OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 527: Nosferatu

They all sucked in a deep breath without exception, but Mr. Pawn managed to calm himself first.

"But if they're consolidating this hard... What's coming that even they need this much leverage?"

Mr. Player's 'fog' covered head flicked toward the far corner of the room, as if pondering something beyond their reach.

"That, I cannot answer. But know it's the reason for my words two months ago."

A tense silence settled over the group as they all processed what he meant.

Setrenc going public was in preparation for this.

They didn't bother thinking about how he knew such information. He was a Paragon for Aether's sake, his means far outweighed anything they could even imagine.

So, rather than waste their time on that, their thoughts pertained to how exactly they'd be involved.

Even though they all had powerful resources and connections, presumably at least, the Ten held a sway no one could ignore.

Mr. Bishop broke the silence with a soft cough, surprising everyone by speaking:

"Whatever they're after, it's clearly not for us to know-yet. My people suspect that it might involve us, and though I'm not sure, it could very well be the truth."

Ms. Queen nodded at him.

"They move slow, so maybe we'll get a hint by next year. For now, I'd say we keep our heads down and take advantage of their desperation for Veez."

Mr. King leaned back with a wry grin.

"Sure... Ms. Knight. Just keep piling up those credits for us while we sit pretty, huh?"

"Oh, don't worry, King."

Ms. Knight shot back with a smirk.

"I'll make sure you're well taken care of. Just as long as you keep calling me 'rich girl.""

The two exchanged a mocking salute, drawing a few chuckles from the others, and the tension in the room eased, if only for a moment.

Paa~

Mr. Player gave a single, slow note, signaling his approval and announcing the end of the reporting phase.

"If anyone has anything for transactions... now is the time to present it."

Mr. King threw a meaningful glance at Mr. Pawn.

"You have something to show, don't you?"

Emir raised his eyebrows, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"...Maybe."

Mr. King leaned in, curiosity sparkling in his gaze.

"So, you found something interesting? Spill it, man. Don't keep us guessing!"

"Yeah, this 'rich girl' over here might get mad if you keep this up~!

Emir looked at her, chuckled, and let the anticipation build for a beat before he spoke:

"I've come across something unique-something you, King, have been after for a while."

Mr. King's eyes widened, and he practically leaped out of his seat.

"You're joking."

He slapped the table with a booming laugh.

"Tell me you're not joking, Pawn!"

Emir leaned back, casually crossing his arms as he met Mr. King's gaze.

"I'm not. It's called Echo Shard. It matches the specs you wanted. Technomancer, third ability, third upgrade, Nanoclone, actions hidden and not broadcasted."

For a moment, there was complete silence.

And then, Mr. King's face broke into the widest grin anyone had seen from him.

He slapped the table with enough force to make it shake.

"When can I get it?!"

Emir shrugged his shoulders.

"Can't say—it's not in my hands. I'll have to secure it first."

"Then I'll go get it! Just tell me where it is!"

Emir slowly shook his head.

"No. You'll struggle. I can get it. Only problem... it's a 'bit' far. I'll need some upfront investment."

Mr. King didn't even bother arguing or negotiating and simply asked:

"How much?"

"...I'd say three thousand is a fair price."

Emir knew not to take advantage of Mr. King here, though he could've gotten a lot more if his desperation was anything to judge, that would sour their relationship, automatically not making it worth the extra money.

"Deal!"

And Mr. King seemed to have caught on to that, as he immediately accepted.

"Good. I need the Veez, especially after spending bank on those cores."

Ms. Knight perked up and asked:

"Did your guys put it to good use?"

"Yeah, though they're just the 6-core variety, they make do."

This request might've brought their image of him down, but after he cemented himself as a powerhouse, none entertained the thoughts that they were for him.

And he wasn't even lying, they were really not for him. They just came from the same ranked

monster as the one he used, though they didn't need to know that.

"Just be sure you're prepared to compensate me if things go tits up."

"Prepared? If you bring me that holy relic, I'll make sure you're paid double, no, triple the

Veez you spent to get it! Just... whatever it takes, I need it."

Emir raised an eyebrow.

"Triple, huh? Well, you'd better stick to your word, then."

He allowed himself a slight smirk, amused at Mr. King's unrestrained excitement.

"Mr. Pawn."

With his name called, Emir turned to Mr. Rook.

"What is it?"

"I'm assuming that you'll go to a more underground auction. Am I correct?"

That assumption was obvious, as King's hands could reach uncountable places, and those

they couldn't were too hidden, "underground."

"You are."

"...Then you might see something that I want there."

Mr. Rook sighed and opened his mouth, displaying his long fangs for a moment.

"As you already know, my soul is bound to the Void Beyond making me a being of the night, a

Sumrakoveć, a vampire... a Nosferatu."

Emir remained silent, listening in to the unexpectedly serious Rook.

"The stronger I grow, the more I transform, become one with the myth... and you know about

our myths don't you?"

He nodded... he knew very well, he made sure to know two months ago after the first

gathering had culminated.

It was commonly known that the heart of a vampire didn't beat, it only allowed blood to pass

through its suspended veins.

To them, a heart was merely a source where their flowing blood gathered.

So how did their blood move? What was the principle by which the red liquid in them, the

source of life, trickled forth...?

The answer was pretty obvious: Bloodcraft.

Their element was that of Blood, and they could control it how they liked.

Through this, they directly controlled every drop and strand of blood and spread it

throughout their body, pushing it between all their muscles and flesh.

Blood completely bent to their will, which allowed them to move even without a beating

heart.

That was the reason vampires could live despite being dead.

That was why a vampire's heart remained still and unbeating while their blood flowed

proudly regardless, as naturally as river water.

The concept of intense, pumping blood was non-existent to these beings.

They could still feel excitement or sorrow, but their body would be utterly unaffected by such

emotions.

Their face didn't flush, their veins didn't bulge, their vision didn't narrow, and their eyes

didn't redden or shed tears.

Tension didn't make their limbs tremble, and sorrow couldn't overwhelm them.

Be it excitement or sorrow, all of it ended as a flickering thought within the mind.

Emotions unaccompanied by hormones didn't last.

One might envy the eternally young and undying, but some of those very vampires didn't see

it as anything to be envied.

They begged for a release... a moment where emotion could rule their hearts.

Mr. Rook appeared to be one of these vampires.

"I want to push myself away from that outcome, numb down the effects... you understand me

don't you?"

Emir simply nodded, understanding how much courage it took for the Rook to speak.

"I'll be on the lookout."

"That's all I wanted to hear... thank you."

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They shared a glance, then looked back at Mr. Player.

The fervor died down with Mr. Rook's words, so Mr. Player didn't need to ask, seeing that no

one else had anything to trade.

"You could now discuss if you wish."

But before anyone could launch into a conversation, he turned to Emir.

"Mr. Pawn, I'm sure you have more pressing matters waiting for you. Consider yourself

excused from today's gathering."

Emir saluted him, grateful.

"Thank you."

Then, he gave a respectful nod to the others.

"Let's all catch up next time. And Mr. King-"

He gave the man a sidelong look. "You'd better be ready with that pay."

"Oh, don't you worry!"

Mr. King was still practically bouncing with excitement.

"I'll make sure the Veez are in your hands by tomorrow." With a faint smirk, Emir pushed back his throne and stood up. Touching the pawns on the rims of his shades, he disappeared, returning to the material

world.