"Who is this? How did you get this number."

"Department Head Mahog. It's Ellis Vincere."

"Ah. Why are you contacting me."

"I am continuing work for the hazard branch but in Auroran. I have no means of doing my job as no higher-ups want to assign me any fractures."

"...it was smart of you to contact me, but I see no reason to help. We completed a deal, and that's that."

"You sought me out last time for a problem, and now I'm doing the same. We left our last encounter as even parties, so I'm not 'cashing in a favor.' We are even, so let's formulate how you can benefit from this."

"What's your angle?"

I pause to organize my thoughts. What is my angle? Percy told me to 'gain recognition' to better his chances of 'stealing a spot,' so I guess I'm looking for promotions? I should also be more respectful since I'm the one asking.

"Climbing the corporate ladder, sir."

"HAHA! Damn, kid. You just reminded me of something. So, what is someone your age doing climbing this blood-soaked ladder already?"

"I'm more interested in what I reminded you of."

"The answer to what I would get in exchange for pulling my weight around to help you. I'm technically in the running to be the next Director of the FIB. I'd be the youngest one so far if I actually got the position... but I would need to seriously pad my list of accomplishments."

"I see where you are going with this."

"Yes. I'll give you what you want so you can do your job. If you fail, that's that, but if you succeed, as you did with *that* fracture, you will seriously solve issues for the FIB. Eventually, the top brass will notice, and when they start asking questions, they'll discover our relationship."

"Isn't that a bad thing?"

"Not at all. At the end of the day, fractures that needlessly eat up funding and resources will be dealt with, and I'll get praise for 'taking the initiative' like last time."

"Are you okay with just that?"

"For now. Anything more would be considered bribes, and I'm not one to be swayed by credits. I'm ludicrously well off."

Hazard fractures are fractures noticeably dangerous, usually undocumented or nearly undocumented fractures. The FIB would prefer to send a specialized team to finish what the scouts couldn't do and build the foundations for future teams to have the head start needed to survive such a hostile place... Or at least confirm that it's a loss cause so they can 'dispose' of it safely.

The longer it sits there, the higher the chance something catastrophic can happen and needlessly cause danger or headaches. Plus, maintaining a fracture, something I don't know much about beyond 'maintaining a balance,' is apparently costly and near impossible for these fractures.

I... will probably need a manager as well. I'm dealing with hazard fractures abandoned by hazard teams or newly found ones. I'm probably going to be in and out of the fracture until, coming to and fro acquisitions, doing paperwork, until the base is ready.

"I'm going to need a fracture manager, aren't I. 'Someone to delegate smaller tasks once I'm down with initial prep. I could ask around the branch, but I would like that manager I met while doing that job for you."

"Do you have their name?"

"No. I usually don't get names unless they say it unprompted. All I remember is their hair color and that-"

"Nevermind. I have their information on hand. Sure, I'll ask one of my subordinates to contact him and ask if he wants to do this 'job.' Regardless, in the future, you should contact me through Supervisor Michael. I'll send his contact information over. He's the one who introduced you to me."

"Okay."

"What else? I'm busy."

"Two things. One, I want to know more about the current state of the hazard branch since I'm aware some wish for it to fail."

"Oh. It's a waste of resources and more akin to a gamble. I'm personally against shutting down since my job would be harder. I'm aware that the loss of life is unfortunate, and I would be swayed to change my decision if the people of the hazard branch were willing to work under me. Just one person willing to subject themselves to that job and consistently come out in one piece would be three times- five times better compared to the average agent."

"Uh-huh."

"Regardless, they would be parachuted to the exploration department instead."

"The last thing is a separate proposition. I want to buy fractures from you-"

"No."

"But-"

"You're a guild master right now, right? Eventually, when your guild is a high enough rank, you'll be forced to pick this job or your guild. I'm not going to sell FIB fractures to the guilds."

"I'm not looking for fractures that others would be interested in. You mentioned 'fractures that needlessly eat up funding and resources.' I know that some fractures will never change and continue to be resource sponges until they are 'disposed' of. I want them."

"..."

I know how to speak 'government agency.' "It'll decrease the burden on your budgets."

"I'll consider it, not because of any monetary reasons, but because disposing of fractures is more of a pain than keeping them around. No promises. My people will contact you once my side is ready."

Instead of waiting in my new 'office,' I roam the halls waiting to be contacted. I'm bored enough to start watering the potted plants sprinkled around the building... until the CoS I spoke to last time came up to me.

"People reported you to HR. What do you have to say about you bleeding all over the gym? How did you get in anyway?

"I'm not talking without my lawyer present."

"...It's not like that. It was out of concern, but- whatever. It won't be good if you keep getting reported, even if it's out of wellness. We take our health seriously here."

Tad ironic, no? Regardless, I cleaned up after myself."

"If this wasn't a lawful country, you'd be strapped to the table and experimented on."

I tilt my head at that statement. "Been there, done that. If my use of the gym and coffee maker annoys you, ignore it. See ya."

I retreat from that woman. I don't know why she kept talking to me when she established she wouldn't help me in the future. It's suspicious, but I may be overthinking, and she could be checking on me because we have an acquaintance in the form of Nelson.

~~~

I vacated the bathroom and set my new office up in a seemingly abandoned janitorial closet. I retreated from my previous office since there was too much 'traffic' there.

Michael contacted me with my new manager's number since he seemingly agreed to work with me. I'll have to ask him why.

We met in my office. The manager is still shorter than me and still has sandy hair. It looks like he shaved recently.

"...nice place you got here, cozy."

"Why did you say yes?"

"I get bonus pay equivalent to the type of fractures I manage, and hazard ones pay the most. Also, all the other fractures I managed were managed by others during my stint in that concrete room. I've been using this time as paid vacation, but margarita money is getting low."

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, and since you lived through that hot mess of a fracture last time, I figured this job would be long-term… Where's the rest of the team? Shouldn't I meet them?"

"I guess with time. You should know I use tame beasts instead of members."

"Smart. I've seen Tamers work for the FIB but never solo. Too worried about dying alone with their beasts, I suppose. Michael gave me a list of fractures that meet your 'conditions.' I don't know what he means, but feel free to look at my tablet."

My fracture manager puts his tablet on the crate I'm using as a desk and turns it around at me. It's a list and brief description of various fractures. There's a convenient search function. Let's see here… from the most dangerous…

[Ocean of Abyss

Recommended average party level: 500

Environment: Deep Ocean

Water/Pressure limited the scouting technology available. The entire scouting party died. A single recording survived. The party was consumed by a level 500 leviathan. There is no indication if this was a standard resident or a 'boss.'

Addendum. The aforementioned 'leviathan' was not identified as such. It was felt that it was appropriate to use that term.]

There are only two pictures attached. One of a deep blue fracture and one of a massive maw encompassing the entire frame. Teeth line the gullet as tiny specks - what I assume to be the scouts - are unaware of their impending demise.

Yeah, let's not do that one. It also looks like there are even more dangerous ones, but those are beyond our 'clearance' level or something… But I notice many are sparsely documented for a different reason beyond 'big fish.'

There seem to be many new fractures dated to be found after the quakes. The manager noticed that I was looking at all the new fractures, so he decided to say something.

"Yeah. After the Remembrance disaster, fractures have been popping up more frequently. FIB is very hush-hush about this, but we workers know why our workloads tripled. Half the reason why I went on vacay."

"If you were on vacation, how did you get here so fast?"

"I was in a resort fracture on the FIB premises. It's basically a work incentive."

I picked out the first fracture in this branch of my career.

[Infinite Infernal]! No, wait. That's one I'm interested in, for Prometheus' sake. What I meant was...

[Venomous Void

Recommended Level: Level 200-???

Environment: Subterranean?

The landscape is rocky and bare. The ceiling isn't visible from the entrance, nor are any walls. The air is noticeably thin and even absent in some areas. The air is filled with toxins and corrosives, and the only liquid noted was heavily poisoned. Drones failed after a few minutes, and acquisitions for more durable drones were denied.

Protective suits and breathing apparatuses didn't last long. Acquisitions of higher-ranked protective equipment were denied.

Attempts to introduce breathable air to the environment were met with failure. Acquisitions of [Air Stone] powered air generators were denied due to budget constraints. [Air Stone]s were deemed too costly, but other means of air generation were greenlit.

As previously mentioned, they failed. Fracture is deemed to be stored until solutions regarding immediate safety are satisfied.

One creature was spotted via drone, but identification procedures were fruitless. Only base information was acquired. See full document for more information.]

If lack of [Stone]s is a roadblock to clearing this fracture, Flash Gordon can solve that issue. His new skill makes crystals, but he can 'turn' into an [Air Stone].

If toxic/corrosive fumes are an issue, Duchess can use her [Wind Magic] to keep it at bay.

Regardless, I'd be able to train two resistances at once, and I don't need to acquire safety equipment… at least not as much. I hand the tablet back and ask a question to my new fracture manager.

"How can I get my own tablet?"

He shrugs. "I'll handle the registration and paperwork. Here's my personal number, and here's my work number. Contact me with what you need from acquisitions unless you'll handle that paperwork yourself. I'm off."

He leaves me alone in my office. What do I want from acquisitions? As much food as they are willing to give me? I liked their meat-based nutrient sticks since they were convenient and didn't taste like broken glass.

I know now that I can ask for anything at any point. It's up to the people working at acquisitions if they are willing to give it to me. If I ask for too much initially, they might be less receptive to my expenditures later as each fracture has a budget assigned depending on how optimal the situation looks.

Of course, it's against policy to say the exact budget because, of course, I would use all of it exactly and not leave a single credit. The FIB is willing to produce a set budget but discourages reaching the budget. It's one way to internally save money. I guess.

For my first run through this fracture, I only need food and possibly some portable way to get air, just in case.