Chapter 7 - Hero Slaying

"Would you like to meet with the next person, sir?" Alpha asked, its mechanical voice echoing through the room.

"Not now," I replied, taking a moment to consider my options. "First, I want to know if it's possible to buy the person who commissioned the task."

"It's not possible, sir. When you put a commission, we guarantee the confidentiality of both the commissioner and the task receiver," Alpha explained.

"Alpha, can you be the middle-man of the deal?" I inquired, wanting to maintain a level of anonymity.

"Yes, sir. You can hire my service for me to become the middle-man. Such actions are a basic amenity for our service," the mechanical overseer confirmed.

With Alpha's assistance, I decided to proceed with the transaction without having to meet the commissioner in person. I handed over the verified information and requested Alpha to deliver it on my behalf.

"The commissioner of the task asks to meet you personally, sir. The person would like to discuss further deals face-to-face," Alpha informed me.

I hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed. "Very well, but before that, could you shroud my face and hands while also altering my voice during the meeting?"

"This room provides such a benefit, sir. May I ask why you are reluctant to meet face-to-face yet agree to the person's request?" Alpha inquired with its ever-curious tone.

"For information," I replied cryptically, unwilling to reveal my true intentions. "To make a profitable deal, we need to gather some information discreetly. Can you activate the masking, please?"

"Right away, sir," Alpha responded, and the room's advanced camouflage technology obscured my appearance and distorted my voice.

Just as I was about to leave, a figure cloaked in a hooded garment entered the room. The person's eyes, a warm and inviting shade of brown, glanced in my direction but seemed unfocused. They sat down without acknowledging me further.

"Welcome. You can call me Valtho. How should I address you?" I stood up politely, trying to initiate the conversation.

The person paid no attention to my courtesy and got straight to the point. "Let's get to the point. I will pay an extra fee if you tell me the item needed to slay Heroes outside the dungeon and where I can acquire it."

Their request didn't surprise me; I had anticipated this line of inquiry. We discussed the additional fee, settling on 5 world coins on top of the 2 coins from the previous deal. As soon as the payment was made, the figure hastily left the room, as if they were hiding something.

"Is it wise to reveal such information at this moment, sir?" Alpha questioned my decision.

"I don't care, Alpha. If it helps me reduce my enemies and profit from it, then so be it, and she too has her own reason to ask such question." I replied confidently, trusting my own instincts.

"It seems this world is a highly competitive one," Alpha mused, sharing its observations about the intense dynamics of the realm.

As I left the building, I wandered through the vast and desolate Nexus realm, carefully observing my surroundings. The realm presented countless opportunities, from new job positions and resource management to forging alliances and strategic planning. Yet, I couldn't ignore the fact that with these opportunities came conflicts not only between Dungeon Masters and Heroes but also among ordinary individuals striving for greatness. The ever-changing landscape meant anyone could rise to prominence and become a force to be reckoned with.

A sigh escaped my lips as I reminisced about my past, remembering the times spent with my parents, the ones who nurtured my dreams and aspirations. Those memories brought a warm and comforting feeling, reminding me of the kind of person I wanted to be in this world of boundless possibilities.

Lost in my thoughts, I eventually snapped out of the reverie as I made my way back to the portal hub. While passing through the bustling streets of The Nexus, my eyes caught sight of a familiar figure. A woman of Eastern descent, possessing the stunning brown eyes and long, flowing black hair I had encountered earlier, walked gracefully amidst the crowds.

There was an air of kindness and mystery about her, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to her presence. However, as I was about to turn back and confirm my assumption, the teleportation sequence activated, whisking me away and back to my dungeon.

As I returned to my dungeon, my mind was filled with the intriguing encounters and opportunities that awaited me in The Nexus realm. This world of Dungeon Masters and Heroes was a place of constant challenges and rewards, and I was determined to navigate its complexities with wisdom and ambition.

The Nexus realm held countless secrets and untold possibilities, and I was ready to seize them all, standing at the precipice of a grand adventure that would shape the fate of not only my dungeon but the entire realm itself.