Natalia couldn't remember the last time she had been so stressed. She'd been invited to a meeting with the Head of Rifts, but after her encounter with two founders, she didn't know what to expect. She hadn't been the most friendly person to these two, and a disciplinary hearing was in the realm of possibilities.

She walked through the maze they called Emerald City, with a young man guiding her. She'd stayed here not that long ago, but it looked like a completely different place now. "How's that possible?" she inquired of her guide. He shrugged. "No idea. One day, they lock down the entire department. When they open it the next day, it's transformed."

They didn't talk anymore after that. Natalia wasn't good with small talk, and her guide seemed to share the sentiment. After passing through control points, she was taken to a large meeting room with a long table and bright lights. She wasn't the first there. A young woman sat by the wall and typed something on a tablet. Nowadays, many people in the company seemed to own a similar tablet.

The woman raised her head and asked Natalia to take a seat and wait. She wore a sharp suit and white blouse, unlike Natalia, who dressed more casually. Good thing that Kora persuaded her from wearing the wetsuit. However, the rules inside Emerald City were quite strict about items of power, and there were additional restrictions inside the headquarters. Only allowed items and skills were permitted inside.

A few minutes later, Goodman, the cluster manager, entered the meeting room. For a second, Natalia thought she was meeting him, but he looked as surprised as her. Then the door opened for the third time, and an arrogant-looking man came inside. His clothes were from at least Level 3 fabric, and she noticed a ring that was magical. This guy was a big deal.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "My name's Cyrano." He didn't sound like an asshole. He took a seat on the other side of the table, placing his tablet and some papers in front of him.

"I'm sorry that I won't be able to entertain you with small talk or anything and have to cut to the chase."

"That’s good with me," Natalia said, and Goodman agreed with her.

"Superb. So, you were asked here because Mr. Kid and Mr. Earl spoke very highly of you and you have records to back up your performance. With the upcoming expansion that will include a Level 5 rift cluster, we must scale up our operations."

Natalia didn't know what unsettled her more, his unbothered tone or the fact that Untainted Paradise had a Level 5 rift cluster. Nonetheless, her curiosity was piqued, and if this meeting wasn't a disciplinary hearing, she could relax.

Goodman shifted uncomfortably upon the revelation and asked. "Pardon me, but how's this possible? There haven't been any more outbreaks, have there?" He's right. There have been only three outbreaks, and we've been delving Level 4 rifts for weeks now. How?

Cyrano didn't seem taken aback by the question. The opposite, actually. He smiled as he gently tapped the table, considering the answer.

It took Natalia and Goodman a moment to process this information, and unfortunately, it raised more questions than it answered.

"If you agree to our offer, you'll be there when we unseal the cluster."

Neither Natalia nor Goodman had been present during the opening of the Level 4 cluster, and she didn't know anyone who had been there, which was unsettling. Were they removing the witnesses? If that was the case, she would rather refuse Cyrano's offer. On the other hand, she didn't believe it would be the case. She was aware of her own worth, and wasting her without a good reason didn't sound smart, and Untainted Paradise was smart.

She noticed a concerned expression on the cluster manager's face. That man was an extremely risk-averse person, though only if his life was on the line.

"Let's hear the offer," Natalia blurted out before Goodman could back out of this. He gave her an awkward glance but didn't object. Cyrano nodded then tapped his tablet. A screen on the wall came to life with numbers and descriptions.

"We'd offer you, Mr. Goodman, a new role of Level 5 cluster manager. The role would be adjusted once we manage to relocate all the rifts here to Emerald City. In that case, you would be in charge of all Level 5 rifts we control. The role would come with a substantial pay rise, a Level 3 skill of your choice - as long as we actually have it - a Level 4 crafted ring with +4 to all attributes that you'd be permitted to wear inside the city, you'd also be levelled up to Level 6. This would be a requirement as much as a privilege. Because of a higher clearance status, we must ensure you'd be in a position to defend yourself."

Goodman didn't even haggle, he just accepted. Cyrano then turned to Natalia. The screen flicked, and her name appeared on it.

"Miss Kowalska, your new role would be called Rift Training Manager, and it would involve selecting and training capable delving teams of various Levels. You would be subject to similar benefits as Mr. Goodman, and no longer be his subordinate."

Unlike Kora, Natalia didn't need days to consider an issue. In her mind, the offer was insanely good. Goodman wasn't an idiot, if there was anything out of place here, he'd point it out. Maybe a few weeks ago, she'd have freaked out when Untainted Paradise offered her a Level 3 skill of her choice, but after witnessing Keynes Kid's flippant attitude toward wealth, her perspective changed.

"I agree," she said.

"Here." Cyrano pushed two tablets toward her and Goodman. "Read through the agreement and sign at the end if you're satisfied. Take as much time as you need. If you need anything, Mrs. Snow is here to assist you."

He stood up and left.

I can't wait to tell this to Kora!

***

André sat in one of his dining rooms, reading daily reports. His frown deepened, his forehead marred. The sub-boss dominion failure had started to bite him in the ass. Despite his attempts to suppress the knowledge of his encounter with Keynes Kid, things had leaked out. Some of the council members had started to whisper about replacing him as the chairman. Him - the founder of the Solar Council. It was a ludicrous and preposterous idea.

He put the reports down, taking a sip of coffee. It was only Level 3 coffee, and it wouldn't have any effect on him, but the strong bitterness combined with rare spice was a weird but acquired taste which he enjoyed.

Some commotion down the hall drew his attention away from his problems. André stood up and moved toward the double door. What was going on? His ears picked up shouting. He pushed the door apart. The long hall was empty, but the commotion was just behind the corner.

"Noisy bunch," a voice behind him said. He whirled, finding a familiar face belonging to a man sitting in his spot. "That coffee though, hideous."

The intruder wore a black robe. Judging by the power coming off it, the robe was a rift item.

"Do you fancy it?" the intruder asked with a smirk. He pushed the mug with coffee away from him.

André gave the old acquaintance an annoyed look. Ethan Blackwood was the owner of the Sovereign. He was the man who stayed in the shadows while his influence spread all over the solar system. Their dealings were mostly done through Sovereign's CEO, so his intrusion couldn't mean anything good. Ethan looked not a day past twenty. Ethan was reportedly around seventy, but there was no clear information about this man. Even his name didn't sound real. André had investigated every Blackwood family out there. None of them had any connection to Ethan.

Ethan's bronze eyes tracked André with ease that shouldn't be there. They were inside André's mansion. Its security measures were one of the best in the world. How had Blackwood gotten in? And who the hell caused the commotion?

"What are you doing here?" André decided to cut to the chase. He wasn't in the mood for idle talk. He had to figure out what Blackwood's presence here meant. He didn't move from the spot by the door, waiting for the response.

"You need to relax, André. You're the man in charge of a very important council. Losing your cool doesn't fit your station."

André didn't appreciate the tone, and he made it show on his face, but the reaction wasn't the one he hoped for. Blackwood let out a quiet laugh, drawing an angry huff from André, who slammed the door closed. Whatever had caused the commotion in the hall was now gone.

"You said it yourself. I am in charge of a very important - no - the most important organisation in the solar system. Breaking in without a good reason leaves you in an undesirable position."

Blackwood shrugged as if he didn't notice the threat.

"You won't complain after hearing me out though."

André crossed his arms and waited. Blackwood snorted. "Fine. Let's talk." He offered André his chair as he stood up. Reluctantly, André did so but stayed on high alert. He had three skills he could use if things got heated. He didn't know what level Blackwood was. He'd grilled the Sovereign's CEO, but the man hadn't known. But there was no way he was stronger than André.

"It looks like our old friend Zimmermann has outsmarted us," Blackwood said as he sat down across the table.

"He got lucky," André countered.

"Lucky?" Blackwood frowned. "I can hardly imagine how a company like Untainted Paradise was built on luck alone."

"We both know how much wealth and knowledge he's inherited from his father. Then the only person who can open rifts walks into his house. Sounds like a hell of luck to me."

Blackwood took his time in responding to André's words. Some of his amused expression melted away. Only now André noticed a complete set of silver rings on Blackwood's hand. He didn't like them.

"Zimmermann wasn't the only person with access to Keynes Kid and yet, look what he's achieved. Allying with Curt and Earl was a genius move. Securing the biggest military force in the world and bringing Earl's wealth and connection to the table? Is this something you could have done, André?"

He tsked, annoyed once more about Blackwood's attitude.

"Not the same way. I don't have the stash of hidden potion recipes and plants that can heal and do all sorts of things, but I have ruled Geneva for years, which is now the centre of the solar system. I am in charge of the Solar Council, which is the most powerful organisation in the solar system." He jabbed his finger into the table, piercing it. Most of the furniture wasn't replaced with higher Level materials yet. His stronger body had to be careful to not break things.

“Perhaps,” Blackwood said, his good humour seemingly returned. “But things look bleak, don't they? You failed at securing the first sub-boss dominion. You failed at enforcing the deal with Untainted Paradise. And now, your allies are slowly turning against you. Once you lose your seat at the council; how long would you remain the Prime Minister of Geneva? Hm?”

So that’s why he’s here. He’s trying to exploit my difficult position. Hardly an unexpected move, though his presence here isn’t normal. He stays in the shadows for a good reason.

“These things will be taken care of.”

Despite André growing ire, Blackwood said. “They won’t. You and the Solar Council are in no position to threaten Untainted Paradise without risking Keynes Kid’s life. Of course, assuming you can find Emerald City. Additionally, losing Sael cost you more than you think, especially in the light of your recent failures.”

Sael had been a dangerous liability and if he was alive, he’d go after André’s seat. But he didn’t voice his disagreement. Blackwood wasn’t done yet.

“But you have a friend in me, André. I’m not going to leave you without help. To that end, I asked my company to come with a few solutions. First, let’s meet the new military leader of the Solar Council.”

What? We don’t— André’s thoughts ended abruptly as he felt spiritual pressure coming from the hall. Who the hell was that?