For the whole day, Snow went to the nearest destroyed store that had a working phone. Heather came along with a small group of Players to keep her safe. She dialled a few numbers, allowing her to reach the sub-branch. Mr Jay was fine as he explained to her that he was protected by the barrier and the guardian that was placed around it.

She was glad that a low-level Chinese dragon was perching on their store, which provided a temporary haven from a monster attack. They weren’t as powerful as the original as they weren’t the highest quality of the original dragons, but it made do with low to mid-tier monsters that ran rampant around the city floor.

Snow knew that the other large corporations had their own personal “pets” that they like to keep as guardians. They were mostly used for mascots these days, but now their purpose as guardians were put to the test. Mr Jay had informed her that the guardian was doing his job perfectly, allowing her a small wallow of relief.

It didn't take long, for Mr Jay told her that the local Hunters would be coming to aid in the relief that they needed. Other Hunters from different states were flying in to assist as well. He even put in words that a new batch of supplies would be headed her ways in the next few days, allowing her to stock up on needed supplies and coins to transfer to the Players around her. Even his voice was talking to her in feverish admiration because of the amount of money that she brought into the company.

There was no way she could pay all the Players without any help from the original Headquarters. Mr Jay was the quickest connection to the very top as his relations were deep. Luckily for her, she had Heather help her out in other aspects that she wasn't good at.

Next, she called Mr Rogers as she patiently sat at the other end, until finally, a gentlemanly voice answered.

"This is?" Mr Rogers asked calmly as if it was any other business day.

"Hello, Mr Rogers, this is Snow." Snow spoke with confidence that she didn't expect to feel. She felt good.

“Ah, Ms Snow. I heard you were in the dungeons, and the way you are conversing on the phone, I am guessing that you have cleared it.”

“Yes, but we don’t have much time. I wanted to ask for your assistance if you don’t mind providing.” Snow went directly to the point. With the time limit at hand, she didn’t know when another dungeon would miraculously appear out of thin air. Destroying the dungeons and getting it under control was a priority as the lives of the people were immense.

“I can, but I would like a good 40% of the spoils.”

"That is a bit much, Mr Jay. How many of your people are you willing to send to ask for such a hefty compensation. As you can see, I have employed a large number of people already inside the Dragon Express itself."

“Then what purpose do you have for me?”

“Insurance.” Snow knew that Mr Rogers held very powerful people that could probably wipe out a few levels of the dungeon by themselves, but she also knew that they would not move without payment even if the world was coming to an end. The other problem was that they weren’t many of such power, Mr Roger was one of the rare exceptions who could move by himself without the help of a backup. But, the price for Mr Roger to go was astronomical without an exceptional interest that piqued his motivation to move.

So far, the three dungeons that appeared out in the city weren’t something that interested him to personally move forward. Their underground business of the illegal trade market was booming since the appearance of the dungeons.

"You would use my people as insurance?" Mr Rogers was a bit baffled at her sudden brazen attitude of using his people as backups. Most of the time, they were tasked with the heavy burden of the front line because of their physical power. To blatantly be told that they were back up, especially to the Nobles, was a slap to their face.

Some would Noble vampires would have taken it as an offence, but Mr Jay was different.

“Look, I know your other business is doing well. But have you forgotten that if we lose this city, you will lose a foothold for a large scale profit for the future?" Snow asked. The destruction of the city itself was an end to many things. It didn't matter if the business was booming or not, they would all be chased out and left to fend for themselves.

"You are doing the city and your future business a favour."

Mr Rogers burst out laughing, realizing what Snow was trying to pull. He knew the hidden truth behind her words as his business would lose a lot of profit if the city collapsed. This wasn’t something that he wanted, ever.

"Fine, 20% of the profit of the dungeon dive that my people take. The present city is an investment for our livelihood." Mr Rogers wasn't too keen on such a substantial loss.

“15%.” Snow haggled.

“24%.”

“15%.”

"23%. Ms Snow, I'll be sending a handful of my own guards. You know just as well as I know my people are."

“15%.”

Mr Jay gave her a fake, exaggerated sigh. "20%, no lower.”

“Deal.” Snow’s usual receptionist smile erupted on her lips.

“You make a hard bargain, Ms Snow." A dry chuckle erupted in Mr Jay's lips. "We will take care of the back and any difficult opponents. Though, I can not send all my best people over, for most of them are not in the city itself. The most I can spare are about ten people.”

"Perfect," Snow replied with enthusiasm at the increase in firepower. "I'll make sure to take care of them well." She assured him, knowing full well that his people would bring the vastly needed firepower that they lacked. The Players were still young and needed assistance as they grew stronger over time.

"Though, I have one last request." Mr Rogers' voice went down a few notes, a powerful sense of foreboding could be felt from the other end.

“That is?” Snow carefully said. She held her breath as she gripped the phone a little too tightly from her nervousness. Maybe she had pushed Mr Rogers was a bit too hard, but she didn't want to lose profit so quickly to Mr. Rogers. She knew the value of his guards. With a crack, the phone slightly broke. Even still, she could hear Mr Roger's voice.

"I would like one favour from you in the future."

The word favours her ears. She couldn't make heads or tails on why he wanted such things instead of asking for whatever it was that now that she could provide.

"A personal favour from you. Not the Dragon Express." Mr Rogers punctuated his words, trapping her before she could speak.

Snow's voice went up an octave, trying to figure out why she was asked a personal favour. She wasn't as high up in the branch of the Dragon Express, though she ran field operations. It wasn’t as big as the other chain stores.

“Why?” Snow couldn’t help control her outburst. His words blindsided her that she hiccuped on her professionalism.

"This is just part of the deal. Ms Snow. Nothing more.”

“What if I say no? Would that affect your help?”

“Yes.”

Snow racked her brain. Her mind threatened to overheat from all of the predictions that she was conjuring up from his reason. “But why?” She knew that Mr Rogers was a very logical man, and for him to throw out such an addendum to his explanation was not of his character.

"Once again, I have my reasons. So, what would that be, Ms Snow?"

Snow couldn't really deny the offer as it didn't really affect the overall Dragon Express, but it would affect the future affect transaction between Mr Rogers and Dragon Express. As a representative, she didn't want to lose a good connection, as Mr Rogers did send other forms of assistance when she was stuck in the dungeon. Small as it may be, they were obligated to do it.

“Fine.” Snow said with reluctance.

"Don't feel defeated, Ms Snow. It won't hurt you overall. A day will come when I will need a favour of you." Mr Roger remarked.

"Understand." Snow knew how highly prized Mr Roger was when it came with deals and words of agreement. Especially his favours that he liked to collect. She should have said no, but she needed help. Time was precious, and lives were on the line.

Already, she had seen the government of the magical community take their first leap as they worked tirelessly to control the Dungeon outbreaks, but it wasn't enough. Most of their influential people were only a dime in a dozen as they were sent out to different dungeon clearing missions. She did hear that the Fist of the North star was already clearing out the dungeons in the southern states.

Even the Sleeper governments were buzzing with excitement at the newfound danger of mythical creatures that appeared out of thin air.

The barriers between the magical and the nonmagical had broken, creating a hotpot of scares and conspiracy. Snow had seen the latest news that Heather had brought that showed the alarming rate of Awakened being born every second. It was quite astounding as their magical affinity seemed to appear out of thin air.

Still, there were Awakened, who weren’t blessed with magic at all and were still considered normals.

The world was in chaos as they weren’t the only dungeons that appeared in the states. All over the country, different dungeons exploded into life, bringing troubles of their own.

"That's good to hear." Mr Rogers was pleased with Snow's words. "I'll be sending them over now."

The phone went quiet as he hung up on her.

Snow felt a bit better at the extra weight lifted off, but the nagging feeling of the favour bothered her as she was not the type to want to owe anyone a favour.