chapter 115 lysara

– Sealing the Deal & Tightening the Noose

Kaelith—disguised as Magic Flame—arrived at the Green Haven Outskirts, 2nd Watchtower Ruins, just as planned.

The area was quiet, with only the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant howl of a wolf.

His hands instinctively hovered near his quiver, his bow slung across his back.

Even though he had arranged this meeting, he wasn't foolish enough to stand out in the open.

Instead, he took position on a high branch of a dead tree, where he could see everything while remaining hidden.

The shadows embraced him as he activated Stealth, his presence fading into the darkness.

Even if someone were to look directly at him, all they would see was the eerie moonlight filtering through the branches.

---

Lysara's Arrival – The Desperation is Clear

Minutes later, footsteps approached.

Lysara had arrived.

Unlike in the town, where she carried herself with confidence and authority, here she looked tense.

Behind her stood two armored guards, their hands resting on their weapons.

Kaelith narrowed his eyes.

She didn't trust this meeting—a smart move.

But she was desperate enough to come anyway.

> [Lysara]: …Magic Flame?

Silence.

Kaelith didn't respond immediately.

He simply watched.

Five seconds…

Ten seconds…

One of her guards grumbled, shifting uncomfortably.

> [Guard]: "Tch. Where is this guy?"

> [Lysara]: "He's testing us. Stay alert."

She was sharp—but not sharp enough.

Kaelith smirked.

She had already lost control of the conversation before it had even started.

---

Making an Entrance – Asserting Dominance

Then—

A single arrow whistled through the air.

It embedded itself a few inches away from Lysara's foot.

She flinched, stepping back in shock.

Her guards drew their weapons immediately, scanning the surroundings.

Then—

From above, Kaelith's calm and amused voice echoed.

> [Magic Flame]: "Nervous, Lysara? I thought a vice guild leader would have more composure."

Lysara's eyes snapped up, scanning the treetops.

But she saw nothing.

Even with her enhanced vision, Kaelith remained a ghost in the darkness.

That was the difference between an ordinary warrior and an elite archer trained in the shadows.

> [Lysara]: "You're late."

[Magic Flame]: "I was already here. Just watching."

One of the guards gritted his teeth.

> [Guard]: "Damn bastard."

Kaelith let out a soft chuckle, letting the words sink in.

Lysara wasn't in control of this meeting.

He was.

---

The Transaction – Squeezing Every Coin

After a brief silence, Lysara took a deep breath and pulled out a storage pouch.

> [Lysara]: "1.4 million credits. 70K per potion. 20 potions. Just like we agreed."

Kaelith nodded to himself.

He had already won.

A few hours ago, she had been offering 50K per potion in the public forum.

Now?

She was desperate enough to overpay.

Without a sound, Kaelith nocked another arrow, then fired.

The arrow pierced the ground near Lysara's feet—except this time, the shaft was wrapped in a small pouch.

Lysara's guards tensed, stepping forward protectively, but she gestured for them to stay back.

She picked up the pouch, opened it, and found 20 agility potions inside.

Her eyes gleamed with relief.

> [Lysara]: "Good. Now, tell me—"

---

The Final Blow – Creating Chaos in Diamond Breeders

Before she could finish, Kaelith interrupted.

> [Magic Flame]: "By the way… does your guild know you paid 70K each?"

Lysara froze.

Her two guards glanced at her, confused.

Kaelith's smirk widened behind his mask.

> [Magic Flame]: "Because last I checked, you publicly offered 50K per potion. But now? You paid 40% more… using guild funds."

Lysara's face paled.

She had overpaid—in desperation.

And now, the whole guild would find out.

Her position in Diamond Breeders was already unstable.

The elders never fully trusted her.

Now?

They would question her judgment.

They would suspect her of being reckless, incompetent.

And most importantly—

They would start plotting her downfall.

---

Kaelith's Final Words – The Seed of Doubt

Kaelith stepped further back into the treetops, his figure fading.

> [Magic Flame]: "Be careful, Lysara. Guilds don't forgive mistakes."

And with that—

He was gone.

The deal was done.

The potions were sold.

And Diamond Breeders?

They were now one step closer to internal collapse.

Lysara's Realization – The Web of Manipulation

As the last traces of Magic Flame disappeared into the darkness, Lysara stood still, gripping the pouch of agility potions tightly.

The night air was cold, yet her blood boiled with realization.

She had been played—and she knew it.

Her fingers tightened around the pouch as she replayed the entire encounter in her mind.

> [Lysara]: "He manipulated me... how amusing."

Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but her lips curled into a smirk.

She wasn't angry.

No.

She was intrigued.

Few people had ever outmaneuvered her in a deal.

Yet this Magic Flame—whoever he truly was—had led her along like a puppet on a string.

And she had danced willingly.

She chuckled softly, a mix of amusement and self-deprecation.

> [Lysara]: "Let's see how the idiots in the guild try to annoy me now."

---

Returning to Diamond Breeders' Headquarters – The Brewing Storm

Lysara walked through the main hall of Diamond Breeders' headquarters, the heavy double doors slamming shut behind her.

The guild was in chaos.

Whispers.

Murmurs.

Accusing glances.

She could feel the tension the moment she stepped inside.

It was expected.

The moment the purchase had been processed, every senior guild member would have been alerted.

She was the Vice Guild Leader.

Spending millions of credits on agility potions—40% above the original offer price—was something that wouldn't go unnoticed.

And now?

They were waiting.

Plotting.

She could already see the gathering in the main strategy hall.

A group of elders and high-ranking officers were seated in a semi-circle, their faces carefully neutral, but their eyes sharp with suspicion.

At the center sat Guild Leader Durvain—a calculating man, known for his strict leadership and ruthless decision-making.

To his right, Garalan, the guild's logistics overseer, who had failed to manipulate the auction prices earlier.

His expression was unreadable, but his fingers tapped impatiently against the table.

The moment Lysara stepped in, all eyes turned to her.

---

The Interrogation – The Power Struggle Begins

> [Durvain]: "Lysara. You're back."

His voice was calm, measured.

But the air in the room was heavy.

Lysara didn't bother bowing.

Instead, she walked straight to the table, placing the pouch of agility potions down with an audible thud.

She met Durvain's gaze head-on.

> [Lysara]: "I assume you have questions."

There was silence.

Then—

Garalan spoke first.

> [Garalan]: "70K per potion. You overpaid. With guild funds."

His tone was sharp, accusing.

Lysara tilted her head, feigning curiosity.

> [Lysara]: "Oh? And whose fault is that?"

Garalan's eye twitched.

> [Lysara]: "I recall you were supposed to control the auction, weren't you? Keep prices inflated, make the other guilds spend gold, and ensure we could buy potions later for cheap?"

[Lysara]: "Yet, somehow, the supply vanished before we could purchase a single vial."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice turning mocking.

> [Lysara]: "Tell me, Garalan, was that part of the plan?"

Garalan's jaw clenched.

A few guild members stifled amused smirks—they had expected Lysara to be cornered, but instead, she was throwing the blame back at him.

> [Durvain]: "Enough."

His calm yet firm voice silenced the room.

His gaze remained on Lysara.

> [Durvain]: "Regardless of the auction failure, you paid 1.4 million credits for the potions. Explain yourself."

---

Lysara's Counterattack – Turning the Tables

Lysara smiled.

It wasn't a friendly smile.

It was the smile of someone who had already prepared for this moment.

> [Lysara]: "Would you rather we had no potions at all?"

The guild members exchanged glances.

> [Lysara]: "We needed them. Every elite player in this guild relies on agility potions for optimal combat performance."

[Lysara]: "Without them, we'd be weaker in raids, PvP skirmishes, and upcoming dungeon expeditions."

She crossed her arms, tilting her head.

> [Lysara]: "Unless, of course, you're suggesting that Diamond Breeders should just… lose?"

A few guild officers shifted uncomfortably.

Even Durvain narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lysara wasn't entirely wrong.

> [Lysara]: "I made the best decision available at the time. If you don't like it, next time, make sure Garalan actually does his job."

A few snickers escaped from the other guild members.

Garalan's face darkened.

He knew what she was doing.

And it was working.

She had reframed the entire situation.

Instead of being reckless, she had been strategic.

Instead of being manipulated, she had made a tactical choice.

And instead of being the one at fault—she had painted Garalan as the true failure.

---

Durvain's Decision – The Tension Holds

Durvain tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought.

Then—

He sighed.

> [Durvain]: "Fine. What's done is done."

Garalan looked furious, but he couldn't argue.

Lysara had won this battle.

For now.

> [Durvain]: "Lysara, I hope your instincts were right. If this Magic Flame appears again… I want him under our guild. Make contact."

Lysara's smirk widened slightly.

> [Lysara]: "Of course."

But in her mind, she was already thinking…

> "You think I'll recruit him? No… I'll figure out exactly what game he's playing first."

Because now?

She was no longer just interested in agility potions.

She wanted to unravel the mystery of Magic Flame.