Deck Director Keisha, of the Stone Guild, was a level 48 powerhouse. Most of her ability points were in strength, stamina, and agility. She wasn’t a flashy fighter, but her strength made her body almost impossible to injure with any of the weapons on the Second Deck. She had a reputation for ripping a man’s arm off his body and beating him to death with it. However, no one mistook her for a simple dumb brute, at least no one that wanted to stay alive. In the Stone Guild, her commands were the law.

Director Keisha received a sound wave message from her secretary, “Deck Director, Captain Jonas has returned, and is at your service.”

Keisha replied, “send him in.” Keisha didn’t play power games with her command staff by forcing them to wait needlessly, or by manipulating them with chicken-shit assignments. Her command staff were the best of the best, and she rewarded and treated them properly, but if they slipped up, the punishment was just as certain.

Captain Jonas entered Deck Director Keisha’s simple, yet tasteful office, and said, “Deck Director, at your will, I’m ready to report on the status of the Poison Dagger Guild.” Jonas respected the Deck Director, but was very aware that if his job performance did not meet her exacting standards, he might leave her office with one less arm, or not at all.

Keisha replied, “Relax Jonas, have a seat, and tell me everything.”

Jonas took a seat, but didn’t relax, and reported, “The temporary alliance with the Arc Guild was successful. When the other Deck Guilds learned Poison Dagger ambushed the Arc Guild, they did not raise any complaints about us killing all the members of Poison Dagger. However, we could not find their guild leader, Mac Luck. We are continuing our search for him.

Keisha asked, “Do you think the Arc Guild might have killed him and looted his belongings?”

“That slimy Director Roger doesn’t have enough control over his guild to keep it secret if they did. We will keep searching for him unless you wish otherwise.”

Director Keisha responded, “Yes, keep searching for him. You can go now, I have much to do.”

Jonas did not get up right away, but said, “Director, I believe there is more you should hear, if you have the time.”

Keisha gave Jonas a warning glare, but nodded for him to continue. Without delay Jonas continued, “Three non-guild members teleported in with Alchemist Paul. Two women and one man. The man is a mage, and within 30 minutes after his jump, he had enough mana, power, and spells to kill half of the Poison Dagger fighters all by himself, but he collapsed from exhaustion as the battle ended. He is the only reason they stayed alive long enough for reinforcements to reach them. Of course, we have our people gathering more intel as we speak. That is all I have to report, Director Keisha.”

Director Keisha waved her hand at Jonas and said, “I want to be informed about the mage as soon as you learn anything. You may go now.”