CH36: Navia, the Broker 

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CH36: Navia, the Broker

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"This person's situation is... unique. For whatever reason, they're looking for an exclusive assassin. Whoever it is, has to take a test. Only the person who passes the test can assure the Broker they have the potential to become the person they need. So far, fifteen Agents have taken the test, none survived... including a Noble-ranked Agent."

"That's... enlightening." I said. I didn't think about the death toll. My attention was instead on another detail hidden between the lines. "This person must have a strong backing within the organisation if they're allowed to run deadly test like this on True organisation members."

"I suppose so. Even I couldn't find out who exactly their backing is. I was warned to stop looking." DarkBlade's palms shivered a bit on the cane.

This told me a lot.

"So, suffice to say my stay within the organisation will be secured if I can get this person's backing."

"Aye. So, are you going to take the risk?"

"Of course." I nodded. "Nothing worth having in this shitty world is without risk. Since I dare to seek dangerous contracts, why wouldn't I dare to take this test? It's just another dangerous contract as far as I'm concerned."

"You're not worried about the Noble-ranked Agent who died?"

"From what you've said, the test should be about potential. Combat strength should have nothing to do with it. Call me arrogant, but I don't believe anyone has more potential to reach the peak than me!"

"Yes, you are arrogant. But at least you aren't stupid. I guess I will use my precious recommendation on you then. Don't die, kid."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Can I ask what's in this for you?"

"Isn't it obvious? The person put up a reward for anyone who can introduce them to the person who passes their test."

"Ah! Of course. Nothing motivates like personal benefit."

"It's good you understand."

"But should I be worried? It seems to me this person is desperate. If they're as connected as you mentioned, what could be making them this desperate?"

"Who knows. It's just a risk you'll have to take. It's as you said, nothing of value is without its risks."

I nodded.

"So, where am I going for the test?"

"You don't have to go anywhere. Why do you think I asked you to come here?"

"The test is going to hold here?"

"Not quite. You'll be meeting the person here. The organisation holds a significant stake in Charwell mall. You can think of it as the physical form of the organisation's marketplace in the comms space."

[A.N: House of Death's version of the High Table's Continental Hotel from the John Wick Franchise. I couldn't help myself. 😉]

DarkBlade passed something to me. It was the layout of the mall that I bought two days ago when I came to recon the place. However, there was a glaring difference.

Some shops on the layout were shaded red while the others were green.

"The red shops belong to members of the organisation. You can purchase whatever they have on display with the organisation's merit points."

I noticed that most of the shops in red were the shops I appraised to have the highest quality of goods within the mall.

Thinking about it, I shouldn't be that surprised. Since the shops were the physical forms of the comms space's marketplace, it made sense they had high quality goods. After all, the marketplace was filled with high quality goods catering to all power levels.

DarkBlade pointed to a location on the mall map. What he then said left me shocked.

"Go here. The person is the owner of the shop. Give her the map and they'll understand." DarkBlade stood to leave. "I do hope this isn't that last time we meet, kid."

"For your sake or mine?"

The old man laughed without responding.

He left the garden.

I waited for about ten minutes before I put on my mask and also left the garden. I headed to the shop to meet the all-important Broker.

I stopped in front of the shop and looked up at the signboard. I sighed a little.

In retrospect, I should've known there was something special about the shop owner when I met them two days ago. They carried a presence that didn't fit the norm.

They themselves as well as the products they sold should've attracted attention -the wrong kind- yet there they were running their shop peacefully.

I should've known they had a strong backing.

The backing of one of the three major Assassin Guilds in Arun.

I shook my head as I looked away from the signboard as I entered the shop.

You should've guessed it by now, right?

The name of the shop was...

ThornyRose.

And the all-important Broker DarkBlade recommended was none other than the gorgeous female tailor who took my order.

Today, she wore a sky-blue long, one-piece dress with the bodice taking a whiter shade than the rest of the dress.

"What can I do for you, customer?" She asked with a smile.

For some reason, I felt this smile was a schooled professional one, different from the intrigued smile she had when I was at the shop two days ago.

I wondered if it was just me.

"DarkBlade sent me." I replied.

"Is that so?" Her expression dropped.

The air around her became solemn.

"Did the old man give you the details?"

"I told him I was looking for an exclusive Broker and he recommended you. He mentioned I'd have to take a test from you."

"Did he tell you, you'll die if you fail my test?"

"He did."

"Yet, you're still willing to take the test?"

"I'll tell you what I told him. 'Nothing worth it in this shitty world is without risk'. He said you're the best exclusive Broker I can find within the organisation. That is your worth. The mortality of your test is merely the risk involved."

"A realist I see." She nodded.

She gestured to the door behind her

"Follow me."

She led me into the backroom.

Behind the backroom door was expectedly a work area. I could see her sewing machines arranged neatly in the room.

They weren't that different from the sewing machines in my previous life. Just that the more complex and higher-end machines were powered by mana. Depending on the product and model, the mana source could be the user or from a mana stone.

She led me through the work area to another door on the far end. I was beginning to understand why the shop was so large, yet the storefront was so relatively small.

"Once you walk through this door, you won't be leaving alive unless you pass my test. Do you understand?"

I nodded solemnly.

Since a Noble-ranked Agent died in her test, I didn't have the luxury of doubting the validity of her words.

She opened the door and we walked in.

Behind the door was a bedroom. The large bed at the end of the room was a big give away.

'Does she live here?' I wondered.

She closed the door behind us and locked the door.

"Take a seat." She invited me to sit at the sofa to the right of the room

She brought the chair of the desk to the left and sat before me.

"My name is Navia." She introduced herself. "I don't need you to tell me your name nor do I want to know anything else about you. I'll only be interested in knowing if you pass my test.

"Before the test starts, I will tell you a secret about myself which will help you understand the purpose of the test and what you stand to gain." She said.

-

I could infer many things from this opening statement of hers.

First, it explained why she said the only way I was leaving the room alive was if I passed her test.

For whatever reason it relates to the test, she intended to reveal her secret to me. As I've said numerous times, a secret ceases to be one when it is known by more than one person.

If I could not justify knowing the secret by passing the test, I could understand why she'd want to kill me.

Second, she doesn't want me to die.

Whatever secret she intends to reveal must have something to do with the test. This shows she wants me to pass it.

Going further, although her tone was distant when she said she didn't want to know my name, there was a hint of hope to them as well when she said she'd only want to know it when I passed her test.

She wanted me to pass her test and she hoped to hear my name. These two facts indicate that she wants me to live.

-

"What do you know about S-class Pangea?"

"They have the highest raw power amongst the Pangea in their type. They also possess the highest growth potential amongst all Pangea."

"That is true. But do you know that that power comes with a cost."

"That's expected. Everything has a pro and con. For every advantage, there will be a disadvantage... every strength, there will be a weakness. Every reward will have a corresponding cost. That's just how the world works."

"You are right." Navia smiled. The smile carried a strong melancholy in it. "For all the advantages provided by S-class Pangea, they aren't free from cost. The cost could be a mana demand, mana-ring restriction, specific usage restriction and so on."

A fox cub appeared on Navia's lap. The little creature looked at me with interest.

I thought I was mistaken but I saw... familiarity in its eyes.

"This is my S-class Summon-Type Kitsune Pangea. Its name is Emeka." She rubbed the little guy's small fur. "Emeka's innate ability is Charm. It can charm anyone irrespective of their power level. And it doesn't rely on my mana for that. It's mere presence is enough."

"What?!" I was shocked. But then, I cooled down. "What's the cost?" I asked.

From her words so far, there had to be a punchline coming. And this punchline must relate to whatever test I'm taking.

"When I first summoned Emeka after my second awakening, she told me I don't have the innate ability to restrict her. Instead, my innate constitution empowers her innate ability. Because of this, her soul would eventually grow to overpower mine and she would takeover my body. The more I use her ability, the faster the possession will take place. This is the restriction placed on me."

I glanced at the little guy who was cutely combing its fur with its paw. To think it would impose such a terrible cost.

"There is only one way to save myself from this fate. I have to find a partner, who is strong enough to resist its innate charm, to form a connection with within ten years. This person cannot be older than me by more than five years.

"Your test is simple. Emeka will unleash her charm on you. Resist her charm, you pass and you live. Fall for it, your soul will be charmed out of your body and you die."

The Kitsune really lived up to its specie's reputation.

In the myths I heard in my previous life, Kitsune or fox spirits possess the bodies of young beautiful girls. They then go on to charm and enslave the men around them to do their bidding. This often include committing great sins, most especially the most depraved shows of lust. This led to the Kitsune being described in the same breath as succubi.

The person who narrated the myth to me even went as far as to say the saying 'Empire-toppling beauty' was coined in the aftermath of the actions of a Kitsune.

Apparently, the Kitsune possessed a lady who, due to her beauty, eventually became the concubine of the emperor. She then charmed and enslaved the emperor, causing him to make decrees which eventually led to the collapse of his empire.

If the Kitsune, Emeka, was as powerful as I think and could in fact charm even a Saint ranker, then I understand why Navia would consider it a secret to kill for... because it really was one.

If it ever got out that there was a Pangea that could charm the strongest beings in the world of Arun, Navia's life and death would no longer be in her hands. She would most likely be hunted down and killed 'to protect society'.

I also understood why she was desperate. I estimate the Navia should be about twenty-five years old. This meant her ten years time limit was almost up.

It also explained why she only sought after new recruits. Most of the powerful Agents who might be able to pass her test would likely be more than five years older than her. Plus, they would be a big loss to the organisation.

Only the new recruits could fall within the age requirement and not be too important to the organisation yet that the higher-ups would be willing to lose them.

"What do I have to gain from helping you? It sounds like I will have to keep helping you suppress the blowback of your Pangea for as long as you live."

"You mean aside keeping your life today?"

"Of course."

"You and I will become bound. Your interest will become my interests. You can be guaranteed that I will move mountains and do everything in my power to ensure your interest. That's better than any deal you can get from anyone else, is it not?"

"That's true."

We both smiled.

For some reason, perhaps due to our maturity and pragmatic view on life, we got along very well.

"Alright. I'm ready."

Navia nodded.

"Emeka, do it!"

(To be continued...)