A government agent, seated behind a grand desk covered in official documents, listened attentively to his subordinate. The room was rigid, reflecting the serious nature of their work. The agent, a man in his forties with a stern face and sharp eyes, looked up as his subordinate finished his report.
"Sir, the old stall in the market, that found destroyed was previously rented by a person name Nikos," the subordinate reported, shifting nervously under his superior's gaze.
The official frowned, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Nikos? The new merchant in town?"
"Yes, sir. It seems there was some significant damage. We need to determine the next steps."
The agent nodded. "Find out where this Nikos is and get him to pay for the damages. We can't let such incidents go unchecked. The market must remain in order."
Nikos and his group had spent the last two days gathering ingredients in the monster-infested areas outside the town. It was grueling work, but necessary for their business.
They were weary but satisfied with their haul, having spent the last few days battling monsters and navigating treacherous terrain outside the Oakheart that infested with more monsters than usual as a sign for monster wave is near.
Nikos, calm and confident as always, led the way. Marielle cooperatively carried a basket of herbs. Liriel while bringing the ingredients she's keep scanned their surroundings, always vigilant. Jarek, as an honorable, he positioned on the rear, his massive greataxe slung over his shoulder.
As they approached their store, they turned the corner and saw their store, they stopped in their tracks. The front of the store was in ruins, shelves overturned, and potions shattered on the ground.
Marielle gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Who could have done this?"
Nikos said nothing, his face a mask of calm as he made his way to the back of the store. His heart sank as he pushed open the door to the warehouse. The scene inside was even worse. The shelves were smashed, and the precious materials lay in ruin. Ingredients they had painstakingly collected, risking their lives, were destroyed.
The rest follow after him and see the damaged state of their warehouse.
Liriel's eyes widened in shock, suspicion gleaming in her eyes. "The Alchemist Association... it must be them. Who else would do something like this?"
Marielle's eyes filled with tears. "This is so cruel. Why would anyone do this?"
Jarek's fists clenched, his self is burning anger. "This is unforgivable."
The wreckage was total, now their stock is ruined and the progress brought to a sudden halt.
Liriel stood beside him, her voice trembling with fury. "They need pay for this, Sir."
Nikos stood silently, surveying the damage, his mind racing. He heard the footsteps approaching before he saw the figure. A government agent, flanked by two subordinates, walked into the store.
As they stood amidst the wreckage, the agent didn't waste time with pleasantries. "Nikos, I presume?"
Nikos turned, his expression carefully neutral. "Yes, I am Nikos. May I know who you are?"
"Elias, government officials," the man answered short, as he held up a piece of parchment. "Your old stall in the market has been destroyed. As the renter, you are responsible for the damage. You owe the town 2000 gold in fines."
Nikos blinked, genuinely surprised. "That stall was destroyed? It wasn't my doing."
Elias shrugged, indifferent. "The responsibility lies with the renter. Pay the fine, or you could face further penalties."
Nikos felt a surge of anger but suppressed it. 2000 gold was a significant amount, especially after the losses they had just suffered. But arguing with the government would only make things worse.
He let out a sighed. "Sure. I'll pay the fines."
The agent's eyes flickered with surprise. "Very well. Make sure it's paid promptly."
Nikos nodded, and handing over the gold.
Getting their money, the government agent and his subordinates left, their footsteps echoing in the silent store.
Jarek cursed under his breath. "The Alchemisht Association really doessn't know when to stop. They go so low for money. "
Nikos remained silent, his thoughts turning inward. He remembered his previous life, tightly controlled by his father; a successful tycoon and a ruthless business man.
How could I drop my guard? This is bound to happen when you challenging a monopoly. I should have anticipates all of this.
Back then the competition had been fierce, but it had also sharpened his mind, made him devious and bold. Here, in this new world, he had been more relaxed, but now it was clear that he couldn't afford to drop his guard.
In his mind, he replayed scenes from his past life. His father's stern lectures, the cutthroat world of business, the endless strategies to stay ahead. He had been groomed to survive in a world where only the strong thrived. I've gotten dull without Father's surveillance, he thought.
He remembered his father's harsh lessons. Competition is not just about being the best; it's about outlasting and outsmarting your opponents. His father's voice echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the ruthless business world he had left behind.
I guess the old man is not fully wrong.
He had thought that in this new world, he could leave those things behind. But now he realized that they were more relevant than ever. This new world's competition is harsher than on Earth. One mistake could cost my life and I've become too relaxed at small victories.
Nikos' thoughts churned with a mix of strategy and resolve. We've worked too hard to let this setback defeat us. This is a war, and wars are won with cunning and persistence.
Nikos stare at the damage state of the warehouse, recalled the many nights they had spent collecting ingredients, the danger they had faced, and the camaraderie they had built. Each monster slain, each rare herb gathered had brought them closer together. This was more than just a business; it was their collective effort, and it gets shattered by the alchemist association.
He looked around at the destruction, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This is an opportunity, not a defeat. We'll come back stronger, smarter, and more determined. It's time to use everything I've learned on the past again.
Nikos' eyes narrowed, a fierce determination igniting within him. If they want to play, then let them come. They think they can break me with these petty tactics. They have no idea who they're dealing with.
Marielle approached him, her eyes still red from some tears but filled with determination. "What do we do now, Master?"
Nikos turned to his group, placing a reassuring hand to Marielle's shoulder, his expression resolute. "We'll rebuild. Stronger than before. And we'll make sure the Alchemist Association regrets ever crossing us."
Liriel nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'm with you, Sir. We'll show them."
Marielle wiped away her tears, her resolve hardening. "I'll do whatever it takes to help."
Jarek still seething with anger, nodded in agreement as his grip tightened on the greataxe. "Just ssay the word, Mashter. I'm ready."
Nikos' voice firm and steady. "This is our moment to prove our strength. We're going to rebuild, and we're going to do it better than before. Are you with me?"
The group responded with a resounding "Yes, Master(Sir)!"
Nikos' mind whirred with plans and strategies. First, we need to assess the damage and salvage what we can. Then, we'll gather more ingredients. But this time, I'll be more cautious. We need to ensure our stockpile is safe from further attacks.
He assigned tasks to each member of his group. "Liriel, I want you to find out everything you can about the Alchemist Association. We need to know their weaknesses."
Liriel nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Consider it done, Sir."
"Marielle, focus on what can be salvaged from our current stock. We need to maximize what we have left."
Marielle smiled through her sadness. "I'll do my best, Master."
"Jarek, I need you to fortify our defenses. We can't afford another attack like this."
Jarek's eyes burned with a protective fire. "I'll make shure we're prepared, Masster."
Nikos watched as his group spring into action. This is just the beginning. We're not just going to survive; we're going to thrive. He turned his thoughts back to the Alchemist Association. Since they've wanted a fight. They've got one.
As the day turned to night, Nikos felt a renewed sense of purpose. I'll show them what it means to underestimate me. This is a game I know how to play. And I'm going to play it to win.
Nikos' eyes gleamed with a fierce light, his smile is a devious edge a contrast on top of his calm demeanor. Let me show you, how to properly play this game.