpected sight.
Unscathed?
Dust parted to reveal the coiled white serpent.
A bit of blood on its scales, but fine otherwise.
Slither...
Uncoiling exposed Choi Eosa and Kim Eosa. Perfectly intact.
The serpent had shielded them by coiling around.
Thud! Crunch!
"Gurk!"
Choi Eosa's hand pierced Micro's chest at blinding speed. Agony exploded through him.
Can't die here...
"You bastards!"
Thud!
Micro grabbed Choi's arm impaling him. Last-ditch power to buy time—hurl the guy elsewhere.
But...
Crunch!
The white serpent gaped and swallowed Micro whole.
"Ah... this guy's building costs a fortune, you know."
Kim Eosa griped at the wreckage. Forgetting he'd trashed plenty himself on arrival.
Logan arrived at the village while we fought at the mine. Paperwork was flawless; takeover instant.
I'd barely asked, and he'd come fully prepped. Synced perfectly. Conversation flowed easy too.
Wonder if Logan's a player? Nah, probably not...
Anyway, mine secured. This territory was now Esteno Company's. All resources ours.
"Handing me a gift like this right away. My eye for talent never fails. I knew there was more to you than meets the eye, Damian."
Logan kept a straight face, but his lip twitched. He was thrilled.
"Speaking of..."
I sipped the Americano he'd poured and continued.
"How's item crafting going?"
"Well, still short on resources... but production's feasible."
"Good. Mind doing me a favor?"
"Of course. Name it."
Another reason I'd contracted Logan before heading to Leg Town: their tech.
"Use the Ikanaite ore from Leg Town mine to craft something. A cloak for starters—no abilities needed."
"You mean leave the slots blank?"
"Yeah. I wanna fill 'em with my own options."
Item crafting's perk: custom options. In the original story, only Orion had it.
But I'd stopped Esteno's fall. Now it wasn't Orion-exclusive.
"Got it. I'll whip one up quick. Though we'll need to dispatch folks to the mine—short-staffed."
Territory doesn't end at conquest. Needs constant management. Rivals always sniffing around.
That's why I planned to bring in Jackson's crew.
"Thinking of adding another squad."
"Got candidates?"
"Yeah. The ones who helped me in Brockton..."
"They're welcome anytime!"
Logan jumped up before I finished. Super enthusiastic.
"Alright then... I'll contact them. If they come, have 'em handle Leg Town defense."
"Was just stressing over the new turf. Basic guards I'll cover, but against Hunters?"
I agreed. Needed Hunter-capable defenders. Jackson's crew was elite but might struggle against top Hunters.
Eventually Jackson alone would suffice, but...
Snella and Teison.
Had some Hunter picks in mind. Drake Tamer Snella and Rune Master Teison from before.
And...
After the executioner quest, snag Cherwin's mech engineer too.
With a mech engineer, we'd be set awhile. Plus, players would flock here soon.
For now, power up fast.
Next stop: Folsmond in the east-west region. Orion's influence reached there.
Prep for anything. Borrow Logan's resources to boost my specs.
"Need some gear pronto."
"Right away? What kind? Just say the word."
"...What's your budget?"
The stuff I had in mind was pricey.