Chapter 7: Sold Out
"Hope it works."
Vecna's voice as he was facing a laptop-tablet gadget was toned-down, not wanting to disturb the sleep of his family members as he worked on writing a click-baiting advertisement for his Auctioning of Black Fang members items.
[A chance to switch your fates. Prized Items never to appear on the Auction House.]
Doing another proofread of the post he wrote, he was nodding with a satisfied, almost malicious smile.
Reaching the end of the post, Vecna patted his own shoulder, thinking to himself.
'I should major in Marketing or something. Meh, I don't have time for University. I barely managed to graduate highschool while managing two jobs.'
'Good. Now let's translate it into English. Where did I put the Cracked Soft?'
Vecna used some advanced software that had reached a life-like translation level of texts written in native languages, since he didn't want to bother writing in English from the get-go, even if he had a decent mastery of the second language.
'And with this. Done. Hopefully I will catch some whales.'
[Send post] **Click**
He moved back from the stern posture he had while writing the post, and couldn't help himself but observe the flow of people that viewed his post, reading, and commenting their questions regarding the items displayed with screenshots.
'That's right. Make more buzz about the post.'
'Maybe it even catches a mod that would highlight the post. Gosh, there's so many people.'
'Huhuhu. Marvelous.'
"Adrian, what's with that face? Are you thinking about something bad again?"
"Were you bullied again?"
The voice of a teenage girl shocked him, making him return to his calm, peaceful expression unlike the malicious face he was making a couple of seconds ago.
"Silvia, shouldn't you be in bed by now? It's already eleven."
"Sure, but I can't sleep with you typing like a ghost. I can hear you from my room. So, what are you doing?"
Turning his chair around, Vecna watched the face of his sister, a teenage girl of 14 years old, that had a pleasant appearance to the eye. Her long black hair was left wild as she was already in her pajamas, meanwhile her brown eyes focused intently on his face, giving him an inquiring look that made him chuckle.
"Nothing much. Some side-project I'm hustling."
"That popular game?"
"Mhmm. If everything goes as I planned, we'll be good for a long time. No longer worrying about money, on what you guys should wear to school, or if you can or not go to the cinema with your friends."
"I'll make enough money to manage mom's health treatment costs. Enough to not be a burden on you little ones."
The young girl could only watch the smile of her elder brother, forced as it was, and without thinking for a second she went to give him a hug, tearing up while saying.
"Stupid. Don't work yourself to death."
"Now, now, since when are you so affectionate with me?"
"Hmph, you sure are stupid. Do you think we're not aware of all the sacrifices you've made for us?
Besides, I want to help you with work."
"What work Silvia? You are only 14 years old. Just enjoy your childhood as much as you can. Just … let me take on the burden since it wasn't your guys fault. I am the pillar of this family, you and Alec are children, act like ones."
"You don't have to worry about anything. Just live your lives like normal children. Ask when you need pocket money. Tell me when there are parents meeting with the head-teacher."
"I only have you three."
Vecna caressed the head of his sister, while deep down he hardened his heart to hold on to the desire of crying. There was no need to burden his little siblings with the hardships of life, they still had a chance for a brighter future, unlike himself.
His miserable life was enough for him to experience. The abusive fathers that would "discipline" him on a frequent basis before the separation was enough for him to be marked.
He was by now approaching his mid 20s, and from a young age he was fully aware of the struggle for life.
With an unfortunate mother who had terrible luck in choosing her partners, with two husbands that were made out of rotten fruit that quickly discarded her after a couple of years of making a terrible impact on the eldest, yet leaving her with children.
All this misfortune took a toll on the soul of the woman, and her health slowly deteriorated right in front of her eldest eyes.
Her sister was too small to remember her abusive father, and deep down Vecna wished that they would never have to meet their scum of a father, just like he wished to not meet his own blood father.
After spending a couple of minutes with his sister, pacifying her with whatever words he could muster, he resumed watching the forum post and checked the reactions of the users.
'Good. They react like hyenas on a dead carcass.'
'Let them fantasize about those items all they want, I even sugarcoated the Blade with honey, spoiling them with info about the Blessing skill. Maybe there will be some guilds interested in investing for their Paladins.'
'Before I get to sleep, let's form a strategy for the new Gameplay as a Vampire Lord.'
Opening various forum pages and links to YT guides from High-Rankers, all of them were centered on 'most-efficient' leveling grounds centered on the Hegemon of the Western Continent, the Saharan Empire.
Slowly the document he had opened began getting filled with various information, with a spider-web pattern from the 'Basic' Quests to 'Rare' Quests. All various possibilities were taken into account, with short summaries for plans in case he failed to pursue the NPCs in granting him the required quests.
Another document was focused on his own character, from the items that would work best on him to what stats to focus and his overall game style.
'It feels as if it would move in the direction of a Magic Swordsman. I need to watch some extra guides on Magic Swordsman playstyles.'
'From how it played out, this Blood Magic is a twisted variant of the common magic, like what Dark Magicians use, but on crack since I can spend my life easily to obtain further bonuses.'
'Feels like a Warlock from the old games, with Life Taps and whatnot.'
'Man, I can't wait to get out of work tomorrow and steamroll those goblins' grounds and wild beasts.'
Stretching himself as he saved the documents he wrote in a meticulous fashion, giving a window into what was taking place in his brain and also a mirror to his personality.
Vecna went to sleep around midnight, the high-time for his alter ego inside Satisfy to act around and indulge in Vampirism, charming noble ladies, seducing them with his appearance before quenching his thirst for blood.
Yet the blonde guy was fast asleep, beginning to snore as he planted his face in the pillow.
The new day was monotonous for Vecna who had to wake up and go to his first job acting as one of the cashiers for a Supermarket where vast sums of money constantly moved at his fingertips, either being from card pay or cash pay.
He acted with professionalism and wore a smile whenever meeting older people, children and ladies.
From a morning shift that started from 7:30 AM and ended at 4 PM, he would go along for his part-time job. He was a full-time cashier and on his part-time a waiter for a decent restaurant that didn't overwork him to death.
It was a type of place that let his mind relax a bit as he took the orders of various clients, moving along from table to table. His social skills were up there since he enjoyed the small talks with the clients that were curious about him.
Only when he was off from the waiter job his next stop settled on the Club House. With how full his schedule was, bouncing around from his full-time job to part-time job, it was impressive that he found time to enjoy his hobby of playing Satisfy.
The moment Vecna entered the Club House, he told the cashier guy at the counter in a casual tone.
"Start the registration for my card."
"What's the rush?"
"I got some business inside Satisfy. An important customer DMed me while I was at the restaurant."
The cashier made a confused expression, aware that Vecna didn't even hit the level 100 mark. Still, he didn't pry into further info if Vecna didn't want to share, not that he cared that much.
Passing the card, Vecna settled down his belongings in the designated area and when he was finished with that, it was around when his card got handed back.
Walking toward the Capsule Area, he was reading something on his phone that showed the interface of the Satisfy Forum where a chat window got opened.
#Jishuka: If you are the one selling the Sword, I'm interested in doing a deal with you.
#Vecna: There's no one fronting me up. Besides, I can't talk right now.
#Jishuka: --
#Jishuka: --
Various messages left by this player in his DM box while he was busy at work, made him think that High Ranking players had an interesting life. They didn't have to worry about the struggles of earning money, they could just offer their services to wealthy people, power leveling them, selling items, hidden guides, appearing on commercials and whatnot.
#Jishuka: You're clearly ignoring me right now. You want to play like this? Then fine, we got no deal.
#Vecna: Relax. I'm at work, I can't be bothered to think about holding negotiations on the phone.
#Jishuka: Is that so? Or are you already sold out of the Sword.
#Vecna: Lol. You're amusing. Let's do it like this. I'll whisper to you in-game, we can talk from there on if you're still interested in the sword.
#Jishuka: Jackass, are you laughing?
#Vecna: Ahh, my boss just came to check on me. We'll talk later.
#Jishuka: What the hell? Are you a High-Ranker or what? Is that some Corporation Job that you can't talk on phone
'Man, I wish I landed a job at some Corporation. Heck, the S.A Group European Branch would be like a Godsend for me.'
Reading those messages from a possible interested customer, he could slightly tell that he was dealing with a hot-tempered lady, a bit aggressive and impatient. She wanted for things to always go her own way, without people objecting to her will.
It was unfortunate that Vecna had no idea who she was, nor that he bothered to search for her tag name.
His approach was of a merchant that owned an object so precious he could wait for a while since it was only one day since he posted the Forum Advertisement for Black Fang member's items.
There was no need to rush since it would show a weak hand on dealing with people, all Vecna had to do was conduct himself in the way he always has done, calm, cold and calculative.
[Logging to Satisfy]
Vecna was brought back in the narrow alley he choose to log off
'Who are you, hot-headed customer?'
'Check Global Rankings'
[Global Rankings]
1. Kraugel
2. Chris
3. Zibal
4. Red
5. Yura
6. Agnus
7. Pon
.
.
.
13. Jishuka
'Ohh my. My, my.'
'That's quite the big whale right here. I think I've seen some videos about her now that I think about it.'
'The best archer player in the game, leader of an Elite Hardcore Guild.'
'This should be interesting. Most certainly she is looking to gear up her Paladin for a Raid.'
[You have sent a friend request to user 'Jishuka'.]
While he extended his friend request to the high-ranking player, on a different corner of the Saharan Empire at the border with the Eternal Kingdom a group of players were gathered around planning the strategy for what seemed to be an Raid.
"It's clear that the sub-tank has to keep on the threat when the Boss resets. Otherwise, we'll just keep on wiping." expressed a broad, tall, muscular, bald man wearing a Heavy Knight armor, with a shield and sword in hand.
"I can't keep on the threat because I am a Paladin. I don't have the right main weapon to support myself. Also, why are you guys continuing on dealing damage when the Boss enters the second phase?" responded a man of african-american origins, cladded in a golden armor while his sword shined with the divine light of the Gods.
His eyes looked constantly at the figure of a woman seated on a tall boulder, watching over the vast mountains and the forested area where the Lair of the Boss they struggled to take down lurked.
Her long red hair was being blown by the winds of the high ground, but by no means it got disturbed. She had an heroic appearance as she watched silently without bothering with the bickering of the Raid members.
'Shit, something is on the Leader's mind. Hopefully she doesn't kill me.' thought the Paladin, having an itch when watching the tanned beauty.
"Honest with you Toban. You are terrible at tanking." mentioned a young woman with a pretty face, orange hair, green eyes and a slender body wearing the attire of a magician.
Her wooden staff containing a fire stone on its end tip was pointed at the african-american man, called Toban.
"... Says the mage. Wanna give it a shot, missy? Tanking that spider 'Arachnar, the Forest Weaver' is a piece of cake in your opinion?"
"Really now, Toban? Then would you like to handle the Spiderlings and the Toxic Webs the boss mob spews on the first stage?"
The other raid members didn't butt in the petty quarrel between a Tank and Mage, not being worth their time.
Yet out of nowhere the silent red-haired beauty finally opened her mouth, commenting about something unexpected for the group.
"That bastard finally responded. Gosh, I thought he was a scam."
[You have received an friend request from user 'Vecna']
[Accept/Decline]
The green eyes of the red-haired woman lightened up with phoenix fires, and the instant she got this request without thinking a second she accepted. Still, her excitement died down when she found out a confusing truth.
[Vecna - Level 1]
'Could it be a scammer? From how calm he sounded I doubt.'
[You have received a video-call from friend 'Vecna']
'Ehh, he is quite bold. Direct. I like it.'
[Accept]
Right in front of Jishuka, a handsome man with styled blonde hair and crimson eyes that could pierce deep in the souls of humans appeared.
She could spot from first sight that he was wearing a beginners attire.
#Vecna: Good evening to my impatient customer. My name is Vecna.
" You're sure, not a scam? How come a level 1 newbie has got his hands on those items you posted on the forum?"
#Vecna: Professional secret.
Jishuka saw Vecna's charming smile, making her ponder about the validity of the forum post that she stumbled on after checking for info regarding the Boss she was fighting.
"Mind sharing again the info of the items? I'll believe you that way."
#Vecna: Skeptical. No problem. There you go <Blade of Elysium>. I presume it is for the Paladin in your guild? Toban was his name?
"Good, you know already. It makes the negotiations smoother."
She turned around at Toban and the mage Laella who were still at it, debating the importance of each role in a raid, like kindergarten children.
Throwing a rock, bullseye his head, she whispered in the Guild Chat.
#Jishuka: You better give your 120% into this raid or I'll make you pay high interest. Ahh, also, you should fork up a part of the money since I am not a bank.}
#Toban: Wow, this Sword is … I know about it.
#Jishuka: You know about it? Explain.
#Toban: Remember when I got really pissed for an entire week, about one month ago?
#Jishuka: Yeah, you made me want to kill you by how much of a prick you can be.
#Toban: That's because I failed to buy that Sword. Some rich bastard called Bloodhound outbid me for 700.000 gold. He is the guild leader of Black Fang, a notorious PKer making his living by torturing low level players in the Valoria Duchy region.
'Bloodhound? Is this Vecna guy related to those PK leeches?'
'Hmm? They dropped in level by 3, and got pushed back from the Rankings.'
#Jishuka: Do you still want the sword?
#Toban: Are you even asking? But I only have 150.000 gold right now.
#Jishuka: Good enough. We have the funds to buy this sword, so make sure to play your role properly.
#Toban: Thanks Leader! I will even sacrifice myself to clear this Boss.
#Jishuka: Sure, sure.
Jishuka, who was having a conversation with Toban in the guild chat, noticed that Vecna remained silent the entire time. He was watching her calmly from what she could see was a recreational garden, seated on a bench.
'He looks too calm for a newbie. Most people in lower levels would either tremble in fear or be simps, lowering at my feet and begging for a spot in the guild.'
'Also, now that I think about it. I doubt those items would be handed by Black Fang guild willingly. Either he is a hacker … which makes no sense, or he killed them.'
'But how is he level 1 if we're talking about a hidden ranker?'
'I heard a rumor that one can get their level reset if they gain an Legendary Class or one that is equivalent in potential to a Legendary.'
Vecna remained silent, looking at Jishuka as if she was a fat sheep that he could milk of golden liquid.
Only God knew what was going in his mind in those moments.
#Vecna: Should we start the negotiations?
"Lets."
#Vecna: I did mention the price can be negotiated.
"Which is appreciated"
Nodding at the beauty without being overwhelmed by the appearance, he pressed his fingers in a particular fashion, and as if a meme was born again, he requested.
#Vecna: I want 750.000 gold for the Elysian Blade.
"You're crazy if you think I'll give you that amount."
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