Reo's determination led him to the darkest corners of the town's underbelly, places he had only heard whispers about. After weeks of relentless research and secret inquiries, he found a name: Varnus Malrick, a man infamous for his expertise in stealing energy cores. Legends said that Varnus had once been a highly ranked enforcer in Orinthia's capital before turning rogue. Now, he was a shadowy figure, operating outside the law, feared and loathed in equal measure.
Reo reached out using a discreet messaging system he had discovered during his research. His message was simple and direct:
"I need your expertise for a special job. Meet me at the Greystone Diner, 3 PM tomorrow."
To his surprise, the response came almost immediately:
"Bring the payment. No games."
The next afternoon, Reo arrived early at the Greystone Diner, a small, run-down establishment tucked away on the quieter side of town. The diner's faded neon sign flickered erratically, and only a handful of patrons occupied its worn booths. The smell of stale coffee and greasy food filled the air.
Reo sat at a corner table, his heart pounding. In front of him was a large black duffel bag stuffed with cash, Reo's hands trembled slightly as he placed the bag on the table, but his face remained composed.
At precisely 3 PM, the diner's door creaked open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man entered. Varnus Malrick was as intimidating as the stories described. He wore a long, dark coat, and his face was partially obscured by a low-brimmed hat. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room with a predator's precision before settling on Reo.
The man checked his phone, glanced at the table number, and approached.
"Boy," Varnus growled, his voice rough like gravel. "This table's reserved. Find another one."
Reo smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Yes, I know. Because I reserved it."
Varnus paused, his eyes narrowing in surprise. Then he chuckled, a deep, menacing sound that sent a chill down Reo's spine.
"Well, well," Varnus said, pulling out a chair and sitting across from Reo. "This is unexpected. What's a kid like you doing mixed up in this kind of business?"
Reo didn't flinch under the man's scrutinizing gaze. "Let's just say I have... ambitions."
Varnus leaned back, crossing his arms. "Ambitions, huh? Alright, kid. Talk. What do you need?"
Reo's voice was steady, his resolve unwavering. "I want you to steal the energy core of my younger brother."
For a moment, there was silence. Then Varnus burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the nearly empty diner.
"You're serious?" Varnus asked, his tone incredulous. "You want me to rip an energy core out of your own brother? That's cold, even for me."
Reo didn't waver. "I don't care what you think. Can you do it or not?"
Varnus leaned forward, his eyes glinting with interest. "Oh, I can do it. But the real question is, can you pay?"
Reo smirked and unzipped the duffel bag, revealing stacks of cash neatly arranged inside. The money, referred to locally as Gildron, was the lifeblood of their small, impoverished town. Each note glinted faintly under the dim diner lights, a testament to countless years of sweat and sacrifice.
"This," Reo said, gesturing to the bag, "is an upfront payment. The rest comes after the job is done."
What Reo didn't mention was how he had acquired the money. It wasn't his, nor did he earn it. That bag represented his parents' entire life savings—years of backbreaking labor, penny-pinching, and countless sacrifices. He had found it tucked away in an old metal box under the loose floorboard in their bedroom.
He remembered the night he took it vividly. The house had been quiet, save for the soft snores of his mother and father. With trembling hands, he had pried open the floorboard, revealing the box that contained their future, money meant to pay off debts, buy better tools for the farm, and perhaps one day secure a brighter future for both Reo and Kairos.
For a moment, Reo had hesitated. A flash of guilt pierced through his resolve as he thought of his parents' hopeful smiles whenever they spoke of their plans. But then, the image of Kairos came to his mind: his parents praising him, his laughter echoing through the house, the glint of his newly awakened energy core. That was all it took to harden his heart.
"They'll understand," he had whispered to himself, his voice shaky. "They'll forgive me when they see why I had to do this."
He took every last Gildron, stuffing the bills into a duffel bag he had stolen from his father's toolshed. Before leaving, he carefully replaced the floorboard and made sure the room looked undisturbed.
As he walked out of the house that night, the weight of the bag on his shoulder felt both heavy and liberating. He knew what this meant—his family would be plunged into poverty far worse than they had ever known. Without that money, they'd struggle to survive. But Reo didn't care. If this was the price of stepping out of Kairos's shadow, of reclaiming what he thought was rightfully his, then so be it.
Now, sitting across from Varnus in the dimly lit diner, he felt no remorse. The bag of Gildron wasn't just money; it was his weapon, his key to reshaping his destiny.
Varnus's eyes lit up as he reached out to touch the stacks of Gildron. "Well, kid, you certainly know how to make an impression. But tell me, where does a boy like you get this kind of cash?"
Reo's expression darkened. "That's none of your concern. All you need to know is that I can pay."
Varnus chuckled again, zipping the bag shut and leaning back in his chair. "Alright, kid. You've got my attention. But let me make one thing clear: this isn't a simple job. Stealing an energy core is messy, dangerous work. If your brother's core is as strong as you say, there's a chance he won't survive the extraction."
Reo's jaw tightened, but he didn't falter. "That's a risk I'm willing to take."
Varnus studied Reo for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll do it. But don't think for a second that this will be cheap. You're paying for my expertise, my risk, and my silence."
Reo pushed the duffel bag across the table. "Consider this the beginning of our partnership. Just know I have more where that came from. Now, are you ready to work?"
Varnus grinned, his teeth glinting like a predator's. "Oh, I'm always ready, kid. But remember, once this starts, there's no going back."
Reo's eyes burned with determination. "I've already burned every bridge. There's no turning back for me."
Varnus chuckled, his gaze lingering on the bag before meeting Reo's eyes. "You're full of surprises, kid. Alright. Let's get to work."
As they shook hands, sealing their dark bargain, Reo felt a surge of triumph.