chapter 103 this plan has major flaw

KAELITH leaned back, tapping his fingers on the wooden table, his sharp gaze fixed on Malthor. The warm glow of lanterns flickered around them, casting long shadows across the dimly lit room. Despite the apparent calm, tension crackled between them like a drawn bowstring.

"This plan has a major flaw," KAELITH finally said, his voice low and deliberate. His words cut through the silence like a blade, making Malthor's eyebrow twitch in irritation.

The older man folded his arms, leaning forward. "And what flaw would that be, boy?"

KAELITH exhaled, resting his chin on his hand. "Our identity will be known," he stated, his tone carrying the weight of certainty. "Even if we paint ourselves as heroes for saving the town, people are greedy creatures. It won't take long for some ambitious fool to start asking the wrong questions. They'll notice that every time a problem arises, we conveniently have the solution—and we profit from it. Even if they don't resent us at first, the moment they realize just how much wealth we're hoarding, they'll want a piece of it. And if they can't take a share willingly, they'll try to tear us down."

Malthor scoffed, his fingers drumming against the table. "Tch. You overthink things. As long as we hold the power, what can they do? They should be grateful we're running things."

KAELITH's eyes narrowed. "Control means nothing when you're the one everyone's watching." He sat up, voice growing sharper. "If we stand in the spotlight for too long, we'll become targets. We may be seen as saviors now, but that goodwill won't last forever. All it takes is one slip, one rumor, and suddenly we're no longer heroes—we're villains who've been exploiting the chaos for personal gain. And trust me, mobs don't need much of a reason to turn on their so-called saviors."

Malthor frowned, seemingly considering KAELITH's words. His arms loosened slightly, and he leaned back, allowing the younger man to continue.

KAELITH smirked. "Instead of handling sales directly, we need to keep our hands clean. Let the merchants and middlemen take the fall while we profit from the shadows."

Malthor's interest was piqued. "Go on."

KAELITH's smirk widened. "We don't sell to players ourselves. Instead, we distribute the goods through the auction house using different accounts. Spread the sales across multiple NPC vendors and 'independent' shops, all managed by people with no connection to us. If we need a storefront, we rent one under an NPC's name, using them as a front. That way, even if someone investigates, the ones who suffer are the merchants, not us."

Malthor's expression shifted from doubt to admiration. "You're saying we stay invisible while letting others do the dirty work for us?"

"Exactly." KAELITH's voice was smooth, confident. "By selling through hidden channels, we maintain an illusion of scarcity while still raking in absurd profits. And if someone tries to compete by bringing in their own supply, we can crush them without ever being directly involved. Spread rumors that their goods are cursed, hire thugs to attack their shipments, or simply buy them out and resell at a markup."

Malthor let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Heh… You're not just looking to make a quick profit. You're thinking long-term."

KAELITH leaned forward, locking eyes with him. "Of course. The biggest mistake greedy people make is getting too greedy, too fast. They flaunt their wealth, and that makes them targets. But the real winners? They pull the strings from the shadows, letting others take the risk while they reap the rewards."

Malthor burst into laughter, his deep voice echoing through the room. He slammed a fist on the table, his grin wide. "Hah! You've got a twisted little mind, boy. I like that."

KAELITH smirked. "Then let's get to work. We have five days before the bandit situation erupts again. If we set everything up now, by the time chaos returns, we'll already be sitting on a mountain of gold while the rest scramble in the dirt."

Malthor's grin widened. "Fine. We'll do it your way. Let's bleed these suckers dry without them even realizing who's holding the knife."

Malthor leaned back in his chair, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he drummed his fingers on the wooden table. The room was dimly lit, the flickering light of a single lantern casting shifting shadows on the stone walls. KAELITH watched him in silence, waiting for the next move in this grand game of deception.

"The agility potion design I gave you," Malthor finally spoke, his voice smooth and brimming with amusement. "Release it into the market now."

KAELITH's brows furrowed slightly. "You want to flood the market with agility potions? Won't that drive prices down?"

Malthor chuckled, shaking his head. "No, no, you don't get it. I don't want to just sell them—I want every guild to clear out their stock first. Let them think agility potions are suddenly the hottest commodity. Once they believe they're running out of supply, they'll panic and buy everything they can get their hands on, hoarding like lunatics."

KAELITH's eyes narrowed, realization dawning on him. "You're baiting them into a false sense of scarcity."

"Exactly." Malthor's grin widened. "Once their warehouses are empty, once the players and merchants alike are starving for more, then I'll make my move." He leaned forward, his gaze sharp as a blade. "I control the only real supply. Once demand spikes, I'll set the price, and they'll have no choice but to pay whatever I demand."

KAELITH let out a low chuckle. "That's cruel. But it's brilliant."

Malthor laughed heartily, his voice echoing off the walls. "Cruelty and brilliance often go hand in hand, my friend. And don't worry—after this is over, I'll give you a reward so satisfying you won't expect it. Something beyond your imagination. Hahaha!"

KAELITH smirked but didn't let his guard down. He knew Malthor was unpredictable. A reward could mean anything—a fortune, a rare treasure, or something far more dangerous. But for now, the plan was unfolding perfectly.

"Let's get to work, then," KAELITH said, pushing his chair back. "We have a market to manipulate."

Malthor's laughter rang out once more. "That's the spirit! Let the fools dance to our tune!"