n

n

nNix left the Pawn Shop a few minutes later. Instead of waiting an hour for the arranged meeting with Alpha team, he summoned his Shadow Daiken and headed toward Ever Flame at top speed.

nThe town of Ever Flame had recovered entirely from the Vega campaign. He landed the mount outside of the stables and walked in. Thitz the Stablemaster wasn't present, but his assistant Randa was.

n

"Mr. Nix!

" Randa's face lit up in a smile when he entered. Although she didn't know the Inferno Guild Leader very well, she witnessed first hand his strength and influence.

nNix returned her smile.

"Just the person I was looking for. Have you considered my offer?

"

nRanda breathed a sigh of relief. She was angry at herself for not accepting Nix's employment offer right away. She was worried that he wouldn't return for her answer.

"I accept the offer to manage your herd. I have two friends who will also join me if that's okay.

"

nNix nodded.

"It's fine. Make your way to Free Trader City and take the Gate platform to Ionova. Wait for me there.

"

nRanda has joined Inferno.

n

"Thank you, Mr. Nix!

"

n

"Just Nix is fine.

" He left Ever Flame a few minutes later and headed back toward Free Trader City. Randa and her friends could live in the bunkhouse at his Haven Ranch.

n

/Inferno: Pon: Where are you, Punk?

n

/Inferno: Nix: Just landing outside the west gate. Meet me at the City Management Office.

nSince Free Trader City occupied four different provinces, the leadership of those provinces agreed that the City would maintain a neutral status. Free Trader City was governed by a Mayor who answered to an elected town council.

nNix found his team waiting outside the Management Office by the time he found the place.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: What's going on here, Nix?

n

/Alpha: Nix: Nebs asked me to look into something. It seems that Ionova paid for several shipments of metal, yet we haven't received it yet.

n

/Alpha: Pon: Why meet here then? You could handle this while I ate my lunch.

n

/Alpha: Nix: You don't need to eat all the time, old man.

nThe City Management Office was a long set of windowed counters with signs hanging over each. Nix spotted the one that said Information and walked toward it.

nA bespectacled middle-aged man with male pattern baldness stood behind the counter.

"May I help you, sir?

"

nNix nodded and handed him his Steward Crest.

"Ionova purchased several shipments of metals a while back; for some reason, they've been delayed.

"

nThe man examined the crest for a moment before handing it back.

"Welcome to Free Trader City, Steward Nix. You'll want to talk to Ian at the Import

/Export Window. They would process that shipment.

"

n

/Alpha: Semmi: I see it.

nNix thanked the clerk and followed Semmi to the far side of the building. A tall woman stood behind the counter; her sharp eyes noticed them right away.

n

"May I help you, sir?

"

nNix handed her his Steward Crest.

"I'm the Steward of Ionova. I want to follow up on a shipment of metal that we ordered on paid for last month. We have yet to receive it.

"

n

/Alpha: Nix: F*ck...

n

/Alpha: Semmi: What is it?

nSummons: Ducky

nThe blue-haired Water Nymph appeared in front of Nix a moment later. She was wearing her Nether Breaker armor that Nix had upgraded.

nDucky has joined Alpha team.

n

/Alpha: Nix: I want you to talk to this cleric. I sense something wrong with her. Ask about the metal shipment that was supposed to be delivered to Ionova. Nebs says the City Guard has confiscated it.

nPon turned his head and stared at the woman behind the counter.

n

/Alpha: Pon: I don't feel anything.

n

/Alpha: Nix: She feels similar to the Tainted.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: Crap...

nThe other members of Alpha spread out slightly while Ducky approached the counter.

nDucky has Bewitched Elena Anders.

nThe Water Witch smiled pleasantly.

nDucky read the nametag that was pinned to the clerk's shirt.

"Elena, right? Recently a shipment of metals bound for Ionova was confiscated. Do you know anything about that?

"

nElena nodded.

"Konin Tark has given the order that all metal shipments are to be routed through him.

"

nDucky reached over the counter and grasped her hand.

"I see. You're very helpful. Who is Konin Tark?

"

nElena smiled, her pale face blushing slightly.

"Konin is the Commerce Administrator that is appointed by the City Council.

"

nDucky pursed her lips slightly and leaned forward.

"Who does he really work for?

"

nElena's forehead instantly beaded with sweat while she struggled to answer.

nDucky held up a hand to stop her.

"Forget, I asked.

"

n

/Alpha: Ducky: If I push her hard on this, she'll break. There's a strong geas on her.

n

"I want to spend more time with you.

" Ducky's voice was smooth as silk; Nix felt the hairs on the back of his neck rising up.

nElena wiped her sweaty brow with a handkerchief.

"I would like that too.

"

n

"Perhaps you could put in a good word for me. If I worked for your boss, I'd do a great job for him.

"

nElena smiled suddenly, her eyes warming slightly.

"If I talk to the Mog...

" She broke off in mid-sentence, the warmth fading from her face.

"Nice try.

"

nWithout warning, the clerk drew a dagger and plunged it into her own eye. She collapsed face fist onto the floor with a loud bang.

nDucky has cast Illusion

n

/Alpha: Ducky: Take us out, Nix!

nNix activated Deep Blue and chose Favi.

nA moment later, the group appeared outside of the Fighter's Guild.

n

/Alpha: Nix: Did she break?

n

/Alpha: Ducky: No, she was going to tell us. Somehow she was being monitored.

n

/Alpha: Nix: I have a quest here, might as well finish it since I'm back.

n

/Alpha: Semmi: Group quest?

n

/Alpha: Nix: No. Grab some lunch, and I'll wrap things up quickly.

n

/Alpha: Ducky: Want me to come with you?

n

/Alpha: Nix: Sure. That reminds me, I brought a new member into Inferno. Her name is Randa. Since she will be living in Haven, I want you to question her and the people with her thoroughly.

n

/Alpha: Ducky: Okay.

n

/Alpha: Nix: What Illusion did you cast when we left the Management Office?

n

/Alpha: Ducky: Elena will appear to return to her work for a few minutes, and then she will kill herself with the dagger. Best I could do on short notice.

n

/Alpha: Nix: Great job, Ducky.

nNix made his way to the fighting platform and stepped onto it.

nYour Clash of Swords Class quest is active. Do you wish to start?

nClash of Swords Spellsword Only

nDescription: Your Master has been challenged, and

nso you must demonstrate your skill.

nObjective: Stand on the fighting platform at the

nFavi Fighter's Guild and defeat as many fighters

nas you can.

nRequired Objectives

nDefeat Beryl Vorn

nDefeat Borsha

nDefeat Malice.

n

"Yes.

"

n

/Fighter Guild Announcement: Apprentice Nix is challenging all-comers at the fighting platform. A fifty thousand credit reward will be given to whoever defeats him.

n

/Alpha: Nix: The F*ck you say?

n

/Alpha: Semmi: Problem Nix?

n

/Alpha: Nix: No. Enjoy your lunch.

nNix drew Wrath and pushed flames into it, the white flame buzzed in protest as it extended into the afternoon air.

nA bald-headed man wearing dark blue stepped onto the platform. He was tanned and weathered from a life spent outdoors.

nNix stared at him for a moment.

"Are you really an apprentice? Look how old you are?

"

nThe man snarled at him, his face turning red.

"F*ck off! It's all comers.

"

nStorm RiderThunderfistAdvanced Execution

nTriple Combination attempt successful.

nThe man's head bounced onto the platform a moment later; Nix sidestepped suddenly to dodge the fountain of blood that sprayed upward from his neck.

nNix nodded in agreement.

"So it is. Thanks for the reminder.

"

nIt was three quick fights before Beryl Vorn showed up. She was a muscular female that moved like a giant predator; Nix was instantly reminded of Vooni.

nThe woman had blond hair that was cropped close to her skull; she wore basic leather armor with a green singlet pulled over the top.

nThe woman bowed respectfully.

"I'm Beryl Vorn, the Apprentice of Master Eri Vorn. Please advise me.

"

nNix nodded and returned her bow.

"I'm Nix, the Apprentice of Chiba. Please advise.

"

n