chapter 104 no trust

KAELITH leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table as he calculated the perfect timing. The plan was already set in motion, but execution was everything. He turned his gaze to Malthor, who was still grinning like a man who had already won the game before it even started.

"Alright, I'll start selling the agility potions in a few hours," KAELITH said, his voice calm but filled with a sharp edge of anticipation. "Once the hunters return from the fields and dungeons, exhaustion will set in. They'll want an edge for their next run—something to make them faster, more efficient, more deadly."

Malthor chuckled, nodding in approval. "Smart. Timing is key. By then, their pockets will be filled with loot, and they'll be desperate to spend their earnings on anything that gives them an advantage."

KAELITH smirked. "Exactly. When they see the auction house flooded with agility potions, they'll assume there's plenty. But once they start buying, panic will set in. They won't even realize they're being played."

Malthor leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "And when the stock runs out—when they realize they need more—who will they turn to?"

KAELITH met his gaze with a knowing smile. "Us."

Malthor burst into laughter, slapping the table. "Good, good! You learn fast. Now, let the chaos begin. Let them scramble, let them fight over scraps like starving dogs." He took a deep breath, savoring the moment. "Once the demand skyrockets, I'll step in. I'll be the benevolent noble offering salvation at a cost they never saw coming."

KAELITH stood up, stretching slightly. "Alright, Malthor. The stage is yours after this. I'll stir the pot, but the rest depends on you."

Malthor waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. I've handled bigger schemes than this. You just make sure those potions hit the market smoothly. By the time they realize what's happening, it'll be too late."

KAELITH nodded, his smirk unwavering. The game was about to begin, and soon, the auction house would be in complete disarray. All they had to do was sit back and watch the chaos unfold.

As KAELITH strode away from Malthor, his mind was a battlefield of calculations and predictions. He had played along with Malthor's schemes, but true trust? That was a luxury he couldn't afford. Malthor was a born manipulator, someone who thrived on deception and control. KAELITH had encountered people like him before—opportunists who pretended to be allies but would slit your throat the moment it benefited them.

His steps were steady as he moved through the bustling town streets, but his thoughts ran wild.

"I don't trust you, Malthor." His fingers twitched slightly, as if itching to unsheathe a blade that wasn't there. "You're cunning, dangerous, and unpredictable. But for now, our goals align. So I'll use you just as you're using me."

He glanced around at the NPCs and players alike, going about their business. Unlike in most games, the NPCs here weren't mindless drones—they had ambitions, grudges, and, most importantly, the ability to shape the world in unexpected ways.

NPCs in player guilds. The thought alone made him smirk. Eldoria's unique system allowed NPCs to join real-player factions. This had caused countless guilds to rise in power overnight, recruiting skilled NPCs who acted as elite enforcers, merchants, or strategists. But just as many guilds had collapsed under the weight of their own poor decisions.

Some NPCs were loyal if given enough coin, treating guilds as their employers. Others had hidden motives, joining to gather intelligence for rival factions. And then there were the wildcards—those who joined just to sabotage from within, watching with satisfaction as they turned their so-called allies against each other.

KAELITH wasn't blind to the dangers. "If you don't betray me, Malthor, I might allow you into my guild in the future. But only if you prove your worth." The idea was both practical and strategic. Having an NPC with Malthor's cunning could be an asset, but it came with a risk—one he would mitigate with strict control.

He adjusted the satchel at his side, feeling the weight of gold coins inside. His first priority was wealth and power. Whether Malthor remained an ally or became an obstacle would depend on how the situation unfolded.

Still, he wouldn't be careless. He would keep Malthor close—but always on a leash. "The moment you try to turn on me… I'll make sure you regret it." His lips curled into a smirk. Malthor thought himself a mastermind, but KAELITH had lived through betrayal before. He wouldn't fall into the same trap again.

The auction house came into view, its entrance flooded with players eagerly waiting for new stock to arrive. KAELITH inhaled sharply. The plan was in motion, and soon, chaos would break loose.

For now, he pushed thoughts of Malthor aside. There was gold to be made, influence to be gained, and a game-changing strategy to execute. Whatever happened next—KAELITH would make sure he was the one pulling the strings.

KAELITH tightened his grip on the crystal given to him by the prince, feeling its cold, smooth surface. He had been told it would open a portal to the Goblin Kingdom, a place that most players knew only from distant rumors and poorly-kept secrets.

The Goblin Kingdom was rumored to be a place of chaos and opportunity, a land filled with riches and dangerous creatures. Many players sought to enter it for the chance to gain unique resources, rare items, or powerful allies, but few had managed to survive long enough to return with anything valuable. KAELITH, however, wasn't like the typical adventurer. He had his own plans—he wasn't just going for the treasure or the challenge. He was going there for something far more valuable: leverage.

With a final glance around to ensure no one was watching, KAELITH activated the crystal. It pulsed with a faint glow before it emitted a sharp flash of light, engulfing him in an intense blue haze. The world around him twisted and warped, his vision blurring until he found himself standing in a darkened, cavernous space.

He blinked, momentarily disoriented. The air smelled of damp stone and sulfur, the ground beneath him uneven and cold. The Goblin Kingdom had a reputation for being located beneath the surface of Eldoria, deep in the heart of the mountains, where few had ventured.

"This place reeks of power," KAELITH thought, his senses heightened as he surveyed his surroundings. Dim torches flickered on the walls, casting long, ominous shadows that seemed to stretch and twist. In the distance, he could hear the faint sounds of goblin chatter—screeches and grunts echoing off the walls.

KAELITH didn't come here to fight goblins. He was here to negotiate, manipulate, and gain access to resources that others would never see. The Goblin Kingdom, while dangerous, was a goldmine of untapped potential. They controlled certain rare materials that players could only dream of obtaining, and he intended to use that to his advantage.

As he walked deeper into the kingdom, the sounds of goblin activity grew louder. Small, wiry creatures scurried past him, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. They barely glanced at him, too busy with their own business to pay much attention to a lone human.

"Good," KAELITH thought. "Keep your distance. I need to find the right people here. The last thing I need is a bunch of goblins attacking me the second I show up."

The crystal in his hand pulsed again, and a faint map flickered into view on his interface. KAELITH scanned it, his eyes narrowing. The map led to the heart of the kingdom, where the goblin leaders resided. He had no intention of wasting time. He needed to speak to the right person—someone who could help him make his next move.

A goblin merchant, known for trading rare goods and secrets, was said to reside near the central hub of the kingdom. He had heard rumors of this merchant's knowledge about the inner workings of the kingdom, as well as his potential connections to outside forces who could help KAELITH's cause.

KAELITH navigated through the twisting tunnels, brushing past goblins who were too preoccupied with their work to notice him. He followed the map's guidance, each step bringing him closer to his objective.

Finally, he arrived at a large stone door adorned with ancient symbols—an unmistakable sign of the merchant's domain. Without hesitation, KAELITH pushed it open. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of incense and mysterious spices. The merchant, an elderly goblin with a crooked nose and gleaming eyes, looked up from his work. He grinned when he saw KAELITH.

"Ah, a human," the goblin cackled, his voice raspy and amused. "You've come to make a deal, haven't you?"

KAELITH stood firm, his eyes locked onto the merchant's. "I have something you want, and I need something in return. I'm here to make sure we both get what we need."