The Contract – A Golden Chain Disguised as a Reward
Garlan pushed a scroll across the table, his smirk unwavering.
"Sign this, and you'll be the first player to enter the dungeon."
Kakeith reached for it casually, but his mind was already working like a supercomputer. Something wasn't right.
Why were they offering him priority dungeon access? A first-rate guild wouldn't just hand over such a massive advantage unless…
They were using him.
As he unrolled the parchment, his sharp eyes skimmed through the terms.
First player to enter the dungeon.
Guild-observed performance evaluation.
If deemed worthy, entry into the guild's elite selection.
Reward: 20,000 credits.
It was the last part that made him pause.
20,000 credits. It sounded generous, but it was too convenient.
Just a golden chain.
A leash disguised as a reward.
Kakeith chuckled under his breath. So that's how it is.
They weren't rewarding him—they were sacrificing him.
They needed a Black Sheep—someone to test the dungeon first, to trigger hidden mechanics, to die so they could learn from his mistakes.
And if he somehow survived? He'd be tied to them.
Either way, they won.
He flicked the scroll back across the table with a smirk.
"Really funny," he muttered.
Garlan's expression didn't change, but the air shifted—like a hunter realizing his prey wasn't so easy to catch.
"So?" Garlan asked smoothly. "Do we have a deal?"
Kakeith stood up, stretching lazily.
"I'll check out the recruitment selection," he said casually. "Let's see if this 'elite' position is even worth my time."
Then, without another word, he turned and left the Diamond Breeders' hall.
This guild was interesting.
But he wasn't anyone's sacrificial lamb.
A Glimpse of a Legend – The Vice Guild Leader
As Kakeith stepped out of the recruitment hall, he froze for a split second.
A woman was standing near the entrance, speaking to a few high-ranking guild members.
She had long, silver hair tied in a loose ponytail, and her eyes were a striking shade of violet. Unlike most players who wore bulky armor or flashy robes, she was dressed in a simple yet elegant black combat suit, designed for mobility rather than intimidation. A twin-bladed sword rested on her hip, its hilt wrapped in white cloth.
Vice Guild Leader of Diamond Breeders—Lysara.
In his previous life, she had been a monster on the battlefield—a player who single-handedly defeated multiple first-rate guilds during a war. Her speed, precision, and strategic mind had made her nearly unstoppable.
Yet, despite her overwhelming talent, Diamond Breeders' elders never valued her.
Rumors had floated around back then, but Kakeith never knew the full story. Some said it was jealousy, others whispered about betrayal, and a few even speculated that she was merely a pawn in some hidden power struggle.
Whatever the truth was… it didn't matter in the end.
Because in the grand scheme of things, Diamond Breeders fell—and Lysara vanished from history.
Kakeith's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
This was before everything happened. Before she was betrayed, before she carved her name into legend, before she disappeared.
Should he interfere?
No.
Not yet.
He had no intention of changing her fate—for now, he was just an observer.
But one thing was certain: Lysara was someone worth keeping an eye on.
As he turned to leave, her violet eyes suddenly flicked toward him, as if sensing his gaze.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Then, with a small smirk, Kakeith stepped outside, disappearing into the bustling streets of Green Haven Town.
A Scheme in the Making – Manipulating Diamond Breeders
As Kakeith walked through the bustling streets of Green Haven Town, his mind was already spinning with calculations and possibilities.
Diamond Breeders was powerful, but it was also flawed.
The guild's elders were short-sighted, obsessed with their own authority, and blind to true talent—especially when it came to Lysara.
In his past life, she had been their greatest weapon.
Yet they had never valued her. Why?
Rumors had swirled—jealousy, internal politics, even outright sabotage—but Kakeith never cared back then. Now? It was an opportunity.
Lysara was a hidden gem, and Diamond Breeders was too blind to see it.
If he could push the right buttons…
They would throw her away themselves—leaving her ripe for the taking.
The Plan
1. Exploit Their Ego
The elders only respected obedient, controllable players.
Lysara? She was anything but obedient.
If he subtly painted her as a threat to their control, they'd turn against her.
2. Create Doubt
He needed to feed their paranoia—make them think she was planning something.
A few false whispers here and there, and their suspicions would do the rest.
3. Trigger the Breaking Point
Lysara wouldn't betray them first. She was too loyal, despite how they treated her.
But if he engineered a situation where she was framed or forced to rebel…
They would kick her out themselves.
The Ultimate Goal
Kakeith smirked.
Once Diamond Breeders threw her away, he would be there to pick her up.
Not as an enemy. Not as an ally.
But as the only person who truly saw her worth.
With Lysara by his side, he wouldn't just gain a powerful warrior—he'd gain a legend in the making.
And Diamond Breeders?
They would never even realize what they lost until it was too late.
Auction House – Entering the Marketplace of Wealth
Kakeith strode through the bustling streets, his eyes fixed on the towering Auction House ahead.
This was one of the largest marketplaces in the region, a place where rare items, high-level gear, and powerful potions exchanged hands daily. Unlike smaller towns where auctions were disorganized, this was a structured, ruthless trading ground where only those with sharp instincts thrived.
As he stepped inside, the shift in atmosphere was immediate.
The grand hall was lavishly decorated, with marble floors, towering pillars, and golden chandeliers that radiated wealth. Players and NPC merchants moved through the area, their conversations filled with talk of profits, market trends, and exclusive deals.
To the left, an information board displayed the latest auction listings—weapons, armor, potions, crafting materials, and even rare skill books. Some items had already reached astronomical prices, and the bidding wars hadn't even started yet.
To the right, private trading booths were set up for direct negotiations, where wealthy players and top-tier guilds made secret deals.
Kakeith ignored the commotion and walked toward the registration counter, where an NPC auctioneer in a tailored black robe greeted him with a sharp gaze.
"Welcome to the Auction House. Are you here to bid or sell?"
Without a word, Kakeith reached into his inventory and placed 30 vials of Agility Potion on the counter. The vials shimmered under the light, the liquid inside radiating a faint glow—a sign of their high quality.
The auctioneer raised an eyebrow, inspecting the potions carefully.
"Agility Potions… a valuable asset. What price are you expecting?"
Kakeith smirked.
"Set a base price at 50 silver per vial. Let the bidders decide the rest."
The auctioneer nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Wise choice. With the current demand for speed-boosting potions, this will sell fast."
As Kakeith finalized the listing, he glanced toward the main auction hall.
The real game was about to begin.