Chapter 653 A work proposal
(A.N: This is a sort of bonus chapter because I made it twice as long as usual. Enjoy :D)
Just as the door clicked shut behind his clones, Erik's communication device buzzed on his desk. The caller ID displayed Lysa's name. Intrigued, he picked it up.
Erik maintained his calm and composed demeanor as he addressed Lysa. "Lysa, to what do I owe the pleasure?" His voice carried a cool and collected tone, tinged with curiosity. His expression remained neutral, betraying no hint of excitement or surprise.
Lysa, standing nearby, met Erik's gaze with a poised and professional demeanor. Her tone matched his coolness as she spoke.
"Erik, there's someone who wishes to speak with you," Lysa maintained a formal undertone while speaking. "He's asked me to act as a proxy and set up a holographic call with you."
Curiosity danced behind Erik's cool exterior as he inquired further. "Do you know what this is about? Who is the guy?" His voice remained steady and composed, betraying no trace of eagerness or excitement.
"It's a merchant from here; he mentioned he wanted to give you a private quest directed at you and your guild. Beyond that, he didn't disclose any details," she replied.
Erik considered the implications of the call. As his guild gained notoriety, private jobs were inevitable.
After a moment of consideration, Erik nodded. "Alright, pass the call through." His voice was steady and confident, his expression betraying no hint of hesitation or doubt.
"Will do," Lysa said before disconnecting.
As Lysa set up the holographic call, Erik's body remained relaxed and poised. He exuded a sense of calm and confidence, his cool demeanor remaining unbroken and his mysterious aura was enhanced by his mask.
Erik swiveled his chair to face the holographic projection platform on the other side of his desk.
A few seconds later, the air above the platform shimmered, and a three-dimensional figure materialized.
The hologram that appeared was of a man who looked to be in his late forties. He had a trimmed beard, graying at the edges, and wore a tailored suit that screamed affluence. His eyes were a striking shade of blue, and they held a calculating glint.
A set of ornate rings adorned his fingers, and a golden chain could be seen peeking out from under his shirt collar.
His overall demeanor radiated confidence and cunning, the hallmarks of a seasoned merchant.
Erik leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on the holographic figure. The man's appearance alone told him that this was no ordinary request.
Whoever this merchant was, he meant tremendous business opportunities, and Erik found himself intrigued to hear what the man offered or requested.
The holographic figure of the merchant materialized before Erik, the projection stabilizing into a lifelike representation.
The merchant's eyes locked onto Erik's with a mixture of urgency and calculation, his gaze intense and focused.
"Greetings, Mr. Kay. My name is Victor Hale," the merchant introduced himself. Erik maintained his relaxed posture, leaning back in his chair, but his attention remained engaged. "I've asked Lysa to introduce us because I need your help."
"Lysa mentioned something of the sort," Erik acknowledged, his tone measured and composed. He chose his words carefully, conveying both his intrigue and wariness. He was cautious, aware that private quests often came with their fair share of risks and challenges.
"What seems to be the problem, Mr. Hale?" Erik inquired, his voice steady and controlled. He maintained a calm and collected exterior, but his mind was processing the possibilities.
Victor took a deep breath before launching into his explanation. "I am a merchant and recently gained a substantial shipment of goods from Nokisi Point. The cargo was being flown back here to Testrovsc's Rest when I lost all contact with the plane. I hired a group of mercenaries to locate the crashed aircraft, but they've also gone missing."
Erik's eyebrows rose, his expression betraying a mixture of surprise and concern
. Losing both a shipment and a search party was no small matter, and he understood the gravity of the situation.
He leaned forward, his body language conveying a heightened focus as he prepared to delve deeper into the matter at hand.
"And you've come to me because?" Erik inquired, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He wanted to understand why Victor Hale had sought him out for this problem. It was weird considering there were guilds with many members and of greater strength, on average, of his members.
Victor Hale's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening as he listened to Erik's question.
"I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Kay," there was admiration in the man's voice. "Your reputation for finding 'things and people' is becoming quite renowned. I believe you're the man for this job."
Erik maintained a composed expression, but a glimmer of pride danced in his eyes. He had dedicated himself to building a reputation as a skilled and resourceful individual, and it was evident in his demeanor.
The acknowledgment of his capabilities fueled his confidence, and he felt a surge of motivation to prove himself once again.
However, Erik wondered how this kind of information got around. After all, the only quests he made about finding people were when he went to find Doran and later to find Catrina. The only explanation was that someone said something about him and the Fierce Lioness's daughter, which wasn't good.
Still, there were some things he found weird, "Forgive me if I say this, but this doesn't explain why you came to us. There are high-ranked guilds in the city who could do the same job. They would have highly skilled people overall and probably better equipment. My guild is young, after all."
Victor chuckled, the sound devoid of any genuine joy. His eyes narrowed, his expression betraying a hint of frustration.
"Finding Warden-ranked mercenaries in Testrovsc's Rest isn't as straightforward as one might think, Mr. Kay." the exasperation in his voice was clear.
"You underestimate your worth."
He leaned forward, his body language showing a desire to understand the merchant's perspective.
"Besides, your guild is rising fast, and I suspect you're more affordable than the top-tier guilds inside the city," Victor was honest while talking to Erik. "Which, by the way, only have a couple of mercenaries a rank higher than yours. You rose in guild ranks a lot faster than everyone expected."
However, Erik's words held a hint of skepticism, and he sensed something was off.
"Don't misunderstand; I'm not looking to pay a pittance." Victor had no intention of making an enemy out of Erik. On the contrary, he wanted to impress the young prodigy. "I understand the value of good work."
Erik nodded in acknowledgment, his expression reflecting a sense of understanding.
Erik narrowed his eyes as he thoughtfully considered Victor's proposal. It was clear that Victor had done his homework, as he knew the limitations of the local mercenary market and had identified Erik's guild as a viable and cost-effective option. This was a smart move, and it made Erik even more curious about the lost shipment.
Erik's expression shifted to a more business-like tone, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to delve deeper into the details of the task at hand.
He leaned forward, his body language conveying a sense of focus and determination.
"Before I agree to anything, I need more details," Erik said, his voice measured and controlled. He wanted to ensure that he had a full understanding of the situation before committing to any course of action.
"What was the nature of the goods? Any idea why the planes might have gone down? And what were the last known coordinates?" he inquired, his voice carrying a note of professionalism. He was thorough in his approach, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for information.
Victor's expression remained composed, but a sense of urgency flickered in his eyes as he responded to Erik's questions. He leaned forward while his fingers tapped impatiently on the desk, betraying his growing anxiety.
"The cargo is a mix of high-tech equipment and weapons," he said, his voice carrying a note of concern. "However, the problem is that I also bought a couple of brain crystal weapons, and you can easily understand how much they cost."
Erik's eyebrows rose, his expression reflecting a sense of surprise.
Brain crystal weapons were highly sought after and incredibly expensive, and their loss would be a significant blow to Victor's business.
He nodded in understanding before responding.
"I see," he said, his voice measured and controlled. "That certainly complicates matters."
Victor's frustration was palpable as he talked. His hands clenched into fists on the desk, and he leaned even closer to Erik, his eyes blazing with intensity.
"As for why the planes went down, I do not know," he said. "They were in good condition, and the pilots were experienced."
Erik's expression shifted to one of concern as he considered the implications of this information.
The well-maintained planes were piloted by experienced individuals, but the crash suggested foul play.
"The last known coordinates put them over the White desert," Victor said, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "Time is of the essence, Mr. Kay. I need those weapons recovered as soon as possible."
"The White Desert?"
This place was a perilous land stretch between Nokisi Point and Testrovsc's Rest. It was a vast expanse of white dunes stretching as far as the eye could see.
The sun above was relentless, its rays magnifying the unbearable heat radiating from the ground.
Not only were the harsh environmental conditions a deterrent for mercenaries, but the area was also infested with dangerous Thaids.
Erik's mind raced with a vivid imagination as he contemplated the dangers that awaited anyone foolish enough to venture into the White Desert unprepared or low-leveled.
Though he had never set foot in that treacherous landscape, he had studied Etrium's landscape, and he knew the perils that lurked beneath the shifting sands.
Most of the Thaids had a sinister penchant for burying themselves deep within the desert dunes, lying in wait as patient predators ready to ambush unsuspecting prey.
The ground-dwelling Thaids were notorious for their ferocity and strength, and their ability to blend with the desert terrain made them a formidable menace, striking fear into the hearts of those who dared to traverse their territory.
But it was the flying variants of the Thaids that ignited Erik's imagination with a heightened sense of dread.
He envisioned these winged monstrosities soaring through the desert skies, their sinewy bodies and membranous wings casting ominous shadows over the barren landscape.
If one traveled by air, flying at a low altitude was tantamount to suicide. The flying Thaids could ascend from the ground, their powerful wings carrying them high into the sky to intercept any intruders.
This posed a significant problem for Erik's mission to retrieve Victor Hale's lost cargo if he planned on doing it.
Flying a plane or any aerial vehicle would require maintaining a high altitude to avoid the flying Thaids, but landing to collect the cargo would expose them to the same airborne threats.
The descent would be like a dangerous tango, a risky gamble that Erik had no desire to engage in.
The alternative—traveling by foot or car—was fraught with danger. Ground vehicles would have to navigate the treacherous dunes while looking for Thaids bursting from the sand. And the flying Thaids would still be a concern, swooping down from above to attack.
Erik pondered the dilemma. Did he have to accept the quest or not?
"Alright, Mr. Hale, you've got my attention," Erik said, his voice steady and his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with the holographic image of the merchant. He leaned forward, his posture conveying both engagement and a hint of skepticism.
The holographic representation of Victor appeared to relax visibly, with a subtle shift in his facial expression as a relieved smile spread across his features.
The tension that had been present in his eyes moments ago seemed to dissipate, replaced by a glimmer of hope and anticipation.
His shoulders eased, and he leaned back, his body language mirroring his newfound confidence.
"Send over the full details and your proposed compensation," Erik's tone was firm but open to negotiation. His hands rested on the table before him, fingers tapping in a rhythm that betrayed a mix of eagerness and caution.
Victor's holographic face lit up with a genuine sense of satisfaction, his smile widening as he sensed Erik's receptiveness to the proposition.
He nodded in affirmation, his body language exuding newfound energy and enthusiasm, reflecting a subtle sparkle in his eyes.
"Excellent. I'll forward everything immediately," Victor responded, his voice filled with a renewed sense of optimism.
His fingers danced across the holographic interface, navigating through the digital documents to fulfill Erik's request.
"I look forward to a successful partnership, Mr. Kay," Victor said, his voice laced with anticipation. His holographic image leaned in as if trying to bridge the gap between them.
"As do I," Erik replied, his voice tinged with a mix of confidence and caution. He maintained his composed demeanor even as the hologram flickered and disappeared, leaving behind a faint echo of their conversation.
Erik sat back, contemplating the new mission. It was risky, but the financial and reputational rewards could be significant. Once again, his guild had the chance to prove its worth, and Erik was eager to rise to the challenge.
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