Leverage

Duke's eyes groggily opened, his head pounding with a dull ache. He tried to lift his hand to his temple, but it wouldn't budge. Confused, he looked down to see his wrist chained to the wall. Panic set in as he scrambled to his feet, yanking on the chain in vain.

"Where am I?" he shouted, his voice echoing off the cold, grey walls. The room was small and dimly lit, with no windows or furniture in sight. A single flickering torch cast eerie shadows on the walls.

Duke's memories came flooding back – the encounter with Dominique, the mysterious figure, and the sedative. He snarled, tugging on the chain again. "Dominique, you bastard! Let me out of here!"

But he got no response. Just the silence and the faint sound of dripping water somewhere in the distance.

Duke continued to shout at the top of his lungs, his voice hoarse from the sedative. "Hey! Let me out of here! Someone! Anyone!"

The door creaked open, and a burly man with a scruffy beard entered. "Shut it, prisoner," he growled, his hand on a sturdy stick.

Duke didn't back down. "Or what? You'll hit me with your little stick? Kill me? If that was what you lot wanted, you wouldn't have brought me here as your prisoner, would ya?!"

The guard sneered taking a few steps closer to Duke. "Oh, I can make your stay here very uncomfortable."

Duke snorted. "You think I'm afraid of you? Bring it on!"

Just then, Dominique strolled into the room, a hint of a smile on his face. "Ah, thank you, Grimgold. I'll handle this one."

The man named Grimgold nodded and exited, leaving Duke and Dominique alone.

Dominique leaned against the wall, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're quite the feisty one, Duke. I like that."

Duke's expression turned cold. "What do you want, Dominique?"

"Oh, I think you know. You're going to help me with a little problem I have. And in return... well, let's just say you'll be rewarded."

Duke's eyes narrowed. "I'm not helping you with anything until you tell me what's going on."

Dominique chuckled. "Ah, but that's the beauty of it, Duke. You don't have a choice."

Duke crossed his arms, his expression unyielding. "I'm not helping you with anything, Dominique. You can't just kidnap me and expect me to cooperate."

Dominique chuckled, "Oh, but I think you will, Duke. You see, it has come to my notice that you're now better, than you were before. In terms of sight, reflexes and more. I know you have the pill. The one that's supposed to take you to Paradise. What I don't understand is why it hasn't manifested.

Duke's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about? And you only met me once, so don't talk like you've known me all my life, and know my strength and weakness. I go without glasses on some days too."

"Don't play dumb with me, Duke. I know you have it. And I'm willing to let you go free, with the pill, if you help me with a little quest."

Duke raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "What kind of quest?"

Dominique's eyes gleamed with excitement as he leaned forward. "I've been stuck on Tier ten for far too long. No matter how hard I try or how much I study my enemy's tactics, I just can't seem to break through. And I'm not alone - no one I know has been able to overcome this hurdle. But I believe you have the potential to help me achieve the impossible and reach the ultimate reward."

Dominique paused, taking a slow drag on his blunt before exhaling a stream of smoke. "And as for your reward, Duke? I'll let you go free. You'll have the chance to lead alongside me, as an equal."

Duke's brows furrowed in confusion"You want me to help you beat some kind of game or test? And you're offering me freedom and an equal leadership role as a reward?"

Dominique nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with intensity. "Yes, exactly! I know with your skills, we can overcome it together. And as for the reward, I'm willing to offer you a share of the power and wealth that comes…"

"No" Duke interrupted him mid sentence.

"…with being a leader in this world" Dominique completed acting like Duke hadn't said a thing, and that seemed to have infuriated Duke.

"I'm not doing it" Duke repeated his voice loud and clear. "You think I'm going to just risk my life for you for fame?"

Dominique countered, his pose thoughtful as he seemed to remember something. "Well, that seemed to be the case last time. You were quite… enthusiastic, shall we say? 'Get my money ready as soon as I get back' if I recall correctly."

Duke snorted. "You must be suffering from amnesia to forget I was doing that as a form to recover your lost parcel."

Dominique chuckled. "Right, the parcel. Either ways, you have no choice. You are at a disadvantage with me."

"I have nothing to lose." Duke retorted

Dominique raised an eyebrow, a sly smile spreading across his face "Are you sure? Didn't seem like it from that livestream."

Duke narrowed his eyes at Dominique's statement. "I couldn't care less about whatever it is you have planned but I'm not doing it."

Dominique's face remained calm, but his mind raced with frustration. "He's not taking me seriously," he thought to himself. "I've tried everything to motivate him, but nothing seems to get through. Not even the threat of harming his friends."

He expected Duke to show some hint of fear, some glimmer of concern, but there was nothing. Just a nonchalant shrug and a careless remark.

"He's not afraid of me," Dominique realized, his thoughts darkening. "He's not intimidated by my power or my threats. I'm losing the upper hand here."

A knock on the door broke the silence, and Dominique's gaze shifted as a girl entered with a tray of food. Her head was bowed, and she placed the tray on the table near Duke before turning to leave.

Dominique's grip on her arm halted her, his eyes still fixed on Duke, who had been watching her since she entered. A sly thought crossed Dominique's mind. "Maybe offering her to him once his tasks are complete will be the key to his submission." He smiled to himself, thinking it was a long shot but worth a try.

"Won't you say hello, dear?" Dominique asked the girl in a taunting tone. He turned to Duke, "Pardon her manners; she's new... and fresh. I acquired her recently, and I haven't had the pleasure yet. But if you comply... all of her will be yours."

"I'll do it," Duke said suddenly, his words surprising Dominique.

"What?"

Duke would choose to indulge in a girl over saving his friends' lives?" Dominique thought to himself, bewildered.