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"Gold-level Red: [Flesh-Eating Spider Demon]. Gold-level Red: [Grand Magus of the Curseheart Academy]."
Russell stared at the first two materials from Jin's envelope.
"Generous... but completely unrelated."
What possible connection exists between a spider demon and an academy mage?
Even Russell, with his extensive knowledge of mythology and two lifetimes of media consumption, couldn't immediately link these materials.
Red quality at Gold level represented serious investment from the Society. But their collection was haphazard—clearly they lacked the Federation's systematic resources.
"Where do they even source these?"
Overseas? Maritime secret realms?
That would explain Blake's permanent coastal assignment. The ocean hid more than fish.
The third material caught his attention.
"Gold-level Red: [Heart of Desire]."
Three Red materials. Jin really invested in me.
The Heart seemed vaguely connected to the Grand Magus material. Then realization struck.
"Could the Society control a secret realm with drow elves? DND-style?"
The thought excited him briefly before reality intervened.
"Standard DND races lack serious combat power. Their gods are either absent or require impossible materials."
He abandoned thoughts of creating a drow matriarch. Besides their talent for intrigue over combat, he'd already identified perfect candidates for these materials.
Not one character, but two. One spider, one mage, enhanced by desire.
"Need to watch for complementary materials."
Though he couldn't create a complete card immediately, Mikoto provided public strength while Kai lurked as backup. His Silver-rank cards remained formidable despite his advancement.
Night - Russell's Villa
Meditation broken by knocking.
"Lord Six... Lord Six..."
Kai's voice, appropriately servile.
"Enter."
"My lord, I've gathered everyone as ordered. They await your pleasure."
Russell raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
Kai's nervous laugh. "Who would dare delay when you summon?"
Russell stood, his casual clothes morphing into an ink-black suit via Arrogance's shapeshifting.
"My identity stays hidden. Lead on."
Abandoned Coastal Factory
Whispers filled the darkness.
"Which Lord summoned us?"
"The message came from a Gold-rank. Can't be fake."
The assembled cardmakers—all Silver-rank minimum—fell silent as shadows deeper than night spread across the factory floor.
Two figures materialized: one standing (Kai), one seated in theatrical shadow (Russell).
Darkness obscured Russell's face despite the ambient light—Kai's shadowcraft creating appropriate mystery.
"So dramatic," someone muttered.
Before Russell could respond, Kai's shadows formed a noose around the speaker's throat, lifting him effortlessly.
The Silver-rank cardmaker turned purple, legs kicking uselessly against Gold-rank power. Soon, shameful wetness dripped onto dusty concrete.
"Release him," Russell commanded. "The smell is offensive."
THUD.
The man collapsed, gasping.
"Your will," Kai bowed deeply.
Surprisingly competent at good cop/bad cop, Russell noted. Why was he wasting away in Northgate?
Kai's actual thoughts: Too slow! Should've just killed him! Will Lord Six punish my hesitation?
The near-victim crawled forward, kowtowing desperately. "Thank you for mercy! Thank you!"
Blood spattered from his forceful prostrations.
Shadow-tape sealed his mouth before he was dragged aside.
"I've summoned you to establish hierarchy," Russell announced. "You answer to me now. Objections?"
Silence. After that demonstration, who would dare?
"Which Lord are you?" someone ventured.
"Sixth in ranking. My name is Lux. Call me Lord Six."
"LORD SIX!" they chorused.
Russell waved for silence. "Recent events in East-Haven. Report."
After nervous deliberation, someone raised a hand. "My lord, Russell the national champion just arrived as Vice President..."
Kai nearly choked. You're discussing him TO him!
Russell remained calm—separation of identities served his purposes.
"Noted. What else?"
"The Unification Sect, my lord. They've been active since the New Metro incident. We've had... encounters."
Russell's expression didn't change, but internally he cursed. The north's defenses have collapsed that badly?
When he'd arrived, General Fang had the Sect contained at the border. Now they operated freely in coastal cities?
"Their purpose?"
"Unknown, my lord."
Russell's eye twitched. "Then why the conflicts?"
"Next time, report them anonymously to the Association. Let them handle it."
The irony wasn't lost on him—he'd be investigating his own anonymous tips.
Two jobs, same salary. Fantastic.
At least Jin's materials provided some compensation.
The taped man writhed, trying to speak.
"Let him talk."
"My lord! The Sect's local leader is supposedly named Leigh!"
Russell's mind raced. No prominent Leigh families in East-Haven. Expanding nationwide yielded nothing. Then it clicked.
East-Haven's proximity. The Leigh surname. This world's twisted history...
"Corian Leighs?"
The man nodded frantically.
Russell frowned. "Impossible. Why would Corian royalty align with the Sect?"
Coria remained the Federation's "loyal vassal" even in the cardmaker era. Their mythology was Federation mythology with serial numbers filed off and local kings inserted. Russell didn't judge—vassals learning from their lords was natural.
But the Corian Leighs still ruled there. Why consort with body-modifying terrorists?
Better to join our Society than those freaks.
"Confirmed intelligence?"
Hesitant nod.
"Don't interfere. Let the Association handle foreign complications."
Internally: What a mess. Should've chosen Seven-Star City.
But if all three cities had problems prepared...
"That's all. Disperse carefully."
Russell departed with Kai, but didn't immediately return to meditation.
One name from tonight's gathering demanded attention.
Zayne - Public Security Director, East-Haven Cardmaker Association.
One of the officials who'd greeted him at the station. A Gold-rank cardmaker. A Society member.
"This entire city is compromised."
Russell laughed bitterly at the scope of corruption he'd inherited.
Time to clean house.
(End of Chapter)
300 , 500 , 1000 Each milestone will have 1 Bonus chapter.