Alone inside the office, Lark is slumped on the chair, his hand covering his face.
He's been in the office all night, frustration, anger, shame, and panic mixing together in his mind. He lost eighty percent of his potion stock, and the worst part is that he did it with full awareness, giving it to a group that only pretended to be knights.
How could this happen to me? I should have seen this coming. Lark massaging his temple, his head is dizzy because of many thoughts.
His other hand that fell to the side of the chair is holding a potion that had already been half-drunk.
On the floor, a few anti curse potions were scattered around the place.
That bastard Nikos must be using high-level sorcery on me. There's no other explanation for it, how could I just give the potions without even putting up a fight.
Lark's eyes stared at the ceiling before he turned back to his red eyes.
What am I going to do now? I couldn't fight him, the alchemist association's reputation in this town is plummeted, and I couldn't hire an assassin from outside the town in this monster wave situation.
Lark's eyes darted to the side, seeing the remaining wooden boxes from the warehouse that he had moved to his office, so he could monitor them at all times.
There's only 20% of the potion stock left, at least what I need to do is to sell the remaining stock to reduce the loss of this shop.
On the outside the sun is high on the sky, Nikos walk through the street accompanied by Jarek on his side.
"Mashter, is this town could handle the third waves of monshter attack? The last wave attack, all monsster is already causing quite numbers cassualties," Jarek asked while his eyes scanning the surrounding keeping his master in safe.
"I don't know for sure." Nikos said, but on his mind he think about another thing, then he continue. "Our only option against this monster waves is attacking the source of it, we will see what the guild decision first."
"Umm.. I got it Masster. Whatever your decision later on, I will follow after you." Jarek said with determination. "This is my true position now, as this is my punishment from the god." He mumbled softly.
Nikos' ear caught some of the words. Punishment? Now I think about it, Jarek sometimes like to softly and subtly mentions a punishment, even from the first time we met. What's that even mean? He glance to Jarek.
But, Nikos shook his head. No, I need to focus right now. I'll think about that later; there are more important things to solve now.
The two went into the adventurer building to check on the adventurers' preparations against the next wave and the continuation of the mysterious cave discovered by Reychard's investigation team.
But also to make another move in Nikos' plan.
In this scorching hot day, inside the alchemist association shop.
Lark has been busy thinking about how to sell the rest of the stock. He couldn't sell it to the mayor anymore, since the mayor already terminated the contract between the alchemist association and the armies, and instead the mayor choosing Nikos as their new suppliers.
He still had around 3,500 potions left.
Lark stared at the remaining wooden box in his office. I can't sell it to the mayor anymore, then the only thing left is the adventurer guild. But how could I make sure they will buy all this remaining stock.
He paced back and forth in the room.
"Ah Why think it so hard, just threaten them." An idea suddenly popped into Lark's mind. "If the guild master dares to decline the offer, I will send a letter to the headquarters of the Alchemist Association and make them come to this town with our force."
"Right, this is a brilliant idea. I could even sell the potions in higher price, selling them twice or even thrice of their usual prices." Lark let out a loud laugh. "I truly am smart!"
Then suddenly his laugh stop, he remembering Nikos with his annoying face. I need to do this fast, before that bastard could do anything to my mind.
Lark quickly went out of his room in a hurry, to the front hall of the shop.
"You, you, and you." he pointed to his staff.
"Guard my office, don't let anyone go inside and take our potions! Not even a single one!" Lark ordered them and left the shop in a hurry.
Lark walked fast through the street, then changed to running instead. I couldn't let that bastard get ahead of me again.
Lark arrived in front of the adventurer guild building, his breath ragged. Nice, I didn't see any of that bastard sign in the streets.
He tried to stand tall, controlling and calming his breathing. Okay, keep your body straight, Lark, be calm and relax, show how proud you are of your race and don't embarrass your blood elf heritage.
Then from the building door, a handsome young man comes out, the man was in his twenties with beauty that sparked envy as easily as admiration. Next to the young man was a tall lizard-man guarding him as a personal bodyguard.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! It's him again. FUCK! How could I always one step behind this bastard. Lark clenched his fist, trying hard to suppress his anger, his previously relaxed posture turning tense.
Lark then walked towards the building door, while Nikos walked out. They passed each other side by side. This was the first time they had met directly and at such close proximity.
Lark's face was red with suppressed anger, his eyes looking away trying to avoid eye contact.
However, as the two passed side by side, Lark caught a moment of glimpse of Nikos' lips turning into a smirk that aimed at him.
Nikos mocking gesture fuel Lark's anger even more, intensifying the headache on his head. Lark turned to look back in anger and saw that Nikos continued walking, completely ignoring him.
As Lark stared at Nikos' back, Jarek next to him, kept his eyes on Lark, ready to act if the man dare to make any move against his master.