Chapter 23

Driving in a sedan, the high-rise buildings scattered around came into view as they entered the 10th district. The scenery, now becoming familiar, brought back memories of the day the delegation arrived. 'It was around here that I met Tianjian.' Though their meeting was brief, the conversation with her left a deep impression on Renok. If what the Ascended called 'dignity' could be defined, she must have been the one closest to ascension. Renok didn't easily forget the warning left by Madrea, but he also couldn't easily find the answer. To find clues about the word 'Alcaide,' he searched through not only his phone but also the library and even sought help from Jenny, yet found no results. If the Ascended warned him to be careful, it couldn't be something ordinary, but it was surprising how shrouded in mystery it was. To avoid danger, he had to uncover the secret. However, that wasn't something a mere freelancer could do. It didn't take long to arrive at the headquarters of Dyke, passing through the wide, well-maintained road. The underground parking lot beneath the towering high-rise building. Kilian got out of the car and immediately started walking. "Do you know what our company does?" "....More or less." As can be seen from the laser cutter Renok uses, Dyke Corporation started as a factory producing industrial tools and has since expanded its scale. Currently, it is well-known for not only its industrial equipment but also its foray into the arms business, thanks to its substantial capital. This has led to a rivalry with Achilles, a company that produces various military products, including security equipment, but it doesn't seem to be a crisis that would force them to shut down. They took the elevator straight to the upper floors, and the elevator shot up, giving a sinking feeling. Through the transparent glass door, the forest of buildings in the 10th district was visible. "If you already know, it will be quicker. Our planning team leader wants to hire you. She will explain the details, but if everything goes well, you'll be temporarily employed in the support team." "I haven't even heard what I'll be doing yet." "That's why I'm bringing you here to hear it now, sir." Ding! The elevator doors opened, revealing a neatly decorated corridor. The clean interior had a thick carpet on the floor, and a warm breeze blew gently from somewhere. Kilian walked straight down the corridor and pushed open a particularly large glass door, entering. "Panora, I brought him. This is the one." "....I specifically asked you to notify me before bringing anyone in." The woman with glasses, who had been looking at a monitor, slowly turned her head and replied. She had a neutral appearance, but her lips were set firmly, giving her a resolute air. She calmly looked Renok up and down and offered him a seat. "Thank you for coming. Please sit down." As he sat on the sofa across from her desk, Panora tapped a few more keys and then approached Renok. She skillfully prepared a drink and handed it to him, then sat opposite and looked at him. "Can I leave now?" Kilian, who had been staring blankly from behind, said. She replied without turning her head. "I've sent about four other resumes via email. Check them all, prioritize them, and secure them. I'll call you to confirm later." Kilian grumbled and closed the office door behind him. Only then did Panora extend her hand to Renok. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Panora Bellucci, the planning team leader at Dyke Corporation." "Renok." They shook hands briefly, and Renok asked, "I have a question." "Yes, please go ahead." "How significant is the role of a planning team leader within the company?" "I'm curious why you're asking that." "I want to know the scale of the project Dyke is proposing to hire me for. To be honest, I haven't heard a detailed explanation yet." He gestured to the glass door. "I don't think much can be expected from that werewolf." His words were quite unexpected, and Panora's response was delayed. "....You know Kilian is a werewolf. Did he tell you?" "No." Renok replied. "I got a sense after killing one." "........" Panora, who had been silent, spoke. "We strictly prohibit violent conflicts among support team members." "That's something I'll decide after hearing your side of the story." Panora seemed to realize that there had been some tension between the two. "....Kilian seems to have been rude. I apologize on his behalf." She was quite perceptive and didn't seem to have unnecessary pride. "So, what's your answer to my question?" "Just know that I can directly influence the company's business direction. Hiring a half-mage like you is part of a project I proposed to the board." Panora's eyes lit up as if she had been waiting for this. Renok didn't miss her unconsciously touching the watch on her left wrist. "Since entering the arms business, we've been looking for opportunities to expand our market. The residents of the 40th and 50th districts... they have the potential to be our customers." 'Outside.' It seems that in the 'inside,' the place where Renok works is referred to as such. "I'm not confident in sales." "We know. That's not what we want. We're looking for a very skilled freelancer who can work outside. Someone outstanding but not yet widely known... a contradictory worker, if you will." There was no need to ask who she meant. Her intense gaze already pointed to the answer. "After the Deep Web reopened following the Ascended's visit, many inquiries must have come your way. But we were the most desperate and the fastest." "........." "A rare, highly skilled mage working alone. Even the successful commissions you've completed are all significant. If you survived a battle with a veteran exorcist, there's no need to doubt your skills. Other clients must be eager too." "What are you trying to say?" She was either excited or trying to persuade him, as her words were lengthy. Up until now, she had been cautious, considering Dyke's position, but if he didn't cut her off, she would continue with meaningless flattery. Her eyes behind the glasses glinted slightly. She was likely assessing Renok's character through this conversation and adjusting her approach accordingly. Renok, aware of this, gave her time to think. If Dyke, a company of this size, was this eager, the compensation they offered would be substantial. Especially since their offer came right after the Deep Web reopened. If he could obtain something he wanted through them... A moment of silence passed, and Panora spoke again. "I plan to restructure the market in the 40th district." "........." "To put it bluntly, there are a few obstacles we need to remove to sell our products in that area. I would like you to assist with that task." Decision Panora calmly threw out this bombshell and waited for Renok's response. After a moment of deep thought, Renok slowly spoke. "I don't understand." "What do you mean?" "A company the size of Dyke shouldn't lack military resources. I don't see why you'd need to make such a request, especially from the planning team leader in person." The plan to push out those who currently dominate the weapons market in the 40th district made sense. But involving Renok in the process was a different matter. "There are two reasons," Panora answered immediately. "First, you are a highly skilled freelancer who has built a career at an unprecedented speed, especially as a mage." She continued, "Finding a skilled mage is no easy task, as you can imagine." "Second, by using a freelancer like you, we can gain some legitimacy. This is the main reason." "Legitimacy?" "If we openly deploy forces in the outer districts under our name, we would face various constraints and might not even break even. But by indirectly controlling the direction through you, our competitors won't be able to protest openly." The 40th district, while a lawless area under the city government's permission, adheres to the unwritten rule of market dynamics. If large corporations started to intervene, the order and profit structure in the outer districts would collapse, which is not what the city government's higher-ups want. "........" Renok nodded, seeing the cold smile on Panora's lips. In summary, they planned to use Renok as a proxy to eliminate business competitors in the 40th district. They aimed to dismantle the complex business structures in the back alleys, dominated by illegal arms dealers, gangs, and violent organizations, and claim the remaining pie. It was a bold plan that required taking significant risks. Dyke Corporation wasn't the first to think of this. But such considerations were not Renok's concern. The most important question remained. "What can you offer me in return for all this?" Panora turned on a screen next to her desk without a word. "I know you're looking for several rare items. You have a very discerning eye, as befits your outstanding skills." "........" Renok, surprised to hear such words from a planning team leader at a giant corporation like Dyke, remained silent. "But we genuinely want to work with you. I believe you'll understand when you see this item." The screen quickly turned on, revealing a photo. Five pencils, so worn they were almost worn away, were preserved. They were stored in a thick glass case, tightly bound with pale fluorescent chains. Despite this