Chapter 7

Family and Power

“Did you like the video?” Augustus asked and Rex was taken aback with surprise.

“Why ask about the video? I bet you already knew about who I am.”

On his words, Augustus’s cold sinister smile came and it was here that Rex somehow found the time to relax. While the other bodyguards were feeling tensed up, Rex was somehow oddly becoming calm facing that kind of pressure.

It was even more worrying when Augustus was hiding his fangs than bearing them.

“You just became a superstar. And your family is also a superstar in their own respect.”

“Leave my family alone!”

“Don’t worry, I don’t have the plan on wasting my time on trifling things so I will tell you straight.” At this point, Augustus’s gaze pierced through the mask and Rex knew from the intensity that this man was serious. “The job I’m going to give you is not like theirs. While those people below are busy hunting impossible to find things, I want you to instead hunt down the secrets of the game.”

It was here that Rex was lost. Still, the intense gaze from the man forbade him from making a reaction. And all he could do was listen intently on his words.

Rex knew, escape from his clasps is impossible.

He had just made a huge mistake of wanting his help in the first place. He met the wrong man, asked at the wrong time, and came to the wrong place.

“There are over hundreds of thousands of secrets in this game, Mister Kingsley. Secrets that costs more money than those silly things they use to improve combat ability. Bring me those secrets and I will pay you accordingly. Abandon this job and you will be sure to find your dear little brother inside his coffin sooner than you think.”

A threat, Rex thought, what a familiar sound. It is more relaxing hearing these things than not hearing them at all because whenever he receives some, his mind work faster and smoother than normal.

He had experienced many life threatening things like this in his short teenage life. Those people who lost their avatars in Terroa bent their frustration and anger to him and his family. Some even went as far as kidnapping and pointing a gun on his head and they all meant to kill him because they lost their money in buying the game and could not afford to buy the expensive game again.

It was because Terroa is a game where a starting avatar is 75% less expensive than when you buy another avatar again.

The game was that much addictive that they would resort to those unlawful things just to relieve their anger. Blaming him and his family was their way out of frustration. And time and time again, he punished them all using his fists. If there was a reason why he never played Terroa despite his parents’ urge, it would be this very same reason itself. Why would he put himself in a tighter spot than he was then?

He had become his family’s shield in the backdrop. He had protected them against real threats like the ones he had received just now. He beat them all up and told them of their weakness why they died in the game.

It wasn’t anyone else’s fault, never was, it was their fault for being weak. Terroa is a game that challenges your will and your wits. It was meant to test one’s mettle. From before it was even released, information about its system, its nature, about its story, and who its target market was is already announced.

At this point, he remembered his father’s words and realized that he was right. And even so, right now, he had something that he must protect no matter what.

The threat just now was the same as the others, only, it came from a man with real power.

And so because of this, he finally realized the reason why he felt so calm. His thoughts became more composed and he knew that even though there is no visible escape in his fangs, he won’t die.

Augustus knew of the fact that he had the abilities that he needed. They need each other. And from this, a thought came to Rex. So instead of cowering, Rex had steeled his resolve.

Augustus was right about one thing.

Earlier, he spoke of the one reason why he came to him asking for help and so he knew what he had to do. He was even prepared to serve him for a lifetime if it means that his brother would live longer than he is.

That decision hasn’t changed until now.

“I accept. I will give you all the secrets you can get but in return, I need the money.”

“Heh. And here I thought you would cower from the thought that you are messing with me. But your eyes told me otherwise. Very well, what do I get in return as compensation?”

“Me. I will serve you until I repay the debt.”

At those words, the smile on Augustus’s lips vanished and was replaced with a serious expression partnered with a stern silence. Even behind the mask, the cold seriousness of his behavior was enough to make the two bodyguards tense in fear.

“You?” Augustus spoke after a pause. “And what do I need of you? I can get as many people better than you for a much cheaper salary. What do you take me for? I’m not a fool as to not know my quality.”

Even though it was hidden, Rex felt Augustus’s eyes narrowing on him. He was shocked. He never thought that his plan would fail. There was no backup plan. As soon as this thought entered his consciousness, a sudden realization came into him.

How could I forget, I’m not in my best condition to propose such thing. What a fool I am!

He scolded himself over and over, regretting the fact that he was trapped within his idea. But then he heard the man spoke. “But there is one thing I want from you.”

At that, Rex raised his head and saw the same cold and sinister smile.

“What?”

“Your brother.”

Now it came to the point where there really is no backing down. He had misjudged Augustus’s personality. It was a mistake to think that he would play fair. He is an underground character. He can always come out a clean man on every crime he commits. Resources, information, contacts, money, power, he had it all in his disposal. To try and trick him into playing your hand would require not only the same things he had but with wiser, more daring and clever moves and words.

He will never play your card, he has his own game and Rex had just stepped inside this domain.

“To save your brother’s life, you need the money. But I can’t just give it to you without compensation. So in order for you to really do what is required of you, I will have to hold something dear from you. In this case, I will hold your brother’s life. In return of me saving your brother, he will belong to me and in order for you to buy him back…” This time Augustus pointed a finger at him. “Bring me five H-class secrets.”

“H-Class?! And five of them?!” Rex couldn’t believe his eyes. He was not ignorant of the rankings and classes in Terroa.

Secrets or in other words the special quests, items, weapons, characters, pets, places, mission, information, job, builds, skills, materials, organizations, creatures, monsters, designs, even MODs, and Historical Information was all classified as the game’s important secrets. According to their difficulty, they are divided into classes and ranks.

Anything that has something to do with fighting, either it’s a mission, a quest or the enemy itself, it has rankings on their own. The lowest is E-rank while the highest recorded is S-rank.

But on everything else, grade (quality) is classified from Class-5, the lowest, and Class-1 the most extinct.

But there are letter classes as well that was considered legends and special rare cases. Like for example, the legend of Excalibur. It was an H-class rarity item that was just recently exposed as almost impossible to get.

A certain group of adventurers had discovered a book from a mission they went through and there, they read of a location where one of the Terrans’ legendary weapons, the Excalibur, was hidden to protect it from the greedy Terrans of ancient times. But when they discovered the place, these adventurers immediately gave up.

Usually, high ranking monsters do not group together but in Terroa, there are some special cases when an alien is present amongst the group of monsters. These aliens can control them and improve their stats versus the humans.

Sometimes, for every 100 monsters, there are 10 aliens associated with them. These aliens then act like their leader and organize them into unique battle formations against the humans. In a hunting team, once they encounter such rare feat, they could either decide to flee or fight on. But usually they always flee since once you die in the game, you are gone. That is to show just how much dangerous aliens are.

But then there are rare circumstances that humans win over these groups and their rewards are always handsome.

With these facts, Augustus, asking for five H-class rarity secrets was a real shock to Rex. It was impossible to do with a group comprised of noobs, most especially if Augustus wants him to get it alone. Rex was in a tight spot his composure had long since been gone. In front of him, he only saw darkness.

“I can’t accept no for an answer so I will give you a discount. Inside Terroa, a full day here lasts three times there. And so, in three months’ time, that’s nine months inside the game, I want to have my first H-class secret. This would serve as a test for you so the discount would be from either three B-class secrets, two A-class ones, or one H or S-class secrets. Fair enough?”

Rex was in silence. What kind of discount is that? Even finding B-class ones are as hard as finding a gold needle in a sea full of needles.

He was looking at his fists on his lap now. Rex was sweating and he felt that his pulse was so high the air conditioning felt like a sauna bath. But for Augustus, this was the expected scenario.

Are you prepared kid?

He waited for Rex to compose his bearing. It was the feat he was looking for in a man if he wants to earn his respect. And for Augustus Laniary, once a person earned his respect, he would handle that person as a friend and give him the necessary treatment that he deserved.

At that point, Rex clenched his fists and slowly raised his head. And even with the masks on, Rex Kingsley’s eyes pierced through him like a sharp blade.

Resolve.

This is what it was. This heavy feeling was the weight of his resolve. It was this one trait of real men when backed into a corner that they become the most dangerous sword in the world. It was people like Rex that Augustus wanted to meet. And so his smile and his happiness couldn’t be more colorful than this.

“Save my brother.” Rex’s voice came solid yet still layered with the pain of his still healing wound. “I will comply to your demands. I will bring you your secrets but in turn, make sure that you keep your word.”

Augustus knew that if there were more words after the last one, those would be in the form of threat. But still, it was one trait of this kid that he liked. He knew where to stop his tongue and knew where it should be placed.

And so, he waved a hand towards Rude and he picked up a bag with three packages inside.

“I knew you would be the right person for this job so I went ahead and bought you gifts. Consider it my investment for our partnership.”

Rex took it and guessed what was inside. Then he stood up, telling Augustus, “We’ve done what we came here for. Bring me back to the hospital.”

“No can do.” Augustus lent an open palm on the other body guard. “I want to tell you that as part of the deal, you will have to live outside the hospital.”

“What?! Where to…exactly?”

“In an apartment…” He smiled. “…owned by me.”

***

“Who is that man behind Augustus?”

“I will find out, madam.”

When their curtain closed, Rafa Millet waved a hand on Augustus’s balcony. Her bright blue gown shined in the dim light of the place and her mask and the outline of her lustful body gave the impression of a very powerful miss.

The man on her right side bowed and stepped back, vanishing on the dark corner of the balcony room.

She stared down on the crowd and then turned her gaze back to the only balcony with a closed curtain. Her face hidden in her feminine mask bade a smile and the man on her left side leaned closer.

“Tasha.”

“Yes madam?”

“Make sure that you give me the latest news inside the game. I get the feeling that he‘s cooking something hot again.”

“Yes madam.”

Right that instant, the man who went out earlier came back and he was holding a holographic panel on his right hand.

“So?”

“His name is Rex, Madam, and for some mysterious reason, his ID is tagged with TOP-1 Security Tag from the database. Aside from his name, I‘m afraid we cannot dig in more information about him.”

Hearing the words made Rafa sit on the couch with a deep thought. She crossed her arm and the pipe on her left hand let a smoke that was both a scent and a unique attraction. Her cleavage formed a nice curve and she put the pipe on the table up front.

“Rex…hmmm…and he‘s a TOP-1 Security Tag? Uhmm…what a very nice toy he got there. I can‘t help but want him to myself. Ooohhh…”

Her moans echoed throughout the balcony but the two guards behind her remained stiff and stern.

The sound even reached the balconies on their sides and the people there can’t help but imagine just what kind of imagination she was having at this time. After all, reputations are also one of their identities inside this big organization. Hers is as obvious as the way she dressed.

***

Loni did not mind the sight she was seeing and only glanced slightly on the swaying blue dressed woman on their balcony’s left side.

The curve build of the stadium hall made it possible that all of the people in the balcony levels can see each other, and even hear them, if their voices are too loud. There were about 50 meters between Rafa and their balcony but from this distance, her moans came as temptation to the men on both sides of her space.

Rafa’s reputation added charms to her. The lustful beauty and brains of the West was as daring and bold as what the rumors say.

“It is your first time meeting her, right?” Said the old man in front of her.

“Granfather, is this organization really like this?”

“It never gets old.” The old man chuckled. “The one she followed also has the same attitude as her on her prime and I get the feeling that it‘s becoming a tradition in this family.”

“I do not consider them as such. Why do you keep on saying that?”

Not minding her reaction, Loni’s grandfather just continued to stare at the crowd and the talks going on in the jobs they gave out.

At that moment, a holographic panel emerged on Loni’s front and the sound of it popping up made the old man lean back.

“Something happened?”

“Some people tried to hack into the database.”

“Ah…” The old man’s face turned to a sweet smile and he chuckled again. “Curiosity. Same as always.”

“Should I punish them?”

“Tsk. Leave them be. They‘re not worth your time. But, feed my curiosity, how many attempts and who was it that hacked the database?”

“Well…” Loni’s reaction somehow distorted the moment she read about the content of the report. “This is odd. Everyone in the balcony all searched for the same person.”

“Hmm?” The old man raised a brow.

“They all tried to learn the identity of that injured man in Augustus’s balcony.”

“Ahahahahaha…” The old man’s laugh was as big as a hyena. “I knew this would happen. That guy, he really knows how to start a forest fire.”

Loni couldn’t get what he was talking about but she knew that her grandfather was talking about Augustus Laniary, the man who does what he wants and plays with everything as if it was a game.

This organization is filled with these kinds of shady people. She learned of their greed and their not so good attitudes just recently and so couldn‘t help but to feel the way she is feeling right now. Irritated. These people are all playing the game that Augustus had set up.

Augustus Laniary, rumors of his dark activities and businesses were spread wide throughout the world.

They were invited in this country to witness the play that he had set up. A daring and very dangerous play, if Loni had to describe it. It’s an utterly cold hearted set up and she don‘t like it. Using money as the catch to create a chaos inside a peaceful world. Just what would he gain from this, she doesn’t know.

I don’t understand.

And yet, she can’t fully get angry at him.

Because she herself was a player of this world that Augustus was trying to stir. She knew that with the players’ current attitude, moving forward in the game is going to be as hard and as long as her age. By that time, a more easier to play game and more gentler system will be created.

But with this plan, by using the greed and the inner competition between these people, the life inside the game would improve by a few notch. Places that no one else braved, missions that people avoided, weapons that no one had ever seen before, ideas and inventions in a whole new level and scale, all sorts of possibilities are in the verge of opening up with this plan.

There are millions of players in Terroa and honestly speaking, if his plan’s purpose is to stir imagination and chaos in the conservative game play of Terroa’s users, then from the very core of her heart, she knew it would succeed.

It would add life to the game.

But then, deep inside her consciousness, hidden was the thought of going against the flow of this game.

She thought, “I have to save these people.”

“Hm?” The old man leaned back to her. “Did you say something?”

“It was nothing, grandfather.”

“Hmm…” The old man rubbed his chin and kept on looking at the crowd.

At that, Loni glanced over the closed curtains of the balcony on their right side. Then she checked the info of the man the others had tried to know. After she had pressed the picture of the person to see his profile, a warning sound came into her vision.

“What the…?!”

“Ahahahaha…you lose, Loni.”

“Grandfather!”

“Only I can give the permission to let them know of his identity. Not even you, my dear child, have the right yet. But I will give you a hint. Based on my knowledge, if that man enters that world, then for sure, the volcano will erupt. No doubt about it.”

Riddles. Her grandfather had a knack of giving her riddles. Ever since she was young, the mysterious man who supported her from the shadows of society had been giving her these kinds of tests. Every time her mother is in need, without any sort of warning, a letter would always come to her, addressed for her mother and always accompanied by riddles.

And even now…

“Who is he? Why Terroa? Why here?”

“Ahahaha…Loni, to find the answer you just have to log on inside the game. Ahahaha…”

Loni could only stare at Rex’s face as she felt defeat crawling up her sleeves. Only the name and his masked face was available. And aside from Augustus, nobody else know of who he was.