Chapter 7: Clear the Dungeon

Usually, in the morning, there are various types of reaction among the people when they see the sun rise up.

Some would grumble about their life, some would sigh heavily, some would excitedly jump off their beds, some would look beside them and see their lover’s smile, etc.

However, there is one particular family who had an especially heavy mood in the morning.

The Rimmer household.

“Dear, we’ll find her. The police are already investigating into this. Get some sleep first okay?”

“Lora, you know as well as I do that the police won’t find shit! And even if they do, just which of them haven’t been paid already to look the other way!? I can’t sleep Lora, I can’t! Not until I find our daughter!”

“Dear...” Lora sighed as she looked at her husband.

In her heart, she wanted him to rest for the night but even she was unable to sleep last night due to worrying for her daughter who has been kidnapped.

The best she can do now is to take care of Alice who was also having a hard time sleeping. Thankfully, she managed to somehow get her to sleep last night.

Suddenly, Arlo’s phone rang.

Arlo hurriedly looked at his phone, wishing it would be someone with good news but...it was his daughter’s number!

“Hello! Stephie! Is this Stephie!?”

[[Aw, not really. Don’t worry, she’s still fast asleep.]]

“Who are you!? What do you want!?”

[[Hehe, prepare 50 million, else, don’t think about getting your daughter back.]]

“Bastard! If you dare lay a finger on her, I swear I’ll-”

[[You’ll what? Heh, threaten me again, and I won’t guarantee your daughter will be back safe and unviolated. She’s pretty cute after all, everyone’s raring to have a go at her.]]

“YOU BASTARD!!!” Arlo pounded on the table in his anger.

[[50 million in 6 hours. I’ll send you the address. Oh, only you can come. If I see another person, she’s dead.]]

*Toot* *Toot*

The call ended at that.

“D-dear, is it...” Seeing her husband finish the call, Lora cautiously asked.

“It’s the kidnappers. They want 50 million or else...”

Lora’s eyes teared up, unable to think further.

“This doesn’t make sense...why now? Why!? The company has been in decline, just a few years and we would probably be bankrupt so why!? I’m already losing! Why are they still targeting me!?”

At first, Arlo thought that the culprit was the third party who had caused their decline but as he said, it didn’t make any sense.

No matter how he sees it, this incident was made so their company would collapse. But if that was the case, then these kidnappers would ask for more than just 50 million.

50 million isn’t big enough to destroy a company completely. But it would definitely deal a huge blow to the company as well as…

Arlo’s eyes lit up.

Right, this wasn’t meant to destroy his company! It was to destroy his reputation!

If he were to use the company’s money to get that 50 million, then some of their projects would have to be put on hold and their stocks would also stop temporarily.

The pressure he’ll have to face after that is obvious and his position would waver.

So his enemies wasn’t satisfied with destroying their company, but they want to gobble it up!

As he thought of that, he began to grow uneasy. What can he do to get that 50 million!?

Scrapping everything he got, he can only get 40 million immediately in 6 hours! He still needs 10 million!

Suddenly, he thought of something.

“Right, yesterday, some kid with a normal background got a hold of 5 million and invested on the company...” (Arlo)

How did this kid have 5 million? Where did he get it? Why did he suddenly decide to invest on their company the day before his daughter was kidnapped?

Arlo’s mind was thinking of all sorts of things but eventually decided that this kid most likely have nothing to do in this incident, but now, he needed his help.

Thinking up to there, he dialed his phone and called him.

He already got this person investigated before so knowing his personal number wasn’t too hard to find. It’s in his facebook anyway...

He put the phone on loudspeaker so his wife can also listen.

Lora was confused for a while so Arlo explained briefly.

“Are you sure about this? He’s just a boy.”

“A boy with probably more than 5 million in his account. But yes, he’s my only hope...”

Lora sighed but waited anyway.

The call connected.

There was a lot of clattering in the background.

[[Hey, sorry if it’s noisy, who is this?]]

Lucas’ voice sounded from the phone.

Actually, Lucas is still in Harus at this point. He had unknowingly continued to forge weapons and armors throughout the day and even forgot his promise to El about cultivating in the night.

As for why he had a reception in another world, that was also another mystery which was why he hesitated for a while first before answering it.

The two frowned due to the noise but still talked politely.

“You are Mr. Lucas Lauwers correct?”

[[Yes?]]

“You invested 5 million php to the [Rimmer Corp.] yesterday right?”

[[...Who’s asking?]]

Lucas’ tone was grave, thinking how could this people know and find out about him. Growing up watching a lot of movies and animes and reading novels, Lucas’ mind wandered around thinking of numerous ridiculous scenarios.

However, from how Arlo heard it, he thought that Lucas’ tone changed because he was hiding something. Instantly, Arlo also stopped being polite.

“My name is Arlo Rimmer. I am the chairman of the [Rimmer Corp.]. Now answer my question.”

[[Oh...that’s right. I did invest 5 million php yest-...eh? Wait, wasn’t that just a while ago...oh shit, it’s already been a day!?]]

“Huh?”

[[Oh, sorry about that. I was a bit preoccupied since yesterday...I didn’t notice a day had passed...]]

On the other side, El began cursing at Lucas but of course, no one else was able to hear that.

“...”

[[Ah, right. So? Why did you call me? Wait, where did you get my number?]]

“...Your facebook...” Arlo didn’t know if this guy was playing dumb or what but still answered.

[[Oh...so why did you call me again? Don’t tell me I made it to the board or something.]]

Lucas said jokingly. He also knows that although 5 million seems big, it shouldn’t be enough to get into the board just like that.

Arlo went silent for a while, then decided.

“Right, a spot opened up, if you’re willing to invest more, you can become a part of the board. We can talk the price over now.”

“Eh?”

[[Eh?]]

Both Lora and Lucas was surprised.

“Yes, if you invest 5 more million, then you can become a board member right now.”

[[...You’re serious?]]

“I am.”

Lucas went silent for a while.

[[...Wait a bit.]]

The two waited for a minute when suddenly, Arlo received a notification that someone had indeed invested 5 million in their company.

Lora’s eyes was wide in surprise. She didn’t think this kid would have 10 million and would use it just like that.

However, Arlo’s eyes flashed.

5 million, fine. But 10 million? Something was up. He did not believe that this boy is simple at all.

Since he wants to get in the board fast, then he must have some motives for this company! However, at least he would be aware of it. Unlike now, where he doesn’t know who in the board is making the moves behind the scenes!

[[There, did you receive it?]]

“Yes...If it’s convenient, can you remove your investment and send the money in cash today? Preferably in an hour.”

[[Huh? Why?]]

“...Procedures.”

[[...And if I don’t?]]

“You will.”

[[...Fine.]]

The call ended.

The two were silent for a while as they were both thinking something.

Finally, Lora asked.

“Do you really think he has something to do with this?”

“...No...however, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have any plans in the company. At least I can monitor this one closely. Right now, I need the money immediately.”

Lora sighed. She knows that his promise of getting into the board isn’t true at all.

“He’s just a kid...”

“Our daughter is just a kid as well! And I’m choosing my daughter over him.”

Lora sighed again as she watched her husband walk away.

Silently, she muttered.

“Kid, I hope you’ll forgive us for this...”

+ + +

Ending the call, I looked at his phone for a while and frowned.

I already figured something was wrong from the call just now and I’ll most likely falling into a trap if I were to really go.

However...it was nothing I can’t handle. Besides, they knew my identity so they should also know my family. I can handle it if they came to me but if they came to my family?

Murderous intent surged throughout my body unknowingly and the urge to use that skill rose again.

“Lucas! Calm down! If you get angry, this queen will ignore you!”

“...I’m fine...”

Hearing El’s voice snapped me back to reality and I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Looks like you have another voice in your head kid.” It seems old Todd noticed that my killing intent calmed down immediately.

“Haha, but the other one is more annoying.”

“Who’s annoying!?”

I smiled and planned out the scenarios in my head.

I need to get some skills first to further strengthen my chances of surviving this.

“Old man, I’m going out for a bit!”

“Whatever, I’m not the one losing out anyway.”

I didn’t mind the grumbling of old Todd and ran out.

After some inquiries, I found the two people whom I can learn the two skills I need.

[Blink], [Stealth], and [Heal].

[Stealth] is naturally for being able to hide conveniently. This skill, as long as I don’t touch anyone or got attacked or speak, I’m basically invisible to others.

I can use [Blink] if ever I needed to escape immediately. After all, Earth have guns and I’m not confident of dodging a bullet.

And if I did get hit, I can immediately use [Heal].

After learning [Heal], I also gained the [Holy] element stat which is currently at 5.

[Blink] isn’t exactly a teleportation magic so I didn’t gain any [Space] stat points on that. Actually, it isn’t even a magic, but a movement skill.

For example, in teleportation, I can appear inside a closed room. But with [Blink], I can’t. Which was why I said it was more of a movement skill.

After learning these two skills, I went back to Earth and headed towards the [Rimmer Corp.]

But first, I passed by the mall to buy a suit. After all, I’m going to meet the so called ‘Chairman’ of the company so I need to look like I honestly want to meet him to let his guard down.

“Heh, how do I look? Dashing right?”

“What ridiculous looking clothes.”

“...”

I also bought a suitcase to hold the money. After all, it would be too shocking if the money came out of nowhere right?

After secretly placing the stacks of money in the suitcase, I rode a taxi towards [Rimmer Corp.] and waited patiently.

As I wait, I focused on the mini-map in the corner of my vision where I had simplified my [World Eyes].

With this, I can survey the surroundings for any abnormalities.

I already found the [Rimmer Corp.] in the map and used x-ray vision on it. There, on the top floor, I saw a middle aged man which was most likely the one who had called me earlier. There was also a middle aged woman by his side.

To be safe, I surveyed the surrounding buildings as well in case of something like a sni-...bingo!

There, two buildings across the [Rimmer Corp.] building, was a sniper on the rooftop!

Hm? But why is the sniper aimed at Arlo Rimmer?

But he seemed to have been there for a while now and he still hasn’t shot...is he waiting for me?

Hmph, want to shoot me in the head? Courting death!

However, I can’t go there now so I just kept that sniper in mind.

I looked for the other buildings as well and as expected, there were more snipers!

Fuck, what happened to this country!? This doesn’t happen normally right?

I silently marked these snipers in my mind and make sure none of them are pointed at me.

After paying the taxi driver, I got off and entered the building.

At the reception desk, I mentioned my name cooly and was directed to go to the top floor.

It must’ve been my imagination when I saw the receptionist blush a bit when she replied just now…

“I feel like that guy’s an actor.”

“Really? I don’t recognize him though.”

“But there’s this feeling that he seems popular right?”

...Damn, [Fame] can still affect the people in Earth!?

Heh, this bro is handsome alright. Hai, it’s hard to be so handsome.

“Look at your face, so smug! Pervert!”

...Why am I suddenly scolded…

Sighing, I just waited for the elevator to open so I could leave.

*Ting*

The elevator door opened and I was greeted with two men with bulging muscles.

I already know they were there so I wasn’t surprised but I remained cautious as I got off the elevator.

“Mr. Rimmer has been expecting you.”

“Nn.”

I followed them cautiously as I surveyed their bodies.

A handgun on the back, a short knife on the thigh.

I looked up and saw a surveillance camera there, closely following me.

My eyes grew cold upon seeing these but I didn’t make a move and just followed.

The two men knocked on a door and opened it.

“Go in.”

“...”

I went inside the room and saw Arlo Rimmer standing beside the chairman’s table in the office And by his side was a beautiful woman.

As I went in, the two men also went in and guarded the door tightly.

“Relax, they won’t do anything to you. I presume you are Mr. Lucas Lauwers? Nice suit.”

“...Thanks, I just bought it. I take it that you are Mr. Arlo Rimmer then?”

“Yes.”

“And this is…?”

“I am Arlo’s wife, Lora Rimmer. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Lauwers.”

Looking closely, I noticed her eyes are dry and there are slight red marks on the corners as well. As if she had cried her heart out just recently.

For her to smile brightly now is actually amazing.

But why is her appearance like this?

I looked back at Arlo and noticed he had a bit eye bags and his eyes were also quite dry.

I frowned but didn’t think too much into it.

Whatever, they probably have some kind of fight last night. En, maybe his wife cried so hard in their ‘battle’ and they were both unable to sleep early. Yep, that’s probably it.

“...I have a feeling you’re thinking something rude and perverted right now...”

“Haha, you’re imagining things...”

Damn, this queen’s intuition is too high!

“Then, is the 10 million in that case?”

“Yes, feel free to check it.”

I handed over the suitcase to the guard behind me for him to pass along.

The reason I didn’t want to move from this spot is because this place was a blind spot to the snipers outside.

Arlo frowned but didn’t stop me.

The guard handed the suitcase to Arlo and went back to his position.

After checking the contents, Arlo nodded and pointed towards the papers on his desk.

“I’ve confirmed the money. These are the contracts you need to sign.” (Arlo)

I looked at the papers which I would need to reach and expose myself to the snipers.

At first, I did want to enter the board because I would be developing this company using ingredients from other worlds which would further enhance the effects of the energy drinks.

That was why I had initially invested another 5 million earlier.

I got the money by selling stuff I didn’t need in the [World Home] temporarily.

However, this whole change the money into cash business made me rethink of investing in this company.

It seems that this company has some shady business as well.

Now, looking at the papers from this angle, I was unable to see the contents. But with my [World Eyes], I can see that they’re clearly blank papers meant for me to walk where the snipers can see me.

My mind calmed down and I took a step forward.

The instant I did so, I felt movement behind me!

Hmph, they could have relied on the snipers but they still want these two thugs to attack me? Dream on!

I immediately turned around, grabbed the wrist of the right guard and twisted it behind him.

The guard winced in pain and was about to grab the knife on his thigh when my hand came down his neck, knocking him unconscious.

The other guard instantly realized things weren’t going as planned and reached out for his gun behind him but I was already a step earlier than him and grabbed the gun of the guard I just knocked out.

Instead of pointing the gun at him, I pointed it towards Arlo at the same time he pointed the gun at me.

Suddenly, there was a stand-off!

With my gun pointed at Arlo and the guard’s gun pointed at me, the atmosphere grew cold.

Only now did Lora managed to react and screamed.

“Kyaa-!?”

“Drop the gun.”

However, the guard still didn’t drop it as he looked towards his boss in unease.

I sighed and decided to just end it.

[Blink]!

I reappeared beside him and struck the back of his neck with the gun’s butt.

*Thud*

The guard fell and I now got two guns in my hand which I pointed at the two in front of me.

“Well, that was exciting right?” I lightly laughed. Frankly, that was quite thrilling! It was something you’d only see in movies and was actually a bit exciting!

“...What do you want?”

“Pretty calm huh? Whatever, that should be my question. What do YOU want?”

“Huh?”

“Hey, you’re the one who called for me here. You’re the one who wanted me to come with 10 million in cash and had snipers all around the place. So I’m asking you, what do you want with me?”

“What!? Snipers!?” At the mention of the snipers, Arlo’s eyes went wide in surprise.

“Uhh...you didn’t know?”

Wait, did I get this whole thing wrong? He didn’t seem to be lying...

So if the snipers aren’t meant for me?...Was it for them?

Huh? What the heck’s happening here?

“I don’t know anything about snipers. You said there were snipers, where did you see them!?”

“...There are three snipers outside. All of them are pointing towards here. I thought they were meant for me.”

“Why would I have snipers shoot you!?”

“Hey! Your bodyguards just attacked me!”

“...”

Silence filled the room again.

Finally, I sighed and pulled the gun down.

“Explain.”

The two looked at each other but they seemed hesitant as they also glanced outside.

“Stop looking at the snipers. If they know you saw them, they would probably kill you. Anyway, they’ve been there for a while now and you’re still alive so that should mean something.”

“What?”

“That they still don’t want you dead...whoever ‘they’ are.”

“...”

Arlo sighed but it was Lora who explained.

After listening through it, my face twitched.

This...no matter how I see it, it’s a flag right!?

There’s no quest windows though...well, they haven’t really asked me to save her anyway.

Anyway, I don’t really need a quest window to tell me that I’ll definitely get rewards if I save her.

But is it necessary to save her? They can pay anyway...besides, it has nothing to do with me right?

...Well, there is my 10 million though...but according to Arlo, it’s because he didn’t have enough time to gather the money so he can only ask me for some.

I looked at the address he said in my [World Eyes] and saw the situation.

Indeed...someone is being held captive and there are 15 people around the place. If you include the 3 snipers outside, there are 18 enemies.

Hmm…

“Well, you got the money. Call me again after it’s over.”

“W-wait!”

“What?”

“...That move you did earlier...you suddenly appeared-”

“That’s just me moving fast and surprising you, not teleportation. And don’t think of having me fight those people.”

“...I see...thank you for the money. We will be sure to return it to you by tomorrow.”

“Heh, something tells me you won’t lose it anyway.”

“Eh?”

Lora was surprised but didn’t have a chance to ask as I had already entered the elevator.

“You’re saving that girl?” El asked.

“Yeah, I need my money after all.”

“Che- just now, you saw that the girl is pretty beautiful and suddenly decided to save her! Pervert! Scoundrel!”

“...”

How come this girl has been on edge lately?

Is it already that time of the month?

Wait, does that still apply to her? Or is it different for people from Zoulang?

“Lucas…!” As if knowing what I was thinking, El’s menacing voice resounded in my head...

“I-I’m not thinking of anything!!!”

+ + +

Alright, shall we deal with the snipers first?

...Nah, these guys are only watching Arlo so there’s no need. If I knocked them out and later, their buddies call them for confirmation, it would only incite suspicion if no one answers.

Let’s directly go to where that girl is being held captive.

I’m now a building away from the abandoned building where the girl is held so I switched to [Stealth].

Damn, this consumes 10 MP per minute...well, that isn’t really much I guess. Anyway, I doubt I’ll be using too much magic here in the first place.

I also kept the heat vision of the [World Eyes] on for convenience.

Heh, wallhack sure feels nice…

Ah, but I can’t just go in here like this...I need to hide my identity. After all, I’m using superpowers and I don’t want to get identified easily.

Mask...mask...where am I going to get a mask?

Oh yeah, I just made a bunch of armors. I think there’s a helmet somewhere in my [Inventory]...there!

Well, it’s a standard knight helmet...whatever, I’m just hiding my face anyway.

Let’s also get the gauntlets...can’t let my fingerprints leave any traces around.

Huh, a knight wearing a suit...whatever…

Like this, I walked towards the front door while in [Stealth].

As expected, the two thugs on the front does not see me at all.

I stood in front of the two thugs quietly and looked at my mini-map to make sure of everyone’s positions.

Great, the snipers aren’t looking this way. There’s also no sign that the people inside are going out as well.

Let’s knock these two out.

“Hey, do you have that strange feeling bro?”

“What feeling?”

“Like something’s just gonna-!?”

“Wha-!?”

I grabbed the two’s throat to silence them and lifted them in the air as they struggled.

Maybe it was because of the sudden loss of air or the fact that I suddenly appeared in front of them, or maybe they’re just too idiot to think of grabbing their weapons to shoot me but they just struggled and eventually, lost consciousness.

The last thing they saw was a guy wearing a knight mask in a suit.

After making sure the two aren’t dead and just knocked out, I grabbed the two and entered [Stealth] again and tossed them in the bushes to hide them.

Hm...I don’t really have any handcuffs...whatever, let’s just grab their weapons and radios so they won’t give any more trouble.

Alright, that takes care of the thugs outside. 2 down, 13 more to go. Excluding the snipers anyway.

I circled around the abandoned building and found an open window in the 1st floor and entered.

There are 7 people in the 1st floor. 2 of them are just in front of the front door while 5 of them seemed to be taking a break playing cards in one of the rooms.

Hmm…

Oh, one of the 5 separated. Probably heading to the bathroom.

Let’s start with that one first.

“Hmhmhmm~ Hmhmmm~ Hmmm~”

“...You done?” I didn’t want to knock this guy out while he pees so I asked.

“Yeah...wait who-!?”

*Bam*

As soon as he pulled his pants back up, I smacked the back of his head with the gun from Arlo’s bodyguards earlier.

Yep, I may have forgotten to return them earlier…

Anyway, that’s 3 down.

I left this guy in the cubicle after taking his weapons and radio.

Now, let’s take care of the two by the door…

I did the same as I did to the two outside and quietly knocked them out as well and tossed them to the same cubicle as the 3rd guy.

5 down, 10 more to go. And 4 thugs left in the 1st floor.

“What’s taking that guy so long?”

“Damn, must’ve been one big shit! Hahaha!”

“Bastard, he’s losing so he’s deliberately dragging this out!”

“Hey, go check on him!”

Oh, another one separated. Alright, let’s take this one out first.

Needless to say, he was effortlessly knocked out and got tossed to the same cubicle as well.

And then there were 3.

“...Something’s wrong.”

One of them said and his right hand reached for his gun while his left hand rook out his radio.

The other two also grabbed their guns cautiously.

However, I didn’t let them call the others so I exploded the light in front of their eyes with my [Elemental Manipulation] to blind them!

[Blink]!

I knocked one of them out first and [Blinked] again between the other two and immediately covered their mouths.

Their sights returned and saw me wearing a knight’s helmet.

I can see fear in their eyes. I must’ve look intimidating huh?

“Night night.”

*Bam*

I headbutted the two to each other and they collapsed as well.

Good. Now, there are 6 thugs left. It’s just nice, they’re arranged like an rpg dungeon.

5 thug brutes in the second floor, and 1 thug boss in the last floor.

“Let’s go clear the dungeon.”

Status

Name

Lucas

Level

8

Race

Human - Dragon

Gender

Male

Class

Wanderer

4

Stamina

1230

Mana

1240

Qi

1568940

Spirit

240

Cultivation

Low Martial King

STR

90

INT

88

SPD

89

DEX

87

VIT

86

LUK

79

Water

48

Light

48

Space

3

Holy

5

Fame

23000

Rage

0

Sealed

Elena Shenxue

Skills

Concoct

1.04%

Dragon’s Wrath

5.02%

Elemental Manipulation

Passive

Star Convergence

Passive

Spirit Formation

0.02%

Implosion Palm

0.01%

World Eyes

Passive

Smith

9.67%

Blink

1.32%

Stealth

2.56%

Heal

0.00%